Inside it was the Devil Fruit he'd obtained three years ago—
Paramecia-type Warp-Warp Fruit.
In the original story, it belonged to Van Augur, sniper of the Blackbeard Pirates.
Could be called a Devil Fruit perfect for snipers.
But for Aus, this was obviously way more than just sniper support.
When his strength hit a wall, Aus might consider eating this space-related Devil Fruit.
Once developed to awakening, it could give Aus insane surprises—like warping all enemy attacks thousands of miles away; rapid warping for "Kamui intangibility" effects, immune to everything; casually warping fruit users into the sea...
Even the Paw-Paw Fruit could repel pain and travel worldwide. Why couldn't his Warp-Warp Fruit pull the same shit?
In Aus's mind, maybe Mythical Zoans were strong as hell, but Paramecia wasn't weak either—especially conceptual abilities.
As for why he wasn't eating it now...
Aus was waiting.
He worried about one theory—whether Devil Fruit users got rejected by the final island before the right time.
Because in the original story, Buggy mysteriously got a high fever right before landing, missing the great treasure.
Everyone else was fine.
The biggest difference between Buggy and the others? Buggy was a Chop-Chop Fruit user.
So Aus didn't dare gamble. The fruit wasn't going anywhere—he could wait two years.
Besides, these two years let him focus on Haki improvement. Teacher Kaido said it best: "Only Haki transcends all."
Aus wouldn't put the cart before the horse, becoming some guy whose fruit seemed badass but folded the second Haki coating showed up.
Wasn't Kid a monster?
His awakened railgun could wreck Four Emperors easy. One shot and entire fleets vanished.
But his Haki couldn't keep up. Shanks used Future Sight, caught one opening, and sliced him down like a dog with Divine Departure.
Three billion bounty, simple as butchering chicken.
So no matter what, Aus wouldn't abandon Haki training.
He wanted the world's hardest Armament Haki, the furthest Future Sight, and Conqueror's Haki that bowed to no one.
Following the Roger Pirates was his fastest path to Haki mastery—basically copying Shanks's rise...
"Knock knock..."
While Aus zoned out, knocking echoed.
"Uncle Bitam?"
Strange red light flashed in Aus's eyes. Suddenly he saw a fat man opening a door.
Throwing on pants, Aus opened up. Sure enough—his sniper master.
Roger Pirates sniper, Bitam.
"Aus, still up?"
Bitam held a long rod wrapped in bandages, casually patting Aus's shoulder.
Aus nodded, inviting him in.
"This is...?"
"Came to congratulate you, Aus. Not everyone's got Conqueror's Haki."
Bitam grinned, handing over the item.
Had to admit, as Aus's master, Bitam was solid—wholeheartedly teaching advanced Observation Haki and sniper techniques. Earned that "master" title.
Aus took it, immediately recognizing what it was.
A long gun.
Heavy as hell too...
As Aus unwrapped the bandages, inside was a sleek black sniper rifle with killer design. Barrel, scope—everything top-tier material.
This material was incredible...
It was all fucking Seastone!
Holy shit...
Aus didn't know what to say. He'd planned becoming a fruit user who could fight, tank, and snipe. How the hell was this supposed to work?
Warp ability and sniper rifle couldn't coexist?
"Uh... it's definitely a good gun!"
Seeing Bitam's hopeful expression, Aus couldn't bear disappointing him.
Worst case, he'd wrap it in bandages when using it.
Besides, this gun really was incredible. Experienced shooters could tell immediately—hitting targets thousands of meters out, no problem.
With bullets covered in Armament Haki or fruit abilities, theoretically it could reach even farther.
"Hahaha, damn right! Spent serious money on this back then. Just got comfortable with my old partner, so never switched. Your lucky day, kid!"
Bitam laughed his ass off, obviously thrilled this masterpiece found a worthy owner.
Because Aus deserved it.
Snipers with Conqueror's Haki were rare as hell. All these years, only Aus showed up as this lone prodigy. His future was limitless.
He didn't have Conqueror's Haki, so becoming world's strongest sniper was impossible. But Aus had that shot.
This move was investing in the sniper profession!
"Originally planned giving it tomorrow, but saw Shanks was up, figured you probably were too, so came tonight."
Hearing this, Aus—who'd been admiring his new weapon—paused and raised an eyebrow:
"What's that bastard Shanks doing up all night?"
"Probably because of you."
Seeing Aus's confusion, Bitam smirked: "Watching you easily wreck enemy officers at the same age probably got to him."
Then he cracked up.
As Roger's adopted kid, Shanks had crazy talent and was Roger's chosen successor.
While Aus was his disciple.
Now Aus > Shanks.
In a way, didn't that mean Bitam > Roger?
"Shanks... guess he's got a warrior's heart after all."
Made sense. When first boarding, Shanks—already gifted Roger's straw hat—had that "king of the world" attitude, expected to be "next generation's ruler."
Aus's arrival basically capped this same-age dominator.
Shanks, raised by the Roger Pirates since childhood, couldn't match Aus who grew up in some random town. Like a genius young master losing to grassroots protagonist.
Wouldn't that mean Roger's will shouldn't go to him? That straw hat shouldn't be his?
Shanks couldn't handle it.
Even though Aus never targeted him directly, the gap made Shanks constantly compare, hoping to reclaim MVP status among the three kids.
After Aus awakened Conqueror's Haki today, Shanks started grinding that very night.
"Keep pushing, Aus. Slack off and you'll get passed."
Aus didn't sweat Bitam's warning much.
He never planned inheriting anyone's will or becoming Pirate King anyway.
Wanting to see One Piece was pure nostalgia and curiosity.
If he really wanted Pirate King, wouldn't that be easy? Once Roger died, grab the Laugh Tale Eternal Pose, take a victory lap, announce he found the great treasure.
But he definitely cared about strength.
Couldn't have future fun and showing off blocked by Shanks making him run away—especially since that guy loved sticking his nose in everything.
Shanks might have face with others,
But with him and Buggy?
He didn't have shit.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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