Chapter 24: Monks
"Huh?" The shop owner froze for a moment, then took the Berries from Ace and smiled. "Ah, yes, yes. Don't worry, guest—I'll make sure they're treated well next time they come by."
"By the way," Ace asked curiously, "why are they called 'broken-precept monks'?"
"Hmm…" The shop owner almost blurted out, 'You don't even know that?' But after recalling that Ace was from the Blue Sea, he held back and explained patiently, "The so-called 'broken-precept monks' are those who failed to follow the strict rules of the Sky Temple. They were expelled for violating the temple's commandments. Since the Sky Temple is the holy sanctuary of Birka, such monks are quite unwelcome around here."
"If they're so disliked, why don't they just leave? And those monks seem stronger than the average person. Aren't people afraid of them?" Ace asked, puzzled.
"We aren't really afraid," the shop owner said with a shrug. "If they cause any real trouble, the monks of the Sky Temple will intervene and drive them out for good. As for why they haven't left… well, maybe it's because deep down, they still long for the Sky Temple's approval. I heard they're all hoping the rules will change and they'll be welcomed back someday."
Ace raised an eyebrow. "Even though they can't follow the rules, they still hold onto that hope? That's some serious stubbornness."
The shop owner chuckled bitterly. "Yeah, it is. But it's foolish too. The commandments of the Sky Temple have been in place for hundreds of years—they're not going to change for a few outcasts."
Ace smiled. "So, monks who break the rules become outcasts, while the ones who still follow the rules are called what—precept-keeping monks?"
"That's right," the shop owner nodded with a hint of reverence. "The monks who uphold the precepts are incredibly powerful. Thanks to their protection, the people of the island can live peacefully. Just knowing they're around gives us a sense of safety."
"Are all monks that strong?" Ace murmured to himself, then looked back at the shop owner and said, "Thanks for the information."
"No problem at all. Everyone on the island knows this stuff—you just have to ask."
"I'll be going then." Ace grinned and left the inn.
As he walked through the streets, Ace muttered to himself, "Monks who break the precepts and monks who keep them, huh?" His curiosity about Urouge, one of the broken-precept monks, had grown.
He also wanted to meet the 'Mad Monk' of the Worst Generation—Urouge, the Supernova from Sky Island.
After all, two years after the Paramount War, Urouge had entered the New World and defeated Charlotte Snack, one of Big Mom's Four Sweet Commanders. That feat alone led to the commander's rank being abolished, turning the Four Commanders into the Three.
His strength and achievements far outshone many of his Supernova peers.
But what fascinated Ace most was why Urouge and the others chose to abandon their ties to the Sky Temple and instead form the Broken Monk Pirates, leaving Sky Island behind.
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"Huh?"
Ace soon caught up with Urouge and his group—only to find them face-to-face with another monk. They were easy to distinguish: Urouge and his crew wore ragged black monk robes, while the monk across from them wore pristine white robes, clearly marking him as a precept-keeper.
"That must be one of the Sky Temple monks," Ace thought.
"Urouge!" the white-robed monk shouted in a deep, stern voice. "Didn't I warn you not to come to town and disturb the residents? Why are you here again?"
"Sorry, Brother Shura," Urouge said with an apologetic smile. "We were just hungry."
"Didn't the temple provide food for you?" the monk named Shura asked, frowning.
"The food there is… pretty bad," Urouge admitted, shrugging. "Besides, a meal without pork or sweet red beans isn't worth eating."
"Blasphemy!" Shura snapped. "Who the hell serves pork to monks? We have vows!"
"Exactly why we don't want temple food anymore," Urouge said calmly. "Don't forget—we're monks who've already broken our vows."
"Don't act proud of that, you fool!" Shura roared.
"The temple's rules are far too strict," Urouge said, still smiling. "No meat, no beans, no joy. We're not saints—we're hungry men!"
Urouge's eternally calm and smiling face made his words feel even more irreverent. It was infuriating to someone as strict as Shura.
"Urouge, you heretic!" Shura shouted, stepping forward and cracking his knuckles. "Maybe I should remind you what it means to uphold the sacred precepts!"
"Master Urouge, he looks mad. What do we do?" one of the younger broken-precept monks asked nervously.
"You guys go back," Urouge said, handing them the food he had just bought. "Take this with you. I'll handle things here."
"B-but—please be careful, Master!" The monks took the food and ran off, glancing back in worry.
"Urouge!"
Shura lunged and punched Urouge hard in the chest.
Bang!
Urouge didn't fight back. He was knocked backward but landed on his feet, the smile still on his face.
"Why aren't you defending yourself?!" Shura demanded.
Urouge said nothing. His ever-present grin never wavered.
That only enraged Shura further.
"You bastard!" Shura yelled as he rushed forward again, pummeling Urouge with another flurry of punches. One blow struck Urouge square in the face, causing blood to drip from his nose—but the monk still didn't resist.
Bang! Bang! Bang!!
Shura snapped. He pushed Urouge to the ground and began to beat him mercilessly.
"Fight back! Damn you! FIGHT BACK!"
"You coward… You traitor… You arrogant bastard!"
He didn't stop until over ten minutes had passed.
Panting, his fists trembling, Shura grabbed Urouge by the collar and growled, "You were the most gifted monk in the entire Sky Temple. Why? Why the hell did you abandon it all and become a broken-precept monk?!"
Urouge looked up at him, smiling through bloodied lips.
"Because, Shura," he said seriously, "if I can't eat pork and red beans, I think I'll actually die."
"You… idiot," Shura muttered. His rage drained away, replaced by grief. He stared at Urouge with sorrowful eyes and said quietly, "Leave. Leave this place. Leave Sky Island."
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