New Companions, Let's Go!
The Blood King's palace was a maze of twisting corridors, and Yang Ning ultimately failed to capture all the pirate henchmen.
Fortunately, a group of townspeople and fighters were waiting outside, ready to intercept the escaped minions.
At the front were a heavily wounded swordsman and a burly local man.
"Are you sure the Blood King has been killed by that outsider?"
The burly man grabbed one of the fleeing henchmen and barked the question, disbelief written across his face.
When the pirate affirmed the claim, the man did not hesitate to snap the henchman's neck and toss him aside.
"We're finally saved!"
Behind him, the townspeople wept with relief. They had suffered under the Blood King's reign for far too long.
Thanks to their coordinated efforts, all the henchmen who had escaped from Yang Ning were intercepted outside the palace and eliminated.
When Yang Ning emerged from the Blood King's palace, satisfied with his conquest, he was taken aback to see a crowd kneeling before him.
He scratched his head, somewhat puzzled. Upon closer inspection, he recognized several familiar faces, including the restaurant owner.
"What are you doing?" Yang Ning asked straightforwardly. If he didn't understand something, he preferred to ask.
The muscular man raised his head and shouted:
"Our benefactor! You helped us defeat the Blood King! You are the greatest benefactor our town has ever known!"
"Benefactor!"
"My great benefactor!"
The townspeople joined in, shouting in unison. Yang Ning felt an unfamiliar satisfaction at their gratitude. Perhaps this was the psychological reward of doing good deeds. He had never done anything selflessly before, yet it felt… strange but gratifying.
Still, looking at the pile of pirate corpses around him—creatures he had consumed to grow stronger—he felt a pang of heartache. But there was no turning back now.
After a long sigh, he addressed the kneeling townspeople:
"Stop kneeling. Everyone, get up! Let's have a feast! Since you want to thank me, I'll take a proper meal!"
"Yes!" came the joyous reply.
The grand banquet lasted a full day and night. The townspeople brought out all the food they could spare. The restaurant owner even prepared a custom dish for Yang Ning—a super-sized Big Head Soy Milk Baked Beef Fish—along with homemade sour fruit wine and cellar-aged cured meat pizza. Yang Ning enjoyed every bite.
After three days of feasting, he smashed the last bottle of sour fruit wine on the restaurant bar.
"Men, it's time to continue our voyage."
They had eaten all they could and defeated all they could. There was no reason to linger on this island.
Having finally arrived in the world of One Piece, Yang Ning had no intention of spending his days in such a place. He was not yet strong enough to face the great seas and the pirate world's challenges—he had to continue sailing.
"Boss, this place is great. All we wanted was a peaceful life. Why not stay here?"
Little George spoke hesitantly. He was the least noticeable of Yang Ning's subordinates—a thin, freckled boy with brown hair.
Yang Ning reached out and slapped George on the shoulder.
"Everyone has their own choices. You're not suited for life at sea. If that's how you feel, you can leave here."
He added a note of caution: live well, don't get into trouble, and remember your time on my ship with some dignity.
George's eyes welled with tears. In this era, joining a pirate ship was easy, but leaving was difficult. Most captains wouldn't allow their "assets" to vanish. George had even prepared himself for a fight, yet Yang Ning's leniency amazed him.
Yang Ning continued, finishing the last sip of sour fruit wine and wiping his mouth.
"Anyone else who wants to leave can do so. This town is a safe place, and you can look out for each other."
The remaining crew exchanged glances. Old Johnny stayed aboard, but the young Plan brothers chose to leave. Though unexpected, Yang Ning blessed them and left them a generous share of valuables.
The next morning, Yang Ning set sail with his remaining trio of old comrades. Almost everyone from the town came to see him off. Three days could never repay their gratitude, but they helped repair and reinforce the ship, filled the hold with supplies, and even added two boxes of gold and silver treasures looted from the Blood King's palace.
With a wave of his hand, Yang Ning departed, leaving as casually and freely as he had arrived.
As they neared the mooring point, a striking figure caught Yang Ning's eye. A girl with flowing silver hair stood on a large rock, hands behind her back, watching them.
As they approached, Yang Ning admitted: she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Dreamlike, almost like an anime protagonist stepping into reality.
He chuckled and lightly slapped his own cheek.
"Damn it… I'm the one who crossed dimensions into the anime world."
The silver-haired girl frowned at the sudden slap.
"I heard you were leaving, so I came to see you off," she said, her slightly husky voice captivating, a perfect balance of masculine elegance and feminine charm.
Yang Ning felt a sudden flash of insight. Pointing at her, he exclaimed:
"You're a swordsman!"
"Um," she replied, openly confirming her identity.
"You're a woman?"
Yang Ning's curiosity sparked a small flame in his chest.
"No. I am a man. I just look like this," he said steadily, his gaze unwavering.
"Ah…" Yang Ning waved, disappointed.
"By the way, you're from this town, right? I saw you standing with the locals that day. Why were you working for the Blood King?"
The question seemed to strike a nerve. Jian Jiang frowned, biting her lip, remaining silent.
Yang Ning leapt onto the rock beside her, standing face-to-face.
"If staying here brings you suffering, why not join me and see the wider world?"
The swordsman looked at Yang Ning, sensing the sincerity in his smile. After a few moments, she placed her slender, pale hand in his, grasping it firmly.
"Then I look forward to your guidance, Captain. My name is Silamir D. Esdeath."