Chapter 821
Alex and the others were fully engrossed as they read, enthusiastically comparing the manga's characters—clearly modeled after themselves—with their own personalities and abilities. At the same time, they analyzed the characters powers and tactics, drawing inspiration.
"This Sanji character... is that supposed to be me?"
"The Fishmen... were they the ones we just beat?"
"But I joined later, not before all that."
George waved it off. "Don't dwell on the details. It's just a manga—of course it has to be adjusted for the story."
"The concept of the Grand Line is pretty cool," Rondo added. "But why frame it as pirates?"
Melissa looked ahead. "I wonder what kind of opponents we'll face next."
Not long after, they finished the portion Ron had brought out. It was an unfinished version of One Piece, ending just after the defeat of the Arlong Pirates.
"Alex, how much do you know about the Grand Martial Trials?" Ron asked.
"Not much," Alex replied, shaking his head. "I only know they happen once every three years. Everyone from our side failed. After losing, they just went back to their regular lives. The winners gained fame and recognition—but there's only ever one winner. And after that, they disappear. No one really knows what happens to them. All the major factions in Minpo now are run by other people."
Something shifted faintly in Ron's mind.
"Then why do you all want to participate in the Trials? Why win?"
"Because it's our dream," Alex said plainly.
"But even dreams have reasons," Ron said. "In the outside world, people chase success for different things—status, wealth, love, power."
Alex's expression became a little confused.
"I… don't know. I think I've wanted to join the Trials from the very beginning. Like the thought was already planted in me from birth. Is that… not normal?"
Ron shook his head. "I'm not sure. Maybe things work a little differently here."
But in his heart, Ron already had a faint theory. These Grand Martial Trials weren't as simple as they appeared.
There was a massive Nen array buried deep underground. Winning a battle granted aura. The aura of the dead was absorbed. Even Alex and the others seemed like they'd been set up from the start—implanted with certain desires or thoughts.
That meant this whole event was likely a trap. The so-called winner of the Trials might actually be the biggest loser.
They continued along the mountain path, where Alex's group faced their next opponents: a sand-man who could control and become sand; an Enhancement-type who could turn his entire body into blades; a man who transformed into wax; and a Nen user who could conjure flowers from thin air.
Ron stood at a distance, watching the battle. That strange feeling of familiarity he once had—he no longer cared. What concerned him now was the nature of the Grand Martial Trials themselves. Nothing could be found online. The people of Minpo didn't know either. Even Wendy had no idea.
That only made Ron more curious.
After a hard-fought battle, Alex and the others won. Some of the enemy died, some were gravely injured, and others chose to join Alex's group.
With their victory, Alex's team gained another surge of aura, rapidly boosting their strength. In terms of Nen proficiency, they had now reached C-rank.
Just days earlier, none of them had even been Nen users.
Their growth rate was astonishing—faster than even the Chimera Ants. It was like they were exploiting a broken system.
"If Minpo had a method to raise Nen users this fast, why not use it to form an expedition to the Dark Continent? After all, this predates the Chimera Ant emergence."
"There must be limitations. Possibly geographical."
Ron glanced down at the ground beneath his feet.
While Alex and the others trained and fought, Ron continued updating the One Piece story. There was little need to adjust anything—the events lined up surprisingly well with Alex's experiences. As time passed, Alex and his companions gained significant reputation.
Ron glanced at the crystal orb in front of him. Its progress bar had reached 20%.
Over the next half month, Alex's team encountered a series of increasingly powerful opponents. There was a lightning-based Nen user who could transform into electricity; one whose Nen seemed tied to time, able to slow enemy movements; another who could open spatial doors connecting to distant places; and beast-path practitioners similar to those in Fiora's Beast Dojo, including one who could take on the form of a leopard.
All of them had solid Nen abilities, but one after another, they fell—each becoming stepping stones for Alex's group.
Ron watched it all unfold. In just two weeks, Alex and the others had reached B-rank.
To call their progress terrifying would be an understatement.
But today, Alex and the others faced their most difficult battle yet.
Their opponents were powerful—far stronger than anyone they had encountered before.
The first was a hulking figure, massive in stature and clearly not fully human. His Nen ability allowed him to control and command a large number of puppets in combat. Each puppet possessed a unique function—some for offense, others for defense, and some with utility traits. More critically, his own Nen level had already reached A-rank.
The second was a woman whose ability allowed her to summon Nen beasts. Each summoned beast had a different effect: one could induce overwhelming negative emotions; one was enormous and capable of blocking opponents physically; another would explode on impact, releasing a powerful shockwave.
Ron moved to a high vantage point.
"Gyo."
In this intense battle, Ron wanted to see if anything would reveal itself. He wasn't interested in just gathering traits. What concerned him was whether this Grand Martial Trials system posed a hidden threat to him personally. Understanding it thoroughly would be the safer path forward.
Because the structure of the Trials, from the rules to the staged progression and even the implanted thoughts along the way, was clearly deliberate. It was obvious that the entire process had been constructed as part of a calculated scheme.