On the cerulean sea, the Oro Jackson surged forward at full speed.

Suddenly, Buggy shouted from the crow's nest,

"Captain! There's a ship ahead no, just the wreckage of one!"

Everyone turned toward the distance. There, the shattered remains of a Marine vessel drifted on the waves, its hull covered in dents and fist-sized holes.

At the center of the wreckage stood a tall figure, arms crossed. His golden hair shimmered under the sun, and his eyes glinted with a beast-like battle lust.

"That's… Douglas Bullet," Ritter narrowed his eyes, recognizing him instantly.

Wasn't he supposed to be picked up by Roger? Why is he showing up on his own?

The younger Bullet stood firmly on the wreckage, gaze locked on Roger. His voice was low and brimming with challenge.

"Roger… come fight me!"

Roger scratched his ear, then grinned.

"Kuhahaha! Feisty, aren't ya, kid?"

But before Roger could respond, Ritter had already stepped into the air atop a swirl of blood-red mist. Hovering high above Bullet, he looked down with a lazy smile playing on his lips.

"Hey, you wanna challenge our captain?"

Heh. So this is the Jabra pairing? Not bad.

Bullet frowned and replied coldly,

"Who are you? I've got no interest in wasting time on small fry."

Rather than getting angry, Ritter smiled even more brightly.

The "three little ones" nearby felt a chill run down their spines as they watched Ritter's grin stretch wider. They knew exactly what it meant Ritter was mad.

A throne of crimson fog formed beneath his feet. He leaned lazily against it, propping his cheek up with one hand.

"Small fry? Interesting… How about this?"

Before the last word left his lips, there was a blur then pain exploded in Bullet's gut.

Boom!

Bullet was sent flying, crashing deep into the wreckage. He scrambled back to his feet, eyes wide in disbelief as he stared at Ritter, who hadn't moved an inch.

"Now… are you interested?" Ritter tilted his head slightly, eyes full of mischief.

Wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, Bullet broke into a crazed grin.

"Not bad… You're strong!"

"Fusion: Colossus Armament!"

In an instant, the wreckage around him began to shift and crawl like a living thing. Metal, wood, cannons all of it fused with Bullet's body. Within seconds, a massive steel giant towered above the sea, its crimson eyes locked onto Ritter. With a roar, it slammed a fist downward.

BOOM!

The sea erupted with waves. The Oro Jackson rocked violently.

Shanks and Buggy nonchalantly picked their noses.

"Think that tin can'll last more than three hits from Ritter?"

"Damn it… Ritter fights so cool. I wanna learn how to do that…" Buggy muttered, biting down on a handkerchief in envy as he gazed skyward.

When the smoke cleared, Ritter was still seated on his misty throne, not even his hem ruffled. He looked up at the steel titan and sighed.

"All this flash… does it actually help?"

"Fog Erosion: Life Drain."

Scarlet mist surged outward, engulfing the giant.

Bullet suddenly felt a wave of weakness. The metal fused to his body began to rust and peel away, as if its life force was being forcibly drained.

"What?!"

He stared in shock at his hands as his once-impenetrable fusion began to collapse.

Ritter simply watched in silence as mechanical parts tumbled away.

With a soft murmur, he said, "Can't you give me something to get excited about?"

Boom!

Another blood-forged punch sent Bullet flying once more, crashing into the sea. Ritter sighed to himself this was the kind of opponent he was meant to fight.

I mean seriously, what kind of protagonist starts out by fighting two Emperors and the Pirate King? Of course I couldn't win I'm still growing.

But Little Barrett? He's just the right flavor of mid.

Moments later, Bullet crawled out of the water and onto the wreckage, his face battered but his eyes alight not with pride, but with something deeper: awe, defiance, and a spark of exhilaration.

"What's your name?" he panted.

Ritter dismissed his blood mist and casually cleaned out his ear.

"Ritter."

The Oro Jackson crew burst into laughter at the scene. Rayleigh called out to the boy in the sky,

"Looks like you've picked up another headache."

