One Piece: Awaken The Replication System

Gran Tesoro Casino

Fujitora, meeting Leno's challenge, remarked calmly, "Since you've lost, you should honor the bet."

Leno stood, unruffled, awaiting Life's response.

"I've heard of the Hunter's Guild and that you, President Leno, took down Kaido, is that true?" Life inquired.

Leno smirked. "Indeed, it is."

Fujitora nodded with respect. "I'd love to learn a trick or two from you, President Leno."

"Gladly," Leno replied, glancing around. "But this place won't do. How about an empty island instead?"

"Agreed!"

Fujitora accepted, and together, they made preparations. Leno was satisfied—he had just recruited another ally into the Hunter Guild.

With powerful Marines like Kuzan and Gion already on his side, each gain for Leno was a setback for the Navy, doubling the Guild's influence.

[Ding! After defeating your opponent, you've scanned for Gravity (SSS Level), Heart's Eye (SSS Level), Observation Haki (SS Level), Armament Haki (S Level), and Swordsmanship (S Level) Techniques]

Leno's victory through Fujitora's challenge was just as satisfying as any. He checked his system logs.

Fujitora had yet to debut on the stage but, in his forties, his strength had reached its peak. He was formidable but still unknown.

The Pirate World's seas are vast, covering areas even the World Government has yet to explore, especially in the New World.

The charts Leno had collected showed unexplored, mist-shrouded regions filled with danger. Even the Four Emperors avoided these parts, fearing entrapment by unknown forces.

Natural dangers like earthquakes, volcanoes, storms, and tsunamis are abundant, but some threats defy human strength entirely—like the demon blade, a strange flower that revives memories long forgotten, or the rainbow realm where time nearly halts.

Figures like Fujitora are rare, but they exist. Take Aramaki, who became Admiral by World Military Draft. Unlike Sakazuki, he's a staunch supporter of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.

Leno wasn't interested in making such allies. He admired Sakazuki's absolute commitment to "justice"—but Aramaki, who loyally backed the Celestial Dragons, was a different matter.

[Please select a talent as soon as possible!]

Leno hesitated briefly. "I'll choose Heart's Eye."

While Heavy Fruit was powerful, Leno already had the Shock Fruit. Heart's Eye, however, intrigued him.

[Ding! Talent successfully copied: Heart's Eye]

[Talent description: A perceptive ability, able to see through any shroud in the world]

Strength: SSS Level

Leno closed his eyes, feeling a long-dormant power within him awaken, breaking through barriers to reveal his innermost strength.

A tranquil "mind's eye" opened within him, allowing him to perceive the world around him with remarkable clarity.

This sense went beyond Observation Haki, he could feel the sea breeze, the ships, the stars—and even see himself, from within.

"So, this is it."

Fujitora's ability to call down meteors from the heavens and his heightened Observation Haki—both were now clear to him.

...

On the Island

As Leno's ship departed, the casino's overseer quickly contacted Tesoro.

Boo Boo Boo

West Blue: Inside the Golden City

On his massive, ship-sized city, Tesoro commanded a lively scene, with kings, nobles, and gamblers throwing away their fortunes in his luxurious casino.

West Blue was merely the beginning for Tesoro, he aimed to control the world's wealth, believing it governed everything.

While entertaining his guests, he suddenly took a call. "Hunter's Guild Leno?"

Tesoro's smile faded. "Did you cross paths with that man?"

Recently, the Celestial Dragons had mentioned Leno, his reputation was mixed, with some Celestial Dragons admiring him and others fearing him.

Even they, the Celestial Dragons, seemed powerless against him. Tesoro wanted no trouble with the man who could make the Celestial Dragons hesitate.

To his shock, the casino's overseer reported that Leno had smashed one of their tables.

Tesoro was flabbergasted. Smashing a table? He had half a mind to abandon the casino altogether and flee.

...

New World, Desert Island

As the waves crashed, Robin stood by the boat, sipping her coffee and watching the fiery meteor falling onto the island below.

"Leno vs. Fujitora," she mused, a slight smile on her face.

New World was indeed home to powerful fighters.

With a sweeping "Ten" slash, Fujitora split the descending meteor into four parts, creating massive, fiery craters as the fragments struck the island.

"Fujitora, this won't work on me!" Leno called out, gripping his sword with one hand.

Now that he had grown in strength, wielding Dragon Sparrow in one hand felt natural. His Black Sword matched his every movement, sharp and solid.

Though facing Fujitora, Leno felt far less pressure than he had against Kaido or Whitebeard.

"Gravity Blade!"

Fujitora's slash tore through the air, creating a distorted gravity wave that decimated everything in its path. The immense gravity struck Leno's Armament Haki barrier head-on.

Boom!

But Leno stood firm, slicing through the onslaught effortlessly.

"One-Sword Style!"

