I'm Not Interested in Devil Fruits

You can read ahead up to 30 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/marvel6395

Robin's half-formed flower clone gestured toward the shrinking red Kuja pirate ship in the distance, now just a speck on the horizon. 

"I got it," Liam said casually, brushing the giant, vibrant feather he was holding against the flower clone's head, messing up its neat bun. The flower clone promptly disintegrated into petals that blew away in the breeze. 

With a powerful leap, Liam propelled himself into the air, his movements causing sharp bursts of sound. Despite his six-foot frame, he moved with the lightness of a feather, quickly closing the gap between himself and the retreating Kuja ship. 

--- 

"Hancock Sama, this island - Treasure Island - is home to a nation that is a non-aligned member of the World Government..." 

The middle-aged Kuja warrior hesitated a bit. 

As pirates, the Kuja thrived on maritime exploits: raids on merchant ships and battles with other pirate crews, all typically fought at sea. 

On islands under the protection of the World Government, bolder pirate crews might dock openly to loot coastal towns before making a quick getaway. More cautious groups will hide their ships along secluded coastlines to avoid attracting the attention of Marine forces. 

Non-aligned kingdoms, however, were prime targets for pirate raids inland. These unprotected regions were often chaotic war zones for pirate skirmishes. 

That said... 

"Treasure Island is quite small, but has a notoriously fierce population. Despite its status as an unaligned kingdom, pirates rarely approach it. Docking there often results in losses that outweigh any potential gains..." 

"Why not take a look?" 

Liam's voice suddenly sounded as he appeared beside them. With the vibrant giant feather in his hand, he playfully gestured to the small island on the map. Grinning, he added, "I could help you. It might not cost you as much as you think. And the reward... could far exceed your expectations." 

The feather's tip grazed the map, pausing over the island's name: 'Torino Kingdom.' 

It was the same island where Chopper, during the "two years apart," was sent by Kuma to refine his medical skills! 

"Liam, the only one who can decide this ship's course is Hancock Sama," The middle-aged warrior said, her tone slightly stern. While Liam was widely adored as the sole man on the Kuja crew, his casual meddling in such decisions was still met with some resistance. Besides, someone as proud as Hancock wouldn't… 

Before she could finish her thought, she turned and saw Hancock pressing the map into her hands. In her usual calm tone, Hancock said, "We'll go to Treasure Island." 

The older warrior's jaw dropped in surprise. "O-okay…" She stammered, taking the map and walking away. 

Hancock watched her head to the ship's bow, where she began instructing the two giant Orochi pulling the ship. As Hancock observed, a strange heat rushed to her face, spreading to her ears, neck, and further downward. Her battle-hardened body, usually so composed, now felt uneasy. 

Turning abruptly, she locked eyes with Liam, who stood with his arms crossed, smirking. 

"Is it really worth being so flustered?" Liam teased, stroking his chin. "I'm not going to laugh at you…" 

'Please. Back in my previous life, the internet exposed me to every bizarre preference imaginable. Hancock's little quirks might be surprising, but they're far from shocking.' 

"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Hancock snapped, the blush on her face seeming to spread to her very eyes. "I'm going to rest now. Don't bother me!" 

With that, she stomped off, her high heels clicking sharply against the deck. 

Scattered across the ship, Kuja warriors kept stealing glances at them. Liam's earlier feat of skywalking back onto the ship had impressed the warriors who had never seen such techniques before. Many found it breathtakingly cool— and undeniably attractive. 

Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged puzzled looks. 'Wasn't elder sister on good terms with Liam? Did they have a fight?' 

"If you call attention to it, she probably won't let herself do it again," Robin said as she approached, glancing toward the cabin where Hancock had disappeared.

Liam remarked, "So every time, she has to pretend she doesn't know you took the Medusa Fruit just to manipulate her? Like today, pretending she doesn't know you stirred up trouble just so I'd take her Medusa Fruit and use it to control her? Isn't that just self-deception?" 

Robin gently brushed her long hair in the wind. "Whether or not that veil of denial is torn apart makes all the difference." 

"Honestly… I really don't get it," Liam shook his head, playfully flicking a strand of Robin's hair. "Isn't your hair a bit too long?" 

Robin touched her hair and replied casually, "Too long? Then I'll just cut it." 

--- 

The two Snake Sea Kings pulling the red Kuja ship glided steadily toward the small island. Even from a distance, the island's unique structure stood out. 

It was a tiny island, merely 100-200 meters in diameter, but at its center rose an enormous tree towering several hundred meters into the sky. Nestled among the branches were clusters of shadowy forms— most likely bird nests— with the massive silhouettes of giant birds perched upon them. 

"In South Blue, 'Torino' means bird," One of the seasoned Kuja warriors who had traveled to South Blue before explained. 

"So it's a country of birds?" 

"That's… really strange!" 

"Apparently, there are humans on the island too, but they're said to be ruled by those giant birds…" 

The Kuja warriors on the deck buzzed with chatter as the ship approached the island. 

High atop the enormous tree, the giant birds began to stir. Perched on their nests, they spread their expansive wings and let out piercing cries—"Caw!" "Caw!" "Screech!" "Screech!" The calls echoed across the island, triggering a chorus from the younger birds nestled in the trees. 

"Looks like we've been noticed." 

"They don't seem very welcoming…" 

The Kuja warriors, led by Sandersonia, immediately readied their weapons. Some gripped their snake bows tightly, while others placed hands on the hilts of their swords, prepared for combat. 

'Do they think we're here to steal their eggs?' 

Liam, wearing his mech earpiece, projected a virtual screen in front of him. The image displayed was from 'One Piece' Chapter 591, retrieved from B.I.B.'s memory. In that chapter, the conflict between the giant birds and the island's human inhabitants was only resolved through Chopper's mediation. 

The hostility of these massive birds stemmed from their belief that humans were like those who had once driven them from their homeland— egg thieves and destroyers of their kin. Clearly, these birds harbored the same distrust toward anyone approaching the island, whether locals or outsiders. 

"What's that sound?" Robin suddenly asked. 

The Kuja warriors froze mid-preparation. Sandersonia shouted, "That's—!" 

A dark streak shot out from the island, streaking toward their ship at an angle. 

The newer warriors gasped in alarm. "What a massive arrow! Why is there fire coming from its tail?" 

If it were meant to be a flaming arrow, wouldn't the fire be at the tip? Why was the tail ablaze instead? 

(End Of The Chapter)