Chapter 2
"Where did he go then? Did he try to seek revenge on those crew members who betrayed him after recovering? How is he doing?" Light pressed eagerly.
Carnes looked at the sky, his tone calm.
"The vice captain, who was nearly beaten to death, managed to survive and hid on an unknown island."
"His injuries never fully healed."
"That battle left him with an incurable wound!"
"He lost his former peak strength and power, let alone seeking revenge on those crew members who betrayed him."
"In the end, he spent his days accompanied by alcohol and died on that lonely island..."
As Carnes finished speaking, a mechanical prompt suddenly echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Great Captain System loading complete.]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for receiving a beginner's gift package!]
[Host: Carnes]
[Power Value: 0]
[Abilities: Conqueror's Haki (Top-tier), Armament Haki (Advanced), Observation Haki (Advanced)]
[Items: Beginner's Gift Package * 1]
[Entrance to Prize Pool >>]
[Ding! Welcome, host, to the "Pirate World"!]
Upon hearing this abrupt system prompt, Carnes paused for a moment.
"This mechanical voice... a system?"
Seemingly in response to Carnes' doubts, the system's prompt resounded in his mind once again.
[Ding! Abnormal vital signs detected in the host!]
[Ding! Abnormal cellular vitality detected in the host!]
[Ding! Comprehensive scan in progress!]
[Progress: 10%... 50%... 100%!]
[Scan complete!]
[Repair program activating, estimated completion time: 4 hours!]
[Ding! After this repair, the host's body will restore to its peak state in its prime!]
At that moment, Carnes froze.
It really was a system!
His own cheat... had finally arrived?!
Recalling when he first arrived in this world, he spent countless days and nights fantasizing about his cheat, his own system arriving.
But the cruel reality was that he had been waiting endlessly for the system to come.
Even so, he still chose to set sail in that dangerous era!
Climbing up bit by bit, relying on his own efforts!
His first kill, his first experience of Conqueror's Haki, his first usage of Armament Haki, his first usage of Observation Haki!
He gradually improved his strength in one life-and-death battle after another.
Until he joined the Rocks Pirates and became the vice captain of the Rocks Pirates!
He believed that he was about to reach the pinnacle of this world.
He thought that by relying on his foresight of the future, he could change it!
However, reality was cruel.
The trajectory of the entire world did not change because of his existence!
The battle in the Valley of the Gods took everything away from him.
During his most desperate and hateful moments, the cheat still didn't appear!
Now, after experiencing the passage of time and the washing away of years, he had become enlightened, let go... and was ready to live out his remaining days aimlessly.
Relying on his own efforts, he climbed up little by little!
His first kill, the first experience and awakening of Conqueror's Haki, the first usage of Armament Haki, the first usage of Observation Haki!
He gradually improved his strength in one life-and-death battle after another.
Until he joined the Rocks Pirates and became the vice captain of the Rocks Pirates!
He thought he would touch the pinnacle of this world.
He believed that by relying on his foresight of the future, he could change it!
But reality was cruel.
The trajectory of the entire world did not change because of his existence!
The battle in the Valley of the Gods took everything away from him.
During his most desperate and hateful moments, the cheat still didn't appear!
Now, after experiencing the passage of time and the washing away of years, he had become enlightened, let go... and was ready to live out his remaining days aimlessly.
But now, the cheat appeared?! The system appeared?!
Carnes fell into confusion, lost in thought.
He didn't know how much time had passed.
Only when Light's impatient shouts woke him up did Carnes snap out of his daze.
"Old man! Old drunkard! Hey! Hey! Hey! What are you daydreaming about?!"
Carnes regained his senses but seemed absent-minded as he looked at Light and asked, "What did you just say?"
Hearing Carnes' question, Light became somewhat angry.
"I said..."
However, before he could finish his words this time, he grumbled in dissatisfaction, "Forget it, it's nothing. The ending of this story is really lousy."
"The vice captain ended up dying on that unknown island, how frustrating."
Carnes fell into contemplation.
After a moment, he chuckled and said, "Is that so? I also feel frustrated."
Light's eyes lit up, seemingly resonating with Carnes' viewpoint.
"Right?! You feel the same way, don't you? He was clearly betrayed! He should be filled with hatred! And then he should search for a way to recover, and finally seek revenge against those who betrayed him!"
"Successful revenge should be the proper ending for this story!"
Listening to Light's words, Carnes looked up at the sky once again.
"But it seems like he has grown accustomed to a peaceful life..."
Light looked at Carnes, displaying a disdainful expression.
"Ah~ How pathetic! Why does it feel like you're talking about yourself?"
"With the vice captain's personality, how could he possibly grow accustomed to a peaceful life?"
"He became a vice captain by relying on his own efforts, gradually becoming a powerful figure in that era, defeating numerous crew members!"
"His crew members betrayed him. How could he swallow this humiliation?"
"The vast and surging sea is his true destination. What do you know, you old drunkard who only knows how to drink?"
Light ran at Carnes.
Finally, he looked at his sister and called out, "Let's go, Lily! Let's go home!"
Saying that, Light pulled Lily and headed back in the direction of the tavern.
"Goodbye, Grandpa Carnes~" Lily waved with a bright smile towards Carnes.
Carnes smiled and waved in response.
His gaze followed the fading figures of Lily and Light as they walked away.
Without uttering a word, he just smiled silently.
"The sea... is my true destination... isn't it?"