One Peace, The Shadow Monarch

Ding!

[Secret Quest: Slay Kuro of the Hundred Plans. Complete]

[Reward: Super rare Gold-tier item Devil Arm Balrog Skill Scroll Max]

Ding!

[Secret Quest: Lesson's not learned]

[Description: Defeat Luffy teaching him a lesson that, he won't learn from]

[Reward: Super rare Gold-tier item Haki Awakening Skill Path Scroll]

[Bonus: Defeat Zoro]

Reward: Super rare Gold-tier item Haki Awakening Skill Path Scroll]

He wasn't too surprised to receive the Devil Arm Balrog Skill Scroll as a reward for eliminating the Black Cat Pirates. What truly astonished him were the secondary rewards.

The eyes of many widened in shock at the unexpected turn of events. Usopp suddenly exclaimed,

"Wait, did Kaya just do that?"

The long-nosed man gazed at her, noting the absence of her illness and her embrace with Hector as a reward. The three children's concern for their captain emerged as he had behaved unusually during Hector's fight. The young pirate trio voiced their alarm.

"Captain! We must alert the village about Hector the Black immediately!"

Usopp's vision blurred as if his heart had been pierced, and Hector noticed him. He burst into a feigned cheerful laugh and delivered his most convincing lie yet.

"Forget about that! Hector here has saved the village; he's an ally of justice. I was merely trying to deceive the village with that lie about Hector being bad! They swallowed every word! But it was all a fabrication, so there's no need to mention it anymore!"

The children smiled, relieved at the resolution of the issue, but their expressions turned to frowns as they began to walk away.

"That was wrong, Captain. You've never lied to harm someone before. We've lost respect for you, Captain."

With disapproval, the trio headed towards the village, oblivious to the desolate look on Usopp's face.

Hector appeared beside him, eyebrow raised in question.

"Why did you lie? You know I'm dangerous!"

Usopp exhaled, a picture of defeat.

"I won't bother. I've seen what you did with Luffy and Zoro. Initially, I was puzzled why you'd spair them up again, but now it's clear you're not malevolent. Even if I tried to expose you, everyone would dismiss it as just another one of my lies."

The man looked as though he was on the verge of tears.

"Good job, Kaya."

Hector was patting her hair as he praised her and the sisters.

"Hehe~ That wasn't difficult, Captain."

Kaya reveled in the feeling of his hand on her head.

"That's right, they were too weak for us. I still can't fathom how she became so strong,"

Nojiko chimed in.

"Don't be fooled; your opponent this time may have been weak, but in the future, we'll encounter stronger and more ruthless enemies. You must train diligently for that day, okay?"

Hector advised earnestly as he checked Nami's condition, who blushed slightly and nodded in agreement.

"Okay, Captain!"

"We won't let you down!"

Cough!

Cough!

Carina attempted to break the tension with a cough, sighing internally.

'Kaya overcame a pirate crew and emerged victorious. Aligning with him could help me fulfill my dream of claiming all the treasures of the world, plus he might grant me a special weapon like Kaya's. And he's quite handsome, too.'

"Captain Hector~, may I join your crew~?"

She inquired, leaning forward to accentuate her ample cleavage to Hector.

"And might I receive a special weapon like Kaya-chan?"

Seizing the opportunity, Hector assessed her stats.

Carina The Thieving Songstress 

Affection (40/100)

Obedience (60/100)

RACE: Human

Health Points: 800

Stamina Points: 600

Vitality: 20

Endurance: 30

Strength: 14

Dexterity: 50

Perception: 40

Skill: 60

Noticing her high obedience level, likely due to fear of his strength, he decided to welcome her aboard. Her loyalty wasn't negative, which meant he could trust her.

"Welcome to the crew, Carina. As for your weapon, you'll need to give me some time. I must tailor equipment to your unique combat style."

"It's time to depart from this island, girls. Kaya, prepare yourself; we're setting sail soon."

He announced to Kaya, ensuring his voice was loud enough for all to hear.

"Kaya is leaving the island?!"

Usopp exclaimed involuntarily. He had been silent out of fear of Hector, but the news caught him off guard, prompting his outburst.

Everyone turned to him in surprise when he spoke. Usopp was intimidated by Nami and Nojiko's piercing stares, but then Kaya's gentle voice reached him.

"Yes, Usopp, I've made up my mind to join Captain Hector's pirate crew."

