"Oh my god! Shirogai Yamikuro, you actually drew this island's sea chart perfectly without using any tools?"
Nami held up the sea chart Shirogai had just drawn as if it were a priceless treasure.
"How did you manage this? I just measured it, and the accuracy is flawless!"
Like an excited fangirl, Nami ran up to Shirogai, eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Shirogai, I absolutely welcome you aboard! Can you teach me how to draw sea charts freehand? I'll gladly become your apprentice!"
Shirogai gave a calm, easy smile and nodded.
"Of course, no problem. As long as I've got time, you're always welcome to learn from me."
"That's awesome!"
Nami jumped up in excitement.
She gently spoke to the map in her hands.
"Shirogai, I'm going to find a frame to properly mount this island map of yours."
With that, Nami rushed off to search for a frame, leaving Sanji glaring at Shirogai, his face twisted with jealousy.
His expression was sour, and he grumbled under his breath.
"&%￥…&%#…"
Seeing that Shirogai had quickly gained the approval of the other crew members, Luffy placed his hand on his Straw Hat and cheerfully threw his arm around Shirogai's shoulder.
"Alright, everyone! To welcome our new crewmate — tonight, there's a party on the Merry Go!"
The rest of the crew cheered in unison.
"Party time!"
Shirogai had watched Luffy's parties countless times in the anime, so he was already familiar with the custom. But experiencing it firsthand felt entirely different. The lively, carefree atmosphere stirred something inside him.
Even so, he quickly calmed himself.
Too much had happened today — he needed some time alone to check on his God-level Comprehension System.
With a polite smile, Shirogai spoke up.
"Captain Luffy, I'd like to spend a little time alone on the island. I've been living here for a while, and I have some attachments to this place."
Luffy grinned.
"Call me Luffy! And don't forget about the party later!"
As Shirogai stepped off the ship, he paused slightly, then turned to glance at Zoro and Sanji with a faint, meaningful smile.
"Oh, and if anyone's looking for me, I'll be resting over in the woods."
…
Luffy clasped his hands behind his head, watching Shirogai leave, grinning broadly.
"Man, we really found someone interesting this time."
Once Shirogai had vanished into the forest, Zoro released his hand from the hilt of his sword, his palm faintly damp with sweat.
"Luffy, this guy's depth is unfathomable. Bringing him aboard… might not be wise."
Sanji, leaning against the railing, added in a serious tone.
"Even though I rarely agree with this thick-headed swordsman, I've got to admit, he's right this time. We don't know where Shirogai came from, and he seems to know way too much about us."
Luffy grinned again, laughing carefreely.
"Zoro, Sanji… I don't misjudge people. Shirogai's going to be a reliable crewmate."
…
In the forest.
Shirogai sat cross-legged atop a large rock, closing his eyes as he reviewed the skills he'd acquired so far:
• Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Nika Model
• Intermediate Conqueror's Haki
• Intermediate Observation Haki
• Intermediate Armament Haki
• Advanced Three-Sword Style Swordsmanship
• Exoskeleton
• Advanced Black Leg Combat Technique
• Master Chef Skills
• Perfect Navigation Skills
• Perfect Stealing Skills
• Advanced Sniping Skills
• Intermediate Weapon Mastery
• Intermediate Repair Skills
As long as he focused on a person, the system would automatically acquire the most valuable combat-related abilities from them.
The clearest example was Sanji — from him, Shirogai had comprehended the Exoskeleton first, followed by the Advanced Black Leg Combat Technique, and finally Sanji's masterful chef skills.
His mind raced as he quickly analyzed the System's patterns.
Compared to the current strength of Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, his abilities were a clear tier above.
From Luffy, who hadn't yet fully awakened Conqueror's Haki, he'd obtained Intermediate Conqueror's Haki.
From Zoro, whose Three-Sword Style was at an intermediate level, he'd acquired Advanced Three-Sword Style Swordsmanship.
From Sanji's intermediate Black Leg techniques, he'd reached Advanced Black Leg Combat Technique.
And Nami's advanced navigation skills became Perfect Navigation Skills in his hands.
Shirogai smirked.
In a sense, he was already in an invincible position.
By focusing on someone, he could instantly master an ability a level higher than theirs.
Who could possibly stand against him now?
Max-level comprehension — truly terrifying.
The comprehension effect even allowed for simulated combat enlightenment within his mind. Time to test it with Intermediate Armament Haki.
The method to use Intermediate Armament Haki instantly appeared in his thoughts.
Simultaneously, a miniature version of himself appeared within his mind, holding two swords in hand and one in his mouth. Haki coated the blades, curling slowly around them.
His mental deduction world shifted as a group of vague, faceless enemies surrounded the small Shirogai.
Unfazed, the mini Shirogai controlled his swords, wielding them with Advanced Three-Sword Style techniques, coated in Armament Haki.
At first, these imagined enemies, lacking Armament Haki, fell one after another.
But soon, the enemies that appeared began using Armament Haki themselves.
The tide turned.
The mini Shirogai's aura wavered under the relentless assault, his attacks faltering, and his Haki coating thinning.
Suddenly, the small Shirogai realized something — some enemies used Armament Hardening, their weapons and bodies coated in jet-black Haki.
Inspired, he instantly applied Armament Hardening to his entire body, repelling the enemies' strikes.
It worked.
The advantage returned to him, and one by one, he defeated them.
But stronger enemies kept appearing, their Haki denser, more refined.
Eventually, two enemies struck his vital points at once.
The small Shirogai died instantly, dissolving into white light and merging back into Shirogai's consciousness.
A flood of combat insights rushed through his mind.
In that brief simulated battle, he had fought for what felt like dozens of hours.
Yet when he opened his eyes — barely three seconds had passed.
Incredible. The power of max-level enlightenment.
Though the combat was imagined, the techniques and experience gained were entirely real.
He closed his eyes once more, diving into endless enlightenment.
…
After an unknown length of time, footsteps approached from behind.
They halted a short distance away.
As expected.
Shirogai opened his eyes, stood, and glanced over with a calm smile.
"The first one here… as I figured, it's you, Zoro."
"You said that on purpose earlier."
Zoro, bandana tied, slowly drew Wado Ichimonji from his waist, pointing it at Shirogai.
His gaze was grim, his tone serious.
"Shirogai Yamikuro… let's fight. I want to see just how big the gap between us really is."
---