Qilin decided to step outside the dojo to get some fresh air for a moment. He had taken the trail behind the building that led into the forest area. Heavily strapped boots creased the saturated vegetation as the large pirate decided to abandon the traditional route and take a short cut he had learned. He was told that the forests were ancient and when Karate Island was attacked the martial artists and farmers used their intimate knowledge of the vast area along with guerilla tactics to dispatch there would be invaders. Qilin travelled these woods daily and knew them like the back of his hand. He preferred them to the open road that made one seem so…exposed. Most other occupants that were less versed in the more rural areas usually needed a compass and a map to navigate through the many thickets that occupied the land. In this particular area. Qilin knew that there was only one passage in order to flank him which was littered with an abundance of corpulent vines that distended well into the entry way. To his left was simply a dead end after a few meters that was well within his line of vision. To his right was of course the passage that he had just travelled from that led to the dojo and it numerous amenities. Forward was his destination however. His soft brown hues forever perceptive of the area around as he was naturally a circumspective individual. To say the least his head was on a swivel and his senses stayed sharp. His familiarity with the woods was not isolated to the mere terrain. He was versed in the species that dwelled, the sights, and sounds of these woods. He had come here to meditate many times and it was amazing how one could ascend spiritually in such a mundane space. He wore earth tones that naturally seemed to blend in with the surrounding flora. One might have thought that this was deliberate yet it was purely inadvertent. His way of dressing changed like his mood and was often erratic. Yet today he was of an unflappable state of mind that was achieved through a few peaceful days and a good night’s rest. His clothing consisted of loose cargo pants and a well fit T-shirt he had gotten years ago. His hammer was carried over his shoulder with a single hand. A steel crucifix like charm hung from his neck adorned from a simple silver chain which held no divine affinity yet had some sentimental value. His body was lax yet not to the point of lethargy more so a medium to less resistance which from an outward perspective could seem disingenuous. The sun had seemed to have just hit its peak in the sky rupturing the clouds giving birth to rays of illumination that descended with persistence to the land below. The day could be described as beautiful if one was not actually outside. The heat itself was of an almost unbearable nature which was only compounded by the persistent humidity that served only to augment the incalescent air that seemed to linger around. The trees seemed to be aligned it a conformed manner which suggested that many were planted by human hands. One stood maybe two feet from his current position on his left side and another in front of him slight to his right which didn’t impede his vision directly in front of him. The huge oaks were archaic and unyielding and could tower above even giants. There was a shallow pond nearby littered with stray leaves that swam slowly. His feet stopped moving, his body in an erect posture as he basked in the awe of nature.
One Piece Pirate Nation