Giving Pierre a Devil Fruit

Julian thought to himself: Next year, in Grand Line Era 1497, Roger would ascend to Pirate King. Julian calculated: by his estimate, there were about eleven months left. By then, Roger's fame as Pirate King would spread across the seas, then he'd disband the Roger Pirates and send Kozuki Oden back to Wano Country.

When Fool King Kozuki Oden returned to Wano, there'd be a big surprise waiting: Kurozumi Orochi's usurpation, allied with the Beasts Pirates to scheme against Wano. The heroic man Kozuki Oden believed Kaido and Orochi's words—dance naked for five years, and they'd return Wano to Kozuki Oden. After five years of naked dancing, the naked dance master Kozuki Oden realized he'd been tricked.

The heroic man Kozuki Oden led the Nine Red Scabbards to challenge Kaido. Julian thought: One of the Pirate World's greatest double agents, Kanjuro Kurozumi, had sold Kozuki Oden out completely. He'd been a spy at Kozuki Oden's side since childhood. Even what color underwear Kozuki Oden wore, Kanjuro Kurozumi reported to Kurozumi Orochi.

Julian grumbled: Oden took the Roger Pirates to Wano to search for the Road Poneglyphs. If Oden had asked Roger and Rayleigh to help take down Kaido—Kaido in his thirties back then—Roger could've ground him into the dirt until he questioned his own existence. Kozuki Oden was a total fool king.

When he returned to Kuri and found pirates invading Wano, his retainers in Kuri begged him to stay, saying Wano's situation was dire—pirates had invaded, chemical factories were being built. But Fool King Kozuki Oden just said: "I need to help Captain Roger fulfill his wish," and took Roger straight to find the historical Poneglyphs. Rayleigh even asked Oden if he needed help. The fool king said: "Don't worry about Wano's affairs—I'll handle them."

The second time was after Roger became Pirate King. The Roger Pirates sent Kozuki Oden back to Wano. Rayleigh asked Fool King Oden again: "Looks like Wano's in trouble—want our help?" The fool king said: "Wano is the Kozuki Family's business. We can handle it." The result of that handling? The fool king became a naked dance master.

Julian already had a plan: when Oden led the Nine Red Scabbards into battle against Kaido, he'd hit the home base. Wano had so many Devil Fruits—several Mythical Zoans. Wasn't that tempting? Why not freeload if he could? Julian grumbled again: Maybe he could even swipe the Dog-Dog Fruit, Mythical Zoan, White-Eyed Wolf form from the filial daughter Kozuki Yamato. That was a Mythical Zoan—ordinary people wouldn't see one in a lifetime.

Julian thought it over and said cheerfully: He could watch the live broadcast firsthand—the boiling oil execution of the naked dance master, Fool King Kozuki Oden. Maybe he could even kill that little brat Momonosuke on the spot, and find a chance to loot Kaido's lair. Three birds with one stone. Julian added: "I still need to get stronger fast. With my current strength, if I run into an Armament Haki expert—at most a Vice Admiral level—once they get close, they'd pin me down and beat me to a pulp."

Julian said again: "I should really develop Earth-Penetrating Crevice properly. If I can't win, I'll learn from Akainu and burrow into the ground. Burrowing? Nothing shameful about it. Burrowing through a dog hole isn't shameful either. Even Akainu figured out the Earth-Penetrating Crevice skill during the Paramount War—it was an epic power-up. Akainu could burrow underground to attack Jinbe and Luffy fleeing on the surface, and erupt magma from below to strike enemies above. Jinbe was terrified of Akainu's Earth-Penetrating Crevice skill back then." Julian said: "The Pirate World has no copyright—my inspiration came straight from Akainu."

Julian lamented his own shortcomings. He thought: Body Techniques were another current weakness—he'd need to spend a lot of time training. He was genuinely afraid of people who were too fast, who'd just fly in and ride his face. He wouldn't even know how he died.

