Accumulating a total of 7650, leaving the remaining points at a staggering 46150.
Luffy's dog head hat is worth four thousand, no surprise there.
But spending five hundred Belly to buy a counterfeit straw hat, which also contributes three thousand, equal to a tenth of the original product's value, that's an unexpected joy.
Shano didn't expect much initially.
It seems, as long as Luffy doesn't realize it's a fake and treats it as genuine, he will naturally pour a lot of emotion into it, considering it as the most precious item.
He can then steadily rake in a big wave of points every year before entering the Grand Line.
Comfortable.
Shano contentedly withdrew his gaze, ready for a good night's sleep. The only thing that slightly bothered him was the appearance of a new skill at the end of his skill panel.
—Stealing (Minor Achievement).
Outrageous.
Isn't all this for earning points, protecting my homeland and family! How could a warrior's actions be called stealing!
...
The next morning.
Shano and the others left the Korbo Mountain Range, bidding farewell to the enthusiastic Dadan family, the reluctant Luffy, and the stern-faced Ace, embarking on the journey home.
After sailing for a few days.
On the Orange Garden, Shano lay on a rattan chair, holding a newspaper, reading with interest.
In an inconspicuous corner, there was news that caught his eye — the latest Asakura Island Sword Dao tournament concluded yesterday, with a dark-horse girl named Kuina dazzling the crowd and easily taking the championship.
"Winning with an undefeated streak, her cultivation progress is really impressive."
Kuina truly has a strong desire to improve.
Not only to catch up with someone she idolizes but also to prove herself to Koushirou, who always held prejudices, even saying hurtful things to her face.
After meeting her last year, Shano sensed the seemingly understanding and courteous surface of the girl was hiding a stubborn heart that wished to stand at the pinnacle.
"By the time I officially set sail, when you board, how much will your strength progress?"
Shano looked toward the end of the sky, his gaze serene.
With Zeff's guiding assistance, various Body Techniques Manuals provided by himself, and most crucially her extraordinary swordsmanship talent, she's crossed the life-and-death line that essentially had no follow-up...
He's quite eager about this partner, whom he already designated as the second official crew member.
"Darn, heading back so soon?"
Nami's disgruntled muttering came from behind.
Shano just snapped back to attention when he felt a chill on his neck—it was the little one clinging behind him, gripping his neck and shaking it vigorously, "Bro! Can't we stay a bit longer? How about dropping me off at Shimotsuki Village when we pass by?"
"Going straight home without passing Shimotsuki Village, what would you do there?"
Shano couldn't be bothered, picking up the newspaper again. As for his neck? He's long trained his body to resemble that of Tsuru, so if Nami can manage to choke him, she's got skills.
"Well…" Nami's eyes darted around, starting to pout, "I actually want to become a powerful Sword Master like you, to guard the homeland and protect Belle-Mere and Nojiko! Kuina will be heading back so I... I'll just follow her to learn swordsmanship!"
"Heh…"
Shano sneered, such reasons, who'd believe them besides the adult version of Sanji.
"Nami!"
A voice suddenly shouted from behind. Nojiko angrily pulled Nami's ear, yanking her away from Shano's back—
"Shameless! Talking sincerely with you last night, yet you learned and sold it straight away to fool brother!"
"It hurts! Boo-hoo, I didn't mean it, Nojiko."
"Then tell the truth! What do you want to do at Shimotsuki Village!"
"I want to eat Uncle Zeff's cooking, don't you want that? Those dishes taste hundreds of times better than Belle-Mere's! Just imagining them makes me drool…"
"I'll tell this to Belle-Mere, unchanged."
"Eh?!!! Help, don't!"
...
Listening to the scolding from behind, Shano gleefully crossed his legs, continuing to read the newspaper.
Seems like everyone has their match; Nami is fearless in front of him but turns into pliable dough as soon as Nojiko steps in.
The two used to be quite confrontational with each other and often fought.
But as Nojiko stepped into adolescence, their height differences started pulling apart, so such fights stopped occurring.
Now at twelve, Nojiko is already 160 cm tall, while Nami is barely 140 cm, still a little bean sprout, the power gap increasingly larger, thus Nojiko's authoritative presence gradually rises.
But, Nojiko mentioned, copying her heartfelt words?
"Stop scolding her for now." Shano turned curiously, "Is what Nami said true? You really want to learn swordsmanship, become strong, and eventually take my place guarding our homeland?"
"I do want to get stronger and protect our homeland."
Nojiko first nodded, then irritably poked Nami's forehead, "But the idea of swordsmanship is merely this mischievous girl's fabrication!"
"What fabrication, it's reasonable speculation!"
Nami rubbed her reddened ear, feeling wronged, "It's not like you didn't tell me last night, about Mr. Koushirou's Kuina, who's the same age as you, having the qualifications to compete for the Sword Dao tournament champion, and even getting an invite from brother to adventure together."
"Yet you can't even fight the village's big goose, you felt provoked, naturally I thought you want to learn swordsmanship…"
She snorted, pointing at Shano.
