Bamboo Forest, Mouse

Chapter 3 003. Bamboo Forest, Mouse.

The human body is composed of cells, and cells need nutrients and oxygen to survive.

Inhaling is the process of drawing fresh air from the natural world through the nasal cavity, trachea, and bronchi into the lungs. The lungs then separate the oxygen from the air and transport it to the heart. The heart then uses arteries to deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells throughout the body.

Exhaling is the process where carbon dioxide and "waste gases" expelled by cells are transported to the heart and lungs via veins, then through the bronchi and trachea, and finally expelled through the nasal cavity and mouth.

Compared to chest breathing, diaphragmatic breathing is more beneficial to the human body.

Diaphragmatic breathing has special effects on the physiology of various human systems. It can significantly improve lung capacity, activate alveoli, and also play a good regulatory role in the stomach and intestines.

Diaphragmatic breathing exercises can provide the body with sufficient oxygen, thoroughly awaken and transform the physiology and biochemistry of all body systems, thereby coordinating spirit, energy, and mind. It can quickly lead to a state of deep concentration, satisfying the brain's demand for oxygen.

When brain function is fully enhanced and developed, people can maintain abundant energy and strengthen kidney function.

Being carried home by Kureha, swaying back and forth, Mercer recalled these words in his mind. There were no profound or difficult-to-understand mysteries.

The human body is a treasure trove.

Even the most basic breathing, this instinctive use from birth, has potential that can be deeply explored.

"In my previous life, this special breathing method could be easily found. Even if I mastered it, it was just a unique way to maintain health."

Mercer thought to himself, emptying his mind, "But in this world with extraordinary power..."

A profound breathing technique could very well be a special Meditation Method.

A crystal-blue, semi-transparent light screen appeared in his field of vision. He clicked on the [Attributes] tab:

[Physique]: Strength: F-→F Stamina: F-→F Agility: F-→F

[Soul]: Willpower: F-→F Perception: F-→F+ Spirit: F-→F

[Special.Mysterious (Energy)]: F-→F (Observation Haki growth bonus active.)

[Special.Charm]: C- (Devil's Descendant ability permanent bonus active.)

[Special.Luck]: C- (Devil's Descendant ability permanent bonus active.)

Regarding his own body, Mercer knew very well that he was very healthy.

For a year.

Although he still couldn't engage in physical exercise, with the natural growth of his body, Kureha's careful "remodeling," and conscious, instinctual diaphragmatic breathing, his own growth had been steady.

Upon arriving home.

Kureha casually tossed Mercer onto a chair in front of the bookshelf. She walked to the bookshelf and took out a book recording herbal pharmacology.

Compendium of Materia Medica

Mercer (he) picked up the book and placed it on the desk in front of him. He adjusted his posture, opened it to the page with the bookmark, and pointed to the text and illustrations:

"Black Skin Bamboo, also known as Purple Bamboo, is yang in nature, prefers warm and humid climates, is cold-resistant, and has strong adaptability to climate. Both its roots and stems can be used as medicine. Snow Ganoderma, its stem is about an inch high, its flowers are white, and it blooms in the cold winter."

Mercer's early education consisted of the many pharmacology books on the indoor bookshelf.

Or, some discarded newspapers accumulated in the past.

Kureha (she) explained in simple and easy-to-understand terms, and coupled with the actual illustrations on the pages, Mercer quite liked these "children's" books.

The warm indoor.

Kureha's voice was exceptionally gentle, her pronunciation clear and fluent. While teaching knowledge, she also taught him to read. Mercer followed along, but he was still young and, at some point, had fallen asleep soundly in Kureha's arms.

At some unknown time, Kureha had already placed the bookmark, closed the book, and was continuously touching Mercer's entire body's acupoints with her index fingers, her eyes slightly closed.

She carefully perceived Mercer's body, discovering Mercer's breathing, which had almost become instinctual. Her fingers were like the most precise instruments, examining the changes within Mercer's body caused by his breathing.

Rustle, rustle.

A black pen was writing and drawing on a half-completed sheet of paper, interspersed with a detailed hand-drawn anatomical diagram of the human body. Delicate lines with arrows leaped across the paper.

As time passed, the arrow lines on the paper integrated from chaos, possessing a closed-loop, precise beauty.

"Breathing, deep perception, control, Return of Life. The human body is truly marvelous. This little fellow is truly a treasure bestowed upon me by heaven."

Kureha's eyes shone.

She possessed the passion of an explorer.

In a corner of the room was a large bed, and beside it, a smaller bed with a railing.

The recording was complete.

Kureha stripped Mercer and put him into the bed, tucking him in. She stretched slowly and glanced at the sky outside. "In a while, I'll take this little fellow to gather herbs and practice."

