Pirates: Building a Pirate Family

A cold wind swept through the port.

Charlotte stood tense, her eyes fixed on the approaching ship.

The chill emanating from the pirate vessel was palpable. She didn't need to think twice—someone aboard had the power of a Devil Fruit.

As the ship neared, a thin layer of ice began forming on the sea's surface.

"Could it be a Natural-type Devil Fruit... the Frozen-Fruit?" she speculated silently.

She dismissed the idea of Admiral Aokiji—it wasn't yet time for him to gain such abilities. Was the captain aboard the previous wielder of the Frozen-Fruit power? If so, it could spell trouble—Charlotte had yet to master Armament Haki.

The pirate ship docked, and its crew disembarked, armed with long swords and muskets. Finally, the captain leaped ashore, his presence commanding attention.

The pirate captain, donning a captain's hat, spotted Charlotte standing firm with her sword.

"Kid! Was that your slash just now?" he demanded, the icy smirk on his face adding to his chilling aura.

Charlotte stepped forward, her gaze unwavering. "Yes, it was. Pirates aren't welcome here!"

Her declaration stunned the captain for a moment before he burst into laughter.

"Hah! You've got guts, kid! Do you think someone like you can dictate terms to us?"

The pirates behind him joined in, mocking Charlotte.

"Captain, this brat's delusional! He thinks he can keep pirates out!" one sneered.

Charlotte's expression remained calm. With a swift motion, she unleashed a massive wave of sword energy, 30 meters in length.

Boom!

The jeers turned to silence as over 30 pirates fell, slain by her single slash.

Gulp! Someone audibly swallowed, the sound echoing in the tense stillness.

"She... She's a swordsman!" one of the remaining pirates stammered, retreating behind their captain.

"Damn it! I'm not blind!" the captain snapped, his demeanor turning serious.

Taking a step forward, the captain extended an offer. "Kid, how about joining my crew—the Chill Pirates? Do that, and I'll overlook your earlier... indiscretions."

Charlotte laughed openly. "Join you? Do you think I'd follow someone like you?"

Her voice carried an overwhelming presence, and an invisible force surged outward. Pirates dropped to the ground, unconscious, their willpower no match for her Conqueror's Haki.

"This... This is Haki! The Conqueror's Haki!" the captain exclaimed, disbelief etched on his face.

A rare gift, one in a million. This kid was a born king. But instead of awe, it fueled his resolve.

The captain's fists began to emit cold vapor. "Brat, you're dead!"

He charged at Charlotte, vanishing in an instant with the speed of Navy Six Styles' "Shave." But Charlotte met his attack head-on, their clash sending sparks flying.

"This is Armament Haki!" she realized, recognizing the black energy coating his fists.

"Hahaha! Sharp eye, kid! I'm Will Werner, captain of the Chill Pirates, with a bounty of 600 million berries! It's an honor to die by my hands!"

Charlotte smirked, unfazed. Her focus shifted as she caught a keyword in his rant—Chill. If his fruit wasn't the Frozen-Fruit, but the Chill-Fruit, then he wasn't as dangerous as she thought.

With newfound confidence, she struck again, forcing Will Werner back. She unleashed another wave of sword energy, ten meters in length.

Boom!

Will Werner blocked the attack with his Armament Haki, but the force still cut into his arm.

Charlotte grinned. "I'll capture him alive and extract the method to master Armament Haki. His arrival is perfect timing!"

Fueled by her excitement, Charlotte pressed her assault, giving Will no room to retaliate. She used her swordsmanship to keep him at bay, avoiding close combat against his Devil Fruit abilities.

"Damn it! Damn you, brat!" Will Werner roared, struggling against her relentless attacks. His incomplete mastery of Armament Haki left him vulnerable, and soon, Charlotte's sword pierced his chest.

Desperate, he used his Devil Fruit to freeze the wound, but Charlotte stopped her assault, deliberately holding back to avoid killing him.

Will Werner's despair was evident. His crew lay incapacitated, and he was no match for the young swordswoman. Still, he launched one final, desperate charge.

It was futile. Charlotte easily severed his arms and hamstrings, leaving him disabled.

His anguished screams echoed through the port. For a moment, Charlotte felt pity, but she quickly shook it off.

Smiling, she stood over her defeated opponent.

"Armed Haki training, here I come," she murmured triumphantly.

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