The Mission Briefing - One piece: The Devil Fruit Gamer

The inn room was quiet and warm, filled with the aroma of the rough but satisfying stew that Leo had managed to secure. The heavy silence was a welcome change after the chaos of Grove 44. Leo and Sekiro sat across from each other, finally able to eat a full meal without fear of an immediate ambush.

Leo, relaxed by the food and the temporary security, was halfway through a bite of tough bread when Sekiro spoke.

"Leo," Sekiro began, his voice low and even. "You said our next mission is clear. What is the mission?"

Leo immediately choked. He coughed violently, slapping his hand against his chest as he desperately grabbed his water cup. After several ragged gulps, he managed to clear his throat.

"Gah! Sekiro! You can't just drop high-stakes mission questions like that! You have to ease into the conversation!"

Sekiro tilted his head slightly, his single eye unwavering. "I apologize. I believed clarity was essential. I will attempt to ease the conversation in the future."

"No, no, it's fine," Leo waved his hand, wiping the stew from his chin. "It's my fault. I was so busy thinking about Kuma and the Sunny that I forgot to brief you. Let me lay out the plan."

Leo leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper as he began the most important plot summary of his life.

"We are waiting for a certain pirate crew—the Straw Hat Pirates," Leo explained. "They are the owners of the ship you were protecting. They will come here, one by one, and all meet in Grove 42. Our short-term plan is to join them."

"Join them?" Sekiro repeated, accepting the information without judgment.

"Yes. They are the fastest, safest route into the New World. My main plan is to accompany them for some time, specifically until we reach an island called Fish-Man Island. It's an island under the water, where Fish-Men and Mermaids live. You'll be amazed. Well, you've seen more incredible creatures than them, but still, it's different now."

Leo paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "There, I have to do something vital—a high-level, hidden quest that I will brief you on once we arrive. For now, we wait for the crew."

Sekiro nodded once. "Understood. Then we should wait here for them and move further toward your plan."

"Exactly!" Leo beamed, pulling out the small map of Sabaody. "The first member of that crew will arrive tomorrow or the day after. His name is Roronoa Zoro. He is also a swordsman."

Leo leaned back and let out a tired, comedic groan. "He is a great and strong swordsman, but he has one tiny problem. "It could take one day to find the entire crew, but finding Zoro alone will take everyone an extra two days. His sense of direction is worse than a sea slug trying to navigate a desert."

Sekiro stared at the map, his brow furrowed in concentration, trying to reconcile the concept of supreme swordsmanship with absolute directional incompetence. He gave up instantly. "I understand. He is directionally challenged. I will be ready to guide him."

"And that, my friend, is why you are the best," Leo said, laughing and slapping Sekiro gently on the shoulder.

Leo watched the warrior. Sekiro was a deeply broken character defined by a life of immense loss, hardship, and trauma in his previous life. He now had a purpose, a mission, and a new life free from the tragedy of Ashina. He has a chance for a new kind of duty now, something less tragic. I need to ensure this world gives him that.

Now you are talking like a friend, and I love that," Leo said softly.

"Understood, Leo," Sekiro replied, picking up his fork. "We have twelve days. Let us eat."

They finished their meal, the quiet resolve between them solidifying the two-man crew.

"Okay, let's go check Kuma and the Sunny again," Leo finally decided, standing up.

The Final Test

The two left the inn, merging into the chaotic night. Leo and Sekiro moved swiftly to Grove 44, the area strangely quiet now. They examined the dock: the Thousand Sunny was secured, and Kuma was sitting inert in front of it. No Marines or pirates had dared to approach the scene since the previous night's battle.

Leo and Sekiro sat on a large mangrove root, observing the area. The silence stretched, and Leo was about to suggest leaving when both warriors—the System user and the legend—felt a spike in pressure. A sudden, cold Haki presence, masked and powerful, was approaching fast.

"Who is this?" Leo muttered, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his borrowed Marine saber.

Sekiro had already moved, drawing the Tenseiryū a hair's breadth from its scabbard.

A blur of movement, hidden under a dark robe, exploded from the shadows, launching a high-speed kick directly at Leo. Leo, relying on his now-mastered Observation Haki, dodged the lethal strike by millimeters, scrambling backward. He counter-attacked with a quick slash, but the robed figure was too fast, deflecting the attack easily and delivering a devastating kick to Leo's chest that sent him sprawling.

THUD!

Sekiro launched himself forward, sword raised, ready to engage the powerful attacker, but Leo shouted, "Wait! Sekiro, wait!"

The robed figure paused, his Haki settling around him like a heavy cloak.

Leo coughed, pushing himself up on one elbow, a weary smile on his face. "So... you came back, Rayleigh-san."

The figure slowly pulled down the hood and lowered the Haki. Silvers Rayleigh, his face calm but his eyes sharp with assessment, stood over him.

"Oh," Rayleigh chuckled, sheathing his sword. "So you did know who I am, Leo."

"Of course," Leo replied, standing up and brushing the dirt off his pants. "How could I not know the man who taught me for two years? You're the only one who could move with that much power and silence."

"Hmph. Your senses have become sharp," Rayleigh conceded. "And you have become much stronger. But who is this man? He is stronger than you, and his aura is entirely different. I've never seen a spirit so utterly devoid of fear."

Leo grinned, placing a hand on Sekiro's shoulder. "Ah, he is my friend, Rayleigh-san. And he is my first crew member."

Chapter 50 - The Mission Briefing