"Reiju, what kind of ability did your genetic factor awaken?" Eli Winters asked curiously. He might have known how things unfolded in the original story, but he still wanted to hear it from her directly.
"It's related to poison," Reiju replied, raising her hand slightly. "My body can produce a highly corrosive toxin and I can also absorb poisons. For example, like this."
A small streak of inky black liquid shot from her palm like an arrow, striking a wooden barrel nearby. The moment it hit, a sharp sizzle echoed through the air as smoke rose from the spot. Within seconds, the entire barrel had been eaten away by the acid-like venom, collapsing into nothing but a puddle of steaming residue.
Just before the dripping poison touched the deck, Reiju calmly drew it back into her body, as though inhaling mist.
Eli nodded, satisfied. As expected. Her genetic factor grants her control over toxins able to release and reabsorb them freely. That meant the Poison–Poison Fruit might amplify her natural abilities perfectly.
"Then what about Devil Fruits?" Eli asked. "Can someone like you still eat one?"
Reiju shook her head. "No. My father once conducted experiments. The genetic factor conflicts with the essence of a Devil Fruit. If someone like me eats one, the heart explodes instantly."
Eli tilted his head. "Explodes, huh? So... do you at least have a second or two to think before dying?"
"W–What kind of question is that?!" Reiju nearly choked on air, staring at him in disbelief.
But Eli only grinned and pulled out two items from his satchel: a peculiar fruit covered in violet swirls, and a small vial filled with shimmering blue liquid. "This is the Poison–Poison Fruit. It can strengthen your toxic abilities beyond measure. And this" he held up the vial "is a Purification Elixir. It removes most harmful side effects from any substance or power. If you drink it first, the conflict between your genetic factor and the fruit might disappear. And if things go wrong, I'll bring you back. So, want to give it a try?"
Reiju blinked at him, dumbfounded. How does Captain Eli even come up with these insane ideas? She could already imagine herself collapsing mid–experiment.
"Are you absolutely sure it's safe?" she asked nervously.
"Absolutely," Eli said with a reassuring smile. He wasn't exaggerating he had the Water of Life. As long as someone wasn't completely dead, that miraculous substance could restore their body to its peak condition. A heart bursting? Child's play.
Seeing the confidence in his eyes, Reiju's hesitation began to waver. Deep down, she wanted to grow stronger to stop being the one protected all the time.
"Alright," she said at last, taking a deep breath. "I'll do it. But Captain, you have to keep your word you'll protect me."
"Of course," Eli said with a calm grin.
The rest of the crew all rolled their eyes simultaneously. He's totally tricking her like a kid into trying his crazy experiment, they thought. Still, none of them truly worried Eli would never let harm come to his crew.
Reiju stepped forward and accepted the fruit. Its strange surface pulsed faintly, like something alive. She inhaled deeply, then bit down hard.
Instantly, her face twisted. "Ugh it's so disgusting!" she cried, gagging from the bitter, vile taste. But before she could say anything more, her body began to glow faintly.
A surge of emerald mist erupted from her, spreading like wildfire. Within moments, thick, luminous clouds of poison poured into the air, swirling across the deck. The entire ship was bathed in a toxic green haze that crackled faintly with energy.
"Back up!" Eli barked. The crew instinctively leapt away, shielding their faces. They knew how dangerous her poison could be even a drop could corrode metal.
Despite the chaos, Eli's eyes were calm. So it's working, he thought with relief. Her body's adapting instead of rejecting the fruit.
"Reiju! Focus! Pull the poison back!" he shouted.
Reiju froze, then nodded rapidly. Closing her eyes, she forced herself to concentrate. The raging toxin slowly responded to her will, condensing, retreating, and finally flowing back into her skin like liquid light.
When the last trace of mist vanished, Reiju opened her eyes. They shimmered with a faint purple glow. She clenched her fists, feeling the energy coursing through her veins. "I did it! I really did it! I ate the Devil Fruit and my heart didn't explode!"
She twirled once, laughing, her pink hair catching the sunlight. There was something mesmerizing about her now beautiful and dangerous, like a blooming poisonous flower.
