Unique Encounters

Sailing across the vast Paradise Sea was the Lystar Pirate ship. They had just entered Paradise not too long ago about a week or so, they were in search of something to conquer, something to pillage. At heart, their captain Northstar Lysander wasn't a cruel conquer no, but a seeker of adventure and triumph, after all his dream was to become a notorious figure in all the seas. After obtaining his newfound fruit power Riba Riba no Mi Lysander would seek a way to learn his fruit further.

It had been 2 weeks since the Lystar Pirates left Loguetown the previous last known whereabouts, Lysander their captain had been napping on his signature hammock, that cascaded just above the main deck. The sun was shining down on the Galaxy Voyager as the cool sea winds blew around cooling everything down as the spring heat radiated.

During their journey, they picked up a log pose that was located and found in a buried chest. Lysander was familiar with navigation due to his family's business and the teachings he had received from them. According to the charts and maps they should be at the supposed location in a day or two.

Lysander would wake up from his nap, rubbing his crusted-shut eyes open. The sun shinned on his face blinding him from sight, putting his right hand in front of his face he covered his eyes, allowing his vision to settle in once again. The cawing of seagulls would be heard by his ears, it was now a soothing sound for him, for spending such a short time on the seas Lysander began to finally adjust to sea life. Sitting up in his hammock he glanced around his ship, darting his eyes around trying to locate his fellow crewmates.

Lysander had seemed to make some new friends along his way, his right-hand man and First mate, Wallace E. Howell. The inspiring young swordsman who wishes to become the greatest in the world. Another was a man named Pablo Andretti a go kart driver from the east blue looking for some spice in his life.

He found Howell pop out from below deck, "Oh captain your awake!" Howell quickly rushed up the deck stairs to embrace his captain. They shook hands grasping firmly to one another.

"Our first real adventure, I'm excited about this one," Howell said smiling.

"I know, it feels good to finally make it here," Lysander said walking over toward the ledge of the ship and placing his elbows on the railing. He took off his straw hat and looked into the waters below. Howell followed in the same mannerism leaning up against the railing.

"You know, I really do hope this Log Pose leads somewhere, It would be a shame if it was a dud. I would have to go back to that island and give that kid a beating for leading us astray. YAHAHAHAH!" he laughed throwing his straw hat back onto his head.

"Yes that would be a shame, although I don't know if beating up a child would be worth all that."

"Ah, I guess you're right. I don't want my reputation to be known as a child killer!"

"Come on Howell, lets go get some food, I'm starving."

The two pirates shared a laugh with each other and walked through the ship door into the kitchen.

Inside the Kitchen, Pablo was already inside, smashing up stuff and looking for something to eat! Pablo called out as he saw the two pirates enter. "I just wanna know where all the food is! dammit! Where is it?! I want that good food. Why is nothing cooked on here? Don't tell me you all cook your food yourselves! And make dishes! I wanna eat something now!" Pablo complained before he began grabbing all the stuff he threw around. He had not broken anything (He had that much self restraint) it was more of a child throwing a light tantrum.

"Alright, I think I've cooled off. But no seriously where is the fucking food we have been out for two weeks out here. When we finally find land I'm getting some food, some money, my own ship and then I'm gonna take over the entire grand line baby! Gonna even surpass those pirates who wanna become the Kings. What they called again? The...it starts with a Y just forgetting it?" Pablo rubbed his head trying to remember the damn name.

"I believe Yonko is the word you're looking for. And stop ruining my damn ship you stow away! Hands off the merchandise!" Lysander roared, face looking like a goofy evil demon. You could see the stem smoke off of his head.

"I went to the damned down to look for a cook but we were out of luck, and all we got was you!"

"Huh! The Yonko huh? Yah I'll kick their ass." Pablo rubbed his chin as Lysander roared at him. "You really think I'm gonna stop messing with your stuff? Also, don't insult me. You all let me be on the boat. You can kick me off right now or well try. I am a bit too big for that!" Pablo pointed at Lysander. Pablo then rubbed his chin, "So uh speaking of, when are we gonna hit land? Like...going up that Redline was fun but we've not seen anything interesting in weeks!" Pablo complained as he got on his hands and knees to beg Lysander to tell him how close they were.

