5. the gear island.

-Well, miss, I haven't figured out the reason behind your rudeness yet. Why are you so quiet when your captain left you stranded in the middle of nowhere with the enemy and didn't bother to rescue you?" Deuce said with cunning and a touch of mischief that got lost in Deuce's formal language.

-Ha, not funny - replied the captured woman.

-I suppose it's a trap, but we'll take it anyway. Where is Gear Island? - Axel said.

-How do you know about Gear Island? - Honey mumbled.

-I know many things. I have no patience, and I want to go rescue my companion. You might not understand what it means, but for this crew, a companion is something sacred - Axel said.

-You know nothing. Fool. Oso may seem cruel, but he's powerful and provides protection in this chaotic era. Weak companions end up at the bottom of the sea - the honey queen said.

-You're the fool who prefers following a pig over having a place to call home - Axel retorted.

-Go to hell, idiot - the woman countered.

-I'll go to hell the moment you tell me where the damn island is - Axel responded, losing his patience.

-Here! I have a map. Give me paper and pencil. The map is simple; it's not hard to find the island - said the woman, starting to draw lines and create a map with a series of interlacing coordinates.

-This is the direction. I don't expect you to understand my words. When you lose, you'll know I was right. I want to see your loser face. You've only fought in the dark and on a ship, but the bear will crush you on solid ground, as he has done with all his enemies - Agatha said with malice.

-You're right about one thing; strength is necessary at sea. But it's not everything. If strength were the only thing, the great pirates wouldn't seek a crew to handle their ships, prepare their food, or heal their diseases. If you don't have people supporting your progress, your destiny is to fall into the abyss. I understood this after hearing the many stories of this great era. Check the crews; only those with great support can be considered great pirates - Axel said.

-Bear King will be my stepping stone to success - Axel murmured.

-Hmph - the anger in the blonde's eyes was evident. No one liked continuous reprimands.

Although it seemed like the anger was genuine, the fear behind those angry eyes was evident. What trials did a beautiful woman have to go through to hide behind the world of piracy, using it to exemplify her cruelty to people? Only one reason, and it's a case similar to Nami's, without a happy ending.

-Deuce, you're our secret weapon. The Devil Fruit you consumed is special. There's no rival for you among our enemies. In this sea, you can do whatever you want. Go crazy - Axel said.

-Yes - Deuce said.

-Come on, have something to eat or drink to recover your energy - Axel said.

The sea was calm; the wind wasn't blowing forcefully, and the journey became long without thinking about it. Deuce read some books from the library. Honey Queen continued killing Axel with her thoughts at every step; her eyes followed him without blinking. The journey continued like this. Initially, he tried using the oars to gain an advantage, but it was a vain move. The sea was vast and rough, and rowing without guidance wasn't an option.

On the fourth day of the journey, they saw the island with a thick column impacting a large plateau of brightly colored metallic candies. In the sunlight, they waited with binoculars from a prudent distance; the attack would take place at midnight when people quieted their senses.

He began to devise a plan with Deuce and regretted even more the lack of experience with the Devil Fruit. He taught him Ace's characteristic ability to throw a large fist of fire in the form of a stream of flames.

His talent was acceptable, but even with Axel's guidance and specific ideas, he didn't have that power granted to the D.

-You see, the use of Devil Fruits is limited first by the imagination of the person and second by the spirit. The user's spirit will always seek to guide the Devil Fruit in a direction that seems convenient to the user or how they feel comfortable. That means if you like protecting yourself, the development will focus on abilities that align with your thoughts of protection - Axel said.

-So, does my spirit also determine how I'll end up using the Devil Fruit? - Deuce asked.

-Yes and no, it's just a conjecture about usage. Sometimes Devil Fruit users with outstanding powers end up having a good application, but the developed power is a bit disappointing. And in some cases, it's the opposite; they make good use and end up developing the fruits to the awakening level - Axel said.

-Devil Fruit awakening? - questioned the masked man, intrigued by the vague and novel concept.

-Yes, Deuce, it's the ultimate step for Devil Fruit users. Those who awaken their fruit are considered the strongest in the sea. Only when your fruit awakens do the powers cease to be materially tied to the user and condense into the surrounding environment - Axel continued with the lesson.

-How do you know all this? - curiously asked Honey Queen.

-The captive lady has decided to join our conversation - Axel replied. - Of course, it's because, before being a swordsman, I'm a scholar. Although I can't claim to be the youngest archaeologist ever, I believe I'm the second. - he said.

-Wait, you're a scholar? - Deuce asked. A scholar is a master in a specific profession.

