Sky Island, Gods Island.
Thunder God Palace.
Inside the luxurious ten-meter-high dining hall, crystalline Cloud Crystal chandeliers hung from the gilded dome, scattering warm white light into tiny, fragmented spots.
The two-year period agreed upon with Mihawk had arrived, and Seven prepared to leave Sky Island and set sail once more.
Setting sail at seventeen is definitely protagonist behavior.
For this, Seven specifically invited Gan Fall, Kalpa, and the sisters Shani & Sharle to dinner—a farewell banquet.
Since he hadn't yet decided what kind of ship to build, Seven wasn't planning on taking the rest of the Skypieans with him.
"Lord Thunder God, will you be coming back?"
Seven rolled his eyes at Gan Fall: "What? Are you planning a restoration?"
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare." Gan Fall shook his head repeatedly. "I am just a small soldier under your command; wherever you point, I will strike."
Restoration? What a joke.
They had to cling tightly to a powerful figure like Barzeb Seven; the Skypieans were truly lucky to have such a benevolent god.
Not only did he help train the Thunder Cloud Guards.
He also provided an efficient land cultivation plan, solving the problem of insufficient land resources on Sky Island in one fell swoop.
"Don't worry. Once I find a suitable Devil Fruit in the Blue Sea, I will naturally return."
When it came to making grand promises, Seven was a professional.
Compared to the races on the Red Line or the Great Sea, Skypieans were actually better suited to eat Devil Fruits, because no matter how high the sea level rose, it could not drown the White Sea ten thousand meters up.
As if remembering something, Seven instructed again: "If that yellow, wretched person comes to steal the gold, you don't need to worry about him for now."
Although the Sky Island Thunder Cloud Guards' fighting strength had soared after Seven's guidance and training, two standout captains had even awakened Armament Haki and Observation Haki.
But facing Kizaru, they still wouldn't be enough.
Seven planned to find a chance to fight Kizaru again, lest the fellow harbor any ill intentions.
After all, Gold Country's wealth was enticing.
As for Seven's departure, with the loyal Thunder Cloud Guards present, it was almost impossible for a rebellion to occur.
The sisters Shani & Sharle, who received the most guidance from Seven, unexpectedly became Swordsmen, which was highly related to Seven integrating the Musou no Hitotachi cultivation experience and becoming a Great Swordsman.
Musou no Hitotachi is, after all, a god's swordsmanship. Even having only integrated twenty-five percent of it, Seven naturally reached the Great Swordsman Realm.
Some say a Great Swordsman must forge their personal blade into a Black Blade. If judged by this standard, Seven could not yet be considered a Great Swordsman.
The Super Supreme Grade Blade musou isshin is ultimately a divine artifact, and Seven's current Armament Haki intensity is not yet sufficient to "pickle" it thoroughly.
But if judged by the standard of slicing mountains and splitting seas, Seven could easily do it.
The sisters Shani & Sharle seemed to have planned it beforehand: "Lord, please take us with you. We can help you serve tea and water, warm your bed..."
"Definitely next time."
It wasn't time to enjoy himself yet. Seven was going down to seek companions, earn points using Devil Fruits, and consequently become stronger.
Women only affect the speed of drawing a sword.
"Oh, right, have you found Eneru?"
If they found Eneru, Seven wouldn't mind bringing the Big Earlobe to the Blue Sea, preventing the fellow from obtaining another Devil Fruit and causing trouble on Sky Island.
Kalpa and Gan Fall both shook their heads.
"Lord, we checked Birka, but we didn't find the young man with particularly large earlobes."
"Alright, don't bother seeing me off tomorrow."
Seven gave the instruction; even though he was accustomed to life and death separations, he still felt uncomfortable with the sadness of parting and couldn't stand weeping.
"Lord, we shall take our leave then."
"Go."
Ignoring the resentful gazes of the maid sisters, Seven instantly flashed back to his bedroom, soaking in the bathtub, preparing to clear out the points he had accumulated.
