Capítulo 11: Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Centaurea, Revolutionary Base
"Come on...come on, work dammit..." My foot blurs ever so slightly as it kicks against the ground but I feel no reaction. No force propelling me forward.
It's been four days since The Marjhan's encounter with 'Red Witch' Mira-Jane and we've made port once again in Centaurea to unload supplies. While we were occupied at sea, there have been some rather major developments on the war-front. A Marine Commodore by the name of Torsten sailed into the harbor with three warships at his back in an attempt to recapture the territory. To hear the base soldiers tell it, he was damn near successful and had certain revolutionary officers not been present to repel him, it would have become a massive loss for the R.A. If you peer closely enough, you can almost see the outlines of the ships sunk in the battle resting at the bottom of the bay.
Deep in the mainland of the country, the capital has fallen under a heavy siege, forcing the World Government-aligned royal family to bring all their nearby forces behind it's protective borders. Many members of the lower nobility have fled north, holing themselves up in the last of the countries six provinces that is still solely under the states control.
In the western town of Kelna, a ragtag army of civilian militias clashed against a host of royal troops in what has now become the bloodiest affair of the entire conflict to date. Although it was eventually the royals who were forced into a 'temporary tactical retreat' as the newspapers called it, the death toll was at such a high cost for both sides that any man would agree there was no winner that day.
The night before we sailed in, a Cipher Pol #2 assassin was captured and executed by firing squad, which I suppose is good, but taking into account that the agent was only discovered after poisoning five members of the bases command structure makes it a rather hollow victory for the revolutionaries. Three of the men were able to receive medical attention quickly enough to at least be pulled away from deaths door but the remaining two were...not as fortunate.
The only purely positive news available is that what was once a trickle of deserters abandoning the royal forces, is slowly growing into a steady flood. They're hemorrhaging men, money and morale at an unsustainable rate. Many are coming to believe the war will simply end by itself before the year is out. No climactic final battle required.
As for myself? I'm a bit more skeptical about these things. Violent revolutions seldom have such nice clean endings.
We only have a few days of shore time before it's 'back on the water', and while everyone else is busy indulging in the comforts of dry land, I'm down on the far end of the beach trying to correct the obvious hole I now have in my [Skill] set.
If my DEX of 190 is sufficient enough for an amateur use of [Geppo], then I can think of no logical reason why Soru and Rankyaku shouldn't be feasible as well. Soru especially. Considering the amount of side characters who've been witnessed utilizing the ability, it definitely comes off as the most fundamental of the rokushiki. With that fact it mind, it seems almost a trifle odd that it will be the third of the 'six powers' to get under my belt.
I can recall from the manga that Blueno...wait was it Luffy.?.. well point is someone described Soru as 'kicking the ground at least 10 times in an instant' making it the only one of the rokushiki to come with a tutorial. 'Or at least some form of instruction. I doubt I'd have ever figured out [Kami-e] if it hadn't come in the shape of a [Skillbook].'
The problem is, despite the unambiguity of directions as clear as 'hit the ground 10 times really fast', I just can't get the damn thing to work.
How long is an 'instant' supposed to be anyway? My initial guess was 'one second' and let me tell ya, that shit's not good enough. Tapping the ground nearly a dozen times in under a second sounds difficult, but once you break out the stopwatch and time yourself you realize just how long a second truly is.
So I moved it up to 10 times in a half-second. A little more challenging, but nothing my DEX had trouble handling. Unfortunately the results still amounted to kaput.
Next came a quarter-second. At this point my leg was starting to protest against the effort. I could feel the familiar dull burn of muscles being pushed harder than they're used to. I've been at this for the better part of the afternoon and still haven't got jack to show for it. Pun slightly intended.
So now we're trying just a smidgen faster. Two-tenths of a single second. If this one doesn't pan out then I'm about to have a fit.
'Okay..focus Jack...focus...aaaaand…Go!123456789 Shit! Only nine times... You're almost there. Just push harder! Kick a little faster! 123456789 Son of a- Gah! This would be so much simpler if I knew how much force I had to put in each of the taps!
