Chapter 2 The Battle for the Golden Pearl
"Very good, very energetic!"
V laughed and patted Luffy's straw hat, then his consciousness sank as he checked his system again.
Those who frequently travel through time know that systems are also divided into different levels.
The top-tier system grants its host immortality and the power to dominate the world right from the start.
The garbage system not only teaches the host to do things, but also threatens the host with their life and property to force them to complete tasks.
V can only give the prosthetic doctor system a score of 6 out of 10, which is just passing.
It cannot make V instantly successful, but it gives V unlimited initiative and the hope of becoming stronger.
The prosthetic doctor system, as the name suggests.
This is a cheat code that grants V the ability to be a prosthetic doctor, and on top of that, it's a slightly more abnormal version of a cheat.
The four main functions are simple, straightforward, and complementary.
First is the [Patient Information] section, which is the foundation of the entire system.
It can register people who actively seek medical attention or who are seriously injured and unconscious.
It's like putting a V mark on the other person.
In this way, V can send it into the system's built-in companion space—the [Operation Room].
The operating room not only has wards for patients to rest (or be detained), but also surgical instruments that never wear out and basic medications that are automatically replenished.
These devices and medications will become more abundant as V's prosthetic doctor level increases.
Besides, this is also the only source of experience.
Experience points can only be gained by performing rescue or modification on "patients" within the [Operation Room].
The system's third function: [Prosthetic Body Shop]
There's not much to say about this.
Just like its name suggests, V can purchase various basic items here, including but not limited to prosthetics, materials, medicines, etc.
The products sold are also linked to the prosthetic doctor's rank.
It is important to note that...
When making purchases at the [Cyborg Shop], the currency used is not from the One Piece world.
Instead, it is a system currency called a transaction point.
The trading points come from the system's last function—the Black Market.
This is a place where biological organs are traded.
V can sell patients' unwanted organs here, choosing to acquire trading points or prosthetics that match the characteristics of the organs.
The above constitutes all the functions of the system.
V's only feeling about this is:
"Powerful! Powerful! Awesome!!!"
Thanks to the system's user-friendly interface, V has become fully familiar with how to use it.
"In other words... as long as I can acquire enough powerful bodies, I can create an unparalleled physique that is the only one of its kind in the world."
"Even under the unique cybernetic body laws of the [Black Market], it is not difficult to possess multiple Devil Fruit abilities at the same time."
Thinking back to those Shichibukai, CP9, and Yonko that Luffy will eventually defeat...
V's lips twitched slightly, and his eyes sparkled.
At that moment, he seemed to see himself standing at the top of the world.
Im?
Hold on a little~
Your era has come to an end.
...
...
A few minutes later.
Luffy stared wide-eyed in disbelief, issuing a firm protest to his first crewmate:
"Just give up on that idea!"
"I absolutely—I will never agree to that!"
"Huh?!"
V looked utterly disappointed.
"That's where you're wrong, Luffy."
"You just said you'd give anything for your friends!"
"Why are you turning around and trying to renege on your debt?"
"Pah!" Luffy wore a wronged expression, as if he'd been ripped off and only then realized the other person had no money. "Who knew you'd be this kind of person!"
"You actually want to cut off my golden pearl!"
"That's not true!"
V stroked a non-existent long beard and spoke in a wise tone:
"You are still young, there's no use for the gold pearl if you keep it."
"You can leave it with me for safekeeping. When you grow up, I'll return it to you in double the amount."
"Ptooey! Ptooey! Ptooey!!!"
Luffy turned around like a turtle and launched a water gun attack at V.
Even if he were naive, he would know that the gold bead was a family heirloom, a lifeline, and a potential source of future life!
Besides, he's just stupid, he's not incapable of feeling pain.
"Hey, hey, you're so unhygienic."
V reached out to block Luffy's saliva from spreading, shaking his head in regret.
"Garlic bird, garlic bird~"
"I was just joking with you, look how scared you are."
"If you don't even have this much courage, how can you become the Pirate King?!"
"Pah!" Luffy delivered the final, massive blow.
He no longer believed V's nonsense.
Right here—
A shout suddenly came from afar, interrupting V's coveting of Luffy's gold.
"Hey—! Are you guys alright—!?"
"--Um?!"
The two of them were both startled, then suddenly turned their heads to look in the direction from which the sound came.
Luffy squinted.
V even activated the prosthetic eye directly.
The pale blue light path of the data flowed rapidly, and the scene in front of him seemed to zoom in infinitely.
This is V's prosthetic eye—Kiro Tsukasa's Prosthetic Eye: The Hunt!
It features 10x optical zoom and can highlight targets.
When combined with advanced brain-computer interfaces, it can achieve motion prediction comparable to Observation Haki.
This is one of V's assets besides its system.
As an inner disciple of the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sect, he always used cheat codes when playing games.
And sure enough, V got caught up in it today.
Fully powered, fully skilled, and fully stat-enhanced!
Although his high-tech equipment doesn't make him a true powerhouse in the world of One Piece, a world of high-level martial arts.
But it's more than enough to flex our muscles in the East China Sea.
Beyond the distant horizon, the silhouette of a large sailing ship slowly came into V's view.
He could even see a sailor waving a flag at them from the ship's watchtower.
"There's a boat!"
V suddenly perked up and nudged Luffy beneath him.
"Luffy! Look over there!"
"We're saved—!!!"
...
...
A dozen minutes later.
Thanks to the sailors' efforts, Luffy and V, who had been adrift for a long time, were successfully rescued and brought aboard the deck.
Luffy, who had been marinated in seawater, was sprawled out in a spread-eagle position.
"I'm saved..."
