Chapter 16: New Skill: Using the Peacock as a Guinea Pig
10:00 PM.
The Fifth Training Ground of Marine Headquarters.
The tranquil moonlight bathed the sandy ground. Occasionally, a rustling sea breeze swept by, stirring the treetops at the edge of the training field.
Hina had just finished her "military training" during the day; now it was Ian's turn to be "trained" by the system.
Today's Task: Run 100 meters. Reward: Enhancement Points.
Even on the Grand Line, Ian still adhered to the principle of saving wherever possible. Points earned should never be wasted lightly.
While running, Ian was multitasking, pulling up the system interface.
2150 Enhancement Points!
After defeating Gladius last time and completing daily training tasks for several consecutive days, his current points were enough for two enhancements.
After the battle with Gladius, Ian understood one thing: currently, his level of Haki and physical prowess were more than sufficient to deal with somewhat notorious pirates of the New World. Therefore, for these two enhancements, Ian planned to fully invest in [Fruit Skills].
[Ding!]
[Hearing Ability Enhanced. Existing skill 'Sound Collection' becomes more sensitive, ability coverage expanded. 1000 Enhancement Points consumed!]
[Mental Perception Ability Enhanced. New application skill 'Dream World' acquired. 1000 Enhancement Points consumed!]
Each enhancement could only be chosen from the two major categories: [Fruit Skills] and [Overall Quality]. As for which specific ability within the major category would be enhanced, it was completely random, not controlled by Ian's will.
The enhancement of auditory skills didn't attract much of Ian's attention. [Sound Collection] was essentially the active application of super hearing, which he had already mastered. This enhancement only improved its acuity and coverage range, without any special skill mutations.
As for mental abilities, they had been enhanced before. But acquiring an active application skill was definitely a first!
While maintaining a steady running pace, Ian read the skill description in his mind.
[Dream World (Active): Controls the enemy's five senses and mind, trapping them in an illusion created by the ability user.]
Skill Features: If the illusion created by the user is indistinguishable from the real world, it can achieve a truly realistic effect. If the illusion is too fantastical, the enemy will realize they are trapped in the user's skill. The failure rate increases significantly against enemies with extremely strong Haki cultivation or mental willpower far surpassing the user's. Current range: 100-meter diameter. The specific number of people controlled is determined by the user's mental strength.]
Ian felt a surge of excitement as he browsed the introduction to the new skill. It seemed complicated, but it wasn't hard to understand. Wasn't this essentially acquiring a genjutsu-like ability from another world?
The key points were specifically explained in the usage features... If the illusory world was realistic enough, the target wouldn't realize they were trapped in an illusion! To put it more grandly, within the scope of this skill, Ian became a true "god" in the spiritual sense. Everything the target perceived in their world was created and controlled by Ian. Like a dream, like a mirage.
As his Fruit abilities gradually developed, Ian grew increasingly suspicious of his "Human-Human Fruit." Weakening and enhancing others' five senses was bizarre enough. Now he could precisely control them and induce hallucinations. No wonder the higher-ups at Marine Headquarters were curious about his abilities; even he himself was extremely curious!
But there was no time for idle thoughts. The most pressing task now was to test the effectiveness of the new skill. During testing, he couldn't just experiment blindly; some crucial information needed clarification.
As for the test subject...
He would be training with Garp tomorrow. With Garp's mental fortitude and Haki level, there was a 99% chance he couldn't be controlled.
It wasn't impossible to go back and use Nami as a guinea pig tonight. Although her strength was a bit weak, it would be safer to test the basic capabilities of "Dream World" first before seeking a more suitable target.
Of course, there was another bold and brilliant option right now.
A nearly perfect little lab rat was hiding in the shadows at the corner of the training ground!
It was the Peacock he had met during the day!
Twenty minutes ago, she thought she had sneaked into the training ground unnoticed. While doing his physical training, Ian kept his visual and auditory skills activated, using the opportunity to train his skill endurance. Peacock's inexplicable appearance was completely within his detection range.
Ian hadn't proactively exposed her. On one hand, his daily tasks weren't complete. On the other hand, he wanted to see what tricks Peacock was up to.
After this troublesome girl appeared, she didn't take any action. She just occasionally touched the whip at her waist and showed a creepy smile. She even commented from time to time:
"A man working so hard, practicing alone late at night... so cute, huh!"
"..."
"I wonder if big, strong little Ian will behave when he gets whipped~"
"..."
They say Devil Fruits can affect a person's personality. It seemed true!
Ian couldn't pretend not to hear Peacock's unpleasant words. She was already planning to find a chance to whip him; how could he act like nothing happened? Ian's mind was now filled with thoughts about the feasibility of using Peacock as an experimental subject.
First, her strength level!
She was an elite Headquarters Captain, destined for future promotions. A Devil Fruit user proficient in dual-color Haki. At the very least, she currently possessed the combat level of a "pirate with a bounty over 100 million Berries." Not too weak, not ridiculously strong—truly a very suitable combat level.
Second, the testing opportunity!
It was late at night, and only he and Peacock were in the entire training ground. Ian had just expanded his detection range and repeatedly confirmed that there was no one else within a one-kilometer radius of the training ground. A rare, heaven-sent opportunity!
Of course, going back to practice on little Nami first after acquiring an unfamiliar skill was the safer approach. But would such a suitable environment and person come again? Starting tomorrow, Ian would be training with Garp. Who knew when he would meet such an ideal, solitary guinea pig again? It could be weeks, or even months. Holding a treasure but being unable to use it was an extremely frustrating feeling.
Finally, the motivation for action!
Before acting, he had to consider how to end things without raising suspicion if he failed. If facing a lone pirate, the solution was simple: turn them into a dead secret-keeper. But facing a Marine colleague, especially in a dangerous place like Headquarters, killing was out of the question. Therefore, he needed to disguise his actions as an ability attack or test to act more safely.
For example, if the target were Vice Admiral Momousagi or Vice Admiral Doberman... putting aside their strength, how would Ian explain his strange behavior after failing? There was absolutely no motivation to act!
Peacock was different!
This girl had provoked Ian during the day, and now she was sneaking around in the dark, spying on him. Attacking her was completely justified! To put it another way, even without the skill test, Ian had originally planned to teach her a lesson!
Wasn't this killing two birds with one stone?