[Congratulations, user. You have obtained your first tutorial mission.]
"Tutorial mission?" X repeated, surprised, blinking as the white light from the screen reflected in his eyes.
[Tutorial Mission: First Test.
Objective: Defeat 300 pirates.
Time limit: 1 month.
Reward: Armament Haki Book.
*If the user fails to complete the Tutorial Mission, they will not be able to access the system for two years, when normally it would be one year.
*Each mission assigned will be twice as difficult as the previous one, so the user is recommended to prepare in advance.]
"So I have a time limit… defeat 300 pirates in one month. Sounds simple, but it's not like there are many in this sea… and the reward is tempting: an Haki book, specifically Armament Haki."
X remained silent for a few seconds, feeling the faint glow of the screen reflecting across the dark room, causing the curtains to sway gently.
He analyzed the situation as the system slowly faded away, the white light disappearing little by little and leaving the room in dimness, illuminated only by the soft moonlight, until the mission was completed.
"I should rest… tomorrow will be a productive day," he murmured, yawning as he threw himself onto the bed. He settled under the sheets, putting on his eye mask and letting the gentle sound of the sea lull him slowly, while his thoughts drifted between the excitement and uncertainty of the mission he had just received.
The next afternoon, X walked toward the mountain, feeling the sun beginning to set and dye the sky in shades of orange.
Suddenly, he saw Luffy with another boy, both sweaty and focused as they practiced quick movements and clumsy jumps among the rocks.
"Luffy, you're too slow!" shouted the boy, frowning and clenching his fists, clearly frustrated.
"Ace, I'm just getting started! And you're three years older than me!" Luffy replied, puffing out his chest and swinging his arms as if it gave him extra strength, though he was clearly about to lose his balance.
X snapped his fingers and appeared beside the two. He leaned on a nearby rock for a moment, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow, observing the scene with that mix of curiosity and amusement only someone older and weary of life could have.
Luffy, seeing him appear, paused for a moment and threw a smile full of energy, while Ace frowned even more, as if thinking X had come to challenge him.
"That kid… he doesn't like me at all. He's one of those you have to earn with actions, not words," X thought, adjusting his glasses with a quick, confident motion, crossing his arms and watching Ace with a mix of curiosity and challenge.
Ace took a few steps forward, pointing a wooden stick at X as if it were a weapon, frowning with clear distrust. X, on the other hand, remained calm, a confident smile drawn across his face.
"Hey, you! Who are you?!" Ace shouted, adopting a defensive stance, ready for any unexpected movement.
"Ace, he's my friend, X. I told you you'd see him today," Luffy intervened, standing next to the tough kid, with that carefree smile that always seemed to calm the tension a bit.
Meanwhile, X, who had his hands in his pockets, pulled them out and lifted them with an exaggerated gesture, as if being arrested by the Marines, and said in a mocking tone:
"Let me introduce myself, I'm X. Unfortunately, I'm also friends with Luffy."
"Hey!" protested Luffy, indignant.
"Let's have a match and leave the formalities for later," X replied. With a snap, he appeared a meter away from Ace, who jumped back, alarmed.
"Don't come closer!"
"Mmmh…" X murmured, enjoying the tension in the air, that confident smile seeming to say, "this is going to be fun."
Suddenly, Ace leaped forward, swinging his wooden sword, performing a vertical strike. X sidestepped with a lateral step, passing just centimeters from him and landing on the ground with agility.
"You're fast… you don't seem like a normal kid," X whispered, while with another snap he disarmed the wooden stick, which slid into his hands.
"My sword disappeared?! Wait, what?!" Ace exclaimed, upset, a drop of sweat running down his temple, reflecting alertness as he felt X's calm gaze upon him. He could sense they were on completely different levels, but his pride still told him he had to continue.
"Don't get distracted, kid," X said. With an agile movement, using the momentum of his body, he grabbed Ace's arm and threw him against a tree, making him drop his sword.
"Aaaahh!" Ace shouted as he was sent flying through the air.
"Ace!" Luffy shouted, worried.
"Don't worry, your big brother will be fine. Watch him closely and never underestimate your opponents," X exclaimed, taking small steps as Ace spun through the air, landing on the trunk with his legs, and then leaping to counterattack.
"Well done," X thought, as he easily dodged each of Ace's attacks. A punch to the stomach was avoided with a simple lateral movement. A low kick was enough to propel himself over him, placing his foot on Ace's head and holding his hand to balance.
"Wow, that's amazing!" Luffy commented, excited about the silver-haired boy's abilities.
"How do you do this?" Ace asked, confused, unable to believe a younger kid was humiliating him.
"Practice, practice, and more practice. There's no easy way," the protagonist replied, tilting his head slightly to the side.
"Practice? But that's impossible! You're younger than me and can do all that!"
"Mmmh… that's true. And I'll tell you the truth: if you want to surpass others, you need discipline. If you don't have a plan or clear objective, you won't progress; you'll remain stuck in the same puddle over and over. The sooner you understand it, the sooner you'll achieve your goals," he explained, raising his index finger before snapping his fingers, making Ace fall from several meters high.
X watched from above, seeing Ace descend at maximum speed. Suddenly, he raised his voice:
"ACE, FIND A PATH WHERE YOU WON'T GET HURT!"
"IDIOT!" Ace shouted, trying to react.
For a few moments, X's words echoed in Ace's mind:
"If you want to surpass others, you need discipline. If you don't have a plan or clear objective, you won't progress; you'll remain stuck in the same puddle over and over. The sooner you understand it, the sooner you'll achieve your goals."
Then he squinted, reflecting, and suddenly opened his eyes wide, analyzing his surroundings. He didn't have many options to avoid getting hurt.
Seconds later, he noticed vines hanging between two large trees. His eyes shone with determination. He tried to launch himself even a little, and just as he thought all was lost and he would hit the ground…
He grabbed the vine and swung with the momentum.
"Aaaahhhh!"
His scream echoed through the forest, a mix of excitement and exhilaration as he realized he was safe. But then he saw he was heading straight for a tree. His eyes hardened; with all his strength, he pushed off the trunk like a spring, spinning several times in the air before landing on his knees on the ground.
"I DID IT!!!"
X gave him a thumbs up and smiled warmly, showing approval to his new friend.