On a bright and breezy morning, Leonard, a young landlord barely twenty years old, strolled down the tree-lined avenue. In his left hand jingled a thick bundle of keys; in his right, he balanced a flaky meat pie. His flip-flops slapped against the pavement with every step. Today, he was heading to the apartment of a tenant who had already fallen two months behind on rent a young couple who had recently moved from a small town to the big city in search of opportunity.
Leonard had little patience for people like them. Two months in the city and not a single job to show for it. Always aiming too high, refusing to take the work that's right in front of them. He had already given them an extra month of leniency more than generous in his mind. But he was no charity. If they couldn't pay today, then they would have to go. After all, the city had no mercy for dreamers. And Leonard, despite his wealth, prided himself on being practical. At twenty, he had inherited thirteen apartment buildings from his family, yet he never saw himself as a softhearted benefactor.
He rapped his knuckles against the peeling wooden door. Knock, knock, knock.
Inside, a young woman named Mary startled, her shoulders trembling. She knew it was the impossibly handsome landlord come to collect rent. Her life had been a mess lately. She hadn't finished high school and could only find part-time shifts here and there. Her husband, however, was a university graduate smart, but arrogant. He turned his nose up at ordinary jobs, insisting he was meant for something greater. When he finally landed a decent position, he quarreled with his boss on the second day and stormed out. Now he sat at home, bitterly cursing the company while she tried in vain to reason with him.
The knocking came again, sharper this time. "Who is it?" came a weak voice from within.
Leonard sighed. Even the tone of that voice dripped with practiced helplessness. He resolved to be firm. If he didn't kick them out, other tenants would question his fairness.
"It's me the landlord. I've come for the rent." His voice was cold, clipped.
The door creaked open. Mary stood there in an oversized nightgown, her hair tangled, eyes swollen from tears shed the night before.
"Leonard… could you give us just a few more days?" she asked softly. "My husband already found a new job. By next month, we'll be able to pay everything back."
For a moment, Leonard hesitated. She looked pitiful, and he wasn't heartless. But he shook his head. "No. You've already delayed two months. I have my own responsibilities too. And besides…" His eyes narrowed. "I heard your husband got fired again just two days ago."
Mary bit her lip hard. Then her expression changed, determination flashing in her eyes. "Leonard… what if I keep you company for one night? In exchange, could you give us just a little more time?"
Leonard staggered back, horrified. "What? No, absolutely not! Don't do this." Though Mary was attractive in her own way, she was married. Leonard wanted no trouble like that. With his wealth and youth, he could have women far more easily there was no need to bring ruin upon himself.
But before he could protest further, a beer bottle flew from behind and smashed against his head. His vision went black as he crumpled to the floor. Bad luck followed he struck a jagged shard of glass as he fell. And just like that, Leonard's promising young life ended in a single careless instant.
When he next opened his eyes, blinding sunlight forced him to shield his face. His head throbbed.
"Damn it… who smashed me with a bottle? And where the hell am I?" He sat up, confused.
All around stretched an endless expanse of ocean. He was lying on a sandy beach, the waves washing close to his feet. Beyond the shore rose a dense forest, green and unbroken. An island.
Leonard froze. His body was small tiny, in fact. He glanced at his hands and legs. He had shrunk into a boy of no more than five or six years old. His oversized clothes hung awkwardly, and his old size-43 flip-flops rested uselessly beside him.
Just as panic set in, a crackling sound filled his head like static and electricity sparking through his skull. Then, after a long pause, a mechanical voice rang out.
"Ding! Congratulations, host. You have successfully crossed into the world of One Piece. Beginning distribution of the starter pack."
Leonard gaped. "What the—? I didn't ask for this! I had money, a house, a family! Why would I need to transmigrate?" He felt tears prick his eyes. Unlike those lonely protagonists in novels who had nothing, he had been comfortable, even fortunate. He didn't want to be here.
But the system voice continued mercilessly:
"Starter pack includes: one pet egg, one completed body talent modification, one sword manual, one supreme-grade blade, one modified Spatial Devil Fruit, and one guide to Haki cultivation. Attribute panel unlocked. Rewards delivered. Have fun, host."
Leonard blinked, stunned. "…Well, damn. That's actually pretty good."
Even he couldn't deny the system had provided real treasures. With these tools, even in a dangerous world like this, he could build a future. He exhaled slowly. "Fine. I guess I'll take what comes. My parents and siblings will be fine without me. First things first I need water, food… and power."
He retrieved the fruit from the system inventory. It looked like a crystal dragon fruit, glowing faintly, radiating a sweet fragrance.
"So this is a Devil Fruit, huh? Doesn't look like the ones from the manga at all. Smells good though." He gulped it down. To his relief, it actually tasted pleasant.
The system updated instantly:
Name: Leonard
Vitality: 40
Speed: 20
Spirit: 65
Devil Fruit: Modified Spatial Fruit (Awakening 2%)
Skill: Spatial Slash
Combat Strength: On par with a standard Marine soldier
"Not bad at all," Leonard murmured, nodding. "Stronger than the average person right away. And that spirit stat definitely the system's doing."
He tested the power by focusing on a boulder the size of a car. Five meters away, he whispered, "Spatial Slash."
With a sudden shimmer, the rock split perfectly in half, its surface smooth as glass. Leonard swayed, pale. The attack had drained nearly a fifth of his stamina. "So I can only manage five slashes at full strength… but still, that's insane. And the attack doesn't even travel it just appears directly at the target. Impossible to block. I like it."
Encouraged, he explored further along the shore. Venturing into the dense jungle seemed risky wild beasts might prowl at night but he needed shelter and resources. After nearly an hour, luck smiled on him: a small freshwater pool nestled between the trees. No tracks or claw marks marred the ground nearby. Safe enough.
Satisfied, Leonard decided he could build a base there. Carrying two heavy logs back toward the water, he found himself face-to-face with a pair of wild boars one massive, one small. They were far larger than the ones back on Earth.
Leonard smirked, gripping the air as he summoned his power. "Well then. Time for my first hunt. Let's see how tasty One Piece pork really is."
And with that, the adventure of Leonard the reluctant transmigrant landlord turned pirate world survivor had begun.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to leave a comment, drop a power stone, or add it to your collection your support keeps the journey going!