7 Chapter 7: Field Missions

In just two years, Adrian has dedicated himself to training on the small island.

Around mid-1497, if my memory serves me right, the Roger Pirates accomplished the "Great Voyage Adventure." They successfully reached Raftel (Laugh Tale) and earned the legendary title of "Pirate King"!

This made Adrian's desire to leave even more urgent.

On this particular day, at the training ground base.

"Shigan: Fist Cannon!"

Dawson bellowed loudly as his fist, the size of a plate, surged with force, hurtling towards Adrian like a cannonball, creating explosive bursts in its wake.

"Kami-e (Paper Drawing)"

Adrian calmly employed Kami-e (Paper Drawing). The witch taught the Six Forms to the reserve members last year. At that time, Adrian noted the witch Yamanbako's level was LV43.

The graceful effects of paper drawing made Adrian's body appear as thin and light as paper. He skillfully maneuvered every part of his body, narrowly evading all of Dawson's attacks, each one dangerously close.

In reality, Adrian's current level is still only 10, with around 50 points of Doriki. Meanwhile, Dawson had already surpassed 450 points of Doriki in the Doriki test at the end of last year, and his current level has reached an impressive 33!

The battle scene solidified Adrian's enduring belief: levels don't encompass everything, and myriad factors influence actual combat prowess.

Just like the skill [Six Forms (Rokushiki)]!

[Six Forms (Rokushiki) · Paper Drawing (Kami-e) LV5 (40536/300000): Kami-e allows users to relax their body and make it take on the characteristics of a piece of paper; this grants the user extraordinary flexibility that allows them to avoid any attacks. The body being in this paper-like state also allows the user to float on the wind, as well as the ability to bend and contort their body.]

The Six Forms represent an advanced physical technique, a form of physical art surpassing human limits. Typically requiring rigorous training, Adrian, with the Progress Panel, deems Six Forms simple skills, easily mastered with time and experience.

Adrian frequently uses Paper Drawing in training. Besides LV5 [Paper Drawing], he mastered LV2 [Shave], [Moonwalk], and LV1 [Iron Body], [Finger Gun], and [Tempest Kick].

In addition, Adrian invested two skill points to advance in the sixth form: [Six Forms · Life Return].

[Six Forms · Life Return (Seimei Kikan) LV3 (1024/200000): User has complete control over all of their body parts and bodily functions.]

"Life Return" shares similarities with "Paper Drawing" in body part control, but it extends to internal body structure, unlike the surface-focused "Paper Drawing."

With the help of "Paper Drawing," "Life Return" has improved by several levels.

Among the reserves, Adrian's "Paper Drawing" stands out.

After punching the air for a while, Dawson finally stopped his fists. Despite Adrian's superiority, Dawson couldn't match his Paper Drawing. Insisting on a fight would be an endurance contest, lacking excitement.

Adrian looked at Dawson, who had halted, and asked with curiosity, "Hey, Dawson, what made you decide to ask me for combat training today?"

Dawson had always maintained a standoffish demeanor with strangers at the training base. He seldom engaged with others, and Adrian was one of the few people he would talk to.

Although Adrian doesn't know why Dawson looks at him differently, like he is happy to have someone to chat with occasionally.

"You've got more strength than what you're showing," Dawson stated, dissatisfied, staring at Adrian with his bull-like eyes.

Adrian stayed silent, neither confirming nor denying. He purposefully concealed his abilities, remaining inconspicuous among the reserve members. Despite his discreet performance, only Dawson confronted him about it.

Dawson didn't expect Adrian to respond; he knew Adrian wouldn't answer, just like in previous instances.

After a brief silence, Dawson mentioned, "My Doriki value has crossed 500. I need to pass the test to join CP9 officially."

"Congratulations," Adrian replied half-heartedly.

"Yamanbako Instructor assigned an offsite task to me."

"Oh." This time, a touch of envy and jealousy colored Adrian's response.

"She also assigned a logistics personnel for me, and that's you."

"Oh... Wait, what?"

Adrian widened his eyes suddenly, and a message appeared on the panel.

[You triggered D-level mission [Offsite], accept/decline?]

Adrian's gaze flickered. This marked the first time in three years that he had activated a mission. He had always thought the system's mission template was faulty!

No need to hesitate; it's a field mission!

A mission he'd been eagerly anticipating!

Accepted!

[Task Prompt: Question the Target Character.]

Ugh!

What kind of garbage task template is this!

Adrian's breath hitched.

"What's the matter?" Dawson inquired, looking somewhat confused.

"No, nothing." Adrian replied, taking a deep breath to calm himself. "Why did Instructor Yamanbako assign me as your logistics personnel?"

"I don't know," Dawson monotoned, "Maybe you should ask her directly."

I'm not asking that old woman with a huge mouth!

Adrian rolled his eyes.

Despite Dawson appearing as a solid, muscular man, aside from occasional keen intuition and well-developed limbs, he's actually a 14-year-old, just a year younger than Adrian.

Even though this kid is nearly five meters tall...

Adrian, who dreams of growing to two meters tall, held back his bitterness and asked, "What about the mission time?"

"Tomorrow morning at eight," Dawson replied. "Instructor Yamanbako will meet us at the base gate, and then we'll head to the seaside by boat."

"Will she join us on the mission?" Adrian asked casually.

Dawson responded, "She mentioned that she'd be joining us on the boat."

"Where is the destination of the mission?" Adrian asked. "Is it a country in the Paradise?"

"No, it's the West Blue," Dawson's answer took Adrian by surprise. "Specifically, the Kingdom of Ilisia in the West Blue."

"The Kingdom of Ilisia? It seems like a small country I haven't heard of... but why the West Blue?" Adrian looked puzzled. "Our little island should be within the Grand Line, right? How can we go from the Grand Line to the seas? Ships? Submarines? With sailboats, we can't even cross the Reverse mountain, can we? Do we have to pass through the Calm belt? Is there technology for that?"

Dawson looked even more bewildered than Adrian. He struggled to comprehend Adrian's words; navigation was a skill he hadn't mastered, let alone other aspects.

If not for his exceptional combat skills, the base commander might have abandoned Dawson long ago.

Observing the perplexed Dawson, Adrian felt he might have grasped the old woman's plan.

Adrian, the navigator, chef, strategist—anything but a fighter.

Well!

Adrian smirked.

Regardless, the "opportunity" had presented itself!