One Piece: Start by Saving Roger, I Was Invited to Join the Crew

At that moment, Reid was filled with urgency. He was desperate to master aura locking to control Haki, but his impatience only made him more anxious.

"Even though I've trained under Rayleigh before, it was really the system that carried me. Whether I asked for its help or not, everything I've achieved is because of it. On my own, I know nothing." Reid was fully aware of his limitations—he was just an ordinary person.

Reid knew himself well—he was still just an ordinary person, relying too much on external power.

"How am I supposed to get better at using Haki? Rayleigh is already the best teacher one could ask for. If I'm not getting it, it's my fault. I'm just too slow to learn."

He sighed inwardly. There was still a long road of growth ahead.

Nearby, Rayleigh watched him silently, expression unreadable, muttering to himself:

"Reid, you've already learned to sense breath with your eyes closed. The next step is learning how to apply that in combat. The concept is the same—it just takes more practice."

Suddenly, the air filled with panicked pirate screams.

Despite Reid's low accuracy, the sheer number of enemy ships meant his large-scale shockwave attacks still struck a few vessels.

"Everyone! Speed up! Get to shore and cut him down!"

"Attack!"

"Kill him!"

"You think I'm weak? Fine! I'll just attack faster! Heal!"

As Reid shouted, he felt his stamina return in full. His rage burned even hotter, and he began hurling Buddha's Hand shockwaves into the sea with increased ferocity.

More pirate ships were obliterated—smoke billowed from the wreckage, and pirates screamed as they leapt into the sea to escape.

"Roger… Reid's attacking way faster than before," Whitebeard said, pupils narrowing.

"Heh, don't act so shocked. Regaining stamina is just a small trick," Roger replied with a sly grin.

Whitebeard's eyes widened in surprise. Does that mean… he can keep restoring his energy endlessly?

"I wonder... Could this power heal my body, too?" Whitebeard thought. I'm not afraid to die, but what happens to my family if I'm gone? Who will protect them?

Behind a boulder, Rob Lucci also noticed something strange.

"His fighting intent is overwhelming... He's attacking even faster than before. This guy's not normal."

He peeked out carefully, eyes brimming with curiosity as he observed Reid.

"We may have destroyed a lot of ships using speed, but more just keep coming. And Roger's wife is still on that island—I can't let this rabble reach the shore and make a mess!"

As that thought crossed his mind, Reid's eyes turned bloodshot. His irritation surged.

Roger suddenly furrowed his brows. "That scent again… the smell of blood—it's coming from Reid."

Whitebeard, sensitive as ever, also sensed something strange.

"Roger, what's with Reid's aura?"

Roger's expression turned serious. "He gave off this same feeling when he saved me."

"Doesn't it seem… familiar?" Whitebeard asked, his voice low. "It's different, but something about it feels like déjà vu."

Rayleigh's face darkened. "Now that you mention it… I'm reminded of someone."

Jabba, Whitebeard, and Roger turned to him, and Rayleigh said a single word:

"RED EARL."

"That lunatic?" Jabba muttered with clear distaste.

"Roger, is there any connection between Reid and RED EARL?" Jabba asked, wary.

Roger exhaled deeply. "I don't think so. Their names, appearances, even their personalities—completely different. Reid's kind, RED EARL was a ruthless monster. I doubt there's a link."

Rayleigh and Jabba nodded, but Whitebeard remained unconvinced.

"Then where is that bloodlust coming from?"

"I wish I knew," Roger admitted, looking again at Reid with unease.

Meanwhile, Reid's expression had twisted with even more intensity. His only goal now was to destroy the pirates before him.

"Buddha's Hand Shockwave! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

His eyes glowed red, and he launched attacks without pause, each strike faster than the last.

Though most couldn't sense the bloodthirsty aura, they were all floored by Reid's relentless assault.

"Hahahaha! Well done, Brother Reid! You're blasting them like fried fish out there!" Mireille Pine roared, waving his spiked hammer excitedly.

"Seriously? Do you have to say it like that?" Sambel, the fish-man, snapped.

"I second that," said Namuir, glaring at Pine with sharp eyes. "If you can't speak properly, don't speak at all."

"Hahahaha! I'm not wrong! It's the sea—what else is in it but fish?"

"Then say Sea Kings at least!"

"Sea Kings are still just fish if they live in the ocean," Pine chuckled, completely unfazed.

Namuir huffed and turned away, ignoring him.

"His combat drive is impressive," Marco commented, his gaze locked on Reid.

"Yeah. You wouldn't guess it just by looking at him, but the guy's a full-on battle maniac," Bista agreed.

"And he talks a lot too. I've never seen someone cram so many lines into a fight," added Izo. The others around him were left speechless, staring at him with deadpan expressions.

Rayleigh stepped forward. "I'll go give him a bit of guidance. This is a perfect live lesson opportunity."

"Very responsible of you," Jabba said with a light smile.

"You helping him out, Rayleigh?" Marco asked, arms crossed.

Rayleigh grinned. "That's my student—I should check on him."

Marco smirked, intrigued.

Rayleigh approached Reid, but the latter didn't even realize he was there.

"He's clearly lost in his emotions… That's dangerous. His vulnerability is too obvious."

Rayleigh released a wave of Haki and directed it at Reid.

The moment it hit, Reid's body trembled. He staggered, nearly falling from the sudden pressure.

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