130 Searching for Clues #130

You all probably already know, but I've been juggling two stories for a while now ( the One Piece and Elden Ring fanfics). Well, I'm here to tell you that I'll probably drop one of them by the end of the month since reactions to both stories have been disappointingly overwhelming. Heck, I might even drop them both and start new ones or focus on just one story.

Now, I'm not trying to make demands or hold the stories, hostage, just telling it the way it is. I gotta eat too, you know?

I'm confident my writing is better than 99% of the stories out there. I've also been busting my ass writing 3-4 chapters daily (4500-600k words), which is more than double of what most authors write, but people just aren't as interested in One Piece and Elden Ring as they are in other fandoms.

so yeah, here's your heads up.

Finally, I don't want any dumb-asses crawling from every nook and cranny explaining to me what I should have done differently. I've been writing for years, you're basement-dwelling, dumb asses don't know better than me so shut the fuck up.

And most importantly NO ONE ASKED.

...

Cedric stood on the deck of the Silver Gale, focused on his outstretched palm. Flames danced and flickered at his command, a mesmerizing display of power. He had been experimenting with his devil fruit abilities, delving deeper into the mysteries of his mythical zoan power.

As the fiery constructs took shape under Cedric's control, Chuchun curiously watched from a safe distance. The heat emanating from Cedric's creations made the giant sparrow uncomfortable, but it didn't deter his curiosity.

Undeterred by Chuchun's wariness, Cedric continued his experiments. He molded the flames into various forms, bringing to life a majestic dragon that soared through the air with an intensity that matched the heat of the blaze.

Next, a mermaid emerged from the inferno, its fiery tail glimmering with ethereal beauty. Cedric's control over the flames was precise as he crafted a delicate butterfly that fluttered gracefully before dissipating into embers.

Amidst the spectacle, Den, ever observant, approached Cedric with a raised eyebrow. "What exactly are you doing, Cedric?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Cedric turned to face Den, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Just experimenting with my devil fruit powers, Den," he replied. "I'm exploring the full extent of what I can do with fire."

Den glanced at the fiery constructs still lingering in the air. "But why? Your devil fruit power is already formidable. And I don't think you lack control. I've seen it in action."

Cedric's smile faded as he pondered Den's question. "That's true, Den. My devil fruit is undoubtedly powerful, and I'm well on my way to mastering it, but there's something peculiar about it."

Den furrowed his brow, his interest piqued. "Peculiar? What do you mean, Cedric?"

Cedric took a moment to collect his thoughts before continuing. "Well, you see, Den, there aren't many known mythical zoan devil fruits. The ones that exist are often creatures deeply rooted in folklore and legends. The phoenix, the dragon, and even Orochi, for example...."

Den nodded, understanding Cedric's point. "I see. So, what makes your devil fruit power peculiar?"

Cedric's expression grew more serious as he tried to explain. "I've done some research, Den. More like someone did it for me, but I've never heard mention of a giant ape capable of manipulating flames."

Den's eyes widened in realization. "So, you're saying that your devil fruit power might be entirely new and undiscovered?"

Cedric nodded, a mixture of excitement and uncertainty in his eyes. "That's what I thought as well. But the more I think about it, the more it feels odd. I'm beginning to think that might not be necessarily true..."

Den's gaze shifted to the dissipating flames around them, his eyes widening. "A giant ape... I don't think I've heard something like that, either. But what does it mean for you?"

Cedric's face broke into a wide grin, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "It could mean anything... it could mean nothing, and it could mean that I might not be utilizing my devil fruit to full use..."

"In the end, I'll just have to keep training and experimenting until I figure out which is which..." Cedric concluded.

Den nodded with a smile. "Well, I'm sure you'll figure it out sooner or later, so I'll leave you to it..."

As Cedric shifted his attention to his experiments, his fiery constructs taking new forms, he couldn't curb his enthusiasm. His journey was only beginning, and the mysteries of his unique devil fruit power awaited him like an untamed flame ready to be unleashed upon the world.

Whether he'll find what he seeks or not. And whether he would be satisfied or disappointed by what he may stumble upon, that's for the future.

...

Kieran crouched behind a stack of crates, focused on the bustling scene before him. Galley-la Company's dry docks were a hive of activity, with shipwrights meticulously working on various vessels. Kieran observed their movements, gauging their strength and skill. The shipwrights moved with purpose, their movements fluid and precise, a testament to their expertise.

