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No one turned back.
When Aero made his declaration, he had expected some hesitation maybe even someone walking away. But instead, their eyes burned with purpose.
They had come to the casino hoping to be noticed by Scar, to become pirates. When Scar died, and Aero began training them, many feared their chance had slipped away.
Now, that dream had returned and stronger than before.
The lure of becoming a pirate was far greater than the fear of death. Even if it meant risking their lives, they would still choose the sea.
Ever since the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, was executed in Loguetown nineteen years ago (Sea Calendar Year 1500), pirates had swarmed the seas like wildfire. His final words had ignited an era:
> "Want my treasure? It's yours if you can find it. I left everything in one place."
And thus, the Great Pirate Era was born.
Whether or not the legendary One Piece existed didn't matter even Aero didn't fully believe in it. But that didn't stop his thirst for the sea. What he wanted wasn't treasure.
He wanted to explore, he didn't want a meaningless death like his last life!
It was about legacy.
It was about strength.
Perhaps it was the foresight of knowing this world's future, perhaps it was the power granted by the Wind-Wind Fruit but Aero couldn't settle for hiding on an island.
He wanted to stir the tides of this world, to clash with legends, to forge his name alongside theirs.
Ambition grows with strength.
Once, he only wanted to survive.
Now, his followers no longer dreamed of riches or women they wanted to explore the world. To test their limits. To chase something greater than gold.
"We're forming a pirate crew. From this day forward we are the Hurricane Pirates," Aero announced.
"But know this I will eliminate the weak. Not out of cruelty, but because weakness kills. If you slow the crew down, you die or get kicked out. If you're not ready to fight, you die, the sea is merciless for weak"
Dylan nodded. The others voiced no objection. They knew it made sense.
"Dylan."
"Captain."
"When we return from this hunt, I want you to contact the shipyard. Put in an order for a vessel."
"How much bounty have we earned from the casino so far?"
Dylan gave it a quick mental tally. "Roughly 5.43 million Berries. Normally we wouldn't make this much, but Buggy's been doing something on the side it's brought in extra profit. Still, it might not be enough for a big ship."
Aero smiled. "We don't need a big ship. We don't have a big crew. Twelve at most, including me."
He added, "But before that happens before dawn each of you must hunt down and kill a beast on your own. Prove you're worthy. Bring back proof. Then, and only then, do you set sail with me."
Excitement flared in their eyes. The group scattered immediately, eager to begin the trial.
All except two.
Aero stood still.
Dylan remained by his side.
"You're not going?" Aero asked.
Dylan pulled down his hood, leaning back against the massive tree behind them. "Captain… why the rush?"
Aero stared at the sky. "Because we don't have time."
"In a year or two, everything changes. I've taken them as far as I can. The rest they must gain through experience. Through survival. Through battle."
"That why I gave them a threat to eliminate them if they are burden on the crew"
He thought of Luffy's journey. The worst generation. The Paramount War. Ace's death.
Everything would begin soon.
He had planned to wait a year. Strengthen the crew. Face Arlong as a test.
But now… he sensed their growth slowing. A plateau. That was something Aero couldn't allow.
This hunt was just the beginning.
"It's combat that pushes people to grow. Every fight makes you stronger," Aero said.
Dylan nodded slowly. "Sure. But what if they're not strong enough? What if they die out there tonight? You willing to live with that?"
Aero didn't reply.
Instead, he raised his right arm.
And let it vanish fading into the wind until half his limb disappeared entirely.
Dylan blinked, stunned.
"That's my power," Aero said. "I'm wind. I feel every movement of the air. Even when you can't. If any of them falter… I'll be there before they fall."
"Got it," Dylan murmured. "You really are something else. But Devil Fruit users can't swim, right? That makes you a deadweight in the sea."
He gave a sly grin.
"So I'll be the one to sail the ship. Every captain needs a crewman who can swim."
He turned and waved as he walked off. "I'm heading back to gather funds. I assume I'm exempt from the beast hunt?"
He laughed. "If I see a beast, I'll gut it on the way back."
Aero watched him go, his hand now fully reformed.
In the shadows, Dylan lifted his hood again and disappeared into the forest.
For the first time in a long while, Aero felt something unexpected.
Relief.
Hope.
He had a real partner now.
The others respected him. Maybe even admired him.
But Dylan was different.
He was clever. Calm. Capable. He wasn't just the most talented among the trainees he was the only one who had ever pushed Aero to his limits.
While the others collapsed under gale-force winds, Dylan stood firm.
Every time, Aero pushed the power higher.
Every time, Dylan took it head-on.
He wasn't just loyal he was special.
A strategist in a world of brawlers.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
~Thank you for reading!