Chapter 17 – Repaying the Debt & Setting Sail
"Thank you. By the way—what's your name? I'm Ding Li. Do you know Windmill Village?" Ding Li asked, eyes full of gratitude and curiosity.
The drunk man scratched his nose. "Me? I'm Gol D. Roger. Windmill Village? That's pretty far. This is Loguetown. Why're you asking about Windmill?"
The moment Ding Li heard "Gol D. Roger" and "Loguetown," his mind exploded.
Gol D. Roger. The man who started the Great Pirate Era. The Pirate King himself. Executed right here in Loguetown.
Ding Li stared at the young man in front of him—short black hair, clean-shaven, wearing a stylish retro suit. No wild beard, no iconic mustache-like nose hairs, no overwhelming aura of legend. Just a slightly tipsy, handsome guy in his twenties who looked more like a charming playboy than the future ruler of the seas.
But this was Loguetown. No one would fake being Roger here. This really was him—before he became the legend.
Ding Li's brain short-circuited. He stood frozen, mouth half-open.
Roger waved a hand in front of his face. "Hey! Snap out of it. You still haven't answered me—why Windmill Village?"
Ding Li finally recovered. "I… was heading there originally. Got caught in a storm, ended up here."
Roger shrugged. "Gotcha. Well, I'm off. When you get the money, come find me at this bar any night. Pay me back, that's all."
He hummed a little tune and wandered off into the crowd.
Ding Li watched him disappear, heart still pounding. He had just met—and borrowed money from—the Pirate King.
He quickly found a modest inn, bought food and medicine, and settled Koya in. She was improving fast—color returning to her cheeks, breathing steady.
Once she was asleep, Ding Li sat by the window and opened his status.
One Piece World Rank: Headquarters Captain Combat Power: 7,887 Physique: 1,640 Vitality: 1,268 Soul Strength: 1,308 Total Emotions Collected: 9,867 / 10,000,000,000,000 Spendable Points: 5,681 Skills: None
Today alone: +5,681 points. All from the crowds he'd bumped through while carrying Koya. Panic, curiosity, scolding, pity—people reacted to him like a walking spectacle.
He grinned. "This town is a goldmine."
"System: Add 2,000 to Physique, 2,000 to Vitality, rest to Soul Strength."
Warmth surged through him once more—stronger, deeper, intoxicating.
Updated Status:
One Piece World Rank: Headquarters Captain (upper end) Physique: 3,640 Vitality: 3,268 Soul Strength: 2,989 Total Emotions: 9,867 / 10,000,000,000,000 Spendable: 0 Skills: None
He felt the familiar rush—like he could shatter the world with one punch—then the illusion faded. He knew it was just the sudden spike talking.
For the next three days, Ding Li stayed glued to Koya's side, feeding her, changing bandages, holding her through the night until she was fully recovered—only a little weak.
Now he needed money.
He considered joining the Marines—easy salary, bounties, fame (more emotions). But he couldn't stay long. Windmill Village was the priority.
So he decided: hunt pirates. He had no ship, so he waited on the beach like a predator.
First day: nothing. Second day: nothing. People passing by stared at the motionless man in the wheelchair. Some laughed. Some whispered. Some pitied.
Ding! "+20 [Mockery] … +30 [Curiosity] …"
He collected emotions just by existing.
After ten days of waiting in vain, he asked a fisherman: "Why no pirates?"
The old man laughed. "Kid, this is Loguetown. Navy headquarters. Pirates don't dock here in broad daylight. They sneak in at hidden coves, dark reefs, small islands nearby."
Ding Li facepalmed. He'd been camping the most guarded beach in the East Blue.
So he changed tactics.
Over the next two weeks, he became a one-man storm. He raided every hidden cove, dark reef, and smuggler's inlet around Loguetown. Pirates up to Headquarters Lieutenant level fell like flies. Word spread fast among the underworld: a terrifying "Robber" was hunting them.
One evening, he led Koya to a secluded reef. He rolled aside a massive boulder, revealing a hidden cave stuffed with glittering treasure.
Koya's jaw dropped. "Ding Li! Did you rob a bank?!"
He scratched his nose. "Cough… no. Just… hard work."
She narrowed her eyes. "You've been disappearing every day. What exactly have you been 'working' at?"
Ding Li changed the subject. "Doesn't matter. With this, we can buy a proper ship, hire a navigator and crew, and go to Windmill Village to find your brother."
Koya's eyes lit up. "Really?! Then let's go—now!"
Ding Li pinched her cheek. "Patience, silly girl. We buy the ship first, then hire people. We're not sailing alone again."
She stuck out her tongue and ran off laughing.
The next few days were busy. Ding Li spent a fortune on a sturdy, spacious ship—perfect for long voyages. He hired experienced sailors and a skilled navigator—men who knew the East Blue currents like the back of their hands.
On the final day before departure, Ding Li visited the tavern. It was still daytime, but the place was already rowdy.
He didn't see Roger, so he handed a heavy pouch to the barman with the big mole.
"Thirty thousand Berries. Please give this to Roger."
The barman weighed the bag, eyebrows rising, then nodded.
Ding Li left without worry. He knew Roger's status here. And he could sense it—Roger was already stronger than him, even now.
Everything was ready.
They were finally setting sail for Windmill Village.
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