Chapter 009: The Rip-off Claymore and Heading to Ohara [New Book Seeking Favorites, Seeking Flowers]
Zanbai? Isn't that the little gang leader from the Franky Family? In the manga, I think Franky only took him in after his first self-modifications and return to Water 7. Now he's become a manga fan—who knows if he still has the mind to seriously study shipwright skills anymore? Just like Fram and Iceburg, who in the past two years have been so absorbed in reading manga that Tom has already scolded them countless times. But really, is manga addiction something so easy to quit?
Sigh! Let it be. James can't possibly give up his career as a mangaka just to save two wayward teens, right? James believes that one day, those two will climb out of the swamp of manga addiction and become excellent shipwrights! Hmm? Why do I feel guilty saying that?
Since Zanbai wasn't welcome here, and he was also an acquaintance of Iceburg, everyone suggested they switch to another bar—and told him not to stir up trouble again. Zanbai gave the "my silence doesn't mean I agree with you" look, completely unaware that the blond youth standing nearby was actually the original author of Claymore...
That night was the most relaxing night James had experienced in the past year—no rushing manuscripts, no urging for updates, just the joy of beer and the occasional long-legged beauties cosplaying as Claymores in the bar. His manga was silently changing the world. In a quiet little moment of pride, James drank himself under the table.
When he woke up the next morning, he was already at home. As for how he got back, James couldn't remember—probably Fram and Iceburg had carried him back.
Time to keep working on Claymore!
Now eight tankōbon volumes had been released, and the plot had reached the stage just before the first major battle—the Silver-Eyed Lion King Rigaldo brutally crushing the Claymore hunting party, and Galatea's berserk awakening counterattack. The first big climax of the story was about to arrive!
Better get drawing!
Perhaps it was the joy from last night, but James felt particularly inspired today. By the afternoon, Rigaldo had already been "sent off with a lunchbox" (defeated). And then—the system's long-lost voice rang in his ears!
> [Ding, Claymore tracing has met the system's automatic lottery condition. The system will now draw a skill or item for you. Do you wish to start a fan-point lottery? The draw will consume 10,000 fan points.]
James immediately chose Yes. The familiar "box-opening," the familiar fleeting flash of the prize… He calmly opened the inventory, and sure enough, two new items were inside. One was the "Anywhere Door" from the previous manga Doraemon. With 300,000 fame points now, he could redeem it anytime—but James had always wanted to see what kind of skill Claymore would give him, so he hadn't exchanged it yet.
Below the Anywhere Door was… a strangely shaped chunk of meat!
> [Original Yoma flesh from "Smiling Teresa." Upon fusion, you will gain Teresa's Yoki-sensing ability. Note: System fusion carries no risk of death, but your abdomen will grow a patch of Yoma flesh under the skin, just like in the original work. Redemption value: 50,000 points!]
When he first saw the reward, James was overjoyed—Teresa's Yoki-sensing! A god-tier skill! But when he read the note, he instantly gave up on it. The Claymore girls' abdomens… that's something that even mountain bandits found disgusting. Even when an angel-faced, devil-bodied beauty like Teresa undressed, the sight made lustful bandits vomit. James didn't even dare to imagine how gross it would be!
How could he pick up girls after that?
No way. I choose to die—no, I choose the Anywhere Door!
Without hesitation, he redeemed the Anywhere Door. As for Claymore… James could only chuckle bitterly. Think about it—almost every skill in that manga required fusing Yoma flesh. Was there any point in continuing to draw it? Now that he had the Anywhere Door, he'd rather work on manga he actually liked. As for the Claymore fans? James couldn't care less…
He had no idea that before long, somewhere far away in the New World, a man who made the New World tremble would curse him with the greatest fury.
Not that James would care—he'd still drop the series to "take revenge on society." That's just how he rolled. If you've got the guts, take me out. Otherwise, you won't get another chapter from me. Dare you?
Anyway, the moment James got the Anywhere Door, his heart was pounding with excitement! Back in the old days, when Doraemon was translated as "Ding-Dang," this was called "The Door That Can Go Anywhere." The newer "Anywhere Door" name was just simpler.
He picked up the Anywhere Door, thrilled beyond words.
Right—how do you take it out of the inventory? Mental command?
James tried calling out in his mind, "Come out! Anywhere Door!"
Sure enough, a wooden door appeared right where he intended it. James stared at it, wondering if he should test it out. Where should he go? Impel Down? But at this point in time, Shiki the Golden Lion hadn't even escaped yet.
On second thought, forget it. In so many fanfics, Impel Down's Level 6 was described as terrifying beyond reason, where prisoners could supposedly kill you just by releasing their killing intent. With his weak body, if something happened, he wouldn't make it back alive. Better to wait until he could protect himself first.
So, where could he go in this era? It had been less than two years since Roger's death. What major events were happening now? Ohara? The Buster Call that destroyed Ohara happened just a few years after Roger's death, right? How old was Robin now?
Maybe… go take a look?
Yeah, let's do it!
But to go to Ohara, he'd have to disguise himself. The island was probably crawling with spies, maybe even more than Water 7. If someone recognized him, his peaceful manga life would be over.
He found a black wig, put it on, then stuck a full beard on his face. Even if people could tell it was a disguise, they still wouldn't know what he really looked like—that was good enough.
"Anywhere Door, take me to Nico Robin!"
James gave the order, twisted the doorknob, and stepped through!
On the southern beach of Ohara, a dark-skinned little girl was happily playing with a huge giant. Suddenly, not far away, a door appeared silently out of nowhere, and James stepped out.
"Huh? Anywhere Door? It's real?!"
The little girl excitedly slid down from the giant's arm and ran toward James, who had just stepped out. But just as she reached the door, she suddenly stopped, looking like she wanted to approach but didn't quite dare.
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