"I guess you make a good point, I did approve of your current stay. But we should be reaching land very soon," Lysander then pressed a button underneath one of the kitchen counters that popped out a hidden compartment, inside it was a pack of his last beef jerky and one bottle of apple wine. He flaunted his newfound kitchen snacks toward Pablo, scrunching his face while sticking his tongue out at him.

"Anyways come let me show you guys something," Lysander then walked out of the kitchen and headed down below deck to the Celestial Chamber. There the group has a discussion about the arrival and further plans of the future.

As Lysander pulled down the switch located next to the door entrance, with that the lights went out briefly then projector lights shot through the room. The light projected a visual 3D map of paradise and the known islands and locations that have been updated throughout the years. The 3D map also portrayed a 3D ship in the model of the Galaxy Voyager. It showed the group its course to this island that the log pose pointed to. The map said about 2-3 days until arrival, but there was no island it said they were going to. "It looks like we might discover a new location," Lysander chimed looking toward the group.

"OOOOOH!" He would run over to try to get the beef Jerky and the Apple Wine. "Shit looks bomb let me have it!" He ran after Lysander as he went down to this odd-looking chamber. As he headed downs he was left surprised at some sort of 3D Map. "Woah what the hell is this thing? This is insane so much data." He glanced at all the island and saw no land nearby. "WHAT NO LAND FOR LIKE EVER! GOD DAMMIT!" Pablo grabbed at his hair as Lysander explained they might be heading to an island this map didn't have checked off. "Huh..so this is like some fancy world map with like known islands and locations we can easily find. That is smart? When you do all this though for your ship. Even I got to admit it is mighty impressive." Pablo rubbed his chin. If only he could build something like this. He could just build Junk Cars and that was really it.

"This machine was created by my friend Theo from my home island, he was an innovative man." Lysander smiled briefly before explaining further, "He created this machine is able to render a 3D Map of all the know locations in the seas, the only thing it doesn't have are uncharted islands and things of that nature. I use it to help navigate the seas better. Although this has been a work in progress for a long time, Theo felt that it was more than ready to finally be put to the test. It obviously could use some improvements but it works nevertheless."

"I see well that is pretty cool I will not lie. "Pablo shook his head. "So anyway we are heading to an unknown island? I hope we are gonna get close 'cause I really wanna get some food." Pablo rubbed his stomach. "Cause man I am hungry. Or maybe guess we can catch something." He rubbed his head "Maybe some fish. Or maybe we can slice and dice up a Sea King. Is Sea King Meat any good?" He glanced at Lysander he had to know right? He was the navigator he must have sailed all over to try so many things.

"The map says we are only a few days away from the supposed location, and as for food who knows? There could be a shop on the island but then again there is a chance of one not being there at all." Lysander then walked toward the doorway and flicked up the lights causing the map to disappear. "Fishing you say...I never thought of that all this time." Lysander palmed his face smacking himself for being so stupid to not think of the idea all this time.

"I know that sea kings only swim in the Calm Belt, so there wouldn't be any in this sea. But we could try to still go fishing, maybe Theo put some fishing gear on this ship somewhere!"

"Oh wait it is on the map? Huh? Man I must be going crazy I thought it was not on it." Pablo peered over the map just double checking. "But a few days? There has to be some island nearby! your telling me the sea is so vast it can take us this long to find land. I swear in the East Blue it never took that long to find anything." Pablo rubbed his head. "But alright. I guess i'll just have to bite my tongue on that matter." Pablo began to head upstairs as Lysander called out there was fishing gear upstairs. "Your saying that Sea King only roam the Calm Belt? I've heard stories of them in the East Blue. Around Goa Kingdom, a long time ago there was one giant one that was dangerous. It was called the Lord of the Coast. But that would have been like 70 Year's ago?" Pablo rubbed his head. "No maybe less maybe more? I just heard stories from some old men in the junk yards. Anyway, don't see why we can't catch a Sea King out here."

A Few days later, April 8, 1585

The Lystar Pirates have finally arrived at their destination, getting everyone the things and equipment needed for the trip they set off on a big adventure. It was midday with the sun peaking at its highest point. The wind gave the sweet smell of pine trees and clean fresh air, the atmosphere itself was something magical in itself. It made one feel relaxed and calm, or you could say at peace. At the edge of the island the group had now docked their ship into a small coast clearing that lead to a smaller pond.

