Chapter 1: Stranded in the One Piece World
"Where am I? This can't be home anymore!"
Jepack stared at the endless blue ocean and shouted as loud as he could. Finally—land! After drifting for three full days, the shore was getting closer. He had run out of water yesterday, and the last two small loaves of bread had nearly choked him without anything to drink. Now hope was in sight.
"I'm ashore! Shimotsuki Village? Wait—this has to be the village where Zoro trained! Did I really just transmigrate into the One Piece world?"
My name is Jepack. I had just left an awesome anime convention, still buzzing from a hilarious fan comic about "Teacher Hancock and Teacher Nami" fighting over a student. The second I got home, I grabbed my phone to play my favorite One Piece mobile game. Battery almost dead, so I plugged it in and kept going.
I was one tap away from unlocking Nami's Level 5 intimacy (after "two whole years of grinding"), totally focused. I never noticed the buzzing or the tingling in my fingers. Right as I hit the button, sparks flew from the charger. Flames shot up the cable. I thought that was it—game over for real.
"Is this... the feeling of love...?"
"Stupid cheap charger!" I yelled, right before everything went black.
When I woke up, I was lying on a tiny wooden raft in the middle of the ocean. My only supplies: a box of sweet bread rolls and a big bottle of fresh water.
"This isn't the afterlife. Did I get dropped in the middle of nowhere? They gave me a raft but forgot the paddle!"
Jepack looked at his numb hand—it felt smaller. He checked his reflection in the water and saw he had turned into his childhood self. He quickly patted his clothes. "Phew, still handsome!"
Every transmigration story he'd ever read flashed through his mind.
"Yes! Younger body, same good looks—this is perfect!"
A huge wave slammed over him, washing every dirty thought right out of his head.
"Now's not the time! I need to survive first!"
He hugged the water bottle and bread box tight, groaning.
Suddenly the sea calmed. He stood up—no paddle, no compass, nothing.
"How am I supposed to do anything? Guess it's up to luck now."
He flopped back down like a dead fish and let the wind carry him. Three days later—eating when hungry, drinking when thirsty—he finally spotted land.
"Stop right there! Who are you, and why are you here?"
A sharp, wary voice came from the right.
He turned and saw a green-haired kid with three wooden swords strapped to his back. (Jepack looked like a kid now, but inside he was still an adult.)
"Young Zoro! I really did it—I'm in One Piece! This is awesome! Awesome? No way! Where's my golden finger? System? Cheat? Anything?! I'm just a normal guy here—I'll get crushed like a bug!"
Thinking fast, he answered out loud, "I'm Jepack. I got caught in a huge storm at sea and drifted for three days. Ran out of food and water, so I washed up here. What's your name? Can you take me to the village?"
"I see. I'm Roronoa Zoro. This is Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue. I'm heading back anyway—follow me."
"Cool, thanks!" Zoro didn't say another word.
"So Zoro's been cool and quiet since he was little," Jepack thought as they walked. Soon they reached the village.
Shimotsuki Village was small. The first thing he saw was the Isshin Dojo. Zoro walked straight to the entrance.
"Come inside. The dojo master is also the village head. You can explain everything to him," Zoro said.
"Got it."
Most of the students knew Zoro, so no one bothered him. But the moment Jepack stepped through the door, several pairs of eyes locked onto the stranger—full of caution. Outsiders were rare here.
While Jepack looked around the dojo, he accidentally bumped right into a little girl.
"Ouch!"
They both tumbled to the floor.
"Guina! Jepack! You okay?" Zoro asked quickly.
"I'm fine!" Guina stood up, rubbing her forehead. "Who's he? He's not from the village, right?"
"He's Jepack. Found him near the dock. Storm blew him here. Bringing him to Master Koushirou," Zoro explained.
Jepack got up and looked at the cute girl (the one who was supposed to die falling down stairs). She was a little shorter than him right now. "Sorry! I didn't see you. You okay?"
"Of course I'm okay! I'm going to become the world's strongest swordsman—I'm super tough!" Guina puffed out her chest and raised a fist. Her other hand secretly rubbed the sore spot.
Jepack smiled warmly. "I believe you. You're absolutely going to be the strongest swordsman!"
Guina glanced at his face, cheeks turning pink. "Of course I will!"
Right then Zoro shouted, "I'm the one who's going to be the world's greatest swordsman!"
Guina laughed. "Then you'll have to beat me first, little Zoro!"
As the two started arguing, Master Koushirou walked out from the inner room.
A sharp, powerful aura hit Jepack like a blade. Meeting Koushirou's eyes felt like a sword was hanging right above his head.
Jepack quickly poked the kids and pointed toward the door.
"Father..." "Master Koushirou..." the students greeted.
"Master Koushirou, I finished 30,000 practice swings! You promised to teach me real swordsmanship!" Zoro bowed deeply.
"Very well. Join the others and train with me," Koushirou said, then turned to Jepack.
"Yes, Master! Oh—this is the kid I found near the dock. Storm brought him here, so I brought him along."
Jepack stepped forward. "Hello, sir. I'm Jepack. My ship was attacked by pirates. I escaped on a tiny raft and the storm carried me here. Could I please have some water and food?"
Koushirou studied him for a long moment, as if he could tell the story wasn't completely true, but he said nothing about it.
"Guina, bring some food and water for our guest."
"Yes, Father!" Guina ran off and came back with a tray. She handed it over, still secretly rubbing her forehead, cheeks pink as she looked away.
Jepack took a big drink. "Thank you, Guina. Thank you, Zoro. Thank you, sir. I don't have any money right now. Is there any work I can do? I need to earn enough to buy a small boat and supplies for the next island."
Koushirou thought for a second. "The village doesn't have anything right now, but the dojo could use help cleaning and taking care of tools. If you're willing, stay here. I'll pay you."
"Thank you so much!" Jepack answered.
(In his head: Smart move, old man. Keeping the random kid at the dojo means I won't cause trouble in the village. Total confidence in his own strength!)
And just like that, Jepack began his new life at the Isshin Dojo.