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[TIOP] Chapter : 5
🕑 Added 2025-02-02 20:49:13 +0000 UTCAfter dealing with the pirates, Jack returned to his cabin. He had instructed the village chief to keep his involvement a secret—unnecessary attention would only complicate things. Life was simpler this way, and he preferred to keep it that way.
"Congratulations on defeating the Creek Pirates' Captain. You have gained 50 experience points."
"Level up achieved! You’ve earned 5 free attribute points and 1 skill point."
"Side mission completed: ‘Drive Out the Invading Pirates.’
Rewards: 100 diamonds, 100 experience points, 1,000 berries, and a randomly assigned white-tier weapon."
Jack reviewed the system notifications with satisfaction. After knocking out the pirate captain, the 50 experience points awarded were enough to push him up to the next level.
With his newly acquired attribute points, he allocated two to energy, one to health, and the remaining two to speed. Reflecting on the previous night’s battle, he realized how critical speed had become. If not for the pirates' firearms, he would have faced them head-on without all the evasive maneuvers.
In recent tests, he confirmed that his agility was now sufficient to dodge ordinary repeating pistol shots when facing enemies directly. However, ambushes or advanced weapons still posed a significant threat. Increasing his speed further became a clear priority for survival.
The newly acquired white-tier weapon in Jack’s inventory turned out to be a simple katana. Though lacking any special attributes, it was noticeably superior to the crude pirate cutlasses he had previously confiscated. For now, it would serve as his primary weapon.
In addition to this, his diamond count had reached 400 points. Upon reaching level five, a lottery feature in the system's shop became available—requiring 1,000 diamonds per draw. In theory, anything could be won, prompting Jack to consider giving it a shot. However, he remained realistic, harboring little hope of obtaining a rare or powerful reward.
"Typical bait for players to spend money," Jack muttered with a wry smile, recalling how such mechanics in domestic web games were notorious for driving purchases. Yet now, this feature had become his trump card, and he planned to make full use of it.
As for why he would risk the lottery? Jack had reasoned it out. With only a few hundred diamonds, purchasing unique skills or advanced martial arts directly from the store was out of reach. A lucky draw, despite the slim odds, might yield something valuable—making it a gamble worth taking.
After a day's rest, Jack resumed his routine. His days were filled with training and the occasional trip to the sea for fishing. With some savings now at his disposal, he had purchased a modest boat with a sail. Though basic, it was easy for one person to manage and suited his needs perfectly.
This tranquil lifestyle, while peaceful, began to slow Jack's training progress and yielded no new missions. Determined to continue advancing, he decided to venture out to sea once he mastered the basics.
A few days later, with his foundational skills fully honed, Jack visited the village chief once more to share his plan.
"I can't say I'm happy to see you go," the village chief sighed, "but I knew this day would come."
Jack offered a respectful bow. "Thank you for your care all these years. The situation with the pirates made farewells difficult, but I couldn't leave without expressing my gratitude."
The village chief gave a mysterious smile. "Go to the harbor—you'll find a parting gift from me there."
Startled, Jack asked, "A gift? What is it?"
"You’ll see," the chief chuckled. "Let’s just say you’ll need it for your journey."
Realizing the implication, Jack bowed again in thanks. After a few parting words, he set off toward the harbor, eager for the next chapter of his adventure.
As Jack made his way through the village, he noticed that the villagers were eyeing him differently than usual. Though they had previously distanced themselves because of his deliberate association with the pirates to gather intelligence, today their glances carried a peculiar curiosity rather than cold indifference.
Upon arriving at the harbor, Jack located the boat the village chief had mentioned with the help of a boat seller. It was a small dhow—significantly better than the fishing vessel he had used before.
After stepping aboard, the seller provided a quick rundown of precautions and operational instructions. Jack, quick to learn, soon learned the basics of navigating the boat.
"Hey there, boy! Leaving just like that?" a familiar voice called out. Turning, Jack spotted a growing crowd at the port, with the bar owner standing at the front, waving energetically.
Caught off guard, Jack grinned and shouted back, "I’ll come back to visit when I can!"
Looking at the gathering of villagers, he realized the village chief must have shared the truth about his actions.
"When you return, make sure to stop by for a drink!" The bar owner called out, his smile bittersweet, eyes glistening with emotion.
"Jack, if things get tough out there, come back anytime—I'll always buy your fish!" added the bar owner with a hearty laugh.
Though the village was small and close-knit, these heartfelt farewells touched Jack deeply. The villagers, who had seen him grow up, now offered their genuine blessings as he ventured into the unknown.
"I’ll see you all again someday!" Jack called out, voice steady despite the sting of departure. Not wanting to prolong the sorrow of goodbyes, he quickly set sail.
—
Days passed swiftly on the open sea.
"The weather’s perfect today—great for fishing," Jack murmured as he stepped onto the small deck, rod in hand, surveying the calm horizon.
