Waking up to the sound of waves lapping against the hull of your ship, you let out a long groan. You're not quite sure when exactly you ended up in this cot belowdeck, but the last thing you can remember clearly is something about eating a ball of light and... oh yeah. You have a Devil Fruit power now.

>Iki Fruit Technique Unlocked: Last Flame Of The Heart

Pinching the bridge of your nose, you stand up out of bed, rubbing your eyes and realizing that you feel like shit. Something tells you that the stunt you pulled is going to take more than just a single day in bed to fix up. You'd better not try it again soon unless you want to be out of commission for a day or more.

>This technique is usable at any time when you're able to use your powers and will grant a +100 bonus to a check of your choice, usually granting an automatic success. However, using it will cause you to collapse into a sleep-like state for an extended period of time. Furthermore, using it again without waiting for at least one week will significantly extend the time you spend unconscious. Keep this in mind, as neither the world nor your allies will simply sit around waiting for you to wake up. The more time you spend unconscious, the more you'll miss out on.

Regardless, you make your way back up on deck and look around to see that it's been about half of a day since you passed out. Trace seems to be busy staring at Fleur, but Mischa notices the moment your boots clack against the floorboards. Sprinting toward you, she exclaims, "THAT WAS SO COOL!!! DO IT AGAIN VAL!"

You roll your eyes at her and prepare to tell Mischa that you're not sure that's such a great idea, when Trace shouts out something, panic in his voice. "Hey guys?! We've got enemies incoming! Fleur says if you have any ways to stop a cannonball, now would be a good time to use them!"

>Head to the side of the ship and prepare to try and slash any incoming shots out of the sky. [Challenging]
>Get to the sails and try to steer the ship away from the enemy's broadside. [Challenging]
>Write-in

>>3303183
>Head to the side of the ship and prepare to try and slash any incoming shots out of the sky. [Challenging]

>>3303183
>>Head to the side of the ship and prepare to try and slash any incoming shots out of the sky. [Challenging]

>>3303202
>>3303263
Sprinting over and looking off to starboard, you do in fact see a relatively large ship just within range. And unsurprisingly, the telltale cracks of cannons firing echo from the pirate ship.

>Roll 1d100, best of 3

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>3303294

Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>3303294

Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>3303294

Placing your hand on the hilt of your weapon, you stare intently at the ship in the distance. Quickly enough, your eyes adjust and you look at the cannonballs flying toward you, trying to judge which ones will hit and which you can ignore. Fortunately, this is something you have practice with, and you position yourself right in front of the two headed for your hull.

Gripping your hilt, you swing the blade three times. The first slice goes wide, but the second two send waves of force right at the incoming cannonballs, slicing them clean in half and exploding them before they even get close. With that initial threat out of the way, your eyes turn back to the attacking ship. Looking at the top of its mast, you see a flag that you don't quite recognize. It's kind of badly made, to be quite honest. Who replaces the crossbones on their Jolly Roger with badly drawn pistols?

By this point, it's approached quite close, but not close enough to board. Unfortuately, the only ranged weapon this ship has is a single cannon, and you're not even sure if it's functional. Of course, you might be able to do something with your brand new powers. Or alternatively, Mischa already seems to be doing that thing where she jumps through the air, you might be able to leave it to her.

>Try out the cannon. That crack on the top is probably just on the surface, right? [Challenging]
>Try to make a ranged weapon using your ability. [???]
>Let Mischa handle it. She can probably deal with a crew of rookie pirates. [No Roll]

>>3303348
>Try to make a ranged weapon using your ability. [???]

>>3303348
>Try to make a ranged weapon using your ability. [???]

Bow and arrow? Energy ballista time?

>>3303348
>Try to make a ranged weapon using your ability. [???]

>>3303364
>>3303376
Reaching your hand back into your chest once again, you pull out your heart and look at it. Time to see just what this little ball of energy can do...

>Roll 1d100, best of 3

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>3303411

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>3303411

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>3303411

File: Bad Dude.png (568 KB, 532x599)

568 KB PNG

Pulling at the heart with your hands reveals the thing to be even more malleable than you thought. With little effort you form the thing into the shape of a barrel, and before you know it you have a pistol in your hands, made out of glowing yellow light. You don't think that's quite good enough though, so you keep reshaping it and resizing it until you get it to the size of a rifle, and then even bigger, now holding a miniature cannon in your hands. All that's left is to test it out.

Hefting the thing up to your side, you take aim at the opposing ship. Thinking about your options, you tug at a mental muscle and decide that you should fire something more like grapeshot than a regular cannonball. And it's just that easy. All that's left is to fire.

With a nice, satisfying boom, glowing balls of light launch out of your weapon and fly toward your enemies, startling the crew of the ship as three of them are immediately torn through and either dead or incapacitated. Surprisingly, that didn't take as much out of you as you expected. While you do feel significantly more tired, you could easily throw out fifteen or twenty more like that before you'd be too tired to continue. And that you do, firing your weapon across several more times before you finally hear, "The captain's hit! Who the hell are these guys, we gotta retreat!!"

As the ship turns its rudder and starts sailing away from yours, you see a pair of men help up a spindly man with a sneer on his face. He seems to be clutching a wound as he glares at you behind those weird glasses, very obviously pissed off. He lifts a pistol up and aims it at you, firing off a single shot before your next salvo forces him to take cover. Curiously, despite the bullet he shot missing you by a mile, you see the spot it hits on the ocean's surface explode as though his pistol bullet was a cannonball.

