Alabasta

"The World Government had a shipment of goods in Alabasta that was stolen by pirates. These items are sensitive, so the Marines can't be involved. The higher-ups said it can be destroyed if necessary. I, however, want you to help me reach an agreement with Crocodile." Spandam took out a prepared document and handed it to Rono.

"You can take a look. This is considered my private investment."

"I don't understand." Rono took the document and flipped through it roughly.

"A ship will come to pick you up tomorrow morning. You just need to fight."

Spandam paused and lowered his voice.

"I suspect Crocodile hijacked that shipment. If it really was him, don't do anything rash. Come back and call for backup, but not the Marines. They can't know about this."

"Oh, oh, oh, I get it. If I can't win, I call for backup." Rono's relaxed expression made Spandam uneasy. He had a premonition that Rono wouldn't follow the plan.

"Originally, Whitey Bay and Jabura were supposed to go with you, but unfortunately, they went on a mission the other day."

"No problem. Just take care of the tree for me."

"Of course."

After chatting for a while longer, Spandam took his leave.

After Spandam was long gone, the System Loli appeared on Rono's shoulder.

"Little Zha, I have a mission for you: have a fight with Crocodile. You don't necessarily have to win. Upon completion, I'll unlock points for Observation Haki."

"Speaking of which, I haven't checked my Character Panel yesterday."

The System Loli waved his hand, and a light screen appeared before Rono.

A 3D model of Rono was rotating, with information displayed below the character:

Name: Wolf Rono

Age: 15 years old (This system feels displaying days is useless. It's not like it's your birthday)

Innate Skills: Self-Healing Factor, Bone Claws

Devil Fruit Ability: Control-Control Fruit (Phase 1)

Devil Fruit Skills:

Bone Planting Armament (Greatly increases defense and slightly increases attack methods, consumes moderate stamina)

Evaluation: This doesn't match your Berserker class, but it's good for clearing mooks.

Crimson Armor (Sheds the constraints of skin and enhances muscle explosiveness, basically defenseless. Combined with Super Regeneration and Berserker Mode, the lethality is immense. Stamina Consumption: Severe)

Evaluation: You gain some, you lose some. While gaining extreme explosive power, you also lose the ability for sustained combat.

Combat Mode: Berserker (Passive) (A mode that has a chance to activate when life is in danger. Combat awareness and combat comprehension abilities are enhanced. Exchange Injury For Injury, Exchange Life For Life. Very suitable for you)

Skill Duration: 5 minutes

Skill Cooldown: 24 hours

Evaluation: The more intense the emotion, the greater the chance of activation. Prone to entering a state of bloodlust, Host, please use with caution.

Physique: 40 (Upgradeable)

Bones: 49 (Upgradeable)

Observation Haki: 0 (Upgradeable)

Armament Haki: 0 (Upgradeable)

Upgrade Points: 16

Overall Evaluation: Passable. Without Haki, what are you in this world?

The 16 upgrade points were the result of Rono's month of hard training, which he hadn't used.

"System, add 11 points to Bones and 5 points to Physique."

"Okay, please wait... Beep! Enhancement complete." A young boy's electronic voice.

4.5 times the physique of an ordinary adult, 4 times the bone strength of an adult. Rono felt filled with power.

"I should get used to this strength first." Rono extended his Bone Claws and slashed at the wall. "Crackle." Rono only felt a slight resistance as they sank in up to the hilt.

"Tsk tsk, this sharpness is comparable to a Good Grade Sword, isn't it?" Rono retracted his Bone Claws and walked towards the Enies Lobby training room.

Ten minutes later, the Enies Lobby training room was filled with booming sounds. Spandam also received a report, "Rono? I knew he was strong, but I didn't expect him to be this strong. It seems our negotiation hopes are greater this time."

Rono was also satisfied after testing his moves and waited for people to arrive tomorrow to prepare to head to Alabasta.

Early the Second Day, Rono was doing his daily training when a Marine ran over.

"Lord Rono, the ship has arrived. When can you depart?"

"I can leave after I take a shower."

Rono looked at the Marine Soldiers standing a meter or two away in the courtyard and couldn't help but find it a little funny. They were all terrified by Rono's crazy killing spree that night. This Marine soldier was probably pushed forward by them.

After showering, Rono packed a few pieces of luggage and went to the port. Three people were already waiting there. Rono boarded the ship, put down his luggage, and said to the three, "Introduce yourselves."

Although Rono was the main force for the attack on Alabasta, he was not the person in charge of this mission. The World Government probably knew that Rono was Useless except for fighting.

"My name is Haddaway. I am the highest commander of this mission. You must follow my plan. Any problems?" The steady middle-aged man spoke first.

"My name is Sairona, I'm the Sniper." A young man with a very low presence spoke up.

"My name is Deng Alpha, you can call me Deng. I'm a Gunner," a muscular young man raised his hand.

"My name is Rono, I'm a Berserker." Rono spoke up enthusiastically.

"Berserker? What's that?" Captain Haddaway spoke, wanting to understand each crew member to better utilize their full strength.

"It's a warrior who fights like their life is on the line."

"That name is quite fitting," the captain muttered.

"Wait, Captain, where's our Navigator?" Rono noticed that all his teammates were damage dealers, with no support.

"That's me. Alright, you still have time to get to know each other, let's set sail now." The captain gave the order.

"Oh!" The group responded.

Time always flies when sailing, and two months passed in the blink of an eye. Rono and Haddaway had become familiar with each other, and they had a general understanding of each other's abilities.

Haddaway, a master navigator, had average combat ability but wouldn't drag the team down. He was skilled in strategy, and this entire plan was his brainchild.

Sairona, a Sniper with extraordinary talent, could hit the wings of a mosquito at 300 meters. He had a low presence, which conversely meant he had strong survival capabilities, the most crucial ability for a Sniper.

Deng, an ordinary Gunner. Rono had wondered why he joined this operation at the time, but he understood later. Deng was a Devil Fruit user, and his ability was to enhance effects. A single cannonball landing on an enemy ship could deal five times the damage of an ordinary cannonball. Miss? No worries, by the time it hit, that ship would be GG anyway.

Finally, there was Rono. He hadn't revealed all his abilities, only telling the others that he had eaten a fruit similar to the Bone-Bone Fruit, which allowed him to cover his entire body with bones to enhance his defense. He also demonstrated his Bone Planting Armor.

Rono knew that the other three had also concealed some abilities to varying degrees, but none of them would expose the others, not even Captain Haddaway, who was most eager to know his crew's abilities.

Firstly, once a Devil Fruit ability is known, countermeasures can be devised. Sniper Sairona's hidden habits could also make him a target.

Secondly, the four were a temporary team. After this job, they would all go their separate ways.