Valtros' docks echoed and bustled, filled with mercenaries, pirates, bounty hunters, and black marketeers trading and selling goods and information. The island was a hub of underworld activity, where money and power ruled instead of government or authority.
As the Solar Rift Pirates stepped off their ship, a buzz ran briefly through the crowd. It was not fear, not yet, but curiosity. Their new bounties had already traveled far and wide across the seas, and they could feel the weight of many eyes upon them.
Solian barely glanced at the observers. He had expected as much. Their rise to fame meant that their names were now being mentioned among bounty hunters, pirate competitors, and Marine associates. They were no longer nobodies.
"65 million… the so-called Solian Flare."
"They say he can control fire and light itself, and travels quicker than the eye can track."
"I heard he single-handedly killed a Marine lieutenant and his whole unit."
Kael chuckled under his breath, overhearing the whispers. "Damn, Solian. You're already a legend."
Solian smirked. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We've still got work to do." He turned to his crew. "We need supplies, weapons, and possibly some new recruits. Let's split up and meet back here before nightfall."
With that, they each set out into the heart of Valtros, ready to expand their strength.
Kael's Search for Fighters
Kael had one idea on his mind—getting tougher warriors on their side. He didn't much care about supplies or strategy; he required sheer force, men who could fight and live.
He found it in a vast underground combat stadium, a massive coliseum-style structure dug into the face of the island. The air was thick with the odor of blood and sweat as hundreds of brutal combatants clashed in no-holds-barred combat.
Kael leaned on a railing and watched the chaos. "Not bad… but is anyone actually worth recruiting?"
As he was ready to leave, a metal-covered-arm giant bruiser made his way into the ring. His opponent was a lean, very much smaller fellow who sported piercing eyes and a repulsive grin.
"See how long you can last!" brued the brute as he landed a bone-shattering punch.
But in the blink of an eye, the smaller man wrapped his body and redirected the force of the blow against the attacker—without even making contact with him. The brute's own weight sent him flying backward across the arena, crashing into the stone wall and knocking him out.
The crowd erupted into cheers and bets, but Kael was intrigued.
"What in the world just happened?" he growled.
A nearby spectator scoffed. "That's Vance. He's used the Recoil-Recoil Fruit—he can deflect and send back any force that touches him. Excellent counter for powerful fighters."
Kael scoffed. "That's my type of guy." He cracked his knuckles and stepped forward. "Yo, Vance! You want to join a real crew?"
Vance regarded him, eyes narrowing as he judged him. "Depends. You strong?"
Kael grinned, stepping into the ring. "Let's find out."
Jorin's Hunt for Weapons
Jorin, however, had his mind on gear. He was not a man to fight without preparation, and with their growing fame, they needed gear that could hold its own against their enemies.
His search brought him to a high-end blacksmith's shop hidden behind a tavern. The shop was filled with specialized gear, from high-quality swords to experimental guns.
The one-eyed old blacksmith with scarred hands grunted at Jorin's arrival. "You don't seem to be window shopping. What do you want?"
Jorin rubbed his chin, looking up at the walls of deadly tools. "I need something that will destroy Devil Fruit users."
The blacksmith chuckled. "Wise man. Most pirates don't know that until they're already six feet under." He ducked beneath the counter and pulled out a curved obsidian sword. The blade shone with a soft blue sheen.
"Seastone-tipped. This sword will cut through a Devil Fruit user like he's an ordinary man."
Jorin took the sword, feeling its weight. "I'll take it. But I also need more…"
The blacksmith grinned. "Then you'll want to see my special collection."
Jorin smirked. "Show me."
Solian's Meeting with a Smuggler
While his crew searched for recruits and weapons, Solian had a different goal—connections. Power wasn't just about brute strength. Information and resources were just as important.
He met with a man known as Milo the Rat, a well-connected smuggler who dealt in contraband, stolen Marine intel, and high-end supplies.
Milo was parked in the corner of a seedy bar, chewing on a cigar. His beady eyes slid over Solian as he moved toward the table. "Heard you caused a stir lately. That Marine base you attacked? That raised an eyebrow. Just thought I'd mention it."
Solian scooted forward. "I require solid supplies. Weapons, ammunition, hard-to-find supplies… and others who are willing to work for us."
Milo smiled. "That kind of agreement doesn't cost anything."
Solian grinned, spilling a plump pouch of stolen Marine credits on the table. "60 million berries that we can do business."
Milo's eyes went wide, and then he hacked up a laugh. "Well now… we might just have a deal."
The Solar Rift Pirates are Expanding
By nightfall, the crew was at the docks.
Kael smiled, a bruise on his cheek. "Vance enlisted. He wanted to challenge me first, though. Bastard's hard."
Jorin smiled, his Seastone sword glinting in the light. "Got what I required. Anyone who eats a Devil Fruit is gonna take a hit with this."
Solian crossed his arms. "I got supplies and a smuggling operation. We'll have equipment and manpower when we need it."
Drayce nodded. "We've fortified each sector of our crew. Now we have to show we belong."
Solian grinned. "Then let's."
The Solar Rift Pirates weren't merely surviving any longer.
They were expanding.
And soon the world would hear it.