One Piece: Emperor of Knowledge

Reached 50 stones, here's the bonus chapter.

Next: 75

I forgot to tell yall, but the novel is a bit slow pace as in the first arc, the mc will lay down his foundation.

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The day of the gala crept closer, each passing hour filled with final preparations, sharpening my skills, and solidifying the image I wanted to project. As much as I focused on refining my inventions, I didn't neglect my training. In the early hours before dawn, the city was quiet, and I would slip into secluded alleys or find hidden courtyards where I could work on conditioning my body and honing my senses.

The bruises and scars from my time on the island had healed into faint marks, reminders of the discipline I'd forged there. Now, as I struck the hardened stone walls, I could feel how much I had progressed.

My muscles rippled with control and precision, each strike landing with purpose. The pain was manageable, almost exhilarating, and with every hit, I felt my senses sharpen, growing more attuned to my surroundings.

Observation Haki remained elusive, but I could feel a heightened awareness taking root. Sometimes, even before my eyes registered a movement or a sound, a faint sense would alert me, a flicker at the edge of perception. I clung to that feeling, pushing myself to reach that heightened state with each session.

After one such training session, as dawn broke and the first lights of the city began to blink awake, I found myself near Mirabel's workshop. She'd proven invaluable, and I'd seen glimpses of curiosity in her gaze that went beyond business.

I stepped into her shop, where the smell of oil and hot metal greeted me. Mirabel looked up from her workbench, her eyes sparking with recognition and something more as she noticed me.

"Orion," she said, her voice a mix of surprise and something more guarded. "Back so soon? I thought your inventions were near complete."

"Almost," I replied, stepping closer to inspect a piece of equipment she'd been working on. "But there's always room for improvement, isn't there?"

Her lips curved, a hint of a smirk. "For those who have the skill. Others don't know when to stop meddling."

I leaned a bit closer, letting my gaze linger on her. "Then it's good that I know exactly what I'm doing."

She raised an eyebrow, her amusement evident. "Careful, that confidence could get you into trouble."

I smiled, letting the tension of my body ease, adopting a more relaxed stance. "I don't mind a little trouble if it leads to the right results."

The distance between us was smaller now, almost electric. I saw her eyes flicker to my hands, then back up to meet my gaze. She hesitated for a heartbeat before her guarded expression softened, just slightly.

"Well then," she murmured, "show me what you're working on."

I walked her through my designs, choosing not to reveal too much but giving just enough to keep her intrigued. She leaned over the workbench with me, our shoulders brushing as I pointed out the mechanisms. Her scent, a mixture of metal and something faintly floral, was grounding, a reminder that this world had its own allure, its own layers of complexity.

As the conversation ebbed and flowed, I kept a calculated charm in my voice, enjoying the subtle pull between us. Her guarded walls began to lower, and by the time I left her shop that morning, I knew I'd left a mark.

....

The day of the gala finally arrived, and the city's upper district buzzed with anticipation. The grand hall stood at the center of it all, draped in banners and illuminated by hundreds of lanterns that cast a warm glow over the polished marble steps leading up to the entrance.

I had arrived early, my inventions carefully packed and ready to be revealed. The mechanical bird and self-winding clock, among others, were in a compact case that allowed me to carry them without drawing too much attention. Dressed in a dark tailored coat that I had pieced together from fine fabrics, I blended well enough with the other guests, but I kept a low profile. Tonight was about subtlety and controlled influence, not bluster.

Inside, nobles and merchants mingled, exchanging pleasantries and eyeing each other with the measured politeness of those who knew that wealth and power were the true currency here. The nobles were resplendent, decked in silks and jewels that shimmered under the chandeliers' light. The merchants, while dressed more modestly, wore the self-assurance that came with their status.

I made my way through the crowd, scanning the faces and picking up on the currents of conversation. Whispers of political alliances, business ventures, and the occasional rivalry reached my ears, and I filed each one away, another piece of intelligence to be used when the time was right.

In one corner, a small group of nobles clustered around a man who appeared to be showing off some elaborate device, a clockwork automaton shaped like a miniature horse that pranced stiffly under his control. I could see the awe in their eyes, the eagerness for novelty, and I knew that my creations would be met with no less enthusiasm.

As the evening progressed, the time came for my debut. I approached a group of nobles, most of whom had grown bored of the automaton display. With a quiet confidence, I introduced myself, presenting the first of my inventions: the clock that displayed constellations with each chime. I twisted the dial, and the device came alive, stars lighting up in intricate patterns across its face.

The nobles gasped, some murmuring in wonder. I could see their eyes alight with curiosity, the novelty capturing their attention as they leaned in closer, hands reaching to touch the device.

"Magnificent," one of them breathed, his gaze fixated on the shifting constellations. "I've never seen anything like it."

A noblewoman in a deep emerald dress leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with intrigue. "Who created this?"

I allowed myself a faint smile. "Just a merchant with an eye for possibilities."

I moved on to display the mechanical bird, and as it began to sing its clear, sweet melody, the crowd's attention deepened. I could see their minds working, curious about the mechanics, eager to understand but held back by the mystery I'd woven into each device.

As the evening continued, more nobles took notice. Their initial surprise turned into admiration, and soon I was at the center of a growing circle of curiosity and intrigue. They asked about my methods, my background, even my motivations, but I kept my answers vague, feeding their interest without revealing too much.

....

Late into the night, as the crowd began to thin, Mirabel appeared. Her presence was unmistakable, a stark contrast to the nobility's opulence. She wore her usual work attire, her expression guarded as she watched me from across the room.

I made my way over, feeling her sharp gaze assess every inch of my appearance.

"Enjoying the gala?" I asked, voice low enough that it stayed between us.

She tilted her head, a small smirk on her lips. "It seems you're the one everyone's enjoying. Quite a performance."

I shrugged, a nonchalant smile in place. "The first step in getting what I need."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but there was a hint of admiration in her gaze. "And what exactly do you need, Orion?"

"Opportunities," I replied. "The kind that only this city can provide." I let the words hang, allowing her to interpret them however she wished.

She looked at me thoughtfully. "Well, keep playing your cards right, and you might just get them. But remember, there's always a price in places like these."

I met her gaze evenly. "I'm prepared for that."

As we stood there, a subtle understanding passed between us. She knew the world I was stepping into, and while she offered no guarantees, I sensed that her respect had deepened. I walked away from the gala that night with more than just interest from the nobles; I had gained a foothold in their world, and Mirabel's quiet acknowledgment felt like a promise that my path here was in a good point.

....

By dawn, I returned to my quarters, my mind already racing with plans for the next phase. The night's success had opened doors, and I intended to walk through each one with purpose.

The pieces were in place, the game set. Now, it was time to play.