Lysander wearing his black cape, and regular attire of a deep pink and yellow follower Hawaiian shirt, with his signature light blue jeans with crosses all over the bottom and back of them, a pair of black boots. He carried with him his sword, Stella, and his pistol Starfire. Leaping off of the ledge of the ship he said, "YEESS! TIME FOR A REAL ADVENTURE!"

His words echoed throughout the forest in front of them, birds could be seen flying out of the treetops being disturbed by the loud bellowing. Landing on the ground Lysander would feel the rebounding effects of his fruit shoot through his legs. By now he had been fully adjusted to the feeling of his new fruit powers. So walking and running he was used to by now, since he got his fruit he would train his body to adjust and adapt to its new properties. He invented a term called "Bound Energy", this referred to the energy he would feel when the rebounding effect of his fruit occurs.

A perfect example of this would be walking and running. In the few short weeks of having his fruit, he noticed that his body was always absorbing and sending bursts of energy. When he would take one step, the weight behind his foot would start the absorbing process of kinetic energy. As he would take another step with the opposite foot, the absorbed energy would release. In similar terms, it would be like jumping on a trampoline, you load pressure at the base and shoot upward releasing the stored energy one would have.

Lysander landed on the ground, the scenery was amazing from his view. The trees stood hundreds of feet high, and the grass was soft and long. The wind would create patterns in them as they danced from side to side. The ambiance of birds and other woodland animals would be heard as well, truly tranquil.

"What a view!" Howell remarked as he dropped down from the ship. Dressed in a crisp blue button-up shirt, black pants, and sturdy black boots, Howell quickly caught up to Lysander. "The trees look like they reach the clouds!" Howell remarked with a voice full of astonishment as he slowly sat down on a large group of boulders nearby and admired the scenery. "I wonder what types of animals live here," he asked Lysander. Suddenly the boulder beneath Howell began to rumble, and with a sudden jolt, it lifted from the ground, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground with an audible thud. A soft roar emanated from the boulder as it turned towards Howell, revealing its snout and eyes. To Howell's disbelief, the boulder was a colossal bear covered in fur that resembled a mossy boulder. "What the hell!" Howell exclaimed, instinctively swinging his sword at the bear with all his might. The blade barely even scratched the bear, only managing to annoy it.

The bear let out a loud growl as it stood up on its hind legs, revealing its grey claws and teeth. The massive bear was just as tall as the ship. The bear quickly slammed down to the ground, but before it hit him, Howell quickly turned himself flat like a cloth and let the wind quickly carry him away, just barely dodging the bear's attack as it cracked the ground. Howell fluttered towards Lysander before quickly turning back to normal.

"WHHHAAATT! LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT THING! Lysander would shout, with his eyes bulging out of his face. "Run Howell!" Lysander would run over to the bear to help him.

The bear turned to Lysander, making grinding noises as it did, and began walking slowly towards him, making more grinding noises before stopping a few meters in front of him and taking on a defensive stance as it narrowed its eyes at Lysander and let out an audible growl. As it stood there, Howell got a better look at it. The 'fur' wasn't fur at all; it looked more solid and rigid, almost like it was actually made of stone. It also had ridges on every joint on its body, including its neck, that allowed it to move. Its claws were extremely long and sharp; they could easily chop down a tree in one swing if they weren't careful. This beast could easily kill them all. Howell got up, unsheathed his sword, and began running behind the bear. "Lysander! You distract it in front, and I'll attack it from behind!" Howell yelled as he used his powers on his sword to make it as flat as possible. If he could somehow get into its ridges, he could possibly chop off a limb or even it's head.

"Finally Land!" Pablo proclaimed as he burst off the boat. "Now that I found land I just need to find the food!" Pablo smashed forward ready to charge right past them. After all, he only came with them to get to Paradise. Why would he stick around with them for the moment? That was just stupid! But as he was going to race past he heard the call from Howell. "Huh?" Stopping a skid he'd see the giant bear that was at least as the ship! It had been hidden at first, looking more like a boulder than a bear. Now they could see what it was clearly. "Oh damn, that is a pretty large beast." Pablo grinned as some saliva began to go down his mouth "And it can be a good meal." Pablo would draw his blades. He drew a two-wheel weapons. They had eight points and each point had a blade upon it. Spinning the Central of the Weapon he would turn each wheel into a spinning Buzzsaw.