Days turned into weeks, and Mercer's knowledge became increasingly "profound." As he learned more, he often drew inferences from one instance to draw parallels with others.

Kureha was both happy and helpless. She was happy that she had less trouble, and helpless that she had less trouble.

But overall, she was satisfied.

During this time, she occasionally still took Mercer to various towns and villages on the island to treat illnesses. The residents were surprised that the "witch" on the island had brought a child with her, but they dared not speak.

After all, this was someone who could kick down a wall with one foot. Although her temper was eccentric, she possessed genuine skill.

Merit Points: [558]

Half a year flew by.

On this day.

Garp arrived in a hurry and left in a hurry.

However, he also brought a batch of supplies. During this time, he asked about Kureha and Mercer's physical condition. After Kureha truthfully informed him, Garp breathed a sigh of relief.

On this day, the sky outside cleared up after a long absence. One-and-a-half-year-old Mercer wore a snow-white fur hat and a pair of suitable polarized sunglasses.

The same style of sunglasses as Kureha.

Unlike Kureha's thin, midriff-baring clothing, Mercer was wrapped up tightly.

Kureha carried a basket on her back, holding Mercer's fair little hand with her left hand, walking through a forest where snowflakes were falling sporadically.

"Doctor Doriel, where are we going?" Mercer also had a small basket on his back. "How much longer?"

"What, you're tired after less than half an hour?" Kureha's lips curled up. She took a swig from a bottle of liquor with her free right hand and chuckled:

"We're going to Drum Mountain in the east. Don't worry, I won't carry you if you get tired. I have a rope here, and I'll tie you to my back and pull you along."

Mercer's eyes under his sunglasses were speechless. He grumbled, "I remember that ever since I could 'remember things,' I haven't seen you carry me, have I? Haven't you always carried me around like I was trash?"

He looked down at his lower body. He was still wearing overalls with suspenders, and there were two crossed straps on the back, used for carrying.

"Aren't you satisfied? Aren't you unhappy?"

Kureha chuckled softly, "Although Drum Island isn't big, the wilderness is still very dangerous, whether it's Laboon, Reindeer, or various carnivorous animals. Only with free hands can we protect ourselves better."

As if explaining, or perhaps stating a fact.

Kureha adjusted her hip, and on the added strap at her waist, a Flintlock Pistol and a sharpened short-handled shovel could be seen.

Although there were only two weapons, Mercer knew that hidden inside her clothes, there were at least ten Surgical Knives.

Not only Kureha, but Mercer's basket also contained a weapon, a small hand axe that Mercer had "designed" in his words, Kureha had drawn, and a blacksmith in a small town had forged.

A faint red glow flickered deep in his eyes. The next second, before Mercer could react, a hand chop gently landed on his forehead.

Her left hand, which had let go at some point, grabbed Mercer by the scruff of his neck and brought him to her face. Kureha pushed up her sunglasses with her right hand and squinted at Mercer, saying:

"Little idiot, don't just scan other people's bodies with Observation Haki. It's fine if you encounter someone who doesn't understand, but if you do it to someone like me, it's a provocation, you know?

Haven't I told you more than once?"

"Doctor Doriel, why can Observation Haki only be successfully activated when the mind is calm and the senses are focused? Can't it be used anytime, anywhere, at will?"

"This is a power nurtured within me. Shouldn't it be as controllable as my hands and feet, doing whatever I wish?"

Kureha giggled, "Little dummy, how old are you? You've just learned to walk, and you want to try extreme parkour already?"

"Listen, even hands and feet require arduous training to be used flexibly. How much more so for a perception ability that has no physical form. You're a hundred years too early if you want to control it at will."

Mercer nodded heavily, looking at Kureha. "Doctor Doriel, you're right. That's precisely why I'm using it – to train this ability. And since it's just the two of us here, I can only use Doctor Doriel to train my Observation Haki."

Kureha's mouth twitched. She looked at him earnestly explaining, even using her own words to refute herself.

She let go of his hand with annoyance, letting Mercer plop down onto the snow.

Kureha continued walking forward. Mercer got up by pressing his hands against the snow and then trotted after her.

"Use your Observation Haki to perceive yourself. 'Listen' to the unique sound you emit. Adjust your physical state using Diaphragmatic Breathing, calm your mind, enter a state of meditation, empty yourself, and connect with nature to perceive 'stillness.' Let's start with that."

Kureha spoke without looking back.

Her words were concise yet carried a profound philosophy.

Mercer followed behind her, a thoughtful expression in his eyes. He began to adjust his breathing, making it deeper. He walked with stumbles, struggling to rein in his outward-spreading Observation Haki.

