Talks and explanations

Another week flew by, filled with preparations and training. Kaya had agreed to join the crew, and with three members now, their group was beginning to take shape as a true crew. The days passed quickly as they prepared for the journey, with both Ethel and Saga using the time to hone their skills.

Ethel focused on mastering his newly acquired Devil Fruit. Each day, his control over his powers increased, and he became capable of manipulating his body in remarkable ways, creating various types of clouds that he could integrate into his combat techniques and even his swordsmanship.

—Not bad... —Ethel murmured to himself, admiring his progress—. It's a fascinating fruit, with many uses both in and out of combat.

Saga, on the other hand, dedicated long hours to meditating and training with the sword he had recovered from the temple. He constantly sensed the presence of the sword's spirit, but gradually, he learned to calm his mind and maintain control, becoming stronger and more skilled with each session.

Meanwhile, Kaya was not lagging behind. She had completed preparing the ship with contagious enthusiasm, creating a blend of library and clinic on the deck. She made sure to bring all her medical books and other equipment that would assist her in her role as a doctor on board.

One afternoon, Kaya arrived at the mansion where Ethel and Saga were staying. With a radiant smile, she called out to them.

—Guys! The ship is ready! —she announced excitedly—. I've finished organizing everything and have set up my space in both the library and the clinic. I'm ready to set sail whenever you are.

The three of them departed from the port, leaving the Gecko Islands and Syrup Village behind, heading towards new adventures. Aboard the ship, they gathered around the main table to discuss their next steps.

—We need a professional cook, especially when we reach the Grand Line —Ethel said, as he looked at the map spread out before them.

Saga nodded thoughtfully.

—We also need a good navigator. The waters in the East Blue are calmer, but once we enter the Grand Line, without someone experienced, we'll be in serious trouble —he added, his tone more serious.

Kaya, who was listening attentively, couldn't help but show concern. Though the excitement for the journey energized her, the absence of a cook and a navigator troubled her.

—Now that I've eaten the Cloud-Cloud Fruit —Ethel said—, I've noticed that I can read air currents, almost like having a kind of sixth sense for detecting storms. While it's useful, I'm not sure I can rely on it completely. It's better to find someone with navigation experience.

Kaya was surprised to hear this.

—You ate a Devil Fruit?! How fascinating! —she exclaimed with enthusiasm, her eyes shining as she looked at Ethel—. What kind of powers do you have?

Ethel and Saga laughed at Kaya's infectious energy. Ethel raised a hand, and gradually began to condense a fluffy white cloud in his palm. The cloud grew in size until Ethel, with a gentle movement of his hand, tossed it into the sea. Once the cloud drifted far enough, its color changed drastically to a deep black, and almost immediately, lightning began to fall from it toward the ocean, lighting up the sky with bright flashes.

—There you have it —Ethel said with a smile—. I ate the Cloud-Cloud Fruit. I'm a man of clouds.

Kaya was astonished, her eyes wide open. She had heard about Devil Fruits and even seen Luffy's powers, which turned him into a rubber man, but Ethel's ability seemed completely different and fascinating.

—It's incredible! —Kaya said, still impressed by what she had just witnessed.

Saga, who had been observing calmly, nodded, recognizing the potential of Ethel's new power.

—It looks like you're starting to master your abilities. Your fruit has great potential... —Saga commented—. You could be unstoppable if you keep training with it.

—Yes, I still have a long way to go, but step by step —Ethel said, reflecting on his progress—. As a Logia user, I'll have a good amount of time without worrying too much about getting injured.

Kaya, with a look of curiosity and a hint of confusion, couldn't help but ask:

—What do you mean by that?

Ethel took a sip of his drink before responding, aware that he needed to explain in detail.

—There are three types of Devil Fruits —he began—. Paramecia are the most common, granting superhuman abilities to the body, like allowing you to separate your limbs or perform feats impossible for a normal human. Then there are Zoan, which allow you to transform into an animal or a hybrid between human and animal. Depending on the rarity of the animal, the fruit is named accordingly. For example, if you eat a fruit that transforms you into a dinosaur, it would be a Prehistoric Zoan. —Ethel paused, checking to see if they were following his explanation.

Both Kaya and Saga listened attentively, fascinated by what they were hearing.

