Since he knew that emotional fluctuations and energy leakage could accelerate progress, then let those waves… come even fiercer!
From the next day onward, Lucian Thorn completely abandoned his cautious, step-by-step method of increasing progress.
He transformed himself into Whitebeard's most loyal, most fanatical, and most "considerate" son.
" Pops, try this! I just reheated this meat soup in the kitchen, added some sea beast marrow—it's the best for nourishing the body!"
Lucian held up a giant wooden bowl, his face beaming with the brightest smile, and carefully presented it to Whitebeard.
"Gu ra ra ra… brat, you sure are attentive."
Whitebeard accepted the bowl, downed it in one gulp, then casually handed it back.
Lucian immediately took it with both hands, half-kneeling as he began pounding Whitebeard's legs.
"To be filial to Pops is the greatest blessing a son could ever have!"
His mouth spoke the most dutiful words, but inside he was roaring madly at the system.
"Faster! Hurry up!"
[Analyzing Progress: 2.3%…]
[Analyzing Progress: 2.31%…]
For the past few days, Lucian had played the role of the "paragon of filial piety" to its very extreme.
Back massages, shoulder rubs, leg kneading, telling jokes, pouring tea, bringing water… he had practically become Whitebeard's personal accessory, using every excuse for physical contact, desperately absorbing that faint trickle of energy.
Marco, Jozu, and the others watched his shameless flattery. Their initial odd looks gradually softened into helpless acceptance.
This new little guy, though weak in strength, with his wit and brazen shamelessness, had somehow brought a different kind of "liveliness" to the usually solemn ship.
Two days later, just as Lucian was using all his massage skills to loosen Whitebeard's shoulders, the cold mechanical voice in his mind finally rang with the notification he had been waiting for.
[Ding!]
[Target 'Edward Newgate' peak-form data model, Analyzing progress has reached 5.0%!]
[System Exchange Function Unlocked!]
It's here!
Lucian's heart leapt, his hands even faltering for a split second.
He forced down the surge of excitement, kept his strength steady, and gave a quick command in his mind.
"Open the exchange list, now!"
[Generating exchange list…]
[Detected: Current Analyzing template – SSR-rank character 'Edward Newgate (Peak)'.]
[Note: With 0% progress, no exchanges can be made.]
[Note: Upon reaching 100% progress, host may consume all progress to permanently transform into 50% of target's peak comprehensive power.]
[Current Progress: 5.0%. Exchange options as follows:]
[Reminder: All exchange items are drawn directly from the character's peak, so these are exclusive premium goods!]
Line after line of golden text unfolded in Lucian's mind like divine revelation.
[Exchange Option 1: Armament Haki (Whitebeard exclusive premium)]
[Description: The power of turning will into an invisible armor. Greatly boosts defense and attack power, and allows striking the true body of Logia-type users.]
[Progress Required: 2.5%]
[Exchange Option 2: Observation Haki (Whitebeard exclusive premium)]
[Description: The mighty power of perceiving the aura of those around you. Predicts enemy attacks and senses the breath and emotions of living beings.]
[Progress Required: 2.5%]
[Exchange Option 3: Power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit (Minor Fragment)]
[Description: A fragment of power from the "Strongest Man in the World" at his peak. Allows a brief activation of an infinitesimal tremor. Warning: With the host's current body, using it will almost certainly cause catastrophic collapse.]
[Progress Required: 5.0%]
Staring at the three choices, Lucian's breathing grew heavy.
The Tremor-Tremor Fruit!
That was the pinnacle of Paramecia powers, the might to destroy the world!
Just those words carried an endless temptation—he almost wanted to redeem it instantly.
But he forced himself to calm down.
He noticed the glaring red warning.
With his frail, ordinary body, forget destroying the world—even before releasing a tremor, his bones and organs would shatter into pulp.
That was suicide.
He couldn't choose it!
That left only Haki.
Armament and Observation…
These were the true foundation and king's path of this world!
Without hesitation, Lucian made his decision.
"System! Consume 5.0% progress and exchange it all! I want Armament Haki and Observation Haki!"
[Command confirmed.]
[Consuming 5.0% progress…]
[Exchanging for 'Armament Haki (Whitebeard exclusive premium)' and 'Observation Haki (Whitebeard exclusive premium)'…]
[Exchange successful!]
[Power infusion, commencing!]
BOOM!!!
An indescribable torrent of information, like a galaxy bursting its dam, flooded into Lucian's mind!
"Urgh…"
Lucian groaned, his body shuddering violently, his face turning deathly pale.
The power was too vast, threatening to split his very soul apart!
"Brat, what's wrong?"
Whitebeard's booming voice sounded above him, sensing the strange trembling of the youth behind him.
"N-nothing, Pops…"
Lucian clenched his teeth, forcing the words out.
"Maybe… maybe I just didn't sleep well yesterday. A little worn out…"
He didn't dare stop, continuing to pound Whitebeard's back mechanically, hiding the earth-shaking change unfolding inside him.
The information surge wasn't over. A wholly different power began to well up through his limbs and bones.
It was a new perception.
The world seemed stripped of its shell, revealing its essential core.
He focused, and a mysterious sensation rose in his mind.
He "saw" a blurry image.
Three seconds later, a nearby crewman cleaning the railing would step on a slick coil of rope and fall backward.
The very next moment—
Lucian abruptly raised his head and shouted in that direction:
"Hey! Watch your step!"
The crewman froze, glanced down instinctively, and saw the rope just before stepping on it. He gasped, quickly pulling back his foot.
"Oh! Thanks, Lucian!"
The sailor waved gratefully.
Lucian didn't reply. He was lost in shock.
This was… Whitebeard's Observation Haki?
A brief glimpse of the future!
Slowly lowering his head, he spread open his right hand.
His long fingers, calloused from pounding Whitebeard's back, looked the same as always.
It was still his hand.
Yet it was utterly different.
He could feel it—the unprecedented strength hidden within.
He clenched his fist.
A solid weight and force surged through his knuckles.
As if one punch could crack the very air!
Armament Haki!
It worked!
Lucian slowly lifted his gaze beyond the ship's rail, staring at the endless, stormy sea.
That sea was about to birth a world-shaking storm.
But now, the fear in his heart was being replaced by a surge of excitement and fighting spirit.
Ace…
Blackbeard…
The Marines…
Marineford War—wait for me!