"Forget it… I should explore this island first."
Rolan slowly stood up, using his knees for support, and walked deeper inland.
He stopped when he saw several massive logs floating strangely against the current of a small stream.
"Wait… those aren't logs." He squinted. "Holy crap! Those are giant alligators!"
[Choice triggered:]
A. Hunt the Blazing White Alligator for dinner. Reward: 1 Beginner Observation Haki Card, 1 Beginner Armament Haki Card, 1 Beginner Marine Six Styles Card, 100 Senzu Beans.
B. Ignore the Blazing White Alligator and look for stronger prey. Reward: 1 Beginner Observation Haki Card, 1 Beginner Armament Haki Card, 1 Beginner Marine Six Styles Card, 500 Senzu Beans.
C. Starve to death immediately. Reward: 1 Golden Urn.
Senzu Beans? What's that?
[Senzu Beans are a system-exclusive item. They instantly restore all physical damage and return the host to peak condition.]
"What?! They're real Senzu Beans?!" Rolan's eyes widened. "Then I'll choose A!"
Although option B offered more beans, he knew better. If he couldn't even handle this alligator near the coast, venturing deeper into the island was suicide.
He sighed. "Why do other transmigrators start with overpowered abilities, and I'm stuck worrying about how not to get eaten alive? Seriously—hunting alligators? My starting difficulty is insane!"
Still grumbling, he clenched his fists and shouted, "Fine! Let's do this!"
"Die!"
"Invincible Big Club!"
"Invincible Slingshot!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The forest echoed with strange noises and Rolan's frantic yells.
"Ahh—holy crap! Ahh—ugh—holy crap!"
He stood panting, bruised and exhausted, staring at the collapsed beast. "Since when do alligators sound like that? I've been to the zoo, and they definitely don't scream like that. The creatures in the world of One Piece are weird as hell."
He bent over, gasping. "Huff… huff… my whole body's sore!"
[Congratulations, Host, for completing the choice. You have received the rewards: 1 Beginner Observation Haki Card, 1 Beginner Armament Haki Card, 1 Beginner Marine Six Styles Card, 100 Senzu Beans.]
Rolan dragged the massive alligator back to the beach, his arms trembling. "Okay… now what? Do I rub sticks together to make a fire? I've never done that in my life! What am I supposed to do, eat it raw? Even Bear Grylls wouldn't eat this thing raw, and I'm just a scrawny teenager!"
He stared helplessly at his prey. "Wait—Devil Fruit! I've got the Electromagnetic Fruit!"
Recalling the physics he'd studied back on Earth, Rolan thought aloud, "Electromagnetism involves electric charges… maybe I can use electromagnetic force to heat it?"
He placed his palm on the alligator's hide and focused. "Electromagnetic… uh—whatever, just work already!"
Electric arcs flickered between his palm and the carcass.
Sizzle, sizzle…
Smoke rose instantly. "Holy crap, did I overdo it? It's burnt!"
He sighed, shaking his head. "Guess I still can't control the fruit properly yet."
Another nearby alligator suddenly crawled out of the bushes, drawn by the noise.
"Oh come on, another one?!"
A few chaotic minutes later, the second beast fell, smoking from his attacks.
"This one's burnt too," Rolan muttered, poking the charred meat. "But at least it's edible… kinda."
He took a bite and nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. No seasoning, but still better than that disgusting Devil Fruit."
After filling his stomach, Rolan lay down on the sand, watching the crimson sunset paint the sea gold.
"Oh right—System, merge all cards."
[Merging… Merge complete.]
A burst of energy exploded from his body, surging into the sky. The force scattered clouds and sent seagulls screeching into the distance.
---
The next morning, sunlight shimmered on the sea like molten gold. Seagulls circled above, their cries echoing faintly across the beach.
Rolan, now fully recovered after eating a Senzu Bean, stretched and exhaled. "Much better. Let's see what my powers can really do."
He closed his eyes and began to sense the electromagnetic field around him. Within half an hour, he could faintly perceive subtle electromagnetic fluctuations from the environment—ripples from stones, trees, and living creatures.
Then he focused on the Observation Haki card he had merged yesterday.
In an instant, the world exploded into sound and sensation.
Countless "voices" of animals filled his mind—rustling, breathing, beating hearts. It was like an entire forest market had opened in his head.
Rolan winced, clutching his temples. "This… this is insane! It's so noisy!"
He tried to narrow the focus of his Haki, but sweat quickly beaded on his forehead. His weak body trembled from the strain.
Glancing at his thin arms, he sighed. "This body's still too fragile. Years of malnutrition really did a number on me."
Still, he persisted. By combining his Haki with electromagnetic perception, Rolan began scanning the island. He could detect different creatures, even sensing their strength through their energy patterns.
"Beginner Observation Haki shouldn't reach this far…" he whispered. "Could it be boosted by my Devil Fruit?"
He grinned.
---
One Year Later
Boom!
"Huff… huff…"
A young man slumped against a tree, drenched in sweat, breathing heavily. A massive grizzly bear lay motionless before him, a gaping hole in its skull.
"Without using Haki, Six Styles, or my Devil Fruit, fights like this still take a lot out of me," Rolan muttered.
He wiped the sweat from his brow and looked around. For the past year, he had traveled across several deserted islands—each one filled with deadly creatures but no humans.
On every island he visited, he made it a rule to defeat the strongest beast before moving on.
That harsh training paid off.
Rolan had fully awakened both Observation and Armament Haki, mastered the Marine Six Styles, and learned to control the Electromagnetic Fruit with precision.
He had even developed several techniques of his own:
Electromagnetic Instant Transmission: A rapid movement technique combining electromagnetic propulsion with Soru to move faster than the eye can follow.
Electromagnetic Cannon: Inspired by Misaka Mikoto's Railgun, it launches metal objects using electromagnetic acceleration, striking with the power of a cannonball.
Super Heart Net: A fusion of electromagnetic induction and Observation Haki, allowing him to sense an area with extraordinary detail.
Electromagnetic Barrier: By emitting high-intensity electromagnetic waves, Rolan can form a defensive shield that blocks bullets and physical attacks.
Magnetic Flight: Controlling the magnetic pull between his body and the ground, he can lift himself and fly through the air.
As the wind brushed against his face, Rolan looked at his calloused hands and smiled faintly. "I've come a long way from that half-dead kid on the beach."
---