My Journey In One Piece!

Yawning as I got out of bed, I stretched before walking out of the cabin. My gaze swept across the vast ocean that surrounded me, a sight I had grown used to over the past two weeks.

"System, stats." I muttered.The familiar grey panel flickered into existence in front of me.

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#System#

[Name: Kai Takeda]

[Level: 33/60]

[XP: 500/15,000][STR: 77]

Strength is raw power, physical tasks, and melee combat![DEX: 81]

Dexterity is agility, reflexes, finesse, and ranged combat![CON: 93]

Constitution is health, endurance, stamina, and physical resilience!

New! - Reward Card x2

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I raised an eyebrow as I studied the stats. "System, what's the average stat level for a human in One Piece? Also, what's a Reward Card?"

*Ding!*

^System Response!^

[The average human has roughly 20 in all stats! The Reward Card is granted whenever the Host reaches a milestone of double their level!]

"Huh, must be important if it's hard to get." I glanced at my level again before turning to the panel displaying the average human stats.

"I'm a little more than three times stronger than average... Doesn't seem right." Tilting my head, I scratched my chin deep in thought. "System, where are these average human stats taken from?"

*Ding!*

^System Response!^

[For the Host to acquire this information, they must fight more!]

I sighed and rubbed my forehead in frustration. Shaking it off, I tapped on the Reward Card icon. Two new panels materialized in front of me, their text glowing faintly. 

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#Reward Card#

Please select one of the two options below!Option 1:

Skill: Mercenary's Love (Passive)

You are stronger than normal for as long as you are getting paid!>+10 to all stats

>x0.5 more XP gained

>When not employed, you feel a sense of emptinessOption 2:

Title Card: Cupid's Messenger

You are love's right hand and must aid others in finding their one true love!>-30 to all stats

>XP will be consumed as long as the Title Card is active

>Those who are in love fall for each other harder when around you

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I blinked blankly at the two options on the first panel, letting out a sigh as I swiped it aside. My eyes moved to the second grey panel, which shimmered into focus.

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#Reward Card#

Please select one of the two options below!Option 1:

Skill: Warrior's Resolve (Active)

Your will to survive and fight never falters, even in the face of certain death!>+15 Strength

>+10 Dexterity

>Reduces damage taken when in a critical state

>You cannot be knocked out while Warrior's Resolve is activeOption 2:

Title Card: Nomad of the Sea>+5 to all stats while on the ocean

>You move faster and more efficiently on water

>Ability to detect changes in the ocean's currents and weather patterns

>Combat on the ocean is enhanced

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I cupped my chin, pondering the second set of rewards. They were far more intriguing than the first. 'Both are honestly good... even amazing, considering I already have a skill for when I'm unconscious and I'm surrounded by ocean.' I tapped my chin thoughtfully before ultimately selecting Mercenary's Love.

As I confirmed my choice, a strange sense of loss crept into my chest, but I shrugged it off and focused on the second Reward Cards. Just as I was about to make my decision, the ship abruptly jolted, forcing me to steady myself. In the moments I had spent navigating the system, the ship had beached itself on the shore of an island.

"Didn't think I'd lose myself like that." I muttered, sighing as I dismissed the Reward Card panel for later. Groaning, I turned back toward my cabin to prepare for my next steps. I grabbed Mobile Inventory, which shifted and shrank before settling in my throat. The sensation wasn't pleasant still but I ignored it. 'Hopefully, this island has people on it.

'I glanced to my left, where a plain brown tunic lay folded neatly in the corner. Pulling it on, I ignored the way it felt odd against my skin. 'While the first lot of people I met didn't comment on my appearance, I doubt others will be so polite.' I tapped the eyepatch over my left eye, a simple black one I'd found during my clean up and stepped outside.

Walking to the rail, I surveyed the shore before hopping down, landing lightly on my feet. I spotted a stick on the ground and kicked it, watching the direction it pointed. "Guess I'll go that way," I muttered, heading off into the unknown.

~Scene Change~

Asuka Island, a small island located within the first half of the Grand Line. It was familiar, though not from the main canon of the One Piece world. 'Was it from one of the movies? The fourth? No, the fifth, maybe?' I shrugged, taking another long sip of ale as I tried to recall what I knew. 'I remember it had something to do with Zoro and a sword… but that's about it, aside from a few side details.

'Tilting my head back, I drained the pint in one go before gesturing for another. 'Maybe I could take-'

*Ding!*

^System Alert!^

[You have discovered part of the non-canon story! Quest: Investigate the ruins holding ? Reward: Skill Upgrade Card!]

"Well, that settles that." I muttered to myself, placing a small bag of money on the table as I stood up. Leaving the bar, I stepped into the bustling streets of the town. My eyes landed on a store selling maps. After purchasing one, I tucked it into my pants and began walking through the streets until I reached the edge of the town. Ahead of me stretched the base of a mountain range, towering and imposing.

