21 Right times to climb to new heights.

The Kingdom of Fosstress, as seen from the castle, was beautiful—a tropical paradise with multiple birds flying in the sky, and trees scattered around. If you paid attention, you could hear its people laughing and dancing with affection, expressing their love for their nation.

Axel stood in the tallest tower, with Ussop taking a break on a beam behind him, while Tashigi practiced with her sword, just as Axel had taught her.

...

Link status.

You saved another realm from endless death. The ancient royal line of the Fosstress Kingdom still lives. You have a powerful ally who doesn't hesitate to help his friends!

You have gained 300 experience points.

You have leveled up.

Your stats increase by 100, and your luck increases by 5.

You saved the Kingdom of Fortress from slavery and misery. You obtained a gold chest and a silver chest.

You defeated a special CP8 agent. Shiny steel chest.

You defeated the pirates, Simon. Shiny steel and metal chests.

You defeated Din, Zabal, and Simurgh in combat. Shiny steel chest.

You opened the gold chest: you obtained Logia of Paper-Paper.

You opened the silver chest: and you obtained Zoan fruit - Mammal form: Monkey-Monkey.

You opened the shiny steel chest twice: willpower enhancement card, intelligence enhancement card.

You opened the metal chest: navigation book in storms.

...

The rewards are clear; Simon should have died. What happened to Simon? I don't know; he's probably dead. He disappeared, taking his paper fire ship with him, leaving his entire crew scattered in the Kingdom of Fosstress at a bad moment. Now, all the members of the Paper Pirates, gathered in the royal palace, have no direction to follow. Their captain abandoned them twice, and their morale is at rock bottom.

-Nothing new has happened. The Marines haven't moved, - Axel asked Gasparade.

-Lord Axel, for the moment, there is no news. Everything is under scrutiny by the World Government's secret agencies. Tomorrow, we will notify the Marines about the pirate Simon and his collusion with the Secretary of State to overthrow the people, - Gasparade said.

-Everything okay with the nobility? The king's previous actions should have generated discontent, - Axel said.

-That's right. It is estimated that only 30% believed Cadmios' justifications mentioned at yesterday's dinner. However, the nobility of the People of the Leaves has clamored for the unjust death of their son, as the king neglected their interests and allowed so many injustices to his loyal servants, - Gasparade said.

-Something is bothering you. What are the reasons for your nervousness? - Axel asked Gasparade.

-You know very well, young Axel, that it was my inability to resist Fellas' spell. I tried to resist with all my strength, but it was all in vain. I allowed great crimes against the civilian population, against my friends and His Majesty. I am weak. There are paper men, fishmen, and your fire companion. What will I do in the next situation? Will I witness the royal family's demise or be able to protect them? - Gaspard said.

-I think you value it a lot. They are a good king, as you make me believe, - Axel said, surprised at Gasparade's dedication to his king, a king he would never abandon.

Gasparade put on a face of indignation, took a deep breath, and said, "It's a royal line worthy of my sacrifice. I would die a thousand times if it were to save a king as pure as him. The problem was my inability to fight against evil."

-You've convinced me. I'll help you become strong, as you express, - Axel said, taking out the Monkey-Monkey Zoan Devil Fruit.

-What is this? - Cadmus asked.

-This is the Devil Fruit that allows you to transform into a monkey. It's a power forgotten by the sea, the power that my companion Deuce possesses, along with the late Fellas. Powers vary, and although I have extensive knowledge, this will help you improve your physical form. But remember to train a lot. Never settle, Gasparde. While you rigorously practice your monkey form, consider it a given that it can increase your power in a short period and protect your king. But never falter. There's always a path to follow, even in the darkest hour. It's when it's easiest to follow, as you only need to cling to a path and pursue your dreams, - Axel said.

Gasparde opened his eyes; Axel's words struck his mind, and he didn't know what to say to Axel, a young man who had saved the kingdom and yet casually gave away something so valuable.

-Are you sure about giving me this Devil Fruit? As far as I know, they are very scarce, young Axel. I'm not sure if I deserve it, - Gasparade said.

-Sure, take it. You will protect Cadmios, someone who will bring a future to this island. I give it to you because I ask you to fulfill your mandate. It's not a gift; it's a responsibility, - Axel said, serious.

-Thank you, -- Gasparde said, kneeling again. -- I will never forget this support. -

Gasparde bit into the Devil Fruit and didn't flinch at the taste.

Now that they have a Zoan user protecting the king, they need to deal with the Simon Pirates. The king informed the Marines that Simon escaped and killed the Secretary of State. But Deuce is a wanted man, and the Simon Pirates can't hide in the royal palace anymore; they need to escape.

For now, only Din, Zabal, and Gad have a bounty of 20 million each. After all, they have traveled through the Grand Line. Their captain, Simon, who is wanted, has a reward of 70 million berries as a very interesting Logia fruit user. They are not common pirates from the East Blue, and that makes the Marines nervous—a Grand Line pirate causing trouble in such a weak sea.

-Well, we have the Simon Pirates, - Axel said.

Din, Zabal, and Niptahl were playing cards at a table. Gad was in a large chair with three dark-skinned women in his arms. They are half-fish Gyojin, part-siren. They have the beauty of a mermaid and the strength of Gyojin; they are fighters with a very bad temper.

-Where are the other two? - Axel asked.

