kingdom of fosstres.

Axel made a quick decision: Cocoyashi village was out of the question. Axel could have mentioned that the Marine branch had dealings with pirates, and it's possible that anyone entering might be captured by pirates or the Marine branch, as they both cooperate.

Therefore, the ship sailed towards the Kingdom of Foosstres, a realm with giant trees and striking flora.

-We'll arrive in an hour. Then, we all split up and search for Deuce. We'll pay for the docking, and the meeting point is the port where we disembarked. Ussop will come with me, along with Tashigi and Agatha. Kuro, you know what to do, - said Axel, who had meticulously organized all the procedures for the search in the Kingdom of Foosstres.

The port was large and majestic, but Axel disembarked in the less affluent area, where there were still some boatmen. As soon as they left the port, poverty was evident in a pitiful contrast. It resembled a Brazilian port with houses crowded and was painted in a disorderly style, and vibrant colors reminiscent of favela architecture in Latin America.

The roots of the Kingdom of Foosstres were extensive, and its territory was immense enough to encompass four immense cities at cardinal points. It had vast natural reserves and a much more interesting black market, similar to the one in the Goa Kingdom, which was unknown to Axel and Ussop during their early visits. These places were supposed to be located in less revered areas plagued by many pirates, like Logue City, but the black market was everywhere.

-It's two thousand berries, - said the city guard.

-Take it, - Axel handed him four thousand berries. - The rest is a tip, sir, for taking good care of the ship, - Axel told him.

The guard smiled in an apparent show of interest. - Oh, sir, it's a pleasure for me to be with such a distinguished guest, - replied the thin, swarthy man with a skeletal look, stripes, and a scar on his cheek.

I'm sure we'll be robbed. I was warned about security. Carne, part of the Baratie kitchen, told me this city is a cesspool of crime in the slums. Only nobles and dangerous individuals are respected, thought Axel.

-Tell me your name, - said Axel.

-My name, oh yes, Bill, - said the man.

-I'm a bounty hunter. I'm looking for wanted individuals. My pirate range is from five million berries to twenty million berries, - said Axel.

-Bounty hunter, - the man asked, curious and skeptical when seeing the kid.

-Yes, this here is Ussop, a sniper. But I'm the heavyweight of the team. So, I'll make it easy. Don't ruin the good mood I have. Tell me who the individuals are that you're going to use to sell the ship. This baby is part of my interests. So, if you want something, I'll give it to you, - said Axel.

In a step, he appeared in front of the thin man, who blinked, and upon opening his eyes, saw the boy resting his hand on his shoulder.

-What! - exclaimed the man, falling to the floor, scared and incredulous about the boy's speed, which he saw as prey moments ago.

Ussop nodded, with his bravado look and a raised eyebrow of violence. - We have a great fleet of 200 ships, - said Ussop violently.

-But sir, we don't make those kinds of deals here. We're honest people looking to live another day. Your server, Bill, is a man of his word, - said Bill, with a smile.

-You're not fooling anyone with that smile, Bill. I'll be in the port bar a few meters from here. Hope to see your buddies at the bar, - said Axel.

Walking towards the bar, filled with tough-looking guys, with tattoos, and a grotesque appearance, Axel nodded to Ussop, indicating for him to accompany him.

-What are the chances of being attacked in the bar, Axel? Aren't you a bit paranoid? - asked Ussop, trying to stay calm.

-The information sources say otherwise, - said Axel.

-Well, but I'll fight this time, - said Ussop.

-If you want to fight, go ahead, -said Axel.

-Aha, I think I regret it. I haven't had breakfast, and I'm not strong. I'll support you from afar, - said Ussop.

-They'll ambush us in the bar, but I assure you that of all the existing problems we might find in the kingdom, none of those problems are about my strength. A hundred pirates can come, and they won't last long. It's a strength that worries me, not quantity, - said Axel.

-A hundred pirates, Axel. I'm a bit nervous about just one, Axel. All these dangerous guys and this neighborhood scare me, - said Ussop, avoiding the gazes of the dangerous types; the bar was on a narrow street, surrounded by occupied tables.

