Operation Stealing Adam

The tension around the auction warehouse was thicker than ever as the bidding began. From our vantage point, I could see the key players: Avalo Pizzaro, lounging with a smug grin, surrounded by his guards; Gladius, overseeing the entire operation with a sharp, calculating gaze; and a few other shady figures, their wealth apparent from their extravagant attire.

The Adam Wood was brought out on stage—a massive, gleaming stack of golden-brown planks, each radiating strength and durability. The crowd erupted into murmurs of awe and excitement, and I knew we had to act fast.

I turned to Aerwyna, her six swords already drawn, her calm expression giving me confidence. "This is it," I whispered. "We're going in."

She nodded. "What's the plan, Usopp Kun?"

"Kaya's standing by," I said, pulling my compact bombs from my pouch. "She's going to transform into her transport titan mode and carry the Adam Wood out of here. Our job is to give her enough time to do it."

Aerwyna raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk tugging at her cherry lips. "You mean your job is to make a scene with your bombs. I'll cover Kaya."

"Exactly!" I grinned, strapping a few bombs to my belt. "Nothing says 'distraction' like a little controlled chaos."

I crept down from our hiding spot, blending into the crowd as the bidding reached a fever pitch. My nose picked up the familiar stench of greed, overpowering everything else. Gladius was barking orders to ensure security around the stage, but his guards were focused on the bidders, not the edges of the warehouse.

Perfect.

I slipped a compact bomb into my hand, pulling the fuse and rolling it toward the center of the crowd. It detonated with a bright flash and a loud bang, sending smoke and sparks everywhere. The crowd screamed, scattering in panic as more bombs exploded in rapid succession, filling the warehouse with chaos.

"What's going on?!" Gladius shouted, his voice barely audible over the noise.

I didn't wait to find out how he'd respond. I climbed to a higher vantage point, tossing more bombs to keep the confusion going. Every explosion was calculated to draw attention away from Adam Wood, and it worked. Guards rushed to control the crowd, and Gladius tried restoring order.

Amid the chaos, Kaya appeared at the edge of the warehouse in her transport titan mode. She was enormous, her body built for strength and speed, and her presence alone made people freeze in fear.

"Now!" I shouted, signaling her.

Kaya moved quickly, smoothly grabbing the massive stack of Adam Wood. Her colossal hands lifted it as if it weighed nothing, and she began running toward the exit, her thunderous steps shaking the ground.

"Stop them!" Gladius roared, pointing at Kaya.

Several guards turned their attention to her, but Aerwyna was already in motion. She stepped into their path, her six swords flashing as she blocked their advance. Her armament Haki-coated blades clashed against their weapons, and she moved with precision, cutting through their ranks with ease.

I kept the bombs going, creating as much noise and confusion as possible. Whenever a guard got too close to Kaya, I lobbed another bomb, scattering them.

Pizzaro, meanwhile, was fuming, his voice booming over the chaos. "Who dares steal the wood from me?! I'll have their heads!"

"Sorry, Pizzaro," I muttered, hurling a bomb toward his group. "Not today."

The explosion sent his guards diving for cover, buying Kaya more time to escape with Adam Wood. She reached the forest's edge, where our crew had hidden a makeshift cart to transport the planks back to the Merry's Revenge.

Aerwyna fought back at me, her swords dripping with the remnants of her opponents' blood io. "Kaya's clear," she said, her voice steady despite the battle.

"Good," I said, lighting one last bomb and tossing it toward the warehouse entrance. "Let's make our exit."

We sprinted toward the forest, weaving through the chaos as more guards flooded the area. My Observation Haki flared, helping me dodge the few attacks that came close, while Aerwyna cut down anyone who dared block our path.

By the time we reached the cart, Kaya had already shifted back to her standard form, panting heavily but smiling triumphantly. The Adam Wood was secured, and the rest of the crew was ready to move.

"Nice work, everyone," I said, catching my breath. "Let's get this back to Wolf before anyone follows us."

As we rolled the cart away, I couldn't help but grin. It wasn't perfect, and it wasn't pretty, but we'd pulled it off. The Adam Wood was ours, and the airship dream was one step closer to reality.

***

The sound of chaos echoed behind us as we pushed through the forest, the Adam Wood safely secured in the cart. Kaya's breathing was heavy, her Titan transformation having drained much of her energy, but she managed a tired smile as Aerwyna, and I took the lead, keeping an eye on the trail ahead.

"We're almost in the clear," I said, glancing over my shoulder to reassure her.

But then I felt an intense, oppressive aura that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. My nose picked up a sharp, acrid scent—arrogance mixed with rage. It was unmistakable.

"Avalo Pizarro," I muttered, stopping in my tracks.

Aerwyna tensed beside me, her hands already moving to the hilts of her swords. "He's coming."

