One Piece: The Extra-Dimensional Pirate Crew

After sailing for two hours, Eric finally spotted an island—and several Marine ships docked nearby.

"Let's hope they give me the bounty," Eric muttered nervously. This was his first time double-dipping on a payout. He was worried it might be like banks giving you extra money by mistake—you're supposed to return it, or else it's considered theft. In his old world, there were even cases where banks shifted the blame to employees and claimed to be the "victims." Would his system punish him later for exploiting this loophole? Or worse, increase the difficulty of the pirate world for him?

[No. Go ahead. No consequences.]

The system's voice, silent for several chapters, suddenly echoed in Eric's mind.

"…" Eric didn't buy it. But since the system said it was fine, he decided not to hold back.

To make bounty exchanges easier for bounty hunters and civilians, every Marine branch had nearly identical public service counters. Even the interior design was the same. Carrying Krieg's corpse, Eric strode confidently toward the bounty desk.

"That's Krieg, the overlord of the East Blue!"

A sharp-eyed Marine shouted in shock.

"What?! Krieg's been killed?!"

"Who did it?!"

The hall erupted in chaos. Krieg had commanded 20 ships and 2,000 men—normally it would take several Marine branches working together to corner his fleet, let alone annihilate it.

"Those three? They're the ones who did it?" All eyes turned to Eric, Jason, and James.

"Just three of them? Impossible! That was a 2,000-man crew!"

"No way. Maybe Hero Garp took Krieg down, and these guys just happened to pick up the body."

Speculation spread quickly. Some were jealous of their "luck," others guessed it was Garp on vacation handing them an easy win. But almost no one believed they'd done it themselves.

Eric's ego, which had swelled under all the attention, deflated instantly. The gossip and snide remarks made his blood pressure skyrocket. The veins on his forehead nearly popped.

He wanted to shout at them but restrained himself. Calm down. They're just NPC extras. Not worth it. Be the bigger man.

"Hey," a burly bounty hunter sneered, "I don't know how you got Krieg's corpse, but if the Marines killed him and you just picked it up, you won't get a single berry of that bounty." His tone was dripping with condescension, and his jealous expression made Eric want to plant his fist in his face.

"…Got it," Eric said through gritted teeth, forcing a smile.

"Watch your tone, brat!" the bounty hunter snapped, ready to provoke him further. He and his cronies began to surround Eric's group.

"Hey! Marines! I'm being robbed here!" Eric shouted. He could easily take these guys on, but fighting inside a Marine base might jeopardize his bounty claim. Better to let the law handle it.

"Make way! Make way!"

Righteous Marines pushed through the crowd, dispersing the troublemakers. "You're here to claim a bounty, right?"

"Yeah," Eric nodded.

"Follow me!"

But just as Eric was about to get paid—

"Wait!"

A nasal voice cut through the air.

"Major Nezumi!" The Marines saluted the newcomer.

"Nezumi…?" Eric froze for a second, then his eyes widened. Wait… this rat-faced bastard… isn't this the guy who colluded with Arlong and stole eight years of Nami's savings? What the hell is he doing here?!

"What's all this commotion?" Nezumi asked, feigning ignorance.

Standing beside him was none other than the bounty hunter who had tried to pick a fight earlier.

Eric felt a bad premonition. Please don't cause trouble. Please…

The Marines explained the situation, but Nezumi only sneered. "Funny, that's not what I heard. Don't pay them yet. Call every East Blue branch and confirm if there was a joint operation against Krieg."

Time was wasted contacting other branches. All of them confirmed: "No such operation took place."

Nezumi's beady eyes darted back to Eric. "So you really did beat Krieg, huh? But Krieg's bounty is 11 million berries. We don't have that much cash on hand. Leave the body here, and come back in a few days to collect it."

Bullshit. I saw your treasury earlier—there's plenty of money. Eric cursed internally but kept his face calm. "In that case, just give me a bank note for 11 million. I'll cash it at another branch."

"What? You don't trust the Marines?" Nezumi's smile turned cold. "I've got your face memorized. Just come back later."

Eric could see exactly what this weasel was plotting: steal Krieg's body, claim the bounty himself, and pocket the money.

"Forget it. I'll just go to Loguetown," Eric said flatly, hoisting Krieg's corpse onto his back.

"Stop!" Nezumi's face twisted in rage. "They're stealing Marine property! Arrest them!"

"Sir, Krieg's body belongs to them!" a righteous Marine protested.

"My orders are absolute! Second-class soldiers, apprehend them!" Nezumi barked.

Some Marines hesitated, others obeyed blindly, and a few—likely corrupt—drew their swords and leveled their rifles at Eric's group.

"Ah, here we go," Eric sighed. He couldn't afford to get captured; if he died in a Marine cell, it would be a joke. "James, Jason—take them down. Don't kill anyone… except for Nezumi and those bounty hunters."

"Understood," James replied calmly before charging forward. His fists dropped Marines like flies.

Jason darted toward the bounty hunters, her blade a blur. Screams followed.

Eric turned to Nezumi, drawing his sword. "You brought this on yourself."

"T-this is an attack on the Marines! You'll be wanted for this!" Nezumi stammered, backing away.

"Eric-san, this isn't right." One of the righteous Marines blocked Eric's path. "I'll report Nezumi's corruption to HQ myself! Don't do this!"

Eric paused for a moment, then punched the Marine lightly in the chest, knocking the wind out of him but not hurting him.

"Stick to your justice," Eric said softly.

"U-understood…" the Marine gasped.

"W-wait! I'll give you the money! All 11 million berries!" Nezumi squealed, pinned against the wall.

"No need. Scum like you poison everything you touch. Time to clean up the trash." Eric's eyes flashed coldly. "Goodbye, Nezumi."

Within ten minutes, every Marine in the branch was unconscious, beaten down with fists or the flat of Jason's blade.

Well… since I already trashed the place, I might as well rob them too.

Eric looted the treasury but left a million berries so the honest Marines wouldn't starve.

"Wow… even the Marines are broke." In total, he scored 23 million berries, a detailed Marine map, a Log Pose to Marineford, and two standard Log Poses.

So this is what the system meant by 'no consequences.' It's literally pushing me into piracy.

[Ding! You have 2 new messages.]

[Achievement Unlocked: "Pirate Who Robbed a Marine Branch" – 1 Achievement Point]

[Achievement Unlocked: "Highest Bounty in the East Blue" – 2 Achievement Points]

[Funds: 68,346,000 berries | Achievement Points: 15 | Bond Points: 4]

(End of Chapter)