The girl didn't stop rowing after stealing the Magic Chest. Once she had gotten nearly a mile away, she finally took a break, gasping for air.
She looked at Alvida's ship in the distance and let out a sigh of relief before laughing as her eyes turned into money symbols.
"I didn't expect that actually to work, but my luck is incredible!"
She had seen Allen place Alvida's treasure inside the empty treasure chest, and although the money had disappeared, something magical and strange had happened.
She didn't understand how it worked, but anyone with half a brain would know this Chest was far more valuable than the millions Alvida possessed.
"With this... maybe I can save everyone."
The girl's smile faded as her gaze became determined.
A hand suddenly grabbed the edge of the boat.
"Where do you think you're going with my property, you thieving cat?!"
Allen slowly emerged from the water, his eyes completely white and pupil-less, looking like the ghost of Davy Jones rising from hell.
"Nooo!"
Startled, the girl grabbed the oar and slammed it into Allen's head, sending him back into the sea.
"Ah!"
The girl swallowed hard. It was absurd, but he had caught up to her in less than a minute.
There was no time to think about that now. She immediately started rowing again, trying to escape, but suddenly an odd power struck her, causing her to slow down. Not just her—the boat itself became sluggish.
Noro Beam. This "Skill" came from the "Noro Noro" Devil Fruit, a Paramecia.
While Logia-type Devil Fruits had simple yet powerful abilities like controlling different elements, Paramecia were far more complex. They could be something as simple as a rubber body like Luffy's, or they could possess bizarre abilities like the Noro Noro.
This Paramecia had the power to release something called "Noro particles." Upon coming into contact with something in motion, these particles seemed to steal that object's speed, inducing a state of slow motion.
Allen didn't make the same mistake twice and used this Skill on both the girl and the boat before climbing aboard once again.
He did so without any rush, even taking the time to comb back his hair with an exaggerated, pretentious motion before looking at the girl with disdain.
"Brat, not even your pretty face will save you from my wrath," Allen lectured her like an angry father, completely unaware that the effect of "Noro Beam" had already worn off.
Allen glanced at Alvida's ship. His encounter with Luffy had been ill-timed and had ended in trouble; he didn't hate him, but it was better to stay away from someone so stupid.
The clever girl quickly noticed Allen hadn't realized it and pretended to still be under his control.
Feeling secure, Allen began spewing nonsense.
"Listen, stealing from me is a crime against humanity. Why? Because I shall become the next King of the World! Without that Chest, I could die. Just imagine a world deprived of my glory."
The girl grabbed a knife, thinking about attacking, but upon hearing Allen's words, she froze.
This guy's ego was the size of a mountain.
Not only that—he was insane.
"Imagine all those children who will be born without living under my rule! Just imagine those poor princesses who would never have the chance to witness my perfection upon the throne! It's simply too tragic!"
The girl hesitated for a moment. Aside from being a complete weirdo, this man didn't seem like a bad person... or at least, he didn't seem particularly dangerous.
However, when she looked at the Chest, she knew that if she had to choose between a stranger and saving her village—
'I'm sorry!'
The girl attacked from behind, but as if he had already expected it, Allen turned around, dodged, struck her hand to force her to drop the knife, and then restrained her in an embrace.
"You thought you could attack me from behind?! It was all part of my plan!"
[Liar! I warned you while you were busy rambling nonsense!]
Ignoring the Chest, Allen grabbed a rope and tied the girl up.
She bit him.
"Ouch! You bitch!" Allen stuffed a rag into her mouth.
When he finally finished, he sat far away from her, panting, and checked his arm, where he found a bite mark.
"Damn it... what an aggressive, wild girl."
The girl struggled to free herself, but realizing it was useless, she puffed out her cheeks angrily instead.
"What's with that?!" Allen snapped, pointing at her. "You stole from me, hit me in the head, and tried to stab me! Don't act like the victim!"
Tiny tears appeared in the still-angry girl's eyes.
If Allen had been an ordinary man, perhaps he would've been moved.
But this shameless bastard knew every trick in the book.