He would charge forward towards the bear as Lysander called out for Howell to run away. He'd kick off the ground spinning the weapon in his hand before he slashed forward to create an X Slash to cut the bear's right shoulder up. "Dakar Wheel!" He grinned. "Take that you dumb bear."

While he did attack the bear it didn't mean it couldn't then swing and hit him sending him flying through one of the trees and smashing Pablo into the dirt. "Ouch..." Pablo said rubbing his head as blood dripped from the claw mark on his chest. "What the hell? What kind of bear can take one of my attacks? This thing must be abnormal."

Meanwhile, Lysander had been faced to deal with the bear head-on, "What do you mean I distract it! And shouldn't I be giving the orders around here!"

"Curse Howell san, I guess this does give me a chance to do something I've been trying to do." He thought to himself. The Large bear roared as it charged forward. Lysander would begin running toward the bear, getting faster and faster, and they both did. "Come to me beast!" He yelled out as he started to do his skip run. Lysander was already a fast guy, but with his added speed from his fruit, he could now get creative.

Lysander would then jump high up, and using his fruit he would try a new technique to release Bound Energy on command called Bound Release. Attempting this on a strange dangerous creature like this bear, probably wasn't the smartest idea. But Lysander although no fool, liked to play with fate, whether good or bad.

Mid-air he released the energy within his body, flowing it through his legs and out the bottoms of his feet. This action would send him flying toward the head of the bear at a faster rate than before, but his body was thrown off balance. Lysander tried to adjust his body in time, but he was too late and missed his opportunity to strike the bear.

In a second the bear had struck Lysander hitting his stomach and knocking the wind out of his body with its backhand. He could feel the weight behind the attack and this bear was abnormally strong, even with his immunity to blunt damage, he could still feel the impact. Now flying backward he would get sent flying into the side of his ship, creating a massive crater twice the size of a large boulder. Crashing through the rummage and debris of the ship Lysander would smash down. The damage done to his ship angered his spirit, his blood began to boil at the sight of everything.

Lysander had been thrown through 3 rooms of his ship all with massive holes, which means massive repairs. He would sit up in the wreckage as he stared at the bear through the crater. "I hate animals!" Lysander would then quickly jump up releasing some Bound energy. His body temperature began to rise, and his dizziness started to kick in. Yelling through the ship he said, "WE ARE EATING GOOD TONIGHT, PABLO!" Lysander would then blip from the ship to just in front of the bear's ribcage. Lysander was moving at a different level of speed. With his left hand sticking outward and his right hand cocked back, he would send a punch while releasing bound energy through his right arm and out his right fist.

This would cause the bear to slightly budge out of the way but only made it angry.

The bear was now ready to charge toward Lysander and use its large claws and teeth to tear him apart, but before it started charging, a loud yell was heard coming from the bear's back. Howell had somehow managed to cling to the beast's back amidst the chaos and was now slowly crawling his way toward its neck. "Guys! Aim for its joints; its fur is as hard as rock!" Howell yelled as he was holding his sword in his mouth by its handle and was clinging on for dear life, and the bear's erratic movement made it increasingly more difficult for him to hang on as the bear started growling and roaring before jolting forward, ready to strike Lysander.

"Hell no I ain't aiming for the joints! I won't pussy out!" Pablo yelled out. Lysander was really impressive this bound attacks were something else. But still it was not defeated. Putting his blades on his feet they become like razor skates. He'd skidded forward slashing up the ground as he ran forward towards the bear! "This is another one of my moves! Let me show you My Pike Wheel!"

Pablo ripped into the ground springing high into the air. His legs would shoot down unloading on top of the bear's head. He could cut up its Head, neck, and shoulders but it was enough to knock the bear down. It would hopefully also give Lysander the time to attack since now both he and Howell were attacking the beast. "It is moving fast but I can kick off this bear all day no way it can reach up to attack me."

Until it began to stand on both feet and literally gripped Pablo out of the air. "Oh, dear!" Pablo called. "This could not be worse...AHH, IT's CRUSHING ME!" The bear began to crush him with its claws but Pablo's skin began to turn grey as his feet began to outgrow the shoes that were attached to his blades.

The Grip began to get pushed aside as Pablo was heading to transform into his hybrid form. But it take a bit more time for him to transform as he was in the grip of the beast and he was losing the ability to focus on his transformation. A sign of his natural need for more training with his Zoan Type Powers.

