ONE PEICE: LONG ROAD

City H is a vibrant and bustling metropolis, reminiscent of the lively streets of Water 7 in the world of *One Piece*. The city center is a hub of activity, with densely populated streets and a lively atmosphere. On either side of the road, shops are neatly decorated, their facades adorned with colorful signs and displays. Every few steps along the sidewalk, there are green trees surrounded by low, square wooden fences. These fences are filled with brightly colored flowers, creating a picturesque scene that is pleasing to the eye under the soft glow of the streetlights. Almost every store is bustling with customers, and the pop music playing from the shops not only uplifts the spirits of those inside but also prompts the young people walking by to hum along to the catchy tunes. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves of the trees, causing the flowers to sway gently, as if dancing to the rhythm of the music.

This is a place that Wang Li has avoided for a long time. It's not that he doesn't want to visit the city center, but rather that he fears the dark forces that lurk there. He knows that in every prosperous city, there are those who exploit the vulnerable, much like the corrupt underworld figures in *One Piece* who manipulate others for their own gain. In City H, there are rumors of a gang that forces children into begging to make money, and anyone caught by them is forcibly recruited into their ranks. Because of this, Wang Li stays on the outskirts of the city, far from the bustling center. While the periphery of City H is also lively, it lacks the opulence of the downtown area. The small, abandoned house where Wang Li lives is tucked away in a neglected corner, where there are no streetlights to guide pedestrians.

The area is shrouded in darkness, and visibility is extremely low. If the moon is obscured by dark clouds, the surroundings become almost pitch black. Even an adult would feel uneasy in such a place, let alone a child, for the scariest thing in the world is not ghosts, but… people.

Wang Li, however, is not afraid. Having lived in this environment for so long, he has grown accustomed to it. Even in the low visibility, he can navigate the scattered stones on the ground by memory. Soon, he arrives back at his small, dilapidated home.

"Finally, I'm back. I'm so hungry," Wang Li mutters to himself, relieved to see the familiar, albeit rundown, structure ahead.

He pushes his tricycle into the house and parks it haphazardly in a corner, unconcerned about the possibility of it being stolen. Struggling, he moves today's meager harvest from the tricycle to his "bed," which is nothing more than a pile of weeds covered by a tattered black quilt. As he wipes the sweat from his forehead, his stomach growls loudly, protesting its emptiness. His limbs feel weak, and his body trembles uncontrollably.

"Stomach, please hold on a little longer. You'll get something to eat soon," Wang Li says, patting his belly with a weak smile.

Kneeling on the ground, he rummages through the weeds with his small hands, his eyes filled with desperation. After a moment, his fingers brush against something solid. His expression tightens, and he quickly pulls out a half-eaten roasted sweet potato. The blackened skin resembles charcoal, and faint tooth marks are visible on its surface. The yellow flesh inside still seems to emit a faint warmth and a tantalizing aroma. Wang Li swallows hard, reluctantly peeling off the charred outer layer before devouring the sweet potato bite by bite. The sound of his chewing echoes in the silence, and for a brief moment, this is the happiest part of his day.

In no time, the small roasted sweet potato is gone. Wang Li looks at the scattered black peels on the ground and slaps himself lightly, shaking his head in regret. He closes his eyes, as if savoring the memory of the taste. Touching his stomach, he wonders if he's full, though he can't be sure. He lies down on the pile of weeds, pulling the quilt over himself. Staring at the ceiling, his eyes widen as he begins to speak softly.

"Old man, are you doing well up there? Have you eaten enough? Are you warm? Why don't you visit me in my dreams? I really want to know how you're doing. I miss you so much. This life is so lonely… Every night, I'm alone, with no one to talk to…" Wang Li's voice trails off, and he abruptly closes his eyes, afraid that tears might escape. After a moment, he regains his composure and opens his eyes again.

"Old man, are you hiding your struggles from me because you don't want me to worry? I just want to talk to you, even if it's just a simple greeting," Wang Li murmurs, his small hands clutching the weeds tightly. The pain in his heart resurfaces, and this time, he doesn't hold back his tears. They stream down his cheeks as he lies there, a lonely 12-year-old boy with no one to share his burdens.

As if the moon itself cannot bear to witness his sorrow, it disappears behind a veil of dark clouds. The silver light fades, leaving the world in darkness. The wind picks up, howling like a mournful cry, sending chills down the spine. Exhausted from crying, Wang Li eventually falls asleep. In his dreams, he finds himself swimming in a mountain of roasted sweet potatoes, tossing aside half-eaten ones and grabbing new ones with a joy he has never known in his waking life. His face is lit with a smile so wide it seems to stretch beyond his cheeks.

Meanwhile, outside, the dark clouds drift away, and the moon reappears, casting its silver light once more. The wind dies down, but beneath the ground, a tremor begins. The earth pulses with a rapid, rhythmic vibration, growing stronger with each passing moment. The small abandoned house shakes slightly, but Wang Li, lost in his dream, remains unaware. Gradually, the shaking intensifies, and the fragile structure of the house begins to groan under the strain. Wang Li is jolted awake just as a black shadow looms over him. Before he can react, a searing pain tears through his body, and his thoughts drift away into nothingness.

The shaking stops as quickly as it began, but the little abandoned house, unable to withstand the force, collapses in a cloud of dust. In the city, lights flicker on in every household as people wake in a panic, but the tremors subside, leaving them to return to their beds. The city, now illuminated as if it were still early evening, seems to be saying a silent farewell to something—or someone.

As the night deepens, the lights go out one by one, and the city falls back into slumber. The people, reassured that it was just a false alarm, drift off to sleep, unaware that in the shadows of their world, someone is missing…