The uncomfortable feeling of shaky weapons on my waist was my first concern leaving the gun shop.
Other than them being weights swaying around me and messing up my balance, they were damn weapons. So the first destination was the clothes shop, of course.
I was already lacking in the spare clothes—cough underwear cough—and with this inconvenience to add on, there was no need to hesitate.
And I am glad I did.
'For the person who made the strange-looking wide belts, I am sorry for thinking less of your thinking capability, you are a genius! Don't let anyone doubt you again!' These were the thoughts in my mind as I tried the almost 7cm wide belt.
Ridiculous was what usually came to my mind when you see them at first, but when you know what they are used for, you won't think so. The employee of the shop knew exactly what I wanted the moment I asked, so it looks like it is normal when you are carrying weapons.
With that taken care of, I also asked for other things, underwear and two sets of clothes with shirts, pants, and boots, but I also found myself taking an interest in a set of waist bags.
They were a set of three bags hung on the waist, two on the sides, and a wider one on the back. They looked very efficient, at least to me, so I decided to buy them.
Like this, I felt my waist reach its maximum capacity.
"Sir, if you are traveling and moving around a lot, why don't you try this one too?" Seeing me interested in the waist bags, the clerk recommended another bag.
It was a one-armed bag, the one you can hang it across your chest or your back, I think it was called a cross-body bag or something.
My first reaction was to refuse, but when I remembered that I was not exactly on a budget, I decided to give it a try.
Honestly, it was also useful. It clung to the body so it is convenient for rapid movement, could be easily switched to across the chest without taking it off, and surprisingly had a wide space.
"…Is this also something common with the Bounty Hunter?" I asked the shop clerk, as it looked like she knew what things I would want.
"That's right, do you also want to see what other things they prefer?"
"Yes…"
"No…" What she presented was something that unearthed the embarrassing memories of my dark past.
"Eh? But wearing a protective cloak is very handy!" The clerk argued.
"I don't think it is necessary." My refusal is still strong, there is no way I would accept opening up my dark past again, never.
"But sir, it is not a normal cloak but a protected one! It is made from a special material so it can protect you from stray bullets and throwing knives. It may save your life one day!" She showed me the underside of the cloak to prove her point.
"…A-Are you saying this was some kind of armor?" is she implying that this was not for some misguided form of fashion?
"Yes! Though it is not exactly an armor, as it can't protect you from a direct attack, but it can stop stray shots and knives thrown from a distance. Also, it is very practical against pickpocketing!"
'It-it is a sound reason for me to at least try it.' I wanted to refuse, I really did.
"C-Can I try it in the changing room?"
"Of course! Please, here."
Putting the cloak on inside the changing room, I can see that it reaches to my knees and it has a double layer.
When I tried tabbing it against my sword lightly, it wasn't affected.
'So, is this the reason it can offer protection? Then what if I do this?'
Breathing according to the rhythm of the Hamon, the ripple spread from me to the cloak.
Hardening it with the Hamon slightly and swinging the sword against it.
Clang!
The sword was stopped, while it is not totally a shield, it can still be used as one with no problem.
'However,'
Looking at the mirror and seeing my appearance, my embarrassing memories surfaced again!
'ARRRG! Wait, Hachiman, it is different now! Y-You have superpowers! There are completely logical and sane reasons for this.'
In the end, I decided to buy the cloak…
With the rest of the things I bought in my new cross-body bag, as it was spacious enough, I now walked down the street in my new 'outfit'.
'I don't look strange I don't look strange I don't look strange I don't look strange…'
I kept repeating this word in my head while looking around to see if I was looking funny.
Fortunately, other than some shady people being wary, no one gave me a second glance as if I were looking completely normal.
Honestly, I didn't know what to feel about this. It was like my worldview was taking hits one after another without giving me a chance to rest.
'Sigh, there is no time to dwell on this thought! Just ignore it and focus on the next thing.'
This is the only way to keep my sanity.
But this also reminded me of something, I have no knowledge of this world or whatsoever.
My only reference was a Manga, which doesn't count much, as it was only that, a Manga.
Not only does it not give real depth of knowledge of the world it portrays, but also—even with its length—the manga follows the crew of the Straw Hats as they travel through the Grand Line, one of the five big oceans in the world.
'And they didn't travel far in what I did read, only about one third if I remember,'
The last thing I read was the death of Going Merry. I couldn't read any further because of my strong allergy that day, and later, I was very busy.
'Damn, I should have read more of it!'
Regret was the feeling I have now, but that wouldn't change much because it would still be in the Grand Line, even if we add the small part of the East Blue.
'Which also adds more questions of how and why I am here?'
Out of all the oceans, I woke up in the East Blue, which is way beyond coincidence.
