JANUARY 24, 1998(13 days later)
BREW HAVEN, near 200 Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York City
ALEX'S POV
As I stepped into Brew Haven, a deep sense of satisfaction washed over me. This was my creation—a café that seamlessly blended modern aesthetics with a warm, inviting atmosphere.
When someone will walk in, they would be greeted by the rich, intoxicating aroma of freshly brewed coffee, interwoven with hints of caramel and dark chocolate.
The design was a perfect balance of sophistication and comfort—polished wooden floors, ambient golden lighting, and sleek yet cozy furniture that practically invited customers to settle in for hours.
I had another branch in Queens, but this one? This was the best. From here, I could hold business meetings with ease, all while enjoying the perfect view of Stark Tower through my café window.
With the best coffee recipes in the universe—a gift from the system—Brew Haven had boomed into an instant success. Demand skyrocketed, forcing us to expand. Mr. Anish had already finalized everything for the Queens branch.
Mr.Anish had amassed around $120million from various personal savings and investments of my parents.
I had poured $1 million into this Manhattan location and another $1 million into the Queens branch. The remaining funds were carefully allocated to other projects.
"Morning, boss!" a voice called out, snapping me from my thoughts.
I turned to see Emma, my head barista. She was in her mid-20s, her fiery red hair tied back in a ponytail, hazel eyes sharp as ever. She had years of experience working at high-end coffee chains, but the moment I offered her full creative freedom, she left them behind without hesitation.
Beside her, Daniel, a well-built man with a perpetual five o'clock shadow, was pouring steamed milk into a cup, creating a flawless rosette design.
"You've got a meeting today, right?" he asked looking up. "VIP section's ready for you."
I gave him a nod before scanning the café. The place was lively but not chaotic—just as I wanted.
Students huddled around their laptops, some working on assignments, others deep in discussion. Businessmen in crisp suits sipped their customized brews while tapping away at their pagers.
By the windows, Sophia, our graceful manager, moved effortlessly between tables, checking on customers with a warm smile.
She was in her late 30s, carrying an air of elegance that made regulars feel at home.
"Mr. Jones," she greeted me with a polite nod. "Your guest should be arriving any moment. Would you like your usual?"
"Yeah, I'll take the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, no sugar," I replied.
Sophia turned to the counter. "One Yirgacheffe for the boss, Daniel!"
"Got it!" Daniel responded as he set another latte on the counter for a waiting customer.
I glanced toward the VIP room—a private, soundproof section tucked away in the back. Elegantly designed and equipped with a built-in holographic projector, it was perfect for high-level meetings.
And today, I was about to meet someone significant.
INSIDE THE VIP ROOM
SAME ALEX'S POV
I sat in the VIP room, sipping my signature espresso as I waited.
The sleek interior was furnished with a dark wooden table, plush leather chairs, and a soundproof glass panel that separated it from the main café.
The door swung open. Larry Page, co-founder of Google and one of the most influential minds in the tech industry, walked in.
I stood up, offering my hand. "Mr. Page, welcome to Brew Haven. I hope you don't mind the meeting being in a café instead of a boardroom."
Larry gave a small, intrigued smile as he shook my hand. "I don't mind at all. I prefer it. A great idea can start anywhere—even over a cup of coffee."
While he said that, I could see the curiosity in his eyes—he was surprised that I was just about 13-14 years old
I gestured for him to take a seat. "Then let's make this a meeting worth remembering. We'll discuss ideas today and, if you're convinced, we can formalize things tomorrow. My guardian, Mr. Anish, will handle the legalities."
As I leaned forward, ready to discuss the next technological leap, a surge of excitement coursed through me.
This was only the beginning.
Larry Page, co-founder of Google, observed the boy in front of him with mild amusement and a touch of intrigue. He had heard the rumors.
A 13-year-old entrepreneur who had not only opened a high-end café that was breaking revenue expectations but had also expanded into Queens within a single week. There were whispers that Amazon had partnered with him on a confidential deal, and now, this same kid was sitting before him, poised and confident.
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THIRD PERSON POV
Alex Jones sipped his coffee leisurely as if he had all the time in the world. Though his eyes were naturally a striking blue—an effect of the enhancement—they now gleamed with a light brown hue, altered by subtle body manipulation. Yet beneath that warm color, they still shimmered with sharp intelligence, far beyond his years.
"So, let me get this straight," Larry finally spoke, breaking the silence that had settled over the room. His voice was measured, but there was a hint of incredulity beneath it. He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table, his sharp eyes locked onto Alex.
