Chapter 001: The Great Mangaka System!
[New book — please add to your library and send some flowers!]
The execution of Pirate King Gol D. Roger in Loguetown shook the world! But in this world, some coincidences defy even the gates of truth. A new soul was born into this grand era of pirates that Roger's death ushered in!
Water 7, Lock Street No. 19.
Inside a small Western-style house, Tang Nitian awoke, clutching his head.
"Ow! My head hurts!"
As memories merged, Tang Nitian gradually understood what had happened — he had transmigrated!
He now inhabited the body of a 12-year-old boy named Waffle James. Just last month, James's parents had gone to witness the execution of the Pirate King. On their return, their ship encountered pirates — not because the pirates were particularly brutal, but because they were newly inspired by Roger's death and fired their cannons wildly. This attracted Sea Kings, resulting in the total destruction of both the passenger and pirate ships. Everyone aboard perished.
Grief-stricken, James fainted in his home — and Tang Nitian took over his body.
In his previous life, Tang Nitian had been an internet-addicted teen from China. The specifics of how he crossed over? Not important (and pretty embarrassing). What mattered was: Tang Nitian was no more. From now on, he was Waffle James.
Looking into the mirror at the blond, handsome young boy, he bid farewell to his old self.
Water 7 lay close to Enies Lobby, but strong sea currents made sailing in and out difficult. After Roger's death, the World Government arrested his shipwright, Tom the Fishman, but threw him a bone: if he could build a sea train within ten years, he'd be pardoned. Tom, an unparalleled talent, accepted the challenge. If successful, the sea train would revolutionize trade and transport around Water 7, turning it into a thriving economic hub.
James picked up a newspaper. Roger's death had dominated headlines for weeks. The papers now mostly covered the rise of new pirates and bounties, which bored him — until something interesting caught his eye.
A local paper in Water 7, Lucky Star, had a wild story. Its owner, having failed to pay employees for six months, got a burst of inspiration, faked financials to get a loan, bought a ship, and went off to become a pirate!
The staff he left behind were broke and desperate. The editor, Duranda, put out a public message: "Whoever can revive the paper will become its new owner!"
People flocked with ideas, but all were useless. Duranda, who loved the paper dearly, was pulling his hair out. At just 30, he looked like he'd been cursed by some hair-thinning demon. The paper's days were clearly numbered.
James saw his opportunity. He was going to save that newspaper.
But hold on — wasn't he just a teenage gaming addict? What could he do to save a newspaper?
Well… he did have another identity. Back on Earth, besides being a gaming addict, he'd worked as an illustrator for a magazine, and even did street sketching on the side. He was genuinely talented — his quick sketches were incredibly lifelike, and the money he earned funded his gaming lifestyle.
Now, though, he was broke. The parents of this body had spent everything they had to buy this small house — they hadn't even left behind 1,000 Berries. James searched the place and only found 950 Berries — wait, 900, he just spent 50 on a newspaper! He was bleeding inside. He didn't even know how he'd afford food next.
Thankfully, the house had paper and pencils. James pulled out a sheet, pressed it down with a cup, grabbed a pencil, and started to draw.
The moment he began, a voice echoed in his mind!
> [Activating the Great Mangaka System! To summon the interface, mentally press 1. To close, press 2.]
What the hell?! Is this some kind of livestreaming app?
Still, James obediently pressed "1" in his mind — and a virtual interface appeared before his eyes!
The interface had three main sections:
[Manga Search]
[Fan Points Lottery]
[Item Storage]
James clicked on Manga Search. It looked just like a search engine. He typed in "Naruto" and hit enter.
Just like that, the full Naruto series appeared before him!
He clicked on the first volume — and a system prompt sounded:
> [System Notice: The Mangaka System can project this content directly onto paper for tracing!]
What?! That's possible?!
James was stunned. He slowly dragged the virtual manga page over his drawing paper — and like magic, a faint outline appeared on the paper! James was ecstatic.
With pencil in hand, he began tracing. In just a few minutes, he completed the first page. Amazing!
He put away the pencil and paper and moved to the second section: [Fan Points Lottery].
It was empty. Pitch black. At the top, it showed:
> [Fan Points: 0]
James asked mentally, "System, what is this?"
> [System Notice: You can earn Fan Points by selling your works. After tracing a certain number of chapters, you'll get a random reward — which could be a skill or item from the manga you traced.]
"Oh, that's how it works." He closed the lottery tab and clicked the final one: [Item Storage].
Also empty.
> [System Notice: Any item gained through the Fan Points Lottery can be stored here. The inventory is infinite — if you can earn it, we can store it.]
Awesome!
James temporarily closed the Mangaka System and started thinking.
Given his situation, getting a manga formally published seemed unlikely for now.
First, he was only 12 — no one would take him seriously.
Second, he didn't understand the manga industry in this world yet. All he knew were some weird fairy tale picture books, like "The Great Liar Rolando," which had been selling for decades. There was a serious lack of good content!