A moment later, the trees around us trembled, and the corrupt king of the North Blue emerged from the shadows, his towering figure and menacing grin making it clear he wasn't here to talk. His large hands cracked his knuckles, and his deep, gravelly voice boomed through the forest.

"Did you think you could steal from me and walk away?" Pizarro growled, his sharp teeth bared in a predatory grin. "You've got guts. I'll give you that, but guts won't save you."

Aerwyna stepped forward, her calm demeanor unwavering. "Usopp Kun, take care of the Adam Wood. I'll handle this."

"No," I said, standing beside her, my crossbow already in hand. "We do this together."

Pizarro laughed, the sound echoing like thunder. "Two against one? That isn't fair, isn't it?."

I smirked, loading one of my custom bolts into the crossbow. "Probably both."

He lunged at us, his massive fists swinging with destructive force. Aerwyna darted forward, her Observation Haki guiding her movements as she dodged with precision, her Sandai kitetsu swords striking in a blur. Sparks flew as her blades met Pizarro's hardened skin, her Armament Haki barely cutting through.

I circled, firing a trick bolt that exploded in smoke, obscuring his vision. "Over here, big guy!" I shouted, drawing his attention.

Pizarro roared, swinging unthinkingly in my direction, but I'd already moved, my Observation Haki giving me the edge to stay ahead of his attacks. I fired another bolt, releasing a sticky resin that slowed his movements as it coated his legs.

"You think cheap tricks can stop me?!" he bellowed, breaking free of the resin with brute strength.

Aerwyna took advantage of his distraction, her blades striking his side precisely. This time, her Armament Haki cut deeper, drawing blood. Pizarro snarled, spinning to face her, but she was already gone, her flash step putting her behind him.

I loaded a more potent bolt, aiming for his exposed back. "Aerwyna, now!"

She struck again, her swords carving into his shoulder as I fired the bolt. It hit him squarely, releasing a concussive blast that sent him staggering forward.

Pizarro roared in pain, but he wasn't down yet. He slammed his fists into the ground, causing a shockwave that sent debris flying. Aerwyna and I dodged, regrouping as he charged at us again.

"Time for something bigger," I muttered, pulling out one of my compact bombs.

Aerwyna nodded, her swords glowing as she focused her Haki. "I'll keep him occupied. You go for the finishing blow."

She engaged him head-on, her movements fluid and deadly as she kept him on the defensive. I took the opportunity to climb a nearby tree, getting a better vantage point. From above, I could see Pizarro's movements clearly, his rage making him predictable.

I lit the fuse on the bomb, aiming carefully. "Hey, Pizarro!" I called, grinning as he looked up. "Catch!"

The bomb dropped directly onto him, detonating in a burst of fire and smoke. Aerwyna dashed out of the way as the ground shook from the impact. When the smoke cleared, Pizarro was on his knees, battered and bloodied but still conscious.

Aerwyna approached him, her Kagegiri kitetsu poised for a final strike. "Yield," she said, her voice calm but firm.

Pizarro glared at her, his pride warring with his sense of self-preservation. Finally, he spat on the ground and growled, "You've made your point. Take your precious wood and go."

Aerwyna lowered her swords, stepping back. I climbed down from the tree, and my crossbow was still ready, just in case.

"Next time, don't mess with the Merry's Revenge," I said, smirking as we left.

We regrouped with Kaya and the cart, her eyes widening when she saw us. "What happened?"

"Just handled a little problem," I said, trying to catch my breath. "Now, let's get out of here before he changes his mind."

As we pushed the cart back toward Merry's Revenge, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. We'd faced down one of the North Blue's most dangerous figures and walked away victorious.

***

As we made our way back to Merry's Revenge, the forest seemed quieter, almost unnaturally so. The tension from our fight with Avalo Pizarro still lingered in my mind, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we weren't out of danger yet. Kaya had reverted to her standard form, exhausted but determined to push the cart carrying the Adam Wood. Aerwyna walked beside us, her swords sheathed but her eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Let's pick up the pace," I said, trying to ignore the growing unease creeping up my spine. "The faster we're back on the ship, the better."

As we navigated the winding path, my Observation Haki picked up something unusual—a faint pull in a direction slightly off the trail. My nose caught a strange scent, one I couldn't quite place. It wasn't fear, anger, or any emotion I recognized. It was curiosity, almost beckoning me.

"Wait," I said, stopping in my tracks.

Aerwyna turned, raising an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"There's… something over there," I said, pointing toward a dense thicket. "I need to check it out."

Kaya looked at me with concern. "Usopp, we should stick together."

"I know, but this feels important," I insisted, my grip tightening on my crossbow. "I'll only be a minute."

Aerwyna nodded, her calm voice reassuring. "Go. I'll stay with Kaya Chan and keep watch."

I slipped into the thicket, following the pull of my Observation Haki and the strange scent. As I pushed through the brush, the air grew heavier, almost electric. Then, in a small clearing, I saw a chest, old and weathered, half-buried in the dirt.