-The last time, I got kidnapped in Gear City. Now you want to face a hundred pirates," said Ussop, fear in his eyes. He was desperate, glancing over his shoulder every five minutes.

-Come on, Ussop, let's have some good wine. Things move fast, and Deuce will come sooner or later. He's around here, - said Axel, checking the treasure radar, which was a map marking the island's most important points. Curiously, there were four significant points: one was Deuce, but what about the other three objectives?

The tavern was a deplorable place with dirty wood. Numerous bounty posters were scattered on the walls. The musician stopped, and at that moment, all eyes turned in a state of secrecy, with whispering words.

-Old man, give me a bottle of wine, - said Axel. - For my companion, an orange juice, - he finished saying.

-I want a glass of milk, - said Ussop.

-Very well, kid. A bottle of wine and a glass of milk. That's ten thousand berries, - said the bartender.

The bartender placed the glasses without any problems. Axel took a few sips from the bottle, and some lines dripped in that incessant game. Ussop's panic increased with every gulp.

-What are we waiting for, Axel? - said Ussop, holding the glass.

A second later, amid all the chaos of problems, a man with a red hat and a long black jacket with rivets appeared suspiciously, making the ridiculous face of a thug.

-Do you think you can come, sit in my bar with that ridiculous face, and drink wine while interrupting our schedule, thinking you're the owner of the place? - said the man.

-I can, and it's none of your business. I paid a fortune for this wine, - replied Axel, dodging the first punch to his head without stopping drinking the wine.

-What do you think, Ussop? Should I keep going? - Axel asked.

-I-I think we shouldn't fight. I think the milk I drank was bad, and my stomach hurts. Let's go back to the ship for medicine, - replied Ussop with wide eyes of fear.

-See, friend, my partner says I should slit your throat with a single stroke. The only important thing is if you're willing to continue with this play before I finish my wine, - replied Axel.

-I never said that, Axel. Today, you're very funny—hahaha,-- Ussop laughed. -- Axel usually tells very funny jokes. -

-You're making fun of me, brat, - said the bandit or pirate.

Ignoring Axel, the man began to radiate anger.

The man's anger grew more marked second by second. His gang positioned themselves behind him, unsheathed their pistols, and without giving way, shot twice. Axel dodged the first and second shots by crouching near the bar. The others stood on the podium, preparing their swords.

-The fight is on! Soru! - In the blink of an eye, Axel was close to the gunman, placing his fingers on his neck.

-Dead, - he murmured, and the bandit fell seated, terrified by the high-speed movement of the young man who was considered a child moments ago. In a kingdom like Foosstres, only strength speaks. In the world of One Piece, only the strong speak. The one who shot, trying to reload, sighed a moment before a blow to his chin left him unconscious.

-Well, now that the bar's troubles aren't a problem. Old man, have you seen this man around? -Axel asked the bartender.

-Mmmmm... there are quite a few places where he could have been seen, kid, - said the bartender.

Axel left 1000 berries on the table.

-Something is interesting. In all this, he was seen entering the port two days ago at night. He's a fire monster; he burned a ship, - said the bartender.

He left another 1000 berries and thanked him.

-Ussop, in such problems, you see that everything is resolved in a few seconds, - said Axel.

-Old man, I'd like to know about the talents on the island. Do you know any energetic young person who always shouts about their dreams? - Axel asked.

-There's only one, and he's a fool. Go to Old Humus' forge; he's the one you're looking for. He should be working, - said the bartender, carefully wiping a glass.

-Very well, - Axel left another 1000 berries.

-Old Humus, - he repeated aloud. - Come on, Ussop, we have an adventure. And a new crew member to recruit, - said Axel.

-A new crew member, - he got a little excited. He had been sad because he felt Axel had been leaving him, and they no longer had time for adventures. - The curly-haired boy thought.

-Hahaha Axel, the last one is a chicken, - said Ussop. After seeing how Axel had defeated a group of bandits without even breaking a sweat, he felt more confident, starting to run while shouting. Axel just followed him from behind.

They ran through the whole town and got lost twice. And by midday, Ussop found all his troubles solved, forgetting the fear of being abandoned. Axel is his best friend; they will travel across the sea. There was nothing to worry about.