"But in my view, if you want to learn swordsmanship, why go to Mr. Koushirou? You should be coached by brother, he's the strongest Great Sword Master of East Sea... no, the world, far better than Koushirou!"
"You're getting more and more exaggerated."
Shano pinched Nami's nose in exasperation.
He pondered for a moment and looked at Nojiko: "I can't teach you Swordsmanship, but all kinds of Body Techniques are enough for you to learn. At the early stage when laying the foundation, I can tailor the most suitable training plan for you. Later, if there are any manuals that suit you, I will find ways to get them for you."
"But Nojiko, think carefully again, are you really sure you can endure this hardship?"
"I can!"
Nojiko clenched her fists and nodded vigorously, "Don't underestimate my determination, brother!"
Of course, she knew how exhausting it was to train to become strong. For the past few years, Shano had been training hard every day, and she was the one who brought him water and food the most. That kind of self-punishing dedication she would never forget for a lifetime.
But it was all to protect Cocoyashi Village, and to protect them, wasn't it?
Especially in the past few months, the way her brother's nerves were so tense it was almost manic. Even watching from afar made her a little scared.
Fortunately, after defeating the invading Pirate Gang, her brother visibly relaxed and returned to his original state.
But in any case, she didn't want to continue like this, always being a useless burden, nor did she want her brother to keep worrying about their safety.
Now that her brother was home, no one dared to disturb Cocoyashi Village's peace, but what about the future?
Her brother was a man with big aspirations; he would eventually leave to explore the world.
By then, it should be her turn as the eldest sister to stand up and take on the responsibility of protecting her sister and mother!
Shano quietly watched the blue-haired girl, who stubbornly raised her head to meet his gaze.
"I didn't notice—you're growing up slowly, Nojiko."
Shano suddenly felt sentimental and smiled as he rubbed her little head, "Since you have this realization, then okay, once we return to the village, we'll officially start training. The training ground in the Orange Garden is still there and hasn't been dismantled. Now it's just right to hand it over to you."
"Hmm!"
Nojiko nodded vigorously. She didn't expect to receive Shano's support so smoothly and felt happy all at once.
"What about me, brother?"
Nami pulled out an orange from who knows where and started eating, asking casually, "I was just joking before! I just want to focus on my navigation studies, read books, and draw Nautical Charts. I don't want to be forced to run dozens of kilometers every day..."
"Nothing to do with you, go and play."
Shano lay down again and flicked the newspaper, nonchalantly curling his lips, "If even little ones like you are forced to practice Body Techniques, wouldn't all the sweat we taller folks shed in front be wasted?"
Taller folks? Wasted sweat?
What does that mean? Nami listened in confusion, blankly popping a slice of orange into her mouth.
Beside her, Nojiko smiled softly and imitated Shano, gently rubbing her little head.
...
Ten days later.
The Orange Garden returned to Cocoyashi Village, resuming its mission as a cargo ship.
And after getting a good night's sleep, it was time for the trading market to refresh. Shano started looking through it while brushing his teeth.
The first two items had too low a cost-effectiveness for him to be interested in and were immediately skipped. At the third item, his eyes lit up.
[Life Return]
[Type: Cultivation Manual]
[Price: 1800 points]
[Description: A high-tier Body Technique achieved by extreme control over bodily functions, completely merging consciousness with the flesh. Once trained, one can freely manipulate the organs, hair, and even the cells' activity throughout the body, realizing precise control over the body]
[This Body Technique belongs to the same combat system as Rokushiki, with close connections. To avoid going astray, it's recommended to master Tekkai and Kami-e to the Great Success Realm before practicing this manual]
[Seller's Note: None, sold directly by the system]
Finally, Life Return is here?
Shano's right hand brushing his teeth suddenly became fervent.
He had been waiting for this thing for a long time. Over the past year, the numerical values of his physical aspects improved too quickly, and the microscopic control couldn't keep up.
Previously, accidentally twisting the steel frame of the birthday cake cart into a pretzel and sitting in a dining chair not daring to move abruptly was due to this reason.
Snap...
The toothbrush in his hand suddenly broke. Shano felt a bit speechless—now there's one more proof.
He had to stop early and started rinsing his mouth while keeping his eyes fixed on those lines of descriptive text.
"Need to learn Tekkai and Kami-e first?"
Shano frowned. He had mastered Tekkai long ago, but what about Kami-e? The remaining two Rokushiki techniques hadn't appeared for months.
Pre-requisites are the most annoying. How long will it take to learn?
He somewhat resentfully added it to the shopping cart and then looked to the next item.
Huh?
As Shano stared at the new product in front of him, his previously furrowed brows suddenly relaxed——
[Rokushiki Manual *2]
[Type: Cultivation Manual]
[Price: 800 points]
[Description: Since you have already purchased four of them, the remaining two random manuals will definitely be Rankyaku and Kami-e]
[Seller's Note: None, sold directly by the system]