-I am, whether you believe it or not. I'm one of the few people with a master's knowledge in archaeology. Although I specialize in ancient languages and ancient civilizations, it doesn't diminish my knowledge. However, there's someone who's twice better than me, except in ancient languages, where we are similar, but his knowledge surpasses mine - Axel replied.

-I never thought of that; you're a very curious pirate. You have master-level knowledge, wield a sword, and you're fifteen years old - Deuce replied in amazement.

-Hahaha, hey Deuce, it only takes the will to do things. You can be whatever you want without anyone telling you otherwise - Axel replied, guiding Deuce to become a Devil Fruit user, doctor, and chronicler.

-I never thought about it that way. My old life was so vain and simple - Deuce responded.

-Let's save Ussop, and then we'll have a great feast. Deuce, you've missed out on celebrating a great banquet all this time - Axel said.

The sunset fell; they set the black sails to hide their trail under the cover of the night. The ship sailed through the waters peacefully. They approached the coast and saw the circular staircase of rocks.

-Let's secure our dear honey queen and get ready to start climbing skills. The first stretch is always the hardest - Axel said, taking out picks and a rope. They would climb the stairs with great care.

But before that, he taught Deuce a special skill: propulsion.

Deuce used his fire abilities and managed to reach halfway through the climb with his great firepower. He adjusted the rope and left a good stretch of climbing with a hanging rope. He repeated this process twice, but they reached the goal after two hours of climbing. The final stretch was the hardest due to the flat shape of the island's top, extending like a flower.

Thanks to good physical condition and fire skills, the two young men managed to reach the summit of the mountain. Their arms were burning, and the final assault to rescue Ussop, who was at the top of the mountain, in the tallest building on the island, was still ahead.

-If, that was more exhausting than I initially thought - Axel said. His arm muscles burned after climbing that magnificent mountain.

-My head hurts - Deuce said, exhausted.

-Come on, we have to infiltrate - Axel said.

-I'm exhausted, Axel; I don't think I can respond. Can we rest for a moment? - Deuce commented.

-Well, let's find a shop. Get something to eat - Axel said, seeing the few possibilities of winning with a tired Deuce.

They arrived at a restaurant; there was no shopkeeper, and he certainly aimed everything was off, which was normal. Although it was almost midnight, he didn't think the owners would be awake to attend to them. They took some fruits, bread, and some pieces of jerky; the stars were present in the distance.

They paid and leaned against the front of the store. The island was like a small hill. "So, Deuce, what do you think? Your first adventure is to infiltrate the enemy base, prevent civilian casualties, and seize the power of the pirates on Gear Island," Axel said.

-Sounds quite revealing. Two weeks ago, I was in my room, desperate without knowing my destiny. I didn't sleep well; I was afraid of dying or getting lost somewhere and not coming back. But I went out to sea anyway, and now I'm fighting against a pirate - Deuce said.

-Don't bother; I'm sure we'll have better adventures in the future.

-Of course, now I'm a full-fledged pirate, more powerful than I ever dreamed.

-I'm quite glad. Get ready to run - Axel said in a low voice.

They began to run to save Ussop, climbing one of the scattered towers used as cable cars.

-Deuce, you have to use the cable car to go up, to attract the attention of the villains. When you hear the alarms, it's time to go up to distract their attention - Axel said.

Preparing for a solo attack, he jumped over the rope and ran at full speed, using Soru. There was a moment when he slipped, but his great gymnastic ability allowed him to grab onto the cable and jump again.

-That was dangerous - Axel said.

He continued to run more slowly on the cable to take a big leap and break one of the windows; alarm sounds began to echo throughout the area.

A circuit of people soared through the air, and he saw the missing member leading a brigade, searching for the intruder. Deuce activated the cable car, and the gliders focused their attention on the blue-haired guy.

Boo Jack probably won't get up after the injuries caused in the previous battle. There was only one frame left, and the ultimate boss - Axel thought.

He ran through a hallway to reach a large sales room with an illuminated window. Ussop was strapped to a cross with several wounds, his nose was crooked.

In an instant, the room lit up entirely, and Axel saw Bear King's greasy smile, with his characteristic bulk, shooting at a faster speed than he had previously fought, to attack Axel.

Axel jumped on the bear king's head, and he turned around.

-You finally arrived, brat. We've faced each other twice, and this is your last battle. There are no ships to stop me from hitting you or escaping because your companions are locked up, and there's no easy way out - Bear King smiled.

-Dream on - Axel said, preparing his sword and using a quick Soru, aiming for his head and managing to scrape a thick line on his left arm. Victor defended his face with his arm, and the bear turned with a thread of blood.

-That's a very good sword - said the bear.

He continued attacking without letting Axel catch his breath, attack after attack. The next one aimed at the right knee, after a feint of a straight punch.

It's a kind of martial art - Axel thought.

The young man focused his strength to go for his head again. Gradually, he entered a battle state as his mind became clearer, and he could see the slower movements of the bear. The balance shifted to my side. Understanding the intermediate swordsman skill was no joke.

-How's that going, fatty? - Axel said, smiling.

Crack!

His body glowed a bright red, and he certainly aimed for the window. He could only get angry at such a crude style of facing opponents. He was destroying the clock tower without thinking about the consequences.

-First sword, sonic strike - all the force was directed to that sword, a skill he thought of after his second fight, a final move, focusing all his power.

The explosive airwave cut through the air; the soldiers in the room were blown away. The sword's edge won, but the body lost. The bear's arm was deeply cut to the bone, but Axel wasn't in a better position. His hands burned, his muscles trembled, his wrist began to hurt, and it was certain that he dislocated his wrist.

-Ughh - the bear groaned deeply. The cut wasn't pretty, and his left arm was incapacitated; the blood loss would bring him down in minutes.

Additional soldiers with rifles arrived, attacking Axel. Each time he attacked the bear, Axel had to dodge and evade, allowing the bear to raise his fists and deliver hammer blows with ease, albeit with less power due to the wound on his arm.

Gradually, the advantage was erased. Axel was getting tired too quickly, and more armed men kept appearing. His breath was ragged, and he had no source of sufficient strength.

Where are you, Deuce? - Axel thought, a trickle of blood running down his head, covering his vision in red. His dark blue hair, and bronze yet youthful features hinted at a warrior despite his young age.

He kept fighting and evading, dodging bullets aimed at his back, and drawing the attention of the fallen comrades of Victor Trump. There were more, but that very mistake meant they couldn't handle his speed, knocking down some of Victor's comrades.

-You're still running, kid, dodging my punches, - Bear King said.

He ran towards Axel, and his fists heated up. Axel managed to dodge both fists and moved in a boxing pose, although he only used the right; they were still deadly for Axel. The next punch hit the ground, and cracks began to form on the floor. The evasion game began, lasting a long time for someone amid a fight. The cat and mouse went from side to side.

The previously fine clothes of the great bear were torn and wilted, with many damaged patterns, and what was once a gold collar was melted into the bear's coat.

His fists moved faster, his attacks were more precise, and the last one almost grazed Axel, who kept up with his pace.

If I continue like this, I'll probably end up smashed on the ground - Axel thought.

I'm new to sword use, I've faced few opponents, and despite my training, it's useless if I can't exploit my abilities correctly, even though I have effective movements, I still lack a lot of experience - the young man thought.

He focused his sword on a single point and aimed again at the right knee. The blow landed again, but it wasn't a very deep wound; it just stopped him for a while.

But the bear's weakness began to show through the angry, white, swollen eyes; blood loss was taking its toll.

The heat spread and Axel thought of his end until he saw Deuce hitting Bear King with a large fireball. He knew the fire wasn't from his enemy.

The game changed; Deuce jumped and engulfed the bear in fire. The focus shifted to the other pirates while Deuce bravely attacked without caring about defense, essentially becoming a destructive power machine. It's a good move he's making, but against Haki's masters, that reckless style of battle would be complete madness.

The concentrated heat strike tore through Bear King's entire attire, leaving a trail of burns, giving a more pitiable look to his fighting state.

Axel dodged a sword strike from a double-handed guy and ran toward the destabilized enemy.

-Sword style, sound cannon! - A powerful cut resonated as the sword he used broke entirely, the slash tore from his belly to his neck, enough to let out a scream from the wounded.

-Fun. -

Deuce continued attacking with another stream of fire. The game is very clear: attack and hide. It sounds dirty, but it was the blue pirates' winning card.

Back to back with Deuce, the captain of the Trump brothers was in his final moments.

-How was the aviators' team? - Axel asked.

-Not difficult. When they couldn't touch me, I calmed my doubts, and the fire consumed them all, - Deuce said confidently.

-That's good, - Axel said.

-The heat now will help us defeat the final boss. I have the energy for two powerful attacks. How about you, Axel? You look exhausted, - Deuce said.

-Haha. I can go for another five rounds, - Axel replied bravely.

He concentrated his attack. - Sword style, Sonic Two Revolutions! - Axel shouted, this time using the force of his entire body.

He loaded all the attack power into both arms, the power of his whole body, with such force that the veins were visible in his arms.

A powerful sword strikes the left arm. The opponent defended his wound with his back in a fetal position, like a rock, but the blow still exploded. Deuce's concentrated fire fist struck a small blow.

-That's it; I don't think he'll bother us again, - Axel said, watching Bear King fall with a dull thud.

