"Survival in the sea!"
"Physical Test!"
"Fire of Will!"
"Forest of Confusion!"
"The Arena of Ice!"
For the first hunter recruitment, there are five treacherous checkpoints.
Buggy, Kuina, Kuro, Luwell, and Leno served as the examiners for these challenges.
[Fire of Will] came after the [Physical Test].
Contestants had to enter a small island of scorching lava and flames, and pass through a daunting 5,000-meter canyon.
The path was narrow, flanked by rivers of bubbling magma. Few could endure it.
Having already pushed their bodies to the limits, this was a test of willpower. Most faltered, choosing to retreat rather than face the scorching trial.
Many participants hadn't come with true intentions of joining the Hunter's Guild. Some just wanted to see the spectacle, hoping to return home with stories to boast about to their village.
Others had made reckless bets with friends or simply wanted to prove their worth.
The first and second levels weren't overly challenging.
But the third was different. It was a barrier few had the courage to face.
You had to be prepared for what lay ahead.
This was no child's play.
If you passed the third level, you were ushered into the treacherous [Forest of Confusion].
Thick fog blanketed the forest, which was riddled with webs. The identical surroundings made it easy to lose your way. Only those with sharp wits could solve the riddles and escape.
Passing the first four levels meant a confrontation with the final boss in the dreaded [Ice Arena]!
Swipe... Swipe...
Three figures emerged from the dense fog of the forest, racing towards the next challenge.
Lucci, Kaku, and Torreja!
As they raised their heads, a massive iceberg stood before them, surrounded by fierce winds.
The glacier towered 1,000 meters, its surface smooth as glass. Within, the original shape of the mountain could still be seen, preserved before its frozen slumber.
"Kuzan's handiwork?" Lucci mused.
"Congratulations, you've made it this far!" a voice rang out.
The trio turned to see a man in a black coat, standing atop a jagged stone with a confident smile. Two swords rested at his waist.
"Hee ha ha ha!" Torreja laughed, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Hunter Guild, President! Are you the final examiner?"
As he spoke, his right hand shot forward, sending a chain flying towards Leno.
The iron chain slithered like a snake, powerful enough to shatter rocks. But with a mere flick of Leno's hand, the chain was deflected, sending Torreja crashing into the water below.
Lucci and Kaku's eyes narrowed.
So strong!
Though Torreja possessed the power of a Devil Fruit, Lucci knew defeating him would not be a walk in the park. Yet against Leno, it wasn't even a contest.
Not even close!
Lucci and Kaku exchanged glances, each trying to remain still and unnoticed by Leno, careful not to expose their presence.
"I am your examiner. Any objections?" Leno asked coolly.
Torreja struggled to his feet, lowering his head. "No..." he muttered, fear evident in his eyes.
Leno continued, "For the final level, climb the iceberg barehanded. If you reach the top, you pass. As a reward, you can challenge me."
He paused, then added with a smile, "And there's no time limit!"
"That means," he explained, "even if you fail today, you can rest and try again tomorrow, as long as it's within the assessment period."
Lucci eyed the iceberg with skepticism.
It sounded straightforward.
But given the escalating difficulty of each level, there was no doubt that this final test would be even more grueling.
Lucci asked, "Can we use our Devil Fruit abilities?"
"Of course!" Leno answered. "Your strength, including Devil Fruit powers, is fair game."
"Oh?" Torreja smirked. His iron chain coiled around his fists and feet as he launched it into the ice, smashing a groove to begin his ascent like a spider climbing a web.
"Shall we follow him?" Kaku asked, observing the path Torreja had carved into the ice.
Without hesitation, he placed his hands on the glacier, feeling its biting cold, and began to climb. For someone trained in CP9, this was nothing.
Lucci, however, didn't rush.
He had noticed something. From the very first level, each challenge contained hidden traps, clues, or shortcuts. Every level required not just brute strength but tactical decisions.
What was the trick here?
He circled the iceberg, analyzing the structure. The front they faced was the most vertical and smooth.
To the sides, vertical cliffs also had slight indentations and ridges, making the climb marginally easier.
And behind the iceberg was a smoother slope.
"Interesting."
"The front is clearly the hardest to climb. Even though it's an option, it's almost impossible. Otherwise, we wouldn't be given this much time!"
"The iceberg may seem straightforward, but careful observation and thought are required to find the best route."
Lucci's eyes narrowed as he analyzed both sides of the glacier.
He was certain there was a best path. He just had to find it.
"Did you figure it out?" Leno watched Lucci pacing, understanding that the CP9 elite was beginning to grasp the challenge.
"As expected of CP9's finest."
But Leno had his own thoughts.
Undercover, huh?
Not far above, Torreja had reached 300 meters in height. He was a third of the way, already able to glimpse the top. But his body was showing signs of wear. His breath came in gasps, and his skin paled from the chilling winds.
What's going on?
Breathing feels harder!
His body was slowing, and his usual strength seemed sapped. Each swing of his chain produced smaller and smaller results.
At 400 meters, his hand began to tremble.
His chain swings grew weak.
Physical exhaustion is accelerating?!
Kaku, below him, remained silent but noticed the same. His breath grew labored as well, and his limbs felt heavier.
There's more to this iceberg than meets the eye...
Leno stood at the edge of the cliff, the wind whipping against his face as he contemplated the trials ahead.
He thought.
"It's oxygen!"
"The higher you go, the thinner the oxygen becomes, and the surrounding wind strips it away, making you feel more fatigued than usual."
"When you lack oxygen, people weaken, but using a Devil Fruit consumes more energy, and the physical toll is doubled."
Leno considered this as he watched Torreja fall from above the towering iceberg.
Under the iceberg.
