Life In One Piece

I was in a clearing inside the forest in Numa Island, right beside the village, where my simple shack is erected. Besides it, a training course full of swinging logs held by chains was constructed. It was specially made by the carpenter in the village according to my needs.

I was currently training amidst the logs, with nothing but grey shorts and a blindfold in my eyes.

'...right... right... left... behind... left... front... right... left!'

I roll away from the swinging weights after avoiding the log coming to my left. Narrowly avoiding another one, I stepped out of the training course. Removing the strap from my eyes, I took a few seconds to catch my breath. Avoiding swinging logs while blindfolded was one of the training methods I came up with to raise my DEX. It also allowed me to increase my control over Kenbunshoku Haki.

When I first came upon this world, I was able to see my status for the first time, along with their descriptions. In there, two of my attributes were about the understanding of 'Nature' and 'Self'. At that time, I had an inkling that those two attributes were the key to unlocking the power known as Haki.

In but eight months, my guesses were proven correct as I was already a wielder of all three types of Haki.

Busoshoku Haki was definitely the hardest. It is a combination of willpower and life force. For the former, I didn't have to worry. But for the latter, it took me more than seven months to reach a level of VIT high enough to get even the weakest Haki. That effectively means that the strength of my Busoshoku Haki is now dependent on my vitality.

And let me tell you, raising vitality is not easy. VIT is increased by making your body work more. A lot more. The more stress you impose upon your body, the more your body is forced to adapt. Every day, I train until my body literally can't continue. And due to the absurd physique of humans in this world, it takes no more than one night to recover from all the exhaustion.

Another training that I've done since I came here, is pain endurance. I literally hit myself to help me get used to the pain. It also helps in raising my vitality.

Kenbunshoku Haki was tricky to learn. But due to already having knowledge of the existence of Haki, It only took time to learn it. The system apparently was happy that I learned it, seeing as after the sixth month when I was finally able to measure strength levels, the system decided to show me their attributes when I used the Haki on them. I didn't ask for it, but I accepted anyway.

As for Haoshoku Haki, it was actually the easiest. I got it in my very first week, as this Haki does not necessitate any training. My first victim was a very innocent bunny. As I looked at it, I smiled and exerted, no, I imposed my will upon the creature with an order that it should submit to me. And it did.

The strength of Haoshoku Haki is dependent on the willpower of the user. And willpower, I had plenty.

'Status.'

Name: Nero

Age: 11

Titles: Transmigrator, Haki Connoisseur

STR: 75

DEX: 98

VIT: 83

INT: 506160

WIS: ?

All my attributes except WIS changed. For physical attributes, they can be raised simply by enough training. INT, however, can only be raised by understanding 'Nature'. And by that, you probably already guessed, Science. I was only able to raise it a little from my observations. Also, seeing as my INT was stupidly high when I got here, I suppose some knowledge from my old universe also applies here.

'It's been exactly two years since I've come to this world. I would say this is quite the progress.'

Looking up, I noticed the sun is already right above my head.

'Time to eat something. I think one of those birds might do.'

After deciding that it was time to eat, I walk up deep in the forest ahead to where I can sense the aura of those birds.

"Kuk-Kuk." "Kuk-Kuk" "Kuk-Kuk"

As I reached the nest, I was welcomed with animosity. Five adult birds stood before me, each one and a half meters high, to try and protect the chicks. Not that I would touch the little ones, too little meat.

"Silence." Exerting my will, I got the birds to stay quiet as I started selecting lunch. "Hmm. Two males and three females. Better to even the numbers. You are the chosen one." I said as I took one of the females, bringing it with me by the neck.

With the bird still under my will, it stayed quiet all the way back to my shack. Entering, I was greeted by a rather bland interior. A basic bed, a wooden chest to store my clothes, and a fireplace.

Walking towards the fireplace, I sat the bird to my side as I ignited the fire. The thing not even daring to move, even though the door is open.

Finishing the fire setup, I took the bird with one hand, and with the other I twisted its neck 180 degrees and pulled, disengaging its head from the body. Setting the head aside, I started cleaning up the bird. After that, I skewered a portion of the body and set it over the fire.

While waiting for the meat, I started thinking.

'I've been searching for news about any known pirate that I remember from canon for the past two years, and I got none. I don't know how many years I have until canon starts and the entire world is thrown into an uproar by the Worst Generation.'

Narrowing my eyes, I continue internally.

'At least I was able to confirm that Gol D. Roger was executed through subtle information gathering in the village. Although I don't remember how many years have passed from his execution to the start of canon. That means we are between the Golden Age and the New Age. I need to gain enough power until the war on Marineford is unfolded, and the New Age comes.'

Standing up, I went toward the wooden chest at the base of the bed. Besides it, a wooden sword in the shape of a katana is rested. I asked for the village's carpenter to create it for me.

Why the sword? In this world, there is a grade of 'named' swords called Meito. I have no doubt that I will be coming across one of those, so as to be prepared I decided to take on swordsmanship.

