NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 3: Saitama Strat for the Win
When I woke up, the first thing I did was complete the "Saitama training routine." This meant running 10 kilometers, doing 100 squats, 100 push-ups, and 100 sit-ups. Of course, I didn't start this grueling routine on an empty stomach—Mai had prepared a delicious breakfast of bacon and eggs for me beforehand.
The training itself was brutal. At several points, I felt like I was going to collapse, maybe even die. But I suppose that's to be expected when you've never really worked out in your previous life. The 10-kilometer run had another purpose beyond just physical conditioning: it gave me the opportunity to explore the surrounding area of Shelter Town and familiarize myself with its layout. I was also looking for a very specific person, and I eventually found him.
There he was—a thin, blond, greasy-looking man: Helmeppo. Everyone knows him. Later, people might grow to appreciate him, but right now, he's just a bastard. Still, he's exactly the opponent I can beat in the coliseum. At the moment, Helmeppo was up to his usual antics, likely planning to terrorize the villagers again. But his reign of petty tyranny will end soon—or at least, within a year.
Why a year, you ask? Through my questioning and observations after training, I discovered that I had arrived in this world one year before the start of One Piece. One year before Luffy sets sail. That means I have exactly one year to become strong enough to stand beside my new friends. Strong enough to protect them. Strong enough to claim what I've always wanted.
And maybe, just maybe, I'll figure out what I'm meant to do here. For now, I feel lost. But that's understandable—it's not my world. Everything still feels so surreal. Everything except the pain. The pain is vivid and real: the pain of training, the pain of fighting. It reminds me constantly of the truth—that I've been ripped from my life and dropped into this one. And now, I have no choice but to adapt and find my way.
In the One Piece world, training never truly ends—it's always about preparing for the next session. After finishing all my tasks for the day, it was around 3 p.m., and I still had some free time. I decided to "borrow" some food. Yes, I know, stealing isn't exactly the most honorable act, but I needed to satisfy my hunger, and I didn't want to take advantage of Mai's generosity. She's an elderly woman, and I'm sure she doesn't have much money to spare.
After eating my fill, I ventured into the nearby forest and searched for the closest tree trunk that resembled the sword I'd seen in the coliseum. Once I found a suitable piece, I began to swing it. I swung the log until my hands bled. I swung it until my shoulders felt like they would dislocate. I continued until my bones ached and cracked. I pushed myself to the point where I collapsed in a pool of my own blood—not life-threatening, thankfully, just blood from my battered hands.
This is the One Piece world, after all. Injuries like these should heal quickly—or so I hoped. Something deep in my mind suggested that I might have faster regeneration here than in my previous life. Maybe it's a perk of my transmigration into this world. Who knows?
After pulling myself together, I meditated. I reflected on everything I had done—every swing, every motion. In the One Piece world, understanding your sword is just as important as mastering how to wield it. That clarity is crucial for growth.
Later, I shared dinner with Mai and finally crawled into bed, utterly exhausted. I slept like a rock, only to find myself back in the coliseum when I dreamed again. This time, I tried to lift the sword. I still couldn't manage it, but I felt I had made progress—just a little farther than the day before.
PLS Spend some Powerstones and give me a Feedback