The Atlas drifted smoothly across the waves, sails filled by a calm breeze. Zoro sat cross-legged on deck, sweat dripping as he trained with the weighted resistance armor Tessal had built for him. Every swing of his swords clanged like iron under strain.
Below deck, the sound of hammer on steel rang out. Sparks lit Tessal's workshop, shadows bending as his tools worked with mechanical precision. Spread across the table was his latest creation—a frame of polished plates, horned crest, and coiled mechanisms waiting to be born.
"Everyone declares their dream," Tessal muttered as he adjusted the helm, its beetle-like head gleaming under lamplight. "Luffy wants to be King. Zoro wants to be the strongest. Me?" He paused, holding the helm to his chest. "I'll forge the swarm that changes the world."
When the last plate locked into place, the armor stirred on its own. The helm's eyes lit green, mandibles clicking. The frame folded together, crawling like a living beast before snapping into the shape of a stag beetle. Tessal watched as it settled, its horn glinting like a blade in the firelight.
"Atlas Frame Kabuto," Tessal whispered, giving his creation a name. "A shield and a weapon both."
The beetle form twitched its wings, ready to obey. Tessal smirked beneath the shadows of his workshop. The swarm was growing.
The next day, they reached Syrup Village. Luffy bounded ashore, yelling about meat, while Zoro stayed aboard to grind through his training armor. Tessal followed slower, helm hidden in his satchel, eyes already scanning for scraps and parts.
That was when a boy with a long nose ran screaming down the road.
"PIRATES ARE COMING! PIRATES ARE COMING!"
Luffy laughed, Zoro rolled his eyes—but Tessal only tilted his head. There was something behind the boy's lies: a spark of imagination.
Later, Tessal drew him aside, showing him a few mechanical scouts that skittered from his coat. Usopp's eyes widened in wonder, and in moments, the two were sketching and chattering like old comrades—Usopp with his trick ammo ideas, Tessal with designs for modular drones. For the first time in ages, Tessal didn't mind another's noise.
By the time they reached the village, Luffy and Zoro trailed behind, watching in amusement. Tessal split away soon after, buying scraps, bartering for bolts, scavenging whatever metal he could find. But his eyes kept drifting upward—toward Kaya's mansion.
Something was wrong there.
Night fell. A soft mist curled across the gardens of Kaya's estate. The air was quiet—too quiet.
From the shadows of the hedge, a tall figure stepped out. His body was hidden by a trench coat, helm gleaming with green light. In the moon's pale glow, he looked less like a man and more like an iron phantom.
Kuro adjusted his glasses, claws twitching in irritation. "...Who are you?"
The helm's mandibles clicked as the figure straightened.
"I am the Beetleforger. Remember that name. The swarm remembers you."
A thousand clicks filled the garden. Scouts buzzed overhead, crawlers surged across the ground, their mandibles shining like blades. The swarm closed in, surrounding Kuro like a tightening noose.
For the first time, his mask of calm faltered. He slashed with his claws—shhk!—but the bugs dispersed in an instant, scattering into the night.
When the last green glow faded, the garden was empty.
Kuro stood alone, his breath uneven, his heart pounding harder than he'd admit.
"...Beetleforger," he whispered, the word biting deep.
High above, on a rooftop, the trench-coated figure watched in silence, helm reflecting the moon.
The Atlas Frame Kabuto stirred on his shoulder, eyes glowing.
The night swallowed them both.