Would You Like to Eat First, or...

"Hey, hey, hey, be careful!"

Aboard a luxury cruise ship bound for the waters near Reverse Mountain.

The room was clean and bright. An elegantly dressed old man stood beside the table, leaning on his cane and craning his neck as he stared at Jogo's movements, looking utterly distressed.

"Don't break it!"

"This is an antique! Can you even afford to pay for it?"

Jogo rolled his eyes.

"Let me put it to you this way, old man."

He rapidly flipped the exquisitely crafted old porcelain bowl in his hand, showing no care for it whatsoever.

"Made last week... ten days ago at most. No earlier."

"Look here, the pattern is superficial... here, the clay is loose... you could buy two of these for 200 Beli at a street stall in Flower Country..."

Before he could finish, the old man slammed his hand on the table and glared at Jogo, blowing his beard in rage.

"What nonsense are you talking about? You're the one who was made last week!"

"I've collected Flower Country porcelain for so many years. What does a young punk like you know? I paid ten million Beli for this! How could it possibly be fake?"

Jogo sneered, pinching one edge of the bowl and pointing it out to him. "Forget how evenly the color was applied. These words... are these ancient Flower Country characters? This is the common language promoted by the World Government..."

That sent the old man straight into a rage.

Without even listening to the rest, he snatched back the porcelain bowl and slapped the magazine in his hand onto the table. His face and neck turned red with fury as he pointed at Jogo and cursed.

"What do you know about antiques? You're just jealous!"

"The youngest Historian in history, my ass! When I was collecting antiques, you little brat hadn't even been born yet!"

"You don't know shit!"

"Why are you still standing here? Get out! Get out..."

Bang!

The door slammed shut.

Jogo stood in the hallway, looking down at the magazine in his hand with its brilliantly smiling cover. He fell silent for several seconds.

He took a deep breath—

Then knocked on the door again.

He felt it was necessary to explain things clearly to the old man. After all, the man was already that old. He couldn't let him end up like those pitiful elderly people on TV, getting scammed...

Click.

The door opened.

The old man poked his head out. The moment he saw Jogo, he immediately snapped, "You liar, why are you still..."

Before he could finish, a foot had already flown into his face.

Aah!!!

Jogo leaped through the doorway and casually shut the door behind him.

Fuck!

You could say my fists weren't hard enough. You could say my Conqueror's Haki wasn't strong enough. But you questioned my archaeology and historical knowledge?

I'm fucking settling this with you today!

Several minutes later, Jogo walked out feeling refreshed. The old man's wails drifted through the crack in the door, and Jogo thoughtfully pulled it shut.

After straightening his collar, he turned left and right through the corridors, left the cabin area, and arrived on the deck.

The sunlight was perfect, and the sea breeze felt pleasantly warm.

This was the cruise ship's top-level luxury deck.

Jogo leaned against the railing, his mood improving at once.

It had been a day since he had chopped off the Capone family head's dog head on Sunflower Island.

He had only managed to get this ticket from a scalper after considerable effort, boarding the ship as a distinguished luxury cabin passenger.

He had thought he could relax from here on out and enjoy the journey all the way to the waters near Reverse Mountain.

Who knew that the moment he woke up, someone would immediately come knocking on his door?

When he opened it, an arrogant old man had waved around a familiar copy of West Blue New Discoveries, asked whether he was the same person, and demanded that he appraise an antique.

Seeing that his "Antique Enthusiast" progress bar was nearly full, Jogo agreed to his request.

That was how the earlier scene had happened.

"Are there no other magazines in West Blue?"

"How does everyone manage to pull out a copy of West Blue New Discoveries?"

Looking at the magazine in his hand, Jogo felt reverence for a third-rate magazine for the first time in his life.

"But no matter what, I can finally relax properly."

Jogo lay down on a deck chair.

For the past two days, he had either been disguising himself and infiltrating somewhere or on his way to kill someone. He had been run ragged.

Now, he could finally take stock of his gains properly.

He closed his eyes and sank into his consciousness.

Rows of data surfaced in his mind.

