[Tomorrow's Training Plan:]
[1. Basic Physical Training: 7000 punches.]
[2. Endurance Training: 70 km long-distance run.]
[3. Electric Resistance Training: 40 minutes (Intensity upgraded to Level 1+).]
[4. Combat Training: Defeat 20 beasts in the back mountain of Foosha Village.]
[5. Free Training: 2 hours.]
[6. Rest Time: Daily sleep must not exceed 2 hours (including dream special training).]
Luffy sucked in a sharp breath as he read the light screen.
The workload increased again.
And the electric resistance intensity had been raised.
Level 1+?
What did that even mean?
How much more painful than Level 1 would it be?
Luffy didn't dare imagine.
But he knew one thing—
He had to accept it.
This was the road to becoming stronger.
No shortcuts. Only persistence.
"I understand," Luffy said calmly.
[Host mentality adjustment rated as excellent.]
[Reward: Tomorrow's dream special training reduced by 30 minutes (real-time equivalent).]
Luffy blinked.
Reduced dream training time?
That was actually good news.
Training 15 hours in the dream space (1.5 hours in reality) was exhausting. Even if it made him stronger, the mental fatigue was real.
Thirty minutes less meant just a little more rest.
"Thanks," Luffy muttered softly.
The system gave no reply.
Luffy didn't mind.
He closed his eyes and steadied his breathing, preparing for sleep.
9:30 PM.
Right on time, he drifted into unconsciousness.
—
The pure white space unfolded once again.
[Dream Special Training Initiated.]
[Today's Training: Basic Swordsmanship – Beginner Level.]
[Instructor: Roronoa Zoro (Phantom).]
A green-haired young man materialized before him.
Three swords at his waist. Sharp eyes like blades.
"So, brat. You want to learn the sword?" the Zoro phantom asked, voice cold and steady.
Luffy nodded.
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Because… I want to get stronger."
The phantom stared at him for several seconds—then smirked.
"Straightforward answer."
He drew two swords and tossed one toward Luffy.
"Catch."
Luffy barely managed to grab it.
It was heavy.
Heavier than he expected.
"The foundation of swordsmanship is grip," Zoro said flatly.
"Firm. Stable. But not stiff."
He demonstrated as he spoke.
Luffy watched closely, eyes unblinking.
He knew this was a rare opportunity.
Even if it was a dream, the knowledge was real.
Time passed.
In the dream space, Luffy followed the phantom step by step—learning the basics.
Grip.
Swing.
Footwork.
Power transfer.
Every motion had to be repeated thousands of times.
When he got tired, he rested briefly—then continued.
When he made mistakes, he got scolded—then corrected.
Luffy didn't complain.
He didn't quit.
He just clenched his teeth and practiced again and again.
Because this was the path to strength.
—
In the real world, one and a half hours passed.
In the dream space, fourteen and a half hours went by.
[Dream Special Training Complete.]
[Total Training Time: 14.5 hours (Real Time: 1 hour 27 minutes).]
[Basic Swordsmanship Mastery: Beginner (1%).]
[Reward: Slight increase in arm strength.]
Luffy opened his eyes.
It was still dark outside.
Pre-dawn silence.
He sat up and flexed his arms.
It was true.
They felt stronger.
Just a little—but real.
Luffy smiled faintly and lay back down.
There wasn't much time left before the next day's hellish training would begin.
But even so—
He felt one step closer.