15,000 points!
Exceeding five digits and reaching the legendary level.
Shano stretched lazily. All the hard work was finally paying off.
As far as he could remember, only Luffy's genuine straw hat and Roger's execution platform had ever reached the legendary tier.
This was the third.
As expected, wool was best sheared in the New World!
Shano clicked the details of another item to take a closer look.
[Photo of Jesus Bu's Wife]
[Quality: Excellent]
[Value: 1900 Points]
[Appraisal Comment: A photo once kept close by Red Hair Pirates' veteran sniper Jesus Bu, containing his deep longing and unfulfilled promises to his deceased wife. Though the edges are yellowed and frayed, the woman's gentle smile remains. The back is inscribed with "To my beloved Banchina." The emotional value greatly outweighs its material worth.]
Emotional value?
Shano shook his head.
He'd sacrificed plenty of photographs before. Some, after learning their meaning, had even made him feel guilty—like the one Dashigi had given him in Rogue Town.
But this one...
Nothing. He felt nothing.
Even Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army, had come to see Luffy off when he set sail. What about Jesus Bu?
Too abstract.
He'd left his wife and child behind for years. Even just a few years ago, Jesus Bu had followed Red Hair back to the East Blue and stayed in Windmill Village with Luffy for a whole year... but not once did he return to his hometown.
Shano just couldn't understand it.
He himself had only been at sea for a little over half a year, battling constantly, but he still managed to call Bell-mère at least once a month!
He closed the detail page.
Shano did a quick calculation.
The Red Hair Pirates had provided a total of 26,000 points, and now his remaining points had skyrocketed to 77,600.
Unprecedented wealth!
With so much in hand, Shano's shopping urges surged. He was ready to splurge.
The trading market would refresh soon—probably within a week—and by that time, they'd arrive at the next island.
During that period, he'd continue focusing on training his Water Rock Breaking Fist. Once he fully mastered it...
He'd be confident enough to go head-to-head with any of the Four Emperors in a one-on-one.
Well, maybe not Whitebeard. That one was still a mystery.
Until he met the legendary "strongest man in the world" in person, Shano couldn't say for sure what level the old monster was truly at.
After closing the system panel, Shano pulled a can of sugar-free cola from his backpack, cracked it open, and sipped while humming a tune and heading back to his room.
It had been a productive day—he'd sleep well tonight.
The only thing that puzzled him was whose life card had been stolen by that red-haired crew.
Who cared.
It was probably just some fake prop a fishman vendor had used to scam people...
How could that be anyone important?
Agatha Islands
In the morning mist drifting across the sea, a ridiculous-looking circus-style pirate ship approached from afar.
"Little ones! See that? We're finally here!"
Buggy stood at the bow, grinning from ear to ear, hands on his hips.
"According to the treasure map, this island holds a super treasure worth more than 500 million berries! Once I dig it up, I'll buy the best ship in the world and expand our crew!"
The New World hadn't been kind to him.
Ever since the Navy had driven him here, he couldn't afford to offend anyone and couldn't beat anyone. He'd spent every day like a sewer rat—scurrying in fear.
Tears welled in Buggy's eyes.
Why?
All he ever wanted was to quietly hunt for treasure in the East Blue. He didn't even plan on returning to the Grand Line.
So how had his bounty kept increasing for no reason? How had he ended up in this mess?
The New World...
His subordinates were all a crooked bunch, with no one even possessing Haki. Were they really cut out for this place?
But soon, all that would change.
With the treasure money, he'd upgrade weapons and build power. Hmph!
"Boss Buggy is wise!"
"Long live Captain Buggy!"
"Roar!!"
Mochi and the lion Liki finally reacted, throwing up their fists in blind loyalty. The rest of the crew echoed the praise as they eagerly grabbed shovels and prepared to disembark.
Chief of Staff Kabaji's cheers were half-hearted—he seemed distracted. Riding his unicycle, he dug through every pocket on his body.
Strange...
Where was Captain Buggy's life card?
He remembered getting pickpocketed while shopping on Fishman Island. Could it have been taken then?
Buggy had only made two life card fragments—one for Kabaji and one for Mochi. It was a rare gesture of trust.
If Buggy found out it was missing...
Kabaji swallowed hard. Cold sweat slid down his face.
"Captain Buggy! Look over there!"
A lookout suddenly pointed toward the island's tallest red tree, his eyes wide with panic. "That flag—on top! It looks like..."
"Huh?"
Buggy's eyes narrowed. His upper body launched off, flying toward the lookout and grabbing him by the collar.
"Who are you calling Red Nose?!"
"You heard wrong, Captain Buggy!" the lookout stammered, nearly passing out. "I said red tree...!"
"How dare you say that! What's Red Nose ever done to you?!"
Buggy roared and punched him straight into the sea.
He clapped his hands and turned to look at the mountaintop.
There, fluttering in the mist on a white flag, was the unmistakable emblem of two swords piercing a seagull.
"The... the Faller?!"
Buggy's eyes bulged. Snot dripped. His limbs shot apart mid-air in panic.
This random ghost island... was Shano's territory?!
That man—the world's number one swordsman, with a bounty of over 2 billion?!
"Turn around! Now!"
"Eh? But the treasure..." Mochi hesitated.
"You idiot! Which is more important—treasure or my life?! That guy's a top-tier monster! What if he's here?! You trying to get us killed?!"
