Chapter 1
East Blue, Cocoyasi Village
On the golden beach by the sea.
A little girl with short orange hair was struggling to drag a black-haired boy about her age across the sand. With great effort, she pulled him toward the shade of a tall, leafy coconut tree.
After what felt like forever, they finally stopped beneath its cool shadow.
"Ugh… I'm so tired. Why did I even save this guy?" "But if I didn't, he'd be baked dry under the midday sun!" "If that happened, Noki and Belmere would definitely scold me!"
Nami wiped the sweat from her forehead and muttered to herself.
"Noki…? Belmere…?" "Those names sound way too familiar. Aren't those Nami's family from the One Piece manga?"
In a daze, Ning Chuan slowly opened his eyes and looked around.
The moment his vision cleared, he saw a face he never expected, yet knew instantly.
"Isn't this… little Nami from One Piece? The version I liked the most?" "Am I seeing things? Why is little Nami suddenly right in front of me?" "Did that damn truck really mess up my brain?!"
Seeing little Nami, Ning Chuan was completely shocked.
Nami, sitting beside him, heard his blurted words and her small face instantly turned bright red.
"W-Who are you?!" "I don't even know you! How do you know my name?!" "And… and you said you like me?!"
Little Nami had never been in such an embarrassing situation before. She froze on the spot, completely flustered.
"Whoa, this hallucination feels super real. She's even blushing!" "If I could pat little Nami's cute head, it would be perfect!"
Looking at Nami's flushed face, Ning Chuan grinned and reached out, giving her head a good rub.
"Hmm? Something's off…" "If this is just a hallucination, why does it feel so real?"
"Did that truck actually break my brain?"
While Ning Chuan was still confused about the realism of the "hallucination," little Nami, now red as a tomato, puffed up her cheeks and chomped down on his hand!
"OW—!"
"That hurts!"
Ning Chuan yanked his hand back and stared at the neat row of tiny teeth marks.
He was totally stunned.
"This… isn't a hallucination!" "Also… why are my hands so small?!"
Just as he stood there dumbfounded, a neutral mechanical voice rang inside his head.
[Congratulations, Host! You have successfully transmigrated into the One Piece world!] [You have received the world's gift: 10,000× Cultivation Return System!] [All daily training will be returned to you 10,000 times over!] [Because you transmigrated unexpectedly, you receive an extra reward: your body has been rejuvenated by 10 years!]
Hearing the system's voice, Ning Chuan, already confused, became even more confused.
"What the—?! I really transmigrated?!" "And into my favorite One Piece world?!" "So everything just now was real?!"
At that thought, he immediately looked up at the angry yet blushing little Nami.
"Hmph! What are you staring at?!" "Don't think I won't get mad just because you're kinda handsome!" "If you say weird stuff like that again and disrespect your lifesaver, I'll bite you again!"
Nami raised her tiny fist, trying to look fierce.
Seeing how adorable she was, and how she clearly wasn't acting like a hallucination, Ning Chuan finally accepted it: he had truly transmigrated into the world of One Piece!
Far from being upset about getting isekai'd by a truck, he was thrilled!
He escaped the soul-crushing 9-9-6 corporate slave life on Earth, landed in the One Piece world, and even got a broken system!
The future looked nothing but awesome!
Just thinking about the amazing days ahead made him grin like an idiot.
"Why is he suddenly so happy…?"
Little Nami peeked at the beaming Ning Chuan, a giant question mark floating above her head.
Then, as if remembering something, she spoke up.
"Oh, right! I still don't know your name!"
Ning Chuan stood up cheerfully, extended his hand, and smiled.
"My name is Ning Chuan. Nice to meet you!"
…
In the tangerine orchard of Cocoyasi Village.
Little Nami led Ning Chuan to a house in the center of the grove and gently knocked on the door.
"Belmere is really nice. Be polite when you talk to her. She'll give you a job picking tangerines!" "The pay isn't much, but it's enough to keep you fed!"
Just as Nami finished explaining, the door creaked open.
Ning Chuan looked up.
A slim woman with purplish-red hair and a cigarette in her mouth stepped out—Belmere.
The moment she opened the door, she noticed the handsome black-haired boy standing next to Nami.
She tried to recall if she had ever seen him in the village before. Nope.
"A new face? Looks like he comes from money with that appearance and those clothes."
Belmere exhaled a ring of smoke and thought to herself.
"Belmere! This is Ning Chuan. I… uh… found him on the beach." "His family's ship was attacked by pirates at sea. The whole ship was blown up by those awful pirates, and he was the only survivor who washed ashore." "I was hoping he could work in the tangerine orchard for now so he doesn't starve…"
For some reason, even though they had agreed Ning Chuan would speak for himself, Nami ended up pleading on his behalf.
"So he's an orphan too… Those damn pirates deserve to die."
Belmere sighed helplessly.
"Since Nami seems to like you so much, you can stay." "Ning Chuan, right? No slacking off, though. You have to help in the orchard every day!"
She reached out, ruffled his hair, and smiled.
Hearing Belmere agree, Nami finally smiled.
But almost instantly, her cheeks turned red again.
She waved her little fist and grumbled, "W-Who said I like him?!"
"Stupid Belmere! I'm going to pick tangerines!"
Grabbing a basket, the embarrassed Nami dashed into the orchard.
Watching her run off, Ning Chuan couldn't help but smile.
"A peaceful, quiet life like this… actually doesn't sound half bad."
But then, a serious realization hit him.
His smile faded. He looked at Belmere and asked seriously,
"Aunt Belmere, what year is it in the Sea Circle Calendar?"
Belmere didn't think much of the question and answered casually,
"It's Sea Circle Calendar 1512. Why?"
Ning Chuan's brows furrowed instantly.
"1512… That means Arlong and his crew will be here soon." "But this time, I'm here." "The tragedy won't happen again."
"Arlong, Cocoyasi Village… if you dare show up, I'll turn you into dried shark jerky!"