No—he had written them.
"Don't waste your time. That won't work on me."
Allen snorted, stood up, and knelt before the Chest.
"Are you okay?"
[Thank you. I thought it was over.]
Allen smiled smugly.
"Wow, no need to sound so depressed. I know I'm charming, but does it really hurt you that much to be separated from me? You're quite the cute girl."
[Shut up! That's not it! Without you, I'm screwed!]
"Hehe." Allen chuckled arrogantly, irritating the Chest.
This conceited idiot understood nothing!
The girl stared at Allen in fear.
This lunatic had started talking to the Chest, but since she couldn't hear its voice, he simply looked completely deranged.
[Listen, you're my contractor now. We're connected, but that also means we're useless without each other. If you lose me, you won't be able to gain anything from me, and without you, I won't be able to obtain energy either!]
"Wait, what does that mean?!"
[Money is my source of energy. With it, I can survive. If I go too long without receiving energy, I'll revert to being an inanimate object!]
Allen nodded.
"You're like a parasite."
[Huh?! You're the parasite, you bastard! Do you have any idea what I'm worth?! There is no Devil Fruit, power, or treasure more valuable than me!]
Allen scoffed.
"Fine, you're a premium parasite. So what do I do to stop people from stealing you?"
For the first time, the Chest wished it had a human body just so it could beat this annoying man senseless.
[You need to install me on a ship. Once you do, stealing me will become much more difficult.]
"..."
Allen fell silent, frowning.
The Chest could enhance ships, but every upgrade required money, so it was better to install it on a larger vessel to avoid high costs.
On the other hand, traveling around with a magical Chest was incredibly risky.
This was bad.
He might've looked impressive against a dozen second-rate pirates, but even he wasn't sure he could have defeated Alvida on his own.
"Damn Straw Hat!"
Allen cursed Luffy once again. If he hadn't destroyed Alvida's ship's sail, this problem wouldn't even exist.
The boat Allen currently had was small—better than a raft, perhaps, but still tiny.
....
Meanwhile...
The seventeen-year-old girl's face had turned pale.
She wasn't naive.
This world was full of terrible people, and a pretty girl like her would only face a miserable fate if captured by pirates, which was why she was always extremely cautious.
Only once in the past had she truly been in danger—when an old friend named Karina had betrayed her, leaving her with pirates.
But even then, she had managed to free herself, steal a bottle, and escape.
'I need to get away! This guy is insane!'
[By the way... what are we going to do about her?]
Allen, who had been holding his head, reacted to those words and turned to look at the girl.
She trembled beneath his gaze.
She wasn't stupid.
The girl had seen something she shouldn't have seen, and she had heard something she shouldn't have heard.
That Chest had to be something so valuable that pirates, the Marines, and even the World Government would fight over it.
This wasn't something anyone should know about.
Allen approached her with a serious expression, causing the girl's face to turn blue.
She couldn't die. Not yet.
'Bellmere... Sis...'
Allen extended his hand and removed the rag from her mouth.
"Hey, I need you to promise you won't say anything about what you saw or heard. If you do that, I'll free you once we reach an island."
"Huh?"
The girl stared at Allen in disbelief, as though she couldn't comprehend his words.
[Hey, what are you doing?! Do you understand the situation?! If anyone finds out I exist, you're screwed! There won't be a sea or country where you'll be safe!]
Allen ignored the Chest and blinked before flashing a confident half-smile.
"You heard me. Don't say anything. I know you won't."
The girl was stunned.
[You're an idiot! This is a cruel world! There's no place for mercy! I know she's a cute girl, but look at her for what she really is—your death sentence! It's a harsh truth, but you don't have the strength to be kind!]
"Why?" the girl asked cautiously.
She didn't trust Allen's words, but he didn't seem to be lying. Even so, it made no sense. People kill for far less.
She herself had done bad things—things that, even if forced to do, couldn't truly be justified.
[Why?]
Allen smiled as he arrogantly lifted his chin.
"Because I am magnanimous! I am the embodiment of benevolence, and as the future King of the World, I must show mercy to my subjects!"
