92 Join Us!

Roman and Shaya were surprised as they looked at Ori. Even though he was stood before them Roman couldn't feel his presence at all, it was as if he had truly become one with nature. Shaya who had reached a higher level of observation haki could only just about feel his presence and that was only when she focused on him. They knew that everyone who had reached the Grandmaster boundary of their chosen path essentially becomes one with nature.

Ori who was stood on the air began walking towards them descending in height with each step.

Shaya and Roman couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at his movement. They know that he was able to fly by using the wind, but they've never seen him walk on the air as if it was a solid surface.

As he landed Shaya couldn't help but voice her queries.

"I know you broke through to the Grandmaster Swordsman boundary but how were you able to walk on the air, did you also awaken your devil fruit?!"

Ori shook his head with a cheery smile as he replied.

"No, not even close!"

Roman and Shaya were confused. They didn't understand how he was able to move like he did, but more importantly they didn't understand why he was so happy even though he was no closer to awakening.

"Why are you smiling like an idiot? Even if you broke through to the Grandmaster Realm that's not enough for you to smile like that!"

Ori's smile didn't decrease in the slightest, in fact it somewhat increased.

"I did it!"

Neither Roman or Shaya had any idea what he meant when he said that.

"Did what?"

Ori was now grinning from ear to ear as he explained.

"I evolved my devil fruit!"

When he said that both of them looked at Ori with wide eyes. They both knew what it meant to evolve a devil fruit.

Certain devil fruit's can be evolved into a more powerful devil fruit if before awakening they manage to comprehend that more powerful ability. For example Shaya's time fruit. Centuries ago it was just a time attributed devil fruit that could slow down time in a certain area but the user from that time was able to comprehend the true essence of time and it evolved into the time fruit it is today. There have been others who managed to do the same thing but very few.

Hearing Ori had now managed to do the same, how could they not be shocked?! They remembered him explaining how ever since the fight with Akainu, he felt he could break through and awaken his wind fruit as and when he wanted but if he did it then he would miss out on something important. At first they didn't think much of it, but now they know that he was referring to the evolution of his wind fruit.

Roman looked at his brother in anticipation as he asked.

"What did you evolve it into?!"

Ori smiled proudly as he replied.

"Air! I can now control not only the wind but the air as a whole!"

Shaya nodded.

"That's why the air started thinning, that was a side effect of your devil fruit evolution!"

Ori nodded as he said.

"My new abilities aren't limited to just that, I've also learnt how to turn the air into a solid!"

Roman nodded in understanding.

"So that's how you were able to walk on the air just now!"

"Yeah. I still have a lot to learn regarding my new abilities, but the evolved form is definitely far more powerful!"

Shaya frowned as she reminded him.

"Even though you're devil fruit is more powerful, it's also far more difficult to comprehend. Forget Transcending, just Awakening is going to prove to be a difficult task in and of itself."

Ori nodded knowing she was right, but still smiled happily as he replied.

"I know, but I'll still do it!"

Neither Shaya or Roman doubted him for a second! He was only 14 yet he had evolved his devil fruit and reached the Grandmaster Swordsman boundary. If anyone was to doubt his comprehension abilities, they'd be idiots.

Roman looked around and saw Sabo, Silk and Benjiro still unconscious and sighed as he said.

"It's hard to believe how much happened in the space of 3 minutes."

Shaya and Ori both nodded in agreement. Shaya focused on the marine and said.

"The way he was able to help us breakthrough with his music… Was that the abilities of the inspiration fruit?"

Ori looked over at the unconscious Benjiro with undisguised gratitude and appreciation.

"Regardless, we owe him a massive debt of gratitude. After all not only did he give us the opportunity to breakthrough so quickly, he's also the reason I was able to comprehend the power of the air."

Shaya and Roman were shocked as they didn't see how that was possible. Seeing their expressions Ori explained.

"As you know, wind is the natural movement of air. But it wasn't till I was listening to his music that I realised that sound is just a vibration that travels through the air. The more I listened the closer I got to comprehending the essence of air."

