Chapter 68: Instant Step

Several days later.

East Blue, Para Island.

It was nearly dusk; the setting sun slanted down, bathing the entire harbor in a shimmering crimson glow.

The busy crowd came and went, their faces bearing smiles somewhat unlike those of pirates, for this period marked the most carefree days they had ever known since setting sail.

Some had even cleared fields on Para Island's land, planting wheat and vegetables.

Relaxed, pure, and pleasant.

No need to rush about for survival, fighting rivals at knife-point for scraps, nor face the fearful gazes of commoners.

"A life like this is only possible following Captain Gao Wen."

A pirate leaned against the harbor railing, a cigarette dangling from his lips, chatting idly with the companion beside him.

"Who could deny that?"

"I've served under five captains; those I could call friends either died in battle or were killed by their own captains. Only Captain Gao Wen is different; he cares whether people like us live or die."

As he spoke,

this pirate suddenly lifted his head, gazing toward the distant horizon.

There, a familiar Jolly Roger slowly emerged, followed by a small sailing ship gradually entering the harbor.

"Captain Gao Wen has returned!"

The words had barely landed

when the pirates still in the harbor swarmed forward to welcome their most respected captain.

On the deck,

Zoro looked up toward the harbor, his gaze instantly captured by the smiles on everyone's faces.

He could naturally distinguish what was real and what was fake.

Unlike those forced smiles crafted to curry favor with a captain, the expressions on the pirates' faces in the harbor now were genuinely heartfelt.

And there was only one person on this ship capable of eliciting such expressions.

"Yare yare~"

Zoro glanced back at Gao Wen, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward:

"It seems I've boarded a rather decent ship."

Nami shot him a sidelong glance, the corners of her lips involuntarily lifting in a smile, wearing an expression of proud association:

"Isn't it only right that Gao Wen commands such prestige?"

"You still have much to learn, Moss-head rookie~"

Hearing Nami deliberately emphasize the word 'rookie,' veins throbbed on Zoro's forehead;

"You only joined a few days before me; does that make you a senior?"

"A few days earlier is still earlier!"

Nami stuck out her tongue at him.

Zoro's expression stiffened, feeling even more strongly that women were creatures who would only hinder his cultivation of the sword way.

"You really are infuriating!"

Just as Nami was about to speak again, she felt a warm, large hand press onto her head, vigorously ruffling her hair.

Zoro, on the other side, received the same treatment.

Stopping the two from bickering, Gao Wen said lightly:

"Enough."

"Now, let's go home!"

Once the ship entered the harbor, dropped anchor, and steadied itself, the gangplank was lowered.

Surrounded by a crowd of pirates, Gao Wen and the others slowly walked toward the rear of the harbor.

Currently, the Cat Brothers were still patrolling near Raven Port, repelling pirates wandering in the nearby waters; only Jango remained guarding the harbor.

After briefly understanding the situation, Gao Wen paid it no further mind, directly ordering a bonfire to be lit in the center of the harbor.

With the commencement of a banquet, Nami and Zoro, who had initially felt somewhat unfamiliar with everyone, gradually became acquainted with the crowd.

The next day.

Gao Wen sat at his desk, planning their subsequent actions.

To enter the Grand Line, the top priority was building a ship.

With the several billion Berri that Berri obtained from Arlong, one could practically smash together a pirate ship capable of sailing in the New World.

After all, even the total construction cost of the Thousand Sunny, with its myriad functions, amounted to merely two hundred million if one excluded Franky's personal additions and the keel.

Could I possibly fail if I spend ten times that amount to build a ship?

Gao Wen sneered inwardly.

The only concern was the shipwrights' technical skill; for this, he could seek help from Gaza.

She was a noble of the East Blue and managed a port; even if her shipwrights were not as good as Franky, they should possess a certain level of competence.

Another matter was to recruit Sanji, an East Blue golden-tier potential seed, before entering the Grand Line.

However, he was currently an apprentice at the sea restaurant Baratie, his whereabouts uncertain.

He had heard that Sanji arrived at Raven Port a few days ago, but seemingly had some conflict with Gaza, departing merely the next day.

"For this matter, we can only have the Cat Brothers keep an eye on things first."

"Once found, simply tail him; however, it will take some time to locate him."

"I might as well use this time to harvest another wave of experience from Zoro and the others, to see if I can raise my rating to Silver before entering the Grand Line."

"Bronze-level combat power is still safe in the East Blue, but it falls short in the Grand Line."

"Besides, Armament Haki..."

Mentioning Armament, Gao Wen's brows furrowed slightly.

During this time.

Through his own exploration, he had gradually grasped some of the ways, but he still felt something crucial was missing.

"Everyone has Haki within their bodies; ordinary people might spend their entire lives unable to awaken it, but exactly how to take this step..."

"I have tried everything I can; the only thing I haven't tried is combat."

"Combat against evenly matched opponents, or even those far stronger than me!"

"But there are no such opponents in the East Blue anymore; must I wait for the Grand Line?"

Gao Wen sighed, then turned his head. Seeing the scene outside the window, a smile involuntarily curled his lips.

In the harbor.

Three figures lifting barbells had already begun today's training, even attracting a large crowd of followers.

Under the scorching sun, the crowd sweated profusely, enjoying the pleasure of their bodies growing stronger.

A slight smile curled Gao Wen's lips.

"This is the proper cultivation of a leek~"

Saying this.

Gao Wen casually poured himself a cup of coffee; the sour taste mixed with the aroma of milk.

"Huff~"

"Sin is truly sinful!"

Gao Wen let out a long breath.

He finally understood why the boss enjoyed making employees work overtime so much.

How satisfying is the feeling of watching others work hard for you?!

Yes, the life of a capitalist is just this simple and unadorned!

Xiang Keluo, whose Observation Haki had long awakened, naturally noticed Gao Wen looking at him. Feeling his body gradually heat up, Xiang Keluo sneered in his heart:

"That bastard Gao Wen is so slack; the day I become captain is just around the corner!"

Time flew; more than a month passed.

The Cat Brothers were still aimlessly searching for the Sea Restaurant Baratie, but they were always one step too late; besides, they had to patrol near Raven Port.

On the other hand, Jasha had already contacted a shipyard for Gao Wen. According to Gao Wen's budget, they produced a design blueprint; construction could begin as soon as the timber for the keel arrived.

Night fell.

The sea breeze blew in, entering the cabin.

The system's notification sound rang in Gao Wen's ears once again.

"Physique Experience +246!"

"Swordsmanship Experience +411!"

"Scoop Death Experience +51"

"Observation Haki Experience +82!"

With another wave of experience pouring in, Gao Wen's long-awaited Scoop Death skill finally broke through.

Scoop Death-LV-4: 1587/1600 -> Scoop Death-LV-5: 38/2500

In the next instant.

The familiar notification sound appeared in Gao Wen's mind again; the Level 5 Scoop Death brought him a brand-new branch ability once more.

The difference this time was that there was only one branch.

"Detected Host's Scoop Death upgraded to LV-5; unlocking branch ability - Flash Step!"

(End of Chapter)