The little wooden boat rocked back and forth on the open sea, carrying three of the strangest passengers imaginable. Luffy sat at the front, chomping happily on a piece of dried meat like it was a feast. Coby, drenched in sweat, nervously clutched the rudder, terrified of what awaited them. Adam? He was sprawled out on his back, hands behind his head, whistling at the clouds like this was some lazy Sunday picnic.
Coby shot him a panicked glance."H-how can you just lie there?! We're heading to a Marine base! If they catch us, we'll be executed!"
Adam lazily waved a hand."First, relax. Second, nobody dies this early in the season. Third, I doubt Marine lunch is worth dying over anyway."
Luffy tilted his head. "Season? What's that? Is it meat?"
Adam sat up, staring at him with mock seriousness. "You know what? Sure. It's meat. Lots of meat."
Luffy's eyes sparkled. "I LOVE seasons!"
Coby groaned, gripping his face. "None of this makes any sense…"
As the boat drew closer, the Marine base came into view. White stone walls loomed high, with the Marine insignia proudly painted on them. Soldiers patrolled the yard. In the middle of the courtyard stood a man tied to a post, with three swords piled next to him. His green hair swayed in the wind.
Adam's eyes lit up."Well, well, well. If it isn't the legendary swordsman himself… Roronoa Zoro. Exactly on schedule."
Luffy grinned wide. "Ha! He looks strong! I want him in my crew."
Coby's face went pale. "W-what?! Impossible! That's the Pirate Hunter! He captures criminals! And Luffy—you're a pirate!"
Adam smirked. "And that's exactly why he'll join. Irony, my dear Coby. The universe loves it."
Coby gawked. "Why do you always talk like you know what's going to happen?!"
Adam winked. "Let's just call it… intuition."
At that moment, the mechanical voice returned in Adam's mind:[Main Menu Unlocked.]
A translucent screen popped into view before his eyes:
Exchange Points: 100
Shop:
Skill [Quick Step] – 50 points
Skill [Basic Swordplay] – 70 points
Item [Rusty Dagger] – 100 points
Skill [Perfect Nap] – 30 points
Adam's jaw dropped. "Are you kidding me? A hundred points for a rusty dagger? This is literally a scam gacha game."
Luffy squinted at him. "Adam, who are you talking to?"
Adam coughed. "Uh… price checking. Market research. Don't mind me."
He tapped on [Quick Step]. Suddenly, his legs felt lighter, his muscles buzzing as if they were ready to spring at any moment.
"Nice," he muttered. "Not game-breaking, but good for a dramatic escape."
The three of them stepped into the square. Marines and villagers muttered about the "demon swordsman." Zoro sat tied to the post, eyes closed, ignoring the world.
Luffy cupped his hands and shouted, "Hey, you with the green hair! Wanna join my crew?"
Adam doubled over laughing."He literally only knows one way to make friends: 'Be in my crew.'"
Zoro cracked one eye open, glaring. "What kind of idiot are you?"
Coby nearly fainted. "Luffy! He'll kill you!"
Adam called out, smirking. "Relax, the guy's a softie deep down. Underneath all that tough-guy act, he's basically a shoujo manga hero."
Zoro twitched. "I HEARD that! And I'm NOT some shoujo hero!"
Adam burst out laughing again. "See? Exactly like I predicted."
Just then, a loud voice rang out. A tall young man with slicked-back hair and a smug face strutted into the yard, flanked by Marines. He wore expensive clothes like a spoiled prince.
Adam whispered, "And here comes corruption in a suit: Helmeppo."
Luffy pointed. "Hey, you! Give me the keys for the swordsman. He's joining me!"
Helmeppo laughed arrogantly. "Hah! Impossible! He's sentenced to execution. Nobody saves him."
Adam grinned and decided to test his new skill. He activated [Quick Step]—in an instant, he blurred forward, appearing behind Helmeppo.
"Yo," Adam said casually, leaning on his shoulder. "Nice clothes, pal. Bit overdressed for a courtyard, though."
Helmeppo spun around in horror. "H-how did you get there so fast?!"
Adam smirked. "Morning jog. Builds character."
Luffy burst out laughing, nearly rolling on the ground. "Adam! That was awesome! Teach me that step!"
Adam stepped back, letting the skill fade. "Not bad… if I invest a few more points, I might grab a sword skill. That could spice things up."
Zoro eyed him carefully, his expression shifting. "You're strange. I don't like strange people."
Adam raised his hands like he was surrendering. "Don't worry, pal. I'm just a tourist collecting reward points."
Coby clutched his head. "Tourist?! You're insane!"
Adam chuckled. "Maybe. But hey, let's figure out how to get you off that post, Zoro."
Deep down, Adam realized something: the system wasn't just a gimmick. Every big event meant more points. Saving Zoro would be a jackpot.
He grinned to himself."This… this is going to be profitable."