The first rays of dawn colored the inside of the submarine in a soft, golden hue as Theo and Mavis stirred awake. They shared a quiet moment, their bodies entwined, their hearts pounding in sync. It was a new day, a new opportunity to get stronger. After freshening up and exchanging a few affectionate glances, they stepped outside their cabin.
The rest of the crew was slowly rousing, their morning rituals echoing throughout the submarine. Theo cleared his throat, attracting the attention of Sai, Gram, and Soma. He held up four thick, leather-bound books, their covers stamped with unique symbols.
"These," Theo began, "are manuals for Rokushiki techniques. They are powerful martial arts techniques we can all benefit from learning."
His eyes were bright with curiosity; Sai stepped forward, inspecting the books. Gram adjusted her glasses, her interest piqued. Still in his apron, Soma nodded in agreement, a determined glint in his eyes.
Theo distributed the books among them, outlining each technique in brief:
"Soru, or Shave, allows the users to move at extremely high speeds to avoid attacks and attack at higher speeds."
"Tekkai, or Iron Mass, hardens the users' bodies, protecting them from attacks."
"Rankyaku, or Storm Leg, is a powerful projectile technique, in which the users start by kicking at very high speeds and strength, sending out a sharp compressed air blade that can slice objects and greatly damage a human body."
"Kami-e, or Paper Drawing, makes the users' body go limp to avoid attacks and float like a piece of paper."
Mavis, seated on a bench, listened attentively but didn't show much interest. Theo understood. She focused on mastering her new devil fruit powers and improving her haki. Rokushiki techniques could help, but they are not necessary for her.
Theo also took a book for himself, deciding to incorporate the techniques into his training regimen. As a crew, they now had a new set of skills to master, a new challenge to overcome. With that, they each retreated to their respective corners, the submarine humming with the sound of dedicated training. The day they had begun.
Theo closed his training manual momentarily and focused his thoughts inward, reaching out to the ever-present consciousness of the System.
"System," he started, "If I wanted to add a Treasure Radar and Collector add-on to the submarine's Mode Change, what would I have to exchange for it?"
There was a brief pause before the System responded, "To add the Treasure Radar and Collector add-on to the submarine Mode Change, you need to exchange an item of equivalent value. In this case, each add-on would require an Epic Devil Fruit."
Theo let out a low whistle. An Epic token for each add-on - that was steep. Theo furrowed his brows at the System's reply. "Isn't an Epic Devil Fruit too expensive for these add-ons? I was able to add magical effects with a simple token. The add-ons I'm asking for aren't that over the top."
After a moment of silence, the System responded. "Apologies for the confusion earlier. You're correct; an Epic Devil Fruit is an overestimation. To add the Treasure Radar and Collector add-on to the submarine's Mode Change, a Rare Devil Fruit for each add-on would suffice."
Relieved, Theo nodded to himself. A Rare Devil Fruit for each add-on seemed more reasonable. It was still a significant cost, but the benefits were likely worth the expense. His mind buzzed with the prospects, a faint smile crossing his lips as he returned his attention to his training.
"Apologies for the oversight. You will be rewarded with a token as compensation for the confusion."
Theo blinked, surprised. "A token?" he questioned, curiosity evident in his tone.
"Yes. An Uncommon Ship Upgrade Token." The System responded in a neutral tone.
In astonishment, Theo stared at the virtual screen, the unexpected reward momentarily pulling him from focusing on his training. The System had not only accepted his complaint but rewarded him for finding the fault. This turn of events certainly lifted his spirits.
With a triumphant grin, he thanked the System. Not only had he secured a fair trade for the add-ons, but he had also obtained a bonus. The possibilities for upgrading his ship expanded in his mind, making him even more eager to continue his journey.
Observing Theo's surprise and subsequent burst of energy, Mavis curiously asked, "What happened, Theo?"
He turned towards her, a triumphant grin playing on his lips. "Well, you wouldn't believe it," he began, his tone almost teasing. "I found a fault in the System."
Mavis blinked in surprise, her teal eyes wide. "You found a fault in the System? Isn't it supposed to be... infallible?"
"One would think so, wouldn't they?" Theo chuckled, his gaze drifting to the shimmering sea around them. "But it turns out it isn't. The System wanted to charge an Epic Devil Fruit Token for the add-ons while we could get a magical effect using a single token. When I pointed out the discrepancy, it rewarded me."
"Rewarded you?" Mavis echoed, her curiosity piqued. "How?"
"With an Uncommon Ship Upgrade Token," Theo revealed, a twinkle in his eye. "Just for finding the fault."
Mavis stared at him in amazement, a slow smile on her face. "That's incredible, Theo. Who would've thought that the System could be... outsmarted, in a way?"
Theo chuckled at her words, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. "Well, I guess it's a good day for us then, right?" He replied, his gaze meeting hers.
With the unique ship upgrade token securely held in his hand, Theo put it to use. Before proceeding, he turned towards Mavis, "What do you think? Any suggestions on which upgrade to choose?"
Mavis paused for a moment, deep in thought. Finally, she spoke, "Whatever will help us in the long run, Theo. Something that will make our journey smoother and safer."
Nodding at her wisdom, Theo focused his mind and asked the System to present him with possible upgrades.
