The group continues its flight toward Sandy Island.
Alex is neither particularly happy nor unhappy about his gains, but he's still in a great mood.
While my rewards were honestly mediocre, Jewel got something awesome. She may act like she's unsatisfied, but honestly, evolving one of her skills is great. She's already a strong pet, capable of handling most players on her own—and with an evolved skill, things will only get crazier. Pets shouldn't be this strong... even rare ones, like Jewel. I wonder if one, or perhaps even more than one, of her skills evolves. Jewel's LUK is extremely good, so there is a pretty decent chance that she'll pull off another miracle.
Time passes. Tereza does her best to keep a consistent speed, flying forward through occasional rain showers, gale-force winds, and the relentless heat of the blazing sun, proudly resisting the crazy climate of the Grand Line.
Nearly seven hours after falling asleep, Jewel finally opens her eyes and stares up at Alex, appearing as if she just took a nap.
[Pet Skill Evolution completed...
analyzing results:
Thornback Poison lvl 0 >>> Namtaru Poison lvl 0
Leveling Requirements: Automatically levels up along with the Pet's level.
Effect: Biting attacks deal an additional 10 + 1 per level of Acid damage.
Effect: Biting attacks deal an additional 5 + 1 per level of Dark damage
Effect: Biting attacks have a chance to poison the enemy, dealing 30 + 3 Darkpoison damage per minute and decreasing the target's movement speed, attack speed, and reactions by 10 + 2% per level. Can stack up to 5 times.
Effect: Reduces the effectiveness of the target's skills by 5 + 1% per level, per stack.
Effect: Decreases the target's healing by 5% per stack.
Cost: 5 MP
Thornback Poison Spit lvl 0 >>>Namtaru Poison Spit lvl 0
Leveling Requirements: Automatically levels up along with the Pet's level
Effect: Gathers up Namtaru Poison in the user's mouth and forcefully shoots it outwards, dealing thrice the damage of Thornback Poison and having twice the chance to affect the target with up to three stacks of Poison.
Effect: Maximum range of 30 meters + 5 per level.
Cost: 10 MP
Thornback Web Shoot lvl 0 >>> NamtaruWeb Shoot lvl 0
Leveling Requirements: Automatically levels up along with the Pet's level
Effect: Webs the target, slowing it down and making it unable to move if hit by enough web. Strength, Duration, Control, and Range increase per level.
Effect: Increased durability of the webs by 10% + 2% per level
Effect: Has a small chance to apply Namtaru Poison.
Cost: 10 MP
Thornback Burrow lvl 0 >>> Namtaru Shadow burrowlvl 0
Leveling Requirements: Automatically levels up along with the Pet's level
Effect: Allows the user to dig into suitable ground and move stealthily underground. Digging speed & efficiency increases per level.
Effect: Allows the user to burrow through the shadows themselves, allowing the user to bypass most objects like walls.
Cost: 20 MP
Thornback Bite lvl 0 >>> Namtaru Bite lvl 0
Leveling Requirements: Automatically levels up along with the Pet's level
Effect: Activates a magical, monstrous, ruthless biting ability, able to pierce through nearly everything, including magical shields. Requires a wind-up and can't be used instantly. Biting damage +200% +20% per level. Armor & Spell Penetration increased by 50% + 5% per level.
Effect: Deals an additional 10 + 5% per level Dark damage, based on the total damage dealt. Guaranteed chance to poison the target.
Cost: 10 MP
Warning: Using the newly upgraded skills requires MP. It is still possible to use the Thornback skills at no MP cost, relying solely on AURA.]
What?!
As Alex begins reading the incoming messages, he groans and holds his head, overwhelmed by the flood of new information.
While he struggles to process the changes, Jewel looks completely unbothered—relaxed, as if nothing unusual has happened at all.
"Judging by your reaction, there seem to be significant changes in the little one's abilities?" Benezia asks without turning around.
"Yeah... it's kinda complicated. I need to analyze what happened," Alex mutters, still skimming through the updated skills.
Princess Jewel is not particularly impressed. All of her Royal Thornback abilities have simply gained another effect, which she can activate at will at the cost of MP. Overall, her abilities are about 50% more effective, and she also gained a few extra options she can use to enhance them.
"I see," Benezia says. "That sounds quite useful. Tell me the details—I'll factor them into our upcoming operations."
Alex sighs and shares the updated information with her.
"It's rather unbelievable," Benezia remarks. "The most impressive thing is that the little one hasn't lost anything. She can still use her regular abilities, and only when she wants to can she spend MP to enhance them. The cost is also fairly low... this is indeed a great blessing."
