Rono was walking on the road to the arena, his mind replaying Kassel's behavior.
"Wait, can a Major General really act like such a clown? How did someone with that kind of personality even get promoted to Major General?"
(And you've got the nerve to talk about others?)
"System, analyze this for me."
"Sure, please wait a moment…"
In less than 30 seconds—
"Ding. After simulating 136 scenarios, the most probable explanation is that the Major General took a liking to your talent and reported you to Navy Headquarters. However, based on his micro-expressions, he's still somewhat wary of you. The system believes it's due to the drastic changes in you over the past year. No need to worry."
Rono sighed, "I'm desperate too, you know. I transmigrated into a 14-year-old body, both parents dead, surviving off inherited property—that was the original body's doing! Why do I have to take the blame?"
"What are you so proud of?! If it weren't for this awesome system forcing you to train every day, you'd absolutely be a lazy bum just like him! You should be thanking me, your almighty system!"
The system entered full-on roast mode, five burns per second.
Rono squinted, whistling nonchalantly and pretending not to hear.
Listening to the system rant the entire way, Rono finally arrived at the arena. A group of marines had formed a circle. Inside, two people were grappling, occasionally throwing in some basic hand-to-hand techniques.
"Make way, let me through. Why didn't you guys wait for me? I've already won 11 matches in a row! Don't even think about weaseling out of it!"
Rono squeezed into the inner circle and stepped up to the center.
At that moment, the match ended. On the left, a burly man's muscles tensed as he slammed his opponent to the ground. The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Kid, you may have 11 straight wins, but those were all against newbies. You're not in the same league as Ivan," one of the nearby marines said with a grin, unfazed by being shoved aside.
"Then let me give it a shot!" Rono leaped forward before he even finished speaking. "Recruit Rono, nice to meet you!"
"Ivan," the burly man grunted quietly.
"3, 2, 1—Begin!"
The referee waved to signal the start.
The cheerful look on Rono's face vanished in an instant. With a spinning whip kick, he aimed straight for Ivan's head. Ivan didn't say a word, but quickly raised his right arm to block and swung his left fist toward Rono's gut. The angle was tricky, making it hard for Rono to counter effectively. Though he blocked it with his hand, the impact still forced him backward.
But Rono wasn't one to back down. Using the momentum, he flipped backward to gain distance. Ivan immediately launched a straight punch. Rono crouched low and unleashed a sweeping kick, striking Ivan's lower leg—already unstable from pressing the attack.
As Ivan fell, Rono spun on the leg that had swept him and drove his other knee directly into Ivan's chest.
"Knee Cannon!" Rono even shouted out the attack name like a total anime nerd.
With a heavy thud, Ivan was blasted off his feet and hit the ground hard. The onlookers gasped.
Was it just starting?
No—it was already over.
"Cough, cough…" Ivan struggled to get up. "I lost… Thanks for holding back."
He could clearly feel Rono had pulled his last hit. Otherwise, he wouldn't just be coughing—he'd probably be bedridden in the hospital for a month.
What he didn't know was: if it had been a life-or-death battle, that knee cannon would've smashed into his face, and he wouldn't be heading to the hospital—he'd be headed straight for the coffin.
"Ahaha, you're pretty strong yourself," Rono said, scratching his head.
"No sincerity at all!" someone from the crowd muttered with half-lidded eyes.
"Huh? Really?" Rono glanced around, then smacked his forehead. "Don't forget our deal—one meal!"
"Aye aye, we know already. Seriously, you're rich and we're the ones buying?"
A marine named Ibaka came over to help Ivan up.
"Come on, let's go eat!"
"Yeah!!"
The whole group headed noisily toward the restaurant.
---
After stuffing themselves full, everyone slouched back in their chairs to relax.
"Hey, everyone... I have something to say." Ivan stood up, voice slightly heavy.
Everyone seemed to already know what was coming. They stopped what they were doing, and silence fell over the restaurant. (It was fully reserved.)
As for Rono, he was lying on the floor with a bloated belly, groaning in relief.
"I'm heading to Navy Headquarters tomorrow... Thank you all for taking care of me these past years. I... I'll never forget you!"
Ivan bowed deeply, a single tear sliding down his cheek.
"Huh? You're going to Navy Headquarters too? What a coincidence, so am I!"
Rono, who was playing dead on the side, suddenly perked up excitedly.
…
The somber mood was instantly shattered.
Everyone turned to look at Rono.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Rono asked in confusion, staring at the marines.
"Aye aye, what's everyone doing? Isn't it better without the gloomy atmosphere?" Ibaka shrugged.
"And we already knew Ivan was leaving, didn't we? This gathering can be his farewell party!
Oh, and for Rono too."
"WHAT?! You bastards! So you all knew? And I was trying so hard to keep it a secret these past few days?!
I see, you just wanted to see me make a fool of myself, huh?!"
Ivan cursed with a laugh, putting one of the marines in a playful headlock.
"Ahhh! I'm dying! Ivan, let me go! It was Ibaka who eavesdropped, not me!"
The restaurant burst back into laughter and chaos…
As for Rono heading to Navy Headquarters—people were surprised at first, but quickly came to terms with it.
At such a young age, with that kind of combat ability, it was only a matter of time.
Still, heading to HQ just two days after arriving? That was fast.
---
After his bath, Rono lay on his comfy bed, letting out a satisfied groan.
He activated the system's daily character panel. (Seems like this was the only useful function.)
Body Strength: 32 (↑1)
Bone Strength: 41 (↑2)
Nothing else had changed. Rono was a bit surprised.
"System, why did my bone strength go up so fast?"
"Ding. Bone enhancement not only boosts strength, but also increases potential. Plus, the host is still in a physical growth phase. Male bone structure solidifies around age 22. After that, bone strength rarely increases."
"Ugh, so there's a limit? What about body strength?"
"In this world, theoretically—no limit."
"System, who do you think is stronger, me or Kaido of the Beasts?"
"Host is advised not to seek death. Due to your Devil Fruit, if your bones are broken and you're thrown into the sea, you'll die instantly. Not even comparable."
"Sigh… So eating the fruit was a mistake? But my bone-plant armor is really powerful."
"In theory, it depends on how well you develop your fruit. Whitebeard was also a Devil Fruit user."
"Oh, I get it. I'll focus more on developing the fruit."
"Ding. Friendly reminder: The body is the foundation of all strength. Whitebeard also had high physical stats. So host—
please don't masturbate."
"..."
Rono knew that after a "friendly reminder," there was usually a "reward."
Sure enough—
"Ding. Congratulations, host has unlocked: Hell Training (II)."
"Congrats my ass! I don't want this! And will you die if you don't go 'ding ding ding' every time?!"
"×2."
Rono turned to stone.
"Uh, Lord System, how about we pretend I never said that, yeah?"
"×3."
"Haii~ Please, I beg you, don't go any further. A donkey like me doesn't deserve to live in this world… I'm really sorry for all the trouble I've caused you…" orz
"Ding. Seeing as the host apologized sincerely, fine—just twice."
"Wait! You were proud of that just now, weren't you?! Are you really a system?
Where's the emotionless, robotic loli voice you promised?!"
Of course, Rono only dared to think these things, not say them aloud.
"Time to sleep."
Rono closed his eyes.
"Data recording… Gene and Devil Fruit compatibility: 53%. Logged.
Assessment: Potential for increased synergy detected…"
Rono slept soundly, unaware of the system's eerie digital murmur.