In a training facility built in the basement of a large mansion, I stopped my relentless punches, wiped away the profuse sweat with a towel, and reflected on my self-training. It had been three years since I realized that I was reincarnated into the world of One Piece as Spandam. Looking at my body, I could see a vast difference in muscle tone compared to three years ago.
It's no wonder; they say the air in the world of One Piece contains protein. In my past life, it would have been impossible for a ten-year-old to develop so much muscle, but since it's a different world, I shouldn't think too much about it.
Surprisingly, or rather, it was a pleasant surprise, I possessed talent... I had assumed I had no talent at all, judging from the state of Spandam in the original work. However, this body becomes stronger the more I train it, and I can learn techniques like a sponge absorbs water.
Maybe this is some kind of benefit from being reincarnated, but it's incredibly helpful to become stronger.
By the way, I consulted my father about the Rokushiki techniques, but it was a no-go. Rokushiki is one of the confidential skills, and it's strictly forbidden to teach it outside of authorized places. So I couldn't bring in an instructor. That's what my father said, but in the original work, they used Marines and such... I guess my father just didn't have connections in that area.
Anyway, as a substitute, he set up an extensive training facility in the basement and provided a library with materials on various martial arts and Qigong techniques from all over the world, allowing me to self-train.
Other than that, he has been quite hands-off and non-interfering, which is very much appreciated.
However, to be honest, this body... or rather, to be precise, I have "learned to use Rokushiki through self-study" during these three years of training.
As for paper drawings, I hadn't had the opportunity to practice in actual combat, so I wasn't sure if I could perform them correctly, but I could manage things like Shigan, Tekkai, Iron Body, Rankyaku, and Finger Pistol.
I can't claim to have mastered them yet; they still need more training...
This is where the advantage of my knowledge from the original work comes in. Knowing that these techniques exist and that they can be replicated through physical abilities like Luffy and Sanji, I was able to manage through self-study.
However, when it comes to Haki... I did try to practice it, but I can't use it yet. Well, I'll think about it after mastering Rokushiki.
At the same time, I had another idea. That is the "modification of my own body." This body is undoubtedly talented. But if I were asked whether I could fight against any opponent in the future after training this body, I would have my doubts.
In One Piece, there are Devil Fruits that grant special powers, and the difference in power levels can be quite significant. So, I wanted even more overwhelming strength... that's what I thought.
For that, I need to elevate my physical body to another stage.
My own muscles... no, "change the cells themselves into something robust." In battle-oriented works, there are often characters with abnormal muscle density, and I thought of replicating... no, even surpassing that.
I think it's theoretically possible. In this world, there are techniques like "Life Return" and "Biofeedback" used by Kumadori and Lucci, and "Battle Conquest Fist" used by Lao G in the Dressrosa arc. These techniques allow the compression and transformation of muscles at a level that should be impossible.
Fortunately, in the books my father prepared as a high-ranking official in the World Government's intelligence agency, there were records of lost or taboo techniques that are no longer practiced today.
By utilizing them, I should be able to transform... no, evolve my body.
Honestly, I can't comprehend why I desire to become so strong like this, and I can't understand the rising sense of urgency. There's a thirst for power in my throat... in my heart...
Despite the tremendous pain, why am I not stopping this reckless body modification? Why am I still manipulating my body while enduring this agony?
I don't understand, but... I feel thirsty. My throat... my heart...
In the midst of excruciating pain, my consciousness faded, and my vision was engulfed in white... the memories of my past life came to my mind.
After three more years had passed, I became thirteen years old. One day, I stood in the center of the underground training ground. After six years of self-awareness and intense training, I was confident in my well-trained body and my self-taught Rokushiki. I had also learned to use Haki.
They say the key to using Haki is to have no doubts, and knowing that such a thing exists was a significant advantage.
...I still think I'm strong enough, and a stable future is promised.
But still, my thirst for power never waned, and on this day... I resolved to remodel my body.
After taking a deep breath, I activated "Life Return," using various Qigong techniques in conjunction and even some secret medicine I had ingested beforehand... I prompted my body, my cells, to evolve.
"Gah!?"
Immediately, an excruciating pain engulfed me. It felt as though my body was exploding from within, and blood poured from my mouth, staining the floor.
Creation and destruction go hand in hand, and my body was going through an immense cycle of destruction and regeneration, causing an irresistible pain to flood through my entire being.
