"Oh shit."
As the words left my mouth a wave of color spread from the ground and permeated the room. The dry hazel wooden floor became a vibrant brown and the weapons mounted around took on a shine.
I was suddenly very aware of the weight on the left side of my hip. The first thing a saw was the white, black spotted sheath and a golden cross-shaped guard. After a few seconds, I realized that the sheath happened to be housing a katana. The hilt was wrapped black an had a golden kashira pommel that read '4k'. The sword offered no resistance as I pulled it from the sheath and inspected the blade. The blade would have been normal if it wasn't for how dull it was. I ran my hand across the sharp of the blade and wasn't cut. I swung the blade around to find that I barely noticed that it was in my hand. The sword was literally as light as air.
I paused my inspection to look up at Ippon-Matsu and the group of thugs. At the time, I thought it was strange that they were staring at me, but in hindsight, I had appeared out of thin air and pulled out a sword so they were justified.
"Oh! Don't mind me. Continue whatever you were doing." I said.
"What do we do boss?" a brown-haired boy in a blue shirt, who I named 'Blue', whispered.
"Forget him. Stick to the plan." The boss, who I named 'Blackbeard Prototype', responded. "Ahem! Give us three of your best swords. Now."
Ippon-Matsu glared at the group of thugs. "And if I say no?"
Blackbeard Prototype put on a dark smile before him and his thugs, excluding Blue who pulled out a sword, out flintlock pistols simultaneously. "I think you can make a guess," he said.
"Obviously rehearsed." I thought.
"Okay," Ippon-Matsu said faux-submissively. "I'll get them from the back." He said before walking back into the storage room.
A while after Ippon-Matsu left, the thugs spread out across the store and started eyeing the merchandise.
I looked up from the blade in my hands to see Blue reaching into the 'Cheap Swords Barrel'.
"Touch me and I'll fucking kill you." Sandai Kitetsu said when Blue's hands got a little too close. Blue flinched and backed slowly away from the barrel, knocking another barrel over in the process.
I approached Blackbeard Prototype and eyed Blue with a grin. "Keep that one," I said as I pointed to Blue picking up the swords he knocked over, "He's a clutz, but he has good instincts."
"Zehahah-!"
"Ah Ah Ah," I grinned as I wagged my finger in front of his face. "Copy~rite."
He glared as if he was checking me for any flaws for a few seconds before extending his hand with a grin.
"I like your spunk kid! Why don't you join my gang? We go around Loguetown robbing stores and running wild! And one day, when we have enough money, we're going to get a ship and sail the Grand Line!"
I eyed his hand a moment before slapping it away, at which the thugs grimaced. "Sorry, I already have a crew I plan to join. But thanks for the offer." I grinned. My smile faltered when I looked over to Blue and saw the pity and fear in his eyes.
"THEN YOUR USELESS TO ME!" Blackbeard Prototype yelled as he reached into his coat.
I whipped my head back over to him to see the barrel of a gun in front of my face.
POW!
I fell on my ass and stared up at the two men in front of me. The first was a man who had just tried to put a hole in my brain. The second, on the other hand, was a muscular and white-haired man with two cigars in his mouth and, most importantly, an open blue and white marine jacket. The large marine was holding a shocked Blackbeard Prototype's arm to the ceiling where a fresh bullet hole had been indented into the tile ceiling.
I had yet to realize that my composure had completely broken down. I was rocking back and forth and hyperventilating.
Captain 'White Hunter' Smoker kneeled down and placed a heavy hand on my shoulder, "Are you ok, son?"
I stared like a lost child at Smoker for a second before a green light flashed in front of me and my composure reset itself. "Yes, I'm ok."
"I haven't seen you around town. Are you visiting?"
"I'm visiting a relative." I lied. "If this is Smoker does that mean that the Straw Hats will get here soon?"
"I am Captain 'White Hunter' Smoker. I've been stationed in Loguetown for quite a while so my way around. Would you like me to have a marine escort you back to your relative's home?"
"No! I mean, I remember the way back. Some help getting up would be appreciated though." I extended my hand and Smoker practically ranked my arm off in an effort to pull me up.
"OW! What the hell man! I think you dislocated my shoulder." I said as I massaged my shoulder.
