Available Talents for Copying:
High Physical Strength (Level B-)
Average Endurance (Level C+)
Axe Usage Skill (Level B)
Copying Condition:
Provoke Captain Morgan and make him want to confront you. The remaining soldiers froze in fear. "C-Captain Morgan!" Morgan looked at us with furious anger. "You brats will pay dearly for this!" "Looks like the leader has arrived," I commented, looking at Morgan. "Zoro, are you ready to face this fool?" Zoro glared at Morgan. "That bastard ordered my execution and was torturing me to make me submit. I will kill him myself!" Zoro lunged at Morgan with astonishing speed, leaving behind a faint afterimage. But Morgan was stronger than I expected. He swung his massive axe and forced Zoro to retreat several times. Zoro was already exhausted from his wounds and the restraints, and he began to breathe heavily. "Zoro!" I yelled as I blocked the soldiers' attacks and then rushed towards him to get ahead of some soldiers who wanted to exploit Zoro's exhaustion. I defeated them to give Zoro some time to catch his breath. "Get away, Diablo! This is my fight!" Zoro shouted hoarsely, trying to stand firm. "You can't defeat him alone in this state," I retorted, barely dodging a sword strike. "Leave him to me, I'll try to weaken him." I focused on Morgan, who was watching us with a mocking smile. "I didn't know Axe-Hand was just a coward who only wants to face me. Just say it, you're afraid to face me! Come on, have your soldiers aim at me, you big coward!" Morgan growled, veins popping on his face, and charged at me to kill me. I dashed towards him quickly, using the physical strength I had copied. My punches were faster and stronger than before, but Morgan was massive and could withstand some of my blows. At that moment, the system interface appeared: [Copying condition for Captain Morgan's talents met. You can now choose one talent to copy.] I quickly chose High Physical Strength (Level B-). A message appeared: [Talent copied: High Physical Strength (Level B-). Assimilation: Instant.] I felt a new energy surge through my muscles. I moved away from Morgan slightly, sensing the new power. My movements became more confident. "What do you think you're doing, you little brat?" Morgan growled, raising his massive axe. "I'll show you!" I replied confidently. I moved towards him again, and this time my strength was much greater. I could barely block some of his axe swings, but I managed to land some powerful punches on his body. Zoro watched us silently, his eyes burning with a new determination. When he saw that I could hold my own against Morgan, he stood up with difficulty and drew his three swords. "Diablo, I'll help you!" he said in a hoarse but determined voice. I smiled. "That's what I wanted to hear." We teamed up against Morgan. I attacked him with my newly increased physical strength, while Zoro launched swift and deadly attacks with his swords. Morgan was strong, but he began to tire from our relentless attacks. Finally, after a fierce fight, Zoro managed to deliver a decisive blow with his three swords, and Morgan fell to the ground unconscious. Silence reigned for a moment before the remaining soldiers erupted in cheers as they saw their leader fall before them. "The tyrant has fallen! We are free!" Zoro looked at me, breathing heavily and bearing the marks of the fight. "We defeated him." "Yes, we did," I replied with a tired but victorious smile. Then I opened the system message and chose the Swordsmanship Talent (Level AA+) to copy from Zoro. A message appeared: [Talent copied: Swordsmanship Talent (Level AA+). Assimilation period: three days.] "Now, do you still refuse my offer, Zoro? We fought side by side and defeated a powerful leader. Imagine what we can achieve together." Zoro froze for a moment, his eyes shifting between me and the soldiers celebrating their leader's downfall. Then he looked at his three swords as if making a momentous decision. "Become your first mate," Zoro muttered hoarsely, then raised his head and stared into my eyes seriously. "What is your goal, Diablo? Why do you want to form a pirate crew? What is your goal? What is your dream?" "My goal is freedom, Zoro," I replied with a confident tone. "Freedom to explore this vast world, freedom to achieve my own dreams, and freedom to help those who deserve it, to achieve my friends' dreams and protect them. And my dream is to become the King of the Pirates who possesses power, fame, wealth, and the One Piece. And I believe I can achieve that with you by my side. You with your strength and sword, and I with my own way." The corner of Zoro's mouth rose slightly in a faint, barely visible smile. "Your own way, huh? You saved me, returned my swords to me, and fought alongside me against that fool. It seems you're no ordinary pirate, Diablo." He paused for a moment, then said slowly, "I have nowhere else to go, and I'm tired of this place. But don't think I'll obey you blindly. I have my own dream, and I will strive to achieve it." I smiled broadly. "That's all I ask for, Zoro. For each of us to have his own dream and to support each other in achieving it. You are free to be my first mate and pursue your own goal at the same time." I extended my hand towards him again. "So, are you with me? Let's sail together in this crazy world and turn it upside down, my first mate!" Zoro looked at my outstretched hand, then at the soldiers around us. Finally, he gripped my hand firmly. "Alright, I'll join your crew, Captain. But remember, I'm the first mate, and I'm the one who will watch your back." I chuckled lightly. "I trust you completely." At that moment, "We need to leave here now," I said seriously. "Can you move, Zoro?" Zoro shook his head. "I can, but where to?" He looked at me. "Let's eat, of course. You must be starving. Let's go." While Zoro got ready, I looked around. Some soldiers were celebrating, while others looked at us with awe as we approached them. Things had changed significantly here. Morgan's sudden fall would create chaos in this base. "Let's go," said Zoro, sheathing his swords. "Then let's go," I smiled. Things were starting to go according to my plan. I now had the first member of my crew, one of the strongest swordsmen in the world. And more importantly, I had time to copy more talents before Luffy met Nami, Usopp, and Sanji. "Where are we headed now, Diablo?" Zoro asked, running beside me. "I have another target here on this island," I replied, looking ahead with determination. "There's someone else I want to recruit before we leave." "Someone else? Who is it, Diablo?" Zoro asked curiously. "A cunning cat, but with a kind heart," I replied with a smile. "And she will be a valuable addition to our crew." The beginning of our journey to dominate the world of One Piece had just begun, and Lucifer D. Diablo was about to leave his own mark on this new era of pirates.
The End