The sun was warm that day, and a gentle breeze rippled across the endless blue.
Eli Winters sat leisurely atop the colossal silver dragon figurehead of the Silver Dragon, holding a fine-crafted fishing rod in one hand. Beside him sat a large wooden barrel, half-filled with fat, glistening fish that shimmered under the light.
Every now and then, Eli's lips curved into a carefree smile as he hummed an unrecognizable tune something low and lazy that drifted easily with the wind.
Not far away, Felina and Big Pan sat side by side, their rods dangling over the edge of the ship.
Ever since Eli had installed the grand aquarium aboard the Silver Dragon, Felina who had never shown much interest in fishing before had become utterly obsessed with it. To her, it wasn't merely about catching fish, but the thrill of patience and timing. Each time she reeled in a shimmering fish, her starry eyes lit up with pure delight.
At that very moment, Chiyo appeared, walking lightly toward them with a tray of elegant desserts.
Seeing her approach, Eli asked casually, "Chiyo, how are you getting along with that Devil Fruit power?"
At the mention of it, Chiyo's cheeks turned faintly red. The memory of that day came rushing back the day she had eaten the Mythical Zoan: Azure Phoenix Fruit that Eli had given her.
The moment she bit into it, she nearly gagged at the taste bitter, metallic, and far worse than anything she'd imagined. Then the real chaos began. Her body had erupted in radiant blue flames of freezing energy, her clothes shredded to tatters, and her aura of cold nearly froze Felina solid. If not for Felina's mastery of Armament Haki, she might have become an ice sculpture on the spot.
"I can control my transformation... somewhat," Chiyo said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Felina grinned mischievously. "That's good! Otherwise, we'd have another... explosive wardrobe malfunction on deck, wouldn't we?"
"Felina!" Chiyo cried, face burning crimson. She set down the dessert tray and fled toward the cabin, her flustered footsteps echoing down the corridor. Felina burst into laughter, doubling over until tears formed in her eyes.
Eli chuckled as well, shaking his head. "You really can't help teasing her, can you?"
"Hey, someone's got to keep her from taking herself too seriously," Felina replied, still laughing.
Their lighthearted moment didn't last long.
As Eli cast his line again, he noticed a faint figure in the distance, gliding effortlessly across the sea riding a bicycle.
Big Pan spotted it too. His expression tensed. "Someone's coming… and he's strong."
Felina narrowed her eyes, sensing the immense aura radiating from the approaching stranger. The pressure in the air grew heavy, almost suffocating.
Eli remained calm, his voice unshaken. "Relax. He's not an enemy."
"But that presence…" Big Pan muttered, his brow furrowing. "He's far stronger than Chinjao. And he's walking on water. Whoever that is, he's a Devil Fruit user but one I've never seen before."
Felina's memory sparked. "Wait… I think I've heard of him. The Marines changed leadership recently, didn't they? Promoted three new admirals. That must be Aokiji Kuzan wielder of the Ice-Ice Fruit."
Eli nodded. "That sounds about right. After what we did to Doflamingo, the Marines must've gotten nervous. I'd say he's here to test the waters."
A path of ice slowly formed on the sea, stretching all the way to the Silver Dragon. The sound of crunching frost echoed softly as a tall figure pedaled toward the ship.
Eli watched as Aokiji drew closer much younger than the man depicted in the anime he once knew. The admiral stood well over three meters tall, broad-shouldered and muscular. He wore a white vest over a deep blue shirt, his curly hair partially obscured by a simple sleeping mask perched on his forehead. His expression was calm, but his presence radiated quiet dominance.
"Admiral Kuzan of the Navy," Eli greeted with a faint smile. "Quite the surprise. To what do I owe the honor?"
Aokiji smiled lazily. "Ahh, don't sound so hostile, man. I just came to take a look at the people who managed to take down Doflamingo. So... no invitation aboard?"
Eli laughed heartily. "How could I refuse? It's an honor."
He had always admired this man calm, principled, and warm beneath his cool exterior.
Aokiji climbed aboard, and the two men sat facing each other on the deck. Big Pan lingered nearby, studying the admiral with wary curiosity. At Eli's signal, Chiyo reappeared with refreshments.
"Would you like some wine, Admiral?" Eli asked.
Aokiji shook his head gently. "Just lemon juice, please. I'm on duty."
His voice was deep and steady the kind that carried quiet authority, like the deep current beneath still waters.
Chiyo smiled and bowed politely. "Of course, Admiral. Please wait a moment."
Eli leaned back, amused. "So the great Admiral Kuzan doesn't drink?"
"Not today," Aokiji replied simply. "Work comes first."
He glanced across the deck, eyes passing briefly over each of Eli's companions before returning to the young captain before him. "I'll admit, your crew's impressive. You've got some fine people with you."
Eli's grin widened. "I couldn't agree more. They're more than crewmates they're my family."
His voice was proud, his tone warm with sincerity. Felina, Chiyo, and Big Pan all smiled at his words.