For two years, Seven insisted on the Trading Platform not lowering the price of Sky Island Shells.
Initially, there were widespread complaints on the platform.
They even spontaneously organized an Anti-Pirate User Alliance: any item Seven sought was doubled in price, and any item he sold was completely ignored.
But it was useless.
During these two years, Seven was fully dedicated to various training regimes and integrating the Musou no Hitotachi cultivation experience; he had neither the time nor the energy to browse the Trading Platform.
He consistently listed 10 Sky Island Shells every month, operating on the principle of "buy it or don't."
It was precisely this indifferent attitude that caused the Anti-Pirate Alliance to disband on its own within half a year.
Within twenty-four calendar months.
Seven only purchased: the [flying cloak] for 1,000 points and the [Efficient Planting Scheme] for 500 points.
[Efficient Planting Scheme: 500 points. Using scientific ratios and precise management, allow every inch of soil to release its maximum value. Seller's Note: Pirate Merchant King, may Imu whip you every night.]
By refusing to lower prices for two years, Seven managed to accumulate 50,000 points simply by selling Sky Island Shells.
Consequently, the Transmigrator from the Pirate World was crowned with the title: merchant king by users from other worlds on the platform.
"merchant king is fine..."
"At least it's a King."
Looking at the 50,000 points resting in his account, Seven pouted, his smugness practically overflowing: I've never been this rich!
But when Seven saw the prices for the higher-level applications of the Three Types of Haki in the System Shop, his heart sank.
[Devil Fruit Awakening: 100,000 points]
[Conquerors Haki Defense: 100,000 points]
[Conquerors Haki Observation Kill: 50,000 points]
[Observation Haki Future Sight: 50,000 points]
[Observation Haki Telepathy: 20,000 points]
[Armament Haki Internal Destruction: 20,000 points]
The 50,000 hard-earned points looked like a lot, but they weren't; he couldn't even afford Conquerors Haki Defense or Devil Fruit Awakening, which Seven most desired.
Between Conquerors Haki Defense and Observation Kill/Future Sight, Seven chose to buy—what he could afford first.
Rather than waiting to accumulate 100,000 points, it was better to quickly master what he could afford.
As for how to choose between Conquerors Haki Observation Kill and Observation Haki Future Sight, Seven pondered briefly and made his decision.
"Purchase Conquerors Haki Observation Kill."
While Future Sight certainly holds immense strategic value, for a Handsome Young Man like Seven, whose Three Types of Haki are clearly unbalanced, since the points aren't enough for him to advance equally, he might as well Push Conqueror's Haki to the Extreme first.
Just imagine—
What if the opponent's Observation Haki is super heaven-defying?
Seven unleashes an Observation Kill, projecting a Conqueror's Haki Aura to control his own presence and disrupt the opponent's mindset, making it impossible for them to concentrate and use Observation Haki Prediction.
This is equivalent to breaking one of the opponent's arms.
With this give and take, the power of Seven's Observation Haki, amplified by Electromagnetic Waves, would then become apparent.
Once he buys Conquerors Haki Defense later, Armament Haki could even become optional.
In terms of offense, Ryuo is inferior to Haoshoku Coating.
In terms of defense, Hardening is inferior to Conquerors Haki Defense.
Of course, if points are sufficient in the future, Seven will definitely max out Armament Haki and Observation Haki.
But right now, he's poor.
The poor have their own way of living.
"Ding! Congratulations on obtaining Conquerors Haki Observation Kill. Current point balance: 1,688."
Letting out a long breath, Seven looked at his Personal Panel.
[Barzeb Seven]
[Age 17, Height 2.66 meters]
[Talent/Physique: Big Eater, Innate Divine Strength, Iron Balloon]
[Haki: Conqueror's Haki (Haoshoku Coating, Observation Kill), Armament Haki, Observation Haki]
[Items: musou isshin, flying cloak]
[Rumble-Rumble Fruit Abilities: Instant Flash, Thunder Dragon, El Thor, Raigō, Electromagnetic Storm, Railgun]