I breathed deep and ran my hands over my face. "No worries. No worries. Hakuna matata Jack, you got this. You have the DEX. Just push it out." I leaned forward and shook my head clear. "Ready...123456789 SON OF A BITCH!"
I kicked angrily at the sand. 'Grrr this should not be this hard!
'123456789!'
'123456789!'
'123456789!'
'12345678910!'
An impetus of great similarity to a horizontal [Geppo] manifests under my right foot sending my body stumbling forward in an odd combination of a swift run and sliding down a hill that isn't there. My arms flail about as I struggle to keep my balance but it's all for naught as I end up tripping over my own feet and face-planting into the sand.
Ding!
New Skill Acquired!
Rokushiki Technique # 1 of 6. (Soru). Lv. (1/50)
-One of the vaunted 'Six Powers'. By kicking the ground at least 10 times in an instant, users of this technique generate a force beneath their feet that sends them dashing forward at incredible speed. Masters of this [Skill] are able to move in any direction, combine it with other techniques, and can even briefly disappear from sight entirely.
Note: Due to your low level with this [Skill] there is an 80% chance the [Skill] will fail on use.
I turn my head up to read the notification and feel a wide smile spread from cheek to cheek.
I don't care that this means it's all the more likely I'll get put on someones radar.
I don't care that my technique is currently worse than Nero's, the CP9 reject who's Soru was so poor he didn't even blur from view when using it.
Nor do I care that I just measured progress by comparing myself to a complete jobber and throwaway joke of a character.
I only care that it is now once more time to follow that oldest and noblest of gaming traditions.
Grinding.
Four Days Later, The Marjhan
It's important in life for one to have goals. Not necessarily huge ones that can span the length of decades, though if you're someone with the patience and willpower for that sort of thing then more power to you.
What I am referring to is the short-term achievements. The 'By this time next week I want to have completed this' or the 'I want to get to get three of these things done today' type goals.
I'm tired of having these cool rokushiki powers that only 'sometimes maybe' decide to work. This percentage fail schtick the [Game] has saddled me with is a glaring weakness that I am sick of looking at every time I glance over my [Skills] page.
So for this trip, I'm making it my sole mission in life to bring it down to a 0% fail rate for two of them. At the least.
But which two to aim for?
[Geppo] first for sure. It's by far the most versatile of the 'Six Powers'. I don't care how many hours I have to hop in place to get there, this [Skill] will get to Lv. 17 -and hence 0% failure- before we see land again.
Hopefully at that point my actual mastery of the technique will start to increase. As it currently stands, all I can do is the same constant burst. There's no control. No small jumps, big jumps, no regulating the power output of any kind. And while that may be adequate for most applications of [Geppo], If I'm going to be utilizing this mid-combat, then fine tuning of the ability is an absolute must.
Going down to one leg would definitely be a large milestone as well. Once that's done I can really start working on omnidirectional movement and quick changes while in mid-flight. When I stop and really think about the amount of utility this [Skill] is going to eventually offer me it's...oh ho ho… it's going to be staggering.
[Soru] is what I want to be second but...The Marjhan just isn't an ideal place for it. The length of the deck isn't quite enough, there's people constantly going about their duties, bights of rope make for tripping hazards and….all in all it's just a bad idea. With my [Skill] level as low as it is I just don't have precise enough control not to crash into things.
Which means the silver medal is going to have to go to [Kami-e]. It's been sitting at Lv. 10 for a while now and if I'm honest, that irks me. I've had this thing for just about three months and it's only got a two-thirds chance of working? That's crap! I've barely had [Soru] a couple of days and I managed to grind it all the way to Lv. 9 before we left port again.
[Kami-e]'s major problem is that it just can't be trained when I'm alone. The [Game] refuses to grant me experience towards it unless someone is actively trying to hit me.
Which finally catches us up to my current predicament.
'Kami-e!'
My body twisted to the right of Yukimura's blade and glided softly along the air for a moment. His hand rotated 90 degrees to lash out at my new location but I simply folded away from that strike as well.