[Haki Panel]

[

Name: Jogo

Physique Level: Two (78%)

Observation Haki (Unawakened)

Armament Haki (Unawakened)

Conqueror's Haki (Awakened)

Equipped Traits: "Flower-Flower Fruit (Gold)" "Otherworldly Soul (Silver)"

Reserve Trait Pool: "Fishing Master (Silver)" "Historian (Blue)" "Fishmonger (Blue)" "Gangster Killer (Blue)" "Spy (Blue)" "Antique Enthusiast (White)" "Strong (White)" "Blood Scent (White)" "Helpful (White)" "Hoodlum (White)" "Child King (White)" "Pirate Hunter (White)" "Leaving the Nest (White)" "Drunkard (White)" "Beheading Tactics (White)"

]

He had gained a new trait: "Beheading Tactics (White)."

It had great potential.

It could designate one person and slightly enhance the effect of Conqueror's Haki on them.

It might sound somewhat mediocre at first glance.

But...

"This 'effect' is very interesting."

"Based on the experiment results, it doesn't just amplify the strength of Haki. It can also amplify the effects of other traits!"

For example, "Spy."

This trait was powerful, but it had flaws.

Once someone began suspecting Jogo's identity and warned others, the trait would fail across a wide area.

And the stronger an enemy's soul and the more resolute their will, the more capable they were of resisting this subconscious confusion.

For example, aboard the Marine warship, Hina had not actually been affected much by "Spy."

She had merely been swept along by the crowd, subconsciously assuming that Jogo was a Marine soldier under Captain Nezumi.

But if he equipped "Spy" and "Beheading Tactics" together...

Jogo could designate Hina to be more heavily affected by "Spy," and perhaps directly influence Hi...

"No. If it only 'slightly enhances' it, it probably still won't be enough to affect a Devil Fruit user."

Jogo pondered.

"But it doesn't matter. 'Beheading Tactics' is a trait that can level up!"

"Don't underestimate the fact that it only 'slightly enhances' things right now."

"Every upgrade can strengthen the original trait ability and add new effects. Its future is exceptionally promising."

In short, Jogo was very satisfied.

Among the traits he had acquired since putting to sea, few had been duds.

He continued examining the trait pool.

Aside from the newly acquired trait, after all his killing and burning...

"Gangster Hunter (White)" had successfully upgraded into the current "Gangster Killer (Blue)."

Besides [enhancing the effect of Conqueror's Haki on gangsters], it had also gained a new effect: [a small chance of causing people affected by the Haki to enter a state of panic].

Honestly, it was average.

In Jogo's experience, a so-called "slight enhancement" generally meant an increase of around 1.5 times.

"Enhancement" could reach somewhere between two and three times.

"Major enhancement" could reach between five and seven times.

He did not know whether it could be raised further later, but if the effect merely amplified Haki, it would never surpass the "Flower-Flower Fruit."

"Still, as a specialized trait that can level up, its future will always be worth looking forward to."

Jogo respected every trait he acquired.

Trash like "Blood Scent" excluded.

Of course, then again...

"Devil Fruits really are powerful!"

Jogo mused inwardly.

"It would be great if I could get a few more traits from Devil Fruit users."

Unfortunately, that idea was quite difficult to realize.

Since setting sail, he had encountered only two Devil Fruit users.

One was Hina, a young Marine girl who had just graduated.

The other was Capone Bege.

Both were practically impossible to approach.

Never mind increasing their favorability.

"What a pity... what a pity..."

"Looks like after entering the Grand Line, I'll need to pay more attention to the movements of Devil Fruit users."

After sunbathing for a while and exercising for a bit, Jogo returned to his luxury cabin.

On the way, he ran into one of the maid-uniformed attendants assigned exclusively to the luxury cabins and ordered some fruit and food from her.

"Sir, would you like any other services?" the pretty maid-uniformed attendant asked with a sweet smile, seemingly implying something.

Jogo made a grand gesture. "Bring me the most expensive one!"

Now that he was out at sea, how could he possibly mistreat himself?

No more pretending. He was here to enjoy life!

As for money?

No need to worry.

Capone Bege's check would cover it!

He left amid the maid-uniformed attendant's suggestive smile.

Thus, half an hour later, a clear, sweet voice sounded outside his door.

Jogo opened the door.

"Sir, your order has arrived. Would you like to eat first, or..."

Outside the door, the youthful and beautiful "maid," with her hot figure and seductive white-silk maid uniform, shyly raised her head and met Jogo's eyes... Then both of them froze in place.

"Jo... Jogo!!!"

"Huh? Hina?"

Holy shit! Hina in a maid outfit!