The following days passed much the same way: morning training, lessons for Byle after meals, more exercise afterward, and summoning whenever energy was sufficient. Some items were magical, others seemingly useless, but Zhang Da Ye carefully preserved them all.
He ran through nearly every nearby street, rarely leaving the bounds of Island 59 out of caution. The locals had noticed this handsome young man running almost every day.
Gossipy residents soon learned that he was a shipwreck survivor temporarily staying at Goodman's house.
After all, Goodman was the finest shipwright on Island 59, somewhat famous in the area, and his family naturally had social interactions.
Through these connections, quite a few people got to know Zhang Da Ye.
Sometimes Byle would bring a few friends to hear Zhang Da Ye's stories. From then on, besides Roger and marine warrior Sora, the local kids now also admired a monkey that seemed to leap right out of stone.
No child could resist this monkey's charm—not even in another world.
Zhang Da Ye didn't dislike this lifestyle. After so many days, this so-called Pirate King world no longer felt fictional.
The people here were real. Some didn't care about him, some were enthusiastic, some complained when their children waved sticks around shouting "Monkey King" due to his stories, and some admired him for the strange tales he told.
This was life among ordinary people on this island, not just a few lines in a comic book.
"Tom, do you think I've gotten a bit stronger after twenty days of training?" Zhang Da Ye lifted his shirt to reveal faint abs.
Although his main exercise was running, he also did push-ups and sit-ups. With his limited knowledge of fitness, these were the only exercises he knew, but the results were better than expected.
Tom rested his chin on his paw, thinking, and nodded.
There was some change, but for Tom, it was minor. He could achieve this in a day or two if he wanted, though he would revert after a day of rest.
Back when he tried to beat Jerry's big cousin, Tom had trained hard, but he later realized being a lazy cat was more comfortable, so he stuck with that lifestyle.
When Zhang Da Ye suggested training, Tom had gestured to explain this, so he didn't push him further. Protecting his cat was what a responsible owner should do.
After adjusting his clothes, Zhang Da Ye prepared to go out, but Goodman stopped him.
"Da Ye, unless it's important, it's best not to go out today."
Curious, Zhang Da Ye asked, "Why? Is something special happening today?"
"It's June 1st."
June 1st? Could it be Children's Day here too? Zhang Da Ye was puzzled.
Goodman explained, "The first of every month is when the Employment Security Office operates. There's a high chance world nobles might come to Sabaody. They're unlikely to visit us directly, but you never know what these big shots are thinking. So it's safer not to go out."
Hearing "world nobles," Zhang Da Ye realized the Employment Security Office was basically a cover for a slave auction. Celestial Dragons might be coming to buy slaves.
"Got it. I won't go out then." Zhang Da Ye didn't want trouble and decided to do indoor exercise instead.
He still wondered about one thing: the auction's mastermind was supposed to be Doflamingo, but news recently showed him being chased by Vice Admiral Tsuru, meaning he wasn't yet a Shichibukai. Could he really run the auction now?
"Uncle Goodman, do you know who owns the Employment Security Office?"
Goodman was surprised. "Never heard. The background must be deep, though."
"I see…"
"Anyway, it's not our business. Just avoid that area." Goodman didn't want to dwell on it, and quietly asked, "Little man, that Queen of the Women's Kingdom—"
"Huh?" Zhang Da Ye didn't catch the rest.
Mrs. Molly passed by the living room. Goodman cleared his throat, glancing away. "I mean, Byle asked me to ask how Sun Wukong fared after being stung by the Scorpion Spirit…"
That's definitely not what he meant to ask!
Zhang Da Ye kindly didn't correct him and called Byle over to continue the story.
After finishing a section, Zhang Da Ye started push-ups. Curious, Byle tried but soon couldn't keep up and squatted nearby, helping count for him.
After push-ups came sit-ups. Though more exhausting than usual, energy accumulation was slower than before, making Zhang Da Ye frustrated. Blame the Celestial Dragons!
Goodman's family was already used to Zhang Da Ye training constantly. When they asked why, he simply said his body was weak and he lacked a sense of security.
They assumed he had encountered something scary at sea. Mrs. Molly kindly added more meat at meals, never complaining despite his growing appetite.
As for Tom, he preferred staying indoors, lounging on the sofa all day. Only food and sunlight could make him move.
Finally, the day passed. The next morning, Zhang Da Ye returned to his routine. With full energy, he found a secluded alley and summoned:
[Congratulations! You obtained: Matches *10, Mousetrap *1]
[Stored in your inventory.]
[Matches: Can ignite almost anywhere with friction.]
[Mousetrap: Sturdy and sensitive, reliable quality, Tom's favorite, though it often injures him.]
Zhang Da Ye was used to the mousetraps, having obtained six in the past twenty days—truly Tom's favorite rodent-catching tool.
But this type of match was new. Early matches could ignite anywhere, though unsafe and prone to spontaneous combustion if poorly stored. Modern safety matches only ignite on the box surface.
For Zhang Da Ye, these matches were convenient, and safety wasn't an issue with an inventory.
He arranged the matches and fireworks side by side in his inventory.
At that moment, Tom tugged at his clothes, signaling to look around—they were surrounded.
Four burly men, armed with machetes, clearly had ill intentions.
He'd never understood how Tom's type of matches worked in his childhood…