Nami and Robin

Watching her flustered state, Sal remained very calm. With the current strength of his Conqueror's Haki, as long as he used a technique similar to Conqueror's Coating even slightly, no ordinary ability could break through it. Only Devil Fruit Awakening had that possibility.

As long as there was no clash in battle, or a full-force eruption of Conqueror's Haki.

The atmosphere fell silent. Many people turned their gazes toward them. They had heard of Bonney, one of the Supernovas, the Gluttonous Girl.

As for the killing intent the unfamiliar man had just unleashed toward the Celestial Dragons, it had already drawn the attention of quite a few powerful people. In their eyes, anyone who dared attack the Celestial Dragons was simply insane.

People had to stay far away from lunatics like that.

The crowd's reactions prompted the system to issue notifications.

[A-rank character Jewelry Bonney developed ordinary emotions toward the host: moderate surprise. Experience increased by 200.]

[A-rank characters developed ordinary emotions toward the host: minor surprise. Experience increased by 100 x2.]

[B-rank characters developed ordinary emotions toward the host: minor surprise. Experience increased by 20 x8.]

[Level up: Level 20 (5/1000)]

[Level 20 achievement reached. Reward: White Draw.]

As for those below C-rank, they could not detect that fleeting killing intent at all.

As his level rose, a familiar power returned. At the same time, his Observation Haki improved considerably once more, making Sal smile.

[Host: Augustus D. Sal]

[Age: 26]

[Level: 20 (5/1000)]

[Strength: Intermediate (Major)]

[Constitution: Intermediate (Major)]

[Agility: Intermediate (Major)]

[Fruit: None]

[Techniques: Top-tier]

[Armament Haki: Beginner]

[Observation Haki: Intermediate]

[Conqueror's Haki: Peak]

[Weapon: Ace]

His Armament Haki had finally awakened, and his Observation Haki had recovered to the intermediate level. That gave him even greater confidence.

Bonney raised her delicate pink fist in shame and anger, swinging it toward the detestable man's head.

"Dare to molest me? Go die!"

The fierce blow was easily blocked by Sal. His palm, black and possessing the texture of steel, caught her fist.

"Is that Armament Haki?"

Bonney only had a vague understanding of Armament Haki and had only seen her father use it. Yet her fist could not break free from his grasp, and the proud woman found it hard to swallow that.

Sal released his Armament Haki Infusion and allowed her to pull back her fist. Although his Armament Haki had just returned and he could use Armament Haki Infusion through his familiar techniques, he could not maintain it for long.

As for fighting the Gluttonous Girl Bonney, he had no interest in that. If the condition were that whoever lost had to submit to the other, he could barely accept it.

Whether in his previous life or this one, Sal had always admired Tyrant Kuma. Making the choice to sacrifice himself for his beliefs and his daughter was not something everyone could do.

Seeing that she had withdrawn her fist without attacking again, Sal found her merely glaring at him in embarrassment and fury. He glared right back. Not every woman would be spoiled. The two staring each other down left the surrounding crowd utterly disappointed. Twice now, they had failed to see any excitement.

When Bonney's gaze began to waver, Sal set down the Beli and left. It was not yet time to clash with the Supernovas. The main show had not even begun yet, but before that, he would offer her a warning.

"Miss Bonney, Haki is the power that stands above all else. Do not rely too heavily on Devil Fruit abilities. Once you enter the New World, it would be best to awaken your Haki as soon as possible. And do not recklessly challenge Blackbeard. That guy is very strong."

The pirate world never lacked people who overestimated themselves.

"..."

Bonney was utterly confused. Haki was the power that stood above all else? And what the hell was Blackbeard?

"What a ridiculous guy. Men, ignore him. Let's continue the feast."

As Bonney's voice fell, the Bonney Pirates immediately burst into cheers. They had been standing around as spectators for a long time.

No one else paid attention to the departing Sal anymore. Only Urouge, the "Mad Monk," took those words seriously and muttered to himself.

"Haki and the New World... how interesting."

[The fate of A-rank character Urouge has been slightly altered. Reward: 100 points.]

The next morning, at a restaurant in District 35.

As usual, Sal ate breakfast there and drank several bottles of strong liquor. Drinking early in the morning was truly satisfying.

