The village lay quiet under the blanket of night, but Luffy could feel the presence of something lingering beyond the veil of darkness. The stars above twinkled faintly, but the moon was hidden behind drifting clouds, casting the village in an eerie half-light. While Zoro and Usopp had settled near the clearing, and Nami rested her back against a tree, Luffy sat apart, his senses reaching into the void. His shadow affinity pulsed faintly beneath his skin—like a heartbeat only he could hear.
Closing his eyes, he activated his connection with the shadows. His vision shifted. The world around him darkened as his perception extended through the murky depths of the night. The shadows whispered to him, revealing faint movements at the edge of the village—a figure weaving through the alleys with unnatural silence. Someone was watching them. Tracking them.
Luffy narrowed his eyes, careful not to let his tension show. He had been honing his abilities in secret, practicing the delicate balance between observing and striking. His power was growing, but he knew the dangers of overusing it—the darkness had a will of its own, and he dared not let it control him.
He stood, stretching his arms as though he were merely restless. "I'm gonna walk around a bit," he said casually, keeping his tone light.
Zoro cracked an eye open. "Don't cause any trouble." His tone was relaxed, but his gaze lingered a moment longer than usual. He trusted Luffy, but he could tell something was stirring beneath his captain's carefree facade.
Usopp mumbled something about pirates in his sleep, clutching his slingshot as though it were a shield. Nami gave a half-hearted wave, too tired to question him, but her eyes briefly flicked to the shadows beyond the clearing before she closed them again.
As soon as Luffy was out of sight, his expression hardened. He slipped into the deeper shadows of the village. He let the darkness embrace him, his presence melding with the night. Each step was soundless. The shadows beneath his feet seemed to guide him—he was not merely moving through them; he was becoming one with them.
He followed the trail of the mysterious figure, weaving between houses and ducking behind barrels. His breathing was steady, his eyes glowing faintly with the power he had come to master. The figure ahead stopped briefly under a flickering lantern. It was a man, cloaked in black, his face obscured by a hood. He peered toward the clearing where Luffy's friends rested, before slipping further into the dark.
Luffy clenched his fists. Whoever this was, they were no ordinary villager.
He allowed a tendril of shadow to extend from his palm, snaking along the ground toward the figure. It slithered silently, unnoticed. The moment it touched the man's foot, Luffy felt his heartbeat quicken. He could sense the weight of his target, the subtle movements of his muscles, and the tension in his stance. It was like reading the enemy's intent through the shadows themselves.
"Got you," Luffy whispered to himself.
In an instant, the man stiffened as though he felt something unnatural. He turned sharply, eyes scanning the area, his hand instinctively drifting to a blade concealed beneath his cloak. But Luffy had already retracted his shadow tendril and concealed himself behind a wooden crate, blending seamlessly into the darkness.
The man lingered for a moment, his breathing measured but alert. He was experienced—this was no ordinary scout. He had sensed something, even if he could not see it. After a few tense moments, he began retreating toward the hill leading to Kaya's mansion, his movements slower, more cautious than before.
Luffy exhaled slowly, releasing the tension coiled within his chest. He had confirmed his suspicion—someone was keeping watch, ensuring their movements were known. And they were linked to the mansion.
But there was something else. The man had noticed the shadows. He had felt them. That meant he was no stranger to danger—and perhaps, he had encountered something like Luffy's power before.
Returning to the clearing, Luffy masked his seriousness with his usual carefree smile. "Nothing interesting. Just wanted to stretch," he said as he dropped beside Zoro.
Zoro opened his eyes briefly, studying Luffy's face. He noted the faint tension in his captain's jaw, the subtle sheen of sweat at his temple. Something had happened. But Zoro trusted Luffy to reveal what mattered when the time came.
As dawn crept over the horizon, casting warm hues over the sleepy village, Luffy leaned toward Zoro, his voice low.
"Someone was watching us. They were good. Really good. We need to stay sharp," he said, his tone firm.
Zoro's hand instinctively brushed over his sword hilt. "Then we stay ready."
The shadows had stirred. The threat was real. And Luffy knew that soon, his growing power would be tested in ways he had not yet imagined.
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️