After carefully examining the console's interface, Akira discovered the information was divided into two distinct sections.
The first part detailed his newly unlocked achievement: [Badge Collector].
This achievement's effect was remarkable—it could enhance his physical capabilities to match the attributes of each badge he earned. Akira had already experienced this transformation firsthand during their time in the game world.
His body felt noticeably more resilient than before entering the virtual realm. Previously, some mysterious force had completely suppressed his offensive capabilities, leaving him helpless in combat situations.
But now...
"I feel like I could punch through a brick wall!" Akira clenched his fist, admiring the newfound strength illuminated by the refreshing moonlight.
He didn't spare a thought for any hypothetical Brick Protection Association that might exist in the pirate world—assuming such organizations had formed in a realm where buildings regularly exploded during battles.
Beyond the obvious hardening of his fists, every part of Akira's body had gained enhanced durability and toughness.
"So the Rock-type badge makes my entire physique as solid as stone itself!" he mused with growing excitement.
"Well, I'll be—I've become a walking fortress!"
In any case, he'd finally escaped the humiliating label of 'completely helpless.' With both his defensive capabilities and offensive power dramatically increased, he estimated his combat effectiveness had jumped to at least fifteen points on the standard power scale.
No, definitely twenty points!
Additionally, Akira discovered another significant benefit—the rate at which the console absorbed energy from his body for charging had noticeably accelerated. A full day's energy accumulation now provided at least ten additional minutes of gameplay compared to before.
While this improvement might seem modest, it was enough to fill him with euphoria.
"The more time I can spend in the game world, the faster Luffy becomes stronger!" he reasoned aloud.
"The stronger Luffy grows, the more badges we'll earn!"
"The more badges I collect, the longer our gaming sessions..."
"Wait, creating a positive feedback loop!"
"Actually, something about that logic seems circular..."
"Eh, who cares about minor details!"
Overwhelmed by happiness, Akira grinned up at the star-filled sky before immediately focusing his attention on the console's second reward.
The first reward stemmed from his achievement unlock. The second came from successfully clearing Pewter Gym's challenge.
Similar to the achievement bonus, this level completion reward was also tied to the Rock-type nature of Pewter Gym. However, while the achievement affected his physical body, the level reward directly granted him access to a Pokémon move!
With eager anticipation, he immediately selected the [Draw] button.
Instantly, a simple lottery wheel materialized above the console's screen, resembling the spinning interface from a cheap mobile game. The wheel was divided into sections containing the names of various Rock-type moves, each occupying equal space on the circular display.
Without waiting for Akira's input, the wheel began spinning rapidly on its own.
"Please, console! Grant me a powerful technique!" Akira pressed his palms together in earnest prayer.
"This is my—let's see—billionth humble request!"
Since he couldn't influence the outcome through any actions, prayer seemed like his only option.
After more than ten seconds of rapid rotation, the wheel's speed gradually decreased before finally stopping.
A surge of energy filled with ancient, primordial essence suddenly manifested within Akira's body. Simultaneously, his mind became flooded with instinctive knowledge about channeling and applying this mysterious power.
"This is..." His eyes flew open, blinking in amazement. "Ancient Power!"
A moment later, his expression transformed into one of pure elation.
"I can't believe I drew such a legendary technique!"
While Akira wasn't particularly knowledgeable about Rock-type moves—preferring other Pokémon types during his gaming days—he'd definitely heard of Ancient Power's reputation as a special and highly coveted ability.
Focusing his consciousness on the internal console, he watched the information display refresh to show:
[Congratulations! You have drawn the move: Ancient Power!]
An asterisk mark appeared in the upper right corner of the move's name, indicating additional details were available. Without hesitation, Akira selected the option to view the complete description:
[Move: Ancient Power][Type: Rock][Category: Special][Power: 60][Description: The power from ancient times can be used to attack or enhance oneself comprehensively. Additionally, prolonged use of Ancient Power to nourish the body will result in permanent physical strengthening.]
"Perfect! The effects match exactly what I hoped for!" Akira thought with satisfaction as he felt the calm, special energy settling within his core.
Although Ancient Power was classified as a Rock-type move, it possessed far more mystical properties than typical Rock-type techniques. Ordinary Rock-type Pokémon rarely learned this move through natural development.
Conversely, many legendary Pokémon that had no connection to the Rock type could spontaneously awaken this power and wield it with remarkable skill.
Rather than being merely another Pokémon move, Ancient Power felt more akin to Aura or similar energy-based abilities—a force that could only be accessed by truly exceptional creatures.
Some Pokémon even triggered their own evolutionary conditions after mastering Ancient Power. It functioned like a cultivation method more than a simple combat technique.
The final line in its description confirmed this assessment perfectly.
"A move that provides permanent physical enhancement? This has to be the most beneficial Rock-type technique possible for my current situation!" he realized with growing excitement.
"It seems Lady Luck is definitely smiling upon me tonight!"
Unable to contain his enthusiasm, Akira took a deep breath and called out toward the distant ocean:
"Ancient Power!"
Rumble~
In an instant, mysterious energy began emanating from his body, rapidly condensing and transforming into numerous rock fragments that materialized in the air around him.
Under his precise control, all the stone projectiles launched outward, streaking toward the sea in the distance.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Despite Ancient Power's moderate rating of 60, the velocity of the rock fragments was absolutely impressive! The stones struck the water like artillery shells, their impact creating towering waves several meters high that crashed and foamed across the ocean's surface.
"This level of power!" Akira's eyes lit up with pure amazement as he witnessed the spectacular results.
While he still couldn't match truly formidable opponents, the combination of Ancient Power and his enhanced physical capabilities made him confident he could now defeat pirates with bounties up to 10 million berries!
"It must be that the Badge Collector achievement amplifies my Rock-type moves," he theorized. "Even though Ancient Power only has a base power of 60, the actual effect far exceeds my expectations."
"Regardless of the mechanics, I finally possess genuine combat ability!"
Akira sighed with deep relief as his gaze shifted to Luffy, who remained sound asleep despite the violent experimentation occurring mere meters away. His captain's breathing continued at a steady, peaceful rhythm that would make sleeping pill manufacturers weep with envy.
"What enviable sleep quality," he commented with a mixture of admiration and mild exasperation.
Settling back into a comfortable position in the cabin, Akira began channeling Ancient Power's energy to nourish and strengthen his body through meditation.
The night passed without further conversation.
Dawn arrived with startling swiftness, chasing away the darkness that had claimed the sea and bringing fresh light and warmth to herald a new day.
The harsh cry of a seagull overhead forced both Akira and Luffy to open their eyes.
"What? Is it morning already?" Luffy drooped his eyelids, looking completely listless and obviously not fully awakened from his deep slumber.
In stark contrast, Akira—who had spent the entire night in meditation without a moment's sleep—felt incredibly energetic and alert, even more vibrant than when he'd first returned from the game world the previous evening.
As his eyes opened, a brief golden gleam flashed within his pupils.
A slow smile spread across his face as he reflected with deep satisfaction:
"Ancient Power truly lives up to its reputation as an ability most legendary Pokémon eventually master!"
"These effects are absolutely incredible!"
Perhaps because his current power level remained relatively low, a single night of Ancient Power meditation had produced tangible improvements he could actually feel throughout his entire body!
Moreover, Ancient Power's enhancement wasn't limited to a single aspect—it provided comprehensive improvement to every facet of human capability!
Whether strength, constitution, agility, or mental acuity, everything fell under Ancient Power's beneficial influence.
Unexpectedly, the problem of becoming stronger that had plagued him for two and a half years had been resolved on their very first day at sea.
"I remember there should be methods for learning Ancient Power in the games," he mused thoughtfully.
"Perhaps we should consider arranging such training for Luffy as well."
"With Ancient Power's enhancement, he could continue growing stronger even during rest periods after his regular training sessions!"
"Speaking of training..." A calculating gleam entered Akira's eyes.
"After we acquire the Going Merry, Luffy's exercise regimen is going to become significantly more intensive."
"If he's not on the verge of collapse from training, then he's not training hard enough!"
"Maybe additional conditioning will even help trigger the awakening of his Nika fruit abilities."
The Nika fruit's wielder represented the World Government's greatest enemy. Who could predict whether the Five Elders might experience a butterfly effect from his interdimensional arrival and launch an early hunt for their crew?
Preparation and vigilance were essential, especially in such dangerous times!
For several moments, Akira's thoughts drifted toward distant contingencies and potential future challenges.
It wasn't until Luffy—now fully awake—approached and cheerfully greeted him that his attention returned to the present.
"Yo, Akira! Thanks for taking such a long watch shift!" Luffy grinned with his characteristic infectious enthusiasm.
"I'll handle things from here—you should get some rest!"
The refreshed captain had absolutely no idea that his training coordinator had already meticulously planned his entire schedule for the foreseeable future...