A sleek, minimalist interface appeared before Dragon.
The first line read: [Monthly Store · Resets in 21 Days 12 Hours 53 Minutes]
From the information he had gathered, this store updated one hundred items each month and offered a single opportunity to permanently reserve one item.
Below, a hundred items were listed with concise descriptions.
Permanent Top Slot · [Devil Fruit Side Effect Elimination Potion · 1,000,000 points]: Removes all weaknesses of a Devil Fruit user.
[Logia-Type: Cloud-Cloud Fruit · 700,000 points]: Grants Logia powers to control clouds and manipulate elemental forms. Weaknesses: Seawater, Sea-Prism Stone.
[Supreme Swift Sword: Wazuki · 20,000 points]: A masterpiece from the legendary swordsmith clan, hailed as the finest in the world. A moonlight-cold brilliance, unmatched sharpness.
[Life Recovery Potion · 10,000 points]: Instantly restores large amounts of vitality to maximum, heals wounds without side effects.
[Zoan-Type: Ox-Ox Fruit · 170,000 points], [Zoan-Type: Duck-Duck Fruit · 10 points], [A Box of Instant Noodles · 1 point], [Glock 17 · 40 points]… A total of 100 items, ranging from millions of points to single digits.
The two items that most captured Dragon's attention were the million-point Devil Fruit Side Effect Elimination Potion and the twenty-thousand-point Supreme Swift Sword.
Devil Fruits were the hallmark of this pirate world one had to try them at least once.
Previously, with his extraordinary talent, Dragon had gained 100× experience, and his physical abilities alone carried him to the peak. He had no need to invite new weaknesses.
But if he could remove that weakness, he would gladly consume a top-tier fruit to amplify his power.
Even the 700,000-point Cloud-Cloud Fruit seemed trivial in his eyes.
His goals were the Shining Fruit, the Thunder Fruit, the Azure Dragon Fruit abilities capable of laying the foundation to become a Marine Admiral or a Yonko.
With his extreme baseline attributes and a series of advanced skills, he was already approaching the level of a great swordsman and a candidate for Rear Admiral.
By Occam's razor, he didn't need flashy, inferior fruits.
If loyalty points overflowed, he might stockpile the Ox-Ox Fruit to strengthen his subordinates, but at this stage, he only bought what he could use himself.
This potion cost a million points, meaning he couldn't afford it this month.
Without hesitation, he used his permanent slot to reserve it; once he had enough points, it would belong to him.
His current 30,000-plus points would not carry over to the next month.
[Supreme Swift Sword: Wazuki] purchased. Loyalty points -20,000.
[Life Recovery Potion] purchased. Earned 10,000 loyalty points.
A great swordsman needed a sword worthy of him; the days of training with scrap metal were finally over.
This potion was like insurance whether Karp's aircraft crashed or an enemy launched a surprise attack, a sip could turn the tide.
He ended up with 4,396 points; no other items interested him more, so he kept this auspicious figure.
Both items were stored in the system storage space as Dragon left the shop without a backward glance.
Unless he could earn a million points in thirty days, he would have to wait for next month's update to access the interface again.
Reserving an item could prevent other top-tier treasures from appearing permanently.
In round numbers, one could lose as much as a hundred million points.
On the deck, seated in his carved mahogany chair, Dragon returned to reality: blue skies, white clouds, and an endless, calm sea.
And four chests of plundered treasure.
He stood and shouted, "All hands! Stop the ship and assemble!"
"Yes, sir!"
The small warship shut down its engines, drifting with the current. Fifty elite Marines from Headquarters ran to the deck, lining up in less than half a minute.
They saw the sparkling chests, glittering with gold and jewels, dazzling their eyes.
Instantly alert, their gazes fixed on Dragon.
He stood tall and announced, "From today onward, this ship will pay double wages every month. Outstanding performance will receive additional bonuses."
Double wages meant two full salaries per month one from the Marines, and one from Dragon's own pocket.
Gasps and sharp intakes echoed through the ranks, yet discipline remained; no whispers passed between the men.
Dragon nodded. "Lieutenant Karl, front and center!"
His lieutenant recruited from Garp's unit was effectively his executor.
Under Garp's guidance, Karl had reached officer-level combat proficiency and mastered close-quarters combat.
His managerial abilities were exceptional; only when Dragon threatened to quit the Marines did Garp finally concede.
"Yes, Major!"
The tall, composed lieutenant stepped forward, exuding the aura of an iron-handed officer.
Dragon pointed at the chests. "Convert this plunder into cash to fund the double wage program."
Karl hesitated. "Sir, under Article 28, this type of spoils should "
He executed Dragon's order without hesitation, but the confiscated treasure should have been submitted to Headquarters.
This violation was far more serious.
"I will personally confirm with Fleet Admiral Sengoku; there will be no consequences," Dragon said calmly.
Hand over the spoils to the World Government, Celestial Dragons, or some despicable Rear Admiral? Not a chance.
He joined the Marines to be a shining sun, not a lackey of the World Government.
"Understood, Major!"
Karl saluted crisply.
He merely wanted to ensure Dragon understood the implications; unlike the recruits, the veterans from Garp's unit knew the new major might still be unfamiliar with regulations.
But if Dragon could handle it, Karl could carry out the mission.
"Secure the chests. Dismiss return to your posts."
Dragon waved. "Remember, my salary is in there too. I'll shoulder this responsibility."
He didn't care about Berries; enough was enough.
As a Headquarters major, his board and travel were covered; as long as he didn't spend extravagantly on daily spa visits, his salary alone was more than enough.
Receiving even a small portion gave the men peace of mind.
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines saluted loudly, eyes shining.
Some had joined for noble ideals, some to avenge slain relatives, others for a stable paycheck.
No matter the reason, the lure of double pay was irresistible.
Better living standards and the feeling of being valued a pride only elites could enjoy.
[Loyalty +7], [Loyalty +8], [Loyalty +9]… Dragon crossed his arms, watching the rolling waves, a faint smile curling on his lips.
Over five hundred points gained; the counter ticked upward, gratifyingly.
The fifty elite Headquarters Marines averaged a loyalty of 80: ready to follow him into rebellion or rather, "steadfast loyalty."
Each of these men had the potential to rise to lieutenant and captain.