Vir walked back slowly after bidding farewell to the Sword Intent Hall, feeling pleased. He had finally found a way to become stronger. Although he didn’t know the outcome yet, the important thing was that he had started, and the rest would follow.
By the time he returned to the shop, it was almost noon. He grabbed a quick bite at a nearby small restaurant and headed straight to the workshop, not forgetting that he still had work to do today.
Working the machines slowly, he processed simple parts one by one. It was faster than he had imagined. In less than three hours, he completed the day’s tasks, greeted Red, and went back to his room.
With so much time left, what should he do? Vir thought it over and decided he could start some preliminary training. First, he wanted to see his current physical condition.
He started doing push-ups on the floor of his small room. One, two, three…
Before long, his forehead was sweating, and after a short while, he couldn’t do any more.
“How can this be? I’ve barely done 20. This is the One Piece world, and this body is too weak. Although I expected it, I didn’t think it would be this bad.”
Getting up and going downstairs, he saw Red sitting bored behind the counter. Vir hesitated a bit and then said,
“Boss, I signed up for swordsmanship lessons at the Sword Intent Hall today.”
Red looked up, surprised, “Not bad, Vir. You’ve only been here a day and already signed up for the dojo. What’s the trouble?”
“Yes, boss, I spent over 1,000 Berries on the registration fee today, and now I have no money left. So I was wondering if I could get an advance on this month’s salary. I know it’s not good to ask for pay on the first day, but I have no other option,” Vir said quietly, looking embarrassed.
Red thought for a moment and then said,
“Alright, how about this? Here’s 500 Berries; take it for now.”
Vir sighed inwardly but outwardly showed happiness and said,
“Thank you so much, boss.” He took the 500 Berries and left the shop.
As he walked, Vir thought deeply. He still needed a lot of money. For an ordinary person, 500 Berries might last a month, but it was far too little for someone aiming to become stronger.
Training required a lot of exercise, which in turn required a lot of food, preferably meat. He also needed weights and weapons for training, which he didn’t need yet but would soon.
Walking slowly through the streets, he pondered how to make money. Robbery? Theft? Impossible. He needed to stay in Loguetown for a long time and couldn’t afford to do something stupid and get caught. Who knew how minors were treated in the One Piece world? Becoming a slave would be disastrous.
Even if he wanted to rob someone, he could only steal lollipops, not robbing adults.
Another option was selling information, but that was too dangerous. If the buyer didn’t pay and killed him to silence him, it would be a joke. Again, lack of strength was the problem.
Strength? Right, didn’t he go to the Sword Intent Hall today? The master might be out of reach, but his senior brother Karn seemed to have some combat ability.
If he really sold information, what would it be? Roger’s surrender? Whitebeard’s health issues? Revolutionary Army member list? Gorosei’s appearance? No, these were high-stakes information but too dangerous.
Sky Island, the location of Sky Island was a good choice. Most people didn’t know Sky Island existed and thought it was a legend.
First, he needed to discuss it with Karn and see his attitude.
After a while, he arrived at the Sword Intent Hall. This time, familiar with the place, he went straight in but didn’t find Karn in the yard. He knocked gently to the inner rooms, saying, “Master, it’s the new student, Vir. May I come in?”
“Come in,” came the steady voice of Adonis from inside.
Vir entered and saw Adonis still sitting there. He asked, “Master, where did Senior Brother Karn go? I have something to discuss with him. I’m new here and unfamiliar with anyone else, so I had to disturb you.”
Adonis looked at Vir and said, “Karn should be practicing swordsmanship in the back hill. Go out the back door of the dojo, and you’ll find him outside Loguetown.”
“Thank you, Master. Sorry to bother you. I’ll take my leave now,” Vir said, nodding at Adonis before leaving the room.
Vir smiled as he left the room, feeling pleased. He found the back door and walked out.
Behind the Sword Intent Hall was a large open field bordered by a forest. Vir found Karn in the open field, swinging his sword. Although Vir couldn’t judge Karn’s skill level since he hadn’t learned swordsmanship yet, Karn seemed competent as the senior disciple.
