CH-3: Acquring a Devil Fruit

As per its usual schedule, the merchant ship arrived at our island. It was a rare event, and I took the opportunity to explore the ship and see the different goods it carried.

I snuck aboard and started to explore. The upper deck was filled with bustling activity as sailors loaded and unloaded crates, barrels, and various goods. Exotic spices, silks, and trinkets from far-off lands filled the air with an enticing blend of scents and sights.

Curiosity led me to the lower deck, where the air was cooler and the light dimmer. As I wandered through the narrow passageways lined with storage compartments, something unusual caught my eye—a strange-looking fruit in one of the baskets. It was unlike anything I had ever seen: pear-shaped, white with intricate red swirls covering its surface. I felt a strange pull towards it, an intuition telling me this was no ordinary fruit.

"This must be a Devil Fruit," I whispered to myself, recalling the design and description from my past life's knowledge. These fruits were legendary, known to grant extraordinary powers to those who consumed them, at the cost of never being able to swim again.

The idea of gaining such power was tempting, and I knew that if I took it, I would have an edge in this world. But I also knew it was a huge risk, not knowing which power I could get. After all not every Devil fruit power was a cool one.

I dreaded at the thought of getting something useless like the Jacket Jacket fruit or the Caterpillar Zoan.

But then I remembered that there are no bad Devil Fruits only bad users who lack imagination.

I carefully picked up the fruit, feeling its strange texture in my hands, and decided to take it back with me. Slipping it under my shirt, I made my way back off the ship, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement.

Back at our hut, I showed the fruit to Kosuke. "This is a Devil Fruit," I whispered. "If I eat it, I'll gain some kind of power. I won't know which one unless I eat it."

Kosuke looked at me, concern etched on his face. "Are you sure about this, Dante? How do you know it's not just a weird-looking fruit?"

"I read about it in a book," I said, hoping my explanation would be convincing. "It fits the description perfectly. And don't worry, Kosuke. I've always been tough. The only downside is that I won't be able to swim anymore, so I'll need your help in that regard."

Kosuke's eyes showed a mixture of worry and trust. "Alright, Dante. If you think this is the right thing to do, I'll support you."

Taking a deep breath, I brought the fruit to my mouth and took a bite. The taste was worse than anything I had ever imagined—bitter, sour, and utterly revolting. But I forced myself to swallow. Almost immediately, a strange sensation coursed through my body, making me feel both powerful and slightly nauseous.

I had no idea what power I had gained, but I was determined to find out.

Over the next few days, I messed around with my new powers, trying to figure out what I could do. To my surprise, I discovered I'd eaten a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that let me control bones.

It was wild. I could feel every molecule of my skeleton and with just a thought, I could manipulate it however I wanted.

First, I tried to make my bones stronger. I started with my knuckles, making the bones denser. It took a lot of concentration and drained a ton of my stamina, but I managed to strengthen the knuckle on my pinky finger. I picked the pinky because, well, it's the weakest part of the first to begin with.

Encouraged, I tried more things. I found a dead rabbit one day and decided to try manipulating its bones. To my surprise, I could control them too, which added a pretty creepy but cool weapon to my arsenal.

Then I tried pushing my bones through my skin to make them stick out. It looked gnarly, but it didn't hurt at all. Watching my bones come out and then retract was surreal.

I even figured out I could pull my bones out of my body without any pain. They'd grow back almost instantly, which was amazing but exhausting. Pulling out just a small finger bone left me panting like a dog for an hour.

These experiments were intense, but each one showed me more of what I could do. The possibilities seemed endless, and I couldn't wait to keep exploring them.

For the next six months, our training ramped up and became the backbone of our daily grind. I dove headfirst into mastering my Devil Fruit powers, pushing the boundaries of what I could do while also working on my physical fitness to counter the stamina drain from using my abilities.

I kept a journal, scribbling down every crazy idea that popped into my head about my fruit. The possibilities seemed endless, and each new idea made me more excited.

One of my wildest ideas was to build a ship partially made from Sea King bones, which I could manipulate to make our vessel move and turn faster. I thought about changing my skeletal structure, even my face shape, for perfect disguises or crafting the perfect face.

I pictured growing claws out of my knuckles like Wolverine or whipping out a bone hook like Scorpion from Mortal Kombat. Then there was the idea of creating a menacing bone armor, both intimidating and effective in battle.

The brainstorm didn't stop there. I thought about shooting bone projectiles, making bone shields, creating bone wings for short flights, and even forming bone spikes from the ground to trap enemies. The ideas kept coming, and I felt more and more pumped as I jotted them down.

Each idea filled me with more excitement. I felt like I was just scratching the surface of what my powers could do, and I was determined to explore every possibility.

Meanwhile, Kosuke honed his own skills, perfecting his aim with a slingshot and developing his agility and stealth.

