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Chapter 3 - [3]: The Weekly Reward and the Devil Fruit Mystery Box

A bright screen flickered to life before Liam Ross.

It was his skill interface.

Rows of neatly arranged information filled the display, each line detailing his mastery of the legendary Rokushiki techniques.

Shave: 0/10 (Learned)

Iron Body: 0/10 (Learned)

Paper Art: 0/10 (Learned)

Moon Step: 0/10 (Learned)

Tempest Kick: 0/10 (Learned)

Finger Gun: 0/10 (Learned)

Liam scanned the list, eyebrows furrowing slightly. "System, what do these numbers mean?"

"Those represent training experience points. The host can accumulate them through consistent practice or by using Experience Cards. Once the experience threshold is reached, the technique will advance to the next level."

"Oh, I see," Liam said thoughtfully. "And how many levels are there?"

"All techniques Rokushiki, swordsmanship, marksmanship, Haki, and Devil Fruit awakening are divided into five ranks: Learned, Proficient, Exceptional, Master, and Supreme. The higher the rank, the more experience points required."

Liam couldn't help but smile in admiration. "Now that's detailed."

The system wasn't just powerful it was methodical. It had dissected the structure of this world's power hierarchy and organized it with precision.

In the anime, strength was often vague, judged by bounty numbers or titles like Supernova, Warlord, Admiral, or Emperor. That left fans endlessly arguing over who was stronger some even comparing Admirals to the Four Emperors as if strength could be reduced to numbers.

But in Liam's eyes, the term Emperor wasn't merely a reflection of personal might. It symbolized influence the recognition by the World Government that someone's power, army, and authority posed a global threat.

Take Luffy, for example. Called the "Fifth Emperor," yet mocked as the weakest among them. The World Government never denied it because the title wasn't about raw strength it was about presence, influence, and danger. Luffy had built a massive fleet of seven captains, and that was enough to earn acknowledgment.

Shaking his head, Liam turned back to his panel. His gaze landed on the Intermediate Experience Card still floating in his inventory.

"Only one card, huh…" He sighed. "If I had six, I'd max out all six techniques right now."

After a moment's thought, he decided. "System, use the card on Paper Art."

Defense came first. In this world, survival mattered more than flair. Paper Art was the most defensive of the Six Powers it allowed the user's body to become as light and flexible as paper, evading attacks with fluid precision. Perfect for someone still growing stronger.

"Experience Card activated."

The card dissolved into light, and a warm surge of power flooded his body. Knowledge and instinct fused instantly within him, sharpening his perception, balance, and control.

On the screen, the Paper Art skill flickered and updated.

Paper Art: 40/100 (Proficient)

Liam blinked in surprise. "Just one card boosted it by fifty points?"

A grin broke across his face. "Not bad."

He couldn't sit still. Excitement burned in his chest. Quietly slipping out of his dorm, Liam headed to the small training grounds behind Marineford.

Under the silver wash of moonlight, he stooped to pick up a handful of stones. Focusing his energy, he hurled them at a nearby tree. The stones ricocheted back with sharp, whistling speed.

His eyes narrowed, glowing faintly. "Paper Art!"

His body twisted like flowing silk, bending and swaying effortlessly as the stones shot past him. Each movement was fluid and weightless, as if he were gliding through air.

"Paper Art: Battle Form."

"Paper Art: Soft Body."

He tested the advanced variations one after another. The control was astonishing. His movements were nearly identical to Rob Lucci's during the legendary Enies Lobby battle. The only difference was power Lucci was still leagues ahead.

By dawn, Liam collapsed under the rising sun, drenched in sweat yet grinning from ear to ear. His other Rokushiki techniques had gained only a single point each, but that alone was enough to show how demanding mastery truly was.

Later that morning, broom in hand, Liam was sweeping the marble floor of Marine Headquarters when the familiar mechanical tone echoed in his mind.

"Would the host like to perform the morning check-in?"

"Yes," he murmured under his breath. "Check in."

"Checking location... Marine Headquarters Main Building detected. Unique area bonus: +5% reward increase."

"Congratulations, host! Check-in successful."

"Reward: Swordsman-Level Swordsmanship. Would you like to integrate?"

Liam's eyes widened. Swordsmanship?

Immediately, he thought of one man the unrivaled swordsman with hawk-like eyes: Dracule Mihawk.

At this point in time, Mihawk would still be wandering the seas, having just witnessed Gol D. Roger's execution in Loguetown. He was likely challenging every swordsman he could find, carving his path toward the title of the world's greatest.

Liam couldn't help but wonder aloud, "So, right now, Mihawk's probably at the level of a Sword Hero?"

Without hesitation, he chose to integrate.

The moment he did, a sharp current of knowledge coursed through his mind. He could feel it the balance of grip, the control of breath, the way a blade cut not just through air but through intention itself.

In seconds, he transformed from a novice into a true swordsman.

His system interface updated instantly, adding a new section.

Swordsmanship: Swordsman (0/200)

He stared in surprise as he noticed something new. Unlike the world's usual ranking Swordsman, Sword Hero, Great Sword Hero, Sword Master, and Grandmaster his interface added an entirely new tier beyond Grandmaster.

Sword Saint.

That single term sent a shiver through him. He'd read enough stories to know what it implied. A Sword Saint wasn't just a master of technique it was someone who'd transcended it entirely, becoming one with the blade. A figure so attuned to swordsmanship that even legends would call him teacher.

"Guess the system isn't playing around," Liam whispered.

He estimated his current strength likely equivalent to a Navy Ensign. Impressive, yes, but still nothing compared to the titans ruling the Grand Line's second half. Out there, even fodder pirates could obliterate him.

He made up his mind. I'm not leaving Marineford until I reach Admiral-level strength.

Better safe than sorry.

That evening, after cleaning the training hall, Liam performed his nightly check-in.

"Check-in successful. Reward: Beginner Experience Card."

He used it immediately on Shave, one of the core mobility skills of Rokushiki. The improvement was immediate his movements grew sharper, faster, leaving faint afterimages as he dashed across the floor.

Days passed in a steady rhythm. Work. Train. Check in. Repeat.

Seven days later, Liam's routine had become almost ritual. Every morning, he cleaned the Headquarters. Every night, he trained in secret behind the mountain. Marineford was vast, and with its countless halls, towers, and courtyards, he discovered that special locations often gave bonus rewards.

He learned to choose his spots carefully never near Admirals, Vice Admirals, or the Fleet Admiral himself. Those men could sense danger like wolves.

Still, the effort paid off. Each new area brought new gains, small but steady.

Finally, the eighth day arrived.

That night, Liam sat cross-legged on his bunk, freshly showered, a faint incense stick burning beside him. His eyes were closed, his heart calm yet expectant.

The familiar voice chimed again.

"Congratulations, host. You have successfully checked in for seven consecutive days. Weekly Reward Unlocked. Would you like to open it?"

Liam's eyes snapped open, shining with excitement. "Open it! Now!"

"Weekly Reward Unlocked."

"You have received: one Premium Flintlock Pistol, one hundred Seastone Bullets, two Intermediate Experience Cards, one Armament Haki Integration Card, and one Devil Fruit Mystery Box."

Liam froze. Then, slowly, a grin stretched across his face.

"A Devil Fruit Mystery Box, huh?"

He could already feel his pulse quickening. Whatever lay inside, it was going to change everything.

And this time, he was ready for it.

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