Courting Death

(3rd POV)

At noon, on a secluded island, a solitary figure could be observed tirelessly sprinting along the beach, burdened by weights secured to his body. His imposing silhouette featured a massive black wing extending from his back, with flames dancing behind him. Undeterred, the man persisted in his regimen, his face and body drenched in sweat, suggesting an uninterrupted run that had begun early in the morning.

"Huft... Huft... Just another 100 laps more," he muttered to himself, his breaths labored. Earlier in the day, Vanze-san and Robin-san had imparted insights into the advantages of his unique race and shared their training methods. Determined to advance, he reminded himself, "I can't afford to waste time. They are already so powerful, and as a Lunarian, I must not lag behind." Gritting his teeth, he pressed on, his muscles visibly strained by the encumbering weights.

Meanwhile at one of the houses near the beach shore, two enchanting young women indulged in the luxury of reading leisurely in the living room.

(Hancock POV)

After the morning lesson from Vanze, because I keep asking and pestering him, he suggested that I learn more about the world from Robin first. He mentioned starting our training tomorrow, but that winged guy, who borrowed a bunch of weights from Vanze, started his own training right after Vanze left.

He's off to Vuldia Island now on his magical boat. Even though I knew from their story last night that he could do that, seeing a small, peculiar boat appear out of nowhere really shocked me. He claimed not to have eaten a Devil Fruit, but how could he make a house appear last night and the boat this morning?

What a strange guy... but undeniably handsome... and powerful...

Ah! No, Hancock! Focus on getting stronger first! We only met not long ago, and there's still Robin. I glance at Robin, reading a book Vanze collected for her. Tsk.

"Hmm... What's wrong, Hancock? Have you finished reading the Rokushiki technique book, or do you want to read the book Vanze wrote about our Devil Fruit development?" Robin asks as she catches me staring at her.

Nico Robin, my first friend since leaving Amazon Lily, is incredibly smart. We met in a dark cell yesterday, and her calm demeanor in that desperate situation intrigued me. Now I know why—she trusts Vanze and has experienced much worse in the past. I even cried a little last night when she shared her story with us.

I can't imagine if that were me. Poor Robin. Vanze is right; strength is one of the most important things for survival in this world.

"Yes, the Navy skills in this book are even stronger than the Kuja fighting skills I learned in Amazon Lily. But our Amazon Lily has a better Haki learning book. By the way, Robin, what do you think about Vanze?" I'm curious. She's the first-ever member to join him, and they've been living together for three years now.

"Hmm...? What do you mean, Hancock? Vanze is a naughty, powerful brat. Why so curious? Fufu." She keeps reading the book and teasing me. I've learned that she loves to tease people.

"No... I mean, you guys have lived on this island for three years, and he is the first person you ever saw since 'that,' according to your story. So I'm curious about what you genuinely think about him." Robin looks up from her books, staring at me, her finger on her chin.

"Hmm... How should I put it? He is my light when the world feels dark and cold. The one who pulled me back from an abyss and showed me that life still has so much meaning. My dream before meeting him was only to uncover the true history behind the Void Century, even if I die trying, I'm just going to accept it. But now, after living and learning things about him for so long, his dreams have become a part of my dream now. I want to help him and travel with him, so I can't die now. I'm very excited about our journey in the future, fufufu." This is my first time seeing Robin smile full of happiness. Her smile looks like a blossoming flower now. So, Vanze is a very important person for her, huh...

"You seem very happy now, Robin."

"Of course, with you and Azel joining us, it will definitely become more lively around here and in the future as well." Well, I also feel much more relaxed after talking to her and knowing Robin's feelings about us joining.

Vanze is really a good man, even though he is weird sometimes. Anyway, where is he now? Why is it taking him so long? Vuldia Island is supposed to be near, right? Hmph...!!!

.....

