Branches whispered in the breeze as Ryan and Unohana moved through the dense forest outside Nagagutsu. The moon, high and pale above, barely pierced the thick canopy, turning their path into a tunnel of shadows and muted greens. The only sounds were the rustle of leaves underfoot and the occasional call of a nightbird. Every step forward was measured, deliberate.
Ryan kept his pace steady, his eyes flicking side to side as he scanned the forest with quiet intensity. His satchel—now heavier with six Devil Fruits and several stacks of Berries—rested snug against his back. He hadn't spoken since they'd slipped into the trees. His jaw was tight, the memory of Tritobu's vault and his cowardly face still lingering.
Unohana walked beside him, her stride calm, almost serene. She moved through the forest with a quiet confidence, as if the shadows and hush of the woods were her natural element. Though her blade stayed sheathed, there was a quiet readiness in the way she moved, a deliberate poise that spoke of ease and awareness. She glanced at Ryan, noting the slight tension in his shoulders and the way his gaze swept the undergrowth—not from pain, but from focus.
"You're walking stiffly," she remarked, her tone mild but perceptive.
"Just staying alert," Ryan replied, his voice steady. There was tension born of what they'd just done, and what might come next.
"You're thinking of far ahead," she said, more to herself than him. Her gaze returned to the forest path. "Even so, you should find a place to rest. Not only you're worn down—but because we both need to be sharp."
Ryan gave a short nod. "There might be a clearing up ahead. We'll stop there."
A few minutes later, they emerged into a break in the trees. Moonlight poured into the open space, illuminating wild grasses and a half-rotted tree stump in the center. Ryan set down his satchel and sat beside it, stretching his legs. The forest felt quieter here, as if even the animals held their breath.
Unohana sat nearby, legs crossed, her hands resting lightly on her knees. She looked at Ryan with that unreadable expression she wore so easily. "You handled Tritobu well," she said.
Ryan scoffed. "If you mean I let him walk away untouched, then yeah, I guess."
A hint of amusement played at the corners of her mouth. "You showed restraint. I thought you'd strike him the moment he opened the vault."
Ryan didn't respond right away. He stared up at the canopy above, where the stars peeked through gaps in the leaves. "He had power he didn't deserve. And he wanted more. Devil Fruits for the Celestial Dragons... like they need more power."
Unohana was silent for a beat. "That's why you took them."
He nodded slowly. "Better we hold them than let them reach hands like his or them."
The quiet that followed wasn't awkward—it was heavy with thought. After some time, Ryan leaned back against the stump, his voice softer now. "We'll leave for Loguetown at tomorrow. But for now, this is enough."
Unohana looked at him for a long moment, then rose gracefully to her feet. "I'll keep watch for the first few hours. Get some sleep, Ryan."
He didn't argue. His eyes closed as he leaned his head back, the forest sounds lulling him into a lighter sleep. Unohana stood nearby, half in shadow, her hand resting gently on the hilt of her blade.
The night deepened around them.
And somewhere in the distance, the echoes of a shaken kingdom still rang in the dark.
The first rays of dawn filtered through the treetops when Ryan stirred. Sitting up, first thing he did was to pull his satchel closer and unfastening the flap. Inside, the bundles of Berries remained neatly stacked. He ran his fingers over the edges of the notes, quickly counting through them, a habit of precision more than necessity. Satisfied, he was about to close it up just as a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
[SYSTEM ONLINE]
Host: Ryan (soul merged)
System: Healer's Summon — Version 1.0
[System Reinitialized. Welcome back, Ryan.]
He blinked. It had been quiet since the last time he used the system. The voice brought a strange comfort, like an old companion returning from silence.
"Let's hear it," he murmured, still processing the sudden reappearance of the System. He glanced toward Unohana, who sat quietly nearby. Her gaze was already fixed on him—calm, steady, and laced with a curiosity she didn't voice. She gave a small nod, as if silently acknowledging the moment, waiting with him to see what came next.
Current Status:
Berries: 30,000,000
Devil Fruits: 6
Summons: Retsu Unohana
[Checking Summoning Conditions]
[Devil Fruit acquired — 6/5 requirement met]
[Current Berries: 30,000,000 / 25,000,000 requirement met]
Summon Progress: 100%Initiating Random Summon…
Warning: Summon cost increases 5× with each use.
Next required Berries: 125,000,000 | Next required Devil Fruits: 25
Do you wish to summon now? [Yes/No]
"Yes," Ryan said aloud, firm and clear.
Summoning initiated…
The light from the summoning circle intensified, casting flickering shadows across Ryan's and Unohana's faces. A pulse of warm air brushed past their skin, crackling with static, as the grass beneath them seemed to tremble in rhythm with the arcane hum building around them. swirling in hues of blue and violet. It radiated out from the ground like a ripple across still water, casting an eerie glow over the surrounding underbrush. The colors danced across the trees, reflected in Unohana's eyes as she sat motionless, observant. A low, resonant hum filled the air, growing louder as tendrils of energy twisted upward, shaping the silhouette of a figure yet to come. Ryan's heart pounded—not from fear, but anticipation.