I am in One Piece

Jason sat on the throne in Chinjao Fortress, deep in thought after coming back from Soja Island. The fortress, once a symbol of the Chinjao Family's power, now served as his temporary base while he planned his next move. His crew had been training relentlessly, integrating Hasshoken into their combat styles. The ancient martial art, capable of sending shockwaves through an opponent's body, was a perfect addition to their arsenal.

He had secured four islands in the South Blue, each containing vast treasures worth a combined total of fifteen billion berries. Their location, near the Sorbet Kingdom, made them prime targets for opportunists, but Jason wasn't worried. Once the crew gathered the riches, they would head toward the East Blue, where even greater talents awaited.

But one particular talent had already caught his attention—Sōma Yukihira.

Jason had searched for a chef in the South Blue, knowing the crew would need someone who could not only provide high-quality meals but also understand their lifestyle as pirates. What he found shocked him. Sōma's talent in cooking surpassed anything he had ever heard of, even beyond what the legendary chef Sanji of the future Straw Hats would accomplish. The fact that he shared the same name as the protagonist from Food Wars was a strange coincidence, but Jason didn't believe in coincidences.

Sōma lived on Shougeki Island, which was one of the treasure locations Jason had acquired. That made things convenient. Once they set sail, Jason would meet him personally and recruit him.

For now, he turned his attention back to his crew. The training grounds of the fortress echoed with the sounds of battle. Sai and Boo were demonstrating advanced Hasshoken techniques while the Nexus Pirates practiced against one another. Jason watched as Koala and Bepo exchanged blows, their movements swift and precise. Koala had integrated Hasshoken into her Neko Neko no Mi fighting style, her shockwave-infused claw strikes becoming deadlier by the day. Bepo, on the other hand, had combined it with his Tsuki Tsuki no Mi, allowing him to release shockwave-enhanced moonlight attacks.

Monet and Reiju trained nearby, their competition subtle but fierce. Jason could tell there was an underlying rivalry growing between them. Monet's control over the Yuki Yuki no Mi had improved significantly, her attacks becoming more fluid and devastating. Reiju, with her Thunderbird abilities, had begun using Hasshoken techniques in mid-air, amplifying the force of her electric attacks.

Robin sat on the sidelines, observing. She wasn't the type to engage in unnecessary battles, but Jason knew she was absorbing everything. Even without direct training, she would find ways to apply what she learned.

Law approached Jason, arms crossed. "We've made solid progress. Most of the crew is adapting well to Hasshoken. But…"

Jason smirked. "There's still a gap between me and them."

Law sighed. "Obviously. You don't need it, but the others do. If we want to survive in the New World, we need every advantage we can get."

Jason nodded. "That's why we're taking our time here. Once we leave, there's no turning back."

His words carried weight. Everyone knew that the moment they stepped into the larger world, they would attract stronger enemies. There was no room for hesitation.

Koala wiped sweat from her brow, walking toward him with a grin. "You're not training, Captain?"

Jason smirked. "Why would I need to?"

Koala rolled her eyes. "Cocky as ever."

She gave him a playful punch on the arm, but Jason noticed the way her gaze lingered on him. It wasn't just admiration. It was something more.

Monet walked over, handing Jason a bottle of water. "Even if you don't train, you should at least hydrate," she said, her voice carrying a teasing lilt.

Jason accepted the bottle but raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you care about my health?"

Monet smirked. "Since you decided to drag all of us into your insane ambitions."

Reiju, who had been watching, stepped closer. "He's not dragging us into anything. We chose to follow him." She gave Jason a knowing smile, one that sent a clear message.

Jason exhaled, pretending not to notice the tension between them.

Robin chuckled from her spot. "Jason, have you ever considered that you might be the reason for all this… competition?"

Jason shot her a look, but she simply smirked, clearly enjoying the situation.

Before he could respond, Sai clapped his hands loudly. "Alright, that's enough talking! Back to training. If you want to survive in the Grand Line, you need to earn it."

The crew resumed their drills, but Jason remained deep in thought. The strength they had gained in Kano would be invaluable, but there was still more to be done.

The real journey was about to begin.

As the sun began to set over Kano Country, Jason remained seated near the training grounds, observing his crew as they continued their rigorous training. The Chinjao Family had proven to be excellent teachers, and Jason could already see the improvements in his crew's fighting styles.

Sai and Boo walked up to him, their expressions filled with respect. Sai crossed his arms and nodded. "Your crew has a lot of potential, Jason. If they keep training like this, they'll surpass most martial artists in the world."

Jason smirked. "That's the plan. Strength alone isn't enough—we need skill, strategy, and adaptability."

Boo let out a chuckle. "You sound like an old man giving a lecture."

Jason rolled his eyes. "I just know what's coming. The seas ahead won't be forgiving."

Sai studied him carefully before speaking. "I have to admit, you're different from most pirates I've met. You're not just looking for power or fame… you're planning something big, aren't you?"

Jason didn't respond immediately. He couldn't tell them about the system, but he didn't need to. Instead, he gave Sai a knowing smirk. "Let's just say I have my own ambitions, and I intend to see them through."

Sai didn't press further. He simply nodded. "Well, whatever your plans are, just remember this—true strength isn't just about how hard you can hit. It's about the people who stand by your side."

Jason glanced back at his crew. Koala, Bepo, Monet, Reiju, and the others were still training, pushing themselves past their limits. They weren't just his subordinates. They were his family.

"I know," Jason said softly. "That's why I'll make sure they have everything they need to survive."

The training continued late into the night, with the crew practicing their Hasshoken techniques under the watchful eyes of the Chinjao Family. Jason joined in occasionally, pushing his own limits and refining his skills.

During a brief break, Monet approached him, holding a water flask. "Here, you should drink."

Jason took it, nodding in thanks before taking a sip. He raised an eyebrow when he noticed Monet watching him closely. "Something on your mind?"

She shrugged, a small smirk playing on her lips. "Just thinking. You're always pushing us to get stronger, but you never talk about yourself. What exactly are you aiming for, Jason?"

Jason leaned against the wall, looking up at the night sky. "A future where we're untouchable. Where no one can threaten us. That's the only way to survive in this world."

Monet studied him for a moment before stepping closer. "And what about you? Do you ever think about something beyond just getting stronger?"

Jason turned to her, his Observation Haki picking up the subtle shift in her emotions. There was curiosity… and something else.

"Maybe," he admitted. "But right now, there's too much at stake."

Monet exhaled, shaking her head with a small smile. "You're impossible sometimes, Captain."

Jason chuckled. "I get that a lot."

Reiju, who had been watching from a distance, walked over with a teasing smile. "Careful, Monet. If you get too attached, you might have some competition."

Monet scoffed. "Oh, please. I don't do competition."

Koala, who had just finished her training, overheard them and raised an eyebrow. "What are you three whispering about?"

Reiju smirked. "Oh, nothing. Just discussing how our dear captain is completely oblivious to certain things."

Jason sighed. "I feel like I should be concerned about this conversation."

Robin, sitting nearby with her usual knowing smile, simply chuckled. "Don't worry, Jason. You'll figure it out eventually."

Jason shook his head, deciding to ignore whatever rivalry was brewing between them. He had more pressing matters to focus on.

As the night deepened, the training session finally came to an end. The crew, exhausted but satisfied, gathered together for a late meal. The next phase of their journey was approaching.

In a few days, they would set sail for the South Blue, where Jason would claim the four islands filled with treasure and seek out Sōma Yukihira, the chef whose skills surpassed even the future legend, Sanji.

But just before they could settle down for the night, Issho and Mikita approached him, their figures emerging from the shadows. The two had been training with the crew in secret, not yet fully integrated but already beginning to show remarkable progress.

Issho, having trained with Mikita for the last week, gave Jason a nod. "We're ready, Captain. Mikita has learned some of the basics of Hasshoken. I've also started teaching Law some swordsmanship, although he's still stubborn."

Mikita smiled faintly. "I'm starting to see the value in your crew's techniques. It's different from anything I've experienced, but it's powerful."

Jason's eyes narrowed with interest. "You're getting the hang of it quickly."

Issho smirked. "You can thank Chinjao for that. His teachings are solid."

Jason gave a knowing smile, finally understanding that Mikita's hidden potential had been unlocked by Chinjao's influence. "Good. Stay sharp. There's still a long road ahead."

With the crew now stronger than ever, Jason turned back to the future ahead of him. The Nexus Pirates were growing stronger. Their bonds were deepening.

And soon, the world would begin to hear their name.