Maybe it was wishful thinking, but this week's store refresh actually looked… promising.
Nao scrolled through the newly updated list of weekly shop items, scanning each one in order.
[Smith & Wesson M1917 (U.S. Model)]
Type: Weapon
Description: A seemingly ordinary revolver. In truth, a tool for… life "remakes." An essential for clearing the gut.
Note: Only includes four bullets.
"…I think I need to start keeping eyedrops next to the system panel," Nao muttered as he stared blankly at the screen. "One of these days, even someone as invincible as me is gonna go blind from reading this nonsense."
Only four bullets?
Yeah, no thanks. Not even for that dirt-cheap price.
[Haki Training Acceleration Card (60 Days)]
Type: Consumable
Description: Triples the efficiency of Armament and Observation Haki training.
Note: Can be used in conjunction with Physical Training Acceleration Cards. Buffs stack.
"How many times do I have to say it? Conqueror's Haki doesn't count—it's innate!"
Now this one—this was the kind of item he'd been hoping to see last week.
No hesitation here. Must-buy.
[PPAP Videotape (Marine Recruitment Edition)]
Type: Permanent Item
Description: A video clip of the "PPAP" performance. Compatible with projectors and visual Den Den Mushi.
Note: Special guest appearance by Borsalino.
"Even in retirement, I can still shine, right?"
"…Wait, seriously?" Nao stared at the screen in disbelief. "It's really that PPAP? Not some trick?"
It had zero practical use, but for some reason, he really wanted to buy it just to have.
The "Marine recruitment promo" note was obviously a joke.
But hey—twenty years from now, if the war atop Marineford gets too intense, maybe throwing this on the broadcast would be the morale booster the world never knew it needed.
[Limb Regeneration]
Type: Innate Skill
Description: Your body is infused with regenerative genes that transcend normal human limits. As long as your head remains intact and consciousness survives, even extreme mutilation—including full limb loss—can be reversed.
Note: Recovery speed scales with physical strength and severity of injury.
"Uncle here's got Cell-level regeneration. Stronger than Piccolo, weaker than Tomie!"
Now this—this was the crown jewel of the week's refresh.
Nao's expression turned serious. He sat silently, absorbing every word.
Just going off the description, this skill was even more busted than he'd imagined.
So long as the head stayed attached, and the brain was still functioning, he could regenerate from practically anything?
That was bordering on immortality.
"…This feels a little too freakish, doesn't it?" he murmured.
Nao knew his body had always been a monster among men. With every point he added to his strength, it became harder to pretend he was still within "human" limits.
But if he picked up this skill…
Well, that might be the end of calling himself "human" at all.
Still, no doubt about it—this was a god-tier ability. One he definitely wanted.
The only problem?
It cost a jaw-dropping 360,000 points. Even if he emptied out his savings, he'd still be a long way short.
"There's no way I'm earning that much in just one week…" Nao groaned, rubbing his temples. "So that means… I really do need to finish that side quest and use the 80% off coupon."
The discount coupon was obviously designed for this exact scenario. You use it on the most expensive item for maximum value.
And without question, Limb Regeneration was the prime candidate.
But the catch?
To finish the quest, he'd have to… give up his first kiss.
Yeah. His first kiss.
Even someone as modest as Nao had to admit—given his current charm and fame, there was no shortage of girls at HQ willing to line up for the honor. He could probably form a queue from one end of the training field to the other.
But still…
As a pure-hearted boy from the East Blue, this was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Something you didn't just throw away for a reward.
Kissing some random girl he had no connection with, just to complete a mission? That wasn't him.
It had to be with someone he genuinely cared about.
…Like Gion.
If it were her, he wouldn't mind at all. But their relationship hadn't even crossed into real romance yet. Just a few sparks of flirtation at best. And besides, she was off in the New World on deployment—no telling when they'd even see each other again.
That left only one person he could think of.
Someone whose voice, smile, and warmth he knew better than his own heartbeat.
Belle-Mère.
They'd grown up together, childhood friends from the same village. Their bond was as steady and unshakable as a battleship's hull. No storm could ever capsize them.
If he hadn't left home for Marineford a year ago, odds were, they'd have already shared their first kiss—maybe under the orange trees.
Back then, they hadn't acted on it. Too young, too uncertain.
"…Come to think of it," Nao muttered, "the letter I sent home last time—I totally dodged the marriage talk in the one for Belle-Mère."
That might have pissed her off.
Maybe she'd even call the camp in the next few days just to yell at him.
Sure, long-distance Den Den Mushi calls were expensive, but the 16th Branch did have a few high-grade ones. If Belle-Mère really wanted to talk, she could probably pull some strings through his dad.
"I really do miss her voice, though…" Nao sighed. "But if she brings up marriage again, it's not something you can hash out over the phone."
Seeing her in person would be better. They could finally talk things through.
And hey—maybe that'd take care of the side quest, too.
The kiss had a 30-day time limit. But the shop refresh was on a weekly basis. There just wasn't time for either of them to travel halfway across the world.
"…Am I really gonna miss out on a skill like Limb Regeneration over something like this?"
He slumped on the bench, fretting.
For just a second—just a brief second—he even considered whether the kiss had to be strictly with a girl.
If it didn't, maybe he could "borrow" one from a roommate. That wouldn't really count, right?
The thought horrified him.
"Nope. Nope nope nope."
Nao shook his head violently, trying to dislodge the intrusive thought.
"Okay. Focus. Let's check the last few items first."
Refocusing, he moved down to the next item on the list.
[Dual-Blade Secret Technique: Moon Eclipse]
Type: Special Sword Skill
Description: A powerful technique exclusive to dual-blade users. When activated, your swords will glow like the full moon, inflicting massive bonus damage and blinding the enemy with dazzling light. During the effect, it becomes extremely difficult for the opponent to track the position of your blade's afterimage.
Note: Bonus damage scales with your sword skill. Blind duration depends on the target's strength and size.
"O radiant light! This enemy is—wait, I can't see anything!"
"Oh hell yes," Nao lit up. "High-damage and crowd-control in one?"
Only 20,000 points too.
No-brainer.
He confirmed the purchase immediately.
A new dual-blade technique—one of the few things he desperately needed right now.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin