Booty Island – Four Months Later
"We've been here a long time. Things out there must be getting pretty exciting by now… Those guys…"
Caesar's eyes flickered with a sharp glint as images of monstrous figures surfaced in his mind—Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, the Golden Lion, and Kaido. Legends of the sea.
"Even though the three of us train hard every day, we're not fighting for our lives. It's still different from real combat."
"Only in a real battle can the body's potential be fully unleashed, pushing us to grow faster."
"And…"
Caesar turned his gaze toward the massive tree stump, severed cleanly at its roots. Beside it sat a towering sack of treasure, gleaming with wealth beyond imagination.
The total worth? Over 5.8 billion Berries—a fortune worthy of the grandest auctions.
"We now have more than enough funds," Caesar remarked. "It's time to gather the materials for forging a sword."
Although the Wado Ichimonji was one of the 21 Great Grade Blades, its power still felt lacking.
Caesar needed a blade that truly suited him. One that could rival, or even surpass, Enma.
Besides, the Wado Ichimonji wasn't truly his—it had been borrowed from Shimotsuki Kozaburo, and one day, he'd have to return it.
It was time to move on.
"Finally leaving!"
"Hell yeah!"
Brad's excitement was evident, and Gliner's face held a smirk of anticipation.
"It's been long enough…"
He lightly gripped the hilt of his Western-style sword, eyes burning with determination.
In these past four months of brutal training, his strength had soared. He wasn't the same man who had barely escaped death at God Valley just four or five months ago.
Back then, the Navy and CP0 had utterly crushed him. Against Caesar and Edward's Haki, he hadn't even been able to stand his ground.
But now?
"I want to face an enemy like that again…"
Gliner clenched his fists, excitement shifting into a blazing resolve.
"Boss, where are we heading first?" Brad asked.
Gliner snapped out of his thoughts, waiting for Caesar's answer.
Neither of them had much experience sailing the open seas.
"We'll find an island with a town first. Once we get there, we can decide where to go next."
Caesar nodded to himself. They needed to restock supplies and locate an island with a black market or auction house.
There, they could purchase the necessary materials for forging his sword.
He also planned to acquire a Devil Fruit Encyclopedia—he had a few fruits in his possession but lacked the knowledge to identify their worth.
With luck, one of them might be something rare and powerful.
"Alright! Let's go! I'm fired up already!"
Gliner clenched his fist in excitement.
Brad, ever practical, turned to pack their treasure and supplies, gathering food and water for the journey.
"Boss! We're all set!"
Brad and Gliner stood side by side, gazes locked on Caesar, eyes filled with anticipation.
Seeing their readiness, Caesar activated his ability.
With a surge of telekinetic force, he lifted himself, Gliner, Brad, and their enormous treasure sack into the air.
---
[84] 5.8 Billion Berries – A Special Auction Item
Choosing a direction at random, Caesar soared out of the Calm Belt.
"Our grand pirate journey is finally beginning…"
"I can't wait!" Gliner grinned, itching to prove himself.
But before he could get too carried away—
"Hold on," Caesar interrupted, his voice firm. "We're not forming a pirate crew yet. Let's keep a low profile."
"Huh? What?"
Gliner blinked in confusion.
He was ready to take on the Navy, to make them pay for what happened at God Valley—but now Caesar wanted to avoid conflict?
"What's the point of being pirates if we're not fighting the Navy?"
"Now isn't the time," Caesar replied calmly. "Not until I get my personal blade. I refuse to be hunted by the Navy before I even have a proper weapon."
He continued, "When we reach the next town, we'll need disguises. Once my sword is forged, we'll fight on our terms."
Gliner's brows furrowed, but deep down, he understood.
His frustration from God Valley still burned inside him, and he wanted to challenge the Navy. But if they drew too much attention now, they'd be swarmed by Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, and others.
Caesar, for all his ambition, wasn't reckless.
His sword came first.
And both Gliner and Brad understood how much that meant to him.
So they didn't argue.
With Caesar's telekinesis, they traveled swiftly, crossing the Calm Belt in no time.
Hours later, an island appeared on the horizon—one with a town.
---
A Few Hours Later – Outside the Town
"There's so much treasure hidden here… Are you sure it's safe, Captain?"
Three figures emerged from the dense jungle, their footsteps silent.
Brad eyed their hiding spot warily.
They had stashed their massive fortune in the woods, bringing only a small amount of Berries into town.
After all, lugging a huge treasure sack through the streets would only invite unnecessary trouble.
"Idiot," Gliner scoffed. "Walking into town with a bag that size would make us a target."
"Besides, who the hell here could steal from us?"
He spread out his Observation Haki, scanning the surroundings.
No threats within a three-kilometer radius—only wild animals.
"Relax, Brad."
Caesar took the lead. "First, we eat. Then we buy new clothes and gather intel. We won't be here long."
At the mention of food, Gliner and Brad's eyes lit up.
After four months of eating roasted sea beast on Booty Island, they were starving for something better.
Exchanging excited glances, they quickly followed Caesar into town.
---
The Grand Feast
"Thank you for your patronage! Please come again!"
The restaurant owner beamed as he waved them off, stuffing a thick stack of Berries into his pocket.
Those three had eaten far more than a normal group of travelers—he had made a fortune off them.
"Damn… I'm stuffed!"
"This is what real food tastes like!"
Gliner patted his stomach in satisfaction.
"Caesar, we need a proper cook on our ship in the future, right?"
"Agreed," Brad chimed in. "At least someone as good as that chef back there!"
Caesar smirked. "Of course. But first, let's get some new clothes before we start looking like beggars."
They quickly made their way to the bustling marketplace, picking up fresh outfits and scouting for information on the nearest major island.
Once their supplies were in order, they purchased a small boat, an Eternal Pose, and a map of the region.
Finally, with their treasure retrieved from the jungle, they set sail once more.
---
A Few Days Later – At Sea
"Caesar, come take a look!"
Gliner stood at the bow, peering through a telescope.
"It's an island!"
He handed it to Caesar and pointed.
Through the lens, about ten nautical miles away, a massive island loomed over the horizon.
Their next destination.
Caesar lowered the telescope, a smirk playing at his lips.
"The real journey starts now."
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