He woke refreshed, feeling like a million berries.
Jin stepped onto the deck, only to be greeted by a sea of over a thousand people chanting "King" in unison.
"What the hell—is this a protest? Or what?"
He was bewildered.
Especially when they erupted in cheers the moment he appeared.
Ai's holographic form materialized, perching on his shoulder: "Master, they want you to be their new king."
"HAH??"
Jin's brain short-circuited.
"Me? A king?"
His expression mirrored someone being told they'd won the lottery but had to fight a dragon to claim it—pure disbelief mixed with confusion.
"Yes, Master!"
Jin scratched his head.
This was absurd.
Choosing a complete stranger as king? Had they all lost their minds?
Then again, people in One Piece weren't exactly known for their critical thinking skills. Look at Oden, or Yamato—their decision-making was catastrophically bad.
Ai: "Based on my big data analysis of the One Piece world, they've made the optimal choice."
Jin: "Huh?"
After a moment's thought, it clicked.
Ever since Roger kicked off the Great Pirate Era, the seas had descended into chaos. Strength and violence had become the only currency that mattered.
For the average person, there were only two options: fight for your life, or just barely survive.
Those who chose to fight had one path—go to sea, whether as marines or pirates.
The rest? They just endured.
Dalton and the citizens of Drum Island had tolerated Wapol's tyranny for eight years without rebelling.
They'd perfected the art of taking punishment.
So—
In Dalton's eyes, by killing Wapol, Jin had proven himself stronger—someone they couldn't resist.
That slave mentality ran deep.
"Wait, you understand their language?"
Ai: "Yes, Master. While you rested, I collected and analyzed environmental and linguistic data."
"Language decryption is complete."
Jin was thrilled: "Perfect!"
He gazed down at the crowd.
Through the swirling snow, countless faces looked up at him expectantly.
He pondered: 'I just got here. Both the ship and I need time to develop.'
'Using this place as a temporary base is better than just drifting aimlessly.'
'But I can't accept immediately. History's taught us—true leaders refuse power before accepting it. Like Caesar refusing the crown.'
'I need them begging me to rule...'
—————————
Jin turned and walked back into the ship.
The crowd exchanged confused glances.
What did that mean?
"He doesn't want to be king?"
"Was our sincerity insufficient?"
Dalton considered, then said: "Maybe he doesn't understand. I'll go explain."
He carefully leapt onto the deck. The moment he landed, the deck split open beneath him. Before he could react, he was swallowed whole.
Dalton plummeted, crashing hard against solid metal. The impact rattled his jaw, pain shooting through his skull.
"Dalton, didn't I tell you not to approach?"
Dalton looked up to see the young man standing before him, speaking in perfectly understandable language.
"What? You can—" He was stunned.
Jin smiled slightly, using Ai's real-time translation: "I couldn't before. Now I can."
IN ONE NIGHT?
HE LEARNED THE LANGUAGE?
Dalton couldn't believe it. Was he some kind of God?
It defied comprehension.
"Alright, why are you here?"
Dalton remembered his purpose and bowed respectfully: "You killed our former king and saved our country."
"The citizens are grateful. We hope you'll become our new king."
Jin feigned surprise: "Really? Is this just your idea, or does everyone on the island feel this way?"
Dalton hesitated.
Jin continued: "Look, you can go. I'm just passing through, resting here briefly before moving on."
The metal deck warped, a mysterious force ejecting Dalton. He tumbled onto the snow outside.
"Dalton! You're out!"
"How'd it go?"
"Did he agree?"
"Resting briefly before leaving?"
The news spread quickly.
The villagers wavered.
Should they insist on keeping someone who wouldn't stay?
—————————
"Ai, create a training regimen for me."
"Yes, Master."
Jin stretched his muscles. While the carrier could evolve infinitely, personal strength couldn't be neglected.
Otherwise, he'd end up like Spandam.
This was especially true in a world with Conqueror's Haki—an attack that could overwhelm others on a spiritual and mental level.
If he couldn't withstand that, it wouldn't matter how strong his ship was.
Knowing he'd absorbed spacetime energy with massive potential made him eager to grow stronger.
Who didn't dream of punching Emperors and kicking Admirals?
"Unfortunately, the space inside the cabin is too small," Jin noted with a frown.
Ai: "Suggestion: utilize the Munch-Munch Fruit's properties to expand your space."
Jin's eyes lit up.
"GOOD IDEA!"
"The Munch-Munch Fruit can swallow anything and make it part of the body, or synthesize materials."
"What should I swallow?"
Lightning struck his thoughts.
The royal castle!
With Wapol dead, by pirate world rules, the king's castle was rightfully his spoils of war, right?
Let's do this!
Jin stepped outside, eyed the royal castle, then willed the ship to devour it.
"WHOOOOOOM..."
A deep, resonant sound echoed across Drum Island—like a whale's song from the abyss, shaking everyone to their core.
It made their skin crawl.
—————————
"Hey, what's that sound?"
"No idea, but it's terrifying."
Those still near the castle all turned their heads.
"Holy shit, look!"
"The ironclad ship is moving!"
The warship anchored in the snow began emitting strange steam—black-red flame clouds that swirled around its hull.
Supported by the steam, it slowly rose twenty meters into the air. From the ship's underside, massive sections split open to both sides.
Like a demon opening its maw, it expelled waves of bizarre flaming light that engulfed the enormous royal castle.
"AHHHHH..."
The sight was beyond comprehension.
Everyone who witnessed it stood slack-jawed, unable to make a sound, frozen in shock and terror.
Dr. Kureha, clutching her plum wine, looked grave as she whispered: "That's actually Devil Fruit Awakening!"
"Who the hell is he?"
Her mind reeled.
The Munch-Munch Fruit had changed hosts just one night ago, and it had already awakened?
A Paramecia Awakening at that?
She'd never heard of anything like this.
"Fruit Awakening? Dr. Kureha, is that really powerful?"
Dalton asked nervously.
"Powerful?" Dr. Kureha scoffed. "In the first half of the Grand Line, as long as he doesn't go looking for trouble with the Marines or a few other major players, he's basically untouchable."
"Woooooooooom..."
Another soul-shaking cry rang out. Before everyone's eyes, the royal castle vanished—devoured completely.
Dalton stood in shock, taking a deep breath.
This was beyond powerful!
WE HAVE TO KEEP HIM HERE.
That very day, he visited every town, convincing the mayors to approach Jin together, pleading for him to become king.
"Can you really speak for everyone? I'm genuinely not interested in being king, although... I am a bit of a softie."
When the rebuffed Dalton refused to give up, he and the mayors set out to collect the signatures of every single citizen on a petition.
People even began sitting outside the carrier in protest, clearly prepared to stay until Jin accepted the crown.
"Hey, what are you all doing?" Jin sighed.
"Alas... You're really putting me in a tough spot here!"
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