So, the Navy Assigns Wives...

On the light screen before him, six abilities in the Gifted Abilities section appeared grayed out at the very bottom.

[Breathing], [Medicine], [Taming], [Weapon Operation], [Precision], [Throwing].

January 10.

One morning.

After closing the projected light screen, Mercer thought about the abilities in the Gifted Abilities section. They had appeared with a gray sheen, but had yet to truly manifest as Gifts.

"Ten days to make the Throwing Gift appear. That's not bad. But I still have to suppress that feeling that it's about to manifest for real at any moment."

A Gift could appear in one of two ways: by genuinely learning an ability or skill, or by encountering an extraordinary possibility in one's own experiences and history.

Both the appearance and manifestation of a Gift required some kind of catalyst, whether a flash of inspiration or years of practice until one had mastered the skill. But Mercer could interfere, to some extent, with whether a Gift truly manifested.

That was thanks to his perfect symbiosis with the "Light Orb," each complementing the other.

Mercer could genuinely do that.

Gifts could appear through deliberate study after the fact, but given the current circumstances, even if they manifested, they would only be F-rank at best.

Even if a Gift didn't manifest, the experience wouldn't disappear. It would continue to accumulate.

It simply wouldn't come with the bonus properties of a Gift.

At present, he didn't particularly need them.

Soul Crystals: [0]

That was also because he still hadn't obtained any Soul Crystals, and as for how to acquire them—

For now, it was better to wait until he'd saved up enough Merit Points and then take care of everything at once.

Especially the [Precision] Gift. Mercer had good reason to believe it was a [Type Two] Gift, one that couldn't grow through training after the fact.

Rather than a skill-based Gift, it seemed more like a talent, a probability, or a special Gift tied to a concept.

The other Gifts, however, were [Type One]. They could grow on their own through training.

"For now, there's no need for these Gifts to manifest for real. It's fine to keep exploring, building up experience, and strengthening my foundation. Who knows? By the time they manifest on their own, they might even start at a higher level."

It was an instinctive feeling.

It was also confirmed by the "Light Orb" in his sea of consciousness.

His life experiences and history weren't set in stone. A moment of inspiration or some realization in his heart wouldn't simply flash by and vanish. It would continue to accumulate in his history.

It wouldn't disappear. Like old wine, it would grow richer the longer it was left to age.

Outside the treehouse, in the snow.

He stood quietly beneath an old tree.

His breath rose and fell. His belly expanded and contracted at a slow rhythm, with more than ten seconds between each inhale and exhale. His mind was blank as he instinctively opened and closed his Observation Haki.

Outwardly, he sensed nature's vastness, the boundless world around him.

Inwardly, he sensed the special sound emanating from within himself, the unique fluctuations of life.

He didn't gain any special insight. His heartbeat simply grew slower, and everything around him grew quiet.

A unique perspective of perception.

With every breath, it felt as if he were in harmony with the wind and snow around him.

He entered a meditative state.

At the window of the treehouse, Kureha held Bear Cub in her arms and quietly watched Mercer beneath the tree in the snow. He seemed to have merged into the snowy landscape, not out of place at all, as if he belonged there.

"What's gotten into this brat? Why does he have that sort of mystical aura the swordsmen are always going on about?"

"Is he having some kind of insight?"

Kureha wasn't a swordswoman. As she put it, she was just an ordinary medical worker who knew a few tricks to protect herself.

When it came to lofty notions like "Unity of All Things," "Voice of All Things," and "mind reading," she took the scientific approach: don't believe rumors, and don't spread them.

As she watched, she saw Mercer open his eyes. He shook himself and sneezed. Kureha bellowed at him:

"If you know it's cold, why are you standing out there? Get your butt back in here!"

Mercer grinned. He was already used to Kureha's sharp tongue. He clenched his numb hands and toddled back on his short little legs.

He opened the door, letting some of the warmth escape, then dashed over to the fireplace amid Kureha's grumbling.

Separated from the flames by an iron guardrail, Mercer held out both hands, soaking up their warmth.

There was a fireplace in the treehouse. It had undergone multiple renovations, and the tree itself was still alive, which was rather amazing.

For a living thing, it was pretty tough.

******

That afternoon.

Knock, knock, knock!

Kureha wasn't on the first floor. She was in her drug-development room on the second floor.

That was where Kureha did some of her mysterious research: things like longevity drugs and lineage factors. Mercer generally didn't go in there.

Even if he did, he wouldn't understand any of it.

When no one answered, the visitor outside knocked again.

At the desk.

Mercer sighed as he read. Few people came to the secluded treehouse in the remote mountains, except for a certain quack he'd met only once. "Quack" was what Kureha called him.

When the quack came, he always shouted.