(cont.)

Your luck doesn't seem to hold out though, as your weapon stops hitting any of them once they start sailing away. You shout for Trace to sail after them, but he tells you that it's not going to work. Apparently their ship is just too big, yours doesn't nearly have the speed to catch up with it. It's not really a massive loss, you've never heard of them so they can't have any huge bounty. Still not great to hear.

Mischa doesn't seem to be having a great time either. The whole time while you fired shot after shot at them, Mischa was just trying to get over to them, and she couldn't quite make it. You're not sure what's up with her, but that trick where she kicks off the air doesn't seem to be working very well. Only every third kick or so actually looks like it's working, and overall it doesn't seem like Mischa can actually gain any height with the trick, just stop herself from falling any further down. Maybe she's just not good enough at it yet?

Nevertheless, you grab her hand as she nears the ship and tug her on, letting your weapon warp back into the shape of a ball and holding it in your free hand. She mumbles, "S-sorry about that... trying to go after them like that was pretty dumb...", and the blush on her face is obvious evidence that she's embarrassed about her performance. "Maybe um... I shouldn't be captain after all..."

>Reassure her. She's still the captain, she doesn't have to be good at everything. How about she helps you try out your new power to take her mind off it?
>It was pretty stupid to do that if she's so bad at that air jumping thing. You really should all talk about the whole captain thing.

>>3303564
>Reassure her. She's still the captain, she doesn't have to be good at everything. How about she helps you try out your new power to take her mind off it?

>>3303564
>Reassure her. She's still the captain, she doesn't have to be good at everything. How about she helps you try out your new power to take her mind off it?

>>3303564
>Reassure her. She's still the captain, she doesn't have to be good at everything. How about she helps you try out your new power to take her mind off it?
Honestly, she shouldn't be the captain, but I'm not heartless enough to tell her that. As long as we control things from the shadows it's all good.

>>3303564
>Reassure her. She's still the captain, she doesn't have to be good at everything. How about she helps you try out your new power to take her mind off it?

>>3303564
>Reassure her. She's still the captain, she doesn't have to be good at everything. How about she helps you try out your new power to take her mind off it?

>>3303603
That's pretty much how I viewed things. We let her be 'Captain' because she's the strongest and we really don't want the title, but the First Mate Is the one who really makes most of the important decisions and handles business.

"Oh, come on Mischa. Just because you're the captain doesn't mean you can't ever make stupid decisions." You pat your friend on the shoulder, giving her a warm smile. "We all make mistakes sometimes."

"But...", she mumbles, her fists curling up as she speaks, "What if... I make a bunch of bad decisions and mess everything up? I mean... we both know I'm clearly not all that smart..."

You're about to try and reassure her that you'll help her when Trace butts in between you, holding up a finger. "Actually, that shouldn't be an issue, Miss Kuma-- er, Mischa.

"Pirate ships are generally an exception to this rule, since so many of them tend to be cults of personality around a single figure, but the captain isn't always strictly a leader. On many unaffiliated vessels, leadership is democratically decided. The captain is more of a figurehead, leading the crew during battle and often representing the ship publicly, since they usually own the ship. In these cases, the crew would often hold a vote on who should be the ship's Quartermaster, and the Quartermaster would be making most of the important decisions, as they're responsible for the wellbeing of the crew."

Mischa cocks her head, apparently needing a moment to process all that. Eventually though, without anybody actually explicitly suggesting a vote, she shouts out, "I VOTE FOR VAL TO BE QUARTERMASTER!"

"I concur.", Trace replies, looking up at you with a satisfied smile.

>I would really rather just be the First Mate, if you don't mind?
>Yeah, alright. That works.

>>3303679
>>Yeah, alright. That works.

This better not be an excuse to dump work on us, or so help me god we're throwing someone In the ocean.

>>3303679
>Yeah, alright. That works.

>>3303679
>Yeah, alright. That works.

We're gonna master all the quarters.

>>3303679
>Yeah, alright. That works.

Pretty much Mischa is the face/heart of the crew, as it should be. We can handle the more technical stuff on where we should go and what we should do to get ourselves stronger.

Speaking of, what is our goal anyway, is it all really just "getting stronger"? Do we have any other ambitions?

>>3303679
>I suppose I’m outvoted regardless. I’ll try to do my rank justice

>>3303701
Catch some dastardly pirates, get paid, make our way to the Grand Line (I think that’s what we wanted to do, earlier?) and go from here

>>3303701
Mischa, Trace, and Fleur all have their own goals. Valerio doesn't have anything extremely concrete yet, but he's not fully developed. All you really have right now is 'Follow in Mom's footsteps and do something great with life.' I'll be trying to give you opportunities to flesh that out though.

File: Heart.gif (3.73 MB, 348x317)

3.73 MB GIF

"Don't I get a choice in the matter?"

"Nope!", Mischa and Trace respond, shaking their heads.

"Yeah, alright.", you chuckle, rolling your eyes at the pair. "That's just fine with me. Just as long as I don't have to be the face of our crew."

Mischa gives you a thumbs up, and Trace smiles and goes back to reading Fleur, walking toward the helm of the ship. While he does that, you turn to your captain, realizing that you're still holding onto your Heart. "Hey, Mischa? Do you wanna help me see what my power can do?"

