His wandering thoughts quickly snapped back.
Such a miraculous skill was naturally not to be missed. The price of 6,000 Points wasn't too expensive for him now.
After adding it to his cart, Xiano turned his gaze to the next item.
...
[Infinite Sugar-Free Cola]
[Type: Consumable]
[Price: 1,200 Points]
[Description: Upon purchase, receive 100 cans of sugar-free cola with infinite shelf life (330ML each). No matter how many are consumed, the inventory will replenish to 100 cans daily.]
[Seller's Note: Why is it Pepsi toilet cleaner? Damn it, selling cheap!]
Infinite cola?
Xiano raised an eyebrow.
The last time he came across something similar was many years ago in his hometown—the "Infinite Red Bean Bun."
That item had been a great help. During daily training when his energy was depleted, he could always grab a few to replenish himself before continuing his practice.
Very practical.
This wasn't bad either. While sailing on the sea, having an infinite supply of fresh water was even more crucial than food.
He didn't care whether it was Pepsi or Coke, though the sugar-free version was a bit lacking. He wasn't on a diet, and artificial sweeteners could never compare to real sugar.
But considering the price—just over a thousand Points—there was no reason to hesitate.
Bought! Next!
...
[Translation Konjac]
[Type: Consumable]
[Price: 200 Points]
[Description: A classic item from the Doraemon universe. After consumption, the user can automatically understand and fluently speak any language within 24 hours, including foreign languages, dialects, animal speech, and even alien or ancient scripts.]
[Two pieces available, usable twice.]
[Seller's Note: None. Currently peeking at Gian in the bath.]
An interesting little item.
This was the kind of thing you didn't need daily, but you never knew when it might come in handy.
At 200 Points, it was a bargain. Xiano bought it immediately, planning to stash it in his backpack.
After all, the essence of humanity was just being an oversized hamster.
...
The next few items didn't interest him much.
After scrolling through them, he soon reached the last one.
His eyes swept over it, and he paused slightly.
[Territory Management Map]
[Type: Special Item]
[Price: 5,000 Points]
[Description: A faintly glowing parchment map. When unfolded, it projects the current territory's borders and displays resource distribution, population structure, resident happiness levels, and even enemy invasion alerts.]
[Seller's Note: Got isekai'd while playing Civilization 6. Has 7 been released yet? Is it fun? Sob…]
This thing came at just the right time.
Xiano grinned.
The price wasn't cheap. Had he seen this a few months ago, he might not have bought it.
But now, having entered the New World with sufficient strength, the era of pure adventure had come to an end. It was time to start from scratch and gradually realize the ambitions he had harbored from the beginning.
This item was the perfect auxiliary tool.
Buy it outright!
...
Opening the shopping cart, he proceeded to checkout.
The items refreshed in the trading market this month had left Xiano quite satisfied. He purchased a total of six items, reaping a substantial haul.
Total expenditure: 19,100 Points. Remaining Points: 36,800.
Closing the market interface, he first summoned Mochi and fed it the Digi-Gem.
A flash of white light flickered and vanished.
Mochi remained in its Salamon form, diligently licking Xiano's palm, showing no visible changes.
But Xiano wasn't impatient. If the system description said "significant," then it was undoubtedly significant.
If there were an experience bar, he was certain that Mochi's previously near-empty gauge must have skyrocketed by now.
While petting the pup, Xiano opened the parchment scroll from his inventory.
A new translucent screen appeared, overlaying the system panel.
[Current Sea: New World]
[Current Territory Islands: 0]
These two lines appeared at the top, while the rest of the interface was dominated by an elongated map.
Well, it could hardly be called a map yet, as nearly 100% of it was shrouded in darkness.
Only at the very bottom, near the Red Line, was there a small, crooked line resembling a snake from the game Snake.
Xiano understood immediately.
Who hadn't played games before? Starting with a fully blacked-out map meant he'd have to explore to dispel the fog.
Interesting.
He'd check out the other functions once he actually secured his first territory.
Closing the parchment map, Xiano turned his attention to the "Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist" manual in his inventory. After opening it, he skimmed through the contents briefly.
As expected, mastering this fist technique would likely be the most challenging endeavor yet.
But while Xiano's swordsmanship was lacking, he had full confidence in his talent for fist techniques.
It would still take a few days to reach the next island.
He'd use this time to practice the newly acquired fist technique and see if he could grasp its fundamentals.
...
Several hours later.
In the center of the training room.
