Shiro's excitement bubbled over, his small face flushed with enthusiasm.
"Captain Roger! My name is Jabal Shiro!" he announced proudly.
Roger's booming laughter rang across the deck.
With a single wave of his hand, Roger exuded a heroic aura that seemed to command even the ocean itself.
Shiro's heart raced as he stepped onto the legendary Oro Jackson, the ship that would become the stage of countless adventures and stories.
As the ship sailed away from God Valley, the deck overflowed with laughter and song. Roger raised his cup of wine, letting it spill slightly down his chin without a care, while the crew danced and sang, their voices blending with the roar of the sea.
Gaban, after a drink, felt a warm flush on his cheeks as he glanced at Shiro, who had just taken a sip and was playfully sticking out his tongue.
"Little Shiro," Gaban asked, "why was Charlotte Linlin chasing you?"
Based on his experience with Linlin, he knew she was ruthless and greedy, but she wouldn't normally pursue a child without reason. Something important had clearly drawn her attention.
Shiro blinked, holding out his hands toward Jaba.
"It's probably because I ate the Paw-Paw Fruit!" he replied seriously.
Jaba's eyes widened in surprise. He quickly scooped Shiro up and carried him to Roger.
"Captain, look! Little Shiro has eaten the Paw-Paw Fruit!" His voice trembled with excitement.
"Huh?" Roger, tipsy from wine, turned to Shiro's hands. His bleary eyes instantly sharpened, his expression shifting from curiosity to exhilaration.
"Well, this is an unexpected delight! Not only did we gain two new crew members, but a Devil Fruit as well!"
Rayleigh, Tabit, and the others gathered around, marveling at Shiro's small hands and the newfound power he now wielded.
"To celebrate Little Shiro eating the Paw-Paw Fruit, the feast is extended until tomorrow! Wahahaha!" Roger roared, raising his cup high to share the joy with all.
Shiro internally rolled his eyes.
"So this is just an excuse for another nonstop party, huh?" he thought, though a small smile crept across his face at the crew's infectious enthusiasm.
The next day, the aftermath of the celebration left the deck strewn with bottles and food scraps, a chaotic mess.
Rayleigh steadied himself, swaying slightly as he approached Shiro and patted his head.
"Little Shiro, you are now an apprentice member of the Roger Pirates. Cleaning duties fall to you!"
Shiro's lip twitched.
"So joining the crew is just an excuse to exploit child labor? Bloody capitalist overlords!" he muttered under his breath.
Rayleigh, naturally able to sense Shiro's irritation with his Observation Haki, smiled knowingly and began to reassure him:
"Little Shiro, joining our pirate crew gives you a bright future. Work hard, and soon you'll become a full-fledged crew member—with a salary increase fivefold!"
"Are you treating me like a three-year-old?!" Shiro groaned, ignoring Rayleigh as he picked up a broom taller than himself and began sweeping. Dust swirled into the sunlit air as he swept with effort.
After an hour, the deck was barely passable. Shiro panted, leaning on his broom, glancing at the sleeping infant Shanks swaddled nearby.
Looking at that peaceful little face, Shiro thought, "When will this ever end? I shouldn't have joined the Roger Pirates so early!"
At that moment, his greatest wish was for Shanks to grow up quickly, so he could pass off the chores to him.
Life at sea, it seemed, was far less exciting than he imagined. Adventures and exploration were scarce; the main activity was partying. For a young child with a Devil Fruit power, cleaning up after the adults' endless feasts was hardly thrilling.
One day, after yet another raucous celebration, Shiro had a sudden idea:
Why not just move all this garbage away with my powers? That would make things so much easier!
He slapped his forehead, eyes lighting up with a spark of inspiration.
Sunlight glinted off the deck of the Oro Jackson, illuminating the scattered bottles and bones. Shiro clenched his small fists, a faint white glow emanating from his palms. With a few rhythmic motions, he sent the debris flying toward a nearby deserted island, cutting his workload by nearly ninety percent.
Roger, swaying slightly from the previous night's wine, watched Shiro with interest. His sharp gaze flickered with the gleam of one spotting raw talent.
Stepping up to Shiro with long strides, Roger's presence and the lingering scent of alcohol were almost overwhelming.
"Little Shiro, your Devil Fruit powers are impressive! Do you want to learn some techniques from us? With them, you'll carve a name for yourself in this vast, treacherous sea!"
Shiro's eyes sparkled like twin stars. He nodded furiously, his head bobbing as if on a spring.
Roger's hearty laughter shook the ship's flags. He patted Shiro on the shoulder, a blow that made the small boy stumble slightly.
"Good! With you on our crew, the Roger Pirates will surely leave a mark across the Grand Line!"
Turning toward Rayleigh, Roger bellowed:
"Rayleigh! Train this boy! Make sure he becomes strong—he's the future of our world!"
Shiro's heart sank.
Teacher Rayleigh? he muttered in his mind.
This was the same mentor known for misguiding prodigies in the pirate world. Even Luffy, a natural talent, had only mastered basic Haki after two years under Rayleigh. Compared to Kaido-sensei, who had unlocked advanced techniques in mere days, Rayleigh seemed… terrifyingly slow.
Shiro felt a chill run down his spine. Had he truly boarded the wrong ship?