"More than anything else, yes!" She practically jumps around in response, following you as you head for the bow. "What are we gonna try first?"

>You want to see just what sorts of weapons you could make with this thing.
>You think it would be cool to see how it could be used defensively.
>Write-in

>>3303723
>You think it would be cool to see how it could be used defensively.

>>3303723
>Write-in
>You were able to eat it earlier, right? Maybe you can...put it into your sword somehow...?

Lemme know if this isn’t possible, QM

>>3303723
>>You want to see just what sorts of weapons you could make with this thing.
Maybe some kind of grenade launcher for our poison

>>3303737
You can most certainly try. Right now, anything you can imagine attempting is on the table.

>>3303739
Two things I wanna see is if we can use it like an aura around ourselves for a smaller but longer lasting buff, and if we can have it eat things like fuel.

>>3303737
This.

>>3303737
Supporting. Time to not just make weapons from The Heart, but infuse It In objects. Super-sword go!

File: Heart Shield.png (384 KB, 1446x1442)

384 KB PNG

"Well, first..." You look down at the Heart and start twisting and reshaping it into a shape resembling a shield. "Alright, now I want you to hit this. Not super hard though, I'm worried what will happen if it breaks."

Mischa nods as you hold the shield up, twisting back around and performing a roundhouse kick against the thing. The sheer force of the blow pushes you back a solid two feet, because apparently Mischa doesn't know what 'Not super hard" means, but fortunately the shield seems to stay together. At least you know now that it's not suicide to try and block an attack with it.

"Alright, that went suprirsingly well. Up next..." You slide your cutlass out of its sheath and try to just... jam the Heart into it. Your initial attempt doesn't really do much, as the Heart just deforms around the blade. Your next attempt is slightly better, as you force it to wrap all the way around the blade, but... it doesn't seem to do much. As far as you can tell, you've just made a bigger sword around the sword you already have. At this point you might as well just be using the Heart as a sword itself. Maybe objects can't act as a container for a Heart? Or maybe you just don't know enough about how to do it?

Your last experiment involves taking the same principal from before, turning it into a handcannon, but this time using something else as fuel. Just for a test run, you grab a beaker out of your bag and fill it with some red dye and some water. Then, you shift the weapon so it has a spout at the top, and just... pour it in.

Upon firing a shot out of the handcannon, you see what you'd expect. A ball of light flying off into the distance. When it hits the water, however, you see a large splash of red, making it clear that you definitely have a mechanism for launching your poisons over long distance.

>Alright, that's enough of that. You're out of ideas anyway.
>You think you have another idea... (write-in)

>>3303869
>You think you have another idea... (write-in)

Wanna try consuming things as fuel and also if we can wrap ourselves up in it to have it empower us without it being as intense as outright consuming it. Maybe see if we can break off smaller pieces, and have Mischa eat one of them?

>>3303869
>Alright, that's enough of that. You're out of ideas anyway.

Try forming It Into boots and use them for Insane mobility around the ship, jumping off walls or the mast or such, see If your speed Increases.

>>3303869
>You think you have another idea... (or four)

>Try to see if you can mold it without using your hands.

Mentally manipulate it, basically.

>Try and wrap it around your arm or hand.

>Try and see if you can get a Heart from someone else?

Your next experiment involves finding a snack (you also learn that apparently Mischa carries jerky around everywhere?) and attempting to feed your Heart. Unfortunately, despite your best attempts, even forming the thing into a fake mouth it doesn't seem like it's going to consume any food you give it.

After that comes an attempt to wrap it around yourself. Shaping it around your body isn't hard, but all you really end up with is a glowing suit that feels like a warm sweater. Useful for cold climates, you suppose? Thinking on the idea, however, you decide to wrap it around your hand and try punching something. That old barrel will do.

While your usual punch would probably put a hole in the barrel, if you tried hard enough with it, when you slam your Heart-coated fist into the empty container, it completely shatters, pieces going everywhere. Mischa makes a casual comment about how that was impressive, but she would have broken it into more pieces.

After that comes making a pair of boots out of it. Slipping out of your normal boots, you put the new glowing ones on, and... are interrupted by Trace. He shouts out, "We're almost there, guys!! You should finish up whatever you're doing."

You and Mischa let out a simultaneous sigh and you try out the boots. Unfortuately, just like the sweater, it doesn't improve your physical abilities at all. They are the most comfy boots you've ever worn though. Curiously, as you reform them, you realize that changing the shape of the Heart doesn't necessarily require physical contact. You can quite easily do it from range, although it takes more time and effort to do so. Movement as well is possible, but lifting a Heart-object up psychokinetically feels like trying to lift a huge block of solid steel. Maybe you'll get better at it with time.

So, only enough time for one last experiment.

>Break off a piece and have Mischa eat it.
>See if Heart-weapons work as well when other people use them.
>Try to take somebody else's heart. (Who?)
>Write-in

>>3303945
>See if Heart-weapons work as well when other people use them.

We shouldn't exhaust ourselves before making landfall, and having Mischa eat a piece sounds like a lesser version of what happened to us. As for heart stealing, let's save that for an enemy and see what happens.

>>3303945
>Try to take somebody else's heart. (Who?)

Mischa's Hue

>>3303945
>See if Heart-weapons work as well when other people use them

>>3303945
>See if Heart-weapons work as well when other people use them.

