Chapter 6: Crossroads of Destiny
The moon's glow cast a beautiful aura over the hillside park, where Sarah and Leo stood face to face. Leo found himself momentarily lost, his thoughts drifting away as he gazed at Sarah's serene beauty.
"Leo?" Sarah's voice brought him back from his reverie, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Is everything alright?"
Leo blinked, his cheeks tinged with a hint of pink. "Oh, yes, sorry. I was just... lost in thought."
Sarah's laughter was like a soothing melody. "Lost in thought, huh? I hope they were good thoughts."
Leo chuckled, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "Definitely good thoughts."
"Leo," Sarah's voice turned serious "I'm glad you could make it."
He turned to face her, his eyes meeting hers as a shy smile curved his lips. "Of course, Sarah. You said you wanted to talk?"
She nodded, her gaze never leaving his. "Yes, I did. But first, let's take a seat."
They settled on the wooden bench as Sarah told him about the reason she had called him.
"Leo," Sarah began, her tone measured and serious. "I have a proposal—an opportunity, for you."
Leo was curious but motioned for her to continue.
Sarah's gaze grew intense, her eyes locking onto his with unwavering focus. "My father leads a force—a group of individuals dedicated to exploring the Dark Realms. But what you might not know is that the dark realm is not the only realm that humans have come in contact with."
Leo was surprised and couldn't help but ask the question in his mind. "What do you mean the dark realm is not the only one? It was mentioned in textbooks that the monsters that attacked Earth are from the dark realm."
Sarah nodded, her expression earnest. "Yes, the dark realm is a threat, but there are other realms too. Some have tried to help us."
Leo's mind raced, his thoughts branching into various scenarios he could encounter, drawing from his vast knowledge of manga and anime.
"I know it's a lot to take in," Sarah continued, her voice steady. "But I believe in you, Leo. I believe you have the potential to make a difference, to contribute to our cause."
"Why me, Sarah?" he finally asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
A soft smile graced her lips. "Because, Leo, like me, you carry a legacy. You have a Named Type Template. It's a testament to your potential, your uniqueness. And from what I've observed, you're not the type to betray or abandon a cause. So, would you like to join us?"
Sarah's gaze remained steady, her eyes waiting for a response. Leo's gaze met hers, which were mixed with expectations.
"Sarah," he finally spoke, his voice filled with determination. "I truly appreciate your offer, and I'm happy that you believe in me. But I have my plan, I want to create my own force, one that stands for the same cause but follows a path I can shape."
Leo knew that if he joined her force he will have an easy way in the future but would at the same time be bound by some rules that will exist in it. He may be new to all this, but it does not mean he is dumb. Every force has its own share of corruption, and the members will sometimes have to do things that they are against if the higher-ups have ordered so—just like when Garp hates celestial dragons but can't do anything even if they are in front of him.
Sarah was disappointed but was still happy for him. " Hope we will have a chance to work together in the future."
"Definitely, as long as we stand for the same cause we will get many chances to fight side by side. "Leo replied with a grin that many people of the pirate world will recognize.
As Sarah and Leo concluded their conversation. With a final exchange of smiles, they bid each other farewell and began their separate journeys.
Leo walked back home, his thoughts a whirlwind of contemplation. The weight of his decision settled upon him mixed with excitement for his own path. As he stepped through the door, his parents looked up, sensing the change in his demeanor.
"Leo, you seem different," his mother observed, her eyes sharp with curiosity.
He took a deep breath, settling into his chair at the dinner table. "Really, maybe it is because I decided that I will become a dark realm explorer in the near future."
His father's eyebrows arched, a mixture of surprise and interest playing across his face. "That's a serious decision. Are you sure you can pull this off?"
Leo's gaze was steady as he replied, "I can and I will. I want to create my own force—one that will have his base inside the dark realm itself."
His father's gaze held a mixture of understanding and approval. "Very good, but don't get too cocky and get yourself killed out there."
Their conversation shifted as they enjoyed a hearty meal together. Amidst the clinking of utensils and the warmth of family, Leo's thoughts returned to the conversation he had with Sarah.
"Leo," his father's voice broke through his reverie, "have you activated your template yet?"
Leo looked up, his expression thoughtful. "Not yet, Dad. I decided to activate it tonight."
His mother leaned forward, her voice gentle. "You should consider activating it soon. It takes time for the body to completely accept the changes brought by the template."
Leo nodded, As the evening unfolded, he realized the importance of embracing his newfound abilities and charting his own course in this unfamiliar world.
After bidding his parents goodnight, Leo retreated to his room. With a deep breath, he focused his thoughts on his template, recalling the options he had seen earlier.
Gently closing his eyes, he reached inward, feeling the energy within him respond. The translucent screen materialized before his mind's eye, and he selected the "Status" option once more.
[Player: Leo
Template: Monkey D. Luffy (Development: 0%)
Level: 1 Experience: 0/100
Health: 100/100 (health will not reach 0 from minor injuries)
Energy: 100/100
Attributes:
Strength: 10
Agility: 12
Intelligence: 8
Vitality: 19
Skills:
Gomu Gomu no mi (Unlocked), Will Of D (Unlocked), Observation Haki (Locked), Conqueror's Haki (Locked), Armament Haki (Locked), Voice Of All Things (Locked)]
The template does not automatically merge with the person who awakened it. they need to through some steps before they can access its power.
First, close your eyes and try to find a unique energy inside your body that appears after the awakening. It takes most people 10 minutes to find it.
The next step is to merge all the energy with our body which will take a week to do so. After the energy is merged the host will gain the memories of all the skills of the template but only in their basic forms. If they want to upgrade them then they need to work hard and comprehend it by themself or they can wait to somehow get a chance to experience enlightenment.
With a deep breath, Leo closed his eyes, seeking the unique energy within him—a gray aura that permeated his being. He focused on merging it with his body, knowing that this process would take time and dedication.
As he delved deeper into the merging process, a notification appeared before him.
[System Notification: Host is attempting to unlock template. Activate automatic assistance? (Yes/No)]
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone