Theft and Flight

*A Week Later, at Sakumo the Blacksmith's Workshop:*

After finishing my work and training, I headed to Sakumo's shop to get my nails—seven days had already passed.

After the long journey, I arrived at the workshop. Unlike last time, despite the late hour, I could hear the sound of hammering iron—it seemed he was extremely busy.

I knocked on the door and called out to him. He came out, seemingly expecting me. "Wait a moment, I'll bring them for you."

After a short while, he returned with my nails in a cloth bag and said, "I don't know where you got that iron, but honestly, it's excellent. I put in a lot of effort to smelt it."

I took the bag, opened it, and glanced at the nails—shiny black with tips that looked extremely sharp. I looked at Sakumo and asked, "What should I do if the tips lose their sharpness?"

Sakumo's eyes gleamed as if he saw a business opportunity. "Normally, that's not my concern, but I happened to buy a new sharpening stone. So, how about I sell you the old one?"

"Oh, that would be perfect."

"I'll give you a good price—80,000 Beri. Even though it's old, it still works well for a long time," Sakumo said.

"Thank you, sir," I replied.

"Then the total will be 320,000 Beri. I'll bring you the stone now," Sakumo said, rushing back into the workshop.

The moment he entered, a sly smile formed on my lips, and I sprinted toward the forest. Why? Simply because I didn't have the money.

Originally, I had planned to trick him another way, but I thought of this method during the conversation and went with it. I ran through the forest at full speed without looking back.

A short while later, Sakumo came out holding a worn-out stone. But as soon as he entered and saw the customer gone, he frowned and called out, "Where are you, my friend? I brought the stone for you!"

He called out, hoping I would reappear, but after a moment, he stopped, closed the door, and returned to the workshop, thinking to himself, "Damn my stupidity! I don't even know where that bastard ran off to. I'll report him to the Marines tomorrow."

---

*Three Months Later:*

Shiny black nails floated in the air, spinning violently, creating a sharp sound as they cut through the wind. \

With a thought, the ten nails shot toward ten thick trees, piercing them as if they were nothing, then returned and began swirling around me skillfully. "Finally, I've reached a decent level and can control them freely."

I approached a massive boulder, six meters tall, and jumped onto it. With a thought, the boulder began to float, rising into the sky.

After crafting the nails, I used them to kill powerful beasts in the forest, consuming their flesh and blood alongside my training, which made my body stronger and stronger.

As for work, I made a deal with Tavis: he would tell me what was required, and once I finished, I could leave. The only reason I stayed working with him was Carla's… *ahem*… which I enjoyed every time Tavis was late or away.

Standing on the boulder, I began thinking: "I can fly in the sky without any external help—no need for a boulder or anything else. But I have to keep my body still; the slightest movement makes me fall. I need to find a solution for this."

So, I set a goal in my mind: once I mastered flying with the ability to move freely in the air, I would leave Loguetown.

---

*The Next Day:*

I entered the Marine office and approached the receptionist. "Is Mr. Jonas here?"

"Yes, he's in his office," the clerk answered without even looking at me.

I headed to the office on the third floor and knocked. "Come in."

Inside, I found a man in his thirties smoking a cigarette and reading a newspaper. He glanced at me and said, "Did you come for what we discussed earlier?"

"Yes."

"Did you bring the money?" I didn't answer his question. Instead, I stepped forward, handed him a bundle of cash, and after counting it, he tossed it into a drawer beside him.

Then, he handed me a small, square-shaped book, about 8 or 9 centimeters on each side, and said, "Here, you'll find everything you need."

I took the book and slipped it into my pocket without checking it, then left the Marine office. I opened the book and began reading its contents. Once I confirmed it was what I needed, I returned it to my pocket.

What the Marine officer had just given me were the Marine training manuals used by recruits to strengthen their bodies and build their foundations. This was exactly what I needed now because I felt that my regular training was starting to lose its effectiveness, and my progress was slowing down bit by bit.

---

After returning home, I went to the shower to remove my sweat. A moment later, I heard footsteps behind me.

Carla came up behind me, grabbed my cock with her soft hands, and whispered in my ear, "Tavis told me he's meeting some old friends, so he'll be late. We have plenty of time. How about we do it in my room?"

I turned around and looked at the naked Carla, who was now completely liberated after she'd gotten rid of her guilt. I pulled her toward me so she was against my body, and I held her big ass in my hands. "No, we're not doing it here, and I want you to scream freely."

"Carla has become my outlet for stress and worries," I thought as I pounded her vagina in the shower.