We can save taking hearts for when we have somebody who's a shithead to try it out on.

"Alright Mischa, last thing. Hold out your hand for me."

"Uh... okay!" Mischa does as you ask, holding out her hand as you start to shape your Heart around it. Just like you did with your own, you create a Heart-fist. Fortunately, it seems like it moves along with her hand.

Pulling out another old barrel, you ask, "Mischa, why do we have so many shitty barrels in the bottom of the hold? Also, punch this."

"Oh, a few months back I stocked up on them at a town. They're great for training, right?", She grins, pulling her fist back and slamming it into the barrel.

Like last time, the barrel is shattered into pieces. So at least the destructive capabilities seem to be the same. Unfortuately, Mischa is also launched back against the ship's mast with a massive thunk, and your Heart reforms and quickly zooms back to you, quietly slipping inside your body. By the look of the arm she punched with, it seems like as much force as she hit with, her hand got hit back with. You're not really sure why though...

(cont.)

Before you have time to dwell on that, or Mischa's whining complaints about how that hurt, Trace brings the boat in to the dock, and you both have to finish tying it up and putting down the gangplank.

You're stopped in your effort though as you look up. You hadn't even looked at the island you were approaching, being too busy with your experiments. Now that you see it though, it's exactly as advertised. The thing looks like a giant, solid mountain made out of gold. Even th glittering shore in front of you has bits of shiny metal sticking out of the sand. You and Mischa both stand there for a while, just staring at the sight in amazement.

Before you realize it, you've finished tying up the boat and the gangplank is down. Except... you and Mischa were staring at the island the whole time, who would have done all that? Oh... those guys. They probably work for the port, right? And who's this lady walking up onto your ship?

"Hello and welcome! It's nice to have more fine visitors to our wonderful island!", the cheery girl exclaims, holding a clipboard in hand. The brunette's forced smile and the eyes behind her bright red glasses absolutely scream 'This is my job.' "Now, before you leave your ship, I need to ask... are you here for business or pleasure?"

>Uh... business?
>Uh... pleasure?
>Well... we wanted to see about this whole treasure thing?
>Er... we're just here to sightsee, is all.

>>3304083
>Both.

>>3304083
>Both.

>>3304083
>Uh... business?

>>3304083
>Both.

>>3304083
>Both

"Ah... both." You explain, hoping that it's a helpful answer. Unfortunately, you're not sure it is, judging by the girl's bemused expression.

She writes something down on her clipboard and nods, giving you a slight shrug. "Alright, well... in that case, you're just in time. Would the three of you mind coming with me?"

In spite of any apprehension you might have, Mischa nods and says "Sure!", and starts following the girl. You and Trace are, at that point, practically forced to do the same. As you're lead off the boat and across the pier. Walking along the edge of the town, it's very clear that this isn't a poor village, by any stretch of the imagination. The streets are kept clean and are all paved, and just in the short walk you take behind the woman you see several statues dotted around the place. It feels almost like they're just trying as hard as they can to impress.

Soon enough, you're lead into a building, and through a few halls. Finally, the girl turns around and swings open a door, telling you to, "Please take a seat, Sirs and Madam!" Stepping inside the room, you see that it's... not exactly what you might've been expecting. The room has several comfortable seats dotted around the place, a small stage at one end, and it's filled up with several people, including... children?

(cont.)

File: Snooze.gif (435 KB, 584x656)

435 KB GIF

Well, it seems like it's getting about to that time when fewer and fewer people show up to play. I should probably get some sleep anyways, so...

OP Headhunter Quest is on pause!

Things should pick up from here when I wake up. See you all tomorrow.

>>3304143
Oh good, three in the morning is a little outside of what I prefer to stay up till on a school night as it is. See you next time Kagi, thanks for the session.

>>3304138
Ah somethings not right about this town. Wonder what's up with this show...thing they've done here.

Anyway, thanks again Kagi. Goodnight!

File: ONE_PIECE_LOGO.jpg (310 KB, 2560x1600)

310 KB JPG

OP Headhunter Quest will resume shortly!

Somehow, you seem to be the only one bothered by this fact, however. Mischa and Trace just happily find a spot to sit down in while you look around the room, confused as to why a group like your own is in a room full of... children. Well, children and their very obviously rich parents. Nevertheless, you take a seat yourself, looking up at the stage and waiting for... whatever this is.

https://youtu.be/v4GrhLouL_8?t=154

It doesn't take long for a man to burst into the room, wearing an exceptionally stupid outfit. You wouldn't have ever imagined you'd one day see a bright yellow, polka dotted suit covered from top to bottom in chunks of fool's gold, but now you have. The guy flips around the cane he's holding like a toy as he steps up on stage, showily bowing to his audience. He tugs down a projector screen on the wall and proudly exclaims, "Welcome, welcome! Ladies and gentlemen, and all the little ones, welcome to the legendary Golden Mountain! I understand you're likely all excited to get what you came for, so I'll keep this brief.

"For thousands of years, grand adventurers of all kinds, just like yourselves, have been coming to this island in hopes of discovering the secret treasure hidden deep within the mountain! They've come from far and wide, from all four Blues, just to have a chance to get their hands on a treasure rivaling even the legendary One Piece!"

As he speaks, a suspiciously hammy voice comes through a hole in the back wall where a projector snail's eyes are peering. "But sir, is the treasure at the heart of Golden Mountain real? I heard it's just a rumor!"

