As Ivan obtained more and more character templates, he would display more abilities in the future. It was better to acknowledge his identity as a Devil Fruit user early on and use this identity to mask the true source of his powers.
As for why these abilities were so diverse and seemed to have no connection?
Didn't they know about Devil Fruit development?
If even the user of the String-String Fruit could develop abilities like the Birdcage and Sky Path, what was wrong with a gravity fruit user developing abilities like Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue or Planetary Devastation?
Reasonable, absolutely reasonable!
When Ivan admitted it, Tashigi's face was filled with surprise. She jumped up in delight:
"Wow, that's great! Now that Ensign Ivan has become an ability user, your strength has definitely increased greatly. Coupled with the defeat of the Alvida Pirates this time, you might be promoted to Lieutenant!"
Ivan took a cigar from the drawer, lit it, and slowly exhaled the smoke.
He looked calm. Seeing Tashigi's cheerful appearance, he couldn't help but reveal a smile:
"Perhaps."
In the past, receiving such military merits would have made Ensign Ivan very happy.
But after obtaining the System, Ensign Ivan was somewhat dissatisfied.
How could a mere Lieutenant rank be worthy of the White Dove? He had to start at Admiral!
...
The morning mist dispersed, and sunlight shone on the sea surface, illuminating ripples of gold.
The fragmented light rose and fell gently with the waves, causing the warship on the sea to sway slightly.
Ivan took off his shirt, wore a pair of beach shorts, and lay on a beach chair to sunbathe.
Meanwhile, his adjutant, Tashigi, extended her tender hands to apply sunscreen for Ivan, checking his injuries while she was at it.
On Ivan's shoulder, there were multiple severe bite marks—injuries caused by Arlong's teeth.
A few days ago, when Ivan and the others passed by the Conomi Islands, they engaged in battle with the Arlong Pirates. Although the fleet didn't suffer much loss because Ivan took the initiative to stay behind and intercept them, Ivan was heavily injured by Arlong.
Tashigi reached out to touch the savage scars, her voice trembling:
"Ensign Ivan, does it hurt a lot?"
Ivan said lazily, "It's nothing."
Indeed, it was nothing. In the two and a half years he had been in the pirate world, he had long grown accustomed to injuries.
The real pirate world was not as gentle as the anime. Plundering pirates, brutal nobles, and the high-and-mighty Celestial Dragons—each one pressed down on the common people so hard they couldn't lift their heads.
Ivan knew that only by working hard, harder, and even harder to constantly become stronger, would there be a way out.
But obviously...
Ivan glanced at Coby, who had changed into a Marine recruit uniform and was scrubbing the deck.
He didn't have a cheat like "two hundred times the effort," so even after working desperately hard for two and a half years, his strength was still weak.
But it was different now.
Ivan looked at the System panel before him.
[Template: Gojo Satoru (Incomplete): (Synchronization: 22%)]
He possessed a cheat far more powerful than two hundred times the effort!
Tashigi didn't believe Ivan's response. How could such severe injuries not hurt?
However, she knew Ivan and didn't refute him. Instead, she said seriously:
"Ensign Ivan, there was something wrong with the attack by Arlong earlier. We were only scouting the perimeter and deliberately avoiding the Arlong Pirates' surveillance network. How could they have discovered us and attacked us so precisely?"
Ivan nodded. "That's right, there is something wrong. I already know why, so don't worry."
Ivan knew why the Arlong Pirates could precisely locate them. Undoubtedly, it was the leak from the corrupt Marine Colonel Nezumi of the 16th Branch, who was colluding with them.
Thinking of this, Ivan frowned slightly. He had to become stronger as soon as possible!
He wanted to get rid of Nezumi and Arlong quickly and snatch Nami.
After all, a navigator with such superb skills was rare in the entire world.
Of course, although he had just awakened the System, Ivan's current strength was not enough. He was likely not yet a match for Arlong.
So for now, Ivan needed to increase his synchronization rate and improve his strength as quickly as possible. Once he was strong enough, he would wipe out the Arlong Pirates in one fell swoop.
As for right now, his goal was to return to Loguetown to recuperate.
Suddenly, Tashigi stopped applying the sunscreen and ointment. Just as Ivan was feeling a bit puzzled, Tashigi suddenly called out:
"Ensign Ivan, there are several ships ahead, and some of them are pirates... Wait, that's the Sea Restaurant, Baratie!"
"Baratie?" Ivan muttered to himself. He sat up and looked with interest at the distant ship shaped like a giant fish.
Come to think of it, it was currently the year 1519 of the Sea Circle Calendar. Luffy wouldn't set sail until next year.
Sanji should still be at the Baratie right now. Ivan planned to try and see if he could recruit this cook who could both cook and fight.
Of course, he didn't hold out much hope. After all, Sanji's goal was the All Blue, and the Marines, under the jurisdiction of the World Government, had no way to help him realize that dream.
Moreover, Ivan didn't have Luffy's "Talk no Jutsu," so naturally, he couldn't persuade him easily.
But even so, Ivan wanted to try. What if it worked?
Even if it didn't work, tasting the food at Baratie and crushing a few unsightly pirates along the way wouldn't be a loss!
Thinking of this, Ivan stood up, went to the helm, and ordered the many Marines:
"Dock near the Baratie. We'll go there for a meal later... By the way, my treat!"
The Marines immediately cheered aloud: "Long live Ensign Ivan!"
...
As a famous restaurant in the East Blue, Baratie had always been a gathering place for passing travelers. Moreover, due to the formidable strength of the owner, Zeff, which deterred people from all directions, very few dared to provoke trouble there.
This special environment created a peculiar scene: merchants, pirates, bounty hunters, and even Marines sat in distinct areas, yet all tacitly put aside their disputes. No one dared to cause trouble here.
The sea breeze drifted in through the open portholes, fluttering the corners of the tablecloths and blowing away some of the noise.
Just then, the restaurant door was pushed open. A handsome Marine, two meters tall with sharp black short hair, walked in. Following behind him was a good-looking girl with glasses.
Seeing this, a scar-faced pirate in the corner of the restaurant immediately spat, furrowed his brows fiercely, and cursed in a hoarse voice:
"What damn bad luck. I was having a good meal and then I run into a Marine's stinking face. I've lost my appetite instantly!"
This vulgar voice attracted the attention of Ivan and Tashigi. Tashigi immediately wanted to draw her sword and take out this hateful pirate who dared to insult her idol.
But Ivan acted in time and stopped her.
Rather than attacking directly, killing the pirate, splashing blood all over the room, and ruining their appetite, it was better to memorize these pirates' faces for now and deal with them together after the meal.
Tashigi listened to Ivan very well. After being stopped by him, she let out a cold snort at the pirate and sheathed her sword.
In the eyes of the scar-faced pirate, this scene was a sign of weakness.
He became even more rampant and laughed loudly in mockery:
"Hahaha! As expected of cowardly Marines. They don't even dare to talk back after being cursed at. How can there be cowards like you on the sea?"