The samurai plants his sword in the deck and uses the point to pivot his body through the air. A zori-sandaled foot aims for me center-mass and although there's time for me to dodge it the conventional way, doing so would defeat the point of today's training.
'Kami-e!'
[Skill] Failed!
The blow strikes me right between my stomach and solar plexus, sending me sliding backwards with a slight grimace.
-10 HP!
I fix my stance, ready for more, but pause when I realize that the swordsman is calmly returning his katana to its sheath with a bored expression.
"What?" I ask.
"It's been an hour." The samurai replies as he lazily scratched his chest through his hakama. "You want more it's either going to be another 10 or I'm going back to my nap."
My eyebrows knit together in annoyance. "Our agreement was 10,000 for two."
His face develops a small lazy smirk. "Yeah, well I'm changing the agreement. This shit is boring with you only dodging. So choose. 10 per hour or you can go convince someone else to waste their day."
An irritated sigh flows through my nostrils."...fuckin'greedy ass bounty hunters.." I softly grumbled as I dug out 10,000 Beri from the [Inventory]. I do a double count to make sure I'm not overpaying him 'More than I am already' and then toss the small stack the swordsman's way.
The man thumbs through it for a quick moment before smiling and tucking it safely away.
"Alright. One more hour then." Yukimura explodes into action with a quick draw technique that I have no doubt could decapitate a lesser man.
[Kami-e] lives up to its name as I fold underneath the strike and flutter past the follow-up like paper in the wind.
Skill Lv up! Rokushiki Technique #5 of 6. (Kami-e). Lv. (10/50) → (11/50)
-One of the vaunted 'Six Powers.' By handing control of their movements over to the subtle currents in the air, users of this technique can twist their body around attacks and briefly coast along the wind. Masters of this [Skill] can flatten their forms to be paper thin or even invent their own variations of this technique.
Note: Due to your low level with this [Skill] there is a 30% chance the [Skill] will fail on use.
As I said earlier. Goals are important in life.
And as each step of progress shows itself along the way, well… I can think of few things that are as quite as satisfying as that.
The days passed quickly onboard The Marjhan.
In a shocking twist the next big thing to happen on our ships adventure was...nothing.
Like...actually nothing.
There were no storms or sea monsters. No pirates or surprise encounters. It drizzled once, I think. And there was that day we sailed past a pod of 30 ft long white dolphins, which I have to admit was pretty cool, but really the days have been almost entirely empty.
And frankly...I'm fine with that.
It gives me plenty of time to work.
'168, 169, 170, 171'
I count off the hops slowly, taking a full second for each number. '173, 174, 175, 176.'
Iraak is crouched before me, studying the clouds I generate with unusual intensity. "How are you doing that? It just... doesn't make sense."
"Life doesn't make sense." I quickly reply.'181, 182, 183, 184' "Just think about Devil Fruits."'185, 186, 187, 188' "Those break the laws of physics everyday." '189, 190, 191, 192'
Iraak scratches at his head in frustration. "Yeah but...those are their own thing. Your Fruit powers have nothing to do with...with this!" He nearly shouts, gesturing to my feet.
'197, 198, 199, aaaand' "That's another 200. Three minute break. Look Iraak, I don't know what you want me to say. I can't explain to you the precise mechanics of jumping on air. I can do it because...I can."
Iraak groans and leans backward on his hands. "Ugh fiiiiiine. You are so unhelpful you know that?" His head cocks slightly to the left. "How many more sets are you going to do anyway? You've barely done anything else all day."
I mentally bring up the screen showing me my daily quest.
Quest: You're close to reaching a personal objective you've set for yourself. Perform the [Geppo] [Skill] an additional 10,457 times today in order to reach Lv. 17. Progress (9,200/10,457)
Reward: 250 Exp.
"Not much more. Only another half dozen sets I think. I've got enough practice in to where I can get the power to work 19 out of 20 times."
"..Do you...do you think I could learn it someday?" Iraak asks quietly.