Despite acting indifferent, Alex notices how Jewel rhythmically moves on his lap—clearly enjoying Benezia's praise, even if she won't admit it.
This silly spider...
Alex gently pats Jewel's head, while Tereza continues flying at a steady pace, doing her best to maintain altitude and speed.
Almost a full day passes before Benezia finally says, "Let's take a break on this island below us. It's still a while until Sandy Island."
"I... I can do it..." Tereza stammers, her voice so unconvincing it's almost pitiful.
"Land for a while," Alex says, sighing. "I do believe you could make it to our target island, but if you're too exhausted afterward, that's hardly ideal."
"F—fine..." she mutters, slowly beginning her descent onto the nearby island.
"What island is this anyway?" Alex asks, looking at Benezia. "Do we have any info on it?"
"I... I hesitate to answer," Benezia says, her tone suddenly cold. "And I can only do so with sheer disgust."
"Huh?!" Alex stares. "What does that mean?"
"It's Nanimonai Island," Benezia finally says, just as Tereza touches the ground, skillfully landing.
The large island spreads out beneath them—its terrain flat, unimpressive, and oddly clean.
"Wait..." Alex says as he hops off Tereza's back, Jewel clinging to his head. "Nanimonai Island... isn't this the island created by the Giant Goldfish? The island eater?"
Princess Jewel does not want to step on this nasty poop island.
Not like you will step on it... you keep lazing around on my head!
"It's not as bad as it sounds... That stupid goldfish swallows entire islands every hundred years or so," Alex explains. "Maybe this one was eaten once, but it's still made of dirt and stone. Not whatever you're imagining. Clearly, the fish couldn't digest it. Look around—there are trees, grass, and actual soil. I remember there's even an Eternal Pose for this place. Forget the ridiculous history. Let's take a short break and then move on."
Tereza, visibly drained, transforms back into her human form, pulls a pillow from her inventory, and flops down onto it without hesitation.
"Let her rest," Benezia says. "We can do the same—or use the time productively."
What could possibly be productive on a poop island?!
"Isn't it one of your favorite hobbies, little one?" Benezia asks, turning to Jewel with a faint smirk.
Benezia means...?
Really?!
... Fishing!
"Just for a while..." Alex says, not really interested in doing so, but also unable to argue against it.
... Items are items. We might be able to catch some fish and earn some FC.
Alex, Benezia, and Jewel spend a few hours fishing off the island's shore, casting their respective lines in silence. Nothing really bites. Only Jewel manages to catch anything at all—two rather dull-looking, Gray Quality fish.
Eventually, as the sun dips below the horizon, coloring the ocean red, they stop and rest for a few quiet hours.
Less than ten hours after arriving, with Tereza fully recovered, the group takes to the skies again. It's still early morning, the first light of dawn yet to appear on the horizon.
I'm still tired... but I guess as long as Tereza can continue, I really can't complain..
After six more hours of flight, their destination finally comes into view. A massive, golden island glimmers ahead in the distance.
"There it is!" Alex says. "Sandy Island—home of the Arabasta Kingdom! It looks massive! The view reminds me of Mallorca. When I was a kid, I used to fly there on vacation. With clear skies, you could see the whole island from the plane, even though it was huge. This looks almost the same."
Benezia glances at him with a familiar, mocking smile—but for once, doesn't follow it with a snide comment.
"This is one of the larger islands on the Grand Line after all," she says. "It has several major cities, and the population is close to ten million. It's definitely one of the more significant locations we've come across."
"Should we head straight to Rainbase?" Alex asks. "It's actually the closest city—it's on the northwest part of the island."
"There are only a couple of noteworthy places on this island. Aside from Rainbase, which is fully under Crocodile's control, there's the capital, Alubarna, and the largest port city, Nanohana," Benezia explains.
"Well... there are a few more places that matter to the story, but they're not really useful to us," Alex argues. "The rebel camp in Katorea or the destroyed town of Yuba aren't relevant. Spider's Café might be of interest if we want to leave Baroque Works and target their agents. I was just asking because we might want to drop off Menchi at the capital, Alubarna."
"Fair point," Benezia says. "But we can still do that after landing in Rainbase. We can summon her there first and, once we have our orders, make a quick detour to Alubarna. Rainbase is probably the richest city—and the only one that still has a proper water supply. The rest of the island is in a drought."
"Okay! Let's drop her off at Rainbase, then, and see where we at. We've got our target," Alex announces.
"Got it!" Tereza replies in her deep voice. "To the northeast, then!"
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