"Damn it, the Bluejam pirates are too much!"
"They clear out the whole place just to eat."
"So overbearing."
After Lucien had eaten his fill, he decided it was time to leave Central Street and head back toward the Uncertainty Terminal. His goal was simple—find a way to join the Bluejam pirates. Once inside, he would wait for the right moment to strike and collect his reward.
It was a dangerous plan, but the 100,000 Berries tucked neatly inside his bag would serve as a decent offering. For a group like them, money and timing were everything.
He adjusted his worn coat and exhaled softly. "No turning back now."
Just as he was about to move, three limping hooligans stumbled toward him. Judging by their bruised faces and loud curses, they had clearly been on the receiving end of the Bluejam pirates' fists.
"Excuse me," Lucien said, masking his calm demeanor with anger. "Where can I find the Bluejam pirates?"
"Where did this brat crawl out from? Get lost!" one of them barked, clutching his ribs.
Lucien's eyes reddened as he clenched his fists. "I'm a victim too! I want revenge on those bastards!"
His voice cracked just enough to sound believable. Even an actor from the Grand Line Theatre would've applauded the performance.
The three men snickered. "You? Hah!" They burst into laughter, only to groan as their bruises flared. "They're in that noodle shop down the street. Hope you make it out alive."
Their tone was mocking, their smirks cruel. They wanted him to die.
Lucien nodded gratefully, pretending not to notice their malice. He adjusted the strap of his bag and walked toward the shop. From afar, he could already hear the laughter and raucous shouting of drunken pirates.
He wasn't stupid—joining the Bluejam pirates was a gamble. He could lose everything, including his life. But without them, his chances of completing his plan were next to nothing. As a member, his odds would rise to eighty percent. Without them, maybe twenty.
Besides, the crew owned a ship. If things went south, it could be his ticket out of the Goa Kingdom.
He reached the entrance of the noodle shop.
"This place has been reserved by the Bluejam pirates," a burly man grunted, blocking his way.
Lucien bowed slightly. "I'm here to pay my respects to Bluejam." He opened his bag just enough for the pirate to see the stack of 100,000 Berries inside.
The man's eyes widened, the greed unmistakable. After a brief pause, he went inside. A minute later, he returned. "You can enter."
Lucien followed him in.
The room reeked of alcohol, sweat, and cheap noodles. Every table was filled with pirates—some laughing, others gambling or brawling for fun. Their laughter died down when Lucien entered. Dozens of eyes turned toward him, sharp and hungry.
A tall man with slicked-back hair, a wide jawline, and a black overcoat sat in the center. His legs were crossed, and his grin carried the arrogance of someone used to power.
This was Bluejam, captain of the Bluejam pirates—the tyrant of Edge Town and the Uncertainty Terminal.
"You wanted to see me?" Bluejam's voice was calm but heavy with authority.
Lucien stepped forward and bowed. "Please, allow me to join your crew." He presented the bag with both hands, his tone sincere. "I want to become as strong as Bluejam-sama. I want to be a pirate. This is everything I have."
A pirate nearby barked out a laugh. "You? With that weak body? You'd snap in a storm!"
Lucien didn't flinch. "In Edge Town and the Uncertainty Terminal, everyone fears Bluejam-sama. Even nobles don't dare provoke you. You're the strongest man here—and I want to follow you."
The flattery landed perfectly. Bluejam's grin widened, and the pirates' laughter softened. He leaned back, amused. "You've got guts, kid. Bring it here."
Lucien placed the money on the table.
Bluejam chuckled, clearly pleased by the gesture. "One hundred thousand Berries, huh? Not much, but I like your spirit. From this moment on, you're one of us."
Lucien bowed deeply. "Thank you, Bluejam-sama."
As laughter filled the room again, he finally exhaled in relief. That had gone smoother than expected. Money and flattery—some things never changed.
---
By dusk, Lucien followed the crew to the harbor. Bluejam had already left, leaving his men to handle supplies.
The pirate ship docked by the shore was enormous, its deck illuminated by lanterns. It looked less like a vessel and more like a floating fortress.
Lucien couldn't help but stare. "So that's their base of operations."
According to the memories he'd read from the original story, Bluejam's ambition had always been delusional—he wanted to abandon piracy and become a noble. When the Celestial Dragons visited Goa Kingdom, he struck a deal with the king to burn down the Uncertainty Terminal with oil and gunpowder. In return, he was promised a noble title.
But the king betrayed him. Once the deed was done, the gates to the terminal were sealed, leaving the Bluejam Pirates to die in the flames.
A fool's dream.
"Lucien, this is your room," one of the pirates said, pointing to a small cabin deep inside the ship. "Tomorrow, we head to the Uncertainty Terminal to collect supplies."
"Understood."
The cabin was cramped, containing a single wooden bunk and nothing else. Still, it was shelter—and for now, that was enough.
Lucien suspected his 100,000 Berries and over-the-top admiration had worked in his favor. He hadn't been given any chores or rough treatment. For the moment, he was safe.
Lying on the bunk, he finally allowed his muscles to relax. The tension that had been building since his transmigration slowly eased away.
But there was no time to rest.
He had to learn the layout of the ship, locate food and water reserves, and plan for every possible disaster. If things turned violent—or if he succeeded in his mission—he needed to know how to escape fast.
Once his mental checklist was complete, Lucien summoned his so-called Useless Golden Finger.
A faint, glowing screen appeared before his eyes, displaying a simple, game-like interface.
A long path of misty tiles stretched into the distance, and a small model airplane rested on one of them—the last square he had rolled.
Rule: One dice roll opportunity is granted each month.
Each square may yield random rewards or take away existing items.
Continuous Task: Hunt Sons of Destiny, Fated Villains, Transmigrators, Reincarnators, and Reborn individuals to earn +4 dice rolls.
Supporting characters may yield extra rewards based on significance.
Randomly increase luck value.
Lucien stared blankly. "Is there at least a bonus for my hard work?"
Silence.
No response, no tutorial, no guiding voice. Just the dull glow of the interface.
He sighed. "So much for divine support."
He spent nearly an hour testing every possible command—voice prompts, gestures, even mental triggers—but nothing changed. The so-called Golden Finger lived up to its nickname: useless.
"It's just a glorified board game," he muttered.
Still, he couldn't dismiss it entirely. The system was a double-edged sword—its randomness could be his salvation or his downfall.
"Fine," he whispered, closing his eyes. "If fate's a game, I'll play it my way."
As the waves rocked the ship and laughter echoed from above deck, Lucien Graves drifted into uneasy sleep—his mind sharp, his resolve unshaken.
Tomorrow, his life as a pirate would begin.
---