2 CHROME AND IRON
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CHAPTER 2: CHROME AND IRON
The pirate ship was easy to find—anchored in a sheltered cove on the island's eastern shore, a mid-sized brigantine with peeling paint and a faded skull flag. Not impressive, but seaworthy enough for the Grand Line.
More importantly, it's mine now.
I approached cautiously, scanning for sentries. Two pirates stood guard at the gangplank, looking nervous. They'd probably heard the screams from inland.
I didn't bother with subtlety.
My body liquified into chrome as I walked up the beach. The guards spotted me immediately.
"W-what the hell is that?!"
"Sound the alarm! The captain's monster is—"
I reformed in front of them, one hand already a blade. "Your captain surrendered. The ship is mine now. You can leave, or you can join him on the ground."
The first guard dropped his sword and ran.
The second was braver. Or stupider. He swung a club at my head.
I went intangible. The club passed through my liquid metal skull harmlessly. Before he could recover, I solidified my fist and drove it into his gut. He crumpled, gasping.
"Smart choice would've been running," I muttered, stepping over him.
The ship's deck was deserted—the remaining crew had either fled or were still inland searching for me. Perfect. I had time to explore without interruption.
The brigantine was a mess. Rotting wood, stained sails, rust everywhere. But it floated, and that was what mattered.
Though all this rust… that's just free metal.
I ran my hand along a corroded railing. The rust flowed into my palm like water, absorbed into my body. Not much—maybe a few hundred grams—but every bit helped.
Metal Absorbed: Iron Oxide (0.3 kg) Metal Mass: 195.3 kg
I'd have to be strategic about this. Too much absorption and the ship would fall apart. But selective harvesting? That could work.
I explored systematically. Captain's quarters first—surprisingly well-appointed, with a locked chest that I melted open with a touch. Inside: 500,000 Berry in cash, some jewelry, a basic map of Paradise, and a logbook.
I pocketed the money and flipped through the logbook.
Captain Vargus. Total bounty: 18 million Berry. Crew of thirty-two. Recent raids on merchant ships near Whiskey Peak.
Whiskey Peak. That was close to the start of the Grand Line. Which meant…
I'm not far from where Luffy will arrive. Maybe a few weeks ahead of him?
Perfect. That gave me time to establish myself before the Straw Hats started changing everything.
I continued searching. Galley—decent food stores, enough for a small crew for a few weeks. Armory—swords, rifles, pistols, all of which I systematically absorbed.
Metal Absorbed: Various Weapons (47 kg) Metal Mass: 242.3 kg
Each absorption made me feel heavier, denser, more complete. My liquid metal form was expanding, becoming more substantial.
Then I found the brig.
The ship's prison was a cramped space below deck, three cells with iron bars. Two were empty. The third…
A man sat chained to the wall, head down. He was muscular, probably mid-twenties, with short black hair and a scarred face. His clothes were torn and bloodstained. Iron shackles bound his wrists and ankles.
He looked up as I entered, eyes narrowing. "Come to gloat? Or are you here to finish what Vargus started?"
"Neither," I said, studying him. "Who are you?"
"Does it matter?" He rattled his chains. "Just another corpse waiting to happen."
"It matters if you want to live."
That got his attention. He looked at me properly for the first time, taking in my appearance. No visible weapons. Relatively young. Alone.
"You're not with Vargus's crew," he said slowly.
"Vargus's crew doesn't exist anymore. I killed most of them. The rest ran." I gestured at the ship around us. "This is my ship now."
His eyes widened. "You… you took down Vargus? How?"
"Devil Fruit." I transformed my hand into liquid chrome and back, just for emphasis. "Logia type. Metal-Metal Fruit."
He stared, then laughed—a dry, bitter sound. "A Logia user. Of course. The universe has a sick sense of humor."
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Kael," he said. "Kael Draven. Former bounty hunter. Current prisoner. Soon-to-be dead man unless you've got a reason to keep me breathing."
"Why did Vargus lock you up?"
