Dream Boat Acquired

Ten thousand meters high, above the White Sea.

The sea of clouds drifted like gossamer veils, and the setting sun spilled golden light through the clouds. The Thunder God Palace stood atop the clouds, its vermilion pillars entwined with bouquets of white and crimson flowers.

Wind chimes rang softly in the breeze.

A white velvet carpet spread across the square before the palace, extending all the way to the ceremony platform.

Under the witness of Thunder God Barzeb Seven, Tesoro and Stella officially entered the bonds of marriage.

Watching the newlyweds head into the bridal chamber, Seven's face beamed with a gratified smile: tragedy might elevate a story, but it shouldn't happen to those around him.

Especially in pirate love, where nine out of ten end in sorrow.

Those who loved each other shouldn't be left with regrets.

The reason he helped Tesoro was partly born from Seven's resentment toward fate—why must everything follow a predetermined path? This old man refused.

This old man would defy fate and change it.

On the other hand, no matter how Seven chose in the future—whether to overthrow the World Government or carve out his own territory—he would need Gild Tesoro.

Gild Tesoro was in charge of making money and Devil Fruits.

Seven fully embraced his nature as the Profiteer King, leveraging the Pirate World's unique items to earn massive points from the Trading Platform, thereby strengthening himself.

At the same time, he turned Skypiea and Inazuma into the most powerful sanctuaries on the sea, ensuring no one could bully them again.

Of course, Seven didn't plan to save everyone.

He neither had the ability nor the energy.

Better to protect his own little patch of land, make sure every crew member ate their fill, and happily chased their dreams.

Just like that Mister Sangoma Mahabai: keep only the necessary conscience, do only what you want, and spend every day of life with a smile.

Put another way.

Seven's dream was to invest in others' dreams and skim a little profit along the way.

His investments included the crew of the Morning Star Pirates, Skypiea, the future Wano Country and Inazuma, and any Marines or pirates he deemed worthy.

He did it because he liked it—that was Seven's philosophy of life.

Shaking off his wandering thoughts, Seven opened the system interface, and a series of prompts rang out.

"Ding, your consigned item: Rat-Rat Fruit, purchased by a tomb-raiding user. Points earned: 2700. Balance: 3388."

"Ding, your consigned item: Fly-Fly Fruit, purchased by a Dragon Ball user. Points earned: 4500. Balance: 7888."

"Ding, your consigned item: Owl-Owl Fruit, purchased by a fairy user. Points earned: 2700. Balance: 10588."

"Ding, your consigned item: Ox-Ox Fruit, purchased by a Teyvat user. Points earned: 4500. Balance: 15088."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

In that moment, Seven's mood soared with pure delight.

"My dream ship!"

Spending ten thousand points to buy the East Blue Emperor, Seven also spent five thousand points on five Senzu Beans, saving them for future emergencies.

"Finally got a ship. Time to set sail."

Just as a fine sword was a swordsman's second life, a pirate ship was the foundation for a pirate to stand on the sea.

Even someone like Mihawk had a coffin boat, let alone great pirates like Whitebeard or Golden Lion.

Especially a dream ship like the East Blue Emperor: sleep quality +50%, recovery +50%, dragon-headed red sails, Wind-Electric Dual Drive.

Such a setup was countless times better than what Captain Roger had when he first set out.

Back then, Captain Roger didn't even have a small wooden boat; he only got to sea by hitching a ride on Vice Captain Rayleigh's ship.

That little boat was worlds apart from the East Blue Emperor. Only the later Golden Jackson could barely match its tier.

With his dream ship in hand, Seven ran dozens more laps around Skypiea before finally venting all the excitement in his heart.

The next day, noon.

Seven gathered the elite of Skypiea and bestowed the Paramecia Power-Power Fruit upon the Shandia Warrior Calpa, and the Slippery-Slippery Fruit upon the maid True Thunder God Shani.

The five Good Fast Swords were distributed to the three Great Commanders of the Thunder Cloud Guards and the sisters Shalou and Shani.

The Door-Door Fruit and the Bear-Bear Fruit Mythical Zoan, being strategic-level Devil Fruits, Seven had other plans for.

"Tesoro, you'll stay in Skypiea for a while and study under Gan Fall and Calpa."

Tesoro showed utmost respect.

"Yes, Lord Thunder God."

After all, he was still in his honeymoon, and Seven wasn't the kind of heartless capitalist who'd work the couple like oxen.

"Alright, go on with your business."

Ignoring the resentful looks from the sisters Shani and Shalou, Seven leaped down from ten thousand meters high.

A heart free of women, and the blade draws itself like a god.

Women only slow down your sword swing.

Instead of wasting time chasing women, I'd rather spar with Mihawk to sharpen my swordsmanship and speed up the fusion progress of my dream sword technique.

The Thoughtless Sword that Seven currently commands takes far too long to charge—it's useless as immediate combat power unless someone stands still and lets him build it up.

There shouldn't be any idiots like that on the sea, right?

Above the sky of Jaya.

As Seven was experiencing bungee jumping without a rope, the Den Den Mushi in his pocket suddenly buzzed and trembled.

Seven quickly pulled out the Den Den Mushi.

"Moshi moshi."

The Den Den Mushi mimicked Mihawk's tone: "Captain, bring ten billion Berry and come to Twin Snake Island in the West Blue."

"Twin Snake Island?" A flash of light crossed Seven's eyes: Twin Snake Island, ten billion Berry...

No way, what a coincidence? Could Mihawk have run into the future Marine Admiral Fujitora?

Aside from Fujitora, Seven couldn't think of anyone on Twin Snake Island in the West Blue worth Mihawk's special trip.

"Alright, wait for me."

Hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Seven's heart surged with excitement.

If he could recruit Fujitora onto the ship, wouldn't the Morning Star Pirates take off immediately? Even if they weren't at Emperor-level strength now, in ten years they'd definitely be a solid three-Emperor crew.

Seven swallowed hard, instantly transformed into Thunder, and shot off toward the West Blue at lightning speed.

Normally, getting from the waters around Jaya to the West Blue meant doubling back to Reverse Mountain and merging the ship into the current leading to the West Blue.

But for Seven, flying straight there was fine.

Twin Snake Island was in the West Blue, conveniently close to Seven's next destination, Ohara.

Taking all the books from the Tree of All Knowledge on Ohara had been a goal Seven set long ago.

Of course, that included the scholars of Ohara.

People like Dr. Clover, originally named Crow D. Clover, who had known Vegapunk for years.

Why waste time researching the Void Century? If they just joined this old man's command, this old man would tell them all about the hidden century.

Instead of wasting time digging into historical truths, they'd be better off researching things like replicating Devil Fruits, having weapons eat Devil Fruits...

The value of these scholars in the future would absolutely be worth several Morias.

And if Fujitora refused to board the ship, Seven could first take him to Ohara and let him witness the so-called justice of the Marines—the Buster Call.

Then Seven could keep pulling and tugging until he dragged Fujitora onto the ship.

It was a move that killed multiple birds with one stone.

As always: any crew member Captain Seven sets his sights on—you're not getting away.