"You're offering me $10 million for 45% equity in Google, and you will also provide future ideas to execute, which will outsource Google's main group, in return you will give us about 30% equity in the newly created company or subsidiary under your name?"
Alex thought deeply about his approach. While Amazon was already a listed company, he could only acquire about 2 million shares by investing $20 million, which was approximately 20% equity.
Well, I don't have any say in management there, but as one of the major shareholders, I do have voting rights.
At this stage, Amazon was still focused on DVD sales, not the delivery services that would eventually dominate the industry.
So, I will create a delivery service company under my holding company and dominate e-commerce.
Without making any direct moves against Amazon's core business, he would naturally end up controlling their most valuable division—the logistics and delivery empire that would define their future success.
I will outsource my company to them for resources and connectivity, giving them about 20% equity in the delivery company I create.
Some might ask, Why not control the whole company? Why give so much equity to those who aren't even doing anything IN IDEA AND CREATION?
The answer was simple—it would take too much time to build everything from scratch. These established corporations already had the necessary connections, workforce, and resources. Instead of competing, he would integrate his influence within them.and I will also charge them for those shares.
By structuring it this way, he would still share in the profits (the remaining profit after Alex took his share,reason alex has 20% equity in Amazon group). However, since he held the majority stake, the final say in all major decisions would be his, even if Amazon or Google handled management of his subsidiaries.
For companies that didn't exist yet, he would establish them under the umbrella of major corporations, ensuring they bore their names while he remained the true owner.
He wasn't interested in running daily operations—his role was simple:
Acquisition and control from behind the scenes.
To facilitate this, he had already founded his investment firm—
ELITA INVESTMENT.
A company solely dedicated to investing, acquiring, and controlling businesses.
Larry's fingers tapped lightly against the wooden surface, his mind racing. It was an absurdly bold proposal—one that sounded both outrageous and visionary at the same time. He had met investors before, but none who spoke with such confidence, as if they already knew the future.
Alex placed his cup down gently. "That's right."
Larry chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You do realize that we're a rapidly growing company, right? We have investors, a roadmap, and our vision."
Alex smirked. "Of course, you do. But let's be honest, Larry—Google is still in its infancy. You and Sergey have something revolutionary, but you're operating with limitations—limited funds, limited infrastructure, and most importantly, limited foresight."
Larry's eyes narrowed slightly. "And you think you can provide that foresight?"
Alex leaned back, crossing his arms. "I don't think—I can." He tapped the table lightly. "Let me give you a glimpse of what I bring to the table. Google's current search algorithm? It's good, but I can make it better. Ever heard of machine learning? AI-driven search optimization? Data monetization strategies that will make AdWords look like child's play?"
Larry's amusement faltered. The kid wasn't just throwing around buzzwords—there was a weight behind his words, a certainty that made him pause.
Alex continued, his voice steady. "Let's not forget—you need funding. And not just from investors who will dilute your management. I'm offering you unrestricted capital with no strings attached, aside from my ideas being implemented and control over the subsidiaries in the future." He tilted his head.
"The real question is… do you want Google to be a $billion dollar company or a trillion-dollar empire?"
Larry exhaled sharply, rubbing his chin. "And what exactly are these ideas you're so confident in?"
Alex grinned. "I could list them now… but where's the fun in that? How about a teaser?" He leaned forward. "The future isn't just search engines—it's data. Whoever controls information controls the world. Google can be more than just a search engine. It can be the gateway to the internet."
Larry fell silent, processing Alex's words.
The room remained still, the faint hum of jazz filling the air.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, Larry let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head. "Jesus. You don't talk like a 12-year-old, do you?"
Alex grin. "No, Larry. I talk like someone who sees the future."
Larry Page studied the boy in front of him with an unreadable expression. His fingers tapped lightly against the polished oak table, the rhythmic sound barely audible over the soft jazz playing in the background.
"Alright, kid," Larry said, leaning back in his chair. "You've got my attention. Tell me more about these ideas of yours."
Alex wasn't in a rush—Larry needed him more than he needed Larry, and the sooner the man realized that, the better.
"Well," Alex began, setting his cup down with a soft clink, "Google is already on the right track. But you're thinking too small. Right now, you see Google as a search engine. I see it as the foundation for the world's biggest technological empire."
Larry raised an eyebrow, intrigued but skeptical. "Go on."
Alex smirked. "Search engines are just the start. The real power lies in data. Right now, people use Google to find information, but in the future, Google will be the one providing information. Personalized recommendations, automated assistance, and predictive searches—all powered by AI-driven algorithms. We're talking about a system so intuitive that it knows what users want before they even type it."
