Chapter 8: Departures and Decisions

The Celestial Abyss bobbed in rhythm with the gentle ebb and flow of the tide, her sails unfurled and whispering of the imminent journey. On the weathered wood of the dock, Theo stood firmly, his tall frame casting a long shadow in the morning sun. He turned to face the Straw Hat Pirates, who had gathered around, their faces reflecting a mix of excitement and curiosity for the words of the Titan captain.

"Before you set sail," Theo addressed them, his voice cutting through the salty breeze, a stark contrast to the cheerful chaos that usually surrounded the Straw Hats. "There's something you need to know about Logue Town." The crew's chatter quieted down, and all eyes were on him.

He met Luffy's gaze squarely, ensuring the gravity of his words was not lost. "The marine commander there is no ordinary opponent. He's eaten a Logia-type Devil Fruit, making him untouchable by physical means. His body can become smoke, dispersing and reforming at will. Conventional attacks won't work against someone like that."

Luffy's eyes narrowed slightly. It was a rare moment of solemnity for the Straw Hat captain, reflecting a deep understanding of the danger such an enemy posed. "Smoker, huh?" he said, the name spoken with a newfound wariness.

"Yes, that's him. Smoker the 'White Hunter'. If he sets his sights on you, escaping won't be easy," Theo continued, noting the crew's attentive stance. "It's best to avoid a confrontation. Focus on your quest."

Luffy's lips curved into a resolute line, a silent promise that he would not take Theo's warning lightly. "Thanks, Theo. We won't take any unnecessary risks."

Theo's smile then broke through, a rare display of warmth as he regarded the crew before him. "Remember, the sea is vast, and it holds as many allies as it does enemies. Should our paths cross again, let it be as friends on the Grand Line."

Luffy's face brightened, his trademark grin returning as he matched Theo's smile. "You got it! The Grand Line... that's where the real adventure begins!"

With a final nod of solidarity, Theo turned and made his way back onto his ship, the wooden planks creaking a farewell beneath his steps. The Straw Hats waved, their spirits lifted by the encounter, the promise of future meetings on the untamed waters of the Grand Line igniting a fire in their hearts.

As the gap between the dock and the Celestial Abyss grew, so too did the distance between the newly formed allies.

Once aboard, Mavis led Jin below deck, where the quiet hum of the ship's interior offered a stark contrast to the bustle of their departure. She presented him with a scroll, one that held the potential to change his destiny forever.

In the seclusion of the captain's quarters, Mavis spread the parchment across an oaken table that had seen many maps and plans. The list before Jin was a cartographer's chart of the impossible, a navigator's guide to realms uncharted and realms unseen.

"Jin," Mavis's voice was clear and solemn, "you stand at the crossroads of destiny. This," she gestured to the list, "is a privilege we extend to those who show a spirit worthy of the Titans. The Mythological Zoan fruits are treasures of the sea, each with a legacy as ancient and potent as the tides."

As Jin's gaze moved down the list, he saw names that resonated with the power of legends from every corner of the world: fruits that could bestow the grace of a sylph, the might of a behemoth, the mystique of a chimera. Some promised transformation into creatures of pure folklore, others into beings that symbolized the very forces of nature.

"The fruit you choose will not only grant you strength—it will become a part of you, shaping your very essence and the way you interact with the world around you," Mavis continued, her tone imbued with a gravity that matched the seriousness of Jin's decision.

Jin's fingers brushed over the parchment, feeling the weight of each name as he read it. "A fruit's power is a reflection of the soul that wields it," he mused, echoing the wisdom of a distant memory. His eyes lifted to meet Mavis's. "I understand the responsibility that comes with such a choice. My decision will be one that serves the Titans in our pursuit of greatness, freedom, and the unwritten legends we are to inscribe upon the seas."

Mavis nodded, her expression softening with respect. "Choose the one that calls to you, Jin. Trust in your instincts—they have led you to us, and now they will guide you to the power that lies within one of these fruits."

With a resolute nod, Jin rolled up the scroll, the list of names etched in his mind. He would take the time to ponder his choice, to select the Mythological Zoan that resonated with his ambitions and the future he envisioned alongside the Titans—a future where he would wield his culinary artistry and a newfound power to etch their name across the skies and waters of the world.

