Chapter 2: Freedom
The following day, as the sun climbed over the horizon, Alexander stood outside his makeshift hideout, surrounded by scraps of metal he had scavenged from the fields. The air was still, save for the faint sound of rustling leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird. It was the perfect setting for him to practice without interruption.
He stretched out his hands and focused, drawing in a deep breath as he tried to tap into the magnetic field he had discovered the night before. Slowly, the scattered pieces of metal began to shift, some trembling slightly, others rising steadily into the air. His concentration sharpened, and the objects began to orbit around him like planets circling a sun.
Alexander was determined to test the extent of his newfound power. He concentrated harder, willing a larger piece of metal to rise—a rusted metal beam half-buried in the dirt. It wobbled at first, then shot into the air with surprising force, causing him to stumble backward in surprise.
A grin crept across his face. So, it's not just small objects. I can lift bigger things too.
For hours, he pushed himself, trying to refine his control. He experimented with pulling objects toward him, then pushing them away with bursts of magnetic force. He learned that by adjusting the strength of the field, he could either make the metal move slowly and steadily or send it flying at incredible speeds. The sheer versatility of his ability was both thrilling and overwhelming.
He realized that controlling the magnetic field was, in theory, a limitless power. It wasn't just about moving metal; it was about manipulating an invisible force that could shape the world around him. The more he practiced, the more he could feel the subtle pull of the magnetic energy, not just around objects, but in the very air itself.
But it wasn't easy. The strain of using his ability for extended periods began to take its toll. His head throbbed, and his hands trembled as he tried to maintain control over multiple objects at once. He knew he had barely scratched the surface of what he was capable of, but even that glimpse was enough to fill him with hope.
Alexander paused to catch his breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. He gazed at the metal scraps scattered across the ground, his mind racing with possibilities. This power could be my ticket off this island. If I can master it, I'll never have to run or hide again. I can leave this place and see the world.
Determined, he clenched his fists and stood tall. He knew he had a long way to go, but for the first time, he felt like he had the strength to change his fate.
For the next two months, Alexander dedicated himself to mastering his newfound ability. Every morning, he ventured into the fields, practicing for hours until his body ached and his mind grew weary. He didn't just settle for simple control of metal; he wanted to understand the very essence of the magnetic field and how he could manipulate it to its fullest potential.
His natural curiosity drove him to steal books from the scattered remnants of Kutsukku's shops and libraries. These books, dusty and forgotten, held knowledge about magnetic fields, their effects on the environment, and even the physics behind them. At night, by candlelight in his small shack, he poured over the stolen texts, devouring every bit of information they contained.
The more he read, the more ideas he began to formulate. Alexander started to piece together the possibilities of what his power might allow him to do. On scraps of paper, he scribbled a list of potential uses, each one more ambitious than the last:
1. Invisibility: By manipulating the magnetic field around him to bend light, he theorized he could render himself invisible. The idea was daunting, but the thought of being able to sneak past enemies or escape unnoticed filled him with determination.
2. Metal Fusion: He speculated that with enough precision, he could compress and fuse metal objects together. This would allow him to create weapons, tools, or even armor, tailored specifically to his needs.
3. Levitation: If he could extend the magnetic field to include himself, he might be able to hover or even fly. The thought of soaring above Kutsukku, free from the warring gangs and the harsh life of the island, gave him hope.
4. Magnetic Shielding: By amplifying the field around him, he considered the possibility of creating a barrier capable of deflecting attacks, be they physical or projectile-based.
Each idea on the list represented a challenge, but also a promise of freedom and strength.
During his practice sessions, he began experimenting with some of these concepts. He started small, focusing on compressing pieces of scrap metal. At first, it was difficult, the metal resisting his attempts to bend it to his will. But with time and effort, he managed to fuse smaller pieces together, creating a single solid block of metal. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.
Levitating himself, however, proved far more challenging. Alexander spent days trying to lift his own body, focusing the magnetic field beneath him. He managed to hover for mere seconds before losing control and falling back to the ground. Frustrated but determined, he vowed to keep trying until he could float effortlessly.
Though his progress was slow and often frustrating, Alexander refused to give up. Every small success brought him closer to mastering his abilities and escaping Kutsukku. As the days turned into weeks, his power grew stronger, his understanding deeper, and his resolve unshakable. He was no longer just a little boy trying to survive—he was becoming something far greater.
With his newfound power, Alexander was more determined than ever to leave Kutsukku and explore the world beyond the island. While his attempts at levitation had improved, the vastness of the ocean posed a major problem. Flying over such a distance would be dangerous—if he exhausted himself or lost focus, he would fall straight into the sea, and swimming with a Devil Fruit curse was a death sentence.
A boat was his only option. Unfortunately, the only usable boat on the island belonged to Eustass Kid. Though simple and modest, it was seaworthy, and that was all Alexander needed to escape. But stealing it would be no easy task.
The boat was kept at the village quay, a location heavily guarded by Kid's gang. Since Alexander's theft of the Devil Fruit two months ago, Kid had intensified his efforts to find him, placing a bounty on his head. Every gang member on the island was on high alert, searching for the boy who had dared to rob them.
Alexander crouched in the tall grass near his hideout, deep in thought. He had spent weeks observing the quay, noting the shifts in the guards and the layout of the area. He knew that any attempt to steal the boat would be a high-stakes gamble. If he was caught, there would be no mercy.
But Alexander wasn't the same boy he had been two months ago. He was stronger now, smarter, and armed with a power that could tip the odds in his favor. The risks were great, but the alternative was to remain trapped on this lawless island forever.
