Twenty days had passed since Tom first realized he had forgotten many things about the original world of One Piece. He and Luffy were still sailing on the sea.
Tom could now confirm that apart from his memories related to the One Piece world becoming blurry, everything else in his mind was normal.
In other words, Tom still vaguely remembered the names of some events from the One Piece world, such as Water 7, Impel Down, CP9, Little Garden, and so on. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recall any details about these events.
What made Tom most speechless was that he remembered the Straw Hat crew should have had nine members. But now, apart from Luffy, Zoro, and Nami, he couldn't remember at all who else would join their pirate crew in the future.
After several days of unease, Tom finally stopped worrying about it and focused on recovering.
Relaxed, Tom would occasionally lie on the boat, leisurely enjoying the cool sea breeze brushing his face, chatting and joking with Luffy and the others on the other boat. Life was quite carefree.
Since I can't remember, why waste brain cells thinking about it? Can't I survive in this world without those memories?
Tom thought this way. Before he transmigrated to this world, the memories of the One Piece world in his mind were those of an observer; he had never participated in any of the Straw Hat Pirates' events.
To put it bluntly, those memories didn't include him at all.
Such memories were better forgotten.
What normal person would worry themselves sick over forgetting some comic book content? Isn't that ridiculous?
Now he was truly living in this world. He remembered everything that had happened with Luffy and the others so far, and that was enough.
After making the resolve to calmly face death, Tom completely understood one thing: as a pirate in this world, strength was the key to survival.
Like last time, if he had chosen to believe that Luffy would definitely jump out to save Zoro from execution, their pirate crew wouldn't have a directionally challenged person now.
Thinking this, Tom cared even less about the lost memories of the One Piece world.
In critical moments, one must rely on oneself. Choosing to trust past memories was not only dangerous but also quite foolish.
After resolving his mental knot, Tom's injuries seemed to heal faster. Although moving his body still hurt occasionally, it was much better than a few days ago when even lying down caused pain all over.
This was also thanks to the wound medicine Nami had stolen in Orange Town. Otherwise, relying solely on bandages, Tom wouldn't have recovered so quickly.
Every time she changed Tom's bandages and medicine, Nami's face turned terribly dark because she remembered the treasure worth five million Berries that Luffy had left in Orange Town.
When Nami stole the wound medicine, she had also left some money for the owner. Later, learning that Luffy had given five million to the residents of Orange Town made her feel that the medicine she stole was incredibly "valuable."
As for Luffy, that oddball, his seriously injured left hand was basically fine after a few days, which deeply frustrated Tom.
Luffy also told Tom that if he had meat to eat, he would have healed the same day.
Tom finally understood: as a flesh-and-blood human, comparing himself to Luffy, a rubber man who could cure any ailment with meat, was just asking for torture.
Zoro even spoke with great seriousness to Tom, saying that in future battles, he should pay attention to protecting his body and not get injured easily.
The tone Zoro used when speaking to Tom was like an elder brother enlightening a younger brother, which made Tom very annoyed.
Because Tom remembered that in Orange Town, Zoro should have been stabbed by Buggy and seriously injured.
But now, Tom was the most seriously injured, Luffy was also wounded, and Zoro was completely unscathed. This gave Tom the illusion that he had taken the disaster meant for Zoro.
"You guys, don't lie lazily on the boat sunbathing. Pay attention and listen up."
Nami couldn't stand their nonchalant attitude anymore. These people seemed to not take their own lives seriously at all, sailing on shabby wooden boats and declaring they would go to the Grand Line. She had to remind those three idiots delusional enough to gallop across the Grand Line in small wooden boats.
"In terms of crew numbers and equipment, it's hard to imagine we can safely reach that extremely perilous Grand Line."
Nami sat on the boat, glanced at Tom comfortably sunbathing on the other boat, and spoke very seriously to Luffy.
"So what do you plan to do?"
Luffy lay on the boat in a sprawl and asked Nami.
"Of course, make preparations. Plan the next step. Heading south from here, we can soon reach Syrup Village."
Nami took out the Grand Line navigational chart she had stolen from Buggy, pointed at a place on the map, and spoke.
"It would be great if we could get a proper ship."
Unfortunately, no one was listening to Nami anymore.
"We can eat meat!"
The moment Luffy heard Nami say they were nearing Syrup Village, he immediately turned excitedly to look at the sea ahead and shouted loudly.
