The small boat rocked gently as it sailed farther from Orange Town. The sun was low on the horizon, painting the sea in shades of orange and purple. Luffy was sprawled across the deck, humming to himself, while Zoro had one eye open, scanning the horizon with barely hidden alertness. Nami adjusted the sails, her sharp gaze following every wave and gust of wind.
Adam sat quietly, leaning against the railing. No one noticed the faint glow in his vision—the hidden system interface hovering invisibly in his mind. To the crew, he was just staring at the horizon, perhaps lost in thought.
[Status: Level 3][Available Points: 250][Skills Unlocked: Physical Reinforcement II, Primitive Guard I, Focused Strike II]
Adam exhaled, realizing he had to train carefully. He didn't want anyone seeing anything unusual.
He flexed his fingers subtly and tested the Focused Strike II skill by tapping lightly on the railing. Nothing seemed to happen, but internally he felt the difference: every muscle was ready, every movement sharper and more precise.
"Okay… slow and steady. That's the way," he muttered to himself.
The system chimed quietly, invisible to anyone else.[New Feature Available: Passive Awareness – can detect environmental dangers without revealing to others.]
Adam's eyes widened slightly. This would be extremely useful during sea travel. A low tide, a hidden reef, or an unexpected attack—he could sense them before they became dangerous, without anyone ever noticing.
He leaned back, testing the feature subtly. His heart raced as he felt the tiny vibrations in the boat's movement, the subtle currents around them. It was like a sixth sense.
Luffy yawned, stretching and ignoring the world, while Zoro muttered something about "I hope we find food soon," clearly unaware that Adam's senses were quietly sharpening.
Adam smiled faintly."This is perfect… no one will ever know. I can improve without standing out."
Then the system displayed another hidden option:[Skill Evolution Available: Choose one path to enhance physical or mental capabilities.]
Adam hesitated. Choosing incorrectly could waste points, or make him exhausted. But the possibilities were too tempting. Slowly, he selected a balanced enhancement: a slight boost to reflexes and endurance.
[Physical and Reflex Enhancement – Level 1 Activated]
Internally, Adam felt faster, stronger, and lighter, though no one around him noticed any difference. He quietly tested by leaping to the mast and balancing effortlessly, making adjustments so natural that it looked like simple agility training.
Nami glanced at him, frowning."You okay there? Don't fall off the mast."
Adam lowered himself casually, smiling innocently."Yeah, yeah… just stretching."
The system reminded him silently:[Warning: Gradual development is key. Sudden, overt strength could expose your secret.]
Adam nodded."Got it. No flashy moves. Invisible progress."
Hours passed, the crew chatting, laughing, and eating, while Adam moved like a shadow—always aware, always testing his skills in subtle ways. His reflexes let him catch falling ropes, adjust sails faster, and even help balance the boat during sudden swells—all appearing natural.
The sun dipped below the horizon, stars appearing one by one. The East Blue stretched endlessly ahead, promising danger, adventure, and hidden treasures. Adam's secret advantage would allow him to survive, adapt, and grow quietly among the crew.
He whispered to himself:"The system… you're going to make this journey a lot more interesting."
And with that, the boat continued cutting through the waves, carrying the crew toward their next adventure—unaware that one of them held a secret that could change everything, silently preparing for the challenges ahead.