Sixteen thousand and sixteen
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Although Koi Leap had spent the day experimenting with innovative dishes, she hadn’t neglected her main task. The three pelts were already prepared and sewn together into a single sail.
All the components needed for the sailboat were gathered; finishing it would only take a few more hours.
After bringing Koi Leap more than enough materials, the two small animals stopped chopping wood and hunting, instead sitting quietly beside her and watching as she built the sailboat.
Whether out of eagerness for the boat’s completion or reluctance to part ways, the two sat silently for a long time before the white bear finally spoke.
Lowering its voice as if to avoid disturbing her, it said to Edward Newgate, “If you’re heading to Honeycomb Island, it’s on my route.”
Newgate responded calmly, “Are you coming with me?”
“Who would want to leave with you, you stupid old man!” Kaido immediately snapped back, “Just thinking about sharing a ship with you makes me feel sick...”
Newgate slammed the hilt of his sword, Murakumo, heavily onto the ground with a loud bang.
Unwilling to be outdone, Kaido picked up his spiked club and said, “Perfect, I’ve been wanting to fight you for a while!”
Both of them glanced at Koi Leap at the same time.
Newgate’s gaze returned to Kaido as he lifted his chin to one side: Shall we fight over there?
Kaido hoisted his club and silently walked in that direction.
...
Having finished the sailboat and exited crafting mode, Koi Leap looked back to find the two animals still sitting in place. But when she looked at them...
An exclamation mark appeared above her head.
“Are enemies attacking the island???”
Kaido, bruised and battered, turned his head coldly: “...No.”
He glared fiercely at Newgate: “Just you wait, old man. I’ll beat you someday!”
“You’re off by ten thousand years, punk,” the white bear scoffed.
Completely baffled, Koi Leap gave a puzzled look and checked the event log, only to see system prompts:
[You gained 1,356 spectator experience points! Your combat level has increased.]
[Due to your level up, the island has become stronger!]
...Huh?
What battle did I watch that raised my combat level??
[Would you like to view detailed battle information?]
Even more confused, Koi Leap clicked “View,” only to find:
[Past event records unlock after reaching level 4 in Observation Haki. Keep training your Haki level!]
...Great.
Koi Leap could only look at Kaido and Newgate in bewilderment. Newgate simply said to her:
“Good, you won’t have to make another boat.”
Koi Leap didn’t care about making more boats; she was getting experience anyway. Kaido glanced at her silently, pursed his lips, and said nothing, leaving her unsure whether he wanted her to build another boat or not.
“Want me to introduce you to Rocks?” Newgate joked to Kaido.
Kaido shot Newgate a displeased look but said, “Hmph, I’m eager to leave as soon as possible.”
Unable to follow their conversation, Koi Leap asked something else: “I also have dishes that restore HP. Want some?”
Kaido reached out without hesitation. Koi Leap handed him the food; he had long since dropped his initial resistance and devoured it ravenously.
The wounds on Kaido’s body visibly vanished at an astonishing speed.
Newgate said, “You’ve finished the ship. Tomorrow morning, we plan to leave.”
Ah, they’re leaving already?
Suddenly realizing this, Koi Leap felt a pang of loneliness.
Once they left, who knew when another little animal would drift onto the island?
But it was no use worrying now.
Putting her thoughts aside, Newgate prepared an especially hearty barbecue feast for them. After eating, and as had become their habit, Newgate sat by the campfire and shared stories from his past.
The night was peaceful.
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Edward Newgate looked at the little girl sleeping soundly.
They were about to leave...
Though their encounter had been brief, it left a lingering warmth.
Newgate recalled when he first met Koi Leap, in her ragged clothes.
She had never experienced proper cooking nor tasted good food.
When she first tried the roasted meat he prepared, which wasn’t exactly delicious and was even a little burnt, she hesitated to eat it. Though starving, she offered the meat to Kaido beside her.
Later, when she finally took a proper bite, Newgate remembered how, amidst the steam rising from the hot meat that night, the little girl’s eyes welled up with tears of gratitude.
She didn’t want to leave the deserted island.
She said she wanted to turn this wild island into a dreamland everyone would long for.
— Then, let us wish her success.
Newgate looked at Koi Leap wrapped in the big coat; finally, she was able to find some warmth amidst the lonely nights. He smiled softly and closed his eyes to sleep.
The next day, with the sailboat completed, it was time for Newgate and Kaido to set off.
Koi Leap folded the coat, almost used to it as a blanket, while the white bear seemed to have completely forgotten about it.
Koi Leap held it and approached Newgate:
“White Bear, this is your coat. Don’t forget to take it before you leave.”