The girl looked at Allen as if he were completely insane, while the Chest also stared at him in disbelief.
Allen's smile faded.
"Besides... I can't take the life of someone with eyes like yours."
"...?!"
[...?]
Allen scratched his head, his expression turning serious and profound.
"You know, I've seen plenty of bastards in my life. I know the rotten eyes of greedy people, cruel people, the corrupt and inhuman eyes of those who see human lives as possessions or trash... you... You're not like that."
The girl opened her mouth but couldn't say anything.
"I don't know why you want money so badly, girl, but I'm sure it isn't just greed... You need it, don't you?"
"...!"
[...]
"You don't have to answer." Allen looked toward the horizon, turning his back to her.
There was something about this strange young man that made him seem dazzling in her eyes. For a moment, she couldn't look away from him.
"You're an idiot..."
The moment those words left her mouth, she regretted them. She had practically been spared already; there was no need to push her luck further.
[I also think you're an idiot, but whatever. Your choice. Hmph.]
"Don't worry. By now, she must surely be enchanted by my elegant and glorious aura, hopelessly in love with my perfect face and charm beyond reality."
[Idiot! Your thoughts leaked out!]
Nami looked at Allen with disgust, and all the admiration and respect she thought she had felt moments ago instantly vanished.
"Damn it!"
"Pfff." The girl laughed. "You're pretty stupid!"
"What did you say?! If I declared myself the second smartest person in the world, no one would dare ask who's first!"
The girl laughed even harder, though when she looked at Allen again, her expression turned serious despite the sweat drop on her cheek.
"Fine. I promise I won't say anything if you let me go. It's your decision whether you believe me or not."
Deep down, she didn't fully trust Allen's words.
After all, this was a cruel world, and she had learned long ago not to trust anyone. A few nice words wouldn't change that. However, before she could even react, Allen cut her ropes and freed her.
"I'm glad you've allowed yourself to be graced by my glory."
The girl was left stunned, unable to keep up with Allen's actions.
Did he really just free her that easily?!
Wasn't he afraid she might try to stab him again?!
Allen smiled.
"By the way, I'm Allen Walker, the future King of the World."
"Nami..."
The girl immediately covered her mouth. She had answered on reflex.
Allen nodded in satisfaction. "Lovely name. Fitting for my first subordinate."
"Who are you calling your subordinate?!" Nami stomped the floor of the boat.
"Don't be shy," Allen chuckled. "It's fine. I grant you permission to bask in my glory."
"Shut up!"An irritated Nami grabbed Allen and tried to strangle him.
This guy was unbelievably annoying.
"Hey! What kind of way is that to treat your king?!"
The Chest silently observed the comedic scene, wondering if it was too late to make a contract with someone else—or if it was doomed to have this man as its bearer forever.
They drifted for nearly an hour.
While Allen struggled to understand how a map worked, Nami eventually snatched both the map and compass away from him and adjusted their course toward the nearest island.
Allen was thoroughly impressed and immediately tried to recruit her as his subordinate again.
She refused.
When the island finally became visible, time suddenly began to slow, and all color drained from the world.
"What the hell?!"
[An attack?!]
A door appeared beside him and swallowed him whole.
....
"Don't look at me..." Allen covered his face with his hands as he struggled to endure the embarrassment of his own behavior.
He couldn't believe he had been acting like that.
It was him—but without memories from another world, which somehow made it even more humiliating. So humiliating that even his thick skin couldn't endure it.
Lucy – "It was all part of my plan" hehe.
Saeko – "My mind operates in five dimensions" heh.
"Stop it!" Allen felt every phrase like a stab wound.
Felicia – "I grant you permission to bask in my glory!"
"Just kill me already!"
McDragon – "I am Allen Walker, the future King of the World!" Hahaha!
Allen slammed his desk. "All of you bastards deserve death sentences!"
Allen usually acted shamelessly for his audience. He could play the fool or pretend to be an idiot—it was part of his job, and he'd done it many times. But his One Piece version wasn't acting.
