One Piece: Rising to Power as a Warlord of the Sea

Somewhere in the New World, deep within a shadowy and eerie sea, a massive pirate ship as large as an island loomed. Inside, a furious voice echoed.

"Natsu! I will have my revenge!" Moria roared, tearing a newspaper to shreds. His gaze then shifted to rows of lifeless bodies lined up before him, a sinister smile creeping across his face. Once, these were famed warriors; now, they were but trophies in Moria's macabre collection.

Moria firmly believed that with enough powerful corpses, he could forge an invincible shadow army.

In the Kingdom of Alabasta, amidst endless desert sands, Crocodile stood with a cigar in his mouth, reading the same newspaper. His face darkened as he saw Natsu's smug grin printed across it. That man had upended his plans, forcing him to adjust his strategies. Otherwise, Crocodile would have soon unveiled himself as the hero who saved Alabasta and uncovered the secrets of Pluton.

"Robin, let's move. On to the next location," Crocodile muttered, glancing at Nico Robin.

At this point, Robin had just struck a deal with Crocodile, joining Baroque Works. Her sun-kissed skin was a testament to her years on the run, constantly fleeing as the sole survivor of Ohara. Few dared offer her refuge, save for an ambitious schemer like Crocodile.

Meanwhile, aboard the Smiling Pirate Ship, Natsu was deep in thought, examining the latest updates in the system's store.

"System, are all these store items under your control?" Natsu asked skeptically.

"Ding! Absolutely not. This system operates with complete fairness and transparency."

"Yeah, right. You expect me to believe that? I just got the Shichibukai title, and now the store suddenly updates with a building like the Jade Pavilion?" Natsu couldn't help but grumble as he noticed the staggering price of 5 billion berries for the custom Jade Pavilion. He began to suspect the system was some kind of predatory cash-grab.

"I swear, I'd ratheer sleep on the streets than spend a single berry on that overpriced thing. Not even if Jesus himself told me otherwise."

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully purchasing the Custom Jade Pavilion. Please select an ideal construction location."

"Well... for the sake of the crew, I guess I'll make an exception," Natsu sighed. Starting from scratch would take too long, and patience was not his strong suit.

After spending an hour customizing the Jade Pavilion's defenses, interiors, attack systems, self-destruct mechanisms, training grounds, and living quarters, Natsu placed the structure in mid-air above the chaotic sea.

"Alright, team, let's check out our new home. Smiling Ship, activate aerial mode!"

"Enel, power us up!"

Enel, begrudgingly acting as the ship's power source, gave Natsu a sullen glare before reluctantly charging the ship with his Rumble-Rumble Fruit powers. The Smiling Ship glowed faintly as it ascended, eventually hovering 3,000 meters above sea level. Before them stood an enormous floating complex, its vibrant red exterior radiating in the sunlight—a sight as majestic as it was imposing.

"Wow, Boss, is this where we'll live from now on?" Kumo exclaimed, twirling around in excitement. Like a child in a candy store, Kumo darted from one spot to another, inspecting every nook and cranny with glee.

"Yup. What do you think? Do you guys like it?" Natsu asked.

"Love it!" the crew responded in unison.

The environment was perfect. Beyond the array of elaborate structures, the central platform featured a large pool surrounded by verdant mountains and shimmering water. Within the pool swam vibrant, exotic fish.

Lush bamboo groves flanked one side of the Jade Pavilion, with a serene tea house nestled in their shade. It was, in every sense, an idyllic paradise.

The Smiling Pirates felt an immediate attachment to their new home.

Over the next week, the crew adapted to their new surroundings. Even, Ryuji the serpentine beast, was tossed into the sea by Natsu to grow stronger by hunting fish. In just a week, it had grown to an astonishing 100 meters, its power becoming more evident by the day.

Natsu also installed two teleportation anchors: one in the central plaza of the Jade Pavilion, accessible to all crew members, and another on a nearby island below, designated for regular pirates who pledged loyalty to their cause.

With his status as a newly minted Shichibukai, Natsu had secured not just a base but a foothold to grow his influence. He planned to recruit and build a formidable force under the Smiling Pirates banner, aiming to establish a power that could shake the world.

Late one night, under a starry sky, Natsu stood atop the Jade Pavilion, gazing at the heavens as the system's interface floated before him.

"System, let's do a little gambling. Start with a 10-draw!"

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on acquiring five Navy Six Techniques Boost Cards."

"Ding! Congratulations on obtaining the Zoan-type Hedgehog Fruit."

"Ding! Congratulations on receiving the Electromagnetic Cannon blueprint."

"Ding! Congratulations on gaining three Skill Boost Cards."

"Again!" Natsu demanded, determined to pull something impressive.

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on unlocking the special skill Enlightenment."

"Ding! You've won 1 million berries x3."

"Ding! Acquired the skill Perfect Aim."

"Ding! Secured 1,000 firearms x5."

"Keep going!" Natsu wasn't satisfied yet.

The system chimed on:

"Ding! You've received three battleships."

"Ding! Ten cannons x5."

"Ding! Matching cannonballs x2."

Frustrated, Natsu muttered, "What's with this terrible luck? Not a single high-tier ability." He sighed, but at least the stockpile would help bolster his military force.

To lead this army, Natsu already had someone in mind. Gin's composed and disciplined nature made him the perfect candidate for managing the crew's burgeoning forces, contrasting with Enel's carefree demeanor.

Three days later, Natsu entrusted Gin, Hiro, Karina, and Nofei to oversee recruitment efforts while he and the rest of the crew set sail once more.

Their next destination? The territory of the Four Emperors.

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