## Day 98 | Location: En Route to Hoko Island, East Blue
The journey back to Hoko Island passed swiftly, our small vessel cutting through calm seas with Nami at the helm. We sailed in comfortable silence punctuated by occasional conversation about our discoveries. The tracking compass I'd created remained active in my pocket, its gentle pull toward the vanished island a reassuring presence.
"So, what will you do with your share?" Nami asked as the silhouette of Hoko Island appeared on the horizon, its distinctive resort spires glinting in the afternoon sun.
"Invest in future expeditions, I suppose," I replied truthfully. "There's still so much of the East Blue I haven't seen."
She nodded, though I caught the slight narrowing of her eyes—that calculating look that meant she was reassessing something about me. "Most people would be planning a spending spree after finding what we did."
I shrugged. "I've never been much for extravagance."
"Says the guy with mysteriously advanced gadgets," she countered with a knowing smirk.
Rather than responding directly, I gazed at the approaching island. "Madame Thornhill will be pleased with our results."
"Pleased? She'll be ecstatic," Nami corrected. "Adam Wood alone would make this trip worthwhile. The treasure is just a bonus."
We docked at Hoko's main harbor by early evening, securing the Swift Gull before making our way to the Timber Company's headquarters. The town had transformed in our absence—festive lanterns lined the streets, and the sound of music drifted from the resort district.
"Some kind of celebration?" I asked a passing dock worker.
"Spring Festival," he replied cheerfully. "Started yesterday, runs all week. Good timing on your return!"
The Hoko Timber Company compound was quieter, though still operational despite the festivities. We were ushered immediately into Madame Thornhill's office upon arrival, our request for a meeting granted with unusual haste.
"You've returned!" Thornhill exclaimed as we entered, rising from behind her massive desk. Her sharp eyes immediately went to the leather satchel I carried. "And successfully, it seems?"
"The map was accurate," I confirmed, placing several samples of Adam Wood on her desk. "These are just specimens. There's an entire grove on the island."
Her composure faltered momentarily as she lifted one of the wood pieces, examining it with expert eyes. "Genuine Adam Wood," she whispered reverently. "Young growth too, not ancient remnants."
"An entire acre at minimum," I added. "Possibly more throughout the island."
Thornhill sank back into her chair, still staring at the sample. "Do you understand what you've found?" she asked quietly. "Adam Wood of this quality hasn't been seen in the East Blue for generations."
"We have an idea of its value," Nami interjected smoothly. "And we're prepared to negotiate an exclusive arrangement."
I suppressed a smile at her businesslike tone—Nami in negotiation mode was truly something to behold.
The discussion that followed lasted hours, with Nami driving a remarkably favorable bargain. By the time we shook hands with Madame Thornhill, we had established a partnership whereby I would provide small quantities of Adam Wood twice yearly—enough to make Thornhill's business prosper without flooding the market and destroying its value. In exchange, we received 120 million berries for our initial samples, with comparable payments scheduled for future deliveries.
"Half is yours," I told Nami later that evening as we divided the payment in our resort suite. "Fair is fair."
She stared at the stacks of currency before her—60 million berries, more than enough to make a substantial payment toward Arlong's demanded sum. For a moment, something vulnerable flickered across her face before her usual mask of pragmatism returned.
"This partnership could be very profitable," she noted, carefully stowing her share. "Though I'm curious how you plan to return to an island that moves."
I tapped the specialized compass. "This will guide us back when the time comes. The island appears to follow certain patterns—we just need to track them."
She nodded, seemingly satisfied with the explanation though I suspected she still harbored questions about my methods.
"Thornhill also provided this," I added, showing her the small Den Den Mushi the timber magnate had given us for secure communications. "For coordinating future deliveries."
"Convenient," Nami agreed. "So what's next on your mysterious agenda?"
I unfolded my artifact map—the one I'd created weeks earlier using my wish power. Its weathered surface displayed what appeared to be an ancient cartography style, with locations marked through symbolic imagery rather than direct labeling.
"I thought we might try our hand at some conventional treasure hunting," I suggested. "This map indicates several promising sites along the eastern archipelago."
Nami's eyes lit up as she examined the document. "This is... extremely detailed for such an old map. Where did you get it?"
"An inheritance of sorts," I replied vaguely. "Family treasure."
"The family you never talk about," she observed shrewdly.
Rather than feeding that line of questioning, I pointed to a particular marking on the map. "This symbol traditionally represents buried wealth—possibly a shipwreck. It's only about three days' sail from here."
Her enthusiasm overcame her suspicion, at least temporarily. "When do we leave?"
"I thought we might enjoy the festival first," I suggested. "We've earned a week of relaxation, haven't we?"
## Days 99-105 | Location: Hoko Island Resort District
The Spring Festival proved to be exactly what we both needed after our adventure. For seven days, we explored the island's celebrations, sampling exotic foods, watching performances, and even participating in some of the traditional games. I was careful with my technology use during this time, relying mostly on conventional methods while saving my daily small wishes for private enhancements to my equipment.
Nami surprised me by actually relaxing her guard somewhat, especially after securing her earnings in what I assumed was a hidden location. She laughed more freely, haggled with merchants more for sport than necessity, and on one memorable evening, even dragged me to a beachside dance where we joined dozens of locals in traditional East Blue folk dances.
