After Gustave and Po guided Yang Chan deeper into the forest, their first priority was crafting proper equipment. Gustave selected several sturdy branches of appropriate length and thickness, testing each one with careful precision.
"Chan'er, stay close to Po at all times," Gustave instructed as they entered a section of particularly dense woodland. "We don't have any supernatural abilities right now, which makes this forest genuinely dangerous for ordinary people like us."
Though the Moral Lord's restricted zone had reduced everyone to baseline human capabilities, Po retained significant advantages as a naturally powerful panda—and a Kung Fu Panda at that. His inherent physical strength far exceeded normal human limits, making him their group's most formidable member by default.
This was precisely why Gustave had insisted on partnering with Po from the beginning. In their current vulnerable state, the panda represented their best hope for protection against any serious threats they might encounter.
"If we run into tigers or other predators, Po can keep you safe," Gustave continued, securing his makeshift tool belt. "Trust his instincts completely."
"I understand!" Yang Chan nodded eagerly, practically bouncing with excitement as she stayed close to Po's reassuring bulk.
"Gustave, what about those trees over there?" Po pointed toward a cluster of young saplings growing in remarkably straight lines. "Do they look suitable for your purposes?"
Gustave examined the indicated trees carefully, tapping their bark and assessing their dimensions with practiced eye. After a thorough inspection, he nodded with satisfaction.
"Perfect. These are exactly what we need."
The saplings were roughly forearm-thick and grew with impressive straightness—ideal raw materials despite their unidentifiable species. The One Piece world's flora rarely disappointed when it came to practical applications.
After measuring appropriate lengths, Gustave began chopping at the base of his selected tree with methodical precision. Several clean cuts created notches of varying depths until the trunk finally toppled.
"Good density and hardness," he observed, using his machete to strip away the outer bark and reveal the pale yellow wood beneath. "This should work perfectly."
He trimmed the sapling to approximately two and a half meters, then carefully sharpened one end into a pointed spear tip. The first weapon was complete within minutes.
Gustave repeated the process twice more, creating three identical spears—one for each team member.
But melee weapons alone wouldn't suffice for effective hunting. He selected several thinner branches about four fingers thick, sharpening both ends into javelin-like projectiles that would serve as ranged weapons.
"There we go," Gustave declared, distributing three of his five finished javelins to Po while keeping two for himself. He secured the machete at his waist with practiced efficiency. "Now we have both close-range and long-distance options. Time to find some prey!"
"Let's go hunting!" Yang Chan leaped up with infectious enthusiasm. Her first hunting expedition felt like the grandest adventure imaginable.
"Our initial target should be a stream or pond," Gustave explained as they began moving through the underbrush. "Water sources attract all forms of wildlife. Even if we can't find deer or wild boar, we might catch fish or freshwater crabs."
Both Po and Yang Chan nodded attentively, hanging on his every word.
"Generally speaking, rivers flow through valleys while natural pools form in low-lying areas," Gustave continued, drawing on half-remembered wilderness survival programs. "So we need to head toward lower terrain if we want to locate water sources."
"Brother Gustave, you know so much!" Yang Chan's eyes sparkled with hero worship as she gazed up at him with pure admiration.
"Haha, well..." Gustave actually felt his cheeks warm under such earnest praise. "Just basic outdoor knowledge, really."
After wandering through the forest for nearly an hour, they spotted terrain that sloped noticeably downward. Gustave immediately scrambled up the nearest climbable tree for a better vantage point, confirming his suspicions about the landscape below.
"Po! Chan'er! I found a valley!" Gustave called down before dropping nimbly to the ground. "Follow me!"
Sure enough, their descent led them to a crystal-clear stream that bubbled melodiously through the valley floor. The water was so transparent they could see every pebble on the bottom, and its gentle music created nature's own perfect soundtrack.
"Wait!" Gustave suddenly froze, raising his hand for immediate silence.
"What's wrong?" Po whispered urgently.
"There's a deer drinking at the water's edge," Gustave replied in barely audible tones. "Don't make any sudden movements."
He crouched low for better observation while Po and Yang Chan mimicked his posture exactly.
"That deer looks kind of... simple," Yang Chan commented after studying their potential quarry's somewhat vacant expression.
"Appearances can be deceiving," Gustave cautioned. "Deer are naturally alert creatures, even the ones that look dopey. We need to approach this carefully."
He gestured for Po to take Yang Chan downstream while he circled upstream, creating a pincer movement that would give them the best chance at a successful hunt.
"Got it," Po confirmed, guiding Yang Chan toward their designated position.
As both hunters crept closer to their target, the deer suddenly lifted its head with sharp awareness—revealing intelligence that completely contradicted its previously vacant demeanor.
"Very alert indeed," Gustave murmured approvingly. "Good thing I didn't underestimate you."
He continued his careful approach until he could make eye contact with Po across the stream. Gustave held up his fingers in a silent countdown, watching as Po readied his javelin in response.
Three... two... one...
Both hunters launched their projectiles simultaneously.
The deer heard the whistle of displaced air and bolted without hesitation. Its reflexive head movement allowed it to dodge Gustave's javelin completely, but Po's throw found its mark with devastating accuracy. The wooden spear punched through the deer's chest, sending it crashing to the ground where it struggled briefly before Gustave's follow-up strike ended its suffering.
"Sorry, friend," Gustave said quietly, retrieving his javelin from where it had embedded harmlessly in tree bark. "Wrong place, wrong time."
"Brother Gustave lost to Brother Po!" Yang Chan announced with gleeful mockery, apparently forgetting her earlier hero worship in favor of playful teasing.
"Ah! Chan'er, you've wounded me!" Gustave clutched his chest dramatically, staggering backward as if mortally injured. "Right through the heart!"
"Hehe, get better soon, Brother Gustave!" Yang Chan immediately rushed over and began tickling his ribs with determined efficiency.
"Hahaha! Stop, stop! I'm completely healed!" Gustave laughed helplessly, dodging her persistent attacks. "Your medical skills are incredible!"
"I cured Brother Gustave! I cured him!" Yang Chan danced around with the pride of a miracle worker who'd just raised the dead.
After their playful interlude, Gustave approached their successful hunt and attempted to lift the carcass. His expression immediately shifted to surprise.
"This isn't a deer—it's practically a pig!" he grunted, struggling with the unexpected weight.
"Let me try," Po offered, testing the deer's heft with his own hands. "You're right—this thing must weigh over three hundred kilograms. That's enormous for a deer."
Under normal circumstances, Gustave could have lifted three hundred tons without breaking stride. But within the Moral Lord's restricted zone, managing three hundred kilograms of dead weight presented a genuine physical challenge.
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