"Agguuuh, guaaaa... aaahhhhhh!?"
Screaming in pain, I spewed blood from all over my body as I writhed on the ground. Even though it was so painful and agonizing... why didn't I stop this reckless body modification? Even now, while enduring this suffering, why am I continuing to manipulate my body?
I don't understand, but... I feel thirsty. My throat... my heart...
Amidst the unbearable pain, my consciousness drifted away, and my vision turned white... the memories of my past life came to my mind.
I didn't lead an extraordinary life by any means. It was neither exceptionally good nor bad; it was a moderately happy and content life.
I was born into a fairly well-off family, not rich, but enough to live comfortably, and I received a decent amount of love and care.
I attended a local high school due to its proximity to home, went on to a decent college, and got a job at an ordinary company, not a black company nor a white company.
I earned enough to live comfortably, and I had a few close friends from high school. During holidays, I went back home and showed moderate filial piety. I read manga, played games... It was an ordinary, but fulfilling life, and I was content with it.
... Yes, it was satisfactory, and I was happy.
But suddenly, those days came to an end. One day, during my commute, I became a victim of a random act of violence, stabbed by the criminal... and my life came to an end.
It was so absurdly foolish and ridiculous; the news reported just "several casualties," and no trace of my existence remained in the memories of unrelated people. Such a death.
My parents must have been devastated, and so would my friends. Did my colleagues at work attend the funeral? Maybe my amicable boss said something like "We lost a good person."
Don't...
There were still manga and games I looked forward to. Things I wanted to do, things I wanted to try. So many places I wanted to visit... I wanted to be more filial.
I had vague dreams of a happy future... but they were suddenly "snatched away."
Mess...
I had no personal connection with the criminal. It was just by chance that I happened to be the closest person to the scene of the crime.
For a short moment after being stabbed, I was still conscious. As my body grew cold... I thought, "I don't want to die"...
With me...
What did I do wrong? I may not have made extraordinary efforts, but I tried my best to live... and I was fulfilled! Even if it was an average life... I felt happy... I believed that...
"Don't mess with me!!"
I screamed from my mouth as blood poured out. Ah, I understand now. I have finally understood the true origin of my desire.
I cannot accept the irrationality that befalls me. I cannot accept the injustice that snatched away everything I had built. I cannot accept myself, who could not resist the calamities that befell me.
"I hate everything irrational that befalls me"...
Now, I clearly realized it. I am undoubtedly Spandam... in the end, I am nothing but a piece of trash that only thinks about self-preservation. Trash... that's fine.
Ah, that's why... I need power! The strength to fend off all irrationality, all injustice! The strength to protect "my future" from anyone!
If I can obtain that, I'll pray to anything... whether it's God, the Devil, fate, or miracles... give me... power!!
Power that can repel even if I become the enemy of the Emperor of the Sea, even if I become the enemy of the world... power that severs everything.
...
I slowly stood up from the pool of blood. Standing at the center of a vast amount of blood that might make one doubt whether it came from a single human being, a smile appeared on my face.
I felt refreshed. Ever since I regained my memories, the fog in my mind had cleared, and my thoughts became clear... that's right, "I only care about myself."
I don't care about the fates of the characters in the original story. Whether it follows the original plot or takes a different path... I don't care.
As long as I am happy and content... that's enough.
If you don't interfere with me, I don't care. Whether you are happy or unhappy, do as you please... but if you obstruct me, if you try to destroy what I have built... you become my enemy.
I will eliminate any enemies that come in my way for my own sake.
I slowly picked up a box I had placed by the wall, took out a gun from it, and pointed it at my hand, pulling the trigger.
With the sound of the gunshot, I felt a dull pain in my hand, but that was it. The bullet did not penetrate my skin.
I haven't used Haki or Tekkai, but the bullet couldn't pierce my body.
...
"Kukukuku, hahahaha! Ahahahaha!!"
Laughter welled up from the depths of my abdomen, and I laughed like a madman. That's right, I knew I could do it. After all, this is a world where characters survive even after jumping from Skypiea, 10,000 meters above the ground. It's not surprising that I can do this.
I am sure of it. Right now, my body has undoubtedly reached a new stage. I haven't achieved the ideal of an ultimate body that can repel all irrationality, but it is clear that I am on a different level than the me from a little while ago.
What is this? Six years since regaining my memories... finally, I feel like I have been "reborn anew."