Blades of the East: Ren’s Journey in One Piece

Chapter 6: The Shrine’s Secret**  

Ren’s heartbeat **thundered** in his ears as he adjusted his grip on his wooden sword.  

The underground chamber was **cold and damp**, the air thick with dust. Faint moonlight streamed through the hole above, barely illuminating the surroundings.  

Then—**a low growl.**  

Kuina tensed beside him. “Did you hear that?”  

Ren swallowed. **Something was in here with them.**  

A shadow **shifted** at the far end of the chamber. Then another.  

**Red eyes gleamed in the darkness.**  

“Wolves,” Kuina whispered.  

Ren **exhaled sharply**, trying to stay calm. *Wolves in a shrine?* That wasn’t normal.  

And then—**they attacked.**  

A wolf lunged at Kuina. She barely dodged, twisting her body as its claws scraped the stone floor.  

Another came for Ren. **Too fast!**  

He barely had time to react—**his body moved on instinct.**  

*Duck.* *Pivot.* *Counter!*  

He twisted, **slamming** his wooden sword into the wolf’s side. The impact sent it **skidding backward**, yelping.  

Kuina struck too—her movements precise, her swordplay **effortless**.  

But they were just kids. And these were real predators.  

Ren’s breathing turned ragged. *Too many.* *Too fast.*  

One of the wolves lunged—aiming **straight for Kuina’s throat.**  

*No!*  

**He moved without thinking.**  

His body **collided** with hers, knocking her out of the way. They tumbled onto the ground—**Kuina beneath him, Ren’s body shielding her.**  

She gasped, her face **close—too close.**  

Her breath was warm against his neck.  

For a split second, everything stopped.  

Then—  

A sharp **howl** echoed through the chamber.  

The wolves suddenly **backed away**, retreating into the darkness.  

Kuina pushed against his chest. “Ren—get off me!”  

Ren blinked, realizing their position. He scrambled back, heat rising to his face. “S-Sorry.”  

She dusted herself off, **her own cheeks red.** “What just happened?”  

Ren frowned. The wolves had backed off… **because something else was here.**  

A soft **blue glow** pulsed from the far end of the chamber.  

Kuina followed his gaze. “What is that?”  

Slowly, they approached.  

It was **a sword.**  

An **old katana**, its hilt wrapped in faded white cloth, its blade **embedded in a stone pedestal.**  

**A forgotten relic.**  

Ren reached out, heart pounding.  

1. As his fingers brushed the hilt, a sudden **wave of energy** rushed through his body—  

And his mind **exploded with visions.**