"Your one frail kid." Smoker laughed.
"Oh shit, I forgot about that..." I whispered to myself.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!" I said as I started rushing towards the door. "Anyway nice meeting you Captain Smoker, enjoy your day, see you later!"
"Wait I-" The closing of the door cut him off.
...
I sat on the rooftop of a building and munching happily on my sandwich. Over the course of the day I had been around the city and after begging for enough money, I bought three ham and cheese sandwiches from a local restaurant. They may have executed my future captain's predecessor, but they can make a mean ham and cheese sandwich. I didn't even like ham.
Across my short journey I had come to the conclusion that the bastard god who had gotten me in my current predicament, who I named 'Asshole Genie', had taken my request out of context, hence the nickname, and had either given me the ability to communicate with swords or Kit's theory about me being force-fed a devil fruit was correct. I was still confused on what he had done with my second request. I assumed that he wasn't lying when he said he would take my requests, in which case I would have to stop calling him Genie, but I still hadn't gotten anything related to video games.
"Maybe he's just waiting for the right mo- AHG WHAT THE FUCK!?" A glowing white chest with 'xD' painted on the top had appeared in front of me. "Note to self: Sew mouth shut."
I cautiously reached over and opened the chest. I slowly peered inside only to find a note.
"'From Your Friendly Neighborhood Bastard God: Say Menu.'" I read aloud. "Um, ok. I guess I'll just say me- OW SHIT!" I was cut off my the note bursting into flames. "Asshole..." I murmured before straitening my back and clearing my throat. "Ahem! Menu!"
As the words left my mouth, four semitransparent screens with words started formulating up in front of me. Before I could freak out though, the green light flashed in front of me again and I was forcibly recomposed. The farthest left screen read: Status, The second left read: Skills, The second right read: Inv and the far right screen read: Party.
I reached out and pressed the Stats button. The four screens popped like bubbles before a bigger screen appeared. It read:
Status:
Christofer Aiden
Title: Sword-Whisperer (+1 Sword Skill, +1 STR, +1 DEX every other LVL; Learn/Lvl up Sword Skills +50% faster)
Level: -5
Exp: 0/50
HP: 100/100
EP: 125/125
(+) STR: -5
(+) VIT: -20
(+) DEX: -5
(+) INT: 12
(+) WIS: 25
(+) WLL: 22
(+) CHA: 15
Points: 3
Special Status: Developing Body ( STR, VIT, & DEX increase as the body adapts to new conditions)
I look wide-eyed at my 'Status' and was about to yell something along the lines of "HOLY SHIT THIS IS SICK!" but the green light prevented me. "I need to disable this shit... Skills!" I said.
The screen disappeared and another screen popped up to replace it. It read:
Calculating Mind (Passive)(Auto Enabled) Lv: Max - Forces the user to calmly and logically think things through. (+40% WIS, +50% INT)
"There's that fucking skill!" I said as I spotted the first skill. I tapped the word 'Enabled' and with a green flash, it became a darker 'Disabled'.
Gamer's Body (Passive) Lv: Max - Allows the user to live life as if it were a game. Sleeping and eating restore HP and EP.
Sword Whispering (Active) Lv: Max - Allows the user to communicate with bladed weapon spirits, seeing them and physically interacting with them.
Battle Stance (Active)(Locked) Lv: N/A - Allows the user to fight to their fullest. Prevents notifications from appearing(+30% Attack Damage, -1 Energy per second)
Sword Prowess (Passive) Lv: 1 Exp 0.0% - Allows the user to use swords, swords skills, and their derivatives more effectively. Effectiveness is based on STR, DEX, WIS.
Observe (Active) Lv: 1 Exp: 0.0% - Allows the user to obtain information on a person or object. The higher the level, the more information the user can learn.
I found it strange that I had both Battle Stance and Sword Prowess when I had no real combat training. Putting it off until later, I focused my attention on my sandwich "Observe." Another screen popped up.
Half-Eaten Ham & Cheese Sandwich: A partially eaten sandwich available in most shops. Restores 20 Energy(EP), 10 Health Points(HP)
I smiled and swiped the screen away before unsheathing my sword. "Observe."
