(I am a Brain-Brain Human who ate the Brain-Brain Fruit, granting me the ability to store brains.)
---
Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1492
Dura Mos Island—a perfectly ordinary small island located in the first half of the New World.
"Hey, Jessie, you don't want everyone finding out you were still wetting the bed at eight years old, do you?"
In a filthy back alley, a shirtless boy with long black hair grinned maliciously at the snot-nosed kid standing in front of him.
A short distance away, several other children glared at the long-haired boy with resentment—but none of them dared to speak up.
"Eh? I clearly washed it before dawn… how could you know, Oss—"
Halfway through his sentence, the snotty kid Jessie suddenly covered his mouth, panic flashing across his face as if he'd realized what he'd just said.
"I told you a long time ago," the long-haired boy said lazily, "nothing in this world escapes my eyes."
He snatched the few hundred Berries of pocket money from Jessie's hand, stuffed them into his pocket, and strode off laughing loudly, leaving Jessie trembling with rage.
Only after he was gone did the other kids dare to gather around Jessie, hurling curses in every direction.
"Damn it! One day, when I grow up, I'll definitely get revenge!"
"Yeah! That bastard Oss steals our pocket money all the time. I'll beat him senseless when I get strong enough!"
But one of the kids, more clear-headed than the rest, stared at the retreating figure with a bitter expression.
"How could we ever win against him… Even the mayor said Oss killed a wild boar when he was only six years old. He's—"
As he spoke, fear crept into his eyes, recalling the warnings his parents had drilled into him.
"A monster… born that way."
---
"Nice—another five hundred Berries. That makes enough for two more newspapers."
Oss pushed open the door to his house in high spirits.
It had been nine years since he arrived in the world of the Pirate King. Abandoned at birth and raised by the old mayor, Oss had long since grown used to this strange yet fascinating world.
Still, he hadn't yet seen its truly vast side. That was why he regularly bought newspapers delivered by the News Coos, keeping himself informed about the major events happening across the seas.
He had planned to head home for lunch as usual, but for some reason, Grandpa Mayor wasn't around today.
Oss glanced around the empty house, then frowned slightly and turned his gaze toward the neighboring home. After pausing as if sensing something, he shook his head.
"No… he's not at the widow's place next door either."
Probably out drinking again, Oss decided. He didn't dwell on it. He grabbed some bread and ham from the kitchen, sat down, and began eating while unfolding today's newspaper.
"The remnants of Rocks are developing their forces independently. Among them are Golden Lion Shiki, Whitebeard Edward Newgate, and others…"
Nothing too shocking. Though, to be fair, the young Charlotte Linlin really was beautiful.
Staring at the curvy figure printed in the paper, Oss sighed inwardly while chewing, then continued reading.
"The Roger Pirates have been spotted on Sandrilla Island."
A living Pirate King, huh… Oss mused, still chewing as he read on.
Then—
Wait.
Oss froze.
The bread slipped from his mouth and fell to the floor, but he didn't even notice. His eyes were locked onto that line of text.
Sandrilla Island?
Isn't that only a few dozen nautical miles away?!
What the hell?!
At this point in time, Gol D. Roger hadn't reached Laugh Tale yet—he wasn't the Pirate King!
This was unbelievable!
Oss's eyes lit up, and within seconds, an outrageously bold idea formed in his mind.
"In my previous life, I waited nearly thirty years and never found out what the One Piece really was. Now there's a ready-made chance right in front of me!"
If he could sneak onto the Roger Pirates' ship… what would you even call that?
Starting straight from the finish line?
Other pirates spend their entire lives chasing the great treasure—while I could get the answer within two years of setting sail?
The more he thought about it, the more excited he became.
Not to mention, the Roger Pirates were packed with the strongest monsters in the world. Just learning a move or two from them would be enough to dominate any battlefield.
And the status alone! Look at Buggy in the future—people respected him everywhere just because he'd once sailed with Roger.
Decision made.
"Old man, I'm going to join the Roger Pirates. When I come back in glory, I'll repay you for raising me!"
He quickly scribbled a farewell note.
Slipping a bundle over his shoulder, tied to the end of a wooden stick, Oss packed up his few belongings. Once he became someone important, he swore he'd return and repay everyone who had looked after him.
"When that happens, I'll even take the village's stray dogs to the great kingdoms, train them as police dogs, and get them government salaries. That should cover it."
With that, Oss bolted toward the docks, feet flying.
---
Meanwhile—
A magnificent giant ship, painted in red and gold, officially docked at the largest pier on Dura Mos Island. Two mermaid statues were carved into the bow, elegant and imposing.
Standing at the very front was a man who was unmistakably the captain.
He wore a red coat and a captain's hat. Beneath his iconic mustache was a bold, heroic smile, and an overwhelming kingly presence radiated from him without restraint.
"Extraordinary presence… Haki overflowing. Truly one of the sea's absolute monsters."
Just by sensing him, Oss could already grasp the abyss-like gap between their strengths.
This was the Pirate King—Gol D. Roger.
At this time, Roger and his crew had already survived the Battle of God Valley and were sailing the world, searching for the four Road Poneglyphs in preparation for their final journey.
He hadn't yet been struck by his incurable illness and was still freely enjoying the adventure of the seas.
One by one, members of the Roger Pirates began disembarking. They were only stopping here to restock supplies.
Yet among these towering men were two small figures that clearly didn't belong.
Two kids—both a bit… red.
One had bright red hair.
The other had a red nose.
"Who are you calling red-nose, huh?! Say that again if you've got the guts!" Young Buggy roared, his face flushing with anger.
"No one said you had a red nose, Buggy," Shanks said helplessly as he jumped off the gangplank, pressing down his straw hat that was nearly blown away by the wind. "Even without a word, you can sense it. Is your Observation Haki just picking up 'red nose'?"
"No! Someone definitely said it! I can feel it—there's no way I'm wrong!"
Buggy clenched his fists and shouted, scanning his surroundings. Then he spotted a figure sprinting toward them from the distance.
"Hey! Was it you, brat?!"
"Hahahahaha! Long time no see, Buggy—Shanks!"
Oss laughed as he ran up, cheerfully greeting them.