"Who is it?"

Mercer looked wary, but also a little helpless, as he called out, "Who are you looking for?"

As he spoke, he'd already risen and gone to the corner where the weapons were kept. He picked up his axe and released his Observation Haki at the same time.

Just then, a burst of laughter came from outside. Mercer put the axe back, and a voice he knew all too well followed:

"Mercer, your grandpa's here! Hurry up and open the door."

A dark line appeared on Mercer's forehead. He opened the door with a helpless look, and a burly figure blocked the entrance. The next moment, the world spun around him.

A broad palm gripped Mercer around the chest and belly, lifting him high into the air. Then another hand began ruffling his head.

"Are you trying to crush my head, you old bastard?"

At Mercer's sharp remark, Garp froze, then awkwardly let go.

His embarrassment lasted only an instant. Garp's face darkened again as he scowled. "What did you just call me, brat? A bastard?"

Mercer spread his hands to either side, looking helpless. "That's what Doctor Doriel calls you. I'm the bastard grandson, and you're the bastard grandpa. We're both bastards."

Garp's mouth twitched. He was about to answer when Kureha came down the stairs, giggling. "Did I say anything wrong? You tell me—aren't you a bastard?"

As Garp's brows twitched furiously, Kureha snatched Mercer from his hands and casually dropped him on the floor. Garp's eye twitched again.

"The kid's only two. Couldn't you be a little gentler?"

Kureha glanced at Mercer, who was acting as though nothing had happened and going to fetch tea. She pursed her lips dismissively. "That kid's tough as nails. What, you care about him now? You weren't exactly gentle just a minute ago."

The two of them traded jabs as soon as they met. Mercer came over carrying two cups of tea. He gave one to Kureha first, then handed the other to Garp, who was already looking jealous.

Kureha sipped her tea with a grin and looked at Garp. "How does it feel to have your grandson serve you tea for the first time?"

Garp raised his brows, the corners of his mouth starting to lift, but Kureha added, "The kid brings me tea every day."

Garp looked at how well-behaved Mercer was, then thought about the mischievous Ace he'd left on Mount Corvo on Dawn Island. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Mercer, do you want to go to the East Blue? Your little brother Ace wants to meet you."

Kureha's expression shifted. She opened her mouth, but said nothing. Mercer, however, shook his head. To Garp's surprise, he said, "I'm weak. Maybe in another year or two. I'm still little, and I'm afraid I won't be able to handle the long journey."

Garp didn't think much of it. He just nodded.

"That's true."

After all, two years ago, Mercer had looked like he was "about to die young."

Even now, there was a faint weakness to his aura. It was quite strange.

Garp nodded in agreement.

Kureha, however, twitched her lips. "Weak"? That was the funniest thing she'd heard all year.

If he was weak, how could he carry a fifteen-pound load over mountains without even getting winded?

If he was weak, how could he hunt for himself? Even if it was only Bamboo Rats and the like.

If he was weak, how could he stay out in the snow for so long?

Kureha rolled her eyes and reached out to feel Mercer's skull, then asked Garp, "The seas have been rough lately. You have time to wander around here?"

Mercer's eyes flickered as he listened quietly. This was one of the few ways he could learn about current events outside.

Newspapers were edited.

Rumors spread outside could be twisted.

But Garp, right in front of him, told the "truth."

"Hmph, what's the big deal? The state of the seas hasn't changed much. The pirates are like fish and shrimp in the ocean, scrambling to reach the New World.

"As for the New World, it's mostly one dominant power and several strong ones. Roger's damn fool started the Great Pirate Era. There are more pirates now, but the only ones who can truly stand at the top are a bunch of monsters who sailed on his ship.

"Oh, right. There's been some trouble in Wano Country in the New World lately. I heard Kaido's about to go to war with the samurai or something.

"Their leader was apparently on Roger's ship, too. What was his name? Kōzuki Oden, or something. Anyway, just take it with a grain of salt. It's not something you can go around saying."

Kureha smiled and took a sip of tea. "Roger, huh? Gol D. Roger. What a rowdy brat.

"Even after his death, he's still making such a fuss."

"D, huh? Speaking of which, you're a D, he's a D, and little Mercer's a D, too. What exactly does D mean?" Kureha said, then shook her head, unimpressed. "Never mind. It has nothing to do with me. I'm just an ordinary doctor."

Garp glanced at Mercer in silence and noticed the "curiosity" in his eyes. Although he'd spent little time with Mercer, he knew the boy was clever.

Kureha had said Mercer never cried or fussed when he was little, and that he was well-behaved. More than anything, he was bright—wise beyond his years.

So—

"Mercer, can you tell Grandpa what you want to do when you grow up?"

