I Am In One Piece Summit

Chapter 5: 005 Then, when the navy assigns the old man · Chapter 5: So, Does the Navy Assign Wives? · On the light screen before him, the Gifts column displayed six abilities at the very bottom, all shaded in a dull grey. · [Breathing], [Medicine], [Domestication], [Weapon Operation], [Precision], [Throwing]. · January 10th. · Early morning. · Messer closed the projected light screen, his thoughts lingering on those greyed-out Gifts that had appeared but had not yet manifested into reality. · "Ten days to make the Throwing Gift appear. Not a bad pace. However, I still have to suppress that sensation of it wanting to manifest into reality at any moment." · The appearance of a Gift required two things: either truly learning the skill or technique in a meaningful sense, or the existence of an extraordinary possibility within one's own experiences and history. · Both appearance and manifestation required a catalyst—perhaps a flash of inspiration, or the accumulation of hard work and mastery over time. However, Messer could, to a certain extent, interfere with whether a Gift actually manifested into reality. · This was a benefit of his perfect symbiosis and mutual completion with the "Light Sphere." · Gifts could manifest naturally through learning, but given his current situation, even if they manifested now, they would only be at the lowest rank: F-grade. Even if a Gift didn't manifest, the experience gained wouldn't vanish; it would simply continue to accumulate. · The only thing missing was the attribute bonus provided by the Gift's characteristics. Currently, he didn't particularly need them. · Soul Crystals: [0] · He hadn't obtained any Soul Crystals yet. As for the methods of acquisition... for now, it was better to wait until he had stockpiled enough Merit Points to reach his goal in one go. · Specifically regarding the [Precision] Gift, Messer had every reason to believe it was a [Type-2] Gift—the kind that could not be grown through training. Rather than a technical skill, it was more like an innate talent, a special Gift tied to probability and concepts. · The others were [Type-1] Gifts, which could grow autonomously through practice. · "For now, there’s no need for these Gifts to manifest. It's better to keep digging, accumulating, and building a foundation. Perhaps when they finally manifest on their own, they’ll start at a much higher level." · It was an instinctive feeling, confirmed by the "Light Sphere" within his sea of consciousness. · His life experiences and history were not static. A moment of inspiration or a sudden realization wouldn't just flicker and vanish; they would continuously accumulate within his personal history. They would never disappear; like fine wine, the longer they were cellared, the more fragrant they became. · In the snowy clearing outside the treehouse, Messer stood silently beneath an ancient tree. · His breathing rose and fell, his abdomen expanding and contracting at a very slow frequency. There was an interval of over ten seconds between each breath. His mind went blank as he instinctively released and retracted his Observation Haki. · Outwardly, he perceived the vastness of nature and the immensity of heaven and earth. · Inwardly, he sensed that unique sound radiating from within—the vibration exclusive to life itself. · He didn't gain any profound enlightenment; instead, his heartbeat simply grew slower, and everything around him became eerily quiet. · Through this unique sensory perspective, with every breath, he seemed to harmonize with the wind and snow of nature. · He entered a state of meditative stillness. · From the window inside the treehouse, Dr. Kureha held Winter, quietly watching Messer beneath the tree. He seemed to merge into the snowy landscape, appearing perfectly natural, as if he had always belonged there. · "How strange. Why does this brat have that mysterious 'intent' usually found among those eccentric swordsmen?" · "Some kind of enlightenment?" · Dr. Kureha wasn't a swordsman. In her own words, she was just a common medical practitioner who knew a few self-defense tricks. Regarding high-level concepts like "The Breath of All Things," "The Voice of All Things," or "Mind Reading," she maintained a scientific attitude of not believing or spreading rumors. · As she watched, Messer eventually opened his eyes, shook his body, and let out a sneeze. · Dr. Kureha yelled at the top of her lungs, "If you know it's cold, why are you still standing there? Get your ass back inside!" · Messer grinned. He was long accustomed to Dr. Kureha’s sharp tongue. Rubbing his numb palms, he moved his short legs and walked back. · He opened the door, letting some warmth escape, and ran to the fireplace to warm himself amidst Dr. Kureha’s