Inside Makino's bar, Bai Yun transformed his bracelet into a flintlock carbine, just like a magic trick.
Beckman was slightly startled by this display.
"You can do magic tricks too?"
Bai Yun didn't answer. He rotated his arm, and the carbine turned into a dagger. Another rotation, and it was back to being a bracelet.
Beckman naturally saw that this dangling bracelet was extraordinary.
"I picked it up."
"It can turn into any weapon I desire."
Bai Yun explained, suggesting that anything could simply be 'picked up.'
"Hmm..."
"A Devil Fruit?"
"The Marines have indeed developed technology that allows objects to 'eat' Devil Fruits."
"Currently, only the Marines possess this technology."
As Beckman spoke, his gaze slowly shifted to Bai Yun, the implication clear and simple.
"I'm not affiliated with the Marines."
"The Marines have both good and bad people, but the most important thing they have to do is serve the Celestial Dragons."
"I'm from Loguetown, and I used to work with my big brothers escorting merchant ships."
"Since my strength wasn't enough, we only operated within the Four Seas. We wouldn't dare venture into the Grand Line."
"I found this bracelet on a ship during one job, and I took it when no one was looking."
"A few days ago, the merchant ship we were escorting was suddenly attacked and ambushed by a group of extremely powerful people."
"I think they might have been after this bracelet."
"But due to the uniqueness of my Devil Fruit ability, I managed to escape under everyone's cover, though I still suffered internal injuries and fell from the sky, which is how I happened to meet Vice Admiral Garp and Luffy."
Bai Yun's explanation was more detailed than the version he gave Garp.
Beckman flicked his cigarette butt away, stepped on it, and ground it into the floor.
"So, you want me to teach you marksmanship because you want revenge?"
"Also, what Devil Fruit did you eat?"
"In life, one must always have a goal to pursue, and revenge is definitely something I must achieve."
"It's the Paramecia-type Copy-Copy Fruit. It allows me to replicate the abilities of others."
Bai Yun took a sip of grape juice. He was thirsty after saying all that.
"Direct replication? Is that true?"
It wasn't that Beckman didn't believe him, but if it were true, then all the people who had trained hard for years could have their skills copied instantly—that wouldn't be fair at all.
"It has flaws."
"I can only replicate half of the person's strength."
"Furthermore, there's a time limit. Once the time is up, if I want to use the ability again, I have to replicate it once more."
"However, if it's a skill-based ability, replicating it once allows me to remember the technique and the method. Learning it becomes quite simple."
"Seven days ago, I was still a complete idiot in the kitchen."
Bai Yun's explanation carried a slight hint of humble bragging (Versailles), but the Devil Fruit was indeed overpowered.
Beckman lit another cigarette and sized up Bai Yun. If what he said was true, he would seriously consider recruiting him.
"The Copy-Copy Fruit."
"Alright, you want me to teach you, right?"
"Watch carefully. Try it once. If I'm satisfied, I'll teach you."
"Lucky Roo!"
Beckman drew his pistol and suddenly called out. Lucky Roo, the cook of the Red Hair Pirates who had his back turned, spun around to see Beckman aiming the gun at him, the muzzle twitching slightly upward.
Lucky Roo understood. Showing off a mouthful of white teeth, he took a bite of the large bone-in meat in his right hand while using his left hand to pick up an empty wine bottle from the table and toss it into the air.
The instant the bottle was thrown, Beckman raised his muzzle and simultaneously pulled the trigger.
"Bang!"
"Smash!"
White smoke billowed from the muzzle, and the wine bottle in the air instantly shattered.
"Oooohhh!!!"
The crewmates cheered enthusiastically, showing great support for their First Mate's sudden display of skill.
Luffy watched with sparkling eyes. So cool!!!
"Are you crazy, Ben?"
Only Shanks dared to speak to Beckman like that.
Beckman blew on the muzzle, holstered the gun at his waist, ignored Shanks, and looked at Bai Yun.
"Mhm."
"Your turn."
Bai Yun glanced at him, raised his hand, and the flintlock carbine automatically appeared in his grip. He closed his eyes, activated his Devil Fruit ability, and recalled Beckman's movements—drawing the gun, raising the muzzle, and pulling the trigger—analyzing each step as if in slow motion.
Opening his eyes, Bai Yun, who had never touched a gun before, now held the weapon feeling completely at ease.
"Lucky Roo, help him out."
Lucky Roo chewed on his meat, wondering if this kid in a wheelchair could possibly possess such marksmanship.
But he didn't ask; he simply picked up a bottle and tossed it into the air.
Bai Yun immediately raised the muzzle.
"Bang!"
The bullet left the barrel. In a slow-motion close-up, the bullet, followed by a shockwave of air, instantly flew through the space.
"Smash!"
Lucky Roo raised his hand and caught the wine bottle. Bai Yun hadn't missed entirely; he had at least shattered the neck of the bottle.
"Oooohhh!!!"
"I didn't expect that! Bai Yun, right!"
"I didn't realize you were so secretive about your skills! Amazing! Amazing!"
Even though the shooter was Bai Yun, everyone was still supportive and surprised that the kid in the wheelchair possessed such marksmanship.
Yasopp, the Red Hair Pirates' sniper famous for 'abandoning his wife and child,' also expressed his admiration for Bai Yun's shot. Without rigorous training, one couldn't reach this level. Although he didn't hit the center of the bottle, for someone Bai Yun's age, it was already quite impressive.
What he didn't know was that today was the first time Bai Yun had ever held a gun.
...
A/N: The journey continues! If you're eager to read far ahead and support this story, consider joining the Eternal Phoenix community. You can find me on Patreon by searching for "Eternal_Phoenix".
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