Jin retreated to his quarters, the list secure in his hands, feeling the gentle roll of the ship beneath his feet. His room, though sparse, was a sanctuary of sorts—a place where he could unravel the scroll that held his destiny and ponder the profound decision he was about to make.

He unfurled the parchment, smoothing it out on the small table that occupied the center of the room. The list was long, each entry more fantastical than the last, brimming with the promise of untold power. But Jin had a criterion in mind, a focus that would guide his choice. Ever since he was a child, he had been fascinated by serpents—their sleek form, their symbolic wisdom, and their mythological significance. It was this affinity that led him to narrow down his search to the serpentine Zoans.

As he scanned the list, five entries stood out, each a Mythological Zoan fruit tied to the serpent form, each offering a legacy of ancient power:

Nāga-Nāga no Mi: A fruit that would grant the ability to transform into a Nāga, a serpent deity with the power to control water and rain, revered in South Asian mythology for their divine nature and protective prowess. Jormungandr-Jormungandr no Mi: This fruit offered the strength of the Midgard Serpent from Norse mythology, a colossal creature whose body could encircle the world, with control over poisons and the sea. Quetzalcoatl-Quetzalcoatl no Mi: Named for the Mesoamerican feathered serpent god, consuming this fruit would bestow the power of flight and wind manipulation, along with a connection to the forces of life and creation. Ouroboros-Ouroboros no Mi: A fruit embodying the eternal cycle of life and death, this would grant the user regenerative abilities, as well as the power to inspire rebirth and renewal. Hydra-Hydra no Mi: Granting the user multiple serpentine heads and the terrifying ability to regenerate and multiply any severed limb, this fruit drew its power from the Lernaean Hydra of Greek mythology, a beast known for its near-indestructibility.

Jin's heart quickened as he read over the options, the serpent theme resonating with his innermost being. These fruits, tied to creatures revered and feared, offered not just physical transformation but a connection to the ancient stories that had always captivated him.

He leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, images of each mythical serpent playing in his mind. He envisioned the power each one held, the way it could shape his role within The Titans and the seas they would traverse. It was not a choice to be made lightly, for it would define his path as a Titan and as a man reborn under the banner of myth and legend.

With the room's lantern casting a dim light that flickered across the ancient parchment, Jin considered each mythical serpent with the discernment of a chef selecting the perfect ingredient for his signature dish. The Nāga-Nāga no Mi, the Quetzalcoatl-Quetzalcoatl no Mi, the Ouroboros-Ouroboros no Mi, the Hydra-Hydra no Mi — each had its allure, its whispers of ancient power and eternal legend.

Yet it was the Jormungandr-Jormungandr no Mi that ultimately drew his final, unwavering gaze. The idea of embodying the Midgard Serpent, a creature that could dwell both in the sea's abyss and upon the land, offered a tactical advantage too compelling to overlook. It would negate one of the most significant weaknesses that came with being a Devil Fruit user: the inability to swim. For a crew that would navigate the most treacherous of seas, such an ability could be the difference between peril and survival.

Resolved, Jin summoned Mavis, holding the scroll with a steadiness that belied the tempest of anticipation within him. When presented with the Jormungandr-Jormungandr no Mi, the fruit itself seemed unremarkable, belying the enormity of the power it contained. It was an oddity, gnarled and uninviting, its spiraled patterns mirroring the ancient depictions of the great world serpent.

With a deep breath that steadied his resolve, Jin bit into the Devil Fruit. The immediate, overwhelming bitterness assaulted his palate, so vile and potent that it brought tears to his eyes and a shudder through his body. For a moment, he feared for his future as a cook, praying that the fruit's infamous taste wouldn't rob him of his most valuable asset — his taste buds.

Swallowing hard, the initial wave of regret gave way to a burgeoning sense of power that coursed through his veins. Jin Spicesteam, the cook from a small island in the East Blue, had consumed the Jormungandr-Jormungandr no Mi, taking his first step into the realm of myths and into the heart of The Titans' odyssey.

As the newfound power settled within him, Jin hoped fervently that the fruit's taste was not a precursor to his culinary skills' demise. Only time would tell if he would adapt, overcome, and perhaps even come to create dishes that would tantalize the taste buds of gods and men alike.