For this world, the answer in Arion's heart was already formed the moment he first laid eyes on the skull flag hanging from the flagpole in Fishing Village Square.
—If nothing goes wrong, this should be a One Piece world.
A lawless Pirate, a Navy that robs in the name of justice mixed with scum, a kingdom that rules with tyranny, and celestial dragons who tower above all.
In such a world, nothing is more reassuring than strength.
The fists' power, the size of the faction, that's the only guarantee in this man-eating world.
That's exactly what Arion needs right now.
Especially after Pirate attacking Fishing Village, leaving him almost dead and teetering on the edge of death.
2B now proactively offering to protect him as top priority, is a source of overwhelming happiness.
It also completed the task arranged by the system for him.
Opportunity is never prepared for the weak; if you want to win favor, show your courage and prove yourself.
Task requirement: kill an enemy (not limited to Pirate, bandits, Navy, ordinary soldiers, etc.)
Task status: completed
Task reward: one Summon opportunity (Note: the character summoned may not be of use to you; if you want them as a partner, Host, please fully exercise your own charm)
Want to find legendary treasure?
Then rally partners and start a new adventure!
Partner requirement: swordsman (female preferred, with exceptions for special fetishes)
Task status: completed
Task reward: a point of proficiency (can be allocated freely on the personal panel; once allocated, it cannot be changed—choose carefully)
New task: How can you go to sea without a boat? Do you have to swim to find legendary treasure?
Boat requirement: Of course bigger is better; if that's not possible, hiding in a wooden tub and drifting with the waves is okay (just be careful not to be swallowed by a sea king)
—Note, the boat must be your own, whether seized or purchased
Task reward: one more lottery draw
(quests last one month, and if you fail by one day, you get a weekly "kidney deficiency" buff—please complete the tasks)
Arion pursed his lips; this system doesn't wipe you out immediately, but the penalty is cruel for ordinary men.
Snapping back to the present, he looked at 2B waiting for his reply and said, "Then I'll leave my future safety in your hands."
2B saluted Arion and said, "I will guard you thoroughly and defend Humans' glory to the death."
"You don't have to go that far; we're partners, you can be natural."
"Partners, huh," 2B said, pinching her sharp chin and nodding, "I'll remember that, but if you ever need me, feel free to give the orders."
"Hmm, let's head back," Arion turned and walked toward the village, "let's see what's there and whether we can help."
And the task of obtaining a ship to go to sea also depends on the village, but as a lifeline-dealer, getting a small boat shouldn't be difficult.
Just before they reached the village, a group of naval soldiers holding weapons rushed toward them.
2B instinctively drew her Greatsword, assuming a battle stance, shielding Arion firmly behind her.
The naval soldiers halted not far away, forming a line and leaving a path. A tall figure with pink hair, a cigarette in mouth, exuded mature allure as a woman stepped out.
Especially the tight red suit, with the two halves of the chest button pulled tight together, like a small spider trying to haul up a broken ferry, afraid she might take a breath and the white inside would crash out like an avalanche.
Needless to say, in this world women seem to have overdeveloped figures.
She first gave 2B a wary glance and spoke slowly: "Are you the ones who saved the village?"
"Yeah," Arion gripped 2B's wrist to signal her to lower her weapon, "It's us. Do you have any orders?"
"Just to confirm—aren't you from the village?"
Hearing this, Arion suddenly felt a bad premonition. He remembered that in this world, going to sea requires Navy approval, with strict population-movement controls. You can't just go wherever you want.
People who went to sea without authorization, whether Pirates, adventurers, or so-called Pirate Hunters, would all be treated as Pirates.
—Going to sea allows people to evade the Civilians' steep taxes that the Navy, the Kingdom, and celestial dragons demand.
Because of that, in this world, anyone with courage chooses to go to sea, rather than stay and be heavily exploited.
Arion and 2B, one a traveler from elsewhere, the other summoned by the system, both had no legal status and no respectable ship credentials.
In other words, their current identities were basically the same as Pirates'!
Arion and the others stared each other down, then calmly shook their heads.
The atmosphere turned tense, like a standoff.
"Report, Captain ..."
At that moment one Navy soldier ran over, whispering to the lead in their ear:
"After checking, there's no Pirate matching their features."
The invisible pressure instantly vanished. The leader Navy extended a hand and said, "Hello, I'm Hina. Thank you for saving the village."
Of course it was her!
Although not as flamboyant as in the original—spreading her career line openly—at the moment they saw the other, the pink-haired, cigarette-dragging female Navy officer, Arion immediately thought of the name Hina.
Paramecia-type Ori Ori no Mi abilities let her put shackles on those she touches and also create spears to attack from a distance, making her a formidable foe.
But from the navy soldier's title, Hina's current position was still Captain?
Is the timeline here before the Summit War?
Arion wondered curiously, if 2B and Hina fought, who would win?
Carrying these chaotic thoughts in his mind, Arion still reached out and clasped hands with Hina, at her friendly gesture.
"Hello, I'm Arion, this is 2B; as for wiping out Pirates, it's also for self-defense."
"Whatever the reason, you defeating Pirates and saving the village is a fact that cannot be denied."
Hina gave a light handshake with Arion and then released, "And I'll ensure the reward for defeating Pirates doesn't slip away from you. You should stay in the village for a while, right?"
"Yes, we currently need a ship."
"In that case, stay a few more days. I'll have the bounty delivered to you, and I'll cash out the loot from the Pirates' ship as Belly for you… I'll stay here for a few days; if you need help, you can find me at the dock's naval ship."
After saying that, Hina didn't linger; she left as she came, with the Navy soldiers in tow.
Arion watched Hina's departing back, the word "justice" embroidered on the navy cloak.
Rewarding the bounty and helping count the Pirates' ship's loot—this is timely help, a real lifesaver.
Was this good luck for a newcomer?
Feeling pleased, Arion and 2B returned to Fishing Village.
But when they saw the fishing village attacked by Pirates, the somber atmosphere hung heavy, killing his good mood.
The villagers who survived gathered around Arion and 2B, expressing their gratitude.
"Brother, here you go."
Arion looked down at a little girl with a runny nose. She held up a bag of snacks he had brought, trying to raise it as high as she could.
"Thank you," Arion said, taking the bag, rubbing her head, and pulling out a gummy candy from inside, tearing open the wrapper and handing it to her.
This snack, a little at a time, would soon be gone.