With a deep breath, he made his decision. He would steal the boat, no matter what it took. Alexander began to plan his next move, knowing that this would be the most dangerous gamble of his life.
Alexander began crafting a bold and daring plan. If he was going to steal Eustass Kid's boat, he needed to distract the gang and draw them away from the quay. After days of thinking and refining his strategy, he decided on a risky yet effective diversion—burning down Kid's main hideout.
It was audacious and dangerous, but it was the only way to ensure most of the gang would be occupied long enough for him to slip away with the boat. He knew it had to be done in broad daylight when the guards would least expect such a bold move.
Over the next few days, Alexander gathered what he needed: bits of cloth, oil he had stolen from a storage shed, and a few matches. He carefully scouted Kid's hideout, memorizing its layout and observing the guards' movements. It was a large wooden building, surrounded by makeshift barricades and patrolled by a handful of gang members during the day. The hideout was the heart of Kid's operation, a place where his gang stored their loot and held their meetings.
Alexander planned every detail meticulously. He would approach the hideout from the south side, where the patrols were thinner, and set fire to the oil-soaked rags he'd planted in key spots. The flames would spread quickly, forcing the gang to rush back to save their base. While the chaos unfolded, he would make his way to the quay and take the boat.
The night before the plan, Alexander sat in his shack, staring at the stolen map of the village he had sketched out. His heart raced with both excitement and fear. He knew that if this failed, Kid and his men would hunt him down, and there would be no escape. But the thought of finally leaving this cursed island gave him the courage he needed.
As the first light of dawn broke, Alexander set out. With his supplies hidden in a small sack, he made his way through the fields, sticking to the shadows and avoiding any patrols. By noon, he was crouched behind a crumbling wall near the hideout, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Taking a deep breath, he whispered to himself, "This is it. No turning back."
With that, Alexander lit the first rag, watching as the flames licked the oil and began to spread. One by one, he set the other points alight, the fire growing rapidly and sending thick plumes of smoke into the air.
Within moments, shouts erupted from the hideout as gang members scrambled to put out the fire. The chaos had begun, and Alexander didn't waste a second. He turned and sprinted toward the quay, his heart pounding in his chest.
As Alexander reached the quay, his heart sank. Standing near the boat, arms crossed and an unsettling smirk on his face, was Killer, the right-hand man of Eustass Kid. Unlike the other gang members who had rushed to deal with the fire, Killer remained behind, as if he anticipated a move like this.
Dressed in his usual dark attire with his signature helmet concealing his face, Killer radiated an aura of danger. He leaned casually against a wooden post, his twin scythes resting on his back, but Alexander could feel the tension in his posture. He was ready for a fight.
"Well, well, looks like the little thief finally decided to show up," Killer said, his voice calm but laced with menace. "Kid's been looking for you, you know. Stealing a Devil Fruit, hiding like a rat—impressive for a kid. But this ends here."
Alexander froze for a moment, his mind racing. He hadn't expected someone as dangerous as Killer to stay behind. This was supposed to be his moment of escape, but now he was cornered, with no backup and no time to think of another plan.
Despite his fear, Alexander knew he couldn't back down. He clenched his fists, trying to muster his courage. "I'm not going back," he said, his voice steady despite the knot in his stomach. "I'm leaving this island, no matter what."
Killer chuckled, pushing off the post and drawing one of his scythes. "Brave words, kid. Let's see if you can back them up."
Alexander's mind raced as he quickly assessed the situation. Killer was a seasoned fighter, far more experienced and physically stronger than him. But Alexander had one advantage—his Devil Fruit power. He didn't have the full grasp of his abilities yet, but this was his chance to put everything he had learned to the test.
He took a deep breath and focused, reaching out with his magnetic field to the scattered pieces of metal lying around the quay—nails, chains, and scrap from abandoned boats. Slowly, the metal began to rise, surrounding him like a shield.
"I don't need to fight you directly," Alexander said, his voice gaining confidence. "I just need to get to that boat."
Killer tilted his head, intrigued. "Let's see if you can make it past me, then."
The battle was on.
In Killer's hands were two gauntlets connected to sickle-shaped blades that gleamed under the sunlight. Without wasting a moment, Killer charged at Alexander, moving with speed and precision that betrayed his calm demeanor. The blades cut through the air as he swung toward Alexander, aiming to end the fight with a single strike.
Alexander's instincts kicked in. He focused on the metal in Killer's gauntlets, extending his magnetic field with all his might. With a sudden surge of power, the gauntlets were yanked downward, pinning Killer's arms to the ground. The force was strong enough to immobilize him, but not to harm him, leaving Killer struggling against the invisible pull.
"You ate the Devil Fruit?" Killer growled, his voice dripping with rage as he strained against the magnetic field. "How dare you? That fruit was supposed to be for Kid!"
Alexander couldn't help but laugh, his confidence bolstered by the sight of one of Kid's most feared men rendered helpless. "Kid?" he said, a smirk spreading across his face. "That brute is too dumb to even use this Devil Fruit. He wouldn't be able to handle more than 10% of its true power."
Killer's eyes narrowed behind his mask, his fury palpable, but he couldn't break free. Alexander didn't wait for him to respond. Using the distraction to his advantage, he turned and sprinted toward the boat, leaping aboard with ease.
As he untied the ropes securing the vessel, he called back to Killer, "Tell Kid I'll be sure to make good use of his precious fruit. Thanks for the head start!"
With that, Alexander unfurled the small sail, using his magnetic powers to adjust the metal rigging. The boat began to glide away from the quay, the wind and his abilities working in tandem to carry him off the cursed island.
Killer could do nothing but watch as the boy vanished into the horizon, his laughter echoing in the air.