The accumulation of all of that makes my need for more information about this world urgent.
Books were the first that came to my mind, so I headed to a book shop, as I couldn't find the library.
I asked the old shopkeeper if there was any book that could describe the region. Asking for anything that is wider than that would raise eyebrows, as this wouldn't be a common question for a tourist but an academic or a scholar.
The book I was given was very simplistic, a bit over 200 pages, and one that looked like something that would be made for young students in the region.
Which was perfect for my current need, but to play the part and get more books, I asked for a more detailed book.
"Sorry, young man, I have more, but all of them are the same thing. There are more detailed books and encyclopedias in the Pearl Academy's Library if you want."
"The Academy's Library?" So the is a library on this island after all.
"Yes, but to access it, you have to be a student, a student's guardian, or one of the teaching staff. Otherwise, you will need permission from the Headmaster or the Mayor. The Headmaster is strict in this regard, but the new Mayor is…well, you will need money."
"I see…" Accessing the library is a hassle; if I go with it, I will attract attention. They will think I am searching for something and not just wanting to know about the region.
"Then, do you have something that talks about the East Blue but mentions the region too?" This is what I actually wanted from the start.
"I think I have some, wait for a moment," the old shopkeeper answered as he headed to the back of the shop.
Not a few minutes later, he was back with a bundle of books.
"Oh, sorry for the dust. I had these in my storage for a while now, but no one bothered with them." There were six dusty books in his hand, one of which was particularly large, like a big Tome.
"Let's see, these two definitely have what you want, this one too, and…Yeah, this one. As for the rest, I don't think they would offer much help." Out of the six books, he put the smaller two aside and presented four, including the tome-like book.
"Can I look at this one?" I pointed at the big Tome.
"Of course!" the old shopkeeper handed me the book with a grandfatherly smile.
Skimming the book, it talked about many regions in the East Blue, from the geographic location to the cuisine of the island, albeit very briefly.
"I will take this one too. Also, do you have a book on navigation and a map for the region?"
"Yes, I have a very good map and a nice book about navigation here. How about I give you a Navigation tools set too, it never hurts to have one if you're learning Navigation."
It is hereeee! I thought he wouldn't try to sell me something extra, but it turned out that I underestimated him too.
"O-Okay, but can I ask why do you have navigation tools here?" It is a bookshop. Why does something like that exist here?
"That? Haha, it's just that most of my customers are Navigators, so they ask for a replacement of a tool now and then. They like the pieces of equipment I sell you know, they are made by a very good craftsman."
Spare me from the sales pitch, I will buy it anyway. But this can't continue, I feel like I will be scammed one day like this.
Taking the things, I left the shop and headed straight back to the inn as it was getting late, and I wanted to start reading the books as soon as possible.
I also wanted to do an experiment with the Box. If it worked, it would save me a lot of time and effort on locating my next goal.
Returning to the inn, I changed my clothes to something comfortable and started reading the book about the region first.
The book was in English, but I was able to read it somehow. I know my English isn't bad, but it wasn't at this level yet. Thankfully, I got absorbed into the book enough to be able to understand it.
It wasn't that complicated‒it was for students anyway‒there weren't much of difficult words, and if there were, I could guess the meaning. If there was something interesting, I would write it down in a notebook for later.
My reading was interrupted by the innkeeper reminding me it was time for dinner. I stopped reading and went to get my meal, and then returned to my room to finish my book.
A few hours later, I finished the book.
Honestly, I was a bit absorbed when reading the book. This was the first book I have read in months now so I was a bit excited.
But seeing that it was late at night already, the other people in the inn should be sleeping, and I could finally do the experiment I wanted to do from the morning.
Spreading the map on the table, I put the oil lamp next to it, illuminating the hand-drawn map.
It made it look like a treasure map in a movie, well, soon it will be.
Taking the compass I bought today, and rotating the map until the direction of the map was the same as the compass.
"All is set."
I summoned the Box, grabbed the Barbossa Sword, fed it to the Box, and made a wish.
'I was able to get the Sword, so I should be able to get this one too.'
Click!
Looks like I was right.
Opening the lid, the silhouette of the object inside was barely visible under the dim light of the lamp.
Extending my hand and getting hold of it, I took it off the Box, which closed immediately afterward.
The item in my hand looked like a large locket with a rectangular shape and a half-sphere shape on top. It was old, aged, and from a different Era, like an antique that had no use other than being part of an eccentric rich man's collection, as it would not pass as an art piece.
Opening it, I could see a disk spinning rapidly like it was going mad.
It was a compass, a magical compass to be exact, one that I saw in a movie too.
Jack Sparrow Compass!
...
A/N: Well, That's it for now.
Thank you all for reading! Hope you enjoyed this one!
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