Title at the end.
===============
There was no truck-kun, no reincarnation bullshit. I just went to sleep one day and the next thing I knew I woke up at some inn in Louge Town with a headache and a system notification.
[ WELCOME PLAYER TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ONE PICE!!!
WILL YOU BECOME THE NEXT FLEET ADMIRAL?
A REVOLUTIONARY?
OR EVEN THE THE PIRATE KING!?
THIS WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER! ]
Yeah, exactly, that was my reaction too when I was hit with the classic blue virtual screen right in front of my eyes and a HUGE flipin headache every time I tried to remember why the hell I was here. Of all the worlds I could have ended up in, it had to be bloody one piece, and to add insult to injury I had no idea what timeline I was in! Was this the Rocks era, the Roger era, or the Luffy era? And for all the nerds out there that know the names of the eras like "Romance Dawn" and whatnot, I CAN CARE LESS! Because the fact of the matter is that I am in anime toon land where a weak ass dipshit like Buggy can ONE SHOT MY NOOB A$$!
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Here are my stats by the way, as per the system evaluation:
[
Character Name: Zephyr D. Stormborn
Class: NONE
Race: Human
Age: 17
Level: 1 (Island Boi)
Affiliations: NONE
Devil Fruit: NONE
Haki: NONE
Skills: NONE
Ability Scores:
Strength: 13
Dexterity: 12
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 11
Charisma: 9
]
Now you are probably wondering. "Doesn't the protagonist get a golden finger in all of these isekai tropes? A broken skill, an OP item, ANYTHING! Well, it is my pleasure to inform you that I did, indeed, get a golden finger. ONE THAT WAS SHOVED UP MY #%#^#&. Ehmm... Sorry, it's just been tough being here in the world of one piece. When I first came here, to be honest, I was elated. The vastness of the world and the allure of grandiose adventures with some, if not all, of the beloved One Piece cast. Instead, I got the "Golden" middle finger from the architect of this fantasy. You'd think the least they could give me was a welcome gift or something now that I think about it.
But I have more important things to worry about. My ultimate goal should be NOT DYING! Or at least be strong enough to not get trampled by the forces that are in this world. The Celestial Dragons, The world government, and last but not least...PIRATES! This leads me to ask the first question. Where am I in this timeline, or rather, when am I in this timeline?
To answer this question, the process was rather simple. All I had to do was "borrow" a copy of the newspaper from one of the local residents. Which leads us to today! After inconspicuously walking up to an unsuspecting patron sitting at a nearby café, I noticed they had a copy of today's News Coo newspaper that stated that we are in the year 1519. While they were distracted, enjoying their coffee, I discreetly took the paper from their table and rushed to a nearby alley to inspect its content in private, without the poor NPC's knowledge. I haven't been here for even a week and I am already stealing. My aristocratic mother would be proud...
[DING!]
[YOU HAVE UNLOCKED THE SKILL "SLIGHT OF HAND"
SLIGHT OF HAND
Sleight of Hand is a skill that measures a character's ability to perform tasks requiring manual dexterity and nimbleness of fingers, especially when trying to do so without being noticed. It encompasses a range of activities such as pickpocketing, palming objects, hiding small items on one's person, and performing tricks with cards or other small objects.
Characters proficient in Sleight of Hand might be skilled thieves, magicians, or simply individuals with a knack for manipulating objects with finesse. They can use this skill to perform acts of prestidigitation, to steal unnoticed, or to perform subtle actions such as planting evidence or manipulating locks and traps.
In gameplay, a character might use Sleight of Hand to lift a key from a guard's belt without being detected, to palm a small object during a conversation, or to perform a sleight of hand trick to entertain or distract others. The success of a Sleight of Hand attempt is typically determined by a combination of the character's proficiency bonus, their Dexterity modifier, and any relevant situational modifiers or opposing checks.
DEXTERITY +1 ]
[LEVEL UP]
Well, this is new. So you are telling me that I can gain new skills by trying shit out??? Oh goodie, I leveled up!
