Chapter 1: The Awakening
I awoke in Foosha Village, a humble town nestled on the coast where the waves kissed the shore gently. The sky painted hues of orange and pink as the sun began its ascent, seagulls circling above in lazy arcs. The scent of saltwater mixed with the dampness of morning dew lingered in the air. My body felt different. Lighter, stronger. Each breath filled me with vitality I hadn't known before.
Confusion gave way to shock when I caught my reflection in a pool of water by the shore. A young face stared back at me, one I knew all too well: Monkey D. Luffy, the protagonist of One Piece. The scar beneath my left eye, a mark earned through sheer stubbornness, confirmed it. Yet it was my mind that truly shook me—I remembered everything. The full plot, each arc, each twist, every ally and enemy, the truth of the Void Century itself.
This was no dream. I had become Luffy, and it was the beginning of everything.
The realization of my situation came with both awe and responsibility. With my knowledge of the future, I had the power to prevent countless tragedies. But I also knew how powerful the forces against me were. I couldn't simply charge forward recklessly.
I resolved that I would do more than simply play out the events of the story. I would rewrite fate.
The village was quiet, save for the gentle crash of waves and the occasional calls of the townspeople. I knew Shanks and his crew would arrive soon, marking the true start of my pirate journey. But I couldn't wait idly. If I wanted to be strong enough to protect my friends, I needed to start training immediately.
I began practicing with the Gomu Gomu no Mi, the Devil Fruit that made my body rubber. Remembering how Luffy originally struggled, I focused on mastering control. Punches, kicks, stretches—I experimented with different forms of attack. At first, the awkwardness was frustrating, my limbs flailing with little precision. But I pushed forward, determined to harness my abilities early.
By the time Shanks arrived, I had made noticeable progress. I met him on the dock, suppressing the urge to fanboy over the legendary pirate. Instead, I greeted him with a confident grin, mirroring the spirit of the Luffy I had become.
His presence was larger than life, just as I remembered from the manga. Yet, seeing him in person, I felt the weight of his legacy even more deeply. This man would inspire me, lose his arm for me. But this time, I would be stronger.
Shanks noticed my determination. He invited me to spend time with his crew, sharing tales of adventure. I listened, absorbing his words while keeping my focus on my training. When the fateful day arrived—the bandits, the threat—I intervened early. I didn't let the situation escalate as it originally had.
Yet, despite my efforts, Shanks still sacrificed his arm to save me from the Sea King. I felt the crushing guilt, but I also felt something more profound: the resolve to grow stronger.
After Shanks and his crew left, I intensified my physical training. Each day, I pushed my body further, building strength, endurance, and mastering my rubber abilities with greater precision. As I grew more confident, I began experimenting with Haki, focusing on Observation and Armament. Though difficult, my determination fueled my progress.
It was during this time that my grandfather, Vice Admiral Garp, arrived in Foosha Village. His infamous "Fist of Love" greeted me with a painful thud on the head, reminding me that I had a long way to go. Despite the tough love, I saw an opportunity and begged Garp to train me—not just in physical strength but in swordsmanship and the art of steel-cutting.
At first, Garp was reluctant, believing I should focus on my Devil Fruit powers. But my persistence wore him down. Garp assigned his right-hand man, a swordsman named Captain Bran, to teach me. Bran was a strict and silent teacher, his scarred hands speaking of countless battles. He drilled me daily, focusing on stances, balance, and precise strikes rather than flashy techniques.
The first week was grueling. My rubber body struggled to hold proper stances, my strikes lacked power, and Bran rarely offered praise. But as the days turned into weeks, I began to understand. I wasn't just learning how to swing a sword—I was learning discipline.
After a month, I had mastered the basics of swordsmanship. My footwork was steady, my grip no longer wavered, and I could cleave wooden targets with ease. Yet, despite my progress, I still couldn't cut steel.
Garp, ever the busy Vice Admiral, couldn't stay much longer. Duty called him back to Marineford, leaving me to my own devices. He left with a parting blow, another painful "Fist of Love" and a gruff warning: "Get strong, Luffy. The sea is cruel."
Alone once again, I doubled my efforts. I would master steel-cutting, unlock Haki fully, and become strong enough to change the fate of my crew and the world.