'Come to think of it, the indestructible property of the Elytra operates on a rule-based level. If I were to amplify that property… maybe it could serve as a shield?
It can absorb, store, and release energy. It can attack, defend, move, and recharge itself.
Not as useless as it first seemed—though there's one concern.'
Ren recalled his battle with Crocodile. The man's "Erosion Reincarnation" had clearly been a Devil Fruit Awakening technique.
That was how Zala had died—he'd seen it happen with his own eyes.
It wasn't mere destructive power.
It was conceptual annihilation.
'Desolation… the concept born from the extreme of dryness and decay. Could the awakening of a Logia-type Fruit be tied to concepts themselves?
If I ever face that level of attack again, the Elytra's so-called indestructibility might not be enough to withstand it.
If it truly possessed the same foundational invulnerability as in Minecraft, it wouldn't have shown up in the Golden Roulette in the first place. That level of permanence borders on "eternal existence."'
Ren narrowed his eyes, jotting this observation down.
None of his collected intelligence had ever mentioned what transformations occurred when a Logia user awakened their power.
But he knew he would eventually encounter such enemies.
Better to prepare in advance than regret later.
The Elytra's description stated: "Cannot be destroyed by ordinary matter or energy."
The key, then, lay in that one word—ordinary.
Ren took note of this, then turned his attention to the other prizes.
First up—the Barracks Module.
It resembled a faceted, hovering crystalline polyhedron glowing with sci-fi blue light, spinning lazily in midair.
A holographic screen appeared, updating its data.
[Barracks Module]
Origin: War Dimension
Type: Rule-Construct Artifact
Effect: An experimental prototype created by an advanced civilization that merged magical and technological knowledge.
Its purpose was to mass-produce intelligent soldiers for use in secondary battlefields.
However, the module is currently in a blank, unusable state.
Activation requires the installation of at least three compatible sub-modules.
The core modules required are: Energy, Soldier, Command, Communication, and Weapon.
If a proper sub-module is unavailable, a living being or material of equivalent properties may be substituted.
Additional blank sockets exist for adaptive configuration and special functions.
Once all required modules are installed, the Barracks can be activated, allowing continuous generation of user-defined troops, with a maximum storage capacity of 0/500 units.
'Custom-built troop types?'
Ren turned the Barracks Module over in his hands, running several experimental tests.
He quickly confirmed several things.
First—he didn't possess the exact sub-modules it required.
But he did have suitable substitutes. For example, the "Soldier" module could be filled using his Iron Knights.
The "Energy" module could be powered by an Infinite Campfire.
As for the number of modules required—the Barracks seemed capable of dynamic adjustment.
For instance, when Ren tossed in one of his small mechanical robots—little more than an electrified toy from an old draw—the energy reading shifted.
The system indicated that a single Campfire would be sufficient as a power source.
The energy bar stretched endlessly—practically infinite power!
Still, the appearance of a consumption meter meant that there was some degree of drain.
The Campfire merely provided limitless energy within a set range—beyond that, the balance broke down.
So there was still a limit.
When he swapped out the toy robot for an Iron Knight, however, a single Campfire only filled a fraction of the progress bar.
Not the consumption bar—rather, it wasn't enough material to form a complete "Energy Module."
'So I can't create a true perpetual motion system…'
Ren pondered deeply. The Barracks Module deserved more careful study.
The Iron Knights he currently had were durable enough for now, though.
He stored the crystal safely and moved on to the most important prize.
[Observation Haki Aptitude]
Origin: One Piece Dimension
Type: Talent
Effect: Upon fusion, grants the user innate talent for Observation Haki.
If the user already possesses Observation Haki aptitude, it enhances and stacks with the existing potential.
Observation Haki is one of the three forms of Haki within the One Piece world—a latent power possessed by all humans.
It is an instinctive ability, akin to "spirit," "aura," or "willpower."
However, the majority of people go their entire lives without ever realizing or awakening this power.
The ability to sense an opponent's "presence" or "intent" is the essence of Observation Haki.
Once mastered, it allows perception of unseen enemies—their positions, numbers, and even their next movements.
Observation Haki is tied closely to the mind; calmness is essential.
