Chapter 1: A World of Legends and the Man Who Weaves Them
A world covered in endless oceans. This is a realm where the seas stretch beyond the horizon, where islands exist like scattered pieces of a great puzzle, and where the dreams of countless people are carried by the waves.
This is the world of One Piece.
Unlike other worlds, land is rare here. The only true continental formation is the Red Line, a massive strip of land that divides the planet into two halves. Cutting across this is the Grand Line, a legendary sea that is both a paradise and a graveyard. It is a place where the normal laws of nature break down—where islands have their own unpredictable climates, where monsters lurk beneath the waves, and where only the strongest can hope to survive.
Yet, it is also a place of miracles. Ancient civilizations, mystical islands, and powerful treasures lie hidden in its waters. Among them, one treasure stands above all others—One Piece. The fabled fortune left behind by the greatest pirate to ever live.
It all began with one man.
Twenty years ago, in the year 1500, the world changed forever. In the town of Loguetown, Gol D. Roger, the man known as the Pirate King, stood upon the execution platform, surrounded by marines and a sea of onlookers. But even in the face of death, he did not waver.
Just before the blades fell, he spoke.
"My treasure? If you want it, you can have it! I left everything I gathered together in one place! Now go and find it!"
That single sentence lit the flames of a new age. The Great Pirate Era.
Countless people set sail in search of his treasure. The seas became flooded with pirates, adventurers, and criminals alike, all hoping to claim the ultimate prize. The world was thrown into chaos, and the balance of power was forever altered.
Now, in the year 1520, the age of piracy is at its peak. The Grand Line is more dangerous than ever. The World Government struggles to maintain control, while powerful pirate crews rise to challenge them. The marines, bounty hunters, and revolutionaries all fight their own battles in the midst of this lawless world.
And in the heart of it all, in a place known as Sabaody Archipelago, a man walks the path of legends.
---
Beneath the glowing light of the mangrove trees, a lone figure strolled through the streets of Grove 13. The air was humid, the scent of salt and seafoam mixing with the lively sounds of the bustling archipelago.
The man's presence was both mysterious and commanding, his appearance unlike any ordinary traveler. His name was Ash Veyron.
His hair was black as midnight, slightly messy yet flowing with an effortless elegance. But it was his eyes that truly set him apart—golden, glowing like molten metal, as if they held the essence of untold stories within them. At times, shadows flickered within them, creating the illusion of an endless void.
Draped over his shoulders was a long black coat with red linings, giving him the air of a noble swordsman. Underneath, he wore a dark vest over a white tunic, decorated with golden embroidery forming intricate patterns. His boots, sturdy yet refined, moved with silent grace as he walked.
A single sword rested at his waist, its black sheath blending seamlessly into his attire. But what truly stood out was the floating book beside him. A tome that hovered in the air, its dark leather cover glowing with golden etchings.
Ash Veyron was no ordinary man. He was a storyteller. A wanderer. A weaver of tales.
And his legend was just beginning.
---
As he walked through the archipelago, Ash took in the sights around him. The Sabaody Archipelago was a place of contradictions. A gateway to the New World, a paradise for the rich, yet a nightmare for the weak. Here, pirates, bounty hunters, and even the notorious Celestial Dragons roamed freely.
Yet Ash paid them no mind. He had no interest in the politics of this world. He was simply passing through.
But trouble, as always, had a way of finding him first.
"Oi! You there, pretty boy!"
A rough, grating voice echoed through the air. The lively street suddenly grew quiet as people turned to see who had spoken.
Blocking Ash's path was a massive man, standing at nearly seven feet tall. His body was covered in crude tattoos, scars crisscrossing his arms like battle-worn trophies. His face bore a wicked grin, revealing a set of iron-plated teeth.
Behind him stood a group of similarly rough-looking men, all sneering with eager anticipation.
The leader took a step forward, resting a rusted cutlass on his shoulder.
"You look like you've got some nice clothes. How about handing over some spare change before I carve you up?"
The bystanders whispered among themselves.
"That's 'Iron Jaw' Drego! The captain of the Bloodfang Pirates!"
"I heard his bounty is 30 million berries! He's a ruthless killer!"
Drego grinned wider, flashing his iron teeth.
But Ash?
He simply stared.
His golden eyes remained calm, indifferent, as if he wasn't even listening.
Drego's grin twitched. He was used to people begging for their lives. He was used to fear. But this man…
"You must be one of those cocky bastards. Fine, I'll just take everything from your corpse!"
With a roar, Drego swung his cutlass downward, aiming to split Ash in half.
Then—
A flash of light. A whisper of motion.
Before anyone could even register what had happened, Drego stood frozen. A thin, glowing line of light traced across his chest.
A second later—
His body split in half.
A clean, effortless cut.
Not by a sword. Not by a visible weapon.
Ash simply stood there, his right index finger glowing faintly.
Silence.
The Bloodfang Pirates were silent.
The onlookers were silent.
Then—
"I-impossible…!" one of Drego's crewmates stammered.
With a single, casual motion, Ash had cut down a man worth 30 million berries.
The air grew tense.
Somewhere, deep in the shadows of Sabaody, whispers began to spread.
A new name had entered the stage.
A storyteller whose tales could shake the world.
And this was just the beginning.