Burn! 1st Degree - Heatman!

Aokiji looked at the young man in front of him with an uncaring expression.

"Well, that is certainly an admirable notion. But after you die, I will go for your crew next. In the end, everything you do is pointless, no?"

"Gh-! I...won't let you!"

Lucas felt the blood he coughed up quickly froze as well as he glared at Aokiji.

At this moment, he was no longer conscious of his thoughts due to the extreme hypothermia he is experiencing.

His whole vision was blurry and he was having a hard time staying awake.

Before confronting Aokiji, Lucas thought he could win. He can control clouds as they have water properties in them. Using the same logic, he should be able to control ice, which is made of water, as well...right?

Well, that is certainly right. The problem is...Aokiji can control the ice itself directly.

Controlling the water is pointless when another is controlling the ice. Not to mention that Aokiji's control over his powers had already reached an extreme level in and of itself. There wasn't even some kind of tug of war, it has only been Aokiji pulling him along!

Lucas knew that he had grown quite arrogant with his abilities and had taken it for granted. Especially when it keeps evolving and adapting when he needs it to.

In the back of his mind, he thought that no matter what happens, his ability would kick in and he would be okay at the end of the day.

How laughable.

Lucas was angry at himself to the point of wanting to laugh.

Who knows if he was still conscious of his own thoughts or not, but his eyes still contained some light as he glared at Aokiji.

Suddenly, Aokiji heard sizzling sounds coming from Lucas.

"Ararara, using your body heat to generate hot water? Good move...but it's not still not hot enough."

The sizzling sound stopped and Lucas was now completely covered in ice!

Aokiji looked at the frozen Lucas once more and shook his head. A cold white mist appeared from his mouth as he sighed.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, he heard a sizzling sound once again. This time, it was louder and hotter than before!

"Ohh?"

He was in no rush as he calmly waited for the outcome.

Soon, Lucas' body was once more free from the ice. He gasped for breath while coughing heavily.

His body seemed to have a hue of red as it sizzled and generated steam. Looking at his appearance, Lucas thought how similar he looked to Luffy's own Gear Second.

However, the two of them are different.

Though Luffy's Gear Second does generate heat as well, it's main application is being able to move extremely fast!

Lucas' current appearance, however, does not affect his speed at all. It really only turns his water into hot water.

Lucas felt his own heat and looked back at Aokiji with a serious expression.

Not enough! This degree of heat isn't enough!

If Lucas were to name and categorize this move, it would be...

Burn! 1st Degree - Heatman!

This degree of heat is enough to make someone wince in pain and burn their skin slightly. But it wasn't enough to fight an Ice Man!

Naturally, Aokiji could feel this as well which was why he still looked calm and relaxed.

"Quite an interesting ability you have there."

"..."

Aokiji didn't mind that Lucas wasn't responding to him and instead fell silent, as if in deep thought.

Finally, he nodded.

"How about we make a deal here?"

"...A deal?"

"Right. Initially, Strawhat Luffy by himself is not a problem. The problem appeared when Nico Robin joined your crew. We have to re-assess the threat and danger you all now possess. This is the curse of Nico Robin."

"..."

"And then there's you. The devil fruit user who is said to command the seas and overturn the ocean. You may not realize it yourself, but you are the greatest threat in the Grand Line. Your powers is too big for a small pirate crew to bear."

"...Your point?"

Lucas gritted his teeth. He can already tell where this conversation is going.

Sure enough...he was right.

"Join the Marines. Become a Shichibukai. As it happens, there is one slot open. A fellow named Blackbeard was supposed to take over but then we received news that you had already killed him."

"..."

"In return...us Admirals will not directly fight the Strawhats."

...In other words, everything else is fair as long as the Admirals didn't make a move themselves?

"...Why can't you give them complete immunity!?"

"They are still a threat with or without you. But without you, an Admiral doesn't need to make a move."

"..."

Lucas, for the first time since coming to this world, can't help but regret that he chose to follow Luffy and the others.

If he had not been with them from the start...things would've been the same.

They would still beat Crocodile. They would still reach the Sky Island. They would still defeat Enel…

Even here. They would survive against Aokiji.

In the original story, Aokiji was here solely because he wanted to check up on Robin and Luffy. He never meant to kill or capture them here.

But with Lucas' involvement...the story had already progressed differently.

Sure, some aspects may be the same. But the workings behind the scenes had already changed long ago.

