[Analyzing user area...
Analysis complete!]
[Compiled data: Fuji Island, Segreya Village, East Blue]
[Nearest island: Shells Town]
"Strange that I never noticed this before..." he thought, looking at the system notification. If he had known this information earlier, he might already be aboard Luffy's small boat, alongside Zoro.
But there was still a chance to meet him. Getting close to Luffy would definitely be the ultimate jackpot of rewards—after all, he was a walking storyline. Wherever he went, problems happened… and got solved.
The only issue for Shiro was that he didn't have a boat to sail. His parents were pirates who barely ever visited him on the island. He had even gotten worried once because they took more than three months to return without sending a single message.
However, nowadays he was sure they could handle themselves just fine. Their combined bounties were approximately… 70 million Berries. A pretty high number for East Blue.
But that was only because they weren't natives of that region. Almost all their travels took place in the Grand Line.
Even so, most of their bounties were due to their middle name—
that mysterious letter D.
When Shiro found out he was one of the D.'s, he got excited right away, but that quickly turned into tension. He would be a natural enemy of the World Government—at least, that's what the prophecy said.
...
"It would be easier if I just bought one..." Shiro muttered as he hammered a nail into a piece of wood. In front of him stood what was supposed to be a raft.
But if that thing were launched into the sea, it would probably fall apart instantly. The ropes were poorly tied, and the nails had bent after being hit so many times.
Clearly, this boy had no idea what he was doing.
[I noticed the host is having trouble with boats. To conclude the system's tutorial period, I am offering a free White-level Check-in that you can exchange for a boat.]
The robotic voice spoke, appearing before Shiro in the form of a floating screen. The boy, now sprawled out on the sandy beach, looked at it in exhaustion.
Should he waste one of his Check-ins just to get a boat?
Of course he should! In the future, he'd gain way more than that. This was the perfect chance to leave this boring island and finally begin his long-awaited adventure.
"I accept!" he shouted with determination, eagerly waiting for his reward.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You've just received a White-level Check-in!
Would you like to exchange it for a "Boat"?]
"Yes," he replied without hesitation. Another notification rang in his mind, but this time, no screen appeared. Instead, a strange ticket appeared in his hand, showing the image of a boat.
He probably had to toss it into the sea to activate it. He knew it was a risky move, but it was worth a shot.
He threw the ticket toward the shore, and a small blue glow appeared in front of him. A few seconds passed, and the light faded. In its place now stood a small wooden rowboat, with a friendly appearance.
It wasn't much, but compared to the raft he had tried to build earlier, it was a huge improvement. He noticed a red button on the front of the boat, and instantly became curious.
Could it be… a self-destruct button?
Maybe the system was inspired by a certain mad scientist who hated platypuses and put self-destruct buttons on all his creations?
Nah... That would be hilarious, actually. But totally unrealistic. Probably.
Shiro got up from the ground, stretched, raised his arms, and let out a weird little groan...
He swore never to make that noise again. Especially not in front of anyone.
He walked toward the beach, heading to the small boat rocking with the waves.
That's when he noticed the beautiful view his island had to offer. A stunning beach, with a sea untouched by pollution—something quite rare in the real world.
But setting that aside, he climbed into the boat and sat down on one of the "benches." The moment his butt touched the wood, he felt an overwhelming sense of... comfort?
How could raw wood be this comfortable? Was the boat magical?
Of course it was—it was made by the system.
He knew the system wouldn't disappoint. He thought he had wasted one of his tickets, but it turned out he was wrong.
The boat was so cozy that the boy nearly fell asleep on it. He only didn't because he had something much more important to do now.
He needed to see what that button did!
Out of all the possibilities in his mind, the one that made the most sense was a self-destruct button. He'd always wanted to own something explosive, like a grenade or some dynamite. And now, it could be a boat.
Another option was that the button would turn the boat back into a ticket, allowing him to store it in his inventory… His system did have an inventory option, right? That's what a proper system should have.
Honestly, that option sounded kind of boring. Nothing as extravagant as an explosion. For some reason, he was obsessed with explosions. At least that day.
"Let's see!" he said excitedly, staring at the button as if it were a steak in the middle of a vegan lunch—or a water bottle in the middle of a desert.
He pressed the button in a frenzy, covering his eyes and ears, expecting a massive explosion... But he didn't feel any heat spread through his body.
He was immediately hit with a wave of disappointment.
If it wasn't going to explode, then what was the point?
It probably was that lame ticket transformation thing...
But no. That wasn't it either. The boat was still the same size.
Then, suddenly, a noise began behind him—like a motor revving up.
He looked back and was shocked. Where the oars had been, there was now a medium-sized motor. Smoke poured out of its exhaust.
Before he could react, the boat began speeding forward, quickly pulling away from the island.
He hadn't planned to say goodbye to that place so soon, but now there was no turning back. So he accepted his fate and continued sailing into the vast sea.