'Feels like Turtle Island all over again.' I stifled a yawn and began the slow, steady climb up the mountain path. My pace was a crawl, but I didn't mind. As I ascended, I opened the system and glanced through the Skill Restrictions to distract myself from the tedious climb.

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#Skill Restriction#

Haki Compatibility

>Incapable of ever using Haki

Devil Fruit User

>Devil Fruits reject you and as such, you can never become a user of their power

????

????

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It was still disheartening to know I couldn't acquire a powerful Devil Fruit like the Gura Gura no Mi or the Yami Yami no Mi. I knew the darkness fruit had yet to be obtained by the Whitebeard Pirates.

'How I would love to wield the power of the Gura Gura no Mi.'That thought brought a frown to my face as memories of the Marineford War surfaced, the events that led to both Ace's and Whitebeard's deaths. My footsteps slowed as I gazed up at the darkening sky, the frown deepening.

'Do I want to help them?'

The idea lingered for a moment. I knew I wasn't strong enough to make any real difference at Marineford as I was now, but I still had years to gather power.

'But does it matter to me? Whitebeard's final words and his death marked the start of a new generation of pirates... a generation that brings more opportunities for me to earn money.'

I sighed, rubbing my temple. "It's too far off in the future to matter right now. Besides, I'm still too weak to go against anyone in the New World.

"Deciding that was enough of those thoughts, I set about making camp, resolving to continue my trek further up the mountain tomorrow.

=-=-=-=-=

My hand completely enveloped the soft narrow neck of someone I hadn't noticed until now. I opened my eye, locking gazes with black ones belonging to a blue haired girl wearing a yellow shirt and green dress.

"Who are you?" I asked, tilting my head.She squirmed under my grip, grasping at my wrist with both hands. I let go and stood up, watching her slump to the ground.

Cough. Cough.

I rolled my eye as she knelt, struggling to breathe. Glancing at the small fire I had made, I noticed it had been carefully stoked. My gaze shifted back to her and I noted the ash and dirt on her fingers.

'Must've been her.'

Letting out a sigh, I crouched down to meet her black eyes again. This time, they were filled with slight fear and guilt.

"Don't you know it's stupid to approach a sleeping person?" I asked, keeping my voice low.

She opened her mouth to respond but was overtaken by another coughing fit. I waited patiently until she finally managed to speak.

"You looked cold." she rasped.

My eye twitched at her words.

"So you approached a sleeping person who looked cold and didn't stop to think that they might kill you?"

She shook her head and I rubbed my face in exasperation. Letting out a slow sigh, I continued. "Listen, girly, you're lucky I'm not someone who—"

"I'm not girly." she interrupted, leaning back with a frown. "I'm Maya!"

I groaned internally, already realizing that Maya was going to be a pain to deal with.

"Listen, Maya, I wasn't cold, and I don't need your help—"

She interrupted again, this time pointing to the map peeking out of my pocket.

"You're looking for something." she said confidently. Then she placed a hand on her chest and smiled. "I can help you."

I stared at her silently, watching as her once kind smile began to falter under the weight of my scrutiny. Finally, I let out another sigh and nodded, standing up.

"Fine. We leave now."

I didn't bother waiting for her reaction as I gathered my gear and walked off. The sound of her footsteps quickly joined mine, marking the beginning of what I already knew would be a long frustrating journey.

~Scene Change~

For the past hour, Maya and I had been trekking along a path the map indicated and with neither of us saying a word. From the corner of my eye, I noticed her fidgeting clearly wanting to speak but unsure how to start. Letting out a sigh, I decided to break the silence.

"The name's Kai."

She looked up at me, her expression brightening. Placing a hand on her chest, she smiled warmly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kai."

I hummed in acknowledgment, suppressing a yawn as she continued.

"If it's not too much to ask, why are you here? I don't mean on Asuka Island but here, in the mountains?"

Turning my lone eye to her briefly before looking ahead, I decided to answer truthfully.

"I want to investigate the rumors of a sword.

"She froze for a moment, her expression shifting to a frown as she hurried to catch up.

"Do you mean the Shichiseiken? The Cursed Holy Sword?"

I nodded, catching the faint chime of the system updating the quest in the back of my mind. Ignoring it, I continued walking.

"What do you plan to do when you find it?"

I shrugged, the question forcing me to reflect on my uncertain intentions.

"Probably just mark it off my bucket list of things I've seen before moving on."

Though my memories of the movie were hazy, I vaguely recalled the sword's ability to generate green fire. As impressive as that was, I wasn't particularly thrilled about the cursed aspect of it.

"I see..."

Maya turned her gaze forward, her expression thoughtful. After a few moments, she glanced back up at me.

"If what you say is true, we can meet with my grandmother to get her permission to enter the palace. Would that be okay?"

I stared at her for a moment, considering her suggestion.

'If I can gain permission, it'll save me the trouble of breaking in if there are guards.' I thought before shrugging and nodding to her.

Her face lit up slightly at my response and we continued walking in relative silence, the path winding into a different part of the map than I had originally was going to go.