Chapter 49: Observation Haki
Zhou Ning hadn't been very satisfied with his last transmigration. It felt too bland. The world of One Piece was different from the two previous urban worlds—it had a survival-of-the-fittest flavor. If possible, he hoped to go for a more aggressive approach this time.
[Traversal in progress... -25 Traversal Coins deducted]
[Please select a transmigration mode...]
[1. Direct Traversal.]
[2. Transmigrate using a Parallel World Template.]
With nearly 1,000 Vecktas on hand, Zhou Ning wasn't short on cash. If a good template popped up this time, he'd buy it outright.
Two days had passed since his last transmigration. The previous three templates—"Yakuza Fiend," "Basketball Superstar," and "Demon Doctor"—had already been cycled out. Now, three new templates had appeared.
The first one featured a fierce-looking version of himself holding a longsword, shirtless, with a red cape tied around his waist, and ridiculously exaggerated pecs. His personality was ferocious and battle-hungry. His talents were: "Grows Stronger with Battle" (Blue), "Leonidas" (Purple), and "Endurance" (Blue). Skills included Swordsmanship (Expert) and Hand-to-Hand Combat (Expert).
Title: Spartan Warrior Zhou Ning.
Traversal Cost: 15 Traversal Coins.
Too mediocre. Not exciting at all. What was he supposed to do with this in the One Piece world? Guard a hot spring gate?
The second template was a returning option: a fire-type superpower user, Zhou Ning: City-Burning Flame, priced at 250 Traversal Coins. Still couldn't afford it...
The third template showed a deadpan, bald version of himself in a yellow outfit with red gloves and a white cape. Personality: calm and low-key. No talents. Skills included: Secret Training Method (Divine Level), Normal Punch Series (Divine Level), Serious Series (Divine Level).
Title: One Punch Man Zhou Ning.
Traversal Cost: a terrifying 2,000 Traversal Coins. Pass!
Despite being quite wealthy, Zhou Ning still found himself shedding the tears of poverty.
He had no choice but to select Option 1.
[Would you like to spend one more Traversal Coin to re-roll your talents?]
No, the previous three talents were already decent—should be enough to clear the world.
[You have selected Talent 1, Talent 6, and Talent 9.]
[Your current talents are: Mermaid, Medical Doctorate, Grandpa-in-a-Ring. Your constant talent is: Tony Stark. Additional talent: Athletic Prodigy.]
[Match successful. In the parallel world, you are a playboy and a scientific prodigy. You're exceptionally talented, having earned a medical doctorate and a national swimming championship by the age of 20. You also possess an ancient-looking ring, a curio you stumbled upon in a street market.]
[Current world exploration progress: 21.8%. When it reaches 66.7%, you will be granted access to unlock the next map.]
[If you die during the simulation, the game ends.]
[Boarding time machine... 1%... 33%... 65%... 95%... Whoosh... Traversal complete.]
[You've transmigrated to the year 1516 on the open sea. From this moment, the wheels of history begin to turn.]
[July 1, 1516 – You're drifting across the vast ocean, clinging to a piece of driftwood. You have no supplies—no food, no water—just a ring on your finger. You try communicating with Roger inside the ring, but get no response. You realize he might need more food to wake up.]
[July 2, 1516 – Since you already possess the method to train in Armament Haki, you realize swimming itself can be a form of training. The sea is rich in fish, so you prepare a large amount of food. Sure enough, by nightfall, the supply begins to decrease.]
[July 4, 1516 – On your fourth day adrift, it rains. You collect a large amount of rainwater, intending to hang in there for a few more days. But to your surprise, you spot an island in the distance.]
[July 6, 1516 – After swimming for two days, you reach the island—a village full of windmills. The locals are warm and friendly... except for one bratty little kid. That's right: Monkey D. Luffy!]
[July 8, 1516 – Using your brilliant medical skills, you cure the village chief's sudden illness. With his help, you settle temporarily in Windmill Village and open a small clinic. But you're more interested in training your body than treating patients. After all, a man must strive for strength.]
[July 12, 1516 – You've read novels like Village Spring Doctor and Village Flirty Medic before. Now, it's become reality. Thanks to your playboy charm and good looks, you've entered a relationship with the bar owner Makino. There were rumors she had a child with Shanks, but you're sure that hasn't happened yet. Oh, and good news: your Pocket Grandpa finally woke up—yep, the amnesiac death row inmate.]
[July 13, 1516 – Although your first meeting with Luffy didn't go well, thanks to Makino's mediation, you've become friends. You also befriend Ace. Roger tells you he feels a strange sense of affection for Ace. Of course—one's the big-headed son, the other the small-headed dad!]
[July 15, 1516 – At Roger's request, you spar with Ace. Naturally, you get beaten badly. Strangely enough, Roger seems pleased. Damn it!]
[July 17, 1516 – After working hard to bond, your relationship with Roger has improved rapidly. He tells you he doesn't recall what "Armament Haki" is, but if you follow his advice and ramp up intensity, you'll grow strong quickly. Apparently, that's how he did it back in the day.]
[July 18, 1516 – Roger wasn't kidding about the intensity. You nearly died from the training. But as a PhD-level medical expert, with thorough knowledge of internal medicine, surgery, and anatomy, you're not afraid. As long as it doesn't kill you, keep training!]
[November 29, 1516 – Whether it's because of your previous transmigration experience or your intense training, you actually learned Armament Haki more than a year earlier than before. You spar with Ace again and this time, manage to narrowly win half a move.]
[December 4, 1516 – At Roger's request, you teach the method for Armament Haki training to Ace and Luffy. Perhaps this world's Ace and Luffy will be much stronger than in the original timeline.]
[December 17, 1516 – Your bond with the two brothers grows stronger each day. In the original story, Ace sets sail next year. You're seriously considering pulling them into your crew and forming a One Piece version of the TFBOYS.]
[December 21, 1516 – Today, you encounter Garp returning home to visit. You were hoping to mooch off him and learn things like Finger Pistol and Iron Body, but after you beat Ace again, he punches you without even asking questions. Damn old coot.]
[December 24, 1516 – You refuse Garp's invitation to join the Navy. Come on, joining the Navy while hanging out with the Pirate King? What a joke.]
[December 25, 1516 – You refuse Garp again. Rather than be a Marine, you'd rather be a free man on the sea. Give me liberty or give me death.]
[December 27, 1516 – Garp tells you your Armament Haki talent is high and you might also have a knack for Observation Haki. If you behave, he might even teach you the Navy Six Styles. Under his threats and bribes, you shamelessly agree. Maybe being a spy isn't such a bad idea after all.]
[February 1, 1517 – After one last romantic night with Makino, you board the ship to Marine Headquarters with Garp. To your surprise, your Pocket Grandpa seems even more excited than you. He says a real man belongs on the sea, and whether pirate or Marine doesn't make much of a difference.]
[February 2, 1517 – The course of Garp's ship is strange; instead of crossing the Red Line, it passes through the Calm Belt. Today, you see a Sea King larger than a mountain for the first time—only its shadowy figure, but it's enough to leave you awestruck.]
[February 9, 1517 – Garp begins teaching you Observation Haki. His training method? Beat you within an inch of your life. Absolutely outrageous. Roger wholeheartedly agrees.]