We spent countless hours in the forest, hunting for game and fishing in the nearby streams. Our teamwork became seamless, each of us knowing instinctively what the other would do next. Kosuke, ever the protective older brother, watched over me with a fierce loyalty. Though he was only two years older, he acted like a guardian.

Our hunts were successful, bringing in a steady supply of pelts and meat, which we sold in the village for money. The villagers also appreciated our efforts.

Kosuke primarily used his slingshot, expertly targeting birds and hares. His precision was remarkable; a single shot would often bring down a bird in mid-flight or a hare dashing through the underbrush.

I, on the other hand, relied on traps I set and the bone dagger I had crafted myself. This dagger, formed from the bones I could manipulate, was incredibly sharp and durable, a testament to the power of my Devil Fruit.

Our bond deepened as we navigated the challenges of our training and daily life. We spent evenings by the fire, with me sharing stories and planning our future.

Kosuke's protectiveness and my determination made us an unstoppable duo. We learned from each other, pushing one another to improve and grow.

By the time I turned nine and Kosuke eleven, we had become a formidable team. Our skills complemented each other perfectly. In addition to his hunting prowess, Kosuke had become adept at hand-to-hand combat, using his agility and speed to his advantage.

I, meanwhile, had developed a range of techniques with my bone manipulation, from creating small bone shields to forming small weapons on the fly.

We often ventured deeper into the forest, taking on larger and more dangerous prey. The money we earned from selling pelts and meat allowed us to buy better equipment and supplies, further enhancing our abilities. Our reputation grew in the village; people began to recognize us as skilled hunters and dependable young men.

Despite our growing prowess, we never lost sight of our ultimate goal: to leave the island and explore the world beyond. Each day brought us closer to that dream, and our confidence grew with every successful hunt and every new skill mastered.

The bond between us was unbreakable. Kosuke was not just my best friend; he was my brother in every sense that mattered.

One evening, after a successful hunt, we sat by the fire, roasting our catch. Kosuke looked at me with a determined glint in his eyes. "Dante, I've been thinking. We've been through a lot together, and I've seen how much you've changed since your fever. You've got this fire in you, this drive. It's inspiring."

I looked at him, surprised. "Kosuke, I... I don't know what to say. Are you confessing your undying love for me?"

He chuckled, his voice steady and sincere. "Well, don't get too excited. I just want you to know that no matter what happens, I'm with you. I believe in you and your dreams."

Feeling grateful for Kosuke's unwavering support, I reflected on how much he meant to me as we sat there in the warmth of the firelight. His words had solidified the bond we shared, making me realize just how lucky I was to have him by my side.

"You know, Kosuke," I said, poking at the fire with a stick, "I really appreciate you too. You're like the brother I never had... or wanted, but here we are."

Kosuke laughed, tossing a twig into the flames. "Glad to know I'm such a welcome addition to your life, Dante. And just so you know, I feel the same. Like, if I ever needed someone to take the blame for something, you'd be my first choice."

I grinned. "As long as you remember that when it's time to do the dishes."

He gave a mock salute. "Deal. But only if you promise to stop snoring like a dying sea lion."

We both laughed, the warmth of the fire and our friendship making the night feel a little less daunting.

As a token of my appreciation, I decided I wanted to do something special for him. I knew his birthday was coming up, and I had the perfect idea: a pair of guns. It was the least I could do for someone who had stood by me through everything, sharing in my dreams and my journey. It was a small gesture, but I hoped it would show him just how much his friendship meant to me.

__________________________________

Our routine continued as we trained, hunted, and saved money. I also took the time to learn how to cook from the village chef and how to butcher animals from the local hunters. Kosuke helped gather herbs and salt, making our meals more flavorful.

Two years passed in this manner. By the time I was eleven and Kosuke thirteen, we had become proficient hunters and skilled fighters. Kosuke could now accurately fire his flintlocks within two inches of his intended target from a distance of about 40 meters.

And I was successful in pulling off some of my ideas. It took a long time, but I finally managed to strengthen most parts of my skeletal structure. It made me heavier, sure, but it also gave me a lot more confidence. I could feel the difference in every step I took, like my bones were made of steel.

One of my proudest moments was forming bone claws from my knuckles. I spent countless hours messing around with the sensations in my hands, trying to extend the bone just right. When I finally got it, sharp, durable claws popped out of my knuckles like something straight out of a comic book. I couldn't help but grin like an idiot the first time I saw them glinting in the light.

With each successful experiment, I felt more in sync with my powers, like I was uncovering a hidden part of myself. Those bone claws became a badge of honor for me. They were sharp, deadly, and totally badass.

With our newfound skills and confidence, we decided it was time to leave our small island and explore the world beyond.

I had tied my hair into a ponytail, because I liked my luscious mane, while Kosuke kept his hair short for practicality.

As we prepared for our journey, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation