"Big moves?"
"For example, defeating notorious great pirates, exposing military corruption, overthrowing the regimes of World Government member nations, and so on."
"Corruption?" Cheng Xiaoyu snorted, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"That's indeed a good starting point. Speaking of corruption in the East Blue, a certain person instantly jumped into my mind."
"The infamous Arlong Pirates, and that useless Marine Colonel who colludes with them behind the scenes."
Colonel Nezumi, true to his name, was weak and foul.
"Next, are we heading to Cocoyasi Village?" Kuro asked.
Cheng Xiaoyu recalled for a moment then immediately nodded, "That's the Arlong Pirates' territory. As long as Arlong is affected, the Colonel's scandal will surely be exposed."
"Oh, right, before that, we need to go to the Sea Restaurant…"
…
The next day.
The sea breeze gently caressed, and sunlight sprinkled on the shimmering sea surface. A peculiar, all-black sailboat quietly docked near the Sea Restaurant Baratie.
Cheng Xiaoyu leaped from the ship, landing lightly on Baratie's deck.
He left Guina and Kuro on the ship because Shadows don't need to eat.
Moreover, Zoro was also here at this time, and he was afraid Guina wouldn't be able to resist challenging Zoro to a duel. Now was not the time.
Days of sea travel had already left him ravenous. The Shadow was empty, with nothing but Shadows.
Although there were plenty of delicious foods in the Points Mall , using points for food? What a waste!
Baratie's glass dome refracted the midday sun, and the clinking of cutlery mixed with the clamor of patrons, forming a symphony unique to the Pirate World.
When Cheng Xiaoyu pushed open the carved wooden door, the aroma of grilled meat mixed with the smell of rum wafted over him.
He found a corner and sat down, his black trench coat covering most of his face.
His gaze swept past the bar—the blonde chef was flipping a wok with a cigarette dangling from his lips, and Straw Hat Luffy had just broken his third plate in the kitchen, making his companions giggle.
"I want fried rice!" Cheng Xiaoyu's low voice sounded particularly out of place in the noisy restaurant.
Sanji heard this and soon brought it to him.
"Sanji's Special Seafood Fried Rice." Sanji placed the plate down. "Fifty Berries."
Cheng Xiaoyu was not someone who ate without paying. He still had some money Genzo had lent him.
"Finally, I can have a good meal…"
After eating his fill, Cheng Xiaoyu leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to rest.
At the next table, several pirate-dressed guys were spitting as they chatted, occasionally bursting into crude laughter.
Cheng Xiaoyu initially paid no attention until he heard the words "Black Cat Pirates," then he slightly cocked his ear to listen.
"Did you hear? The Black Cat Pirates were wiped out! Captain Kuro was taken down by someone called the Shadow Pirates!"
"Really? Kuro was a tough guy!"
"Absolutely! I even saw the bounty poster! That kid is named Cheng Xiaoyu, and his bounty is twenty million Berries!"
"Twenty million? A newcomer with such a high bounty, what's this kid's background?"
One of the pirates pulled out a crumpled bounty poster, on which was clearly printed a shadowed portrait. Although the facial features were unclear, it was very handsome.
It read: "Dead or Alive, Shadow Pirates Captain Cheng Xiaoyu, Bounty: 20,000,000 Berries!"
It really was as Kuro had predicted, twenty million, not a single Berry less.
"Bounty updated: 20,000,000 Berries."
"Points +20000 (Current: 40000)."
The system's voice sounded in his mind.
Cheng Xiaoyu's lips curled slightly. Now he could exchange for the three types of Haki.
He opened the system mall and found the exchange options for the three types of Haki.
"Armament Haki (Beginner): 5000 points (Can resist ordinary cannonballs, swords.)"
"Observation Haki (Beginner): 8000 points."
"Conqueror's Haki (Beginner): 10000 points."
"Successfully exchanged for Beginner Armament Haki - 5000 points!"
"Successfully exchanged for Beginner Observation Haki - 8000 points!"
"Successfully exchanged for Beginner Conqueror's Haki - 10000 points!"
"Remaining: 17000 points."
"Current Attribute Panel:"
"Name: Cheng Xiaoyu."
"Level: 36, Experience Bar: 86%."
"Strength: 60."
"Intelligence: 60."
"Agility: 60."
"Stamina: 60."
"Spirit: 60."
"Height: 1.88."
"Weight: 129."
"Length: 8-23 (?)"
"Devil Fruit: Shadow Fruit (Unawakened)."
"Fruit Abilities:"
"1. Shadow Extraction: Currently extracted 51 / 100 Shadows."
"2. Shadow Preservation: Shadow Soldiers are preserved in the caster's Shadow and can be summoned at any time."
"3. Shadow Exchange: User and designated Shadow Soldier swap positions, requires CD of 5 seconds."
"Armament Haki: Beginner."
"Observation Haki: Beginner."
"Conqueror's Haki: Beginner."
Beginner level for all three Haki types. He should try them out when he gets the chance.
"Burp~"
Cheng Xiaoyu let out a satisfied burp, casually tossing 50 Berries onto the table.
Just as he was about to get up and leave, the restaurant door was violently thrown open. Salty sea wind, mixed with the smell of blood, rushed into the restaurant.
Gin's stooped figure stood at the entrance, "Give me…food…"
Several days of drifting had already left him ravenous. At this moment, he only wanted to eat a big meal.
Cheng Xiaoyu slightly raised his eyes, giving him a cold glance, but said nothing.
Gin impatiently slammed his fist on the table, "Are you deaf? I said I want food!"
The shouting didn't catch Cheng Xiaoyu's attention. He slowly pulled out a toothpick and picked his teeth, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him.
"Hey! I'm talking to you! Kid!" Seeing Cheng Xiaoyu ignore him, Gin was instantly enraged. He grabbed Cheng Xiaoyu's shoulder, "Are you deaf?!"
Cheng Xiaoyu slowly opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in his deep black pupils, like a gaze from the abyss of hell, causing Gin to involuntarily shiver.
"I'm not a chef," Cheng Xiaoyu said coldly, then shook Gin's hand off.
Gin staggered back a few steps, looking at Cheng Xiaoyu with surprise and uncertainty.
Cheng Xiaoyu no longer paid attention to Gin, got up, and left Baratie.
Back on the Shadow, Cheng Xiaoyu said to Kuro and Guina, "Set sail, let's get away from here first."
Kuro was slightly taken aback, "Captain, aren't we going to meet Krieg?"
"A mere Krieg isn't worth my effort. Besides…"
Cheng Xiaoyu paused, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes, "I don't want to be targeted by Hawkeye!"
Dracule Mihawk, the World's Greatest Swordsman, his strength was unfathomable…
"Are you saying Hawkeye will appear in this sea area?" Guina asked.
"That's right, and in just a few hours, Krieg will be completely defeated. That's when it's our time to appear."
"Understood."
The Shadow quickly moved away from Baratie, reaching a safe distance.
…
"Captain, it seems like a fight has broken out at Baratie."