Below is the seawater that drains all the power of those with abilities, and above are companions who covet my golden pearl.
God knows what inhuman torture Luffy has endured during this time.
Makino and the village chief were right, the ocean... is truly terrifying!
"Are you two... alright?"
The sailors gathered around and offered their condolences to the victims.
V leaned against the ship's railing, clasping his hands in a respectful gesture.
"Thank you all for saving us. We are deeply grateful and have no way to repay your kindness."
"I'll have this kid sign some autographs for you guys in a bit. They'll definitely fetch a high price in two years."
The autographs from the early days of One Piece are of undeniable collectible value.
The bewildered sailors laughed awkwardly: "Haha, forget about the autographs."
Something that might only become valuable in two years?
Doesn't that mean it's worthless now?
But the next moment, all the sailors were stunned.
As V clasped his hands in a fist salute, they realized that the man in front of them was no ordinary person.
You wouldn't notice it unless you looked closely.
Upon closer inspection, they noticed that V had almost no intact skin on his entire body.
Dark metallic patterns spread across the entire body like mysterious runes, and the exposed metal rings at the joints gleamed with a cool-toned light.
From fingertips to shoulders, the intricate electronic components seem to light up and dim as if they are breathing.
The strangest thing is...
On the side of V's neck, there is a prominent slot exposed, as if one could peer directly into his body from that deep place.
"What's going on with you?"
A sailor asked warily.
There are many extraordinary people in this world, but the vast majority of them are not good people.
After all, the closer one is to God, the further one is from humanity.
Fortunately, at this moment, V-Zhentian still belonged to the human race.
He just wanted to have a big meal.
"Oh, you mean this?"
V seemed to only then notice the sailor's gaze, and suddenly began to explain:
"It's like this... I was born disabled. My parents spent a lot of money to find a master craftsman to create this metal body for me, so that I can move like a normal person."
He lowered his head slightly, revealing a forced smile that betrayed his deep-seated suffering.
"If you don't welcome me, I'll leave now."
"Anyway, for someone like me, death is just a relief."
"Ah...this..." The sailors were instantly stunned!
"no..."
Snap!
One of the sailors suddenly slapped himself in the face.
The next moment, he rushed forward, his face filled with shame.
That's not what we meant!
"By the way, you were in a shipwreck, your parents must be very worried about you, right?"
"Where do you live? Our captain is a very nice man and will make sure you get home safely."
"Home?"
V trembled slightly, as if touched by some taboo word.
Three years ago, my parents tragically died.
"I am...homeless."
"..."
Snap snap snap snap...
All the sailors slapped themselves in the face.
...
...
In no time at all, we were in a cabin on the cruise ship.
"These sailors are such good people!"
Looking at the table full of steaming delicacies, V gently touched his chest and sternly condemned his lying.
Then he picked up his fork and quickly showed off his food.
Since things have come to this, let's eat first.
Even V-Zen hasn't evolved to the point where it can survive on electricity and engine oil.
"Waaaaah...V..."
Beside him, Luffy was stuffing meat into his mouth like crazy, while tears and snot streamed down his face:
"I never imagined your past was so tragic..."
V: "..."
Oh no, this kid believed it too.
Although the reality is pretty much the same.
only...
"Damn Luffy!"
"You can be touched, but can you please not smear your tears and snot everywhere!"
V sighed and silently moved several of her favorite dishes to the edge of the table to protect them.
In no time, everything was swept away like a whirlwind, leaving behind a mess of cups and plates.
To be honest, the food on this cruise ship, which caters exclusively to nobles and wealthy merchants, is of exceptionally high quality.
Even after more than 20 years of working with technology and doing tough jobs, V was still impressed by the food here.
"At least... I survived."
Looking at Luffy beside him, whose belly could fit two people, V truly felt for the first time—
He really did time travel.
The two lay on the soft sofa, as if time itself had melted them away.
However, happy times are always short-lived.
Just as the two were full and drowsy—
"No, this is terrible!!!"
A terrified scream suddenly shattered the tranquility of the cruise ship.
"Pirates! Pirates are coming!"
"What?! How is this possible?!"
"Damn it! Didn't a navy patrol ship just pass by here?"
"Help! I don't want to die!"
"Fuck your mother! Give me my money back—!"
"..."
"..."
The commotion spread like wildfire, engulfing the entire ship in an instant!
However, the tourists' shouts did not have the effect of driving away the pirates.
Whoosh—Boom!
A black shell crashed into the sea to the side, creating huge waves and violently rocking the ship, which also made things more chaotic inside the cabin.
Immediately afterwards, the sound of artillery fire erupted like popping beans, growing denser and closer!
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack! All personnel prepare for battle—!"
The entire cruise ship was instantly plunged into an abyss of panic!
"Huh? What's wrong...?"
Luffy, feeling dizzy from eating too much, rubbed his eyes in a daze.
V, who was next to him, suddenly stood up, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Could it really be such a coincidence?"
He walked quickly to the porthole of the guest room.
The prosthetic eye narrows its focus, instantly bringing the scene hundreds of meters away right before your eyes.
16K, high-definition, uncensored!
In the clear footage, a pirate ship with a comical swan-shaped prow and peach-blossom eyes is menacingly approaching.
The greedy and arrogant faces on the ship were clearly visible.
The leader, carrying a huge spiked club on his shoulder, was burly with a face full of fat that jiggled, and his eyes flashed with ferocity!
"Alvida…" V murmured the name, her pupils contracting slightly.
"So that means..."
"Is this the same cruise ship that appeared at the beginning of the story?"
I never expected this—
Under the influence of his own unexpected arrival as a butterfly, he and Luffy somehow ended up in this "place where dreams begin".
End of this chapter...