DISCORD LINK: https://discord.gg/nTGxMXW
AN: Okay, before anything else, I just want to point out that there are a bunch of theories regarding the return of devil fruits which I also researched on my own and ended up deciding to simply make one of my own. For this story, Devil Fruits will be returned at random times after death. It could be instantly, or a few days, or a few years. It will also go to a suitable fruit and not just any fruit lying around. Even if a similar fruit is nearby, it may still go somewhere else to attach itself into. That's the logic that will be shown in this fanfic.
As for the water weakness of Devil Fruit users, I adapted to the thought of only making 'Seawater' that is connected to the ocean be the weakness and not just any water that reached their knees. Luffy sinking in a normal water swimming pool can still be explained due to his lack of ability to actually swim even before eating the fruit.
That's all.
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One day, Lucas finally opened his eyes and saw a pair of bright eyes looked at him in wonder.
For a moment, Lucas thought that Makino or Hina was about to kiss him, but when he took a second look, he found that the person looking at him so closely was none other than...Sabo!
"Gah!?"
Lucas quickly got out and backed himself into a corner.
"I'm telling you, I'm straight!"
"..."
This bastard!
Sabo's face flushed and all the thoughts he had earlier vanished as he became pissed!
A few hours ago, Sabo came to Lucas' room to see if he can investigate something by looking at him.
The truth was, ever since they met, Sabo has been very wary and cautious around Lucas. He only acted like he didn't care so as to let Lucas' guard down and maybe slip up.
When they met, Lucas somehow knew that he had lost his memories and that he was related to Luffy. But that shouldn't be possible.
Even he himself didn't know about it until he came here in East Blue. And he knows that Luffy isn't the type to say things like this to others as well.
He wanted to know who Lucas truly is as he seemed to be close to Luffy.
Luffy is an idiot so it was up to him, the elder brother, to look out for hidden dangers like this one.
However, even though he stayed by his side and also fought along with him, he still couldn't get a proper answer. Instead, he felt that Lucas truly wasn't bad at all.
Well, there's also that Betty said he took a liking to this man and Sabo trusted Betty's judgment.
Today, he wanted to see if there will be some sort of clue on his body or something which was why he was looking so closely earlier.
Hearing what Lucas said, he quickly forgot what he came here for and started shouting.
"I'm also straight dammit!"
"Sure...anyway, uhh...I think I should go."
Why the hell is he acting like I'm about to rape him!?
Sabo got pissed even more.
"Come back here!"
"No way!"
"Stop running!"
"Stop chasing me!"
"..."
Everyone watched with half-closed eyes as the two suddenly started to play tag.
"Well, it seems he's okay."
"...Seems so."
Makino smiled wryly while Hina just sighed and rubbed her forehead.
Why is it that sometimes, this man acts cool, then like an idiot the next?
Eventually, Sabo sighed and stopped chasing.
"Sigh, enough. I just came to give you your loot. You were the one who stopped Shiki in the end anyway so this is yours."
"Hm?"
Lucas stopped as well and looked at the small treasure chest Sabo gave him.
When he opened it, he found a weird-looking fruit inside.
"A devil fruit? You're giving this to me?"
"I found it in Shiki's headquarters. Since you defeated Shiki, it's only right to give it to you. Originally, there seem to be two chests but the other one was empty...someone must've taken it during the confusion."
"I see…"
Lucas looked at the devil fruit and wondered who he should give it to.
Hm...well, there seems to be only one good choice.
Having decided, Lucas closed the chest and thanked Sabo.
"Thanks. But uhh, we can only be friends."
"...I'm really gonna kill you!"
"Joking! Just joking!"
Lucas laughed while Sabo sighed.
Then, another person appeared beside him.
"Sabo, Marine warships are coming. We should go."
"Ah, Koala. Alright, let's go."
Koala looked at Lucas curiously and wondered why Sabo seems to pay attention to him a lot these days.
Lucas noticed her look and asked.
"Hm? What's up?"
"Ah...nothing."
Saying that, Koala quickly followed along Sabo outside.