[Ding! You beat your opponent. Scanning talents: Iron Chain (Level A), Gem Appraisal (Level A), Twisting Power (Level A), Greed (Level B), Boxing (Level C), Leg Skills (Level D).]
As Torreja plummeted, Leno slowed his descent using Wind, while scanning the prompt that appeared in his mind.
[Please host, choose a talent!]
Three A-level talents?
"Choose [Twisting Power]!"
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for duplicating the talent: Twisting Power!]
[Talent description: A method to manipulate power like a rope, strangling the enemy.]
[Strength: Grade A]
Leno ignored the Iron Chain option and selected the one that aligned with his puzzle-piece talents.
[Ding! It is detected that the host has similar talents, including Lord of Gluttony, Return of Life, Power of Cat, Speed of Cat, Mink Bloodline, Samehada, and Twisting Power. Please search for more similar talents to integrate and evolve them!]
Leno felt a surge of excitement. If he could collect a few more, perhaps [Gluttony Lord] would evolve.
Torreja crashed into the ground with a dull thud.
Kaku immediately followed, his body hitting the icy surface with a heavy impact. He gasped, clutching his side, and glanced over at Lu Qi.
[Ding! You defeated your opponent. Scanning new talents: Marine Six Styles (A-level), Intelligence Collection (A-level), Double-sword Swordsmanship (A-level), Bounce (B-level), Tenacity (B-level)...]
Kaku's other talents were mostly related to intelligence, but one stood out.
"Choose Double-sword Swordsmanship!"
With Leno's rapidly increasing Haki, his swordsmanship was beginning to lag behind. This new talent might just help him catch up.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for duplicating the talent: Double-sword Swordsmanship!]
[Talent description: Mastery of dual-blade techniques, unparalleled in combat!]
[Strength: Grade A]
Flashes of training sessions and intricate dual-blade maneuvers filled Leno's mind, giving him instant mastery over a new style of swordsmanship.
[Ding! The host has similar talents such as Sword Heart, One Heart Sword, and Double-sword Swordsmanship. Please search for more similar talents to merge them and increase your power!]
"Hoo... Hoo..."
Torreja staggered to his feet, panting heavily.
Lucci, surprised by the exhaustion that gripped his body, frowned.
With their advanced physiques, how could they be this tired after climbing just 400 meters?
"It's the lack of oxygen!" Kaku blurted out. "The higher we go, the thinner the air, and the harder it gets to breathe!"
Lucci's eyes widened as he finally realized what had been draining their strength. This wasn't a typical endurance test—it was an oxygen-starved battlefield, and conserving energy would be critical.
But was there a shortcut?
Shaking his head, Lucci pressed on. He chose a path up the iceberg, his movements deft and precise, avoiding unnecessary Devil Fruit usage.
Meanwhile, Leno observed calmly. His crossed arms conveyed his confidence. This level was tough, but for someone of his caliber, it was just another obstacle.
As more contestants emerged victorious, several tried to puzzle through the challenge, but they all struggled.
Van Augur, in a later wave, climbed cautiously while scanning the path with his sniper rifle's scope. He watched Lu Qi's progress closely, noting his calculated movements.
When Lucci finally reached 600 meters and fell, he was covered in frost from head to toe.
"At 500 meters, the cold doubles," Lucci muttered, his brow furrowed.
Leno's grin grew wider.
The people who had reached this stage weren't without talent, but none could compare to him.
Effortlessly, Leno reaped the rewards.
[Ding! You beat your opponent. Scanning new talents: Leopard (S-level), Marine Six Styles (S-level), Intelligence Analysis (S-level), Leopard Speed (A-level), Return of Life (A-level), Intelligence Collection (A-level), Heart of Darkness (A-level)...]
"Oh? So this is the future boss of the CP0, Lucci! Impressive potential, no doubt."
"Hasn't awakened Haki yet?"
[Please host, choose a talent!]
After a moment of consideration, Leno made his choice.
"If it's S rank, then no hesitation. I choose [Marine Six Styles]!"
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for duplicating the talent: Marine Six Styles!]
[Talent description: Physical techniques that push the limits of human ability!]
[Strength: S grade]
Leno's mind flooded with images of the Marine Six Styles, an advanced combat technique consisting of Shave, Tekkai, Kami-e, Geppo, Rankyaku, and Shigan. Although these moves required years of grueling training, some warriors—like Luffy—could grasp them after just one demonstration.
With this newfound mastery, Leno's fighting style grew even more dangerous.
In the depths of his consciousness, he refined these techniques, increasing his already formidable power.
But the surprises weren't over yet.
Van Augur, after attempting a climb, soon fell.
[Ding! You beat your opponent. Scanning talents: Sniper Grandmaster (S-level), Sniper Eye (S-level), Fork of Fate (A-level), Firearms Mastery (A-level), Rapid Fire (A-level), Gunpowder Preparation (B-level)...]
Without hesitation, Leno chose the Sniper Eye.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for duplicating talent: Sniper Eye!]
[Talent description: Dynamic vision that surpasses the speed of sound, able to track targets miles away!]
[Strength: S grade]
Leno was exhilarated. Dynamic vision beyond the speed of sound meant that he could easily follow even the fastest fighters, rendering them helpless without even needing Observation Haki.
As he absorbed more talents from the competition, Leno gathered puzzle pieces for the final fusion.
[Ding! The host has enough similar talents for fusion. Would you like to integrate them into the ultimate talent, Gluttonous Demon King (SS-level)?]
Without hesitation, Leno chose to merge.
As the mysterious light enveloped his talents, they fused into something far more powerful than ever before.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for acquiring the talent: Gluttonous Demon King (SS-level)!]
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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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