Chapter 4: Plans
If the last 16 years have taught me anything, it's that no one survives these seas alone. I'm not Mihawk—I can't just sail across the Grand Line in a tiny boat without a care in the world. I need allies, and not just any allies. I need strong ones. People I can rely on, not only to help me survive but also to help me thrive in this unpredictable world.
There's only one person I can think of who fits that description right now: Trafalgar D. Water Law.
As far as I can remember, he should be on Swallow Island right about now, working on forming the Heart Pirates. His crew has a submarine, the "Polar Tang", which is perfect for keeping a low profile and avoiding detection. Not to mention, I've always admired Law. He's both brilliant and strong—qualities I respect in a leader.
Of course, earning his trust wouldn't be easy. Law and his crew have a tragic history, full of betrayals and heartache. They've been through hell, and they don't trust easily. But that's a problem for future me to figure out. For now, I just needed to get to Swallow Island and find them. I'd cross the bridge of earning their trust when I got there.
As I mused over these thoughts, I realized I was already nearing Swallow Island. It wasn't too far from Minion Island, and with a bit of luck and some decent sailing skills, I made it there faster than I expected. The island had a distinct, almost eerie appearance. Its central mountain formation rose in the shape of a giant swallow; wings spread wide as if frozen mid-flight. It had an air of danger around it, but that only fueled my excitement. This was where my real adventure would begin. And it was the perfect place to gain the real-world experience I so desperately needed.
As I docked my boat and stepped off onto the rough terrain, I wasn't surprised when a group of thugs immediately approached me. Five tall men covered in tattoos and scars, blocked my path, sneering as they cracked their knuckles and sized me up. They looked like they were used to bullying anyone who set foot on the island.
"Hey, kid. You picked the wrong place to wander into," the leader of the group growled, a huge club slung on his back, his voice low and menacing. "If you don't wanna get hurt, you'd better hand over whatever you've got. We'll even let you leave in one piece."
I kept my face calm, indifferent even, but inside I couldn't help but grin. It was almost comical how predictable these guys were. Typical dock thugs—so confident they could intimidate a "kid" like me. But I wasn't just some clueless kid anymore. I'd been preparing for this moment, and I welcomed the challenge.
"I don't have anything worth taking," I said, my voice steady and cold. "But if you really want to try, I won't stop you..."
The leader's sneer twisted into a snarl, and he stepped forward, clearly not liking my attitude. "Cocky little brat, aren't you? Let's see if you still got that mouth when we're done with you."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone