When Rei opened his eyes, he was no longer in the void. He found himself lying on a sandy beach, the sound of waves crashing gently against the shore. His body felt different — stronger, more responsive. He could feel the air around him, the warmth of the sun, the subtle movements of the world. And there was a strange weight on his back.
Looking over his shoulder, Rei saw that a sword was strapped to his back. A katana, its hilt intricately decorated, with an aura of power that almost seemed to hum. A smile tugged at his lips. Was he already in One Piece? He didn't know the exact details of the world, but the moment he saw the sword, a sense of certainty filled him.
"Welcome to the world of pirates, Rei Tetsuya. You are on the island of Loguetown. Your journey begins here."
Rei's eyes widened as the voice returned, more familiar this time, and clearer. It felt almost like a companion now. His fingers twitched, and he instinctively reached for the sword on his back.
"You've been granted the Evolution System. Your stats are as follows:"
Strength: 10Agility: 8Endurance: 6Intelligence: 7Charisma: 5Devil Fruit Affinity: 0 (No Devil Fruit consumed)"You will evolve in all aspects. Your combat abilities, intellect, and even your Devil Fruit powers (should you acquire one) will grow with experience. You can spend experience points on improving your stats, unlocking new skills, and even acquiring special abilities. Beware: many challenges lie ahead, and not all will be within your control."
Rei took a deep breath, trying to digest the information. The Evolution System was exactly what it sounded like: a system where he would grow stronger by overcoming obstacles. But there was a catch — he had no idea how the system would work in practice. He didn't even know what abilities he might unlock.
"Loguetown," Rei muttered. He recognized the name — it was a pivotal place in the One Piece world. It was where Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, had been executed, and where Monkey D. Luffy's journey was set to begin.
The possibility of meeting Luffy, of becoming part of that legendary story, sent a thrill through him. But first, he needed to get his bearings.