A glowing wheel appeared before Shiratori Riku's eyes.
Its six panels read: Creatures, Items, Abilities, Information, Concepts, Energy.
The pointer spun rapidly and stopped on Abilities.
As the wheel vanished, Riku felt as if countless worlds unfolded before him. Countless silhouettes displayed mysterious techniques. Power after power flashed by, each one enough to make him envious.
Sadly, he couldn't choose. Only random.
Ding. Congratulations, host has drawn an innate ability!
Teleportation!
Riku's brows lifted.
Teleportation. A spatial ability?
He opened the description.
Teleportation: Instant movement, spatial jump.
1: Within the host's sensing range, ignore all obstacles, move at will, body follows the mind.2: The host can carry objects no heavier than their own strength allows, ignoring obstacles, and teleport them within range.3: The host can mark locations or creatures as spatial coordinates. These allow long-distance teleportation back to the marked point.
Note: Consumes stamina.
"Infinite teleportation?"
After reading, Riku was instantly hooked.
What did it mean for the body to follow the mind?
As fast as thought. As long as he willed it, he was there. The fastest man alive.
This single power boosted his combat, speed, and survivability beyond measure.
There was a saying: You can see me, but your body can't keep up.
Even Observation Haki wouldn't help. By the time his location was sensed, he'd already moved. The body could never react in time.
If his attacks were strong enough to break defenses, battles would end in a single instant.
One slash, one head rolling.
The sweetness of the draw left Riku addicted. His gaze burned as he looked at the trembling Nami.
"I'll only say this once. Become my crewmate, or else—"
"I will! Don't kill me!"
Before he even finished, Nami shouted, voice sharp with fear. Not a moment's hesitation.
She didn't want to die.
She'd only known Luffy for a few days. Her hundred million berries weren't complete. Arlong still lived arrogantly. Too many dreams had yet to begin.
Ding. Host has seized Nami as crew. Congratulations, host gains one All-World Lottery chance.
Whether sincere or not, Riku was satisfied.
"Good."
He smiled brightly, eyes softening. His voice lowered gently.
"Don't worry. My crew are my family. As long as you don't betray me, everything can be discussed. Do you understand, little Nami?"
"Mm, mm."
She nodded quickly.
Inside, she cursed him furiously. Idiot pig! Bastard! Calling me little? You scared me half to death, you devilish monster!
Fortunately, Riku didn't know.
If he had, he would have ruffled her hair for being so "unadorable."
"Kaya, let's go."
"Mm, coming. Goodbye, Mr. Merry."
...
Not long after the Going Merry left Syrup Village, angry roars echoed on the coast.
"Dammit! I'll send you flying!"
"A hundred times over!"
Wrapped in bandages, Luffy pounded the ground, furious and powerless. This time, he was truly enraged.
Nami was his chosen crewmate. A navigator was vital.
Though she had been indifferent, he believed time would forge bonds. Just like Ace—who once dismissed him, yet became his brother.
"My swords..."
Zoro's eyes dimmed, then hardened again. He spoke firmly.
"Disaster comes one after another. That's the way of the world. Luffy, did you hear me?"
"Next time, I won't lose again."
No excuses about unpreparedness or carelessness. Defeat was defeat.
This trial would not shake his resolve.
Only Usopp still trembled, unable to hold back.
"But... the ship was stolen. How do we even set sail?"
Luffy: "..."Zoro: "..."
Tired. Let the world burn.
...
The sea.
Truly boring.
Especially for Shiratori Riku, now reduced to a temporary deckhand, forced to endure Nami's endless shouting as she directed the ship.
"Ah! Are you a pig? Turn that way!"
"Idiot, don't use so much force! You'll snap the rudder!"
"Tch! Can't even steer a ship? Go end yourself!"
"..."
Her voice was demonic, making his eyelids twitch nonstop.
Kaya, watching with a book in hand, laughed until her stomach hurt.
This was revenge. Definitely revenge.
Nami even peeked at Riku's expression before every roar, then yelled louder, unable to stop.
"Must it really be this way to sail a ship?" Riku muttered, gripping the wheel helplessly. With so few people, sailing was a chore.
Nami regained her confidence, one hand on her hip, the other holding juice. She barked orders from a safe distance.
"What, you think ships steer themselves? If you don't control the wheel properly, the course will go wild."
CLANG!
Riku thought for a moment, then drew his sword.
Nami flinched, instantly hiding behind Kaya.
"Hey! What are you doing? Didn't you say we're family? You liar!"
Riku ignored her.
He stabbed the blade into the wheel, fixing it in place. At least the course would hold steady when no adjustments were needed.
"..."
Nami was speechless. He had spotted a blind spot.
Still, she muttered, "That only holds for a while. With winds at sea, the direction changes anytime."
"I know."
Riku walked over, sat down, and took a sip of juice.
"Since we're family, let's introduce ourselves. Name, age, hobbies, dreams, and so on."
"Kaya, you start."