The single-masted sailing ship sailed alongside the wreckage of the warship.
Hiroto leaped onto the deck, while Johnny and Yosaku carried Zoro onto the ship.
Next, Nami and Carina busied themselves, treating the unconscious Zoro with medicine. The end result was that they had him wrapped up like a mummy.
During this time, Johnny and Yosaku acted as the ship's operators and general laborers for all sorts of tasks. The two of them followed Nami's commands diligently, making up for the lack of manpower on the ship.
Hiroto leaned against the ship's railing, and a light screen appeared in his field of vision.
He clicked [Transmigrator] and the three options appeared again. However, this time, the panel flickered with a magnificent orange light, as brilliant as a gemstone.
Just seeing this color made Hiroto's breathing quicken.
Because the last time he had seen such a color was when he had extracted an orange entry like [Gluttony].
Slaying Morgan and sinking a warship was nothing much. The real windfall came from defeating Zoro and bringing him under his command. It could be said he had pried away a vital piece of the protagonist's crew.
This had a permanent and massive impact on the original plot.
'Orange grade... I wonder what entry I'll get.'
Hiroto rubbed his hands together and then pressed 'Extract'.
A dazzling light burst forth.
[Entry: Effort King]
[Quality: Orange]
[Type: Special]
[Effect: Experience categorized as training or learning is multiplied by 200 times after settlement.]
[Consumption: Stamina]
[Note: Practice makes perfect.]
(To clarify, after MC completes a day's training, at the end, he receives the results of 200 days of training.)
This was a very rare and important growth-type entry. For Hiroto, it was a very precious entry that could effectively accelerate his growth.
Give it a try?
Just as the thought surfaced, Hiroto felt a surge of pain, leaving him drenched in cold sweat.
The aftereffects of Berserk!
After winning against Zoro, he had released his self-hypnosis. He hadn't felt much at the time, but now it seemed the time to pay the price had come.
It felt like his muscles were tearing. Every bone and sinew in his body was wailing, and even his bones seemed to be cracking.
Hiroto barely managed to lean against the ship's railing, enduring the pain. He knew he needed to rest.
Footsteps sounded behind him as Carina arrived. She saw something was wrong with Hiroto at first glance and ran over in a panic.
"Captain, you're..."
Hiroto waved his hand. "It's nothing. I tried a secret technique when I slashed the warship, and now there are some aftereffects."
"I know what I'm doing. A little treatment and then some rest will do. During this time, if we encounter any enemies, I'll have to rely on you."
"Okay."
Carina nodded seriously. "Don't worry, Captain. I've already familiarized myself with the Smooth-Smooth Fruit's abilities."
Hiroto nodded. "Is Zoro okay?"
"His injuries are very heavy, anyone else would be dead. But that Pirate Hunter has a vigorous vitality like a monster's."
As Carina spoke, she supported Hiroto's arm, pulling it against her chest as a support. "Although we don't have a proper doctor on board, I think he'll definitely recover in about a week. At least his life isn't in danger."
"That's good."
Hiroto couldn't help but glance at Carina, the soft sensation of the contact being very clear.
Carina acted as if nothing had happened, saying with a look of admiration, "But as for you, Captain, to actually be able to recruit that Pirate Hunter is truly amazing."
"You've heard of him?" Hiroto was a bit surprised.
"Of course."
Carina said, "He's a bloodthirsty swordsman who has defeated many famous pirates."
"He is indeed an extraordinary swordsman."
Hiroto hadn't expected that Zoro would have already made a name for himself in the East Blue two years early. But on second thought, it made sense. Even as a child, Zoro could chase after and beat up adults, his talent was evident.
After helping Hiroto to the Captain's quarters, or perhaps using it as an opportunity to express her feelings—
Carina began busily tidying up, treating, and bandaging Hiroto, being very serious and gentle.
After ensuring Hiroto was settled, she left and went to Nami's room.
With Johnny and Yosaku acting as laborers, Nami was finally freed from the heavy workload.
She stayed in her room,itting on the bed with her arms around her knees, staring blankly out the porthole.
The dim light of the setting sun shone into the room and onto her body, making her look even more charming.
Carina pushed the door open and teased, "So beautiful."
"Carina!"
Seeing her 'partner', Nami's face darkened.
"Hiroto isn't here right now, so you can say whatever you want."
"Want to say I backstabbed you? Say I took the Devil Fruit that should have been yours? Say I'm monitoring you for Hiroto instead?"
As Carina spoke, she pulled up a small stool and sat in front of Nami.
"Or perhaps I brought up a proposal that's left you unsettled?"
"..."
Nami fell silent.
"We're both smart people, so I'll be blunt."
Carina continued, "You have a talent for navigation, and it's terrifyingly high. I only realized this after spending some time with you. You can judge the weather just by your senses."
"But I think Hiroto might have known long ago. Because I can see that the one he truly cares about is you, I'm just a tag-along."
"But you can see the situation now. Just because I was the first to surrender, he gave me a Devil Fruit."
"Do you think someone who can casually give away a Devil Fruit worth 100 million berries, something that could change someone else's life, would be unable to solve your problem?"
"...Arlong."
Nami suddenly said, "The Arlong Pirates... they are my enemy."
"The Arlong from the tattoo on your shoulder?"
Carina stood up abruptly, looking surprised. "The Arlong Pirates, with a total bounty of nearly 40 million and composed entirely of Fishmen?"
Nami asked, "Do you still think Hiroto can solve my problem?"
Carina was silent for a moment, the moments she had spent with Hiroto flashing through her mind.
Then, she nodded heavily. "I believe in my Captain."
"I don't dare to believe."
Nami sighed and, with an incredibly conflicted expression, explained the general situation.