.The first sensation Ellias Vane registered was the unforgiving heat of the sand against his hands. He could hear the loud, steady noise of the ocean and smell the strong, bracing scent of salt. He sat up, moving with the unhurried grace of a man who owned the space around him. His black tailored coat was dusted with the fine grit of an unnamed beach. When he opened his eyes, he saw only the familiar darkness of his blindness.
"Still blind," Ellias murmured, a polite acceptance in his voice.
Then, a strange, unnatural chime rang only in his head, sharp and mechanical.
[Ding!] System Initializing: Welcome, Host Ellias Vane.
Transmigration confirmed. Destination: The world of One Piece (East Blue).
Ellias stopped brushing the sand off his coat. He raised one eyebrow.
"One Piece? East Blue?" Ellias mused aloud. "So, the legends are real, and I've been given a rather dramatic new stage."
[Peerless Captain System Online]
Primary Directive: Ascend to the pinnacle of power and form the Strongest Pirate Crew in History.
Core Function: Template Integration. Granting abilities, specialized gear, and personas of legendary beings from parallel worlds.
"A pirate, you say? Well, a gentleman must always make the best of his circumstances."
[Would you like to open your Beginner Gift Pack?]
"I shall," he replied, giving a simple nod.
[Gift Pack Opened! Reward Dispersed.]
— Template Acquired: Gojo Satoru (10% Activation)
Character: The pinnacle of modern sorcery.
Ability: The Six Eyes (Limitless Sight): Instantly perceive the world as pure energy and math.
— Gear Acquired: Shikomizue: Blackthorn Cane Sword (Indestructible)
Description: A powerful, indestructible sword concealed inside a gentleman's walking cane.
— Item Acquired: Navigation Scroll (Starter Island)
Description: A single-use map that shows the path to the nearest major town (Syrup Village).
A strong, sudden feeling coursed through his eyes. The darkness stayed, but now his mind perceived the world in patterns of pure energy, force, and perfect mathematics. He saw the Distance between every object, the strength of the waves, and the subtle pulse of life.
Instantly, a perfectly weighted black cane materialized in his hand, its smooth, polished grip feeling both natural and balanced. Ellias adjusted his hold, now possessing a gentleman's perfect walking stick.
Ellias let out a controlled breath. "The Limitless Sight… I see." He observed the complex web of force around his fingers.
"I've always dreamed of truly seeing the world without eyes—to perceive the profound truth beneath mere appearance. This is the beginning of that vision."
He took one step. A moment later, he felt the calculated vibrations of someone walking slowly from the trees. They were trying to be silent.
"I didn't expect company on this particular shore," a cold, flat voice stated.
Ellias turned his head exactly toward the sound. The Limitless Sight had already mapped the man: tall, sharp-faced, wearing glasses, and hiding great violence.
"My sincerest apologies for the social infraction, sir," Ellias said, performing a small, precise bow. "I am Ellias Vane. And now, if you'll permit me to continue."
"Nor I," Ellias returned. "But your footsteps are quiet. They speak of training and, more interestingly, the urgent need to be unseen."
The man—Kuro—stopped dead, his jaw tightening behind his glasses. "You talk too much, and you clearly can't see me. Why are you describing me perfectly?"
"Blindness is merely the removal of distraction, allowing one to perceive the essence," Ellias explained, his smile remaining calm. "And your essence, my dear sir, is a peculiar blend of gentlemanly restraint and raw, calculated bloodshed. A man hiding from the very greatness he once possessed."
[System Quest: Recruit Your First Crew Member.]
Target Suggested: Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates.
Rationale: Exceptional Tactician and Underrated Strength.
"Kuro, of the Black Cat Pirates," Ellias mused aloud. "Yes, the very man who sought quiet servitude only to find cruelty his most reliable tool. A fitting ally for a blind dreamer."
Kuro's eyes narrowed. "You are either insane or a Marine intelligence agent. Either way, you are tedious. You speak of dreams while I prefer efficiency."
"Efficiency can be achieved without the stain of cruelty, sir," Ellias countered, executing a shallow bow. "I intend to rewrite the legends of the sea. I will form a crew defined not by brute force or savagery, but by intellect, vision, and impeccable elegance. My goal is to create the most powerful pirate crew in the world, not through cruelty but through elegance, intelligence, and vision."
"And what could a blind idiot offer me that I don't already possess?" Kuro challenged, his claws glinting slightly as he shifted his stance.
Ellias's smile widened, and his sightless eyes glowed faintly blue. He tapped the end of the newly acquired Blackthorn cane on the sand.
"A chance to use your tactical brilliance without the taint of desperation," Ellias said quietly, extending a gloved hand. "You and I are men of refined tactics, Kuro. Join me, and we shall build a supremacy founded on superior planning and untouchable elegance—a power even the Marines cannot comprehend, let alone track."
Kuro hesitated. He looked at the blind man, at the unnatural confidence radiating from him, and at the gentle hand offered. He saw not a threat, but a calculated opportunity.
With a barely perceptible smirk, Kuro slowly lowered his hand.
"…I'll listen," he said, his voice quiet but sharp. "But if you bore me, Ellias Vane, I assure you, my boredom will be lethal."
The Blind Gentleman smiled.
"Splendid," Ellias replied. "A true legend must always begin with the right company."
[System Quest Complete: First Crew Member Secured.]
Reward Unlocked: Swordsmanship Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū
Template Acquired:Himura Kenshin
Character: A master swordsman known for unmatched speed.
Ability: Unmatched speed and elegance in sword drawing and counter-attack.
Ellias felt a rush of muscle memory and refined technique flow into him. He nodded, now possessing both the perfect vision and the perfect fighting style for his new cane sword.
Thus began the saga of the Peerless Gentleman Pirate, Ellias Vane, whose vision, unlike his eyes, was Limitless.