The sun bathed the surroundings with its radiant golden light, causing dew drops to glisten and dance.
One of these drops meandered along the leaves of a tree before gracefully descending onto the forehead of a young boy sprawled on the ground, his breaths rapid and shallow.
Isaac, his entire body drenched in sweat and smudged with dirt, had arrived at this spot before sunrise, eager to commence his planned exercises.
Initially, his intent was to complete 100 push-ups, 100 squats, and run 10 kilometers. However, he was taken aback when he realized he couldn't perform them all consecutively.
"It's much more challenging than I anticipated. After running nearly 5 kilometers, my body succumbed to fatigue.
Have I not fully recovered yet? Running this distance without a break may not be considered overly arduous in our world, but Isaac comprehends that he should not apply the same reasoning in the world of One Piece."
'I now understand that my body remains unchanged and normal. I must continue my training, and eventually, the results will manifest. The difference between our world and this one lies in the absence of limits. The more I train, the more I can develop.
But in my former world What we do does merely maintain our strength; in fact, it may even cause it to deteriorate.'
"I wish I had more sea monster meat. It seems to possess remarkable healing properties. When I consumed it last night, I felt an unusual surge of energy and vitality.
This may explain why plenty of strong people in One Piece often consume sea monster meat.
Could it also contribute to increasing one's strength?" he mused, accompanied by a sigh. Isaac was fully aware that the opportunity to feast on such meat again would be exceptionally rare.
However, once he acquired sufficient power and wealth in the future, he resolved to find a means to procure and stockpile it.
"For now, I will dedicate all the time I have to training. As for martial arts, I already have experience in that area, so I will focus on strengthening my body," Isaac resolved.
He understood that relying solely on brute force was inadequate and that martial arts would complement his physical strength.
Isaac had postponed training in martial arts because he had gained extensive experience in it during his time in the previous world.
For a few years, he had joined the army. During that period, he received training and guidance from various instructors.
Joining the army had been his only option after leaving the orphanage at the age of 18. Without advanced education or notable skills, he found himself homeless for a brief period.
However, he remembered having a document from the orphanage that facilitated his enlistment in the military.
He spent three years in military service, although he did not participate in any actual wars. Instead, he engaged in training missions in multiple countries.
Eventually, he was discharged from service due to an incident where he struck a higher-ranking officer. This officer frequently abused his authority and irritated Isaac, who finally reached his breaking point and retaliated.
The consequences were severe, leading to his expulsion and a short imprisonment as a lesson in respect.
Afterward, Isaac returned to a life of vagrancy once again.
"At least the lessons I learned during those years were not in vain," Isaac acknowledged, reflecting on his past. However, he preferred not to dwell on the memories of his challenging and painful life.
He had made a promise to himself to avoid falling into the same circumstances again. He was determined to live a life of freedom, even if it meant facing great challenges or sacrificing everything.
' It's time for me to head home now. If Julia finds out I've been to the mountains again, I'll face a lot of scolding, ' Isaac muttered to himself.
He had no intention of revealing his training endeavors and ambitions to anyone forcefully.
He would maintain the facade of a child in front of Julia's family, concealing his true desires and living a seemingly normal life for someone his age.
He had already set a departure date and mapped out the path he would take, but until then, he would remain low-key and inconspicuous.
As Isaac stood up, he noticed the scent of sweat that permeated his body.
...
After taking a hot bath and changing into fresh clothes, Isaac joined Julia for breakfast before retreating to his room.
With about five hours of free time before his afternoon shift at the bar, he pondered on how to make the best use of it.
After careful consideration, he reached for a pen and a small notepad, realizing that his memory wasn't particularly reliable. He knew that he would likely forget many details about this vast world he had seen in the anime.
As he was still in the early stages of the Great Age of Pirates, with Luffy's journey yet to begin, Isaac estimated that he had around 16 to 14 years before those events unfolded.
He diligently started jotting down everything he could remember from the anime: islands, characters, organizations, pirates, and even random individuals mentioned in books.
He documented intricate details about the various Devil Fruits and their abilities, the locations of legendary weapons, and information about the government, navy, Imo-sama, and the Yonko.
With each entry, Isaac's sense of wonder and comprehension deepened.
He was uncertain of the exact sea in which this world was situated.
But This world proved to be far grander and more intricate than his initial expectations.
While the anime provided a wealth of information, he remained open to the possibility that there were powerful characters and untold stories beyond what he knew.
The thought of undiscovered territories and formidable individuals fueled his curiosity and furthered his determination to grow stronger in this vast and unpredictable world.
As noon approached, Isaac found himself with two completed notes, which he considered to be akin to a bible of sorts.
Possessing these notes could potentially enable someone to bring about significant changes. However, Isaac's intention was to remain on the sidelines until he had acquired enough strength to intervene in major events.
He believed in the notion that the flutter of a delicate butterfly could cause a hurricane on the other side of the world.
He understood the potential consequences of meddling with events, as even a small alteration could lead to unforeseen outcomes.
Once he finished writing, Isaac set the note aside, unconcerned if Julia were to find it. He knew she wouldn't comprehend its contents since he had written it in Spanish.
He had acquired a basic understanding of the language from a friend, despite his proficiency being limited and filled with errors.
Nevertheless, being able to comprehend the language was what truly mattered to him.
Isaac glanced at the clock and realized he still had some time before noon. He stood up from his seat and stretched his muscles, feeling the need to loosen up.
Engaging in a series of light stretches, reminiscent of yoga moves, he focused on limbering his body and preparing it for the upcoming activities.
After completing his stretching routine, he set his mind to work, ready to make the most of the remaining time he had before noon arrived.
...
[ After two months ]
Lying amidst the dense foliage of the forest, Isaac's body glistened with perspiration. Despite his heavy panting and exhaustion, a wide smile adorned his face.
Two months of intense training had yielded impressive results. He had successfully completed a 15-kilometer run, along with 100 push-ups and 100 squats.
These two months had not only transformed his physical strength but also enriched his knowledge.
Through his work at the restaurant, he discovered that he was currently on Shibara Island, located in the Southern Blue. Additionally, he learned about the timeframe he was in—a span of four years since the execution of the Pirate King, Roger.
As he had anticipated, it was still the early stages of the great age of pirates, and he possessed limited knowledge about this period.
"I believe it's nearing the time of Oden's demise. If my memory serves me right, he passed away four years after Roger's execution."
...
After Isaac arrived home, he took a refreshing shower and changed into clean clothes. Julia had started noticing his peculiar behavior, prompting him to reduce his activities outside and dedicate more time to assisting her.
As he finished his breakfast and prepared to head to his room, Julia called out to him.
"Isaac, could you please go downtown and fetch some basic supplies for me?" Julia requested, handing him some money.
"Sure, I'll go right away," Isaac responded, taking the money and making his way towards the village center.
Although he had been living in this place for almost four months, he hadn't interacted much with the villagers other than Julia and her family, choosing to keep a low profile.
As he strolled through the village, lost in his thoughts, a group of children suddenly crossed his path. Their leader was a seemingly mischievous child wielding a wooden sword.
Upon closer inspection, Isaac recognized him as the same child who had confronted him on his very first day here.
"What are you gawking at, you idiot?" the child exclaimed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration as Isaac continued to stare at him.
Isaac ignored the child's comment and continued walking, paying no attention to the provocation.
The child, named Kevin, held onto his wooden sword, harboring dreams of becoming a strong leader. Fueled by anger at being challenged by one of the other children, he swung his sword forcefully towards Isaac...
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