"Will that village have good sake?"
Zoro also lost his sleepy-eyed look, energetically asking Tom on the other boat.
"I think so. I hope this village has fishing tools that satisfy me."
Tom sat up straight, stroking his chin.
"Do you really intend to sail properly? It's a miracle you've survived this long."
Seeing that Tom and the others hadn't noticed the key point of her words, Nami rubbed her forehead, too angry to speak.
After some time, Tom and the others finally saw the coast of Syrup Village.
"Oh, I see an island! I wonder if there's any exciting adventure and delicious meat waiting for us there."
Luffy sat on the bow, looking at the island ahead, excitedly patting his feet together like applause, making loud clapping sounds.
As they got closer to the coast, Tom felt an indescribable sensation—both excited and somewhat expectant. This feeling became stronger upon hearing Luffy's words, and his heart beat faster than before.
Tom had never experienced this feeling of excitement mixed with anticipation and eagerness before. He really wanted to go to that island immediately and see what would happen.
After thinking for a moment, Tom understood why he felt this change.
It was precisely because he didn't know what would happen on that island. For the first time since arriving in this world, he tasted the allure of adventure on an unknown island, and how irresistible it was.
This gave Tom a deeper understanding of Luffy's excitement and cheering whenever he encountered a new island.
This desire to explore and sense of novelty filled his heart, making his blood boil, his heart burning hot.
Previously, whether going to Shells Town or being in Orange Town, Tom never had this yearning for adventure or the feeling of his blood boiling. His inner peace even made him feel somewhat bored.
Because he roughly knew what might happen there and who he might meet.
Unconsciously, this gave Tom a deep-seated negative attitude toward the future voyage.
But now, Tom had forgotten all those past memories of the One Piece world clean. This instead ignited a strong desire for adventure deep in his heart.
It rekindled a blazing fire for the unknown voyage. For a moment, he felt extremely excited. Even his slightly pale face from the injuries gained some color, looking much more spirited.
"This place feels very remote."
As soon as Zoro said this, Tom, to distract himself and slightly ease his excited mood, said to him, "Don't worry. With us here, no matter how remote, you won't get lost."
"Yeah, Zoro is a super directionally challenged person. Don't wander off alone once we land; you'll get lost."
Luffy laughed heartily, kindly reminding Zoro.
"Shut up, you two! If you keep talking nonsense, I'll cut you down!"
Zoro, provoked repeatedly by Tom and Luffy, started to look dark.
"You still have the mood to chat? Prepare to land. Take down the sails."
Seeing Syrup Village right before them, Nami was also in a good mood, her smile broadening.
After Luffy and the others went ashore, Tom stood on the boat, quietly feeling the fresh, damp air of the coast, then stepped onto the shore. He felt a tingle all over, his whole body becoming excited.
"You seem weird today."
Nami had been watching Tom. She felt Tom had changed, become very different from before, but couldn't pinpoint how. It was a very微妙 feeling.
Since meeting Tom, Nami had always felt that although Tom helped her, although he was with Luffy and the others, a pirate, and although everyone seemed to get along well, she felt there was a faint barrier between Tom and herself, Luffy, and Zoro.
Clearly, when they were together, they were happy and got along pleasantly. So why was there this barrier?
Nami couldn't figure it out and once thought it was her illusion. But now, looking into Tom's eyes, she no longer felt that barrier from him.
Actually, the reason Nami felt this barrier was because Tom understood each of them, even knew what would happen to them in the future, but they couldn't predict Tom's future.
This unconsciously made Tom subconsciously distinguish himself from Luffy and the others.
Because he was, after all, different. He knew more than them but couldn't say it. This pent-up, nowhere to vent slight sense of superiority was precisely the reason for the barrier between Tom and Luffy's group.
But now, Tom was just like Luffy and the others—he didn't know what would happen in the future or what dangers they would encounter. The only certainty was that they could trust each other, adventure together, and fight together.
So Nami no longer felt that barrier from Tom.
"I'm perfectly normal. Let's go into the village. If they don't have what we want, we'll go to the next island quickly."
Tom chuckled and walked forward.
"Huh? Tom, have you finally learned to enjoy the fun of adventure? Every time I reach a new island, I get so excited I want to eat dozens more pieces of meat."
