The next day, Sandy, who was sleeping soundly, was jolted awake by the noise outside.
When he came out, he saw Garp and Aokiji standing there.
Sandy yawned and stretched. "Ah, another day where I'm woken up by my own handsomeness. Being this good-looking is such a burden."
[ Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing a pheromone operation. Free attribute +40. Pheromone Coin +400. ]
Sandy instantly perked up, grinning to himself. No matter how high the sky is, I must be that pheromone… until I'm pheromone to the sky!
Ignoring the black lines forming on everyone's faces, Sandy kept going.
"What are you all looking at me like that for? It's not my fault I'm this handsome. What do you want me to do, tone it down? I'm very troubled, okay?"
[ Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing a pheromone operation. Free attribute +40. Pheromone Coin +400. ]
Garp clenched his fists, trying his best not to punch the little brat, while Aokiji sighed and let out a cold breath. He was definitely getting off this ship soon — this kid was too damn annoying.
And to make it worse, Sandy had even scammed 250 Belly from Aokiji yesterday! The kid's broke face clearly screamed he couldn't pay it back.
Feeling triumphant, Sandy continued his nonsense with renewed enthusiasm.
"Mr. Garp, Mr. Aokiji, I'm so handsome — if others see me, won't they get jealous and beat me up?
Back home, there was a reader who got chased with machetes for three days and three nights just for being too handsome. Terrifying, right?
Oh, and another guy was so good-looking that girls got distracted staring at him, walked into a utility pole, and he got called in for questioning.
This world is too dangerous! Being handsome is literally a crime!"
[ Ding! Congratulations, Host, for being pheromone to the sky! Triple critical hit! Free attribute +120, Pheromone Coin +1200. ]
Before Sandy could bask in his glory—
"DUANG! DUANG!"
—Garp and Aokiji both punched him square in the face.
Steam puffed from Garp's nostrils as he yelled, "What's wrong with this kid? He's been annoying since dawn!"
Aokiji sighed, "Ara ara… Mr. Garp, I'll take my leave."
Since they were almost at their destination, Aokiji summoned his bicycle, froze the ocean surface with his Ice-Ice Fruit, and pedaled away.
Garp waved a hand, ignoring Sandy, who was sprawled across the deck, before leaning back in his chair to sip tea.
Meanwhile, Sandy cheerfully called up his system panel:
Host: Sandy
Strength: 150 (100 + 50)
Agility: 100 (10 + 90)
Stamina: 400 (300 + 100)
Conqueror's Haki: Lv. 1 (Deters opponents, can be released freely but not controlled. Can also be used for coating attacks—currently unavailable.)
Pheromone Coin: 2650.1
Spatial Backpack: Knife (Sword)
After assigning his stats, Sandy immediately felt the change in his body.
He ran from the first floor to the fifth — his waist didn't ache, his breath didn't hitch…
Perfect.
After a while, Garp noticed Sandy still lying there. He hadn't even punched that hard!
"Hey, hey! It was just one punch. Don't tell me it's that serious?"
Sandy instantly sat up. "I'm fine. By the way, where's Admiral Aokiji?"
"He went to handle some business," Garp said flatly.
"Are we heading to your hometown now? Where is it?"
"Almost there — East Blue, Windmill Village."
Sandy tried scanning Garp's data panel, but it was still full of question marks. The power gap was astronomical.
He wanted to farm a few more attributes, but... was pheromone value really that easy to grind?
That kind of brilliance came from inspiration! Without it, even the most pheromonal man couldn't be pheromone enough…
After some time, the warship docked at Windmill Village.
Following Garp into the port, Sandy noticed the villagers pointing and whispering.
"Man, old man Garp, you're a Vice Admiral at Navy Headquarters, a big deal, and yet your hometown's out here in the middle of nowhere?
Look at this place — people probably think we came to arrest someone.
Oh, I get it! You hid your hometown this deep in the mountains to avoid enemies knocking on your door, huh? Tsk, how embarrassing."
Garp turned with twitching veins. "What, you got a problem, brat?"
"Of course I do!" Sandy said, holding his fingers together pitifully. "I only had 250 Belly, and you took 200! Doesn't your conscience ache?"
"Ahahahaha!" Garp suddenly laughed. "Don't sweat the small stuff, Sandy. I'll introduce you to my grandson later — Monkey D. Luffy. You two will definitely get along."
Sandy sighed helplessly and trailed behind the shameless old man. He couldn't beat him — and those 200 Belly were long gone…
It wasn't that Sandy was stingy. The Pheromone Coins were just numbers for now. The pheromone system required certain stats before unlocking the system shop.
Before long, they reached a small house.
Garp knocked. No answer. He knocked again — harder.
Finally, a shout came from inside. "Which bastard is disturbing my nap!?"
Garp's face darkened. "It's me. Got a problem?"
When Dadan opened the door and saw him, cold sweat trickled down her face. "M-Mr. Garp?! Why are you here!?"
Just then, Luffy returned home. "Grandpa! What are you doing here!?"
Garp opened his mouth to speak, but Sandy beat him to it.
Pointing at Dadan, Sandy said, "Oh, I get it. She must be that Straw Hat guy's mom, right?"
"What mother!?" Dadan's face twisted. "I'm still single, you brat!"
Sandy blinked, then gasped dramatically. "Oh… I see now."
Garp's eyes narrowed. "What the hell do you see?"
Sandy covered his lips, snickering. "She must be your secret mistress, huh, Mr. Garp? That's why you hid her out here — to avoid rumors. Don't worry, I understand. Men have needs. I won't tell anyone… if you return my 200 Belly."
[ Ding! Congratulations, Host, for stunning everyone. ]
Everyone froze, jaws dropping at Sandy's absurd logic.
Then—
"DUANG!"
Steam burst from Garp's nostrils as he shouted, "This is my damn hometown! What's in that head of yours, kid?!"
"Hahahaha!" Luffy was rolling on the ground, laughing so hard he could barely breathe. "Who is this guy!? He's hilarious!"
"Whoosh—DUANG!"
Before Luffy could laugh again, Garp flashed over and punched him too.
"Grandpa! Why'd you hit me!? I didn't say anything!"
Ignoring the whining, Garp sighed. "Dadan, got any food left? I'm hungry."
"It's not even mealtime! Go eat in the village!" Dadan snapped.
"Sigh…" Garp turned to Sandy. "Stinky brat, come here. Let me introduce you."
Dadan looked horrified. "Garp, don't tell me this is another grandson of yours! You think this is a daycare or something? Give me a break!"
Sandy flipped his hair and struck a dramatic pose. "Tch, look closely. Would someone this handsome be that old man's grandson? What terrible taste you have. Ptooey."
DUANG!
Garp grabbed Sandy and hurled him next to Luffy. "Enough. You two introduce yourselves. I'm heading back."
Luffy grinned. "You're leaving? Great!"
DUANG!
Another punch. "When your grandpa's leaving, you're supposed to be sad, idiot! Where's your respect?!"
Luffy rubbed his head. "S-Sorry, Grandpa. Take care!"
Garp nodded in satisfaction. "You two get along, alright?"
Watching Garp's retreating back, Dadan didn't dare say a word. That old man's fists were terrifying!
"Alright, you two brats, go play outside. Don't disturb my nap."
BANG!
The door slammed shut.
"…Wow," Sandy muttered. "What happened to hospitality?"
Luffy blinked. Sandy blinked back.
Finally, Sandy grinned. "My name's Sandy. What's yours?"