One Piece: Honey Badger Speedruns the World

Meanwhile, on the edge of the Whale Forest, in the dilapidated treehouse where Goss originally lived.

"Goss! Goss! Fantastic news!"

With heavy footsteps, Roger rushed up the wooden ladder like a gust of wind, and the whole treehouse swayed twice with his movement.

The wolf-mane had a black eye, but his face was full of excitement. He was clutching a crumpled registration form in his hand, and as he pushed open the door, he shouted loudly:

"Captain Sicilian has finally given his approval! Even though you're too weak to participate in tomorrow's musketeer team rehearsal and friendly match, we'll make an exception and send you to the logistics team to move supplies! Room and board included, plus a monthly stipend!"

Rogge smiled broadly, knowing that Goss was physically weak and would have a hard time surviving in Zou, a place teeming with natural-born warriors.

He practically wore himself out trying to get this opportunity for his brother, a job he had practically begged for.

"The only thing to watch out for is not to mention honey. Captain Sicilian doesn't like such a weak word... Huh? Goss?"

Roger pushed open the door, and the smile on his face froze.

The room was quiet.

There were no shouts from Goss's training session.

Only the afternoon sun quietly shines on the floor, which is covered with a thin layer of dust.

"Did you go out?"

Roger scratched his head and walked into the room for a look around.

But he soon realized something was wrong. On the table, Goss's most treasured toy wooden knife was still there; the pocket watch left by Goss's parents lay forlornly to one side; and there was still some unfinished honey in the jar.

Rogge's nostrils flared as he sniffed hard, cold sweat trickling down his hairy forehead.

"The smell in this house has dissipated for at least a day, which means Goss hasn't come back for a day... If he were moving, he wouldn't have left his pocket watch here... He wouldn't have left the honey behind either, Goss is a honey addict."

Since it's neither going out nor moving, there's only one possibility left.

"Could it be...?"

The rumors he had heard yesterday instantly flashed through Rogge's mind: monsters had been appearing on the edge of the Whale Forest these past two days, and the sound of banging blows could be heard day and night.

"The person is gone... but the belongings are still there..."

"Could it be that they were swallowed whole, bones and all, by a monster?!"

Roger's legs buckled, and he knelt on the ground with a thud, the registration form in his hand falling to the ground.

He looked at the empty room and burst into tears:

"I told you to eat more meat to grow bigger! You're too skinny, a monster wouldn't even chew you if it carried you away! Waaaaah!"

After crying for a full ten minutes, Roger stood up, sobbing, and wiped his nose.

"No, we're brothers, I can't let you leave without even a memory."

The silly wolf started packing things up in the house while shedding tears.

Goss's old shirt, the toy wooden knife, and the pocket watch were all carefully packed into a package.

Then, he found two old bed boards, tied them together with thick hemp rope to make a cross, bit his finger, and wrote words in blood on them in grief and anger:

[The Tomb of My Friend Goss—Rogge Stands Weeping]

……

Half an hour later.

Goss had just returned to the old house to retrieve the pocket watch left by his parents when he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Under the big tree in front of his house, Roger was sticking out his big butt and digging a hole.

Next to him stood a wooden sign bearing his name, a sign that seemed to bring bad luck. His clothes and wooden knife were neatly arranged beside the pit.

"Goss, don't worry. I'll do my best in tomorrow's friendly match, just like you did! If you're watching over me from heaven, please bless me..."

As Rogge filled the grave with soil, he muttered to himself about the "cenotaph".

Goss stood behind him, watching the pit grow larger and larger, the veins on his forehead throbbing.

He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and asked softly:

"Um... is there any possibility that I might still be able to be saved?"

"Who is speaking?!"

Roger, who was immersed in grief, was startled by the sudden sound.

That voice was so familiar! It was just like Goss was whispering in his ear!

Roger whirled around. In the backlight, a burly figure with a silver crew cut stood with his arms crossed, looking down at him with an expression as if he were an idiot.

The air froze for three seconds.

Rogge's wolf eyes widened little by little, his pupils dilated, and finally he let out a heart-wrenching scream:

"Monster!!!!!"

"I am your father."

Goss rolled his eyes in annoyance, his familiar voice and tone shattering the tense atmosphere. He reached out, grabbed Roger by the ear as he tried to escape, and pulled him back.

"Look closely, you don't recognize me after only two days?"

"Ouch! That hurts!"

Roger covered his ears, leaned closer to sniff the resolute face, and exclaimed in disbelief, "This smell...is it really Goss?!"

He circled Goss several times, even reaching out to pinch the rock-hard muscles on Goss's arm, leaving him utterly astonished.

"My God! What...what did you eat?"

How come you've gotten so strong in just two days?

He's even taller than Captain Cicilian!

Before Goss could explain, Roger suddenly slapped his thigh, his fear instantly turning into ecstatic joy:

"Great! Now that you're so strong, why bother going to the logistics team to move boxes?"

Roger excitedly waved his fist.

"With your current physique, you can definitely pass the musketeer team's supplementary recruitment exam tomorrow! Then we can fight side by side in a squad!"

"I won't be going to the Musketeers."

Goss straightened his collar and pulled his dark green cloak to his front: "I've joined the Knights of Fame."

"What?! A band of chivalrous heroes?!"

Roger's shout sent all the birds in the trees flying.

His eyes widened as he stared at Goss as if he were an alien: "The Night Guardians of Whale Forest? The elite squad personally led by Commander Pedro?!"

Seeing Goss nod, Roger was taken aback at first, then grinned broadly, revealing a憨厚 (honest and simple) smile.

"I was wondering why your clothes looked familiar. Now it seems they really are the uniform of the Knights of the Three Kingdoms."

But as he laughed, he suddenly seemed to remember something, and his expression turned somewhat strange: "Wait... if you join the Knights' Guild, won't we be opponents tomorrow?"

"An opponent?" Goss raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, did you forget? After tomorrow's selection competition, there will not only be a new recruit induction ceremony, but also a traditional friendly match between the Musketeers and the Knights."

At this point, Roger's smile vanished, replaced by an unusual seriousness and worry. He leaned closer to Goss and lowered his voice, urging him:

"Goss, listen to me. If you run into that Goat from the Musketeers named Moody on the field tomorrow..."

Roger pointed to his bruised eyes: "Just surrender. Don't try to be brave."

"That guy is a madman. Although it was supposed to be a friendly spar, he was extremely ruthless. He's the one who shot me in the eye... That guy has no idea what it means to stop when you've made a move."