My progress and a surprise visit
<2 years timeskip, Jai is 2 years old today>
Today is my birthday. We are having a small celebration. We didn't have much but a small homemade cake, a little more than the average amount of food, but a happy celebration. I even got a few gifts. Nothing grand, but simple stuff like clothes of older children, a straight stick. I was surprised when the oldest of us Santiago-ni gifted me that.
I once sneaked a kitchen knife to practice my swordsmanship. I had no idea how to practice, so I just started swinging it around using my knowledge of the human body and muscles, and figuring out the best way to swing. Catherine-baa-san saw that and I got bonked by her version of `fist of love`.
When asked why I was doing this, I attributed it to getting inspired by the actions in the `Germa 66` comics. People donated old clothes, books, comics, and other things to the orphanage.
Surprisingly, I felt a bump in my head. Now I know One Piece logic applies to me. Nevertheless, I continued my "swordsmanship" with a normal branch twig, that I found.
Dorothea-baa-san saw this and sighed. She broke the twig in such a way that it was not pointy anymore and of perfect length to my body. She probably knew that I will not give up and help me in her own way. I also trained my punches and kicks. I learned taekwondo for 6 months in my past life but didn't continue once I realized I lacked any kind of talent.
The grandmas also gave me pointers on it. Saying things like "This is how we saw other people train in some dojos". I knew the truth but didn't ask them further since they didn't wish to reveal any of their past life. After all, who will trust children with filterless mouths with their deepest secrets?
Did I forget to mention, the first word that I said? Yes, you guessed it right, it was "system".
The [skills], [shop], [titles], [traits] were locked. I could only see [mission board]. I clicked [mission board] and many missions popped up.
[Defeat Chinjao]
rewards: Hasshoken martial arts
[***]
[Defeat Jimbei]
rewards: Fishmen karate and jujutsu
[***]
And many more.
I moved my eyes to the [skills] section. It was unusually locked. I still clicked on it and one skill was available to me, [Observe]. Every other part of it was locked. I remembered, that ROB did allow [observe] skill.
[Skill: Observe]
[level: 1]
Gives very limited information about a person or object. Level up more to view more information
[***]
I started observing people after that.
[---]
Name: Santiago
Personality: Caring, kind, responsible, easy-going.
Talents: Cooking [B], Hospitality [A]
[ ***]
{A.N: I will not mention every person's status every time. Only the noteworthy will be mentioned. But please note that the MC will use the skill on everyone and everything. Eventually with higher level [observe] many more talents and personality traits will be visible, but I will only show those that are important}
I looked for every person's status. The children had many different statuses but none had very high combat talent. The closest to combat I could find was
[---]
Name: Emma
Personality: Smart, helpful, caring, responsible
Talents: Sales[A], Management[A], Marksmenship [C], Trickery [A]
[***]
She was the second oldest and was like the ideal onee-san. She also kept us in check when grandmas were not looking and handled everything properly. I was surprised by the talents. I thought of recruiting her into my future crew. But let's wait and watch. She might not be cut out for it. After all shooting talent alone will not matter a lot once you step into the grand line.
You need other talents to complement your shooting in order to fight. I bet Yasopp is a monster with observation haki to be one of Shanks's commanders.
Usopp must have SSS talent in marksmanship, but even he seems to be useless most of the time in a direct fight. He is tricky sure, but during the Wano arc, he should have defeated Page-One at least. He is a sniper for God's sake, not some non-combat profession like a doctor, navigator, or archaeologist.
I of course did not forget to look into grandmas.
[---]
Name: Dorothea
Personality: Calm, collected, protective, responsible
Devil fruit: Tori Tori no Mi: model blue-gold macaw
Talents: Management [B], leadership [B], unarmed fighting [A], observation haki [A], armament haki [B]
[***]
[---]
Name: Catherine
Personality: Aggressive, protective, responsible, caring
Devil fruit: Tori Tori no Mi: model scarlet macaw
Talents: Management [C], leadership [C], unarmed fighting [A+], observation haki [B], armament haki [A]
[***]
Expected of ex-Rear-Admirals I guess. I think both of them had the potential to be Vice-Admirals at least. Smoker was a loser in the haki department yet he became one. They even had good devil fruits. Since, compared to other normal zoans, bird versions give the ability to fly.