Garp didn't even know why he asked. "Do you want to join the Navy with me?"

Kureha turned her gaze toward Mercer as well. People said you could tell what someone would be like as an adult from how they were as a child.

The boy was filial and loyal, though no one knew who he'd picked up that sharp tongue from. He also seemed somewhat indifferent to life. That was a good thing for a doctor, but for a child this young, it was hard not to worry about what the future held.

And then there was that business about D.

Maybe the boy should go with Garp to the East Blue and meet his little brother. Perhaps being with someone his own age would do him good.

She looked at Garp again. The man was a bastard, and clearly no one who could raise a child properly.

She sighed.

Just then, Mercer spoke with a grin. "I want to study medicine. I want to learn Doctor Doriel's Medical Skills. I want to make a drug that grants eternal life. I want Doctor Doriel to live forever.

"Oh, and once I've made the immortality drug, I'll reluctantly give some to you, Grandpa."

Garp frowned, clenched his fist, and breathed warm air into it. He laughed in exasperation.

"You little bastard, don't change the subject. I don't want to live forever!"

As he spoke, he punched Mercer on top of the head. A bump sprang up, and Mercer huffed in annoyance. "And you, brat, what do you mean, 'reluctantly'? Am I worth less than that old woman?"

At the same time, Kureha's smiling face darkened, and her grin froze. She abruptly kicked upward, catching Garp under the chin. With a muffled THUD, Garp's head crashed through the wooden ceiling.

His body dangled into the living room.

Kureha smiled coldly. "You bastard, watch your mouth. Even if you are the kid's grandfather, I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget."

Garp braced both hands against the ceiling. With a crack, he pulled his head out of the broken wood and dropped to the floor, looking helpless.

"You really do have a fiery temper."

He rubbed his face, brushing the wood chips off it, and said to Mercer, "Don't you go copying this. You'll never find a wife."

"Then, Grandpa, does the Navy assign you a wife?" Mercer asked, blinking.

Garp's face stiffened.

Mercer continued, "I'm not asking for much. Just the world's most beautiful woman. What do you say, Grandpa?"

Garp's face went dark, his mouth twitching violently. Through gritted teeth, he said, "The Navy doesn't assign wives, and there's no such thing as the world's most beautiful woman. You'd better not join the Navy. I'm afraid someone would beat me to death."

Mercer grinned. "You should've said so earlier. You've wasted my breath. I thought the Navy was great, but it turns out they don't even assign wives."

Garp turned green with anger. His lips trembled as he watched Mercer smile with his teeth showing. For a moment, he seemed to see a familiar figure.

He took a deep breath, sighed dejectedly, and waved a hand. "We'll talk about joining the Navy another time. I only happened to be passing by today. Now that I've seen you and you're healthy, that's enough. I'll come see you again next time.

"By the way, think over what I said. Ace is curious about you, and he really wants to meet you."

Just as Garp had arrived in a hurry, he left in a hurry after finishing his tea, patting his backside on the way out.

Kureha looked at the hole in the ceiling, then at Mercer. Completely exasperated, she went to fetch the repair tools. "I should've known. That bastard left so fast because he didn't want to fix my ceiling."

Mercer grinned and helped Kureha pass her the repair tools. He wasn't handy with them himself, but helping out made him feel involved.

Here we go again: the New Book is a fresh little seedling. Please give it a follow, recommend it, read along, and support it!

About Soul Crystals. Basic information below.

[Soul Crystals]: Soul Crystals of different grades can be obtained by killing. They can be used to strengthen attributes and Gifts. (Soul Crystals are refined and forged from the spiritual essence and life essence of living beings.)

＊Soul Crystals can be fused or broken down.

＊Five crystals of the same grade can be combined into one crystal of the next grade (for example: F- → F). Grades advance in tenfold increments after that (for example: F+ → E-).

Five F-rank Soul Crystals can be combined to make one F-rank Soul Crystal.

Five F-rank Soul Crystals can be combined to make one F+-rank Soul Crystal.

Ten F+-rank Soul Crystals can be combined to make one E-rank Soul Crystal.

For example: 10,000 F-rank Soul Crystals can only be combined into eight E-rank Soul Crystals.

One hundred million F-rank Soul Crystals can be combined into approximately 1.2 C-rank Soul Crystals.

PS: 10,000 F-rank Soul Crystals are equivalent to the essence extracted from 10,000 F-rank lifeforms.

PS: Spiritual essence and origin is the foundation or essence of a lifeform's existence. It represents the inherent potential and possibilities within every living being or thing. It is a unique, latent core element of each lifeform or thing.

PS: The grade of Soul Crystal obtained is proportional to the strength of the lifeform.

PS: After a prey is killed, a Soul Crystal naturally condenses from its corpse.