Chapter 1: The Birth of a Legend
In the tranquil Windmill Village of the East Blue, the gentle morning breeze carried the scent of salt and sea, rustling the leaves of the towering trees scattered across the landscape. As the first light of dawn painted the sky in soft hues, the villagers began to stir, the early risers already engrossed in their daily routines. It was a peaceful morning, indistinguishable from any other, yet unbeknownst to them, today would mark the beginning of a legend—one that would eventually shake the very foundations of the world.
In a modest cottage on the outskirts of the village, an old man with a weathered face paced anxiously. This was no ordinary elder; he was Monkey D. Garp, Vice Admiral of the Navy, renowned across the seas as the "Hero of the Marines." However, today, Garp's mind was far from his duties to the Navy or the burdens of his rank. His thoughts were entirely consumed by the tiny bundle of life resting in a crib nearby—his three-month-old grandson, Monkey D. Ruyan.
Garp's son, Monkey D. Dragon, had entrusted him with the care of this child. Dragon, already walking a path that sharply diverged from his father's, had no other choice. His wife, gravely ill after the birth, needed immediate medical attention. Only one person, the brilliant scientist Vegapunk, had the knowledge to possibly save her. However, Vegapunk was currently under the custody of the World Government, a situation fraught with complications. Thus, with a heavy heart, Dragon had asked Garp to care for Ruyan while he sought a cure for his wife's illness.
Garp, though gruff and often dismissive of the pomp that came with his status, was soft-hearted when it came to his family. He agreed without hesitation. Now, as he watched over Ruyan, he was filled with an unfamiliar tenderness. The baby, with his tiny fists and round cheeks, already displayed signs of the indomitable spirit that ran in their bloodline.
He could see Dragon in the child—the same fiery determination in those innocent eyes. But there was something else, something deeper, as if Ruyan carried the weight of knowledge far beyond his years. Garp shook his head, dismissing the thought. "I'll make you the greatest Navy Admiral, just like I promised your father," he muttered, his deep voice softening as he leaned over the crib, gently stroking Ruyan's small head. "You're going to be strong, like all the Monkey D's before you. I can feel the fire in you."
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As days turned into weeks, Garp settled into his role as caretaker. He took a year-long leave from his duties, much to the shock of his comrades in the Navy. But Garp didn't care about their opinions. His priority was here, in this small village, with his grandson.
During this time, Garp began training Ruyan, even at such a tender age. He believed that strength wasn't just about physical prowess but also about developing a strong will and a sharp mind. Every morning, he would take Ruyan out to the beach, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore serving as the backdrop to their training sessions.
At first, it was simple. Garp would hold Ruyan's small hands, guiding him through basic stances and movements. "Strength starts with a solid foundation," Garp would say, his voice filled with a rare gentleness. "You must learn to stand firm before you can move forward."
Ruyan, though just a baby, seemed to absorb these lessons in a way that surprised Garp. He would watch his grandfather with an intensity that was unusual for a child his age, his tiny body mimicking the movements as best he could. There was a determination in his eyes, a spark that reminded Garp of Dragon when he was younger.
As the weeks passed, the training sessions grew more complex. Garp began to incorporate more physical exercises, like lifting small stones and crawling through the sand to build Ruyan's strength. But it wasn't just the physical aspect that Garp focused on; he also started telling Ruyan stories of his past battles, sharing his experiences and the lessons he had learned as a Marine. "Being strong isn't just about fighting," Garp would say, his voice deep and resonant. "It's about protecting what you care about. It's about having the will to keep going, no matter what."
Ruyan would listen intently, his small hands grasping at the sand, his eyes wide with curiosity. Even though he was just a child, the stories seemed to resonate with him, as if they triggered memories from another life—memories that had been buried deep within him since the day he was born.
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Then came that fateful evening in April of 1497. The sun had just dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant shades of orange and pink. Garp sat outside the cottage, enjoying the cool air that provided relief after the warmth of the day. Inside, Ruyan, now over a year old, was fast asleep in his crib.
Suddenly, the atmosphere around the cottage began to shift. A strange blue light appeared out of nowhere, shimmering like a mirage. It started as a soft glow, but within moments, it intensified, filling the room with an otherworldly energy. Alarmed, Garp rushed inside. To his shock, the blue light was converging around the crib where Ruyan lay. It pulsated with an ancient, unknown power, enveloping the child like a cocoon.
"What in the world…?" Garp muttered, his instincts screaming at him to intervene, yet his seasoned warrior's experience making him hesitate. He could sense the power in the room—something far beyond his understanding—and knew better than to act rashly.
He watched as the light seeped into Ruyan's tiny body, the glow gradually fading until the room was dark once more. Silence fell, and Garp stood there, breathing heavily, his eyes fixed on his grandson, who continued to sleep peacefully, as if nothing had happened.
But something had changed. Garp could feel it in his bones.
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When Ruyan awoke, the world around him felt different. His eyes, once those of a typical infant, now sparkled with a clarity and intelligence no one-year-old should possess. As he scanned the room, his small body stiff with unfamiliar sensations, a torrent of memories flooded his mind.
These were not the memories of a child. They were the thoughts and experiences of a grown man—someone from another world, another life.
**His name was Ankur Sailoi.**
In his previous life, Ankur had been a 46-year-old animator at Toei Animation, tasked with bringing to life the world of *One Piece*, a manga that had captivated millions. He had a family—a wife and two children. Life had been a whirlwind of work, deadlines, and responsibilities. On a fateful night, while driving home after a grueling day, he received a phone call that would change everything.
The call was from his boss, adding another layer of stress to his already overloaded mind. Ankur was deep in thought, considering the complex dynamics of Luffy's latest battle in Chapter 1123, when suddenly, his world went black.
And now… now he was here, in the body of a baby, in the world of *One Piece*—a world that was supposed to be fiction. Yet, it was real, and he was living it.
His mind raced as he tried to comprehend the impossible situation. How could this be? Was it a dream? Had he died and been reincarnated into this world? The thoughts were dizzying, overwhelming. Ankur—no, Ruyan—clenched his tiny fists as he began to grasp the gravity of his situation. He was no longer Ankur Sailoi, the animator. He was Monkey D. Ruyan, grandson of Garp, son of Dragon, and, if the timelines matched up, the eldest brother of Luffy, Ace, and Sabo.
As Ruyan struggled to make sense of this bizarre new reality, he was suddenly startled by a sound—a soft, echoing chime that reverberated through his mind.
*Ding!*
"Welcome, host, to the One Piece world."
Ruyan's eyes widened in shock. Was this what he thought it was?
*Ding!*
"I am the strongest One Piece system."
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**To Be Continued...**
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