Pirates: Seeing My Proficiency, I Became a Legend

At sea, time lost its meaning, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.

A small sloop, unmarked by any Jolly Roger, was docked at the port of Alabasta. It was Dongze's ship. Naturally, it wasn't a pirate vessel, merely stationed temporarily at the harbor.

"Mr. Dongze! Are you really going to leave the rest of the money behind?"

Robin's voice carried a trace of concern as she glanced at the suitcases stacked in the ship's corner. Before, there had been 500 million berries. After giving 100 million to Nami, four chests remained. Leaving that much money unattended on the ship made her uneasy.

Dongze barely reacted to her words, but then something in his mind shifted. He turned toward Robin thoughtfully.

She had spoken as if she were already part of the crew. Dongze had been aware of her gradual assimilation, but hearing her concern over their finances solidified the idea. He hadn't needed to coax her—she had naturally begun treating the ship as her home.

A small smile formed at the thought. The ship had changed in subtle ways. Someone cooked meals every day, improving their skills; someone assisted in navigating; when he returned, someone handed him a towel; and lighthearted banter had become a daily occurrence. Even teasing this so-called "Devil's Child" had become a source of amusement. There was warmth in their routine, an unfamiliar yet welcome feeling.

But then, thoughts of her "father" surfaced—Nico Olvia's ghost loomed behind her, much like how Whitebeard's shadow once loomed over Ace. Dongze sighed internally. If he intended to "steal" the world's most dangerous archaeologist, it wouldn't be an easy task. Strength alone wouldn't be enough. That was why he continued training relentlessly.

Of course, that was just one of his current goals.

Robin's concern was valid. Although Alabasta was a kingdom, pirates roamed freely. Even in Rainbase, where Crocodile's influence was strongest, bands of ruffians weren't uncommon. Leaving a fortune on the ship wasn't the wisest decision.

At first, he had considered depositing the money somewhere, but that presented another issue—this world lacked a proper banking system.

The only official organization capable of holding large sums was the Navy, but they were only responsible for distributing bounties. They didn't store private wealth. Besides, Alabasta fell under the rule of a Warlord of the Sea—Crocodile. The Navy had no presence here.

Dongze frowned. This situation underscored a deeper issue—his lack of manpower. Previously, short trips to islands for supplies were manageable. His reputation as a pirate hunter ensured that most outlaws wouldn't dare challenge him.

This time was different. He needed to venture deep into the desert, a journey that could take days. His primary objective was Crocodile, meaning his stay might be even longer. Leaving the money unguarded wasn't ideal.

"Should I leave Robin behind?"

The thought crossed his mind but was quickly dismissed. One of the key reasons for coming to Alabasta was the Poneglyphs. Robin wouldn't accept being left behind, and he had no intention of forcing it.

With a sigh, Dongze muttered, "If only I had a storage space…"

The words left his mouth before he realized what he was saying. Then, his mind wandered to the absurdities of this world.

Nami, a full-grown woman, somehow concealed her Clima-Tact in an inexplicable place. Brook stored items inside his skull. Usopp's seemingly endless supply of gunpowder was straight out of a movie where bullets never ran out.

Was this a bug in reality?

If his crew knew his thoughts, they'd probably retort: "Shut up, you bastard! You're the last person who should be talking about logic!"

A storage space would've been invaluable, but this world hadn't developed such conveniences. In contrast, the Naruto world had sealing scrolls for easy transport. But here? Space-related Devil Fruits, like Blueno's Door-Door Fruit or Bartolomeo's Barrier-Barrier Fruit, were all weaponized rather than used for everyday applications. Even Whitebeard's Quake-Quake Fruit, capable of shattering the world, was a tool of war rather than convenience.

A wasted potential. Or maybe, the world's rules simply didn't allow such extensions.

"Let's take 100 million berries with us. Carrying too much would be a hassle. The rest goes into the safe."

Robin's eyes widened. "There's a safe on board?"

She had assumed Dongze was simply careless, leaving the money in a corner. But now, she realized he actually had a secure place for it all along.

Dongze waved his hand nonchalantly. "Ale~ Don't sweat the details! I wasn't expecting company before."

Robin shot him a glare. "So you left it lying around because you were too lazy to store it properly?"

Dongze scratched his head awkwardly. "Okay, okay, you win! What a strict housekeeper you are."

Robin's face turned slightly red, and she dropped the subject. She wasn't yet on his level when it came to playful banter.

After securing the money, the two disembarked and began their journey into the desert.

They arrived in Nanohana, a city famous for its perfumes. The moment they stepped in, a delicate yet long-lasting fragrance filled the air—elegant, romantic, and distinct.

Robin hesitated slightly, her eyes betraying a moment of longing. But after a brief pause, she said nothing and simply followed Dongze.

Dongze, however, had noticed.

"Robin, the perfume here is nice. Let's buy a couple of bottles later. And we need to change clothes. If we wear these into the desert, they'll turn black with sand in a few hours."

Robin blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then, warmth spread in her chest. He had seen through her unspoken desire.

A rare, genuine smile graced her lips. "Understood, Mr. Dongze."

She watched his back, thoughts swirling. You're unexpectedly kind… So which is the real you, Pirate Hunter Dongze?

After preparing supplies, changing clothes, and purchasing camels, they rested for the night.

Both carried an air of composure—Robin, having honed her survival instincts over years of evasion, and Dongze, choosing to keep a low profile. Alabasta hid Pluton, one of the Ancient Weapons. The World Government's eyes were likely everywhere. Crocodile thought himself discreet, but how had he even learned of Pluton's existence?

To avoid unnecessary attention, Dongze refrained from any reckless fighting.

By dawn, they rode off toward Alubarna, the capital—destination: the Royal Tombs and their Poneglyph.

As the sun set over the desert, the two found shelter beneath a weathered rock formation. Dongze gazed at the horizon, a contemplative look in his eyes.

"Xiaoyi, want to see the desert from above?"

Robin nodded slightly, curious.

Without warning, Dongze lifted her in his arms and launched into the sky with Geppo (Moon Step).

The cool desert wind rushed past them, carrying the scent of sand and mystery. Robin stared at his face—sharp, determined, his star-like eyes reflecting the dying sun. For a moment, she was lost in thought.

Then, he dropped her.

"Dongze, you—"

She stopped.

Dongze stood still, gazing at the endless dunes. The setting sun bathed the desert in hues of crimson and gold. A vast emptiness stretched before them—lonely, boundless, eternal.

Then, a powerful howl echoed through the land.

"The lone smoke of the desert rises straight, and the long river glows with the sinking sun!"

As his words fell, a mighty force stirred. Darkness surged around him. A sword shimmered into existence—born from nothingness, piercing the heavens.

Dongze's eyes flickered, as if gazing through the ages. The empire of millennia past… reduced to dust.

His sword intent had awakened.

Sword Intent (Unlocked): 1/100

Erosion Sword Intent: 1500/1,000,000