"Th-Thank you very much, Mr. Yang."
Tashigi, the girl with glasses, thanked Yang Tao repeatedly while caressing the reforged blade in her hand.
"It's just a transaction, Ms. Tashigi. Also, if you have thirty million Berries, I can help you improve…"
"Th-Thirty million Berries?"
Tashigi didn't think it was expensive. Instead, she was wondering what kind of improvement could be worth thirty million Berries.
"However, there are prerequisites for the improvement. You must use it to kill 1000 enemies or defeat 5000 people…"
Killing enemies increases the kill count, while defeating others increases the Soul Shard value.
Such harsh conditions left Tashigi dumbfounded.
Zoro stared intently at Yang Tao. For him, Yang Tao was full of mysteries.
"World Exploration Value: 30.02%"
With the exploration value in hand, he had no reason to stay any longer, so he said with a smile:
"Since there are no other questions, then goodbye, Ms. Tashigi."
The reason for the increased exploration value was that the bald owner of the weapons shop's wife walked out from behind the shop. The size difference between the two was enormous; the proprietress's body could fit at least three bald owners.
After Yang Tao left the weapons shop.
The weapons shop owner, still pursuing his dream, gave his best sword, 'Yubashiri,' to Zoro.
...
After much wandering.
It was afternoon. After watching Sanji, the perverted chef, compete in a cooking contest at the seaside market in Loguetown, Yang Tao led the three to the execution platform in Loguetown's central plaza.
This was where the One Piece, Roger, was executed.
A tall iron gallows platform stood in the middle of the plaza, warning future generations about the fate of pirates. However, contrary to expectations, it did not serve as a warning but became a sacred place in the hearts of pirates.
At this moment, the plaza was packed with people, all eyes fixed on the figure on the execution platform.
"World Exploration Value: 32.25%"
There were simply too many plot characters here at this moment, and more importantly, Buggy the Clown and his crew, the surging exploration value made Yang Tao feel that the wait these days was completely worth it.
A gentle breeze blew, and Elisa looked up at the sky. Numerous dark clouds drifted across the formerly clear sky.
"This weather feels a bit off. It seems to be man-made…"
Yang Tao scanned his surroundings but didn't find the cloaked figure. Instead, he unexpectedly saw Marine Captain Smoker on the second floor of a building on the outskirts of the plaza.
This guy had two cigars dangling from his mouth, smoking like a chimney; it was hard not to notice him.
At this moment, he was intently watching Luffy, who was trapped by Buggy the Clown. He didn't know why, even though Luffy and the One Piece were worlds apart, he still saw the shadow of the One Piece in Luffy.
Noticing Yang Tao's gaze, Smoker looked over at Yang Tao.
Yang Tao smiled and waved.
'Why is this guy here too?'
Smoker squinted slightly. Since seeing Yang Tao that day, he had used his official position to investigate Yang Tao's identity but found nothing.
However, he had found information about the others on the ship.
Alvida, if the name wasn't wrong, it was very likely Iron Club Alvida, although he didn't know why her appearance had changed so much…
But that distinctive spiked club was very noticeable.
'After dealing with the Straw Hat Pirates and the Buggy Pirates, I'll have a talk with him… Pirates are pirates after all.'
On the execution platform, Luffy, trapped in shackles, said with a smile, "This is my first time seeing someone executed, wow…"
Buggy the Clown, who was on him, heard Luffy's innocent words and instantly felt his worldview shattered, roaring in anger, "You're the one who's going to be executed!"
"Huh?"
It took several seconds for Luffy to react, his eyes widening out of their sockets as he said, "Are you kidding me?!"
"You're the one who's kidding!!"
Buggy the Clown drew the long sword from his waist and said, "Accept a magnificent execution!"
"No, I don't want to!"
While Luffy and Buggy the Clown were in a rumble, Zoro and Sanji, who had received the news, also rushed to the plaza.
"Luffy!!"
"Luffy!!"
The two looked at Luffy, who was about to be beheaded by Buggy the Clown, and emanated a chilling aura.
"Hahahaha…"
Buggy the Clown let out a wild laugh upon seeing the two and said to his subordinates, "You're too late! Go, cut them down!"
With that, he raised the long sword in his hand high.
Everyone's attention was drawn to the scene on the execution platform.
Elisa suddenly asked, "Is it okay for Miko and Hana to watch this bloody scene?"
"It's fine. I'll comfort them tonight."
Elisa: "..."
So that's what you're planning.
Yang Tao looked at Elisa's frustrated expression, reached out and stroked her head, saying with a smile, "He's the protagonist of this world; how could he die here… Remember not to stand in high places when it's raining; you're likely to get struck by lightning."
"Are you saying…"
"Just watch, the iconic scene is coming."
Luffy, unable to break free from the shackles, ignored the blade Buggy the Clown was bringing down, and a bright smile suddenly appeared on his face as he said, "Sorry… looks like I'm dead."
The blade rapidly swung towards Luffy's neck.
Boom.
A bolt of lightning struck down from the sky, precisely hitting Buggy the Clown.
The entire plaza became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. This miraculous scene made everyone's eyes widen.
The iron execution platform, after being struck by lightning, strangely burst into blue flames. The raging blue flames appeared, and within a few seconds, they melted the thick steel plate at the bottom.
The towering execution platform groaned, and finally, the bottom could no longer support the weight above. The execution platform, which had stood for over twenty years without any issues, collapsed with a crash.
Luffy, trapped in shackles, was freed. Just as the raging flames were about to burn him, the sky directly started to rain. The intense flames, which could melt steel, were quickly extinguished by the rainwater.
If any firefighter saw this scene, they would have to discuss this intelligence-insulting matter with the mastermind behind it.
Compared to the charred clown next to him, who was struck by lightning, Luffy got up from the ground as if nothing had happened, picked up his fallen straw hat, and said with a carefree expression, "I'm alive!!"
Yang Tao handed the pre-prepared umbrella to the three stunned people and said, "Snap out of it, the show's over, we should go too."
Elisa glanced at the giggle Luffy, then turned to Yang Tao and asked, "No… Is this world really that crazy?"
"No, this world is crazier than you imagine. Let's go back and try Hachi's secret recipe takoyaki."
Miko had just recovered from the incident of Luffy's execution, and then she heard Yang Tao mention Hachi's secret recipe takoyaki, and she felt her mind getting distorted again.
"Ah? Mr. Yang, is it really the kind of takoyaki I know?"
When she met Hachi in the morning, she thought Yang Tao was joking…
"That's right, as an octopus fish-man, Hachi is very professional in controlling ingredients. You'll know in a bit, I guarantee you'll like it."