With the points accumulated, the remaining total suddenly jumped up to 46,150.
Karp's dog-head hat costing four thousand was no surprise.
But the counterfeit straw hat Shano had swapped in and bought for just 500 Beli? That alone contributed a whopping 3,000 points—one-tenth of the original's value. That was a pleasant surprise.
Shano hadn't expected much from it.
Apparently, as long as Luffy remained unaware and continued treating it as the genuine article, he would keep pouring strong emotions into it, regarding it as a treasure beyond value.
That meant Shano could reliably rake in a big harvest of points each year—at least before they entered the Grand Line.
How comfortable.
Satisfied, Shano retracted his gaze and prepared for a good sleep. The only thing that irked him slightly was a new skill that had somehow appeared at the end of his skill panel:
—Theft (Intermediate).
Utter nonsense.
All this was just to earn points and protect his homeland and family! For a martial artist, would you really call that stealing?
…
The next morning.
Shano and his group left the Mt. Corbo region, bidding farewell to the warm-hearted Dadan family, a reluctant Luffy, and a stoic Ace, then set off on the journey home.
After a few days of sailing—
Aboard the Tangerine Garden, Shano reclined on a rattan chair, reading a newspaper with interest.
Tucked in an inconspicuous corner was a piece of news that caught his attention—a new Kendo tournament had recently concluded on Sakura Island, and a dark horse named Kuina had stunned the crowd, effortlessly taking the championship.
"All wins, huh. Her progress really is impressive."
Kuina had a strong desire to improve.
Not only was she trying to catch up to someone she idolized, she also wanted to prove herself to Koushirou, who had always held prejudices and even once said something deeply hurtful right to her face.
When they met last year, Shano could already tell—beneath the surface of her polite and composed demeanor burned a fiery determination to stand at the top.
"When I officially set out to sea, and you join my crew, just how much stronger will you be then?"
Shano gazed toward the distant sky with a tranquil look.
With Zeff's guidance, the various physical technique manuals he provided, and most importantly her own extraordinary talent in swordsmanship—Kuina had already crossed that line of life and death that was never meant to have a sequel...
As the second official crewmate he'd already pre-decided, Shano was quite looking forward to it.
"Ugh, are we really heading back so soon?"
From behind came Nami's dissatisfied muttering.
Before Shano could react, he felt a cool sensation on his neck—the little rascal had leapt onto his back and was shaking his neck wildly.
"Bro! Can't we just play a little longer? How about you drop me off in Shimotsuki Village on the way?"
"We're taking the straight path back home, and it doesn't pass through Shimotsuki Village. And what would you even do there?"
Shano couldn't be bothered. He picked the newspaper back up. As for his neck? He'd long trained it to be like a crane's—if Nami could strangle him, he'd eat his hat.
"Well…" Nami's eyes spun mischievously as she pleaded, "I actually kinda want to become a powerful swordswoman like you too, Bro! That way I can protect our home and keep Bell-mère and Nojiko safe! And since Sister Kuina should be heading back now, I thought I could follow her and learn swordsmanship!"
"Heh…"
Shano sneered. That excuse? Even adult Sanji wouldn't buy it.
"Nami!"
Suddenly Nojiko's angry voice rang out. She grabbed Nami's ear and forcibly pulled her off Shano's back.
"Shameless! We had a heart-to-heart last night and now you're using it to sweet-talk Bro!"
"Ow! I wasn't trying to, Nojiko!"
"Then tell the truth! What are you really going to Shimotsuki Village for?!"
"…I just wanna eat some of Uncle Zeff's cooking. Don't you? His food's, like, a hundred times better than Bell-mère's! Just thinking about it makes me drool…"
"I'll make sure to repeat that word-for-word to Bell-mère."
"Eh?! Nooo! Help, Bro!"
…
Listening to the scolding behind him, Shano crossed one leg over the other and continued happily reading the paper.
Guess that's how it goes—there's always someone to keep someone else in check. Nami might be fearless around him, but as soon as Nojiko steps in, she turns into a squishy, moldable marshmallow.
They used to bicker constantly when they were younger, refusing to back down to each other.
But now that Nojiko was entering adolescence and getting taller, that dynamic no longer existed.
At twelve years old, Nojiko had already hit 160 cm, while Nami was barely 145—still a little bean. The difference in combat power was just too big, and so, Nojiko's authority as the older sister had naturally established itself.
But just now… did Nojiko say Nami copied her heartfelt thoughts?
"Hold on," Shano turned his head curiously, "What Nami said—was it true? Do you really want to train in martial arts and protect our home in my place?"
"I do want to become stronger, and I do want to protect our home."
Nojiko nodded earnestly, then flicked Nami's forehead with a huff. "But the swordsmanship part is her nonsense! She made that up!"
"It's not nonsense, it's a logical guess!"