Larry exhaled sharply, rubbing his chin. "Machine learning, huh? We've thought about it, but it's still in its early stages."
Alex nodded. "Exactly. That's why you need someone with foresight. Imagine integrating AI into Google Search, evolving it beyond a simple directory, and turning it into a knowledge network. Add in targeted advertising, real-time analytics, and suddenly, Google isn't just a search engine—it's the internet's backbone."
Larry's eyes gleamed with curiosity, but before he could speak, Alex continued.
"And that's just phase one." Alex's voice was calm but carried a weight of certainty. "Google can expand beyond search. Ever thought about video content?"
Larry frowned. "Like television?"
Alex smirked. "Similar but more broad. People love video content. It's engaging, easy to digest, and incredibly profitable. But right now, there's no dominant platform. Imagine a platform where users can upload, share, and monetize their videos—an open-source television network for the Internet. Call it something simple… like YouTube."
Larry's brows shot up. "That… sounds insane."
"No, it sounds inevitable," Alex corrected. "Give it a few years, and people won't just be searching for information—they'll be watching it. Music videos, tutorials, vlogs, entertainment… It'll revolutionize media consumption."
Larry ran a hand through his hair, clearly processing the weight of Alex's words. But before he could respond, Alex leaned in, his brown eyes gleaming.
"And let's talk about something even bigger," Alex said, his voice lowering slightly. "Social media."
Larry blinked. "Social media?"
Alex's smirk widened. "Right now, the internet is fragmented—people have online identities, but they don't have one place to interact. But what if they did? What if there was a platform where people could connect, share their lives, engage in discussions, and form communities?"
Larry's frown deepened. "You mean… like an online social network?"
Alex nodded. "Exactly. A digital world where people can friend each other, post updates, share photos, and even communicate in real time. A place where businesses can market directly to consumers based on behavioral data—data that Google could help provide."
Larry was speechless.
He had been so focused on improving search that he hadn't even considered this. And yet, everything Alex was saying made sense. If the internet was truly going to be the future, then social connectivity would be just as important as information retrieval.
"This…" Larry exhaled. "This is insane. And you think this is possible?"
Alex chuckled. "Larry, I don't think—I know. In fact…" He leaned back, crossing his arms casually. "I already built it."
Larry's eyes widened. "What?"
"I already created the foundation for a social media platform," Alex revealed. "I just haven't launched it publicly. No front-facing brand, no aggressive marketing—just the framework, waiting for the right moment. And still, there are 10000 users already in 2 days and for AI machine learning I already have one for Google"
Larry was floored. "You mean to tell me you—"
Alex cut him off. "I'll tell you more about it… after we finalize the contract."
Larry narrowed his eyes, studying the boy in front of him. He could tell Alex wasn't bluffing—his confidence was too solid, his knowledge too refined.
"…You really are something else, aren't you?" Larry finally muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
Alex merely grinned, taking another sip of his coffee.
"Welcome to the future, Larry."
With the meeting concluded Larry stood up, shaking Alex's hand firmly. "I'll finalize the contract by tomorrow. Seriously, Alex… this is crazy. But I like crazy."
Alex chuckled, nodding. "That's the spirit."With a final nod, Larry left, leaving Alex alone in his penthouse.
The moment the door shut behind him, Alex collapsed onto the couch, exhaling deeply.
"Phew…" He muttered, rubbing his temples. The meeting had been exhausting, but it went exactly as planned.
"Keikaku doori."
He couldn't help but smirk at his own dramatics."Alright, enough acting like Aizen."
Still, he had to admit—it felt good. Step by step, he was setting the foundation for his future empire. But now that business matters were out of the way, his attention turned to something far more pressing.
His second template.
Pulling up the system panel, his expression hardened.
[TEMPLATE]
Normal Template :
-Senku Ishigami (91% assimilated)
-Tsugikuni Yoriichi (38% assimilated)
[POWER LEVEL]Wall-Level Strength [Lower] , with GLR: Mountain-Level [Upper](Can be increased if the ring acknowledges you more.)
[ABILITIES]
-DNA Manipulation
-Body Manipulation
-Super Strength(20~60 tons), with GLR (500 tons)(Can be increased if the ring acknowledges you more.)
-Super Speed(50~150m/s), with GLR (Mach 7)(Can be increased if the ring acknowledges you more.)