—And finally —Ethel continued—, there are Logia fruits. These allow you to become a natural element, like fire, ice, or, in my case, a cloud. Since elements are intangible, normal attacks, like bullets or sword cuts, have no effect on us.

Saga nodded slowly, while Kaya, her eyes wide open, tried to grasp the implications of what she had just heard.

—So, how could you defeat someone who has eaten a Logia Fruit? —Kaya asked, clearly worried—. If you can't shoot or cut them, how can you hurt them?

Ethel smiled, pleased with the question.

—There are several ways —he began to explain—. The simplest is to exploit the common weakness of all Devil Fruit users: the sea. —At that moment, Saga interjected.

—Sea water weakens them, leaves them powerless —he added.

—Exactly —Ethel confirmed—. Another option is to find a natural weakness that counters the Logia element. For example, if someone becomes electricity, you could counter it with rubber. Every element has its weak point.

Kaya and Saga nodded again, processing the complexity of facing a Logia user. Battles against them required ingenuity and strategy, not just brute force.

—But the most effective way to defeat a Logia user —Ethel continued— is by using Haki.

At the mention of this unfamiliar term, Saga looked up, intrigued.

—Haki? —he asked.

Kaya, excited and absorbed in the conversation, took out a small notebook from her bag and began taking notes.

—Haki is a special ability that allows people to manifest their willpower in different ways —Ethel explained—. There are three main types of Haki: Observation Haki, which lets you sense the presence of others, even from a distance, and anticipate their movements. Then there is Armament Haki, which allows you to harden your body or any object you're using, like an invisible armor, and also lets you hit Logia users as if they were solid bodies. Lastly, there is Conqueror's Haki, the rarest type, which allows you to dominate the will of others with just your presence.

Saga and Kaya listened intently, impressed by the described abilities.

—Haki is essential in the Grand Line and beyond —Ethel continued—. Without mastering it, it's almost impossible to survive against the most powerful enemies.

—It seems like the journey to the Grand Line will be more dangerous than I thought —Kaya remarked, while jotting down details.

—Indeed —Saga said, with a more serious tone—. We'll need to be stronger if we want to face what lies ahead.

—Exactly, my dear companions —Ethel said with a smile—. We are like tadpoles just starting out in the sea. But we have time to grow stronger.

After this discussion, the three friends parted ways to attend to their respective tasks.

A few days later, while they were sailing, Kaya, who was on the deck, let out an excited shout.

—Come, we've arrived at the Baratie Naval Restaurant! I've always wanted to come here for a meal.

Ethel and Saga went outside to see the famous restaurant. Ethel quickly anchored the ship next to another vessel.

Several ships were docked at the port, in addition to their own.

—Kaya, look over there! —Ethel exclaimed, pointing to a ship with a goat figure on the bow.

Kaya, upon seeing the ship, was thrilled, her face lighting up.

—That's the ship I helped design! —she said with a proud smile.

The three of them went down to the restaurant, eager to explore the place. Upon entering, they were warmly greeted by the staff and shown to a table.

Saga remained seated at the table while Ethel and Kaya headed over to the Straw Hat table.

Upon seeing Kaya, Usopp jumped up, almost knocking over his chair in the process.

—Kaya! What are you doing here? —he asked in surprise.

Kaya gave him a warm hug before responding.

—I decided to join Ethel on his journey. It will help me grow as a doctor —she said with a smile.

Usopp looked at Ethel and then at Saga, who was sitting a short distance away.

—Nice to meet you both —Ethel said—. I'm Ethel, and the one over there is Saga —he pointed to the swordsman who was observing the scene with interest.

The members of the Straw Hat crew, except for Luffy, introduced themselves politely. Zoro, noticing Saga, frowned as he recognized him from the dojo.

—Oh, I didn't expect to see you here —Zoro said, standing up to approach the silver-haired man.

Saga, recognizing Zoro, was also surprised. A smile spread across his face as he saw his old friend.

—Zoro, long time no see! —he said, shaking hands with him.

With several of them recognizing each other, and to avoid inconveniencing the other diners, Ethel suggested that everyone gather at one table.

—It seems we're all connected in some way —Ethel said—. How about we all sit together at one table? That way, we can chat and catch up without bothering the others.