"Eh? I ate a Devil Fruit? Doesn't that make me... a landlubber?!"
Ace suddenly froze, realization hitting him like a brick. Then, in true Ace fashion, he bolted toward the ocean.
With zero hesitation, he dove straight into the waves—perfect form, solid 9.0 score.
"Haha, it's fine! The fire earlier must've been an illusion! I—glug—%#￥@!"
Before he could finish his sentence, he started sinking like a rock.
Shin and Deuce had to drag him back onto the shore with considerable effort. A few seconds later, he sat up like nothing had happened, sputtering seawater but otherwise miraculously lively.
But the weakness was real—just as real as a washed-up actor's fake smile.
Ace sat on the sand, frowning slightly. He raised his fingers and focused. A tiny flame danced at his fingertips.
"If this is real… then I really can't swim anymore."
His voice was quiet, uncharacteristically serious. In a world ruled by oceans, becoming a Devil Fruit user was both a blessing and a curse—especially for someone who dreamed of becoming a pirate. Fall into the sea, and you're helpless. Useless.
Shin stepped forward and gave Ace a reassuring thump on the chest.
"Relax. You're not alone. We've got your back. Even if you're a landlubber now… you're still the king."
Ace blinked, then laughed. "Yeah… you're right."
Deuce suddenly jolted upright as an idea struck him.
"Ace! Can you control your flames?!"
"Huh? I think so?" Ace tilted his head, confused but curious.
Devil Fruit powers became part of the user—they could grow stronger through training and understanding. And Ace was already learning fast.
"If you can control fire… we might have a way off this cursed ant nest!"
Deuce's voice was electric with excitement. He pulled out a small, tattered notebook and a pen he had saved from the wreckage, and began scribbling.
"If we channel the flame to spin gears, and the gears turn a blade—we've got propulsion! Forget the wind and currents!"
He sketched rapidly, explaining as he went. Deuce had been well-read before they landed here and knew enough about ship mechanics to dream up something wild.
Shin leaned over the page and gave an approving nod.
"Oh yeah. This could work. That's the boat Ace used when he was surfing around the world in the first place."
From the next morning, the three of them got to work.
Deuce organized his sketches, drew up schematics for the key components, and collected materials with Shin. Meanwhile, Ace trained hard to control his flames with more precision—his fire was the core of Deuce's propulsion design.
Thanks to the Flame-Flame Fruit, cooking was now as simple as pointing a finger. They also salvaged some food from the supplies the giant bird had coughed up earlier. And with Ace's mountain survival instincts and Shin's knack for creative grilling, even tree bark could be made edible.
Days passed in a flurry of activity.
At last, under the blazing sun, their ship was complete. Deuce named it The Vanguard—a compact sailboat powered by fire and friendship, their hope to break free from this cage of an island.
"Alright! No problem now! Let's throw a party before we set sail!" Ace shouted, practically bouncing with excitement. "We'll eat everything we've got!"
"Haha! Finally, a proper feast!" Shin cheered and stretched his claws toward the stash of food.
"Stop! That's our emergency supply for the voyage!" Deuce snapped, smacking Shin's hand away.
"Fine, fine... Then let's toast with water instead of wine!"
Shin handed them each a bottle of fresh water, and the three of them clinked them together.
"To freedom!"
They downed the bottles in one gulp. Then, with a huge grin, Ace jumped to the stern.
"Let's go!! Get on board!"
Shin and Deuce loaded their supplies into the small cabin and took their positions on either side of Ace.
With fire bursting from Ace's feet, the Vanguard surged forward like a soul had been poured into it. It gained speed fast, gliding over the waves.
"WOOHOO! GO!!" Shin whooped, pointing forward like a pirate admiral.
"This island, with all its memories, is about to vanish beneath the horizon!" Ace roared, cranking up the flames.
Just as Deuce was about to cry in relief, a sharp whistle cut through the sky.
"...Oh no."
The three looked up—and saw the giant bird from before returning. But this time, it wasn't alone.
Hundreds of its kind poured out from the black holes scattered across the island. Like a living storm cloud, they swarmed into the sky with terrifying speed.
"Why are there so many?!" Deuce gasped, panicked.
"Did the cafeteria open early or what?" Shin cracked, but his fists were clenched. He was nervous, but he wouldn't show fear—not as a fisherman, not as a brother.
Ace stood firm, his fists ablaze.
"You think I can't take you on in the sea?" he growled, eyes locked on the incoming flock.
"Wait! Don't be reckless!" Deuce warned. "If you fall into the ocean again, that's it!"
Ace grinned, flames flickering at the corners of his mouth.
"You're here, right? I'm not worried."
Then he turned to them and extended his hand.
"Meeting you guys on that island—it was fate. Shin said that, remember?"
"From now on, we sail together. Let's reach the top, side by side."
"I never thought I'd find people like this in a place like that. So let's celebrate the start of our voyage!"
He raised his arm to the sky, flames roaring around his fist.
"FIRE FIST!!"
With a thunderous boom, a massive firestorm erupted from Ace's fist, spiraling into the air like a dragon made of flame. It tore through the sky, blasting the birds away like leaves in a storm.
At that moment, it was as if the world had been put on notice:
"Fire Fist"—has begun.
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A/N: Please Leave A Comment Or Drop A Powerstone It'll mean alot to me...