The salty sea breeze rolled across the beach as Ron stood calmly, summoning the achievement interface. A single new point of power flowed into his mind, and then his attention returned to the small wooden chest wrapped in waterproof cloth.
What could be inside?
Judging by its weight and size, it didn't seem like gold or silver. Could it be… a Devil Fruit?
Ron quickly shook his head. Digging up a treasure map and finding a Devil Fruit would be far too ridiculous, especially here in the East Blue, not the Grand Line.
Nami tore away the oilcloth and set the wooden chest on the sand. Despite being called "small," it was large enough for her to fit inside if she curled up.
The lock clicked open easily.
Inside was another layer of protective cloth, and beneath it lay a single sword, a silver-white katana resting at an angle, its handle and scabbard shining like moonlight. Below it, several scattered jewels glimmered softly, few in number but dazzling in quality.
"A sword?" Ron muttered, momentarily surprised.
He picked it up, feeling the weight in his palm. Drawing the blade, he found it gleaming, sharp enough to split the air, untouched by rust. He wasn't familiar with all the famous swords of this world, he knew of Mihawk's black blade Yoru, and Law's cursed Kikoku, but this one he did not recognize. Still, it gave off an aura of power.
It wasn't an Ultimate Grade Blade, he could sense that. Perhaps a Good Grade sword, or maybe even a Great Grade one. But here in the East Blue? Finding even a Great Grade blade by pure chance would be almost absurd.
Still, who could say? Maybe this was something left behind long ago by a powerful pirate who decided to quit the seas and hide his weapon away.
Either way, it didn't matter much to Ron. He wasn't a swordsman. A mage didn't wield blades, after all, and besides, one of his achievements required collecting ten famous swords, and this one would count just fine toward that goal.
He sheathed the weapon with a crisp metallic sound and turned to Nami. "Doesn't look like much. How much do you think this is worth?"
Nami's eyes sparkled as she examined each jewel carefully, her excitement barely contained. "At least five million berries," she said with a grin. "Maybe even ten."
"Not bad," Ron said with a small smile. "Worth the trip, then."
He thought about tossing the sword back into the chest but decided against it, if he left it there, Nami would probably sell it. Better to keep it on him.
Humming cheerfully, Nami closed the chest and heaved it up in her arms, waving for Ron to follow as she headed toward the ship. But after only a few steps, she froze.
Ron stopped too, his eyes narrowing toward the open sea. A dark shadow appeared on the horizon, another ship, slowly adjusting its course toward them.
"Pirates?" Ron muttered under his breath.
Nami's bright eyes darted to his, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Want to take another job while we're at it?"
Ron chuckled. "If it's pirates, I don't mind."
With his Wind Blades, Fireballs, and mental power nearing thirty points, there was no one left in the East Blue he feared, except perhaps Arlong.
If the incoming ship was a pirate crew and they saw the two of them digging for treasure, they wouldn't bother firing from afar. They'd come charging in for the loot.
"Then let's get ready," Nami said, her tone light but her smile razor-sharp.
The two exchanged a knowing glance as the waves rolled in.
Meanwhile, far across the sea, the Iron Hammer Pirates were sailing in their direction.
Their flag, a skull flanked by two iron hammers, whipped in the wind. The deck was filled with roaring laughter as the massive captain, Iron Hammer Loff, leaned against his weapon. His muscles bulged like steel cables, his grin cruel. He had shattered an entire town once with a single swing, and just a few days ago, he'd sunk a marine warship.
"Captain, there's no sign of pursuit!" one of his men called.
Loff smirked. "Of course not. After seeing what I did, those cowardly marines are probably still pissing themselves."
The crew erupted in wild laughter.
"Your bounty's gonna rise again, Captain," one said. "Sinking a warship? You'll hit ten million for sure!"
"Hmph," Loff snorted. "If they don't raise it soon, I'll go smash their entire base next time."
The men howled, slapping their knees and pounding the deck.
Then, from the lookout above, a voice shouted down. "Captain! There's a small boat ahead!"
Loff squinted, taking a spyglass from a nearby hand. Through the lens, he saw a small island, two figures beside a wooden chest, digging.
"Huh. Looks like they're after some kind of treasure," he said.
"Treasure?" one of his men echoed, his eyes lighting up.
Loff's grin widened. "Doesn't matter who they are. If it's worth something, it's mine. Head that way!"
The crew responded with eager grins. The sails shifted, catching the wind.
Excitement rippled through the pirates. Maybe it was nothing. Or maybe, just maybe, it was another chest full of gold waiting to be claimed. They could already taste the rum, the women, the laughter of another week spent wasting their spoils on some island tavern.
The Iron Hammer Pirates turned toward the island, not knowing that the two figures waiting for them were no ordinary treasure hunters, but the storm that would end them.
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