A battleship with the head of a massive dog carved into its prow sped across the ocean, cutting through waves like a blade. Inside, in one of the cabins, a conversation was taking place between two figures—one grizzled and weathered, the other young and uncertain.
"Bogart, how's the kid doing?" Garp asked, his voice carrying both curiosity and concern.
"Vice Admiral Garp, he seems to have cried himself out and fallen asleep," Bogart replied softly.
"Asleep, huh? That's good," Garp muttered, exhaling deeply. Even someone as thick-skinned as Monkey D. Garp knew better than to punch a grieving child into silence. The boy had just lost both parents, ripped from a life of carefree nobility to become an orphan adrift in a cruel world. If crying helped him cope, then so be it—so long as it didn't get too excessive.
Meanwhile, inside the dimly lit room, a pale-skinned boy slowly opened his eyes. His small face twisted with confusion as he took in the unfamiliar surroundings. Where am I? Wasn't I working on my manuscript just moments ago? Did… did I die at my desk?!
Before panic could fully take hold, a sharp, needle-like pain shot through his skull. Memories that weren't his own began flooding into his mind—memories of another life, another identity. After what felt like an eternity, the pain subsided, leaving behind clarity and a profound sense of disbelief.
"Shit!" Ikano D. Ryu cursed under his breath, clutching his head. These memories were far too familiar. It was almost as if he'd stepped straight into the pages of his own unfinished novel. And then it hit him—the protagonist's name, the setting, even the abilities… they all matched up perfectly.
'Ikano D. Ryu.'
He checked again, reviewing the system interface that now floated before his eyes. There was no denying it—he had somehow traveled into the world of his very own fanfiction.
What kind of cosmic joke was this? Ridiculous didn't even begin to cover it. This wasn't just absurd; it was absurdity opening the door for absurdity itself. It was absurdity incarnate!
Taking a deep breath, Ryu forced himself to calm down. He hadn't written much beyond the opening chapters of this story, but he knew one thing for certain: he always gave his protagonists happy endings. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he'd likely survive them. Besides, he hadn't saddled his main character with any impossible starting conditions—in fact, he'd equipped him with a helpful system.
Surely, navigating this new reality wouldn't be unbearable.
With renewed determination, Ryu accessed the system once more:
Name: Ikano D. Ryu
Age: 6
Race: Low-Level Vampire
Level: 4 (47%)
Power Level: 15 (Average Marine soldier = 10 Power)
Haki - Armament: Locked
Haki - Observation: Level 1
Haki - Conqueror's: Locked
Skills:
Blood Sucking: Drinking blood increases strength, heals injuries rapidly, regenerates limbs, and prevents power degradation. Stronger donors yield greater benefits.
Innate Observation Haki: Born with basic Observation Haki capabilities.
Low-Level Vampire Physiology: Naturally stronger than humans; adult vampires are 20x stronger than average soldiers. Evolution to Mid-Level Vampire occurs at Level 10.
Night's Curse: Attributes increase slightly during nighttime but decrease significantly during daylight.
Night Vision: Perfect vision in darkness.
Basic Swordsmanship (3750/10000): Increases swordplay effectiveness by 20%.
Quests:
Beginner Quest: Reach Level 10 to evolve into a Mid-Level Vampire. Reward: Small Blood Pack & Blood Ring.
Satisfied with what he saw, Ryu nodded to himself. Everything matched his original design. Now came the moment of truth—he stood up and walked over to the mirror, examining his reflection.
The boy staring back at him was unnervingly pale, his skin almost translucent with an unhealthy pallor. His crimson eyes gleamed like rubies, piercing yet haunting. A pair of tiny fangs peeked out from beneath his lips when he smiled, giving him the appearance of a mischievous demon. Still, despite the unsettling visage, Ryu remained unfazed. He knew that after evolving, his looks would improve dramatically.
"Not bad," he mused aloud, smirking faintly. "Not nearly as handsome as me, but once my stats go up, I'll probably reach half my real-life charm—and trust me, half is more than enough to dominate the pirate world."
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"Are you awake, Ryu?" called Bogart, Garp's loyal subordinate. He'd heard movement from within the cabin and assumed the boy had finally stirred.
"I'm awake, Uncle Bogart," Ryu replied, keeping his tone neutral.
"I'm coming in!" Bogart announced before stepping inside. To his relief, the boy wasn't crying anymore. Instead, he sat quietly in front of the mirror, seemingly lost in thought.
"Hungry?" Bogart asked gently.
"A little," Ryu admitted.
"I'll fetch you something to eat. In the meantime, there are doughnuts in the drawer—Garp's favorite. Help yourself while I prepare your meal."
As Bogart exited, Ryu glanced at the drawer towering above him. Standing on tiptoe, he pulled it open and retrieved a box of doughnuts. Though vampires in his fictional universe could consume human food, it offered no special effects. Nevertheless, the sweet aroma wafting from the pastry made his stomach rumble. Perhaps being reborn as a child heightened his appetite.
The door creaked open again, revealing none other than Garp himself.
"Why are you eating my doughnuts?" Garp asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because I'm hungry," Ryu answered matter-of-factly.
"Oh." Garp studied the boy for a moment, noting the pointed teeth and eerie red eyes. Despite recognizing him as a vampire, Garp showed no fear or hostility. Instead, he leaned forward curiously.
"They taste good?"
"They do."
"Give me some."
Wordlessly, Ryu handed over a doughnut. For a brief moment, the legendary hero and the fledgling vampire shared a surprisingly tender exchange, munching away in companionable silence.
Outside the doorway, Bogart watched the scene unfold, touched by Garp's unexpected gentleness. Who would've thought the boisterous vice admiral had such a soft side?
"These doughnuts are delicious," Garp remarked between bites. "Give me another one."
"All gone," Ryu said, holding up the empty box.
"Already? Oh well. By the way, your name's Ryu, right?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"What are your plans moving forward? Are you going home, or perhaps considering joining the Marines? I heard your father taught you some swordsmanship—you're quite talented. How about training under the Navy? I can personally recommend you."
Joining the Marines? Ryu hesitated. On paper, it wasn't a terrible idea. With Garp's backing, he'd gain access to advanced techniques like the Rokushiki and mentorship from powerful fighters. However, as a vampire, sustaining himself on blood within the rigid structure of the Marines might prove problematic.
After a moment's deliberation, Ryu shook his head. "Thank you, Mr. Garp, but I don't think I'll join the Marines—at least not for now."
"Is that so? What a shame," Garp sighed, though his expression softened. "You've got potential, kid. Just try not to end up as our enemy someday."
As Garp left the room, Ryu couldn't help but smirk. Potential indeed. Little did Garp know, Ikano D. Ryu wasn't just some ordinary child—he was the author of his own destiny, and this was only the beginning.