(Three days later)
The Black Pearl (unofficial name) sailed through the calm waters of the East Blue toward its next destination, though Allen himself had no idea where that was.
During these three days, Kaya got used to life at sea. However, she spent many hours studying medicine, wanting to become worthy of being the ship's doctor. Nami dedicated herself to navigation and drawing maps, though she also had many thoughts that wouldn't leave her alone.
Allen noticed that the previous night the girl had approached his cabin but never knocked. She simply stood there for a while before turning around and leaving.
Another important thing that happened during these days was that Allen had decided to become a pirate. It wasn't exactly his dream, but he knew that to grow stronger in this world there were only two paths: stand with the World Government or against it, and Allen knew about the horrible things the World Government did, so he would never accept becoming part of the Marines or anything similar.
On another matter.
He had been talking with Nami and Kaya and realized that neither girl was ready to leave this sea yet.
As for Kaya, she was still too weak for the dangers ahead. While she would hardly ever need to fight with Allen around, she should at least be capable of defending herself, so Allen wanted to use the transfer method to raise Kaya's strength. However, this technique wasn't perfect.
Unlike Allen, who apparently could increase levels without limit, Kaya needed to rest after just one level because the assimilation caused immense stress on the body.
According to the Chest's calculations, for anyone other than Allen, there had to be at least a week between each level increase or the body would collapse.
Of course, Allen also performed the transfer on Nami to test whether Kaya's problems were due to compatibility issues, but the result was the same as with Kaya.
Even so, there was good news. Unlike the formerly sickly girl, Nami actually became strong. As the system had said, Nami now possessed the strength of a pirate with a one-million-berry bounty.
Nami, who hated spending money, was stunned. She was a first-rate thief, a genius navigator, and knew how to defend herself to a certain extent, but physically she had been an ordinary girl. Yet now she had become the equivalent of a pirate with a one-million-berry bounty.
She wasn't superhuman yet, but she had enough strength to defeat several Marines by herself.
With five, they would be at Alvida's level. With ten, at Morgan's level. With sixteen, at Kuro's level. And if they did it consistently every week, it would take four months to reach that point.
Even so, Allen knew that no matter how impressive that strength was in the East Blue, it wasn't much in the Grand Line.
He had to recruit more crew members or find a way to make Nami and Kaya stronger.
....
The sea was so calm that the ship advanced without rocking from the waves, something Kaya appreciated from the cabin beneath the bow that she shared with Nami. Of course, once Allen upgraded the ship one more level, both girls could have their own cabins.
Nami was adjusting the course. Allen had given her permission to decide which island they should visit next. After all, Kaya's money wasn't unlimited. They needed to acquire more and more, even if they had to act like real pirates.
"..."
Nami observed the deck where Allen rested lazily against one of the ship's cannons.
In her orange eyes, the same color as her hair, the figure of the young man was reflected while she wondered what he was thinking.
Allen yawned.
"Is the captain comfortable?" Nami asked sarcastically. This guy wanted to become King of the World while being so lazy.
"I want to be more practical. Even now my powers have limits. I should save them to protect you and Kaya."
Nami looked away with a snort, though she felt a warm sensation spread through her chest upon hearing that.
"Mmm, we'll have a storm in a few days..." Nami said while observing the sky and sensing the meteorological changes with her instincts.
Allen smiled.
"As expected of Nami."
Nami sighed and let go of the helm located directly in front of the captain's cabin and above the kitchen. She descended the stairs and paused before entering the kitchen.
"I'm going to make something to drink. Do you want anything?"
"A coffee."
"At this hour?" Nami raised an eyebrow.
Allen had strange tastes. It was eleven in the morning and he wanted coffee. However, she was already getting used to Allen, so she said nothing else and entered the kitchen.
With Nami onboard, he didn't worry about the weather. She wasn't merely a navigator beyond logic.
During these three days, he realized he had underestimated the girl. Not only could she predict weather changes with terrifying precision, but she also knew the East Blue so well she could navigate without maps or a compass.
Nami was a true treasure, which was why Allen was searching for a way to recruit her permanently.
'The problem is that the girl doesn't seem willing to open up to me... yet.'
[Well, that's natural. She's only known you for a few days after all. Even so, it's impressive that you managed to make her trust you so much in such a short time.]
'Huh? You can hear my thoughts?!'
[Of course, though not all of them, only the surface-level ones... didn't you know that?]
Allen remained silent before getting annoyed.
'Hey, cursed Chest! Why didn't you tell me earlier?! This whole time I thought I had to speak out loud for you to hear me!'
