Earth • October, 2024 ~~~~~~~~
"Sigh… is this really necessary?" asked seventeen-year-old Cain, sighing for the fifth time as he walked beside his friend.
"Stop sighing already! What's the big deal? It's just six months!" his friend replied, exasperated.
"It's six months! They're stopping One Piece for six whole months! It was getting so good, and now they just announced a hiatus…" Cain replied, clearly upset.
Caught up in their conversation, they didn't notice the crosswalk light had changed. Before they could react, a truck was speeding towards them.
In a panic, Cain instinctively pushed his friend with all his strength to safety but couldn't escape himself. The truck hit him hard, sending him flying, his body limp, blood pooling around him.
His life flashed before his eyes for a couple of seconds and then his consciousness faded into darkness.
Somewhere Dark ~~~~~~~~
Gasp!
Where am I? I remember getting hit by a truck. This place is so damn dark…and I can't feel my hands and feet!
Does that mean I am...Dead?!
No no no…Let's be positive here! Maybe I'm just in a coma. Yes, that must be the case! Hahaha…
In any case, I can't talk to anyone. It's so lonely here.
In a dark void, a soul floating freely still hasn't realized that it's dead, and started humming to itself to pass the time.
"Pfft…you are not in a coma—you are dead!" a voice echoed, barely holding back laughter.
The soul froze hearing those words and started looking around wildly.
Who is it?! Wait! Did it say I am dead? No way… this has to be some crazy joke! I don't wanna be dead!
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice shaking.
"Me? I am ROB. Both of us are kind of at fault for why you're here, dead." the ROB said, actually my mistake was intentional, thought the ROB but didn't say it out loud.
"ROB? The mythical being who transmigrates people in another world and gives them wishes?" Saying this, the soul started twinkling with anticipation, forgetting the whole 'being dead' part.
"Yes! I am the almighty ROB!" the ROB proclaimed proudly and continued, "Tell me, would you like to transmigrate to an anime world?"
"Heck yeah!" the soul replied, almost bouncing.
"Ahem, ok, there you go!" The ROB said and opened a portal to the anime world. The soul looked at the portal but didn't cross it as if waiting for something.
Seeing the soul not leaving, the ROB felt a headache coming. Indeed, the soul was waiting for the wishes.
"Uh, what about my wishes? Do I get three? …Or five? …Maybe ten?" the soul asked hopefully, but was left speechless by the answer given by ROB.
"Nope, you don't get any. You should be grateful for getting a chance to transmigrate at all," ROB replied, trying to sound wise.
"What?! Why? This is so unfair! Why do other transmigrators get wishes but I don't? Are you even a real ROB?" the soul accused.
Now it was ROB's turn to feel speechless. This greedy bastard! I was just trying to save some wish resources. Sigh…
"Fine. If you can become the strongest in the world I'm sending you to, I'll grant you one wish—and a special gift for your next world."
"One wish? No matter what it is?" the soul asked, looking a little doubtful.
"Yup! That's right!" ROB confirmed.
"Ugh…the strongest? Forget about the next world, how am I supposed to become the strongest without any cheats in this world? And which world is it?"
"That's your problem to solve. I'm sending you to the world of One Piece."
"One piece?! Then, at least transmigrate me into a handsome body with good innate talent. Will you?" the soul accepts the condition begrudgingly. But you better not back out in the end, you stingy ROB!
The ROB nodded, happy at first, but after listening to the inner voice of the soul, he grew a tick mark on his forehead and kicked the soul into the portal.
"Aaahhhhhh…"
Shimotsuki Village • June, 1513 ~~~~~~~~
So that's how It went, huh? To become the strongest…leave that aside, let's figure out the location first…after some rest. It really hurts being beaten like that half-dead! thought Cain and went to sleep.
After resting for a whole another day, Cain was finally able to walk a little.
But this still astonished him, he thought, the self-healing qualities of this body must be high to be able to walk after just three days of treatment.
He made his way out of the room, leaning against the wall for support. In the living room, he spotted the doctor, an elderly man named Saburo, reading a newspaper and sipping tea.
The doctor looked up and smiled. "You are able to walk already? Your body must have great healing properties! Come, sit down."
Cain went ahead and sat down on the sofa in front of the doctor. "So how are you feeling?" the doctor asked.
"I am feeling much better. Thank you for the treatment, Doctor. I will definitely repay this kindness in the future." Cain replied gratefully.
"Don't worry about that. The fishermen brought you to my clinic, and I just did my job. But tell me, how did you end up in that situation?" the doctor Saburo said
Cain took a deep breath. "I was kidnapped by pirates from my home village on Jotor Island. After a few days, their ship got caught in a storm and broke apart. I was holding onto a broken mast but soon lost consciousness. Next thing I know, I'm here." He paused. "By the way, where is this place?"
Saburo gave a sympathetic look. "You've been through a lot at such a young age. This is Shimotsuki Village. Perhaps you can start fresh here."
Listening to the name of the village, Cain felt shock and then a surge of excitement.
I thought that stingy ROB was messing with me by sending me to the body of a boy kidnapped by pirates, but this is actually a good starting point for my journey. Cain thought, finding a way forward.
Saburo noticed his reaction. "Do you know about Shimotsuki Village?"
Cain, realizing that his feelings have been given away by his expression, quickly composed himself and thought, Damn, I have to be careful of any slip-ups in the future.
"Ah yes! I have heard about Shimotsuki village before. Especially the dojo here. After recovering fully, I think I will apply to learn swordsmanship from the dojo master."
"Sounds like a plan!" Saburo replied. "For now, get some more rest. I have work to do as well." He stood up and headed to the storage room to check up on his new supply of medicinal herbs.
Cain got up and made his way towards his assigned room and laid down.
Soon a week went by and Cain was finally back to full health. As the last week of June started, ready to begin his journey, he thanked Saburo again and set off for the dojo.
"Hello there! Could you tell me the way to the Isshin Dojo?" Cain asked an elderly woman passing by.
"Ara, the Isshin Dojo? Just go straight, take a left and then go straight. It's at the edge of the village."
"Thank you!" Cain rushed ahead after thanking the old lady.
Following the path suggested by the old lady, Cain reached the dojo.
This is the start of my legend, I am gonna become the strongest!
Hearing the sounds of bamboo swords clashing, in his excitement, he slid the door of the dojo open with more force than intended.
Thud!
"..."
"..."
"..."
Hearing the loud sound of the gate opening, everyone looked at the entrance.
Despite all the stares directed at him, Cain held his ground and, after a quick look around, spotted his target.
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[Author Note]: I have written five chapters right now and I am planning to keep the pace slow and detailed.
I have some arcs planned but do give me your suggestions in the comments.
Also, if you like this chapter then leave some powerstones.
Peace :)