A powerful sense of crisis drove Aiden to immediately immerse his entire consciousness into the [Shop].
He looked at his massive balance of [Points: 458,210], and his gaze became incredibly burning.
The goal was clear—compensate for his shortcomings!
Aiden first clicked on the most critical category: [Haki].
[Haki · Peak Observation Haki → ??? Observation Haki]: (Grey Locked)
[Haki · Novice Armament Haki → Intermediate Armament Haki]: (Grey Locked) [Unlock Condition: The host must first awaken or master Novice Armament Haki on their own.]
Aiden looked at the list and nodded understandingly.
"So the level above Peak still displays as [???]..." He looked at the Observation Haki entry and pondered. "I wonder if my [Physique] must also reach [Peak] before I can unlock the subsequent path."
"In other words, for now, both my Observation and Armament Haki are in a state where they cannot be upgraded with points."
Since Haki could not be improved for the moment, he redirected his gaze to the [Skills] category, which could currently provide the greatest boost to his combat power.
His [Physical Level] was [Advanced]. According to the rule that "skill level cannot exceed physique by more than one level," he could now raise any skill to a maximum of [Top-tier]!
Aiden immediately began this "arms race" that belonged to him alone!
"System!"
"[Skill · Intermediate Swordsmanship → Advanced Swordsmanship → Top-tier Swordsmanship], exchange!" Consumed 110,000 Sin Points.
"[Skill · Intermediate Marksmanship → Advanced Marksmanship → Top-tier Marksmanship], exchange!" Consumed 110,000 Sin Points.
"[Skill · Intermediate Stealth → Advanced Stealth], exchange!" Consumed 10,000 Sin Points.
"[Skill · Intermediate Fighting Techniques → Advanced Fighting Techniques], exchange!" Consumed 10,000 Sin Points.
"[Skill · Intermediate Cooking → Advanced Cooking], exchange!" Consumed 5,000 Sin Points.
"[Skill · Intermediate Navigation → Advanced Navigation], exchange!" Consumed 5,000 Sin Points.
Following a string of commands, Aiden watched as his balance of over four hundred thousand points began to deplete rapidly, finally settling at [Balance: 208,210].
Two hundred and fifty thousand points had been squandered in just a dozen seconds.
Aiden felt no heartache, only endless excitement!
In the next second, a massive information flow like a landslide or tsunami surged wildly into Aiden's brain!
Countless details about the application of force in swordsmanship, ballistic calculations for marksmanship, breathing for stealth, and joint locks for fighting... everything appeared clearly before him like the deepest of memories.
Aiden had an epiphany; this knowledge now belonged entirely to him. He felt that as long as he spent one or two weeks to familiarize and adapt, he could completely transform this vast amount of theory into his true strength!
As Aiden processed the massive information flow in his mind, he thought calmly:
"The Pirate King, Roger—the man who stood at the apex of the sea—his various ability ratings were only at the [Peak] level."
"Now, I have upgraded both my Swordsmanship and Marksmanship to [Top-tier]. Combined with my [Advanced] Physique and [Peak] Observation Haki... on this ocean, I finally... have a baseline of strength to protect myself."
Since his strength had improved, his equipment naturally had to keep up.
He focused on the armory in the [General Goods] section.
"System, consume 20,000 points to customize a [Great Grade Blade]. Requirements: The blade must be tough, the center of gravity should be forward-weighted, and it must be suitable for rapid slashes."
[Customization Successful!]
Aiden felt a weight in his palm as a pitch-black katana appeared out of thin air in his hand!
The scabbard was wrapped in an unknown deep-sea fish skin, radiating a cold, ghostly light. The hilt was wound with dark green hemp rope, providing an excellent grip.
He slowly drew the blade from its sheath.
Vrrr—!
A slight hum of the blade echoed in the air.
The blade was thin and narrow, emitting a heart-chilling coldness.
The center of gravity was perfectly distributed toward the tip, as if it were born for swift thrusts and ultimate slashes.
"Consume another 20,000 points to customize an [Excellent Grade Firearm]. Requirements: Long range, high penetration, stability can be partially sacrificed."
[Customization Successful!]
Immediately after, a semi-automatic handgun, entirely black, appeared in his other hand.
The lines of the gun were smooth and simple, with no unnecessary patterns; everything was designed for practicality.
The cold metallic texture, the heavy weight in his hand, and the barrel—longer and thicker than a normal handgun—all showcased its extreme performance.
Aiden weighed it casually and could feel its perfect balance. This gun was undoubtedly tailored for precise long-range strikes and one-shot-kill penetration!
Aiden looked at these two pieces of new equipment tailored specifically for him and was very satisfied. However, unlike other swordsmen or gunslingers, he didn't immediately begin thinking of grand, resounding names for them.
In the shop list, above the [Great Grade Blade], there were still the stronger [Skillful Grade Blades] and the legendary [Supreme Grade Blades].
While these two pieces of equipment were sufficient for now, in the future on the sea full of powerful experts, they would eventually be phased out.
"They're just 'starter gear' for the transition period; no need to invest too much emotion into them."
Aiden thought calmly.
"When I can get my hands on a 'Supreme Grade Blade' or a 'Legendary Firearm,' then I'll consider the matter of names."
Having done all this, Aiden looked at his remaining 168,210 Sin Points.
