Ever since being accepted as a volunteer explorer, Guan Yi had imagined countless possibilities for the secret realm he was about to enter — but he never dared guess it would be the world of an anime he'd seen in his past life: One Piece.
…Wait.
If this really is One Piece… isn't something off?
[Possible Requirements for Clearing the Secret Realm: Become the Pirate King, or Prevent the Birth of a New Pirate King]
[Map Reconstruction: Based on collected intel, the Navy–Pirate Secret Realm is divided into the four seas — East, South, West, and North — all converging at the center into a single Grand Line.
The previous Pirate King's treasure lies on an island somewhere along the Grand Line.
Upon entry, all explorers will be randomly teleported to an island.
In the previous two explorations, everyone was sent to islands located in the East Blue.
Because the former Pirate King Gol D. Roger also set sail from an East Blue island, we infer that East Blue is the key region — and the strongest of the four seas.]
Guan Yi's expression didn't change.
Small mistakes… perfectly normal.
In truth, East Blue was the weakest.
**[There is an East Blue pirate overlord, one "Krieg."
In the first exploration, military testers measured Krieg's approximate power as mid-Blue rank.
From this, the analysts estimate that most pirates on the Grand Line should be high-Blue to low-Purple rank, but not exceeding upper-Purple.
Hence, the realm is rated Purple Difficulty.
The current top pirates are called "Four Emperors" — the ones closest to the Pirate King.
Explorers are advised to establish themselves in East Blue first, master the realm's power system, then defeat Krieg before entering the Grand Line to investigate the Four Emperors.]**
Guan Yi frowned slightly.
You… graduated from elementary school, right?
Care to try this millennium-level riddle again?
**[Power System: Technology and personal combat strength coexist.
Firearms are powerful, but an individual can train to the point of dodging bullets or shattering boulders with punches. Swordsmanship is also a popular path.
Upon entering the realm, the constraints of our real-world physical limits will naturally adjust to match the realm's average baseline — training will steadily improve strength.
A special item exists: Devil Fruits — miraculous fruits that grant supernatural powers, though the user becomes unable to enter the ocean without losing all strength.
Each person can only eat one fruit.
If explorers manage to collect ten or more Devil Fruits and hand them to the lead team, there is a small chance they could defeat a Four Emperor and contend for the Pirate King's throne… This hypothesis requires verification. Use caution!]**
What nonsense is this?
Guan Yi nearly burst out laughing.
Be cautious? This is the thing you're calling "cautious"?!
He quickly skimmed further — recorded Devil Fruits, known factions, known islands, mentions of the World Government…
It wasn't useless, but it was full of holes.
In both previous explorations, the teams never even left East Blue. Their "intel" on the Grand Line was pure speculation, scraped from newspapers. They didn't even know about the New World, or Haki!
You're using Don Krieg — literal small fry — to estimate the power of a Four Emperor?
Exactly — that's what's wrong here.
If this realm were truly equivalent to the One Piece world he knew, and Krieg was considered mid-Blue rank…
Then the entire One Piece world would never be rated just Purple Difficulty.
Doflamingo could annihilate nations.
Let alone Yonko and Admirals — walking natural disasters.
Their level is far beyond "shattering rocks."
At minimum, this should be Red Hell level.
Possibly Gold Legendary.
These intel analysts should be court-martialed.
The initial excitement of recognizing One Piece faded slightly.
The world of One Piece…
It is not easy to survive in.
Guan Yi steadied himself and reread more carefully. Flawed as the intel was, East Blue's information was still useful.
Two exploration rounds meant 200 explorers sent to random East Blue islands — nearly half the sea's islands had been visited, far more than the handful shown in the anime.
Their terrain, events, and hazards —
Those were worth memorizing.
Time passed. The military vehicle carrying the four of them eventually merged with other transports, leading the convoy out of Tiger City.
A thick fog from the Mist Star region enveloped the convoy. After reading quietly for over an hour and a half, the four finally looked up.
"Looks like you're done reading," the driver said.
"We'll reach the entrance shortly. Any questions?"
The four exchanged glances.
The weathered uncle, Zhang Sangu, spoke first:
"Sir, this realm… seems like piracy is a normal profession.
