Leon was drowning in another world before he actually moved there. His eyes were glued to his phone screen, fingers trembling as he chased new leaks: "Imu-sama's True Form," "The Secret of the Mythical Devil Fruit." He didn't see the sidewalk, the passersby, or even the world around him; to him, "One Piece" was the only reality.
Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the roar of a massive engine and the screech of helpless brakes. Leon looked up to find white light swallowing him. A massive shock, a sensation of flying, then a cold impact with the ground. The pain faded gradually, replaced by an absolute blackness, before he suddenly woke up in his room, drenched in sweat.
"It was a dream... just a dream," Leon whispered, trying to catch his breath.
"Rather, it was the reality you refuse to believe."
The mysterious voice froze the blood in his veins. He turned left and right, but the room was empty. The voice told him with cold calmness that he had passed away, and that he was now in a limbo between existence and non-existence. The voice offered him a second chance: "The world of One Piece awaits you... choose your era, and choose your power."
Leon's eyes gleamed with a wild desire, but his physical weakness had always been an obstacle. He asked in a faltering voice, "Can I possess Conqueror's Haki?"
The voice's response came mockingly: "You? The coward who died staring at his phone? Impossible."
A spark of defiance ignited in Leon's heart. He knew full well that the words Kaido spoke were not in vain: "Haki transcends all!" Leon insisted on his first choice: "I want Conqueror's Haki. I will prove to you that will is not measured by one's past, but by what one intends to do."
As for the second ability, it was a dilemma. He thought of the "Eight Gates," but that was a slow suicide. He recalled the image of the man who challenged sorcery with his body alone... Toji Fushiguro.
Leon said decisively, "My second ability is 'Heavenly Restriction.' I want a body that surpasses human limits, a body that doesn't need a Devil Fruit to shatter steel."
The voice shook the surroundings in agreement: "You have what you desired. When do you want to begin your journey?"
Leon smiled, remembering the moment the Straw Hat crew's resolve was forged: "Take me to Cocoyasi Village. The moment Nami betrayed the crew, and when Luffy marched toward Arlong Park. There... I will begin writing my history."