-Is this the forge of Old Humus? - Ussop said, almost out loud.

-Shhh, this is the forge of the next great swordsmith, I mean, the magnificent Digo, - whispered a young man. He had a hopeful smile, tan skin, and was completely scrawny. To Axel, he reminded him of Luffy for a moment, with his infectious happiness. He has to join this crew.

-Pleasure, I'm Axel, and this is my friend Ussop. I came to recruit you for my crew. Do you want to be part of my adventure? - Axel asked Digo, the young blacksmith who was smiling.

-Go to the sea? - Digo questioned.

-YES, go to the sea, - Axel said.

-I don't want to, I don't want to. I'm tied to this forge, - Digo said, pouting.

Old Humus was sitting, polishing a sword, with a wooden smile that curved like a crescent moon, as thin as most of the population.

-You should go, kid. In the kingdom of Fosstres, there's no future. This forge has no future; I've told you a thousand and one times, - Humus said wearily.

-Old Humus, there are many things we can do. With my forge, I'll compete in the blacksmith's exam; I'll make the best sword. With the money we earn, we'll pay the taxes to the king of Fosstres, - Digo said.

-Meh, it doesn't matter, kid. Just keep working, pay a little, then pay a little more. The nobles only want money, even knowing that misery is part of the people of this kingdom, they don't care if you don't pay in full, they just need to know that we can't give more, - Humus said.

-Old man, don't worry. With my skills, I'm sure we'll make it. Hahahahahahahaha, - Digo laughed.

-I believe in Digo, - Axel said.

-Who are you? - the Old Humus asked. Curiously, his previously squinted eyes opened, revealing a deep blue gaze.

-I'm Axel. And I want to take Digo to the sea, - Axel replied.

-Piracy, - Old Humus said, dreamily.

-Go, Digo. Old Humus had a lot of fun when he was young. I followed a perfect captain who made me dream. The troubles we caused were fun, and the party nights were long, the best years of my life, - Humus smiled at Digo.

-My only interest is swords, old man. We'll save the forge, and then we'll change the situation as it will be, - Digo said.

-And if you save the forge and make the sword? Would you join me? - Axel asked.

He saw Digo pause for a moment. - Nope, because my next dream would be to build my forge and give my brothers jobs, - said Digo, who got lost again in his work.

The vapors of the forge warmed; the old man kept polishing, and Digo kept shouting as he arranged the few items in the store. Meanwhile, Ussop whistled and also began to rummage in his bag, not looking for anything specific. The few shelves and the saddles were old, and the foam came out of some holes. In the field of vision, he saw a complicated task. People with dreams are stubborn.

-Digo, I'll look for you later, but remember, the sea always ends up calling people to escape, venture, challenge, and experience. I hope to see you in a better situation next time, - said Axel.

-Sure, I'll be here with old Humus. Bring sake, - Digo said with a smile.

-We will," said Axel, watching as Ussop sat down to play with the fireplace.

They descended the hill toward the port in silence. Axel's swirling thoughts were spinning endlessly – a poor kingdom, a child with dreams, and evidently, a kingdom falling apart.

-So, that's it, - Ussop said.

-For now, I'm sure our paths will cross again, somehow or another, - Axel said.

Ussop shrugged.

They walked through the alleys and steep streets. The left side of the slope dropped into a three-meter ravine, pressing against a railing. On the left, the path to the port was clear and winding.

-For now, let's find out about the situation through the information our comrades bring. It's unlikely that Deuce is on this side of the city. We've searched from top to bottom. Probably, Deuce is not in the city at all. Perhaps he continued his way and is in the forest or 'Los Pinos,' which is the nearest village, - Axel said.

-So, what did the other members do? - Ussop asked.

-Kuro went to the black market to look for information about Deuce and some Den Den Mushi. Agatha and Tashigi are gathering information, but there are places where women are more suitable to go. Both can avoid some inconveniences, - Axel said.

The ship remained parked as Axel left it. There were no obvious signs of looting, and the treasure hold was secure in the captain's quarters.

-I can't wait to get out of trouble on this island with numerous evident dangers. What an unpleasant kingdom, - Axel thought as he observed how the guards were feared by their citizens.

...

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