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

On the Grand Line, aboard the Smile Pirates' open-air deck…

"Devil Fruit?! For me?!"

Karina covered her rosy lips, her face filled with surprise as she stared at the strange-looking Devil Fruit on the table in disbelief.

"Yes, of course. As a member of the Smile Pirates, you can't be too weak," Natsu said calmly, knowing this Devil Fruit suited Karina well.

The Fruit was the Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Azure Luan. According to the system's description, it could transform the user into a mystical Azure Luan bird. Beyond flight, it granted abilities related to singing, which suited Karina perfectly since she would later be known as the Mysterious Songstress.

Karina took a hesitant bite. "Ugh, it tastes horrible!"

She scrunched up her face like a bun after the first taste. But knowing that eating the Fruit would make her powerful, she closed her eyes and forced down bite after bite. Devil Fruits weren't easy to come by, after all. Soon, she finished the whole Fruit, feeling it settle in her stomach.

"How do you feel, Karina?" Eirin, who had just joined the crew, asked eagerly. She was amazed to see a Devil Fruit so soon after boarding. On the market, even a single Devil Fruit could sell for over a hundred million berries.

"Let me try it out."

Hearing Eirin's question and noticing the curious expressions around her, Karina closed her eyes and focused on using the Fruit's power.

Suddenly, a pair of cyan-colored wings sprouted from her sides, and a faint, cool flame appeared around her body. Though the flames seemed harmless, everyone could feel an eerie chill deep in their souls, as if touching them would unleash something terrifying.

"So, this is the power of a Devil Fruit?"

Natsu observed Karina with renewed interest as her Devil Fruit abilities appeared on his system's panel.

The Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Azure Luan, had two unique powers beyond basic flight and claw attacks. The first, "Allure," allowed Karina to charm enemies with her song, a power to the abilities of the Pirate Empress Hancock. The second, "Azure Luan's Divine Flame," could either heal allies within the range of her voice or burn enemies.

Whether other abilities existed was still uncertain, and perhaps Karina could discover more in time.

"Haha! I can fly!"

Karina flapped her wings faster and faster, rising higher until she became a tiny dot in the sky, her crystal-clear laughter ringing like bells.

"Feeling envious?" Kumo's small eyes sparkled as he sidled over to Eirin.

"Of course! That's a Devil Fruit!" Eirin replied, gazing at Karina with longing.

"Want one?"

Eirin nodded enthusiastically.

"Heh, then just perform well, and sooner or later, the captain will reward you with one," Kumo said, patting his chubby chest confide Kumo's implication that Natsu might possess more Devil Fruits. He knew Devil Fruits weren't just any ordinary fruit but priceless treasures that granted extraordinary power.

"That's right! Just stick close to me, and I'll make sure the captain takes care of you," Kumo boasted.

Eirin nodded eagerly, and this brief conversation cemented a fast friendship between the two. Over the next few days, they became nearly inseparable. Kumo taught Eirin about Haki, while Eirin showed Kumo how to use firearms.

Natsu watched this budding friendship unfold. Whether he would eventually grant Eirin a Devil Fruit was something he'd consider over time. After all, loyalty and trust mattered far more to him than more power.

…

In the distant kingdom of Alabasta, the former Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile, held a bounty poster in his hand, his face dark with fury. He bit down on his cigar as sands drifted off his body, consuming every wanted poster of the Smile Pirates in a fit of rage.

"Monkey D. Natsu… we'll meet again someday," he muttered, blowing a cloud of smoke as he gazed toward the capital of Alabasta. Slowly, he stood up. He had more pressing matters on his mind—the ancient weapon Pluton, rumored to have the power to destroy entire islands, was supposedly hidden somewhere in this country.

"Spread the word. I want every agent of Baroque Works embedded within the kingdom. I need to know every secret of this land."

"Understood, boss!" The Unluckies, a peculiar duo, responded in unison, flying off to relay the orders.

…

Meanwhile, aboard the Moby Dick in the New World…

"Glug glug glug!"

The world's strongest man, Whitebeard, downed his sake in large gulps.

"Gurararara! Who would've thought that kid from Roger's crew would grow this powerful? It's interesting," he chuckled, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes as he looked up at the sky.

"Yes, Pops. Rumors say the Red-Hair Pirates now rival us, Big Mom, and Kaido's crews in strength and influence. People have started calling the four crews the Four Emperors of the Sea," said Marco, the first division commander, his pineapple-shaped head bobbing with a serious expression.

"The Four Emperors, huh? Gurararara!" Whitebeard laughed, clearly unbothered by the title. To him, family mattered more than any reputation.

"The Marines seem to have acknowledged it," Marco added.

"I see… besides the Red-Hair Pirates, another rookie crew is gaining attention. They've defeated two Warlords and even seized a tribute meant for the Celestial Dragons," Marco reported.

"Monkey D.?" Whitebeard's usual indifference shifted to surprise as he held up the bounty poster. Upon seeing the initial "D.," he couldn't help but recall Roger's words.

"Yes, Pops. It's said he's the grandson of Marine hero Garp." Marco couldn't help but grin at the irony—a Marine hero's grandson turning pirate was amusing.

"Garp's grandson, huh? Gurararara! Things are about to heat up in the New World," Whitebeard laughed heartily, his massive frame shaking as he gave the order to steer the fleet toward a new destination.

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