[NEW QUEST HAS BEEN UNLOCKED]
[EXPLORE THE LIMITS OF THE GAMER SYSTEM IN THE WORLD OF ONE PIECE.
TRAIN AND ACQUIRE 5 NEW SKILLS!
REWARDS:
- 5 LEVELS
- 1 MYSTERY REWARD.]
Well, I'll be damned. This system isn't useless after all.
[...]
"..-_-.."
Alright, since it is the early morning. Let's see what we can find around the docks or if there's a library nearby. Maybe we can gain some useful skills by doing some reading - you never know what kind of knowledge we might uncover.
In the distance, ominous claps of thunder suggest a storm is brewing on the horizon. The skies could be darkening and the winds could pick up soon. This might be a sign that we should seek shelter or prepare for the impending weather changes.
I guess the library it is then. "There's nothing quite like curling up with a good book while the rain pours outside," I think to myself sarcastically. Since the weather seems to be taking a turn, the library sounds like the perfect place for us to spend the afternoon. But where to find one?
As I was inquiring and searching for a library or any similar establishment, I was surprised to learn from the locals that Loguetown, indeed, has something akin to a library. This discovery was unexpected, as Loguetown is not typically known for its abundance of "literary" resources. The locals provided me with detailed directions to a bookshop location, which I was eager to explore. Loguetown, with its rich history and connection to the legendary Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, seemed an unlikely place to find a well-stocked repository of books and knowledge. Intrigued by this revelation, I made my way to the library. The prospect of uncovering rare or obscure information related to the series' lore and characters somewhat filled me with excitement.
And as per my rotten luck that was not what I found.
The Ponegliff Pavilion, a small, decrepit bookstore tucked away in a random alley of Loguetown, hardly lived up to its grandiose name. As I approached the unassuming entrance, a sense of indifference washed over me, the lackluster exterior failing to pique my curiosity. Stepping inside, the nonchalant atmosphere only deepened. The dimly lit, cluttered space was a far cry from the grand "pavilion" the name had suggested. Rows of musty, haphazardly arranged shelves lined the walls, giving the impression of a neglected and disorganized collection. Despite the library's connection to the enigmatic Poneglyphs, a symbol of hidden knowledge in the One Piece world, the Ponegliff Pavilion exuded an air of disinterest and apathy. The potential secrets it may have held seemed to be overshadowed by the bookstore's overall sense of abandonment and decay.Surveying the uninviting space
"The balls this owner must have to have named it "Ponegliff Pavilion," I thought to myself.
 As I surveyed the small, decrepit space of the shop, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment at what I might find. I made my way deeper into the Ponegliff Pavilion.
As I approached the counter, a beautiful young woman, no more than sixteen years old, greeted me with a wide smile. "Hello, welcome to the Ponegliff Pavilion!" she exclaimed, her black, bobcut, hair framing her pale youthful face. "Is there a type of book you are searching for? Or maybe it is a scroll you seek? Please, let me know how I can assist you."Her enthusiasm was a stark contrast to the bookstore's overall lackluster appearance.
"No, thanks," I replied. "I'm just browsing for now, but I appreciate the offer."The young woman behind the counter maintained her warm smile. "Okay, no problem. Let me know if you need any help finding something specific. I'd be happy to assist you."Her friendly demeanor was a refreshing contrast to the bookstore's overall lackluster appearance. I nodded in acknowledgment and continued my leisurely exploration of the Ponegliff Pavilion's shelves, intrigued by the prospect of finding something that might give me a new skill.
As I turned my back to the chirpy clerk, another customer walked into the establishment.
With the same rambunctious energy, she greeted the newcomer just as she had greeted me moments before. Curiosity piqued, I couldn't resist the urge to take a closer look at this new arrival.
As I turned around, I felt my breath catch in my throat. While Oda was renowned for drawing beautiful women in the One Piece manga, the reality before me was something else entirely. Staring into those deep, intelligent dark blue eyes, I was instantly captivated. For as long as I drew breath, I knew I never wanted to be separated from the mesmerizing gaze that now held me transfixed.
There was only one thought in my mind.
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"Nico Robin"