(Vanze POV)

Meanwhile,

'A bunch of women's clothing for every season, check. Crates full of spice, check. A lot of oversized clothes for Azel, most of them in black, check. A box full of books for Robin, check. Earrings and accessories for Hancock, check. And today's newspaper, check.' Now, I'm triple-checking everything we need from Vuldia Island. I've already stored everything in my inventory.

Why is it only me today who is going out shopping? Well, it's because Azel obviously couldn't show himself to the public, at least for now. Robin said she wants to teach Hancock more about common sense. And I also have a special purpose in coming here alone. Let's head to the quiet beach first; I vanish quickly using Soru.

Swish...

Sigh... Now, let's check the last thing before we begin.

'Seele, please show me the inventory, and only the important items.'

[ Alright, wait a sec. ]

[ Inventory:

a devil fruit

a letter

A box full of women clothes

A box full of spices

.....(More+)

White:

$36,900,000 million Belly

90kg of sea king meat

a map of West Blue

a capsule corp survival kit

a speedboat

a big adamantium nodachi

Okkotsu Yuta clothes

Instant lockpick 5×

Remote control BIM (Btooom! ) 20×

..... (More+)

Blue:

Jack Sparrow's Compass

A flying black ship

Senzu bean 2× ]

'Only BIM and a flying ship that is useful after the last time I pulled the gacha.' Those bombs from Btooom! are useful, but it's a shame I only have one type. The ship is amazing; when we're ready to set sail, I will definitely use it.

'Alright, for what I'm about to do, I need to change into my Okkotsu Yuta white uniform first and then wear a Joker mask that can even cover my hair with it.' Yeah, I'm kind of nervous but excited at the same time.

.....

After I'm done wearing everything and covering up my appearance, it's time.

'Seele, please show that mysterious quest.'

[ Ding!

Quest: ???

Note: You will get teleported to the quest location.

Rewards:

Mall Unlocked

Rainbow ticket 1x

Accept / No ]

[Are you really sure you want to do this now, Vanze?]

'I've been pondering this all night. I've decided to embark on this quest now. Our group... no, our family needs the mall. Maybe there's something that can aid them, so I can't delay this any longer.' I don't know where or what I'll face when this begins.

Sigh... Maximum effort...

'Hit it, Seele. Let's go for it!'

[Good luck, brother.]

.....

(3rd POV)

Somewhere in the dark cave, a jailer escorted a girl with long white hair and a red horn to one of the cells. The girl incessantly complained and cursed about her current situation, shaking her hand to free herself from the handcuffs.

"Damn, that bastard father. How dare he throw me into this place and handcuff me, just because I said Oden is cool, fool father," the girl continued her cursing against her father.

"Ojou-sama, please enter this cell. I'm only following orders from above, so please be cooperative," the man said as he opened the cell and guided the girl inside before locking her alone in the cell.

"Hmph! I will beat you and father later when I come out of here!" The girl declared her intentions loudly as the man walked away towards the cave entrance. The jailer sighed, shaking his head at the young lady's words.

"Sigh... Kaido-san has a tough job being a parent, huh..." The man murmured as he exited the cave.

The young girl continued shaking her handcuffs, attempting to free herself and causing a clattering sound inside the cave.

After a while, a sudden black light appeared within her cell, and a man emerged from it. However, she remained oblivious, too focused on her efforts to remove the handcuffs.

....

(Vanze POV)

'I was sucked in by a black light, and now I'm in this dark room.' Huft... Let's take a breath first and analyze my current situation. I look around my surroundings and find someone sitting while shaking something.

'Hmm... A kid with white hair, and it looks like we're in a cell. Again.' I can't see the kid clearly because I only see her back. Yes, the kid is a girl. I mean, with long white hair? Come on. It looks like she still doesn't notice me in here; let's call her up first.

[Vanze! I suggest you pull your Joker mask off first.]

'Huh? Why? If I do that, I'm going to blow my entire cover, isn't it?' I stop in my tracks after hearing what Seele has just said.

