One Piece with Cheat Codes

"Yes, yes! I'm a Marine captain! You can't treat me this way, and that day, I really was out on patrol, not trying to run away!" Captain Nezumi, grasping at straws, wailed in desperation.

"Hmph. Do you think I'd falsely accuse you? Your collusion with pirates has already been reported to Headquarters. You've been dismissed from the Marines, and your subordinates have confessed. You spotted Krieg's crew approaching Filly Island well before they arrived. But because of your cowardice, you took all the naval ships from the division, claiming to go on patrol but actually fleeing! If you had stationed yourself on the island, Smoker would have arrived in time, and our people wouldn't have had to make such sacrifices. This is all your fault!" Ryu glared at Nezumi with burning anger.

Hearing this, the villagers were convinced, though the mayor's granddaughter opened her mouth as if wanting to say something.

"Everyone, rest assured," Ryu declared loudly, casting a glance at the granddaughter. "Even if it costs me my position, I'll see justice served for our mayor. If I can't protect those dear to me, how can I protect more innocent people? How can the Marine's justice mean anything?"

Uncle Garm let out a sigh. "Little Leaf, we understand your intentions. But this Captain… let the Navy handle him. After all, this is a matter within the Navy's own ranks, and even if he violated regulations, it should still be dealt with accordingly."

The villagers, though a bit reluctant, nodded in agreement, showing their support.

Ryu grinned, then nodded. "Alright, if that's how you all feel…"

With a sudden movement, Ryu raised his sword and struck, decapitating Captain Nezumi right before everyone's shocked eyes. Blood splattered across the gravestone once more.

"Little Lou, you—" Uncle Garm shouted in surprise.

"Uncle, as I said, Headquarters entrusted me to handle this. He deserved his fate!" Ryu replied firmly.

Later, the small town, a refuge for the oppressed, held a grand memorial ceremony. Only then did Ryu learn that Krieg's pirate crew had been responsible for the attacks on three of the five villages represented at the memorial. Taking advantage of this gathering, everyone commemorated their lost loved ones together.

After staying with the villagers for a few days and sharing tales from his time at Headquarters, Ryu departed with a smile. This island had become his new home, embodying the saying: "A home is where one's heart lies, and where there are people, there is home."

The town, now named "Blazetown" as a symbol of rebirth from the flames, left Ryu with a small house as a keepsake—his new home. At this moment, Ryu began to understand why Garp returned to East Blue every year. He, too, decided that unless he was particularly busy, he'd make time to come back each year.

Upon reaching Loguetown, Smoker brought surprising news: Vice Admiral Garp had returned to Headquarters via the Calm Belt!

"That old geezer! He must've forgotten about me! How am I supposed to get back now, damn it!" Ryu cursed through gritted teeth.

"Achoo!" On the Calm Belt, Garp adjusted his coat, muttering to himself, "Old age… can't handle the cold like I used to."

Koby and Helmeppo, traveling with Garp, looked at his brawny figure, baffled as to what he meant by "can't handle it like before."

The stoic swordsman next to Garp opened his mouth as if to mention that they'd left Ryu behind, but then closed it, deciding to keep quiet. He only realized after they passed Loguetown, and turning back would have been a hassle. Besides, Ryu was capable enough to make it back to Headquarters on his own.

"So, what now? Why not lend me one of your warships to return to Headquarters?" Ryu asked, glancing at Smoker's ship, which had come from Headquarters and could definitely pass through the Calm Belt.

"Don't even think about it. Though you caught a lot of pirates in East Blue, the situation with the 16th Branch upset some of the higher-ups. Heading back now would probably mean getting chewed out. Maybe Vice Admiral Garp was trying to protect you," Smoker suggested, taking a puff of his cigar.

"Protect me? That old geezer just forgot! When he left, he was still busy trying to beat a donut-eating challenge. He's probably taking a nap right now!" Ryu retorted, unconvinced.

"Well, then I can't help you," Smoker smirked. "Why not take the Reverse Mountain route to the Grand Line and head to Headquarters from there? I could even let you keep the small schooner I lent you."

"Yeah, right. Do you know how long that'd take? And with all those pirates along the way, what if I can't handle them?" Ryu muttered, rubbing his chin as he considered the possibility.

In truth, he'd been wanting to venture to the first half of the Grand Line, where pirates were numerous but not as monstrous as in the New World. It would be a perfect opportunity to replenish his dwindling stock of diamonds.

