ALL NOVEL Chapter 1: I Want to Stand Out!
Year 1515 of the Sea Calendar. Five years before Luffy sets sail.
East Blue. Shells Town.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The chime of a bell echoed from the coast. Its steady rhythm meant there was no danger—leaving only one possibility:
"The marines are back!"
A Navy warship belonging to the 153rd Branch approached the harbor. They had been dispatched to deal with the notorious Black Cat Pirates, who had been pillaging nearby islands.
Residents of Shells Town poured onto the streets, lining up to welcome their "heroes."
The marines represented stability.
Every time they returned from an expedition, the townsfolk welcomed them warmly, not just out of respect but also because many of the marines were their family members.
However, this was no triumphant return.
At the head of the column, Captain Rodo of the 153rd Branch limped forward. Half his face was wrapped in bandages, his left arm gone, his uniform stained with blood.
The rest of the marines were in similar condition—battered, bruised, and barely able to stand, helping each other forward.
At the rear, carts carried those who could no longer walk, along with rows of corpses wrapped in white cloth.
It was a scene of utter devastation.
The young were horrified; their dreams of becoming marines evaporated into fear. For the first time, they understood the elders' warnings:
"Joining the navy can get you killed."
The elderly, on the other hand, remained composed. They had seen scenes like this many times in the last decade.
"Not many came back."
"Pirates are getting bolder."
"Damn that Roger!"
Of the nearly 100 soldiers dispatched, less than half returned alive.
Since Roger started the Great Pirate Era, even the peaceful East Blue had suffered under pirate attacks. Entire villages were razed, families destroyed.
Sacrifice had become the norm for the navy.
The next morning, the 153rd Branch posted recruitment notices.
Outside the Food Tavern, Loya hoisted a travel pack onto his back.
"Loya!"
The tavern's owner, Ririka, holding her young daughter Rika, called out, her voice tinged with fear.
After witnessing the marines' defeat, she thought Loya would change his mind. But his determination hadn't wavered.
"Are you really going to join the navy?"
"Yes."
Loya smiled, bowing slightly. "Thank you for taking care of me, Ririka. And Rika, your sweet rice balls were amazing."
"..."
Ririka hesitated, wanting to convince him to stay. Compared to the dangers of being a marine, working at the tavern and living a peaceful life wasn't so bad.
But Loya wasn't her family; she had no right to stop him.
"Big Brother Loya!"
Rika, less reserved than her mother, tugged at his pants with teary eyes. "Please stay! Mommy and I like you so much!"
"Rika, I like you too."
Squatting down, Loya ruffled her hair with a soft smile, while glancing at Ririka, who looked torn but said nothing.
No blush? No flustered expression?
Well, that settles it. I never had feelings for you anyway.
Three months ago, Loya woke up in this chaotic, pirate-ridden world, reborn in the body of a shipwrecked boy. Starving and desperate, he collapsed at the tavern's door, where Ririka kindly took him in.
In those three months, he learned the truth about this world: the World Government, Pirate King Roger, and the Goa Kingdom...
This was the world of One Piece!
If his memory served him right, Shells Town was where Luffy would meet Zoro. Rika, the little girl before him, was the one who would give Zoro sweet rice balls.
And Ririka? Her husband had been a marine who died at the hands of pirates, leaving her wary of the navy.
Though Loya had grown fond of them, he had bigger ambitions.
Lighting a cigarette, he took a deep drag. The glowing tip reflected the fire in his eyes.
"I want to make a name for myself."
He didn't care about justice or grand ideals. In his past life and this one, he wanted only one thing: to rise above.
Money. Power. Women. Status. Respect.
He was done being a nobody.
He was a man, and he refused to let anyone look down on him.