"It really wasn't easy, but I finally exchanged all the gold for Berries!"
Once again clearing out the Berries from a small island, Caelan couldn't help but sigh.
It was the first time he'd felt troubled by having too much gold.
The harvest from Skypiea had been massive. A single island couldn't absorb all that gold.
After visiting several islands and nearly draining every gold shop's Berry reserves, Caelan finally managed to convert all of it.
With such a huge haul, Caelan couldn't wait to return to his room and turn all that Berry into raw power.
"A few days ago, Nami and the others earned 100 million from bounty hunting, and we got 160 million from Mock Town. Now, the gold from Skypiea brought in a full 1.2 billion!"
"In total, that's 1.46 billion Berries!"
Caelan looked at the Berry amount displayed on the panel with a face full of anticipation.
---
[Host: Caelan Alaric]
[Template: Berserker Class - Heracles]
[Synchronization Progress: 62.5% + 1% (from defeating Enel)]
[Berry: 67 million + 1.46 billion]
[Strength: B++]
[Durability: B++]
[Agility: B++]
[Magic: B++]
[Luck: A]
[Noble Phantasm: A+]
[Personal Skills]: Battle Continuation (B), Mind's Eye (Fake) (B), Valor (A+), Divinity (A), Madness Enhancement (B)
[Other Skills]: Swordsmanship B+, Armament Haki C, Observation Haki C, Conqueror's Haki B+
[Noble Phantasms]: God Hand: The Twelve Labors (B), Nine Lives: Shooting the Hundred Heads (C–A+)
---
Gaining 1% Synchronization from the battle with Enel wasn't bad.
"Consume 1.5 billion Berries to improve Synchronization!"
Caelan activated the system, and the panel began to change. A massive wave of power surged through his body, and countless martial techniques and battle experiences poured into his mind.
As the energy flowed in, his body underwent a tremendous transformation. Even his newly awakened Haki, just over two weeks old, leapt to a new level under the combined influence of mind and body.
Once the process finished, he opened the panel again.
---
[Host: Caelan Alaric]
[Template: Berserker Class - Heracles]
[Synchronization Progress: 78.5%]
[Berry: 27 million]
[Strength: A]
[Durability: A]
[Agility: A]
[Magic: A]
[Luck: A]
[Noble Phantasm: A+]
[Other Skills]: Swordsmanship A, Armament Haki A, Observation Haki A, Conqueror's Haki A
---
"A full set of A-rank stats. Just looking at it makes me feel great!"
Caelan closed his eyes, quietly feeling the immense power coursing through his body.
His Armament and Conqueror's Haki had reached the level of the Four Emperors. The only gap between him and monsters like Kaido and Big Mom now was mastering advanced techniques like Ryuo and Haoshoku infusion.
His Observation Haki, purely sense-based, had reached the level of Katakuri's future sight.
His strength, speed, and physical resilience were all A-rank. Physically, he was already comparable to Kaido, who had eaten the Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon fruit.
His swordsmanship had also risen from B+ to A, the realm of a true master swordsman—just one step below Hawkeye.
"Now, I've finally become one of this world's top combatants."
Caelan clenched his fists, feeling as though he held the weight of the world in his hands.
With his current power, going head-to-head with Kaido for ten days and nights wouldn't be an issue. He might even pick up Ryou and Haoshoku infusion in the process.
The thought thrilled him.
"If 78.5% can match the Four Emperors, what will 100% Synchronization look like?"
All he needed was 21.5% more, and if converted, that would be no more than 2.2 billion Berries.
"Should I go back to Skypiea and collect the remaining gold?"
Caelan was tempted.
He had only taken about a third of the gold. The remaining stockpile on Skypiea could definitely push his progress further.
"Forget it. The Knock-Up Stream is unreliable. It'll be at least another month or two before it appears again."
Caelan shook his head and dismissed the idea.
He had only been in the Grand Line for just over two weeks. Counting the Skypiea gains, his Synchronization had already risen nearly 13%.
If he had to sit around for one or two months, he might as well keep moving forward and battle more pirates instead.
"Alright, the gold on Skypiea will be my reserve fund. If I ever run out of income, I'll head back up there."
Caelan made up his mind quickly.
With his decision settled, Caelan didn't linger and headed to the deck.
The women on deck were sunbathing leisurely and sipping refreshing juice.
Although most of the Berries had been turned over to Caelan, the tens of millions left made life aboard the Wind Rider more comfortable than ever.
In truth, life on the ship had always been lavish. Their monthly expenses alone ran close to ten million Berries. Caelan, after all, was a thorough hedonist.
"Caelan, Caelan, have some juice!"
Seeing him arrive, Nami quickly handed him a glass.
"Mmh, not bad."
Caelan took a sip and lay down on a beach chair to enjoy the sun.
"Hehe, Caelan, let me give you a massage!"
Vivi approached with a smile and spoke softly.
As Caelan nodded, Vivi gently pulled his head onto her chest, and her slender hands began massaging his temples.
"Mmh, very comfortable."
Caelan closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth and softness behind his head.
"I didn't expect a princess like Vivi to be giving massages?"
Nami stomped her foot angrily, unable to hold back her sour comment.
"If it's just a massage, I can do it too…"
Tashigi muttered, glancing at Vivi.
"Hmph!"
Vivi snorted and increased the pressure.
Caelan said nothing but gently tapped Vivi's smooth thigh three times.
Nami and Tashigi's eyes turned red. Was this woman trying to show off?
Watching their jealous expressions, Robin leaned on her hand and thought to herself.
Why does it feel like every girl on this ship is Caelan's girlfriend? This man really isn't honest at all!
But if that's the case, did she already get caught up in it too?
Robin blushed slightly as she got lost in thought.
That night, the Wind Rider was silent.
A slender figure quietly slipped into Caelan's room.
"...Huh!?"
Caelan was a little surprised. This wasn't what he expected.
He had tapped Vivi's thigh three times. That had always been their secret signal.
So why was it Robin who came?
Even if it had been Nami, it would've made more sense than Robin!
"You look confused," she said, tilting her head slightly. "But honestly… with the way things are going, you'll probably lay your hands on me eventually too. So I thought, why not take the initiative?"
She leaned in, "Besides... we only live once. I'd like to experience some of what I've read in those texts."
Robin whispered into his ear.
"…."
Caelan blinked. That was more forward than he had ever heard her be.
Feeling her warm breath against his skin, Caelan replied, "Actually, I don't mind."
No more pretending.
"Mr. Caelan, you're really... quite honest."
Robin teased, then slipped into Caelan's bed.
Before long, faint moans began to echo from the room.
Outside Caelan's room, the atmosphere was just as strange.
Vivi, Nami, and Tashigi stood together, unsure what to say.
"Haha, so... you two are here too. I'm just going to use the bathroom before heading back."
Vivi laughed awkwardly and turned away.
Every room on the ship had a private bathroom. Who was she trying to fool?
But Nami and Tashigi didn't call her out. They simply exchanged glances and returned to their own rooms.
(To be continued.)
***
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