Unnamed: The physical manifestation of Christofer Aiden's soul. It bends to his will and will always return to him one way or another. (Converts Willpower into Attack Damage)
Title: Soul-Linked (+5 DUR, +5 ATT, DUR & ATT fluctuates depending on the status of Christofer Aiden)
Level: -5
EXP: 0/50
DUR: 100/100
ATT: +22
"I was supposed to name my sword?" I asked nobody in particular. "Couldn't I just name it Aiden? It's technically me, right?" I wondered. "Well, anyways I need to find out what time I got dropped in. If I don't" I made my way over to the ladder I had used to get to the roof. "Oh, before I go. Status." Once the status screen came up, I put 3 points into 'DEX'. After a green flash, I felt my body lighten and my capability rise. Intoxicated with the newfound speed I ran and jumped off of the roof only to land and have inertia throw me violently to the ground.
"Need more vitality... got it," I moaned. After I had gotten up and dusted myself off I noticed another screen had appeared.
New Quest!
Gather Information
Objectives:
1: Read a newspaper
2: Estimate the Straw Hat's time of arrival in Loguetown
Success: 100 Exp
Failure: None
Bonus Objectives:
1: ?
2: ?
50 Exp added per bonus completed
I swiped the screens away with an excited smile and around the building and back into the main road. When I stepped out into the road a large person knocked me to the ground.
"OW! WATCH IT!"
"OhsirI'msosorryIshouldhavebeenpayingmoreattentiontowher-"
"Slow the hell down! I can't understand a word your saying!" I yelled at the speed talking man.
"Oh yes. Sorry, I have a habit of talking a little too fast."
"Ya think?" I groaned as I got up and dusted myself off for the second time. At this rate, I would need new clothes by the end of the day.
"Here." He reached out and placed a few bills in my hand. "I hope this is a consolation for my grave mistake." He said as he sped past me.
"Observe," I said before he could make it out of my sight.
Level up Observe to see the status of hidden figures.
"Something was off about that guy." I thought as I turned back around and continued down the road.
...
After roaming the surprisingly intricate streets of Loguetown for about an hour I was found the marketplace. The market was bustling with people trying to buy and sell things. The place was a cornucopia of movement, smells, and colors something that I wasn't used to. After a few minutes though, I was able to get my bearings. I wandered a few more minutes before I spotted a newsstand.
"Excuse me, sir?!" I called to the old man at the stand.
"Ah! Well, the papers just came in today but we still have some in stock from last week." the man responded.
"How much for last week's?" I asked as I reached into my pocket.
"It's only the price of a cabbage loaf." he grinned.
"Um... how much is that?" I asked, embarrassed.
"300 beri. Are you new to town?" The man chuckled.
"Hehe yeah. Let's just say, I'm probably the newest person you'll ever meet," I laughed as I scratched the back of my head sheepishly.
"Well, this first one's on me. I'll even give you this week's edition as a bonus."
"Really? Thanks..."
"The name's Phillip."
"Well, thanks, Mr. Phillip." I smiled.
Phillip reached under the counter and produced two wrapped newspapers. "No need for the formalities. Here ya' go." He gave a megawatt smile as he handed my the newspapers.
"Thanks, Phillip. See ya'." I turned and started making my way back to the street when another screen popped up.
Bonus Objective Completed! +50 Exp
Gather Information
Objectives:
1: Read a newspaper
2: Estimate the Straw Hat's time of arrival in Loguetown
Success: 100 Exp
Failure: None
Bonus Objectives:
1: Don't get scammed.
2: ?
With a smile, I turned back to the stand. "Newspapers aren't really 150 beri, are they?"
"Take care young man." He said with a closed-eye smile.
...
I sat on the edge of the roof high above the market and opened the first newspaper. I spent a few minutes analyzing the paper for anything concerning the Straw Hat Pirates. After the first paper produced nothing I moved onto the second. However, this time I found something interesting. The paper read:
Rookie Pirate 'Straw Hat' Luffy defeats seasoned pirate Don 'Foul Play' Krieg!
An image of Luffy's Gomu Gomu no Bazooka smashing through Don Kriegs golden plate armour flashed through my head.
