All of this—the discoveries of the past week—was only the beginning. The Restoration Fruit was already terrifying.
"It's like rewinding time, restoring things to a previous state," Riku muttered in awe.
"But it can't be explained as mere time reversal or spatial regression. It's a complete trespass into the realm of gods."
A power this broken… bugged beyond reason. Like countless abilities fused into one, edging on the law of causality itself.
Kaya had even proposed a new application: Life Restoration.
Used on a hundred-year-old, it could restore them to their prime thirties.
Unlike Ain's Regression Fruit, which vanished if she fainted, this would be permanent.
Or worse: Death Restoration.
If it worked, then without Pure Gold, without the Immortal Surgery, even without any of the world's legendary cheats, Riku and his crew could achieve eternal life.
The cost? Unknown.
And if the cost was only stamina...
"But even so, this hasn't touched the deeper conceptual level," Riku murmured. That was what left him speechless.
Already this strong—yet there was still a deeper layer to explore.
Just a few days of experimentation had skyrocketed his battle strength. His raw power wasn't enough? His abilities filled the gap.
...
Heh heh heh...
In the ruins of Arlong Park, Arlong lay pierced by dozens of cloud lances, drowning in blood.
"Look at you now," Nami whispered, her eyes dazed. "Pathetic... laughable."
This monster, who had haunted her nightmares for eight years, slain so easily by her own hands.
Eight years. How many does a person get? And her mother's murderer among them.
Again and again she had hoped, only to sink into despair. She didn't even know how she had endured.
But it was over.
And if anyone dared tell her, "Don't kill, just knock him away," she would resent them for life.
COUGH COUGH!
Arlong's life clung stubbornly. He raised his bloody head, snarling, "Why?! Why after all my years of struggle am I nothing before your fruit of only days? I refuse!"
"Wrong."
Nami raised a finger. "To be exact, I've only eaten it for a week. Satisfied now?"
PUH!
Blood gushed from his mouth. His body went limp.
Dead—killed by sheer rage.
"Pathetic," Nami muttered, clicking her tongue. "So small-minded. But still..."
"That liar Riku was right. Always finish the job."
SHHH SHHH SHHH!
Dozens more cloud lances rained down, skewering Arlong's body. Only when two pierced his skull did Nami turn away.
"Urgh!"
Her stomach heaved. Her first true slaughter, and she vomited on the spot.
CLAP CLAP CLAP!
Riku strolled over, applauding. "Impressive. Nami the Valkyrie, wiping out an army in a single strike."
"Hmph. They were never people," Nami said through a deep breath. But when she turned, her eyes went wide.
"You... what did you do?!"
Behind Riku, two chains of cloud bound Nojiko, holding her aloft. Genzo and the other villagers glared furiously.
Riku shrugged. "Obvious, isn't it? I'm taking her. And like I said, anyone who tries to stop me dies."
"You...!" Nami bit her lip, helpless. She rushed to free her sister. "Are you okay? He didn't hurt you, did he?"
Nojiko's face was scarlet. She said nothing. How could she? Should she tell her sister he had carried her and slapped her backside? How could she ever live that down?
"You all listen."
Setting Kaya down from the clouds, Riku addressed the villagers.
"First, the Arlong Pirates are finished. All of them. Nami destroyed them. She is your hero."
Nami blushed. Hero? It embarrassed her.
"Second, the treasure here—all of it is yours. Nami wishes her home to prosper."
Nami's eyes widened further. Was this really Riku?
"Third, my name is Shiratori Riku, captain of the Riku Pirates. And Nojiko—I'm taking her."
The villagers froze in confusion.
Nami's gaze grew strange. Was he addicted to kidnapping, or just obsessed with sisters?
Still, she was glad her sister would come along. She wouldn't feel safe leaving her behind. Riku's side, for all its madness, was safer.
"And finally..."
Riku's tone hardened as he turned to the sea. "Those Marines? I killed them. Tell the world my name."
"Ten Thousand Thunders!"
Storm clouds rolled. Bolts fell like rain, hammering the ocean into towering waves.
Several warships shattered instantly.
"AAAHHH!"
Colonel Nezumi and hundreds of Marines screamed their last as the storm erased them.
The villagers stood silent, lungs tight.
"Riku! You stole my move! Pay up!" Nami snapped.
Riku laughed. "By the way, the money you've been saving all these years..."
COUGH COUGH COUGH!
Nami rushed close, her voice suddenly honey-sweet. "What are you saying, my dear captain? That treasure is all mine, you understand?"
Her eyes, however, promised violence.
Riku accepted it. He knew better.
"Have your sister pack. We're leaving."
No banquets. No lingering. Pointless.
East Blue seemed fresh out of story heroines to seize anyway.
Makino? Riku's eyes narrowed.
He had come too early. He had only glimpsed that ridiculous future where the main cast all got cheats and toppled emperors.
But speaking of two years later—
That baby in Makino's arms... whose child was it?
Not that it mattered. Two years later had nothing to do with now.
"Nami, how far to Foosha Village?"
"What village?"
"The Goa Kingdom."
"Oh... about a week with the island cloud."
"Got it."
A bit far. Riku narrowed his eyes.
But manageable.