One Piece Solar Rift Conqueror!

Solian sat on the deck of the merchant ship, watching the waves roll beneath the setting sun. His body still tingled from the changes his system had made. His muscles felt denser, his movements more fluid, and the power of his Devil Fruit was more present than ever—a quiet hum beneath his skin.

Across from him, a group of merchants were gathered around a crate of rum, exchanging stories about the world. This was exactly what he needed. Information.

One of the older merchants, a grizzled man with a thick beard and tired eyes, noticed him listening. "You got the look of someone who's got questions, kid. What's on your mind?"

Solian leaned forward. "I'm new to the seas. I want to know who the real threats are out here."

The man chuckled, taking a swig from his flask. "Then you'd best pray you never cross paths with a man called Elric."

"Elric?" Solian asked.

"Silent Gale Elric," another merchant chimed in. "A bounty hunter. No crew, no flag—just a man who goes where the money takes him. And he's never failed a hunt."

"What's so special about him?"

"He doesn't have a Devil Fruit." The first merchant's voice dropped lower, as if saying it any louder might summon the man himself. "And yet, he takes down Devil Fruit users like it's nothing. Some say he moves faster than the eye can see, others say he strikes before his target even realizes he's there. No one's lived long enough to explain it properly."

A bounty hunter strong enough to take down Devil Fruit users without a Fruit of his own? Solian didn't know if it was just rumors, but the thought unsettled him.

The conversation shifted, and Solian took the chance to ask about something bigger. "What about the real powers of the world? The ones at the top?"

The bearded merchant smirked. "You're talking about the Yonko, aren't you?"

Solian nodded.

"There are four of them. Each one rules a section of the New World, and even the Marines think twice before messing with them."

He raised a finger. "First, there's Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world. They say his Devil Fruit can crack the sea itself, and his crew is big enough to go to war with the Navy if he wanted to."

A second finger. "Then there's Big Mom. She's got an entire kingdom under her rule, and if she wants something, she takes it. Crossing her means death, no exceptions."

A third. "Kaido. Some say he's the strongest creature alive. Man, beast, or demon—whatever he is, he's nearly impossible to kill. He's been planning something big, but no one knows what."

And finally, a fourth. "Red-Haired Shanks. No Devil Fruit, just raw skill and Haki strong enough to make even the toughest pirates back down. He's the most unpredictable of them all."

Solian listened carefully. He already knew all this, but hearing it firsthand made it feel more real. Then the merchant added something that made him pause.

"There's another name people have been whispering about. He's not a Yonko—at least, not yet."

Solian leaned in. "Who?"

The merchant grinned. "Blackbeard."

Solian tensed.

"Right now, he's just another guy on Whitebeard's crew. But word is, he's been waiting for something. Watching. Planning. If that man ever makes a move…" The merchant shook his head. "It won't be small."

Solian stayed quiet, but his mind raced. He knew exactly what Blackbeard was waiting for. The world still saw him as an ordinary crew member, but that wouldn't last. Sooner or later, he would strike.

For the first time, Solian realized something—he had knowledge no one else in this world did.

He could change things. Or at least, be ready.

The thought sent a shiver down his spine.

As if sensing his thoughts, another merchant spoke up. "The Yonko are terrifying, sure. But don't forget about the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

Solian already knew about them, but he remained silent, letting the conversation flow naturally.

The bearded merchant smirked again. "The Warlords are different from the Yonko. They're powerful pirates, but instead of fighting the Marines, they work for them—more or less. It's a deal with the devil, if you ask me."

"Who are they?" Solian asked, playing dumb.

"There are seven of them. First, there's Dracule Mihawk. The strongest swordsman in the world. Even Shanks respects him, and that says a lot."

A second merchant cut in. "Then there's Donquixote Doflamingo. A former Celestial Dragon, believe it or not. He's got connections everywhere and a nasty way of dealing with his enemies. They say he pulls the strings on entire countries."

"Boa Hancock," another merchant added. "The Pirate Empress. Beautiful, but deadly. Her Devil Fruit lets her turn people to stone just by looking at them the wrong way. She's got an entire island of warrior women backing her up."

"Then there's Bartholomew Kuma," the bearded merchant continued. "A mystery wrapped in a man. Some say he used to be a revolutionary. Now he's a government weapon—literally."

"Jinbe," another chimed in. "A fish-man with the strength of a sea king. He fights for his people more than for himself, but he's not someone you want as an enemy."

"Gecko Moria," the first merchant said, his tone shifting. "Used to be a big deal in the New World. Now he hides in the shadows, playing with corpses like some sick puppeteer."

"And lastly," the merchant grinned, "Crocodile. A man who nearly took over an entire kingdom. Controls the sands themselves and has a mind sharper than a blade."

Solian processed all of it. These weren't just names—they were threats, each one capable of causing chaos. The Warlords were supposed to work with the government, but in reality, they only cared about themselves.

The world was full of monsters. And if Solian wanted to survive, he had to become one himself.

With this new knowledge, Solian leaned back, letting the information settle. He was still weak, still at the beginning of his journey, but now he knew the playing field. The question was—how would he move forward?