New World.
Under overcast skies, the Sunset sailed steadily across the drizzling sea.
"Three point two billion Berries?"
Lying on a rattan chair, Xiano glanced in mild surprise at the newspaper Nami had just handed him.
His bounty had increased quite significantly.
Breaking the three-billion Berry mark meant the World Government had finally recognized him as officially crossing the threshold of the Four Emperors tier.
Come to think of it...
During this trip to Whole Cake Island, he hadn't intended to fight at all—just to enjoy some tea, conversation, and the scenery of Totto Land.
Kaido showing up like a bloodhound catching a scent had been pure coincidence. Who could've predicted it would attract so much attention?
It was just a spar, no life-or-death outcome.
The World Government, watching everything through Stussy's eyes, must have been quite disappointed, no?
Speaking of Stussy...
Xiano turned his attention to the system panel's information stream.
[You sacrificed Stussy's lipstick, gained 1,200 Points]
During the Tea Party, he'd casually emptied her handbag. While discarding the miscellaneous items, he'd kept only this special lipstick.
Crafted from Sea Stone, it appeared to be cosmetics but was actually a weapon.
He remembered from the Egghead Island arc how Stussy had used this very item to temporarily subdue a certain leopard-man worth killing when she turned against CP-0 to protect Vegapunk.
As expected,
This tiny object was worth over a thousand Points—far exceeding the average value of other Underground Emperors' items.
Of course, it paled in comparison to BIGMOM herself—
[You sacrificed Charlotte Linlin's Homie Zeus, gained 4,000 Points]
These two alone contributed 5,200 Points. Combined with the 2,100 Points from assorted Tea Party guests, his original 64,200 Points had surged by 7,300 to reach 71,500.
With such wealth, spending was inevitable.
Three days had passed since Sunset departed Whole Cake Island, officially entering February.
If memory served, the trading market should have refreshed last night.
Pretending to continue reading the newspaper, Xiano opened the market interface instead.
Crossing his legs, he casually retrieved a can of sugar-free cola from his inventory, leisurely browsing while sipping his drink.
...
[Ship Hull Strength Upgrade Scroll]
[Type: Consumable]
[Price: 5,000 Points]
[Description: A miraculous item from the Assassin's Creed Odyssey world. Upon use, it comprehensively upgrades a ship belonging to you, with particular emphasis on enhancing defense and durability.]
[Seller's Note: This world is so boring—clearing outposts every day is making me sick]
Oh?
Xiano's eyes brightened.
Starting with something this perfectly suited to his tastes?
The Sunset had been their faithful vessel since departing the East Blue. Its main structure was built from Adam Treasure Tree wood, and during their time in the City of Seven Waters, Mayor Iceberg had provided complimentary comprehensive maintenance and upgrades.
Therefore, even in dangerous waters like the New World, its performance is still more than adequate.
But...
Just like how a nerd wouldn't mind upgrading their graphics card by another 10 points, as a seafaring adventurer, who wouldn't want a better ship?
Must buy, sold!
Next item!
...
[Upgraded Marauder's Map]
[Type: Special Item]
[Price: 8000 Points]
[Description: A magical artifact from the world of Hogwarts. When unfolded, it displays the real-time locations and movements of all living creatures within a small area, along with their names.]
[Upgraded Feature – By spending 2000 Points each time and inputting a specific name, you can search for the approximate location of a living creature anywhere in the world.]
[Seller's Note: The trio finally started school today, so happy... Wait, why is Hermione black?!]
Just by knowing the name, you can find someone's approximate location?
Xiano's heart stirred.
If it were just the regular Marauder's Map, it wouldn't be worth buying. For finding someone in a small area, it wouldn't be any better than his Observation Haki.
But the upgraded version, which allows global searches using Points, is practically a god-tier tool for tracking people down.
Coincidentally, for his upcoming journey back home, there's an old bastard he absolutely needs to find. Originally, he only knew the guy was somewhere in the East Blue, and pinpointing his exact location would have taken some effort.
Now, things just got a lot easier.
Add to cart, next item!
...
[Bulma's Motorcycle Capsule]
[Type: Vehicle]
[Price: 700 Points]
[Description: A technological product from the Dragon Ball world, developed by the genius scientist Bulma. The capsule contains a high-performance hoverbike, which can be instantly released by pressing a button. The bike is equipped with an Anti-Gravity Engine, capable of reaching speeds up to 300 km/h and adaptable to various terrains, including deserts, mountains, and water.]
[Maximum endurance: 48 hours. When returned to the capsule, it automatically recharges.]
[Seller's Note: "Why do I have such a grudge against my counterpart in the Pirate world? I roll ten items a month, and eight of them are his. It's been like this for three months straight. Ugh, do you understand how I feel?"]
So what?
Xiano snorted.
The stuff he sells is all top-tier. If this guy keeps rolling so many of his items, that's his good fortune. What's there to complain about?
It's not like he doesn't roll this guy's items all the time either. Fair's fair!
As for the motorcycle...
"Riding it on the sea? That's unexpectedly practical," Xiano mused, rubbing his chin.
Ah, whatever. He's magnanimous enough to let bygones be bygones.
Might as well buy it. At 700 Points, it's practically pocket change for him now—barely any different from getting it for free.
Besides, it'll come in handy for his trip back to the East Blue.
And by the time he returns to the ship, it'll probably be next month, just in time for Smoker's birthday.
He can give it to him as a gift then.
As a motorcycle enthusiast, that guy should be thrilled.
...
[APTX4869]
[Type: Medicine]
[Price: 3000 Points]
[Description: A mysterious drug originating from the world of Detective Conan, developed by Ai Haibara, codenamed "Sherry" in the Black Organization, who inherited her parents' research.]
[Originally a lethal poison, this drug has an extremely small chance of causing the user's body to shrink to childhood while retaining their original memories and intelligence.]
What use could this possibly have?
Xiano was speechless. To ordinary city dwellers, it might be poison, but to the strong warriors of the Pirate world, what threat could it possibly pose?
It was also quite expensive, and poisoning or underhanded tactics were never his style.
Pass. Next!
...
[Infinite American Cockroaches]
[Type: Consumable]
[Price: 2000 Points]
[Description: Upon purchase, you will receive 1000 flying American cockroaches. Regardless of consumption, the count will replenish to 1000 the next day.]
[Seller's Note: Coming home from work to twin-tailed girls flying into your face for hugs is truly healing~]
Xiano: "?"
If he could reach through the internet and across dimensions, he'd love to deliver a Galaxy Impact to this fellow seller.
Is this human?
Is this something a human would sell?
Infinite or not, starve to death for all I care. Who would buy this besides pharmaceutical companies making Kangfuxin Liquid?
Next!
...
Seems like there isn't a next one.
Scrolling through several pages, the newly refreshed items were neither amusing nor interesting.
After feasting on good finds the past two months, Xiano suspected his luck might have run dry this time—probably nothing noteworthy left.
But then, at the tenth and final item...
Hiss. Spoke too soon.
[Jaw-Dropping Skill Manual]
[Type: Cultivation Manual]
[Price: 6500 Points]
[Description: The ultimate combat technique from the League of Legends world, created by Sett "The Boss." Mastery allows the user to grab a target, leap high, and slam them into the ground, dealing massive AoE damage to nearby enemies upon impact.]
[Larger enemies suffer increased damage and create greater impact damage.]
[Note: Give me...]
Now this is good!
Xiano was thrilled. Strictly speaking, this combat technique was a fist style, meaning he could practice it without any barriers.
And the Pirate world had no shortage of big targets.
It was practically tailor-made for him!
Come to think of it.
When he first entered the New World, the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist had elevated his close combat skills, but it leaned more toward defense.
With only Galaxy Impact as his ultimate offensive technique, his repertoire felt lacking. This manual's timely appearance perfectly filled that gap.
Must buy!
Perfect finale!
...
Proceeding to checkout.
Overall, this haul wasn't as impressive as previous ones, but it was still decent.
Four items purchased totaling 20,200 Points, leaving him with 51,300 remaining.
Humming a tune, Xiano casually closed the system panel and found a quiet spot to use the ship upgrade scroll on the Sunset.
A faint glow later.
The Sunset appeared unchanged at first glance.
But when Xiano lightly pushed against a wall, he couldn't help but smile.
Its sturdiness had indeed improved significantly.
If a naval battle were to break out in the future, even without assigning guards to the ship, ordinary cannons without Armament Haki would hardly be able to inflict any significant damage to the hull.
Xiano nodded in satisfaction and then unfolded the Marauder's Map.
The map immediately displayed the locations of all crew members aboard the Sunset, with each person's name clearly labeled.
Based on their positions, it was easy to guess what the crew was doing.
Kuina was practicing swordsmanship on the second-floor open-air Sword Training Field, Zeff was preparing dinner in the kitchen, and Smoker was smoking in the crow's nest.
The other girls were all in the orange grove, likely helping that lazy Nami tend to her orange trees...
"Now, let's test the upgraded feature."
Xiano typed "Golden Lion Shiki" into the search bar.
After deducting 2,000 Points, a faint red marker appeared on the map, located in a certain area of the East Blue, with the helpful notation [Floating State] beside it.
"So he's in the East Blue after all..."
Xiano narrowed his eyes. It seemed this detail hadn't changed—Golden Lion's initial targets were still the towns of the East Blue.
No time to waste. He had already discussed the trip to the East Blue with everyone during breakfast, so there were no loose ends. They might as well set off today.