I considered the idea. "I don't see why not. You know it's possible, so that's the first step accomplished right there. You'd really need to up your physical conditioning though. Strength. Speed. Especially your speed."
"Yeah...yeah...I really think I could go for it." He says, sounding as if he's trying to convince himself. "Thanks Jack!"
The friendly deckhand runs off and I smile thinly at his back. Poor sod. He's only Lv. 7 so that is one hell of a long road he just put himself on. I hope he doesn't get discouraged and give up.
Then again, take a look at Coby and see how much he progressed in just a couple of years. Anything's possible in 'One Piece'.
"Well. Time to get back at it."
'1, 2, 3, 4'
As you might imagine, there's a limited variety on the type of daily quests the [Game] can present to me. It stays sufficiently random for the most part, but you're eventually going to have repeats. The one I've encountered the most, on four separate occasions over the last three months in fact, was the quest to level up two [Skills] by the end of the day.
The easiest way to accomplish this -and more importantly get the associated Exp- was to spend two or three hours of my time working on some of the [Skills] I rarely use.
Sometimes it was an enjoyable experience. Like when I leveled up [Carpentry] by building an end table. A rather shoddy end table admittedly, but technically functional, and that's the part that counts.
Other times...
The boats Chef, Ernest, watched me critically from over my shoulder.
"Are the onions finely chopped?"
"Yes Chef."
"Good. Now we add three egg yolks as a binding agent," Ernest spoke as he cracked them into the bowl. "And then mix it all together."
I looked at the ghastly amalgam of ground meat, diced vegetables, and different sauces. "With..my hands?"
"Of course with your hands!" Chef Ernest said rather snootily. "You said you wanted to help in the kitchen? Chop chop! Get working!"
"...Isn't there a spoon or something I can use..."
"Mix Parker! Mix!"
My hands sink into the slimy mixture of raw meat, eggs, and...oh god it feels so gross. I don't like this texture.
'Ew ew, it's getting under my nails. Just think of the Exp Jack. One level in [Cooking] is all we need. Just one level.'
"Good good." Ernest said approvingly. "Make sure its thorough. Once that's complete, you will roll the meat into 2 ounce balls and place them here on the tray."
"Yes Chef."
25 minutes later, right around when I was peeling potatoes, the notification popped up saying [Cooking] had reached a new level.
It was swiftly followed by the completion of the daily quest and then….
You have reached Lv.40!
Congratulations! You have reached Lv. 40!
Stat points awarded per Lv up increased! (15) → (20)
You have 20 points to spend!
I toss the vegetable and its peeler aside and rub my hands together excitedly.
'Alright! Mission accomplished. At 20 points per level we're really going to be cooking with gas now.'
I know I told myself that I was aiming for INT to be my next [Perk] but the temptation of a 2nd tier DEX ability is just too great to ignore.
'Come on [Game]! Let's see what ya got!'
Points to spend (20) → (10)
DEX (190) → (200)
…..
…..
...nothing?
Seriously?
"Parker! Why you stop working! Peel! Peel!" Ernest shouts at me.
I begrudgingly pick the potato back up as the resigned acceptance washes over me. A part of me was afraid this might happen. Unlocking a new [Perk] every 100 points would be easy. Too easy.
The [Game]...occasionally...throws me a bone but it would never be nice enough to hand me a golden ticket like that. Since my 'points to spend' keeps on rising I would eventually hit a point where I'm earning new [Perks] left and right every other level.
Maybe If I'm lucky there will be one at 250. That's a clean number. Seems plausible enough. Hopefully I won't have to wait until 500 or god forbid a 1000. That last one would imply [Perks] are a logarithmic thing and please please please [Game] I beseech you...don't make this a logarithmic thing.
In the meantime though, guess there's nothing to do but go back to plan A.
Points to spend (10) → (0)
INT (78) → (88)
There we go. Only one more level until it's done. 'Hey [Game]. I don't suppose you have any more giant sea-monsters for me to kill? I could use another Exp infusion like that.'
…
'No? You sure?'
…
'Alright then. Just checking.'
"Parker! Turn the meat! It must brown evenly!"
