Gil's stomach growled.
"…Damn it. Got so excited, I forgot I still haven't eaten."
He rubbed his belly. The system was amazing, but it didn't fill his stomach.
The Sea King he'd dragged ashore was lying lifeless, its massive body crushing the forest around it.
"You'll do nicely as my lunch."
Before long, smoke curled above the deserted island. Gil had ripped apart the old pirate ship for firewood and was now happily roasting chunks of Sea King meat over the flames.
The smell filled the air, rich and savory, enough to make anyone's mouth water.
He had no spices, but after days of hunger, Gil wasn't picky. To him, this was a feast.
By the time he'd finished, nearly a quarter of the Sea King was gone. He leaned back with a satisfied burp.
"Damn… since leveling up my gravitation, my appetite's insane. I just ate a quarter of a Sea King. In my old world, I'd be crowned the world's eating champion on the spot."
He stretched out lazily. "With power and food like this… I might actually make it here."
BOOM! BOOM!
Suddenly, explosions echoed from the sea. Huge plumes of water shot into the air.
Gil frowned and sat up. "Huh?"
Two ships came into view on the horizon, heading toward the island.
The first was a wooden vessel flying a skull-and-crossbones flag—a pirate ship. The second, chasing close behind, was a Marine warship, its white sails emblazoned with the blue seagull crest.
The two sides were locked in fierce combat. Cannon fire thundered across the sea, blasts rocking both ships violently.
A grin tugged at Gil's lips.
"Finally. A way off this godforsaken rock."
If there were ships, there was hope.
BOOM!
Another Sea King erupted from the waves.
"Perfect."
Gil lifted his hand casually. "Universal Pull!"
The air seemed to freeze, compressing with crushing force. The Sea King let out a strangled roar as it was yanked forward, dragged helplessly toward Gil.
He stepped onto its massive head, glaring coldly.
"Behave, or die."
The Sea King's eyes widened in terror. After a brief struggle, it went still, submitting to him.
"Good." Gil smirked. "You're smarter than you look."
He pointed toward the two battling ships. "Take me there."
The Sea King swam forward obediently.
Riding a Sea King like a steed, Gil approached the clash between pirates and Marines, their shouted commands ringing across the water.
"Fire! Don't let them escape! First squad, increase your barrage!"
On the Marine deck stood a tall man with short purple hair, barking orders with cold precision. Zephyr—a name Gil instantly recognized.
"Teacher Zephyr! We're running out of ammo!" a Marine shouted.
"Then make every shot count!" Zephyr roared, his eyes fixed on the pirate crew with pure loathing.
Cannon fire shook the air. One blast slammed into the pirates' hull, sending the ship rocking violently.
"Damn Marines!" the pirate captain bellowed. "Karl! Is the heavy cannon ready? Let's show these dogs what the Lion Pirates are made of!"
"Ready, Captain!"
"Then fire! Blow that warship to pieces!"
The Calm Belt erupted in chaos, fire and smoke painting the sky.
Through it all, Gil rode the Sea King straight into the center of the battle.
A cannonball splashed nearby, waves crashing high, but Gil ignored it. He walked calmly across the beast's head, as if strolling through a park, until he reached the gap between the two ships.
Shouts rang out from both sides:
"A Sea King?!""Where?!""Holy crap, look—there's someone standing on it!""Is that guy controlling it?!""No way! Sea Kings are the rulers of the ocean—how can anyone ride one like a mount?""Who is this lunatic?""Is he a Devil Fruit user?"
For a brief moment, the fighting stopped. Both Marines and pirates stared at the young man casually standing atop the Sea King.
Then Gil raised his hand and called out with a bright smile:
"Hey! Mind if I hitch a ride on one of your ships?"
Silence.
Then—
PFT!
Both sides nearly spat blood on the spot.
They had thought a terrifying powerhouse had arrived. But no—he was just some joker asking for a lift.