Exactly ten years had passed since I arrived here. The start of the original story.
During that time, I kept capturing pirates and grew stronger. Both [Armament Haki] and [Observation Haki] had risen to (SS) rank. Unfortunately, [Conqueror's Haki] stayed at (S). There just weren't many pirates who had it.
As for Devil Fruits I'd obtained and stored, I had the [Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Black Cat], [Smooth-Smooth Fruit], [Calm-Calm Fruit], and [Bug-Bug Fruit, Model: Butterfly].
Through training and awakenings, [(C) Martial Arts] reached (B), and from teaching so much, [(D) Teacher] became (C). The [Flame-Flame Fruit] and [Door-Door Fruit] awakened, rising to (SS). Now I could even open an Air Door.
The island's population had steadily increased. It wasn't saturated yet, but it had definitely grown. The village developed too, with its own blacksmith, hospital, and market.
I supplied high-quality materials to the market, so residents started making and selling daily goods themselves, which cut down some of our imports from Loguetown.
We were now operating two merchant ships. They only handled deliveries to nearby villages and kingdoms. For long distances, pirate and accident risks were still too high, so I handled those personally.
Chunja (Robin) had practiced the [Warp-Warp Fruit] ability and could now move smoothly between islands.
Hina also started learning Haki as her students did, and naturally awakened it. The funny thing was the synergy between [Armament Haki] and the [Jail-Jail Fruit] was insane.
"Wow~ that's broken."
"Hina, satisfied! It's fun."
When Hina coated the cages she created with [Armament Haki], they became absurdly powerful—on par with Logia users. Even Devil Fruit users and Haki users couldn't break out easily. The Marines were going to regret losing her.
One day, Kuzan came to visit.
"Yo~ Taejin."
"Oh~ Kuzan, long time no see."
Kuzan dropped by now and then, so we'd gotten pretty close. There were a lot of beauties on the island, so I figured that was part of why he visited often.
He looked at Chunja with some suspicion, but when I transformed into Robin and pretended to flee in another kingdom, his doubts faded. When Chunja showed her [Warp-Warp Fruit] ability, he was completely convinced.
"On vacation?"
"No, just passing by."
"Didn't you say that last time and end up staying for weeks?"
"Hahaha, actually, there's a woman I like, but I'm not making progress. Could you help me?"
"Who is it?"
"Uh… the beautiful, blue-haired one who's good at sewing. 'Mary,' I think."
"Ah~ Blue-haired Mary's been busy lately opening a clothing store on the island. If you help her with that, you might get closer."
"Really? I heard she was opening a shop last time—guess it's open now. Got it. Thanks for the info."
Kuzan ran off to the market. Mary was one of the women I'd rescued from being sold as a slave when the island was first built.
She'd been my go-to leader when I was away. Her dream was to own her own clothing store, so I'd supported her heavily this time. If things had gone according to the original, she'd have been sold to a Celestial Dragon and died as a plaything.
Kuzan stayed for about a week and left. From his expression, it seemed things went well.
Life went on without incident—deliveries, work—until I got an urgent call from 'Baratie.'
Brrring brrring
—Boss Taejin, pirates are attacking the restaurant. Please help.
"Understood. I'm on my way."
I teleported straight to Baratie. When I arrived, the Krieg Pirates' ship was docked, completely trashed. The restaurant entrance was smashed, so I went inside and saw Krieg and Gin talking to Zeff. I immediately grabbed Krieg's head.
"Argh!"
Everyone in the restaurant turned to look at me.
"H-huh! Y-you're! The Merchant King!"
Gin stepped back when he saw me.
"Hey! What business do you have at a restaurant I care about?"
I tightened my grip on Krieg's head.
"Gyaaaaaa! Save me…"
Seeing that, Gin spoke urgently.
"We lost our entire fleet challenging the Grand Line. People were starving, so we had no choice. If we'd known this was a restaurant the Merchant King favored, we never would've touched it. Please forgive us…"
"Hmm… This is your second time, right? Why should I let you off again?"
Just then, Zeff stepped forward and said,
"That's enough. I think they get it now."
"You're lucky. You have 10 minutes. Get out."
"Thank you for your mercy."
I let go of his head. Krieg and Gin didn't look back and sailed off in their ship. Luffy came over and greeted me.
"Whoa~ Candy Bro, you're strong."
"Long time no see, Luffy. You doing well? Oh, Zoro's here too?"
I walked over to Zoro and ruffled his hair. Zoro exploded in anger.
"Do you still think I'm a kid!"
"Aww, are you? Coochie coochie coo."
"Stop treating me like a kid!"
Luffy looked at Zoro and me and said,
"You two know each other?"
"Yeah, I've been to his village a few times to sell goods."
At that, Nami, who'd been listening, said in surprise,
"The Merchant King means Taejin! The strongest merchant that even pirates fear."
"Hahaha, this is embarrassing."
Zoro retorted to that.
"What strongest merchant! He's a perverted peddler."
"Ha~ really? Zoro, did you miss my touch?"
When I wiggled my fingers and approached, Zoro quickly stepped back and drew his sword.
"Don't come near me!"
