Drum Island, a winter island where snow falls year-round and blizzards howl endlessly. Outside the royal castle of the Drum Kingdom—
Chopper groaned as he forced himself to roll over. Pain wracked his small body, but he was determined. He wanted to help the stranger who had avenged Dr. Hiriluk.
And then he saw it.
The steel deck beneath his hooves split open, forming a gaping mouth lined with sharp metallic teeth. In one terrifying snap, the strange ship devoured the afro-bearded man whole.
Chopper's eyes bulged wide.
"Eh?!"
"What… what is that?!"
He leapt back in fright, terrified that he would be swallowed next.
Dalton and the surviving guards, hearing the clash of battle, clambered up onto the deck. All of them froze in disbelief at the sight.
That scene just now…
It was oddly familiar.
Dalton, ever the calmest among them, narrowed his eyes. "That… that looked like King Wapol's Devil Fruit ability. The powers of the Munch-Munch Fruit."
"Munch-Munch Fruit?"
The guards' expressions transformed from shock into delight. They burst into cheers.
"Then His Majesty Wapol is still alive?"
"You devoured this ship, my king? Was that you?!"
The wind howled across the deck, but there was no answer.
Dalton's voice cut cold and steady through their foolish hope. "No. It wasn't Wapol. This ship… this ship itself has eaten the Devil Fruit."
His words shattered their joy.
The guards stiffened, their smiles turning brittle.
If the ship had the Munch-Munch powers, then that meant—Wapol's Devil Fruit had been passed on. And Devil Fruits only reincarnated when the previous host had died. The fruit then reappeared somewhere in the world, drawn to be reborn.
Which could only mean one thing.
"King Wapol is dead!"
The guards' faces went pale.
"Our king is dead!"
"He killed King Wapol!"
"Regicide!"
Fear quickly gave way to rage. Their incompetence had led to this disaster, and they sought a scapegoat. All their fury now turned to the unfamiliar youth before them.
They had to capture him, kill him, and offer his blood as tribute to the memory of their king.
And besides—
Whoever avenged Wapol would be deemed a hero, rewarded when the next monarch rose.
For Wapol had left no heirs save one: a prince long exiled. If he were recalled, he would surely grant them favor.
One of the guards raised his musket and fired.
Bang! Bang!
Bullets whistled through the snowy air.
Jin, startled awake by the gunfire, instinctively threw up his hand. The ship responded instantly. A slab of steel rose from the deck, intercepting the musket balls.
Clang! Clang!
The shots ricocheted harmlessly, not even leaving a mark.
More guards rushed forward with swords, but the deck split open again, swallowing them in gnashing jaws. Others staggered only a few steps before collapsing, writhing as blue static crackled across their bodies. Their hair stood on end as electricity surged through them.
Dalton's brow furrowed. "That static… Kuromarimo's power?"
Could it be? The Munch-Munch Fruit absorbed whatever was eaten, turning it into part of the body. If the ship had devoured Kuromarimo, had it inherited his ability as well?
Dalton had never seen Wapol demonstrate such a thing. Could this be some strange fusion of weapon and Devil Fruit?
As the guards shrieked and flailed, Jin was experiencing something altogether different. His eyes widened in wonder as a strange sensation overcame him. He could feel the ship—every creak, every shudder—as if it were part of his own body. His mind and the vessel had fused.
And then, before his eyes, a strange virtual interface appeared.
[Primary Authority: Captain Jin]
[Hull Specifications: Length 22 meters, Width 13 meters, Height 8.3 meters, Weight 58 tons]
[Current Ability: Munch-Munch Fruit]
[Note: Due to temporal distortion during transmigration, the vessel has absorbed temporal radiation. Its body possesses immense durability and the ability to assimilate active matter. The ship is now "alive," with limitless evolutionary potential. Provide corresponding materials and energy to initiate further evolution.]
[Next Evolution Requirements: Soul Crystals 12/100, Refined Steel 0/10 tons, Gold 0/0.1 ton, Silver 0/1 ton, Rare Earth 0/10 tons, Active Matter 0/1 unit]
"Holy crap!" Jin's jaw dropped.
"Limitless evolution?!"
"My aircraft carrier model mutated?!"
"And it shows me the evolution conditions?!"
He let out a sharp breath. "This… this is insane!"