grumbling. Standing behind the iron railing, Messer stretched out his hands, absorbing the heat from the flames. · The treehouse was equipped with a fireplace—a feat of multiple renovations. The fact that the tree itself hadn't died was quite miraculous. In terms of vitality, it was impressive. · In the afternoon. · Knock, knock, knock! · A series of knocks echoed at the door. · Dr. Kureha wasn't on the first floor; she was in the drug development room on the second floor. That was where she conducted her mysterious research into longevity drugs, lineage factors, and the like. Under normal circumstances, Messer didn't go up there. Even if he did, he wouldn't understand what he was looking at. · Seeing no movement inside, the visitor knocked again. · Sitting at the desk and reading, Messer sighed. People didn't usually visit a hidden treehouse in the middle of a deep forest, except for a certain quack doctor—the title "quack" was Dr. Kureha's. And when that quack came, he usually shouted. · "Who is it?" Messer asked, his face wary yet resigned. "Who are you looking for?" · As he spoke, he stood up and walked to the corner where the weapons were kept, picking up his axe. Simultaneously, he released his Observation Haki. · A burst of laughter erupted from outside. Messer put the axe back as a voice, far too familiar to be mistaken, rang out. · "Messer, your Grandpa is here! Open up!" · Lines of frustration appeared on Messer’s forehead. He wordlessly opened the door, and a massive silhouette blocked the entrance. In the next second, Messer felt the world spin. · A broad palm gripped Messer by the torso, lifting him high into the air, while the other hand began to ruffle his hair. · "Are you trying to crush my head, you old geezer?" · As Messer stared him down and spoke with a childish yet biting wit, Garp paused, awkwardly letting go. The awkwardness lasted only a moment before Garp’s face darkened. · "What did you call me, you brat? An old geezer?" · Messer spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness. "That’s what Big Sister Kureha calls you. I’m the brat grandson, and you’re the geezer grandpa. We’re both a mess." · Garp’s mouth twitched. Before he could speak, Dr. Kureha came down the stairs, laughing. "Did I say something wrong? You tell me if you're not a mess." · As Garp’s brow furrowed, Dr. Kureha snatched Messer from Garp’s hands and tossed him onto the floor. Garp’s eyes twitched again. · "The kid is only two. Can't you be gentler?" · Dr. Kureha watched Messer, who stood up as if nothing had happened and went to fetch tea. She shrugged nonchalantly. "The brat is tough. What’s this? Now you're acting like a worried soul? I didn't see you being gentle just now." · The two began their usual bickering. Messer walked over with two cups of tea. He gave the first to Dr. Kureha, then handed the other to Garp, who looked slightly jealous. · Dr. Kureha sipped her tea with a smirk. "First time your grandson’s served you tea? Feels good, doesn't it?" · Garp’s eyebrows rose and he began to grin, until Dr. Kureha added, "The boy brings me tea every single day." · Garp looked at the well-behaved Messer and thought of Ace, the little wild monkey he had left on Mt. Colubo on Dawn Island. After a long silence, he asked, "Messer, do you want to go to the East Blue? Your brother, Ace, wants to see you." · Dr. Kureha’s expression shifted slightly. She opened her mouth but said nothing. To Garp’s surprise, Messer shook his head. · "My constitution is weak. Maybe in another year or two. I’m still small; I’m afraid I wouldn't survive such a long journey." · Garp didn't overthink it and simply nodded. "Fair point." · After all, two years ago, Messer looked like he was on the verge of an early grave. Even now, his aura carried a strange hint of frailty. Garp agreed with the sentiment. · Beside them, Dr. Kureha’s mouth twitched. Weak constitution? That was the funniest thing she had heard all year. · Weak? The boy could hike through the mountains carrying fifteen pounds of weight without breaking a sweat. · Weak? He could hunt on his own, even if it was just bamboo rats. · Weak? He could stay out in the snow for hours. · Dr. Kureha rolled her eyes and reached out to pinch the top of Messer’s head before asking Garp, "The seas aren't stable lately. You have time to wander around my place?" · Messer’s eyes flickered as he listened quietly. This was one of the few channels he had to learn about world events. Newspapers were edited. Rumors were distorted. But Garp, standing right here, would tell the "truth." · "Psh, what of it? The landscape of the sea is just as it always is. Pirates are like fish and shrimp, desperately swimming toward the New World. As for the New World, it’s currently a 'One