Tides of Conflict: Clash with the Beast Pirates - Part 1

Theo slowly emerged from his room as the intense brilliance faded away and the tremors died down. His eyes took in the sight of the newly transformed Silver Wave - its deck now held a luxurious observation deck, and he could feel a subtle, almost indiscernible thrumming indicative of the automated repair system at work.

He was met with the startled faces of Mavis and Soma. Their eyes were wide with a mix of shock and fear, clearly shaken by the sudden and inexplicable changes. Sai and Gram, having already experienced the Silver Wave's prior transformation, remained unfazed.

Theo approached the shaken duo with a calming smile, their queries, and exclamations already bubbling up. "What just happened?" Soma was the first to voice his confusion. "Why was the ship glowing like that?" Mavis asked, her gaze flickering between Theo and the newly formed observation deck.

Holding up a hand for silence, Theo guided them to a seating area before explaining. Underneath the moon's silver glow, the Silver Wave sailed calmly through the sea, oblivious to the looming threat in the distance. The crew had gathered, their attention focused on Theo as he began illuminating the mystery of their ship's sudden transformation.

"I know you must be wondering about the changes our ship just went through," Theo started, his gaze meeting Mavis and Soma's. They nodded, expressions filled with awe, curiosity, and a hint of apprehension. His voice was clear and confident as he revealed the cause of the spectacle they'd witnessed.

"Well, it's because of a rare and unique fruit our ship has 'consumed.' I call it the Upgrade-Upgrade No Mi." His statement was met with a moment of stunned silence before Mavis and Soma began processing the unusual information. The idea was surreal, but in a world where humans could turn into beasts or manipulate elements at will, was a ship consuming a devil fruit really that impossible?

Soma was looking around with wide eyes. "So the ship... ate a fruit? And that's what caused these changes?" Theo nodded once again, and Soma let out a low whistle. "That's amazing!"

After letting the news sink in for a moment, Theo stood up and started pacing slowly around the deck. He looked at the newly formed observation deck, its opulent design gleaming under the moonlight. Then, he gestured towards the ship itself, the unassuming vessel that had proven itself to be far more than it appeared.

"Two significant changes took place just now," Theo began, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear clearly. "First, we have the Automated Repair System. This System will keep the Silver Wave in fighting shape, allowing it to repair itself over time when it suffers damage slowly. It won't make us invincible, but it could mean the difference between life and death in a critical situation."

His eyes swept over the crew, ensuring they understood his explanation before he moved on to the next upgrade. "Secondly, we have the Observation Deck." Theo pointed towards the new structure on the ship. "It's not just about luxury. From there, we can spot incoming ships or land from a great distance, giving us a strategic advantage."

Theo saw the awe in Mavis's eyes, the anticipation in Sai's, the curiosity in Gram's, and the confusion still lingering in Soma's. He made a mental note to explain things in simpler terms for Soma later. For now, he was content knowing that they were beginning to understand the capabilities of their upgraded ship.

Once Theo had finished his explanation, Sai, the fighter of their crew, stepped forward, a resolute expression on his face. "Captain, I'd like to volunteer as the crew's lookout," he declared firmly, his gaze directed at the luxurious new observation deck. Theo nodded, appreciating Sai's initiative.

Sai ascended to the observation deck, his footsteps echoing slightly on the polished wooden floor. He picked up the powerful telescope installed there and began to sweep the seascape, familiarizing himself with the new tool. His gaze was steady, focusing on the horizon, then shifting closer to the nearby islands.

Suddenly, his movements stiffened, his hand gripping the telescope tighter. He had spotted a ship on the horizon, but it wasn't just any ship. It bored the flag of the Beast Pirates.

His heart pounded in his chest, and he began to tremble. The Beast Pirates were one of the most formidable groups in the New World. Led by Kaido, they were known for their brutality and power. And now, they were following them.

"Captain," he managed to choke out, his voice barely audible as he turned to face his crewmates. They were all staring at him, their faces confused at his sudden demeanor change.

"Sai, what's wrong?" Theo asked, concern lacing his voice as he noticed the terror in Sai's eyes. The usually tough and stoic fighter was visibly shaking, his gaze fixed on something in the distance. His following words sent a chill down everyone's spine.

"The Beast Pirates... they're following us."

3rd pov

The figure who had watched the Silver Wave's glowing spectacle was none other than a member of the Beast Pirates, a Gifter named Zargo.

Zargo was a burly, menacing figure, his body twisted by the effects of a SMILE Devil Fruit. His fruit, the Rhino-Rhino SMILE, had fused him with rhinoceros characteristics, granting him enhanced strength and a set of deadly, sharp horns.

He had set his greedy sights on the Silver Wave, intending to claim it as a prize for his superior, Who-Who. The thought of earning favor with one of the Lead Performers of the Beast Pirates filled him with a ruthless determination. A wicked grin spread across his face, showing off his jagged teeth.

