The sun hung low over the horizon, casting golden streaks across the water. The storm from the previous night had passed, leaving a crisp, clean calm in its wake. Maris stood on the shore, the sand cool beneath her feet, the faint scent of salt and seaweed filling her senses.
The pendant lay in the sand beside her, faintly glowing—a reminder of the power she had touched and the system that had awakened inside her. Her heart still raced from the rush of energy, the flood of knowledge, and the sense of connection she had never felt before.
"System," she whispered, voice steady, "show me everything about this Devil Fruit. Teach me its limits, its power… everything."
A flood of data appeared in her mind—abilities, weaknesses, combat strategies, and movement patterns. The world around her sharpened. She could see the tiniest currents in the waves, the wind dancing over her hair, even the subtle tremor of the man she had rescued.
Her newly-awakened Zoan power responded instinctively. Tiny shoots of leaves curled briefly along her skin, flexing with her thoughts.
If I can understand this… if I can master it… she thought, then no Devil Fruit will ever surprise me.
The man she had saved struggled to his feet, still holding the fruit-pendant tightly. "If you want to understand this, then see how it works," he said, voice cautious but steady.
Maris' eyes gleamed. "I will. But I'll do it my way."
The wind whipped her hair as she stepped into position, muscles coiled, senses alert. Her mind raced ahead of her body, calculating every angle, predicting every strike. The system buzzed, guiding her with real-time information.
The man lunged, testing her reflexes. Maris moved with uncanny grace, her body almost dancing with the wind. A faint green glow traced her limbs as her Zoan power responded. Tiny leaves curled along her arms, reacting to her thoughts, to her intent.
He swung the pendant, releasing a burst of energy. Maris ducked and rolled, analyzing the trajectory instantly. "Range: 3 meters. Impact velocity: moderate. Weak point: exposed side."
She struck—not to harm, but to test. Sparks flew, and the energy reacted precisely as predicted.
The man stopped mid-lunge, eyes wide. "How… how are you doing that?"
Maris smiled faintly. "I'm not just seeing your moves. I understand them. Every Devil Fruit has a pattern, a rhythm… and I can read it."
Her Observation Haki flared subtly, amplified by the system. Every attack, every twitch, every subtle shift in his stance was now crystal clear.
By the end of the trial, the man was exhausted but uninjured. Maris stood calm, dark blue eyes reflecting the golden sunset over the ocean.
The system pulsed softly in her mind:"Analysis complete. Tactical proficiency: beginner level. Combat advantage: high. Recommended: continued training and observation."
Maris glanced at the pendant. She had tested the Devil Fruit, studied its limits, and confirmed her system's power. But more importantly, she had learned a fundamental truth: knowledge was her greatest weapon, and strategy her strongest power.
She looked out over the horizon, the ocean stretching endlessly before her. One day… she thought. I'll leave this island. I'll sail the seas. And I'll gather a crew capable of standing beside me. Together, we'll carve our names into history.
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the waves gold and crimson. Maris D. Luna, child of sea and moon, had taken her first real step beyond the hidden island.
And the world would never see her coming.