Lucas looked at their disappearing backs, then to Hina.
"You're not gonna stop them?"
"...Hina is giving them a head start since they did help."
"How long of a head start?"
Hina looked back at Lucas and rolled her eyes, not bothering to comment.
Can't this guy take a hint!? Hina is obviously letting them go!
Lucas actually knew what she was thinking but still asked to tease her. He found that teasing Hina was actually enjoyable and became a sort of amusement to him as well.
He turned towards Lucci and the rest who were quietly standing on the side.
"You guys alright?"
"...We're fine. Kaku got the two swords of Shiki, do you need them?"
"Hm? Nah, I remember Kaku being a swordsman as well right? You can just use those."
Lucas shrugged and didn't care about the swords. He wasn't a swordsman anyway so it's just a waste for him to take it.
Kaku took the 2 swords and smiled.
These swords are indeed better than the one he's previously using.
"Alright, what's the situation with the island now?"
"Hina made a cage to stop anyone from entering and leaving. The evolved animals are still influenced by the drugs that Shiki and his men used so they are a danger to everyone. As for the residents living there, they have all been evacuated and are settling here in the village for the moment."
Lucas nodded at Hina's report.
It will take some time for those animals to calm down so it was better that they stay there for now.
The problem is...the royals…
"What about the royalty? Did they make any moves on the island?"
"...They have been trying to get the residents of that island as slaves due to their unique feathered arms."
"...What!?"
Lucas' expression turned cold and murderous intent started to leak out of him.
"...Hina already stopped them. Hina told them that they are all infected with an unknown virus and should not be touched for the moment."
"...I see...that's good. Thanks."
"It's fine. Hina knew you'd overreact and by then, Hina will not be able to stop you."
"..."
Lucas scratched his head embarrassingly.
True, if nothing were done, he might just rampage and kill a bunch of royalties…
"Well...in that case, we should get going now."
"Yes. The Fleet Admiral also called just now requesting you to be recalled to Marineford."
Hina nodded and told Lucas what Sengoku said.
Hearing that, Lucas frowned.
What does Sengoku want now?... Wait, around this time should be...but that's impossible! I already killed Blackbeard! Was Ace still captured in the end!?
Lucas asked Hina if she knew but she only shook her head and said that she hasn't received any news about it as well.
Feeling worried, he wanted to leave now and return to the Grand Line as soon as possible.
But first, he still needs to get his crew.
After saying goodbye to Makino, Lucas took his crew and went to get Nojiko and Kaya.
They visited Kaya first who told him that she would agree if Merry could also come with to serve as her assistant.
Lucas had no problem with it and agreed.
Kaya and Merry said their farewells to everyone in the village and to the 3 kids.
After that was Cocoyasi Village.
When they got there, they were surprised to see a bunch of houses, trees, and boulders floating around.
Genzo saw them and rejoiced.
"You guys are finally here! Quickly take Nojiko with you! She's been trying to leave the island alone and when we try to stop her, she would use these weird powers she suddenly got!"
"..."
Lucas' face twitched.
Damn! Nojiko got Shiki's fruit after he died!? Can there be such a coincidence!?
Lucas knew there were all sorts of theories about the return of devil fruits after their host dies.
Some say that it will go for to the nearest available fruit, or to the nearest compatible fruit, or such. Lucas himself thinks that the nearest compatible fruit is a better theory as a devil fruit chooses a fruit that is similar to itself instead of just going to any random fruit.
Otherwise, if it's just any random fruit, then everyone would be bringing a sack of fruits all the time…
Anyway, none of these matters for now.
The important thing is...Nojiko got Shiki's fruit…
Which means, he really needs to let her come with him. Otherwise, it will be too dangerous for her. She's still trying to figure out her powers. Lucas can teach her with that.
Also, with her power, he can also take 'that'...
Lucas stretched his Observation Haki and found Nojiko.
With a Soru, he disappeared from everyone's sight and reappeared behind Nojiko who was about to take a rowboat.
"You're taking a boat? You know, with your powers, you can just fly instead of sailing."
"Huh? Ah! You came back!"
Nojiko turned around and saw Lucas.
"Well, sorry I'm late. I was unconscious for a few days it seems…"
"I see...I thought you went back already so I…"
"So you thought you can head out alone now because you have powers now, right?"
"..."
Nojiko looked down embarrassingly.
"You know, the person who previously had those powers. He was the one causing trouble in East Blue...I killed him."
!!!
Nojiko was surprised.
She didn't think that someone else previously had these powers...not to mention that it was previously used by the person who's been attacking the surrounding islands…
All of a sudden, she felt sick and disgusted with her power.
I...will I also turn...like that?
Seeing her appearance, Lucas sighed and shook his head. He stretched his hand and patted on her head.
"Listen. You will never become someone like Shiki. The reason he is like that is because he has no one to care for...you're different. You have a sister. Nami. My point is, you can't be too arrogant with your new power. The place we're going...there are plenty of people who can easily crush you as well."
"I…"
"Nojiko, will you be a part of my crew? I will teach you how to use your powers."
Lucas grinned and held out his hand.
Nojiko looked at the hand for a moment, then back at Lucas' face. She also smiled and took the hand.
"...I can see why Nami likes you…"
"Er...haha…"
Suddenly hearing Nami being brought up, Lucas can only laugh embarrassingly while scratching his head.
He was about to go back to the ship when he heard Nojiko's voice from behind.
"You better take responsibility for me."
*Bam*
Lucas tripped…
"H-huh?"
Nojiko saw the look in Lucas' face and laughed as she stuck her tongue out.
"Idiot, I meant to protect me! Don't be so delusional to think you will be getting both sisters! Pervert!"
"..."
Why the hell am I a pervert now!? Also, don't say such misleading stuff!
Sigh, women, why does their mood changes so fast…she was just depressed a second ago, and now she's making fun of me…
Lucas lamented why he is surrounded by women like these.
With Nojiko on board, Lucas set off once more back to Foosha Village.
While traveling, Lucas introduced the new members to the rest of the crew as well.
"Oh right. Kohza, come here for a moment."
"Hm?"
Lucas took out the chest Sabo gave him and handed it to Kohza who received it in confusion.
"This is…?"
"It's yours."
Kohza looked surprised as he opened the chest and found a devil fruit.
He knew what a devil fruit meant. A normal man can become someone great with just one fruit...and it also costs millions of beli to buy one. Even then, you might not necessarily be able to buy one at all.
Yet Lucas was giving this to him?
Lucas patted his shoulder with a smile.
"You won't be able to swim though."
"...Heh, with you as the Captain, why would I fear the water?"
Kohza no longer hesitated and took a bite.
As usual, it tasted so bad he wanted to puke, but he held on...soon, he finished eating the whole thing.
He felt a strange sensation in his body but was not able to grasp it properly.
"How is it? Do you know your power?"
"I don't know...umm, what should I do now?"
"Well, just get used to the feeling for now. Soon, you should be able to use your powers."
Kohza nodded and went to his room to rest and feel his powers.
They reached Foosha village once more after a while. Once there, Lucas showed Nojiko the fallen islands.
"That's gonna be out base now. Just like Shiki, we'll make it float again with your powers."
"Something that big? I don't know if I can…"
Nojiko hesitated. She has only been able to make small objects float but not something as big as an island…
"You can do it. Just breathe in, and focus on your power."
With Lucas urging her, Nojiko took a deep breath and touched the island.
The earth rumbled as it moved. Soon...it began to rise up in the air once more!
The floating island, Merville...once again returned in the sky!
The citizens saw this and thought that Shiki had come back. Only after they saw that it was flying away that they sighed in relief.
As for the former residents of Merville, they expressed their wish of returning to Merville.
Lucas thought for a while before accepting. Anyway, an island that big, they will need people to maintain it. Plus, the evolved animals have already calmed down. They should be safe to live there.
Watching the floating island from the ground, Makino suddenly spoke.
"I want to go too!"
"...Hah?"