Xiano sat cross-legged before the Poneglyph stele, slowly closing his eyes as he recalled the essence of the "Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist" he had just studied in detail.
This was a fist technique that perfectly blended suppleness and ferocity—seemingly as calm and gentle as flowing water, yet every movement concealed the power to shatter mountains and split rocks.
"The flow of water, the force to crush rock…"
Muttering to himself, he slowly rose to his feet, assumed a firm stance, and suddenly moved.
At first, his movements were as light as a babbling brook, stirring ripples in the air as if even the atmosphere bent to his rhythm.
Yet, just as his fist reached its apex, his muscles tensed abruptly, and his punch accelerated violently—like a raging waterfall crashing down!
Boom—!
The Poneglyph stele shuddered violently. Even secured by Nojiko's snow, it was sent flying backward, slamming hard against the thick steel wall.
"Not bad."
Xiano retracted his fist, a faint smile curling his lips.
The brilliance of this fist technique lay primarily in two aspects.
First, it allows the user to merge their entire body into the flow of the fist technique, unifying their energy like a seamless stream that dissolves incoming attacks, making it difficult for opponents to find openings—effectively enhancing one's defense.
Second, it enables an effortless transition between extreme softness and hardness, disrupting the enemy's rhythm and leaving them defenseless.
"Again!"
Xiano returned the Poneglyph to its original position and resumed his stance.
This time, his punches flowed even more smoothly, as if he had truly transformed into a winding stream, each strike carrying an unending surge of force.
As time passed,
he showed no signs of fatigue, growing only more exhilarated as his mastery of the technique deepened.
Clearly,
with an exceptionally powerful physique and his already formidable expertise in martial arts, even a completely unfamiliar technique could be learned at a pace far beyond that of an ordinary person.
"At this rate..."
A sharp glint flashed in Xiano's eyes. "Before reaching the next island, I should be able to grasp the basics and achieve initial mastery!"
...
Meanwhile.
Totto Land, 100% Island, Orchard Town.
One of the thirty-six islands in the Totland Archipelago, this was the territory of Charlotte Smoothie—second only in both bounty and influence among the Sweet Four Generals.
At the top of the towering Juice Tower, Smoothie lounged on a sofa, her long, three-meter legs propped up on the coffee table. She lazily swirled a glass of freshly squeezed juice in one hand, yawning with an air of indifference.
Her domain was renowned for its abundance of exotic fruits, and the island's air was perpetually sweet with their fragrance.
In such an environment, even during the day, the urge to nap was ever-present.
"Smoothie."
A deep, composed voice suddenly came from the doorway.
Katakuri's towering figure stepped into the hall.
"Brother Katakuri?" Smoothie raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised. "What brings you to my territory?"
"Mother's orders."
Katakuri was direct. "She wants you to come with me to meet Xiano."
"Another marriage candidate?"
Smoothie chuckled, tapping the rim of her glass with a finger. "As much as I love Mother, she really does grow more senile with age."
"I've said it before—if she insists on arranging a marriage for the family's sake, fine. But the man must be exceptional in strength. If he can't even defeat me, there's no way I'm marrying him."
She lazily swirled her glass, her tone laced with sarcasm.
"Take that last one, for example—what was his name? 'Frost Wolf' A Jia Er? Hailed as the most dazzling rookie five years ago, with a bounty that doubled after entering the New World. And yet, that guy couldn't even take a single strike from me. Nearly pissed himself in fear."
"This time will probably be the same. Boring. Not interested."
She downed the rest of her juice in one gulp, sighing in annoyance. "Honestly, Brother, you have some sway with Mother. Couldn't you have just turned this down for me?"
Katakuri gave his sister a puzzled look before suddenly smacking his forehead.
"You've been secluded in your territory training all this time, haven't you? No wonder you haven't even heard of this guy's name."
He shook his head. "He is indeed a newcomer who's recently risen to fame, but he's far beyond any mere Supernova. In fact, I'm even more in favor of this marriage alliance than Mama is. That guy... he's someone even I can't help but acknowledge."
Smoothie's fingers, gripping her wine glass, paused slightly as a flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes.
Had she heard correctly?
Her usually proud, arrogant older brother was actually expressing approval for a rookie Pirate?
"His achievements are quite astonishing. You can ask any of your subordinates, and they should know most of it. As for his bounty—"
Smoothie raised a hand, cutting Katakuri off.
"No need for those details. It's better to keep some mystery before meeting him. Makes it more exciting."
"What do you mean?"