For four days, Allen had been talking to himself in front of others. It wasn't that he wasn't aware it made him look insane, but compared to the benefits the Chest brought him, it was a very low price to pay.
[Huh? Is that my fault? Besides, who cares? People already think you're weird without my help, Mister "I'm going to jump into the sea with a golden chest without worrying about starving to death"!]
Allen gritted his teeth. He couldn't argue against that, though it wasn't because he was some suicidal lunatic. He wouldn't admit it, but meeting the Chest had saved him. He had already gone through so much and had felt like giving up on life.
After all, in this world Allen was a young man without talent, power, destiny, or lineage that made him special. There was no way he could become King of the World.
No, before that, Allen probably wouldn't even have had the chance to live very long.
'Alright. From now on I'll speak to you telepathically in front of others.'
[I'm glad you're slowly maturing. Honestly, someone stupid, impulsive, reckless, and constantly shouting that they're going to become King of the World wherever they go wouldn't survive long in this world... unless you were the protagonist with terrifying luck and a destiny protected by everyone...]
For some reason, Allen remembered Luffy and became annoyed.
'Don't underestimate me. I will become King of the World. However, I'm not that naïve. I know that right now there are thousands of people, maybe more, who could erase me from existence. That's why I'm not rushing recklessly...'
The Chest felt happy. Allen was its first master, and it didn't want him to die stupidly.
'By the way, have you decided on a name, sister?'
[I thought about it a lot... and when I finally gave up, it suddenly came to me like a dream... It's strange, but I didn't know what to think... it feels nostalgic.]
'Oh? And what is it?'
Allen smiled slightly. He had chosen to call the Chest Arci, but she apparently was a chest with the soul of a girl his age or something similar and didn't like it, so Allen had allowed her to choose her own name.
[I am... Lenalee.]
"...!"
Allen opened his eyes as a sharp pain shot through his head.
"What did you say?"
[...]
Before Allen could ask further, time slowed down and a door appeared beside him. This time he wasn't dragged in, yet for some reason he walked through it.
Once he crossed the door and returned to his room in his Marvel apartment, his memories returned and he managed to calm down.
'System...'
[...Yes.]
'That name...'
[Don't ask me... I don't know either. It felt very strange.]
The system had always just been the system. Even though it always felt like a person—specifically a girl around Allen's age or perhaps a few years older—it had never chosen a name or a different way to refer to itself.
However, in that world, in One Piece, it was the first time even the system had sealed its own memories.
This was the first time the system forgot it was a system, and also the first time it chose a name.
Lenalee... that peculiar name caused both Allen and the system, who had witnessed beings with omnipotence and monsters from the abyss, to remain in complete shock.
....
Allen walked to his chair and sat down. He didn't look at the comments immediately and instead stayed silent for several minutes.
Gwen – Are you okay?
The chat could tell something had happened to Allen, but since they hadn't been able to hear the conversation between Allen and the system in One Piece, they lacked context.
"It's nothing..." Allen laughed softly before regaining his composure. "On the contrary, I'd like to know how all of you are doing and what you think of this world. Honestly, I think I'm going to die this time."
Allen's words carried humor, but several people took them seriously.
Rogue – Well, what did you expect? You're in One Piece calling yourself King of the World. Maybe for now people will take you as a joke, but once you reach the level of a major power, Imu won't like that.
Rukia – Imu?
MJ – Imu is the final boss of One Piece, the current King of the World, and the one sitting on the Empty Throne Allen mentioned. Of course, almost nobody inside One Piece knows that.
"I'm really asking for trouble while being powerless to do anything about it." Allen laughed as though it had nothing to do with him, even though he was the one responsible.
Esdeath – Don't laugh. Maybe to you, Imu isn't even the slightest threat, but inside One Piece you're not even an ant.
"I know." Allen leaned back in his chair. "But don't underestimate me. I'm sure I'm not as stupid as I look."
"Master..." 2B entered the room carrying a tray with coffee and a snack.
This room wasn't an isolated representation or a separate space from the world. It was his actual streaming room and therefore connected to Marvel. Anyone could enter it and Allen could leave, though he had a limited time to return to One Piece or else the bet for that world would be considered lost.
"Thanks."
Allen took the cup, but not only that, but he also pulled 2B onto his lap.
McDragon – Bastard!
Wade – Kyah! I want you to sit me on your lap too~
Aphrodite – So jealous! Whom do I have to kill to get that privilege?! 🖤
Allen ignored the uproar and enjoyed the calm that being close to 2B brought him. As for the girl, she naturally rested against Allen's chest, aware that he was stressed even though she didn't know why.
