"Took you long enough, Kai," Ace grumbled, though a faint smile softened his freckled face. "Luffy almost ate all the berries himself while waiting."
"I was just admiring the scenery!" Kai shot back, his new voice surprisingly natural. He grinned, feeling a strange mix of awe and genuine camaraderie already forming with
these legendary figures.
The rest of the day was a blur of raw, untamed childhood. They dragged the colossal boar back to their makeshift camp, a crude hut hidden deep within a secluded part of Mount Colubo. Ace, with surprising skill for his age, quickly butchered the animal, and soon the rich scent of roasting meat filled the air. Luffy, as expected, ate enough for ten people, while Sabo meticulously cleaned their meager cooking utensils. Kai found himself laughing, a genuine, unburdened laugh he hadn't
experienced since his abrupt end.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues, the boys sat around the crackling campfire. Ace and Sabo recounted their latest daring escapades, their eyes shining with adventure. Luffy, between ravenous bites of meat, would interject with his characteristic simple-minded enthusiasm. Kai listened, contributing whenever he could, his mind buzzing with the surreal reality of his situation.
System, he thought, as Ace dramatically recounted escaping a giant tiger. How exactly do I get stronger? And this 'Harem' part? Does it just... happen?
[Ah, a keen inquiry, Host! Your strength, my dear, shall grow through various means! Training, combat, overcoming challenges, consuming certain delicacies, and completing quests – all contribute to your glorious ascent! As for the 'Harem,' it is a natural byproduct of your inherent charm and, dare I say, stunning good looks, coupled with a touch of System guidance. Positive interactions, shared experiences, and displaying admirable qualities will naturally draw potential members to your orbit!]
Kai rolled his molten gold and deep ocean blue eyes inwardly at the system's verbose, almost preening explanation. "So, basically, I just live my life and try not to die, and the system handles the rest?"
[A delightful simplification, but yes, essentially! Survival is key, Host. And remember, Power and strength isn't just handed out on a platter! You'll need to train and work for it because no matter how talented or lucky you are if you don't train you will probably die again in this lifetime !]
Kai : ... Haa (sighs) Yeah I know , i guess
The following days settled into a chaotic routine. Kai woke before dawn, joining Luffy, Ace, and Sabo in their grueling "training."
This involved dodging furious wild animals, climbing towering trees, racing through treacherous terrain, and enduring Ace and Sabo's often brutal "lessons" in fighting. Kai, despite his smaller frame, found himself adapting with surprising speed. His movements became more fluid, his stamina increasing with each passing day. He noticed subtle, almost imperceptible changes in his body, a growing resilience he hadn't possessed before.
One afternoon, while fleeing from an especially angry bear, Kai found himself unexpectedly fast. He dodged a swipe that would have surely caught his old body, and his breath wasn't as ragged as it should have been. He felt a peculiar warmth deep within him, almost like a faint ember glowing.
System, am I gaining strength? That felt... different.
[Indeed, Host! Your Strength, Speed, and Stamina are slowly but steadily increasing due to your rigorous daily activities. Consider your "training" as your current primary method of growth! You've gained 0.5 points in each of those attributes since your arrival! As for that delightful warmth, perhaps a nascent talent stirring within? Fascinating!]
A mere 0.5 points. It felt underwhelming, but it was progress. He still desperately wanted to know about his other race. That strange warmth, too... was that related?
System, about that "Unknown Racial Classification"... can you give me any more details? Even a hint? Is it related to that strange warmth, or why I'm here? Kai pressed, focusing intently.
[My sincerest apologies, Host. As previously communicated, such information remains beyond your current capacity. The data is suppressed. Who knows Perhaps that peculiar warmth is a hint of what's to come, but its full meaning awaits your greater development!]
The system's cheerful tone remained, but its unyielding refusal to elaborate frustrated Kai. It seemed determined to keep him in the dark until he met some arbitrary strength requirement. The thought of being something other than human, perhaps even a dragon or devil, was both exhilarating and terrifying.
One evening, after another exhausting day of chasing and being chased, the boys were gathered at their hut. Sabo was patching a tear in Luffy's vest, while Ace sharpened a makeshift spear. Kai, rubbing a sore muscle, glanced at his reflection in a small, still pool of water. Even with dirt and sweat, his features were strikingly defined, his white hair with its golden streaks shimmered, and his unique eyes seemed to capture the firelight. He really was godly handsome. He wasn't sure if it was just his natural looks or if the system played a hand in it, but he definitely stood out.
A sudden, sharp pang hit him. It wasn't hunger for food, but something deeper, an ache that resonated with that strange internal warmth he'd felt. It was a longing, almost an instinctual pull, for something he couldn't name.
"Hey, Kai," Ace said, breaking the silence, pulling Kai from his introspection. "You're getting pretty good at dodging. And you're way faster than when you first got here. What's your secret?"
Kai blinked, caught off guard. "Secret?" he chuckled, forcing a casual tone. "Just trying not to get eaten, I guess. Survival instinct, you know?" He still felt that strange, faint hunger, but he pushed it down.
Ace grunted, a knowing look in his eyes. "Yeah, well, keep it up. This world isn't easy."
Kai nodded, the hidden depth of Ace's words resonating with him. He was starting to understand. This wasn't just a game; it was a brutal, beautiful, and utterly real world. And he was going to survive it, not just survival he is going to dominate it, build his harem, and one day, he would force this talkative system to reveal all its secrets, starting with the truth of his own being and this peculiar, phantom hunger.
Well i still don't know about the future tho , i guess i should be Luffy's vice captain in the future so I can stay close to the canon since all the main characters would be around him and I can also keep an eye on my dumb little brother , he said smiling fondly.
Author: [phew that was exhausting]