After serving the dishes, the seventy-year-old owner said, "Mr. Sal, the Straw Hat Pirates you've been watching have just arrived on the island."

"Oh, thank you, Old Luke. I still have to trouble you for information."

Sal let out a hearty burp and smiled. The protagonist and supporting characters had all appeared. He hoped this grand performance would proceed as it should.

Old Luke wiped down the counter and continued, "Mr. Sal, are you interested in the straw hat on Straw Hat's head?"

Sal looked at him curiously. Why would he ask that?

"Old Luke, why do you ask?"

"I feel that Straw Hat's hat looks very much like the one Pirate King Roger used to wear. And since you are the Pirate King's son, you must want to know whether the one who inherited your father's straw hat is qualified."

"Pfft..."

"Cough, cough..."

Sal instantly sprayed out the liquor in his mouth and stared at the old man as though he had seen a ghost. What kind of thought process had led him to believe Sal was Roger's son? Though this body of his had been copied from Roger.

"Don't talk nonsense. I'm not Roger's son. His son is someone else. I'm full."

Watching the somewhat bedraggled guest leave, Old Luke merely smiled. He assumed it was only an excuse. He pulled out Roger's old wanted poster. The face looked exactly like Sal's, aside from the different clothes and style.

Soon, it was noon.

At the shopping center on Island 30, Cat Burglar Nami pedaled a bubble bike, carrying Demon Child Nico Robin shopping. Ever since arriving on the island, the Straw Hat Pirates had split up to enjoy themselves.

"Robin, do you know the history of the fish-men?"

Before arriving at the island, the Straw Hat Pirates had met a female mermaid, which made Nami rather curious about mermaid history. Robin, seated behind her, began explaining the history of fish-men.

"For hundreds of years, fish-men and merfolk were all classified as fish in human society and suffered persecution and discrimination from humans. It was not until two hundred years ago, when the World Government officially established diplomatic relations with Fish-Man Island and issued a declaration of friendship with Fish-Man Island. But even now, in many people's eyes, mermaids and fish-men are still valuable slaves subjected to persecution."

"..."

The history of mermaids described by her companion made Nami's skin crawl. It was far too miserable. Even though she had no favorable impression of the fish-man race because the fish-man Arlong had persecuted her hometown.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted their conversation.

"Isn't this Demon Child Nico Robin?"

The two turned their heads and saw a strangely dressed man on their left studying them with curious eyes. They immediately became wary. A bounty hunter?

Sal wore the distinctive bubble clothing of the Sabaody Archipelago. Not only was he holding food in his hands, but his bags were stuffed with specialty delicacies from the island. He had spent the past few days running around to level up and had not properly explored the island.

Today, he happened to plan on enjoying himself before the incident took place. Otherwise, he would not have such leisure in the future.

Seeing the two popular female characters from the original story filled with vigilance, Sal stepped forward and explained, "Don't misunderstand. I mean no harm. I merely knew your mother, Olivia, and was a little curious about you."

Hearing that he knew her mother, Nico Robin's expression changed. She scrutinized him suspiciously. He looked young, perhaps not even older than her. How could he possibly know her mother?

Sal did not care about Robin's reaction. In Roger's memories, he truly had met Olivia a few times. She had been a great archaeologist, an intellectual beauty of exceptional grace. Perhaps her only flaw was that she had not been a qualified mother.

Sal greeted the two women.

"Hello, I'm Augustus D. Sal. I'm quite happy to meet the daughter of an old acquaintance for the first time. And you must be Cat Burglar Nami. I hear you're very fond of money."

Having her hobby exposed immediately made Nami furious, and she shouted, "You're the one who's greedy for money! Don't insult me!"

"Haha, it seems my information was wrong. My apologies."

Sal apologized easily. He understood Cat Burglar Nami's personality very well. Though she loved money, she could give up all her money for a friend she had only just met. She could even sacrifice herself for family and friends. She truly was a good woman.

Nico Robin, on the other hand, had spent more than ten years struggling in darkness, always keeping a minimum degree of reserve toward everyone. She was also a little cunning, though she too was a good woman. Only the Straw Hat Pirates' sincerity had moved her.

At this moment, Nico Robin was extremely wary of Sal, clearly prepared to strike on the spot if anything seemed wrong.