"Yes Chef."
One night near the end of the month does stick in the memory.
I had stayed up late, working with Guilford on [Kami-e] after Yukimura had refused me, and I hadn't gone to bed until well past the midnight hour.
I suck in a deep breath as my eyes shoot open from the noise of something crashing. A minor headache quickly formed from the less than 3 hours of sleep and I rise to waist level in my rack. My bearings slowly come to me as I identify the source of the raucous as coming from the primary berthing below deck.
I'm halfway prepared to grab a weapon and investigate the clamor when I realize that the crew isn't screaming...they're celebrating.
The door of my tiny cabin for one creaks open and I'm greeted by the sight of people popping open liquor bottles and boisterously laughing in full-blown guffaws. Even the usually silent and standoffish Cassian is pouring someone a drink. 'What the- why are we partying in the middle of the night...and how long has it been going on?'
"Jack!" A drunken Korka cheers as he pulls me through the doorway and swings his arm over my shoulder. "They've done it! News just came in an hour ago! We have the capital!" The tipsy Zoan user snatches a drink from a nearby table and shoves it into my hand. "All that's left is the northern province and the entire country is ours! Why aren't you drinking? Drink! Drink! The days of the nobles are numbered!" he shouts to the room.
I gently extricate myself from his arm and set the glass down nearby. "That's great Korka. I'm sure you can tell me all about it in the morning. In the meantime though, I'm going back to bed."
"Jaaack." Korka draws out as he pulls me back in. "Jack Jack...Jackie boy. You know I like ya Jackie. Take a walk with me."
My boss tugs me along up the ladder to the main deck, almost stumbling over his own legs as he moves.
"I think you've celebrated a bit too much captain."
"Whaaaat?...no no..I've only had two or three.." he cheerily protests.
"Two or three...what?" I ask. "Shots? Glasses? Bottles?"
The man drunkenly hiccups. "..maybe four.."
I gently guide the ostrich-man to a crate next to the main mast where he happily plops himself down and takes another swallow from the cheap swill in his hand.
It's quiet for a minute or two.
At least as much as it can be with the party still raging on downstairs.
The Marjhan rocks softly against the mellow waves of the ocean and a cool nighttime breeze passes over my face.
The moon is out in full and each star can be seen clearly in what is an almost entirely cloudless sky.
This is nice.
Sleep is better though.
"Well I'm going back to bed." I announce. "At least one of us needs to be sober and alert for tomorrow."
I turn away, content to leave the captain with his bottle when asks me something...unexpected.
"Do you remember your mother Parker?" His voice is soft. Sad. The type of maudlin tone that only a man whose one step from completely plastered could produce.
The melancholy mood settles in like a smothering blanket. A part of me is sorely tempted to just continue on like I hadn't heard him. I'm not good with over-sentimentality or tearful heart-to-hearts that he is obviously about to start on. Though...I guess I can at least do the courtesy of answering his question.
"Yes. I lived with both my parents until I was an adult."
Korka hums morosely. "You're lucky then...I can scarcely remember mine. The nobles of my homeland took her away when I was very...very young. I mostly remember...hair. Orange hair. Like the color of the sunrise. As for my father...well...the less said about him the better."
The revolutionary brings the alcohol to his lips and takes another swig. "There's so much wrong with this fucking ocean. Marauders. Slavers. Genocidal kings who do what they like and monsters ready to swallow you whole in every direction." Korka takes a long deep drink from his bottle and then follows it with an even lengthier sigh. "I joined the R.A. to help people. To do my part in showing them that maybe...maybe there can be more to this life than the shit one we've always known."
He tilts his neck skyward, staring at something in the stars that only he can see. "It won't be long now. A couple months. Half a year at most...soon the people of Centaurea are going to know freedom unlike anything they've experienced before. They'll have the ability to make their own choices. Their own destinies. To not have to live in fear of King's men busting your door down at night and throwing a bag over your head...or your mothers."
