One Piece Slot Master - Chapter 7
Chapter 7: Straw Hats Arrive! Template Bonanza!
The oppressive heat of the midday sun seemed to lessen as Jack and Apis moved under the shade of the jungle canopy, heading towards the small cluster of dwellings that constituted Apis’s village. Ryuuji’s ancient presence still resonated faintly in Jack’s mind, a comforting anchor from their shared cavern. The dragon had encouraged them to go, a slow pulse of thought indicating it would rest and await the turning of the tide. …The sea… will call when it is time… Go, Small Ones…
Apis, now that her immediate worry for Ryuuji was somewhat assuaged by Jack’s revelation, chattered excitedly about the pirates she had befriended. “Luffy-san is really strong, and he wears this funny straw hat all the time! And Zoro-san looks scary, he carries three swords, but he helped me too! Nami-san is super smart with maps, and Usopp-san tells the most amazing stories, though some of them sound a bit… exaggerated. And Sanji-san makes the most delicious food!”
Jack listened, a knot of nervous excitement tightening in his stomach. He was about to meet them. The Straw Hat Pirates. His heroes. His idols. He had to play it cool, act natural. The last thing he wanted was to come across as a gibbering, starstruck fanboy, even though that’s exactly what he felt like internally. His other, more pressing concern was how to subtly acquire their templates. This was an unparalleled opportunity, a treasure trove of potential literally waiting for him.
They emerged from the jungle into a small clearing. A handful of simple, stilt-raised wooden houses huddled together, smoke curling lazily from one or two chimneys. It was a peaceful, rustic scene. Apis pointed towards the largest of the houses, set slightly apart from the others. “That’s Grandpa Bokuden’s house! They should be there!”
As they drew closer, a familiar, boisterous laugh echoed from within – Luffy’s unmistakable guffaw. Jack’s heart did a little flip. Then he spotted a figure leaning against the shaded wall of the house, arms crossed, eyes closed, a trio of swords resting beside him. Zoro, predictably, was asleep. Further along, sitting on the steps, was Usopp, animatedly whittling a piece of wood while a sleek, blonde-haired man in a suit – Sanji – leaned against the doorframe, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he seemed to be listening to something from inside, a faintly dreamy expression on his face.
“Grandpa! Apis is back!” Apis called out as she darted towards the house.
An elderly man with kind eyes and a deeply wrinkled face emerged, his initial worry transforming into a warm smile upon seeing Apis. This was Bokuden. “Apis! You’re safe! And who is this young man with you?” he asked, his gaze turning to Jack with a natural, cautious curiosity.
“This is Jack, Grandpa!” Apis announced. “He’s a friend! He was with Ryuuji-sama in the big cave! And guess what? He can talk to Ryuuji-sama!”
Bokuden’s eyes widened, and he looked at Jack with a newfound respect and a touch of awe. Before Jack could offer a greeting, the door burst open and Luffy bounced out, a wide grin on his face. “Apis! You found Ryuuji? Is he okay? Hey, who’s this? Is he strong? Does he have any meat?”
Jack found himself face-to-face with Monkey D. Luffy. His mind went momentarily blank. Play it cool, play it cool.
“Uh, hi,” Jack managed, trying for casual. “I’m Jack.”
Luffy’s grin didn’t falter. “Shishishi! I’m Luffy! Nice to meet ya, Jack!” He stuck out a hand. Jack, almost on autopilot, shook it. The moment their palms met, Jack focused his intent.
System, copy!
[Legendary Potential Template Acquired: Monkey D. Luffy (Future Pirate King Candidate – Early Stage)]
The icon was a grinning Luffy with his straw hat.
[Core Talents: Gomu Gomu no Mi (Unawakened – User exhibits basic rubber properties), Monstrous Growth Rate (Innate – Physical & Spiritual), Conqueror’s Haki (Latent – Deeply Sealed), Voice of All Things (Trace – Unawakened)]
[Skills: Gomu Gomu no Pistol/Bazooka/Gatling (Basic Proficiency), Brawling (Instinctive)]
[Passive Bonus when slotted: 10x EXP boost to Physique, Haki Attribute, or Devil Fruit Ability training.]
Jack nearly choked. Conqueror’s Haki! Voice of All Things! Even sealed and latent, the sheer weight of that potential was immense. And a 10x boost!
Zoro chose that moment to stir, cracking open an eye and grumbling, “What’s all the noise…?” He spotted Jack. “New guy?”
Jack nodded, trying to look unfazed. “Jack. Nice to meet you.” He needed to touch Zoro. Thinking quickly, he feigned a slight stumble as he stepped back from Luffy, “accidentally” brushing his hand against Zoro’s arm as he “regained his balance.” Zoro just grunted, seemingly unbothered.
[Master Swordsman Potential Template Acquired: Roronoa Zoro (Future World’s Strongest Swordsman – Early Stage)]
Icon: Zoro with his three swords.