Superpower, Many Strong' situation. That bastard Roger started the Great Pirate Era; there are more pirates now, but the ones who truly stand at the peak are those monsters who came off that ship. Oh, right, something’s happening in Wano Country in the New World. I heard that brat Kaido is going to war with the samurai or something. The leader of those samurai was apparently on Roger’s ship—Kozuki Oden, I think. Well, just take it as gossip. It’s not something you should go repeating." · Dr. Kureha smiled and took a sip of tea. "Roger, huh? Gol D. Roger. He really was a restless brat. Even in death, he has such an influence." · "D? Speaking of which, you're a D, he was a D, and the brat Messer is a D. What exactly is 'D'?" Kureha shook her head disinterestedly. "Forget it, it has nothing to do with me. I’m just an ordinary doctor." · Garp looked at Messer in silence, noticing the "curiosity" in the boy's eyes. Though he spent little time with Messer, he knew the child was brilliant. According to Dr. Kureha, Messer had been sensible and quiet since infancy—precociously intelligent. · "Messer," Garp asked, "can you tell Grandpa what you want to be when you grow up? Do you want to join the Navy with me?" · Dr. Kureha turned her gaze toward them. As the saying goes, one can see the adult in the child. This boy was filial and affectionate, but she didn't know where he’d picked up that sharp tongue and his slight indifference toward life. While such a trait was good for a doctor, seeing it in someone so young was worrying. · And then there was that 'D' business... · Perhaps she should let the boy go to the East Blue with Garp to see his brother. Maybe being with someone his own age would help. Then she looked at Garp—the man was a fool. He clearly wasn't the type who could raise a child well. · She sighed. · Messer’s voice rang out with a grin. "I want to study medicine. I want to learn Doctor Auntie’s skills. I’m going to create an elixir of immortality so she can live forever. Oh, and when I make it, I guess I can reluctantly give you some too, Grandpa." · Garp frowned, clenched his fist, blew a breath of hot air onto it, and laughed in exasperation. · "You brat, don't change the subject! I don't want to live forever!" · He brought a fist down on Messer’s head, leaving a bump. Messer glared at him indignantly. · "And you little brat, what do you mean 'reluctantly'? Is your Grandpa not as good as this old woman?" · Dr. Kureha’s smile vanished. Her face darkened as she delivered a sudden upward kick to Garp’s chin. With a dull thud, Garp’s head smashed through the wooden ceiling. His body hung limp, swaying in the living room. · "You bastard, watch your mouth," Dr. Kureha said with a dark smile. "Or else, even if you are this boy’s grandfather, I’ll give you a lesson you’ll never forget." · Garp braced his hands against the ceiling and with a crack, pulled his head out of the shattered wood. He landed on the floor with a helpless expression. · "Your temper is as fiery as ever." He rubbed his face, brushing off the wood splinters, and turned to Messer. "Don't you learn from her, or you'll never find a wife." · "So, does the Navy assign wives, Grandpa?" Messer asked, blinking. · Garp froze. · Messer continued, "I don't ask for much—just the world’s most beautiful woman will do. How about it, Grandpa?" · Garp’s face turned pitch black. His mouth twitched violently as he gritted his teeth. "The Navy does not assign wives, and there certainly isn't a 'world’s most beautiful woman' waiting for you. You better not join the Navy; I’m afraid you'll get beaten to death." · If he dared to say the Navy assigned wives, Tsuru would tear him apart. The female Marines were under her command. · Messer grinned. "You should have said so earlier. What a waste of breath. I thought the Navy was great, but it turns out you don't even assign wives." · Garp turned green with rage, his lips trembling. Seeing Messer’s happy, toothy grin, he felt a momentary daze, as if he were looking at a very familiar silhouette. · He took a deep breath and sighed dejectedly, waving a hand. "We'll talk about the Navy later. I was just passing through today. Seeing that you're healthy is enough. I’ll come see you next time. And think about what I told you—that kid Ace is curious about you and really wants to meet you." · Just as abruptly as he had arrived, Garp finished his tea, patted his pants, and hurried away. · Dr. Kureha looked at the hole in the ceiling and then at Messer, going to fetch the repair tools with a look of disbelief. "I miscalculated. No wonder that bastard ran off so fast—he didn't want to fix my ceiling." · Messer grinned as he handed her the tools. Though he lacked the craft, helping out gave him a sense of participation. · [END]