Korka brings his head down and stares at the wooden deck now. "...and with the work done it'll time to move on to the next kingdom. The next mission." He sets his bottle down and stands up. His posture and voice surprisingly sober. "I'd like to stay in South Blue if I can, but at the end of the day my ships and I will go where Commander Lindbergh feels we'll be used best."
My employer approaches me and rests his hand gently on my shoulder. "You're strong Jack. Stronger than me. We all watch you train day in and day out. The R.A. could really use someone like you. I could really use someone like you. A man I could..no no.. a friend that I could trust to lead The Taniwha once she's seaworthy again." Korka smiles a wide drunken grin. "What do you say?"
Ding!
New Quest Alert!
Quest: You've been offered a position in the Revolutionary Army! A group of saviors to some and a band of devils to others, the R.A. is the most controversial and politically divisive organization on the planet. As a member you can travel the four Blue's! Fight the good fight! Help bring down the corrupt and maybe, just maybe, you can bring some real change to this world...Fair warning though. Once you're in. You're in for life.
Reward: +50 to any four stats, 1,750 Exp a month, 50,000 Beri a month stipend, Lv. 2 [Skill Disk] x3, [Skillbook]: Inspire, and a friend for life (Korka).
Note: Accepting this [Quest] and then abandoning the R.A. will result in an immediate forfeiture of all [Rewards] as well as being labeled an oathbreaker and a World Noble sympathizer.
[ACCEPT/DECLINE]
My eyes swelled three sizes wider.
'Holy...those [Rewards] are...sizable.'
To be perfectly honest, even through Korka's touching spiel, I was still half-asleep. But now? Now, I am fucking awake.
I mean Jesus. Plus 50 in four stats? That's me getting the INT and WIS [Perks] right here, right freaking now...then 50 in LUK gets it pretty damn close to a [Perk] as well..last one would go in..shit does it even matter?
And 3 [Skill Disk]'s? One for [Bullet Time], one for [Physical Endurance], and one for...[Bullet Time] again maybe?
The Exp and monetary stipend are just gravy. The Beri doesn't even matter at this point. It's just extra pocket change. [Skillbook]: Inspire, I don't even know what to make of. I can already think of like 4 different things it might do. The final reward is...cute...but that type of thing is not nearly as important to me as it is to other people in this world.
This seems like the deal of a freaking lifetime and I almost raise my hand up to click [ACCEPT]….but that cost though. Talk about nothing ever coming for free. Am I really going to permanently commit to a cause just for a little immediate gratification? Just to earn some shiny metaphorical new toys?
"Jack? Are you still in there? Helloooo" Korka waves his hand playfully in front of my face, his inebriated state back in control. "I know it's a big decision." he says while patting me on the back. "You can take a day to think about it if you like?"
My mouth opens to say that I will but the words get stuck. I can't lie to him when I already know what my answer is.
"No... I'm sorry Korka. I won't claim to know what my future holds. Shit, I don't even know what I'll be doing two weeks from today when our 4 months is up. I won't say it's impossible that I'll sign up with you guys one day…but not right now. I value my independence just a bit too much. I'd rather discover my own cause than sell myself to someone else's."
The Zoan user frowns but I can see in his face that this was the answer he was expecting. He lets loose a heavy sigh and shakes his head despondently, "Yeah. That's what I thought you'd say."
"Come on." I say with an offered hand. "Let's get you back inside. Maybe you can sleep off at least a little of this liquor before the sun gets up."
Centaurea, Revolutionary Base
"Sixteen kegs of gunpowder."
I remove the items two at a time from my [Inventory] and hand them off. "Check."
"Eight bolts of cloth."
I extract each roll one by one."Check."
"Seventy-two pairs of socks."
"Yep. All in here." I say, pulling out a mid-size box.
Korka reaches the end of his list. "And finally, five cases of standard rifle shot."
"Way ahead of you boss." I announce, stacking the heavy chests on top of each other.
"Well...I guess that's everything then." My employer speaks almost sadly as he rolls up the record of everything I was storing for him. There's a brief pause as we look at each other. Neither of us sure what to say next.
