29 A Devil Fruit

"I will honor our agreement…" Gin said, wiping the blood from his face.

"You dare to betray me, GIN?!!" Don Krieg exclaimed in anger while glaring at Gin. The latter stayed calm before he responded to that.

"A man's word is his bond, and breaking it is a sign of weakness and dishonesty" Gin stated, his words seem to pierce Krieg's chest and the two didn't spoke any further.

"Well said Gin, so what's it gonna be, Don Krieg?" Kai asked with a grin. Don Krieg's reply was gonna decide his fate, whether he's gonna live or die.

Krieg slowly got on his feet and observed Kai for a moment before he clenched his fists and turned the other way around "I'll go with it for now, but if you dare to show weakness in my presence, I will slit you throat even if it means doing it in your sleep, do you understand?"

"As a captain, that's a requirement" Kai said before he turned back and approached Kid and Killer "What do you think about the two?"

"I like the Gin guy, he seems alright" Killer said.

"Since you think they are worthy to join the crew then I have no problem with it, but if they try any funny business, I will personally put them back in line" Kid declared.

"I'm sure you will"

"Captain! A storm is coming!" Heat informed. Killer immediately moved to the helm upon hearing that.

"A storm you say?…" Kai looked at the sky to see a sudden dramatic shift in the weather unfolded before their eyes. Dark menacing clouds swirled overhead, blotting out the sun and casting an ominous shadow upon the ship.

"Killer! Steer the ship away from it!" Kid ordered "We can always get back on track following the Log Pose!"

"Right away!" Killer said, and then turned the ship the other direction in an attempt to escape the incoming storm but unfortunately the weather changed in mere seconds.

"Brace yourselves!!"

With an abrupt shift, the weather transformed into a tempest of furious proportions. Torrential rain lashed against the deck, drenching the crew to the bone. Waves rose like towering behemoths, crashing against the ship's hull with thunderous force. Lightning cracked through the sky, illuminating the chaos in blinding flashes.

The crew struggled to maintain their footing as the vessel was tossed about like a fragile toy in the grasp of the raging sea. Each cresting wave threatened to swallow them whole, while the merciless wind threatened to tear their sails to shreds.

The ship groaned under the strain, creaking and protesting against the onslaught. Killer fought valiantly to steer a steady course.

"Hang on tightly! if you fall into the sea, you're dead!" Kai warned the crew while standing near the ship's prow.

The storm continued for what it felt like hours, before it began to subside, the winds gradually calming and the waves receding. Thankfully the ship was very sturdy and was able to survive.

As the sun dipped towards the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the endless sea, the Victoria Punk sailed steadily through the calm waters. The sight of a serene island in the distance was a welcome sight.

"Phew! That was close"

"That doesn't seem like our destination, we would need another day before we reach Kyuka Island…" Heat stated while holding a map "…we got out of our path, this is most likely some random island"

The entire crew gathered on the deck, their curiosity piqued by the untouched island. "Hey, what do you guys think about taking a break on that island for a couple of days?" Killer who was steering the ship proposed, looking around at his fellow crewmates.

"We could still sail to our destination if we wish so" Heat stated.

Kai's lips curled into a grin, his usual defiance softened by the setting sun "A break sounds good. We could all use some fresh air and a change of scenery"

Kid nodded in agreement "Exploring a random island might turn up something interesting"

Wire chimed in, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "And maybe we can find something good to cook, I'm tired of eating fish almost every day! "

Bonney added with a chuckle, "Not to mention, a little break from the constant rocking of the ship could do wonders."

Kai pushed himself away from the railing "Alright then. Let's drop anchor and enjoy a little break"

With their decision made, the crew worked together to anchor the ship near the shore of the island. Once the ship was secure, Kai wasted no time in grabbing a bag and heading towards the gangplank "I'm going ashore for a bit, guys" he called to his crewmembers.

"Okay, I'll stay back and look after the ship" Killer responded.

"Keep your eyes on Krieg as well"

"Don't worry, I'm not gonna steal your shitty ship" Krieg calmly responded to Kai's words with arrogance. He was chilling on the ship's deck beside Gin.

"This fucker is calling" Kid was going to beat him up before Kai stopped him.

"Give him some time, he'll come around" Kai said.

"Rest assured Captain Kai, Captain Kid, I'll make sure he doesn't go back on his words" Gin informed them.

"Alright then"

"I'm gonna have a nap for a little bit…don't bother me" Kid said, then he made his way inside the Captain's Cabin.

Bonney, who had been sunbathing on the deck, sat up and stretched. "Mind some company?"

Kai grinned "Sure thing. The more, the merrier"

As the two of them stepped onto the sandy shore, Bonney stretched her arms overhead "This island seems pretty peaceful. No signs of danger"

Kai nodded in agreement "Yeah, I don't sense any immediate threats. Just the sound of the waves and the wind"

As the sun cast elongated shadows across the beach, Kai and Bonney decided to venture deeper into the island's unexplored heart, drawn by the allure of the lush forest that beckoned beyond the sandy shoreline. Their footsteps were quiet against the carpet of leaves as they delved into the verdant expanse.

The forest seemed to have a life of its own, with the rustling of leaves and the occasional trill of birds filling the air. Kai's senses were alert, his eyes darting around as they walked.

"This place is incredible," she mused, her gaze shifting from the towering trees to the vibrant flora around them.

Kai nodded in agreement "Just stay cautious. You never know what surprises nature might have in store."

As they continued to explore, the canopy above cast dappled sunlight that painted playful patterns on the forest floor. But their tranquility was soon interrupted by a sudden, thunderous crashing sound. Instinctively, both of them leaped aside just in time to avoid the massive form of a snow-white elephant that emerged from the underbrush.

