Chapter 3: [3] : First Sign-In, Three Types of Haki
Slowly opening my eyes, I could clearly feel the Azure Dragon's soul power within me, but I couldn't use it. I was still too weak. If I tried to activate the Azure Dragon's power now, I'd probably explode in a matter of seconds.
"Still, as a life-saving trump card, it's more than enough."
With that thought, I went back to my room, suppressed my excitement, and slowly closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep.
...
The next morning, as I stepped onto the grounds of Kuoh Academy, the system's voice rang out.
[Ding! Detected special sign-in location: Kuoh Academy. Red Grade. Sign in?]
"Kuoh Academy is Red Grade? Well, I guess that makes sense. It is the gathering place of the main characters, after all."
I muttered thoughtfully to myself.
Then, I mentally commanded, "System, sign in."
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully signing in at a Red Grade location. Reward: Top-Tier Three Types of Haki.]
It was actually [Top-Tier Three Types of Haki], I was a little surprised.
In the world of One Piece, Haki was incredibly powerful.
Top-Tier Observation Haki could even allow you to glimpse into the future.
Top-Tier Armament Haki could be applied to the body or weapons, and the advanced form, Ryou, could even destroy an enemy from the inside, causing devastating damage.
Top-Tier Conqueror's Haki, with its Conqueror's Coating, was even more powerful.
All in all, I was pretty satisfied with getting Three-Types of Haki from a Red Grade sign-in.
The only problem was that, although I had obtained Armament Haki, my physical condition was still that of an Average Human. More importantly, I had no combat experience, so I couldn't unleash its full potential.
But then I thought about it some more and cast aside my worries. As long as I kept signing in, I could make up for these shortcomings.
I mentally called up my status screen:
<><><><>
Host: Hibari Kyoya
Physique: Average Human
Magic: None
Abilities: Top-Tier Three Types of Haki, Azure Dragon Soul Power (Sealed)
Inventory: None
<><><><>
As soon as I entered the classroom, the system issued two new sign-in tasks.
[Ding! Discovered character sign-in target: Rias Gremory. Task Condition: Defeat her and make her acknowledge you.]
[Ding! Discovered character sign-in target: Akeno Himejima. Task Condition: Tame her and make her fall for you.]
Looking at the two tasks, I couldn't help but fall silent.
You've got to be kidding me, system. With my current strength, without using the Azure Dragon's power, how could I possibly be Rias's match?
And Akeno? Don't let her gentle appearance fool you. She's got a seriously sadistic side. If I'm not strong enough, I'll probably be the one getting tamed instead!
Just thinking about it made me shudder.
...
Suddenly, Rias felt a gaze on her and turned to see me looking her way.
My grades at Kuoh Academy were naturally always at the top. Combined with my good looks, I was quite the campus celebrity. So, Rias was familiar with me. It was precisely because she knew me that she felt a little puzzled.
Just as Rias was lost in thought, a seductive voice teased in her ear.
"Ara ara, Rias, you've been staring at Hibari-san. Could it be that you've taken a liking to him?"
Rias's heart skipped a beat, and she turned to see Akeno smiling playfully at her.
"Well, considering it's Hibari-san, who always gets top marks despite sleeping in class, and is so incredibly handsome, it wouldn't be surprising if Rias fell for him."
Akeno continued with a teasing smile.
"It's just a shame that I also have a bit of a crush on him. But if it's Rias, I guess I'll have to give up."
A faint blush appeared on Rias's cheeks. She knew Akeno was just joking, so she simply rolled her eyes and replied.
"I was just a little surprised. It feels like Hibari-san's aura has changed significantly. I can't help but feel a sense of pressure just from looking into his eyes."
Akeno was a little surprised to hear Rias's words. After all, Rias at level of a High-class. For her to feel pressure from me meant something was definitely different.
It made sense, though. I now possessed Conqueror's Haki, the Haki of a true king. However, I couldn't control it yet, which was why my aura was leaking out like this.
Akeno then asked Rias if she wanted to investigate what had happened to me.
But after thinking it over, Rias told Akeno to drop the investigation. The events of last night with the dragon's phantom, along with her brother's warning this morning, had left her feeling stressed.
But what Rias could never have guessed was that the cause of this strange phenomenon was none other than me, and I was currently sitting just a few feet away from her.
When the dismissal bell rang, I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed out of the school gates.
And just at that moment, I happened to run into a certain emotionless, petite girl walking in the opposite direction. It was none other than Rias's Rook, Koneko Toujou.
[Ding! Discovered sign-in target: Koneko Toujou.]
Task Condition 1: Defeat her at a video game! Reward: White Grade.
Task Condition 2: Give Koneko Toujou a head pat! Reward: White Grade.
Task Condition 3: Resolve the conflict between Koneko Toujou and her sister, Kuroka Toujou! Reward: Red Grade."
I was surprised to see three sign-in tasks pop up for Koneko all at once.
Task 1 didn't seem too difficult. Even though Koneko was a gaming expert, in my past life, I was a pro gamer, Beating Koneko should be a piece of cake.
But Task 2... seriously, system? You're getting cheekier by the day. Koneko's head isn't something you can just touch. If I tried to pat her head, I'd probably get punched into a wall, so hard I'd be impossible to get out!
As for Task 3, it shouldn't be too hard in the future, either. The conflict between the sisters is really just a misunderstanding. Once I get stronger, I can just grab Koneko's sister, Kuroka, and have them clear things up.
Then, I slowly walked over to Koneko.
Koneko, seeing me approach, stared at me intently.
Meanwhile, a cold sweat started to form on my forehead. After all, being stared down by an expressionless, petite girl would make anyone nervous.
"Is there something you need, Hibari-senpai?"
"Ah… well, actually, I was wondering if you'd like to go to the arcade with me to play some games."
After a moment's thought, I calmly explained my intentions to Koneko.
Hearing my words, a flicker of surprise finally appeared on Koneko's usually blank face. She hadn't expected the top student in the school to invite her to play games. But she was also quite happy about it, so she agreed.
And so, Koneko and I had an intense battle at the arcade. Don't get any weird ideas, we were just playing video games. But the end result left Koneko feeling utterly defeated.
Koneko stared at me in disbelief, her eyes wide with shock. She hadn't expected this shut-in senior of hers to be able to beat her at video games.
"Don't worry, Koneko-chan. I'm a genius, after all."
As I comforted Koneko, I slowly extended my hand and gently patted her head.
Instantly, a blush appeared on Koneko's cheeks. She then raised her small, soft hand and slapped my hand away, her face cold.
"Pervert Hibari-senpai."
"I'm really sorry. I just thought you were so cute, I couldn't help myself. To make it up to you, I'll treat you to more games or dinner sometime."
I sincerely apologized to Koneko and asked for her forgiveness.
Hearing my apology, Koneko's expression softened slightly. But she was still exasperated by my thick-skinned behavior. In the end, she chose to forgive my perverted act.
"If you do it again…" Koneko raised her clenched fist and shook it menacingly at me.
"…"
"Don't worry, there won't be a next time. Well then, Koneko-chan, I'll be going now. See you tomorrow." I broke out in another cold sweat and quickly made my exit.
After watching me leave, Koneko returned to her usual emotionless self and headed towards the Occult Research Club.