The humidity on Rusukaina Island was a living, breathing weight, pressing down on the two pupils as they faced their master. Rayleigh stood before them in a quiet clearing, ready to reveal the secrets of the world. Luffy was bouncing on the balls of his feet, radiating pure excitement. Leo stood stock-still, trying to project calm, but internally thrilled by the live-action spectacle about to unfold.
"We waste no more time on theory," Rayleigh announced, his voice carrying the authority of an Emperor's right hand. "You must experience the feel of Haki directly. Pay attention."
Suddenly, the ground began to shake, and a sound like a hundred crashing trees ripped through the jungle. A creature of unbelievable size—a colossal, crimson-hued elephant, its tusks scarred and its hide tougher than old iron—burst into the clearing, aiming its monstrous foot right where Luffy stood.
Luffy reacted instantly, his enthusiasm overriding caution. "WHOA! A giant elephant! I'll show you my gum-gum punch!" He stretched his fist back, preparing to strike the beast.
Before Luffy could even release the punch, the elephant's trunk snapped out like a whip.
SMACK!
The sound was a sickening thud. The massive trunk caught Luffy squarely on the chest and sent him flying. He slammed backward into the trunk of a giant tree, leaving a Luffy-shaped indentation before dropping to the dirt, dizzy but otherwise unharmed thanks to his rubber body.
Leo winced, instinctively jumping back, his heart racing. Idiot! He got hit by the tutorial boss! That attack was telegraphed miles away!
The elephant, enraged, stomped forward, aiming a massive foot at the still-dazed Luffy.
Rayleigh, who hadn't moved an inch, spoke calmly, looking toward the beast's massive head. "It will strike his right side, aiming for a pin."
The elephant stomped down, missing Rayleigh entirely, exactly as he had predicted.
Luffy scrambled back up, rubbing his shoulder, his excitement replaced by shock. "He knew where it would hit!
Leo, however, was in awe. That's the difference! In the anime, it was a cool skill. Seeing it here, predicting a wild animal's attack in real-time before the enemy has even fully committed—that's Observation Haki! It's terrifyingly practical!
"That is the lower level of Observation Haki (Kenbunshoku)," Rayleigh said, dismissing the elephant with a cold stare that stopped its aggression. "It is constant awareness and the ability to read your opponent's intent.
The elephant, however, was not finished. It roared, frustrated by the lack of success, and this time, it focused its massive, scarred head directly at Rayleigh, lifting its forefoot high into the air, attempting to crush him.
Finally, Rayleigh faced the beast. "Now, watch Armament."
Without fanfare, Rayleigh raised his right fist toward the still-stunned elephant. There was no Devil Fruit flash, no lightning—just an immediate, dense transformation. A dull, inky black sheen spread across his hand, making the hand look harder than obsidian. This was Armament Haki in its purest form.
BOOM!
Rayleigh took one step and slammed his armored fist directly into the elephant's foot. The force was projected straight through the air, delivering a focused, concussive blow directly to the beast's foot. The massive animal, easily a Level 20 threat, groaned, its eyes rolled back, and it collapsed backward like a mountain falling, the sound deafening. The inky black coloring receded from Rayleigh's arm.
Luffy's eyes went wider than saucers. "WHOA! It turned black! And it took out that huge elephant with just one punch! I want that! That's so cool!"
Leo gave an internal nod of approval, masking his own shock. Classic Armament Haki demonstration, but it hit so much harder in person. The sheer, raw power of the Dark King is unbelievable.
"That," Rayleigh said, flexing his unarmored arm as if swatting a fly. "is Armament Haki (Busoshoku). Hardening. It is your shield and your hammer. With it, you can strike the true body of a Logia user, and you can defend against the most devastating blows this world can offer."
Next, Rayleigh demonstrated the speed and precision of Observation Haki by catching a handful of razor-sharp pebbles thrown into the air without looking, before detailing the Future Sight aspect.