Buggy slapped Mochi across the face.
"Retreat at full speed! Now! Immediately!"
"Woo woo..." Mochi held his swollen cheek, aggrieved. He'd only been in the New World a short while—he didn't know all the big names.
Meanwhile, the helmsman pushed the ship to full throttle.
Soon, the sea returned to calm.
Much later, a pirate's head surfaced from the water. He stared at the distant disappearing ship, mouth agape.
"Boss Buggy! I'm still in the water!"
Five Days Later, Morning
The End stopped in front of a tiny island—though it was more like a giant reef, about the size of a few football fields, clearly excavated by hand.
Small, but fully equipped.
There were five large warehouses labeled: "Wine," "Fresh Water," "Staple Food," "Cold Weapons," and "Sundries."
Zeff, as head chef, led the crew in moving supplies from the warehouses.
At the pier, a fat old man with white hair leaned on the railing, counting a stack of Baileys with care.
Dressed in a refined black suit, gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, and a belly like a pampered seal, he looked rather jolly.
"Oh my, what generous guests..."
The old man stroked his beard, eyes squinting with satisfaction. "Buying this much at once... You must've left the last island in a rush."
Shano stood nearby, hands in pockets, sweeping a glance over the busy crew.
"Guess so."
The old man's name was Henry. He and this island had seemingly appeared from nowhere, alone in the vast sea, selling supplies to passing ships.
"Say, uncle," Nami piped up, carrying two oranges, "are you really here all by yourself? No guards or anything? What if pirates try to rob you?"
"Pirates?"
Henry chuckled, counting his last Bailey before glancing up. A glint flashed in his eyes.
"Little girl, guess why no one's dared to touch the supplies on this island for years, even in the New World?"
Nami blinked. "Isn't it because... Whitebeard controls nearby islands?"
"Whitebeard?" Henry laughed, his big belly bouncing. "That old guy's too busy to watch a place this small. And not all pirates are well-behaved. Even in Yonko territory, some idiots still try their luck."
"There's only one reason I'm safe."
He patted his gut. "Over a decade ago, I was known as the strongest pirate hunter in these seas—'Breaker' Henry."
"Breaker?" Nami tilted her head. She'd never heard of him.
"I was a natural at naval combat—ambushing ships from underwater and splitting them in half. Even pirates with 400–500 million bounties fell to me."
Henry glanced at Shano. "Of course, in Lord Shano's eyes, that's nothing. But for the smaller fry, I'm more than enough."
"And the real big names—well, people like you would never bother with robbery. You just do business."
Shano silently looked up at the sky.
"So you were that powerful..."
Nami was impressed. "Why'd you stop pirate hunting and start selling goods?"
"I got old," Henry sighed. "And more importantly, I ate a devil fruit."
"A devil fruit?"
"Yes, the most ridiculous, useless one you can imagine."
Henry sighed. "Since it's for Lord Shano, I'll show you."
Snap!
His body blurred and ballooned, transforming into a giant ship. The bow was shaped like a chubby face with gritted teeth.
"Behold. Ship-Ship Fruit... Superhuman type. I just can't understand how the god who made devil fruits could be so cruel!"
A fruit that lets you become a ship... but devil fruit users can't swim.
"Pfft—hahaha!"
Nami rolled on the ground laughing, tears streaming down her face.
This uncle... was way too unlucky!
Her own Flame-Flame Fruit was so practical and powerful!
Bang!
"Anyway, just thinking about this cursed fruit makes me angry!"
Henry reverted and punched the sea.
Boom!
A column of boiling water shot into the sky. Heat waves scorched the air, and nearby seawater sizzled and steamed.
"Ha—"
Nami's laughter stopped abruptly, like a goose with its neck wrung.
After the supplies were moved, dawn broke.
Just as Shano was heading back to the training room, his small Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
He pulled it out.
The snail now wore a fuzzy bear-ear hat and glasses, its face gentle and kind.
"Oh!"
Shano laughed. "It's Bear! What, Bonnie's cured already?"
"Yes, Lord Shano," said the Den Den Mushi with a smile. "It took some time, but she's fully recovered. I've taken Bonnie from her hometown, and we're on our way. Should arrive in four or five days."
"That's great!"
Shano had been worried. If even Mansherry couldn't cure the Jade Scale Disease, he was ready to spend 5,000 points to try himself.
Thankfully, the Healing Fruit had proved reliable.
"What about Mansherry?" he asked. "She coming too? We're still short a doctor."
"She and Bonnie are asleep. She seemed a little hesitant... She wants to join you, but she misses her tribe. I plan to take her to Dressrosa. If she makes a decision, I'll contact you again."
"Alright, we'll see then."
Shano nodded. "Travel safely."
After hanging up...
The End sailed onward. Old Henry waved goodbye from the dock.
Shano changed into his training gear and headed for the training room.
On the way, he remembered—the prop mall had just refreshed.
With over 70,000 points, it was time to splurge!
He eagerly clicked open the shop.
Then his face darkened.
[Teemo's Pure Cotton Underwear]
[Type: Equipment]
[Price: 600 Points]
[Description: Imported from Valoran. Yordle-tech fabric with superb breathability. Grants +50% resistance to mushroom toxins.]
[Seller's Note: Hehehe, fury…]