The usually lively, goofy trio—Ahua, Ata, and Alo—stood with downcast faces, shoulders slumped, radiating gloom.
Sora noticed their mood and approached, patting their shoulders. "What's wrong? Spill it. I'll help carry the load."
Ata took a drag, exhaling glumly. "Nothing big. Just feel useless. We can't do a thing against strong pirates like Arlong's crew."
They knew they'd be stuck guarding the ship during the Arlong fight. Fish-Men were beyond them. In East Blue, they were outclassed; in the Grand Line, they'd be irrelevant.
"That's all?" Sora exhaled, relieved. He'd feared worse.
Facing them earnestly, he said, "You didn't join for fighting. A ship isn't just about warriors."
He looked at Ahua. "Take Ahua. Without him, we'd be choking on our own food. Imagine that."
The crew glanced at Ahua, shuddered at the thought of their own cooking, and shook their heads vigorously.
Ahua's gloom lifted at Sora's words and their reaction. He adjusted his glasses, puffed out his belly, and grinned proudly. "Guess I'm indispensable!"
Sora turned to Ata. "And Ata—if there's no Ata, who's steering and fixing this ship?"
Ata's lips curled into a smile, his cigarette glowing with refined flair. "Heh."
"What about me?" Alo asked eagerly, eyes shining.
"You…" Sora stroked his chin, pretending to muse.
Alo's hopeful gaze dimmed, his eyes hollow, staring at the sea as if he'd jump overboard. Shadows seemed to him.
Sora chuckled, done teasing. "You're vital too!" he roared.
Alo lifted his head, pitiful. "Really?"
"Really," Sora affirmed, nodding. "You're the only one who can perch in that cramped lookout all day, guiding us. You're our eyes. Without you, we'd be sailing blind."
Alo's posture straightened, his spiky punk hair practically buzzing with pride.
Sora clapped, drawing their focus. "Each of you is unique. Don't sell yourselves short. This ship needs every one of you."
He grinned, joking, "If you all fought, what'd me and Kuina do? Right?"
"Right!" Ahua's trio nodded eagerly.
"And strength? There's shortcuts," Sora added.
"Shortcuts?" they asked, leaning in excitedly. Nobody wants to be weak, even knowing Sora wouldn't abandon them. A power boost was tempting.
"Ever heard of Devil Fruits?" Sora asked.
"Devil Fruits?" Ahua frowned, puzzled.
Alo, recalling, piped up, "Those sea treasures that grant devil powers, right? Make you strong?"
"Exactly," Sora said. "They give supernatural abilities. One called a Devil Fruit.'"
"Is your power from one?" Ata asked, puffing smoke.
Sora paused. "Mine's not from a Devil Fruit. Think of me as… naturally gifted."
"Oh," they nodded.
"Devil Fruits come in three types: Paramecia, Zoan, and Logia," Sora explained. "Any one would handle most dangers."
"But aren't they crazy expensive? Like, a billion beri berries each?" Alo said, scratching his head.
"That much?" Ahua and Ata gaped.
Their Krieg loot—nearly 20 million beri—seemed paltry. Krieg's crew was East Blue's biggest; how many would they need to afford a billion?
Sora smiled. "Relax. If I hear of a Devil Fruit, I'll get it for you. And I know where to look."
If push came to shove, he'd hit up Doflamingo early.
"Really, Sora?" Ahua's trio stared, tense.
"When have I lied?" Sora nodded firmly.
"Yahoo!" They leapt, shouting, their old spark back, dancing on the deck.
Kuina watched quietly, smiling as their energy returned. She knew Devil Fruits—Sora had once offered to find one for her to boost her physique.
She'd refused, determined to become a great swordsman on her own. Besides, Devil Fruits had a crippling flaw for seafarers: sea water. As a swordswoman, her strength sufficed; she didn't need a weakness.
Unless it was some godlike power, she wasn't interested.
Suddenly,—
"Huh?" Sora and Kuina froze, exchanging glances. Their Observation Haki activated, probing the distant coast.
Kuina sensed a village with chaotic, panicked auras. Sora's eyes flashed red, instantly grasping the situation.
He turned to Ahua's trio. "We'll land here. Stay with the ship. We'll handle Arlong's crew and be back."
"Got it!" they replied, bustling to prepare.
Sora gazed at the village, plotting. Gotta clear out these small fry first. If they escape to the sea, Fish-Men are a pain to track.
(End of Chapter)