"You sure I can't convince you otherwise?" He finally blurts out. "Almost everyone else has agreed to extend their contracts."
I shake my head with a smile."Sorry. No dice. Four months was plenty. Time to move on."
"Y'know, technically Its not been four months until Monday." Korka teases lightly as he shakes the thick envelope in his hand. "I can still keep this for a few days and not be breaking our agreement."
I rolled my eyes playfully. "If you feel the need to dock my pay for the missed time then go ahead. It'll only be a few thousand."
For a moment I can see the man's actually considering the idea but he dismisses it just as quickly with his own shake of the head. "Nah. You've earned it. Especially with all the extra cargo we carried with that power of yours. Take it."
+2,000,000 Beri!
Korka watches me stash the manila package into my coat and smiles wanly. "Are you really sure I can't convince you to stay? If it's about money we can negotiate. How does an 8% bump sound? 2.7 million for another 4 months on my ship?"
I extend my hand instead. "Best of luck Korka."
The revolutionary stares at my hand. "How about two months, 1.5 million."
"Korka..."
"Oh fine fine. Be that way." he complains as he completes the handshake. "Still, at least let me get your snail number. As you know I make it a point to have a long list of contacts on this ocean. You do have one right?"
"Hmm. Well," I extract the blue gastropod that I took off of Blackjack. "I have this little guy. Don't really know what his number is though."
"Oh that's easy." Korka says as he lifts the snail and points to the underside of the receiver. "Its dependent on the model sometimes, but usually you can find the number etched here on the bottom of the- wait. Pause! Were you keeping a living creature in storage with your Devil Fruit powers? Not something that was dead, but an actual living thing?"
"….it's just a snail."
"Doesn't he need food! Water! Fresh air!"
"Umm...no?"
Korka stares at me in bewilderment before breaking out into uproarious laughter. "I'll admit I've heard of some crazy abilities on this sea but that right there might just be the strangest." Korka writes down the number on a notepad and returns the snail to my care."Okay okay. Last question. If you keep that fella locked away most of the time, how can you tell when someone is calling you?"
'Uhhh... shoot. That is a good question.'
Would you like to be notified when this [Den-Den Mushi] receives a call?
'Oh thank god. Yes please.'
Request Acknowledged!
"I just can." I shrug to Korka's inquiry. "Fruit powers are wonky like that. I'm sure you can somewhat relate."
That manages to get a small rueful chuckle from the man. "Well you're certainly not wrong about that. First time I transformed...gosh, what a mess it was...Well. Guess this is it Jack. Where you off to next?"
I hummed to myself, "Vacation most likely. Probably go find a sunny beach somewhere and lay on it for a few days. After that, maybe I'll work in a trip to my hometown."
"And where's that?"
"Eh, it's a pretty tiny village. I doubt you'll have heard of it.
The revolutionary laughs as though I just issued a challenge. "I've sailed over every square mile of South Blue Parker. Try me."
"Kivuruk Isle."
His expression widens only slightly, "Kivuruk? Wow you really are from the middle of nowhere aren't you? Hmm, lets see… Kivuruk...Kivuruk..." Korka scans the line of ships in the harbor and then points at one in particular. "See that one there? If I'm not mistaken they should be heading in that general direction. It won't quite take you home but it'll at least get you close."
"Much obliged." I extend my arm outward a second time. "Take care Korka. Feel free to call."
He grasps my hand in a firm shake. "So long Jack."
It's a slow walk down the wharf with my hands in my pockets and my eyes turned upwards. My stint acting as hired muscle was a good experience but it's not one I think I'm likely to repeat. While my [Skills] definitely progressed a healthy amount, I'm ultimately unsatisfied with my growth in the levels department. Exp is just too scarce when you're sitting on a boat in the middle of the Blue. Had it not been for that initial encounter with the Pellora Pirates -Not to mention Slinn Voda- I would have barely progressed at all over the trip.
At least I expanded my social circle a bit. Plus, meeting some fellow bounty hunters has really put into reference for me how strong I am versus how strong I need to be. When I started this journey I considered myself a neophyte, an amateur in more ways than one, who was far too green to be playing with the big boys.
