The morning of 9 October 2015 felt different.
Azim cycled through the familiar gates of Melwood, the cold October wind biting at his face and making his eyes water slightly. His old mountain bike creaked under the weight of his training bag, but he barely noticed the strain in his legs. His mind was elsewhere - racing through memories, calculations, and anticipation.
Nine months.
Nine long months had passed since that fateful New Year's morning when the One Piece System awakened inside him. Nine months of secret training at dawn, late-night system reviews, calculated restraint in matches, and quiet moments with his family where he tried to repay the love they had given him his entire life.
He slowed his pedaling as he passed the main sign of Melwood Training Ground. The iconic red letters seemed sharper today, almost symbolic. This wasn't just another training session. Today was Jürgen Klopp's second full day as Liverpool manager.
Azim parked his bike carefully against the steel fence, locking it with practiced movements. He stood there for a moment, bag slung over his shoulder, staring at the first-team building in the distance.
"System," he whispered under his breath. "Status."
[One Piece System]
Host: Abdul Azim
Age: 18
Height: 190 cm
Weight: 90 kg
Title: Pirate
Pirate Crew Name: Liverpool Pirate
Current Fame: 8,211 / 10,000
System Points: 2,036
Status Window
Strength: 5
Agility: 4
Constitution: 4
Endurance: 11
Control: 5
Willpower: 10
Skills
Observation Haki: Level 4/100 (20 meters)
Tere Tere no Mi: Level 5/100 (50 meters)
Azim exhaled slowly, a small, satisfied smile forming on his lips.
Not bad. Not bad at all for nine months of careful work.
He adjusted the strap of his bag and began walking toward the first-team wing. The path felt longer than usual. Every step carried the weight of two lifetimes.
From January to now… I've come so far.
He remembered the early days - the secret sessions at the futsal court near Stanley Park, juggling the ball for hours with telekinesis while using Observation Haki to track every spin. The countless wall passes, the Ronaldinho crossbar challenges he repeated until his mind ached, the long runs where he pushed his Endurance higher and higher so he could survive Klopp's infamous pressing style when the time came.
He had been patient.
Under Brendan Rodgers, he deliberately held back. He played well enough to earn respect in the U21s and occasional first-team training invites, but never revealed his full potential. He didn't want to become Rodgers' "savior project." He wanted to bloom under the right manager.
And now that manager was here.
Jürgen Klopp.
The man who would bring "Heavy Metal Football" to Anfield. The man whose philosophy perfectly matched Azim's strengths - high pressing, relentless energy, quick transitions, and intense physical demands.
Azim's Endurance (11) and Willpower (10) had been built specifically for this moment. His Telekinesis at 50 meters perfect control would be his hidden weapon in tight spaces and during counter-pressing.
He pushed open the heavy glass doors of the first-team building. The warm air inside carried the familiar scent of liniment, fresh laundry, and expensive cologne. The corridor felt sacred.
This is it, he thought. No more hiding in the shadows of the academy. Today I step into the arena where legends are made.
As he walked down the hallway toward the dressing room, memories flooded him.
He remembered the emotional breakfast with his mother on 2 January - how she had cried when he thanked her and his father for their sacrifices. He remembered the late-night conversations with his father about football tactics, the pride in their eyes when he told them he was training harder than ever.
He remembered the viral video from January - the Ronaldinho-style crossbar challenge that Tom Brewitt had filmed. That single clip had given him his first major fame boost and opened doors within the club.
He remembered the quiet nights spent studying the system shop, carefully calculating every purchase. He had prioritised Endurance and Willpower above all else, knowing Klopp's style would demand insane stamina and mental strength. Telekinesis had received the bulk of his attention - 50 meters of perfect control was already a terrifying advantage on the pitch.
He had sold several useless gacha items, including the flashy but unusable Ace's Hiken skill, turning them into valuable System Points.
Now, nine months later, he stood here - taller, stronger, more mature, and ready.
