Chapter 163 — The First Generation Grove
S.C. 1511 — Mid March
Hidden Island — Eastern Growth Zone
Morning sunlight filtered through the fog-covered canopy as Ren stepped into the newest section of the hidden island…
A place that barely existed two months ago.
Now?
Dozens of trees, herbs, and shrubs swayed gently—mutated by Ren's Plant Catalyst v1 and high-concentration Compound X.
Kiro whistled softly.
"…They all grew this much in just weeks?"
Ren nodded.
"First generation results. Some stable. Some not yet."
Zemo trotted ahead proudly, like a tour guide showing off his garden.
Ren opened his field notebook and walked toward the first row.
---
1. High-Yield Fruit Tree — "Harvest Pear"
The trees were short but full of dense green leaves.
Ren reached up and picked a round fruit—pear-shaped but heavier than a normal one.
With one slice of his knife, sweet juice dripped down instantly.
"Sugar levels… high. Fiber normal. Good for bulk food."
He handed half to Kiro.
Kiro bit in.
His eyes widened.
"This is like eating fruit and honey at the same time!"
Zemo barked and stole a piece.
Ren wrote:
Stable. Nutritional boost ×1.7. Annual yield expected ×2.4.
---
2. High-Nutrition Fruit — "Vital Core Apple"
The next tree had darker bark and thick-veined leaves.
Ren plucked a reddish orb and cut it open—its flesh glowed faintly yellow.
"Minerals doubled… vitamin concentration very high…"
He took a small bite.
A warm burst of energy spread through his limbs.
Not fast.
But steady.
Kiro raised a brow.
"Is this… healthy?"
Ren nodded.
"This is long-term nutrition. Perfect for long journeys or soldiers."
He wrote:
Endurance food. Balanced. Safe.
---
3. Rapid-Stamina Recovery Fruit — "Sprint Plum"
These small purple fruits grew in clusters.
Ren crushed one between his fingers.
A sharp scent filled the air.
He tasted a drop.
His breathing instantly felt lighter.
His pulse steadied.
"…Efficient."
Kiro blinked.
"That quick?"
Ren nodded.
"This one is effective after intense labor. Useful for the crew during construction."
Zemo ate an entire plum.
Then zoomed in circles around the grove at lightning speed.
Kiro shouted, "OI—ZEMO!!"
Ren quickly wrote:
Immediate stamina boost. Only one fruit per day recommended.
---
4. New Fruit Type — "Blueflare Citrus"
Ren approached a tree with pale-blue leaves.
The fruit looked like a glowing lemon.
Inside, the pulp shimmered faintly.
Ren smelled it—fresh, clean, almost minty-citrus.
"Hydration fruit. Good electrolytes."
Kiro tasted a drop and shuddered.
"Why is it this refreshing?!"
Ren wrote calmly:
Perfect for hot climates and desert trips.
---
5. Hard-Wood Tree — "Stonebark Titan"
The next section contained fewer trees.
Each one was thick and unusually straight.
Ren tapped the trunk with a metal hammer.
CLANG.
Kiro's jaw dropped.
"That sounds like iron!"
Ren nodded.
"Stronger than any East Blue ship wood. Denser than oak. Perfect for ship ribs and main beams."
He tried pushing against the trunk.
It didn't move even a fraction.
Zemo tried biting it.
His tooth skidded off harmlessly.
Ren wrote:
Ship-grade. High structural reliability. Slow bending. Fire resistant ×1.3.
---
6. Fast-Growing Giant Tree — "Skyreach Timber"
These trees towered above the rest.
Ren marked their height:
They had grown two meters in nineteen days.
He checked the leaves.
Large. Thick. Moisture-rich.
Perfect for:
building
firewood
large-scale construction
quick replacement materials
"Good. Very good," Ren murmured.
Kiro looked up in awe.
"You made an entire forest in under a month…"
---
7. New Herb Variants
Ren moved to the herb circles.
Thickleaf Medica v2
Bigger. More aromatic.
Makino would be thrilled.
Spiceleaf Ember
A red-edged leaf.
Kiro tasted a tiny bit.
"SPICY—HOT—WATER—REN!!"
Ren noted:
Cooking spice. Useful for preservation.
Calmroot Herb
A faint minty smell.
He crushed one root—
His senses sharpened subtly.
"This might help with fatigue," Ren said quietly.
(A useful herb for later.)
---
8. Mutant Berries — Small but Powerful
Ren walked to the berry clusters.
Burstberry
Tiny red berries.
When Ren ate one, a mild warmth spread through his body.
"Minor healing acceleration."
Frostbite Berry
Cold to touch.
Useful for cooling fever or treating burns.
Nighteye Berry
Black-purple.
Ren's eyes adjusted slightly in low light.
"…Interesting."
Kiro frowned.
"What did that one do?"
"Improved dark vision."
Zemo tried to pick one—
Ren stopped him.
"No. Only one per week for animals."
Zemo sulked.
---
Village Reaction — Later That Day
Foosha Village — Afternoon
Ren delivered a small batch of fruits to Makino for testing.
Makino tasted a Harvest Pear slice.
Her eyes widened.
"Ren… this is richer than any fruit I've ever seen."
"New cultivation method," he answered.
Luffy barged in.
"FRUIT?! WHERE?! I WANT ALL OF IT!!"
Makino smacked him with a wooden spoon.
"YOU WILL TAKE ONE!"
Luffy cried dramatically.
"I'm starving!!"
Ren gave him a single Sprint Plum.
Luffy ate it and froze.
Then—
"RENNNNN I CAN RUN AROUND THE WHOLE VILLAGE—WATCH ME—!!"
He sprinted away so fast he became a blur.
Makino stared blankly.
"…What did you feed him?"
Ren coughed.
"Energy… fruit."
Makino: "Ren. Don't give Luffy things like that at night."
---
Night — Beginning the Mapping
Back on the hidden island
Ren walked once more through the grove, lantern in hand.
Each tree represented:
food
medicine
construction
energy
future trade
island development
He sketched the grove layout:
North — Titan wood
East — Fruits
West — Herbs
Center — Fast-growth trees
South — Berries
Everything was coming together.
Zemo pressed against his leg, tail sweeping the dirt.
Ren whispered:
"This will be our foundation."
He gently closed his notebook.
The grove rustled softly in the night wind—
Strong. Stable. Growing.
---
End of Chapter 163