"The Baratie Arc, huh." I thought. "Given that the Sea of Survival Saga lasted about a year, Luffy'll be here in 3 weeks or less." I crossed my legs and went into my 'thinking position'. "What can I do in 3 weeks? I might be able to convince Ippon-Matsu to give me a job. I mean, I did almost die in his shop." Content with my plan, I stood upright as another screen popped up.
Bonus Objective Completed!
Gather Information
Objectives:
1: Read a newspaper
2: Estimate the Straw Hat's time of arrival in Loguetown
Success: 100 Exp
Failure: None
Bonus Objectives:
1: Don't get scammed.
2: Make a plan without using the 'Calculating Mind' skill.
I smiled and swiped the screen away only for another screen to pop up.
Quest 'Gather Information' Completed!
Quest Report:
Objectives Complete
Bonus Objective(1) Complete
Bonus Objective(2) Complete
Exp: +200
Beri: +0
I felt a wave of warmth wash over me as my exp rose. After the warmth dissipated I saw two green flashes and chimes played in my ear.
"I must have leveled up," I said. "Status."
Status:
Christofer Aiden
Title: Sword-Whisperer (+1 Sword Skill, +1 STR, +1 DEX every other LVL; Learn/Lvl up Sword Skills +50% faster)
Level: -1
Exp: 0/50
HP: 100/100
EP: 125/125
(+) STR: -3
(+) VIT: -20
(+) DEX: 0
(+) INT: 12
(+) WIS: 25
(+) WLL: 22
(+) CHA: 15
Points: 12
Special Status: Developing Body ( STR, VIT, & DEX increase as the body adapts to new conditions)
"Well, my stats seem good other than Strenght and Vitality. I assume that they will go up as my body adjusts to this world." I said aloud. "I don't really need any more points in any particular area but I think that, due to my recent quest completion, I deserve a treat," I said with a cheeky smile. I tapped the plus symbol next to 'DEX' 10 times and braced myself for the stat boost.
After a few seconds, a rush of pure adrenaline flooded my body. I jerked forward into a position that wouldn't have looked out of place in Dragon Ball Z and a green aura that also wouldn't have looked out of place in Dragon Ball Z flared around my body. "OH, THAT'S THAT GOOD SHIT!" I quoted with a giant smile painted on my face.
A few seconds later the green aura had died down and I was left a panting, shivering pile of ecstasy. "I (pant) need (pant) more." I huffed.
...
Ippon-Matsu was standing at one of the weapons cases wiping down the top. He had had a tough day. After the attempted murder and robbery in his shop, the marines questioned him all day not to mention his wife. He was completely exhausted.
DING!
"Sorry. Were clo-" Ippon-Matsu turned to the door to see a familiar young man in a green hoodie and jeans. "Your the one from before," he said.
"Sorry to intrude. I was wondering if I could stay here for the night."
Elsewhere...
A relatively young girl sat at a crowded bar in one of the most dangerous towns in the world. She was only 17 but apparently, Mock Town didn't care as the bartender kept getting her more drinks.
"Damn it!" she yelled as she slammed her mug down. "I don't have the slightest clue where he is. He could be on Raftel for all I know." I groaned as she placed a few bills on the counter and strode out.
"If he's already with the Straw Hats then I can just follow the news and intercept them." she thought as she walked down the busy streets. "Maybe I should wait awhile before I go. I shouldn't have a problem convincing the group."
She navigated through the town until she reached a dark building on the quieter side of town. She walked around to the back of the building and nodded to the guards. "Did you get what I asked for?" she asked as she entered. In the few weeks, she had spent in the pirate-infested town she had found a group of pirates who, after seeing her abilities, wanted her to go out to sea with them. She accepted but under a condition.
A large man sat on a makeshift thrown in the shadows. "Newspapers ranging from 2 months ago to today," he growled before a bag of newspapers landed at her feet. "Does this mean you're joining?"
"A deal is a deal," she responded as she sifted through the bag.
"Good. Dismissed."
She left the building and walked across the street to the crew's lodge. She ran up to her room, locked the door, and began reading through newspapers.
Almost an hour later she collapsed onto the bed in defeat as she didn't find anything that helped find out what time she was in. Unfortunately, she missed a certain line:'
'Pirate Prince' Cavendish entered the New World!