Perched atop the high walls of the local Marine base, Lu En and Luffy peered down at the open training grounds below.
A man was tied to a wooden execution frame in the center.
He hung his head low, unmoving. But even from a distance, Lu En could feel the wild, beast-like pressure radiating from his body. It wasn't just intimidating—it was feral.
With his Beast Strength [Blue] trait, Lu En's senses were especially attuned to this kind of primal energy. He couldn't help but nod in appreciation.
So this is the man they call a monster in human skin.
"Inspect traits."
—Trait (Roronoa Zoro): Three-Sword Style [Purple]
—Trait: Beast Physique [Purple]
—Trait: Demon Aura [Special]
—Trait: Conqueror's Haki (Unawakened) [Gold]
Lu En's eyes flashed.
So Zoro had it too.
A Conqueror's Haki trait—even if unawakened—meant he possessed the potential to become kingly. Only one in a million were born with it.
And that wasn't all. The Demon Aura [Special]? That trait allowed his techniques to manifest an otherworldly power, enabling his strikes to unleash strength beyond normal comprehension.
Lu En smirked.
Of course he has that. How else could he summon three heads and six arms like some demonic god?
But what truly caught his eye—what made his pulse quicken—wasn't the swordsman's haki.
It was the Beast Physique [Purple].
Beast Physique (Purple): An inhuman body honed through extreme, unrelenting training. No matter how torn your muscles or shattered your bones, you can recover—and grow stronger from it.
A grin tugged at Lu En's lips.
So that's how he survived training that would kill any sane person.
According to official data, Zoro slept only three hours a day. The rest of his time? Nonstop, brutal training. For a normal person, that kind of punishment would lead to a snapped spine or shredded ligaments.
But Zoro didn't just survive it—he thrived on it. His body absorbed the pain and rebuilt itself stronger.
This wasn't just impressive. It was the foundation of what made him a future monster.
Lu En recalled a certain battle. On Onigashima, Zoro had taken the full brunt of an attack from two Emperors of the Sea—Kaido and Big Mom—both using Conqueror's Haki-enhanced strikes. Even if he only blocked it for a moment, he should have died ten times over.
Instead? Every bone in his body was shattered—and he still lived.
And after receiving treatment, he didn't just heal. He leveled up. Soon after, he cut down King the Wildfire—Kaido's strongest subordinate.
Part of that was Law's surgical powers. But Zoro's own constitution played a massive role.
Lu En's gaze sharpened.
This Beast Physique... it's got the potential to evolve into a Gold trait. No question.
Right now, it was only Purple-ranked—just like Luffy's Superhuman Physique trait. But both had limitless room for growth.
And more importantly: they complemented each other perfectly.
Luffy's trait let him consume absurd amounts of food and convert it into power.
Zoro's trait let him turn injury into evolution, regenerating stronger after every breakdown.
Combined?
Lu En could push his body beyond its limits day after day. Break, rebuild, feed, repeat.
This was the golden ticket. The path to true monstrosity.
Maybe even on par with the likes of Big Mom, who was born with a body that defied physics itself.
Sure, individually, these traits didn't match her natural durability. But together? Given enough time?
They might just catch up. Maybe even surpass.
Lu En's heart pounded.
I need this trait.
And the method to acquire it? Simple.
Let Luffy recruit Zoro into the crew.
Once they were allies, the system would allow Lu En to load his traits.
"Hey, you two."
A voice interrupted Lu En's thoughts.
Zoro had lifted his head slightly. His bloodshot eyes met theirs.
"You're in the way. Get lost."
His tone was cold. Sharp. A beast's snarl behind human words.
Lu En's grin deepened.
Yeah... this guy's the real deal.