[Core Talents: Three-Sword Style (Innate Genius – Unparalleled Adaptability), Demonic Aura (Latent – Trace), Immense Endurance & Willpower, Directional Disorientation (Profound)]
[Skills: Basic Three/Two/One-Sword Style techniques (Oni Giri, Tora Gari, etc. – Novice Proficiency)]
[Passive Bonus when slotted: 6x EXP boost to Physique, Haki Attribute, or Sword Skill training.]
Directional Disorientation (Profound). Jack had to suppress a laugh. Classic Zoro.
Nami emerged from the house then, a map in her hand, looking flustered. “Luffy! Stop bothering everyone! We need to discuss how we’re going to move that dragon if…” She trailed off, noticing Jack. “Oh. Hello. Are you with Apis?”
“This is Jack, Nami-san!” Apis chirped. “He knows Ryuuji-sama too!”
“Jack,” he introduced himself, offering a polite nod. Nami gave him a shrewd once-over. An opportunity arose when Nami gestured towards the jungle while asking Apis about Ryuuji’s location, and Jack leaned in as if to better hear Apis over Luffy’s chatter, his arm briefly making contact with Nami’s.
[Genius Navigator Template Acquired: Nami (Future World’s Best Navigator)]
Icon: Nami with her Clima-Tact (though she didn’t have it yet).
[Core Talents: Weather Intuition (Profound – Innate ability to predict and sense climatic changes), Cartography Genius, Financial Acumen (Exceptional), Thievery (Expert)]
[Skills: Bo Staff Combat (Basic), Navigation (Expert – Terrestrial & Oceanic), Mapmaking (Professional)]
[Passive Bonus when slotted: 8x EXP boost to learning skills related to climate, meteorology, navigation, or cartography.]
The sheer utility of Nami’s talents was astounding.
Usopp, having finished his whittling (it looked like a very small, oddly shaped boat), bounded over. “A new face! Hah! You are now in the presence of the great Captain Usopp and his mighty crew! Well, Luffy’s the captain, but I’m the one who handles all the important tactical decisions and sniping!” He struck a dramatic pose. Jack, playing along, feigned immense interest in the small wooden object in Usopp’s hand. “Wow, what’s that? It looks amazing!” he said, reaching out and “accidentally” brushing Usopp’s fingers as he pointed.
[Master Sniper Potential Template Acquired: Usopp (Future Brave Warrior of the Sea – Early Stage)]
Icon: Usopp with his slingshot, Kabuto.
[Core Talents: Pinpoint Accuracy (Innate – Slingshot/Projectile), Inventive Mind (Tinkering & Gadgetry), Storytelling (Masterful – Often exaggerated), Tactical Cowardice (Evolving)]
[Skills: Slingshot Marksmanship (Expert), Basic Tinkering & Explosives Crafting, Running Away (Highly Proficient)]
[Passive Bonus when slotted: 8x EXP boost to learning Sniper Skills, projectile weapon usage, or related precision crafts.]
Tactical Cowardice (Evolving). Perfect.
Finally, Sanji, who had been observing with a detached coolness (when not sending heart-eyes towards Nami), pushed himself off the doorframe. “Looks like we have another mouth to feed. Hope you’re not too picky, Moss-head seems to eat anything,” he drawled, nodding at Zoro who just scowled. Sanji then offered a polite, if slightly aloof, nod to Jack. “Sanji. I’m the cook.” As he spoke, he gestured with the hand holding his cigarette. Jack, feigning a cough from a stray wisp of smoke, waved his hand in front of his face, managing to make light contact with Sanji’s arm.
[Master Chef/Warrior Potential Template Acquired: Sanji (Vinsmoke Prince – Latent Abilities)]
Icon: Sanji in his suit, wreathed in flames (a nod to Diable Jambe).
[Core Talents: Black Leg Style (Innate Genius – Foot-based combat), Culinary Mastery (Profound – Can make anything delicious), Modified Human Physique (Dormant – Requires 0/10,000 ‘Genetic Realignment’ EXP to awaken initial stage), Chivalry (Unyielding), Observation Haki (Trace – Food-related intuition)]
[Skills: Basic Black Leg Kicks (Collier, Épaule, etc. – Novice Proficiency), Cooking (Professional Grade – All Cuisines)]
[Passive Bonus when slotted: 3x EXP boost to learning Cooking Skills. Note: Modified Human Physique requires specific targeted training or significant biological stress/catalyst to awaken and then level.]
Modified Human Physique! Jack knew the Vinsmoke storyline. This was huge. Even dormant, the potential was off the charts.
He had them. All five. He mentally reviewed the notifications, his mind reeling. Each template was a goldmine, not just for their skills but for the passive EXP boosts tied to their specific areas of genius. He carefully moved each new template into his storage, feeling like he’d just robbed a bank and gotten away with it. The sheer, unadulterated potential he now held was breathtaking.