Nikky – Cap, can you tell us what your plans are in One Piece?
"Well, because of the deal with Lucifer, I can't reveal much, but I can say the goal is what you'd expect: reach the Grand Line as quickly as possible..."
"Also, I plan on getting a few more crewmates before going there, though honestly even just one more would be enough..."
Diana – Let me guess, those "crewmates" are cute girls?
"I don't know. If I had plot knowledge it'd be different, but my self in One Piece doesn't have that."
Unohana – Oh~
Akeno – Ufufu, there's no point hiding it. MJ already sent us pictures of all the cute girls in One Piece, and I have to say there are plenty to choose from~
Annie – Knowing Allen, this guy is capable of convincing even Marines to join his harem... cough, crew.
"You know I can see and hear you, right?"
If they were going to insult him, they should at least wait until he returned to the One Piece world.
....
Back on the Black Pearl, Allen suddenly jolted awake.
"Lenalee... do you really want to call yourself that?"
[Me... yes, I do]
"Alright... then I'm counting on you, Lenalee."
[... It's strangely embarrassing, but you can count on me too, Allen-kun~]
Allen smiled sincerely. Despite only knowing this Magic Chest for a few days, it felt as if they had been companions their entire lives, which was strange but also very pleasant. The feeling was mutual.
[We have company!]
A floating scroll unfolded in front of Allen. This time it didn't display information, but a map. A short-range one that only showed a radius of a few nautical miles.
Allen stood up and used Soru to appear at the top of the mast.
In the distance, he could see a ship. It was three times bigger than his own. It wasn't a pirate ship or a Marine vessel, but it had a sturdy structure that suggested a large cargo hold. It was a ship designed more for transporting goods than people.
A merchant ship!
"Nami, full speed to port!"
Allen smiled and jumped onto the front secondary sail, raising it. Then he vanished and reappeared at the rear sail, doing the same thing. Until now, they had only been sailing with the main sail, so they were now going at full speed.
Nami started turning the wheel without questioning him.
Kaya came out of the cabin, confused.
"What's happening?!"
"Don't worry Kaya, just a little traditional piracy."
Nami grew worried. She knew Allen wasn't a saint. On one hand, he could help Kaya, but he was also capable of taking Kuro's life.
She didn't judge him because, despite everything, Allen was still better than 99% of the pirates in the world. Even so, Kaya was just a normal girl, which worried Nami. However, to Nami's surprise, Kaya nodded and smiled.
"I hope it goes well for you, Allen-san~"
"Thanks, Kaya," Allen smiled while observing the merchant ship through the spyglass.
Kaya returned to the cabin to continue studying, while Nami was left speechless. Could it be that sweet and innocent Kaya was being badly influenced by Allen?!
When the merchant ship spotted the Black Pearl, it turned around and began to flee.
"Haha, they're running away... but..."
Allen had unwittingly based the current design of his ship on the Black Pearl. That ship was legendary, and its main characteristic wasn't its firepower or being magical like the Queen Anne's Revenge, but its speed!
Nami was secretly astonished when the Black Pearl began accelerating. It was so fast that it seemed to cut through the waves themselves.
"How terrifying..." Nami said, though she also smiled. A navigator could appreciate a good ship with just a touch, and she knew the Black Pearl would become legendary in the future.
Seeing that they were being caught up to, the merchant ship began firing. It wasn't a warship, so it only had three rear cannons, which roared as they launched iron cannonballs.
Allen raised his hand, and with the skill of the Noro Noro Devil Fruit, the cannonballs slowed down. He then used a pistol to shoot them. His senses, precision, reflexes, and everything had undergone a substantial improvement.
The cannonballs exploded.
A second volley came, but once again Allen slowed them down and destroyed them.
There was no third volley because Allen had already gotten close enough.
Allen turned his fist into fire and launched an attack.
"Hiken!"
The flaming projectile struck the rear of the ship and caused an explosion.
On the deck, several injured guards emerged from below deck, while the captain looked nervous.
"Have you contacted the Marines yet?!"
"We already did, but the nearest ship is an hour away!"
"Damn it! Everyone prepare to fight! I want all these filthy pirates feeding the fish!"
Allen laughed as he let Nami align the Black Pearl beside the merchant ship. It was dangerous because of the side cannons, but Allen didn't care.
