>1< I Want to Stand Out!

Chapter 1: I Want to Stand Out!

"Honesty Impact!"

In the scene, Koby unleashes a life-risking, full-power strike, splitting a rock arm larger than a battleship in half!

"Whoa, that punch is incredible!"

"Koby is awesome!"

"In just two and a half years, he grew from an ordinary marine to an admiral-level powerhouse—now that's the value of 200 times effort!"

"So it turns out Koby is the real protagonist!"

"Based on information from the anime, the daily training routine for soldiers at Navy Headquarters includes 2,000 push-ups, 100 rope climbs, 200 laps around the training course, and combat training. If you multiply all that by 200 times… my brain can't even handle it!"

"It's a pity about Vice Admiral Garp…"

"[Akainu: Why is it just you guys who returned? Where's Garp?]

[Koby: I've blocked him in the New World!]"

"Hahaha, the guy above almost made me die from laughing."

Ahem, let's talk serious for a moment!

"Since Koby was able to achieve this, if we were to transmigrate to the One Piece world and put in 200 times the effort, would it be possible for us to replicate Koby's miraculous growth?"

"That's a really good point!"

"Two and a half years to admirals—doesn't that make him ten or even a hundred times stronger than those super-powered novel protagonists? If all it takes is effort, who needs a system to level up?"

"Who's going to scout ahead?"

"The dump truck is ready!"

As Koby's powers surge, the previously quiet one piece forums come back to life, buzzing with sarcastic comments and jokes.

.....

Year 1515 of the Sea Circle Calendar, five years before Luffy sets out to sea.

East Blue, Shells Town.

"Ding! Ding! Ding!"

The sound of bells rang out along the coast. The steady rhythm indicated that there was no danger, leaving only one reason for the bells to be ringing.

"The Navy has returned!"

The warship belonging to the Navy's 153rd Branch was approaching the harbor. They had gone out on a mission to suppress the "Black Cat Pirates," who were pillaging nearby islands.

The residents of Shells Town poured out of their homes, gathering along the streets to await the arrival of their "heroes."

The Navy represents stability!

Each time the Navy returned from a mission, the townspeople welcomed them warmly. It was not just respect and trust for the Navy; many had family members among them.

However, the victorious return they anticipated did not occur.

Colonel Rhodes of the 153rd Branch walked at the front of the formation, half his face bandaged, his left arm completely missing, and his clothes stained with large splotches of blood.

The other marines looked equally worse for wear, their heads, bodies, and limbs covered in wounds and bandages, supporting each other as they moved forward.

At the rear, several carts transported soldiers who could not move on their own, along with bodies wrapped in white cloth, stacked like cargo.

The tragic scene was painful to behold.

"How awful."

Many young people, witnessing such a sight for the first time, instantly drained of color, their dreams of becoming marines vanishing, replaced by deep-seated fear.

They finally understood the elders' warnings.

Being part of the Navy can lead to death!

Compared to the young people's panic, the elders were much calmer; they had seen similar scenes many times over the past decade.

"Only this few have come back."

"Sigh, pirates are getting more rampant!"

"Damn it, it's all that Roger's fault!"

If he remembered correctly, nearly 100 soldiers had set out for this operation, but fewer than half had returned alive.

Ever since Roger ignited the Great Pirate Era, even the East Blue, once a symbol of peace, had begun to suffer from rampant pirate attacks, with countless villages and innocent civilians facing destruction and plunder daily.

The sacrifices of the Navy had become the norm.

The streets fell silent.

The returning marines hung their heads, unable to face the waiting townsfolk, their eyes reflecting an enduring flicker of fear.

The experience of the pirate suppression felt like a nightmare echoing in their minds; the pirates had uncovered their movements and ambushed them.

In particular, there was Captain "Hundred Tricks" Kuro, who struck like a ghost, attacking with stealth, even managing to cut off Colonel Rhodes's arm.

It was a slaughter!

Suddenly, the procession came to a halt.

A group of townsfolk blocked their path—there were gray-haired elders, a young bride who had just married, and innocent children.

Each person's face was pale, their eyes filled with deep anxiety.

An elderly woman pushed her way to the front, her hands, wrinkled and clasped tightly, trembling as she implored, "Colonel Rhodes, have you seen my son, Jamie?"

"And my husband, Cole!"

"Has Brother Hanny returned?"

A dozen voices spoke out simultaneously, asking about their loved ones, each one unwilling to give up the last glimmer of hope, despite already suspecting the cruel truth.

Colonel Rhodes gaze grew dim.

"Bring them over."

The cart carrying the bodies was rolled forward, and each white cloth had a corresponding name upon it. The cloth bearing Jamie's name was only the size of a basketball, wrapping what remained of him.

"We were ambushed by the pirates. Lieutenant Jamie was struck by their cannonball; this is all that remains of him."

"Thud—"

The elderly woman clutched the bundle, collapsing to the ground in despair.

Ten minutes later, the marine contingent continued onward, headed for the branch fortress at the end of the street. Until they disappeared from view, the street remained filled with heart-wrenching cries.

The next morning, the 153rd Branch announced a recruitment for new soldiers.

At the entrance of the Food Tavern.

Reon slung his bag over his shoulder.

"Reon!"

The tavern owner, Ririka, holding her daughter, couldn't help but call out to him, her voice tinged with imperceptible fear.

She had expected Reon to reconsider joining the Navy after witnessing their devastating defeat, but to her surprise, Reon showed no hesitation.

"Are you really going to become a marine?"

"Absolutely."

Reon smiled and nodded, looking at the anxious mother and daughter before sincerely thanking them: "Thank you, Ririka, for taking care of me during this time. And little Rika, thank you too; the sweet rice balls you made were delicious."

"…"

Ririka's expression turned somber as she wanted to persuade Reon to stay. After all, working at the tavern and living a stable life could be a wonderful choice compared to becoming a marine.

After all, there was a naval base on the island. No matter how arrogant the pirates were, it was unlikely they could invade this peaceful little town.

But she had no reason to stop him; Reon was just her employee.

"Brother Reon!"

Rika, without holding back, jumped down from her mother's arms and tugged at Reon's pant leg, her big eyes glistening. "Can't you stay? Both Rika and Mama really like you."

"Rika-chan, I like you both very much too."

Reon crouched down and smiled as he gently ruffled Rika's hair. Out of the corner of his eye, he stole a glance at Ririka, who seemed hesitant, as if she wanted to say something.

What does that mean?

Aren't you embarrassed at all?

Haha, hilarious. Honestly, I don't have that many feelings about it.

Three months ago, Reon had transmigrated into this chaotic world ruled by pirates, arriving as a shipwrecked boy who had washed ashore on the island.

Due to extreme hunger, he had fainted at the tavern's entrance, but fortunately, he was taken in by the kind tavern owner, Ririka. To make ends meet, he had decided to stay and work at the tavern.

During his three months of odd jobs in the tavern, he had gathered enough snippets of conversation from patrons to understand the nature of this world.

The World Government, the Pirate King Roger, the Goa Kingdom…

This was the One Piece World!

If he remembered correctly, he was currently in Shells Town, where Luffy and Zoro had originally met, and Rika was the adorable girl who had given Zoro sweet rice balls.

As for Rika's mother, Ririka, her husband had once been a marine, but he died at the hands of pirates many years ago, which made her inherently opposed to the idea of joining the Navy.

After spending three months together, some feelings had undoubtedly developed.

Reon had considered staying.

He wouldn't say he was especially handsome, just that he had a good, pleasant appearance. In a world where many looked less than appealing, being decent-looking gave him a significant advantage over more than 95% of his competitors, easily winning the affection of women.

If nothing else, love could blossom over time.

He had some confidence in this.

But a man born in this world of heaven and earth should not long linger in someone else's shadow!

Reon suppressed any thoughts of living off others and reassured the little girl, "Don't worry, Rika-chan. I'm just going to be a marine, and I'll come back to visit you."

"But…"

Rika recalled the tragic events of the previous day, her heart filled with unwelcome anxiety. She feared that her brother Reon might end up like her father, brutally slain by pirates just like the fallen marines.

Being part of the Navy was incredibly dangerous!

Seeing Reon's determination, Ririka thought of her deceased husband, and her emotions began to spiral out of control. For the first time, she directed her anger at Reon.

"Why! Why! Why! Why do you men all want to become marines? Can't you just live a peaceful life?"

"Ririka"

Reon pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, shaking one out and placing it between his lips. After lighting it with a match, he took a deep puff.

The glowing ember at the end of the cigarette illuminated his ambition.

"I want to stand out!"

There were no lofty ideals or unwavering pursuits of justice; whether in his past life or this one, what he wanted from the very beginning was just one thing.

Damn it, he wanted to stand out!

He wanted wealth, power, beautiful women, social status, and respect—he didn't want to be a mere bartender, constantly at the beck and call of others, forever stuck at the bottom of society.

He was a man.

He refused to be looked down upon!