-Super Stamina
-Flight with (GLR)
-Various abilities of GLR
-Sun Breathing (while using increase base physical strength and speed by 3 times)
-Swords mastery - sword apprentice
(AN: HERE SWORD MASTERY IS DEVIDED INTO 3rd rate>2nd rate>1st rate>sword apprentice/man>sword master>great swordsman>mind sword>sword saint> sword immortal >one sword > sword heart >sword god >sword soul >heavenly sword >no sword)
His strength and speed had increased slightly thanks to Sun's Breathing. But that's only the effect after using sun breathing.
Yet, despite all his efforts…His progress was stuck at 38%. No matter how much he practiced sword movements or trained in the system's simulation training room in system space, it refused to budge.
"Damn it… why?" Alex muttered, tapping his fingers against the table.
"What am I missing?"
He closed his eyes, diving into the vast memories of Tsugikuni Yoriichi. The first breath user. The strongest Demon Slayer in history. A man whose mere presence was enough to make even the King of Demons tremble in fear.
Alex watched, again and again, as Yoriichi moved in his memories—his sword dancing through the air, each strike flawless, each movement like a flowing river.
"He doesn't fight… he dances." Yoriichi's swordsmanship wasn't about power. It wasn't about technique. It was about perfection.
Each strike flowed into the next without resistance, without hesitation. He didn't force his sword through the air—he allowed it to move as naturally as breathing.
For Alex to progress further, he needed more than just practice.
He needed to understand. He needed enlightenment.
"I need my own way of the sword," Alex muttered unconsciously, his voice barely above a whisper. But as the words left his lips, something within him shifted. His back straightened, and without hesitation, he rose to his feet.
As if struck by sudden inspiration, he immediately turned to Sophia, who had just returned from checking on the café staff.
"Sophia, the meeting is over. I'm heading home."
She raised an eyebrow but didn't question it. "Understood, Mr. Jones. Have a good evening."
Without another word, Alex stepped out of Brew Haven and hailed a cab, his mind already racing with the next steps.
As soon as Alex stepped into his home, he spoke without pause.
"Cara, carry out the tasks I assigned to you. I'm heading into the system space to train. If anything important comes up, write it down, and if Mr. Anish arrives while I'm inside, let him know I'm busy with something important."
Without sparing a glance at anyone, he walked forward, his focus already shifting to his training.
At that moment, a respectful yet warm, sweet female voice echoed through the house speakers.
"Yes, Master. I will be cheering for your success," the voice responded.
A moment later, a hologram materialized not far from Alex—a breathtakingly beautiful woman, her presence both elegant and lifelike.
Alex glanced at her, his lips curving into a small, appreciative smile. With a slight nod, he vanished into the system space.
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SYSTEM SPACE – TRAINING ROOM
Third-Person POV
A vast, seemingly endless space stretched before him—about the size of a football field, yet shrouded in an eerie, serene silence. The walls of the training room within the System Space were made of a smooth, indestructible alloy, shimmering faintly with a futuristic glow. The ground beneath him was solid but responsive, designed to endure even the most intense combat training.
At the center of this expanse, Alex sat cross-legged, his eyes closed. But unlike his usual 13-year-old form, he had shifted into his true body—(his original physique.)
His frame was lean yet powerful, sculpted with finely toned muscles that hinted at both agility and strength. His skin had a slight golden sheen from the effects of Sun Breathing, and his jet-black hair cascaded slightly over his sharp, defined features. His presence exuded an air of dominance, a warrior on the brink of discovering something monumental.
But today, he wasn't here to merely practice Tsugikuni Yoriichi's sword techniques.
Today, he was here to forge his path.
In his mind, the memories of Yoriichi's swordsmanship flooded his consciousness. Every stance, every breathing pattern, every precise, god-like movement—the Sun Breathing master had long since etched his techniques into Alex's brain.
But no matter how hard he tried, something was missing.
With his near-photographic memory and overwhelming mental strength, he had already memorized every Sun Breathing movement. Yet, when he executed them, it felt... crude. A mere imitation.
It wasn't mastery.
It wasn't his.
Alex scowled in frustration. 'How the hell do those generic MCs in fanfics get enlightenment so easily? Just sit cross-legged for a few minutes and boom—instant mastery? Bullshit.'
He knew better.True mastery wasn't just repetition. It was understanding.
For three hours in the real world—six hours in the System Space, Alex remained still, replaying every sword movement in his mind. He analyzed each strike, each step, each breath.
But something still didn't click.
Alex's eyes snapped open, blue eyes glimmering with determination.
"No more overthinking."
He exhaled sharply and stood, summoning his katana from the System Inventory.