His modest cabin served as both living quarters and sleeping space, while the deck became his main area of movement. Unconcerned with specific routes or destinations, Jack embraced a leisurely sailing approach. With ample food and water stored in his backpack, there was no urgency—only the quiet freedom of the sea.
Truthfully, Jack’s decision to navigate randomly wasn’t some grand strategy—it was simply because he couldn’t read the nautical chart. Despite the village chief’s thoughtful gesture of placing one in the cabin, it may as well have been written in an alien language to him. Left with no other option, Jack resorted to this aimless sailing method.
After casting his line and fishing without success for some time, boredom crept in. He yawned and stretched out on the deck. Having spent the previous night meditating as his energy control neared mastery, the sun’s warmth now lulled him into drowsiness.
How long he dozed off, he couldn’t tell. The sudden thunder of cannon fire jolted him awake. Blinking against the sunlight, Jack spotted a small ship in the distance, frantically fleeing a pursuing naval warship.
"Hmm, a pirate ship," he noted, observing the familiar skull and crossbones fluttering in the wind. "Better stay out of that mess. No point getting involved."
Though intrigued, Jack decided against interference. Since setting sail, he’d resolved to become a distinguished pirate hunter—earning both bounty money and valuable experience by capturing pirates. Perhaps even new missions would be triggered along the way. That conviction drove his choices now as he watched the commotion from afar.
"Oh, haha! They're actually coming straight at me?" Jack mused, eyeing the approaching vessel. "Such a tiny ship—probably just a rookie pirate setting out to sea. Still, even a mosquito is meat. No harm in helping myself." A sly grin spread across his face as he retrieved a katana from his inventory.
His confidence stemmed from the fact that his three primary skills were nearly maxed out, granting him a formidable edge in combat.
But as the figure on the boat became clear, Jack's casual disdain quickly evaporated.
"Wait... Ace?" His eyes widened in recognition. Sure enough, the freckled youth standing before him was none other than the future "Fire Fist" Ace, albeit younger and less hardened by time.
Despite Ace’s appearance being slightly different from his Whitebeard pirate days, Jack recognized him instantly.
"Huh? You know me?" Ace's brow furrowed in curiosity. Though puzzled, he shrugged it off with his characteristic carefree demeanor. Perhaps they had crossed paths before, though Ace couldn't recall.
Jack chuckled knowingly. "With your abilities, I wouldn’t have expected you to be running from this bunch." He gestured toward the naval officer aboard the warship—a striking figure clad in a striped suit, iron gauntlets gleaming, with distinct pink hair marking his presence.
Jack didn't recall the exact name of this Marine officer but recognized him as a pompous character. In his previous life, while watching anime, he remembered this man pretending to be impressive only to get beaten by Sanji at the sea restaurant. Apparently, he held some minor official position.
"Haha... My family is in the Marines, so I can’t fight the Navy!" Ace admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
Though clearly embarrassed by the chase, Jack understood the real reason—Ace didn’t want to clash with marines and draw the ire of his grandfather Garp.
"The fishing boat over there! Clear the way—there’s a dangerous pirate ahead!" A loud voice boomed from the warship as Jack’s boat drew near Ace's.
Jack stifled a sigh, silently grumbling, 'How do you know this is just a fishing boat?'
"This is troublesome... What now?" he muttered with a headache. While unsure if Ace had already consumed the Flame-Flame Fruit, Jack knew Ace's raw strength alone was formidable. The thought of facing him left Jack uncertain about securing a victory.
The Marines' strength, though numerically superior, was far weaker in individual combat. While defeating a ship full of marines would provide ample experience, it would be an exhausting task.
As Jack debated his options, Ace's pirate ship swiftly sailed past, with the warship in relentless pursuit. By the time Jack snapped out of his hesitation, both the pirate vessel and the Navy ship had vanished over the horizon, well beyond his reach.
"Ugh, have I been isolated on this boat so long that I’ve turned into an idiot?" Jack groaned dramatically, clutching his head in frustration. Two prime opportunities for experience had just slipped right through his fingers.
Disheartened by the missed chances, he dragged himself back to the cabin, resolving to channel his frustration into focused practice. 'I’ll complete my internal energy training today to compensate for this wasted day,' he thought firmly.
After a while, a loud bang echoed through the boat, jolting Jack from his meditation. The ship had struck something—though what it was remained a mystery.
Emerging from the cabin, Jack was met by a boat docked alongside his own—and an all-too-familiar grin that seemed to invite a punch. Unable to contain himself, he shouted with unmistakable energy:
"Ace!"
Without hesitation, Jack charged straight toward the grinning figure. His clenched fist aimed directly at Ace's smug expression made the scene anything but a warm reunion.
Had it not been for Jack’s aggressive approach, one might have mistaken this encounter for two long-lost friends joyfully reuniting.
