Screen 1 — The Truth About the Weird Old Man
The battlefield briefly pauses.
Smoke still drifts through the burning branches of Elbaf.
Everyone catches their breath.
Even after the chaos—
Gaban still looks annoyingly calm.
---
He rolls his shoulder slightly.
Old wounds aching.
Then laughs quietly.
---
Gaban:
"You kids play rough…"
A pause.
He glances toward the battlefield.
---
Gaban:
"It's been a long time since I've seen Conqueror's Haki flying around like this."
His expression turns nostalgic.
Older.
Heavier.
---
Gaban:
"Not since my days sailing with Gol D. Roger."
---
Silence.
Absolute silence.
---
Everything stops.
---
Luffy freezes mid-bounce.
Completely frozen.
---
Luffy:
"…Huh?"
A pause.
His eyes widen ridiculously.
---
Luffy:
"EEEEHHHHHH?!"
He points dramatically.
---
Luffy:
"YOU WERE ON THE PIRATE KING'S SHIP TOO?!"
---
Luffy's brain finally connects the dots.
---
Luffy:
"LIKE RAYLEIGH?!"
A pause.
---
Luffy:
"AND OLD MAN CROCUS?!"
---
Meanwhile—
Ben freezes.
Actually freezes.
Then slowly turns toward Gaban.
---
Ben:
"…Wait."
A pause.
---
Ben:
"WHAT?!"
---
His brain immediately flashes back:
weird old guy fight
baseball-bat sword swing
casually handling Gear 5
ridiculous Haki sense
"trouble's coming"
---
Ben slowly points.
---
Ben:
"…YOU WERE THAT IMPORTANT?!"
---
Gaban laughs loudly.
---
Gaban:
"You finally figured it out?"
---
Ben looks genuinely offended.
---
Ben:
"No!"
A pause.
---
Ben:
"You looked like a weird strong grandpa!"
---
Luffy nods aggressively.
---
Luffy:
"YEAH!"
---
Luffy:
"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY THAT EARLIER?!"
---
Gaban shrugs.
Completely unbothered.
---
Gaban:
"You never asked."
---
Ben:
"…That is SUCH an old person answer."
---
Nearby—
Zoro slowly lowers his swords.
For once—
Actually surprised.
---
His eye narrows slightly.
Now things make sense.
The absurd combat instincts.
The refined Haki.
The impossible reactions.
---
Zoro:
"…Tch."
A pause.
---
Zoro:
"So THAT'S why."
---
For the first time—
Zoro fully realizes:
He had been fighting the legendary Left Hand of the Roger Pirates.
And somehow—
Didn't notice.
---
Meanwhile—
Sanji exhales smoke slowly.
Still processing.
---
Sanji:
"You've gotta be kidding me…"
He glances between Luffy and Gaban.
---
Sanji (thinking):
> "The old generation really is insane…"
---
Then another thought hits.
---
Rayleigh.
Gaban.
The legends of Roger's crew actively helping them.
Guiding them.
Passing things forward.
---
Sanji's expression sharpens again.
Back to serious.
---
Sanji (thinking):
> "So this is really happening…"
A pause.
> "The torch is getting passed."
---
Meanwhile—
Ben is still staring.
Still processing.
---
Ben (thinking):
> "Hold on…"
A pause.
> "If THIS guy was only the LEFT HAND…"
Another pause.
---
Ben slowly looks toward Luffy.
Then the horizon.
Then back at Gaban.
---
Ben:
"…How ridiculous was Roger?"
Screen 2 — Ben's Confusing First Impression of Gunko
The battlefield finally slows.
Smoke drifts through broken branches.
The terrifying pressure is gone.
For now.
---
Gunko lies motionless.
Paralyzed.
Unable to move properly after the connection to Imu is forcibly broken.
For the first time—
She doesn't look terrifying.
Just… exhausted.
Broken.
Human.
---
Ben glances over.
Then quickly looks away.
Then back again.
Confused.
---
Ben (thinking):
> "Okay…"
A pause.
> "Why am I noticing this now?"
---
Because before?
All Ben saw was:
terrifying enemy
creepy body movements
impossible powers
"god-like" danger
Pure survival mode.
---
But now—
With Imu gone—
Things feel different.
Quieter.
More normal.
---
Ben notices something unexpected.
Gunko looks closer to his age range than the terrifying "god puppet" image in his head.
And for a second—
He feels weirdly awkward.
---
Ben (thinking):
> "Wait…"
A pause.
> "No. Bad timing."
---
Because one problem remains very obvious:
> She's still the enemy.
And Ben knows almost nothing about the real Gunko.
Important questions stay in his head:
Is this her real personality?
Was any of that behavior actually hers?
Is she dangerous without Imu?
Does she even want to fight?
---
Ben quietly mutters:
Ben:
"…I literally don't even know who you are."
---
The confusing feeling doesn't fully disappear.
More like:
> first awkward curiosity
mixed with
> caution
and
> "this is a terrible moment for this."
---
Most realistic Ben thought:
> "Okay, she looks normal now…"
A pause.
> "…Still not trusting her."