"Aha, I can assure you, it's completely real!", the boisterous man insists, right in time for the projector snail to turn on, projecting a slide onto the screen behind the man. "And you can experience the thrill of finding it yourself with one of our three very reasonably priced packages!" As advertised, the projection shows three separate packages, each costing, respectively, ten thousand, fifty thousand, and one hundred thousand beli. Each one also has an age rating, ranging from 'All ages allowed!' to 'Participants must be thirteen or older.'

>This is stupid. Walk out the door.
>Eh, what's the harm in watching the rest?

>>3305875
>Eh, what's the harm in watching the rest?

>>3305875
>Eh, what's the harm in watching the rest?

>>3305875
>Eh, what's the harm in watching the rest?

I think we just got caught in a tourist trap.

>>3305875
>>This is stupid. Walk out the door.
If we stay, our captain is going to spend everything we have here.

>>3305886
switching to

>This is stupid. Walk out the door.

>>3305948
+1

>>3305948
We're the quartermaster. We're the ones holding the pursestrings.

>>3305882
>>3305886
>>3305943
>>3305948
>>3305961
>>3305981
TFW it becomes a tie right as you finish the post.

>>3305991
I think walking out the door has it for the switch, actually.

>>3306005
Oh, you're right. Well, I guess I'll get started on that post, unless it flips back to the other one in the meantime.

File: This is stupid.gif (5 KB, 500x346)

5 KB GIF

This is stupid. You're not here for fun and games, you're here for... adventure? Well, whatever you're here for, it's not this. Gesturing for Mischa and Trace to follow, you stand up and head for the door. You nearly have to drag Mischa out, as she obviously doesn't want to leave, but it's for the best. After all, if you stuck around she'd probably try to get you to shell out the three hundred thousand so you could all take part in the obvious tourist trap.

Fortunately, you manage to drag her out of the building without too much fuss, although in the process you do end up promising her that you'll go on some kind of adventure on this island. Once outside, it's pretty obvious that this island makes most of it's money off of that. This whole district seems like it was made for tourism. Still, as beautiful as the island is, you're not here for sightseeing. You need to do something here, after all.

>Go and find a bar. You could use a drink right now, and maybe hear news about the goings on in the world.
>Make use of the tourist attractions. You're certain they have some kind of information booth you could use to find out what kinds of interesting things exist here.
>Just go exploring on your own. You're sure a literal Golden Mountain has something interesting on it.

Also, here's a look into a world that could have been (since I already have it written out):
Eh... fuck it. Sure, this is dumb, but at least the guy on stage is somewhat charismatic. Besides, looking over you can see that at least Mischa has been sucked in by his performance.

"That's right, ladies and gentlemen, each and every one of you can experience the intense thrill of spelunking in a mysterious cavern and finding riches that have been waiting there for millenia!", he boasts, walking toward your group now. He taps that cane on the floor right in front of Trace and asks, "Young man, how would you like for your father here to take you on the adventure of a lifetime?"

Mischa can't help but snicker at the comment as Trace quietly mutters, "E-er... he's not my father... I'm eighteen."

The man blushes slightly and coughs, taking a step back and doing the exact same thing with an actual child, who excitedly responds, "Daddy said we're gonna have the coolest adventure ever!!"

You roll your eyes at that, and the Projector Snail turns off while that woman from earlier pushes a cart into the room. "So, if you would like to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience today, you can work out payment details with the lovely Miss Porter."

You stand up to head out the door, since you're obviously not paying for this, but just as you reach it you feel a tight grip around your wrist. Looking back, you see Mischa looking up at you with puppy-dog eyes and a huge pout. Sigh.

>No, Mischa. We're leaving.
>Fine, we'll pay for the cheapest package. It's only thirty thousand.
>Fine, we'll pay for the second package. A hundred fifty thousand isn't that much.
>Fine, we'll pay for the biggest package. We're not hurting for money right now.

>>3306051
>Go and find a bar. You could use a drink right now, and maybe hear news about the goings on in the world.

>>3306051
>Make use of the tourist attractions. You're certain they have some kind of information booth you could use to find out what kinds of interesting things exist here.

>>3306069
Let's go to a bar they're normally better for info

this place seems to be a good spot for thieves with all the tourists around

>>3306051
>>Just go exploring on your own. You're sure a literal Golden Mountain has something interesting on it.
Adventure! Getting lost! Probable deathtraps!

>>3306051
>Go and find a bar. You could use a drink right now, and maybe hear news about the goings on in the world.

As you walk out onto the street, you pat Mischa on the back, smiling at her. "Come on, I'm certain this island has plenty for us to find without paying a single beli. We can go and ask some people, come on."

Fortunately, your reassurance seems to cheer the girl up a bit, and the three of you make your way down the street until you see a bar. Without hesitation, you make your way inside, looking around the place. Behind the bar stands a woman with tired eyes, her blonde hair tied up into a bun. Aside from her, there's a pretty mixed display of mostly male patrons, enjoying their afternoon together.

Stepping up to the bar and taking a seat with your compatriots, the barlady tells you, "Alright, he can stay in here but I'm not givin' the kid any beer. So what can I get for ya?" In response, Trace mutters that he's eighteen, earning a curt, "Sure ya are." from the lady.

Passing a pair of bills across the table, you ask for a beer and two colas and ask what she knows about...