What the hell Ritter thought did I just steal Roger's sidekick?

He only got involved because Barrett called him a small fry. That wasn't gonna fly.

Roger stood in front of Ritter and patted his shoulder with a loud laugh.

"Kuhahaha! So, kid wanna join us?"

Bullet lifted his head, blood still on his lips, and scoffed.

"Join you? Tch… Only if you can beat me."

"Ready yourself. I'm coming at you."

Before Roger could answer, Bullet lunged forward, arm wrapped in Haki, and swung a punch straight at Roger's face.

Boom!

Roger easily tilted his head aside and brought down a karate-chop to Bullet's neck.

Bullet flew again.

"Don't be so hot-blooded, kid," Roger sighed, scratching his head.

Bullet stumbled to his feet, the fire in his eyes growing hotter.

"Again!"

Just as he readied his stance, a familiar red mist crept beneath his feet.

"Oi oi… you already forgot who beat you up a second ago?"

Ritter's voice floated over from the ship. He was back on the Oro Jackson, casually tossing an apple in one hand, his gaze playful.

Bullet's pupils shrank but then he smiled, baring his teeth.

"Perfect. That fight wasn't over yet!"

"Fusion: Super Colossus Armament!"

Is this guy trying to cosplay a mecha?

He slammed a fist onto the deck, and once again, wood, metal, and cannon parts flew toward him. In a flash, an even bigger titan rose up, its crimson eyes glaring down at Ritter.

Man, seriously… why do these guys always think going bigger means stronger? You ever hear of the Pirate King Principle? Bigger gimmicks just mean easier losses.

Golden Lion got flattened by Roger. Grew old and started raising pets. Bullet's out here playing Gundam everyone who strayed too far got wiped by the main cast.

If they'd just focused on Haki, body techniques, and developing their fruits properly, maybe the outcome would've been different.

The Oro Jackson's crew quickly scattered backward. Shanks and Buggy clung to each other, screaming,

"The ship's gonna break apart!!"

Ritter sighed and took a bite of his apple.

"You really don't learn, huh…"

He pulled out his massive black-surfed greatsword.

"Fog God Style Demon Strike."

A flash of crimson light cleaved straight through the mecha-Barrett. The towering fusion split clean down the middle, gears and armor clattering to the deck.

"What?!" Bullet stared down at his hands, horrified.

Ritter appeared in front of him in a blink, and with one fluid motion, slammed a boot into Bullet's chest.

"Off you go."

BOOM!

Bullet flew once again, crashing into the wreckage with a splash that shook the sea.

Now this Ritter thought, finally satisfied this is the level I should be fighting at.

Who the hell starts their pirate journey by brawling with two Emperors and the Pirate King?

No wonder I couldn't win. I'm still in puberty.

But Barrett? Ah, sweet Little Barrett… you're exactly my level of cannon fodder.

A few seconds later, Bullet dragged himself out again, battered and soaked, but his eyes burned hotter than ever.

Roger squatted at the edge of the ship, smiling warmly.

"So… ready to join us yet?"

Bullet gritted his teeth. Then, with a deep breath, he grabbed Roger's outstretched hand and vaulted aboard the Oro Jackson.

"Tch… I'll go with you. For now. But one day I will beat Ritter."

Ritter walked past, casually tossing the apple core into the sea. He clapped Bullet on the shoulder.

"Sure. I'll be waiting."

Bullet glared but didn't attack again.

"I'll say it now if I ever beat you, I'll leave the crew without hesitation."

Roger only laughed louder.

"Kuhahaha! Now that's the spirit! Welcome aboard, Bullet!"

And just like that, the Oro Jackson gained another unruly new member.

Far off on the horizon, the sun dipped into the sea, painting the sky with shades of fire as if heralding the chaos and camaraderie that lay ahead on their voyage.

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Hooked already? Let me know what grabbed you leave a review and fuel the journey forward! and if we hit every 250 Power Stones, a bonus chapter drops!

Things are just heating up. Read ahead in Unbound Evolution and stay ahead of the crowd.

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