The introductions settled. Luffy, true to form, was already asking Bokuden if there was any food. Zoro had managed to fall asleep again, now sitting upright. Usopp was regaling Apis with a highly embellished tale of their encounter with Buggy the Clown. Nami was trying to get a coherent plan from Luffy, while Sanji had disappeared inside, presumably to whip up a meal, the delicious aroma of cooking soon wafting from the house.
Jack found himself sitting on the porch, watching the chaotic harmony of the Straw Hats. It was surreal. He quickly managed his active template slots.
Slot 1: [Ancient Sky Dragon – Ryuuji (Weakened State)] – The 10x overall EXP boost and eventual draconic abilities were too good to ever unslot unless absolutely necessary.
He mentally unequipped the [Apis Template] from Slot 2, moving it to storage. It had served its purpose for language. In its place, he slotted in [Sanji (Vinsmoke Prince – Latent Abilities)]. The potential of that Modified Physique, combined with Black Leg Style, was irresistible, even with only a 3x cooking boost.
For Slot 3, there was no contest. He equipped [Monkey D. Luffy (Future Pirate King Candidate – Early Stage)]. Access to the Gomu Gomu no Mi, even its most basic functions, plus another specialized 10x EXP boost? Yes, please.
The world didn’t change much with Sanji’s template, though he felt a sudden, bizarre urge to check if his eyebrows were symmetrical and a fleeting appreciation for the cut of his own cargo shorts. Luffy’s template, however, brought a subtle, internal sproinginess. His limbs felt…rubbery. Not overtly, but like the potential for elasticity was now humming just beneath his skin.
Later, as Sanji served up a mountain of delicious-smelling food (which Luffy immediately started inhaling), conversation turned back to Jack.
“So, Jack,” Nami began, ever practical, “Apis says you can talk to Ryuuji. And you just… appeared on the island? How did you get here?”
Before Jack could answer, Luffy, mouth full, pointed a drumstick at him. “Hey, Jack! Are you strong? Do you have any cool powers like me?” he mumbled around his food.
This was his chance. He needed a cover story for his abilities.
Thinking on his feet, Jack grinned. He focused on Luffy’s template, on the basic Gomu Gomu no Pistol. He reached for a piece of fruit on a slightly distant platter. Instead of getting up, he concentrated, and his arm stretched. Not far, maybe only an extra foot or two, just enough to snag the fruit. It felt incredibly weird, like his bones had turned to well-oiled elastic.
[Gomu Gomu no Mi ability (Basic Stretch – Arm) activated via Luffy Template. Scaled to User’s Base Level 35.]
The effect was instantaneous. Luffy’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “WHA–?! YOU STRETCHED! YOU’RE RUBBERY TOO?!”
Zoro actually sat up, fully awake now, staring. Nami’s jaw dropped. Usopp choked on his food. Sanji paused, a ladle halfway to a pot, looking intrigued.
Jack chuckled, trying to appear nonchalant as his arm retracted. “Oh, this?” he said, holding up his now normal-looking hand. “Yeah, it’s my Devil Fruit power. I call it the ‘Kinko Kinko no Mi’ – the Slot Slot Fruit.”
“Slot Slot Fruit?” Usopp managed, wide-eyed.
“Yep,” Jack continued, improvising rapidly. “When I touch someone, I can kind of… create a copy of their abilities, or their unique talents, even their Devil Fruit powers sometimes. I have these ‘slots’,” he gestured vaguely to his chest, “and if I put their ‘copy’ into an active slot, I can use their powers and skills, just like you saw.”
He quickly added the crucial limitation he’d thought of earlier. “There’s a catch, though. I only get the basic ability and the raw knowledge of how it works. I don’t get their years of experience or their refined techniques. So, even though I can stretch now because I ‘copied’ Luffy, I’m nowhere near as good as him with it. I’d have to train like crazy to even do half the stuff he can.”
Luffy was practically vibrating with excitement. “SUUUUGEEEEEI! YOUR DEVIL FRUIT IS SO COOL! You can copy anyone?! Can you copy my ability to eat lots of meat?!”
Nami, ever the pragmatist, leaned forward, a gleam in her eye. “So, if you touched, say, a very rich king…”
Zoro grunted. “Another bizarre power. This ocean is full of them.” But there was a spark of interest in his eye, perhaps imagining someone copying his sword skills.
Sanji nodded slowly. “Interesting. So, theoretically, you could copy complex skills like cooking, or even fighting styles, given enough training with the ‘copy’ active?”
“Exactly!” Jack confirmed, relieved that his explanation seemed to be accepted, or at least, as accepted as anything ever was with this wonderfully chaotic crew.
He had done it. He had met the Straw Hats, acquired their incredible templates, and established a plausible cover for his System-given abilities. The air buzzed with a dozen more questions, Luffy already pestering him to copy something else. Jack couldn’t stop the wide, genuine grin from spreading across his face. He was in. The adventure was truly, undeniably, underway.