One Piece: Honey Badger Speedruns the World

"Um...you're going to teach me swordsmanship?"

Mia, still with tears in her eyes, stared blankly at the famous pirate captain before her.

“That’s right.” Vista elegantly twirled his curly mustache, looking at Mia as if she were a rough, uncut gem:

"At the end of swordsmanship lies the heart."

"Although your strength is as weak as a newborn kitten... the spirit you displayed in that instant—daring to draw your sword against a strong opponent to protect your loved ones—is a treasure that many renowned swordsmen have forgotten."

Vista removed his gloves, took a rose from his pocket, and gently tucked it behind Mia's ear:

"Without power, you cannot protect your brother. During our stay on this floating island, I will teach you how to use the power of this 'heart'."

"Would you accept, brave lady?"

Mia hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Goss, who was still coughing up blood behind her. Her eyes instantly hardened, and she nodded firmly: "I'm willing! I want to become stronger! I want to protect my brother!"

"Very good, what a vibrant rose." Vista smiled with satisfaction.

And near the bushes not far away.

"Tch...really."

As Nami watched this scene, her shrewd expression softened, eventually turning into a helpless sigh.

"This is so touching... How can I just take the money and leave? It's like I'm bullying an innocent person."

She glanced down at the orange backpack filled with gold and pewter, her face contorted with extreme pain as she struggled internally.

"That's my money! A billion!!"

Baal finally caught up, panting, and when he saw the bag in Nami's hand, his eyes lit up with greed. He bared his teeth and claws, ready to pounce and snatch it.

"Snapped!"

"Ouch!"

Nami smacked Baal's hand with her stick without any hesitation, giving him a disdainful look: "Go away! Who said we were going to return it to you, you swindling old man?"

After saying that, Nami walked straight past Baal and stood in front of Mia.

Here, take it.

Although Nami looked reluctant, she still stuffed the heavy backpack into Mia's arms.

"Huh? What... what is this?"

Mia was at a loss, holding the huge sum of money she had just recovered.

"This is the money from that unscrupulous businessman, and I'm returning it to you now."

Nami stood with her hands on her hips, looking into Mia's clear, large eyes, and couldn't help but smile, revealing her extremely friendly smile:

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not afraid of you guys."

I just... simply really liked the look in your eyes when you stood in front of my brother just now.

"It reminds me of... my silly older sister."

Nami leaned closer, gently poked Mia's chubby cheek with her finger, and winked playfully.

"My name is Nami. In exchange for returning your money... during our time on Skypiea, you'll be my tour guide and accompany me shopping, how about that?"

Mia sensed the kindness emanating from Nami, her face flushed slightly, and then she gave a sweet smile: "Yes! My name is Mia! Thank you, Nami-neechan!"

……

"Bang!"

The dilapidated wooden door was slammed shut, causing dust to fall from the roof.

Modi staggered into the dimly lit room and slumped down on a chair piled high with clothes.

He was breathing heavily, and dark red bloodstains were faintly seeping from the thick bandages wrapped around his arm.

"hiss……"

He subconsciously raised his hand, wanting to touch his forehead, but his fingertips felt the rough texture of the broken horn, which Goss had forcibly snapped off.

"Damn it... damn honey badger!!"

Modi suddenly swung his hand, sweeping the water glass off the table and sending shards of glass flying.

The fragments revealed his disheveled appearance: his hand was wrapped in bandages and a piece was broken off, making him look like a stray dog.

"The ocean is a world where monsters devour waste..."

Goss's emotionless eyes and those icy words echoed in his mind like a nightmare.

"I'm a piece of trash? Are you kidding me..."

Modi's eyes were bloodshot, and he trembled slightly with extreme anger: "While I was fighting on the high seas, you were still suckling!!"

He would never accept such humiliation.

"Power... as long as there is greater power..."

A ruthless glint flashed across Modi's distorted face.

He dragged his heavy steps to the bottom of the bed and pulled out a dusty tin box.

It has the word SMILE printed on it.

Enter the password to unlock the door.

Click.

As soon as the lid was opened, a smell that seemed to carry some kind of chemical reagent wafted out.

Lying quietly on the velvet cushion was an apple-shaped fruit with strange circular patterns on its skin.

……

Looking at Mia, who was excitedly practicing famous sword moves not far away, and Vista, the foil fencer next to her, who was patiently instructing her with a big smile on her face.

Goss looked away, glanced at the cautious-looking Baal, suddenly grinned, and put his arm around Baal's shoulder:

"Hey, Baal, since we're going to the New World, we can't just go empty-handed and die, can we?"

"What do you mean?"

Barr cautiously clutched the suitcase he had just retrieved: "Let's make this clear beforehand, even though you've kept the money, it's borrowed from me, so don't waste it!"

"It's not wasteful spending, it's a necessary investment."

Goss pointed at Mia and analyzed clearly, "Since we're going to the New World, it's not enough for me to be the only bodyguard."

Now that Mia has been chosen as an apprentice by a former captain of one of the Four Emperors, she is a huge potential asset.

"However, if you want to learn the swordsmanship of that fencing-wielding bearded man, you can't just rely on a wooden stick."

Goss patted Baal on the shoulder and said earnestly, "A good knife can help Mia quickly become a fighting force."

"You should know better than me how to calculate the cost of having an extra strong crew member to protect your cargo, right?"

"this……"

Baal adjusted his glasses, his businessman's instincts prompting him to quickly review the profit and loss statement in his mind. Indeed, Mia's opportunities were undeniable; if she could develop into a capable leader, she would be a more reliable asset than hiring outsiders.

"How about one great sword, a renowned sword with twenty-one superior techniques, and another that's up to you?"

Baal looked pained, his features contorted in pain: "Why do we need two knives? That's really expensive!"

"Don't be so stingy, boss."

Goss rarely showed a smile: "Vista is a dual-wielder, so his apprentice Mia must also be a dual-wielder."

Consider this a welcome gift for our future swordswoman.

After all, we're heading to a new world overrun by monsters.

After hesitating for a long time, Baal finally sighed, as if resigned to his fate: "Fine, fine! I'm really scared of you!"

Logically, it makes sense... but this is a high-risk investment!

"Absolutely great value for money." Goss nodded in satisfaction.

The two were so engrossed in their conversation that neither noticed a pair of long rabbit ears twitching twice in the thick, cloud-covered bushes behind them.

"Setting sail...? A new world overrun by monsters...?"

Carrot hid behind a cloud, her big eyes sparkling with excitement, covering her mouth to stifle a cry: "Sounds so interesting! Much more fun than guarding the forest on an elephant's back! Hehe..."