Because Ben's first instinct stays stronger than anything else:
Protect everyone first. Figure feelings out later.
Screen 3 — Gaban's Lesson: The Holy Knights Aren't Immortal
The battlefield finally calms.
For now.
Smoke drifts through broken branches while Chopper treats injuries.
Nearby—
Scopper Gaban sits against shattered wood.
Still injured.
Still somehow looking annoyingly relaxed.
---
Luffy crouches nearby.
Eating again somehow.
---
Luffy:
"So…"
A pause.
---
Luffy:
"How do we beat those creepy guys?"
---
Gaban exhales slowly.
Expression serious now.
Different from before.
Older.
Sharper.
---
Gaban:
"First thing…"
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"They're not immortal."
---
Everyone pauses.
Instantly.
---
Ben looks up immediately.
---
Ben:
"…Wait."
A pause.
---
Ben:
"Seriously?"
---
Because Ben remembers:
impossible regeneration
weird recovery loops
attacks barely sticking
---
Ben (thinking):
> "Okay…"
A pause.
> "Good."
Another pause.
> "Because fighting immortal enemies is awful."
---
Gaban continues.
---
Gaban:
"Their recovery can be broken."
He taps the ground.
---
Gaban:
"But only if your Conqueror's Haki is refined."
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"Precise."
---
Then—
His eyes shift.
Toward Zoro.
---
Gaban:
"You."
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"Your body handles the Color of the Supreme King naturally."
---
Zoro blinks.
Actually confused.
---
Zoro:
"…Huh?"
A pause.
---
Zoro:
"I have Conqueror's Haki?"
---
Silence.
---
Luffy stops chewing.
Turns dramatically.
---
Luffy:
"HUH?!"
A pause.
---
Luffy:
"You didn't know?!"
---
Luffy points at him.
---
Luffy:
"It's been leaking!"
---
Ben nearly chokes.
---
Ben:
"LEAKING?!"
A pause.
---
Ben:
"WHY ARE YOU SAYING THAT LIKE IT'S NORMAL?!"
---
Zoro looks genuinely annoyed now.
---
Zoro:
"What does THAT even mean?"
---
Gaban sighs.
Like he's disappointed.
---
Gaban:
"Haki is useless if you don't understand it."
His voice sharpens.
---
Gaban:
"If you plan to support a Yonko as his right hand…"
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"Then step up."
---
Zoro's eye narrows instantly.
Competitive mode activated.
---
Zoro:
"…Tch."
---
Ben notices immediately.
---
Ben (thinking):
> "Oh."
A pause.
> "That definitely hit his pride."
---
Then—
A furious voice cuts in.
---
Sanji:
"HEY OLD MAN!"
A pause.
---
Sanji:
"WHAT ABOUT ME?!"
---
Silence.
---
Gaban completely ignores him.
Like he didn't even speak.
---
Sanji freezes.
Offended.
---
Sanji:
"…Oi."
---
Still ignored.
---
Luffy starts laughing immediately.
---
Luffy:
"HAHAHAHA!"
---
Zoro smirks slightly.
---
Zoro:
"Guess you're not important."
---
Sanji:
"SAY THAT AGAIN, MOSSHEAD!"
---
Ben bursts out laughing.
---
Ben:
"NO WAY!"
A pause.
---
Ben:
"He actually ignored you!"
---
Sanji points aggressively.
---
Sanji:
"YOU SHUT UP TOO!"
---
But underneath the comedy—
Ben is thinking hard.
Because Gaban just revealed something important.
Very important.
---
Ben (thinking):
> "So the Holy Knights CAN be beaten…"
A pause.
He looks toward the horizon.
---
> "We're just not strong enough yet."
Screen 4 — Gaban's Words to Ben
The argument between Zoro and Sanji keeps going.
---
Sanji:
"WHY DOES HE GET A HAKI LECTURE?!"
---
Zoro:
"Because he actually swings a sword."
---
Sanji:
"SAY THAT AGAIN!"
---
Luffy laughs so hard he almost falls over.
---
Luffy:
"HAHAHAHA!"
---
Ben grins slightly—
But notices something.
---
Gaban is looking directly at him now.
Serious.
Different from before.
Like he's been quietly observing.
For a long time.
---
Gaban:
"…You too."
---
Ben blinks.
---
Ben:
"Huh?"
---
Gaban shifts slightly.
Expression older.
Thoughtful.
---
Gaban:
"You're special."
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"Different."
---
The atmosphere changes slightly.
Even Luffy looks over.
---
Gaban continues.
---
Gaban:
"You don't belong to this world."
---
Silence.
---
Ben freezes.
Actually freezes.
---
Ben:
"…What?"
---
Zoro stops arguing.
Sanji pauses.
Even Chopper looks up.
---
Luffy tilts his head.
---
Luffy:
"Huh?"
A pause.
---
Luffy:
"You mean like a sky island?"
---
Everyone ignores him.
---
Gaban exhales slowly.
---
Gaban:
"I've sailed long enough to recognize strange things."
He points lightly toward the Omnitrix.
---
Gaban:
"That power…"
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"It isn't from here."