Kaya declared, maintaining her characteristic smile. Usopp's voice, filled with shock, quickly followed:

"Kaya, you shouldn't do this! You may not realize, but this man is a pirate, and a dangerous one at that! Your life will be at risk if you join him on his ship!"

Usopp, trembling and with his heart racing, pointed at Hector. He felt compelled to persuade Kaya to reconsider, even at the risk of his own life. He couldn't bear the thought of Kaya setting sail with this man alone. He loved her and dreamed that one day, as a brave warrior of the sea, he would return to marry her.

Hector, however, remained serene upon hearing Usopp's protest, as if anticipating an entertaining spectacle. Nami and Nojiko were on the verge of stepping in to reprimand the long-nosed man for daring to label their esteemed captain a criminal, but they were halted by Kaya's interjection.

"Enough, Usopp-san! Captain Hector has explained that he is no criminal. He rescued Nami and Nojiko from the Arlong Pirates, who, with the corrupt Marines' assistance, were enslaving their people. He saved me and everyone on this island, including you. You ought to be thankful, not resentful."

Kaya's anger was palpable. Hector had eradicated the pirates, treated her illness, and foiled a deadly plot against her. His benevolence towards her and the island was immense, and she could not stand by as Usopp maligned him.

"Kaya, you have to understand—"

Usopp attempted to counter, but Kaya cut him off once more.

"The decision to join Captain Hector's crew is mine alone, Usopp, and you have no say in it."

Kaya's voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. Silence fell as everyone's gaze turned to Usopp, who had the look of someone witnessing their crush yelling and rejecting them. Eventually, he exchanged a knowing glance with Koby before they carried Luffy and Zoro back to the clinic.

"We'll stay until midnight and enjoy ourselves. For now, let's vacate this area."

He addressed the girls, prompting Nami to look at him questioningly.

"You're not going to harm them?"

She gestured towards Usopp and the others.

"No, I have plans for them, but the timing isn't right..."

His gaze intensified as he looked at Luffy.

"Understood, Captain~"

The girls concurred.

"We'll reconvene... soon."

With that, he turned and led the girls towards Pearl.

As dusk settled, Hector claimed the souls of the remaining Black Cat Pirates and escorted Usopp to the island's edge.

"Please, don't harm me! Wait, is that a caravel?"

Usopp questioned, realizing it was Hector who had brought him.

"This vessel is the Going Merry. It may be an older model, but it's built to take you far. Consider this my parting gift to you for your courage; we depart tonight."

"We don't want your sympathy! We'll acquire our own!"

Usopp's pride flickered briefly at him. After a few moments of silence, Hector vanished, leaving him alone.

Days later, Usopp, having accepted his fate with Luffy, began to assimilate with the crew. His fabrications and exuberant demeanor became a source of amusement, although his persistent captaincy requests were slightly vexing. Kaya's absence grieved him, yet he vowed to rescue her from Hector someday. The crew received their reward.

Luffy wept with happiness as the ship was unveiled. It was a fine vessel: fresh sails, a robust hull, and a figurehead that mirrored their captain's naive charm. As they sailed from the island, Luffy, bandaged and arm in a sling, perched on the figurehead, and the captain declared with resolve,

"To the Grand Line, we set sail!"

-Three days later at sea-

The smell of death covered the air. Blood, gore, carnage. This was not how it was supposed to be. Five Marine Warships were destroyed and on fire, Hector had sent his crew away to avoid their possible deaths. His arm was severed, and his Shadow Army was demolished with the combined force of the three Rear Admirals from Marine Headquarters. He lay on the ground with multiple harpoons, piercing his body.

"All your effort, and yet we defeated you, don't worry will find your crew soon. You have been defeated Hector the Black!"

Rear Admiral Kadar in his bloodied state stood before Hector, smirking at his victory.

RACE: Human■■■■■■

NAME: Hector Barbossa■■■■■■

Level: 25

Health Points: 5,800

Mana Points: 4,320

Stamina Points: 2,900

Attunement: 216

Vitality: 145

Endurance: 145

Strength: 145

Dexterity: 250

Perception: 145

Skill: 145

Safe Rewards From Daily Quest:

+Stat Points: 20

+Skill Points: 4

Skill Tree:

+Haki:

-Observation Haki: A Rank

-Armament Haki: A Rank

-Conquers Haki: S+ Rank

+Rokushiki

-Moon Step: A- Rank

-Iron Body: A Rank

-Tempest Kick: A+ Rank 

-Shave: A+ Rank

-Finger Pistol: A Rank 

-Kami-e: A- Rank