One Piece Solar Rift Conqueror!

Chapter 25: The Rust and the Void (Updated)

Solian stood on the beach of a small, barren island. The sun was setting on the horizon, casting the sea in a warm orange glow. He had heard rumors of some bounty hunters in the area—two very intriguing ones. Ezra Lorne, the "Rusty Hammer," and Kael Graves, a man whose existence was as mysterious as the void. They reportedly had 20 million-bounty berries and 15 million-bounty berries, respectively, and they seemed to be the type of talent that would complement Solian's growing crew.

He wasn't looking for just anyone to be allies. He needed people who would push him to his limits, someone who would be useful on the battlefield and help him become stronger. A faint smile appeared on his face as he weighed his options.

Before heading out to the island to recruit them, though, Solian had visited a Marine base along the coast. After a brief but intense skirmish with the Marines based there, he had left with 30 million berries in his pocket-money that would be useful towards getting a decent ship for his crew. The base hadn't been expecting to be raided by a soon-to-be-great bounty hunter, and Solian had capitalized on their surprise in order to build up the money. Having now a small fortune in his pocket, he would at last be able to buy an adequate, reliable ship for the crew.

Walking towards a little makeshift camp on the island, Solian saw two men. One was an imposing man with a rugged appearance, with keen and hard eyes. He wore clothes covered with patches and literally threadbare due to all the traveling he had done. That was Ezra Lorne, the "Rusty Hammer."

The other man, Kael Graves, was slightly behind Ezra. He was unnaturally quiet, a chilly presence that sent Solian's nerves on edge. His black coat billowed behind him, and his eyes were hidden by the brim of his hood. Kael's bounty was lower, but his abilities seemed far more mysterious.

Ezra smiled as he saw Solian coming. "You're the Solar Rift Conqueror, eh? I gotta say, the tales don't do you justice. But let's find out if you can live up to the legend."

Solian did not even blink. "I'm not here to talk. I want you two to be part of my crew."

Ezra laughed boisterously, and his laughter filled the air. "Be part of your crew? Kid, what do you think you can command us?

Kael said nothing, watching, as if waiting for something to happen.

Solian crossed his arms and scowled at Ezra. "You're both talented. But you're lost. You have no purpose. I'm building something greater than any bounty. You'll be part of it."

Ezra narrowed his eyes, a flash of defiance in them. "Let's see you attempt it, then. If you can't hold our pace, there's no way we're joining you."

Solian didn't hesitate. "Fine. Let's see if you're worth my time."

Ezra immediately swung a heavy fist toward Solian, and in the blink of an eye, the massive blow was deflected with a simple side-step and a swift slash of flame. Ezra was fast, but Solian's ability to control his flames and teleport made him hard to predict.

Ezra took a step back but then swung again, his aura surrounding him crackling with a rust-like texture. It rusted everything it came into contact with. Solian barely dodged the blow as the attack tore up the ground beneath his feet, leaving a trail of rust in its wake.

"I'll give you that. You're fast," Ezra said with a broader smile. "But you still need to prove yourself. Can you handle this?" Ezra struck the ground, creating shockwaves which rocked the earth under Solian's feet.

Solian grinned back at him, his body burning hotter as his flames burned more fiercely. "I didn't come to play games, but if a fight's what you want—then let's make it interesting."

While the battle was in full swing, Solian warded off Ezra's acidic punches using his fire. The aspect of Solian Ezra liked most, however, was that he could teleport and punch on target. His fire wasn't just killing—it was strategic. Each punch or blow was designed to do something.

Meanwhile, Kael watched the battle with interest. When Ezra fell, Kael stepped in, his own presence commanding respect. His voice was even, though it was charged with gravitas. "Enough, Ezra."

As soon as Kael spoke, Ezra discontinued his attack, gasping but satisfied. Kael looked over toward Solian, noting the spot the young fighter stood in—arrogant, poised, ready for whatever was to come.

"You have a good understanding of what you can do," Kael told her, his voice a faraway whisper during a storm. "But I want to see more. What are you going to do to fight against something like this?"

With that, Kael raised his hand and an unnatural, strange energy filled the air. The space around Solian seemed to buckle immediately, pulling and distorting the light, creating a vacuum in which nothing existed but darkness.

Solian used his flames instinctively to fight the void, his own body burning hotter to cut through the suffocating energy. It wasn't darkness—it was nothing, a hollow that tried to smother everything. He could sense the energy being drained from his body as he fought back.

Solian teleported through the void in an instant, finally landing Kael's side, where distortions were at their thinnest. The blow didn't land with power, but it was enough to make Kael identify him.

"Impeccable," Kael murmured. "You may be worth following."

Ezra walked up to Kael and nodded. "I said I told you so. So, kid, what's it going to be? We join you or what?

Solian grinned, his back finally relaxed. "If you two are in, then we've got a crew to build. We're going to the Grand Line. We're not stopping until we're the strongest. Together."

Laughing, Ezra clapped Kael on the back. "I suppose we're with you, then. We could use the challenge."

Kael's cold gaze softened just slightly as he nodded. "I'll follow you, but don't expect any slack. We're only as strong as our weakest link."

Solian nodded, feeling the weight of their words. This was the beginning of something bigger. He could feel it in his gut.

As the sun finally set below the horizon, the new crew stood before him, ready to depart. With his 30 million berries and a ship now within reach, Solian was halfway to his dreams.

System Notice: New Crew Members Added: Ezra Lorne (Rust-Rust Fruit), Kael Graves (Void-Void Fruit)

Current Bounty: 30 Million Berries

System Points: 15

Ship Purchase Fund: 30 Million Berries