The sun was just beginning to rise over Foosha Village when Xpovac found himself standing by the ocean, stretching and preparing for what would be an eventful day. He had grown more comfortable in the world of *One Piece*, and his confidence had only grown alongside his new powers. But today, something new awaited him. Something bigger.
As he finished his morning routine, he heard the familiar chime in his head.
Ding!
A new notification appeared, the system's cool, calm voice echoing in his mind.
"Quest Initiated: Spar with Red-Haired Shanks."
Xpovac raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He didn't expect to be facing off against one of the Future Yonko so soon, but hey, this was an adventure. And the rewards? His heart skipped a beat when the list of rewards appeared.
Rewards:
1. Pokémon Egg
2. One Gacha spin
A Pokémon Egg? That was exciting enough, but the gacha spin—now that had some serious potential. Gacha spins held all sorts of items, Pokémon, and even duel monsters cards. The possibilities were endless.
Xpovac's grin widened. "A spar with Shanks, huh? Well, I'm not one to back down from a challenge."
With a quick mental command, he opened his inventory, checking his current deck and equipment. His duel disk was strapped to his arm, and his dragon structure deck was ready to go. But for this, he figured it would be more of a physical fight than a duel. Still, it didn't hurt to be prepared.
He made his way to the bar, where he knew Shanks and his crew would be enjoying their morning drinks. As expected, the door creaked open to reveal the lively crew laughing over breakfast. Shanks sat at the center, already smiling as he noticed Xpovac walking in.
"Hey, Xpovac! You're up early today," Shanks called out, lifting his mug in greeting.
Xpovac smirked, feeling the excitement buzz inside him. "You know it Shanks. ay but cut all that chatter, You're strong right?? how bout a spar then old man?"
The room went silent for a moment as everyone turned to look at Xpovac. Even Luffy, who was sitting at the bar eating breakfast, paused with his food halfway to his mouth.
"A spar?" Shanks chuckled, clearly amused. "You want to fight me?"
Xpovac crossed his arms, his confident grin never wavering. "Yeah. I've been feeling stronger lately. Thought it'd be fun to see how I measure up."
Shanks stared at him for a moment before grinning wide. "Well, I never back down from a challenge. Let's see what you've got, kid!"
The bar erupted in cheers as Shanks stood up, finishing the last of his drink. His crew, always up for a bit of action, started moving tables and chairs out of the way, clearing space for the impromptu match.
As the two stepped outside into the open village square, a small crowd began to gather. Even Luffy, eyes wide with excitement, ran out to watch. Xpovac could feel the energy in the air. His heart pounded in his chest, but he wasn't nervous. He was ready.
"Quest: Spar with Red-Haired Shanks. Begin."
The system's voice was fueling the fire already burning in Xpovac's veins. He crouched low, readying his stance as Shanks casually rolled his shoulders, his ever-present grin in place.
"Alright, Xpovac," Shanks said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see what you're made of."
With a burst of speed, Xpovac charged at Shanks, his fists aiming straight for the pirate's midsection. But Shanks, despite his laid-back demeanor, was quick. He dodged to the side effortlessly, barely moving as Xpovac's punch missed him by inches.
"Too slow!" Shanks laughed, swinging his arm to counter.
Xpovac barely dodged the incoming blow, sliding to a stop and grinning back at Shanks. "I'm just getting warmed up!"
He jumped back, putting some distance between them.
Xpovac launched himself at Shanks again, this time moving faster and more unpredictably. He managed to land a hit on Shanks' arm, but it was like punching solid steel. Shanks didn't even flinch.
"Not bad, but you're gonna need more than that!" Shanks said, swinging his arm around to try and catch Xpovac in the side.
This time, Xpovac managed to block the attack, sliding back from the impact but staying on his feet. His muscles ached from the force, but he wasn't giving up. He threw a few more quick punches, mixing in a low kick, but Shanks was always one step ahead, deflecting or dodging every move with ease.
Xpovac jumped back again, breathing hard. "Man, you're tough," he muttered.
Shanks chuckled. "You've got spirit, Xpovac. I'll give you that." His tone changed slightly, a hint of seriousness creeping in. "But if you're really serious about this, I won't hold back."
Before Xpovac could react, Shanks moved. He was fast. In an instant, Shanks was in front of him, his fist aiming straight for Xpovac's chest. Xpovac barely had time to brace himself before the hit connected, sending him flying backward. He skidded across the ground, gasping for breath.
The crowd gasped as well, but Xpovac wasn't done yet. Struggling to his feet, he wiped the blood from his lip and grinned.
"That… that was a good hit," he wheezed, standing up straighter. His entire body ached, but he wasn't going to quit now.
"Ready for more?" Shanks asked, tilting his head.
Xpovac grinned wider. "Always."
He rushed forward again, throwing everything he had into the fight. Punches kicks, and even a few moves he'd learned from watching the pirates around town. He knew he was outclassed, but he didn't care. This was about more than winning—it was about showing what he could do.
Shanks continued to dodge and block, but Xpovac could tell he was pushing himself more than before. He was giving it his all, and that alone made him feel proud.
Finally, after several minutes of intense fighting, Xpovac's stamina gave out. He was panting heavily, his muscles screaming in protest. Shanks, still standing strong, gave him an approving nod.
"That was a good fight," Shanks said, walking over and offering his hand. "You've got potential, Xpovac."
Xpovac took his hand, still breathing hard but smiling through the exhaustion. "Thanks… you're not too bad yourself," he joked.
The crowd, which had been silent, suddenly erupted into cheers. Luffy, as always, was the loudest of them all, jumping up and down in excitement.
Ding! Quest Complete.
The system's notification rang in Xpovac's mind, but he barely reacted, still too caught up in the aftermath of the fight. He'd lost, sure, but he'd held his own against one of the greatest pirates in the world. That was a win in itself.
Rewards Earned:
1. Pokémon Egg
2. One Gacha spin
The egg appeared in his inventory, and Xpovac couldn't help but grin at the sight of it. He didn't know what kind of Pokémon it would hatch into, but he was excited to find out.
"Next time, Old head," Xpovac said, still catching his breath, "I'm going to win."
Shanks laughed heartily, slapping him on the back. "I'll be looking forward to it!"
As the crowd dispersed, Xpovac activated the Gacha spin, wondering what he would get from it. This world was filled with adventure, and he was only just getting started.