Chapter 3: The East Blue (Windmill Village)
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One year had passed since Monkey D. Ruyan first found himself in the world of One Piece. The days in Windmill Village were peaceful, yet every moment was a crucial step in his journey toward becoming the strongest. At just over a year old, Ruyan had grown rapidly, thanks in no small part to the powerful bloodline of the Monkey D. family and the relentless training he had begun in secret.
Despite his young age, Ruyan had pushed himself to develop faster than any ordinary child. Under Garp's watchful eye, he was already taking his first steps, and to the amazement of the villagers, he was walking with surprising confidence. Of course, no one knew that Ruyan's mind was that of a fully grown man, nor that he had the advantage of a mysterious system aiding his growth.
One quiet afternoon, as the sun cast long shadows across the village, Ruyan received an unexpected notification from the system.
*Ding!*
**"Congratulations, Host! You have survived your first year in the One Piece world. To commemorate this milestone, you have received a Novice Gift Pack. Would you like to open it?"**
Ruyan's heart raced with excitement. He had been waiting for something like this—something that could give him a tangible boost in this dangerous world. Without hesitation, he mentally confirmed.
*Ding!*
"Novice Gift Pack contains:
- +6 Strength Stats
- +4 Speed Stats**
- +3 Physical Durability Stats
- 10 Million Berries**
- 1 Skill Upgrade Card
**Would you like to apply these stats and items?"**
Ruyan didn't need to think twice. He confirmed, feeling a surge of power course through his small body as the system distributed the stat bonuses. His muscles felt denser, his movements more fluid, and he sensed a significant increase in his physical resilience. For the first time, he felt a hint of the strength that he would one day wield.
**Updated Stats:**
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Name: Monkey D. Ruyan
Strength: 8 (normal adult is 10)
Speed: 5 (normal adult is 10)
Physical Durability: 9 (normal adult is 10)
Haki Levels:
- Armament Haki: None
- Observation Haki: None
- Conqueror's Haki: Entry level
Sword Power:None
Devil Fruit:None
Sword Skills:None
System Points (SP): 0
Berry:10,000,000
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The increase in his stats was remarkable. In just one year, he had already surpassed the physical capabilities of many adults in the world, though he knew he still had a long way to go before he could truly contend with the titans of this world. Still, it was a promising start.
In addition to the stats, Ruyan now had 10 million berries at his disposal—a small fortune in the world of One Piece. He considered the potential uses for the money. With it, he could secure resources, buy information, or even lay the groundwork for his future crew. But for now, it was something he would keep in reserve until the time was right.
The last item in the gift pack was the **Skill Upgrade Card**. The system offered him a chance to improve any skill he might acquire in the future, but since he hadn't yet developed any specific abilities, he decided to hold onto it. There would undoubtedly be a time when such a card could turn the tide of battle or elevate his skills to a new level.
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Over the next few months, life continued in Windmill Village with a calm that belied the storm brewing within Ruyan's soul. Garp, ever the doting grandfather, spent his days telling Ruyan stories of his adventures on the seas, regaling him with tales of battles against pirates, epic chases, and the sheer thrill of a life at sea. Garp's enthusiasm was infectious, and though Ruyan was already aware of many of these events from his previous life's knowledge, hearing them from the man who lived them brought a new perspective.
One evening, after a particularly grand story about Garp chasing the infamous Gol D. Roger across the Grand Line, Garp decided to prepare a special meal for his grandson. He cooked up a feast of delicious seafood, including fresh fish, giant shrimp, and even a rare delicacy of sea king meat, which he had obtained from a recent hunt. The smell alone was enough to make Ruyan's mouth water, and when the food was placed before him, he dug in with the appetite of someone much older.
As they ate together, Ruyan couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. Garp might have been a legendary Navy hero, but to Ruyan, he was a loving grandfather who, despite his gruff exterior, showed his care in the simplest of ways—like cooking a meal and sharing stories.
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It wasn't long after that night when another significant event occurred. One day, as Ruyan was practicing walking around the village, a strong wind suddenly picked up, carrying with it the scent of the sea and something else—something familiar. Ruyan turned his head toward the horizon and spotted a figure approaching the village from the distance.
It was Dragon, his father, who had been away for nearly a year. As Dragon approached the cottage where Garp and Ruyan lived, Garp stepped out, a rare smile on his face. Though their relationship was complicated, the bond between father and son was undeniable.
"Old man," Dragon greeted, his voice as calm as the breeze.
"Dragon," Garp replied, his tone gruff but warm.
Dragon's gaze softened as he looked at Ruyan, who was standing unsteadily on his small legs. "You've grown, Ruyan," he said, kneeling down to ruffle his son's hair. "You're stronger than I expected."
Ruyan looked up at his father, feeling a connection despite the gulf between their two lives. Dragon was a man with heavy burdens, and even now, Ruyan could see the weight of the world in his eyes.
"How is she?" Garp asked, breaking the silence.
Dragon's expression darkened slightly, but he quickly masked it. "She's getting better. The doctors on Shezu Island in South Blue have been taking good care of her. She's still weak, but they say she'll recover in time."
Garp nodded, relief visible in his eyes. "Good. She's a strong woman. She'll pull through."
Dragon then leaned closer to Garp, lowering his voice. "There's more. Roger's crew was spotted on Fishman Island two weeks ago. The Navy is on high alert, but they haven't made a move yet."
Garp's brow furrowed. "Fishman Island, huh? So, he's getting close…"
Dragon simply nodded. The tension between them was palpable, but it was clear that they were both deeply concerned about the implications of Roger's movements. They knew that the Pirate King's journey was nearing its end, and that would send ripples across the world—ripples that could affect even the quiet life they had here in East Blue.
As their conversation drew to a close, Dragon looked at his father with a solemn expression. "I'll be leaving again soon, but I wanted to see you both before I go. I have… responsibilities."
Garp grunted, crossing his arms. "Always running off. But I guess you've got your reasons. Just don't forget where you came from."
Dragon gave a rare, faint smile. "I won't. And I'll make sure to check in more often. Take care of him, old man."
With that, Dragon left as quietly as he had arrived, leaving behind a lingering sense of urgency and the weight of the world's events hanging over their peaceful village.
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Later that night, after Dragon had departed, Garp sent a message to the Navy headquarters, informing them of his decision to stay in East Blue for another year. He justified it as a necessary break, but in truth, he had no intention of leaving Ruyan just yet. The boy was growing stronger every day, and Garp intended to be there to guide him, even if it meant shirking his duties for a while longer.
As the days turned into weeks, Ruyan continued to train in secret, using the knowledge from his previous life and the power granted by the system. He knew that his time in Windmill Village was precious, a period of growth before he would eventually set out on his own path. The system was his secret weapon, and with each passing day, he prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.
Ruyan had no illusions about the difficulty of the road before him. The world of One Piece was vast and dangerous, filled with powerful foes and unimaginable dangers. But with Garp's training, Dragon's legacy, and the system by his side, he knew he had the potential to rise to the top.
The journey to find the One Piece, to uncover the true secrets of the world, and to carve out his own destiny had only just begun.
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