I also played around with other children and run around a lot. Initially, I got tired fast, but eventually, my stamina made progress. If one child is tired, I start nagging some other child to play with me. Thus my stamina and agility increased a lot.
I needed to build up my body. After all, I didn't have the [gamer body] skill or [stats]. Skills can help no doubt but without a proper body, skills cannot show their max potential. Like, imagine going against some shichibukai with the maxed level of conqueror's haki coating only to find that after 5 minutes you cannot move due to fatigue. Sounds lame right. God was right to give me the system late so that I do not ignore my body.
We also wrestled a lot on top of stacked up the mattresses. It is safe to fall there. With time I also build up my strength and it increased a lot.
I also didn't miss the opportunity to maintain a flexible body. Babies have a very flexible body, and we all eventually lose that flexibility. I, on the other hand, kept stretching my body in various postures to maintain that flexibility. I am not sure how much of the flexibility will I be able to retain when I grow old, but hey, this is One Piece world with its own logic. There is still a chance.
Today I can say I am as strong as a 6-year-old child. How do I know, you ask? Well, I can keep up with all the 6-year-old children physically. The 7-year-old onwards, are clearly stronger than me.
I also tried training in observation haki by running around with my eyes closed. I was found out again. The kids laughed at this, the grandmas however were very angry. It was obviously very risky. You can lose an eye easily if things go wrong.
I withheld haki training for now. I will think of ways later on.
But there is one thing I did wholeheartedly. I re-enjoyed my childhood. I just let my inner child run amok. There is no way I am gonna miss this opportunity. That also helped me maintain a child-like personality, thus, keeping off any suspicions. A less than 2-year-old child behaving seriously like Mihawk is definitely suspicious.
We are now celebrating my birthday. But suddenly we heard a knock on the door. I noticed the grandmas look very happy. Me being closest to the door, I opened it. There is an old lady, wearing a formal shirt, trousers along with a tie. I felt like I know her, but couldn't put my finger on it. She too stared at me. However, she smiled looking at grandmas.
Before I could use my [observe] skill, grandmas received her, like a family, and introduced the old lady to us as Tsuru. I was shocked. I knew her looks from her young age and canon old age, but not the transition in between. I knew their ties with the Vice-Admiral but never expected to see her. Wasn't all the top tiers supposed to be in the Grandline? What was she doing here? Then, I remembered that she was chasing around Doflamingo in North Blue in canon.
Now I have an idea why she stared at me. Haki users are troublesome. She probably sensed my strength and could apparently see my age.
We were introduced one by one to her. When my turn came Dorothea said
"This little one here is our birthday boy. He is the newest and the youngest one. Shiv D. Jai, is the biggest troublemaker. He keeps running around, playing, wrestling and also practices fighting. He says, he will be stronger than Sora of the marines"
Tsuru raised her eyebrows and looked at the sisters. They gave a serious nod.
Tsuru then crouched down where her face is of my height. She smiled, pulled my cheeks and said
"Happy birthday little boy. Tell me, do you want to become a marine like Sora?"
"Thank you Tsuru-baa-san. But I don't want to be a marine, I just want to be the strongest. Sora is always busy chasing the Germa and other bad people, she also keeps other marines under strict rules. I want to stay free."
This surprised Tsuru a lot. She had heard something very similar from one of the strongest foes she ever came across. Even her good friend Garp follows the same principle.
She then smiled and asked me in a very friendly tone "Would you like to show some of the fighting moves you practiced?". Children take pride in showing off their skills, so adults like giving them the opportunity to perform their said skills to further develop and encourage them. But Tsuru here had an ulterior motive. She wanted to see my talent as well.
