Sun Breathing Technique Mastery: 100%
Transparent World: Level 3
Swordsmanship: Iron Cutting Realm (Beginner)
Weapon: Great Sword - Raikiri
Permanent Buff: Essence of Tempering(Binding in progress...)
Armament Haki: Level 5
Observation Haki: Level 3
Conqueror's Haki: Level 0
Tempest Kick: Level 5
Special Skills: Mechanical Mastery, Navigation Mastery, Language Mastery, Healing Technique
Special Treasures: King's Treasury]
In the past two and a half years, Ron has traveled to dozens of islands aboard the Marines' warship. Most of his rewards were an additional ten points of vitality, with only a few other rewards, most of which were of little use.
Among the rewards, King's Treasury and Healing Technique were the ones he was most satisfied with.
Sitting in his room, Ron slowly opened his eyes, and with a thought, his renowned sword, Raikiri, emerged from the void behind him, hovering with its tip down at his side.
With another thought, it slowly sank back into the mirror-like void from which it came.
Ron's King's Treasury wasn't a physical trove of golden treasures but rather a personal system space.
While this treasure's ability was unnecessary due to his system, its impressive appearance was satisfying enough.
Ron gazed out the window at the harmony of white clouds, blue skies, and the vast ocean.
"According to Rayleigh, my strength is reasonably good for the first half of the Grand Line, provided I don't encounter particularly troublesome Devil Fruit abilities."
"As for the New World... best not to consider that yet. I'll explore the Grand Line and search for information on Sabo."
While he was stationed at Marineford, he had tried to find some clues about Sabo but came up empty-handed.
"Now, where exactly is this ship headed…?"
He gazed out the window, contemplating.
With a thought, a screen visible only to him appeared, displaying a map of the sea with a red dot marking his current location.
The Sabaody Archipelago marks the end of the first half of the Grand Line. To proceed to the New World, one must either journey through the Fish-Man Island undersea route or cross the Red Line via Mary Geoise.
Observing the slowly advancing red dot on the map, Ron estimated that this merchant ship was heading in the opposite direction of the New World.
Not far ahead lay the infamous Florian Triangle.
The white fog blanketing the sea gave it an aura of mystique, like a shroud of secrets draped over the ocean.
Legend has it that over a hundred pirate ships vanish in this mist-laden region every year, with stories of mysterious, colossal creatures lurking within—a domain fraught with peril.
As he studied the map, Ron noticed a familiar name: Thriller Bark, home to Moria's infamous ghost ship.
"Southwest, roughly 360 nautical miles away, and moving…"
Ron mused, rubbing his chin with interest.
Ron's eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced out the window.
The next moment, the sound of an explosion echoed.
The glass of his cabin window shattered, and the ship shook slightly.
Outside, he could hear panicked voices.
After a moment's thought, Ron picked up his green overcoat and opened the door.
On the deck, Marines protecting the ship were facing off with a band of fierce-looking pirates, while frightened passengers cowered behind them.
Among them were the twin girls he had noticed earlier, huddled with fearful eyes in their mother's arms.
"They're… the Dessa Pirates?!"
a passenger cried in alarm.
"Their captain, Dessa Shiels, has a bounty of 45 million berries! Why would pirates like that target a merchant ship?!"
"It's because our boss found a Devil Fruit on the Sabaody Archipelago and just needs a bit more money to buy it," sneered a pirate, known as Blood-Blade Masser, licking his lips with a sinister smile after overhearing the passenger's remark.
A pirate stepped forward, hoisting a massive two-meter-long sword over his shoulder.
"It's the first mate of the Dessa Pirates, Blood-Blade Masser!" someone whispered, trembling.
"Bounty... 27 million berries!"
"Our captain is still waiting for us back on the island. We can't keep him waiting! Get in there and grab everything of value from everyone on board!"
"Understood!" cackled the pirates, grinning wickedly as they advanced on the terrified passengers.
Standing before the Marines, a lieutenant in a Justice coat and Marine hat clenched his fists and stared down Blood-Blade Masser.
"Blood-Blade Masser, you won't get away with this today!"
At his command, the Marines raised their long-barreled rifles, aiming at Masser and his unflinching crew.
"That won't stop me," Masser sneered, lunging forward.
Bullets flew, but with a swing of his sword, Masser deflected each one, closing in on the lieutenant. In one swift move, he slashed down, breaking the Marines' rifles in half.
"Damn it!" the lieutenant gritted his teeth, holding his ground.
"Too slow! Is this really the Marines?" Masser taunted, dodging the lieutenant's attack effortlessly. "Die!"
His blood-stained blade gleamed as it sliced past the lieutenant, who collapsed as blood sprayed from his back.
Horror spread across the faces of the onlookers; some women covered their mouths, stifling their screams.
"Pathetic!" Masser sneered, stomping on the downed lieutenant's head. He turned to his vicious crew, grinning wickedly. "Get moving! Take every valuable thing off this ship before the Marines' reinforcements arrive!"
"Can we kill these Marines?" a pirate asked, laughing cruelly.
"Do as you please," Masser replied.
The pirates charged forward, cackling wildly. Some targeted the remaining Marines, while others advanced on the terrified passengers with malicious grins.
Chaos erupted across the ship.
As the Marines were overpowered and slain by the pirates, despair settled on the passengers' faces.
Blood-Blade Masser took a perverse pleasure in their helpless expressions. Despair and fear—the proper response of the weak in the presence of the strong.
"Oh, look at this fine lady!" sneered a pirate as he leered at a dignified noblewoman with two young girls by her side.
"M-Mother..." the twin girls clung to their mother, tears welling up in their eyes.
"A mother and two daughters? Heh, today's my lucky day." The pirate licked his lips, reaching out toward them.
The noblewoman shielded her daughters as she backed up, but soon found herself cornered. Desperately, she looked around and cried out, "Someone, please help us! Please, save us!"
But… no one could come to her aid. Everyone else was too busy trying to survive.
Her face fell as her hope waned.
Just as the pirate's greedy hand was about to grab her…
A gunshot rang out, cutting through the chaos on the ship.
The pirate froze, eyes wide, blood trickling down his forehead.
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