Nami rubbed her reddened ear and pouted, "You told me last night how that Kuina girl from Koushirou-sensei's place is your age, but she can already win Kendo tournaments and was even invited by Bro to go on adventures with him."
"And you can't even beat the village's geese—so obviously you were feeling frustrated. I just assumed you wanted to learn swordsmanship too…"
She pointed at Shano.
"Besides, if you ask me, why train under Koushirou-sensei at all? Bro's way better! He's the strongest swordsman in East Blue—no, in the world! Way better than Koushirou!"
"Okay now that's just getting ridiculous."
Shano pinched Nami's nose in exasperation.
After thinking for a moment, he turned to Nojiko. "I can't teach you swordsmanship, but I can teach you all sorts of martial arts. I can tailor a foundation-building regimen just for you, and if any manuals turn up that suit you, I'll make sure to get them."
"But Nojiko, think carefully—are you really ready to endure the pain that comes with this path?"
"I am!"
Nojiko clenched her fists and nodded firmly. "Don't underestimate my resolve, Bro!"
She knew exactly how tough the path was. For years, she had been the one delivering food and water while Shano trained every day—watching him push himself in near self-torture. That image would never leave her.
And all of it was for one purpose: to protect Cocoyashi Village, and more than that—to protect them.
Especially a few months ago—when Shano was so tightly wound, even she felt a little afraid just watching from afar.
Thankfully, after he defeated that pirate crew, he relaxed and returned to his normal self.
Still, she didn't want things to go on like this. She didn't want to be a useless burden anymore. She didn't want her brother to always be worried about their safety.
Right now, with him at home, no one would dare disturb the peace of Cocoyashi Village. But in the future?
Shano was someone with great dreams. He would one day leave and journey into the vast world.
When that time came, she, as the eldest daughter, would be the one to step up and shoulder the responsibility of protecting her sister and mother!
Shano looked at the blue-haired girl in silence. She met his gaze with determined eyes.
"You've really grown up when I wasn't looking, huh, Nojiko."
Shano smiled and rubbed her head.
"If you've got that kind of resolve, then alright—once we're back, your training officially begins. The training field I built in the tangerine grove is still there. I'll leave it in your hands."
"Mm!"
Nojiko nodded enthusiastically, thrilled that Shano supported her without hesitation.
"What about me, Bro?"
Nami had somehow snuck a tangerine and was chewing on it while asking, "I was just kidding before, y'know! I want to focus on navigation—reading, drawing maps, that kind of stuff. I don't want to be forced to run 30 kilometers a day…"
"Then go play somewhere else."
Shano flopped back down with the newspaper and grinned lazily. "If even a little squirt like you had to train in martial arts, then all the sweat we tall folks shed up front would be totally wasted."
Tall folks? Sweat wasted?
What was that supposed to mean?
Nami blinked in confusion and popped another orange slice into her mouth.
Nojiko stifled a laugh and reached over to rub her head just like Shano had done to her.
…
Ten days later.
The Tangerine Garden returned to Cocoyashi Village and resumed its duty as a cargo ship.
After a good night's sleep, it was also time for the trade market to refresh.
As he brushed his teeth, Shano flipped through the listings.
The first two were overpriced and not worth it, so he skipped them. When he reached the third item, his eyes suddenly lit up.
[Life Return]
Type: Training Manual
Cost: 1800 points
Description: A high-level martial art involving extreme control over bodily functions, merging consciousness with the physical form. Mastery allows for precise control over organs, hair, and even cell activity.
Note: Part of the same system as the Six Powers (Rokushiki). Deeply interconnected. Recommended to first master Iron Body and Paper Art to avoid deviation.
Seller: System Direct
Finally… Life Return!
Shano's right hand suddenly pressed harder on his toothbrush in excitement.
He'd been waiting for this. Over the past year, his physical stats had soared, but his micro-level control couldn't keep up.
Twisting a cake cart's steel frame by accident, or sitting stiffly on a dinner chair for fear of breaking it—those were all symptoms.
Snap—
The toothbrush broke. Shano stared at it, speechless.
Well, there's another piece of evidence.
He rinsed his mouth and kept his eyes fixed on the item's description.
"Need to master Iron Body and Paper Art first?"
Shano frowned. He had already mastered Iron Body, but what about Paper Art? Those two Six Powers techniques hadn't shown up in months.
Prerequisites are the worst. How long would he have to wait?
Grumbling, he added it to his cart and moved to the next item.
Huh?
Shano's eyes widened as he looked at the new listing. His frown vanished.
[Six Powers Manual * 2]
Type: Training Manual
Price: 800 points
Description: Since you've already purchased four of the Six Powers manuals, the remaining two (Paper Art and Tempest Kick) are guaranteed.
Seller: System Direct
Perfect timing.
Shano smiled, mouth still minty fresh.