Luffy also noticed Tom's change and happily said to him, swallowing saliva at the mention of meat.
"Let's go. We might even encounter something interesting."
Tom's smile widened, his face impatient.
"Wait, someone's ambushing there."
Zoro suddenly stopped Luffy and Tom, placing his hand on the sword at his waist, looking警惕 at the high cliff ahead.
"Who? Is someone there?"
Luffy looked around but didn't see anyone.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Suddenly, many pellet shots shot toward Tom and Luffy, but both dodged them.
Tom looked up and saw numerous pirate flags with skull patterns appearing on the cliff above, fluttering in the wind.
But these pirate flags emerged from the bushes three at a time.
"Wow, amazing! There are so many people!"
Seeing so many pirate flags, Luffy excitedly danced around.
Tom sighed inwardly. We haven't seen a single person, just a lot of pirate flags, and you say there are many people? Next time I accidentally let out a series of farts, will you think I've been shot several times?
Then a man in brown clothes with a long nose stood on a tree at the cliff's edge, laughing somewhat arrogantly, arms crossed, and said to Tom and the others, "I am the great pirate captain Usopp, who leads and rules this village! People respectfully call me 'our captain,' Captain Usopp!"
"If you plan to attack the village, I advise you to leave now! My 80 million crew members won't let you off!"
Usopp stood on the cliff edge, looking down from a height at Tom and the others, speaking very confidently.
"What?! 80 million people! That's so cool!"
Luffy exclaimed in shock. Among those present, apart from this glutton, everyone else was quite calm.
What is this guy doing? How can he tell such an easily exposed lie? Is he an idiot?
Tom shook his head, looking at Usopp standing confidently on the cliff edge, pointed at him, and said to Luffy and Zoro, "I want to go up and punch him away. Is that okay?"
"He has 80 million people, Tom! You'll be defeated!"
Luffy held his head, looking worriedly at Tom.
Hearing Luffy's words, Zoro sighed helplessly, and Tom was covered in metaphorical black lines.
"That's right! My 80 million crew members are invincible! If you're scared, leave quickly!"
Usopp shouted forcefully at Tom and the others.
"You're lying."
Nami glanced at Usopp and said.
"Oh no, discovered."
Usopp, exposed by Nami, immediately held his head, looking panic-stricken.
"See, he admitted it."
Nami ruthlessly pursued.
"Carelessly let it slip."
Usopp held his head, swaying无力, and said to Nami, "You woman are too狡猾."
"What? It was all fake?"
Luffy came to his senses. Tom couldn't be bothered with this glutton anymore.
"80 million is an exaggeration, but I do have elite troops."
As soon as Usopp said this, many pirate flags around him swayed up and down, as if someone was there cheering for him.
"You there, who said you wanted to punch me away? Let me tell you, I have 8,000 elite troops! And I am a man of dignity! Precisely because of this dignity, everyone calls me 'Proud Usopp'! If you dare duel me one-on-one, I won't use numbers to bully you. If you lose, you and your group leave here."
Seeing Tom covered in bandages and moving not very nimbly when dodging the pellets earlier, clearly injured, Usopp changed his mind on the spot and proposed a one-on-one duel to Tom with附加 conditions.
To protect his village, Usopp was going all out. He figured dealing with a seemingly heavily injured pirate gave him a bit of chance of winning.
"Duel? One-on-one?"
Hearing Usopp's words, Tom's face darkened. He stepped forward, looking at Usopp. "Listen up. I don't care if you have 80 million crew or 8,000 elite troops. If you dare issue a challenge, be prepared to be punched away!"
After hearing Usopp's words, Luffy and Zoro lost their previous lazy demeanor, both looking grave, their gazes toward Usopp unfriendly.
"Wait, aren't you taking this too seriously?"
Nami could tell Usopp was lying. Seeing Tom really intended to punch Usopp away, she hurriedly asked in a low voice.
What puzzled Nami most was that even Luffy and Zoro looked like they wanted to be rough with Usopp.
"Whether the opponent is weak as an ant or the strongest in the world doesn't matter. When he's my enemy, what I must do is go all out and punch him hard. I will never underestimate any opponent, even if he's a liar!"
Tom cracked his knuckles, making crisp cracking sounds, and said to Usopp, "You're prepared to be punched away, right?"
