[Ordinary Physique Crystal]: Increases your physical strength upon consumption. Can be used to synthesize higher-tier talent crystals with similar types.
[Inferior Soul Crystal]: Enhances your soul power after consumption. Also used in synthesis to upgrade talent crystals.
[Ordinary Taijutsu Crystal]: Boosts your Taijutsu abilities when taken. Can be used with similar crystals for higher-tier synthesis.
[Ordinary Kendo Crystal]: Improves your swordsmanship level. Can be combined with other talent crystals for stronger abilities.
Kairos Flint skimmed through the descriptions, instantly understanding their effects.
"So consuming crystals can directly enhance my abilities? That's quite the golden cheat. Still, I wonder how exactly these grades are ranked."
As if responding to his thoughts, a screen appeared in front of him.
[Crystal Grades]: Inferior (White), Ordinary (Green), Fine (Blue), Rare (Purple), Excellent (Orange), Perfect (Red), Legendary (Black), Epic (Gold), Mythical (Rainbow).
Nine levels. Clear and concise.
Boom. Boom. Boom!
Heavy footsteps echoed across the wooden deck. Kairos could hear them approaching. Pirates were searching for survivors.
Without hesitation, Kairos tossed all four crystals into his mouth. He didn't have time to hesitate. Any boost, no matter how small, could mean life or death.
To his surprise, the crystals, once hard as rock, melted in his mouth like cool spring water. A tingling sensation swept over him. The comfort was indescribable as his body grew stronger.
That was the effect of the Ordinary Physique Crystal.
His consciousness sharpened, his thoughts became clearer—a strange, brief sense of transcendence.
That was from the Inferior Soul Crystal.
Suddenly, combat knowledge filled his mind. Though previously just a street brawler, he was now an entry-level fighter.
That was thanks to the Ordinary Taijutsu Crystal.
Swordsmanship techniques soon followed. He had never picked up a sword before, but now he was a novice swordsman.
The Ordinary Kendo Crystal had done its work.
Kairos felt his overall ability improve significantly.
"This could get tricky... Running isn't easy now," he muttered. "But these pirates should be manageable."
The woman playing Nami looked at him, hopeful.
He raised a finger to his lips. "Shh."
They were cornered in the ship's cabin. Their only hope was to strike first. Judging by the approaching footsteps, there was more than one pirate.
A frontal fight was too risky. Ambush was the smarter move.
The woman understood and remained silent.
Da-da-da-da...
Footsteps grew louder.
A figure stepped into the cabin.
The moment the pirate appeared, Kairos lunged and slashed with his blade. The pirate, caught off guard, couldn't defend in time. One strike, and he was down.
"Oh!"
Another pirate who had followed closely was stunned. He quickly launched a counterattack.
Clang! Clang!
Their blades clashed fiercely.
The cabin was spacious enough to fight. Kairos dodged skillfully, relying on the power of the crystals. After exchanging over twenty moves, he found an opening and struck with precision.
One clean slash. Another pirate decapitated.
Kairos finally relaxed. Only two pirates had entered the cabin. Now, they were both dead.
Just then, new words appeared before his eyes:
[Loot detected. Do you wish to collect?]
He didn't hesitate. "Pick up."
The crystals from the defeated enemies could be his lifeline.
[Ding! You have acquired: Ordinary Physique Crystal x2, Ordinary Soul Crystal x2, Ordinary Taijutsu Crystal x2, Inferior Kendo Crystal x2. Stored in portable inventory.]
Kairos took out a Physique Crystal and swallowed it.
Instantly, his physical strength was restored, and even the minor wounds sustained during the fight healed completely.
"Incredible. These crystals not only enhance my body but also heal minor injuries. During combat, having a few on hand is like carrying extra lives."
He smiled. These enhancements gave him a serious advantage.
"You're stronger than I thought," the woman said, stepping closer, admiration in her eyes.
"Maybe a little," Kairos replied modestly.
"Let's escape together," she offered with a hopeful smile. "I'm Nami. What's your name?"
"Nami?"
Kairos froze.
He had a theory, a hunch he couldn't shake, and now her introduction confirmed it. He remembered seeing a tattoo on her arm earlier—a distinctive mark.
"Do you know the Arlong Pirates?"
Nami's expression changed instantly.
She stepped back, eyes wary, pulling a dagger from her clothes.
"Who are you?!"
Years at sea had made her cautious. No one would casually mention the Arlong Pirates unless they knew something. She assumed Kairos had approached her with an agenda.
Seeing her reaction, Kairos realized he didn't need to press further. Her response was all the confirmation he needed.
He had truly crossed over into the world of One Piece.
His head throbbed. This was going to be complicated.
Still, he needed to calm her down.
"I saw the tattoo on your arm. That symbol... It's from the Arlong Pirates. No normal person would have it. So I guessed you were once one of them."
The lie came out quickly—believable and perfect.