1. Shipyard Module: This upgrade allows minor repairs and ship maintenance at sea.
2. Boosted Propulsion: Increase the ship's maximum speed by 30%. Beneficial for quick escapes or reaching destinations faster.
3. Aqua Filter System: This system purifies seawater into drinkable water, ensuring a constant fresh water supply.
4. Sonar System: An underwater detection system that helps identify underwater objects, potential threats, or valuable resources.
5. Storage Optimization: Increases the storage capacity of the ship, allowing the crew to store more items, supplies, or even looted treasures.
"The System gave us five options," Theo said, outlining each one to Mavis. "What do you think?" He asked, waiting for her input on the matter.
"Theo's eyes widened at the sight of the sonar system. He'd been planning to add similar functionality to the submarine mode, and this was even better than the simple treasure detector he'd initially envisioned. It would allow them to locate hidden treasures and identify potential threats underwater - a valuable asset in the dangerous world of the Grand Line.
"But the addition of the sonar system now brought an unexpected benefit. He had been holding off on the automatic collector add-on until he could secure another rare devil fruit, as he wanted to add both upgrades. But with the sonar system acquired through the token, he could now get the automatic collector by trading the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Allosaurus.
"Theo quickly explained his thoughts to Mavis. She listened attentively, nodding along as he shared his plans. Once he finished, she smiled approvingly, "That sounds like a solid plan, Theo. Let's do it."
"Feeling reassured, Theo commanded the System, "System, I would like to use the upgrade token to add the Sonar System to the ship. Additionally, I want to exchange the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Allosaurus for the Automatic Collector add-on."
With the two upgrades in place, their ship was not just a vessel anymore but an intelligent asset to their journey. It could now actively aid them in their adventures, making their life on the sea easier and significantly more prosperous.
Nodding in satisfaction, Theo turned to address the System once more. "System," he began, his voice firm and resolute, "I want the Sonar System to remain active at all times. Turn it off only when specifically commanded to do so."
A brief moment of silence they had followed before the System acknowledged his command. With the Sonar System perpetually on, they would now have a constant understanding of their underwater surroundings. It gave them an added layer of security, warning them of possible threats, and made their treasure-hunting expeditions significantly more efficient. This upgrade would undoubtedly prove invaluable as they submerged more, plunging into the Grand Line.
"Theo further instructed the System, outlining his priorities for the Sonar System's treasure notifications. "System," he said, "I want the Sonar System to notify us of detected treasures in the following order of priority: Devil Fruits and Supreme Grade blades at the top, followed by other graded weapons and more, and finally, Belly."
"Command received and acknowledged," the System responded promptly.
By doing so, Theo ensured that their attention was first drawn to the most valuable items – the rare Devil Fruits and Supreme Grade swords, which would significantly enhance their combat abilities. Other graded weapons and ores came next, as they could be helpful for various purposes, including trade or forging new weapons. Belly, despite being crucial, was placed last, as they could generally acquire it through various other means.
This meticulous setting of preferences reflected Theo's strategic mindset, always planning and maximizing the potential benefits of every resource.
"System alert: Treasure detected. Possible Devil Fruits or Supreme Grade blades detected."
Theo's eyes lit up at the System's notification, Mavis mirroring his excitement. "System, navigate towards the detected treasure immediately," he commanded.
"Command acknowledged, setting the course," the System responded, and the submarine began to move swiftly toward the coordinates of the detected treasure.
Upon arrival, they found a sunken ship, its once magnificent structure now resting deep under the water, home to numerous aquatic creatures. Theo commanded, "System, activate the Automatic Collector and retrieve all treasures."
Soon, the treasures were being gathered, gold pouring into the ship's vault, and then came the most exciting part - four Devil Fruits, their vibrant colors and peculiar patterns marking their unique powers.
The System identified the fruits as follows:
1. Bubble Bubble no Mi (Paramecia) - This allows the user to create and control bubbles of various sizes and purposes.
2. Swap Swap no Mi (Paramecia) - Gives users to swap places with any object or person they have touched.
3. Glue Glue no Mi (Paramecia) allows the user to produce and control glue.
4. Hito Hito no Mi (Zoan) - This fruit allows the user to become a full-bodied human and enhance their intellectual capacity significantly. While this would have no noticeable effect on a human user, as they're already human.
With the Devil Fruits retrieved, Theo couldn't help but smile. Each fruit held vast potential, and they were just the beginning of the treasures they could uncover with their new sonar system.
As the automatic collector gathered the final bit of gold, Theo turned to Mavis with a satisfied grin.
"Well, most of these fruits won't be much of use to us, but it's great to have given our new feature a test run," he said, his eyes gleaming with a sense of achievement.
Mavis chuckled lightly, her eyes reflecting his excitement. "Indeed. This will be very useful in our journey."
They left the deck, heading back to their shared quarters. The submarine hummed around them, the steady rhythm reminding them of the numerous treasures waiting to be discovered. Today had been fruitful, and it signaled the beginning of many more to come.
As they retreated into the warmth of their room, the duo couldn't help but feel a growing sense of anticipation. Their journey was beginning, and with each passing day, they were getting stronger, ready to face whatever came their way.