The elephant's eyes blazed with an almost unnatural intensity as it charged at them. Kai's brows furrowed, his body tensing as he stepped forward to meet the unexpected threat. "Hold on, Bonney!"

Dodging the elephant's initial charge, the two pirates exchanged quick glances before launching into action. Kai's hammer swung with calculated precision, aiming to strike at the elephant's legs and bring it down. Yet, the massive creature moved with surprising agility, evading the attack and retaliating with a powerful sweep of its trunk.

As the elephant's trunk swung toward him, Kai leaped into the air, narrowly avoiding the strike. Landing a few paces away, he turned his attention back to the creature. His expression shifted from surprise to seriousness as he eyed the creature's enormous form. "Alright then, let's see what you've got."

Charging forward, Kai met the elephant head-on, his hammer clashing against the creature's tusks with a deafening impact. The force of their collision sent shockwaves rippling through the surrounding foliage. With a fierce roar, Kai pressed forward, his muscles straining against the elephant's strength.

Seizing an opportunity, he delivered a devastating blow to the elephant's stomach. The creature stumbled backward, its eyes clouding over before it collapsed onto the forest floor, motionless. Both Kai and Bonney exchanged astonished glances at the unexpected turn of events.

Their curiosity was further piqued when the elephant expelled a strange object from its mouth—a container of sorts, adorned with intricate engravings. Kai's curiosity got the better of him as he moved to open it, revealing a…

"…Devil Fruit?!!"

Bonney's eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise. "A Devil Fruit?! Aren't they supposed to be rare, what was it doing inside an animal?!"

Kai's gaze remained fixed on the unique fruit, his mind racing as he picked up the fruit and started examining it. It takes the appearance of a clustered set of light blue spheres with a white vine wrapped around them up to the stem, resembling a swirling gust. Each sphere has a small, jagged offshoot, akin to a bolt of lightning protruding from it, as well as the typical swirl pattern seen on all Devil Fruits.

"It's our lucky day…what are the odds of something like this happening? I mean they must have been a lot of people who visited this island before us" Bonney remarked while observing it in interest.

"It's strange…what the hell is a devil fruit doing in an elephant stomach?" Too many questions surged into Kai's mind but without an answer 'It could be a similar situation to the Mera Mera no Mi where the elephant ate it by mistake or something, but just like Bonney said what are the odds? Anyway, judging from the symbols and its appearance it could have something to do with electricity or winds or something along those lines, but you'll never know until you eat it' Kai though in his head.

"Are you going to eat it?" Bonney asked, looking intrigued but the whole situation.

"Should I? eating a Devil Fruit is always a gamble, you never know if you will get a good or a trash power" Kai stated, while carefully thinking about it 'This whole situation seems absurd…they say Zoan type fruits have a will of their own, and if this fruit is actually a Zoan fruit it might have chosen me…or am I just overthinking?' he thought in his head.

"You know what? Devil Fruits are extremely rare, so the fact that we managed to stumble across one we could be considered extremely lucky, something like this might never happen again, so…" Kai said as he got on his feet.

"So?"

"Fuck it! I'm eating it!..." Kai declared and without a hesitation he took a bite from the fruit "*Much*-*Munch*…Blaah!!...this tastes like shit!"

The moment Kai sank his teeth into the devil fruit, the world seemed to shift around him. A deafening roar echoed through the air as the sky cracked open, and strange clouds formed above him unleashing a torrent of blinding lightning bolts that descended from the heavens. The bolts of electricity converged on Kai's position, striking his form with a force that left even the thunderstruck sky in awe.

His body crackled and shimmered with the raw power of lightning. His eyes, usually intense, now glowed with an ethereal light, resembling the very storms that raged above him.

Clouds started forming around him, mostly thunder clouds.

Bonney stood beside him, her breath caught in her throat as she witnessed this awe-inspiring spectacle. The sudden and dramatic transformation left her stunned, unable to tear her gaze away from the phenomenon unfolding before her eyes.

On the Victoria Punk, Killer, Krieg, Gin, Heat, and Wire exchanged wide-eyed glances as the horizon was set ablaze by the lightning display. Kid, who had been roused from his slumber by the deafening noise, emerged from his cabin, his curiosity piqued by the commotion.

"What the hell was that?!" Kid asked as he emerged from the Captain's Cabin.

"Lightning suddenly struck the island out of nowhere" Killer said.

As lightning crackled, Kai's grin was a mix of exhilaration and disbelief. He felt the surge of energy coursing through him, his very essence now entwined with the elements themselves. But it wasn't lightning that responded to his call it was the clouds, he could transform, generate and manipulate all types of clouds at will. From beneath his feet, a small cloud formed, and a mighty gust of wind erupted, lifting him off the ground and into the air at a high speed.

Kai soared above the island using his wind cloud. With a quick glance to Bonney, he realized her feet were still on the ground. Without a second thought, he looped back around, effortlessly swooping down and scooping her up into his arms.

"W-What are you doing it?!--KYAAAH!"

*SWOOSH*

Kai carried Bonney back to the Victoria Punk. The crew, now gathered on the deck, stared in astonishment and disbelief as their captain descended from the sky. The ground trembled slightly as Kai gently landed, setting Bonney down beside him.

"What...what just happened?" Bonney stammered, her voice a mix of awe and wonder.

"I think…I just ate a crazy fruit"

[Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Indra, the Rain God]

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Basic info about the fruit:

It's a Human Human Mythical Zoan fruit model Indra, the Rain God. It allows the user to transform, manipulate, and generate clouds at will and manipulate weather in order to generate elements like lightning and wind as well. The user of the fruit is also known as a Cloud Human.

The fruit grants the user a Logia body property.

An awakening comes with a physical transformation and the ability to manipulate environment.