One Piece: The Extra-Dimensional Pirate Crew

"The East Blue's 16th Branch has been attacked. The attackers were three individuals: Captain Daren Eric, Vincent, and James. The branch leader was out inspecting the sea at the time, while Vice Commander Major Nezumi died heroically in battle. All other marines were severely injured and incapacitated. The three attackers' strength is far beyond the average level of the East Blue! Recommended: issue high bounties!"

A marine reporting to Marine Headquarters spoke into the Den Den Mushi.

"Roger that! … Roger that!"

After hanging up, the marine sent photos taken by a mysterious photographer to Headquarters. Soon, new bounty posters were issued and distributed along with the latest newspapers—not across the entire world, but only in the East Blue and the first half of the Grand Line.

Eric, who had spent 50 Berries to buy the latest newspaper from the News Coo, glanced at the headline:

"Vicious Pirates Attack Marine Branch!"

"Major Nezumi Dies Heroically!"

"What a load of crap! That guy was about to wet himself in fear, and they dare call him a hero?" Eric scoffed.

As he flipped through the paper, several bounty posters slipped out. Eric saw his own, along with James's and Vincent's. He wasn't surprised—he had already learned about them from the system yesterday.

Daren Eric — Bounty: 25,000,000 Berries'Hunter' Vincent — Bounty: 11,000,000 Berries'Martial Arts Master' James (fought barehanded, no bow used) — Bounty: 8,000,000 Berries

"Vincent, James, we've made it onto the bounty posters!" Eric waved the posters in his hand and handed them, along with the newspaper, to his companions.

Vincent read the paper and fumed. "This is completely wrong! It was their fault!"

"Well, it's the World Government. They can't tarnish their own name, so we get to take the blame." James calmly analyzed.

"Whatever. Once we finish healing Kuina, let's not stir up any more trouble. Then we'll head for the Grand Line." Eric suggested.

James, the all-knowing, added, "Before entering the Grand Line, we should reinforce this ship."

"How long will that take?"

"Just one day. It's only a single-mast vessel," James replied confidently.

"Okay. We'll reinforce it tomorrow after we reach Shimotsuki Village. Master James, for now, please continue teaching Vincent and me how to use Armament and Observation Haki."

Since yesterday, they have been training in Haki. While James couldn't fully unleash his own strength, his knowledge remained intact.

"Haki," James began, "is a power latent within all humans—an aura, spirit, and willpower. Everyone is born with it, but most people never realize it or can't awaken it.

"Haki is generally divided into two types. The first is Observation Haki, which heightens your senses, allowing you to detect enemies beyond your field of vision, determine their numbers, and even predict their next move.

"The second is Armament Haki. Think of it as an invisible suit of armor. The stronger it becomes, the greater its offensive power. Armament Haki can even strike Devil Fruit users, including those with Logia-type intangible bodies."

James then demonstrated, wrapping his fist in invisible Haki. Though they couldn't see it, Eric and Vincent could feel it.

'So it really can't be seen… Black Arm Zephyr's Haki must be so strong that it becomes visible,' Eric thought.

Vincent closed her eyes, cupped her left hand under her right, and tried to draw out the power hidden within her. She concentrated, attempting to coat her right hand with Haki…

Suddenly, Eric sensed it—Vincent had succeeded. He glanced at her status panel:

[Armament Haki: Half-Star]

'That fast?!' Eric was dumbfounded.

"Vincent's talent is extraordinary. She's no weaker than my previous students," James praised. He patted Eric, who was squatting in the corner drawing circles in frustration. "Don't worry, Eric. You'll learn it too. I have a feeling you'll one day surpass even me."

"Thanks, Master James. I'll train hard—I won't lose!" Eric declared.

The next day, they arrived at Shimotsuki Village. To avoid drawing attention, they docked at a secluded cove. Vincent stayed on the ship, while Eric and James went ashore.

"Master Koushirou, I brought a doctor who can save Kuina!" Eric shouted the moment he entered the dojo. "She'll definitely recover!"

"Is that so? You've done well, Eric-kun." Koushirou's eyes—usually narrow slits—seemed to open slightly in joy. "And this is…?" He noticed the stranger beside Eric.

"This is James, an exceptional doctor I recruited. He also made the medicine." Eric had already planned out his story and coordinated it with James and Vincent.

"Thank you. I'm truly in your debt," Koushirou said, bowing.

"No need for thanks. Please, take us to your daughter," James replied politely.

They entered Kuina's room. She lay there, unchanged, like a sleeping beauty. Her face was slightly thinner than usual, but otherwise, she was the same.

"Could you give us a moment?" James requested.

"Of course. I'll leave her in your hands," Koushirou said, understanding that doctors often preferred privacy in their methods. He stepped out without question.

Eric crushed a Senzu Bean from the system's shop, mixed it with water, and fed it to Kuina. They waited for over ten minutes—instantly curing her would have been too suspicious. If word got out, people might assume it was the power of a rare Healing Devil Fruit. While Eric trusted Koushirou, there were too many kids in the dojo who might accidentally talk, attracting dangerous attention.

"…Mmm."

Kuina stirred, blinking in confusion. She saw Eric and James standing before her. "Who are you?" she asked James. Then, looking at both of them: "Why are you in my room?"

"Master Koushirou! Kuina's awake!" Eric yelled, not wanting to be mistaken for some creep harassing a sleeping girl.

Koushirou rushed in, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. "Thank goodness… Kuina!" He hugged his daughter tightly, overwhelmed with relief.

"Father? What's going on?" Kuina asked. Perhaps the fall had erased her memory of the accident.

"You fell from a ladder and were unconscious for twelve days. Kuina, Eric went out to sea to find a doctor to heal you," Koushirou explained, summarizing everything.

"Thank you… for saving me," Kuina said. True to her straightforward nature, she immediately knelt down in a deep bow before Eric. Then she turned to James. "And thank you for saving my life."

"No need to thank me. If a future without Kuina on the path to strength existed, I'd find it regretful," Eric said, waving it off. He then turned to Koushirou. "Master Koushirou, now that Kuina has recovered, I can leave with peace of mind."

"Is this because of the bounty posters? Don't worry—you're welcome to stay here," Koushirou said. He had read the newspaper and suspected Eric had been branded a pirate because of what he'd done for Kuina. He couldn't in good conscience let them leave to face the marines alone.

"Bounty posters?" Kuina asked, still confused.

"It's alright, Master Koushirou. Staying here would only bring trouble to the dojo. Don't worry—we're strong. We won't go down that easily!" Eric said with a grin. He walked to the door and bowed. "Thank you for this past month's guidance. We'll depart tomorrow. Until we meet again!"

(End of Chapter)