Noon the following day. Sunlight pierced through the thick clouds, casting golden rays unreservedly across the deck of the Going Merry—or rather, the temporary "Straw Hat Ship."
Yawn—
Viktor pushed open the cabin door, stretching lazily as his joints popped and cracked with satisfying clarity. "Ah, what beautiful weather."
He rubbed his sleepy eyes and looked toward the bow, where Luffy was sitting in his special seat, crunching loudly on an apple. "Oh, morning, Luffy."
"Ah, Viktor! Mornin'!" Luffy waved, his mouth so full of apple that his words were barely intelligible.
Nami, who was in the middle of the deck inventorying their dwindling supplies, felt a vein throb on her forehead. Her face darkened instantly. "It's already noon! You two sleeping idiots!"
Gulp.
Luffy swallowed the entire apple—core, skin, and all—in three bites and patted his stomach. "Ah, is it noon already? No wonder I'm so hungry."
Nami sighed helplessly, setting down her checklist. She looked out at the endless expanse of the sea, a flicker of worry crossing her eyes. "Going to the Grand Line like this... it's still too dangerous. I've heard it's called the 'Pirate's Graveyard,' the most dangerous place in the world."
Luffy crossed his legs and nodded with an unusually serious expression. "Nami's right. We definitely need more meat. If I only eat apples every day, I won't have any strength."
Zoro, who had been dozing against the mast, opened one eye and chipped in, "And we need booze."
"I WASN'T TALKING ABOUT FOOD!!"
Fuming, Nami grabbed a bright red apple and hurled it at Viktor without even looking. Zip! The apple traced a perfect arc, flying straight at Viktor's head.
Clap.
Viktor raised a hand and caught it effortlessly. He looked at Nami with a deadpan expression. "Hey, Miss Navigator! The Marimo is the one who said that! I didn't say anything! Why hit me?"
"Shishishi! Direct hit!" Luffy clutched his stomach and laughed.
"Hmph, serves you right," Zoro added with a smirk.
Nami took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. "Stop joking around. It's the Grand Line we're talking about..." She spread the sea chart out on the deck, her expression grave.
"There are countless brutal pirates there. Their ships are massive, and their crews are huge compared to our little boat of four. If we just barge in, we can't even guarantee our own safety. Luffy, do you understand?"
Luffy looked at Nami's serious face, his smile fading into a determined look. "Yeah, I get it!" He clenched his fist. "We definitely need more comrades! Besides a cook, we need a musician..."
"Pfft—a musician?!" Zoro couldn't hold it back and burst into laughter. "Hey, hey, is that really a priority?"
"ARE YOU AN IDIOT?!" Nami finally snapped, screaming at Luffy. "You don't understand at all! The key is combat power! Supplies! A sturdier ship!"
After screaming at Luffy, she turned her murderous gaze toward Viktor, who was watching the show. "Viktor!"
"Yes, yes, Miss Navigator," Viktor said, taking a bite of the apple she'd thrown.
"Where is the nearest island? We have plenty of money in the hold. We can buy a bigger ship and stock up on supplies."
At the mention of "money" and "supplies," Luffy and Zoro's eyes lit up. "Oh! Meat time!!" Luffy cheered. "Don't forget the booze!" Zoro added.
Nami sighed and checked the chart again. "Let's see... a bit further south, there's an inhabited island. Syrup Village. It's relatively prosperous. We should be able to get a decent ship there and replenish our stores."
Syrup Village... Viktor nodded thoughtfully. If he remembered correctly, that was the home of Usopp—and the birthplace of the Going Merry.
With a mischievous smile, Viktor walked forward. While Nami was still focused on the chart, he pulled the half-eaten apple from his mouth and stuffed it into hers.
"Mmph?!" Nami's eyes widened.
"Alright, plan confirmed! Target: Syrup Village. Full speed ahead! I'm counting on you, Miss Navigator."
"Mmm-ph!! Mmm-ph!!" Nami spat out the apple, waving her fists in fury. "You jerk, Viktor!!"
"Oh!! Full speed ahead!!" Luffy ignored Nami's protests, excitedly hauling the sails.
After the ship adjusted its course, Viktor went to the stern alone. He watched the white wake churning behind the boat, his expression turning solemn.
Yesterday, he had exchanged points for [Refined Chakra Control]. This was the foundation of all foundations in the ninja world—the path to becoming a true master.
"Perfect time to experiment."
Viktor took a deep breath, slowly gathering chakra at the soles of his feet. It was a strange sensation, like a layer of invisible adhesive film was sticking to his skin. Holding onto the railing, he tentatively lowered one foot toward the ocean surface.
"Light as a dragonfly..."
The moment his foot touched the water, it didn't sink. He felt a firm, elastic resistance. It's working! Viktor's heart leaped with joy. He let go of the rope and stepped both feet onto the undulating waves.
In that moment, he stood on the water as if it were solid ground, rising and falling with the swell but never sinking an inch.
Viktor folded his arms behind his back, feeling the sea breeze, and smirked to himself. "Hmm. Putting the system aside, this is clearly the result of pure talent and hard work."
Water walking—in a world made of oceans, it was an absolute life-saving skill. It would give him a massive advantage in naval combat or escapes.
However, as Viktor was immersed in self-congratulation, a large sea fish beneath the surface took a sudden interest in the "two-legged beast" standing on its ceiling.
It swam up and curiously nudged the sole of Viktor's foot—the very spot where his chakra was concentrated.
"Huh?"
The delicate balance shattered. The flow of chakra was disrupted.
"Holy crap!"
The exclamation had barely left his lips before Viktor lost his balance. It was like someone had tripped him; he tumbled headfirst into the sea.
SPLASH!
Cold seawater rushed into his nose. Viktor wasn't a Devil Fruit user, but as a former shut-in otaku from the modern world, his swimming skills were nonexistent.
"H-help! Glub glub..." He thrashed in the water, looking nothing like the master he had been seconds ago.
"Hahahaha! Viktor fell in!" Luffy, leaning over the railing, pointed and laughed heartlessly.
"Tch, what is that idiot doing?" Zoro complained while wiping his blades. Despite the insult, he moved quickly, shedding his outer coat. Splash! He dove in to fish the ninja out.
Meanwhile, not far ahead on a peaceful, quiet island.
On the streets of Syrup Village, a boy with a remarkably long nose was sprinting at full speed, drenched in sweat. As he ran, he waved his arms and screamed at the top of his lungs to the empty streets:
"THE PIRATES ARE COMING!!" "THE PIRATES ARE COMING!!" "EVERYONE RUN!! TERRIBLE PIRATES ARE ATTACKING THE VILLAGE!!"
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early 70+ Chapters Ahead on Patreon: [email protected]/Master_Studios677
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 100 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.