Never mind that the system could predict the next month's ripple effects with big-data analytics—getting an A-Rank for this job was still a solid win.
True, the bonus haul contained only a single A-rank Random Weapon Ticket—less than what Nami and Nojiko's presence had effectively contributed—but the real prize was the 10,000 reputation points. That amount could push a Warbreaker-level ability up to Citycrusher-level.
Before this he had 7,791 reputation. After the payout, he now had 17,791.
"System, upgrade my Physique," Adrian said quietly.
"Ding! 10,000 Reputation consumed. Attribute [Physique] upgraded to: Citycrusher!" the system chimed.
The surge that followed was intoxicating. His Physique jumped from Warbreaker to Citycrusher, and the rush of strength made Adrian grin. He knew the next tiers were exponentially more expensive—100,000 to reach Nationbreaker, 1,000,000 to reach Calamity—so if he wanted to climb those rungs quickly, he'd have to pull off far bigger deeds.
Time was also a factor. This was the year Luffy set sail—meaning the world would soon change fast. If Adrian didn't accelerate his own growth, he could become nothing more than another obstacle in someone else's legend. He'd never let himself be a mere stepping-stone.
So: bigger jobs, bigger targets, bigger fame. That was the plan.
He gathered the loot into his system space—money was useful even if he wasn't obsessed with it. Sometimes a single coin could decide a life. Still, he was a bandit. If short on cash, he'd just pull another raid.
Adrian strolled up to Hachi, who was tied and gagged.
"Hachi, right?" Adrian said. "If you want to live, you'll obey me. If you don't… I won't hesitate to let my men show you what a thousand cuts feel like."
Hachi's forehead broke into sweat. He almost wet himself. This man and his crew had just butchered Arlong's entire gang without blinking. Adrian's threat needed no proof—Hachi believed it instantly and nodded so violently it looked like he was grinding garlic.
"Good. Smart choice." Adrian patted his shoulder, then pulled the gag away. "Where's the Arlong Pirates' ship?"
"The Shark Spabb? It's docked at—" Hachi babbled the location non-stop. Once Adrian had the coordinates, he gagged him again. He wasn't interested in chatter; he wanted a ship.
With Arlong dead and the crew gone, staying put was pointless. He needed a vessel to go after better prey. Bandits, pirates—same trade: rob, kidnap, extort, burn. But Adrian wasn't interested in small-time scores anymore. Robbing ordinary people earned E or D ratings—pitiful gains. He wanted targets that would bump his Influence, Fame, and the event rating itself—targets that would net real reputation.
He'd follow three rules when choosing targets:
Target strength should be significant but within his control.
Loot must be valuable—big treasure = big Influence bonus.
Target must have sea-wide name recognition (greater Fame → better rating).
Hit those three and even a risky job would net C, B—or repeatedly hit those spots and A-ranks could be routine.
"Nami, Nojiko—you have half a day. Say goodbyes, pack what you need, and meet at the Shark Spabb's dock. If you don't show, don't blame me for making the villagers the next target. I'm not Arlong—if you refuse, the whole village dies," Adrian said coldly.
Kindness wouldn't work. He had no time to coddle them; mercy here would be mistake. The threat left no room for bargaining.
"Zabuza, let Hachi lead the way," he added.
Zabuza loosened the ropes on Hachi's legs enough to let him walk, but only barely. One misstep and Zabuza would remind him how sharp his blade was. Hachi didn't try anything—escaped yet, and he'd be dead. Adrian needed him alive for now; Hachi's value as a guide mattered more than his corpse.
With Hachi in front, the small party left Arlong Park. Nami and Nojiko remained behind for a moment.
"Do we do as he says?" Nojiko asked.
"Yeah. If we don't, he might actually kill the villagers," Nami replied, glancing at the field of corpses. Refusal would be a price they could not pay.
"We'll tell everyone, then go," Nojiko said. "At least Arlong and his crew are gone. Once Adrian leaves with them, Cocoyasi Village won't have to live in fear of constant extortion. We can at least say that much."
They left shoulder to shoulder, the time Adrian had grudgingly given them enough to say farewells and sort essentials. Their future uncertain, they still carried a thread of hope: maybe this new terror would prove a lesser evil—or maybe they'd simply survive long enough to adapt.
Adrian and his crew departed with Hachi leading the way, while a silent, complicated lull settled over Cocoyasi Village—liberation mingled with dread.
Translator's Thoughts:
Adrian's power curve is getting downright absurd—Citycrusher-level Physique this early puts him firmly in "future Emperor-tier monster" territory. And the way he talks to Hachi? That's not intimidation; that's pure outlaw dominance.
Meanwhile, Nami and Nojiko have officially realized there is zero wiggle room. Adrian isn't Arlong—he's worse in the sense that he doesn't bother pretending. When he says the village dies if they don't cooperate, they believe him instantly.
But the irony is brutal:
Cocoyasi Village is finally free… because an even deadlier force tore through Arlong. Their liberation came from someone who might be an even greater threat.
And yet—
Adrian's not extorting them, not harming the villagers, not asking for tribute. He just wants the sisters… and bigger prey.
Next chapter: the Shark Spabb, the open sea, and Adrian's first true step into the era where Luffy is about to set sail. The world is getting bigger—and Adrian is preparing to rob it blind.
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