Life at sea was dull.
No matter where you looked, it was endless water—no islands, no landmarks, no reliable reference points.
Only the navigator's experience—tracking speed, heading, and angles—could estimate what waters they were currently in.
As the sun sank…
On the deck, Koby and Helmeppo trained hard.
Elsewhere, Raifeng sat on the rail with one leg crossed over the other, quietly watching them and feeling amused.
So young…
They thought effort alone could prevent him from surpassing them?
If it were that easy, what would "cheats" even be for?
"Brat. If you don't surpass Koby within ten days, you're going to suffer for it."
Garp suddenly appeared beside him, smiling maliciously.
"Old man, relax," Raifeng waved him off, totally unconcerned.
"Something this easy, and you're taking it that seriously?"
Garp's teeth itched. He almost wanted to give Raifeng an "affectionate" punch right then and there.
But he forced it down, snorted, and left Raifeng with a final line:
"Then I'm looking forward to what kind of 'surprise' you'll give me in ten days."
As Garp walked away, Raifeng turned his eyes back to the vast sea.
Surpassing Koby?
That was never his real goal.
If his goal was only surpassing Koby, that would be embarrassing.
He had a system. He was the one cheating.
Comparing himself to Koby at all was lowering his own standards.
Raifeng lifted a hand to shade his eyes from the sinking sun, watching it descend.
His anticipation climbed.
The second sign-in was close.
He couldn't wait.
The first sign-in had given him Conqueror's Haki.
So what would the second give?
He didn't know.
But he couldn't suppress the restlessness in his chest.
Night fell quickly.
The last of the sunset disappeared, and the sea grew quiet.
A curved crescent moon rose, pale and hazy, hanging over the dark sky.
Its reflection lay across the calm water—until the sea breeze disturbed it, rippling the image into distortion.
Beneath the surface, massive black shadows slid through the depths. Bubbles rose and popped as they reached the air.
The sea was never truly safe.
Storms were one danger.
Sea Kings were another.
The night passed without incident.
The next day—
Bright sunshine.
Clear skies.
White clouds like cotton candy drifted across the blue.
A huge Marine warship flew the seagull flag as it sailed through the distant waters—its bow still that ridiculous pug biting a bone.
In his cabin, when the first shaft of sunlight touched the window—
Raifeng opened his eyes.
The first thing he did after waking was—
Check the system.
"System. How long until sign-in?"
[Ding!]
[System time check: 24 hours accumulated…]
[Sign-in available. Please confirm: sign in?]
The system's voice rang in his mind immediately.
"Twenty-four hours already?"
"What will the second sign-in give me?"
"Let's see."
Raifeng's eyes shone—excited, energized.
A second ability.
How could he not be thrilled?
First sign-in: Conqueror's Haki.
Second sign-in—no matter what it was, it shouldn't be too bad… right?
With his emotions surging, he willed it:
"Confirm sign-in."
[Sign-in successful!]
[Congratulations, host. You have received a sign-in Ability Pack…]
[Open the Ability Pack?]
Same procedure as last time.
He was used to it now.
Step by step, smoothly.
Until the final, decisive moment.
Raifeng's heartbeat quickened.
Heaven or hell—one step away.
A gamble.
Win or lose hinged on what the pack contained.
He steadied his breath, excitement and tension flooding his chest.
"Here we go…"
"System—open the Ability Pack!"
The response was immediate.
The pleasant voice echoed through his mind.
[Opening Ability Pack…]
[Opening complete!]
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, host. You obtained: 'Swordsmanship Lv.5'!]
For a brief moment, Raifeng's eyes went blank.
Then—
Joy surged through him like a wave.
"Swordsmanship?"
"Perfect timing."
"I was just thinking about asking Colonel Bogard to teach me."
"And now I've pulled swordsmanship directly from the pack!"
"That means I don't even need to learn the basics from him."
"The system just gave me a solid foundation outright."
"It skipped all the tedious beginner steps."
"In other words…"
"My swordsmanship…"
"Has entered the door in an instant."
Raifeng's excitement burned hot.
…
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