As they stepped onto the sand, the quiet crash of waves behind them, I felt it.
Pressure.Not from their stares. Not from the famous Jolly Roger painted on their sail.No — it came from the sheer presence of the man at the front of the group.
Shanks.Red-Haired. One of the Four Emperors of the Sea. Still, with both arms, the straw hat tilted forward just enough to cast a shadow across his eyes.
My muscles tensed instinctively, but I didn't step back.
Observation Haki: Stage 1 - Instinctual Read Active
[Warning: High-tier combatant in proximity. Estimated combat viability: 3 seconds.]
Three seconds?A grin tugged at the corner of my mouth. Better than one.I stepped forward instead of back.
"Didn't think anyone would pass by this island," I said, brushing dirt off my hands from training earlier. "Let alone someone with a 4 billion bounty."
A few of his crew raised their brows at that. One of them — a broad-shouldered guy with green-tinted goggles and twin pistols — chuckled.
"Oi, Shanks," he said, nudging him with a smirk. "This kid's got guts."
Shanks stopped walking, eyes meeting mine. There was no killing intent, no intimidation — just curiosity, like I was some strange new species he stumbled across.
"You've got Haki," he said simply. "And you're not afraid."
"I've been training for a year," I replied. "On my own. With this."I gestured to the clearing beyond the beach — the dead trees I'd turned into targets, the pits I dug for weighted training, and the old bear that stood up in the distance, watching with its usual half-tamed awareness.
Shanks gave a soft chuckle. "I can see that. But you don't smell like a pirate… or a Marine."
"I'm not," I said. "Yet."
Another wave rolled in, brushing against my feet. The wind tugged at the edges of my shirt, sticky with sweat. My heart thudded, but it wasn't fear.
It was ambition.
I stepped forward again.
"Tell me, Shanks. What does it take to survive on the Grand Line?"
The crew quieted. That was the question — direct, bold, and maybe even stupid. But Shanks didn't laugh. He scratched his beard, thoughtful.
"You've got spirit," he finally said. "And you've got Haki, which already puts you above most pirates on the East Blue. But if you're asking me..."He stepped a bit closer, the air seeming heavier with each inch.
"You'll need more than Haki. You'll need a reason to fight. And a crew that'll die for it."
System Notification: New Quest Unlocked
[Title: Beyond Strength]Objective: Learn the meaning behind power from a true Emperor of the Sea.Reward: ???
Do you accept this quest?
I blinked. The system had never given me a question before. Only directives. Commands. Tasks. But now, it was asking.
Yes.
Shanks smiled like he heard my answer.
"Then let's see what you've got," he said, suddenly lifting one finger — and flicking it.
CRACK.
The air split. A ripple of pressure slammed into me like a cannonball. I barely crossed my arms in time to block it, sliding back a few feet as sand kicked up around me in a whirlwind.
"That," he said, lowering his hand, "was just a greeting."
Observation Haki improved slightly!
Armament Haki resonance detected.
The bear watching in the background roared and bolted into the jungle.
I coughed once, catching my breath — then smiled. "Thanks. I needed that."
Shanks' crew chuckled again, this time more impressed than amused. One of them even tossed me a water bottle.
"Rest up," Shanks said, turning back to the ship. "We're leaving in the morning. You've got one day. Make it count."
They started walking back, but I stood there a moment longer, watching the sea as the sun started to dip toward the horizon.
Time Remaining Until Departure: 23:47:59
Begin: Training Arc – Final Island Trial
And just like that, everything changed.
Time Remaining: 23:46:22
The second Shanks turned his back, I felt it.A ticking clock — not just in the system, but in my blood.One day left.One final chance to prove I was ready to leave this island, not as a castaway... but as a warrior.
System: Island Trial Initiated
Objective: Surpass current limits. Show you're worthy of stepping onto the seas.
Bonus: Survive the Awakening.
Time Limit: 24 Hours
Phase One: Push Beyond Limits
I dropped into the dirt.Pushups. Situps. Squats. Runs. Until my muscles screamed and lungs burned.But there was no shortcut to greatness — only pain, grit, and the will to stand when everything told you to stay down.
My observation haki flared with every step. I dodged tree roots I couldn't see, leapt off cliffs and landed without stumbling. I wasn't moving like I used to.
I was evolving.
Phase Two: Fight the Self
System Alert: Trial Combatant CreatedName: Mirror FangStats: Equal to userAbilities: Observation Haki, Armament HakiSpecial: Adaptive Combat – Mimics user's growth during battle
It stepped out of the jungle with my face. My stance. My glare.
Perfect.
We clashed.
Every punch felt like I was striking a reflection — fast, brutal, relentless. The trial beast was everything I was and everything I feared becoming: stagnant. Predictable. Limit-bound.
And I broke it.
Phase Three: Unknown Awakening
As my knees hit the dirt and my breath came ragged, the system flared:
Warning: Potential Ability Detected
Paradox Reflex – Trait AwakenedDescription: Respond to threats using unlearned future instincts. True combat intuition unlocked.
Effect: Increases survivability against overwhelming opponents.
Trial Combatant Neutralized.
A final punch shattered the mirror creature. The jungle lit up with radiant haki lines as I stood, battered but alive.
Trial Complete+240,000 EXP+1,000,000 Berries+3 Free Stat Points
New Passive: Paradox Tree (Unlocked)Stat Growth Boost: 72 Hours
I walked back to the beach with the morning sun on my back and blood on my hands. My limbs ached, my shirt clung to my skin, but my heart…
My heart was lighter than ever.
Shanks stood by the boat. Arms crossed, expression unreadable. His crew gathered, weapons sheathed, eyes curious.
"You survived," Shanks said, nodding once.
I gave a tired smile. "More than survived. I changed."
He studied me for a moment longer. "So? Are you coming with us?"
I looked out at the sea. A year ago, it was a terrifying unknown. Now, it called to me.
"I am," I said. "But not forever."
The crew tilted their heads slightly. Shanks raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
I didn't hesitate. "I'm not looking to be a captain. But I'll follow one. Someone who carries the will to be the freest person in the world."
A few of the crew looked confused, but Shanks just grinned. Like he understood more than he let on.
"Got someone in mind already?" he asked, his voice casual — but his eyes sharp.
I returned his gaze without flinching. "Maybe. Maybe not. But when the time comes, I'll know."
We walked toward the dinghy together. The island behind me faded into the mist, the scent of salt and freedom ahead.
As we boarded the ship and the sails rose, I stood at the bow, wind tearing through my hair.
The seas were wide. The world was cruel. But I was no longer afraid.
My future captain was out there.And I would walk beside them until the day the world called them King.
Name: Crimson DLevel: 13EXP: 260,470 / 409,600Occupation: None
HP: 1,430 / 1,430
Strength 138
constitution 143
dexterity 141
intelligence 27
wisdom 24
charisma 20
luck 32
free stat points 63
Haki:
Stage 1 Observation Haki
Stage 1 Armament Haki
skills
Paradox Reflex (Awakened)
Berries: 2,519,700