Chapter 48: I Only Made a Slight Move

Setting aside the fact that he had been reincarnated into the Pirate World, the Pirate World was actually quite interesting.

It’s called the Pirate King, yet after the Summit War ended, people across the world all cheered and celebrated the Marines’ victory.

For on this sea, pirates are openly bloody, visibly apparent calamities.

In other words, civilians harbor fear and hatred toward pirates.

But Seven doesn’t care.

So he lives his own life.

Let the wind blow where it will, the waves crash where they may, let the World Government paint who it pleases as hero or demon—let it be.

Seven merely grips his own helm, sailing freely upon this ocean where truth and lies surge equally, guided by the compass in his heart.

South Blue, Emperor of the East Sea.

After entering Reverse Mountain from the West Blue, the Morning Star Pirates rode the current straight to the South Blue, seeking only to find new crewmates as soon as possible.

By the helm, Isshins and Mihawk sat on either side of Seven.

Both were deeply curious about their mission: what kind of man could possibly be worth Barzab Seven driving at five times speed across half the world?

“Captain, what kind of person are we looking for this time?”

As Seven steered with one hand, fleeting yet vivid memories flashed in his eyes.

“Isshin, his name is Bartholomew Kuma—he’s a man who carries love in his heart, very much like you.”

“Sixteen years ago, the Celestial Dragons held a hunting contest in the Valley of the Gods, targeting slaves like Kuma and the valley’s civilians.”

“In the Valley of the Gods, Kuma, under pressure from the Celestial Dragons, the Divine Knights, the Marines, the Rocks Pirates, and the Roger Pirates, rescued over five hundred civilians.”

Seven paused.

“You may not fully understand the Rocks Pirates… Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Big Mom, Kaido, Captain John—all were members of the Rocks Pirates. Kaido was just an intern back then.”

“It was on a battlefield like that.”

“Some rescued wives and children, others looted treasure—Kuma, having just eaten the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi, saved over five hundred civilians… he was only nine years old.”

When he finished speaking, Isshin sighed.

“I never knew the battle in the Valley of the Gods had such a bizarre, unbelievable truth—so many great pirates gathered under one crew…”

“Mr. Kuma is a hero worthy of respect.”

“Yes,” Seven murmured, deeply moved.

Kuma, by any standard, deserves the title of hero—but as Luffy said: I don’t want to be a hero, I want to eat meat.

The same piece of meat: pirates use it for feasts.

Heroes give it to those in need.

Seven sincerely, from the depths of his soul, admired heroes; if he could, he’d gladly lend them a hand—but he had no desire to become one himself.

Heroes are too tired.

A life unburdened by excessive morality, yet retaining necessary conscience—that’s the life Seven wanted to live.

“Oi, News Bird.”

Seven waved at a passing News Bird, pulling three copper coins from his pocket.

“Three newspapers.”

One of the Morning Star Pirates’ perks: every crew member, whether official or apprentice, enjoys free access to newspapers.

They’d been traveling nonstop these past days, never having properly checked how much the crew’s bounties had risen.

When Seven saw his own bounty, his lip twitched: “Three billion… Emperor of the Sea…”

In later times, that’d be barely the level of greedy Kid—but in this era, three billion was at its absolute peak, rivaling the three legendary pirates.

The Marines, for once, weren’t ignoring the facts.

As for “Emperor of the Sea”—just an empty title.

Better to get something real: like a Barrier Fruit, a Gura Gura Fruit, a Teleport Fruit… or Captain John’s treasure.

Thinking of Devil Fruits, Seven’s head ached—his own Door Door Fruit and Bear Bear Fruit, both Mythical Zoan types, had no suitable users.

The system shop hadn’t refreshed either—the item that lets someone consume multiple Devil Fruits.

Forget it, better to tease Misan first.

“Hey, Misan, why’s your bounty only two billion?”

Mihawk lifted his eyelids: “Unlike someone who kills himself for three billion, I merely made a slight move—and already reached two billion.”

“No wonder it’s you, Misan.”

In this exchange, Seven was utterly defeated.

Gazing at the endless sea, Seven could already foresee: countless rookie pirates would come, seeking fame by stepping on the Morning Star Pirates.

On this sea, the fastest way to become famous is unquestionably: crush veteran pirates beneath your feet, gaining fame while absorbing their wealth and power.

This is the finest pirate tradition—overthrowing superiors, perfectly suited to the small-island mentality.

Nearby, Isshin sat on a sofa, quietly listening as Robin read the news.

“Isshin, user of the Choki Choki no Mi, grand swordsman, wielder of one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords, Gambler’s Fireline, bounty two billion, dead or alive.”

“Uncle, you’re two billion now?”

The next instant, Robin’s dark little face paled noticeably, her hands trembling uncontrollably.

“Demon child… Nico… Robin… bounty one hundred million Berries… dead or alive.”

Life was hard; Robin sighed—such a young girl, bearing a hundred million Berries bounty.

So hard!

Sensing Robin’s fear, Isshin gently patted her thin shoulder: “Don’t be afraid—we’re all here.”

Robin nodded firmly: “Yes.”

Yes, even the World Government’s Holy War couldn’t scare her—not with Captain Barzab, Mr. Mihawk, and Uncle Isshin by her side.

They could always defeat the Holy War squad again.

Nightmares become nightmares only because of insufficient firepower—under saturation bombardment, even nightmares become little angels.

Little black-haired Robin silently resolved: she would become an apprentice crewmember of the Morning Star Pirates, traveling every corner of the sea with the Captain.

At least, when she looked back on her life in old age, she could proudly tell the next generation—

【Back then, during the Ohara Holy War, facing two Marine Admirals, I and the Captain slaughtered them mercilessly.】

By the helm, Seven stretched.

“Misan, take the helm for a while. Wake me when we reach the southern port of the Solbe Kingdom.”

In truth, both Mihawk and Isshin had noticed the anomaly aboard the Emperor of the East Sea: less than four hours of sleep since boarding, yet better than their usual eight.

Both silently pretended nothing was amiss.

They couldn’t help but reflect: joining this ship was undoubtedly the greatest decision of their lives.

Back in his cabin, Seven lay in the bathtub, opening the system shop he hadn’t browsed in ages.

“Huh? This thing’s for sale?”

【Lunarian Bloodline: 50,000 points. Your body will emit fire; when the flames burn, your defense increases by 100%; when they extinguish, your speed increases by 100%; gain the ability to generate and control fire…】

Of course—the Mera Mera no Mi? Dog food.