ONE PEICE: LONG ROAD

The sky stretched wide and clear, resembling the boundless skies of the Grand Line, where the weather could turn fierce in an instant. Today, however, it was serene, a tranquil sapphire canopy above the island. The breeze carried the salty tang of the sea, yet the blazing sun scorched the ground below, casting a shimmering haze over the island, as if teasing its residents with heatwaves.

Inside the modest wooden house, Sibe and Wang Li sat at the table, their eyes glued to the lone fruit resting there. The hall was eerily quiet, save for the occasional growls emanating from their empty stomachs.

"Ugh, Sibe, are we really eating fruit again for lunch?" Wang Li sighed heavily, his voice tinged with frustration as he rubbed his growling belly.

Sibe, her head slumped dramatically on the table, muttered, "Looks like it. Unless you've got something else up your sleeve, this is it. Fruit is all we've got."

"I'm so hungry," Wang Li groaned, clutching his stomach as if hoping for divine intervention.

Sibe perked up slightly, lifting her head just enough to eye the fruit. "Same here," she murmured. Her hand reached out lazily toward the fruit, but a thunderous crash jolted them both upright.

The door to Sibe's home lay splintered on the ground, having been knocked off its hinges. The culprit stood triumphantly in the doorway, boot firmly planted on the fallen door.

"Hahaha! What a coincidence—you're both home! Though I gotta say, Sibe, your door's as sturdy as wet paper," said the towering Kunke, his laughter booming as he strode in.

Sibe's temple throbbed as her anger surged. "Uncle Kunke! You broke the door! Do you have any idea how much it costs to fix things around here? You're paying for that!"

Kunke waved a dismissive hand, chuckling. "Bah, it was already falling apart. I've done you a favor by testing its strength. Don't worry, I'll 'fix' it later." With that, he patted the fallen door as though praising his own handiwork.

Wang Li and Sibe exchanged incredulous glances, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Kunke's eccentricity was nothing new, but his antics often left them speechless.

Kunke's attention quickly shifted to the fruit on the table. "Oi, what's this? Looks tasty!" Before the children could protest, the fruit vanished into his mouth, devoured in seconds.

"MY LUNCH!" Sibe and Wang Li wailed in unison, their combined outcry shaking the walls.

Kunke, nonchalant, licked his lips and remarked, "Not bad. Where'd you find it?"

"That's from Houshan—" Sibe began, only for Wang Li to clamp a hand over her mouth. Sibe's muffled protests continued, but Wang Li refused to let her reveal their secret.

Kunke ignored the scuffle, reaching into his bag and producing a handful of buns. "Here, these are from Aunt Xili's bakery. Eat up before you pass out."

Sibe wasted no time, snatching a bun in each hand. She devoured one in seconds and handed the other to Wang Li, who watched her in disbelief before quietly taking his share.

After the meal, Kunke leaned back in his chair, lighting a cigarette. The smoke curled lazily upward, and his face took on a nostalgic expression.

"Uncle Kunke, you're smoking!?" Sibe exclaimed, wide-eyed. "I thought Aunt Xili made you quit!"

Kunke grinned sheepishly. "She did, but it's been years. And anyway, your dad got me into this habit."

"Liar! My dad never smoked!" Sibe retorted, crossing her arms.

Kunke chuckled, shaking his head. "You're right. He gave it up before you were born. Same reason I quit—someone we cared about asked us to."

Sibe rolled her eyes but didn't press further. Kunke, however, suddenly grew serious, his gaze shifting between the two children. "Listen up, Sibe. What I'm about to say is important. Wang Li, this might not concern you—"

"It does if it concerns Sibe," Wang Li interrupted. "I'm staying."

Kunke sighed, rubbing his temple. "Fine. Wang Li, that boulder outside the Houshan cave—you moved it, didn't you?"

Wang Li nodded. "Yeah. It wasn't that heavy."

Kunke studied him carefully. "Have you ever eaten something... unusual? A fruit that tasted terrible, maybe?"

Wang Li frowned, his memory hazy. "Actually... yes. Before I came to this village, I remember eating something strange. It was bitter, and the taste wouldn't leave my mouth for days."

Kunke's eyes narrowed. "That was a Devil Fruit. Once you eat one, you gain a unique power—but you lose the ability to swim. The sea itself becomes your greatest weakness. Tell me, Wang Li, have you noticed anything unusual about your body?"

Wang Li thought for a moment. "I recover from injuries really quickly. And sometimes... I can't stop eating."

Kunke nodded. "That's the power of a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit. Yours seems to enhance recovery and stamina. It's rare but not unheard of. However, Devil Fruits are tools. How strong you become depends on how you use them."

Wang Li's eyes lit up with determination. "Teach me, Uncle Kunke! I want to master this power."

Kunke shook his head. "I can't teach you. Mastering a Devil Fruit is a journey only the user can take. Remember, raw power isn't everything. Relying too much on your abilities will only make you weaker in the long run."

Sibe watched the exchange silently, her expression unreadable. Wang Li, however, clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "I'll become stronger. Not just for myself, but to protect the people I care about."

Kunke smiled faintly, a flicker of approval in his gaze. "That's the spirit, kid. Just remember—this world is vast, and strength comes in many forms."

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold, the small house seemed to glow with newfound resolve. For Wang Li, the journey ahead was just beginning.