Besides, in my previous life, I got to learn kung-fu and sword-wielding. I thought it would be an interesting thing to do in my otherwise boring life. It was, at the beginning. Though, once I got far enough that I had no other opponents, things started to get stale again. So taking up swordsmanship was nothing but applying the concepts I learned.

Having my INT and WIS at a high level means that picking up on that art was a breeze. Due to my WIS, I was able to understand how to use the sword as an extension of my body. I can cut down a rock with a slash from my wooden sword, while also having enough control to not damage a leaf using a similar strike. It took me one year and seven months to be able to do that.

Of course, that's only about technique. In this world, techniques are not the only things that matter, as your physical strength plays a pivotal role in a real-life clash of swords. In that field, I'm way behind other swordsmen, even that of Roronoa Zoro at the time of canon. But that is something I will improve over the years. I'm still eleven after all.

Swinging my sword vertically, I start pondering about how to continue with my plans from now on.

'I'm starting to slow down on growth, recently. There are no heavier weights around here, and the dexterity course is too slow by now. All animals from this island no longer pose any threat, even without using Haki.'

Not slowing down in the least, I make dozens of slashing motions in a few seconds.

'I've been thinking about which force to side with. For now, I'm weak. Attempting to go solo will only hinder my development. I need a backing. An organization to provide me with the resources to grow.'

Changing from vertical slashes to horizontal, I continue.

'I need to hone my combat skills. And for that, I need to fight powerful enemies. That removes the Revolutionary Army. I don't care about looting and mindless killing of weaklings, so Piracy is out of the window. That leaves Bounty hunting or the Marines. Bounty Hunting would satisfy the requirement of fighting powerful enemies, but I wouldn't get an environment to train my physique. There's also the Underworld Families, but then I would rarely have the opportunity to fight someone really powerful. So, That leaves me with...'

I slowed slightly as a small smile formed on my lips.

'...the Marines. That would provide me with both a place to train and the opportunity to fight powerful pirates and other marines. I will also avoid any hostility from the World Government during my time as a weakling. Not to mention it will be easier to gather information by using Marine's own intel network. And most importantly... I'll have a free ticket to Marineford, the place that will mark the beginning of the New Era.'

As I decided to join the Marines, a mocking expression surfaces on my face.

'Hu Hu Hu. So it will be the justice fighters, huh? What a ridiculous concept. But I will need to endure. If it's justice they want... I don't mind playing with them for a while.'

Later that same day.

Taking a deep breath, I positioned my body to throw another punch. In front of me was a thick tree of about 2 meters in radius. Various marks of punches, deep and shallow, can be seen throughout the bark of the tree.

Concentrating my Busoshoku Haki in my fist, I threw a punch towards the tree. My fist stopped a few centimeters from the bark, sending a burst of Haki towards it and creating a mark of about three centimeters deep. This is Emission, an advanced appliance of Busoshoku Haki. I'm still at the beginning of my training, merely being able to project my Haki through a punch, but that will change as I get more proficient.

I stopped my training temporarily as I sensed someone approaching. I actually sensed her aura since she tried looking for me at my shack before she started following the sound of my punches to get to me.

"Ne... Nero! Is it you? I tried looking for you at the cabin, but you weren't there. So I followed the sounds." A small girl of about my age appears from behind a tree. She's Shogiri, Kishida's daughter. The man who saw me at the beach when I transmigrated.

'Annoying child. Almost everyday interrupting my training. If not for the repercussions that might arise, and the need to have a clean record for the marines, I would've killed you long ago.'

"Shogiri. It's me. What are you doing here this time?" I asked with a gentle smile on my face.

"I... I came to make sure you are doing okay. And not doing dangerous things again." came an answer in an embarrassed voice.

'Sigh.'

It's been like this since she had seen me training my pain tolerance. I didn't have Kenbunshoku Haki at that time, so I couldn't know beforehand that she was coming. It was an oversight on my part, and this is the price for that.

"Haha. No need to worry, Shogiri. I already said that I won't do that anymore..."

'I finished with the pain tolerance training five months ago, anyway.'

"... anyway, I already finished my training for now. Why don't we go back to the village? I have some things to discuss with uncle Otoya." I didn't let her answer as I start walking in the direction she came. Frustrated, she huffed before following me.

"Otoya? The ship merchant? W... Why would you want to talk to him? Don't tell me you will..." She trailed off at the end.

Smiling, I answered. "You don't expect me to stay on the island forever, do you? After all the training I did." I saw her becoming a shade paler.

"But... but... why can't you stay?"

"This island is too small for me. I need to see the bigger world, to become stronger."

"... I see." She lowered her head and stayed in silence. The situation stayed that way for a few minutes before she looked at me and asked. "... and... what will you do when you get out there. You won't become a... pirate... will you?"

"Pirate? No." Putting my hands behind my back and showing a toothy grin, I said. "I'm going to be a Marine."