As for the method of getting to the East Blue...
...
"Huh?"
Kuma, who had been sitting at the bow reading picture books with Bonney, turned his head in surprise. "Captain, are you sure you want me to use my ability to send you back to the East Blue?"
"Yeah. Taking the Sunset would mean going under the Red Line, which is too slow and troublesome."
Xiano nodded slightly.
Among the four seas, the North Blue and West Blue are connected to the New World—only requiring passage through the Calm Belt to reach.
Meanwhile, the East Blue and South Blue are linked to the first half of Paradise. To get there from the New World, one must cross the Red Line.
Golden Lion could take action at any moment, and spending too much time on the journey might lead to unforeseen complications.
In comparison...
Taking the "Kuma Express" would be much faster.
Seeing that Xiano had made up his mind, Kuma didn't press further.
"I've been to several islands in the East Blue and can send you precisely to one of them," Kuma said, scratching his head. "Captain, which one do you choose?"
"Any of them is fine."
Xiano shrugged. Golden Lion's floating islands were constantly drifting, which meant the location retrieved by the Marauder's Map had a certain degree of lag in its information.
So, once they arrived, he'd have to use the Marauder's Map again to track the target's real-time position.
For now, the priority was getting to the East Blue. The rest could be figured out later.
"Can I come too?" Bonney, who had been listening, excitedly raised her hand. "I've never been to the East Blue! I want to see your hometown with my own eyes, Big Bro Xiano!"
"You'll get the chance someday."
Xiano crouched down, ruffled her hair, and smiled. "This time, it's really not convenient. See, Nami and Agin also want to visit their hometown, but they understand the situation and haven't even brought it up."
Agin, who had been sunbathing nearby, seemed about to say something but wisely closed his mouth after glancing at the sea.
"Bonney, don't be unreasonable," Kuma said sternly when he saw her still pouting.
Bonney finally gave up with a sigh.
"Alright, let's get started then."
Xiano stood at the bow of the ship, grinning cheerfully. "Kuma, could you say it for me? 'If you want to travel, where would you like to go?'"
Otherwise, it just feels like something's missing.
Why was that?
Kuma looked puzzled, but since it was the Captain's request, he didn't hesitate and complied.
"If you want to travel, where would you like to go?"
With a gentle voice, Kuma raised his palm, and a shockwave shaped like the Paw-Paw Fruit appeared in his hand. With a slight exertion, he swung it toward the Captain in front of him.
Snap!
Xiano's figure instantly transformed into a streak of light, vanishing into the sky.
...
Several days later.
Noon, Goa Kingdom, Outer Shopping District.
A sudden commotion erupted from the street.
"Stop! You little brat, don't run!"
"Eating without paying is bad enough, but leaving a note saying you'll pay with treasure later? What kind of idiot do you take me for, you punk?!"
"Exactly! I thought we were done with freeloaders after that pockmarked kid left, but now we've got you, you glutton!"
"Stop right there!"
"Shishishi! No way!"
Luffy, a large bone-in meat clamped between his teeth, sprinted away while turning back to stick out his tongue playfully.
Behind him, the furious restaurant owner, though panting heavily, chased relentlessly with a few employees in tow.
Before long.
They cornered him at the end of a narrow alley, blocked by a high wall. The restaurant owner skidded to a halt, hands on his hips, and burst into triumphant laughter:
"Wrong turn, huh? Hmph, you little brat, let's see where you run now!"
"Man, this is annoying..."
Luffy scratched his head, then turned to face the smug owner, grinning widely. "But hey, mister, if you think this is enough to catch me, you're way too naive!"
"Gum-Gum—Rocket!"
His arms stretched out suddenly, grabbing onto a distant tree branch, and with a whoosh, he catapulted himself up. In the blink of an eye, he was perched atop the tree, over ten meters high.
Damn it!
What kind of ability is this?!
The restaurant owner's eyes bulged in disbelief. After several failed attempts to climb the tree, he stomped his feet in frustration.
"Relax, mister," the straw-hatted boy called down, swinging his legs from the tree branch and continuing to munch on his meat.
"I don't skip out on debts! Once I set sail as a Pirate and find treasure, I'll definitely come back to pay. As for today, let's call it quits, okay?"
Call it quits?
The restaurant owner gnashed his teeth but had no way to deal with the brat. After shooting Luffy a venomous glare, he motioned to his employees and turned to leave.
However, at that very moment, a sharp whistling sound pierced the sky from above.
Huh?
The owner and his employees instinctively turned around.
Luffy also looked up in confusion, just in time to see a dark figure descending at an astonishing speed, rapidly growing larger in his vision—
BOOM!!!
The tremendous impact snapped the tree in half and carved a massive crater into the ground. Before Luffy could even scream, he was flattened like putty, smeared across the dirt.
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