---
Ben stays quiet.
Listening.
Careful now.
---
Gaban:
"And your Haki…"
He narrows his eyes slightly.
---
Gaban:
"…Feels strange."
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"Raw."
---
Gaban:
"Like someone learning a language they were never born speaking."
---
Ben instinctively looks at his hands.
Thinking.
Because honestly—
That sounds accurate.
---
Gaban continues.
---
Gaban:
"Our people train Haki naturally."
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"You?"
He gives a small grin.
---
Gaban:
"You're forcing yourself to adapt."
---
Then—
He says something quieter.
Heavier.
---
Gaban:
"…And someone like you."
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"Showing up 400 years before now…"
His eyes sharpen.
---
Gaban:
"Doesn't feel like coincidence."
---
Ben goes quiet.
Really quiet.
Because this hits something uncomfortable.
---
Ben (thinking):
> "So…"
A pause.
> "Even he thinks I'm connected to something bigger."
---
Gaban leans back.
---
Gaban:
"You've got power our people don't."
He gestures toward Ben.
---
Gaban:
"And now…"
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"You've got Haki too."
---
A small grin.
---
Gaban:
"That combination?"
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"Could change history."
---
Ben scratches the back of his head awkwardly.
---
Ben:
"…No pressure."
---
Luffy suddenly grins.
---
Luffy:
"Cool!"
A pause.
---
Luffy points dramatically.
---
Luffy:
"So Ben's weird AND important!"
---
Ben:
"…I hate how you said that."
Screen 5 — The Truth About Loki
The atmosphere turns quieter.
Heavier.
---
Gaban and Hajrudin stand slightly apart from the others.
Serious.
No jokes now.
---
Hajrudin clenches his fists.
Still struggling.
Because for years—
He believed one thing:
> Loki killed King Harald.
---
Then—
Gaban speaks.
Calm.
Certain.
---
Gaban:
"…Shanks and I were there."
---
Silence.
---
Hajrudin freezes.
---
Hajrudin:
"…What?"
---
Even Ben looks up immediately.
---
Ben:
"Wait."
A pause.
---
Ben:
"You guys were THERE?"
---
Gaban nods slowly.
---
Gaban:
"Near the royal castle."
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"Fourteen years ago."
---
Everything gets quieter.
Because suddenly—
This isn't rumor anymore.
This is someone who actually saw part of it.
---
Then—
Gaban glances toward Ben.
Expression thoughtful.
---
Gaban:
"…You."
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"If you want truth…"
He points toward Loki.
---
Gaban:
"Learn it from the boy himself."
---
Ben pauses.
---
Ben:
"…The truth?"
---
Gaban nods.
---
Gaban:
"Don't accept the easy answer."
A pause.
---
Gaban:
"Especially not in this world."
---
That line sticks with Ben.
Hard.
Because honestly—
So far?
Gaban has been right.
About almost everything.
---
Then—
The story shifts.
---
Flashback — 14 Years Ago
The royal castle of Elbaf.
Tension.
Chaos.
Storm clouds overhead.
---
A younger Loki storms forward.
Furious.
Absolutely furious.
---
Because he had learned something devastating:
King Harald aligned with the World Government.
The same force tied to the death of his idol—
Rocks D. Xebec.
---
Young Loki:
> "After everything…"
A pause.
> "You sided with THEM?!"
---
Beside him—
Jarul struggles to keep up.
Trying to stop him.
---
Then—
BOOM.
Loki smashes through the throne room doors.
Ready for confrontation.
Ready for answers.
---
And stops.
---
Everything freezes.
---
King Harald—
Already dead.
---
Pierced.
By his own soldiers.
---
The room is chaos.
Bloodshed.
Betrayal.
Something feels horribly wrong.
---
Ben watches quietly.
Expression slowly changing.
---
Ben (thinking):
> "…No."
A pause.
> "This feels set up."
---
Then—
Something strange catches attention.
A silhouette.
Deep inside the castle.
Moving.
Leaving.
---
Hidden.
Unknown.
---
And in its possession—
A stolen legendary Devil Fruit from the royal treasury.
---
The realization hits immediately.
Hard.
---
Ben slowly exhales.
---
Ben:
"…He was framed."
---
Silence.
---
Everything suddenly clicks together:
Loki's bitterness
the ruined castle
his anger toward Harald
why his story never fully matched "mindless murderer"
---
Ben thinks back.
To the chains.
To Loki questioning Hajrudin:
> "Do you really think I killed him?"
---
Now?
That line feels different.
Way different.
---
Ben (thinking):
> "He wasn't lying…"
A pause.
---
> "…Nobody listened to him."
---
For the first time—
Ben genuinely feels bad for Loki.
Not trust.
Not fully.
But understanding.
---
Because fourteen years of hatred—
For a crime you didn't commit?
That changes someone.
---
Ben quietly mutters:
---
Ben:
"…Man."
A pause.
---
Ben:
"No wonder this guy's messed up."
---
Then another thought hits him.
A bad one.
---
Ben (thinking):
> "If Loki got framed…"
A pause.
---
> "…How many other stories in this world are lies too?"
Be continued