1 Chapter 1 Quit The Straw Hats At The Beginning? Coppers·Ren
In the boundless expanse of the Grand Line, a series of islands formed an intricate chain, like precious jewels on a necklace. Nestled among these secluded isles, beside a babbling brook, a tall and weathered figure stirred from his slumber.
"Hmm... Another dream," Ren muttered, nonchalantly discarding an empty wine bottle. His hand raked through disheveled gray-white locks, revealing a face etched with stubble, which couldn't obscure his innate handsomeness.
With a contemplative gaze, his deep obsidian eyes turned heavenward, lost in profound thought. Seventeen long years had elapsed since the day he awoke in this perilous sea, a realm that had become his enigmatic home.
His earliest recollections traced back to a remote, uninhabited island, where he dwelled with his parents. His father, a formidable swordsman capable of conjuring flying slashes, had imparted his singular skills to Ren. Yet, fate would soon interject a grim narrative into their lives.
Prey grew scarcer on the island, compelling his father to embark on a perilous solo journey into the abyssal depths of the sea. There, he encountered the relentless Sea Kings in a cataclysmic battle. Despite his valor, a savage encounter resulted in the grievous loss of most of his father's shoulder. Upon returning, wounded and scarred, he succumbed to his injuries.
Ren's mother, consumed by inconsolable grief, soon followed her husband into the abyss of eternity. In a cruel twist of fate, Ren found himself orphaned, left to navigate the unforgiving wilds alone.
In the solitude of the desolate island, Ren honed his survival instincts. Armed with his father's swordsmanship as a foundation, he delved into the esoteric realms of Observation Haki, shaving, and moonwalk. With unswerving determination, he mastered these arts, translating the knowledge in his mind into tangible prowess.
At the tender age of seventeen, equipped with newfound abilities and a fervent thirst for adventure, Ren embarked on a journey, setting sail on a makeshift raft. As he traversed treacherous waters, he encountered sea beasts and Sea Kings, engaged in life-or-death duels, and carved a path through peril.
His overarching objective was to assemble a crew and voyage into the enigmatic Grand Line. But destiny, it seemed, had a different narrative in store. A tempestuous storm rent his raft asunder, leaving him stranded at sea for days. Salvation arrived in the form of a passing merchant ship, marking the true commencement of his epic odyssey.
Ren's life took a dramatic turn when, in the bustling port town of Logue, he crossed paths with the legendary Straw Hat Pirates. Drawn by the allure of boundless adventures, he acceded to Luffy's exuberant invitation, assuming the mantle of a crew member and stepping aboard the Merry.
Throughout their exhilarating voyage, Ren remained an unwavering sentinel, a resolute guardian of his newfound comrades. Unyielding in his resolve, he showed no quarter when confronting adversaries, a trait etched in his character during solitary years amidst the relentless wilderness.
This indomitable nature earned him the sobriquet of "Blood Prison" Ren. However, three days hence, their relentless confrontations, and Ren's ruthless demeanor, heralded a stark revelation: his fellow crew members harbored profound misgivings about his actions.
In spite of their profound disparities, Ren's decision to part ways with the Straw Hat Pirates was a heartrending one. Stranded on Long Chain Island, he resolved to chart his own course, forsaking the companions who had once been his surrogate family.
The memories of his time with the Straw Hat Pirates would remain eternally etched in his heart. Yet, now, Ren ventured forth, his determination unshakable, forging a path toward an uncertain destiny.
With unwavering resolve, he reflected, "Our roads now diverge, and parting ways seems inevitable. May each of us find solace and contentment in the pursuit of our individual odysseys."
"Farewell, Straw Hat Pirates, and adieu, Merry!"