"You move well for someone so stiff," she teased after a particularly energetic number.
"High gravity training," I replied without thinking, then quickly added, "I mean, I've always been naturally coordinated."
She gave me that look again—the one that said she knew I was hiding something but wasn't ready to press the issue.
During our downtime, I focused on improving my cooking skills. The resort housed several master chefs, and with Red Queen's discreet assistance analyzing their techniques, I rapidly absorbed new methods. By week's end, I could prepare dishes that impressed even the resort staff—a skill I knew would be valuable in future travels.
I also spent several hours each day in private training, pushing my enhanced physical capabilities through regimens designed by Red Queen to maximize my development. The combination of Devilukean physiology, wish-enhanced learning, and consistent practice had elevated my combat potential significantly—according to Red Queen's analysis, my strength and speed were now approaching levels comparable to a Devilukean Elite Solider, similar to Luffy would demonstrate in Enies Lobby with his Gear Second activated.
On our final day at the resort, I encountered an elderly painter working on the clifftop overlooking the harbor. His canvas captured the sunset with remarkable precision, each brushstroke deliberate and masterful.
"Beautiful work," I commented, stopping to observe.
"Beauty is everywhere if you have eyes to see it," the old man replied without looking up. "Most people just pass by without noticing."
Something about his philosophy resonated with me. We spoke for hours as he continued painting, discussing the nature of observation and interpretation. Before departing, he showed me his technique for mixing pigments—a seemingly simple process that Red Queen's analysis revealed involved complex chemical interactions to achieve specific visual effects.
That night, lying awake in my resort room, I made a decision about my next major wish. After a month of smaller enhancements and utilities, I was ready for something more significant.
## Days 106-130 | Location: Various Islands, East Blue
The treasure hunt that followed our departure from Hoko Island exceeded even Nami's expectations. With my artifact map guiding us, we explored sunken ships, abandoned temples, and forgotten caches across a dozen islands. Each discovery added to our growing wealth while providing opportunities to enhance my understanding of this world's history.
At a submerged wreck near Conomi Islands, we recovered a chest of rare gemstones that Nami appraised at over 30 million berries. In the ruins of an ancient observatory on Gecko Island, we found astronomical instruments crafted from precious metals worth twice that amount. A hidden cave system on Organ Islands yielded ceremonial artifacts from a civilization predating the World Government.
Throughout these adventures, I continued my daily training regimen, now incorporating techniques observed from various fighters we encountered. My combat capabilities grew steadily, with Red Queen confirming my physical parameters now solidly matched Luffy's Enies Lobby capabilities—an impressive benchmark, though still far below the true monsters of this world.
On day 130, after carefully documenting our latest find—a collection of historical texts from an abandoned monastery—I decided the time had come for my planned major wish. In the privacy of our ship's cabin while Nami explored the local market, I focused my mental energy on a specific concept:
*Create a paintbrush capable of manifesting non-living objects from my imagination into reality, with daily limits on quantity and complexity based on my mental energy.*
The familiar pressure built in my mind, far more intense than with minor wishes. For nearly an hour, I maintained concentration, directing the power toward the brush I'd purchased from the elderly painter on Hoko Island. Gradually, I felt the object transform, infused with reality-altering capabilities tied to my own imagination and energy reserves.
When the process completed, I held a seemingly ordinary brush with a handle of deep blue wood and bristles that shimmered slightly in direct light. Testing it immediately, I dipped the dry brush in air as if it held paint, then drew a simple apple on blank paper. The lines glowed briefly before lifting from the page, transforming into a real, tangible fruit.
I took a bite—perfect in taste and texture.
Red Queen's analysis confirmed the brush's capabilities and limitations: I could create non-living objects up to approximately one cubic meter in total volume per day, with complexity affecting energy consumption. Simple items like tools or materials required minimal effort, while intricate mechanisms would drain my daily limit quickly. The created items were permanent but couldn't violate fundamental physical laws—no perpetual motion machines or impossible materials.
This would revolutionize my capacity for invention and adaptation. With access to materials and components on demand, I could significantly accelerate my technological development without revealing my true capabilities.
When Nami returned from the market, I demonstrated a small fraction of the brush's abilities, presenting it as a new gadget I'd been developing—capable of creating simple objects but nothing too advanced.
"That's... impossible," she stammered after watching me paint a small silver coin into existence.
"Just a trick," I assured her with a smile. "Sleight of hand combined with some special materials in the brush."
She didn't believe me, of course, but seemed willing to accept the demonstration as another of my unexplained abilities. By now, she had grown accustomed to my occasional technological surprises, categorizing them as eccentricities rather than threats.
As we prepared to depart for our next destination—a small village called Foosha according to my map—I reflected on how far I'd come in just four months in this world. From a stranded alien with limited resources to a capable adventurer with growing powers and connections, my integration into this reality was proceeding better than I could have hoped.
Yet I knew the true story of this world was only beginning to unfold. Somewhere on this Village , a young boy in a straw hat was preparing for the journey that would reshape the world. Whether my path would cross his remained to be seen, but I found myself increasingly curious about the possibility.
For now, though, I had a map full of treasures to discover and a growing list of abilities to master. The wind filled our sails as we charted course for Foosha Village, unaware that this next destination would mark a turning point in my journey through the world of One Piece.