The Naturally Evil Brat

Grand Line, Drum Island.

A frigid wind swept Ice shards across the snowbound coastline like a dull blade. Massive pine forests stood silent beneath heavy mantles of snow, guarding the island's most striking landmark—a domed peak that pierced the gray sky like a giant chimney.

The king's castle sat atop that peak, overlooking this kingdom ruled by bitter cold.

A three-masted passenger vessel slowly cut through the thin Ice floating on the sea, cautiously approaching the shore lined with snow-covered cedars.

The ship had clearly been designed for comfort and long voyages rather than combat, so the guards conducting their routine patrol on shore merely gave it a perfunctory glance without much alarm.

In this nation famed for its medicine, ships seeking treatment were far more common than pirate ships with ill intent.

The cabin door opened, and Dawn stepped out, crushing the frozen snow beneath his feet.

The other passengers aboard looked at him with a mixture of awe, envy, and even a trace of fear.

During his month-long voyage, such silent attention had become routine.

Dawn paid it no mind. He adjusted the straps of his backpack, his sturdy boots sinking deeply into the snow with a crunch as he headed inland.

"Wait."

A voice called out to him. It was the captain of the guard squad, approaching with two subordinates. Though his tone remained polite, one hand stayed pressed against the hilt of his sword.

No one could completely relax upon seeing such an imposing giant come ashore.

"May I ask what brings you to Drum Island?"

Dawn stopped and answered:

"Medical treatment."

At those words, the captain visibly relaxed and moved his hand away from his sword hilt. Wearing an expression of understanding, he nodded.

"I see. Please come in. I hope the doctors of our country can solve your troubles."

Dawn nodded. He had only taken two steps when he seemed to recall something and turned back.

"Before coming here, I heard that your country has a witch over a hundred years old... one with extraordinary medical skills, practically miraculous. Do you know where she lives?"

The captain was briefly stunned before realization dawned on him.

"Oh! You mean Dr. Kureha! It seems you really did your research. She lives in Coco Lodge Village. Follow this main road southeast, and it should take about fifteen minutes."

He pointed at a road buried beneath snow but still faintly visible.

"Thank you."

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Dawn said nothing more and set off.

However, he did not immediately head for the village to the southeast. He raised his head, his gaze piercing through the falling snow to settle on the towering castle at the center of the island.

A thought lingered in his mind.

That idiot Wapol should still be a child right now, but the potential of that fruit... whether for combat, logistics, or... making money, it was top-tier.

Since he had arrived at this point in time, perhaps he had a chance to seize that power for himself.

Entering a dense, deserted cedar forest, Dawn found himself surrounded by nothing but the mournful howl of wind and snow through the treetops. He stopped and slightly closed his eyes.

The next instant, strange, viscous darkness surged from his body like a living thing, forming a vortex that covered his entire body.

Once that was done, he swaggered out of the woods and stepped onto the mountain road leading to the castle.

Pedestrians still moved through the streets, and sled dogs occasionally raced past pulling carts. Yet no one noticed the dark presence steadily ascending the mountain road.

This was an application of his abilities that Dawn had developed in his cabin during the voyage here.

He formed an extremely thin layer of miniature Kurouzu over the surface of his body, continuously generating a weak gravitational field directed inward. This field absorbed everything that approached him, turning him into an "invisible man."

(PS: The inspiration came from the fact that black holes cannot be seen directly with the naked human eye, and the Yami Yami no Mi really can absorb everything.)

His path remained completely unobstructed. Whether patrolling guards, working civilians, or even perceptive Lapahns, none reacted to his passage.

Like a ghost, he silently passed through layers of guards and obstacles, reaching the castle at the summit.

The castle gates were not shut tight, and he slipped inside without a sound. The warmth within formed a stark contrast to the bitter cold outside, but an even more unpleasant chill hung in the air.

At the center of the hall, a short, fat boy with exceptionally thick lips, dressed in lavish prince's attire, was arrogantly roaring at several trembling servants.

"Trash! You can't even handle something this simple! Why are my afternoon tea pastries cold?! Are you trying to freeze your prince to death?!"

The servants knelt on the floor, pleading repeatedly.

"Please forgive us, Prince Wapol! It was because of the kitchen fire..."

"Shut up! I don't want to hear excuses like that!"

Wapol impatiently cut them off, a cruel excitement appearing on his face.

"It seems you'll never learn how to serve a noble prince unless I teach you a lesson!"

He suddenly opened his mouth, his jaw expanding massively in a way that defied human anatomy, instantly becoming as large as a cave.

The kneeling servants screamed in terror, but they could not resist at all. Like tiny insects, they were swallowed into that enormous mouth.

The giant mouth closed. Chewing noises and muffled wails came from Wapol's mouth, while his face twisted with satisfaction.

Moments later, the wailing stopped. He spat out the servants, chewed beyond recognition, then deactivated his ability. Smacking his lips with lingering satisfaction, he headed outside the castle, seemingly looking for his next toy.

Hidden in the shadows, Dawn silently watched it all. Deep within his pupils, the Ice-cold sea seemed to begin freezing over.

Outside the castle, Wapol seemed to have completely let himself go. He activated his ability again, madly devouring everything in sight: snow, rocks, decorative statues in the courtyard...

Immersed in the sense of control that came from swallowing everything into his belly, he gradually moved away from the guards' sight and headed toward the more secluded back mountain.

The shadow Dawn had become followed silently behind, like the most patient hunter.

When Wapol reached a completely isolated hollow surrounded only by jagged rocks and deep snow, Dawn knew the time had come.

The darkness covering his body receded like a tide, merging back into him and revealing his towering figure as though he had appeared from thin air.

"Who?!"

Wapol jumped at the sudden appearance. Once he saw that the stranger was not a familiar face from the castle, he immediately resumed his arrogant, foolish manner.

"Are you some commoner from the foot of the mountain? Why aren't you bowing when you see your prince?! Do you want to be executed?!"

Dawn stared at Wapol with indifferent eyes, as though looking at a corpse.

"You naturally evil brat. I'll personally help your foolish father clean house, so you won't harm even more people in the future."

TO BE CONTINUED