Chapter 39: Echoing Crow
Inside the cabin of the Going Merry, the afternoon sunlight spilled across the floor through the circular portholes.
Tatsuya was leaning back against a comfortable wooden chair with his hands clasped behind his head.
He appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, his consciousness had sunk deep into his mind.
[Current Ninja Points: 500]
Looking at this "huge sum," Tatsuya's mind began to race.
"I didn't expect that taming this stupid bird would grant Ninja Points... Now, what should I buy?"
He skillfully swiped through the system shop's translucent panel in his mind, his gaze scanning over one enticing icon after another.
Currently, his Genjutsu, Fire Release, Taijutsu, and Sharingan had all begun to take shape.
But if he faced a truly powerful opponent, he still lacked a method for a certain kill in a single strike.
"As expected, I'm still missing a powerful single-target piercing Ninjutsu..."
Finally, his gaze locked onto an icon flickering with lightning—
[Lightning Release: Chidori (A-rank) — Price: 2,000 points].
It was one of his favorite Ninjutsu from the world of the Hokage and a supreme technique to pair with the Sharingan.
"Tch, still 1,500 points short."
Tatsuya sighed helplessly and closed the shop interface with some regret, slowly opening his eyes.
The moment he opened his eyes, the sight before him made him raise an eyebrow.
On the dining table, the black Crow named Clay was standing tall and proud.
While Nami was leaning over the table, a piece of fragrant roasted meat in her hand, enticing him with a beaming smile.
"Hey, little Crow, do you want to eat?"
Nami waved the meat in her hand, "Call me Master, and it's all yours."
Gulp.
Clay looked at the dripping roasted meat and swallowed hard.
During this time on the ship, he had been completely conquered by the food of these humans.
As a wild bird that used to eat only raw meat and fruit, he had never tasted anything so delicious; it was like opening the door to a New World.
But... as the "overlord of the sky," how could his dignity allow him to easily call a woman "Master"?!
Nami's attitude, treating him like a pet, made him feel very displeased.
"How dare you toy with the great Lord Clay..."
A glint of cunning flashed in Clay's small, bead-like eyes.
"I'll take it!!"
Whoosh!
Taking advantage of Nami's inattention, Clay's black figure suddenly lunged with startling speed, instantly snatching the meat from Nami's hand.
"Caw caw caw!"
Then he flapped his wings hard and flew directly to the top of the room, circling and looking down at the fuming Nami.
Seeing Nami's exasperated look, Clay felt extremely refreshed.
He felt as if he had reclaimed his dignity as the "overlord of the sky" from Rare Animal Island.
"Hmph, foolish human woman."
He triumphantly tossed the meat high into the air, then tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and opened his beak wide, preparing to enjoy the delicacy falling from the sky.
One second.
Two seconds.
"Eh? Where's the meat?"
The expected delicious sensation didn't come.
Clay opened his eyes in confusion, but before he could react—
A large hand suddenly reached out, grabbed him by the neck, and pulled him down unceremoniously.
"Caw?!"
Clay turned his head in terror, only to meet Tatsuya's half-smiling face.
And the meat that originally belonged to him was currently being tossed into Tatsuya's mouth, chewed a couple of times, and swallowed.
"Hmm, tastes good," Tatsuya commented.
"Coo-coo caw-caw!! Lord!!"
Clay was so scared his feathers puffed up, and he quickly shouted for mercy: "I was wrong! I shouldn't have bullied your woman! Spare my life!!"
The air instantly froze.
Tatsuya expressionlessly reached out and pinched shut the bird's beak that was talking nonsense.
"Coo... caw..."
"Who are you calling his woman?!!!"
A furious roar erupted.
Bang!!
Nami's fiery iron fist slammed mercilessly into Clay's bird head.
"Coo..."
Clay saw stars, the whole world spinning around him; his head slumped weakly as he wobbled like a drunkard.
Tatsuya shook the Crow in his hand to wake him up.
"Alright, stop playing dead. Let's talk business."