Unlike Yoriichi's original blade which he got from the template, Alex had refined this one in the Research Room of the System Space {The Research Room in the system space includes machines that help in creation and analysis, and the system space is already integrated with AI named (Amica CARA) in short Cara} [please read the author note for this],
upgrading it with 200 grams of Vibranium and Titanium alloy, making it not only sharper but nearly indestructible.
Image...
The blade gleamed with a purple-reddish tint, and the moment he grasped the hilt, a scorching heat radiated from it—responding to the power of Sun Breathing within him. The metal hummed faintly, as if alive.
Taking his stance, Alex closed his eyes once more.
Inhale.
....
Exhale.
.....
His body moved.
One step. A swing. A pivot. A slash.
At first, his mind still held onto Yoriichi's techniques, but then—he let go.
He stopped thinking and simply felt.
The weight of the blade, the shift in his center of gravity, the way his breath synchronized with the movement—each action began to feel lighter, smoother, and more natural.
Alex danced with his sword, his movements fluid like water, yet carrying the blazing ferocity of the sun itself. He was no longer copying Yoriichi.
He was Alex Jones—and this was his way of the sword.
Just as his slash cut through the empty air, a loud Ding! Echoed in his mind.
Alex ignored it.
Another Ding! Ding! Ding!
Still, he kept going, completely entranced. His body moved faster, his sword became lighter—his existence itself seemed to merge with the blade.
Only after completing all twelve Sun Breathing forms about 10 times (the 13th is just repeating all 12 forms) in perfect succession did Alex finally stop, his chest rising and falling steadily.
His eyes snapped open, his pupils burning with golden embers.
The System Panel appeared before him.
[ Tsugikuni Yoriichi 38% → 46% → 52%]
[sword mastery - sword apprentice> sword master]
(In the world of blades, not all swordsmen are the same.
There are those known as Sword Apprentices—individuals who can perform sword techniques with precision and grace. Their movements are swift, their forms perfect, and to the untrained eye, they appear flawless. Yet, their mastery lies only in repetition and memorization. They imitate what they've been taught, executing each strike with mechanical brilliance.
But beyond them… stand the Sword Masters.
A Sword Master is not simply one who swings with strength or speed. No, they are those who have peered into the soul of the blade, who understand the meaning behind each technique. They do not mimic—they create. To them, a sword is not a weapon, but an extension of their will.
It is said that a true master possesses Sword Will—an unseen force, born of clarity and intent. Like in the world of One Piece, if a Sword Master wills to cut through stone, the blade shall obey. But if that same master chooses not to harm even a falling leaf, the sword will pass through without leaving a mark.
That… is the difference between technique and understanding. Between swinging a sword, and becoming one with it.)
A grin tugged at the corner of his lips.
"So that's the trick, huh?"
Mastery wasn't about imitation. It wasn't about memorization.
It was about making the sword an extension of yourself.
Alex looked down at his blade, now pulsing with his energy, his essence.
This was his swordsmanship—not Yoriichi's, not anyone else's.
And this was only the beginning.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE:
So, this marks the beginning of Alex's journey toward financial dominance. He needs economic strength because, in the future, governments may impose hero registration acts. Moreover, he wants to support mutants for a certain someone. Strength and fame alone won't be enough—he'll need wealth and resources to either dismantle or control the system from within.
Alex will establish a financial investment company focused on acquiring and controlling major corporations. Some companies will be entirely his, while others will operate under major industry names. For instance, he will own Facebook outright but collaborate with Google for public advertising and promotion. In the case of YouTube, he will grant Google partial management rights, as he cannot oversee everything alone. Rather than directly managing every aspect, he will transform potential competitors into subsidiaries or strategic partners. However, in every company he creates, he will retain majority equity and hold the final authority on major management decisions when required.
This chapter leaps from Chapter 4, a full 13-day skip. However, Chapter 6 will return to the events right after Chapter 4, focusing on what happened in the system space and introducing AI Amica Cara, whom Alex will simply call "Cara."
Additionally, there will be an extra chapter featuring Mr. Anish's backstory and his bewilderment at how his young master—like a grandson to him—suddenly woke up and started doing as if nothing had happened. Alex will also reveal certain things about his powers and abilities to convince Mr. Anish of future dangers, as if He had glimpses of the future during his brain-dead state. He will also give some excuse of ho he got revived. (Of course, Alex won't mention the system—only exceptions are his future wives, not girlfriends)
If you have any thoughts, questions, or feedback, feel free to comment!
GOOD NIGHT, MORNING AND EVENING
BYEE!!!!