That's right.
A free Devil Fruit!
Although the prerequisite was signing a contract, the Devil Fruit itself truly was free.
For the people living on this sea of danger and opportunity, it was undoubtedly the most tempting bait imaginable.
That was especially true for the countless small pirate crews struggling on the edge of survival.
Every day, they fought desperately over limited resources and their pitiful place in the world, yet they could never truly break free from their miserable circumstances.
Now, with such an opportunity placed before them, it was like a blessing from heaven.
In their eyes, this was not merely a simple chance.
It was the key to changing their fate.
Every corner of the Grand Line was filled with challenges and unknowns.
And there, a single Devil Fruit ability user was like a beacon in the darkness, capable of leading an entire pirate crew onto a brand-new path.
Whether that special ability allowed them to control elements or gave their body extraordinary speed and agility, it was enough to make that crew stand out from countless competitors and completely alter the course of their destiny.
A once-unknown little group might soar overnight and become a force that drew attention, all because one ability user had appeared among them.
And in the more distant Four Blues, on remote and desolate islands, many people lived in awe of power.
In places like that, the appearance of a Logia ability user was practically a miracle.
They could freely transform their bodies, merge with the surrounding environment, and command the power of nature.
Such almost supernatural abilities made the locals regard them as lofty "gods."
People worshiped them, firmly believing that they possessed power and wisdom far beyond ordinary mortals.
And so, the entire sea seemed to be set ablaze.
Countless adventurers, ambitious men, and those desperate to change their fate carried their own dreams and hopes as they rushed toward the mysterious Eternal Divine Kingdom, trying to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and begin their own legendary journey.
...
On a nameless island in the South Blue.
By Bloodreef Bay, the sea wind struck a tattered pirate flag with a salty, fishy scent, making it snap and flap in the air.
This place had once been the stronghold of the Iron Hook Pirates.
Now, only the remnants of the crew remained, sitting around a bonfire as the flames lit up their exhausted and frightened faces.
Marudo, a scar-faced man, rubbed his rough fingers together and asked in a trembling voice.
"Boss! Are we really joining the Eternal Divine Kingdom? That means going against Marine Headquarters!"
His words carried worry for the unknown future, as well as dissatisfaction with their current situation.
"Iron Hook" Hans suddenly smashed the empty bottle in his hand against the reef, sending shards of glass flying.
He tore down the wanted poster pasted to a wooden crate.
The bounty notice with his fierce face printed on it had already yellowed from erosion by the sea wind, but the number 32 million berries remained glaring.
Reeking of alcohol, Hans grabbed Marudo by the collar and snarled, "No shit! Do you have any idea how much a Devil Fruit goes for on the black market? At least a hundred million berries! And even then, there's no damn stock!"
The bonfire crackled loudly, and sparks landed on Hans's bloodstained leather boots.
He took a fierce gulp of rum, the taste of alcohol mixing with the stench of blood in his mouth.
Hans wiped the liquor from his beard, greed flickering in his eyes.
"Now all we have to do is go to Onigashima and swear loyalty, and we get a Devil Fruit for free! Only an idiot would refuse!"
He kicked a wooden crate filled with Marine uniforms—the disguises they had just stolen.
In this world filled with danger and opportunity, everyone was struggling to survive.
But when faced with a choice, they had to weigh the gains and losses and make the decision that benefited them most.
Whether they joined the Eternal Divine Kingdom or continued resisting Marine Headquarters, they still had to face what came next.
In the corner, the youngest apprentice sailor muttered quietly, "But I heard they draw your blood for experiments…"
His voice carried fear toward the unknown and worry over the experiment awaiting them.
"Draw blood?"
Hans suddenly burst into wild laughter, revealing a mouthful of gold teeth, as if he were about to swallow all the darkness in the world.
"I've been making a living in the South Blue for twenty years! I've taken more blades than you lot have eaten meals!"
His words were full of pride in his past and expectation for the future.
He yanked open the front of his shirt, revealing the ugly scars across his chest. Those scars bore witness to his past and pointed toward his future.
"And you think I'm scared of some damn needle?"
His voice was firm and powerful, proving his resolve and courage to everyone present.
The waves suddenly grew rough.
A speedboat flying the flag of the Eternal Divine Kingdom was cutting through the water toward them.
At the bow stood a white-clothed envoy holding a scroll. His cold gaze swept over the wretched pirates.
Their figures looked especially small before the speedboat, yet every movement of the envoy carried firmness and purpose.
"Have you thought it through?"
The envoy's voice was like a blade scraping across reef stone, sharp and grating.
"Once you board, there will be no turning back."
His words were full of threat and warning, but also carried a force that could not be resisted.
Hans grinned, his gold teeth flashing seductively in the firelight.
He turned to look at his crew—the brothers who had followed him through life and death. Now, each of their eyes burned with flames called ambition.
Those flames burned with passion and hunger, driving them forward.
"Boys!"
Hans kicked the bonfire over. Burning logs rolled into the sea with a hiss.
His action was decisive and forceful, as if he were throwing away every shackle from the past.
"You want to keep living like rats, running from the Marines?"
"No!" everyone roared back.
"You want to spend your whole lives as third-rate pirates?"
"No!!!"
They roared again, their voices filled with determination, as if they meant to trample the whole world beneath their feet.
Hans suddenly drew his cutlass, the tip pointing straight toward the speedboat.
His roar drowned out even the crashing waves.
"Fuck justice! I'm going to become an ability user!"
"As you wish. But you must sign the contract," the white-clothed envoy said coldly, without the slightest emotion in his voice.
"No problem!"
Hans agreed without hesitation.
He knew what this meant.
He would give up everything he once had to pursue something greater.
He would face more challenges and hardship to fulfill his dream.
He would bear greater responsibility and greater risk to prove his worth.
But for this goal, he was willing to pay any price!