A new world…
Even for someone like him, the concept sounded absurd.
After calming down, Shiki narrowed his eyes and finally spoke inwardly.
"So what exactly happens if I choose another world?"
The system responded almost instantly.
[Ding.]
[If the Host Travels to Another World, Time in the Current World Will Completely Pause.]
[The Host May Return at Any Moment to the Exact Point in Time He Left.]
The moment those words appeared, even Shiki's expression changed.
A genuinely impressed smile spread across his face.
"Oh?"
Now that was far better than he expected.
At first, he had assumed that traveling between worlds would inevitably create time discrepancies.
If years passed elsewhere while time continued moving here, then returning could create unnecessary complications.
But this…
This meant he could leave whenever he wished and return without losing anything at all.
Honestly, the freedom of it was ridiculous.
Shiki crossed his arms while the wind whipped his golden hair wildly behind him.
Then he asked another question.
"How long can I stay there?"
The system answered calmly.
[Ding.]
[The Duration Depends Entirely on the Host's Wishes.]
[The Host May Return at Any Time.]
That answer made Shiki feel even more relieved.
A low chuckle escaped his mouth.
"So it's that free, huh…"
The more he listened, the more absurd this "New World Function" sounded.
There were almost no restrictions.
He could explore another world for days, months, or even years if he wanted…
Then return here at the exact same instant he left.
Not even a second would pass.
That level of freedom was honestly terrifying.
And for someone like Shiki… It was incredibly tempting.
The dangerous smile on Shiki's face slowly widened.
Then, without hesitation, he spoke inwardly.
"Spin it."
[Ding.]
[Beginning World Selection…]
The glowing wheel before his eyes instantly began spinning at terrifying speed.
Different names flashed past one after another too quickly to properly see.
Countless different worlds.
Some familiar.
Some unknown even to him.
The speed gradually slowed.
Until finally...
[Ding.]
[Selected World: One Piece]
The moment those words appeared, Shiki raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Then he laughed.
"Hahaha..."
"One Piece, huh…"
Honestly…
Out of all possible worlds, this was one of the few places where he could truly let loose without worrying too much.
A sea ruled by monsters.
Pirates, Admirals, Emperors, madmen, wars, ancient weapons, world nobles…
A world where strength decided almost everything.
It suited him perfectly.
At the same time, however, Shiki noticed something else.
The system… had clearly changed.
Before this, getting extra information out of it had always been annoying. Most of the time it only responded with the bare minimum.
But now?
It was practically explaining things on its own.
Almost like the system itself had updated alongside the unlocking of the New World Function.
Shiki narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
Then another thought appeared in his mind.
"What about the new template?"
"How exactly am I supposed to increase Yami's progress?"
The system responded immediately.
[Ding.]
[Detected Template: Yami Sukehiro.]
[Template Progress Conditions Have Been Updated.]
[In order to increase synchronization with the Yami Sukehiro Template, the Host must establish a crew, faction, or organization similar to the Black Bulls.]
[The greater the reputation of the Host's group…]
[The stronger its members…]
[The more influence the group possesses…]
[The faster the Template Progress will increase.]
Shiki's golden eyes flickered slightly.
A crew…
Now that really did sound like Yami.
After all, Yami Sukehiro himself had risen through the Black Bulls.
A group filled with monsters, weirdos, and future legends.
The stronger the squad became…
The stronger Yami himself became alongside them.
The corners of Shiki's mouth slowly curled upward.
Interesting.
So the system wanted him to build influence now.
Not just individual strength.
A thought surfaced. Could he just do that here?
In the shinobi world he already commanded respect enough to raise the largest force alive.
He asked.
"If I form a crew in this world, will it count?"
[Ding]
[Current worldline classified as Completed Plot until events approach the Boruto era.]
[Existing influence is invalid for template progression. Host must begin from zero in a fresh setting.]
Shiki's brow knit into a tight line.
Tch… so until I cross into another world, Yami's template won't budge an inch?
Troublesome… but letting myself rot here would be a far bigger joke.
A dangerous glint flashed through his eyes as the wind howled around him.
In the world of One Piece…
Building a crew strong enough to shake the seas did not sound difficult at all.
Shiki's gaze sharpened.
"One more thing."
"If I enter that world… what era am I landing in? And where?"
The system's answer came without hesitation.
[Ding.]
[Timeline: Random.]
[Arrival Location: Random.]
"..."
Shiki's expression slowly became strange.
"…Random?"
That sounded less like a function and more like the system throwing him into the sea with a laugh.
He was confident in his strength, of course.
But One Piece was not exactly a quiet vacation spot.
If he dropped into a random island, fine.
If he appeared on a Yonko ship?
Interesting.
If he landed in Marine Headquarters?
Even better.
And if this system threw him straight into Mariejois… or inside Imu's chamber?
Shiki's hand drifted to the swords at his waist.
For some reason, that thought didn't make him cautious.
It made him smile.
How long had it been since someone could properly trade blows with him?
"Hah…"
A low laugh slipped from his throat.
"Fine. Let's see what kind of joke you're playing."
Then, almost on impulse, another thought surfaced in his mind.
Why not test it first?
Just a quick look.
A small peek to confirm how the traveling function actually worked.
Then he would immediately return.
…At least that was what Shiki told himself.
"Activate world travel."
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