The next morning, Kael woke before the sun.
For a few seconds, he stared at the wooden ceiling of his small room in Gabriel's Inn, half-expecting it to be his bedroom from his previous life.
It wasn't.
The faint smell of sea salt drifted in through the window.
Distant gulls cried.
Waves rolled steadily against the shore.
He exhaled slowly.
"So it's real."
He sat up and ran a hand through his messy black hair. On the small table near his bed rested the sheathed black blade with green patterns.
His sword now.
He grabbed it and stood.
"System."
[Yes, Host.]
"Today we start properly."
[That would be advisable. You currently possess power equivalent to a slightly above-average marine recruit.]
"…You really don't sugar-coat anything, do you?"
[Accuracy improves survival rates.]
Kael clicked his tongue and stepped outside.
Day 1 – Clumsy Beginnings
He chose a quiet clearing near the edge of the island forest. The early morning mist clung low to the ground.
"Let's begin with Observation Haki."
He closed his eyes.
Silence.
Nothing.
Just wind.
Leaves.
His own breathing.
"…Am I supposed to feel something?"
[Focus on expanding awareness beyond your physical senses. Do not "try" to see. Allow yourself to perceive.]
"That's not helpful."
Still, he calmed his breathing.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Gradually, faint sensations began brushing against his mind—like distant ripples in water.
Something small scurried behind a tree.
A bird shifted above him.
His eyes snapped open.
"I felt that!"
[Basic sensory expansion achieved.]
He grinned.
But when he tried again—nothing.
It vanished.
"…Why is it gone?"
[You are forcing it.]
"Of course I am. That's how training works!"
[Not with Haki.]
He groaned.
Armament Haki – Painful Reality
Armament was worse.
He tried coating his fist.
Nothing.
He tried imagining his will hardening.
Nothing.
After nearly an hour of frustration, he finally felt something—like pressure building beneath his skin.
A faint black sheen flickered over his knuckles for half a second before fading.
"…That's it?"
[Correct.]
He stared at his trembling hand.
"That's exhausting…"
[Armament consumes stamina proportional to control.]
"So I'm basically a beginner with cheat knowledge."
[Accurate.]
Kael glared into empty air.
Wind Breathing – First Form:
Finally, he drew his blade.
The moment the steel cleared the sheath, something inside him shifted.
Natural.
He adjusted his stance.
"Wind Breathing — First Form."
He inhaled deeply.
The air rushed into his lungs in a sharp, controlled rhythm.
"Dust Whirlwind Cutter."
He burst forward in a straight dash, his blade carving a devastating horizontal arc. A compressed gust of wind followed the swing, extending the slash's range beyond the blade itself.
{The First Form focused on explosive speed and a single decisive cut — ideal for overwhelming opponents instantly.}
A thick tree trunk split cleanly in two.
"…Whoa."
[Execution: 68% efficiency.]
Second Form – Claws-Purifying Wind:
On Day 3, he began practicing the Second Form.
Unlike the First Form's straight-line burst, this one demanded fluid footwork.
He inhaled.
"Wind Breathing — Second Form."
His body twisted.
"Claws-Purifying Wind."
Multiple crescent-shaped slashes burst outward in rapid succession, slicing through the air like claws of wind.
{The Second Form specialized in rapid multi-directional attacks, ideal for dealing with multiple enemies or breaking through defences.}
The clearing echoed with slicing gusts.
He stumbled at first.
Overextended.
Lost balance.
But by sunset, his movement became smoother.
Less wasteful.
Third Form – Clean Storm Wind Tree:
Day 4.
He gripped his blade.
"Wind Breathing — Third Form."
"Clean Storm Wind Tree."
He launched upward in a rising slash, sending a vertical blade of compressed wind skyward.
{The Third Form was a vertical assault, designed to counter aerial attacks or launch enemies off balance.}
Leaves spiralled violently into the air.
Kael landed, breathing hard.
"This one feels heavier…"
[It consumes more stamina due to vertical propulsion.]
"Figures."
Progress Day 5:
By the fifth day, his rhythm had solidified.
Observation Haki now extended naturally.
Armament coated his blade steadily.
Wind Breathing flowed through muscle memory.
He finished another training sequence.
[Wind Breathing compatibility: 50%.]
He paused.
"…Fifty."
There was a brief pulse inside his chest.
[Threshold reached.]
[Ding! Wind Breathing compatibility has crossed 50%.]
[New Form Unlocked – Fourth Form: Rising Dust Storm.]
A surge of knowledge flooded his mind.
Foot positioning.
Breathing cadence.
Rotational acceleration.
He exhaled slowly.
"So that's how it works. Every 10% unlocks another form?"
[Correct. Compatibility thresholds at each 10% grant access to a new form.]
He smiled.
"Let's test it."
Fourth Form – Rising Dust Storm
He inhaled deeply, shifting his stance lower than usual.
"Wind Breathing — Fourth Form."
"Rising Dust Storm."
He spun violently in place, blade extended, generating a spiralling vortex of cutting wind around him. Sand, leaves, and debris lifted into a rotating column.
