3 Darkness Stirring at the Beginning of an Era

Through the use of life return and biofeedback with ki manipulation, I could transform my body. However, it is still far from reaching the ideal, so I'll need to do the same process several more times.

But that alone isn't enough. While the foundation of the body should be the first to be improved, I must also train the combat techniques and weapons that complement this physique.

To achieve this, I need to have a clear direction and strategy in mind. If I waver, it will affect the final outcome.

In the future, assuming I become even stronger, the first thing to consider is the Devil Fruits. When the opportunity arises, whether to consume them or not.

Well, as for Devil Fruits... to be honest, I don't need them. There's variability in their abilities, and in the original story, Lucci mentioned that the drawbacks of the Rokushiki techniques were not significant. But the real issue lies elsewhere.

The problem is the loss of strength when exposed to a certain amount of water and the clear weakness to seastone. These are the "obvious weaknesses" that come with consuming a Devil Fruit.

Moreover, personally, I find Devil Fruits repulsive. I transformed my body through immense pain and suffering. Not to gain special abilities, but purely to make myself physically stronger... and I believe that's how it should be. When you reshape your body like I did, it should come with substantial risks.

However, eating a Devil Fruit only requires enduring a little risk, and in return, it offers unnatural and almost blasphemous transformations... it defies the laws of nature.

Well, I won't deny others from consuming them if they wish to. After all, any ability can be useful, and it's a quick way to become stronger.

But personally, I strongly dislike the idea of letting an external force dictate changes to my body.

So, no Devil Fruits for me.

Next, Haki... I believe it is crucial. It's especially effective against Devil Fruit users.

In Punk Hazard, Doflamingo mentioned that Law's Ope Ope no Mi abilities won't work on Vergo. Then, during the fight with Doflamingo, Law refrained from using his severing powers. I suspect that advanced Haki can protect against Devil Fruit powers.

Furthermore, even without considering Devil Fruit users, honing Haki to the limit is essential. Rayleigh said that Haki improves through battle, so I assume it's most efficient to train it in real combat.

So, while I'll continue basic training, I'll focus on fully developing Haki once I gain real combat experience.

With Devil Fruits and Haki strategy sorted out... the next challenge is my envisioned fighting style. I want to master an overwhelming hand-to-hand combat using my peerless physique.

For that, Rokushiki techniques seem to complement it well. They might be ridiculed as an entry-level Haki, but I see more potential in them.

Telescope Finger – This technique's essence is concentrating force at one point for piercing power. If it can be enhanced to the level of Armament Haki, it would become a powerful weapon.

Shave – This will further improve speed. If I can move almost instantaneously without a sound, like teleporting, it would be great.

Moon Walk – In a world with vast seas, this technique is highly valuable. By moving at high speeds in mid-air, it will give me an overwhelming advantage against non-flying opponents.

Iron Body – Often misunderstood as an inferior version of Armament Haki. But if I think of it as internal hardening compared to external Armament Haki, then perhaps combining them will yield greater strength.

Paper Art – This is more of an offensive defense. I should consider using minimal movements for evasion and setting up counterattacks. If combined with Life Return, like how Fukurou did in the original story, it might allow for seemingly impossible evasions.

Storm Leg – It will undoubtedly be the main weapon for a Rokushiki user like me. However, the power needs to be at the level where it can slash through steel.

Lastly, Rokugan Shot – It's a trump card for Rokushiki users, but the long charging motion and requirement of both hands make it less practical. I want to be able to use it instantly with one hand.

With the upgraded bioengineered body and thoroughly trained Rokushiki, this will be my fighting style. Apart from that, I should observe and incorporate various body movements and basic strikes from various sources. Also, I need to find opportunities to gain real combat experience.

***

Reborn... No, it has been two years since I stepped out of the realm of being a normal human. With the memories from my past life, I have lived a total of eight years and turned fifteen years old. I was cleaning the familiar underground training ground.

Usually, no servants are allowed in this place, including the library. So, I handle the cleaning myself. In fact, our mansion has few servants for its size.

