I grin at the looks on my guardians' faces. They've grown accustomed to my antics, but even they think this one is taking it too far. Luca rubs the bridge of his nose.
"So, you want me to find a way to secure a ship."
"That's right."
"And you want me to gather people to become your crew."
"That's right."
"And you want them to… join you in becoming pirates."
"That's right."
Luca stares at me like he's aged fifteen years in five seconds.
"Why this world? Isn't the Shinobi World enough? I understand why you want to train in another world. Fighting for your life will make you grow stronger faster, after all. However, why this world?"
"They're strong, Luca. Don't get me wrong. But everyone uses chakra. If we train there, eventually someone will try to kill us with chakra, and we'll end up fighting back with supernatural power. I don't want that."
I lean back and continue.
"The only supernatural power I want to use is Haki. And the One Piece world is the best place to train for that. The origin of a power is the best place to master it."
"Fair enough… but finding a ship will be hard, boss. Especially an old-style one."
"Then just gather people who know how to sail. I'll buy the ship myself. I will arrive in a place where there are many shipwrights."
I can just go to Water 7 and buy a premade ship. In the show, there is no company that sells premade ships, but there is no way there is none in real life, right?
"That part's easy. A family from the Caribbean joined us not too long ago. Old voodoo master lineage. They will be perfect people as part of our crew."
"And the connection to sailing?"
"They specialize in Water Curses, boss. They work with ocean spirits. That requires sailing far offshore and using old-style boats for rituals. They sold their boat to move here, sadly. I don't know how good they are at sailing in an unknown ocean, but at least they know the basics."
"Perfect, then. I just need to buy the ship. For that, I need gold."
"I'll have the Uzumakis draw Storage Seals on your body so you can carry everything."
"Perfect!"
== Line Break ==
Primal.
That's the feeling of the natural energy in this world. It moves wildly, crashing into anyone who tries to wield it. It is like a stormy sea.
Sounds dangerous, right? Honestly? Less dangerous than the natural energy back home. That stuff can stab you without warning and actively try to kill you. This energy screams in your head—urging you to let loose, destroy everything.
However, it does not actively kill you from the inside. It demands you to let loose, and nothing else. It makes you go berserk, but the energy itself is beneficial to you. Not only does it nourish your body, but it also helps heal it when it is damaged.
Actually… it feels like the Sulong Form from the Mink Tribe. Any Mink Tribe that enters their Sulong Form will lose to their primal instinct. Only someone with a very strong mentality can control this transformation.
I have to be extremely careful absorbing natural energy here. I can only take a drop at a time—one drop every second—to enter Sage Mode. Back home, I could just fill the "bucket" and purify it.
Here? No purification. The natural energy enters directly into your body, soul, and mind. That is why it is faster to use the natural energy in this world than back home or in the Naruto universe.
This world's natural energy is pure—untamed, but pure. I must tame each drop before I can use the natural energy.
I shake my head and look at the massive building ahead. It is called Cashing, with a big money symbol next to the sign. I know this building. It appears in the show.
This is where the Straw Hats exchanged their gold.
I walk in and head straight to the receptionist.
"Welcome to Cashing. Would you like to exchange Belly for gold, or gold for Belly?"
"Gold into Belly."
"Of course. Please follow me."
She leads me to a private room.
"Please wait while I call the manager."
"Of course."
After three minutes, a middle-aged man enters—thin mustache, balding, professional smile.
"So, you wish to exchange gold for Belly. How much? A kilo? Two?"
I wave my hand and summon seven one-kilogram gold bars. His eyes widen.
"This is… May I?"
"Go ahead."
He picks them up—and his left hand morphs into a magnifying glass.
"Huh. You're a Devil Fruit user."
He nods, still inspecting the gold.
"Yes. I ate the Scan-Scan Fruit. I can analyze anything. And these," he taps the bars, "are pure gold. How does ten million per kilo sound?"
"Just rob me outright if that was the price you give me. Thirty million."
"Now you're robbing me. Fifteen."
"You know what? Let's do twenty million per kilo. I'll be selling you fifty kilos."
