White Tiger

Just then.

Carl examined the white tiger closely and saw that its fur was snow-white, much like the White Tiger, one of the Four Divine Beasts in ancient Chinese legend.

It reminded Carl of the beautiful scenery of his homeland, as well as his family and friends. But he knew he could never go back now.

So he decided to name the tiger White Tiger. It was a way of holding on to his homeland, and a sign that he was truly beginning to fit into the Pirate World.

"From today on, your name is White Tiger."

Carl reached out and stroked White Tiger's head, feeling a little nostalgic.

White Tiger nodded, clearly accepting the name.

Now that they were partners, surely there was no harm in asking it to bring back some food.

"White Tiger, go hunt something for us."

After a short rest, White Tiger's wounds had improved considerably. The injury on its head had completely healed, and it could move freely again.

At Carl's command, it sprang into action. With a few nimble leaps, it dashed out of the shelter and headed deep into the jungle to search for prey.

Carl watched White Tiger disappear into the dense woods. It really was the Pirate World. A wound that bad had nearly healed in no time.

Back in the wooden hut, he began gathering branches and leaves to make a fire and keep warm.

Then he suddenly realized he had no way to start one. Wait, how did people make fire again...?

He hesitated for a moment before recalling the primitive method of friction fire. He remembered seeing a video. The steps went something like this... and then like that...

Without further hesitation, he picked up a stick and used a stone to carve a small hole. He put some dry leaves inside, then took another small twig and rapidly rubbed it between his hands, spinning the stick at high speed.

After more than ten seconds, sparks flew, and the dry leaves caught fire.

When Carl spotted the little flame, he hurriedly added more dry leaves. Then he crouched on the ground and carefully blew on it, afraid that one careless breath might put it out.

With Carl's help, the flame grew stronger, and in the blink of an eye, the fire was going.

Carl gazed proudly at his handiwork. He never thought he'd get to experience making fire by friction.

"Awwooo!"

Just then, White Tiger returned, carrying a wild boar six meters long—about the size of a small truck—in its jaws.

Carl stared at White Tiger, then at the boar in its mouth. His mouth was already watering.

After all, his body had undergone a second growth spurt after he gained the Titan Power, and he'd just expended a lot of energy. All he could think about now was how hungry he was.

White Tiger gently set down its prey, then tore open the boar's belly with a few swipes of its claws.

Its organs spilled out, bloodied and reeking. Carl wrinkled his nose at the sight, then quickly waved his hand in front of his face to dispel the stench.

"Awwooo!"

White Tiger gestured for him to eat, but Carl said with a disgusted look, "I'm not eating that. Go ahead."

He quickly found a branch, dragged the boar to the other side, and skewered it.

Seeing that Carl wouldn't eat, White Tiger immediately lowered its head and began wolfing down the organs.

Carl set up a large spit, put the skewered boar over it, and lit a bonfire, letting the flames burn strong.

Tongues of flame leapt up, gradually roasting the boar until it was golden and mouthwatering.

The smell soon spread across the island, drawing the creatures nearby.

"Awwooo!"

At the roar, the animals in the forest scattered. They knew it was a warning from the forest's ruler, White Tiger.

The boar was soon cooked. Carl first tore off a hind leg and tossed it to White Tiger.

White Tiger caught the leg and devoured it in a few bites, its eyes gleaming with contentment. It had lived this long without ever tasting cooked food, and had never imagined anything could smell so good.

Carl then tore off the other hind leg and began eating. His teeth were so strong now that he could even crunch through the bones.

The meat was tender and delicious, with a fine texture. Savoring it, he quickly picked up the pace.

There were no seasonings, but the meat had a fresh, fragrant taste all the same. Perhaps it was a gift from nature, bestowed upon this island.

White Tiger quickly finished one of the boar's hind legs. It had taken a liking to the taste, and immediately padded over to Carl and watched him.

"Fine, you can have half."

Carl could tell it wasn't full—or perhaps it had grown fond of cooked food. After all, it couldn't make a fire on the island. He gripped the roasted boar with both hands and tore it in half, tossing one half to White Tiger.

Before long, Carl and White Tiger had devoured the entire six-meter boar.

They ate with relish, meat juices smeared around their mouths and smiles on their faces.

Carl patted his stomach and relaxed, completely satisfied.

He picked up an unknown bone splinter and carefully dislodged the bits of food stuck between his teeth. Then he patted his belly and let out a satisfied burp.

After eating and drinking their fill, Carl had White Tiger guard the shelter by the entrance while he went into the little wooden hut and lay down on the bed he'd made.

He had spread some dry leaves over the bed.

It was crude, but it was more than enough for him.

He closed his eyes, feeling his exhausted body relax.

Gradually, he drifted off to sleep.

While Carl slept soundly, a burly man was rowing toward the island in a small boat from the waters just beyond it.

The newcomer was Edward Newgate.

Edward Newgate had already joined the Rocks Pirates. That night, the ship had encountered an undersea current.

By the time he noticed, it was too late. Then a tornado struck, catching him by surprise and sweeping him out to sea. It was one misfortune after another.

He had no choice but to board a small boat. By the time the storm subsided, the wind and waves had carried him close to this island.

Fortunately, his pirate ship should be somewhere nearby.

Newgate soon came ashore.

He landed on the opposite side of the island from Carl, so he didn't see the wooden hut Carl had built.

Newgate swung his naginata, chopping down a few trees. With them, he hastily put together a bed and a shelter, just enough to keep out the wind and rain.

Like Carl, he had endured a tiring night and longed for a good sleep.

"Awwooo!"

The next morning, Carl was startled awake by White Tiger's cry.

Still groggy, he climbed out of bed and felt his way toward the entrance.

He opened the door and saw a burly man standing outside. The man wore a white beret and held a long-bladed weapon in his right hand, much like a Green Dragon Crescent Blade.

"Hey, I mean you no harm."

The burly man smiled as he spoke, his voice deep and resonant.

Carl immediately relaxed. He hadn't expected to find anyone else on this deserted island. He'd assumed the man was a native.

"Who are you?" Carl asked curiously.

As far as he remembered, this island should have been deserted.

Still, it was possible there were people living on the island. Pirates ran rampant in the Pirate World, and the man might have been a refugee.

"I'm Edward Newgate. And you?"

Edward Newgate smiled broadly.

"You're Whitebeard?"

Carl was startled. He hadn't recognized the man as Whitebeard, even though his weapon had looked familiar. He just hadn't expected Newgate to be so young. Did that mean the story's beginning was still a long way off?

Whitebeard wasn't quite the same at this point as he would be decades later.

Newgate looked much younger now, so it was no wonder Carl hadn't recognized him at first.

Although Carl had been an ordinary person before he crossed over, his Titan Power talent had made him grow to two and a half meters tall. That was nowhere near his limit, but he still looked short beside Newgate, who stood six meters and sixty centimeters tall.