The scent of oranges mixed with sweat surged through his nostrils as Shano raised his right hand, staring at the calluses scabbing over on his knuckles.
According to the description in the manual, the essence of this Breathing Fist Technique lies in "nourishing the blood with qi."
Through a special frequency of exhaling and inhaling, the alveoli exchange several times the amount of oxygen per unit time, allowing the boiling blood to carry nutrients that constantly flush through each muscle fiber.
This makes the training of body techniques twice as effective with half the effort, and the results further nourish the flesh, muscles, and bones.
Day after day, persistently over time.
His physical strength would gradually increase to a level far beyond that of ordinary people, and upon achieving great success, he would significantly break through the natural human limits, as if unlocking a genetic lock, transforming into an entirely new species.
"An entirely new species..."
Shano's gaze flickered with anticipation at this thought.
In this world, there are far too many incredibly talented monsters.
While his body had some talent in body techniques, it ultimately still fell within the scope of a normal human.
On the vast ocean, it was simply not enough.
Like...
No matter how diligently Usopp trains, he is still just Usopp in the end.
Only by shedding the layer of limitations that bind Usopp, revealing a new impressive form within, could one have the opportunity to compete with monsters like Luffy and Zoro for the position of main combatant.
If the Breathing Fist Technique can truly help him achieve this, then it would indeed prove its value, far exceeding its 700 points price.
Over three years, he had painstakingly accumulated just over 900 points in total.
Moreover.
The benefits of practicing the Breathing Fist Technique don't stop there.
At this moment, he could clearly feel the rhythm of his heart pumping, like the sail of a ship filled with wind in a storm.
The lactic acid buildup, which usually occurs after intense exercise, surprisingly converted into thermal energy from muscle tremors under this breathing rhythm.
The bruises left from striking the orange tree were now rapidly fading away with the unique rhythm of the breathing technique.
If not for this.
Without any medical resources, he wouldn't be able to engage in hellish, self-abusive training for a few hours each morning and evening, without hindering his work in the orange grove during the day.
"Deep sea."
With a thought, Shano awakened the system panel again.
No changes were visible in the various attribute values yet.
He wasn't surprised by this; practice requires accumulation over time, never achieved overnight.
He stared at the lines of data, roughly estimating in his mind.
As of now, he was already capable of easily defeating a dozen strong adult men.
If the fist technique achieved great success, truly transforming his body to a new level.
Dealing with a few ordinary Fishmen shouldn't be a problem.
However...
What he had to face wasn't just a few Fishmen.
Recalling the piece of news he saw in the newspaper after dinner, along with the photo of Jinbe's public appearance, there was a shadow deep in the black-haired boy's pupils.
The newspaper didn't elaborate, but he remembered it very clearly.
One of the conditions for Jinbe agreeing to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea was to release Arlong and his gang, who were once partners from the Sun Pirates, from Impel Down Prison.
Arlong, Arlong, Arlong!
Since the day he regained his memory, this name had been like the sword of Damocles, hanging over his head, often making him feel pins on his back, unable to sleep through the night!
Originally, he didn't have to train so desperately, at least not so early.
He could continue his childhood happily, spending every day in the Eastern Sea countryside in warmth and ease.
But, he simply couldn't.
Arlong was coming! He was about to break off with Jinbe and part ways with the Sun Pirates! He was coming to the East Sea to live his life as a petty emperor with his supporting lackeys!
If he remembered correctly.
In the original timeline, in the year 1512 of the Chronology of One Piece, eight years before Luffy set sail, the Arlong Pirates would land in Cocoyashi Village and crazily impose an exorbitant protection fee of 100,000 Belly per person per month on all villagers.
The peaceful rural paradise would thus turn into hell under oppressive rule, and Belle-Mere was also coldly murdered by Arlong for her daughters on that day.
And now...
It was already late autumn, early winter in the year 1511 of the Chronology of One Piece.
The time left for him was only one year... no, at most, a year!
Thud!
A sense of urgency surged into his heart, and Shano, with a somber face, suddenly punched the tree trunk hard.
After several days of continuous strikes, the tree finally began a chain reaction.