From Aokiji's words...they seemed to have been watching him closely since he revealed his water powers in Alabasta…

This was probably the main reason for his bounty as well.

If it was like this...maybe it would be for the best if he separates from Luffy?

When Lucas thought of that, his fists clenched.

Aokiji saw that Lucas wasn't in a hurry to refuse, which meant that he is indeed considering his proposal.

He smiled and turned to leave as he tossed a small denden mushi to Lucas.

"The next island is Water 7. When you've made your decision, contact me."

"...What is it you really want with me?"

"Hm?"

"You know...even if I agree, my loyalty would still belong to the Strawhats, not the Marines...you should know that I will do whatever I can to protect them from behind the scenes! So why do you still want to recruit me!?"

Lucas asked as he was truly confused.

The conditions that Aokiji gave him was certainly enough to make him agree. But he can't understand why the Marines would go to such lengths just for him!

Aokiji thought for a moment before answering.

"It seems Sengoku's planning something big. That's all I can tell you now. Besides, it's not like the other Shichibukai have no other agendas..."

Hearing that, Lucas was surprised.

It can't be…!? This early!?

Are the Marines planning on moving against Whitebeard already!?

But Ace shouldn't be captured this time around? So why? How!?

Seeing at Lucas was no longer asking him questions, Aokiji left without another word…

Lucas just continued to stand there, thinking over his options and figuring out the best course of action for him…

He thought about it for over an hour...then another hour...and another…

In the end, he still can't make up his mind.

It was already night time. The games and battles between the Strawhats and Foxy pirates have long ended with Luffy's win.

Right now, they were preparing a feast to celebrate.

It was only now that Lucas decided to come back to the ship to rest when he met Luffy and the others, already eating dinner.

"Ah! Lucas! You missed out all the fun!"

"Lucas! Where have you been!? If you participated in the 1st round, things would be easier!"

Hearing Luffy and Nami call out to him, Lucas paused.

He wondered...if he should tell them about what just happened…

No...knowing Luffy, he will definitely be against the idea of him leaving and becoming a Shichibukai. He wouldn't even entertain the idea of the consequences if Lucas stays with them!

Which is why...Lucas simply smiled at them.

"Well, I thought I'd have some quiet training for a moment. I trust that you guys can handle those pirates anyway."

"Shishishi! It was easy!"

"What easy!? You nearly lost you idiot!"

"But I won didn't I!?"

Lucas quietly watched them bicker at each other and wondered if he would still be able to see such a scene in the future…

Lucas doesn't want to leave this fun and idiotic crew...but...he may just have to if he wants them to be able to be as strong as they were in the original story.

He wasn't joking when he said that he wanted Luffy to be the Pirate King...so right now...what Lucas needs to do...is pave the way for him.

Anything that gets in the way...kill!

At the side, Zoro seemed to have noticed the change in Lucas' eyes. He looked at Lucas silently and decided to approach him when there's an opportunity later.

He didn't have to wait long. Soon, Lucas had returned to the ship while the rest of the crew were still partying outside on the island.

Robin noticed Zoro following Lucas on the ship and became curious as she saw Lucas' expression earlier.

Silently, she waved her hand slightly and an ear popped out from Zoro's back, hidden from sight.

In the cabin, Lucas slumped down on the bed with a heavy sigh. Thinking about what happens in the future tires him out so he just wished to sleep it off at the moment…

Just as he was about to doze off, Zoro entered.

"What happened?"

Lucas looked at Zoro and sighed once again.

"Guess I can't really hide anything from you, huh?"

Since he was here, Lucas figured it should be fine to tell Zoro instead. Unlike Luffy, Zoro is still more reliable when it comes to something like this…

"...Are you aware about the Marine Admirals?"

"Not much."

"Well, there are three of them. All of them are Logia devil fruit users...Akainu, who are the magma fruit. Kizaru, who ate the light fruit...and Aokiji, who ate the ice fruit...all three of them are simply too powerful…"

"..."

Zoro fell silent. He knew how hard to deal Logia fruit users are...they were lucky with Enel being lightning as Luffy can counteract him. But what about the others?

How were they supposed to fight a man made of magma? Or Light? Or Ice?

However, Zoro was also confused about why Lucas would bring this up now.

"...Aokiji was on this island earlier today."

"!?"

After hearing what Lucas said, Zoro's eyes widened!

An Admiral! On this island!? Isn't this too much!?

Right now, they should quickly get the crew ready to leave!

Lucas saw Zoro panic and showed a weak smile.

"It's alright...he's gone now."

"Lucas...you...did you defeat him!?"

"...Far from it. I nearly died."

This time, Zoro was truly worried about what happened!

While they were goofing off and playing games with the Foxy pirates...Lucas was alone fighting an Admiral!

He gritted his teeth in anger.

"Why didn't you tell us!? We could've backed you up! We-"

"-Would've been dead."

Seeing Zoro become agitated, Lucas coldly cut his words.

Zoro froze. He truly has no way of refuting that…

"...That's why I didn't tell you...I thought I could handle it but...he's simply too powerful...even if I'm made of water, he can still freeze me…"

"...Then...then how come you're alive?"

Zoro asked hesitantly…

If what Lucas said was true...then why is he still alive now? And why did the Admiral leave?

Lucas hesitated for a moment as well before finally sighing and spoke.

"It seems...that my powers are something the Marines need...he gave me a deal. Replace Crocodile to become Shichibukai...in return, the Admirals won't personally deal with you guys…"

Just as he finished saying that, the door snapped open!

"Bullshit! Are you really gonna accept that!?"

"Sanji…"

Sanji was originally going to get ingredients in the kitchen when he overheard Zoro and Lucas speaking.

Actually, he only planned to silently listen, but after hearing Lucas, he couldn't take it anymore!

Lucas sighed.

"What am I supposed to do? You haven't seen what Aokiji can do. As you all are...you can't beat him."

"But that doesn't mean you should accept his offer!"

"...Did you already accept?"

Zoro asked as well.

"I...no. Not yet. But I do plan on accepting once we reach the next island…"

"...Are you sure about this? Lucas. Once you do this...Luffy will hate you for it."

Hearing Zoro's cold voice, Lucas wavered a bit but still decided.

"...I am prepared for that...at least he would be alive to hate me."

Zoro looked at Lucas in the eye for a while before nodding.

"Fine. Then? What's the real plan?"

"Zoro! You can't possibly be-...eh? Plan? What plan?"

Sanji was about to lash out to Zoro as well for agreeing but then paused when he heard the latter part of what he said.

Lucas smiled wryly. He really can't hide anything from Zoro…

"The situation is like this. From what Aokiji said, the Marines seem to be planning something big...I fear that they are going to war with one of the Yonko…"

Lucas started to explain his plan.

From how he sees it, since the Marines are willing to use him, they should also get ready to be used by him!

Right now, Lucas has no idea if they really did still capture Ace or not...if they did, joining them would easily grant him access to this information.

And based on what he will learn, he will take action himself or somehow relay the information to Zoro and the crew.

After a while, Sanji lit up another cigarette and sighed.

"Fine...I won't say anything to the others for now...Damn, are Admirals so free nowadays that they just leave their HQ to recruit someone?"

Lucas shook his head.

"It seems that he originally came here for Luffy and Robin as well. This was also why we fought."

"Hm? I can understand Luffy since he's the captain and a troublemaker...but why Robin?"

"Well, in any case, he only said that he won't personally get involved. So the Marines might send someone else to take her away. You all should be careful."

Lucas decided not to tell them about Robin's background as it was not his secret to tell. Plus, they would get suspicious about where he got that information.

As such, he could only vaguely hint that the CP9 may get involved.

Sanji grinned.

"Heh, don't worry. I wouldn't let anything happen to Robin-chan!"

"As long as we're not up against an Admiral, we can take care of it."

Lucas nodded and grinned as well.

"I know. Otherwise, I wouldn't have easily decided to accept Aokiji's offer. They are still underestimating you guys."

While the three of them continued to talk about their plan, the ear that sprouted on Zoro's back silently disappeared.

In the distance, Robin had heard everything that Lucas had said.

Her hands clenched into a fist as she bit her lip.

Her fault...it's her fault again…

Once more...will this crew also be destroyed because of her?

The next moment, her expression returned to normal as she convinced herself.

Survive...in the end, all that matters is she survives…

Everything else...doesn't matter…

...Even if it means using others…

Suddenly, the bet she made with Nami resurfaced in her mind…

Right...since the bet, they have already visited 3 islands...the next island would be the 4th and last according to the bet.

A helpless smile appeared on her face.

It would seem...that none of them would win the bet…