My heart raced as I approached, and my fingers trembled slightly as I pried it open. Inside, nestled among a few rotted rags, was a fruit, unlike anything I'd ever seen. It was deep blue, swirling with strange patterns that seemed to shift as I looked at them.

"A Devil Fruit…" I whispered, my breath catching in my throat.

The one-piece wiki flooded my mind—Devil Fruits, which granted unimaginable power but at the cost of never being able to swim again. I reached out, my hand hovering over it, the pull almost irresistible. I needed every advantage we could get, and if this fruit could help me, then it was worth the risk.

As I emerged from the thicket, my chest felt heavy in my hands, and the swirling patterns on the strange fruit were almost hypnotic. I could feel its energy radiating, something unnatural yet compelling. I had read enough fanfiction to know what it was—a Devil Fruit. But unlike most fools in those tales, I wasn't about to bite into something that could change my life forever without thinking it through.

"What did you find?" Kaya asked, her curiosity piqued as I rejoined them. She and Aerwyna had been standing guard, their attention split between the path ahead and the chaos we'd left behind.

I held up the chest and opened it to show them. Kaya's eyes widened, and even Aerwyna, always calm and collected, raised an eyebrow.

"A Devil Fruit," Kaya breathed, stepping closer to examine it.

"Looks like it," I said, closing the chest with a snap. "But I'm not eating it for now."

Aerwyna nodded approvingly. "Smart. Devil Fruits are powerful, but the cost is steep. And you're already strong, Usopp Kun."

I felt a small swell of pride at her words but quickly refocused. "Let's get this back to the ship. We don't have time to linger."

As we pushed through the forest, I couldn't help but wonder about the fruit's power. Maybe I would eat it if I could figure out what it did. But for now, its swirling patterns stayed locked inside the chest.

The Merry's Revenge was just as we left it, hidden in a secluded cove on the outskirts of Rubeck Island. Kaya quickly helped secure Adam Wood onto the ship, her energy returning now that we were in safer territory. Aerwyna stayed on high alert, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of trouble.

Once the wood was stowed, I set the chest down on the deck and sat cross-legged beside it. Kaya and Aerwyna joined me, curiosity clear on their faces.

"So, what's the plan?" Kaya asked, tilting her head. "Are we just going to carry this thing around and hope it doesn't fall into the wrong hands?"

"Not exactly," I said, running a hand through my hair. "We need to figure out what it does first. Every Devil Fruit has a specific ability, right? If we can identify this one, we'll know if it's worth using—or if we should sell it."

Aerwyna crossed her arms, her gaze locked on the chest. "And if it's powerful?"

"Then we'll decide carefully," I said firmly. "This isn't something to rush into. Devil Fruit could change everything for us, but the wrong one could be a disaster."

Kaya nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Do you think Wolf might know anything about it? He seems to know a lot."

"I'm not sure about that," I admitted. "But once we're done here, we'll ask him."

The conversation was interrupted by a faint rustling sound from the cove's edge. Aerwyna was on her feet instantly, her swords drawn, and Kaya reached for her medical pouch, where she kept a few surprise weapons.

"Stay here," Aerwyna whispered, moving toward the noise.

I followed a few paces behind, my crossbow at the ready. The rustling grew louder as we approached, and my Observation Haki tingled with a strange, chaotic energy. It wasn't hostile—more like frantic curiosity.

Aerwyna pushed through the brush, and we came face-to-face with a small group of island animals—a collection of monkeys, parrots, and even a wild boar. They were gathered around what looked like a broken crate, sniffing at its contents.

"What's this?" I muttered, stepping closer.

Aerwyna sheathed her swords, her tension easing as she assessed the scene. "Looks like something washed ashore."

I picked up the remains of the crate, noting the faint markings of a shipping label. "This could've come from the auction. Maybe someone dumped it during the chaos."

Inside the crate were scattered items—broken bottles, scraps of paper, and a lot of strange metallic devices that looked like a compass but had no markings.

"What do you think this is?" Kaya asked, holding up the compass-like object.

"That's a log pose," I admitted, turning it over. "We'll need that in the Grand Line ."

Aerwyna's calm voice cut through the moment. "We should return to the ship. The less time we spend here, the better."

I nodded, bringing the chest full of logposes and leading the way back to the Merry's Revenge. As we settled back on deck, I glanced at the Devil Fruit chest.

"This island is full of surprises," I said, leaning back against the railing. "Let's hope the rest of the crew finds something useful too."

Kaya smiled softly. "And if they don't, we've got plenty to work with already."

As the sun began to set over Rubeck Island, I couldn't shake the feeling that the Devil Fruit in my possession was more than a rare find. It was taunting me to eat it—I was always a believer that if devil fruit found its way towards you, then that fruit had chosen you. Whether this devil fruit was good or bad, only time would tell.