One Piece: Rising to Power as a Warlord of the Sea

After thinking for a while, Natsu decided to give up on finding a top-tier sniper. The few known experts in this field were either unreachable, uninterested, or simply unsuitable.

"A sniper, huh?"

He briefly imagined an ideal setup: a sniper rifle imbued with the Silent Fruit for sound suppression, paired with a sniper possessing the Clear-Clear Fruit, which would allow them to hide while taking shots—an impeccable setup for ambushes and heists.

After all, no one likes being silently shot at, especially with an attack that's nearly impossible to detect without an advanced form of Observation Haki. Most would find it nearly impossible to evade.

As for any ethical backlash—sorry, but pirates aren't saints.

Only the victors write history, and the defeated? They're just dust in the wind.

In addition, Natsu had been training Gin and Enel specifically, as he would need them to carry greater responsibilities in the future. Ideally, Gin would at least be on par with figures like Jack "the Drought" of Kaido's crew or Marco, the first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.

As for Enel, Natsu believed that with the proper development and the unique nature of his Logia-type Devil Fruit, he could potentially reach the level of a Marine Admiral.

Even Hiro and Noriyuki, though not primary fighters, were occasionally trained in Haki and Tai Chi techniques. After all, as part of his crew, they couldn't be too weak.

"Sigh, the path to growth is long and challenging. For now, let's focus on finding a sniper."

"Hopefully, we'll come across someone interesting!"

"Boss, what are you thinking about?" Kuno squeezed in from nowhere, his little eyes curiously fixed on Natsu as he asked.

"Nothing much—just that I plan on recruiting a sniper for the crew," Natsu said, patting Kuno's fluffy head with a smile.

"Oh, you'll definitely find one, Boss!" Kuno said earnestly, clenching his fists as if he had full faith in Natsu.

"Hahaha, I'll take your word for it!"

"Actually, I know of a skilled sniper," Karina chimed in, looking a bit conflicted. "But he doesn't seem fond of pirates."

"Oh? Where is he?" Natsu's eyes lit up; if he was suitable, it would save him the search.

"Back on my home island, a place called Sound Isle in the Kingdom of Kadili. He's named Nikola Elin, around my age, and currently a bounty hunter wandering the seas," Karina recalled the boy from her past with both joy and a tinge of helplessness.

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's set sail for Sound Isle!" Kumo exclaimed excitedly. The prospect of a new crew member made him thrilled since, so far, none of his crewmates recognized him as the vice-captain.

They had a self-proclaimed god with a narcissistic streak, a ruthless fighter, a mad scientist obsessed with experiments, a serious older crew member, and finally, a tiny fox who Kumo regarded as a weakling.

With no one to play with, Kumo felt a pang of loneliness as he remembered the carefree days of ruling his small turf alongside his monkey and tiger buddies.

"Boss, once we're established in the New World, can we bring along Little Gold and Little White?" Kumo tugged on Natsu's coat, looking up with hopeful eyes.

"Of course, but only if they meet the strength requirements. I wouldn't want them to become someone's dinner the moment they step into the New World," Natsu readily agreed. He had already planned for this but could tell that Kumo was feeling a bit lonely with no one to play with.

"Hehe, don't worry, Boss. If they don't measure up, I'll break their legs myself," Kumo responded confidently.

Meanwhile, on a distant island, Little White and Little Gold, busy training with their animal followers, suddenly shivered. An inexplicable sense of danger washed over them as they both glanced at the sky, puzzled.

…

On the Thriller Bark, Moria sighed in relief as he watched the Smile ship disappear from sight. Who would've thought that he, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, would end up getting robbed by a mere kid? The injustice!

"That brat, I won't forget this. He better hope I never get the chance, or I'll make sure his entire family is kidnapped," Moria growled, vowing revenge.

Garp, Dragon: "Need some sparring, Moria?"

"Baka!"

Just then, Absalom, who had finally caught on, yelled out in horror.

"Huh? Absalom, what's the matter?" Moria frowned, annoyed.

"It's… it's not you, Lord Moria. I think I've… lost my ability," Absalom stammered, his voice trembling.

"What?!"

"It's true. My Clear-Clear Fruit powers are gone." He checked again, his stitched face contorting in a miserable expression.

"You're telling me you've lost your Devil Fruit powers? Are you joking?" Moria was incredulous. Then again, Absalom had no reason to lie. But wasn't a Devil Fruit's power supposed to return to the sea only after the previous user's death?

"Could that kid…?" The more he thought about it, the more alarmed Moria became. After a moment of silence, he ordered the crew back to the castle, realizing it might be time to find a new hideout.

"A power that can silently steal Devil Fruit abilities is unheard of," Moria thought. The world had become much more dangerous, with increasingly powerful rookies emerging since the Great Pirate Era began.

…

Thirty nautical miles from Sound Isle, a small, slender boy carrying a gun as tall as himself sat roasting meat. Around him lay several tied-up, beaten pirates who looked at him in fear.

"Damn it! Of all days, today we ran into Elin, the bounty hunter!" The pirate captain, Big Red Beard, writhed in frustration, attempting to break free.

"Don't move! Or I'll take your head straight to the bounty office," the boy warned sternly, biting into his food as he casually aimed his gun at Red Beard.

"Fine, fine, I won't move," Red Beard quickly pleaded. There might be a sliver of hope in prison, but being dead would be the end. Sometimes, it's wise to act humble to survive.

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