Chapter 45: Ambition to Reach the Top!

"Who are those people?"

"Hogg and his gang have been killed!"

"So strong! No, she's such a beautiful Big Sister!"

...

In the town at the casino, both inside and outside, murmurs spread as everyone witnessed Luwell easily defeat Hogg and his crew.

Barry's mouth fell open.

This... this was over so quickly?

If it had been him, he would have struggled, and there was a good chance he would have lost.

His perspective shifted.

Barry was grateful he hadn't clashed with Leno and his group. If he had, it would probably be his lifeless body on the ground.

Luwell remained calm and composed after the fight, her face showing no sign of exhaustion or excitement.

Was that it? A minor skirmish!

Never forget, before she met Leno, she lived on Arms Street, a place where conflicts were the norm. She survived and even rose to become a minor boss, with bloodstained hands—not just some naive rich daughter.

She glanced at Barry. "Anyone else you need to deal with?"

Barry quickly shook his head. "No, no more!"

He coughed twice, maintaining his calm demeanor. Known for his fair dealings and sense of propriety, Barry had no major enemies.

Satisfied, Luwell grabbed a bottle of wine and poured it over Hogg's unconscious face, startling him awake.

Terrified, Hogg scrambled over to Barry, pleading for forgiveness and begging for mercy. Luwell insisted Barry take Hogg under his wing, warning him that any sign of disrespect would have her back to finish what she started.

With the conflict resolved, everyone breathed easier. Leno handed Barry a flyer for the Hunter's Guild and asked him to post it at the casino.

Leno had printed many of these flyers, distributing them wherever he went. The more eyes that saw them, the better.

The Hunter's Guild wasn't just another pirate crew. It was an embodiment of dreams—a global organization dedicated to adventure, exploration, and world protection. Not destruction. A group beyond the grasp of any single nation, reaching into every corner of the world.

This was Leno's vision: to change the pirate world single-handedly. A task far more daunting than becoming one of the Four Emperors, an Admiral, or even a Revolutionary Army staff officer.

Even becoming the Pirate King followed a path Roger had already charted. But Leno's journey? Unprecedented, with no clear endpoint.

He would be the pioneer, forging a new path to the summit, inspiring and gathering like-minded individuals.

East Blue was just the start.

By dusk, they left the town. The setting sun bathed the mountains in golden light, and the bay sparkled beneath it. The birds soared, the air was fresh, and Leno felt triumphant.

Today had been a fruitful day.

He opened his system panel.

[Host Name: Leno]

[Real Age: 18 years old]

[Current Talents: Armament Haki (SSS level), Wind's Blessing (SS level), Gluttonous Lord (S level), Conqueror's Haki (S level), Sword Heart (S level), Craftsman Soul (S level), Infection (S level), Observation Haki (A level), One Heart Sword (A level), Photographic Memory (B level), Life Return (C level), Gambling (D level)]

[Strength Evaluation: Vice Admiral level—A master of top-level Armament Haki with the makings of a devil king, unparalleled swordsmanship, and boundless potential. But true strength comes from blood and fire. Keep evolving, boy, the future is yours.]

Finally!

His strength evaluation had improved—he was now at the Vice Admiral level!

But wait... only Vice Admiral?

Top-level Armament Haki, yet still just Vice Admiral?

Leno was convinced he had reached Admiral level!

[Ding! The host's strength evaluation is based on surpassing the strongest of each level.]

Leno's eyes widened. Now it made sense.

The system didn't measure his abilities in a vacuum—it compared him to the strongest contenders at each rank.

Who were the current Vice Admirals? Garp, Borsalino, Sakazuki, Kuzan, Tsuru, and more.

Just look at them.

Could Leno claim victory against any of these titans?

And then there was Garp, sitting at the top, unyielding.

Garp was bound to be the biggest hurdle in Leno's path to Admiral rank.

"If I want to surpass Garp, my Observation Haki needs to hit SSS level, and Conqueror's Haki should at least reach SS level."

"And ideally, I should develop an ability that counters Observation Haki."

"Plus, Sword Heart and Gluttonous Lord need upgrades!"

"Experience is another shortfall—I haven't faced top-tier opponents enough."

"I might have Garp's Armament Haki, but using it like he does? Not yet."

It was like having a formula memorized but struggling to apply it. Rote knowledge didn't equate to mastery; practice was the missing link.

Garp could fight at 100%, maybe even beyond. Leno was barely utilizing 60% of his potential.

Leno mused, "Finding top opponents is tough! Should I seek Garp again for training?"

"Or perhaps Ace and Luffy?"

"They're still just kids, with untapped potential."

Saving their talent was like fishing—let them grow stronger, and they'd benefit Leno in the long run.

The sun had set, and ahead, the lights of Foosha Village twinkled. They had taken their time getting here, but the return journey seemed quicker.

A warship was faintly visible on the horizon.

"Has Vice Admiral Garp returned to Headquarters?" Leno wondered.

"It seems so. Garp would use his vacation time; he wouldn't stick around forever."

In Luffy's memories, Garp was seldom around, with more time spent alongside Ace and Dadan's people.

"Let's rest here tonight and head to Keto Island in the morning," Leno decided.

"Agreed!"

As they continued, Kuro suddenly spoke up. "Someone's up ahead!"

Leno narrowed his eyes, spotting a lone, tall figure by the sea, standing still like a statue.

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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg

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