"Ugh… my head..."
A weak groan escaped Kaito Raien's lips as he slowly opened his eyes. His vision was blurry, his throat dry, and his head throbbed with dull pain. Above him was a wooden ceiling, swaying slightly with a creaking rhythm—like… he was on a ship?
He sat up slowly, clutching his aching forehead. The scent of sea salt filled his nostrils, carried by the breeze through a nearby window. But before he could even question where he was, something else caught his attention.
"...Wait, is this me?" he muttered in disbelief.
Kaito stumbled toward a nearby mirror and froze.
In the reflection stood a scrawny kid—no older than ten—with messy black hair and wide, stunned eyes. He rubbed his face. Hard. Once. Twice. No change.
"I got younger?!"
The door creaked as he pushed it open, and a gust of salty wind blasted against his face. Beyond the railing stretched an endless ocean under a bright blue sky.
"The sea...? But that's not possible. I was just pulling an all-nighter… grinding ranked in Glory... fifteen consecutive losses…" He stared blankly at the horizon. "Don't tell me I transmigrated? And this ship… I didn't start some survival game, did I?!"
A wave of panic washed over him.
He couldn't swim. Not one bit. If he fell overboard, that would be the end.
"Yo, kid. You awake?"
A deep, casual voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Kaito turned—and his heart stopped.
Standing before him was a tall man with a wild beard and a grin too carefree for someone that powerful. Behind him stood two more figures—one with glasses and a sword, the other broad-shouldered and rugged.
Recognition hit him like a tidal wave.
Gol D. Roger. Silvers Rayleigh. Scopper Gaban.
Kaito's jaw dropped. "No way... This is the One Piece world?!"
"Do you know me, kid?" Roger squinted at him, tilting his head with a smile.
Kaito hesitated—then caught himself. "N-No. Just… heard stories. You're… kind of a big deal."
Roger chuckled heartily. "Well, ain't that the truth?"
The year was 1493 of the Sea Circle Calendar. The legendary battle of God Valley had long passed. The Roger Pirates were now a force that even the World Government couldn't ignore. With the Marine Hero Garp in relentless pursuit, Roger had begun his final voyage after learning of his terminal illness.
And Kaito? He had been randomly fished out of the ocean during the crew's search for a doctor named Crocus.
Just like that.
"I want to join the Roger Pirates!" Kaito declared, clenching his fists.
It wasn't just excitement—it was survival. He was in a world where strength ruled, and he was just a kid with no skills, no weapons, and no way off this ship. His only hope was to stick with the strongest crew in the world.
Roger raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? You don't exactly look tough."
Rayleigh and Gaban exchanged tired glances. Another kid? They already had two on board. Now three?
But Roger grinned wider. "Hah! I like your spirit, kid. Welcome aboard."
Kaito bowed slightly. "Thank you, Captain. My name is Kaito Raien."
Just then, a cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
Ding! System detected. Binding to host… Successful. Welcome to the [Anime System]. Agent 007 at your service!
Kaito's heart skipped a beat.
You have joined the Roger Pirates. System activated. All anime abilities from your previous world are available for acquisition. Earn Anime Points through quests or by astonishing characters. Points can be used to draw skills or purchase powers.
"All anime abilities?!" Kaito almost screamed in his mind. "Then… Does that mean I can become a monster in this world too?"
Would you like to claim your Newbie Gift Pack?
"Absolutely!" Kaito responded instantly.
Congratulations! You've obtained: Skill – [Wood Release: Partial Fusion – 10%]
Passive – [No-Sign Healing: Rapid bodily regeneration]
Weapon – None
Backpack – Empty
"Wood Release?!" Kaito's eyes lit up. That was Hashirama-level stuff! Even at 10% integration, that gave him a massive edge in this cruel, lawless sea.
He pulled up his system panel:
[Status Screen]
Name: Kaito Raien
Age: 10
Skill: Wood Release (Fusion: 10%)
Passive: No-Sign Healing – Exceptional vitality and automatic injury recovery
Weapons: None
Backpack: Empty
"Not bad," he whispered. "I've got a long road ahead, but this… this is a start."
Kaito stepped up to the deck's edge, wind whipping through his hair. The ocean roared below—vast, wild, and full of unknowns. But now, he wasn't just some helpless kid anymore.
"I don't care if this world is full of monsters. I'll carve out a place for myself—free and fearless. Whether I'm seen as a hero or a villain… that's for history to decide."
He smiled.
"This world of pirates… here I come."
Continued...