Chapter 14: Sabaody Archipelago, Robbery? (Patreon)

Guided by the Marines, the voyage took just over a day. By noon the following day, the group arrived at Grove 66 of the Sabaody Archipelago.

Compared to two years ago, the archipelago's public safety had deteriorated beyond description. The entire island crawled with pirates and outlaws. In the past, its proximity to Marine Headquarters meant a massive military presence, deterring pirates from causing trouble. However, ever since Fleet Admiral Sakazuki relocated the headquarters to the New World, the pirate population here had steadily surged. Now, aside from the Marine branch at Grove 66, criminals overran the entire archipelago.

After disembarking, Commodore Allen led Kratos and Axis to the bounty exchange. Upon verifying their identities, the Marines promptly paid out the eighty-million Berry reward.

"Alright, you two can go recruit your crew now. Once you are done, we will rest for the night. Tomorrow, I will escort you through the lawless zone and route you to the New World. We part ways after that," Allen said.

"Thank you, Commodore Allen," Axis replied. He exchanged a few more pleasantries with the officer before heading toward Sabaody's commercial district with Kratos.

"Is the resurrected skeleton, Brook, with the Straw Hat Pirates? Do you know their exact location?" Kratos asked.

"Of course. We can just wait for them to come to us. They are definitely heading to a specific place. Right now, we need to buy a Log Pose and recruit some sailors so we can set sail tomorrow. By the way, I need a favor. You have to help me secure a Devil Fruit," Axis said.

"Understood. Where is this fruit you mentioned?" Kratos asked.

"It is currently in Dressrosa. The Straw Hat Pirates are heading there too, so we should make it in time," Axis explained.

The Flame-Flame Fruit was the crucial item he needed to gain his initial power, so he couldn't afford any mistakes. Even if it meant offending the main characters, Axis was determined to steal it. He simply wasn't strong enough right now; he needed a way to protect himself. As for the Devil Fruit's curse, he had no choice but to place his faith in Athena. If all else failed, he could always seek out Poseidon. As the God of the Sea, the guy surely had a workaround.

The duo arrived at a bustling commercial street, found a shop selling Log Poses, and stepped inside.

"Welcome, customers! We sell Log Poses for the New World, famous islands in the first half of the Grand Line, and the four seas. What can I get for you two?" the shop owner greeted them warmly.

"I want to buy a Log Pose for the Dressrosa Kingdom in the New World. Do you sell them here?" Axis asked.

"Of course! Dressrosa, a kingdom full of romance and passion. I certainly sell its Log Pose, and it is quite cheap. Only a thousand Berries," the owner replied.

"I will take one. Also, do you have Log Poses for Wano Country and Totto Land?" These two locations would be the main stages for major future events.

"I certainly do. How could I not carry items for the territories of the Four Emperors? But I must warn you! Neither place is safe. You bear the consequences of the security risks. Wano is three thousand Berries, and Totto Land is one thousand. That comes to five thousand Berries total. Thank you for your patronage."

Axis winced inwardly. Wano's Log Pose was three times the price of the others.

"Don't worry about it. Here is five thousand Berries. Wrap those three up for me."

"Right away! The customer is always right. But I should warn you upfront: even with the Log Pose, it is incredibly difficult to make landfall in Wano unless you are looking to buy weapons in bulk."

Wano was a massive munitions factory, and many underworld arms dealers sourced their supplies from there.

"What is this item?" Kratos asked, eyeing the glass spheres.

"It is a navigation tool. As long as we follow this Log Pose, we can find our destination no matter where we are. It is incredibly convenient in this world," Axis explained.

The One Piece universe truly boasted a lot of fascinating items.

"It is practical," Kratos conceded.

"Haha, it really is."

Honestly, if Axis handed this world over to Poseidon, the Sea God would manage it ten times more efficiently than Athena. Frankly, he still worried about Poseidon's combat power and personality. After all, Poseidon's track record wasn't great. He was a loser who got beaten to death by Kratos.

Next, they needed to recruit a crew to help sail their ship. The two put out several recruitment ads around town, hoping to hire some sailors. Unfortunately, neither of them were famous, and the news of them hunting down the Wild Boar Crow hadn't spread yet. As a result, not a single legitimate sailor wanted to join them, though quite a few pirates expressed interest.

Was it really this hard to hire a few normal sailors these days? Every single applicant was a pirate, through and through. They were setting sail tomorrow. If they didn't recruit some pirates today, they wouldn't have nearly enough manpower.

"If this does not work, we do not need a crew. I can just drag the ship through the water," Kratos offered.

"That is a bit too flashy. Sure, extraordinary monsters exist in this world, but pulling a hundred-ton ship through the ocean by hand is just way too shocking," Axis argued.

"Then what do we do?"

'System,' Axis asked mentally, 'after this one-month travel period ends, can I return to this world in the future if I don't build a permanent portal?'

[The host can stay for one month in any explored world. However, if no portal is built, a one-month cooldown period is required. One month after leaving this world, you may return, and the stay duration will again be one month.]

'Understood.'

Fortunately, they would have chances to return to the One Piece universe in the future. They still needed to carefully consider the best location to establish a permanent portal.

"Otherwise, we just sell the ship, hitch a ride with the Marines, and figure out how to catch a merchant vessel to Dressrosa once we reach the New World," Axis sighed.

There was no other way. If worst came to worst, they would just have to abandon their ship.

"I heard you are looking for a crew, and you have got a ship, right, kid?" an incredibly arrogant voice interrupted.

A young man stepped into their line of sight. He stood about two meters tall, sported a rooster-like hairstyle, and carried a massive club. Behind him followed a mob of roughly a hundred men. The group slowly formed a circle, trapping Axis and Kratos in the middle.

"Yes, we are. And what is your line of work?" Axis asked flatly.

"Haha! You are seriously asking what I do? I am a pirate! Hand over your ship, kid. Our boss's grand fleet is short a few vessels," the man sneered.

"Kratos," Axis said calmly. "Leave one alive."