Eli smiled proudly. "Congratulations, Reiju."
"Thank you, Captain," she said softly, eyes glistening. Deep down, she knew without his help, she never could've done this. That Purification Elixir had been no ordinary potion; its effects were beyond anything she'd ever imagined. And Eli had given it to her without a second thought.
Even rarer was the Poison–Poison Fruit itself an infamous treasure among Devil Fruits. He could've sold it, used it himself, or traded it for unimaginable wealth. But he hadn't hesitated to hand it to her. The gesture struck her heart like a wave of warmth.
She made a silent promise to herself: From now on, I'll do everything I can to protect him to repay the captain who trusted me completely.
Eli clapped his hands once. "Alright, everyone! Let's celebrate we've just gained another powerhouse on this ship!"
"Roger that, Captain!" the crew cheered together.
The mood was bright as they shared a hearty lunch, laughter echoing across the deck. Not long after, the Silver Dragon finally reached its next destination Loguetown.
But as expected, their arrival didn't go unnoticed.
"Quick, form a perimeter! That's the crew of Eli Winters wanted dead or alive for thirty-three billion berries! Keep your distance and wait for the commander!" shouted a nervous marine officer as squads surrounded the dock.
The crew exchanged amused glances.
From the crowd stepped a tall man in a white Navy coat, a cigar hanging from his lips. A deep scar cut across his cheek, giving him a fierce, dangerous look. He wasn't Smoker but he carried the same air of confidence.
"Eli Winters!" he barked. "You're under arrest! Surrender peacefully, and I might let your crew live."
The man was Captain Birrus, a rising star of the Marines. Though officially only a captain, his strength rivaled that of a vice admiral. Unfortunately, his arrogance often got him demoted for disobeying orders. Still, a thirty-year-old with that kind of power had every reason to be proud.
Eli chuckled. It had been a long time since anyone had dared to talk to him like that.
He turned lazily toward his crew. "Anyone want to stretch their legs? Just don't kill him."
"Me!" Doughty grinned, stepping forward. "I haven't gone all-out since awakening my Haki. He'll do."
Eli nodded approvingly. Simon, standing nearby, sighed he'd wanted to fight too, but Doughty had been faster.
Birrus's expression hardened. "You? I told you, I want Eli Winters himself!"
Doughty smirked. "Sorry, but you're not worth the captain's time."
"Arrogant fool!" Birrus roared, lunging forward. Their fists collided mid-air, a thunderous boom shaking the harbor. Both men staggered back slightly, eyes widening.
He's strong, they realized at the same time.
Birrus clenched his jaw. He had underestimated them. If even this random crew member could match him, then how powerful was Eli himself?
The fight escalated quickly. Doughty coated his fists in Armament Haki, his strikes like cannon fire. Birrus retaliated with twin blades wrapped in Haki, sparks flying with every clash.
For thirty minutes, they battled fiercely, shockwaves splitting the air. Finally, Birrus gasped for breath, retreating a few steps. His strength was waning.
Snarling, he drew his curved sabers for a final strike. But Doughty calmly slipped on his heavy iron gauntlets.
"Let's end this."
Their weapons met with a deafening crash and Birrus's blades shattered instantly. A single punch slammed into his chest, sending him flying backward as blood burst from his mouth.
"You… beat me…" Birrus wheezed, collapsing.
"You fought well," Doughty said evenly, turning back to Eli.
Eli smiled faintly. "Captain, tell your men this we have no quarrel with the Marines. But if anyone threatens my crew, I won't hesitate."
With that, he walked past the stunned marines, his crew following close behind. The soldiers instinctively stepped aside, forming a path for them.
Birrus, coughing, could only watch as they disappeared into the heart of Loguetown. He clenched his fists in frustration but didn't give chase. He wasn't foolish enough to pick another fight.
And so, as the Silver Dragon crew entered the city, the air was thick with tension. For Eli Winters and his companions, the peaceful days at sea were over Loguetown awaited, and danger was already closing in.
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