Roman and Shaya nodded understanding why Ori was so grateful to Benjiro.

Roman picked up Silk, Shaya picked up Sabo and Ori picked up Benjiro and took them back to the inn. On the way they saw the owner unconscious on the ground, but they completely ignored him.

Ori brought Benjiro back to his room and lay him down on his bed whilst he sat on the floor and started working on controlling his new abilities.

Hours flew by and it was already 21:30 when the musically gifted marine woke up. He looked around in confusion not recognising where he was. Then he saw the samurai sat on the floor cross legged with his eyes closed. He was about to speak when he heard Shunsui's voice.

"You're finally awake, I thought you were going to sleep all the way through the night for a while there."

"How long have I been out for?"

"About 8 hours!"

Benjiro nodded while glancing at the Samurai sat on the floor and then turned to face his lap. Ori could tell that he had something on his mind but was struggling to bring it up.

"You don't have to hesitate around me, if you want to ask me something just ask! I owe you big time for helping me out earlier."

Hearing that Benjiro looked up at the samurai and asked.

"Are you… Are you the Heavenly Demon?"

Of all the things Ori expected, guessing his identity wasn't one of them! He didn't know how to reply, he didn't want to lie to him, but he was still a marine, so he couldn't exactly tell him the truth.

Seeing the struggle on his face Benjiro smiled brightly as he said.

"Thank you for not trying to lie to me!"

Ori looked up at the handsome man in surprise. Benjiro, knowing why he was surprised said.

"I'm an empath. Although my observation haki being pretty weak limits the strength of my abilities as an empath, as long as you don't try to actively hide your emotions I can tell when people are lying."

Ori raised an eyebrow as he looked at the man.

[A musical genius and an empath, with talents like that how is he still just an Ensign?!]

"How did you figure it out?"

"I saw the natural phenomenon's that surrounded you all when you broke through. A tornado and sword intent for you, a burning aura that resembled the sun for Bulat or should I say Roman and Shaya's blood wings. It's not hard to guess!"

Ori nodded remembering that their abilities aren't exactly secrets. He looked at the marine who seemed too comfortable around a notorious pirate and asked.

"You know I'm a pirate, yet you're not wary of me?"

Benjiro shook his head with a smile as he replied.

"You don't hide your emotion's so it's easy to read you."

Amused by his answer, Ori couldn't help but ask.

"And what is it you see when you read me?"

"Someone unrestrained and pure yet resolute in their actions!"

Ori didn't reply he just stared at the marine sat on his bed. Benjiro didn't shy away from his gaze, instead he met it without a single fear.

Even though he knew they were on opposite sides of the law and that the man before him could kill him with minimal effort, he felt no fear when he was in front of him. Instead of fear he surprisingly felt safe, he felt safer with him then he did with any marine he'd ever met before.

Eventually Ori broke the silence.

"Join us!"

"WHAT?!"

"Join us!"

"You mean the Heavenly Demons? You want me to join the Heavenly Demon Pirates?!"

Benjiro could feel that Ori was serious, but he was still gob smacked by his sudden proposal.

There was a part of him that considered it for a moment, but he still shook his head.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

Benjiro looked at Ori who seemed to refuse to take no for an answer and said helplessly.

"I'm a Marine!"

"So?"

"What do you mean so? Marines and Pirates are enemies how can a Marine join a Pirate crew?!"

Ori looked deeply at the handsome marine and said lightly.

"It sounds like you're trying to convince yourself more than you are me!"

Benjiro looked up not knowing what to say. Ori smiled and said.

"I don't know the real reason why you're hesitating but that's for you to share if and when you're ready.

We don't leave till the day after tomorrow, so think about it between now and then!"

As he said that, Ori got up and made his way to the door. Seeing him about to leave Benjiro asked.

"Where are you going?"

"I have an appointment to keep."

As he said that he disappeared as if he was never there, leaving a confused Benjiro alone to his thoughts.

[Me not joining is for your own sake! If I took you up on your offer, that man wouldn't hesitate to use the full weight of the marines to kill you all.]