"I caught him on camera."
On the merchant ship right next to the Going Merry, a merchant holding a camera den den mushi, who had witnessed the whole thing, brought new news with an excited face.
"Gin has also been defeated, beaten by the Hiroto Pirates' Pirate Hunter Zoro. As expected of the subordinates of a pirate with a 40 million bounty."
Some merchants wept with joy, while others seemed to remember something and pulled out a bounty poster they had just received today.
"No, it's not a 40 million bounty. His bounty has been updated to 70 million berries."
"What?!"
"It's actually that high!"
"A bounty of 70 million berries... My god, how many years has it been since such a big figure appeared in the East Blue?"
"Could this be the next Roger!?"
The merchants discussed it in total shock, eventually forming a unified opinion.
"...We must go and thank this great man."
And so, Binmock stood before Hiroto, with a massive crowd of merchants behind him. Before him lay two sheathed longswords.
"..."
Hiroto was somewhat speechless.
Just as he was about to say something, a message appeared before his eyes.
[Entry - Local Celebrity (Blue) acquired!]
[Entry: Local Celebrity]
[Quality: Blue]
[Type: Special]
[Effect: Greatly increases the holder's aura, spirit, and pressure.]
[Consumption: None]
[Note: As steady as a mountain!]
The sudden appearance of the new entry surprised Hiroto.
And the description between the lines reminded him of things related to Conqueror's Haki.
According to the original story, the power of Conqueror's Haki is directly related to the user's spirit. However, he didn't have Conqueror's Haki yet, or at least he wasn't sure.
Pushing down the surprise of gaining the new entry, Hiroto looked at the merchants before him. They almost filled the deck of the Going Merry, each with a smile incredibly flattering.
"Hiroto-sama, we heard you are a swordsman. These two Graded Blades are our thank-you gift to you."
Binmock introduced the two Skillful Grade Blades with a face full of smiles, "Sekigetsu and Raichi. The merchants wanted to use these two Skillful Grade Blades as a thank-you gift, and also take the opportunity to talk with you."
Krieg's assault had clearly terrified these merchants, making them desperate to find a backer. But Hiroto had no interest in that. Next, he would be busy with his harvest.
"It's quite lively."
At the helm, Nami watched the fawning merchants below, clicking her tongue slightly.
As a former thief, she recognized many of the prestigious wealthy people among them. They were all prominent figures in their respective seas. Someone of Ryder's magnitude seemed ordinary here.
"After all, it's Captain Hiroto."
Carina chuckled. "Haven't you realized how incredible our Captain is by now?"
Nami said in amazement, "I've realized it, a bounty of 70 million berries. A bounty of this level usually only exists in stories. And... that monster-like talent."
She thought of the speed of Hiroto's progress. Although she didn't know what a Flying Slash meant, she could tell from Zoro's attitude and its power that it was definitely no ordinary skill.
"As for us... we're somewhat holding him back." Carina seemed to think of something, her eyes dimming slightly.
If this continued, how could she repay Hiroto for his investment in her? Could it be that warming his bed was really the only way?
"Don't include me, that's just you."
Nami curled her lip and glanced at Zoro, who was training nearby. "And him."
Zoro's movements paused, but he still said nothing, only deciding to double his efforts. At the very least, he had to be able to keep Hiroto's back in his sight.
A moment later, the merchants, having been rejected one by one, dispersed dejectedly, though the two Famous Swords were left behind.
"Prepare to set sail. Carina, go purchase supplies. Don't let those merchants' resources go to waste. Nami, you get ready to set sail with Joseph and Johnny. Next stop, Cocoyasi Village."
Hiroto stood up and arranged the next course of action.
Because of the merchants' enthusiasm, this process was expected to be very smooth.
"Understood, Captain."
Nami's eyes lit up, and she began preparations in a cheerful mood.
Hiroto entered the Captain's quarters, preparing to check his gains.
Opening the panel, three choices appeared, with a crystalline blue light flickering on the panel like a gemstone. It was much more dazzling than the previous blue grade ones, but it still hadn't reached the level of a purple grade.
'A high-tier blue entry, huh? It seems the contribution from Krieg and Gin is only at this level. It'll probably be hard to get gains like those early lucky finds later on.' Hiroto shook his head.
Just as he was about to extract, he suddenly paused and looked at the [Fusion] option next to [Extract]. Up until now, he hadn't tried the [Fusion] option.
The function was exactly as the name implied: to fuse and even upgrade entries.
'I can give it a try. As I get stronger, the existing entries are starting to fall behind in terms of the benefits they provide. For example, Steel-Severing Slash has basically been replaced by Flying Slash.'
Hiroto's eyes flickered as he made a decision.
Compared to the "creating something from nothing" nature of [Extract], the energy consumption of [Fusion] was much lower.
He wondered if the energy of a high-tier blue grade would allow him to complete the integration of his own system.
Hiroto thought for a moment and decided to give it a try.
Blue grade [Shave] + Blue grade [Instantaneous Burst] + Blue grade [Son of Wind]!
The crystalline blue light suddenly exploded, swallowing the various entries, then condensed inward, and a deep purple hue suddenly emerged.
[Entry - Shunpo (Purple) acquired!]
[Entry: Shunpo]
[Quality: Purple]
[Type: Active]
[Effect: When using this entry, air resistance is greatly reduced, and you can receive the assistance of the wind.
Agility increases to C+ during bursts, and maintains C during continuous movement.
Agility maintains D++ when moving through the air.]
[Consumption: Stamina]
[Note: King of Flashing!]