The reason is evident; this is the home of a high-ranking official in the intelligence organization. Being cautious about whom to hire is crucial, and my father, who prioritizes his own safety, won't compromise on that.

I tend to take care of most of my daily affairs myself, and many of the servants are assigned to my father. As a result, I am relatively free to do as I please, which makes things much more convenient for me.

Looking at the cleaned underground training ground, the floor has still turned reddish-black despite my efforts. I can't believe how much blood and vomit I've spilled during these reckless trainings.

In reality, I do think I'm going mad... and since the first body modification, I've been aware of the changes that occurred within me.

However, it's an odd contradiction. Seeking a moderate level of happiness and contentment, I end up pursuing overwhelming power, spilling blood and seeking destruction and creation.

It's like seeking diligence in idleness, as the saying goes.

Nevertheless, the results have been more than satisfying. After multiple biofeedback-induced body modifications, spilling blood and alternating between destruction and creation until the floor changed color, I finally achieved the ideal physique I had envisioned.

Regarding the Rokushiki techniques, I've mostly achieved my goals. However, the growth of my Haki is still lacking, so that remains a future task.

But the results are more than enough. The Rokushiki masters are called superhumans, but I have already surpassed that realm. My current body can be described as a "Monster."

Well, even Whitebeard, who is a human, has a height of 666 cm, so he can be called a "Monster" in a different sense...

Leaving the training ground and sweating, I return to my room. Standing in front of a large mirror, I change my clothes. I tie my slightly eccentric light purple hair back and put on a dark brown suit.

I could wear a black suit, but I'll probably get tired of it eventually. This one will do for now.

Hmmm... however, despite having a much more defined face than Spandam in the original, the dark circles around my eyes and my dark-ish nose still make me look a bit foolish.

I think I can change the color through biofeedback, but I'm not that concerned about my appearance, and explaining it to my father and the servants seems troublesome, so it's not a big deal...

Reaching that conclusion, I step out of my room, wearing a black tie, and ask one of the servants I come across if my father is around. He tells me my father is in the dining hall, so I head there.

In the dining hall, I find my father eating at an unnecessarily large table. I approach and speak.

"Dad, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Ah, Spandam, what's up?"

"When am I supposed to become a government official?"

"I was thinking about two years from now. Is it also your wish?"

To my father, I am an existence to solidify his position even further. He must have already laid out a career path and done some groundwork.

Around two years from now, some good positions might become vacant, so he probably wants to place me there.

That's fine by me. I'm grateful to my father for letting me do whatever I want. While I don't feel any deep emotions for him, I owe him for giving me the freedom to do as I please. Whether it's for my advancement or to be used as a tool for his career, I don't mind. It's a mutually beneficial relationship, and it suits us both.

"Well, I'll follow your intentions regarding the timing, but before that, I want to travel the world to broaden my horizons. I'll be back in two years, and I'll carry a Den Den Mushi with me, so you can contact me if necessary."

"Hmm, how much do you need?"

My father doesn't show much interest in my affairs, which makes things smooth. To him, this probably feels like his son asking to go on a wandering journey.

As long as it doesn't cost too much money, I can do as I please. I can sense that feeling.

"As little as possible. I'll make additional arrangements if needed."

"Don't cause any unnecessary trouble."

"I'm aware, no problem."

"Then do as you please."

With that, my father resumes his meal. Confirming that, I leave the dining hall and return to my room, pondering my thoughts.

Now is the best time to gain real combat experience. The reason being, I have learned from the information available that this is about 24 years before the original timeline. Soon, with Roger's execution, the Great Pirate Era will begin. Countless pirates will enter the Grand Line in search of One Piece, and the world will be in chaos... making it the perfect time for gaining combat experience.

With that in mind, I pick up the newspaper on the desk and glance at the front page.

"Pirate King Gold Roger Arrested!"

...Yes, it's 24 years before the original timeline. The start of the Great Pirate Era is just around the corner, along with Roger's execution. It's the ideal time to gain combat experience in the midst of a world that's about to be thrown into chaos by the grand pursuit of One Piece.