"Could it be that the potential of this body is going to be wasted?"
Luffy said, feeling a pang of regret.
[Not at all.]
[The system contains tools that allow the host's original potential to be fully utilized.]
Perhaps it was the sight of Luffy's teary eyes that moved the system. It spoke in a cold, detached voice, quietly giving a hint.
"What?! There's another way?"
Luffy asked urgently—after all, this concerned his future strength.
[In the Shop, there is an item called the "Rapid Growth Capsule." Its effect allows the user to expend one year of life and, in return, gain the maximum possible growth in all physical attributes for that year.
Due to its severe side effects, it is classified as a mid-tier item and is not expensive. A maximum of eighteen capsules may be consumed.]
[Tip: The Shop occasionally offers items that increase lifespan.]
"Rapid Growth Capsule? Lifespan? Occasionally? …Wow, that's complicated."
Luffy knew he wouldn't waste the kingly potential of this body. His anxiety eased slightly.
"System, how old am I now?"
[It is currently Year 1506 of the Sea Calendar. The host has already passed his third birthday.]
"Only three? Is Garp really my grandfather? He actually sent a three-year-old into such danger…"
Luffy looked at his hands, noting that the injuries sustained during the snake encounter had vanished thanks to the system. Yet the pain from that struggle still lingered faintly in his memory.
"Wait… that beast, which an adult might struggle to defeat, only gave me 5 EXP. Level 2 requires 100 EXP. That means I'd have to kill twenty creatures of comparable strength just to reach level 2."
Luffy calculated silently.
"Reaching level 2 gives 40 attribute points… that's just slightly stronger than a normal person."
He bit his nails anxiously.
"But even a random tavern worker might be stronger than an average human, and 500 points are required to use Haki. By that logic, Whitebeard's stats must be far more than just a few thousand points…"
Thinking of the tiny attribute gains from leveling, Luffy suddenly felt a sense of bleakness about the future.
[Friendly Reminder: The attributes gained through leveling are the least effective method of growth.
Other growth methods must be explored by the host.]
"Eh? The least effective? So there are other ways to get stronger?"
Luffy's spirits lifted immediately.
"If there are other opportunities, the most obvious should be this one!"
He focused on the Equipment slot and whispered, "Open." Nothing happened.
[The Equipment slot can only be activated after the host purchases the first item in the Shop.]
The system ruthlessly delivered this failure notice.
"Shop? Then…"
Luffy shifted his focus to the Shop slot and whispered, "Open." Still no response.
[The Shop system unlocks only when the host's bounty, or the bounty from defeated creatures, exceeds 10 million Berries.]
"Pff!"
Luffy spat blood in frustration. A way to grow stronger was given, but he had to earn a bounty first—and to get a bounty, he needed strength. He was caught in a vicious cycle.
[Friendly Tip: The Companion System will be the fastest route for the host to grow stronger. Recruit capable companions as soon as possible.]
[Reminder: Any creature killed as a result of host-inflicted damage provides EXP to the host.]
The system suddenly dropped this note.
"This is obviously pointless… wait," Luffy raised his head. "So, no matter how much damage others do beforehand, if I land the final blow, I get the EXP?"
[Correct. Indirect damage also counts. For example, if the host sets a forest on fire or floods a town with seawater, EXP equal to the value of the creatures killed will be awarded.]
The system explained in detail.
Luffy shivered at the thought.
"So… if I became a cold-blooded demon king, I could level up quickly?"
He imagined himself slaughtering countless foes and immediately shook his head.
If he killed the villagers of Windmill Town…
"No, no. Decisive action is acceptable, but wanton killing of innocents is wrong. Besides, there's no need for me to do that."
For now, leveling was his only path to strength. But with Grandpa Garp still around, he had no opportunity to gain EXP.
Leveling couldn't be rushed; Grandpa Garp had plenty of duties at Marine HQ, and eventually, Luffy would gain freedom.
Understanding his current situation, Luffy slept again with a mix of helplessness and anticipation.
The warship sailed steadily, rocking him gently as he rested.
After an unknown amount of time, the advanced Marine vessel stopped at the inconspicuous harbor of a small island.
"Luffy! Luffy! Wake up, we're here!"
Garp burst in, lifting the still-sleeping boy from the bed and heading straight out of the ship, ignoring whether Luffy was awake.
A cool breeze blew as Luffy reluctantly opened his eyes.
"Ah? What's happening? Where am I?"
He stabilized his body, swaying slightly from the motion.
"Grandpa! Put me down! This is uncomfortable!"
He flailed his hands, trying to escape Garp's grip.
"Ah, awake, Luffy! Today, Grandpa is taking you to meet some new friends, hahahaha…"
Ignoring Luffy's struggles, Garp carried him into the small village.
Soon, an elderly man with a hunched back and a cane emerged.
"Garp, you're back?"
"Oh, it's the village chief," Garp replied.
Seeing a familiar face, he greeted him.
"Luffy has grown, but can't handle training yet. That old man Sengoku has been bothering me constantly. I had no choice but to return and find someone to take care of Luffy. I'm counting on him to take over my work one day."
Garp held Luffy up like a display, presenting him to the village chief.
"Ah!" The aged chief didn't realize that Garp was holding a child. He quickly took Luffy into his arms.
"This is your grandson? He doesn't look anything like you! What's his name?" The chief held Luffy like an infant.
"I'm Luffy, Village Chief. Can you put me down?" Luffy said, hopping lightly to the ground.
Finally free from Garp's grasp, Luffy didn't want to be treated like a child. After all, an adult's soul resided in this small body.
Besides, the chief wasn't a pretty lady—hugging him was not at all comfortable!
"Hahaha! Village Chief, I leave Luffy to you. Sengoku's calling me back."
Garp looked down at his grandson, reluctant to part.
"Is this about the Fishman incident in Mary Geoise?" The chief's tone became serious, meeting Garp's eyes.
"Yes. The newspaper yesterday mentioned a Fishman named Fisketiger rescued many slaves in Mary Geoise. Are you going after him?"
"Hahaha… impossible. I just didn't want Sengoku to find the senbei I've been hiding, so I need to get back quickly," Garp chuckled. "Village Chief, take care of Luffy. Make sure this rascal behaves!"
"Don't worry, we'll help him grow up quickly," the chief said, adjusting his glasses.
Uh… Village Chief, that wish might not come true, Luffy thought wryly.
Watching Garp's figure disappear, Luffy felt a sense of helplessness at the sight of his massive grandfather receding into the distance.