Luffy glanced at the remaining seventeen million gold coins, then at the golden words "Build" gleaming on the interface. Without hesitation, he said to the system:
"System, explain how this Build function works."
The system replied in its usual cold, mechanical tone:
[The Build function allows the host to construct various facilities and rooms within the ship's cabin. Each facility or room grants a unique effect. The specific functions must be discovered by the host personally.]
"Of course... 'discover it yourself' again," Luffy muttered in mild annoyance.
Still, he obediently opened the Build interface.
In an instant, his perspective shifted, his vision soared upward until he found himself looking down on the Going Merry from high above.
It was as though he'd become a god, gazing from the heavens upon the ship below.
Every detail was crystal clear. He could even see through the wooden deck, into the cabins beneath.
On deck, a few of the men were fast asleep, their steady snores drifting to Luffy's ears.
Even when the fishing rods beside them jerked with bites, none of them stirred.
Inside the cabin, however...
A soft mist filled the air.
"Robin, you're so big~"
"Don't tease me, Nami. You're not exactly small yourself, you know, you've grown quite a bit lately~"
"Ehh~ Don't touch me, Robin! You're so annoying, ahaha, "
"Hahaha... don't be shy~"
PFFT,
Luffy nearly spat blood as his face turned scarlet. He slammed the Build interface shut.
Heart pounding, he stared blankly at the calm ocean ahead, reciting to himself in a desperate chant:
"Prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom..."
"The core values of society represent the essence of, "
"I didn't see anything. I saw nothing!"
"What a white... I mean, what a bright sky!"
========
Time passed slowly.
About an hour later, Nami and Robin stepped onto the deck wearing summer outfits that were stylish but not overly revealing.
They spotted the men still sprawled out and snoring, and couldn't help but giggle softly before heading toward their shared lounge chairs.
"Ah~ Luffy, did you need something?" Robin asked casually.
"Ah!, uh, no! Nothing!!"
On the narrow deck, Luffy and Robin met face-to-face as he came down from the bow. Their eyes locked, and then, involuntarily, his gaze slipped downward.
Robin's gentle voice startled him back to reality. Flustered, Luffy stumbled back several steps like a panicked hamster, not even knowing where to put his hands.
He darted into the cabin and exhaled deeply, muttering inwardly:
It might take a while before I can talk to them normally again...
"No! No, no!!"
Luffy shook his head violently, trying to erase that image from his memory.
To distract himself, he reopened the Build system.
Once again, his vision expanded into that divine, bird's-eye view.
This time, he didn't linger. He immediately clicked on the Facilities tab in the corner.
A vast list of items filled his view:
Paintings, carpets, floorboards, lawns...
Lamps, kitchenware, toilets, wardrobes...
Pool halls, karaoke rooms, basketball courts, swimming pools...
Every conceivable facility imaginable, anything you could name, was there!
For a moment, Luffy's brain just froze.
Curious, he tapped on the Swimming Pool option.
Immediately, a large, 3D model of a water park-like pool appeared on the Going Merry's deck.
It had slides, fountains, and all kinds of attractions that belonged in a resort, not on a ship.
It was massive, big enough for dozens of people to play in comfortably, and even extended beyond the sides of the Going Merry itself.
At the same time, a line of text appeared before his eyes:
[Swimming Pool]: Swimming here for 240 hours increases Strength +1.
Price: 30,000 gold.
"Sys, System, w-what is this supposed to mean?" Luffy stammered, utterly confused.
[Answer: These are the attributes and effects of facilities. Every facility has a unique ability. The host is encouraged to discover them personally.]
[Additionally, it is recommended that the host first purchase Spatial Expansion Technology. Without it, large facilities cannot be properly placed within the cabin.]
"Spatial expansion?"
Luffy glanced at the oversized pool model. Sure enough, it couldn't fit on the ship at all.
He began searching through the facility list as the system suggested.
Soon, a horrifying price tag appeared before his eyes.
[Spatial Expansion Technology]: Expands the ship's interior space infinitely, allowing placement of any facility regardless of physical size.
Price: 10,000,000 gold.
"Ugh... my heart hurts..."
At least now, Luffy's mind had successfully shifted away from other distractions.
Now it was focused on this wallet-crushing feature instead.
Grimacing, he reluctantly hit Purchase.
He didn't have much of a choice, without it, half the useful facilities would be unusable anyway.
The moment the gold vanished, Luffy felt a faint, almost imperceptible tremor pass through his body... then it was gone.
He tapped the Swimming Pool option again.
This time, the pool appeared perfectly, no longer sticking out of the Going Merry's hull, but neatly placed within a misty, spacious interior that hadn't existed before.
When he mentally confirmed placement, the pool appeared beside him as if it had always been there.
Luffy grinned.
This... this feels just like those management games I used to play!
His eyes gleamed as he scrolled rapidly through the facility list.
Funds were limited, so he had to plan carefully.
After studying the options for a while, he formed a plan in his mind.
[Training Room]: 24 hours of full-intensity training grants +10 random attribute points.
Price: 5,000,000 gold.
This one was a must-have, essential for him and his crew to grow stronger.
[Bedroom]: Increases stamina and mental recovery speed by 50%.
Price: 100,000 gold.
He placed eight of these, one for each current crewmate, plus an extra in case of future members.
[Library]: Reading for 24 hours increases Mental +1.
Price: 200,000 gold.
That one, of course, was for Robin.
[Music Room]: Studying music for 48 hours increases Mental +1.
Price: 50,000 gold.
Perfect for Brook.
[Kitchen]: Increases the chance of creating "Radiant Dishes" by 50%.
Price: 20,000 gold.
Naturally, that would be for the cook they'd soon meet, Sanji.
He also purchased a [Billiard Hall], an [Office], a [Greenhouse], and a bunch of other inexpensive or useful facilities.
He wanted to turn the Going Merry into more than just a ship, he wanted it to be a home everyone loved.
When it was done, the cabin door creaked open.
Now broke and penniless, Luffy stepped out quietly.
He looked over at his crewmates lounging on the deck, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips as he imagined their shocked faces later.
"Luffy~"
Robin approached, her gentle smile radiant as always.
"Would you like some milk~?"
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