Fire Fruit
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*Author's Note:* Don't just read the chapter and leave quietly. I need your comments and reviews to motivate me. I need to feel like I'm writing for actual people. I love this novel - I find it exciting - so please comment and leave reviews to encourage me.
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After spending the night on Koh Island and with the morning's arrival, I set off towards the Khabin Archipelago.
According to the compass seller's information, the Khabin Archipelago consists of eight small islands located between Arambi Island and the kingdom of Nablarr.
Given its commercial importance, the Marines have established a branch there, making it relatively safe. Traveling to the archipelago by ship from Koh Island typically takes between one and a half to two months depending on sea conditions.
But since I'll be flying with regular rest periods to regain my strength, I estimate I can reach it in less than a month. "I hope to find the Flame-Flame Fruit on that island, otherwise I'll have wasted my time,"
I thought as I pulled up the anchor and adjusted the sail to depart. I don't want to use my flying ability from the harbor, as that might cause problems I'm better off avoiding. I'd already spent 600,000 Berries on this island between food, the compass, ship guard fees, and supplies I bought to last me through this month of travel. Only 1.2 million Berries remained. "Money really disappears fast."
After putting enough distance between myself and the island, I used my ability to make the ship fly toward the Khabin Archipelago.
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A month and a half later I spotted the archipelago within sight and sighed. "I planned to arrive in less than a month, but that damn storm made me take twice as long." "The storms in the four seas are terrifying. I wonder what they'll be like in the Grand Line and the New World."
I lowered the ship and headed for port. After agreeing on duration and payment with the guard, I went into the archipelago. "The ship guard prices here are more expensive than Koh Island's. It must be because this is a prosperous island."
After docking at the archipelago's port, I immediately noticed the difference—the bright lights of shops, the sounds of merchants adorned with fake gold, and the strange spice smells wafting from dried meat stalls. Even the port guards wore blue jackets with Marine insignias.
"The kingdom of Nablarr and the Marines are watching this place closely..." I muttered as I paid 90,000 Berries to an arrogant guard.
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"The first thing I need is someone to clean the ship. After two months of use, it's become filthy." I headed to the nearest tavern and found a middle-aged owner. When I told her my request, she pointed to a girl who looked about sixteen or seventeen.
"My daughter Sula can take care of your ship for a reasonable price," the mother said with a smile.
I looked at the girl. Her face wasn't pretty, and her body wasn't particularly attractive either—the only notable thing was that backside of hers, along with her revealing clothes that seemed designed to attract customers.
I took the girl to the ship and watched her work, noticing how she occasionally paused to adjust her skirt and glance at me quickly.
A short while later, I found myself opening her legs, looking at her vagina, and inserting my penis inside.
As sunset approached, the girl departed, the ship was clean, and I was satisfied with that vagina.
Given my financial troubles, I gave her one of the outfits from the ship to sell or do with as she pleased.
As for the girl, she slept with Luka out of admiration for his muscular body. She got paid for cleaning, the best sex of her life, plus what looked like expensive clothing. It was her lucky day.
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"I keep wasting time. If I miss out on the fruit, I'll curse my own stupidity. Now I need to pay more for ship guards to stay another day and find a way to reach my goal," I thought as I drifted off to sleep, postponing the day's work until tomorrow.
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The next day:
At sunrise, I didn't waste time like yesterday and immediately set out to ask about how to find the island. I discovered it wasn't complicated
—all I needed was a regular compass and to go to the fourth island of the archipelago. After that, my compass would adjust to point toward the target island.
The only catch was that I had to wait two days for the compass to calibrate, which meant more money for the guards. Between the previous two days and two additional ones, I'd have to pay 360,000 Berries just for ship fees.
With food and resupply costs, I'd nearly spend all my money. "Dammit, I need to find a solution to my money problems," I said as I spent another 30,000 Berries on a regular compass and 5,000 Berries to rent a boat to take me to the fourth island.
I went to the island and hid the compass near the shore so it could calibrate properly, then returned to the previous island to sleep on my ship and avoid spending more money.
After returning, I met that girl again and invited her back to my ship—I hadn't had enough of that backside yet.
"I want to save money, but I won't be stingy with an ass like that." After two days, I returned to the island and found the compass now pointing in a fixed direction.
I took it, bought some supplies, and left the archipelago, promising myself I'd never return to this expensive place again. --- "Over a million Berries and more than two months... The Flame-Flame Fruit better be there, or I'll have wasted my time and money for nothing.
After putting some distance between myself and the island, I made the ship float in the air and headed toward my destination.
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Nine days later:
I looked down and saw a small island with sparse trees. At its center stood an enormous tree stump—the largest thing I'd seen since coming to this world.
I knew giant birds lived in that stump, but I wasn't interested in it. According to my memories, Ace found the fruit when he was with Deuce in a wrecked ship on some cliff here. Since the island was small, finding the cliff shouldn't be a problem.
As expected, using my flying ability to survey the island, I quickly spotted the cliff.
I rushed toward it, and the moment I saw the dragon-headed ship wrecked there, I burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! Hahahaha! It's really here! The rare Logia-type fruit—the Flame-Flame Fruit! Hahahaha!"
I knew the fruit was on the ship. After a brief search, I found an ornate-looking chest. When I opened it, there sat the Flame-Flame Fruit proudly displayed on a red cushion. A voice in my head told me to eat it—nothing guaranteed I'd survive and reach Sky Island, and even if I did, there was no certainty I'd obtain the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
I pushed the thought out of my mind - the moment I eat the Flame-Flame Fruit, I'll be drawing a limit for myself that I can't overcome. But with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, it's different.