Lysander used the opportunity at hand, and jumped up again using Bound Energy, "I think I'm getting used to this." He would then do a three-punch combo releasing the energy out of his fists with each punch.

"I can feel the flow of energy going through my body. Like this feeling!" Thought to himself as he then kicked the bear near its spine causing the bear to slam onto its stomach.

The force of Lysander's attack knocked Howell off the bear and sent him crashing to the ground, creating an explosion of dirt flying upwards and creating a crater in his shape. "Ow!" Howell exclaimed as he crawled out of the hole, rubbing his head as he looked back at the bear. It slowly got back up as it shook its head, almost stumbling back to the ground. Lysander's attack seemed to disorient it, but it wasn't enough to take it out for good. "I guess it was my fault to expect them to listen to my plan," Howell chuckled.

"At least this fight isn't going to be boring." Howell lifted himself out of the hole, wiped the dirt off himself, and faced the bear. "I guess it's my turn to attack." Tightening his grip, Howell lifted his sword toward the bear "One Sword Style: Paper Dragon!" The blade of the sword began to flutter back and forth as it began to grow in length and slowly started to move in a serpentine pattern it quickly lunged forward as it continued to grow and quickly wrapped around the bear, twisting and turning to make sure the sharp part of the blade was always cutting into the bear as it quickly tightened around its legs, making it impossible for it to move.

Howell pulled on the sword, tightening the wrap; the steel was now slightly digging into its tough fur. "Lysander! Pablo! Now's your chance! I don't know how long I can hold it!" Howell cried out to the rest of the gang.

Pablo was also freed as Lysander attacked the bear. It allowed him to begin fully transforming. Pablo grew to tower over his old form as he went into his Hybrid form. Grabbing the Tiny Blades he'd spin them in his giant hands. "Alright, I'll rip this thing to shreds!" He watched as Howell would wrap around the bear to keep it pinned! He called out for him and Lysander to attack but Pablo roared

"Don't tell me what to do! I was already gonna attack it!"

Pablo grinned as the blades spin between his massive fingers. "Fortune and Fate don't control me I control it all!" Pablo would charge forward with his increased speed and spin the weapons forward to slam the spinning blades right into the beast's face to tear it apart, punching the spinning blades into his foe. Of course, that meant he stabbed himself with his own weapon but he didn't give a damn! "Rota Fortunane!"

"You crazy bastard, you have a devil fruit?" Lysander would shout to Pablo running around the bear to its back. As Pablo would tear into its face with his weapons Lysander would rebound himself into the air, doing flashy flips as he came closing in on the bear's spine, "Watch out guys!" He would compress his arm and throw it behind his head, concentrating on the bound energy flowing through his body he would begin to focus it into his right fist.

"Phoenix Barkley Smash" Throwing his right fist into its back he sent the beast flying into the ground. Huge pieces of rubble and debris flew into the air as a large gust of wind would pulsate through the area they were in. Lysander landed on top of it and landed. His blurry vision still remained and his body was still in extreme overheat, he fell to his knees wheezing for air. "I think I'm going to be..." Lysander would then pass out into a small coma.

The bear remained motionless on the ground as its breathing slowly came to a halt. The force of Lysander's punch startled the birds that were in the area as large flocks began to rise from the trees; some of the birds were as large as the bear, maybe even larger. Howell's sword quickly unwrapped from the bear and returned to its original shape. "Pablo! Do you think we can eat this?" Howell called out as he inspected his sword, "This stupid bear chipped my sword! I just bought it!" Howell sheathed his sword as he climbed the bear to reach Lysander. He tried to pick him up, but his body was still steaming and hot to the touch. "Lysander?" Howell nudged Lysander with his sword in an attempt to wake him up.

"Yah I ate the Zou Zou Fruit when I was much younger back in the Goa Kingdom," Pablo explained. "But I'd not tell you that normally. Just because we are fighting together I'll give you the backstory."

He maybe liked them a bit more than he was gonna let on. Either way, they worked together to attack as he slashed up the creature's body before Lysander attacked with all his might finishing it off!

Their triple attack was really something. But using all that power seemed to cause Lysander to keel over and collapse. That was a shame, such power was not worth it if lead to unconsciousness. As Howell called out asking if they could eat the bear the nodded,

"Hell yeah but you got to carry the dude. I am sure with some work I can fully tear into the beast. Unlike you, my swords are actually pretty strong. Still, that bear was really powerful. It does not bode well for us if it took that much to beat one single bear. It also doesn't help none of us know how to cook that well."