The crew members were stunned; they all collapsed to the ground. Their morale was reduced when their captain fell with numerous injuries. The invincibility of their captain was something etched in their memories.

-Imprison this guy; I think he has a bounty of eight million berries. The pig and the aviator surely have bounties too. To think of earning ten million berries in one night is something I never dreamed of in my life, - Axel said to Deuce.

-Ussop hasn't awakened yet; he's been hit very hard. Although he only has a minor concussion, he will recover, - explained Deuce after checking his vital signs.

The other pirates were petrified to see their leaders fall. -- What are you waiting for? It's better that you remain obedient, or it will be difficult not to imprison you like your captain. Spread the word; tyranny on this island is over, -- Axel said.

Everyone was stunned, and they dropped their weapons. Some ran and fled, while others simply shook their heads and prostrated themselves on the floor with lost looks.

The end of tyranny. What a surprise! As if it were a call from heaven, the sun shone brightly. Axel looked at the damage, and there was nothing beyond some cracks, broken walls, or bullet holes.

...

Link,

Host

Has won a shiny steel chest.

Has won a silver chest after achieving a milestone in the world of One Piece.

Has won a bronze chest after liberating Gear Island.

The host has won a wooden chest for (5).

...

Has opened the shiny steel chest: received water breathing technique, formless.

Has acquired the sword technique.

Has opened a silver chest: received Zoan Devil Fruit, the mammal from kangaroo.

Has opened a bronze chest: received history books of East Blue.

Has opened wooden chests: obtained two chest pieces, a barrel of mangoes, special sunflower seeds, short sword.

...

Has gained 70 experience points.

Has leveled up, adding 100 stat points to physical and mental. Adds five luck points.

Unlocks new rewards.

..

Level 2

Experience points.

50/200

Physical: 804.

Mental: 637.

Luck: 15.

Advanced Archaeologist.

Swordsman: Intermediate 19%.

Water Breathing. Formless.

Marine Style: Soru.

7 chest pieces.

...

..

.

Wow, the qualitative change is amazing. The bottleneck has been completely shattered. It feels good to be so powerful. I think with another similar experience, there would be no danger in heading to the Grand Line, - thought Axel.

In other words, the water breathing technique was a means to nurture physical capacity. Just keep training it to the limit. Perhaps with two forms of water breathing, I would be in the range of 80 to 100 million berries effortlessly. Measuring strength in scores can be deceptive.

-With the same power I have, I'm sure Usopp would win against many pirates twice as strong as him. It's simply the sum of many factors that aren't viable for some, - Axel began to ponder.

-Damn, what a tough fight. Spread the word – Bear King has lost, - shouted Axel anew as he saw pirates on the floor, resting, while Deuce admired the beautiful morning, the sunrise.

Two individuals entered, one old and gray-haired, the other with brown hair. They surveyed the room's condition with relief and a hint of sorrow. The central glass wasn't completely shattered, and the tower wasn't destroyed. Moreover, it's certain that this person just obtained their Devil Fruit; in three years, their destructive power would be terrible, even more so.

-I think in a few hours, the entire village will rejoice that this guy has met his end. No doubt there will be a banquet. A feast," Axel said to Deuce.

-You've helped this city, but I don't know your intentions. Is there anything I can learn about you?" inquired the old man, slightly bowing in a sign of respect.

-There's nothing, just settling scores with these pirates. They captured our comrades, and we only gave them what they deserved. We'll leave soon, - Deuce said with due respect, reassuring the old man.

-You don't know how relieved I am to hear those words. Can we help you with anything, as long as it's within my power, there's no doubt I'll assist you. - asked the parents of Akisu, the child adopted by Borodo.

-Yes, two things. The phone of the Marine branch to deliver these wrongdoers, and secondly, a place to rest. My strength is waning, and going to sea in this state isn't healthy, - said Axel.

Jem, Akisu's mother, nodded and went for the phone.

-It will be done. The townspeople have been informed; soon, there will be a response to contact the Marine branch, - said Koto.

-A warning: don't contact the Marine branch of the 16th division; they are corrupt. If possible, call Loguetown to save us from future problems, - Axel advised.

His suspicious gaze paused at times. To sigh again. -Very well, - said Jem, the woman with purple hair.

-Well, Deuce. You heard it. Let's rest, and tomorrow we'll see what to do, - Axel said, taking Deuce's hand and following Koto to rest after imprisoning Bear King.

-By the way, can you call a doctor for our comrade? -- Axel pointed to Ussop. -- Oh, Deuce, you can go down to the ship. We don't want trouble. -

Deuce nodded.

...

p@treon.com/vin_modeus12