Standing at the helm of his ship, Zargo, one of the Gifters of the Beast Pirates, watched the Silver Wave with hawk-like intensity. His eyes shone with a predatory gleam as he envisioned the ship under his control. He knew the higher-ups would recognize its value.

The ship, which had just been wrapped in a mesmerizing light, was now clearly an extraordinary vessel. Something like that would undoubtedly catch the interest of the Shinuchi, or, even better, the Tobi Roppo. Presenting such a prize to them could earn him a significant promotion within the Beast Pirates.

An ambitious plan began to formulate in his mind. He could see it now; his status in the crew was rising, and he was no longer just another Gifter. He might even become a Headliner, or if he played his cards right, maybe even a Shinuchi. The thought brought a ferocious grin to his face, revealing his sharp, beastly teeth.

"Crew," he bellowed, his voice booming across the ship and over the sea's roar. His gaze was firm, his resolve unwavering. "We have a new target. We're going to claim that ship!"

His words were met with a resounding cheer from the crew, and their faces twisted in anticipation of the fight to come. They had been itching for some action, and this was the perfect opportunity.

"Prepare for battle!" Zargo ordered, his voice filled with determination. "And remember, our goal is the ship. I want it intact. This could be our ticket to the top!"

His words were met with a chorus of agreement, each pirate on board fired up by their captain's ambition. An excited tension filled the air as they set course for the Silver Wave, ready for the confrontation ahead.

As the order was issued, the Beast Pirates' ship changed its course, cutting through the ocean waves like a predator closing in on its prey. Meanwhile, the crew remained oblivious to the looming threat on the Silver Wave. Little did they know that their peaceful night was about to be shattered by an unexpected confrontation.

Sai had been observing the approaching ship through the telescope with a severe look on his face. He noticed a group of about twenty or so pirates rushing on the deck. But what caught his attention the most were the three unique individuals among them. They looked like pirates but had peculiar hybrid animalistic features. Sai had seen a lot in his lifetime, but this was a sight that was hard to forget.

Turning towards his crew, he relayed the information. "We have about twenty or so pirates on their ship," he began, his voice steady despite the unsettling information he was about to deliver. "But there are three among them that look... different. They're in a hybrid form, something I've never seen before."

This revelation sent a ripple of tension through the crew, their faces grim but resolute. No one spoke; the silence that followed Sai's revelation was deafening. They knew what this meant - they were about to engage in a tough battle. Mavis and Theo exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them. Theo then turned to the rest of the crew, his face calm and voice resolute.

"We knew the risks when we set out on this journey. Now it seems we must face one of them," Theo said, his gaze meeting each crew member. "But we are not helpless, and we are not alone. We have each other, and we have our skills and abilities. We'll face this together."

With this information, Mavis immediately set to work devising a strategy. "Theo, you will lead the charge. Your Fenrir form and mastery of Armament Haki will be crucial in dealing with those... unique individuals. Sai, your fighting skills and Armament Haki will be vital in dealing with the regular pirates. Gram, your Mythical Zoan abilities will give us the advantage of wisdom and strategic advice during the battle."

She then turned her gaze towards Soma. "Soma, we'll need your enhanced fruits. We need every edge we can get. Your Food-Food No Mi can enhance our strength and speed, giving us the upper hand. Make sure everyone consumes one before the battle begins."

Nods of agreement followed her words, their faces set in determination. They trusted Mavis, and with her plan, they felt a glimmer of hope in the face of the looming threat. The Silver Wave, once sailing in peace, was now prepared for the battle about to come.

Just as Mavis finished her tactical instructions, Theo felt a familiar chime echo in his mind, but he quickly masked his surprise. It was the System presenting him with a mission.

[System Mission: Defend the Silver Wave from the Beast Pirates. Mission Reward: "LifeForce Bed Upgrade Token."]

A mental image formed of an exceptional bed, woven with intricate patterns and glowing faintly. It was a LifeForce Bed, a miraculous piece of furniture that accelerated the body's natural healing process during sleep. If they could obtain this, it would dramatically improve their ability to recover from injuries - a vital advantage for any sea-faring crew.

Clearing his throat, Theo turned towards the crew with a thoughtful expression. "The Silver Wave just issued a... unique challenge," he began, choosing his words carefully. "It seems the ship... wants us to defend it. And if we manage to do so, it will upgrade our beds. They'll possess healing properties, helping us to recover quicker from injuries."

Surprise flickered in the crew's eyes, quickly followed by a spark of excitement. The prospect of enhanced recovery beds sounded too good to be accurate, but coming from the miraculous ship they had, it was not entirely unbelievable. And the very idea that their ship was encouraging them to fight for it deepened their resolve.

They were ready to face the incoming Beast Pirates. Not just to defend their ship but also to protect their dreams, their ambitions, and their freedom. And now, with the compelling reward from the Silver Wave, they felt a surge of determination. No pirate, Beast or otherwise, would take their ship without a fight.