[Ding! Host's anger detected. Reputation system activated. Mission triggered: Rebel against Wapol.]
[Current Reputation: 1]
[The old gods are dead; a new age shall dawn. I will forge a world free from suffering and injustice.]
[System Reminder: Reputation is gained from those who trust you. It can be exchanged for anything in this world.]
[System Reminder: The Reputation Exchange has been unlocked. Please review.]
A series of system prompts chimed in his mind, and only then did Ryuuto feel like he was beginning to grasp the full scope of his new power. From the looks of it, as long as he completed the system's missions, he could earn Reputation. With Reputation, he could exchange for anything he needed to grow stronger.
"Show me," Ryuuto thought.
An exchange interface materialized in his mind's eye. At the very top was his lonely, single point of Reputation. Below it was a dazzling array of powerful items from the world of One Piece—anything Ryuuto could imagine was available. The only problem was the astronomical cost. With his current Reputation, he couldn't afford a single thing.
[Gold-Gold Fruit: 100,000 Reputation]
[Conqueror's Haki: 100,000 Reputation]
[Nidai Kitetsu: 50,000 Reputation]
[Rokushiki - Soru (Shave): 5,000 Reputation]
[Talisman of Mending: 10,000 Reputation]
[Seed Soldier: 1,000 Reputation]
[Dawn of a New Age: 20,000 Reputation]
[Command the Winds: 100,000 Reputation]
[Call the Rains: 100,000 Reputation]
[Invoke Lightning: 100,000 Reputation]
...
Forget about Haki and Devil Fruits, even the Talisman of Mending and the Seed Soldiers from my Newbie Gift Pack are incredibly expensive, Ryuuto lamented internally. The prices were daunting.
And there was something else. Looking at the abilities—Command the Winds, Call the Rains, Invoke Lightning—they felt strangely familiar. Was he destined to be some kind of storm-caller? To one day stand atop a mountain and shout, "Let the heavens answer my call!"? Amazing!
Shaking off his excitement, Ryuuto closed the exchange interface. The most pressing matter was the system's mission: Rebel against Wapol. As the king of Drum Kingdom, Wapol had committed countless atrocities over the years, but his formidable power kept the people in a state of silent, simmering rage. Wapol was a user of the Baku Baku no Mi, allowing him to eat anything and incorporate it into his own body. By consuming countless buildings and weapons, he had transformed himself into a walking fortress and armory. Ryuuto knew that he and the oppressed citizens stood little chance against him alone.
Thankfully, the system had provided him with a Newbie Gift Pack. The Talisman of Mending was for healing, the Seed Soldiers for offense.
[Seed Soldier: Will unleash tremendous power when used by the right person.]
With a thought, a single, gleaming yellow bean appeared in his palm. It looked like an ordinary soybean, but after witnessing the power of the Talisman, Ryuuto knew this Seed Soldier had to be extraordinary. He had three of them and a specific purpose in mind for each, but to ensure success, he first needed a solid plan.
Over the next few days, Ryuuto traveled to every corner of Drum Kingdom, gathering intelligence. As he moved, he didn't forget to spread the word of Wapol's tyranny, declaring his intention to overthrow the king's rule. He noticed his Reputation value was slowly, almost imperceptibly, beginning to rise.
Time passed, day by day. Then, one day, Ryuuto heard the news he'd been waiting for. A giant reindeer had attacked Wapol, but thanks to Dalton's deliberate negligence, the creature had escaped. Dalton himself had been thrown into the Tin-Plate Kingdom's dungeons.
The time had come.
After waiting another seven days, Ryuuto finally found the newly released Dalton in the town of Big Horn. Inside Lily's Tavern, he carried a mug of beer over to the table where Dalton was drinking alone.
"You're Dalton, right? My name is Ryuuto. Let's work together. Let's overthrow Wapol and drive him out of Drum Kingdom." Ryuuto didn't waste any time, getting straight to the point.
"Ryuuto? I've heard of you," Dalton said, his expression calm. "You're that reckless boy who's been running all over the country, claiming he's going to overthrow Wapol." As the former Captain of the Guard, he was well aware of the rumors. Seeing Ryuuto now was no surprise.
So my name is getting out there, Ryuuto thought.
"In this world, all people should be equal! Everyone has the right to medical care, the right to a full stomach. When we face injustice, we must fight back. Even if it seems like we're just a single spark against a storm, we must rise up," Ryuuto declared, his voice filled with passion. "Can you bear to watch your parents, your children, your family, your friends suffer and die because they were denied treatment? This is all Wapol's fault. We've had enough of him!"
The simple, honest Dalton was moved by Ryuuto's fiery words. He had already decided to join him in overthrowing Wapol's rule.
Now, only Chopper remained. At that moment, Chopper was living with Dr. Kureha on a mountain peak near the town of Kestea. After finishing their last drinks, Ryuuto and Dalton set out for Kestea together. Dalton knew of Chopper's abilities, and after hearing Ryuuto's plan, he agreed they should recruit him. The three of them would stand a much better chance.
The snow lay thick on the ground, crunching with every step. The bitter cold of this land is harsh, Ryuuto mused. If a storm-caller like me had lived in ancient times, how many could have been saved from a cruel winter like this? He spent the journey describing his vision for the future to Dalton—a future after Wapol's defeat, where the people could live in peace and happiness.
...
"Seize them!"
"Move in! Surround them!"
Unfortunately, their plans went awry. The moment Ryuuto and Dalton set foot in Kestea, soldiers poured out from the surrounding buildings. Leading them was Wapol himself, his tin-plate jaw and thick winter coat doing little to hide his sneering expression. Flanking him were his two loyal lackeys, Chess and Kuromarimo.
Seeing the ambush, Ryuuto and Dalton immediately fell into a fighting stance.
So much for the plan! Ryuuto cursed inwardly.
"Arrogant brat, we've had our eyes on you for a long time," Wapol taunted. Looking at Ryuuto and Dalton, completely surrounded by his soldiers, he was certain victory was already his.