2 Ephon Jarilo

Hiding In the Calm Belts is a forested island that is embraced by tranquil waters, creating a serene oasis where verdant trees of immense stature stand proudly. Their canopies intertwine to form a lush, emerald roof that filters the sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor.

Towering trunks, adorned with moss and vines, create a cathedral-like ambiance. Amidst this natural haven, an abundance of fruit-bearing trees, their branches heavy with a variety of exotic fruits, offer a tantalizing display of colors. The air is perfumed with the sweet fragrance of ripening fruits, making this island a bountiful and picturesque retreat.

At the edge of the forested island, filled with giant trees, standing on top of one of the tallest trees, was a boy that looked to be about 15 or 16 years old seemingly meditating. He was about 6 feet tall, with neck long black hair, bronze brown skin, and black eyes wearing a long white robe. 

"I can't believe it's been 10 years, but I think I should be able to leave now" The figure was of course Ephon, although he was only 10 years old he was already 6 feet tall. He could only attribute this to his special physique and the fact that he was in the world of One Piece, a world filled with giants. 

Ephon was deep in thought thinking about his progress for the past 10 years since his arrival.

Although he awakened Observation Haki during his first year on the island when he depended on the trees to provide for him, his observation Haki only allowed him to tell whether a living thing has good intentions towards him, so he had to train it to expand more until recently it could cover this entire island

Of course Observation Haki isn't the only thing he trained during this time, he still remembered Void saying that his body has the potential to become the number one physique in the One Piece world, so of course he trained it.

During that time he discovered that this island has four kings that keep the ecosystem in check, Tiger, Bear, Water Crock and Gorilla. He wasn't too worried though, because he had the advantage over them not only because of his monster physique, but because manipulating trees that already exist consumes less energy than creating them which was perfect for him at the time. 

At first he needed to manipulate the trees until his physique got strong enough to fight creating his own wood and trees, he also realized that the more energy he consumed, the stronger the wood he created became, but his goal was always Armament Haki. 

So two years ago he started fighting the four kings without using his ability, and for the first couple of months he bled countless times but thanks to his perverted level healing, he came back the next day from bone fracture level injuries fully healed. 

And this year he finally grasped Armament Haki at the proficient level where he can only cover his arms, and small parts of his body with. 

'Shhh'

After retracting the Haki that had appeared on his hands, Ephon jumped down directly from the top of the tree. As he neared the ground countless trees grew from under his feet towards his landing position to soften his landing. This is one of the many tricks he had created in the past ten years.

 While not fighting the four kings he would try to manipulate his wood release to create things, and he learned a lot of tricks this way, he even came up with the theory that he can replicate any plant life he has seen, but he hasn't made any progress on it.

While exploring the island from time to time, he found a shipwreck about three years ago, he guessed that the ship belonged to merchants, because there wasn't a pirate flag and the goods didn't seem to be things a pirate ship would carry.

Like silk robes of different size and color, a log pose, a map of the four Seas and Grand Line, even swords, and it was in this shipwreck that Ephon got his white robe that he was currently wearing.

As Ephon walked through the forest the trees in his way parted on their own, this is not his manipulation but the trees consciously doing so, he had long gotten used to this and his Observation Haki had also told him that these trees have no bad intention towards him, in fact for some reason they see him as their own. 

Right now Ephon was deep in thought walking towards the seaside, where he has visited countless times. Exiting the forested island and coming to the sandy shores the first thing visible is a gigantic wooden ship, the ship was made by Ephon who imitated the ship he had seen in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean.

 Using his wood creation and the remains of the merchant ship from two years ago was how he accomplished this feat, he built countless ships in his past life and he was a helmsman when he was in the army, so it wasn't as hard as one would think not to mention he has seen the blueprint for ships with advance artillery compared to one piece at this time, so building a simple wooden ship was a walk in the park with his ability. 

'crack'

Ephon jumped from the sandy ground to the helm of the ship, causing cracks in the ground in the process, you know the ship was about 15 feet in height, superhuman was the only thing one could call it. 

As he landed on the ship and walked to the steering wheel, Ephon couldn't help but look back at the forested Island called Jarilo which had basically raised him. A serious look took over Ephon's face as he made a ninety degrees bow facing the forested Island.