If one's emotions spiral out of control, the ability ceases to function.
After initial awakening, it can sense nearby attacks.
At the basic stage, it can detect external stimuli such as airflow and sound to respond to ranged assaults.
At the advanced level, it allows rapid comprehension of battlefield variables—distances, enemy movement, power intensity, and more.
Those who refine it beyond mastery are deemed Observation Haki experts or specialists.
At that level, various branches emerge: Wide-Range Perception, Telepathy, Resonance, Listening, and Future Sight.
Wide-Range Perception: Expands sensory range across kilometers. Even the most basic form covers up to a thousand meters and can lock onto targets for long-range sniping.
Telepathy: Senses the emotions or even thoughts of others. True prodigies can read minds.
Resonance: Synchronizes one's own thoughts with those of living beings, even animals, enabling communication and empathy.
Listening: A near-mythical form attainable only through natural talent—allows one to "hear the voices of all things," living or otherwise.
Future Sight: The pinnacle of Observation Haki, granting glimpses of the future. Only geniuses who've mastered multiple branches can even reach its threshold.
Cost: Mental Energy
The importance of Observation Haki needed no explanation.
Even the "Future Sight" branch alone was terrifying enough.
Ren had already decided—he'd invest at least one billion Beli to cultivate this ability and make himself a Haki prodigy.
That said—
At lower levels, he already had something similar in function: the Omni-Vision Device.
Flipping his hand, Ren summoned a metallic eyeball.
Using it wasn't hard—just press it to his forehead.
The half-sphere latched onto his brow, and Ren activated it.
His field of view shifted instantly.
X-Ray Vision—activated!
The structures around him turned translucent, then transparent.
He saw Robin walking along the lower corridor.
As he focused, her thin clothing faded from sight—leaving only a vague outline of undergarments.
Ren clapped a hand over his nose, watching as the view continued to sharpen—until her pale, graceful figure was fully revealed.
'Pineapple-sized…?'
He mused, lacking the technical alphabetic classifications, so he defaulted to fruit comparisons.
Then he triggered Future Sight mode, combining it with his vision to predict Robin's next movements through micro muscle analysis.
'Raise leg—knee upward.'
He murmured softly, growing more attuned to the device's functions.
Meanwhile, Robin remained blissfully unaware that her boss had quite literally "seen through" her.
And for free, no less.
Of course—Ren could have tested it on someone else. A man, for example.
But really, why would anyone choose that over a beautiful woman?
The Omni-Vision's second feature was Long-Distance Vision—the ability to see far beyond normal range, unaffected by weather.
After thoroughly "testing" the device, Ren began analyzing it seriously.
First off—
Though it lacked two of the five "visions," its performance was indeed remarkable.
Until he trained his own Observation Haki, this tool would suffice as a substitute.
Especially the Future Sight aspect—its precise predictive capability would be invaluable for his next objective.
Still, its limitations were obvious.
In terms of scalability and long-term potential, Observation Haki utterly eclipsed the Omni-Vision.
Ren formulated his plan.
Once his Observation Haki reached a competent level, he'd dismantle the Omni-Vision and use it as a sub-module for the Barracks.
There were three blank slots available, and this device fit perfectly.
Of course—
That was only a provisional idea. The final design could differ.
Soon after, Ren got back to work on something even more crucial—
completing his Purple Qi Foundation!
Though Purple Qi Rising from the East was considered a common cultivation method, its Foundation Establishment stage was anything but simple.
Ren had to consume countless pills just to barely finish this phase today.
The Water-Grind technique truly lived up to its name—painfully slow and meticulous.
Still—
The Qi displayed by Assassin Wu Liuqi was indeed worth emulating.
That man, Ah Qi, wielded his blade with Qi Control over several kilometers.
A single slash infused with Qi could cleave even a towering mecha in half—
Yes, the same kind piloted by the prince of the State of Ster, standing tens of meters tall.
Its destructive power could nearly obliterate an entire island—
Yet Ah Qi had sliced it cleanly in two with a single concentrated strike.
At his peak, even in the world of One Piece, he would rank among the absolute elite.
(End of Chapter)