One Piece Solar Rift Conqueror!

As the morning sun painted the sky in warm hues, Solian stood at the bow of the ship, his eyes locked onto the landmass growing larger on the horizon. The island was unlike anything he had seen so far—a mix of towering cliffs and lush jungle, with blackened patches of rock scattered along the shore. The scent of salt and something faintly smoky drifted through the air.

One of the merchants, an older man with a thick beard, walked up beside him. "That there is Ember Bay," he said, scratching his chin. "A volcanic island, still active from what I've heard. The heat from underground causes parts of the land to burn, but the town is built far enough away to be safe."

Solian raised an eyebrow. A volcanic island? That might be the perfect place to test my flames.

As they drew closer, he noticed a small port town nestled between the cliffs and the jungle. Ships were docked along wooden piers, some unloading cargo, others preparing to set sail. From this distance, it looked lively—people moving about, crates being carried, and the occasional shimmer of metal from armed guards keeping watch.

"What's the place like?" he asked.

The merchant shrugged. "Traders, bounty hunters, and the occasional pirate stop by. The island's minerals are valuable, especially the heat-resistant metals found in the volcanic rock. Makes it a hotspot for business… and trouble."

Solian smirked. "Sounds interesting."

As the ship pulled into the dock, the merchants began unloading their cargo, calling out to dockworkers for assistance. Solian stepped off, feeling the warmth beneath his feet even through his boots. The air here was hotter than out at sea, a constant dry heat that only grew stronger the further inland he looked.

He walked through the town, taking in the sights. Market stalls lined the streets, selling everything from exotic fruits to forged weapons. Blacksmiths worked near glowing forges, hammering metal into shape, while bounty posters fluttered in the breeze on wooden boards. The people moved with purpose, many carrying weapons—some for defense, others clearly more experienced in their use.

His gaze lingered on a large poster near the center of town. It depicted a hooded figure with piercing eyes, his name written in bold letters beneath it.

"Silent Gale" Elric – 92,000,000 Berries

Solian narrowed his eyes. The merchants had mentioned this man—a bounty hunter who took down Devil Fruit users without a fruit of his own. If someone like him was active in these waters, it meant trouble.

A loud commotion broke him from his thoughts. Up ahead, a group of men were gathered around a caged creature—a massive, reptilian beast with dark, heat-resistant scales. It snarled and snapped at its captors, its tail slamming against the iron bars.

"Rare Emberfang Lizard!" a man shouted, waving his arms to attract attention. "A beast that thrives in the volcanic regions of this island! Strong hide, excellent for crafting armor! Auction starts at 500,000 Berries!"

Solian frowned. They're selling wild creatures too?

His eyes wandered past the crowd, toward the distant cliffs where faint trails of smoke rose from the jungle. Something about this island felt alive, like the land itself was teeming with untamed energy.

Just as he was about to move on, voices from a nearby tavern caught his attention.

"Did you hear? Captain Rudo docked here last night."

"Tch, that bastard? His bounty ain't even hit 30 million yet."

"Doesn't matter—he's still a problem for small-timers. Word is, he's looking for new crew members."

Solian's ears perked up. A pirate captain with a bounty under 50 million? That's more my level for now.

He turned toward the tavern. If he wanted to get a better grasp of the world, he needed to start learning about these kinds of figures.

Notable Pirates on Ember Bay:

Captain Rudo "The Iron Jaw" – 29,500,000 Berries

A brutal pirate known for his metal-reinforced jaw and hand-to-hand combat skills.

"Two-Tone" Jorrel – 19,000,000 Berries

A trickster with dual pistols and an unpredictable fighting style.

"Ash-Wind" Sela – 15,700,000 Berries

A former mercenary turned pirate, rumored to use some kind of smoke-related ability.

Solian smirked. This place might be exactly what I need to grow stronger.