"Hahaha, just kidding. I don't have a hobby of tickling grown men."
Zeff approached and said,
"Anyway, thanks for coming."
"Not at all."
"Well, business is ruined for today. Have a meal before you go."
"Sounds good."
Just then, Nami suddenly knelt before me, crying, and begged earnestly.
"Taejin, please save our village."
"Whoa whoa, calm down, miss."
"I've heard the rumors. You catch pirates with overwhelming power and save people. Please, help our village too."
"Have a seat first?"
"I won't get up until you agree!"
Nami was stubborn. Then, out of nowhere, Sanji also knelt beside Nami and begged.
"I don't know what's going on, but I'll do anything! I can't stand seeing a woman like this."
"Sanji, you idiot! Sigh… fine. Let's hear the story first."
Sanji suddenly jumping in caught me off guard. I sat Nami at a table and fed her while listening. I knew everything from the original, but Luffy and the others needed to hear it, so I just listened.
"I live in Cocoyasi Village. It's famous for growing delicious tangerines. One day, the Arlong Pirates, a crew of Fish-Men, showed up and demanded 100,000 Berries per adult and 50,000 per child, forcibly. The villagers had no strength to fight, so they paid and survived, but not everyone had money."
Usopp stood up suddenly and said,
"No way!"
Nami cried again as she continued.
"Right, those without money were killed by Arlong's crew. That's when Bell-mère, who raised me like her own daughter, died protecting me—killed by Arlong. After that, they've been ruling Cocoyasi Village like slaves, living like kings."
"Did you tell the Marines?"
"Yes, one villager couldn't take it anymore and contacted the Marines, but the next day that villager was found dead. We tried hiring pirate hunters with what little money we had, and other pirates came, but Arlong's crew wiped them all out. And each time, villagers died in retaliation. Now we can't even try."
Zoro said,
"So this Arlong guy is strong."
"Yeah, Arlong's crew are Fish-Men. They have bodies incomparably stronger than humans. But if it's the Merchant King Taejin, it's possible. So please help."
I looked at Luffy and said,
"What do you think?"
"Shishishi, good! I'll blow Arlong away!"
Nami got angry at that and said,
"Were you even listening to what I said!? Arlong is a Fish-Man! Normal people can't even fight him! You could die!"
"Miss, how about trusting your crewmates a little more?"
"Th-that's…"
"I'll help if anything happens."
Yosaku and Johnny also came over, smiling.
"Nami-sis, we'll help too."
"Haa… I don't know anymore. Just don't get badly hurt or die and blame me."
At that, Zeff tapped Sanji's shoulder and said,
"Take this guy with you. Consider the damage to the restaurant paid."
"Master…"
"Brat, how long are you going to stay here! Didn't you say you wanted to find 'All Blue'?"
I was worried about what to do if Sanji didn't join Luffy's crew, but Zeff had already prepared to send him off.
"I'll help since Nami-chan's situation seems urgent, but I'm coming back."
"No need. If you ever find guys who could be your crewmates, go ahead. I'll hear the news from here. Find All Blue and fulfill my dream for me. I'll be listening."
Suddenly, someone entered the restaurant. Sharp eyes, dressed like a Spanish outlaw, carrying a cross-shaped greatsword on his back—it was Dracule Mihawk. The instant someone radiating that much charisma appeared, everyone's eyes focused on him.
"Hey, have you seen a pirate ship with a Jolly Roger that has an hourglass?"
"This is… Hawk-Eye Mihawk!"
The Krieg Pirates had challenged the Grand Line and had the terrible luck to run into Mihawk. They lost their entire fleet and fled back to East Blue.
Mihawk was looking for the Krieg Pirates who had dared to attack him. Zoro broke into a cold sweat and stepped forward, speaking to Mihawk.
"I never thought I'd meet you this soon. The world's strongest swordsman! I went to sea to meet you!"
Mihawk ignored Zoro's words and walked toward me.
"Oh ho! A strong one in this weak sea. So you must be the rumored Taejin."
"Nice to meet you, Mihawk. I'm Taejin."
"Hahaha! Interesting. Coming here was worth it."
Mihawk and I had already been sizing each other up with [Observation Haki] since he entered. Mihawk seemed to have lost interest in the Krieg Pirates.
"Hey! Don't ignore me!"
Zoro cut in between Mihawk and me. Mihawk looked at Zoro with an annoyed expression and said,
"Any swordsman with some training should be able to gauge the difference in skill just by crossing blades. Do you have a death wish? Weakling."
I tossed Mihawk a bottle of the premium liquor made on the island.
"Mihawk, sorry but I have prior plans. Could you wait a bit? That's the payment."
Mihawk caught the liquor I threw and said,
"This is the premium liquor from Merchant's Island. Good. I hope you finish quickly."
"It won't take long. Let's go."
Zeff said,
"The strongest swordsman, hahaha! Sanji, things are rough from the start. Take care. And watch out for colds."
"Damn it… Thank you for everything, Master Zeff."
Sanji was in tears as he said goodbye to Zeff. The other chefs all came out and waved. We boarded the Going Merry and headed for Cocoyasi Village. Zoro kept glaring at the tiny boat following behind until we arrived.