His shock gave way to exhilaration. In this world, even ordinary men wielded monstrous strength. For someone like him, a mere transmigrant, survival without some kind of cheat was nearly impossible. He'd be nothing but cannon fodder—never even able to show his face at the war at Marineford.
But now… things were different.
Yes, personal combat power was crucial in this world. But even more terrifying were the ancient weapons—like Pluton—that could annihilate entire nations in a single strike. Such overwhelming force commanded respect, even from the strongest.
If he could nurture his vessel, evolve it step by step… then one day, piloting his own aircraft carrier, Jin would charge across the seas of One Piece without fear.
"Keheheheh…"
A dark chuckle escaped him. The sound carried through the storm, echoing like the laughter of a devil. To Chopper and Dalton, it sent chills down their spines.
Chopper flinched, but then he remembered—this was the man who had avenged Dr. Hiriluk. Could such a person truly be evil?
His round eyes sparkled with admiration. "Ka-ku-i!" (So cool!)
Dalton, however, frowned deeply. "This guy… dangerous."
Though he despised Wapol and his corrupt guards, Dalton was still a man of duty. With a low growl, his body shifted, muscles bulging, horns sprouting—he had activated his Zoan powers.
"Enough! Stop fighting!" he roared.
In one mighty leap, Dalton snatched several guards from the jaws of the ship before they could be devoured.
Jin's gaze flicked to him. Dalton. The user of the Ox-Ox Fruit, Model: Bison, a Zoan-type Devil Fruit.
His strength wasn't exceptional, but his heart was steadfast. Loyal, patient, stubbornly kind—Dalton was the very image of a work-ox, bearing the weight of the world without complaint.
Jin's thoughts raced. I'm new here, lost, and I don't even understand the language. What I need right now… is someone exactly like him.
At his unspoken command, the ship ceased its attacks.
Dalton exhaled in relief, chest heaving. He looked toward the short, unfamiliar youth. The stranger gave a small smile, raising his hands in a gesture of peace.
"No more fighting?" Dalton guessed.
He turned to his men. "Lay down your weapons!"
The guards, cowed and trembling after witnessing the ship's strange powers, obeyed.
Dalton returned to human form, raising his empty hands to show no hostility. He took two careful steps forward. "I am Dalton, Captain of the Drum Kingdom's guard."
He pointed to himself. "Dalton."
A name.
Jin tapped his own chest. "Jin."
Dalton blinked. The storm carried the word oddly, mixing with the sound of the wind. "Jin…?" Did he mean King?
Could it be? King Jin?
For a moment, Dalton wondered. Could this mysterious figure be the illegitimate son of the old king? But no—the language gap didn't fit. Still…
Whether royal or not, everything about this man unsettled him.
The confidence in his bearing.
The mysterious force that had killed Wapol.
And the ship that bore the power of a Devil Fruit.
Dalton dared not provoke him. For the sake of the nation, he had to tread carefully.
His eyes flicked to Jin's thin clothing, already soaked and shivering in the snow. Compassion stirred. Dalton turned to his men. "Quickly! Bring him clothes. And food!"
Jin didn't understand, so he glanced toward Chopper.
Chopper blinked, then lit up with realization. Clever as he was, he understood that Dalton was asking if this stranger was dangerous. Chopper's heart swelled.
He's trusting me…?
The little reindeer's cheeks flushed with pride. He waved his hooves, pointing at clothes, then mimed bringing food to his mouth.
Jin exhaled in relief and nodded with a grateful smile. He finally allowed himself to relax. His body was freezing, his stomach gnawed with hunger.
Soon, thick fur cloaks were wrapped around his shoulders. Platters of roasted meat and jugs of liquor were set before him. Even then, Jin cautiously motioned for Dalton to eat first, testing for poison before indulging himself.
Only after the meal was done did Jin yawn, exhaustion washing over him. He gestured to Dalton, making it clear he needed rest. His meaning was simple: leave the ship, keep away.
At the same time, he ordered the carrier to stay alert. Anyone who approached would be captured.
Dalton gave a curt nod and withdrew.
Chopper left as well, clutching the cherished hat that Hiriluk had left him. His small hooves pressed into the snow, carrying him back toward Doctor Kureha, the one who had taken him in and raised him like family.