Unfortunately, there was no washing machine on the island, and she hadn’t explored enough to find any rivers or lakes to properly clean it before returning it.
The white bear laughed again but didn’t take the coat: “No need.”
“Hm?”
The carefree pirate said, “It’s just a coat.”
“I don’t need this coat, but you seem to like it.”
Koi Leap looked up at the white bear while holding the coat.
Newgate once again placed his large bear paw gently on her head, smiling warmly in his portrait:
“Then it’s yours.”
Koi Leap’s eyes widened; she saw kindness in the bear’s face.
Not just because they were furry and cute, but because these little animals cared for her. Koi Leap realized she felt the same affection for them.
The system notified:
[Congratulations! You have obtained an SR-grade item: Edward Newgate’s Coat!]
[Description: A commemorative coat whose symbolic value outweighs its practical use. For example, when in danger, displaying this coat might cause enemies to spare you out of respect for "Whitebeard."]
[Effect: Equipping increases defense by +1, decreases speed by -10. Has a chance to inflict fear/charm/confusion on enemies.]
...Regardless of the effect, it was still a gift from the little animals, a token of their feelings!
Given the coat’s peculiar attributes, Koi Leap decided to keep using it as a blanket.
She hugged the new blanket and hurried back to place it on her bed, then rushed back out.
Her eyes sparkled with that familiar starry gleam as she approached Kaido.
She extended her hand toward him.
Kaido silently stepped back a pace: “...?”
Koi Leap stubbornly held out her hand.
Kaido was still puzzled.
Koi Leap said, “Where’s your gift for me?”
“...Huh?”
Kaido looked at her incredulously, as if she’d spoken nonsense.
“Look, I already gave you farewell food!”
Only then did she pull two beautifully grilled steaks from her bag, handing one to each of them.
Kaido accepted without hesitation, and Newgate gratefully took his.
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Koi Leap spread her hands toward Kaido: “So, little ox, where’s my farewell gift?”
“None.”
Kaido, unapologetically blunt, said with confidence: “I didn’t prepare anything.”
“Got it.” Koi Leap didn’t press further, which surprised Kaido.
His surprise lasted only a second before Koi Leap said, “It’s okay to owe me one! No problem at all!”
...Of course.
That was such a thing he’d say.
Koi Leap patted Kaido’s shoulder heartily: “Bring me better things next time!”
“Who said I’d bring you anything?!”
Kaido growled, raising his club in frustration to refuse, but Koi Leap ignored him. Newgate found the scene amusing and laughed heartily nearby.
Koi Leap had long understood Kaido’s stubborn nature and took his refusal as shyness. Then she began placing orders to the two animals:
“If you ever come back, bring me some crop seeds. Also, I want fruits, coffee beans, cocoa beans...”
“Besides that, spices... So I guess piracy really is a fitting profession...”
Koi Leap listed many things, unsure if the two animals would remember. The white bear casually promised, “I understand. When I have time, I’ll bring you some specialties.”
Kaido, still impatient, turned away: “I’m never coming back. Don’t expect me to bring you anything.”
“Really?” Koi Leap doubted.
Kaido snorted but said no more.
Koi Leap watched as they boarded the sailboat, their figures gradually fading with the waves.
[Mission completed! You helped both Kaido the Water Buffalo and White Bear Newgate; they are deeply grateful. Mission reward increased by 1.5 times!]
[Received mission rewards: Island Construction Score +15, Island Reputation +15. The island’s recognition of you has risen!]
[Due to the island score increase, you have become stronger!]
[Your physical abilities have improved! All base stats +50.]
[Your Armament Haki and Observation Haki have improved!]
[Current island score: 15. Keep building the island and constructing more infrastructure!]
...Hmm?
So leveling up enhances the island, and the island’s growth also boosts my strength?
Before she could ponder further, another system prompt appeared:
[You have spent one week on the island! How is life there? Are you getting used to it?]
Ah, feels like another beginner tutorial is starting?
Koi Leap almost instinctively wanted to hit skip.
The system continued:
[When you have lived on the island for a full month, the first “Full Moon Day” will arrive.]
[On the Full Moon Day, a special event will occur!]
Seeing “special event,” Koi Leap’s interest was piqued, and she hesitated before almost skipping it.
[Before the Full Moon Day, try to raise the island’s level, strengthen its defenses, and stockpile as many weapons as possible to prepare for emergencies.]
...Hmm, judging by this, the Full Moon Day doesn’t sound like a good thing.
Just in case, Koi Leap manually saved her progress.
System message:
[23 days remain until the Full Moon Day.]