On a ship swaying endlessly in the waves, a soft murmur came from a small cabin.
Luffy sat up on the bed, looking around the empty room, feeling the steady rise and fall of the vessel beneath him.
He pulled back the blanket, staring at his still-child-sized body.
Sure enough—this wasn't a dream!
Judging by the rocking motion, I must be in a ship's cabin right now.
Still a bit groggy, Luffy shook his head and lay back down.
So that cheap grandfather Garp must be nearby… Makes sense—no one would just leave a child this small in such a dangerous place.
Luffy covered his head with the blanket, trying to restore his exhausted mind in the quiet darkness.
"Wait! I feel like I forgot something!"
Suddenly, Luffy sat up again. "I remember… just before I fainted, I heard some strange sound… something about experience… or something like that."
Recalling the system novels he had read in his past life, Luffy's drifting consciousness focused once more.
System…
He silently spoke the word in his mind.
"Tss…"
A sudden shift swept through the world, a flash of white light, and several options appeared in his vision.
"Attributes," "Equipment," "Companions," "Ship," "Shop," and "System" were arranged neatly in the lower-right corner of his sight.
Attributes: a small black humanoid icon.Equipment: an icon of clothing.Companions: silhouettes of multiple people in different poses.Ship: a small boat icon.Shop: a golden ingot that gleamed dazzlingly.System: two dim, unassuming characters.
The four icons for Ship, Equipment, Companions, and Shop were greyed out and unclickable. Only Attributes shone brightly.
No matter which direction Luffy looked, the positions of the icons remained fixed. When he focused elsewhere, they faded slightly, yet remained present as if they had always been there.
Since Attributes were visible, Luffy concentrated on them and whispered, "Open."
A panel appeared before him:
Character: Monkey D. Luffy
Level: 1
EXP: 5/100
HP: 503
Stamina: 5
Strength: 2
Agility: 4
Spirit: 8511
Just as Luffy focused on examining his stats, the cabin door opened, and a dog-headed figure poked his head inside.
"How are you doing, Luffy?"
Hearing the noise, Garp had rushed over to check on his adorable grandson, now staring drowsily at him.
Seeing Luffy unresponsive, Garp stepped forward and patted his small head with a massive hand.
"You alright, Luffy?"
"You scoundrel! You just threw me into such a dangerous place!"
Using the tone he usually reserved for Garp, Luffy replied:
"Ahahaha! Seeing you so energetic makes me relieved, Grandpa."
Garp ruffled Luffy's head harshly:
"You're going to be the strongest Marine! How could a little setback defeat you?"
Luffy struggled against Garp's heavy hand, trying to stop him—but it was useless.
"Alright, rest well. Grandpa's going out for some delicious senbei," Garp said, finally withdrawing and leaving the room.
Looks like it's better to let Luffy grow a bit before more training. Too early for him now, he thought.
Luffy clenched his teeth, watching Garp leave, his expression slowly returning to calm.
Looks like only I can see this panel.
Because Garp had arrived so suddenly, Luffy hadn't yet retracted the Attributes panel—but Garp noticed nothing. It seemed that for some reason, only he could see the system.
Just as he thought this, a voice sounded:
[Yes. Only the host can see the system.]
"Huh? You can communicate?" Luffy whispered.
[This system has a weak AI and can answer questions about itself for the host.]
[Moreover, the host can think questions in their mind without speaking aloud.]
The cold, mechanical voice continued, answering Luffy's silent queries.
Then explain to me what these attributes actually mean, he thought.
[The Attribute System monitors the host's physical data. When the system is activated, the host's body is data-formatted. Attributes change only with level. If HP does not drop to zero, the host's body is unharmed and combat ability remains unaffected. If HP reaches zero, the host dies.]
[Each level-up increases every attribute by +10 and grants 10 free attribute points.]
[Stamina is the main attribute, linked to HP, defense, and recovery. Only with 500 Stamina can Haki be used.]
[Strength represents physical attack. Higher Strength makes punches and slashes more powerful. With Strength and Stamina at 500, Armament Haki can be used.]
[Agility represents movement speed and reaction. Higher Agility increases speed and attack capability. With Agility and Stamina at 500, Observation Haki can be used.]
[Spirit represents mental attack and defense, indirectly affecting willpower. It changes with age and life events and cannot be increased by training. With Spirit and Stamina at 500, Conqueror's Haki awakens.]
"Wait!"
As the system finished explaining the attributes, Luffy immediately interrupted:
"You mean my body has already been data-formatted?"
[Yes. Any attacks now will not damage the host's body until HP reaches zero.]
[Damage varies depending on the body part attacked. Hair damage is 0, but scalp injury from hair can reduce HP depending on severity.]
[Everything is consistent with reality. Data-form ensures body integrity and clear numerical display.]
"So… I won't always look like a child?"
Luffy stared intently at the Attributes panel, sweat forming in his hands.
[…]
The system fell into an unusual silence, as if its CPU were running at full capacity.
"Hey? Hey? Speak up!"
Luffy shouted, ignoring the emptiness of the cabin.
[Your body will still grow.]
The system's sudden remark crushed Luffy's spirits.
[However, the data will remain permanently.]
[If the host cannot level up, physical growth does not occur.]
Thud…
Luffy collapsed onto the bed, staring silently at the wall.
So… I'll be stuck with child-level strength? Will I spend my whole life like this?
He closed his eyes, letting silent tears of regret fall.