Chapter 4: Buying a Boat... Somehow
Ayman sat on a rock, clothes still a little damp from the river, staring at his system screen.
[Mission Completed: Establish Power Link with First Summon]
[Reward: 100,000 Beli (converted from System Coins)]
[New Mission Available: Begin Grand Line Journey – Objective: Purchase a Seaworthy Vessel]
[Reward: 25,000 Beli + Random Gacha Token]
"Alright," he muttered. "Boat. Easy. Just need a sturdy, affordable ship to start the pirate hunter life. Maybe something modest, practical…"
Yoruichi dropped next to him, towel around her shoulders, still air-drying like it was a vacation. "Planning to sail in a bathtub?"
"It's called starting small."
"It's called poverty."
He scowled. "I have 100,000 beli now."
She smirked. "That might buy you half a canoe."
[Tip: Ships range in cost depending on size, durability, and flair. Recommended: Starter Schooner – 95,000 Beli.]
Ayman selected the suggested model, and a window popped up with a 3D model of a small, sleek boat with a single sail, below-deck storage, and a surprisingly clean design.
"Oooh," he whispered. "Perfect."
He hit *Purchase*.
[Purchase Confirmed. Location: Delivered to Eastport Dockside.]
"…Where the hell is Eastport?"
Yoruichi casually pointed. "I passed a sign yesterday. Day's walk west."
Ayman groaned. "Fine. Let's go."
---
One day and three blisters later, they reached Eastport.
A small, lively dock town with that distinct "we-do-crime-but-pay-our-taxes" vibe. Vendors shouted, fish stank, and the sound of hammering filled the air as dockhands repaired ships.
"Where do I find a system-delivered boat?" Ayman asked.
[Look for the one with a glowing system emblem.]
Right. That narrows it down.
Then he saw it. A compact ship, docked near the edge, with a faint shimmering icon floating above the deck—like a watermark in the air.
There it was. His first real ship.
It was beautiful.
Until someone jumped on it.
"Oi! This boat's got no name on it—finders keepers!"
A burly man with greasy hair and a wide grin stood proudly on the deck. Behind him, two similarly ugly goons climbed aboard.
"Oh come on," Ayman muttered. "I just bought that!"
Yoruichi stretched. "Want me to go full cat mode and kick them off?"
"I mean... maybe just a light warning?"
She disappeared.
In a blink, the greasy leader found himself dangling upside down by his underwear, hoisted up the mast like a sad flag.
"AAAGHHHH—MY FAMILY JEWELS!!"
Yoruichi reappeared beside Ayman, sipping juice she somehow bought without him noticing. "Consider them warned."
"...Thanks."
The two goons had already fled, one of them crying about demons.
Ayman walked aboard, chest swelling with pride. "My ship…"
It was real. It rocked gently under his feet, creaked like it belonged, and best of all—it didn't sink.
Yoruichi looked around. "No kitchen, tiny cabin, but we can make do."
"We'll upgrade later."
[New Feature Unlocked: Ship Customization Menu]
[Available Upgrades: Storage Expansion, Kitchen Module, Hidden Cannon Compartment]
"Ohoho…" Ayman whispered. "This is going to be fun."
Just as he started dreaming about naming the ship, the system pinged again.
[Mission Updated: Recruit 2 Additional Summons before reaching the Grand Line.]
[Reward: 1 Rare Gacha Token + Special Storage Pack.]
"Well, guess we know what's next."
"More girls?" Yoruichi teased. "This is starting to feel like an anime harem cruise."
"It is basically that," Ayman muttered, but he smiled despite himself. "Let's get ready to set sail."
He stepped forward, trying to pose heroically on the bow like some kind of captain.
"From now on, we travel the seas as the greatest pirate-hunting crew in history!"
Cue dramatic wind.
Cue sea breeze.
Cue Ayman stepping on a soap-slick patch of deck and flipping into a water barrel head-first.
Yoruichi leaned over, laughing. "Captain Ayman, huh? Dignified."
He emerged, soaked and gasping. "Still counts…!"
[Bonus Objective Complete: Comedy Moment Achieved.]
[Reward: 5,000 Beli.]
Yoruichi blinked. "Wait, the system rewards slapstick now?"
"I'm not complaining."
And with that, their journey officially began. Ayman may not have a crew yet, or a clue what was coming next, but he had a ship, a summon, and one hell of a weird future.
---
To be continued...