"I don't know how to thank you for what you have down for me, but I am truly grateful, you raised me like a parent and as your child I should behave as such, to thank you, from this day forward my name will be Ephon Jarilo"

Ephon didn't know if Jarilo was truly the name of this island given by the World Government(WG), but he had referred to it as such for the past ten years, and the plant life on the island always behave excitedly, so when he said those words as they resounded throughout the forest, the trees started moving as though they understood him, but it seems that Ephon wasn't done yet.

"I do not want to rule or conquer the world. In this life, I will strive to have the power to protect all those I care about, no matter who the enemy is, even if they are the Gods of this world. And when I'm strong enough to protect myself and everything I care about I will make sure to come back with my family, and raised them here just like you raised me, until we meet again thank you" 

As Ephon was speaking he failed to notice the phenomenon of his will power seemingly physically manifesting itself causing the seas to be blown away, but he ignored all of this and with a resolute look, Ephon Jarilo's journey began.

…

One week later, Somewhere in the Calm Belts

"I wonder who thinks that traveling through the windless belt known for its numerous Sea Kings would be easy… I guess I did" Ephon could only ridicule himself for being overconfident.

'Wood release: Wood Spears'

Four sharp wooden spears emerged from Ephon's outstretched right arm heading towards a giant sea king that was about to hit his ship, the spears were surprisingly strong, easily piercing into the body of the sea king. 

"This is the tenth one today, and there's still no island in sight. When I was leaving I was so emotional that I even almost forgot that I awakened Conquers Haki. I really need to make a proper plan on what I'm gonna do after exiting the Calm Belts"

 'Let me see.. First of all, I'll need like minded partners, in this vast ocean there's bound to be others who share the same views as mind.

Next is technology, the importance of technology will only be revealed during Canon which is more than one hundred years from now, and it's not that this world doesn't have certain advance technology, it's just that the technology tree is broken. So I just need to find qualified scientist and point them in the right direction to restore the broken technology tree of this world, of course for my family.

Third, I'll need territory, and it shouldn't be in the open, like in the four seas and the new world, not only would that cause me unnecessary trouble which goes against my way of a simple life but that might cause changes in the plot. And although I don't mind changing the plot, if it changes too much I'll lose my advantage of knowing the future, and that in itself is like a gift from God, so why throw it away. 

But if I want to accomplish all my other plans I'll still need money, but lucky for me, that's the easiest part to accomplish, hahaha I'm literally walking money in this One Piece world where wood is consumed like gas and yet needed like water'

'Wood release: Shield' 

While Ephon was plotting his next moves, his observation Haki sensed something with clear malice heading towards the back of his ship, and he instinctively reacted by making a wooden shield big enough to cover the back of his ship. 

'Crack' 

The shield was quickly destroyed but was enough to resist the attack of what Ephon could now clearly see as an octopus Sea King.

'Wood release: Wooden Arm'

Ephon didn't hesitate and swung his arm in the direction of the sea king, and a giant wooden arm the same size as the Sea King materialized in front of the Sea King, hitting it in the head causing an explosion that disrupted the calm sea simultaneously setting off a giant wave. 

After the sea calmed down, the bloodied unconscious Sea Kin floating in the ocean was in full view. Wiping away the non existent sweat on his forehead, Ephon quickly ran in the direction of the sea king pulling onto the ship with his monstrous strength. Although he didn't break a sweat, he still consumed a lot of energy fighting multiple sea kings all day and this was already the eleventh one, so this octopus is his lucky meal. 

…

After traveling for another day Ephon finally saw an island insight, but not only that, he realized that the sea began to become more chaotic, so after looking at the map he had gotten, Ephon came to the conclusion that he had exited the calm belt. 

The good news is that he's finally out and there's an island in sight but the bad news is, he didn't enter one of the four seas but instead he entered the Grand Line. Although it's still about fifty years before many plot characters are active, one thing that is well known in the One Piece world is that in the Grand Line and the new world, all the powerhouses are haki masters. 

Although this means he can fight more masters to get stronger quickly, if he runs into Admiral level powerhouses, at his current strength, he's not confident that he can retreat, but on the Grand Line he can find his partners and put his plans into action faster than the four seas.

But with his long lifespan, he was really not in a hurry, but he won't waste such an opportunity, the faster he gets stronger, the longer he can live a simple and fulfilling life with his future family. Yes! He's still thinking about his future family.

"I Ephon Jarilo, accept all challenges you send at me, nothing will stop me" Looking into the distant sea, Ephon was not intimidated at all, and was ready to tackle all challenges.