>The whole treasure thing. Is it really all just stupid rumors?
>How often pirates tend to come through here. Bounty hunting is your job, after all.
>What there is to see on the island that's not just a tourist trap.

>>3306370
>>What there is to see on the island that's not just a tourist trap.

>>3306370
>How often do Pirates come through here

>What's there to see on the island that's not just a tourist trap

>>3306370
>How often pirates tend to come through here. Bounty hunting is your job, after all.

How did I miss the new thread?!

>>3306370
What there is to see on the island that's not just a tourist trap.

>>3306370
>>What there is to see on the island that's not just a tourist trap.
No one piece this week

>>3306370
>How often pirates tend to come through here. Bounty hunting is your job, after all.

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"So, we've already seen the whole tourist trap thing with the treasure. What is there on this island that's not a waste of time?"

"Ah, so you're sightseeing." As the barlady passes a pair of bottles to your compatriots and finishes filling up your mug, she thinks for a moment. "Well, there are a few things. First, the nightlife here isn't bad. This bar isn't exactly a hub of excitement, but there are plenty of clubs that stay open well into the night, and if it's underground gambling you're interested in I can give you some directions. Just as long as you promise not to bring the kid with you."

You shrug, ignoring Trace's huff at being called a kid again. "As fun as that sounds, I could have gotten all of that at home. We're not looking for anything like that. We're more here for... an experience. The sorts of things you can't find anywhere else, right?"

"Oh?", she hums, looking you up and down curiously. "In that case... I see the sword there. I bet you style yourself as some kinda explorey type. How about this... off to the northern side of town, there's a little militia outpost. That's the entrance to the big cave system that goes all through this mountain. From what I hear, it's really pretty. A one of a kind thing."

"Only problem is, all of the safe caves are locked down by that treasure huntin scheme. The only ones ya could get into have a buncha monsters in 'em. If that's something you can handle, feel free, but the only people who ever seem to come outta there are the kinda people you hire to fight off sea monsters when you gotta sail through dangerous waters." She hesitates for a moment, getting a more serious look on her face. "Just... if ya do go that route, make sure you don't go too deep into the caves. Rumor has it that way inside there, something more dangerous than the usual monsters is lurkin. People who've come out always talk about these grinding and scraping noises echoing around when they went too far in."

>Hm. Sounds like fun. Right, Mischa?
>Eh... you think you'll pass on the pretty cave.
>Up to you, Mischa. Do you wanna go spelunking?

>>3306446
>Up to you, Mischa. Do you wanna go spelunking?

>>3306446
>>Up to you, Mischa. Do you wanna go spelunking?
Dont forget your torch and whip

>>3306446
>Hm. Sounds like fun. Right, Mischa?

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"Well, we can let the captain decide. Mischa, what do--" As you turn to ask your friend the question, you can see her quite literally buzzing with excitement. "...I think that's a yes. Let's finish up our drinks and get going then."

Gulping down the rest of her cola in a disturbingly short amount of time, Mischa bolts up from her seat. She spews out, "YouguysgoaheadImgonnagograbsomething", and quite literally sprints out of the door, leaving you and Trace both quite stunned. In spite of this, you shrug and finish off the drinks you bought, figuring that she's going to go at her own pace.

Getting up, you slide the barlady a generous tip and say, "We'll be off now. I'll be sure to let you know if we find any legendary treasures."

She rolls her eyes as the two of you walk out, stepping into the busy street and looking around. The lady said north, so you suppose you'll go north. Trace follows behind you curiously, reading Fleur as the two of you make your way toward the edge of town. It seems to just be getting into the evening, as Trace tells you, "Apparently we don't need to worry about stocking up before we go in. Fleur says with her help we should be able to make it through the caves without getting lost like most people do."

https://youtu.be/64bfT-NBWMM

As you make your way out of the throng of tightly packed buildings and to an area of open ground, you see something like a military encampment off in the distance. Between you and it though, you notice the unpaved ground all around you. Just seeing it alone, you can tell why this place would be so attractive for tourists. Even the dirt in the ground seems to sparkle beautifully through the grass, like the whole place has been dusted with gold.

Heading to the edge of the encampment, you notice a marine flag flying over the place, and a thin man wearing a pretty standard uniform and holding a rifle stands in front of you. "Excuse me, sirs, but I'm going to have to stop you here. This place is not safe for civilians, it's for the best if you turn back around and return to the city."

>You're not exactly a civilian. He should just let you go on in, you'll be fine.
>Just what makes it so unsafe? You'd like to know.
>Oh, it's fine. You're a friend of Commodore Beach, and you're here to clear out the big monster in the cave.

>>3306503
>>You're not exactly a civilian. He should just let you go on in, you'll be fine.

>>3306503
>You're not exactly a civilian. He should just let you go on in, you'll be fine.

>>3306503
>You're not exactly a civilian. He should just let you go on in, you'll be fine.
We’re here to kill some nasties, dude.

>>3306503
>You're not exactly a civilian. He should just let you go on in, you'll be fine.

>>3306503
>>Just what makes it so unsafe? You'd like to know.

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"Listen, man, I get that you have a whole duty here, but I'm hardly a civilian." You gesture to the cutlass sitting on your hip, giving him a weary expression.

"But... but we're..." The man trails off, not sure what to say up until a man with the longest sideburns you've ever seen steps up and claps him on the shoulder.

