Chapter 73 — The Hidden Shore
S.C. 1510 — Late November
Off the Coast of Foosha Village
The tiny boat rocked gently as Ren rowed toward the island, the oars dipping smoothly into the water.
Zemo sat at the front like a proud commander of a one-fox navy, tail wagging each time a fish swam under the boat.
Ren smirked. "You're enjoying this too much."
Zemo barked once as if to say, I was born for this.
The sea breeze carried the distant noise of Foosha Village—laughter, shouts, Luffy arguing with someone about something ridiculous. Ren couldn't make out the words, but he was willing to bet it involved a daring attempt to punch a bird.
The island ahead, however, was silent. Untouched.
No chimneys.
No boats.
No footprints.
Just a curve of rock and forest.
A perfect secret.
Landing — With a Surprise Guest
As Ren pulled the boat up onto sand, Zemo leaped out and immediately began claiming the beach by rolling on it aggressively.
Ren hopped out—
—and froze.
There, half-buried in the sand near the treeline, lay old driftwood, boards, and… a broken barrel.
Ren frowned. "Someone was here?"
Zemo sniffed a board, snorted, then sneezed violently.
Ren knelt beside the debris. The wood was worn, soaked, and half-eaten by salt.
"Shipwreck," he murmured. "Or something washed in from far away."
Nothing dangerous.
Nothing fresh.
But it was a reminder.
This island isn't completely invisible to the world.
Ren touched the broken barrel thoughtfully.
"If I'm going to build anything here, it has to be hidden better than this," he whispered. "No loose planks. No smoke. No signs."
Zemo barked twice, clearly agreeing.
Exploration and a Small Discovery
Ren climbed the rocky incline with Zemo following close behind. The island wasn't large, but each time he explored it, he noticed something new.
Today, he found something unexpected: a small dip between two rocks where the ground stayed moist.
"Another water-rich patch?" Ren murmured. "Useful."
He knelt and pressed the soil.
Dark. Soft. Cool.
Good for future planting.
Zemo sniffed it and pawed the ground twice, tail swishing like a proud assistant.
"You have good taste in dirt," Ren said.
Zemo puffed his chest out.
A Footstep That Wasn't Ren's
As Ren moved toward the cliffside, a sharp crack echoed behind him—like a twig snapping.
He spun.
Zemo growled softly, ears flattening.
Ren tightened his grip on his small hatchet, eyes scanning the trees.
For a moment, only the wind moved.
Then a small deer bolted out of the bushes, eyes wide with panic, sprinting past Ren and Zemo before leaping off into deeper forest.
Ren exhaled slowly.
Zemo relaxed—somewhat.
"Even the wildlife is dramatic," Ren muttered.
But a small unease settled in his stomach.
That deer had been running from something.
Something bigger.
He didn't say it aloud, but Zemo already sensed it and pressed close to his leg.
Ren stroked his head.
"Later," he murmured. "We'll deal with things later. Today is for building."
Because the next few steps of his life needed clarity:
He needed power—because deer didn't run like that for no reason.
He needed a merchant path—money was the silent fuel of all plans.
He needed loyal people—followers he could protect and trust.
And he needed this island—quiet, hidden, away from everything.
Every day made those goals sharper.
Setting the Ground for the Future
Ren reached the clearing near the cliff—his chosen spot.
Not much yet.
Just a carved indentation, some rocks arranged neatly, and a sense of potential.
Zemo climbed the half-dug chamber wall and flopped dramatically on the floor.
Ren laughed. "Let me rest too before starting."
The two of them sat together, facing the sea.
Foosha Village was just a faint dot from here.
A small dot full of noisy voices, warmth, Luffy's chaos, Makino's patience.
But here… there was peace.
Ren closed his eyes.
Here he could build silently.
Here he could grow without eyes watching.
Here he could lay the foundation of something no one would expect from a seven-year-old boy.
A future.
He stood, energised.
"Let's go," he said. "We have work to do."
Zemo barked and followed.
And the island remained quiet, hiding their steps—just as Ren needed.
End of Chapter 73