Crack crack! Countless fine cracks spread rapidly across the trunk like a spiderweb, and in the next second, the entire seven- or eight-meter-tall tree shattered into countless fragments with a boom, scattering all over the ground.
In the moonlight seeping through the fine wood chips, the boy's gaze gradually turned cold as iron.
He too lost his temper.
It's just a mere Ah Long, a guy worth 20 million Belly bounty, not even considered a small fry on the Grand Line, let alone the New World.
How dare he touch my hometown, how dare he give me so much pressure all these years!
When I first recovered my memory, Shano would still advise Belle-Mere to move. Now, no way!
Cocoyashi Village is also my hometown now, a place that has given me countless warmth and healing.
Orange groves, grassy fields, creek shores, everywhere holds memories with family; even the big white dog at the village entrance that almost became a sacrificial offering has become part of our bond.
Why should we leave?
Screw you!
The one who should get lost is Ah Long!
He punched the stake continuously until his remaining strength was completely drained and his raging, violent mood gradually calmed down.
He climbed to a high place to sit, and the distant dock was faintly visible.
The salty sea breeze brushed the boy's shoulder, and Shano looked up, gazing at the galaxy winding across the sky. The waves shattered into silver pieces against the reefs, reflecting starry lights in his eyes.
"I must go out to sea."
He whispered to himself.
After all, Cocoyashi Village is too small.
Compared to the vast East Sea, it's just a tiny, unnoticed star on the edge of this brilliant galaxy.
The world outside is vast, if I want to gain more points and become stronger, I absolutely can't be confined to this corner.
Actually, as soon as I realized a sheep can't be fleeced frequently, I already had plans to set sail and find other fat sheep.
But back then, I was just ten, a little runt barely over a meter tall, couldn't even beat the big geese in the village. Going to sea was pure suicide.
Now I do have some self-defense ability, but officially venturing out to sea is still too dangerous, unqualified, something to do after coming of age.
However.
If there is a clear target, hitching a ride on a passing merchant ship along a safe route for a quick round trip seems like a good choice.
This minimizes the worry for my family and the chances of running into accidents are low.
As for whom to target...
I almost don't need to think; Shano immediately locked the answer in his heart.
Monkey D. Luffy!
The straw hat that once belonged to Pirate King Roger should now have been handed over to Luffy by Shanks, and the hat is what he's after.
A treasure viewed as life by the child of fate, carrying historical significance from Joyboy to Roger.
Across the entire East Sea, there's hardly anything more "valuable" than this straw hat.
As for how Luffy will react if he loses the hat, and what changes will happen on the future trajectory...
He doesn't care.
Not one bit.
Compared to strengthening himself to protect his family, these things aren't even worth a fart.
—————
Determined in his heart.
Shano puts on the coarse wool sweater hand-knitted by Belle-Mere, takes a deep breath, and strides out of the orange grove.
Passing by the last stake, he takes the wooden sword placed beside it.
Claiming to practice swordsmanship, but all along he was throwing punches, not swinging the sword even once.
There's no other choice.
Actually, he practiced swordsmanship even before fist techniques.
At ten, he spent 100 points to exchange for a basic swordsmanship manual, but he just couldn't grasp it, spending much more time and only barely reaching the beginner level.
With limited energy, one must play to strengths and avoid weaknesses.
Therefore, once Shano realized he had more talent in body techniques, he devoted all his energy into the "Breathing Fist Technique", leaving swordsmanship almost in a semi-abandoned state.
There's always a trade-off.
Now he brings a wooden sword each practice session just out of habit.
Before entering the village, Shano glances back at the distant dock one last time.
According to the usual pattern over the years, in just a few days, the first batch of freighters to purchase oranges will dock there.
Typically, there are three to four freighters belonging to different merchants, each with different trade routes.
But they'll definitely pass through some major ports in large towns, after which they can be redirected, enabling him to find a ship heading toward Windmill Village.
Acting quickly is the best approach; he doesn't want to wait any longer.
Sailing out!
As soon as the first batch of freighters arrives, I'll set sail!
Luffy, here I come!