-Halsey and Kimmel decided to take the path of good and enlist under Gasparade's command and the royal force. Zabal has also agreed to pay for his sins and become the palace's doctor, - Din said, pointing to Zabal.

-I see. I'm glad they are helping this kingdom, - Axel said, changing his gaze to seriousness.

-You won't cause any trouble, right? There won't be second chances, - Axel told Zabal.

-No, my fate is not piracy. I'll stay here and live peacefully in my place. My life as a bandit and pirate is over, - Zabal said.

-What about you, Gad? What about you, Din? - Axel asked.

-Gyojin are not welcome in human settlements. I heard that one of my brothers is in East Blue, - Gad said.

-Nooo, if you join that guy, you'll surely regret it, - Axel said.

-Why do you know something? - Gad asked.

-Yes, your good brother won't take long to suffer the consequences of his actions, - Axel said.

Gad's face was serious. There is a general rule among fishermen: there can be no rejection between them; they will always shake hands because the world has already turned its back on them.

-With more intention, I have to go help my brothers, - Gad said in a burst.

-They don't deserve it, Gad. They have enslaved villages, bribed Marines, and become bolder with each passing day. If you allow me, you must know the risk of the Marine's wrath; they won't last with such harmful behavior, - Axel told Gad.

-On the other hand, your reward will only bring you more problems than you already have,- Axel said to Gad.

-tsuk. –

-He's right, Gad. You joined Simon out of fear of being captured and sold, - Din said.

-Don't remind me of that, idiot, - Gad told Din.

-On the other hand, I'm sure you have some plans for us. – Din said.

-That's true. Although your time as a pirate has been short, most of you already have a bounty. I'd like you to join my crew. I need skilled individuals to help me on my adventure. I can't defeat everyone alone. Having nakamas supporting me is a great help, - Axel said.

-What do you say? - Axel asked the room.

-I won't join; I'll stay with Zabal and help protect the shores of this kingdom. Everything ended when Simon fled, - Din said, disheartened by his captain's betrayal.

-I think I'll join. My goal has always been the Grand Line, to find the technological island with the world's greatest technological advancements. It's said that Vegapunk, the smartest man in the world, was cultivated on that island, - Niphtal said.

-Great. Whenever possible, we'll go to seek all the technological advances in these realms, - Axel said.

-How about you, Gad? - the sirens asked by his side.

-Okay, I'll join. To protect these beauties. I hope you don't disappoint me. I'm still angry with that bastard Simon, - Gad said.

-We'll join, - said the three women.

-It's a pleasure to have you join my crew. As the captain of the Blue Pirates, I invite you to a feast, - Axel said, extending his hands.

...

Ding.

Link status.

Final Crew.

Level 3.

(To level up, you need Adam Wood branch, and eleven crew members with intermediate abilities in cooking, medicine, navigation, craftsmanship, carpentry, helmsman, and combat.)

Ussop, Sniper.

Deuce Mask, Fighter – Medic: 14 million berries.

Agatha, Fighter.

Kuro, Fighter – Strategist: 16 million berries.

Tashigi, Swordsman.

Nipthal, Scientist-Archaeologist.

Gad, Fighter - Swimmer: 20 million berries.

Subordinates: Saphir, Rubis, and Emeraude.

Total Bounty: 50 million berries.

All your crew members gain +150 in combat in all their stats. You have unlocked the special ability "Persistence": they have 1 in this ability.

You have achieved an achievement, Unite the Races. You have a Gyojin and three mermaids as your crew members. You have received four bronze chests and three wooden chests. Be careful, the World Government may look for you for crewing with former slaves.

You have obtained a robotics genius. You have received a silver chest.

You are one step closer to your dreams. You have received a bronze chest.

Take advantage of your rewards. Each time you level up, the reward level has more conditions!

You have opened a bronze chest: South Blue History.

You have used four bronze chests on chest pieces +20.

You have used two wooden chests on chest pieces +2.

You have opened a silver chest: You have received a ship turbine.

…

-Well, now that everything is settled. Pack your bags; we leave at dawn. Of course, after the party we'll have on the ship, - Axel said. He checked his stats and sighed. A scientist good in robotics helps us alleviate some problems. We'll see the limits of his abilities.

...

Niphtal: Archaeologist – Scientist.

Physique: 180.

Mind: 650.

Persistence: 1.

Skills:

Robotics: Intermediate Low.

Archaeology: Intermediate.

Gad: Gyojin - Fighter.

Physique: 675

Mind: 203

Persistence: 1.

Skills: Fishman Karate. Basic 70%

Saphir: Half-Gyojin Mermaid - Fighter.

Physique: 290.

Mind: 95.

Persistence: 1.

Skill: Triplet Mind - Stronger when working with her sisters.

Rubis: Half-Gyojin Mermaid - Fighter.

Physique: 290.

Mind: 195.

Persistence: 1.

Skill: Triplet Mind - Stronger when working with her sisters.

Emeraude: Half-Gyojin Mermaid - Fighter.

Physique: 290.

Mind: 195.

Persistence: 1.

Skill: Triplet Mind - Stronger when working with her sisters.

...

-I hope I won't regret having a crew with so many variables, - Axel thought.

Now he knows that Gad and the mermaids are former slaves. This can only cause problems, and the way they handle things from here on out will be crucial.