Ding!
The system's robotic voice echoed in Lucas's mind:
[Jozu completed the training for the first gate of the Eight Inner Gates. The host has obtained the training progress simultaneously.]
[Host has received 20,000 mysterious energy points!]
Lucas's pencil froze mid-sketch.
"Wait... already?!"
He stared blankly at the ceiling, the realization sinking in. This was no ordinary feat—Jozu had not only unlocked the First Gate but had done so in record time.
"Another 20,000 points in just over an hour?!"
Lucas leaned back, a smug grin spreading across his face.
"This... this is broken! While others sweat and struggle, I kick back and collect rewards. Jozu, you absolute madman, keep going!"
For Lucas, this wasn't just progress—it was a jackpot. Drawing comics to accumulate the same amount of mysterious energy points would have taken days.
"Lying down and winning… Is this what being a genius feels like?"
Meanwhile, Back on Dillock Island
Jozu marvelled at his newfound power. The energy surging through his body after opening the First Gate felt unstoppable. Yet, his excitement was tempered by one troubling realization.
"I can't test this strength in the comic world… it's just a reflection of reality."
Without hesitation, Jozu visualized the real-world clearing on Dillock Island. Moments later, he was back, standing under the same sun that had barely moved since he'd begun training.
As he stretched, his eyes fell on a nearby apple he had brought a month ago. It still looked as fresh as the day he plucked it.
"Wait… could it be?"
His gaze shifted to the sun's position and the undisturbed surroundings, and his suspicion grew stronger.
Pulling out his den den mushi, Jozu contacted Marco.
The den den mushi's receiver crackled as Marco answered groggily, "What's up, Jozu? Practising, I hope?"
Jozu's voice came through with a peculiar urgency. "Marco, when did Dad leave this island?"
Marco frowned, pulling the receiver away to stare at it in disbelief. "What kind of question is that? You were there! This morning!"
For a moment, silence hung in the air. Then Jozu erupted.
"WHAT?! This morning?!"
The realization hit Jozu like a thunderbolt.
All that time spent in The Legend of Might Guy—over a month of gruelling training—had only amounted to an hour in the real world.
This changes everything.
His voice broke into laughter. "Hahahaha! Amazing! This is too amazing!"
On the other end, Marco's worry deepened. "Jozu… have you lost it? Where are you right now?"
Jozu, still riding the high of his revelation, couldn't contain his excitement. "Marco, meet me in the clearing outside the mangrove forest. You won't believe this!"
The connection cut off, leaving Marco fuming.
"First he's forgetful, now he's talking nonsense… I need to make sure he hasn't gone completely insane."
Transforming his arms into fiery blue phoenix wings, Marco launched into the sky, streaking toward the mangrove forest.
As Marco approached, Jozu sat in the clearing, piecing together the implications of his discovery.
With over a month's worth of practice in just one real-world hour, he now had all the time he needed to master the Eight Inner Gates.
"I may not be the most talented, but if I can train for years inside the comic world while mere days pass outside… I can surpass my limits!"
He envisioned himself unlocking the Eighth Gate before the Summit War of Marineford. With such overwhelming power, he could protect Whitebeard and their crew as an unshakable force.
"This isn't just for me. I'll share this with all the captains! We'll be unstoppable!"
His grin widened. "Navy Headquarters, get ready. The Whitebeard Pirates are about to rewrite the future!"
As Jozu's laughter echoed through the clearing, Marco's fiery silhouette descended in the distance, ready for answers—and perhaps a wild surprise.
Back on the Moby Dick
Lucas received another system notification:
[Jozu has realized the potential of the comic's training world. Cultivation progress will now accelerate.]
[Host has received 10,000 bonus mysterious energy points!]
Lucas chuckled, putting his pen down.
"You keep working hard, Jozu. I'll just sit back and rake in the rewards. Youth is truly burning—for you, anyway."