New Mission

"That famous pirate hunter..."

Zero sat at the stern, listening to Luffy and Koby talk while wearing an expression as though he were resting with his eyes closed.

Ever since Zero had accidentally hurt Koby with Conqueror's Haki, Koby had developed a psychological shadow. Whenever Zero looked at him, Koby would hide behind Luffy, not daring to meet Zero's eyes. Zero simply treated himself as invisible.

Knowing the plot, he knew that next came the part where Luffy met the pirate crew's second—no, now third—member, Roronoa Zoro.

While listening to their conversation, Zero also devoted part of his attention to checking his status panel.

Character: Zero

Title: Enemy of Ten Thousand

Level: LV.2 (0/200)

Strength: 20

Stamina: 20

Agility: 20

Skills: Conqueror's Haki LV3 (Max Level), Armament Haki LV2, Observation Haki LV2, Hand-to-Hand Combat LV4, Swordsmanship LV4.

By turning in Alvida's hat and completing the side quest, Zero had broken through from Level 1 to Level 2. His attributes had directly doubled, and he could clearly feel the improvement in every aspect of his body.

It was a bit of a shame that none of his skills had changed, but Zero was pleasantly surprised to find that leveling up not only affected his attributes—it also increased the power of his skills!

For example, when he activated Armament Haki at Level 1, he could only coat the surface of his fist in a thin layer of Haki. The boost to his combat strength was not particularly noticeable.

But after reaching Level 2, the intensity of his Armament Haki had increased, and its coverage had extended all the way to his elbows!

There was no doubt that as his level rose, the strength of his Armament Haki would continue to increase. The same applied to his other skills!

Of course, Zero was more inclined to believe that the increase in the power of these skills was simply unlocking their original strength as his own level increased.

After all, when Red-Haired Shanks boarded Whitebeard's pirate ship in the story, he had been able to knock out even some powerful pirates with his Conqueror's Haki. Yet his own Conqueror's Haki could not even affect Alvida, a pirate who could only rule the East Blue. That was downright absurd!

He just did not know whether the levels of his other skills could still be raised, apart from his max-level Conqueror's Haki. If they could, his confidence in completing the main quest would rise another level!

As for his own character level, Zero had discovered that, for now, he only gained experience by completing side quests. Defeating enemies gave no experience. He had concluded that when he used Conqueror's Haki to defeat Alvida's subordinates earlier.

As he pondered, Zero noticed buildings rising from the sea in the distance. They grew clearer as the small boat approached.

"Looks like we're almost there. I'll get to see the pirate hunter—Zoro..."

Before long, their little boat reached shore.

The moment he got off the boat, Zero greeted Luffy and Koby, who was hiding behind Luffy. He said that he was going to buy supplies for the voyage, but in truth, he wanted to take in the unique sights of this pirate world.

Luffy did not refuse and readily agreed. The three—two?—of them agreed on a meeting place before going their separate ways.

Medieval-style buildings, clothing closer to modern fashion, all kinds of goods for sale—there were so many novel things here that Zero's eyes were truly opened.

More than once, he marveled inwardly that the anime had portrayed things far too simply. Being fortunate enough to visit this real world was truly a wonderful journey!

It was a bit of a pity that he had also wanted to try his luck and see if he could find someone selling a Devil Fruit. After all, most people could not identify one. Even if he did not eat it himself, auctioning it off later would bring in a considerable sum. But after walking for a long time without seeing one, he simply gave up.

"Huh, the Marines?"

While walking, Zero suddenly saw Marines gathering in a certain direction and immediately realized—

It was probably almost time for the final showdown. Worried that he might miss a side quest, he hurried in the same direction as the gathering Marines.

As he ran.

"Ding! Side quest activated: Seize Helmeppo's pistol. Reward upon success: 50 experience points and 5,000 Beli."

Upon hearing the system notification, Zero's first reaction was relief that he had made it in time. But once he clearly heard the contents of the side quest, he could not help feeling speechless.

"Hey, hey, hey, why can't you give me a high-experience quest? Only 50 experience points? Who are you trying to fob off? What a drag!"

While complaining about the side quest issued by the system, Zero did not forget to watch the situation on the field.

At that moment, Captain Morgan lay on the ground while Luffy kept greeting him with his fists. Not far away, a young man in a green bandana wielded three swords to keep the Marines from approaching.

"Stop, Straw Hat! Look over here!"

At Zoro's signal, Luffy stopped punching and turned toward the source of the voice.

What he saw was Koby with a gun pointed at his head by Captain Morgan's son—Helmeppo.

"If you want this guy to live, don't move! The moment you dare move, I'll shoot!"

Helmeppo warned Luffy in a trembling voice, only to receive Luffy's deep stare and a broad grin.

"Mr. Luffy, I don't want to be a burden to you. Even if I die, I don't want that!"

Following Koby's resolute words, Luffy replied, "I know," then raised his fists again and walked toward the two of them.

"Don't move! I said don't move! If you move again, I'll shoot!"

Just as Koby thought he was about to die under the gun, a voice that was both familiar and terrifying rang out beside him. "Koby, I didn't expect you to be so brave. Not bad!"

Hearing the teasing in the other person's words, Koby froze for a moment. Then he turned his head, and the instant he saw who had come, his fear of that person vanished. Tears welled up in his eyes again as he cried out excitedly, "Mr. Zero!"

The one entering the fray was, of course, Zero.

The moment he saw Helmeppo holding Koby hostage at gunpoint, he stepped in. With lightning speed, he snatched Helmeppo's pistol away, completing the side quest, and did not forget to kick him flying!

"Luffy, I'm here!"

Zero shoved away Koby, who was trying to pounce on him, with a look of disgust while greeting Luffy.

Naturally, Luffy was delighted, but then he added, "Zero, you came a little too early! Otherwise, I definitely would've taken down that idiot son!"

Good thing I came early. If I'd been a little later and you'd sent him flying, how would I have completed my side quest?

Zero gave a mischievous smile but did not answer Luffy, because behind Luffy, a huge figure had raised the axe in his hand high into the air, ready to bring it down on Luffy!

"Luffy, behind you!"