His oscillating blade met Fujitora's gravity wave, neutralizing it with a force that warped the ground and space around them into giant craters.

Then, with a swift slash, Leno unleashed a powerful crescent strike that cleaved the landscape, his attack sharp enough to tear through cliffs and ships.

The slash struck with precision, carrying a force that would echo for a lifetime.

Leno moved with practiced ease, a flicker of light in his eyes.

"You don't seem to have much experience fighting against top players!" he commented, a subtle grin forming as he observed his opponent.

Fujitora nodded thoughtfully. This match was more about exchanging techniques than battling to the limit.

"You're right. I'm not really one to seek fame or fight for attention, so I rarely clash with others like this."

"No wonder!" Leno's figure vanished.

Observation Haki activated? No, Fujitora couldn't sense him.

It wasn't the first time he'd experienced Leno's ability to cancel Observation Haki. He had been amazed by it at the casino, but now, here it was again.

With a swift motion, Fujitora sheathed his sword, pressing down to unleash a powerful technique. The gravity around them intensified by hundreds, then thousands of times. The ground beneath him shattered, sinking into a dark abyss under the weight.

Yet, before he could finish, his talent—Eye of Heart—detected a blurry shadow closing in.

Leno's blade flashed.

Fujitora instinctively twisted to avoid the sudden strike. The edge of Leno's blade barely missed him, cutting a deep tear into his clothes and scoring the ground with a jagged line.

Then Leno's leg shot out, wrapped in Conqueror's Haki. He struck Fujitora's shoulder with crushing force, amplified by his Overlord Body talent. Three waves of energy—like successive tidal waves—blasted Fujitora back, his body unable to withstand the combination.

Others would combine their powers to achieve the highest impact, but Leno's approach was different. His attacks were unpredictable, each strike strategically separated for maximum control.

Rhythm. It was something few fighters could master. The way Leno changed his attack rhythm gave him an edge that his opponents couldn't anticipate. In battles, control over the tempo could suffocate an opponent, pushing them out of their comfort zone and forcing them into unfamiliar territory.

Leno looked down at Fujitora, who lay in the rubble, struggling to catch his breath.

"Hey, Fujitora, your gravity manipulation is perfect for weight training!" he chuckled, flexing his muscles. "Feels stronger than training in the deep sea."

Fujitora looked up, half-stunned, but smiled wryly. "Using my gravity… for training? Isn't that a bit much?"

Seeing Fujitora stay down, Leno asked, "Are you getting back up, or is that enough for today?"

Fujitora chuckled, rubbing his sore shoulder. "No need, I'm warmed up enough."

Leno gave him a nod, offering some advice. "You need more fights against top-tier opponents, real blood and fire training. Right now, you're holding yourself back."

He could see Fujitora's potential, but he was rough around the edges, his Haki unrefined against the fiercest opponents. For all his talent, Fujitora lacked the practical experience to handle someone on the level of an Admiral or even one of the Four Emperors.

Afterward, Leno knelt, his hand glowing with a faint blue flame, touching Fujitora's shoulder. The flame seeped into Fujitora's wound, soothing the pain and accelerating the healing.

Fujitora, surprised by the rapid recovery, asked, "President, what... what kind of race are you?"

Leno laughed. "I'm human, like you."

Fujitora's gaze softened.

"You're like a rainbow, President," he murmured, sensing an almost mystical presence about Leno.

After the fight, they returned to the ship, and Leno took a long shower to wash off the dust of battle. Entering the office afterward, he found Robin reclining with a book in hand, a faint smile on her lips.

"What's got you smiling like that?" he asked, leaning in to see the cover. It was a story about a knight and a princess—classic romance.

Robin met his eyes with a mischievous smile. "Just analyzing love from a scholar's point of view."

"Love analysis, huh?" he shook his head. "Alright, study hard!" Leno headed further inside to get comfortable.

As he sat, Robin's attention drifted, remembering the journeys she had taken with Leno across the seas. From East Blue through the Calm Belt, she had followed him into the New World. Being Leno's secretary had broadened her knowledge and, for the first time, her mind felt free of shadows.

While training under Leno, Robin had come to trust his strength. Unlike past leaders, he had a confidence that gave her reassurance. Despite his strength, he rarely demanded anything from her, aside from occasional rigorous training sessions—sessions that left her sore but stronger. His guidance was sharp, aimed at improving her unique skills.

Working with him, Robin felt a sense of fulfillment she had never experienced before. Here, she had safety, purpose, and time to pursue her scholarly interests.

Noticing Leno's papers on the table, Robin picked up a document—a translation of an ancient text. She made a few corrections, adding notes where she thought Leno had missed finer points. It amazed her that he could decipher part of it; she hadn't expected him to understand the language of the ancient texts so well.

To her, it felt like finding a kindred spirit—a rare companion in a sea of solitude.

-----------

+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg