The Fateful Encounter

Chapter 1 : the fateful encounter

The Age of The Sea Circle, Year 1468.

East Blue, Loguetown.

On the harbor's dock, a young man with ordinary black hair and an unremarkable face gazed at the tranquil waters of East Blue while holding a cigarette. His expression was filled with complexity, for it had been 11 years since he arrived in this new world. Vanz, that was his name, was a modern Earth inhabitant who had tragically passed away due to a tranquilizer overdose.

In this strange world of One Piece, Vanz discovered that strength ruled, and the weak were forced to endure oppression. An orphan, he had grown up in a squalid orphanage on the outskirts of Loguetown. The original owner of his body, also named Vanz, had perished at the age of 8 due to starvation. For the past 11 years, Vanz had dedicated himself to rigorous physical training, utilizing the knowledge from his previous life to develop both the Busoshoku and Kenbunshoku Haki at the age of 15.

"Hey, buddy."

Vanz was interrupted from his contemplation by a cheerful voice. Turning, he was taken aback to see a young man with a bright smile, wearing a straw hat and carrying a bag on his shoulder, with a sword at his waist. Instantly, Vanz recognized him as Gol D. Roger, the future Pirate King.

"What's up?" Vanz replied, trying to mask his surprise.

"Hahaha, our meeting is destined. So, would you like to become my first crew member?" Roger asked, his laughter filling the air.

Vanz felt bewildered and confused by this unexpected invitation. "Are you joking?" he asked hesitantly.

"Hahaha, I know it might sound absurd to be suddenly invited by a stranger you've never met to join his pirate crew. But trust me, our meeting is fated," Roger said casually.

Giving it some thought, Vanz started to ponder deeply. The encounter did seem surreal, yet he felt an inexplicable connection between them. Perhaps, he thought, this was the rare opportunity he had been waiting for. Amidst the uncertainty, a compelling inner push urged him to take a leap of faith.

With a resolute determination, Vanz decided to accept Roger's offer. "I accept your offer. I will become your first crew member!" he declared with newfound confidence.

Roger's smile of satisfaction was contagious as he said, "Let me introduce myself; I am Gol D. Roger, a man in search of freedom."

"My name is Vanz, and I will be the one to help you find that freedom," Vanz replied with a smile.

"Hahaha, then, Vanz, help me make it a reality," Roger laughed heartily, putting his arm around Vanz's shoulder.

"With pleasure, Captain," Vanz replied with a genuine smile.

"But, Captain, where is our ship?" Vanz asked curiously, still unable to believe he was standing beside the future Pirate King.

"Hahaha, I don't have a ship; I only have this little dinghy," Roger replied, pointing to a small boat that could only fit two people, on the left side of the dock.

Vanz felt a mix of uncertainty and excitement. Was he really standing beside the future Pirate King, or was this all just an elaborate prank?

Observing Vanz's confusion, Roger chuckled and reassured him, "Don't worry; in the future, we will have a magnificent and beautiful ship, hahaha!"

"When will we set sail?" Vanz inquired eagerly, eager to begin their adventure.

"After we gather supplies, we'll be ready to set sail," Roger replied with unwavering confidence.

And so...

In the streets of Loguetown, a lively chase scene unfolded rapidly. Navy officers pursued Roger, firing their guns relentlessly. However, Roger moved with an agility and grace that seemed almost supernatural, his laughter echoing through the chaotic scene.

Meanwhile, Vanz ran with remarkable swiftness, effortlessly navigating obstacles along the way. "Hey, Vanz! You're running very fast!" Roger called out, keeping pace with him.

"If this is what you call gathering supplies, you should have said so from the beginning, Roger!" Vanz responded with amusement.

"Haha! Of course! You and your wild ideas, Roger!" Vanz exclaimed, running faster.

As the chase continued, the pursuing navy officers closed in on them. Roger, unfazed, observed the situation and quipped, "Well, what can I say? I don't have any money, hahaha!"

Amidst the quick footsteps, gunshots, and laughter, Loguetown bore witness to the epic moment in the journey of Roger and Vanz.

Meanwhile, at the East Blue branch of the Marine headquarters in Loguetown...

A naval officer with the rank of branch commander entered the room with a tense voice, reporting, "Report, sir! Two young men stole Marine supplies, and the estimated total loss amounts to 500,000 berries," the branch commander reported solemnly.

Captain Chita, the leader of the Marine branch in Loguetown, was a 40-year-old man with the power of a Zoan-type Devil Fruit: the Neko-Neko no Mi, Model: Cheetah. With a stern look, he read the report of the incident's losses.

"Do we have any information on these two young men?" Captain Chita asked firmly.

"Yes, sir. According to information from our intelligence, the two men are Gol D. Roger and Vanz. Both are originally from Loguetown. Roger's parentage is unknown; he was raised by his uncle, who has since passed away. Vanz, on the other hand, is an orphan from a local orphanage on the outskirts of Loguetown and works as a porter at the harbor," the branch commander replied.

Captain Chita decided to pursue Roger and Vanz personally. "Prepare the troops; I will apprehend these delinquents."

"But, sir, should you handle them yourself?" the branch commander protested, a bit concerned.

"Do you doubt my decision?" Captain Chita asked with a sharp gaze.

"No, sir. Alright, I'll inform the troops to get ready," the branch commander replied, sweating slightly from the fear of further angering Captain Chita.

"Very well, then, I will take my leave," said the commander.

Afterwards, Captain Chita gazed at Loguetown with an indescribable expression, as if sensing that something momentous was about to happen in his life.

Shortly after, Captain Chita and his troops readied themselves to pursue Roger and Vanz. They devised strategies, prepared their weapons, and donned their Marine uniforms.

Meanwhile, Roger and Vanz continued their swift escape. They sneaked through narrow alleys and slinked between buildings to avoid their pursuers. Now with the stolen supplies, Roger and Vanz were better prepared for the challenging adventures on the sea.

Suddenly, a sudden attack from above caught them off guard. Captain Chita, transformed into a giant cheetah thanks to the power of his Devil Fruit, landed in front of them with swift and agile movements.

"You two won't escape!" Captain Chita declared.

Roger and Vanz exchanged glances, ready to face resistance. Vanz clenched his fists, activating his Busoshoku Haki that he had developed over the years. Roger smiled and drew his sword from its sheath.

"You two are really audacious to steal from the Marines! I'll capture you and throw you into prison!" Captain Chita threatened.

Without further words, the battle began. Captain Chita lunged forward at lightning speed, attempting to claw Roger with his sharp claws. However, Roger agilely evaded the attack and counterattacked with a swift slash.

Roger's sword was infused with Busoshoku Haki, granting his strike tremendous power. Nevertheless, Captain Chita managed to dodge with equally impressive speed, leaving behind a blur where he once stood.

Meanwhile, Vanz utilized his Kenbunshoku Haki ability to detect Captain Chita's movements more accurately. He anticipated attacks from behind and skillfully dodged when Captain Chita tried to strike from the side.

"You both are skilled, but it's not enough!" Captain Chita proclaimed as he continued his relentless assault.

Roger and Vanz gave their all, alternating between attacking and evading.

The battle intensified quickly, with Captain Chita using the speed and power of his Devil Fruit to overwhelm them. However, Roger and Vanz demonstrated remarkable agility and resilience.

Before long, Marine troops arrived at the scene, following Roger and Vanz's tracks. Captain Chita instructed his troops to capture the two, and the battle became even more heated with the presence of more adversaries.

Seeing the increasing number of opponents, Roger and Vanz grew more determined, coordinating their attacks and protecting each other from enemy strikes.

There was no more time for hesitation or doubt. Roger and Vanz united their strengths and pressed forward into the unavoidable confrontation. In those moments, the force of destiny felt even stronger, binding their extraordinary journeys together.