Ever since Luffy's rubber powers were revealed to be the legendary sun god Nika fruit, Kaito found himself spending countless hours arguing with fellow fans on One Piece forums. Like most longtime followers of the series, he felt a bitter disappointment that had settled deep in his chest. After investing over a decade following this rubber-brained protagonist, the sudden divine revelation felt cheap—an abrupt cheat that shattered any remaining faith he'd held in Oda's storytelling.
Just another bloodline theory protagonist, Kaito would type furiously into his keyboard during late-night forum debates. The holy trinity of shounen manga—Bleach, Naruto, and One Piece—all walking down the same tired path. These mangaka have lost their vision, their scope narrowed to nothing but predetermined destiny and inherited power.
The irony wasn't lost on him. The early character development had been masterful. Each felt earned, built through struggle and conviction. But the Wano Country arc had been a poison apple, spoiling everything that came before. Would the entire manga collapse under the weight of its own contradictions?
It was during one of these late-night viewing sessions, watching Kaido's devastating defeat with gritted teeth, that Kaito's anger reached a boiling point. The sheer frustration of witnessing his beloved series crumble sent a shock through his system—and the next thing he knew, consciousness was slipping away.
When awareness returned, the musty scent of sea salt and fish filled his nostrils. Callused hands that weren't quite his own rested before unfamiliar eyes. The life of this body's previous owner painted itself clearly through muscle memory and lingering scents—a simple fisherman who'd never known adventure beyond the daily catch.
"I arrived too early," Kaito murmured, scanning the local newspaper with growing excitement. "Luffy should have just set sail. There's not even a bounty on his head yet."
The absence of that iconic first wanted poster confirmed his suspicions. Without Captain Nezumi's corrupt dealings in Cocoyasi Village, Luffy remained an unknown quantity in this vast ocean. The small print at the bottom of the newspaper read "Sea Circle Calendar 1520" perfect timing. Every major plot point, every devastating battle, every character arc lay ahead like an open book.
(PS: This story follows an alternate timeline where Luffy begins his journey at 17 in 1520 instead of 1522. That year difference allows author to re-shape the order of events and brings more event to broadcast that might not fit the canon timeline, example 2-year time skip become 5-year time skip.)
But unlike the countless transmigration stories he'd devoured online, Kaito had no desire to join either pirates or Marines. The World Government's corrupt machinations held no appeal, nor did the chaotic freedom of piracy. What he craved was something far more entertaining—the role of a wildcard, someone who could stir the pot and watch this stagnant world dance to a new tune.
[Ding! The Grand Tale System is now online]
[This system appreciates hosts who relish chaos and spectacle. Every character in this world can provide Infamy Points through successful deception. The host may craft elaborate lies to earn substantial IP, which can be exchanged for treasures, hero recruitment, and Devil Fruit generation. Please utilize this system to its fullest potential.]
Kaito's lips curved into a grin that would have made Crocodile proud. It was as if the universe had delivered exactly what he needed when sleep beckoned. The original owner of this body possessed no special abilities, no training, no means of survival beyond basic fishing skills. On this unnamed island—one that had never appeared in any One Piece chapter—pirates could arrive at any moment, bringing their usual repertoire of murder, pillage, and casual cruelty.
"The system certainly knows how to read people," Kaito mused aloud. "But how exactly do I spread these lies? Do you expect me to start my own newspaper?"
The financial reality was sobering. Less than 100,000 berries in total assets, barely enough for basic necessities. Without connections or credibility, who would believe the wild tales of an unknown fisherman? Competing with "Big News" Morgans seemed impossible—that feathered information broker commanded respect through sheer audacity and an untouchable news empire. Even in later chapters, the World Economic News President had become something of a Straw Hat fanboy, but his current influence remained absolute.
[Host need not concern yourself with traditional methods. This system will deploy the Sky Screen for global broadcast. Every soul in this world will witness your presentations, complete with text and visualized imagery drawn from your imagination. Provided the lies maintain reasonable plausibility, harvesting IP should prove effortless.]
"Sky Screen..." Kaito's eyes lit up with recognition. "I've read enough webnovel to know this route."
A translucent interface materialized before him, displaying the system's exchange store. The prices made him whistle low in disbelief—no newbie discounts, no starter bonuses, just brutal capitalism at its finest.
Basic Zoan-type Devil Fruit: 5,000,000 IP (Random Generation)
Basic Paramecia-type Devil Fruit: 20,000,000 IP (Random Generation)
Basic Logia-type Devil Fruit: 100,000,000 IP (Random Generation)
The randomization factor made his wallet weep in sympathy. Knowing his luck, he'd probably roll something useless like the Crayfish-Crayfish Fruit—weak on land, dead in water, rejected even by starving dogs.
Armament Haki (Basic): 5,000,000 IP
Observation Haki (Basic): 10,000,000 IP
Conqueror's Haki (Basic): 100,000,000 IP
The advanced techniques were priced so astronomically high that Kaito simply scrolled past them. Famous blades from various worlds filled another section—potential bargaining chips for sword-obsessed warriors who'd sell their souls for legendary steel.
"Hold on," Kaito paused at the final category. "Hero Recruitment Pool—100,000,000 IP? Are you seriously charging highway robbery rates for mystery characters?"
[Host may rest assured—the weakest heroes from this pool possess Admiral-candidate level strength minimum. Summoned heroes can grow exponentially through training and experience. This system's products maintain premium quality standards.]
Admiral-candidate strength meant Yonko commander level—fighters like Marco the Phoenix, whose anime portrayal hardly did justice to his true capabilities. In this harsh reality, underestimating any powerhouse was a fatal mistake.
"System, I literally just arrived," Kaito protested. "Where's my starter package? At least give me basic survival tools."
The East Blue might be labeled the weakest sea, but "weakest" remained relative. Pirates with 10-20 million berry bounties prowled these waters, while countless smaller crews caused mayhem below that threshold. For ordinary civilians, this world showed no mercy.
Fukumitsu Island stretched modestly around him—home to just over a thousand souls who scraped by through fishing and subsistence farming. They traded their daily catch with passing merchant ships for basic necessities, existing in isolation too remote for World Government taxation or Marine protection. Recent weeks had been peaceful, with only traders breaking the monotony. Kaito's recent salt purchase had cost nearly a thousand berries for low-grade crystals—a reminder of this place's poverty.
[The system provides one complimentary hero recruitment. Would you like to activate this now?]
"Wait," Kaito held up a hand, suddenly serious. "Let me perform proper luck increasing rituals first. This is my one shot at good fortune."
He approached the shoreline with ceremonial gravity, kneeling to splash East Blue seawater across his face and hands. If this ocean could birth the future Pirate King, surely some residual luck lingered in its depths. Back in his previous world, he'd been obsessive about optimal summoning conditions in gacha games—old habits died hard.
"Alright, system. Show me my destiny."
[Hero Pool Drawing in progress...]
Golden light erupted from the interface, coalescing into a human silhouette. When the radiance faded, a young woman in gleaming silver armor knelt before him, her blonde hair catching the afternoon sun like spun gold. Blue eyes met his with unwavering loyalty.
"My Master," she spoke with regal bearing, "this Servant answers your summons."
Kaito's breath caught in his throat. "Artoria Pendragon..."