Azim stopped outside the first-team dressing room door. He could hear voices inside — laughter, banter, the sounds of a team slowly coming together under a new leader.
He took one final deep breath.
No more waiting.
Let's begin.
The atmosphere inside the first-team dressing room at Melwood was lively but focused. Players were changing, chatting quietly, and stretching. Jürgen Klopp stood in the middle like a conductor ready to begin a symphony.
He clapped his hands loudly, the sound echoing off the walls.
"Boys! Come, come! Gather around. No rush, but also no slow motion."
The players formed a loose circle. Azim stood near the back, heart beating faster than usual. This was the moment he had been waiting for since January.
Klopp looked around with a big, genuine smile.
"First of all — good morning! My name is Jürgen Klopp. From today, we start something new together. I am not just your manager. I want to be part of your family. We will spend more time together than with our own wives and children. So we must trust each other. We must fight for each other. Understand?"
A loud "Yes, boss!" filled the room.
Klopp grinned. "Good. But before we run like crazy on the pitch, we do something important. We break the ice. Everyone will stand in the centre, introduce yourself, and tell me one thing you want this season. Then I will say something about you. Okay?"
The players nodded.
Klopp pointed at Jordan Henderson. "Captain first."
Henderson stepped into the centre, looking a bit awkward but determined.
"I'm Jordan Henderson. I want us to become a team that never gives up. I want us to fight for every ball."
Klopp nodded seriously. "Jordan. I watched many matches of yours. You run more than anyone. You have big heart. I like leaders like you. Welcome."
Next was James Milner.
"I'm James Milner. I want to improve every single day and help the team any way I can."
Klopp laughed. "Milner! The machine. I heard you never get tired. Perfect. We need machines."
One by one, the senior players went.
Philippe Coutinho: "I want to create and enjoy football again."
Klopp: "Little magician. I saw your goals. You have magic in your feet. Show me more."
Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, Lucas Leiva, Alberto Moreno, Emre Can, Adam Lallana - each had their turn. Klopp had something personal and encouraging to say to every single one of them.
Then it was the turn of the younger players.
Harry Wilson stepped forward.
Klopp smiled. "Welsh boy. I saw your goals for the U21s. You have good shot. Keep shooting."
Sheyi Ojo went next.
"Fast boy! I like speed. Use it wisely."
Finally, Klopp pointed at Azim.
"Big tall boy. Your turn."
Azim took a deep breath and stepped into the centre of the circle. All eyes were on him. The room became quieter.
"My name is Azim," he said clearly. "I'm 18 years old. I play as a striker, mostly False 9. What I want this season… is to learn from all of you, to press like mad dogs, and to become someone the team can rely on. I want to win trophies with this club."
He paused for a second, then switched languages smoothly thanks to nine months of steady training with Multilingual Mastery.
"Und ich freue mich sehr, mit Ihnen zu arbeiten, Trainer. Ich bin bereit, alles zu geben." (And I am very happy to work with you, boss. I am ready to give everything.)
The room fell silent for a moment.
Klopp's eyes widened in genuine surprise, then he broke into a huge smile and started laughing.
"Wow! You speak German?"
Azim smiled modestly. "A little bit, boss. I've been learning German, Spanish, French, and Portuguese for the past nine months. I thought it might help in the future."
Klopp clapped his hands loudly, clearly impressed. "This is fantastic! A young player who learns languages to communicate better? I love this! Azim - I remember the video from Melwood. The skills were crazy. But more than that, I see hunger in your eyes. You are tall, strong, and smart. I like you already. Welcome to the family!"
The players clapped and whistled. Some of the senior players looked at Azim with new respect.
Sterling was gone, but several others gave him approving nods.
Klopp continued warmly, "Okay, ice broken. Now we know each other a little bit. From today, we are one team. One family. When we win, we celebrate together. When we lose, we suffer together. Understand?"
"Yes, boss!"
Klopp clapped again. "Then let's go train like madmen!"