Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1460.
A slightly worn-out large ship drifted quietly on the ocean.
"Brat, why do you want to join my crew?"
An old man with graying hair and beard took a long swig from his wine gourd, his drunken eyes fixed on the boy before him.
"Because I want to become the ruler of these seas! I want to change this unjust world! I want everyone to be free—and for that, I need power!"
The boy's messy black hair fluttered in the wind. His tone burned with passion, eyes glowing with resolve, radiating a fearless spirit.
The old man couldn't help but burst out laughing at the boy's naive answer, tears nearly streaming from his eyes.
Just like when he had first crossed over to this world.
From having grand ambitions—
To later drifting along with the currents—
And now, he was about to retire.
This world—what it had been when he arrived...
Now, as he prepared to leave...
Was exactly the same.
Many would think the boy standing here was the true protagonist of this story. Even Magnus himself no longer believed he had the right to be called that.
Because he was already old.
It had been seventy years since he first transmigrated here.
No system, no cheat skills.
Only by relying on his limited knowledge of this world had Magnus struggled to leave the North Blue, enter the Grand Line, and make it to the New World.
But he had arrived too early.
Just like how the future Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, reached Laugh Tale only to realize he was twenty years too early—
Magnus was a hundred years early!
At this time, there were no Yonkou (Four Emperors), no Oka Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea).
Only the Marines. Only the World Government.
Their influence spread everywhere, their shadow loomed over the world.
There were pirates—a lot of them.
But not a single one strong enough to lead the others, to challenge the Marines, to defy the World Government.
This was a stagnant sea.
Even though Magnus was already a well-known pirate, a thorn in the Marines' side, a menace they couldn't ignore—he was still insignificant compared to the world at large.
Magnus waved his hand dismissively.
"I don't plan on going out to sea again. Since I'm in a good mood today, get lost while you can."
He had disbanded his crew a week ago, planning to find some place to sink the ship, then live out the rest of his days with whatever money he had left.
Who knew that this boy had snuck onboard during the last docking?
Had his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) dulled with age?
That only cemented Magnus's decision to retire.
He didn't want to end up powerless in a few years, caught by some greenhorn Marine and turned into a laughingstock.
But just as he said that, the wild-haired boy panicked.
"You have to take me in!"
Magnus raised an eyebrow, his tone amused as he looked the boy up and down.
"Then I'll challenge you!"
The boy's gaze was unshakable—but that line made Magnus burst out laughing again.
To think that right before retirement, he could still find something this entertaining—it didn't seem so bad after all.
But not so old he couldn't even use Haki, like the Whitebeard of the future.
Let alone fight one clueless brat—
Even a hundred, a thousand wouldn't be a problem for him.
But what happened next caught him completely off guard—
Just as he was about to mock the boy some more, a sudden ding rang out in his mind.
A semi-transparent panel appeared in front of his eyes.
[Eighteen years old. After transmigrating to the One Piece world eighteen years ago, you've finally mastered one of the Marine Rokushiki—Soru (Shave)—through a series of intense training!]
[Understanding that strength must be forged in real battles, you've decided to set sail.]
[You have become a pirate!]
Magnus nearly choked on his wine as he read the lines.
What eighteen years old?
He'd be eighty in ten years!
The panel floating before his eyes—this was clearly the golden finger he had always longed for.
But now? At seventy!?
Why not earlier or later?
Why not wait until he was in his grave?
Yet the text continued to appear.
[Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1480, March 31. This is your first day as a pirate.]
[Unfortunately, on your very first day, you encounter the current ruler of the seas—Rocks D. Xebec.]
[Your mission: survive!]
It was still the year 1460!
Did he transmigrate again!?
The haze of drunkenness was gone in an instant. He had only wanted to laugh at this idiot system, but now...
Don't be fooled by his drunken appearance.
Just a week ago, he had still been one of the most infamous pirates on the seas.
A name he had forged over fifty years.
Magnus narrowed his eyes.
"Oi, brat. What's your name?"
Rocks had originally thought Magnus was just some drunkard. He planned to beat him down and take the ship for himself.
If Magnus didn't want to set sail—
Then he would set sail in his place!
But just as he was about to strike, he felt it—
Magnus's aura shifted.
From a feeble old man—
Not just any wolf—a wolf king.
But facing Magnus's pressure, Rocks refused to back down.
He clenched his teeth and shouted, "My name is Rocks D. Xebec! I'm nothing like you, an old man waiting to die! I'm destined to become the king of the seas!"
"Puhahahahahaha————!"
Hearing that, Magnus laughed as if it were the funniest thing in the world.
Just when Rocks thought Magnus would strike—
Magnus's pressure suddenly vanished.
Magnus slapped his thigh.
"If you want to join my crew, then I'll grant your wish!"
Magnus's sudden change of attitude caught Rocks off guard. He looked at Magnus warily, his right hand inching toward the small blade behind him.
"Cut the sneaky stuff. If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn't have time to draw your blade."
Magnus waved his hand. He just wanted to confirm something.
Thinking back to the pressure Magnus had released, Rocks—though reluctant—stepped closer. His hesitant expression nearly made Magnus laugh again.
And just as Rocks stepped into range—
Rocks was face-down on the ground, motionless.
[Ding~ Congratulations! You have defeated the King of the Seas—Rocks D. Xebec!]
Staring at the words on the panel,
Magnus's whole body trembled.
Timeline set: 60 years before the main story begins.
Bounty Conversion Rate: 1:8.
That is, 100 million Berries now equals 800 million Berries in the future.
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