Chapter 7
Page 1/3
Here we go again.
Just listen, you press your ear against the wooden door, waiting boredly for the plot to unfold.
“Dad, what exactly happened before? My sister’s wound is almost necrotic around the edges; this is a mess.”
“I’ve already neutralized the poison in her body. She just needs to rest for a few days, and she’ll be fine.”
You hear Marco’s distorted voice through the door and nod approvingly inside.
No wonder this cheap older brother is special—the NPCs with names always stand out.
The poison debuff vanished just like that; his medical skills are impressive.
“But…”
“Though it’s hard to say, I have to admit her body probably won’t last more than a month.”
“It’s not the poison. I don’t really understand it either. To avoid frightening her, I plan to try healing her with the Phoenix’s power while she’s asleep.”
Phoenix?
Your ears perk up at Marco’s next words.
He used the word “power,” which must be referring to a Devil Fruit ability. Don’t forget, your own fruit power is duplication. The “Phoenix” sounds awesome—you really want to copy it.
The conditions for copying: a kiss or a drop of the other’s blood.
Kissing is an immediate no-go; you didn’t find any toothpaste or toothbrush in his room, so you suspect he doesn’t brush his teeth... definitely not eager to kiss him.
Also, an 8-year-old kissing a 20-year-old (or maybe 30?) is a bit creepy. He looks somewhat rough, with a rugged but handsome vibe, as if nearing thirty. Doesn’t the Phoenix have immortality?
You’ll have to find a way to get some of his blood.
Speaking of which, cheap dad seems to have a Devil Fruit ability too. When fighting that crab, he sent it flying over ten meters, and you’re sure you saw the empty air crack terribly from the shockwave.
His favorability is already at 100%. Asking him directly should work; he probably won’t refuse.
“Dad, what exactly happened before? My sister’s wound…”
As the dialogue outside begins to repeat, you stop eavesdropping, push the door open, and leave Marco’s room.
Two wooden barrels sit on the deck. Without hesitation, you smash them, obtaining three potatoes and one sour orange (each restores 2 stamina). The two people nearby don’t come over to stop you, seemingly oblivious, standing motionless like statues.
There’s nothing else to explore on the entire ship—no hidden treasure chests either. Feeling a bit bored, you return to the cheap father and son and poke Marco’s dialogue box.
Options:
1. About the Whitebeard Pirates…
2. Brother, where is our next destination?
3. I have something to ask of you.
4. Leave.
Oh.
Finally, you can learn about the story. To be honest, after crossing over here, you knew nothing about the world—only bits and pieces from friends’ explanations and promotional videos.
“About the Whitebeard Pirates.”
“The Whitebeard Pirates? Haha, that’s the crew Dad founded. Everyone on the ship is Dad’s sworn child. Although our crew isn’t large yet, we’re certainly not to be underestimated. Dad’s a pirate with a bounty over a hundred million.”
Marco smiles as he explains.
So they’re all sworn children—cheap dad has unique tastes.
“Brother, where is our next destination?”
“The next destination? I wanted to bring you back to the main ship to meet the others, but the trip would take about five days, and my small boat doesn’t have enough supplies to last that long. Dad said we’d stop at the next island first and meet up there.”
“Cheer up! I heard that island is full of doctors. If we hurry, we can get there in three days.”
…If you can’t last five days, why not resupply here?
You just left Palma Island, right?
You quickly spot a flaw in Marco’s words and feel a bit suspicious, though you’re not quite sure. The game, however, has spawned new choices from this dialogue:
Page 2/3
Options:
1. Why not resupply here? Is it because there’s no money? I’m willing to give all my money to you!
2. I understand. I’ll do as you say.
3. I don’t want to go to the next island; I want to meet the others first.
4. Do you know who I am? There’s no way I’d be happy about such a lowly island!
Give all your money to brother??
What a joke. You stare incredulously at option 1. Players’ money can’t just be handed out freely. Wait… you don’t even have money.
The “Money” bar in your status panel always shows 0 Beli. Your backpack holds some junk and five gold chains that might be exchanged for cash, but you’d need to find a merchant-type NPC to trade.
So right now, you’re dirt poor.
Well, then that’s that.
“Why not resupply here?”
You step forward, hug Marco’s leg, grab his hand with yours, and smile sweetly, innocent and sincere: “Is it because there’s no money? I’m willing to give all my money to you!”
[System: Marco’s favorability +10.]
Though the favorability increased, the game world feels too scripted. Unfortunately, your flirtation is like throwing pearls before swine. Marco’s rubbery 3D face just shows a helpless smile: “Dummy, I’m not so low as to use my sister’s money.”
“Listen, this is Dad’s decision.”
