It had been a few hours of me mindlessly exploring the forest, as I was running at full speed the boars didn't bother antagonising me and they were correct to do so. I was still being cautious though, a fight with a that tiger that large a few days ago would fuck up my little adventure here.
As my hopes of civilization were slowly dying down I heard strange noises further away, I looked towards that direction but I saw nothing. 'Strange, doesn't really sound like any of the animals I've encountered, fuck it may as well check'. I dashed full speed towards the noise, praying it wasn't a fight between wild animals.
After a few minutes, I saw a small home in the distance, no one in sight though so there might be danger.
As I got closer to the home, I my instincts were telling me something was close to me. I scanned around and saw nothing but just to make sure I said calmly, "Whoever it is, come out, I know you're there".
After spending months fighting wild beasts, I developed a sort of sense, not entirely a so called sixth sense that you see in anime as mine wasn't accurate or consistent but it was still handy.
I heard a little rustle to my right and some kid had jumped down from a branch, carefully inspecting me. The kid was holding a metal pipe, firmly gripping it ready to strike if I was a danger to him.
I hastily said "Hey, relax kid, now I know I might look a little suspicious but trust me I'm one of the good guys", in response the kid simply spat on the ground...
'Cunt' I thought, but I tried to act nice anyway. "Listen, I'm a little lost, I'd appreciate if you gave me some directions". The kid proceeded to lift his left hand me, shortly after he raised his middle finger and flipped me off.
'Oh man, he truly is a cunt, but wait he kind of looks famili- NO fucking way it's that dumbass Ace' I was in shock and my eyes widened but it looked like it was a reaction to him flipping me off. He looked about 6 or 7 but I could still recognise that face. 'HAHAHAH, thank you lord Jesus for giving me a good spawn point'.
Controlling my facial expression into one that looked serious I asked again. "Please kid, I've been lost for months and had no one to talk to". Ace still suspicious yet he spoke this time "No one is falling for that bullshit you bum, I know you're here trying to steal, that appearance won't fool me"
Annoyed I replied, "Did you mother teach you talk to your elders like that?"
"What did you say?" Ace said looking a little angry and pointing his pipe at me.
"Oh pissed now are you? I was just asking for help politely and yet you insult me. Anyway even with that pipe you're not doing shit you little runt".
Ace didn't reply, instead he lunged at me looking like I spat on his face. 'He's as fast as an adult but still way too slow'. I simply side stepped and palmed him on his side, Ace proceed to roll a metre away grunting in slight pain.
"See, you won't be doing much with your little strength, come on just fucking cooperate you runt". Ace grunted, "AHHH eat dick you homeless rat", lunging at me again. I sighed, 'lets just knock him out for know'.
I quickly dashed behind Ace in a blur, "What the fuc-", without even being able to finish his sentence I knocked Ace out. 'Why didn't he just listen for fucks sake'
I picked up Ace and headed towards the small home, 'Ah forgot his pipe, eh not my problem'.
Still, who would have thought, I was on the island that Ace, Luffy and Sabo spent their childhood at and yet I spent half a year living like a maniac by my self.
'Thanks, whoever put me here, at least I wasn't in the New world otherwise I may as well end it there on the spot'. I had a rough plan of what I wanted to do depending on what my situation was, this changes things quite a bit.
First was to join the marines if any of their branches were near me, why you ask? Salary, plenty good folk to talk to, and mainly a stable method of getting stronger. They had plenty of mentors and the infamous marine technique which was available once you made it further into the ranks, Roukshiki which once mastered would make you a a dependable fighter even in the New world.
Of course, mastering it or even learning it wasn't an easy task but it far more doable than just trying to learn Haki or praying to find a devil fruit. After that? I'm not sure entirely sure, you aren't given much choices in the One Piece world if you aren't strong or born into nobility.
I get to explore the world as a Marine, get paid and don't have to worry about being hunted by every marine I see on the planet. Sounds like a good fucking deal to me.
The only downside is your freedom is restricted, but so fucking what? This is reality, being a pirate and heading out to sea as a weakling is frankly stupid, as soon as you raise that Jolly Roger on your ship and get spotted, you are entirely fucked.
Keeping my head is more important than chasing that so called freedom, at least for now that is.
'Enough yapping for now, lets hope these bandits don't try to kill me as soon as they open the door'. I took a deep breath and then proceeded to knock on the door.