The Priest Said...

There were many forms of power in the world, including the three most widespread and commonly used systems—Haki, Nen, and chakra—as well as resentment, Sage Arts, and superpowers that accompanied or derived from those three systems, along with mysterious Devil Fruits, Imperial Arms, swords, and other weapons. Yet no matter which one it was, tracing it back to its source revealed that they all led to the same destination: they required the most fundamental innate life energy of intelligent beings, formed jointly from physical strength and mental energy, to support their use. There were no exceptions.

What truly differed was the method of obtaining power—

One type was learned through one's own efforts, such as the three major systems of Haki, Nen, and chakra, as well as the resentment, Sage Arts, and superpowers that accompanied or derived from them.

The other involved acquiring Devil Fruits, Imperial Arms, swords, weapons, and the like, then using them as a medium to exert one's own power.

It was impossible to say which of the complex and diverse power systems was superior. But given Bred's current circumstances, if he wanted to increase his combat power, he either had to stubbornly grind away at Nen and delve deeper into its mysteries, or daydream about two high-quality Devil Fruits falling from the sky so he could eat one and throw the other away. The cruel reality was that he had no other means of obtaining power.

Delve deeper into the mysteries of Nen...

Several months earlier.

Cipher Pol Agent Academy.

"Father, I'm confused." Having spent a long time unable to figure out what someone like himself, belonging to the Conjuration type among the "Six Nen Types," should conjure, Bred took the initiative to seek Anderson's help. "Could you explain Nen to me again?"

"...In the Lord's name, amen~" Anderson finished his prayer, closed the Bible, and smiled gently. "Of course! Child, what would you like to know?"

Bred ran a hand through his hair, unusually troubled and irritated. "Everything. Everything about the 'Six Nen Types.' I still don't know what I should conjure."

"Understood!" Anderson's smile remained unchanged. "Your current state is a typical manifestation of a Conjuration-type Nen user."

Bred said, "Hm?"

"Each person's aptitude, upbringing, and even personality determine which of the 'Six Nen Types' they belong to after awakening their life energy. Of course, it isn't absolute, but that doesn't matter." Anderson wiped his nearsighted glasses. "People of the Conjuration type among the 'Six Nen Types' are generally somewhat neurotic, stubborn, and obsessive. They possess opinions that brook no argument, are skilled at noticing microscopic details, and are mostly difficult perfectionists and realists. That is why it is hard for them to decide what to conjure."

Bred met Anderson's gaze and reminded him, "Father, you're a Conjuration type too. Is it really alright for you to say that?"

"At present, I suppose I count as a Specialist." Anderson blinked, as if joking.

Bred said, "..."

"Rustle, rustle~~~"

Anderson picked up a pen and paper.

A moment later.

"People can easily develop Nen abilities in their own type, but Nen abilities outside their type are difficult to acquire. Even if they do acquire them, they cannot completely master them." Anderson pointed at the hexagonal diagram he had drawn. "This is the Six Types chart. Taking you as an example, you are a Conjuration type. Assuming your chance of mastering Conjuration is one hundred percent, then your chance of mastering the nearest type, Transmutation, is eighty percent. Your chance of mastering the relatively close Manipulation and Enhancement types is sixty percent. Your chance of mastering the furthest type, Emission, is forty percent. As for the Specialist type, the chance of all five types mastering it is zero percent. Specialists are special; most are born that way. However, the reason Specialist is placed between Conjuration and Manipulation is that among those who later become Specialists, Conjuration and Manipulation types are the most common."

Bred stared at the Six Types chart for a while before asking, "Why is the Six Types chart arranged like this?"

"Ah, it was created by the ancients based on the application of Nen." Anderson patiently explained, "Enhancement is the starting point of the Six Types chart, the application of Nen's essence. From there, two lines extend: the line of controlling and applying Nen—Emission and Manipulation—and the line of changing Nen's quality—Transmutation and Conjuration. Finally comes Specialization, which encompasses all Nen abilities outside the other five types."

Bred tapped his fingers against the table, then suddenly said, "Using Nen's essence to enhance the body or objects is Enhancement-type Nen. Its effects are similar to Armament Haki. Can I use Armament Haki to make up for my inability to completely master Enhancement-type Nen?"

"Yes!" Anderson answered affirmatively.

Bred continued, "Changing Nen's nature is Transmutation-type Nen. It has something in common with chakra's seven natures—lightning, wind, water, fire, earth, yin, and yang. Can I use chakra to make up for my inability to completely master Transmutation-type Nen? Could I even use Transmutation-type Nen to develop chakra of every attribute?"

"You can!" Anderson affirmed again, but immediately emphasized, "It is far too difficult, child. A person's time and talent are limited."

The topic had swiftly gone off track.

"In short, changing Nen's form is Conjuration-type Nen. In theory, it can create anything you want, provided you understand that thing well enough. After all, Conjuration-type Nen cannot simply create something beyond all reason from nothing. Then, by introducing the restrictions and contracts I taught you, you can add special abilities—things like freely storing and retrieving it. It can be extremely deceptive in battle." Anderson said, "It is very simple. All you need is to make use of your personality's talent for noticing microscopic details, your firm will, and your rich imagination."

Bred pondered. "Tell me about your Nen ability, Father."

"My Nen ability is called 'Crime and Punishment.' It specializes in executing monsters and heretics," Anderson said.

Bred twitched the corner of his mouth. "That's it?"

"Forgive my reservations, child." Anderson sighed.

Bred nodded. "I understand."

At that moment.

After sitting in silence for a long while, Bred still found it difficult to decide what to conjure.

"Contract Chain?"

"Crazy Clown?"

"Bulging-Eyed Fish?"

"A Pinch of Gunpowder?"

"..."

There were plenty of references, but none of them suited Bred. He desired stronger, more straightforward combat power.

"Attack + defense = combat power."

"Attack?"

"Defense?"

"The best defense is offense."

"Attack!"

"..."

"What kind of attack could make someone unable to defend?"

"What kind of weapon's attack could make someone unable to defend?"

"..."

Bred kept thinking, and thinking again.

"Bzzzz~~~ bzzzz~~~ bzzzz~~~"

A flying mosquito.

"Smack!"

Bred snapped his fingers. He had vaguely caught hold of an inspiration.

"Joanna! Joanna!"

PS1: A difficult chapter. For now, I'll stick with the original setting; there will be adjustments later on. Please vote.

PS: Thanks to reader [青春无悔15] for the 500-point coin donation, and thanks to readers [化蝶涯], [沉默酱], and [heijun11] for their 100-point coin donations each.