Hehe.
Free favorability boost—nice.
“I have something to ask of you.”
You continue with the next question, thinking the game is considerate. You were about to ask for their blood, and the option popped up. Edward Newgate’s reply quickly follows your choice: “Alright, kid, you should go to sleep now.”
“What?”
“Kid, you should go to sleep now.”
As he finishes, an invisible force pushes you into the infirmary.
“…”
???
What’s going on? Why is the third option to send you away? You look around in disbelief, not understanding how you got here.
There are no more barrels to break in this room. If you try to leave, you’ll trigger a forced plot event. Pacing back and forth with no solution, you can only lie down on a nearby bed in humiliation.
But as soon as your butt touches the mattress, you feel a wave of drowsiness, and your consciousness slips into darkness.
***
Opening your eyes again, the wound on your left arm has miraculously healed.
Because you’re extremely sensitive to pain, you immediately notice the change upon regaining awareness. You pull out a mirror from your backpack to check—
Your health bar is fully restored.
Could Marco have already finished healing you? How could this be? You missed the chance to observe the Phoenix power!
The wound is healed, proving his ability has healing properties—you want it.
You want it so badly.
No game can do without healing skills! You jump out of bed, push open the door, and look around. You find cheap dad standing straight at the bow, gazing at the distant sea, while cheap older brother sits atop the highest mast used for hanging sails… making you search a while.
He sure knows how to pick spots. How did he climb so high? Phoenix power?
Flying—that’s impressive and makes your heart race.
You walk over to Edward Newgate and try to speak: “Dad, I have something to ask of you.”
“Oh? What is it?”
The blond man doesn’t send you away this time. You suspect before it was because Marco wanted you to sleep, but you kept wandering the ship, triggering the forced event.
Page 3/3
Cheap dad has always been decent. Seeing his favorability is at 100%, you smugly say confidently:
“I want a drop of your blood.”
“Sure.” Edward Newgate agrees immediately without even asking why.
“Want Dad’s blood? Why?”
Marco, from the mast, is drawn by your words. He spreads his arms and effortlessly jumps to the deck. For a moment, his arms transform into magnificent azure-blue flaming wings of a Phoenix. The blue flames burn on his body. When his toes touch the deck, the flames rapidly retract as if being absorbed, leaving only a few drifting blue sparks in the air.
You’re stunned—the first time you’ve seen such a mystical and beautiful azure blue. Now you finally feel like you’ve really crossed into a dangerous adventure world.
Well, that crab monster earlier also taught you a lot.
Seeing Marco still, you tap the dialogue box labeled “[...]” floating above him.
Options:
1. Because I ate the Duplication Fruit; blood is one of the media to copy the abilities of other Devil Fruit users.
2. Lowlife, why should I tell you? I’m a Celestial Dragon!
3. Leave.
“Because I ate the Duplication Fruit; blood is one of the media to copy the abilities of other Devil Fruit users.”
“Eh!?”
“So my sister is a Devil Fruit user.”
Marco shows a surprised look, as if realizing he underestimated you and regretting waiting until you were asleep. He pulls out a syringe from somewhere and without hesitation pricks his finger: “Then my blood will do.”
“Little sister probably doesn’t know yet, but I have the Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan type: Phoenix.”
No, you’ve known for a while.
Blood oozes from his fingertip. You’re drooling and quickly try to use your ability…
How do you activate it again? Like Haki’s Conqueror’s or Armament style, by exerting force?
As you strain your palm uselessly, a blank card appears above it.
[System: Would you like to copy the ability “Zoan Type—Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan—Phoenix Form”?]
Yes!!
The drop of blood on Marco’s index finger is instantly absorbed into the card. Half a second later, the blank page gradually reveals a majestic image of a Phoenix, with annotations.
Ability 1: Zoan Type—Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan—Phoenix Form.
Description: Can transform into the legendary Phoenix, possessing extremely powerful healing and regeneration abilities. The Phoenix’s blue flames have healing effects, accelerating wound recovery for oneself and others. A very rare Mythical Zoan type.
Remaining uses: 3.
[System Notification: Ability successfully copied. Cards remaining: 1/13.]
Such a powerful skill—definitely SSR rank.
Jackpot.
You glance at Edward Newgate standing nearby. He notices your gaze and smiles warmly: “Already familiar with your ability?”
He takes the syringe from Marco, swiftly injects himself, draws a full syringe of blood, and tosses it to you.
“Here you go!”
[System: Obtained Edward Newgate’s bottled blood ×1.]
What!
You stare wide-eyed, completely caught off guard.
One drop of blood grants three uses; one full syringe offers far more. This means you can use cheap dad’s ability anytime before the blood runs out.