Renzo: The 36-World Traveler

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Before anything else, Renzo didn't rush to free the captured civilians. Instead, he looted the entire pirate ship first, collecting nearly 8 million Berries along with a couple of pouches filled with gold and jewels.

He also snagged a decent-quality long sword from Orik's treasure stash and strapped it to his waist. It wasn't on the level of a top-grade blade, but after testing it out, Renzo figured it was good enough for now.

After that, he chopped off Orik's head, wrapped it up nicely, and only then did he go free the captured people.

"Alright! You're all free now!" he announced. "But we're still in the middle of the sea. The closest place is Loguetown, but there's still some distance to go. Let's head there first!"

"Who here knows how to navigate? Who can steer the ship?" Renzo asked the crowd.

He had no clue how to do any of that himself. If he tried to control the ship, they might end up sailing straight into the Calm Belt!

Not that he wasn't tempted—he'd love to try a bite of those massive Sea Kings. But now wasn't the time. Right now, if they ran into one, it wasn't clear who'd be eating whom.

"Maybe I should learn some basic navigation skills in the future. Doesn't have to be perfect, but at least enough to get by," Renzo thought to himself.

"I can navigate!"

"I know how to steer!"

"I can handle the sails!"

"I…"

Since their lives were on the line and Renzo had just saved them, the survivors eagerly volunteered to help in whatever way they could.

Of course, not everyone was that cooperative. Some remained silent, their eyes secretly darting toward the money pouch at Renzo's feet, glimmering with greed.

"So that's human nature, huh?" Renzo mused, watching it all unfold. "Just because they were kidnapped doesn't mean they're all good people."

He neither overestimated human nobility nor underestimated human greed. Across countless worlds, beings of all kinds came with different morals and complexities.

He made a mental note of the greedy ones but didn't act on it for now. Instead, he had the navigators chart their course, the helmsman take the wheel, and the sail handlers adjust the sails.

As for the rest? He put them to work cleaning up the corpses.

Oh, and he also ordered them to take down the pirate flag. The last thing he wanted was to be mistaken for a pirate and get a bounty on his head.

He was still too weak, too young—better to lay low for now.

If he really wanted to set sail properly, he figured that in the East Blue, he'd at least need the strength of a Marine Rear Admiral. To enter the first half of the Grand Line, he'd need Vice Admiral-level strength, at minimum.

And the New World?

He figured Admiral-level power, along with mastery of all three types of Haki, would be the bare minimum.

What's that? You say Conqueror's Haki is purely about talent, and he might not have it?

What kind of joke is that?

Who is he? He's Renzo, the handsomest of all 36 Renzos combined! How could something like Conqueror's Haki be beyond him?

To him, it was just a matter of mental strength and control. Maybe even a certain level of presence or charisma. Mental strength could be trained, and presence could be built over time.

People in this world thought it was purely an inborn trait simply because they didn't understand it well enough.

He wasn't buying that nonsense.

A born king?

Luffy?

That guy?

Isn't he just a natural-born goofball? Maybe even a total airhead?

What kind of king acts like that?

That's way too pathetic.

"By the way, if any of you want to go home, you'll probably need some travel money. I took some cash from the pirates, so I'll give you a little to help out."

As he spoke, Renzo untied the money pouch and pulled out 300,000 Berries, distributing a portion to each person.

It wasn't a huge amount, but it was enough for travel expenses. He figured that was more than fair.

Unfortunately, some people, seeing how kind Renzo was, got greedy. One of them piped up, "Hey, Renzo! Our homes were looted too! You got so much money from the pirates—why not give us more? Some of that money probably came from us in the first place, right?"

"Yeah, yeah! Come on, kid, you're so generous! What's a little extra? Don't be stingy!"

"That's right!"

"Exactly!"

One person started it, and soon, the greedy ones were all jumping in, trying to pressure Renzo into handing over more money.

"Haha…."

Renzo couldn't help but laugh out loud, not from joy, but from sheer irritation.

Luckily, for every ungrateful person, there were also those who knew how to be thankful.

Before Renzo could respond, someone stood up and shouted, "How dare you! Renzo saved our lives! Is this how you repay him?!"

"Exactly! This is too much! He already gave us travel money! And you're still not satisfied? Did your conscience get eaten by dogs?!"

"Yeah! He risked his life to get this money! Why should he give it to you?!"

"You ungrateful bastard! You were always a thug back in our village! You had no money before—why the hell do you think any of this cash belongs to you?!"

"You damn cowards! You didn't dare fight the pirates, but now you want to gang up on Renzo?! You think we won't fight back?!"

"Everyone! Get them! Teach these greedy bastards a lesson!"

With that, the angered civilians charged at the greedy ones, unleashing a furious barrage of punches and kicks.

Renzo even spotted a few women who, feeling their fists weren't strong enough, picked up random objects and started beating the freeloaders senseless.

"Stop! Please!"

"Ow! Help!"

"Stop hitting me! I'm gonna die!"

"Ow! Who the hell just—?!"

The greedy ones were screaming in agony, begging for mercy.

But the enraged crowd wasn't stopping anytime soon.

Renzo's hands even started itching. Should he jump in and get a hit or two in himself?

"Everyone, go easy on them! Just avoid the vital spots so we can keep this going longer! I've suffered so much on this pirate ship—I need to let out some steam!" a tough-looking woman shouted, hands on her hips.

For a moment, everyone paused.

Renzo nearly burst out laughing and gave her a thumbs-up. "Big sis, that's a solid plan!"

"See?" The woman grinned triumphantly. "Even Renzo agrees! What are you waiting for? These bastards are still breathing! Keep going!"

"You're a damn demon!" one of the beaten men shouted in despair.

"Haha! She's got a point!"

"Yeah! Look at them! They still have the strength to complain—they clearly haven't had enough!"

And with that, the beatdown continued.

"Noooooo…."

The greedy ones fell into utter despair.

Meanwhile, Renzo laughed heartily.

Everything he had done so far hadn't been in vain.

Sure, there were scumbags in the world. But there were also good people—kind, grateful, and worth saving.

Originally, he had planned to personally teach those ungrateful bastards a lesson. But now, seeing this unfold, he figured he'd just sit back and enjoy the show.

After all, he wouldn't want to steal the fun from the others.

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Yo~

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