From time to time, he would misstep due to being too focused, or bump into Kureha's leg, or hit a tree with his head, causing snow to cascade down on both of them.

Kureha was amused to the point of exasperation.

Helpless, Kureha grabbed Mercer's hand again. Not long after, they arrived near a bamboo grove at the foot of the iron-barrel-like Drum Mountain.

They came to this place.

It was a continuous expanse of purple bamboo. The thickest stalks were as wide as a person could embrace. The purplish-black mature bamboo stood tall and straight, with many green young shoots.

Thick snow was piled between the bamboo stalks. Mixed in the snow were either emerald green or yellowish-brown bamboo leaves. Faintly, one could hear deep, sharp roars from within the bamboo forest.

At this moment, Kureha stopped before a purple bamboo stalk. She released Mercer's hand, squatted down, and pushed aside the snow layer. Beneath the thick snow, she unearthed a plump, newly grown bamboo shoot.

"This island, a long, long time ago, was an island of spring and summer. The island was full of clear springs, abundant produce, and diverse life. But at some point, the island was submerged by a massive tsunami. The magnetic system controlling the climate was destroyed, and the ecosystem became the Winter Island it is today."

"But life is tenacious. The purple bamboo, which should have lived in a humid climate, still adapted and survived in this eternally cold climate, undergoing some kind of transformation. Its medicinal properties not only didn't decrease but even improved."

As if moved by the history, Kureha recounted this story-like past.

"And thanks to the eight Drum Mountains, each five thousand meters high, surrounding the island, some of the animals that originally existed on the island miraculously survived at that time."

"Like what?" Mercer watched Kureha dig the earth and roots, excavating shoots. "Anything related to this bamboo forest?"

Using a special technique to harvest the medicinal roots she needed without damaging the main root system, Kureha smiled. "You're wise for your age. You try it too."

Immediately, Mercer learned Kureha's technique for collecting Purple Bamboo Root. Kureha pinched a root, rubbed it in the snow, put it in her mouth, and chewed it gently, savoring its unique spicy and bland taste.

The bamboo forest wasn't just bamboo; it also contained many accompanying medicinal herbs. The vivid, hands-on lesson began, and the medicinal herbs in their baskets became richer as time passed.

At one moment, Kureha, who was explaining a key point, suddenly flicked her right hand. A cold glint flashed, followed by a mournful cry twenty meters away.

Kureha reached out and pinched Mercer's cheek, then smiled, "I'll make you Bamboo Tube Rabbit Meat Purple Bamboo Shoot Rice tonight, happy?"

Mercer was helpless, his small face also drooping, "Doctor Doriel, your hands are so cold, and they're covered in mud."

This kind of operation was not uncommon in Mercer's memory. Kureha often caught prey in the wild to improve their meals from time to time.

Hearing Mercer's grumbling, Kureha grinned, lifted her right leg, and kicked Mercer's buttock. Using skillful force, Mercer let out a surprised cry and shot towards the prey's location.

His chest "heavily" pressed against a purple bamboo as thick as a fist. Mercer quickly hugged the swaying bamboo pole tightly before sliding to the ground.

Turning around, Mercer glared at Kureha with a fierce look, angrily asking, "Are you trying to kill me?"

Kureha took a swig of wine and laughed, "Stinky brat, why so many words? Hurry up and pack the rabbit."

"Oh, okay." The anger on Mercer's face vanished instantly, and he said happily, "Got it."

Mercer wasn't surprised that he couldn't fool Kureha, as she knew his physical condition well.

Walking forward, the prey was five meters ahead. After three steps, Mercer stopped, looking curiously at a hairless mouse under his feet. It was pink and tender, about the size of two of his palms.

It was buried in a pile of dry yellow bamboo leaves.

No, it had fur, very fine white fuzz.

He squatted down and poked it with his finger.

"Dead? No, not yet, but it will be soon."

Seeking recommendations! Seeking follow-ups! Seeking investments!

New author, new book, welcome all masters to appraise.

[Basic Strength Division Ranges]

Ordinary healthy adult: F- Rank

Sergeant / Hundred Thousand Beli Level: F Rank

Lieutenant / Million Beli Level: E Rank

Colonel / Ten Million Beli Level: D Rank

[Power Level]

Major General / Supernova / 100 Million Belly Class: C-Class

Elite Vice Admiral / Admiral Candidate / Yonko First Mate / Shichibukai / 1 Billion Class: B-Class

Admiral / Emperor / 3 Billion+ : A-Class

[Weapon Grade]

Supreme Grade Swords: A

Great Grade Swords: B

Good Grade Swords: C

Swift Grade Swords: D

Refined Weapons: E

Ordinary Weapons: F