"Send a selfie to Morgans, holding a piece of paper that says 'I'm not dead, you know'?"
"Huh?"
Nami was stunned but then her eyes lit up and she clapped her fist into her palm, "Why didn't I think of that? As expected of my big brother, great idea!"
"Great, my foot!"
Shano tugged at her ear in annoyance, "Don't you think your big brother has been fighting way too hard lately? It's rare to have some time to lie low, so let me enjoy this peaceful time for a while."
Since entering the first half of the Grand Line, he had run into the Three Great Admirals, not to mention Kaido and Garp...
All of them are high-level matches, one after another, and it's only because he has a bunch of life-saving tricks that he's been able to survive until now. Anyone else would be struggling a bit.
Now, having been considered dead by the World Government, he's temporarily off their high-priority list until the next big commotion.
This rare moment of peace is a perfect opportunity to sort through gains and enhance his strength thoroughly.
...
Speaking of which.
He returned to the Water Capital four days ago, secretly reuniting with his companions.
Mayor Iceberg was grateful for saving his life and also for unintentionally helping to expose the real identity of the CP9 spy.
As Master Tom's senior disciple, with Franky not yet back, he was actually the best boatman on the island.
So, he donned his work clothes and personally stepped in to help repair the Endgame, rallying a few excellent foremen and managing to fix all the ship's damages in just one day and night.
He also greatly enhanced the reinforcement of the training room according to Shano's request.
Smoker's long-standing dilemma with the flame propulsion was also easily modified and crafted by him, and installed at the tail of the Endgame.
As long as Nami injected flames, it could unleash powerful thrust, doubling the speed of the Endgame, making it quite practical.
With such comprehensive technical skills, Shano was tempted to recruit him onto the ship.
Unfortunately, that's not possible.
The recovery of Water Seven's prosperity depends not only on the sea train but also on Iceberg's prestige.
Years ago, he single-handedly unified the seven shipyards, and only with him as president could the company's boatmen work cohesively toward a common goal.
Iceberg can't leave Water Seven, just like Water Seven can't do without him.
However, Franky's senior brother got along well with Smoker over their two days together, generously giving Smoker all his accumulated notes on ships and machinery.
Smoker was quite interested in this, spending his days engrossed in research and contemplation.
Shano thought that if Smoker could digest all this, he might actually evolve into a competent boatman, so he abandoned his plan to stay a few extra days in Water Capital to recruit boatmen.
The upgraded Endgame set sail from Water Capital, continuing toward the end of the first half.
As for the two CP9 agents, they were already dealt with by Kuina before Shano came back, without any mercy.
On this note.
The young swordswoman gave the reason that since they had already killed Lucci and Bruno, both sides were now mortal enemies, naturally they couldn't be easily let go, and weeds have to be uprooted.
This was exactly in line with Shano's thinking.
One must say, as Deputy Captain, Kuina is becoming more reliable, showing an ability to handle things independently when Shano is absent.
...
Snapping out of his memories.
Shano lazily finished his orange soda and opened the system panel, looking at the stream of messages.
In these past few days, he focused on solidifying his practice of Supreme King Entanglement, making some progress in mastering it.
He almost forgot that the marketplace seemed to have refreshed, and it was time to enjoy some shopping.
But first.
He needed to check his points—
[You offered Kizaru's pinstripe pants as a sacrifice, gaining 3600 points]
[You offered Kaido's cotton pants as a sacrifice, gaining 4000 points]
[You offered Jack's ivory as a sacrifice, gaining 1800 points]
[You offered Lucci's pigeon as a sacrifice, gaining 1500 points]
Additionally, combining the rest of CP9 and Iceberg, they contributed 1100 points, bringing the total to a hefty 12,000 points!
With this dramatic increase, Shano's total points soared, breaking 40,000 again, reaching 44,500.
"Feeling great."
Shano nodded in satisfaction, with ample points in hand, shopping felt reassuring, so he wasted no time and opened the marketplace directly.
Sure enough, new items had been refreshed.
The first one that popped up made Shano pause, his eyes flashing with delight—
[Blood and Flesh Melting Furnace Technique, Core Chapter]
[Type: Cultivation Manual]
[Price: 4800 points]
[Description: The core chapter of the Blood and Flesh Melting Furnace Technique. By extreme internal and external tempering, achieve perfect unity of flesh, bones, organs, and even cellular activity. Must first have raised the other four fragmented chapters to the Great Success Realm before cultivating this manual]
[After achieving Great Success, the strength of your internal organs will significantly enhance, and because all five chapters are complete, your physique and physical strength will also receive an overall boost]
[Seller's note: Dark Great Mage completed the collection!]
Finally, it's here!
The last core chapter!
Remember discovering the Blood and Flesh Melting Furnace Technique was way back, before fighting Ah Long?
Do you know how long I've been waiting for this!
Shano's mood instantly soared, his smile beaming uncontrollably as he put it in the shopping cart without hesitation.
Seems like luck is quite good this time.
Next item!
...
[Granny Otose's Mouth Chewing Wine]
[Type: Consumable]
[Price: 400 points]
[Description: Mouth Chewing Wine brewed by Granny Otose when she temporarily acted as a witch at a mountain shrine in the Gintama World when she was young. Drinking it will cause you to swap bodies with Granny Otose, lasting one month, effective only on the host]
[Seller's note: Couldn't find anyone else, so make do with this]
Make do my foot!
Who would buy this nonsense!
Shano's temples pulsed with annoyance as he skipped it entirely.
Next item!