And now he had the perfect excuse: he wasn't avoiding Headquarters; Garp had abandoned him, and he simply had no way back!

"Hah, as soon as you reach the Grand Line, you can find any division and they'll send you back, right? Or… do you just not want to return? Maybe you'd rather stay here? If so, no problem—I could use an adjutant," Smoker said with a smirk, blowing a smoke ring that showed just how much he was enjoying himself.

Ryu, however, was too preoccupied to respond, busy checking his diamond count and considering his previous idea.

"13,490," he noted. This included the original 9,000 he had left, plus the 1,700 diamonds from defeating Krieg and 2,790 diamonds from the system's reward for killing Captain Nezumi.

It took him a moment to realize why Nezumi was worth exactly 2,790 diamonds. He recalled that Nezumi had embezzled 93 million Berries from Nami, claiming he'd take 30% of it—equal to 27.9 million Berries. Even though Ryu had returned this money to Nami, and she'd shared it with the villagers of Cocoyasi, the system had still awarded him those diamonds for taking Nezumi down.

"What should I buy next?" Ryu muttered, scanning the system's shop list as he walked out of Smoker's office, having entirely ignored Smoker's previous offer.

"This brat! How dare he ignore me like this! He'll regret it. I'll take back that schooner too—not even a plank left for him! If he wants to get back to Headquarters, he can swim there himself!" Smoker fumed as he watched Ryu muttering to himself, walking off. Moments later, Smoker's furious roar echoed through the base, startling the Marines in training outside.

"Ugh, the high-level manuals are so expensive, and the basic ones aren't even worth it… damn pay-to-win games!" Ryu grumbled as he returned to his inn. He preferred staying at an inn rather than at the Navy base, as it allowed him greater freedom of movement.

The skill manuals in the shop were indeed expensive, far beyond what he could afford. The few items he could afford were unimpressive, and as for drawing for rewards, he was close to giving up hope.

After analyzing what he currently lacked, he concluded that even though regular training would improve his skills, having more skill points would speed up his mastery of both the Purple Mist Divine Art and Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palm. To be safe, he kept five skill points in reserve, which was why he hadn't advanced beyond the first level of Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palm.

Attribute points, on the other hand, were even scarcer. For the past two years, he'd focused primarily on strength training to use Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palm, distributing his attribute points to boost his strength. As a result, his internal energy had fallen behind, and he could barely sustain daily training in the Dragon Subduing Palm. It was a significant waste of potential.

He was also lacking in speed and agility, though thankfully, Rokushiki techniques like Soru and Geppo helped cover those weaknesses for now.

Resisting the urge to spend his diamonds on a ten-draw, Ryu decided to focus on leveling up to 20, which would complete his third main quest. Who knew—maybe the system would unlock new features afterward, just like when the draw and ten-draw options appeared in the past.

After resting for a few days in Loguetown, Ryu prepared to set out for the Grand Line. With its high number of pirates, the Grand Line promised plenty of experience and diamonds without the overpowered threats of the New World.

"So, you're really set on heading for the Grand Line?" Smoker asked, sipping a beer in the bar where Ryu had invited him to meet.

"Yep. Going back just means listening to those guys complain, so I might as well catch a bunch of pirates in the Grand Line to shut them up," Ryu shrugged, downing his drink.

"Suit yourself. I'll likely head back soon, too. Most of the big pirate threats here have been taken care of, so there's no point in staying," Smoker replied, lighting two cigars and taking a long drag.

"Oh? I heard there was a pirate with a bounty surpassing the last record in East Blue?" Ryu asked with a smirk.

Smoker glared at him, then slapped a wanted poster for Luffy onto the table.

This wanted poster had arrived from Headquarters a few days ago. The image looked about right, but instead of Captain Nezumi, it was Ryu who had reported Luffy!

This puzzled Smoker, since his sources hinted that this "Monkey D. Luffy" had a peculiar relationship with Ryu. Smoker didn't see Ryu as the type to report someone so dutifully.

"Oh, come on, don't be mad. He's heading for the Grand Line anyway, so East Blue will remain free of anyone with a bounty over ten million," Ryu shrugged.

Luffy's name quickly spread across the seas, and while it didn't cause a huge stir, it was certainly enough to catch the attention of those keeping a close eye on things.

In the New World, on a certain small island…

"Hawkeye? What brings you here?" A group of pirates stared at the imposing figure of Dracule Mihawk, shocked at his unexpected arrival.

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