Pablo would grab the bear lifting it onto his shoulders. "Let's find a spot to camp it up and cook up a meal for all three of us."

A few hours later

The trio had concocted a bonfire near the ship, and Pablo had managed to dice up the bear into large pieces of steak. Howell had been manning the fire, cooking the steaks on a large wooden spear, sharpened at its edges. Lysander had finally recovered from their last fight. He woke up right next to the fire, still a distance away to be safe. The warmth soothed him as he opened his tired eyes, "What happened?"

"We found a spot for us to rest and relax." Pablo explained to Lysander. "We got a fire set up and now we are cooking it up that bear. Not really sure if we can actually make something good to eat. Not really that good of a cook. We've not run into more of those bears. Have seen a few animals who are larger then most, seem tougher too not that I been fighting them. Whatever island this is, it is dangerous. Guess that what we should expect for the Grandline."

"I don't know if this being the first island we run into in the Grandline makes us lucky or not." Howell scoffed as he picked up a piece of steak and offered it to Lysander. "We should probably eat this quick; we don't want the smell to attract more bears." Howell grabbed the wooden spear carrying the steaks and passed them to Pablo. "We should probably look for a town or something in the morning because we need supplies to fix the ship." Howell continued, unsheathing his sword and meticulously examining it by running his fingernail along the blade. "I still can't believe that bear chipped my sword." Howell's voice was filled with frustration.

Lysander would take the steak from Howell and begin to take a bite, "mmmm! This is way better than I thought!" He said smiling with his cheeks full of food.

"But you are right... We should rest up and go deeper into the island tomorrow. It's probably way too dangerous to travel at night here, If running into the massive bear during the day is normal, I don't want to know what creatures come at night."

Lysander would then launch himself onto his feet, doing a slight jumping motion, limbering his body up. "This fruit does a number to my body aha," he said stretching his legs out from side to side. "But I think I'm getting the hang of it though. Next time passing out won't be an option it seems on this island its life or death."

"Yah a town for sure. I mean after that we can split our ways." Pablo explained. "I got to Paradise, that why I went on the damn boat. But we should stick together until we have no more reason to stay together." Pablo stared off into the distance thinking that one of those bears was gonna come rushing out ready to tear them apart. If they did, then they would instead find themselves ripped to shreds by his power, he was sure of it. Once he understood how tough the bears were, he could adjust his attacks to harm them.

Pablo began to tear into his stakes as Lysander seemed to be waking up. The fruit's after-effects seemed to have worn off

Yeah next time don't pass out. You can't be a captain in this place if you're that weak." Pablo said as he ate. Those blows he threw out had been powerful but he was a rookie with his fruit.

"How long have you had that power? Seems you're, not an expert at using it without you know? Killing yourself. Not a great power if you die killing the enemy. You're trying to survive these seas not take a damn bite." He spat out some meat while he was trying to eat and talk at once.

"Damn it that food is so good why do I gotta waste it!"

Lysander listened to the words from Pablo, it was true. He had to get stronger to rule in these seas, becoming a Yonko wouldn't come easy. In fact, It wouldn't come at all to the weak, that's how the game went, the strongest survives while the weak submit. All participate in one big game of prey vs predator.

Resonating with the words of wisdom, he balled up his fist in his lap, squeezing them ever so slightly due to his irritation.

"Am I too weak"

"I need to become strong"

These thoughts ran circles in his mind, festering over and over again. With every thought his anger swelled in his body. As he sat on the ground the grassy plot around him began to dance. Slight bursts of air shot out of Lysander until it was a consistent stream of air pouring out of him. In the midst of his anger, Lysander would then jump doing multiple back flips, landing onto the edge of the boat. His anger was turned to determination as a huge grin began to grow on his face.

"I'M GOING TO BECOME THE STRONGEST THERE IS ALRIGHT! IF THAT MEANS FIGHTING 100 BEARS, BEATING THE SHICHIBUKAI, EVEN BECOMING A YONKO! I WILL BECOME STRONG AND I WILL BECOME A NOTORIOUS PIRATE OF THE SEA!"

He shouted that into the dense forest ahead, it was so loud that the birds in some of the trees again. It was also getting very dark, so anything in those woods that was near would have heard that.