Exactly ten years have now passed since I came here. It was the start of the original story. During that time, growing from catching pirates, both [Armament Haki] and [Observation Haki] rose to (SS) grade, and unfortunately, [Conqueror's Haki] remained at (S). There weren't many pirates with [Conqueror's Haki].
The fruits I had obtained and stored during that time were: [Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Black Cat], [Smooth-Smooth Fruit], [Calm-Calm Fruit], and [Bug-Bug Fruit, Model: Butterfly]. The abilities that rose from training were [(C) Martial Arts] to (B), and from teaching various things, [(D) Master] to (C). Also, the [Flare-Flare Fruit] and [Door-Door Fruit] awakened, rising to (SS) grade. Now I could even open 'Air Doors'.
The island residents also steadily increased. It still wasn't saturated, but they definitely grew. The village developed and now had its own blacksmith, hospital, market, etc. Since I released high-quality materials into the market, residents who made and sold a few daily necessities themselves appeared, so imports of daily necessities from Loguetown decreased somewhat.
We now operated two merchant ships. They served the role of transporting goods only to nearby villages and kingdoms. For long distances, I still moved personally due to the risk of pirates and accidents.
Chunja (Robin) also practiced the ability of the [Warp-Warp Fruit] and could now comfortably move between islands. Hina also naturally learned 'Haki' as her students started learning Haki and she trained with them. The interesting part was the incredible synergy between [Armament Haki] and the [Cage-Cage Fruit].
"Wow~ that's overpowered?"
"Hina, satisfied! It's fun."
Coating the prisons Hina created with [Armament Haki] turned it into a truly overpowered ability not unlike Logia. Not only Devil Fruit users, but even people with 'Haki' couldn't break free easily. The Marines will regret letting Hina go, hitting the ground in frustration.
One day, Kuzan came to visit.
"Yo~ Taejin."
"Oh~ long time no see, Kuzan."
Kuzan occasionally came to hang out, so we became quite close. Since there are many beauties on the island, he seemed to come even more often. He was a little suspicious when he saw Chunja, but since I transformed into Robin and appeared in another kingdom, pretending to be on the run, his suspicion gradually faded. And when Chunja showed her [Warp-Warp Fruit] ability, it seemed to disappear completely.
"On vacation?"
"No, just dropped by while passing."
"Last time you did that and rested for a few weeks before leaving, didn't you?"
"Hahaha, actually, there's a woman I like but progress isn't being made. Can't you help a little?"
"Who is it?"
"That... a beauty who's good at sewing, with blue hair, named 'Mary'."
"Ah~ Blue-haired Mary recently said she was busy opening a clothing store on the island. Wouldn't you get closer if you helped her open the shop?"
"Really? Last time she said she was opening a store, so it's open now, huh? Got it, thanks for the info."
Kuzan ran to the market. Mary was a woman rescued before she could be sold as a slave in the early days of the island's formation. She played a leader role when I was away, so I remembered her name. Her dream was to have her own clothing store, so I supported her a lot this time. If things had gone according to the original, she would have been sold as a Celestial Dragon's slave and lived and died as a plaything.
Kuzan stayed for about a week and then left; seeing his good expression, it seemed things went well.
While doing deliveries and handling work without incident, an urgent call came from 'Baratie'.
Pururururu
"-Boss Taejin, pirates are attacking the restaurant. Please help."
"Understood. I'll go right away."
I teleported immediately to Baratie. Upon arriving at Baratie, the Krieg Pirates' ship was in tatters, docked beside it. The restaurant's entrance was broken, so I entered and saw Krieg and Gin talking with Zeff about something. I immediately grabbed Krieg's head.
"Ack!"
Then everyone in the restaurant looked at me.
"Gasp! Y-you are! The Merchant King!"
Seeing me, Gin stepped back and spoke.
"Hey! What business do you have at my cherished restaurant?"
I put strength into the hand gripping Krieg's head.
"Kraaaaaah. Spare me..."
Seeing that, Gin urgently spoke.
"We challenged the Grand Line and lost our entire fleet. Starvation was setting in, so we had no choice. If we had known it was a restaurant cherished by the Merchant King, we would never have touched it. Please forgive..."
"Hmm... This is your second time, right? Why should I let you off again?"
Then Zeff stepped forward and said.
"That's enough, they seem to have learned their lesson."
"Lucky you. I'll give you 10 minutes. Get lost now."
"We thank you for your mercy."
I let go of the head I was holding. Krieg and Gin fled without even looking back, driving their ship away. Luffy approached and greeted me.
"Wow~ Candy Bro is strong."
"Long time no see, Luffy. Have you been well? Oh, Zoro's here too?"
I approached Zoro and ruffled his head. Then Zoro flared up angrily.
"You think I'm still a kid!"
"Is that so? There there."
"You're really asking for it!"
Luffy looked at Zoro and me and said.
"You two know each other?"
"Yeah, this guy came to my village a few times to sell goods."
Then Nami, who had been listening, spoke in surprise.
"The Merchant King means Taejin! The strongest merchant even pirates fear."
"Hahaha, this is embarrassing."
Zoro refuted that statement and said.
"What strongest merchant! He's a perverted junk dealer!"
"Oh~ really! Zoro, you missed my touch."
As I wiggled my fingers and approached, Zoro hastily stepped back and drew his sword.
"Don't come closer!"
"Hahaha, just kidding. I don't have the hobby of tickling a grown guy anymore."
Zeff approached and said.
