Location: Belfast Island, South Blue
Storm followed the two brothers, Kid and Killer, as they led him into a small town on the island.
As they walked, Storm pieced together the details of the "One-Man Revolution" the brothers had mentioned earlier. According to the newspapers, a man named Bartholomew Kuma had single-handedly destroyed the palace and army of the Sorbet Kingdom, abolishing the King's tyrannical rule.
The World Economic News Paper had already given Kuma a terrifying epithet: "The Tyrant."
The details matched the knowledge Storm possessed from his previous life.
'Tyrant Kuma… or rather, the gentle revolutionary,' Storm thought. 'The future Warlord of the Sea and user of the Paw-Paw Fruit. It seems he has just started his path.'
His thoughts were interrupted as Kid and Killer stopped in front of a modest building. Kid puffed out his chest, his voice filled with pride.
"This is my headquarters!"
Storm snapped out of his reverie. He glanced up at the small building—only a few stories high—and clapped politely. During their walk, Kid and Killer had introduced themselves as the "mob bosses" of Belfast Island.
'Mob bosses? They sound impressive until you realize they're weaker than Capone Bege right now,' Storm noted inwardly.
"So," Storm turned to them. "Where is the hotel I'm looking for? And the restaurant?"
Veins popped on Kid's forehead. If he weren't painfully aware of the strength gap between them, he would have cursed this arrogant stranger right then and there.
"Since you're on my turf," Kid gritted out, "it's my treat! Come on."
"Then I thank you for the hospitality." Storm wasn't one to refuse a free meal.
Thirty Minutes Later
"Can't even finish this little bit?" Storm asked between bites. "Physical strength is the foundation of power! No wonder you two are so weak."
Storm looked at Kid and Killer. Their eyes were rolling back in their heads, their stomachs distended. He couldn't help but sneer.
Kid wanted to argue, but he was physically unable to open his mouth for fear of spewing out his lunch. He and Killer had lived on the streets for years, but they had never seen a human eat like this. Storm had devoured almost the entire food reserve of their headquarters single-handedly.
'A monster,' Kid thought, watching Storm eat. 'From any angle, this guy is a monster.'
Storm finally shook his head, swallowed the last bite, and stopped.
"I have a question for you two." Storm clapped his hands to focus their attention as they groaned in pain. "Do you have a map of the South Blue? Specifically, one showing the location of the Sorbet Kingdom?"
Storm's original plan had been to rest briefly on this island before heading back toward the Grand Line. The four outer seas—East, West, North, and South—were like small ponds to him now. They held no appeal.
However, the news about Bartholomew Kuma changed things.
Storm's goal was to recruit powerful allies to accompany him into the New World and fight against the Yonko. He hadn't expected to find a potential candidate so soon. Bartholomew Kuma was an excellent target—strong, principled, and trustworthy.
"The Sorbet Kingdom?" Kid struggled to sit up, his round belly making the movement awkward. "You want to see that legendary 'Tyrant'?"
"Legendary?" Storm chuckled. "For you two, I suppose he is a legend." He paused. "So, the map?"
In the outer seas, navigation was far simpler than in the Grand Line. The climate was mild, and the magnetic fields were stable. With a standard map and compass, one could sail anywhere.
"Yeah, I have a map," Kid nodded, catching his breath. "And I have a ship. I'll go to the Sorbet Kingdom with you!"
Before Storm could reply, Killer quickly spoke up, trying to catch Kid's eye to dissuade him. But Kid had already made up his mind.
"Killer!" Kid looked at his partner solemnly. "We already decided to set sail, didn't we? The sea is always there. All we need to do is raise the anchor!"
Killer fell silent. As Kid's childhood friend and right-hand man, he sensed Kid's unwavering conviction. He wouldn't argue.
Clap, clap!
Storm applauded lightly. "Well said. But shouldn't you consider my opinion first?"
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy. Kid and Killer froze, realizing their mistake. Their relationship with Storm wasn't a partnership. To put it bluntly, they were two lizards standing before a dragon. A gentle flap of the dragon's wings was a hurricane to them.
They looked at Storm with a mixture of fear and anticipation.
"Kid, Killer. You haven't officially set sail as pirates yet, have you?"
"No," they answered honestly.
"So you're just gangsters? Have you killed any civilians?"
"I only kill the trash that deserves to die!" Kid snapped back instinctively.
"Tsk. What a pity."
Storm glanced at Kid. If this were the "Captain Kid" of the Worst Generation a few years from now—a man known for slaughtering civilians—Storm would have taken his life without hesitation to plunder his Devil Fruit.
The Jiki Jiki no Mi (Magnet-Magnet Fruit).
It was a Paramecia capable of manipulating the fundamental forces of electromagnetism. A god-tier power. And yet, in the future, Kid would mostly use it to make giant metal arms to punch people. It was a pearl cast before swine.
'Ideally, I'd take it,' Storm mused. 'But this version of Eustass Kid is too naive. He hasn't crossed the line yet.'
Storm had his own code. He only killed trash who deserved it—like the scum in Impel Down. He wouldn't kill a kid just for potential power.
"I don't mind having company," Storm said, breaking the silence. "But you two are too weak right now."
Storm raised his right hand. A glob of white clay surged from his fingertips, flying into the air. It landed with a heavy thud, expanding rapidly until it formed a massive, hulking figure.
A Blugori.
It was a perfect replica of the "Blue Gorillas" of Impel Down, but made entirely of white porcelain clay. In its hand, it held a massive double-sided axe.
"Impel Down, Crimson Hell Jailer—White Clay Version," Storm announced. He had adjusted its density to match the strength of a real Blugori. "If you two can defeat this white ape, I'll consider taking you with me."
Storm waved his hand, and the clay monster stepped forward, dragging its axe.
"The offer stands until I leave Belfast Island."
Kid and Killer slowly stood up. Despite their food comas, a fire lit in their eyes. They looked at the enemy with shared determination.
The White Clay Ape swung its axe. The battle began.
Storm, uninterested in watching a children's brawl, dusted off his coat and walked out of the headquarters. He spent the rest of the day strolling through the lawless town, enjoying the rare peace of a South Blue island not under strict World Government control.
The Next Morning
Refreshed and re-supplied, Storm returned to Kid's headquarters. Before he even entered, he heard the roar of battle.
Inside, the room was a wreck. Kid and Killer were battered, bruised, and gasping for air, but they were still moving. They had been fighting the clay monster all night.
As Storm walked in, the brothers were knocked to the ground one last time by the blunt side of the giant axe. They looked exhausted, but their spirits hadn't broken.
"It seems you couldn't defeat it," Storm said.
He snapped his fingers. The giant white ape instantly collapsed into a lifeless puddle of mud.
"However," Storm grinned, "your will is commendable. I have business in the South Blue, so you two can tag along for now. Get ready. We're heading to the Sorbet Kingdom."
"Right!" Kid forced his weary body upright, adrenaline masking his fatigue. "I'll get the map and prep the ship immediately!"
"A ship?"
Storm shook his head, walking toward the exit.
"We don't need a ship. We're riding dragons."
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