"Ensign Claus, there's no need to stop the man!", he chuckles, grinning at you. "Remember, our job here isn't to keep people from getting in the caves, it's to keep the monsters from getting out. If anything, this man could be a big help. I told you the news from Beach, right? We Marines should really be more accepting of outside help."

The kid nods and steps away, saluting the man. "Um... thank you for your assistance, citizen. Just don't get into trouble, okay?"

"There's nothing to worry about!" Trace responds, giving him a thumbs up. "Valerio here is one of the strongest people I've ever met, and we're going in with someone else. Someone who... is about to show up!"

You turn around just after him and see Mischa flying toward you, a solid fourty feet in the air and approaching you at an extremely high speed. With a loud crash, she creates a small crater in the ground right in front of you. Then she burps. Very loudly. "...ugh. Shouldn't have drank my cola so fast."

"Well, I'll be damned. You're Mischa Kumadori, aren't you? I was just reading the official publication about how you did that job for Commodore Beach, youngster. Nice to meet you." He extends a hand to your friend, and she happily shakes it, readjusting her hat. Also, she's wearing a hat now, for some reason. Is that what she ran off to the ship to get?

"So, Trace, Val, are we headed in or not? Also who are these guys?"

>"Oh, they're just Marines guarding the entrance to this cave so monsters don't get out."
>"Er... they're nobody. Let's just head on in, okay?"

>>3306575
>>"Oh, they're just Marines guarding the entrance to this cave so monsters don't get out."

>>3306575
>>"Oh, they're just Marines guarding the entrance to this cave so monsters don't get out."

>>3306575
>"Oh, they're just Marines guarding the entrance to this cave so monsters don't get out."

"Well, this is just a group of Marines here to keep monsters from getting out and hurting people.", you explain, assuming you're being helpful.

"Oh, they're...", Mischa trails off, before spitting in the hand which shook the Marine officer's and wiping it off on her sleeve. She then huffs and turns away from them, kneeling down and drawing in the dirt just like the last time you interacted with Marines. "...do we have to enter the cave this way?"

You sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose and groaning. Sideburns guy raises an eyebrow at you and asks, "Er... did I do something wrong? I thought this was Kumadori? The girl who worked with Commodore Beach?"

"Yeah, sorry about her, it's... a thing." You give him an apologetic look and pat Mischa's shoulder. "Come on, let's just go on in. You don't have to talk to the Marines, alright?"

"Ugh. Fine.", she mumbles, quietly standing up and following as closely behind you as she can, focusing on your back instead of the space around her.

As you make your way toward the cave, you call back, "Sorry again! We really don't mean to be insulting!"

>Ask Mischa why she acts like that around Marines.
>Let the issue slide. She can tell you when she wants to.

>>3306628
>>Let the issue slide. She can tell you when she wants to.
No need to pressure her

>>3306628
>Let the issue slide. She can tell you when she wants to.

>>3306628
>Let the issue slide. She can tell you when she wants to.

>>3306628
>>Let the issue slide. She can tell you when she wants to.
For now. It's going to keep coming up, so we need to know at some point, but the time to ask is not when we're in unknown territory supposedly full of monsters and guarded by marines who may or may not be dropping eaves.

>>3306628
>Let the issue slide. She can tell you when she wants to.
Though man I'm super curious as to what's going on!

>>3306628
>Let the issue slide. She can tell you when she wants to.

We'll get the answer at an appropriately dramatic moment, when it will have the greatest emotional impact. One Piece, remember?

A quiet sigh leaves your lips, but you don't press the issue any more. Obviously the time will come when you need to discuss this with Mischa, but now definitely isn't the time. You have Marines right behind you and, supposedly, monsters in front of you.

https://youtu.be/64bfT-NBWMM

Though, it's hard to imagine this place as some kind of dangerous, monster filled cave. As you enter it, it's pretty clear that this isn't like any normal cave you'd see. Instead of cold stone walls leading down a dark tunnel, the whole place is just... shiny. From top to bottom, it's really quite beautiful. That barlady wasn't lying when she said one of a kind. You're not sure why, but it's as though the metal which makes up the walls have crystalized, with bits jutting out and making beautiful, golden mirrors all over the place.

As you go even deeper in, something seems strange to you, but you can't quite put your finger on it until Trace speaks up. "Amazing! I can't believe it, Valerio! The pyrite which makes up the walls, it's... lighting everything up!" As he says that, you realize, you've gone quite far into this tunnel, and yet it's still just as bright as it was outside. "This system of tunnels must reflect all the light coming in, dispersing it throughout so the whole thing is lit up on the inside!"

It even seems to be enough to have cheered Mischa up, as she's looking around the place in amazement. "Are... are you sure it's really not gold, Trace? It looks so pretty!"

"Who care's if it's not gold, it doesn't need to be. This is--" You're cut off as you speak by a loud growl deeper in the cave.

>Pull out your cutlass. Time to fight.
>Make a Heart weapon. Time to try this power out.
>Ask Mischa if she can help you try out stealing its heart.
>Try to hide. Monsters are scary.

>>3306765
>Pull out your cutlass. Time to fight.
Proceed carefully. Don't attack just yet, wait until you can see what's causing the noise.

>>3306765
I think we should hide, guys, we don't stand a chance against a real monst- pfft.
>>Make a Heart weapon. Time to try this power out.