Usopp had already taken out his slingshot and aimed it at Tom. But after hearing Tom's words and meeting his gaze for a moment, feeling the cold gaze with tangible killing intent, he felt his hands and feet go cold, his body began to tremble uncontrollably, even having a suffocating illusion, the back of his shirt soaked with cold sweat.
"You're right, Tom. The opponent has already drawn his weapon; that's not for scaring people. Go punch him away! If he calls his 8,000 elite troops during your duel, Zoro and I will deal with them."
Luffy slightly pressed down his straw hat, his face covered in shadow.
Clang!
Zoro used his thumb to push out one of his swords from its sheath at his waist. The sword revealed a cold, sharp gleam. He said to Usopp, "Standing before you are real pirates!"
"Such terrifying presence... These are real pirates!"
After a moment, Usopp could no longer bear the heavy pressure from Tom, Luffy, and Zoro. He slumped to the ground, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
"You've lost your fighting spirit. But a duel is a duel. I won't hold back because of this."
Tom slowly walked toward Usopp.
"Captain Usopp is in danger! Let's run!"
Three panicked children ran out from the bushes, abandoning Usopp and running back to the village.
Without these three children, the many pirate flags around Usopp fell down in disarray. It was truly a total collapse.
"Hey, don't run!"
Seeing his three little helpers so unreliable, Usopp was so shocked his eyes nearly popped out.
"Will he be okay?"
Zoro clearly understood Tom's current physical condition wasn't suitable for strenuous activity, or his recently healed wounds might reopen.
"Don't worry. Last time Tom was seriously injured, he still punched that big nose away with one punch. He'll be fine."
Luffy's words to Zoro were heard by Usopp, scaring him silly on the spot. Looking at the boat docked at the coast still flying the Buggy Pirates' flag, he thought: Did these people steal a ship from the Buggy Pirates?
He can punch away Buggy, who's called the immortal in the East Blue? How strong is he? I misjudged!
Usopp looked at Tom, feeling his mouth go dry, his heart growing more panicked, very uncomfortable.
Seeing Tom getting closer, Usopp was so scared his body shook, then carelessly rolled directly off the cliff.
Tom came before Usopp and looked down at him. "To be honest, I recently punched a guy with a red nose, making it redder and rounder. Now I meet you with a long nose. Seems I have quite a fate with people with special noses. Do you want me to punch your long nose short and thick?"
"Wait! You've got it wrong! I'm not declaring war on you!"
Usopp had fallen from the high cliff right in front of Tom and the others. Seeing Tom only a few steps away, and hearing Tom mention a red nose, which confirmed he had fought Buggy, he hurriedly waved his hands示意 not to fight.
"What do you mean? Are you saying the person you challenged wasn't me?"
Tom slightly frowned, thinking this long-nosed guy kept beating around the bush. Better punch him away sooner.
Just as Tom was about to act, he saw the terrified, trembling Usopp suddenly point at Nami, who was standing at the back, and loudly say, "The one I challenged is this woman! When I issued the challenge, I didn't point at you. You misunderstood."
Hearing Usopp's words, not only was Tom speechless, but Luffy and Zoro also looked shocked, exclaiming in unison, "What?!"
"Have you no shame? You're a man, I'm a woman. You actually have the nerve to openly challenge me?"
Nami was stunned. She thought hiding at the back was safest. Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, Usopp's spearhead was aimed at her, and he said he challenged her. How could she bear this?
"I am the most respected person in all the East Blue! In the East Blue, everyone must give me face! People call me Captain Usopp, the Most Respected!"
Seeing Tom finally no longer intended to punch him away, Usopp cleared his throat softly, stood up on weak legs, and started boasting again.
"So cool! Everyone must give you face! You must be a really amazing person!"
The single-celled Luffy was fooled by Usopp again. But as soon as he shouted this, a loud sound was heard.
THWACK!
Unable to bear Usopp's nonsense any longer, Nami quickly rushed to Usopp and knocked him down with an iron fist.
"Good! I win this duel."
Seeing Usopp temporarily unable to get up, Nami smiled brightly and reached out her hand to Usopp.
Usopp thought Nami was going to help him up. As he raised his hand, he heard Nami say, "As the victor of the duel, there should be victory prize money, right? Give me ten million Berries."
Faced with Nami who demanded money outright, Usopp was now the one dumbfounded...
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T/N :
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