Julian thought back: he'd been in this world for over four or five months now. Things were developing nicely—he had over six hundred men under him, but not many experts. Julian genuinely felt his crew wasn't enough. The Division Captains under him weren't strong enough either—all Zoan Devil Fruit users. The only one worth mentioning was George, with an Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit ability. Julian had also sent Allison and Pierre to learn swordsmanship from Herbert. Having an extra sword style for combat was good. The second Zoan Devil Fruit already gave them great strength—it'd be a huge loss if Allison didn't learn more sword styles.

Julian thought about the one Paramecia Magnet-Magnet Fruit he had left. He mused: Maybe he should give the Magnet-Magnet Fruit to Beatrice. She was the love of his life—second only to Empress Hancock. Julian thought again: And the Magnet-Magnet Fruit really was a very powerful Devil Fruit, with tons of development potential. But Beatrice was already seventeen—probably not much room for improvement. This was pure wild boar eating ginseng.

Julian said: "Better give it to the Logistics Officer, Pierre. He runs the logistics department well, and he's a skilled swordsman. He's only twenty, with decent strength. If he develops it well, reaching near-Admiral level isn't out of the question. Most importantly, the Magnet-Magnet Fruit can use magnetic force to control steel objects and reshape them, or break down steel and change its form." Julian thought: Maybe Pierre could become a major combat force.

Julian took out a Den Den Mushi and started calling Pierre. "Moshi Moshi," Pierre answered. Julian said: "Brother Pierre, come to my place—I've got something good for you." Ten-plus minutes later, Pierre arrived at the captain's cabin door, knocked, and said: "Captain, you called for me? What's the matter?"

Julian opened the door and said: "Pierre, I've got good news for you." Julian smiled and patted Pierre on the shoulder. Pierre said: "Captain, what good news? Are you giving me money again? I've got enough already." Julian said: "I have a very powerful Devil Fruit ability in hand. I'm planning to give it to you, so you can gain this power and serve our Mud Dragon Pirates better—keep shining. Are you willing to accept?" Pierre looked sincere and said: "Thank you, Captain. I really want it. I won't let you down—I'll make our Mud Dragon Pirates flourish."

Julian handed the Devil Fruit to Pierre and said: "This fruit is the Magnet-Magnet Fruit. It gives you control over electromagnetic force. Eat it first, and I'll teach you how to develop it." After Pierre ate the fruit, Julian told him the development ideas: electromagnetic force could control steel. The ultimate level was reaching Magneto's realm—casually unleashing super-massive area attacks, incredibly powerful.

Julian said: "You can turn scrap metal into multiple steel flying swords, then step on them for Sword Flight." Pierre looked confused and said: "That's it?" Julian gave an example: "Pierre~ don't underestimate those flying swords. In the legends of my homeland, once someone becomes a Sword Saint, they're hundreds of times stronger than a Great Swordmaster. You step on a flying sword and shout 'Sword Come'—wouldn't you become the first person in the Pirate World to fly on a sword?" Pierre said: "Thank you, Captain. I'll practice hard." Julian added: "There's also 'Heaven and Earth Without Limit, Universe Borrowing Method,' and 'One Sword's Edge Across Fourteen Provinces,' and 'Myriad Swords Return to Origin.' These are all Sword Control Technique incantations." Pierre said: "'Sword Come,' 'Heaven and Earth Without Limit, Universe Borrowing Method,' 'Myriad Swords Return to Origin'—all very impressive names. I'll remember them." Julian said: "And 'One Sword's Edge Across Fourteen Provinces.'"

Pierre said: "I've got it." Julian said: "Pierre, you'll definitely become the first Sword Saint in the Pirate World. Maybe even the Sword God someday." Pierre said: "Thank you, Captain. I'll work hard to get stronger." Julian said: "Keep it up—I really believe in you, Pierre. I've always thought you were exceptional since you were young. You're definitely a one-in-a-million genius." Pierre was deeply moved and said: "Thank you, Captain." At that moment, Pierre thought to himself: I won't let you down. I'll make a name across the seas and become the strongest Sword Saint. I'll be the Captain's pride.