"Fifty? How the hell are you carrying all—right. You are a Devil Fruit user as well, huh? Store-Store Fruit? Or maybe a similar type of fruit, right?"
I smile but say nothing.
"Hmmm… Fine. Show me the goods. Lay them out."
I summon a portion from my storage seals. He inspects them thoroughly, then pulls out a Den-Den Mushi and orders a billion Belly delivered.
When he finishes, he asks.
"While we wait… may I ask why you're selling this much gold?"
"A ship. I want to buy one. Preferably, a premade ship durable enough for the New World. Know where I can find one?"
"Ah. Premade will be expensive. I recommend ordering from scratch."
"No time. I am in a hurry, you know? I don't think I can wait for the ship to be made."
"Then how long until you need it? Depending on size, it can be built in five to ten days."
"…What? That fast?"
He looks at me for a few seconds before laughing. After a few seconds, he wipes the tears from his eyes and says.
"Hahaha! New to Water 7, aren't you? There's a reason this is the greatest shipbuilding island in the world. It takes us 5 to 7 days to build a mid—sized ship. As for warships, it will take 10 to 15 days. We have the tools, manpower, and materials. We have the largest veteran carpenter in the world, my friend. Building a ship does not take more than a week if we push ourselves really hard."
I blink.
That is… It makes too much sense. Now that I remember it, Franky is able to make a Thousand Sunny in a matter of days! Not even a week. I don't know the exact number, but it is in days. Franky, with the help of the others, is able to craft a ship in a matter of days.
"Do they have Adam Wood?"
"Go to Galley-La Company. They won a batch at auction. But a ship made of Adam Wood will cost at least half a billion—and more if you want it furnished."
"My budget is 700 million. Another 100 million for flexibility."
"Then you're in good hands. Galley-La is the best. Pay a bit extra, and they'll build it in a week."
"Good. I will visit them next, then."
== Line Break ==
"So, you want us to make a ship for you, huh? Well, what is your first requirement?"
The man in front of me is Paulie, Vice President of Galley-La Company.
"I heard you secured Adam Wood. Is that true?"
"Yes. We were able to secure Adam Wood to make at least three Warships. What? You want your ship made of one? It will cost you a lot, you know?"
"How much?"
"Depends on the size of your ship, I guess. How many crew will be on your ship?"
"Ten minimum. Thirty maximum."
"Thirty? Trader?"
"Explorer. However, we do need storage room for our supplies and things we want to take on our voyage."
"Got it. Weaponry? Low, mid, or high cannon count?"
"Low to mid. Not too few, but not many."
"Ah, the intimidation factor. Scary enough to deter pirates, not too much to overwhelm your crew."
"That's right."
There is also the fact that we will not use those cannons in the fight. Our powers are better than cannon by quite a bit.
"What about speed? Durable or nimble?"
"Nimble, but I still want durability. We don't want paper ships, after all. We want to reach the New World if we can."
"I understand. Would you like a full upgrade for your ship? That includes machines that can propel your ship in case there is no wind or your sail is broken down."
"Yes. Full upgrade and fully furnished."
"Ah, the premium package."
He sketches rapidly. After a few minutes, he hands me a rough blueprint.
"What do you think?"
The ship is sleek yet sturdy. Two types of bedrooms—men and women. Large kitchen and dining area. Sick bay. Bathroom. Workshop. Storage room. Training room.
It looks beautiful.
"Perfect. How much, and how long?"
"Seven hundred fifty million. Not a Belly less. As for time… A week."
"I'll add fifty million if you finish faster."
He studies me, then nods.
"We can construct the ship in five days if we work overtime. However, I require half payment upfront."
I summon four briefcases and open them. His eyes widen.
"There you go."
He counts the money, writes the contract, and after the two of us sign the contract, we shake hands.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Vale."
"You too, Paulie."
"See you in five days, 4 PM."
"Got it."
With that, I leave the building. It is time for me to gather supplies and weapons for the crew. I also need something to do while waiting. Perhaps becoming a bounty hunter and hunting down pirates around the area.