The Rocks Pirates weren't just a crew; they were a crucible. Strength alone earned respect, and those who lacked it were doomed to fall. In this cutthroat environment, power dictated your position and even your survival. Kaito knew this, but he wasn't worried. His growing abilities, bolstered by the system, ensured he wouldn't be just another casualty.
When one of the pirates escorted Kaito to his new quarters, he was taken aback. The room was spacious, adorned with fine furnishings and stocked with every comfort imaginable. After a year of sleeping on hard, makeshift bunks, Kaito felt a wave of relief seeing the luxurious bedding before him.
"This is your room, Lord Kaito," the pirate said with a slight bow.
Kaito stepped inside, his eyes scanning the rich décor. "Not bad," he muttered, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
The pirate hesitated before adding, "You should know, normally only the cadres have rooms of this quality."
Kaito raised an eyebrow. He knew what that meant: Rocks had taken a personal interest in him. This room was a reward, a sign that Rocks saw his potential. It was rare for someone so new to the crew to be treated like a seasoned member. Kaito's fight with Shiki had clearly left an impression.
"Really?" Kaito smirked. He knew now, more than ever, that strength and talent meant everything on this ship. "I'll keep that in mind."
The pirate left soon after, and Kaito sank onto the plush bed, finally able to relax. The system's familiar voice chimed in his mind.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on gaining 50 points of Sage Body progress."
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, Sage Body progress has reached 1000. Sage Body has advanced to the middle stage!"
Kaito had nearly forgotten about the fight's rewards. His battle with Shiki hadn't just been for show. He'd wanted to push himself, test his newfound abilities, and reap the benefits. Now, he was seeing the payoff.
As the system's message faded, Kaito felt a surge of energy coursing through his body. It wasn't just raw strength—this was something deeper. His muscles, bones, and even his cells seemed to shift, strengthening in ways he'd never imagined.
When the sensation subsided, Kaito sat up. His body felt renewed, more powerful than ever. He flexed his fingers, marveling at the ease of movement, the subtle increase in speed and strength. He knew this was more than just a minor boost. He was on another level now.
"I wonder…" Kaito muttered, glancing at his saber. Drawing the blade, he set it against his forearm, curious to see just how resilient his body had become. Slowly, he pressed down. The edge bit into his skin, but to his surprise, it barely left a mark.
Wrapping his blade in Armament Haki, he tried again, applying more force. This time, he managed a shallow cut. Blood welled up, but he didn't bandage it. Instead, he watched.
Within moments, the bleeding stopped. Seconds later, the wound began closing. In less than ten seconds, the cut was gone, as if it had never been there.
"Tsk," Kaito smirked, shaking his head. "The mid-stage Sage Body really is something."
This level of recovery was astonishing. He recalled Marco's Phoenix Fruit, known for its near-legendary healing abilities. Kaito's resilience was approaching that level—and this was only the mid-stage. With each advancement, he would surpass even the abilities of the Whitebeard Pirates' first division commander.
"Yeah, choosing Sage Body was the right move," Kaito said to himself. He knew the fairy eyes were powerful in their own way, but for the world of pirates—where physical strength and endurance often made the difference between life and death—Sage Body was invaluable.
Just as he was reveling in his new power, the system chimed again.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for reaching mid-stage Sage Body. You have earned one special lottery draw."
Kaito's eyebrows rose. A special lottery? The system hadn't explained what it contained, but that only made him more curious. If the system had deemed it "special," then whatever awaited him was bound to be extraordinary.
"Well, let's see what I can get," Kaito murmured, eager to discover what this mysterious prize would bring.