Once both ships were side by side, the merchant ship fired, but Allen reacted instantly and punched the air, causing it to crack apart. At the same time, the cannonballs exploded, damaging the merchant ship itself.
Shouts and curses erupted from the merchant vessel.
Allen laughed and jumped onto the ship, landing on the deck.
"Gentlemen, let me introduce myself. I'm Allen Walker, the future King of the World, and I'm here to collect taxes~"
With the shamelessness of a bastard and the arrogance of a complete asshole, Allen declared his intentions.
"That's a lie! You're just a filthy pirate here to rob us!" shouted the captain as he stepped forward and unsheathed his sword.
Allen mocked him. "Oh friend, and what do you think taxes are?"
"Die, pirate!"
Ashamed and furious, the captain charged at Allen and attacked.
Allen didn't use any skills. With just his base strength as a 29 million beri pirate, he was already far beyond what an ordinary man could defeat.
He toyed with the captain, dodging all his attacks.
"Congratulations, you're the first person to meet Captain Walker. Consider it an honor."
Allen threw a punch that shattered the captain's sword and sent him flying toward his men, who caught him.
The men aimed their guns and fired without hesitation. However, midway through the air, the bullets suddenly slowed down, leaving the men—who hadn't seen how Allen dealt with the cannons—completely stunned.
Allen walked through the slowed bullets until he stood right in front of them.
"If you surrender, I won't take your lives, I won't destroy your ship, and I'm not even interested in your cargo, which apparently is spices."
Allen had an incredible sense of smell and could detect pepper, salt, and several other things aboard the ship.
"However, I will be taking all your money, gold, and valuable objects."
The captain clutched his stomach and felt bewildered. Not only because Allen was one of those rare pirates who didn't slaughter the entire crew, but also because of his request.
The money merchant ships carried wasn't even a tenth of the value of their cargo. But when pirates stole shipments, they had to contact the black market and go through a long and tedious process to sell the goods and make a profit.
Allen, who planned to enter the Grand Line as quickly as possible, had neither the time nor the desire to get involved in those things. Beyond that, he robbed people to grow stronger; he didn't want ties to the criminal underworld.
"I don't trust the word of a pirate, so if you break your promise, I'll haunt you like a ghost!"
The captain stared fiercely into Allen's eyes, earning Allen's respect.
Even knowing the difference in power, the man still had the guts to challenge him.
"Haha, don't worry. I may be a pirate, but I have a code."
"We'll see about that"
The captain snorted before ordering his men to bring him all the money, gold, jewels, and valuables on the ship.
Ten minutes later Allen stood on the edge of the ship with a sack slung over his shoulder.
"Gentlemen, in the future you will remember this day as the day you were robbed by the great and sublime Captain Walker!—"
A wave slammed into the merchant ship, making Allen lose his balance and fall into the sea.
"..." Everyone fell silent with sweat drops on their heads.
Allen emerged from the water completely soaked and stared at Nami.
"Are you okay, Captain?!~" Nami burst into laughter at the sight.
"What a huge loss of dignity... let's just leave."
"Understood~" Nami laughed before turning the wheel and sailing away.
The captain of the merchant ship watched the Black Pearl depart. There was a small smile on his face. Out of all the pirates who could've robbed him, he was glad it had been one so... interesting.
....
At the same time, a massive Marine galleon advanced through the Calm Belt, the sea that separated the Grand Line from the Four Blues. Strangely, the ship wasn't being attacked by the island-sized creatures beneath the waters.
At the bow stood a large elderly man wearing a dog-shaped hat. On his back was a white coat with the word "Justice" written on it.
"Vice Admiral Garp, we'll soon enter the East Blue," said a Marine behind him.
"Yeah, I know it's a bit sudden, but I want to see my grandson. Hopefully, he'll stop being stubborn and become a proper Marine!"
Without knowing that his grandson had already stepped onto the path of piracy, Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, also known as the Hero of the Marines, was heading toward the weakest sea of all.
Garp gazed into the distance.
"There's a strange breeze in this sea. Something must be happening..."
Even he didn't truly believe in that feeling, since there was no reason for it.
Behind Garp stood a woman with a bead of sweat on her cheek. It was Captain Hina. She didn't know why, but out of nowhere Garp had requested to be taken to the East Blue, and since she was the only available captain, she had been assigned the responsibility.
"Hina is confused," the woman said while speaking in third person and smoking.
====
A/N: Sometimes I wonder what new readers think when they realize that reading this fanfic is the equivalent, in terms of length, of reading the Harry Potter books, The Lord of the Rings, and the original six Dune novels all together. xd
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