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

"What is this? A form of intimidation?"

Blue-haired Hiro was stunned. Karina was just as taken aback. She'd joined the pirate crew reluctantly, yet here she was, watching a guy casually knock out a pack of wolves with Conqueror's Haki—something only world-renowned figures wielded. Just who was this guy, anyway? Her curiosity about Natsu was growing by the second.

"Hey there! I'm Natsu. Pleased to meet you!"

"Thanks for the rescue! I'm Hiro!" he replied with a grin.

While they chatted, Kumo eagerly started a fire nearby, expertly skinning and preparing several of the downed wolves for a barbecue. Soon, the mouth-watering aroma filled the air.

Through their conversation, Natsu learned that Hiro was passionate about studying rare creatures; the stranger they were, the more they fascinated him. The glass bottles scattered around were his handiwork—paralytic potions that could knock someone out instantly.

Natsu also asked Hiro if he could make medical potions, to which Hiro responded, "Of course! I've been traveling alone for years, and I've gotten injured a lot. So, I learned medicine along the way. I even had a mentor—a kind old doctor who wanted me to become his apprentice. I slipped away eventually, though. Wandering was calling me."

Since then, Hiro had felt a bit guilty and would occasionally send gifts back to the doctor through others.

"Hiro, sail with me! There's bound to be more fascinating things on the Grand Line—maybe even talking skeletons!"

"Really? You're not pulling my leg, are you?"Hiro's eyes lit up, full of excitement.

"Absolutely!" Natsu replied confidently.

"Well then, count me in! Glad to be aboard, Captain!"

Just like that, a new friendship was born. Simple yet sincere, and now the Smile Pirates had a new crewmate.

"Welcome aboard!" Kumo exclaimed with a grin. "Let's throw a feast, Gin! Kumo! Bring out the drinks and food!"

"Woohoo, a party! Let's go!" Kumo cheered, eyes sparkling.

In this world, nothing brings people closer faster than a feast. By the end of the night, everyone felt like lifelong friends. Kumo, as ever, proudly proclaimed himself vice-captain, much to Hiro's amusement.

The sight of a talking panda left Hiro thoroughly intrigued, though Kumo seemed oblivious to the glint of fascination in Hiro's eyes.

The following morning, Kumo couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing some fur…

"Natsu! I found a weird fruit! Do you recognize it?"

Natsu was barely awake when Hiro eagerly shoved a fruit with a strange pattern right up to his face.

"Oh, that's a Devil Fruit!"

Stretching and waking up fully, Natsu explained, "It's one of the ocean's mystical treasures. Eating it grants special powers, though the taste is horrific, trust me."

At the mention of the Devil Fruit, everyone's attention was piqued. Karina's eyes gleamed with excitement; such a fruit could sell for a hundred million Berries or more. Gin looked on with silent longing, feeling the gap between himself, Natsu, and Kumo widening despite his daily training. A Devil Fruit could be a quick path to power.

Kumo, meanwhile, recoiled in horror at the sight of it, his mind flashing back to when he'd been tricked into eating one by Natsu. The memory alone was enough to make him gag, and he quickly sprinted off, desperate to avoid another encounter with anything remotely edible that looked like that.

"It's a Devil Fruit? One of the ocean's treasures?" Hiro's eyes sparkled with intrigue as he inspected the fruit up close, curiosity evident in his gaze.

"Yeah, you could eat it or sell it," Natsu explained. "It's worth about a hundred million Berries. Personally, though, I don't need it."'

"Oh, I'm eating it!" Hiro declared, taking a small bite. His face immediately twisted, eyes watering as he struggled through the awful taste.

Ten minutes later, Natsu asked, "Notice any changes?"

"Yeah, I feel stronger… and…" Hiro closed his eyes, concentrating. His body suddenly expanded, bursting through his shirt as he transformed into a three-meter-tall, muscled version of himself, radiating an intimidating aura.

"Looks like it's a strength-enhancing power, not too shabby," Natsu observed approvingly, giving Hiro a quick rundown on how to train his new abilities. He even gifted him a golden-backed greatsword, then left to start his morning tai chi practice.

Meanwhile, Hiro was thrilled. He began testing his new power, excitedly making himself his own research subject.

After they'd all had their fill, the Smile Pirates resumed their journey. Before long, a new island appeared on the horizon.

Throughout the voyage, Hiro marveled at the ship's sophistication, eagerly exploring every nook and cranny with unbridled enthusiasm.

At one point, Gin scanned the distant island through his spyglass and reported, "Captain, there's an island ahead, but it seems strangely quiet. I don't see a single person."

"Hey,Hiro, know anything about this island?"

"Nope, this is my first time traveling this far. I was mostly wandering around the islands near my home before this."

"Alright, then, let's go ashore and see what we find. Maybe there's another Devil Fruit on this island," Natsu said with a smile. The island didn't seem familiar to him from his memories.

The Smile swiftly docked, and Natsu leaped ashore, surveying his surroundings. Though he didn't see anyone, his Observation Haki picked up a large, concealed group nearby.

"Watch out—there's an ambush!"

Natsu shouted a warning, his arms instantly coated in Armament Haki as he caught an arrow mid-flight. With eyes blazing, he launched himself at the attackers, his body moving like a cannonball.