Alo retched for a moment.
Suddenly, the queasy churn in his stomach faded, giving way to a rush of unfamiliar power.
This energy surged through him, itching across his body, swiftly transforming him.
As Alo's heaving stopped, the crew watched, intrigued.
He writhed on the deck, trembling, then swelled rapidly, morphing into a massive, glossy black ant.
Ahua and Ata stared at ant-formed Alo, jaws dropped.
It was their first time witnessing such a wonder—a living person, imbued with a Devil Fruit's power, turned insect.
Sora and Kuina were less fazed, curious but composed.
Indigo chuckled slyly. He'd seen this show before; it held no novelty for him.
As an ant, Alo instinctively grasped the Zoan: Ant Fruit's true potential.
Thrilled, he reared up, head first, then body, transforming into an ant-man with four arms and two twitching antennae.
"Wow, that's insane!"
Ahua, eyeing Alo's shift, lunged to grab his antennae.
But Alo, as if prescient, sidestepped, effortlessly dodging Ahua's hand.
"Hm?"
Sora's eyes gleamed at Alo's reflex.
He shot a hand toward Alo's head.
Alo, again forewarned, ducked Sora's grab.
Ata's cigarette froze mid-air. Ahua, behind Alo, gaped, stunned.
He didn't know what this attack-predicting ability was.
He'd seen it in Sora and Kuina—a mark of the strong.
He didn't know, but Indigo did.
He studied Alo, a flicker of shock crossing his face. "Observation Haki?"
"Not quite," Sora said, smiling at Alo. "It's the Fruit's enhanced perception. But with such sharp senses, training could awaken true Observation Haki soon."
"Oh…"
Though not actual Haki, Indigo was still floored.
Observation Haki!
Unlike Armament Haki, which most could train to awaken, Observation Haki demanded talent and fate.
Ordinary folks couldn't touch it.
Indigo wasn't shocked by Observation Haki itself. As doctor of the Golden Lion Shiki's legendary crew, he'd seen plenty—even Conqueror's Haki.
What stunned him was the Zoan: Ant Fruit's potential to fast-track Observation Haki.
Had they known, that fruit would've been sold long ago.
Alo relished his new body, slowly opening his eyes.
He looked at Sora, gratitude shining.
The Ant Fruit had revolutionized him; he felt he could crush his old self instantly.
This power was addictive.
Sora smiled, seeing Alo awake.
As expected, the Ant Fruit had hidden depths.
Its potential for Observation Haki ranked it high among Zoan Fruits.
With such keen perception and the Fruit's physical boost, Alo could train in Sora's spatial domain and soon awaken both Haki types.
Whether he chased swordsmanship or sharpshooting, he'd soar.
Sora grinned at Alo. "So, Alo, besides sensing, what else you got?"
Alo scanned the crew, antennae twitching, pointing one way.
He turned to their direction, excited. "My antennae detect nearby weather changes."
"Weather?"
Sora and Indigo's jaws hit the deck.
Sora was gobsmacked—the Ant Fruit was a Nami-Lite!
Indigo mourned for Shiki. If Shiki knew this, he'd claw out of hell in regret.
Shiki feared nothing but erratic weather.
With a weather-predictor and his skyborne fleet, he could've conquered the world.
"How far?" Sora asked, snapping back.
Damn it—if Alo could forecast weather, Sora's years of navigation study were wasted.
Hard work couldn't beat a cheat code.
Alo closed his eyes, antennae swaying, sensing.
He opened them, grinning at Sora. "A few kilometers around."
Rubbing his chin, he added, "With training, I could stretch it farther."
"That's nuts!"
Indigo, aside, exclaimed, "On Great Line, it's not pirates or Marines sailors fear—it's the crazy weather."
He fixed Alo with a blazing stare. "You're now one of the world's top navigators."
He turned to Sora, face alight.
This tiny pirate ship boasted a legendary captain and now a top-tier navigator.
The Great Line held few threats for them.
He cackled. "Kara-kara!"
Sora felt Indigo's thrill and shared it.
He smiled at Alo. "Alo, you're our navigator and lookout now."
"Hm… you sticking with swords or going for guns?"
Alo's excitement steadied, his face serious.
"I'll go with guns."
After giving up swords, he'd turned to firearms.
It's what the crew needed.
"Hm!"
Sora nodded, respecting Alo's choice silently.
"You're gonna be the ship's number two, kid!" Ata slung an arm around Alo's shoulders, envious yet proud.
He genuinely cheered Alo's rise.
But he only pegged Alo as second-to-last—no way he'd surpass him, the third-strongest.
Alo shrugged off Ata's arm, flexing his four muscled arms. "Second? I'm third now!"
"What? Think a Devil Fruit makes you my match? You're getting cocky!"
Ata rolled up his sleeves, revealing arms thicker than most thighs.
Ata was the bulkiest and tallest of the trio.
No wonder Ahua and Alo had ceded third before.
"Hey! You two forgetting me?" Ahua snapped.
Were they all getting big-headed?
Sure, he couldn't beat Alo now, but he wouldn't lose in spirit!
"Enough!" Sora cut in. "Save your energy. Your training's doubling from now on."
"Double it, I'm game!" Ahua boasted.
Alo shrugged, eager to train, unfazed.
Ata coolly lit a cigarette, puffing rings, playing it smooth.
He was the trio's slickest poser.
(End of Chapter)