A Troubled Fujitora

Ding! The next-stage mission has been issued: "Rescue Portgas D. Ace." The rewards can be viewed after completing the mission.

As Portgas D. Ace's only relative in this world, the host should untangle Ace's emotional knot and change his fate, now that Ace was at his most helpless.

Ryan, who had been immersed in experimenting with the Kukuku Fruit, was abruptly pulled back to reality by the system's sudden voice. He froze. Why had the system suddenly issued this mission?

But thinking of the system's usual behavior, Ryan felt it was perfectly normal. If Ace, far away in the East Blue, could see the mission the system had issued, he would probably hug the system and kiss it a few times.

Ryan was in no hurry to do the mission. What he wanted to do most right now was check what had changed in the Devil Fruit section that had always been blank on his attribute panel. He eagerly opened the panel to take a look.

Host: Portgas D. Ryan

Current host attribute points: 110,000

Host: Portgas D. Ryan

Physical Strength: 99,999/100,000 Advanced

Physical Techniques: 99,999/100,000 Advanced

Swordsmanship: 325,704/1,000,000 Great Swordsman

Conqueror's Haki: 99,999/100,000 Advanced

Armament Haki: 99,999/100,000 Advanced

Observation Haki: 99,999/100,000 Advanced

Devil Fruit Ability: Kukuku Fruit. 100,000 attribute points can provide one comprehension and development opportunity. Each comprehension will double the cost.

Skills: Kamusari, One Sword Style: Iai, One-Sword Immortal Kneels, Two-Sleeved Green Snake.

Weapons: Supreme Grade Sword Ace, Famous Sword Mubanniu.

Mission: Rescue Portgas D. Ace. Mission incomplete.

Ryan looked at the Devil Fruit section and felt cheated. Why did comprehending the Devil Fruit just once cost 100,000 attribute points?

"System, explain yourself!" Ryan said indignantly.

"..."

Ryan was embarrassed. Seeing that the system did not respond, he changed his approach.

"System Daddy, why does comprehending the Devil Fruit once cost 100,000 attribute points?"

After a few seconds, the system's cold voice finally came through. "Because everyone develops Devil Fruits in different directions. The host can designate one ability to comprehend. As long as it is an ability possessed by the Kukuku Fruit, it can be comprehended."

All right, Ryan could accept that. After all, he could designate a specific ability to comprehend. But when he saw the words "cost doubles" afterward, he could not stand it anymore.

He snorted. "Then why does the cost double the second time!!!"

After waiting for a while, he still got no response. Fine. Ryan understood.

Gritting his teeth, Ryan said, "System Daddy, may I ask why the cost doubles every time I comprehend an ability?"

"As the Strongest Protagonist System, why should I explain my actions to others?" After saying that, the system fell silent again.

Ryan now seriously suspected that the system was a transmigrator—and one with the temperament of a dog!

When he got no response, Ryan stopped asking. After all, he had his pride too!

Ryan then began considering what ability to develop. He still had 110,000 attribute points obtained from Golden Lion, enough for one development.

"What ability should I develop first? Spatial Severance? Spatial Severance would enhance my swordsmanship, but it feels like a waste to use it for that."

Ryan began pondering what he needed most right now. Combat power? His combat power was already sufficient, especially since he had only mastered fifty percent of his strength.

"A life-saving method! Spatial Transfer!" Ryan suddenly remembered that the greatest bug of spatial abilities might be escaping. He vaguely recalled how useful Obito's Kamui had been when he watched Naruto in his previous life.

It could be said that a spatial ability user might not be able to beat you, but if they wanted to run, nobody could stop them. With that thought, Ryan made up his mind to develop Spatial Transfer.

"System, comprehend the Spatial Transfer ability!"

In an instant, Ryan felt something profoundly mysterious. It was as if I had become a fish swimming through an ocean of space. No obstacle existed for me here. I could teleport to any place in this ocean of space. Ryan swam freely through that ocean of space.

Whoosh! Less than five seconds had passed in the real world before Ryan emerged from that wondrous state.

Ryan carefully savored the feeling he had just experienced. It had been so wonderful, and that ocean of space had been so warm.

"Ah! What a pity. I'll definitely stay longer next time." Ryan secretly swore to himself.

Ryan began trying Spatial Transfer. He took one step forward, and in the blink of an eye, he arrived more than ten meters away. Then he took several more consecutive steps.

Ryan gave the choice he had made a huge thumbs-up. This ability was not only good for escaping—it was also perfect for showing off.

Ryan vaguely remembered seeing the Sword Saint Dugu and the Moon Worshipping Cult Leader from Chinese Paladin walking with their hands behind their backs, crossing more than ten meters with every step. Their bearing as peerless experts had been deeply etched into Ryan's mind.

Now Ryan possessed the same ability. If he walked into the Summit War with those strides, just imagining it made him a little excited.

Ryan experimented with Spatial Transfer over a longer distance. For long-distance transfers, he first needed to leave behind a spatial coordinate.

Thus, Ryan ran to the far left of Weatheria and left behind a spatial coordinate. Then he ran to the far right of Weatheria and left another coordinate. He directly tore open a gap in the air with his hand. Looking at the dark opening, he jumped in without hesitation.

In an instant, Ryan appeared on the far left of Weatheria, at the spot where he had just left the coordinate. Then, just as he was about to tear open another gap with his hand, he suddenly sensed that something was wrong.

Ryan drew Mubanniu from his waist and slashed through the air. A spatial entrance appeared. Ryan jumped in again and repeatedly experimented with the Kukuku Fruit, having the time of his life.

But someone else felt that something was wrong. Fujitora frowned. In his perception, Ryan's presence had vanished for an instant, then reappeared somewhere else—especially strange considering how far away the location was.

"Did I sense it incorrectly?" Fujitora murmured.

Fujitora knitted his brows and continued sensing. Each of Ryan's Spatial Transfers made his frown deepen. When Beli finished training and saw Fujitora, he was startled.

Fujitora's entire face had turned bitter like a gourd. His long-furrowed brows had formed an upside-down V.

Beli asked with concern, "Are you all right?" Beli treated Fujitora quite well. After all, there was no conflict of interest between them.

"Do you think anyone can get from one side of an island to the other in an instant?" Fujitora gestured as he spoke, looking at Beli expectantly and hoping he could clear up his confusion.

Without hesitation, Beli said, "Impossible! Unless he's cheating."

Fujitora did not dwell on what "cheating" meant. After all, Ryan and Beli often blurted out strange remarks.

"Could it be that I've gone crazy from not visiting the casino in so long?" Fujitora fell into self-doubt.

Ryan stopped after having his fill of fun. He had already witnessed the power of the Kukuku Fruit. Spatial Transfer had now been developed, and he could slowly develop Spatial Severance on his own.

However, Ryan had no intention of telling everyone that he possessed the Kukuku Fruit's abilities. This power could become a life-saving trump card for him and the others in a crisis.

It was better not to reveal it to anyone—especially with a bigmouth like Kid aboard the ship.

Fujitora's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed. Just now, he had stopped detecting that strange phenomenon.

Fujitora could now confirm that his gambling addiction had flared up. Ever since he had boarded Ryan's ship, he had worked as a bodyguard and lookout, leaving him no time to visit the casino. Sometimes, Ryan even stopped him from speaking.

When he had been alone, he could have "gone wherever he wanted." How carefree his life had been!

Thinking of this, Fujitora felt a little aggrieved. But Fujitora said nothing!