Tatsuya placed him on the table and stared at him, asking: "Since you ate a Devil Fruit, what are your abilities?"
Clay shook his dizzy head; at the mention of abilities, he immediately perked up and shook his head proudly.
Then he put on a flattering expression and said to Tatsuya:
"Lord, Clay knows a lot! I can talk to all the creatures in this sea, whether they be fish or beast! And..."
He took a deep breath and puffed out his chest:
"I can also let out the roar of the 'overlord of the sky'! That terrifying sound wave can make all enemies piss themselves!"
"You can talk to all creatures?"
Nami, who was still angry, showed a surprised expression upon hearing this, "Doesn't that make you the best translator?"
Clay nodded his bird head proudly.
Tatsuya stroked his chin and continued: "Since you can emit sound waves, can your sound waves be used for pathfinding? Like Echolocation?"
Clay froze for a moment, nodded his head proudly, and then said righteously:
"I can't! What's that?"
Smack!
Tatsuya's face darkened, and he slapped him on the head.
"Then why are you nodding if you can't?!"
"Wuwu... Lord... I can learn..."
Clay clutched his head and said aggrievedly, "Give me some time, Lord Clay is a genius."
Nami looked at this cheeky Crow, rested her chin on her hand, and gave a thoughtful smile, the Berries symbols flashing in her eyes again.
"How interesting, this Crow."
"Such a rare animal should sell for a lot of money on the black market, right?"
"Coo-coo caw-caw!! Lord Clay is not a commodity!!"
Clay was so scared he flew behind Tatsuya, poking his head out to shout at Nami:
"You money-grubbing orange-head! I am the Lord's loyal subordinate! I'm not for sale!"
"Huh?!" Nami's gaze turned cold.
Boom—!!
Just then, a loud cannon blast came from outside, shaking the cabin and successfully diverting their attention.
Zoro, who had been dozing on the sofa nearby, was also woken up.
Yawn...
Zoro rubbed his eyes and gave a big yawn, looking confused. "What is that guy Luffy doing now? Is he tearing the ship apart?"
"Ah!! Damn! Missed by a bit!"
Luffy's frustrated voice came from the deck.
"Ah! Move aside, move aside! Let the great Sogeking Usopp handle this!"
Followed by Usopp's excited shouting.
Bang!!
Another loud bang came from outside, accompanied by the sound of water exploding.
Tatsuya listened intently and said with a smile:
"It seems they're playing with the cannons on the new ship, practicing their shooting."
"They're certainly energetic..."
Zoro muttered, yawned, and turned over to go back to sleep. "Ah, as long as they don't sink the ship."
Nami sighed, looking at this group of troublesome guys.
Then, her gaze swept over the well-equipped but empty kitchen on the other side of the cabin, as if remembering something.
"Hey, aren't we still missing a cook? Vice Captain."
Nami looked a bit worried. "Even though we have supplies, I'm the only one who can make some simple home-cooked meals. Luffy only knows how to eat, as for you two..."
She glanced at Tatsuya, who only knew how to roast meat, and Zoro, who only knew how to sleep, and shook her head.
Tatsuya didn't answer immediately.
He glanced at the sea area they were about to reach on the chart and revealed a mysterious smile.
"A cook... it really is time to put that on the agenda."
The next member should be that curly-browed Sanji.
And...
Tatsuya turned to look at the soundly sleeping Zoro, a playful smile flashing across his face.
The Baratie, the floating restaurant—there's not just a cook there, but also that man: the Worlds Greatest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk.
That is Zoro's lifelong goal, and one of the power ceilings of the pirate world.
The Worlds Greatest Swordsman...
"Coo-coo caw-caw! A cook! I want a cook too! I want to eat delicious food!"
Clay flew onto Nami's shoulder, completely forgetting their previous spat, and raised a wing in agreement.
Just then.
"Hey!! You pirates over there!! Prepare to die!!"
A loud shout filled with Chuunibyou energy suddenly came from the deck.
Immediately after, Luffy's curious and excited voice came from the deck:
"Whoa! What's this? Is someone looking for trouble?!"