"Huff~ Huff~ Huff~"
Heavy breathing echoed on the deck of the Oro Jackson as Leo, drenched in sweat, did push-ups. This was the second day after his transmigration—and also the first day the Anime System issued a task.
"System Permanent Mission: Do 1,000 push-ups, 1,000 squats, 1,000 sit-ups, and 1,000 punches daily. Completing the mission rewards +10 Anime Points!"
"Hoo~ So refreshing~"
Finishing his routine, Leo stood up, exhaling deeply. He cracked his neck, the sound of his joints popping as his stamina rapidly regenerated thanks to his Wood Release's healing properties.
"Hey! You're the newbie Captain Roger picked up, right?"
A cocky voice rang out. Two kids around Leo's age swaggered over—one with a giant red nose (the future Warlord of the Sea, "Genius Jester" Buggy), and the other, a certain future Emperor who'd one day make the whole world give him a face—Red-Haired Shanks!
"Yeah, that's me."
"Hmph! Since you're the newbie, all the chores like cleaning and dishwashing are yours from now on."
Childhood Buggy was extremely confident and arrogant. After all, he was bold enough to go up against Whitebeard Newgate even in his teens—definitely fearless.
"Don't worry, work hard. On this ship, I've got your back."
"You? Too weak, not interested. Red Nose, move it—I'm trying to train."
Leo scoffed, brushing past Buggy. At this stage, both Buggy and Shanks really weren't much in his eyes.
The little conflict between Buggy and Leo was noticed by the official members aboard the Oro Jackson, but no one stepped in. After all, as pirates, conflict was inevitable. If Leo was just an ordinary kid who didn't even have the courage to fight back, Roger had already considered dropping him off at a peaceful town during a later stop so he could live out his days safely.
After all, the pirate world wasn't child's play—death could happen at any moment.
(Though, in the anime, hardly anyone actually dies…)
"Bastard! You called me Red Nose! Damn it! Damn it! Take this!"
Buggy's face turned red with rage after being called "Red Nose." Fuming, he raised his short blade and lunged at Leo, seemingly determined to teach him a lesson.
"Roger, should we stop this?"
Rayleigh, standing beside Roger, asked calmly. After all, they were crewmates—if someone got seriously hurt, it wouldn't be good.
"No need. I don't think Leo is that simple."
Roger's black eyes focused on Leo. He had a strange feeling—Leo seemed very different from yesterday, though he couldn't quite explain how.
"Wood Release: Wood Pillar Wall!"
Leo stepped back slightly, and a massive wooden wall instantly sprang up in front of him, shielding him from Buggy's attack. The sound of metal striking wood rang out as Buggy's short blade clashed with the wooden defense.
"Wood Release: Binding Jutsu!"
Thick tree branches shot out from the wall and instantly wrapped around Buggy, turning him into a large, struggling rice dumpling. No matter how he thrashed, he couldn't break free.
[+20 Anime Points from Roger]
[+20 Anime Points from Rayleigh]
[+20 Anime Points from Jabba]
...
**[+10 Anime Points from *] ×15
System notifications chimed in Leo's mind, and he smiled faintly. Even without having awakened Observation Haki yet, he knew very well that nothing happening on this ship would escape the eyes of the future Pirate King, Roger.
"Swish!"
Seeing his best buddy defeated, Shanks sprang into action. Compared to Buggy, Shanks' strength was significantly greater—he could probably take on ten Buggys by himself.
However, for Leo, who had already fused with the power of Wood Release, the eight-year-old Shanks was still far too weak.
"Wood Release: Wood Clone!"
"Pfft!"
Shanks' blade had stabbed directly into Leo's wooden clone. The sight made Shanks panic a little—he had only wanted to teach Leo a lesson on Buggy's behalf, not actually kill him.
"Hey, what are you doing? Don't tell me you actually thought you killed me?"
As Shanks stood there dazed, Leo walked out from behind the wooden clone and teased him.
"Y-You're, okay?!"
Shanks exclaimed in surprise, then glanced at the wooden clone that looked exactly like Leo. He seemed to realize something.
"Are you a Devil Fruit user?"
"Mmm, kind of."
Leo answered vaguely. In the logic of the One-Piece world, Wood Release could be considered a Devil Fruit ability—just a special one that didn't fear seawater like typical users.
"Alright, that's enough. Leo, Shanks—stop fighting! From now on, you're all crewmates on the same ship. Don't let a little scuffle ruin your bond. As crewmates, you need to be able to entrust your back to each other,"
Roger said, walking over and placing his hands on both of their shoulders with a hearty laugh.
"Hmph!"
Buggy, who had just been released, still looked upset and resentful—clearly still angry at Leo for calling him "Red Nose."
"Well then, now that everyone's back—YAHLOOO! Let's throw a party for our new crewmate!"
"Yo-ho! Party time! Party time!"
"Let's feast!"
♪ Yo-ho-ho-ho, Yo-ho-ho-ho
Yo-ho-ho-ho, Yo-ho-ho-ho
Bring Binks' Sake and pass it 'round
Like the sea breeze, free and proud, we ride the waves unbound...
...
Day by day, in the twilight of dreams
The figure waving goodbye will no longer be seen
Why wear a frown so grim?
Tomorrow's moonlight will still gleam
Bring Binks' Sake and pass it 'round
Let's sing a song, the song of the sea
No matter who you are, you'll return to bones
Endlessly drifting, aimlessly roaming—just laughing all along
Yo-ho-ho-ho, Yo-ho-ho-ho
Yo-ho-ho-ho, Yo-ho-ho-ho...
With the iconic pirate tune Binks' Sake playing, the Oro Jackson was filled with joyful cheers. Every pirate aboard joined the celebration, letting loose completely. Even Buggy, who had been angry just moments ago, ended up shaking hands and making peace with Leo in the cheerful, carefree atmosphere.
After all, Buggy was just an 8 or 9-year-old kid at the time.
"Hey hey hey, Leo, can you tell me—what exactly are you?"