His gaze moved steadily to the shop's other tab—[Dimensional Item].
"There are still a few days before the monthly refresh. That item should still be there."
He calculated the time in his head, then with a thought, he clicked in.
Sure enough, in the center of the golden display stand sat that ancient, simple ring he had noticed earlier but couldn't afford.
[Monthly Dimensional Item: Storage Ring]
Description: Contains five cubic meters of independent space, accessible by thought. Time flow within the space is near zero, allowing for perfect preservation. Cannot store living things.
Price: 100,000 Sin Points
As an item he had been eyeing for a long time, Aiden did not hesitate. He directly spent one hundred thousand points.
[Exchange Successful]
Following the system notification, a ring that was entirely black and looked plain and unremarkable appeared in Aiden's palm.
Aiden placed it on his index finger; the size was a perfect fit.
With a thought.
The customized blade and gun he had just exchanged from the system instantly vanished into thin air.
"Convenient..."
Aiden sighed from the bottom of his heart. The value of this ring far exceeded those hundred thousand points.
Aiden looked at his final remaining [Points: 68,210] and let out a long sigh of relief.
The massive fortune of over four hundred thousand points Improvement from Roger had been squandered in a short time, leaving only the leftovers.
But Aiden felt no heartache, only an unprecedented sense of security.
Having finished all this, Aiden was satisfied and prepared to exit the system.
But at that moment, his mind accidentally swept over an icon radiating a faint golden light.
[Last Wish List]
Aiden's movements jerked to a halt.
"Crap, I almost forgot!" Aiden's heart thudded. "I don't know how many days have passed... surely it hasn't expired yet?!"
With an extremely anxious heart, he focused his thought on that icon.
The light-screen expanded, and below Roger's file, the text for the [Last Wish List] was still clearly marked with the words [Activatable].
Aiden let out a long sigh of relief.
"Good... it's still there."
In that case...
"Let me see, Gol D. Roger... you, the Pirate King who started an era, what exactly is the final wish you left in this world?"
He made up his mind.
"System, activate [Last Wish List]!"
[Warning: Once a Legendary (SSS) Last Wish is activated, it cannot be canceled. Please confirm.]
"Cannot be canceled..."
In his mind, he instinctively thought of the other Last Wish lists in the system log that he had permanently set aside and didn't even bother to look at.
[Ak's Last Wish: Find and kill the tavern owner who betrayed him.]
["Blood Shark" Flores's Last Wish: Set off a massive bomb at the Loguetown Marine Branch so the entire branch is buried with me.]
...
The last wishes of most pirates were trash missions filled with desires for revenge and destruction.
Fortunately, it was fine to just leave them there if he didn't want to do them. Therefore, until now, Aiden hadn't touched a single one except for Buck's entrustment.
But Roger's task was explicitly marked as unable to be canceled.
Aiden's gaze fell back onto Roger's golden last wish.
"But then again, the person in question is Gol D. Roger."
He thought to himself: "With a bold character like his, his last wish shouldn't be something so petty, right?"
His curiosity about the wish and his desire for another "Super Gift Pack" selection outweighed his caution toward unknown risks.
"I'll gamble on it!"
Aiden gritted his teeth and made his decision.
"Confirm!"
As Aiden confirmed with his thought, the line of text finally erupted into a brilliant light, unfolding before his eyes.
[Gol D. Roger's Last Wish: Bloodline]
Description: "I started the Great Pirate Era and gave countless people the dream of chasing freedom, but my only bloodline may, because of this, never obtain true freedom in his entire life. If possible, I hope he can live freely without being bound by my name, choosing his own path in life."
Task Objective: In the future, find the only bloodline of Gol D. Roger and intervene to protect him once when he faces "Inevitable Death," allowing him the right to choose his own life.
Aiden looked at this last wish, and his entire being froze on the bed.
In his mind, images of the towering flames of the Paramount War from the original story flashed by—images of a figure whose chest was pierced by magma and the world-shaking sentence pronounced by Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
"Only bloodline..."
"Inevitable Death..."
Aiden's eyes became incredibly complex.
"This is asking me to do exactly what's required?" Aiden whispered to himself, his brow furrowed. "The goal is to save the Pirate King's only bloodline... if the Marines find out about this, I'll probably be forked out as a traitor immediately."
However, this conflict only lasted for less than ten seconds.
Aiden's eyes regained their calm, and a self-deprecating cold sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Why am I conflicted?"
"The War? That's something over twenty years away." He shifted into a more comfortable position, leaning lazily against the pillow.
A hint of ambition he hadn't even noticed himself flashed in his eyes.
"Over twenty years from now, what level will my strength have reached? If things go well, I might even be sitting on the Empty Throne beneath Imu's backside. When that time comes, wouldn't saving one person be just a matter of a single word from me?"
He shook his head, tossing these distant.
"Why think so much?"
"Anyway, that's something to be conflicted about in the future. I'll just enjoy the present for now."
He closed the [Last Wish List] interface, temporarily sealing this heavy entrustment in the deepest part of the system.
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Sorry, everyone — I had the posting schedule set up incorrectly over the last four days, which is why the latest chapters didn't go up. I apologize for the mistake, and thank you for your patience. The uploads should be back on track now
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50 early chapters are available here.