Vir approached and called out, “Senior Brother Karn, practicing swordsmanship?”
“Ah, Vir, what brings you here? Training doesn’t start until tomorrow. Eager to learn swordsmanship already, huh?” Karn teased with a smile.
Vir smiled back and said,
“Senior Brother Karn, I’m here to discuss a business deal. A big one. If it works out, tens of thousands of Berries could be in it.”
Karn was skeptical and shook his head, “What big deal? Tens of thousands of Berries? Does it involve something dangerous?”
Vir sensed a possibility and continued,
“Senior Brother Karn, I ended up in Loguetown because of a shipwreck. My family used to be influential in Water 7. Later, we came to East Blue to visit a close friend of my father. We were attacked by powerful pirates, and I was the only one who survived.”
“Really? Why didn’t you seek your father’s friend’s help? Why are you working in Loguetown?” Karn asked, still doubtful.
Vir smiled bitterly, “People forget you when you’re down, Senior Brother. My father always taught me not to have too much hope in anything.”
Karn was surprised by Vir’s mature and composed words. This couldn’t be a normal 9-year-old child speaking. Ordinary kids couldn’t be so stable and clear-headed. This boy seemed to have a background.
Karn became interested and asked, “What about the tens of thousands of Berries deal?”
“Information. The specific location of Sky Island. The Golden City exists,” Vir said, increasing the bait.
“Sky Island? Does it really exist? Isn’t that a legend?” Karn asked, eyes wide with disbelief.
Vir smiled and explained,
“Of course not. Sky Island isn’t a legend. There’s even a different race living there. My father visited Sky Island when he was young.”
Karn pondered for a moment and then said,
“If you know the exact location, this information is indeed valuable and easy to sell. Wait here.” He walked back towards the dojo.
Shortly, Karn returned with two bags, handed one to Vir, and said,
“Come with me. I’ll take you to Loguetown’s black market. Put on the clothes in the bag before we enter the black market. Don’t wear them now. Also, how will we split the money? I’m acting as your bodyguard.”
“Senior Brother Karn, how about a 55-45 split? You won’t be at a loss,” Vir proposed.
Karn thought for a moment and agreed, “55-45 is acceptable. Let’s go.”
Following Karn through Loguetown’s alleys, they finally reached what seemed like an old, abandoned bar. They put on the large hooded black robes from the bags. The robes were so big that Vir felt like he was wearing a wedding dress, and the hood was very uncomfortable, but he had to make do.
Entering the bar, a masked man sitting at the dilapidated bar counter asked in a gloomy voice, “Customers, need help?”
“We’re here to sell information,” Vir said, adjusting the uncomfortable hood.
“What kind of information?” The masked man seemed curious about Vir’s behavior. He had seen all sorts of clients but never one who fidgeted so much with his hood.
“The specific location of Sky Island,” Vir replied, struggling with the rough hood that blocked his mouth, making it hard to speak. He had to hold it in place with both hands.
“Any proof the information is genuine?” The masked man could barely keep his voice steady, his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
“Shandians. Golden Bell. Giant snake. God, Gan Fall. Giant vine. Golden City. Poneglyph,” Vir listed, finally fixing the hood in place, relieved.
“Impressive, you know a lot about Sky Island, including some secret information. How much do you want for it?” The masked man, now serious, stopped laughing.
Vir thought carefully and then said, “One million Berries. There might be a lot of gold there.”
The masked man shook his head.
“One million is impossible. Even if there’s a lot of gold, this is just information. Fifty thousand at most,” he said in a low voice.
Vir didn’t argue further, just said, “Sixty thousand.”
“Deal. If the information is inaccurate, you know the consequences.” The masked man pulled out a box, took out some money, closed it, and placed it in front of them.
“The White Sea at 7,000 meters altitude, above which is the White-White Sea at 10,000 meters, where the air is very thin.” Vir finished taking the box and left without looking back.
Vir’s first underground information deal was thus completed, albeit with a ridiculous hood that ruined the serious atmosphere.
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