Kael's expression darkened. "I was hunting him. Got close too. But his crew ambushed me in a port town. They killed my partner—" His voice faltered. "—and kept me alive for entertainment. Vargus wanted to sell me to the Marines."
I considered him. A bounty hunter. Combat experience. Hatred for pirates. No loyalty to anyone. Desperate.
Potential.
"Can you fight?" I asked.
Kael gave me a flat look. "I'm a bounty hunter. Was. Hand-to-hand specialist. Took down pirates with bounties up to 25 million before Vargus caught me."
"Weapons?"
"Gauntlets. Reinforced steel, weighted for heavy strikes. Vargus took them."
"I'll check his cabin."
"Why?" Kael asked. "Why help me?"
"Because I need a crew," I said bluntly. "I know this world. I know what's coming. And I can't do it alone. You're skilled. You're angry. And you have no better options."
"So I'm convenient."
"Exactly. But I'm giving you a choice. Join me. Help me survive the Grand Line. Hunt pirates. Get stronger. Take a share of the spoils."
"And if I say no?"
"Then I leave you here. The Marines will eventually find the ship. Execution or Impel Down. Your choice."
Kael looked at me for a long moment, then laughed. "You're a real bastard, you know that?"
"I'm a realist." I extended my hand. "So what's it going to be, Kael Draven?"
He stared… and then grinned. "Fuck it. I'm in. But get these chains off first."
I touched the iron shackles and absorbed them. They melted into mercury and vanished into my body.
Metal Absorbed: Iron Chains (8 kg) Metal Mass: 250.3 kg
Kael stood, rubbing his wrists. Taller than expected. Broad shoulders. Scarred muscle.
"Devil Fruit really is something else," he muttered. "Never seen one up close."
"Get used to it. Come on. Let's find your gauntlets."
We found them displayed in Vargus's cabin—polished steel gauntlets reinforced with iron plating and studded knuckles. Kael slid them on, throwing a few punches that whistled through the air.
"Feels good to have these back," he said. "So, Captain. What's the plan?"
"Not Captain yet. Just Fenris. Equals until we get a real crew."
Kael crossed his arms. "You've clearly got something in mind."
"I have information," I said. "And I see opportunities before others do. That's our advantage."
He studied me carefully. "You're asking for trust."
"I'm offering survival and profit. While you're with me, you follow my lead on strategy. In combat, you're in charge."
Kael nodded. "Fine. But if your genius plan gets us killed, I'm punching your head off."
"Fair."
QUEST COMPLETE: Build Your Pack
Recruited: Kael Draven — First Mate / Combat Specialist
Reward: +1000 EXP, Title: Captain, Crew System Activated
LEVEL UP → 4 | All Stats +5 | Crew Bonus Unlocked
Kael saw me pause. "You good?"
"Yeah. Just thinking."
We spent the rest of the day preparing the ship to sail. Kael knew how to navigate; bounty hunters had to chase targets across the sea.
I practiced my Devil Fruit powers—creating weapons from my body, armor plating, and shield constructs. I learned I could control three metal constructs at once before losing cohesion.
"Can you make armor?" Kael asked.
"Partial." My torso hardened into chrome plate. "Drains stamina, though."
"What about Seastone? Vargus nearly killed you."
"That's the biggest threat. That and Haki."
"So you're not invincible."
"No one is. That's why I need a crew."
As night fell, we sat on deck, eating dried meat and hardtack.
"Where are we headed?" Kael asked.
"Small port town, two islands over. Resupply. Lay low. Train. We don't draw attention until we're ready."
Kael nodded. "I can work with that."
NEW QUEST: The Chrome Path
Establish your reputation in Paradise
Gain a bounty | Defeat a Marine Captain | Recruit 2 more crew
Reward: +2000 EXP, Tactical Command, 2000 SP
I stood at the wheel. "We sail before morning."
Kael joined me. "Welcome to the crew, Fenris. This is the beginning of something."
"Let's make it count."
The brigantine cut through moonlit water, silver reflection shimmering like liquid chrome.
Day two in the Grand Line: one ship, one crew member, and a path forward.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
[END OF CHAPTER 2]