But Aokiji's expression darkened as he took a sip of juice. "Tell me, Eli… why did you kill Doflamingo?"
Eli's gaze didn't waver. "Because he deserved to die."
"Do you realize who he was? A former Celestial Dragon. You've made enemies of both the World Government and the Nobles. Aren't you afraid of what comes next?"
Eli chuckled softly. "Whether he was a Celestial Dragon or a street rat doesn't matter to me. In my eyes, he was a criminal and I don't let criminals walk free."
"You could have handed him over to the Navy," Aokiji pressed.
Eli burst into laughter, genuine and loud enough to echo across the deck.
The admiral frowned. "Do you find that funny?"
"Not at all," Eli said, smiling faintly. "But be honest, Admiral. If I'd handed him over, would justice truly have been served? A man like him would have slipped through the cracks 'symbolically' imprisoned in Impel Down for a while, only to be quietly released. Killing him was the only way to make sure his sins were buried with him."
Aokiji fell silent. He couldn't argue. Eli was right the corruption of the World Government ran deep.
"The Navy isn't as rotten as you think," Aokiji murmured at last.
"I know that," Eli said. "That's why I've saved Marines more than once. But the Navy isn't free, either. You're bound by laws written by men who've never set foot on the sea."
The admiral's eyes softened with something like understanding.
"I can feel it," he said quietly. "There's a sense of justice in you something rare. Tell me, Eli, what is your justice?"
Eli's expression grew thoughtful. "Justice, huh… I don't know if I'd call myself righteous. But I do believe in respecting all life no matter its race, status, or power. If I had to define my sense of justice, it's simple: never bully the weak. Someone once told me… 'With great power comes great responsibility.'"
Aokiji's gaze flickered. Those words struck something deep within him. The events of Ohara still haunted his heart a wound that had dulled his zeal, leaving behind only weariness.
"Power and responsibility…" he repeated softly. "That's... quite something."
Then, as if catching himself, he straightened and said lazily, "Well, even so, I've got to ask want to join the Navy?"
Eli smiled. "No, thanks."
"Figures," Aokiji sighed, rising to his feet. "You're a real headache, kid. Guess I'll be on my way—"
But Eli stood quickly, blocking his path. "Wait! Admiral Kuzan, I've admired your strength for a long time. Would you honor me with a sparring match?"
Aokiji hesitated. He'd planned to refuse until he remembered Fleet Admiral Sengoku's parting words: 'Gauge the boy's true power.'
"Fine," he said finally. "Let's see what you've got."
The Silver Dragon steered toward a quiet, uninhabited island nearby.
As the ship dropped anchor, Eli and Aokiji leapt from the deck, landing lightly on the shore. The Silver Dragon withdrew to a safe distance.
Eli faced the admiral, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Admiral Kuzan please, teach me well."
He charged forward like a released arrow. Aokiji met him head-on. Their fists collided with a thunderous crack that shook the island.
Waves of pressure rippled outward, shattering stone and splintering trees. The air twisted with the sheer force of their clash.
Eli's muscles tensed, his blows like crashing hammers. Aokiji countered with calm precision, his knees and elbows striking with deadly accuracy. Their duel raged back and forth strength against speed, ice against will.
For the first time in years, Aokiji felt his heart pound with genuine thrill. This kid... is a monster.
When they broke apart, he exhaled deeply. "You're not bad… for a child."
Eli grinned. "Then it's time I stopped holding back."
His arms darkened with Armament Haki, black as obsidian. He launched forward again, his aura roaring to life.
Aokiji's own will surged in response. Their clash resounded like thunder, each strike tearing through the air. Shockwaves split the ground, freezing and shattering everything in their wake.
Even from afar, Felina, Chiyo, and the others watched in awe as the island itself trembled.
Aokiji's expression hardened. This kid's Haki… it's on par with Whitebeard's!
Eli's Conqueror's Haki exploded outward, a tidal wave of raw dominance. The island cracked beneath its weight, and Aokiji was forced to release a storm of frost just to hold the line, freezing half the island into a glacial fortress.
Still, Eli stood unshaken, his eyes blazing with challenge.
Aokiji grimaced. We underestimated him. Completely.
And then a shadow fell from above.
A massive blue dragon descended from the sky, landing squarely between the two combatants. Its roar echoed across the sea.
Both Eli and Aokiji froze mid-step.
"Now, now," came a booming, familiar voice. "If you two keep this up, there won't be an island left to stand on."
Eli's lips curled into a smile. "Kaido."
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Already sailing with Eli on this fog-shrouded journey?
Drop your thoughts and reviews every word keeps this grand voyage alive! And for every 300 Power Stones, a bonus chapter will set sail, bringing Eli's wild adventure closer to its next storm!
The seas are vast, the dreams are boundless, and Eli Winters' legend is only just beginning. Stay aboard One Piece: I'm Just an Adventurer, and let's ride the tides toward freedom, laughter, and the greatest treasure of all!
[email protected]/_tey
Change @ to a