[Just do it, trust me. She is only a kid, and you can put the mask on again later.]

'Alright, fine...' If this kid suddenly gets panicked and starts yelling, I'll be in trouble.

I pull my Joker mask off and slowly approach the kid. Hmm? She is handcuffed. So, she is also a prisoner. Why do I suddenly feel a déjà vu?

"Hello there," I call out to her.

She turns her head around when she notices me in this room. When she shows me her face, I'm so shocked, and at that moment, I know I'm in trouble.

"Oh...!!! There is a handsome brother here! Why didn't I notice? Who are you, and why are you here, brother?" The girl asks with a curious gaze in her big eyes. She is so cute with her pure expression, but the moment I see her face and a red horn on her head, I know her identity. Sigh...

Tell me why... Ain't nothing but a headache...

[Vanze, wake up. She's still staring at you now.]

'No wonder you asked me to put off my mask first, Seele.' Now I understand why she gave me that idea.

It's because Yamato is right in front of me! Yes, that Yamato. The number one filial daughter in One Piece, whose dad is the future Yonkou Kaido the Beast.

If I had to guess, I'm in Onigashima right now. What's the difference between sending me here and to Impel Down at this point? Sigh...

"My name is Vanze, and I suddenly got teleported in here. Who are you, lady, and why are you here?" Just act like a good brother to her; I don't want to attract the guards here.

"Wow, so cool! Oh, my name is Yamato, and I'm nine years old this year. My father threw me in this place because I just said that Oden is cool. Hmph! Idiot father." Yamato complains and sulks about Kaido. Hmm... Let me confirm something else first.

"Yamato, why do you think Oden is cool?" Let's see the situation after this.

"Of course, because he can stand and hold all of his subordinates while being boiled alive." She says such a cruel event with a hint of pride and innocent eyes, so pure of her. It looks like this Yamato still can be saved.

[Maybe because the samurais who brainwashed her are imprisoned in a deeper room. This Yamato could only have seen Oden's execution but still not read his diary, that's why she is saying Oden is cool, not to the point of idolizing him.]

'You have a point, Seele. Especially if this is an AU.'

[Ding!

Quest: Shenlong, hear me out!

You are in the middle of the dragon dens, loot the dragon treasures and create chaos to summon the dragon.

(Note: as long as you create chaos within the time limit, you will be teleported back to your last location. You could also bring someone or something with you.)

Rewards:

Mall Unlocked

Rainbow ticket 1x

Time limit: 1 hour]

'Oh... Did the system just tell me to court death? And I think this Shenlong can't grant you wishes either.' Things are just getting out of hand now. If I want to create chaos and loot their treasures here, I need to face at least King and Queen, even if Kaido is not here.

'Let's ask Yamato first, then; maybe she knows the situation outside.'

"Yamato, is your father and his subordinates here in Onigashima right now?" Hopefully, she says no.

"Ehm... I remember that bastard father, along with King, is heading towards someone called Whitebeard to fight. I don't know where the fatty Queen is, though." Yamato looks really cute when she is frowning, trying to remember things. What the hell is wrong with Kaido? He has such a lovely daughter, but he wants to gender-bend her into a macho man.

'So it looks like only Queen is here or not. The Tobi Roppo shouldn't exist yet; maybe only Sasaki has already joined Kaido now.' So I have a chance with this. It will be even better if Queen is not here, hehe.

[What will you do now, Vanze?]

Hmm... I look towards Yamato, who is still staring at me with her big eyes.

'I have an idea, Seele. If it succeeds, we will get a new member, and a future Yonkou will target us later.' Hehe, Kaido, if you don't want to do parenting, don't mind me doing it then.

[You are really courting death with your plans now, but I like it. So please proceed.]

I start to sit down next to Yamato and look at her with an expression of someone planning to kidnap a loli.

"Yamato, do you want to go exploring the sea with me?" I ask with a smile on my face.

"Eh...!?"

.....