Chapter 191 - 2

Chapter 2: I'm Seriously DoneBen stuffed all his belongings into a worn-out backpack.Two changes of clothes, a few pieces of dry rations, a canteen, and the savings he had accumulated over half a year—a total of 13,000 Berries.This was his entire net worth in this world.He stood at the door of the small shack he had lived in for half a year and looked back.The drafty wooden walls, the tattered straw mat mattress, and the pile of wooden stakes in the corner that he had shattered while practicing."Damn it, leaving just like that, without even anyone to say goodbye to."Ben smiled self-deprecatingly, shouldered his pack, and rushed out of the shack without looking back.On the street, a few scattered Marine soldiers had already begun to patrol.Ben pulled his hat low, trying his best not to look too conspicuous.He had to leave this island before being surrounded.The pier.It was the only way out.Ben dodged through several alleys and finally arrived at the harbor.He looked at the various boats docked at the pier and pondered what to do.Steal one?No, he was a hero, not a thief.Rent one?He took out his wallet and counted—13,000 Berries... On this island, that wasn't even enough to rent a decent fishing boat.Just as he was hesitating, a greasy voice came from the side."Hey, young man, you look troubled. Are you looking to head out to sea?"Ben turned his head and saw a bald middle-aged man grinning at him with a mouth full of yellow teeth, his face covered in smiles."I've got a boat right here, selling it cheap, honest business!"Ben glanced at the "boat" behind the middle-aged man.It was a... how should he put it, a small fishing boat that looked like it would fall apart at any moment.The hull was covered in patches, the mast was crooked, the sail had several holes in it, and the deck was covered in a thick layer of seaweed."This thing can sail?"Ben asked doubtfully."Of course it can sail!"The man patted his chest, guaranteeing it."This boat has been with me for ten years. Although it looks a bit old, it's absolutely sturdy!"Ben was silent for two seconds."How much?""Not expensive, not expensive at all, 100,000 Berries!"The man held up one finger."I only have 13,000."Ben took out his wallet with an expressionless face.The man's smile stiffened, but it quickly recovered."Deal!"He snatched Ben's wallet, didn't even count it, and shoved it directly into his pocket."Young man, I wish you smooth sailing!"After saying that, the man whistled and trotted away happily.Ben stood on the pier, looking at the broken boat, lost in thought."Did I just get ripped off?"Never mind, now is not the time to dwell on that.He jumped onto the boat, untied the mooring line, and clumsily hoisted the sail.The small boat slowly left the pier.Ben looked back at the island where he had stayed for half a year."Goodbye, Troya.""Goodbye to my short and melodramatic 'hero' career."He turned around, facing the boundless sea.The sea breeze blew against his face, carrying a salty, damp scent.Ben took a deep breath, trying hard to look confident."From now on, I, Gonzalez Banchi, am a free wanderer of the seas!""This ocean, here I come!"No sooner had he finished speaking.A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky.Immediately after, dark clouds gathered at a speed visible to the naked eye.Ben's smile froze on his face."You've got to be kidding me?"Rumble—A torrential downpour fell.The waves instantly became violent, one higher than the next, slamming mercilessly against the small boat.Ben gripped the mast tightly, his whole body being tossed to and fro."Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"That was all he could say.The small boat bobbed up and down in the giant waves, like a leaf that could be swallowed at any moment.Ben's face was pale, his stomach churning, and he had already thrown up three times."I'm going to die... I'm going to die here..."He lay over the gunwale, murmuring weakly.Suddenly, a giant wave hit.Ben felt everything go black.When he opened his eyes again, he was already in the water.The small boat was nowhere to be seen, and he struggled desperately in the seawater, choking on several mouthfuls.Just when he thought he was done for, a wooden plank drifted over.Ben clutched the plank tightly, as if it were a lifeline.He didn't know how much time had passed.The storm had stopped.Ben was soaked to the bone, lying on the plank like a dead fish, not moving.He felt like he was about to become dehydrated."I... I don't want to be transmigrated anymore...""Let me go back... please..."Just as he was about to give up, a reef appeared ahead.Ben's eyes lit up.He used his last bit of strength to paddle with his hands, swimming towards the reef.Finally, he climbed onto the reef.Ben lay on the reef, gasping for air.The sunlight shone on him, feeling warm."Survived... I survived..."He grinned.Although the boat was gone and the money was gone, at least he was still alive.As long as he was alive, there was still hope.Ben was just about to sit up and check his surroundings.Suddenly, he heard voices."Yosaku, hold on a little longer, I'll definitely find a way!"Ben paused, looking in the direction of the voices.On the other side of the reef lay two people.One of them looked relatively normal.The other one was in a bad way—his face was sallow, his lips were purple, and he was extremely weak."Big Brother Johnny... I... I might not make it..."The one called Yosaku said weakly."Don't talk nonsense!"Johnny held Yosaku's hand, his eyes red."You'll be fine! Absolutely fine!"Watching this scene, Ben felt a bit uncomfortable.He hesitated for a moment, then took out the remaining half-canteen of water and a few pieces of jerky from his backpack.This was his last ration.But looking at Yosaku, who was about to die, he still walked over."Here."Ben handed the canteen and the jerky to Johnny.Johnny looked up sharply, eyeing him warily."Who are you?""Just passing by."Ben replied curtly.He pointed at Yosaku."In his condition, he needs to replenish fluids and nutrition. This is all I have."Johnny was stunned.He took the canteen and jerky, looked at Ben, and then back at Yosaku."Th... thank you."Ben waved his hand and turned back to his own spot on the reef.He sat down, looking at the distant horizon, and sighed."Geez, I can barely take care of myself, and yet I'm looking after others.""Ben, oh Ben, when will you ever change this habit?"Just then.A ship appeared on the distant sea surface.It was a very cute ship, with a sheep-head figurehead that looked a bit silly.Ben squinted."A ship? Great! Maybe I can hitch a ride!"He was just about to stand up and wave.Suddenly, a wisp of smoke rose from the ship.Immediately after, a black cannonball, trailing a long streak of smoke, flew towards the reef where they were.Ben's pupils dilated sharply."What the hell?!"Boom—!The cannonball hit the reef precisely.The huge shockwave blew all three of them away.Ben did several somersaults in the air and crashed heavily into the seawater.He surfaced, spat out a mouthful of seawater, and was completely stunned."What's going on?!""I just escaped death, and now I've been blown up again?!""Is there no justice in this world?!"He turned to look at the ship.There were a few people standing on the ship.One of them, a boy wearing a Straw Hat, was shouting excitedly."Success! Usopp, your cannon is amazing!"A long-nosed guy next to him stood with his hands on his hips, looking proud."Of course it is! I am the Sniper King, Usopp!"Ben's face turned green.So you were using my reef as target practice?!He looked at the fragments of the reef sinking into the sea in the distance, and then at his soaked clothes."I'm seriously done."