Now though? I really think I'm on my road to the elites. Zoro was famous in East Blue for being one of the toughest bounty hunters around, and even though we logically know it was just a case of 'big fish in a small pond', I can't help but start to think I could pull off the same thing here in South Blue.
I'd need to perfect the [Skills] I have...grow some [Perks] a little...definitely work on unlocking Rankyaku at some point..but it's possible! I could get to the point where lesser pirates actually tremble at the mention of my name.
The ship Korka pointed out to me is growing closer now. It's certainly a far more quaint vessel than The Marjhan was. Smaller, lighter, probably faster too which works for me just fine. Civilian sailors are working to stock food into the hold and down on the dockside an unusually sharply dressed man is gesticulating wildly as one of the bounty hunters that had been hired to protect Dreamwinder listens intently to his spiel.
As I get within shouting distance I can't help but admire his outfit. It's still weak sauce compared to my 'Dandyman' ensemble but I can appreciate someone else who puts time into the way he looks every morning. His suit was silken black, his shoes a polished white. A medium sized bowler hat sat perfectly atop his head and his face spouted a thick handlebar mustache that had been carefully trimmed to be as picturesque as possible.
I almost feel the urge to compliment him...but then I get close enough to read his title and avert my eyes immediately.
Mr.6, Frontier Agent, Lv. 36
I try to move by unnoticed, like a stranger walking past you on a sidewalk, but I can't help glancing at him again and again. I'm unable to ignore the number everywhere on his person. The head of his hand carved cane, the buttons of his vest, a small pin on the edge of his bowler hat.
'My god even his cufflinks are tiny gold '6's. How the hell are these people supposed to be a secret organization when their officers dress like this?'
The headhunter sees me staring and his eyes light up in excitement.
"Pardon me young sir, might I have a moment of your time? You were also hired to protect one of these vessels correct? You see I was just presenting your colleague here with the most exciting business opportunity. The two of you are in luck as there are multiple positions available for-"
"Fuck. Off."
The gentleman visibly rears back as though I've just slapped him. His mustache bristles from side-to-side as an indignant look settles in his eye. "Young man! That is quite rude. I am merely trying to-"
I lean in to stare him straight in the eye.
"Don't. Care."
There isn't a snowballs chance in hell of my getting involved with that shitshow of an organization. Even if I could ignore the obvious chain of events in my head '(Mr.6) → (Baroque Works) → (Grand Line) → (Alabasta) → (Straw Hats) → (Stuck in Canon)' I wouldn't join simply on the matter of professional pride.
You know suddenly I have the urge to show off. To really let this guy know what kind of prize of a recruit just blew him off. Is that a smart move? Not important. I'm doing it anyway.
A surge of [Geppo] sends me over his head and soaring away from the now flabbergasted duo. I close the short distance left between myself and my destination entirely in the air, prompting many to gawk and point at me in wonderment, before I touch down softly in the center of the ship.
Many of the sailors stare at me in alarm, some of whom even take an involuntary step backwards. Glancing around, I took a quick stock of levels and titles. None of which stood out as particularly noteworthy.
"You there," I announced, pointing to someone who looked important. "Where is this ship heading?"
The civilian merchant gulps nervously, clearing waging an internal battle on whether or not to answer the magical flying-man. "B-Baterilla."
"Mind if I tag along?"
"..wha..What! Yes I mind!" The man sputters. "You can't just land in the middle of my ship and then expect-"
"I'll pay you 50,000 in cash right now. Plus an additional 25 when we get there."
"….welcome aboard shipmate."
'And people say you can't solve problems by just throwing money at them.'
A/N: Wew. Almost screwed the timeline up real bad when writing this. Original outline of the story had the war in Centaurea officially conclude here, but that isn't supposed to happen in canon until after the events of Enies Lobby (see manga Chap.440). I'm sure the vast majority of readers would never have noticed the error (or are operating under the assumption that I simply made Centaurea up) but I could never live it down had I made such an amateur level mistake.
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