The glowing blue screen flickered before my eyes.
> [Ding! Special Skill Unlocked: Beast Instinct]
[Description: Sharpened senses. You can detect nearby danger and react slightly faster than ordinary humans.]
I blinked in disbelief.
"Beast Instinct…? That's… incredible."
My ears felt sharper, the crash of the waves clearer, the cries of seabirds sharper… even the sound of my own heartbeat echoed inside me.
Before I could process it, a loud horn echoed from the sea.
The trade ship drew closer—close enough for me to see figures on deck.
"Hey, kid! What are you doing out here alone?!" a rough voice shouted.
I cupped my hands around my mouth and yelled:
"Help me! I'm stranded on this island!"
The crew exchanged puzzled looks. They dropped anchor, then lowered a small rowboat with three men paddling toward me.
Their clothes were patched and worn, simple weapons hung at their sides. Their faces showed years of hardship at sea, but their eyes were filled with curiosity.
One of them squinted at me.
"You're just a brat… how the hell did you survive here?"
For a moment I hesitated. Should I tell them about the system? No… that had to remain my secret.
I forced an awkward smile.
"I… just got lucky."
The scar-faced man smirked.
"Lucky? Most grown men wouldn't last a week here."
The rowboat touched the sand, and they motioned for me to climb aboard.
My chest tightened with excitement. For the first time in a whole year… I wouldn't be alone.
As I sat down, the scarred man asked:
"What's your name, boy?"
I hesitated briefly, then answered firmly:
"Luke."
The man chuckled.
"Well then, Luke… welcome aboard. Just don't bring us any trouble."
The boat cut across the water back toward the larger ship.
I gripped the side tightly, my eyes wide with anticipation.
This was it—my first step into the wider world.
I lifted my head and asked cautiously:
"Are there… pirates ruling the seas right now? What are their names?"
The men exchanged uneasy glances. One spat into the water and muttered:
"Pirates? No… not ordinary pirates. Monsters. Rocks… and Roger. Those two are the kings of this era. Whatever you do, stay away from them—they're not human, they're beasts."
A shiver ran through me. Two names I knew all too well.
Rocks D. Xebec… and Gol D. Roger.
My heart pounded as realization hit me.
"So it's true… I really am in the world of One Piece."
I clenched my fists, staring at the sky.
"If I'm in One Piece… and in this ancient era… then I'll endure and grow stronger than anyone. With the system, I can become the strongest!"
---
Status
Name: Luke
Age: 9 years, 3 months
Skills:
Basic Punch Attack (Level 2)
Vertical Sword Slash (Level 1)
Horizontal Sword Slash (Level 1)
Basic Kick (Level 1)
Dagger Thrust (Level 1)
Cooking (Level 3)
Beast Instinct (Special Skill)
Items:
Sharp Sword
Common Dagger
Permanent Water Source (filters seawater)
100 kg of meat
Various food and medicine
Skill Upgrade Points: 3
---
I stood on the boat, eyes gleaming with determination.
"This… is where my true journey begins."
— End of Chapter 4 —