"What a rotten world. Without cheats, you can only end up as Monkey D. Luffy's underling, a stepping stone, just background scenery."
"And in the world of the strong, there is never a seat for the weak. Since I've come here, then I'll shake this world upside down."
Sea Circle Calendar Year 1520.East Blue, Syrup Village.
At the top of a hill, a young man with short black hair and striking features looked down at the lively celebration below. His name was Shiratori Riku. He murmured softly to himself.
"Riku-nii, what are you talking about? What underling and background scenery?"
A girl with shoulder-length, pale yellow hair in a light blue dress came running toward him. Her bright eyes blinked with curiosity as she asked.
"Why did you come up here?"
Riku glanced at the panting girl and reached out to wipe the sweat from her forehead. His voice was gentle.
"Kaya, your body is frail. You should rest properly. The wind is strong up here."
"Mm..."
Kaya's cheeks flushed at his tenderness. Then she smiled sweetly.
"Riku-nii, while you were training up here, two groups of pirates came to the village. One group was friendly. Luffy and his friends defeated the remnants of the Black Cat Pirates. I gave them a ship, and now everyone is celebrating. Come join the banquet too."
"Alright."
Riku nodded.It was time for him to set sail as well.
"Ahhh!"
As Kaya gasped in surprise, Riku suddenly scooped her up and leapt off the hilltop.
"Don't be afraid, we'll land soon..." He chuckled when he saw the brightness in Kaya's eyes even as she pretended to be scared.
"I believe in you, Riku-nii."
Her eyes shone even brighter.
From the moment she saved him a year ago, her life had regained color.
One year earlier.Riku had inexplicably transmigrated into the world of One Piece. He collapsed unconscious in Kaya's courtyard and was taken in by her kindness.
At that time, her parents had just been murdered by Kuro. The grief had left her bedridden, her already frail body pushed to the brink.
Riku's arrival brought her light, and slowly her health improved. He promised her that when the time came, she would sail with him as his ship's doctor.
"A whole year already..."
As he landed with Kaya in his arms, memory flickered in his eyes.
Fresh out of school in his original world, his body had reverted to sixteen or seventeen. Though briefly confused, he quickly accepted reality.
But the One Piece world was perilous.Especially with Kaya's butler, Klahadore, who was in fact Kuro, captain of the Black Cat Pirates.
When Riku first fell into Kaya's courtyard, had she not found him first, Kuro would surely have silenced him. That pirate tolerated no accidents in his plans.
Luckily, Riku had a system.The moment he woke, it activated.
[Newbie Gift Pack: Beginner Physique Enhancement Card, Beginner Swordmaster Experience Card, Beginner Haki (all three types).]
After fusing the cards and Haki, Riku wasted no words. He cut Kuro down on the spot.
Kaya fainted in grief, but when she awoke, she realized Riku had struck down the right man.
From then on, Riku trained diligently.Perhaps because of his growing power or the food in this world, he even shot up in height.
Yet after a year of effort, only his Conqueror's and Observation Haki had mysteriously strengthened. His power was still limited to surviving in the East Blue. That sense of urgency never left him.
After all, good looks could not fill his stomach. Only strength granted everything.
"The Straw Hat Pirates, just newly out to sea? Perfect timing."
Landing lightly, Riku took Kaya's hand and walked toward the banquet, excitement sparking in his eyes.
"I've been waiting for this!"
His system was peculiar.No--it was particularly rotten.
Its functions were twofold:
[1: Each time he seized a story heroine as crew or subordinate, whether sincerely or unwillingly, he gained a random All-World Lottery. Prizes could be items, abilities, even people, with a chance for upgrades.][2: He could permanently fuse the strength of all crew and subordinates: physique, spirit, abilities, combat experience, everything.]
It didn't state that all crew must be female.But only recruiting women triggered the lottery.
And most heroines?They belonged to major powers: the Navy, Revolutionary Army, the Four Emperors, the Seven Warlords. Just thinking of it thrilled him.
"If that's the case, then let the storm come harder!"
He glanced at the system panel only he could see.
Host: Shiratori RikuPhysique: Three StarsSpirit: Four StarsSwordsmanship: Three StarsArmament Haki: BeginnerObservation Haki: IntermediateConqueror's Haki: IntermediateSpecial Ability: NoneLottery Chances: NoneBase Combat Power: Three Stars / Headquarters Elite Rear AdmiralAdditional Power: NoneNote: Ranks are Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Supreme.Note: Combat Power does not equal destructive power.
...
Syrup Village Coast.
A small ship was moored at the shore while the villagers and Straw Hat Pirates feasted nearby.
A boy with a straw hat and endless appetite, a green-haired swordsman with no sense of direction, a long-nosed boaster, and an orange-haired money lover.
"Did you know? If Captain Usopp boards your ship, that means you're... cough, cough!"
Usopp was about to brag when he spotted Riku walking over from afar. He choked mid-sentence, face turning red.
"It's him, it's that guy!" he exclaimed.
"Who?" Luffy asked curiously.
Usopp lowered his voice, whispering.
"That's Shiratori Riku. We only defeated the leftovers of the Black Cat Pirates, but I heard he's the one who killed Captain Kuro. With a single slash..."
"One slash?"
Zoro's hand instinctively brushed his sword. His eyes gleamed as he stared at Riku.
"Whoa, that's amazing, I want to... mmph!" Luffy shouted, but Usopp hurriedly clamped a hand over his mouth.
Sweat beaded on Usopp's forehead.
"Don't say a word. He's a monster. I once saw him from afar split open an entire... small hill with one slash."
He had been terrified ever since, avoiding Kaya's house where Riku lived.