That really was his personality.
It was an Allen who had been born and raised in the world of One Piece.
From time to time, the lights would go out, and Allen would recover all his memories.
Which meant he experienced unbearable shame over his actions on a level he had never known before.
Gwen – You don't need to be embarrassed. I think you're cute~
"Ugh, stop it, Gwen!"
Unohana – Ara ara, I really want to hug you right now~
"Yachiru, please... no..."
Shizuka – Setting that aside, I'm more interested in what happened in this world to make you turn out like this~
Eve – It's true! I'm really curious about what happened in that world!
Allen fell silent, his expression growing calm yet distant with memory.
"I can't say."
Maria – Why?
Lucifer – It's part of the rules. Only what Allen reveals in the One Piece world is valid. No spoilers...
Mayuri – It seems the Devil is quite pleased, he wouldn't be so active in the chat.
Lucifer – Indeed. I'm enjoying this world as well... but even more than that, I enjoy how the experiment turned out.
"Bastard..." Allen narrowed his eyes.
Lucifer – Come now, don't you find it fascinating? You are Allen, and he is you, but just a few different experiences here and there shaped him into "THAT" Allen. And what if things were different? What if the world were crueler? What if Allen encountered experiences that made him colder? More indifferent? More aggressive? What about a naive Allen? A kind Allen?
"This was your goal?"
Lucifer – Exactly, Allen. This opens infinite possibilities, and that makes me happy~ I wanted to see what kind of you would be born in each world. Do you know how many possibilities there are?! From now on, every world will feel like a completely new story! Unique! With a different Allen each time!
Allen narrowed his eyes.
"Don't underestimate me. No matter what world it is... I will always be me..."
Lucifer – "Of course. I know erasing your essential nature is impossible. So expecting you to become some murderous lunatic is unrealistic... just as removing your womanizing nature is impossible..."
Saya – "I wish that last part were possible."
"Hey, whose side are you on, Saya?" Allen snorted, lightening the mood.
After chatting with his group for several hours, the door to One Piece appeared once more.
....
"As expected of my Nami!" Allen grinned as he looked at the island, which was shaped like a hill.
It wasn't a large island, but there was a visible town, and atop the hill stood two blue towers with cannons protruding from them.
"Who is 'your Nami'?!" Nami snapped, though deep down, she was pleased that he admired her navigation skills.
"Nami, what can you tell me about this place?" Allen asked with a smile, completely unfazed by her irritation.
Nami blushed.
When Allen wasn't acting like an idiot, he was actually handsome.
The most handsome young man she had ever seen.
"This is Yotsuba Island," Nami said while looking away. "And that's Shells Town. But if I were you, I wouldn't feel too comfortable here. The Marine Base 153 is stationed here."
"Hm? Is that supposed to be a bad thing?" Allen raised an eyebrow. As far as he knew, he was a respectable member of society.
At least for now.
"Normally, there'd be nothing to fear if there isn't a bounty on your head," Nami said through clenched teeth. "But there are rumors that this Marine branch is corrupt..."
Allen observed Nami's reaction.
It was obvious she hadn't had good experiences with corrupt Marines.
Then he glanced at his Chest.
"I see. In that case, I'll gather supplies and find a ship before leaving this place."
Nami widened her eyes.
She had expected Allen to say something ridiculous like, "Those foolish Marines have no idea whom they're dealing with—the future King of the World!"
But instead, he had taken it seriously.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm not that stupid," Allen said with an awkward smile.
He had no idea why people always assumed he was an idiot.
(A/N: It's a mystery.)
"Well then, it's time to acquire my first ship! The ship that will carry the future King of the World to his throne!" Allen declared proudly.
Nami could only sigh.
"Are you sure you're not stupid?"
"How rude," Allen huffed. "Such an offense requires compensation. I accept either money or a nap in your lap. Both would be acceptable."
"In your dreams!" Nami shouted, blushing furiously as she faced this shameless bastard.
====
A/N: There's probably "someone" who'll get really angry when he finds out Allen's going around calling himself the King of the World. 👀
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