If we become pirates, we might have to rob people… maybe even kill.
When we return, will we be punished?"
"You're scary," Jiang Xue muttered, face pale.
"Sir, are the pirates in the realm really that brutal?
If they catch us…"
"Don't call me sir. My name is Long Qi."
"Yes, the outcome won't be good. Female explorers must be extra careful," Long Qi said.
"As for punishment, the answer is moderation.
Some battles and casualties are unavoidable, but the realm is not a game.
You cannot indulge in cruelty or massacre civilians.
If discovered, you'll be isolated and imprisoned after return."
Zhang Sangu chuckled. "Got it, sir. Just asking."
Long Qi didn't correct him again. His gaze shifted to Guan Yi and Ye Huohuo.
"You two?"
"I'm good!" Ye Huohuo looked eager to enter the realm and show off.
Guan Yi thought, then asked:
"If we defeat that East Blue pirate overlord, Krieg… do we get a Mystic Mark when we leave?"
"Yes. Only White-rank, but enough to elevate an ordinary person to a One-Mark Warrior.
Nearly a ton of punching strength, 100 meters under nine seconds — beyond normal human limits."
Guan Yi nodded.
So to earn Mystic Marks, one needed strength + an impactful achievement.
But a One-Mark Warrior…
still far from enough.
Zhang Sangu sighed. "See? Young folks are fearless.
That East Blue overlord — mid-Blue rank — sounds nasty enough."
Jiang Xue brushed her hair and agreed, "Little Guan, you're young, but pretty bold…"
"No more questions?" Long Qi continued.
"Then listen to the final instructions."
The four instantly focused.
"First. This exploration has 99 participants — 3 leaders, 96 volunteers.
Divided into 19 groups of four.
"You are Group One.
If you encounter each other inside, help each other.
Do not kill fellow explorers without cause."
Without cause?
Guan Yi caught the implication.
A foreign world.
Conflicts of interest.
Backstabbing was common.
"Second. Memorize this address:
East Blue, Loguetown, No. 407.
The three leaders will acquire the property.
After one month in realm time, once you settle somewhere, send letters there to build an intel network.
If you can include your Den-Den Mushi number, even better.
Useful intel will be converted to money and benefits for you and your family."
"But remember—"
Long Qi's voice hardened.
"Never reveal ANY information about our real world.
Not in letters.
Not in conversations.
Violation triggers the realm's disaster — instant death."
Like a Main God Space? Guan Yi thought.
Jiang Xue trembled. "D-disaster? What kind?"
"No idea. Lightning? Calamity?
Just remember the rule." Long Qi said.
"The realm has a will — otherwise it wouldn't grant Mystic Marks.
It also gives us one convenience:
You won't have language barriers.
Upon entering, you'll automatically understand and speak the realm's language."
"And finally — the most important thing."
Long Qi braked sharply, turned back, and said:
"Stay alive.
Coming back alive is more important than anything."
The entrance… had arrived.
He opened the door and motioned for them to step out.
Behind them, other vehicles remained sealed. Even the windshield was completely covered — no one could see inside.
Only when their group entered the realm would the second group be allowed to disembark.
Extreme caution.
Explorers didn't even know each other's faces unless grouped.
Oh, right — Dad is a demon.
Caution makes sense.
Guan Yi turned — and froze.
Above the sky… a golden light split the fog.
Mist parted like scorched silk, revealing a massive vortex, its borders glowing like molten runes forming a fiery ring.
"That," Long Qi declared,
"is the Secret Realm Passage.
Group One — proceed!"
Ye Huohuo strode forward, thrilled.
Jiang Xue's face was bitter with dread; she shuffled after him.
Zhang Sangu walked to her left, a strange smile on his lips.
Guan Yi walked at her right — calm and solemn.
As the four stepped into the vortex, a tall soldier finally stepped out of the second truck, grinning.
Well, Long Qi? How're the first four?
Call me Leader, Vice-Leader Zhou.
Fine, fine — Leader.
So how are they?
Just as the background reports said, Long Qi replied.
Not a simple one among them.
But luck matters in the realm.
Hope they gain something.