I had my shoulder patched up, but they went a little overboard since my arm was in a cast, even though it was completely fine. We spent this time partying on the ship as we dropped off people one by one to our home islands. I knew that was a risky move—remember, the original tiger had died doing this—but since we couldn't keep them on board, I didn't argue.
"You know, I could be myself right now," I said, sitting on the deck with a plate of food in front of me as Hancock tried to feed me.
"No, what if you open your wound? Let me feed you," she replied, giving me puppy dog eyes. I relented, letting her feed me, figuring it was easier in the long run.
"Tiger Jack, your bounty just came in," one of the crew members announced. Bounties are like your honor at sea—come March, they measure how dangerous you are. The higher your bounty, the more threats you face.
"Let's see, Tiger—your bounty is 230 million berries," said the fisherman loudly.
"Your bounty, Jack, is 1.2 billion berries. The Avatar of Calamity can manipulate the elements, including water, making him extremely dangerous—he should be executed on sight," he continued. I was taken aback but it made sense; I was essentially a god in this world since no one else could control water.
"Having a really high bounty is a good thing," Hancock said, hugging me. At least, with such a high bounty, the Revolutionary Army would take me more seriously now.
After dropping everyone off from the slave trade, it was finally time to say goodbye to Hancock and her sisters.
"Are you sure I can't come with you?" Hancock asked.
The moment I returned to my world, I would revert to my original form—26 years old—and having a 12-year-old girl tagging along wouldn't look good for my image.
"No, you need to stay with your sisters. Where am I going? You're not strong enough yet. They need your strength more than ever," I explained. She nodded, though inwardly she didn't want to leave my side.
(Just wait, I'll get stronger. Next time you see me, I'll be the most beautiful woman and strong enough to stand by your side), she thought as she boarded a boat with her sisters heading back to their island.
"So, Jack, where did you come from?" Tiger asked.
"I don't remember much—just woke up in a cell, and the next thing I knew, I was traded somewhere. Can I stay with you for a little while?" I asked.
"Of course. We just need to stop at an island tomorrow to pick up supplies," he replied. I headed back to my quarters and fell asleep peacefully as they set out early the next morning.
The next day, I stepped out on deck to scratch my legs slightly when one of the crew rushed back aboard.
"Mr. Jack, Tiger's hurt—he's battling a Vice Admiral in town," he said.
(Damn, I knew this would happen, but no, I won't listen), I thought. I swiftly grabbed the sword I used earlier and blasted off the ship. I arrived just in time to see Tiger, badly injured, with his soldiers trying to protect him. I rushed between them, triggering a mini earthquake to send the enemies scattering.
"Mr. Jack came to save us!" one fisherman exclaimed.
"Yes, I did. Now get back to the ship. I'll fly back myself," I ordered. The Admiral appeared before me.
"You must be Jack, the Avatar, master of the elements," he said.
"That's right. And since you're my friend, I won't go easy on you—I'll make this painful," I responded, activating armament hockey and shocking him and the others. I also unleashed observation hockey, stunning them even more. I used super speed to appear behind him and punched him in the face before he could react.
"How can a kid like you have both Armament and Observation hockey?" he asked, bewildered that a 12-year-old could be so powerful.
"I'm just that good," I replied as earth spikes suddenly erupted beneath his feet. He jumped into the air and started to fly, but I manipulated the wind to turn against him, forcing him to land.
"What's happening?" he demanded.
"Simple—I control the elements, including wind, so you can't fly unless I want you to," I said, tightening my grip.
"Ahhh!" he and the Marines nearby screamed in pain.
"What is this? Why does my body hurt?" one Marine groaned.
"That's called blood bending. I can control the blood inside your bodies, making you puppets on strings," I explained. I moved around fighting them, horrifying the citizens watching.
"To ensure you won't follow us, this should do the trick," I said, clenching my fist and freezing their limbs from within.
"Aaaagh!" they all shouted in agony. I then turned back to the ship, where everyone was doing their best to heal Tiger. I went over to him and began healing him, shocking the others as he gradually woke, fully healed.
"How? I thought you could only attack or drown people with water?" he asked, surprised.
"Like I said before, you don't know what I can do," I replied.
An hour later, he was back on his feet, fully healed.
"Any idea where we should head now, given the World Government's after us?" Tiger inquired.
"We could join the Revolutionary Army. They're just starting out and oppose the World Government, but convincing them to take us in won't be easy," I suggested, just as a crew member approached.
"Mr., your bounty has been updated," he announced, holding out the new bounty poster.
"1.4 million berries. Extremely dangerous—Jack, the Avatar, controls all the elements and possesses both Observation and Armament hockey, using his water powers to control blood and break bones if he chooses," the poster read. Tiger's eyes widened in shock.
"Like I said, you don't—" I began, but he cut me off.
"You know what you can do. I get it. But how are you this powerful?" he asked, truly curious.
"Beat me in a fight someday, and I'll tell you," I smirked. After that, I led the way to Baltigo, the secret base for the Revolutionary Army I had sealed off for three days. It was hidden, covered in ships, looking deserted. Soon, we reached an island, but before anything else happened, we were surrounded.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" the leader demanded.
"My name's Jack, and this is Fisher Tiger. We want to join your army," I replied, surprising them by knowing who they were.
"You know who we are?" the lead figure asked.
"Yes, of course. The level of the Army—I assume you're Monkey D. Dragon. Am I right?" I said, smirking. He flinched before removing his hood.
"And why should I let you in?" he asked nervously, realizing who I was. I was packed with enough power to sink an island. Control over the sea and everything in the world was within reach—only those who mastered hockey fully could hope to defeat me, given my mastery of Observation and Armament hockey, close to unlocking Conqueror's Hockey.
"Because I know you need strong allies right now. Besides yourself, I doubt you have many. I've got an entire ship of Fishman here, ready to help. So, what do you say?" I offered.
He hesitated but then nodded. "You're in. Welcome to the Revolutionary Army." I shook his hand.
[Congratulations! You have completed all the quests: rescued Hancock and returned her to her people, joined the Revolutionary Army. Rewards and items will be awarded after opening the system.] it told me mentally.
"Would you like to stay here a few more days? The longer you stay, the more points you'll lose," it suggested. I decided to linger, getting used to everything before claiming I was heading off on a training journey to get stronger. I'd return in a few years.
Lying on a boat drifting at sea, I used my powers lightly to stay afloat. I decided I didn't want to be here anymore and was suddenly transported back to my apartment complex.