C33 Wine Peak

In the ship's cabin, Esaki shed his clothes and admired his near-perfect physique, feeling the surge of power coursing through his body.

"The rate at which I'm making money is just too slow. My strength is at a standstill. I can't keep depending on summoning dinosaurs to boost my power, or else when will I ever be able to establish myself in the world?"

Currently, his strength was equivalent to that of a major. It might be slightly above average, but not by much.

"I wonder if those basic training methods from the anime are actually effective."

Wearing only his underwear, Esaki began doing push-ups on the floor, his arm muscles flexing rhythmically with each movement.

As time ticked by slowly.

"999... 1000."

Esaki counted through clenched teeth, his voice quivering. His skin, fairer than a woman's, was flushed red like a boiled crab, radiating heat in waves.

His muscles rippled like coiled dragons, brimming with power.

He rose to his feet and transitioned into deep squats.

...

Two days later.

Thump, thump, thump.

"Captain, we've arrived at Whisker Peak."

"Understood."

A detached voice responded.

A muscular silhouette rose to its feet, silver hair tied back, revealing a face both cold and striking.

Esaki slipped on a black shirt nonchalantly and stepped out.

He had been relentlessly honing his body over the past two days, his strength growing daily, enhancing his mastery over it significantly.

Gaimon, having discovered an Eternal Point of Records and a sea chart aboard the ship, had promptly navigated them to Whisker Peak, the nearest landmark.

Esaki emerged from the cabin onto the deck, gazing out at the island known as Whisker Peak.

The island was split into two, with towns on either side. Beyond the towns lay fields of cacti, the mountains themselves resembling the spiky plants.

Their ship sailed toward the river at the island's center.

On both sides of the towns, oddly dressed individuals stood watching them, smiles playing on their lips.

"They... look so peculiar."

Robin, standing next to Gaimon, watched them with a nervous expression, murmuring under her breath.

Esaki, catching sight of them, instantly recognized who these people were.

"Don't bother with them. If they keep to themselves, fine, but if they dare stir up trouble..."

A glint of ice flashed in his eyes.

"Gaimon, later you and Australovenator will craft a pirate flag, and while you're at it, pick up some supplies."

"Aye, Captain."

Gaimon's voice trembled with excitement. Were they finally about to form their own pirate crew?

Robin glanced at Esaki, her eyes swirling with turmoil.

Meanwhile, on the shore.

"We've hit the jackpot this time—none other than the devil's child, Nico Robin, and the Summoner Ze."

At the back of the crowd, a bald cyclops licked his lips, his gaze heavy with avarice.

"Hahaha, I'll be content with just Nico Robin," chuckled a scrawny dwarf carrying a knife.

"Dream on. Catching Robin won't be easy, and that Summoner? Even less so with that colossal dinosaur on his ship."

"What's there to fear? I refuse to believe that a hefty dose of tranquilizer won't do the trick. Plus, with this many of us, a bullet each and they're done for."

"Exactly."

Eyes gleaming with anticipation, the crowd seemed eager to pounce and seize Esaki.

Thud!

The ship made fast at the dock.

Thump.

Esaki leapt from the deck, with the rest of his crew trailing behind him into the town.