New Crewmate

Ren's POV:

On that day Ren D. Nightshade sat quietly at the bar, nursing his drink and watching the crowd. It was a seedy little place, but he didn't mind. He was used to roughing it. He was lost in his own world reading a book and drinking whiskey when a commotion caught his attention.

In walked a young boy carrying a sword on his back, no more than eight or nine years old. He wore a stylish black hoodie and looked like some rich kid. Ren raised an eyebrow, wondering what a child was doing in a place like this. But as the figure drew closer, Ren realized he was mistaken. The kid had an air of confidence and maturity about him that was uncommon for someone of his age. The boy had a distinct aura of power and confidence around him, despite his young age. He couldn't help but feel curious about him when the latter approached his table.

Ren was impressed by his friendly demeanor and they started chatting. As they talked, Ren realized that Neo was not just an ordinary boy. He was a natural-born leader, with a sharp mind and a strong sense of justice. They debated about the current state of the world and the tyranny of the World Nobles.

Ren was intrigued by him and couldn't help but feel drawn to his charisma. He had met many people in his travels, but none quite like Neo. After spending some time with him, Ren could feel that Neo was destined for great things in the future. He also started opening up and began to narrate about his struggles till now.

Ren's backstory began when he was just a child. He was born into a family of hunters, and his parents had high hopes for him to follow in their footsteps. They trained him mercilessly, pushing him to become the best at using his dagger, but they were never satisfied with his progress.

When Ren was 10 years old Ren's parents were brutally killed in front of him by rival assassins after a failed mission. Ren was left alone with a mental scar, with no family or support. He had to fend for himself on the streets of a busy port town. From a young age, he learned how to fend for himself and became skilled at pickpocketing, escaping stealing, and scavenging for food along with other orphans like him. One day, while trying to steal valuables from a large mansion, he was caught in the act and severely beaten by the guards after his companions abandoned him and fled. He later learned that it was the mansion of some rich noble's son.

That day Ren was particularly hungry and desperate as he was hurt and bleeding, he had not eaten properly for a few days. Luckily he stumbled upon a pile of discarded fruit in a waste bin that has not been scavenged yet by others in the area. He searched through the pile, hoping to find something edible, and that's when he came across a strange fruit that was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

Ignoring the strange markings on the fruit, Ren took a big bite out of it, not knowing that it was a Devil Fruit. As he consumed the fruit, Ren felt a strange sensation in his body, and he fell unconscious. When he awoke, he found that he had transformed into a panther-human hybrid, with enhanced strength, agility, and senses.

At first, Ren was terrified by his new powers, but with time he learned to control them and use them to his advantage. He used his panther form to hunt for food and protect himself from danger. His enhanced strength, agility, and speed allowed him to become a deadly fighter in his own right. But Ren's true talent lay in his ability to strategize. He had an uncanny ability to see the big picture and come up with plans that would always lead to victory. But Ren wasn't content with a life of crime and violence. He yearned for something more. He wanted to use his skills for a greater purpose. He was always looking for a way to put his own unique mark on the world. So he left the town behind and set out on his own.

He was taken in by a group of traveling performers who trained him in the art of illusion and sleight of hand. Ren was always fascinated by the power of illusion and he soon became a master of the craft. He traveled from island to island with the performers for a few years and used his skills in acrobatics and dagger art to help them earn their living. Despite his eccentricities - including his love for flamboyant clothing and his tendency to crack jokes at inappropriate times, he was genuinely interested to make the world a better place.

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Neo's POV:

Neo also shared his story with Ren, how he survived alone on an island after being attacked by pirates for two months, how he was rescued, and his dream to become the strongest man in this world. He also shared his dream to form a crew and explore the world and create a powerful force. They both discovered their mutual hate for the world government's oppression. Neo also felt that this Ren guy is very smart and quite strong. He decided to invite him to his crew, Ren had a good sense of humor and was very genuine.

"Why don't you Join my crew! Lets travel the world together with others, have fun and make a name for ourselves." Neo said which stunned Ren.

"Join your crew? Why would you want me?" Ren asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Because you're smart and you have the drive to change the world for better. I can tell you'd be a great asset to my crew and we will have lots of fun adventures." Neo replied, his eyes shining with excitement.

Ren replied, "I appreciate the offer, Neo. But I've always acted a lone wolf, I don't play well with others."

Neo smiled and said, "That's what they all say, but deep down, everyone wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Trust me, Ren, we're going to make history together. You are free to leave anytime you want so why not give it a chance."

Ren couldn't help but feel drawn to Neo's charisma and enthusiasm. He knew that he couldn't refuse this offer. He thought about all the adventures he could have, the places he could see, and the people he could meet. He knows that he must have a strong crew to travel the Grand Line. He decided to place his bets on Neo, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he had just met someone truly special.

"Alright," Ren said finally. "I'll join your crew. But don't expect me to follow blindly. I'll be watching you just as closely as you're watching me. I will become the greatest explorer in this world."

Neo grinned and said. "Deal!! I wouldn't expect anything less," he said. "Welcome to the crew, Ren, we're going to be unstoppable"