I too complied with a smile and started doing all the punches and kicks in the air. I also picked up my new wooden stick and started swinging it around.
Tsuru this time was more than shocked. A child performing the moves and stances with this level of perfection is unheard of. She looked at the grandmas with a shocked expression. She then took control of her emotions and spent some time with everyone. Then, she called grandmas into their private room for a chat.
I too didn't miss the chance to use my [observe] skill on her
[---]
Name: Tsuru
Personality: Strict, meticulous
Devil Fruit: Wash Wash no mi
Talents: Strategy[SSS], Armament Haki [A+], Observation Haki [S]
[***]
I am sure she has more talents, just that my [observe] is too low level for that.
<Tsuru P.O.V>
Did I just witness a monster in making? This child is going to shake the world like never before. I am sure of it. Keeping those thoughts aside I decided to chat with the kids. I was impressed by their behavior. My old friends indeed raise them well.
After some time I asked the sisters
"Dorothea, Catharine, let's catch up in your room".
They both agreed and instructed the kids to not make any trouble when they are gone. Catherine also looked at Jai while mentioning the trouble part.
Once we were inside our room, I could not hold back and asked directly what was in my mind.
"What is this child? Where did you find him?"
"We found him on our doorsteps Tsuru-san. He was still an infant. We do not know his parents or his origin"
"I know what you are thinking Tsuru. But I am sure he will grow up to be a good person. He is very kind and compassionate for his age. He never even asked us for extra food even with his appetite"
I was surprised listening to this. Even Garp is probably not that sensible even at this age. I still trust them like before, so if Dorothea has said he will be a good person, then I can trust her blindly. I asked again
"Being a good person doesn't mean he will stay out of trouble. Roger pirates, Whitebeard pirates never attacked civilians, but you both know the headache they caused us. Even Garp with his remarks would have gotten into huge trouble if not for his strength and reputation"
"I know Tsuru... I know. He will definitely cause you and Sengoku trouble in the future. Especially with his ambition but we will make sure he doesn't walk the wrong path. He will not be another Xebec"
"But can you ensure if he will not be the second Roger or Newgate?"
The sisters didn't answer but I got my answer.
Even though Roger and Newgate are very good people in heart, the government will not let someone like them just continue their adventure. They will be marked as a threat. Byrnndi World started as an adventurer but look what happened to him.
He also has the middle name 'D'. I am not racist but even I can see the pattern here.
I sighed and said "This child will definitely not join the marines. He is too much of a free spirit and ambitious for that. Let me just hope I never have to cross paths with him"
The sisters showed visible nervousness. They know better than anyone what crossing paths with me mean. Even that haughty brat Doflamingo runs away from me.
"Also keep do not let this information leak out at all. I kept the cipher-pol away from this orphanage. But if they know about Jai, and the information reaches the gorosei, I will not be able to hold them back."
The sisters tensed up again. This was a much bigger danger to them. They can't fight against the orders of those 5 geezers.
After a few minutes of silence, I decided to do something. I didn't want our meeting to be this solemn and I mainly came here to check up on the sisters.
I grabbed Dorothea's hand and placed an envelope on her palm. It was filled with money. Anyone seeing the state of the orphanage knew why I have done this.
The sisters started refusing the money. It was no small amount. But I insisted
"Take this. It is for the orphanage. And you know my salary. This is nothing compared to that."
They refused, I insisted, they again refused, I again insisted. After a few rounds, they were convinced. We chatted on various topics after that.
I realized I had stayed here for too long, so I decided to leave.
Bidding goodbye to everyone, I left.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Note
Here you go. Please do let me know about the pacing. I do not want to make it too fast-paced, and the childhood chapters will be filled with development and hype more than action.
By development I mean overall development, not just combat wise.
Also, do you guys think Law has conqueror's haki? His personality seems like a king, but so far it is not shown in the series.