Black's cheat system had appeared in this world alongside him.
But Black was not Kozuki Oden; he could not rise fully formed at birth.
In the first few years, even when he drew random passersby, Black was often no match. He could only temper his body silently while growing.
Fortunately, Celestial Dragons generally possessed strong physical talent.
Adult Celestial Dragons typically reach three meters, the height of an Admiral, though many appeared bloated from inactivity, and very few cultivated seriously.
Black's exceptional physique allowed him to defeat some random passersby before turning ten.
These opponents had no Devil Fruit powers, no special physiques, and lacked the three types of Haki. The ability cards merely enhanced Black's physical strength.
If he continued this way, Black would need to stack his body to Charlotte Linlin's level to contend with powerhouses wielding Armament Haki.
The turning point came at twelve.
That year, Black spontaneously awakened Observation Haki.
With Observation Haki, he could handle passersby lacking Haki, and his physical training accelerated rapidly.
Near-precognition allowed him to hold his own even against stronger opponents.
At thirteen, due to improved physical fitness and intentional training, he finally awakened Armament Haki.
Now, even a New World expert wielding two types of Haki could be contested.
Three years passed. Most drawn cards represented powerhouses Black could not defeat, but the encounters honed his strength enough to rival Hina.
Black opened his eyes, and a docile maid stepped forward—an endless, repetitive scene.
After breakfast, he began another idle day.
"My strength now rivals a Marineford Rear Admiral. The noise from training is growing, inconvenient for Mary Geoise. I must focus on actual combat within the System Space."
Black's social position was awkward.
The nineteen Celestial Dragon families, including those of the Gorosei, rarely engaged in power struggles.
Aside from the ambitious seeking God's Knights, the rest were parasites, occasionally bickering over Slaves but forgetting disputes by the next day.
Two elites born into the same family might only be nodding acquaintances for life.
Black, a low-profile member of the waste circle, could only develop quietly, stepping out when capable of defeating Imu in the card space.
The current problem: Black lacked direct subordinates.
Estate maids and guards handled chores but weren't experts. To train them, Black would need to use ability cards.
He planned to grant cards enhancing physique or Haki only once he reached Admiral level.
Ordinary tasks could be delegated to CP agents.
But for missions like finding the Rumble-Rumble Fruit in Birka, Black had no trustworthy agents.
If CP searched, they would bring the fruit back—but also report details to the Gorosei.
Exposure would only complicate matters, even if the Gorosei didn't interfere.
Sighing, Black turned his attention to the sea.
Crocodile and Moriah would later challenge Whitebeard and Kaido; after defeats, one would rot in Paradise, the other dig graves.
Many transmigrators earned loyalty by promising revenge, but Black was not a "mouth-ninja" who could rally others with a shout. Crocodile and Moriah would not willingly serve him.
Bartholomew Kuma, Jinbe, and Hanafusa could be allies, but the first two had position conflicts, and the latter was closely tied to Kaido, even entrusting his children.
The Marines, led by Kong, were even less viable. Even with Zephyr's prior influence, only full display of talent and Gorosei support would allow recruitment.
"Forget it. I'll focus on leveling up first. Once I get Charlotte Linlin's Iron Balloon, the sea becomes safe."
Black sighed, returning to his room.
"System, activate!"
After mastering Hina's Armament Haki, his strength surged. He resolved to challenge Charlotte Linlin's card again.
With the Iron Balloon, even if not a Vice Admiral, he could endure until reinforcements arrived. Then he could leave Mary Geoise and recruit suitable subordinates at sea.
Black reappeared in the card space, this time in a town.
Before him loomed a nearly four-meter-tall mountain of flesh.
Strangely, Charlotte Linlin looked almost the same from childhood to adulthood, yet her youth was strikingly beautiful.
Oda claimed Shakky was the most beautiful on Hachinosu, but Black judged Bakkin first, then Charlotte Linlin, with Shakky third.
Before he could react, a fist the size of an iron pot smashed toward his head.
Black dodged hastily.
"That's not fair!"
Bang! The fist slammed into the street, forming a deep pit.
Bang! Another punch. Black could only dodge, with no chance to counterattack.
Charlotte Linlin's strength and defense were superhuman. Even with improved Armament Haki, direct clashes were futile.
Black had always found the world's fighting style baffling. Brute force clashing was thrilling but inefficient. Dodging seemed almost nonexistent.
Through years of card-space battles, Black developed his own style.
Nothing flashy—simply dodge, block with both arms, strike the opponent's head and liver for effective damage.
Simple, yet it surpassed everyone at sea.
Why did so many fighters have such thick blood? Because every duel was brute force: clash of powers, big move versus big move.
Dodging? Considered low-level!
Damage often fell on non-vital areas. In a world full of tanks, fatalities were rare.
Charlotte Linlin slammed another punch into the ground. A sharp glint lit Black's eyes.
His feet stomped, figure flashing from hand to hand, arriving in front of her.
Hammer-shaped hands, Armament Haki pushed to the limit.
Fierce! Fierce! One! Punch!
Boom!
Charlotte Linlin flew backward, smoke and dust rising.
Black didn't pause like the world's powerhouses but charged again.
Finishing blows matter. Strike while hot.
Dream on if you think "no damage in smoke" or "sit-ups" can save her.
"Give me Iron Balloon!!!"