"Anyway, thanks for coming."
"Not at all."
"Business is done for today. Have a meal before you go."
"Sounds good."
Then suddenly Nami knelt before me, shedding tears and pleading earnestly.
"Taejin, please save our village."
"Whoa, calm down, miss."
"I've heard the rumors. That you catch pirates with strong force and save people. Please help our village too."
"First, why don't you sit down?"
"I won't get up until you agree!"
Nami was stubborn. Then suddenly, Sanji also knelt beside Nami and pleaded.
"I don't know what's going on, but listen to her! I can't stand to see a woman like this."
"Sanji, you idiot! Sigh... fine. Let's hear the story first."
I was taken aback by Sanji suddenly intervening. I sat Nami at a table and listened to the story while eating. I knew all the content from the original, but I just listened because Luffy and the others needed to know.
"The village I live in is Cocoyashi Village. It was famous as a village where delicious tangerines grow. One day, the fishman pirate Arlong and his crew appeared and said they would forcibly collect 100,000 Berries per adult and 50,000 Berries per child. The villagers, having no power to fight, eventually paid and survived, but not everyone had money."
Usopp suddenly stood up from his seat and said.
"You don't mean!"
Nami shed tears again and continued the story.
"Yes, people without money died at the hands of Arlong and his crew. Back then, Bellemere, who raised me like her own child, died at Arlong's hands to save young me. Since then, they've been living like kings, using the Cocoyashi Village residents as slaves."
"Have you told the Marines?"
"Yes, a villager who couldn't take it anymore contacted the Marines and reported this fact, but the next day, the villager who contacted them was found dead. So, with no money, we tried requesting bounty hunters and other pirates came, but they were all annihilated by Arlong's crew. And each time, villagers also died from Arlong's crew's retaliation. Now we can't even try."
Zoro spoke.
"So this Arlong guy is strong."
"Yes, Arlong's crew are fishmen, so they have bodies incomparably stronger than normal people. But the Merchant King Taejin could do it, right? So please help."
I looked at Luffy and said.
"What do you say?"
"Shishishi, alright! I'll blow away someone like Arlong!"
Nami got angry at those words and said.
"Were you even listening to what I've been saying!? Arlong is a fishman, he's so strong ordinary people can't even face him! You could die!"
"It was Nami, right, miss?"
"Y-yes."
"How about trusting your comrades a bit more?"
"But Arlong is..."
"If something happens, I'll help."
Yosaku and Johnny also approached, smiling, and said.
"Nami sis, we'll help too."
"Haah... I don't know anymore. Don't blame me if you get seriously hurt or die."
Then Zeff, who had been listening, tapped Sanji's shoulder and said.
"Take this guy too. Then we'll consider the debt for breaking the restaurant paid."
"Old man..."
"Kid, how long are you going to stay here!? Didn't you say you'd find the 'All Blue'?"
I was worried Sanji might not become Luffy's crewmate, but it seemed Zeff had been mentally preparing to send him off for a while.
"First, Nami-san's situation seems urgent, so I'll go help and come back."
"No need. I've been planning to send you off when suitable guys who could become your comrades came. I hope you fulfill my dream of finding the All Blue. I'll just hear the news here."
Suddenly someone entered the restaurant. With very sharp eyes, dressed in a Spanish outlaw style, carrying a large cross-shaped sword on his back—it was Dracule Mihawk. As this incredibly charismatic person appeared, everyone's attention focused on him.
"Hey, haven't you seen a pirate ship with the Jolly Roger of an hourglass here?"
"That person is... could it be Hawkeye Mihawk!"
The Krieg Pirates challenged the Grand Line and had the misfortune of running into Mihawk. That's why they lost their entire fleet and returned to the East Blue. Mihawk seemed to be looking for the Krieg Pirates, who had attacked him recklessly. Zoro stepped forward, sweating, and spoke to Mihawk.
"I never thought I'd meet you this quickly. World's Greatest Swordsman! I set out to sea to meet you!"
Mihawk ignored Zoro's words and walked toward me.
"Oho! To have a usable strong person in such a weak sea. That means you must be the rumored Taejin."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Taejin. Mihawk."
Mihawk laughed and said.
"Hahaha! Interesting. I'm glad I came."
From the moment Mihawk entered the restaurant, Mihawk and I had already been sizing each other up with [Observation Haki]. Mihawk seemed to have already lost interest in the Krieg Pirates.
"Hey! Don't ignore me!"
Zoro intervened between me and Mihawk. Mihawk looked at Zoro with an annoyed expression and said.
"A swordsman trained to a certain degree should be able to grasp the difference in skill without even crossing blades directly. Do you have a death wish? Weakling."
I threw Mihawk a bottle of high-quality liquor made on the island.
"Mihawk, sorry but I have a prior engagement. Can you wait a bit? This is the payment."
Mihawk caught the liquor I threw and said.
"This is the high-quality liquor from the Merchant's Island. Fine. I'd appreciate it if you finished quickly."
"It won't take long. Let's depart now."
Zeff said.
"World's Greatest Swordsman, huh hahaha! Kid Sanji, it'll be rough from the start. Good luck! Be careful not to catch a cold."
"Damn... Thank you for everything. Master Zeff."
Sanji shed tears and bid farewell to Zeff. The other cooks from the restaurant all came out and waved. We thus boarded the Going Merry and headed for Cocoyashi Village. Zoro kept glaring at Mihawk's small boat following us until we arrived at the village.