The air of Syrup Village was heavy with tension. Usopp's warnings had fallen on deaf ears, the villagers brushing off his cries as nothing but another lie. He stood alone on the hill, heart pounding, staring out at the dark line of trees.
But he wasn't alone.
Luffy stretched lazily beside him, grinning. Zoro sharpened his swords, the weighted armor clicking faintly as he moved. And Tessal stood behind them, arms folded, helm hidden in his satchel.
"We believe you," Tessal had told him earlier. The words still echoed in Usopp's ears.
It was enough to keep his legs from shaking.
The Ambush
Kuro's pirates came with the night, prowling from the woods with cruel grins and sharper blades. The clash was immediate—Zoro cut down pawns in a blur, Luffy smashed bodies aside like bowling pins. Usopp's hands shook as he fired his slingshot, yet every shot was true, grazing foes and buying precious seconds.
But then Kuro himself appeared, slipping between shadows, his claws gleaming. His presence alone made Usopp's heart stutter.
And that was when the clicking began.
Mandibles snapping. Gears grinding. The heavy steps of iron legs.
The Beetleforger Revealed
From the treeline, a figure emerged cloaked in a long trench coat. Then, with a metallic hiss, the coat was flung aside. Plates unfolded, locking into place with steam and sparks. A helm snapped down, its horn gleaming like a blade.
The Atlas Frame Kabuto roared to life.
Green light burned from its eyes as Tessal stepped forward, armored from head to toe. Around him, beetles scuttled from the underbrush—scouts, mantis drones, shield beetles, the iron swarm.
Kuro froze, recognition flashing in his eyes.
"You—Beetleforger…"
Tessal's voice echoed from the helm, sharp and proud.
"I warned you. The swarm remembers."
The mecha beetles surged, tearing into the Black Cat pirates, scattering them in chaos.
The Duel in Shadows
Kuro lunged for Tessal, claws slashing. Sparks flew as metal screeched against armored gauntlets. Tessal blocked with the Kabuto horn, then countered with a burst of strength, forcing the pirate back.
"You hide behind lies," Tessal growled, voice distorted. "I forge my truth in steel."
Kuro sneered, twisting away, his speed blurring. But for the first time, he was cautious—hesitating under the gaze of that green helm.
Before the fight could tip, Luffy's voice rang out:
"Oi, Tessal! This one's mine!"
With a nod, Tessal let the swarm fall back, his armor standing sentinel as Luffy clashed head-to-head with Kuro. Just as canon, the rubber boy's will crushed the calculating captain, ending the threat once and for all.
A New Crew
When the dust settled, Syrup Village stood safe. Usopp, battered but still standing, looked between the laughing pirate captain, the calm swordsman, and the armored phantom who called himself Beetleforger.
"You…" Usopp said, voice trembling but steady. "You're insane. All of you. But—" He straightened, gripping his slingshot proudly. "I'm coming with you. I'll sail the seas as a brave warrior… of the Atlas!"
Luffy grinned wide. "Navigator, swordsman, inventor, and sniper! Our crew's coming together!"
Tessal, still armored, gave the faintest nod. "Welcome aboard."
The Atlas set sail at dawn, the village fading into the horizon. On deck, Usopp sketched wild ideas with Tessal, babbling about new gadgets while Zoro trained in the resistance armor and Luffy shouted about meat.
High above, the Atlas Frame Kabuto shifted in stag beetle mode, its horn catching the sun, wings twitching as if eager for battles to come.
The name of Beetleforger spread that day, whispered in fear among pirates, spoken in awe among villagers. And in the East Blue, a new legend began to crawl from the shadows.