The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a warm amber glow over the waters of the ocean as the Solar Rift Pirates sailed through the Grand Line. Since their recent battle with powerful enemies, the crew had embarked on a session of intense training and preparation, for they were aware that far more powerful challenges awaited them.
Among the crew members, Rock Lee had proved himself to be a hard worker, though he had initially struggled to cope with the power dynamics of Devil Fruits. His unwavering dedication to maximizing his physical abilities had been evident from the very start.
The System Notification
Late at night, as the crew gathered around a campfire, the all-too-familiar sound of a notification echoed in Solian's mind. He immediately opened his system screen to see what had updated after completing his training task.
System Notification: Task Completion
Task: 4 Weeks of Training
Reward: 10 System Points
New Achievements Unlocked: Synergy Level 3, Observation Haki Level 30%
With a thought swipe, Solian opened his system screen to view his new statistics.
Solian Flare's Status:
Devil Fruit Mastery: 47%
Devil Fruit Points: 26
Constitution: 18
Strength: 14
Agility: 20 (+5)
Endurance: 16
Haki: 15 (New Progress: 5%)
System Points: 10
Solian smiled. The task was completed, and now he had 10 System Points to use as he wished. It felt good to know that his work had been rewarded.
Rock Lee's Contribution
But there was more to be rejoiced about than Solian's evolution. Lee, the oh-so-determined martial artist, had been pushing his own boundaries just as equally. He had been going through a rigorous regimen to improve his physical power, training primarily in his Taijutsu and agility. His resolve was unparalleled, and the impact was beginning to show.
Vance, who had always been impressed with Lee's obstinate refusal to give up, looked over at him and nodded in approval. "I have to hand it to you, Lee. You've been keeping up with the rest of us, and I'm seeing some real improvement in your speed."
Lee, sweating heavily, nodded. "It's all thanks to your training, Vance. I'm not going to let the others get too far ahead of me. I need to get stronger—faster."
Solian chuckled, watching as Lee did push-ups at lightning speed, his legs clearing the floor with each rep. "You're already quick, Lee. Just don't forget to be kind to your body, alright? I know you're itching to continue pushing, but rest is important too."
Lee grinned. "I don't need rest. Not when I'm training to be the best!"
Deciding on the Investment
Solian sat by the campfire, contemplating where to spend his System Points. Haki and Devil Fruit Mastery were vital to the battles ahead, but his physical stats remained applicable with Lee's improvements still inspiring him.
Kael, noticing Solian deep in thought, raised an eyebrow. "Deciding where to put the points, aren't you?"
Solian nodded. "Yes, it's a tough decision. I could further my Haki more, or I could bring on more control of my Devil Fruit. Or maybe more points of Strength would help me take on bigger enemies."
Lee, never one to pass up the chance to give his opinion, chimed in. "Don't forget about the Agility. Speed is most crucial for Taijutsu, and I'm sure you'd want to be quicker when fighting enemies that can also use Haki."
Solian smiled. "You're right. I've been neglecting speed a little."
Solian's Decision
After some thought, Solian made his choice. "Alright, I'm putting 7 points into Haki—that will bring it to 22%. The remaining 3 points will go into Devil Fruit Mastery to improve control over my abilities."
Lee approved with a nod. "Clever. Haki will give you the edge against enemies with powerful Devil Fruits, and the more you train, the more versatile you'll become."
Training Continues
The next few days were packed with even more intense training. Solian felt the impact of his system upgrades right away. His Observation Haki was still growing, and now he could even predict his foes' actions more precisely. He could feel the vibration of energy around him, sensing minute changes in the air before they had even happened. His body was growing stronger, faster, and more agile by the day.
Lee had spent his training sessions working on his speed and endurance. He combined his Taijutsu with acrobatic techniques, pushing his body to the limit with agility-based training. Solian watched him closely, impressed by the sheer determination Lee displayed in every movement.
"I'm getting there, Solian!" Lee said one day after completing a series of high-speed flips. "I'm going to be faster than anyone—just wait and see!"
"You're already fast," Solian said, smiling. "But speed will not win every fight. You'll need to practice your endurance as well."
Lee nodded. "I won't forget anything, I'm going to practice my endurance too. No matter how fast I get, I need to be able to withstand the toughest blows."
Quiet Reflections
As the crew continued to train, the sky darkened into a peaceful night. Solian stood at the edge of the ship, gazing out at the horizon. The path forward was uncertain, but he was ready. His crew was strong, and it became stronger every day.
"I must catch up to them," he muttered to himself. "All of us must. The Grand Line will not wait."
Lee approached Solian, his training completed for the day. "You're thinking about the future, aren't you?"
Solian nodded. "The Grand Line is full of surprises. We'll need everything we've got to survive."
Lee grinned. "Then let's keep training. We're not stopping until we're the strongest!"
Solian smiled. "Agreed. Let's show the world what we're capable of."