The waves shimmered under the golden sunlight as a magnificent ship appeared on the horizon a restaurant floating on the sea. Seagulls circled above, and laughter and music echoed from within.
Shiro stood on the deck of a small fishing boat he "borrowed" earlier, staring at the grand ship ahead.
"Baratie…" he murmured, eyes wide with excitement. "So it's real. That means I'm really in One Piece."
The wind ruffled his white hair as he docked his small boat beside the restaurant and climbed aboard. He adjusted the black sword strapped to his back his trusted blade, Tushita, the same one he had wielded countless times in Blox Fruits.
"Guess I should figure out where I am in the timeline," he muttered, walking inside.
The interior buzzed with life customers laughing, glasses clinking, and chefs shouting orders. The air was filled with the aroma of grilled fish and spices.
A blonde waiter with a cigarette balanced perfectly in his lips moved gracefully between tables, kicking open doors and spinning plates like it was a dance.
"Sanji…" Shiro whispered under his breath, almost in disbelief.
The cook noticed him. "Yo, new customer?" Sanji said, tilting his head with a grin. "Take a seat, kid. You look like you haven't eaten in days."
"Thanks," Shiro said with a small smile, sitting by the window overlooking the sea.
As Sanji walked away, Shiro quietly muttered, "Status open."
A blue screen shimmered before his eyes, visible only to him.
> [STATUS MENU]
Name: Shiro
Level: 2700
Health: MAX
Defense: MAX
Sword Mastery: MAX
Fruit Mastery: 0
Inventory:
🗡️ Tushita
🗡️ Dark Blade (Replica)
Devil Fruits (Unconsumed) – Magma, Ice, Thunder, Gravity, Portal, Quake, Control, Shadow, Venom, Bomb, Spin
He clenched his fist. "I'll hold off eating a fruit. I want to rely on my sword first."
As he looked out the window, the door to the restaurant suddenly burst open.
"HELLOOOO! WE'RE HUNGRY!" shouted a voice so loud it made the seagulls outside scatter.
Shiro turned his head and nearly froze.
It was them.
Monkey D. Luffy, grinning ear to ear.
Zoro, calm but irritated.
Nami, already calculating the bill.
And Usopp, bragging about something that clearly wasn't true.
"No way…" Shiro whispered. "The Straw Hats. This is the Baratie Arc!"
He watched in awe as the group sat nearby. Luffy was already laughing with Sanji, Nami looked unimpressed, and Zoro leaned back, arms crossed.
Then it hit Shiro this was the moment before Don Krieg attacked.
Suddenly, a group of drunk pirates at the corner started yelling, flipping tables. One of them drew a sword at a terrified waiter.
"Oi, brat! More sake, or I'll slice your"
Before he could finish, a flash of steel cut the air.
The pirate's blade shattered in half.
Shiro stood behind him, his sword drawn but expression calm.
"Pick on someone who can fight back," he said coldly.
The pirate froze, sweat running down his face. "Y-You… who the hell are you!?"
"Just a swordsman passing through," Shiro replied, sheathing his weapon.
Sanji smirked from across the room. "Not bad, kid. Nice reflexes."
Luffy's eyes lit up. "Whoa! That was awesome! You're strong! Hey, wanna join my crew?!"
Shiro laughed lightly. "Join your crew? I just got here."
Zoro opened one eye, studying him closely. "You're not from around here, are you? Your stance… it's weird."
Shiro smiled. "Let's just say I learned from a different kind of world."
The peaceful moment didn't last long. A loud boom echoed outside, shaking the restaurant.
"CANNON FIRE! PIRATES APPROACHING!" someone shouted.
Everyone rushed to the windows. A massive ship flying a black flag was heading straight for Baratie.
Zeff, the head chef, shouted from the kitchen, "Battle stations! It's Don Krieg's crew!"
Luffy grinned. "Heh, guess it's time for a fight!"
Shiro drew his sword, the steel glowing faintly under the sunlight. "Then let's make it quick."
He took a deep breath the first real battle of his new life was about to begin.
And this time, it wasn't a game.