Of course, manga must be drawn.
That had become Roy's personal creed ever since he gained a sliver of independence in this world.
Blind from birth, Roy understood his limitations all too well. But he wasn't the type to wallow in self-pity. If life handed him darkness, then he would fill it with color—his own way.
Back in his previous life, he had drawn manga to make a living. Now? He drew because it gave him purpose, and oddly enough—power.
And so, sitting in his quiet corner of Kukuroo Mountain, Roy created what would become a cultural phenomenon across the Republic of Batokia and beyond—the manga one piece .
"I am the man who will become the Pirate king!"
This line swept through the streets like wildfire. Kids recited it in schoolyards. Adults whispered it in break rooms. Even among certain V5 dignitaries, copies of Barto Jump began mysteriously appearing on office desks.
And the royalties?
Roy didn't care much about the money—but his publisher, Mr. Tianwei, practically cried tears of joy as sales numbers exploded.
But there was one unexpected perk Roy hadn't foreseen…
Drawing manga generated experience points.
Each panel, each chapter, every burst of inspiration—tempered his mind, honed his Nen perception, and intensified his grasp over his unique color-sense.
Without eyes, his understanding of the world came from pressure, presence, and the subtle hues of aura. The more he created, the more finely tuned that perception became.
However, things took an odd turn when the oldest living relic of the Zoldyck family—Maha Zoldyck himself—got involved.
The ancient assassin, despite his skeletal frame and sagging skin, had sharper instincts than anyone else on the mountain. When he wasn't dozing in a rocking chair or silently sneaking up on butlers to test their reflexes, he wandered about the estate… and one day, he caught Roy mid-drawing.
And what was he drawing?
The latest cliffhanger chapter of one piece.
From that moment on, Maha became Roy's worst nightmare—
a living, breathing deadline demon.
Every morning he'd shuffle by Roy's courtyard, coughing exaggeratedly, muttering under his breath like a cranky editor-in-chief:
"Tch. Still no update?"
"Where's Ace? I liked that stubborn brat!"
"Did Garp betray the Marines or what?"
"Boy, don't you know the value of pacing?!"
Finally fed up, Roy snapped.
Without mercy, he spoiled it all.
"Ace dies."
"Whitebeard too. Protecting him."
"Garp… stays a Marine. Regrets everything."
Maha stared blankly.
His beloved rocking chair no longer creaked with life. His pipe sagged in his lips. He looked as though his heart had stopped.
"You… you unprofessional brat…"
"Why would you—?!"
Roy calmly replied, "Because you kept hovering behind me for the past three days, mumbling spoilers of your own. Consider us even."
"Damn it," Maha groaned, tears welling in his cataract-filled eyes. "I really liked Ace… The fire in his soul reminded me of myself in my youth…"
"SHUT UP," Roy barked.
"…Oh." Maha slumped.
The courtyard finally fell silent.
Blessed silence.
Peace at last.
Roy exhaled slowly and turned his attention back to his training.
Step. Slash. Breathe. Repeat.
One cut.
Ten cuts.
A hundred.
A thousand…
Sweat soaked the soles of his feet. The gravel beneath turned slick.
But he felt it—his body moving lighter, faster, stronger.
Then came the familiar ding—
[Experience gained: +2]
[Current EXP total: 3]
Without hesitation, he opened the panel.
[Fujitora Template: Unlock progress increased → 23%]
Immediately, a wave of power surged through his body.
A warm tide of invisible gravity spread from his core to his fingertips, filling every cell with controlled force. It wasn't just strength—it was refined. Flowing. Harmonious. Weighty.
His body was now synced to 23% of Fujitora's peak strength.
Roy clenched his fist.
The very air compressed with a dull hum—like a thundercloud being pulled taut.
Maha, startled from his half-sleep, jolted up.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"
"Still mad about the spoilers, old man?" Roy asked dryly.
But Maha's eyes, narrow as they were, widened in real concern.
"Wait… what's going on with you?"
In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Roy, his old, skeletal hand gripping the boy's wrist with surprising strength.
"You—your aura… You weren't like this just an hour ago. You're changing."
Roy tilted his head innocently. "Oh? You just noticed?"
Maha growled. "Cut the act. What did you do?"
Roy grinned.
He tapped open his internal panel:
[Roy Zoldyck]
Age: 17
Physique: 70 → 73 (Normal Human: 10)
Speed: 80 → 87
Strength: 90 → 100
Aura Capacity: 120 → 135
Template: Fujitora the Blind Admiral (Unlock: 23%)
EXP Remaining: 0
The numbers didn't lie. And Roy didn't bother hiding them.
He showed a row of perfectly white teeth in a smug smile.
"Surprised?"
"What, you think us Zoldycks can't grow stronger overnight?"
"Come on, old man—don't tell me you can't do it?"
Maha blinked.
Roy leaned in, voice dripping with mock innocence.
"No way… Don't tell me… Maha Zoldyck has reached his limit?"
Maha's jaw hung open.
"Tch… Pass it on? Me? Can't?!"
He roared into the sky, the aura around his ancient body trembling.
Roy just chuckled.
"Careful, old bones. You'll wake up Zeno."