Life on Nicole was far from pleasant for Eust. Confined to a cramped cabin, comfort was out of the question, but life had to go on, and Eust could only wait.
On the first day, Eust accepted a training task and engaged in physical training. Although he was very hungry, he felt fulfilled and ultimately completed the task, increasing his strength, which was a source of joy.
On the second day, with Sunny’s Task Fruit “cooling down,” both Eust and Sunny were too famished to have any energy. Eust managed only two sets of the 2nd training combo, deciding to conserve his strength as a last resort. Although his strength was still limited, he needed to have some means of self-defense when leaving the Franklin Trading Company’s ship after they docked on the island.
On the third day, Sunny’s Task Fruit ability was ready again, but Eust decided to delay using it. Given his current condition, completing a task would be challenging, so it was better to wait for a more opportune moment.
On the fourth day, the Titan and Nicole finally reached Shields Island, granting Eust and Sunny a fresh start.
Jack, the head guard who had taken Eust’s treasure, left Eust feeling no debt towards him. Eust was more resentful of the three days spent in the cabin and had no desire to linger or bid farewell.
After leaving the ship, Eust and Sunny’s first priority was finding food. However, with no money, they had to revert to old methods and search for food in the sea.
The bustling dock was not suitable for fishing or gathering shellfish, so Eust and Sunny moved along the shore to find a better spot. After some searching, Eust finally found an appropriate place and began fishing. His target remained the easy-to-catch but plentiful dumbfish.
After some hard work, Eust and Sunny ate their fill, lying on the shore to enjoy the view. The familiar ocean scenery was a welcome sight after three days confined in a cabin.
Humans, or rather intelligent beings, often fail to appreciate common things until they are lost. Regaining such things brings great joy, be it health, emotions, or even a phone.
(Even if some strange things appear, the important thing is to understand the underlying principle. After all, you can’t live without your phone.)
Once they were full, it was time to consider their next steps. Given Eust’s current weak state, he decided to lay low for a while on Shields Island to develop and level up rather than facing dangerous challenges prematurely.
Having Sunny, the strategist cat, by his side, Eust decided to consult Sunny on their next move, despite having some plans of his own.
“Sunny, what do you think we should do next?”
“Meow, Eust, isn’t it obvious? Use the Task Fruit’s ability to collect treasures and gain initial funds. Settle down on this island first. Meow, isn’t that what you had planned originally? Meow!”
“Exactly. When I asked about the Task Fruit’s ability to collect treasures, that was the plan. However, there are always people with special eyes. With my shabby appearance, I probably can’t even enter those shops, and showing off our wealth could be dangerous.”
“So, our current task—er, my task—is to catch fish, sell them to get some money, and buy some clothes. Sometimes, simple clothing choices can determine success.”
“Meow, I really don’t understand you humans, meow!”
Eust continued fishing, targeting more valuable fish this time. Though dumbfish were easy to catch and good for filling the stomach, they were cheap and wouldn’t fetch a good price. Rare fish, however, had a decent market value even on a resource-rich island like Shields Island.
Eust had never been to Shields Island before, but he knew about it because of the 153rd Marine Branch located there. For more detailed information, he would have to wait until they were settled.
Catching rare fish was difficult, and despite his efforts, Eust found none, having to settle for more common fish to sell.
Feeling dejected, Eust sensed even the sunlight seemed dimmer. Sunny’s odd looks didn’t help either, especially after Eust’s initial confidence.
By the afternoon, Eust had managed to dress more appropriately and even bought some appealing snacks for Sunny, preventing Sunny from acting cute and drawing a crowd.
They were now searching for a hotel and a restaurant. It might seem odd, but the hotel was for their accommodation, and the restaurant was due to some personal hang-up of Eust’s from his previous life.
Though they only had enough Beli for a day or two of lodging, Eust wasn’t planning to skimp on comfort. Having lived in a “shack” on the island and a cramped cabin on the ship, he was ready for a decent place.
Eust wasn’t a wanted pirate. Though he might be restless by nature, he didn’t have any immediate concerns.
As for how he would set out to sea, Eust had a plan. Joining the Navy was out of the question due to his disdain for the World Nobles and their disregard for humanity. Becoming a pirate wasn’t ideal either, considering the constant battles for survival and reputation.
Instead, Eust planned to venture out as a bounty hunter, using that status to gather a crew and go on adventures. Although they would take down pirates when necessary, his primary goal was exploration and treasure hunting.
Deep in thought, Eust found himself approaching a restaurant with a sign reading “Foodfoo”—a strange name but the place he was looking for.
The One Piece world often had signs in various languages, and Eust’s perfect memory helped him navigate them. He didn’t dwell on it and led Sunny, who was savoring a snack, into the restaurant. From the size of the establishment, it likely offered lodging too, making it a promising stop for the night.
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