{The Fourth Form focused on area denial — creating a defensive-offensive cyclone that repelled surrounding enemies while shredding anything that entered its radius. Ideal against encirclement.}
The ground beneath him cracked slightly from the force.
When the wind died down, the clearing had been carved in a wide circular pattern.
Kael blinked.
"…Okay. That's insane."
[Compatibility influences power output. Current output: 61% of full Fourth Form potential.]
"So it'll get stronger too?"
[Correct.]
He grinned.
"I like this system."
Suspicion in the Wind – Day 6:
On the sixth day, something changed.
Kael was meditating when a disturbance rippled through his Observation field.
Multiple presences.
Heavy footsteps.
Rough energy.
His eyes snapped open.
"…That's not villagers."
He focused.
More than ten.
Approaching from the southern shore.
And—
A ship.
Anchored quietly.
Small.
Unmarked.
[Host, probability of hostile presence: 82%.]
He smirked.
"Looks like the plot's giving me an opportunity."
The Bandits of Sixis:
From behind dense foliage, Kael observed the group.
Rough men.
Scarred faces.
Crude weapons.
Not organized pirates—more like sea bandits.
One kicked over a barrel near the docks.
Another shoved a fisherman to the ground.
"Hand over supplies and no one gets hurt!"
Classic.
Predictable.
Kael stepped out of the trees.
"Morning, gentlemen."
They turned.
One of them laughed.
"Who's this tall pretty boy?"
Kael rested his hand on his sword.
"I'm going to ask you nicely to leave."
Silence.
Then roaring laughter.
"Boss, he thinks he's a hero!"
The leader, a broad-shouldered brute with a jagged scar across his face, stepped forward.
"You alone?"
Kael smiled faintly.
"Unfortunately for you."
The bandit charged.
Kael closed his eyes briefly.
Observation expanded.
The man's movement slowed in perception.
Foot angle.
Weight shift.
Blade trajectory.
Kael inhaled sharply.
"Wind Breathing — First Form."
"Dust Whirlwind Cutter."
He vanished in a straight burst, appearing behind the man as the shockwave sliced through weapon and cloth.
The captain staggered, shallow wound across his chest.
"…What the hell was that?!"
Kael turned slowly.
Green eyes sharp.
"You picked the wrong island."
Two others rushed simultaneously.
Kael shifted his footing.
"Wind Breathing — Second Form."
"Claws-Purifying Wind."
Multiple crossing slashes burst outward, breaking both weapons mid-swing and knocking them back.
More surrounded him.
Perfect.
He lowered his centre of gravity.
"Wind Breathing — Fourth Form."
"Rising Dust Storm."
The blade spun.
A spiralling vortex exploded outward, sand and debris blinding the attackers as cutting winds forced them back violently. None could approach within several meters.
The bandits froze.
Fear set in.
Kael ended it calmly with a final First Form burst to disarm the captain completely.
Silence followed.
Aftermath:
Villagers gathered cautiously.
Gabriel arrived, wide-eyed.
"Kael… what in the world…"
"Just clearing pests."
The bandits were tied and handed to local authorities.
Their ship?
Unclaimed.
Loaded with supplies.
Basic weapons.
Food.
And maps.
Kael stood on the deck, examining it.
Not luxurious.
But seaworthy.
Small two-mast vessel.
Fast enough for East Blue.
"System."
[Yes, Host.]
"Does this count as altering the plot?"
[Minor alteration detected. Reward pending.]
[Ding! Reward: +5% stamina efficiency.]
He grinned.
"Nice."
Gabriel approached.
"You planning to take it?"
Kael nodded.
"With your permission."
Gabriel laughed.
"After what you did? Take it. Just don't forget Sixis Island when you become famous."
Kael smiled.
"I'll try not to."
Night Before Departure:
That evening, he stood alone at the shore.
Wind brushing against his coat.
Sword at his side.
Observation spread naturally now.
Cleaner.
Sharper.
Armament steadier.
Wind Breathing smoother.
[Wind Breathing compatibility: 52%.]
"Only two percent more and it already feels different."
[Each threshold improves efficiency and power scaling.]
He nodded slowly.
"So at 60%… Fifth Form?"
[Correct.]
He smirked.
"Guess I'll need stronger opponents."
[That is inevitable.]
He looked toward the horizon.
East Blue.
Canon events.
Straw Hats.
Storms.
Opportunities.
"Let's see how much wind this sea can handle."
Morning of the 8th Day:
Dawn painted the ocean gold.
Villagers gathered at the docks.
Gabriel handed him a small bag.
"Some extra provisions."
"Thanks."
"You sure you want to sail alone?"
Kael glanced at the horizon.
"Not for long."
He stepped aboard.
Adjusted the sails.
The wind responded almost instinctively.
The ship shifted.
Moved.
As if welcoming him.
He turned back one last time.
"See you again, Sixis Island."
Then the sails caught fully.
The vessel cut across the sea.
Wind trailing behind him like a loyal companion.
[New journey initiated.]
Kael smiled.
"East Blue…"
He rested a hand on his sword.
"Let's start changing fate."
And with that—
The ship disappeared into the open sea.