"Enough demonstration," Rayleigh said, his face stern. "Luffy, your natural strength is already immense. You have the Conqueror's spirit. Your first task is simple, yet the most frustrating. You will focus your willpower, right now, and draw the Armament Haki to your fists. Do not stop until you succeed."
Rayleigh pointed to a massive, rock-scaled gorilla watching them from the jungle edge. "Go hit that beast. Show me black on your fist before you touch the skin. If you fail, the gorilla will hit you back, and he won't be gentle."
Luffy, surprisingly accepting of the brutal assignment, immediately ran toward the beast, shouting his intentions. He kept swinging, his knuckles bruising against the thick hide, failing to achieve the black coating every time.
Rayleigh watched for a moment, then turned to Leo.
"Your turn, Leo."
Leo snapped to attention. "Sir!"
"You are currently weak," Rayleigh stated bluntly, his eyes boring into Leo's soul. "You lack the muscle mass, the raw vitality, and the pure will that Luffy possesses.
Rayleigh closed his eyes, his brow furrowing slightly in concentration. His Observation Haki was now focused, sweeping the immense island for the weakest targets.
"I have located suitable opponents for you," he said, opening his eyes and pointing toward a particularly dense section of the jungle. "Come."
Rayleigh and Leo ran deeper into the forest, moving with astonishing speed until they reached a small, rocky ravine. Below, a pack of shaggy, grey wolves—larger than any Leo had seen in his previous life—was drinking from a stream. There were perhaps eight of them, their eyes glinting with hungry aggression.
"Look closely," Rayleigh ordered. "These are the Grey Scrappers. They are the weakest predators on this island. If you can't defeat this pack alone, you have no business being a pirate in the New World, let alone surviving the next two years."
Leo's heart hammered against his ribs. "What? All of them? That's… eight wolves, sir."
They will teach you movement, stamina management, and how to kill efficiently." Rayleigh gave him no time to protest. "I will leave now. I expect to return in an hour to see eight defeated wolves. Do not disappoint me."
And with a final, dismissive wave, the Dark King was gone, disappearing into the foliage without a sound.
Leo was left alone at the edge of the ravine, the low, guttural growls of the wolves echoing up at him. They had noticed his presence and were beginning to stalk toward him, baring wet fangs.
This is it. Real combat. No cutscene. No team.
Leo drew his Kukri knife—the only weapon he had left from his old life. It felt laughably small and inadequate in his grip. Should I use my fists, like Luffy? No, I'm not a brawler. I need to use the only thing I have mastery over: the knife. But it's too short. If anything stronger than a wolf pack appears, I'll be turned to dust before I can even reach them.
He was utterly defenseless beyond his single knife and one-use shield. Leo realized he needed a true weapon, something that extended his reach and matched the style of his first, massive bounty.
"System," Leo whispered, trying to calm his shaking hands. "Show me my status."
DING!
Gēmu Gēmu no Mi Interface
Leo's Current System Status (Level 2)
Host: Leo (Level 2) XP: 20/100 (20% to Level 3)
Authority Points: 1000
Core Attributes
Health: 100/100 (Max)
Stamina: 100/100 (Recovered)
Attack: 10
Defense: 12
Haki: None (Locked)
Special Abilities & Summon Requirements
Power Abilities: 1 (Guardian Shield - Cooldown: 4 days)
Character Summon Requirements Status:
Authority Points (1000 AP needed): 1,000 (Condition Met - Note: Initial requirement of 1,000 AP was met, triggering the next requirement)
Unique Item: Acquire a Katana of Noble Quality. (Status: Not Met)
What?! A Katana?" Leo groaned, running a hand through his hair. Why a katana? Why not just any sword? Does the System want me to become a samurai? Well, I guess if I want to summon any strong character, I have to follow the rules.
The wolves, sensing his hesitation, let out a unified, hungry howl. It was time to focus on the immediate fight.
"Fine," Leo hissed, gripping the Kukri tighter. "First, I survive the jungle. Then, I find a katana."
The game had officially begun.
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