>>3306765
>Ask Mischa if she can help you try out stealing its heart.

>>3306765
>Pull out your cutlass. Time to fight!

Sliding your blade out of its sheath, you step forward with a grin. Finally, time to see just what makes these caves so supposedly dangerous. And right on cue, some kind of hulking beast comes walking around the corner, snarling and drooling. The thing looks almost like a combination between a wolf, a boar, and an elephant. Suuuper weird.

Tightly gripping your weapon, you and Mischa charge right toward the thing, splitting apart to attack it from two angles.

>Play it safe. You don't know how strong this thing is. [Simple]
>Take it down as quick as possible. Don't want to give it time to call for friends. [Challenging]
>Write-in

>>3306833
>Take it down as quick as possible. Don't want to give it time to call for friends. [Challenging]

>>3306833
>Take it down as quick as possible. Don't want to give it time to call for friends. [Challenging]

>>3306833
>Quick as possible

>>3306833
>>Take it down as quick as possible. Don't want to give it time to call for friends. [Challenging]

>>3306837
>>3306843
>>3306852
You duck down and prepare to swing up at it's neck.

>Roll 1d100, best of 3

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>3306859

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>3306859

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>3306859

With an exhale, your blade finds itself slicing cleanly through the neck of the creature, carving through the flesh and causing the beast to gasp for air. Stepping back, you watch it collapse, and swiftly finish it off, mercy killing it without a second thought. Trace seems a little uneasy at your brutality while Mischa, in contrast, gives you a high five for the quick dispatching, her knee slightly scuffed from blocking an attack which would have gone for your side.

Moving on, you leave the body there and make your way deeper into the cave, taking instructions on where to turn from Trace. As you travel, even more creatures seem to show up, and you're forced to face off against an onslaught of them on your way toward wherever Fleur is leading you.

>Write-in anything you want to do on your way
and
>Roll 5d100, best of 3 for your combat performance while you travel

Unfortunately it's bedtime for the QM, so I'll finish this session by writing posts for anything you want to do on the way, and then we'll pick up on Saturday with what you find at the end of your travels.

Rolled 27, 84, 8, 68, 83 = 270 (5d100)

>>3306877
Can Fleur find anything weird around here

Rolled 49, 60, 25, 77, 30 = 241 (5d100)

>>3306877

Rolled 72, 73, 79, 30, 30 = 284 (5d100)

>>3306877

>>3306889
As you make your way through the cave, you look back at Trace and ask, "What exactly are we headed toward? Can Fleur find us something weird and interesting in here?"

"Ah, of course!" Trace nods, smiling. "She can't exactly say what's up ahead, but Fleur promises we're heading for something interesting! She already told me that she's more than happy to navigate us toward an adventure whenever she's able!"

>>3306938
This is so rad. Fleur, play We Are.

>>3306943
If you say so... https://youtu.be/RauZBAyeAxM

>>3306953
Fleur, do you have a good pancake recipe?

>>3306938
Fleur is suspicious as hell, honestly. A sentient book that can apparently see the future, and allow it’s users to manipulate time to some degree? That’s pretty damn weird, even by One Piece’s standards.

>>3307774
I could see where you're coming from but it could just be a sentient book with really good observation haki

Or it could be a person turned into a book that had really good observation haki

>>3307866
>just be a sentient book with really good observation haki

How does “just” even apply to that statement? How is a sentient book even a thing? If it were one of those items that got turned into living things with a DF or whatever, then sure, but it has no outward physical differences from a book to distinguish it as such, not to mention the weird time powers. I’m admittedly not extremely familiar with the One Piece world, but I’m at least fairly sure nothing like whatever Fleur is has shown up so far.

>a person turned into a book that had really good observation haki

Is that a thing that can happen?

>>3307975
>How is a sentient book even a thing? If it were one of those items that got turned into living things with a DF or whatever, then sure

Trace told us it was because Fleur had crossed Big Mom.

>>3308047
>Trace told us it was because Fleur had crossed Big Mom.

Why are people telling lies about my quest already?

>>3308047
>>3308283
I was wondering why I didn't remember this

Lol probably a case of late night reading. You can mix up all kinds of stuff.

>>3307536
"Fleur says she prefers waffles."

>>3308572
Fleur, play despacito
Fleur, give me a pirate joke

>>3308592
>Fleur, give me a pirate joke
What's a pirate's favorite letter?

>>3309774
X?

>>3310047
No, me hearty, it be THE C!

>>3310068
And here I thought it was R.

>>3310081
That’s why this is the best pirate joke, because if they go with either R or C, you can tell them they’re wrong and blindside them with a completely different pun.

YOU’RE WELCOME.

>>3310047
>>3310068
>>3310081
>>3310104
Ahh, but yer all wrong. Y'see, the greatest pirates in this world always seem to be driven by the will of D.

Is it this Saturday he was talking about or is this a rip?

>>3327174
Probably tomorrow, likely in a new thread. OP is pretty good at running.

Here’s their twitter, doesn’t seem like it’s in this thread: https://mobile.twitter.com/op_updates

>>3327174
>>3327801
>Implying OP didn't mean Saturday two months from now

Seriously though, probably should have made clear which Saturday I meant in the original post. Regardless, I'm going to be posting a new thread soon-ish, so Saturday was a lie either way!!

New thread!
>>3329112
>>3329112
>>3329112
New thread!