Before dawn, I slipped out with my pack. I looked back at the house once—then kept walking toward the shore.
"Karl, boy—setting sail without telling your teacher? That's a disgrace," a familiar voice called.
I turned. Uncle Darren stood at our doorway, watching me.
"Uncle Darren… thank you for everything these years." I set my pack down and bowed deeply.
"Go," he said. "A man shouldn't waste his life in a backwater. Out there on the sea—make a name that rings."
"I will, Uncle Darren." I shouldered the pack and headed for the harbor.
The sky was still ink-dark; no one was aboard yet. I crept onto the merchantman and slipped into the hold, where crates of fruit were stacked to the ceiling. I stashed my pack in a corner, buried myself under apples and oranges, and leaned back to doze.
An hour later, the deck thumped with footsteps—crew must've come aboard. I closed my eyes and used Observation Haki to keep tabs. A low rumble rose from below the keel: a Sea King. The dog-headed one—Griffith—must be in place.
Soon the ship lurched forward. No one had noticed me. I had to wait until we cleared the Calm Belt before showing myself or they'd march me right back home.
We glided along. Every so often, a Sea King's cry vibrated up through the hull, but none attacked. I let myself breathe and drifted off.
A violent shudder jolted me awake. I reached out with Haki—Griffith's presence was gone. We'd left the Calm Belt and entered the Grand Line.
My pulse quickened. Time to come out. I pushed aside the fruit, grabbed my pack, and climbed for the deck—
"Karl? What are you doing on this ship? When did you board—by the gods!"
"Heh—good morning, Captain Dylan. I hid in the hold before dawn. Sorry. I have to go to sea, and… you know I can handle myself."
"Do your parents know? I'm guessing no. When they notice you're gone—especially your mother—she'll go mad," Ian said, frowning.
"Don't worry, Uncle Ian. I left Mom a letter. I wrote that I'm going to find my sister. They know I'm strong now—they won't panic too much."
Dylan rubbed his chin. "And how do you plan to find her? This voyage ends at the Kingdom of Waterland. We'll sell the fruit, buy supplies, and head back. We've already arranged a rendezvous with Griffith."
"It's fine, Captain. I'm prepared, and I brought enough money. Once we dock, I'll buy a small sailboat and head out on my own."
"All right. I'll help you pick out a ship. I know people at the Waterland shipyards."
"Thank you, Captain Dylan!"
"Go rest for now. Ian, find him a berth."
Ian led me below and handed me a small single cabin. I set my pack down, stretched out, and finally relaxed. After hours wedged among fruit crates, my back ached. I fell asleep in minutes.
I woke to cannon fire.
I grabbed my blade and sprinted topside. Pirates—a crew of thirty or so. One glance at the fight and my nerves loosened—Dylan's people were solid; a few even had Armament Haki.
I jumped in. In short order the pirates were cut down. Their ship drifted, tattered and abandoned. The stench of blood hung in the air. I'd fought beasts and slaughtered plenty of Sea Kings, but this was my first time killing so many people. My stomach lurched; I leaned over the rail and heaved.
"Hahaha—Karl, you all right?" Ian clapped my shoulder. "These were vicious pirates. They don't deserve your pity."
"I'm fine, Uncle Ian. Just… first time. I won't pity them."
"Good. You've set sail now—you'll see more of this. Never soften your heart. They come to kill you."
"I'll remember."
That was my first battle against pirates. Turns out, decent pirates are rare; pure adventurers like Luffy's lot are rarer still. Whether Navy or pirate, I'd need to keep my guard up. In my last life, what I saw was only the tip of the iceberg.
When the deck was hosed clean, Dylan saw my face and sent me to rest.
Back in my cabin, I washed and lay down, mapping routes in my head. From the Grand Line to the South Blue—I'd have to go by Reverse Mountain. With my navigation still basic, the weather alone could be a problem. The charts were some comfort: Waterland lay only four islands from Reverse Mountain. I'd still need to let the Log Pose fill, but once I crossed, Baterilla would come up fast.
Over the next few days, two small pirate crews tried their luck. Dylan's people handled both without me. We reached the Kingdom of Waterland without serious trouble.
The port bustled—ships coming and going, markets shouting. Prosperity on display. But the dock laborers were gaunt and sallow. Some things never change—nobles always have the fat.
"Captain Dylan, I'll exchange some treasure for cash first. I'll find you after."
"All right. Be careful."
Following his directions, I found a World Bank branch and traded the treasure I'd brought—over fifty million beli. Enough for a ship, with change to spare.
When I walked out, I felt eyes on my back. I drifted down a narrow alley—and a few minutes later, I strolled out alone.
"Pah. What a waste of expression. Only fifty thousand on him." I flicked the stray wallet in my hand and chuckled. "Still—free money."
I went back to the docks and waited until Dylan finished his business. "Come on," he said. "To the shipyard."
"Thanks for the trouble, Captain."
"Don't get polite with me, brat."
At the yard, he flagged down a burly middle-aged man. "Beck! Long time no see!"
"Oh—Dylan! Long time! What brings you? If it's nothing, I've got work. If it's drinking, I can leave now."
"Beck, this is Karl—my nephew. He's setting out alone. We're here to order a ship."
"Ah, Karl—handsome lad. What kind of boat?"
"Uncle Beck, a smaller sailboat. I need four cabins below, plus a bath, a kitchen, and a storeroom."
"Easy. Call it a bit over twenty million."
"Deal. How long to build?"
"Seven days. Come find me then."
"Thank you, Uncle Beck."
He waved us off. "You're Dylan's kin. Of course I'll take care of you. Dylan—I'm back to work. Drinks another day."
"Same here—I've still got cargo."
Dylan returned to the port. I found a nearby inn and booked a room.
Collapsed on the bed, I let out a breath. This world really is full of people with the "D." The will of D everywhere. The lady at the front desk was pretty enough to almost reel me in—nope. Not thinking about it.
Hunger won out. I asked her for the best place to eat, followed my nose, and took a corner seat. "Boss, bring me one of every house specialty."
"Right away, honorable guest!"
Dishes arrived in a steady parade. I didn't waste breath—just ate. Plates disappeared like magic.
By the time I waddled outside, the sky was black. Prices out here were brutal—two hundred thousand beli gone in one meal. Well… it was good.
I headed back—then paused.
"Hey, girl across the street, look over here…" A street singer belted out a tune. A group slipped past him—black suits, crisp hats, that cold, faceless air.
World Government—CP agents?
"What are these clowns up to?" I melted into an alley's shadow, vaulted onto a rooftop, and tailed them from above, Observation Haki stretched like a net.
Judging by their direction… the palace.
Heh. Looked like there would be a show tonight.
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