As he continued his surveillance, Kieran's attention shifted toward Galley-la Company's headquarters. The building stood tall and imposing, symbolizing the company's reputation as the finest shipwright in Water Seven. Kieran's gaze settled on a figure emerging from the entrance, catching his interest. It was Khalifa, Iceberg's secretary.

Cedric had already briefed Kieran about Galley-la Company's most vital employees, and his instincts told him to keep a close eye on Khalifa. If someone were to monitor Iceberg and his business, then playing the role of Icberg's personal assistant, like Khalifa's, would provide the most accessible opportunities for gathering sensitive information.

He watched as Khalifa conversed with a few other employees before disappearing back into the building. Kieran noted the graceful way she carried herself, her silent, deliberate steps, and how she moved. She seemed more like an assassin, much like himself, rather than an office clerk.

As the day wore on and evening descended, Kieran knew it was time to make his move. He signaled Baby Five to wait for him outside, instructing her to keep a lookout and ensure they were not interrupted.

Drawing upon his shade devil fruit powers, Kieran melded into the shadows, becoming one with the darkness. Silently, he slipped into Galley-la Company's headquarters through a cracked window, moving with stealth and precision.

Inside Iceberg's office, Kieran's eyes fell upon the large mahogany desk, a treasure trove of information sitting there for the taking. He approached it with caution, careful not to disturb anything unnecessarily. With a quick glance around to confirm his solitude, he began inspecting the employee records.

His focus shifted to the records from the year Khalifa joined the company. His nimble fingers traced the names and positions of the shipwrights and employees who joined the company during that time. Kieran meticulously eliminated the locals of Water Seven, reasoning that their loyalty and connection to the island made them less likely to be involved in any suspicious activities.

Besides that, it was even less unlikely for the CP9 agents to be locals since Khalifa herself was an outsider.

After eliminating the local hires, Kieran's narrowed his list of potential accomplices down to three names. The two shipwrights, Rob Lucci and Kaku stood out due to their skills and access to sensitive information. But there was also another individual—someone who caught Kieran's attention despite his role not granting him direct access to Iceberg or classified data.

It was a man who often worked on the sea train rails, ensuring their maintenance and smooth operation. Kieran contemplated his inclusion on the list but ultimately dismissed him as a potential accomplice. The nature of his job limited his access to Iceberg and any vital information that might CP9 agents in their mission.

With his investigation complete, Kieran emerged from the shadows, his mind racing with the information he had gathered. He swiftly rejoined Baby Five outside, his expression focused and determined.

"Baby Five," Kieran said, his voice low and calm. "We have narrowed down our list of suspects. The main individuals we need to keep an eye on are Khalifa, Iceberg's secretary, and the shipwrights, Rob Lucci and Kaku..."

"I'll stay here and keep an eye out, but I need you to go and take our findings to the captain..." He concluded, trailing at the end of his sentence.

Baby Five's eyes widened with excitement as she realized the importance of the task assigned to her. She was thrilled at being needed and agreed without hesitation. "Absolutely! I'll return to the ship and report our findings to Cedric. You can count on me!"

Kieran watched as Baby Five hurriedly skipped toward the ship, her jubilant demeanor causing a few passersby to give her curious glances. He couldn't help but sigh and shake his head at the sight.

Once Baby Five was out of sight, Kieran's expression turned more serious. He muttered to himself, his words barely audible. "Let's see if this half-assed job of mine will get a rise out of our captain..." He had intentionally left some loose ends in his investigation, hoping to elicit a specific reaction from Cedric.

While he didn't know Cedric for long, Kieran had already realized that Cedric wouldn't go with the flow when it mattered. He had heard stories about how Cedric single-handedly destroyed the human auctioning house and eliminated the kidnappers in Sabaody Archipelago. Cedric was a man of action and not one who wouldn't simply sit back and let others do all the work unless he had something planned.

Kieran suspected that Cedric was hiding something, something crucial to their mission. By presenting incomplete information and leaving Cedric with unanswered questions, Kieran hoped to provoke a response that would shed light on the hidden aspects of their assignment.

That said, Kieran didn't really care or mind that Cedric was withholding information. He was used to following orders and being kept in the dark. Still, it was an opportunity to get to know his captain better and maybe get closer to getting the answers he sought, but that's neither here nor there.

...

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