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

"Is this the deep sea? It's so beautiful!" Karina exclaimed, her bright eyes following the deep-sea creatures swimming past the Smile ship, admiring the view.

"The New World, is it finally here? I'm so excited!" Enel said, lightning crackling around him as his fur stood up like a prickly porcupine.

"Enel!" Kumo shot him a fierce glare, his face full of annoyance.

Enel glanced back at him and then retracted his lightning. This wasn't just because Kumo was Natsu's pet, but also because Enel had once battled Kumo, and the result had been astonishing—both of them ended up in a deadlock, neither able to defeat the other. Moreover, the panda was immune to his lightning.

"Tch, stubborn one!" Kumo muttered as he saw Enel retract his abilities.

"The New World... I've heard there are so many new and exciting things to see, it's really something to look forward to," Hiro said, licking his lips, his black eyes shining with excitement. The New World was going to be even more lively.

"Captain Natsu, you mentioned visiting the Four Emperors, Red-Haired Shanks, once we enter the New World, right?" Eirin suddenly asked, as if remembering something.

"Yes, that's true. My foolish younger brother once received his help, so as his older brother, of course, I need to visit him!" Natsu replied with a smile.

"Does that mean I'll get to meet Yasopp? He's Shanks' sniper!" Eirin asked excitedly. Yasopp was his idol, even though Eirin had never traveled far, he had heard of Red-Haired Shanks, especially regarding his sniper.

"The world's top sniper, Yasopp from the Red-Haired Pirates, is someone many snipers look up to and aspire to surpass."

"That's right!"

"Whoo-hoo, long live Captain Natsu!" Eirin shouted, jumping up and down with his sniper rifle, overjoyed to finally meet his dream idol.

...

The Smile ship continued to dive, finally reaching a depth of several hundred meters. Under Noriyuki's guidance, the Smile Pirates broke through Fish-Man Island's protective shield and entered the island's interior.

"Nofei, let me take you back home first," Noriyuki said gently as he crouched down and wiped away a tear from Nofei's eye.

"No, no, I don't want to go back," Nofei shook his small head vigorously, his clear eyes looking at Nuriyuki with a pleading expression, his pitiful appearance tugging at the heartstrings.

"But, Nofei, uncle is heading into the New World, it's too dangerous there. I can't protect you," Noriyuki said reluctantly, trying to explain, though clearly torn.

"I don't want to go back. I have no home anymore!" Nofei's voice was full of sadness.

" Noriyuki, what's going on? Why doesn't little Nofei want to go back? He can just sail with me!" Natsu, noticing the situation, stood up and directly addressed Noriyuki.

"Have you heard of the Sun Pirates?" Noriyuki looked around at the crew and began to explain.

"I've heard of them. They were the heroes of Fish-Man Island, founded by Fisher Tiger, who once climbed up to the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, and caused a scene, liberating thousands of slaves. Their bravery is admirable," Natsu replied.

"I was once a member of the Sun Pirates too, though I was very young at the time—around the age of the captain now. Nofei's father, my older brother, was also in the Sun Pirates, but he unfortunately died in battle during one mission," Noriyuki said, his voice heavy with emotion as he sat down on the deck and recounted his past.

"So now Nofei is living alone in Fish-Man Street, such a dangerous place? How could you let that happen, uncle?" Karina asked, her anger rising.

Fish-Man Street was a chaotic and dangerous place, with pirates often trying to capture fish-men or mermaids to sell them. Leaving Nofei to live alone there was reckless and irresponsible.

"I...," Noriyuki started, but before he could finish,

"No! Don't scold my uncle! I'll stay on Fish-Man Island! It's fine!" Nofei puffed out his cheeks and stood in front of Noriyuki, trying to protect him. Despite his angry expression, he looked adorable, and even Natsu wanted to pinch his cheeks.

"It's okay, Nofei. Karina is just worried about us," Noriyuki gently patted Nofei's head, explaining with a kind smile.

"I'm sorry, Karina!" Nofei said with a little apologetic bow.

"It's okay, it's okay! Don't cry," Karina quickly moved forward to wipe away the tears from Nofei's eyes.

" Noriyuki , what's going on?" Natsu said, placing a hand on Noriyuki's shoulder.

"Nofei has been frail since he was young. I once asked Fish-Man Island's fortune teller, Miss Shally, to predict his future, and she told me that Nofei could only live until the age of fifteen. The only way to change this fate is through a Devil Fruit, one with strong regenerative powers and vitality, like a Zoan-type fruit."

"So, that's why you left Fish-Man Island and went out to sea alone?" Natsu asked.

"Yes, but my strength was too weak, and not long after I left, I was captured by a slave trade group. If I hadn't met Captain Natsu, I might have already been tortured by the Celestial Dragons and died," Noriyuki said with a grim expression.

"Don't worry, it's all in the past now," Natsu said with reassurance.

" Noriyuki, take little Nofei with you. A Zoan-type Devil Fruit is not impossible to find. We can even use the Navy as a resource to gather information," Natsu said confidently.

"Really? You think we can find it?" Noriyuki asked, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Of course. We're partners, and as part of the Smile Pirates, I've always said that your problems are ours," Natsu said with a grin.

"Mm-hmm!"

"Little Nofei, come over here!" Natsu called, smiling at Nofei.

"Captain Natsu, what's up?" Nofei's voice was small as he approached.

"This is a potion. If you drink it, you'll be just like other kids," Natsu said, pulling a small green glass bottle from his chest, a Life Potion from the system warehouse.

"Really? If I drink this, I'll be just like the other kids?" Nofei asked, his eyes wide with hope.

"Mm-hmm. Trust me, little one," Natsu reassured him with a warm smile.

"Okay," Nofei looked up at Noriyuki, who nodded, and then eagerly drank the Life Potion in one go.

"Captain Natsu, what's this?" Noriyuki tugged at Natsu's sleeve, his concern still evident despite knowing Natsu would never harm Nofei.

"It's a restorative potion. It's only a temporary fix, though. It's possible that only a Zoan-type Devil Fruit will fully cure him," Natsu explained.

"Thank you, Captain Natsu! Uncle, I feel so much better now! Look!" Nofei's face had turned rosy again, and he clenched his tiny fists, feeling much stronger. He then happily ran over to to Noriyuki share the good news.

"Let's go! It's time to enter the New World!" Natsu said, his tone full of excitement.

Since Nofei would be staying on the ship, there was no need to linger at Fish-Man Island. The focus now was on reaching a deal with the Navy, as the Seven Warlords of the Sea was the first step in Natsu's grand plan.

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