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A gentle sea breeze swept across the deck as Lucas sat on the railing, watching the residents of Cocoyasi Village grow smaller in the distance.
"Has Nami not shown up yet?" Luffy craned his neck, scanning the shoreline.
Lucas shook his head, his dark hair now nearly shoulder-length brushing against his face. The wind carried it into his eyes, and he frowned.
"Hey, when did your hair get so long?" Luffy asked, tilting his head.
It hadn't been long since Lucas arrived in this world, yet his once-short hair had grown almost as long as Nami's, though his remained jet-black like Luffy's.
"She'll come," Lucas said with certainty.
"Not necessarily. She might be happier staying here," Zoro remarked, arms crossed.
Luffy shrugged. "I respect her choice."
Sanji, however, nearly exploded at the thought. If Nami didn't join them, the crew would be nothing but men! Unacceptable!
"Luffy, if Miss Nami doesn't come, I might as well jump ship!" Sanji fumed, smoke practically rising from his cigarette.
Zoro smirked. "Tch. Typical lovesick cook."
Sanji's eye twitched. "You wanna say that again, moss-head?!"
Zoro jerked his chin toward Lucas, lowering his voice. "What about him? Isn't he your so-called 'goddess' over there?"
Sanji's face contorted before he glanced at Lucas, who was still gazing at the horizon, oblivious.
'He's a man! How...HOW IS HE SO PRETTY?!' Sanji wailed, clutching his head.
Currently, Lucas was still wearing Nami's borrowed clothes, her top and, after some persuasion, her trousers. They fit surprisingly well, though he'd only agreed after Nami promised him five times the pocket money of the others.
'Once we reach the next town, I'm buying proper clothes', he thought.
By now, the initial starstruck awe of meeting the Straw Hats had faded. Lucas had fully settled into the crew, adapting to life at sea.
His attention shifted to the photos he'd taken in Cocoyasi Village.
'Time for an upgrade.'
"System, upgrade the Orochimaru card to Level 4."
He still had plenty of emotional value saved up, and this boost would be crucial.
'I wonder what new abilities I'll unlock.'
[Ding! Operation successful.]
[Orochimaru character card upgraded to Level 4.]
[Host has acquired all combat experience, ninjutsu, and knowledge of Orochimaru's genin years.]
[Chakra reserves increased.]
[All skills and power enhanced.]
Lucas's stats updated in an instant:
//
[Host: Lucas]
[Character Card: Orochimaru (Gold)]
[Card Level: 4 (0/5000)]
[Skills: Soft Physique Modification technique, Chakra, Three Techniques, Advanced Three Techniques, Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, Shadow Clone, Orochimaru's full genin arsenal.]
[Equipment: Kusanagi Sword (Gold)]
[Equipment Skill: Serpent Blade, Snake Sword Unity.]
[Combat Rating: B (You are now a true master.)]
//
A flood of memories surged into Lucas's mind, battle tactics, jutsu mastery, the instincts of a prodigy trained by the Third Hokage himself.
'Now I'm solidly B-rank. With Orochimaru's experience, I won't be pushed around anymore.'
He still had over 30,000 emotional points left.
'Should I try a ten-pull?'
"System, ten consecutive draws."
[10,000 emotional points deducted. Drawing…]
[White Item: Kitchen Knife]
[White Item: Toothbrush]
[White Item: Whetstone]
[Green Item: Mastercraft Longsword]
[White Item: JK Uniform]
[White Item: Black Stockings]
[White Item: White Stockings]
[Orange Item: Water-Breathing Bead]
[Green Skill: Tai Chi Fundamentals]
[Bonus: Experience Card.]
Lucas's eye twitched.
'No gold, but an orange item's not bad. Water-Breathing Bead? And why the hell am I getting stockings and a schoolgirl outfit?!'
[Water-Breathing Bead: Allows underwater respiration.]
[Tai Chi: Grants foundational understanding; requires leveling to master.]
'This bead is perfect for the One Piece world!'
"System, equip both."
[Items activated.]
Satisfied, Lucas turned his attention back to the crew. Zoro had already hauled up the anchor, and Luffy, though disappointed, grinned.
"Raise the sails! We're setting off!"
Just then,
THUD!
Nami leapt onto the deck, panting.
"Nami! You didn't even say goodbye properly!" the villagers shouted from shore.
With a smirk, Nami flung her arms open. A cascade of wallets tumbled from her sleeves.
"You thieving cat! You stole all our wallets!" the villagers cried, patting their empty pockets.
Nami turned, waving. "Take care, everyone!"
Lucas chuckled. 'She didn't want a tearful farewell.'
"Welcome back, Nami!" Luffy beamed.
"Glad you're here, Miss Nami!" Sanji swooned.
Zoro rolled his eyes.
As the Going Merry sailed into open waters, the crew stood together, their dreams as vast as the ocean ahead.
"Next stop, the Grand Line!" Luffy declared, pointing forward.
...
T/N: Thanks for the support from: Lam Sha, Black Widow, Hamza Masfar, Lord Of the Mysteries, Andrew, Jiri Stehule, trey hill, Agustin Monti, Tightless,Impulsionimulsion.