The Grand Line.
The skies were clear, the winds mild, and sunlight sparkled across the endless sea.
A cool ocean breeze swept gently across the waves, stirring ripples that shimmered like silver scales.
Splash—splash—!
The rhythm of waves colliding against one another echoed like a soothing melody.
From the distant horizon, a colossal naval warship cut steadily through the waters of the Grand Line. The massive hull parted the sea like a blade, sending waves rippling outward in all directions.
Above, a white seagull-flag flapped proudly in the wind—the emblem of the Marine s, symbolizing peace, fairness, and justice.
After four full days of sailing, Kai and his companions had finally left the East Blue behind, entering the perilous stretch of ocean known as the Grand Line—a sea teeming with pirates and danger.
Compared to the tranquil East Blue, this place was another world entirely.
Here, peril lurked in every current. A single misstep could mean ruin—burial in a watery grave.
The Grand Line's threats were twofold: not only the countless enormous Sea Kings lurking beneath the waves, but also the ever-changing weather.
One moment, clear skies; the next, roaring storms and lightning tempests that could tear a ship apart.
To navigate these waters safely, one needed more than strength—one needed experience.
Every year, countless sailors perished—most of them pirates—lost to the sea's wrath.
That was why a ship's survival depended on two critical figures:
a helmsman with seasoned hands, and a navigator skilled enough to read the heavens and foresee the storms.
Without them, even the sturdiest vessel could be crushed by a sudden squall.
But Kai's warship, personally commanded by the Marine Hero Garp, lacked nothing.
It had the finest crew the Marine could offer—expert helmsmen, veteran navigators, and battle-hardened officers who ensured the ship never strayed into danger.
On the deck, beneath the blazing sun that hung above the glittering sea—
Kai trained.
He bore five hundred kilograms of weights strapped across his back, pushing his body to its limits in relentless, grueling exercise.
Push-up after push-up.
Day after day.
Unending repetition.
"One thousand nine hundred ninety-four!"
"One thousand nine hundred ninety-five!"
"One thousand nine hundred ninety-six!"
Sweat streamed from his forehead like rain, dripping down his face and arms, pooling beneath him on the deck.
Drip... drip...
His body was soaked through, his breath steady but strained.
Five hundred kilograms—ten times his own body weight!
And yet, despite that monstrous burden, Kai had already done nearly two thousand push-ups—within just an hour.
His muscles screamed, his arms trembled, and pain coursed through every fiber of his body—yet his eyes remained closed, his focus unbroken.
He pushed on.
Relentless.
Disciplined.
Unyielding.
The hundreds of Marine s aboard the ship watched in awe. Even for seasoned warriors, this level of dedication was beyond comprehension.
Forget his incredible talent—just his sheer perseverance was enough to humble them all.
"He's... he's not human."
"What kind of monster trains like that?"
That was the sentiment whispered among every sailor on deck.
But their concern didn't last long—because Garp himself had once said,
"Kai's body is tougher than steel. Overtraining won't hurt him.
Give him a night's rest, and he'll be good as new."
That monstrous constitution made it impossible for anyone to worry for long.
All they could do was laugh bitterly and admire him.
For someone only four years old to possess such strength—such willpower—was beyond reason.
And yet, somehow, it all made perfect sense.
He was a genius who worked harder than anyone else.
As the saying went—Heaven rewards diligence.
And Kai was the very embodiment of that truth.
A born prodigy, a peerless monster, blessed with unmatched talent—and relentless drive.
If he couldn't become strong, then who possibly could?
"Two thousand!"
Finishing his final push-up, Kai collapsed onto the deck, his limbs quivering.
He lay there gasping, chest rising and falling rapidly as his sweat soaked the planks beneath him.
The puddle of sweat beneath his body glistened like a mirror, reflecting the golden sunlight.
Every drop bore witness to his persistence—his refusal to yield.
Closing his eyes, Kai stretched out his arms and legs, letting the sea breeze wash over him.
The warm sunlight and cool air eased his fatigue.
Just then—
A familiar electronic chime echoed in his mind.
[Training Results Obtained: Strength +0.003, Speed +0.002, Stamina +0.004]
[After applying 100× Amplification—]
[Final Gains: Strength +0.3, Speed +0.2, Stamina +0.4!]
In an instant, a gentle warmth surged through Kai's body, flooding his veins and bones, reforging his muscles and blood anew.
Moments later, the transformation was complete.
He could feel it—his strength had grown once again.
Even if only slightly, the difference was real, tangible.
The soreness from his training faded as the system's restorative energy mended his body.
Whoosh.
Exhaling deeply, Kai unstrapped the heavy weights and rose to his feet, refreshed.
"These past four days of training..."
"I've gotten stronger—again."
His eyes glimmered with pride and satisfaction.
The feeling of growth was intoxicating.
From the East Blue to the Grand Line, he hadn't wasted a single moment.
Every minute—every second—had been devoted to pushing himself further.
Four uneventful days had passed at sea.
No Sea King attacks.
No storms.
Even the occasional pirate ship fled at the mere sight of their massive warship.
When small-time raiders appeared, the Marine's cannons easily blew them to pieces before they could get close.
Kai spent every day training, immersed in his relentless regimen.
The results spoke for themselves.
"System, show me my status."
[Host: Kai]
[Strength: 27.1 (+1.1)]
[Speed: 23.2 (+0.8)]
[Stamina: 28.5 (+1.1)]
[Spirit: 14.9 (+0.3)]
[Ghost Back Completion: 10.46%]
[Current Training Multiplier: 100×]
That was the sum of his progress over four days—
A modest rise, but significant nonetheless.
It wasn't an explosive breakthrough, but strength gained through persistence was the most reliable kind.
Just as he was studying the figures, however—
A sudden shout shattered the calm.
"Sea King!"
"There's a massive Sea King approaching the warship—moving at terrifying speed!"
"If we don't act fast, it'll ram straight into us—!"
"Quick! Inform Vice Admiral Garp!"
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 50 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/ZeusOp