"Ah, I'll just go with you to meet him."
Smoothie stretched lazily, rising from the sofa with a faint smile. "Achievements and bounties are just superficial anyway. If he's earned your approval, Brother Katakuri, doesn't that already say everything?"
"..."
Katakuri remained silent, his expression as unreadable as ever.
But beneath his scarf, the corners of his lips curled slightly.
Four days later.
Under clear skies and gentle winds, the setting sun cast its glow across the deck of the Sunset.
The crew of the Sunset gathered around the dining table, feasting on the lavish seafood spread prepared by Zeff. The previous night's storm had brought an unexpected bounty—a five-to-six-meter-long Elephant Tuna had leaped onto the deck, where Jack, on his way to relieve himself, had casually caught it.
This was a rare, top-tier ingredient from the sea. After Zeff's masterful preparation, it had been transformed into over a dozen different dishes, each a feast for the senses—truly a delicacy beyond compare.
For a while, no one even had time to speak, all too busy devouring the meal.
Xiano was no exception. Having just finished his Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist training, steam still rising from his body, he grabbed a piece of Elephant Tuna sushi and popped it into his mouth. His eyes lit up instantly, and before he could even swallow, he reached for another.
Just then—
"Buru! Buru buru~!"
The Den Den Mushi, which had been napping on the table, suddenly snapped its eyes open and let out a sharp, urgent wail.
"Nami, answer the call!" Nojiko mumbled through a mouthful of food.
"Why don't you do it? Trying to sneak more— Hey! Give that back!"
"Wait, where's my grilled tuna skewer? Ugh, Sister Kuina! I expected this from Nojiko, but you—with those thick eyebrows—how could you...?"
The three girls descended into noisy chaos.
Xiano, however, turned his attention to the Den Den Mushi. The odd, ugly-cute little creature was bawling its eyes out, tears and snot streaming down its face.
"Something's wrong."
Frowning, he set down his sushi and called to Jack, who was closest. "That's an emergency signal—someone's in distress. Jack, pick it up."
"Yes, Boss!"
Jack, who had been wolfing down his food, wiped his hands without hesitation and grabbed the receiver.
"Hello?"
G-14 Branch.
All Marine branches designated with a "G" were located along the Grand Line, though most were in the first half.
This particular branch, however, was one of the few the Marines had established in the New World.
Near the Holy Land Mariejois, forming an implicit iron triangle with the G-1 and G-5 branches, this setup ensured that whichever base came under attack, the other two could swiftly respond with reinforcements.
As for venturing deeper into the New World... there were no Marine branches to be found at all—that territory belonged to the Four Emperors. Establishing a Marine base there would only invite destruction at the hands of united Pirate forces.
At this very moment, inside the communications room...
Several young female Marines held telephones to their ears, their voices choked with tears as they pleaded:
"Hello? Can you hear me? It's been so hard to get through—thank goodness you finally answered!"
"We're a merchant ship from Sabaody Archipelago! Our mast was severely damaged in last night's storm, and we can't sail any further. Please, you have to come rescue us!"
"This cargo order is extremely valuable and urgent—it must be delivered on time! If you save us and help transport the goods, we're willing to give you half the profits!"
"You'll come? Wonderful! Our coordinates are..."
A tall, raven-haired female Vice Admiral with a spiked collar around her neck sipped her coffee leisurely as she observed the scene. Her name was Duo Er, and she had only been promoted to commander of this G-14 branch last year.
Behind her, a towering figure stood silently, adjusting his cap with a slight frown.
"So this is how you usually capture Pirates?"
"Indeed, Mr. Sakazuki," Duo Er replied with a smile, turning to face him. "Though I wouldn't say it's our usual method. It works best after major storms in the area. Almost every time, one or two dim-witted Pirate crews take the bait out of greed. We actually learned this trick from those scoundrels at G-5—works like a charm."
"..."
Akainu gave no comment. Normally, he disdained such underhanded tactics, but this was the New World—capturing Pirates wasn't easy. If it yielded results, perhaps it wasn't a bad idea.
He was here on behalf of Fleet Admiral Sengoku to inspect several New World branches. The others had been unremarkable, but the G-5 branch Duo Er mentioned had undergone surprising changes since the new commander, Vergo, took over.
Just then, another call connected.
"Hello?" came a gruff, muffled voice, as if the speaker was chewing something.
Duo Er immediately turned her attention to it, while Akainu, having seen enough, shook his head and turned to leave the communications room.
(End of Chapter)