Chapter 1: A New Beginning

The Final Battle

Itachi Uchiha's vision blurred as he staggered backward. His final battle with Sasuke had taken everything from him. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, and his body screamed in agony. The sky was dark, thunderous clouds swirling ominously above the two brothers.

Sasuke, panting heavily, stood opposite Itachi, his Sharingan blazing with determination and rage. The air crackled with the residual energy of their jutsus, the ground around them scorched and torn apart.

"Is this... really what you wanted, Itachi?" Sasuke shouted, his voice hoarse from exhaustion.

Itachi, breathing heavily, managed a faint smile. "Sasuke... you've become strong. This is... it."

With the last of his strength, Itachi walked towards his brother. Sasuke flinched, readying himself for another attack, but Itachi merely extended a trembling hand. He reached out and tapped Sasuke's forehead gently, just as he had done when they were children.

"Forgive me, Sasuke. This is... the end," Itachi whispered, his voice barely audible.

As his sight dimmed, Itachi collapsed, the world around him fading to black. He believed he had met his end, but his journey was far from over.

Sasuke knelt beside his fallen brother, his expression a mixture of grief and confusion. The weight of their shared history bore down on him as he looked upon Itachi's still form. The echoes of their clashes, their conversations, and the unspoken truths reverberated in his mind.

"You were always... protecting me," Sasuke muttered, his voice choked with emotion. "Why, Itachi? Why did it have to end like this?"

But there were no answers now, only the solemn silence of the battlefield. The storm above them began to dissipate, leaving behind a somber calmness that contrasted sharply with the violence that had just transpired.

The Black Void

Drifting in the void, Itachi felt weightless, his consciousness floating in a sea of darkness. Time seemed to stretch into eternity, and he pondered his fate. Was this death? Was he destined to wander this black void forever?

Just as despair began to grip his heart, a piercing light broke through the darkness. Itachi squinted, shielding his eyes from the sudden brightness. Gradually, the light grew, enveloping him completely. He felt a strange sensation of falling before he was suddenly submerged in cold water. He gasped, flailing as he fought to reach the surface.

The New World

Breaking through, he found himself lying on a sandy shore, the gentle waves lapping at his feet. He blinked, disoriented, and slowly sat up. He couldn't believe his eyes. He had expected to be in hell, paying for his sins, but instead, he was here. Wherever "here" was.

The sky above was a brilliant blue, with fluffy white clouds drifting lazily. The scent of saltwater filled the air, mingling with the sweet aroma of nearby tropical flowers. Palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, their fronds rustling softly.

Itachi looked down at his reflection in the clear, azure water. His face, once gaunt and sickly from his illness, now appeared healthy and revitalized. His Sharingan activated out of habit, and to his astonishment, his Mangekyo Sharingan was still intact. Even more shocking was the absence of the debilitating disease that had plagued him for so long.

Feeling a strange sense of rebirth, Itachi decided to gather information about his surroundings. He needed to understand where he was if he was to start anew. As he walked towards a nearby city, he noticed something peculiar. People were riding on seahorses, a sight he had never seen before.

Gathering Information

Curious, he approached a local fisherman, an older man with weathered skin and a straw hat. The man was busy unloading fish from his small boat.

"Excuse me," Itachi began, his voice calm and measured. "Can you tell me where I am?"

The fisherman looked up, eyes widening slightly at Itachi's unusual attire. "You're in Water 7, young man. Famous for its shipbuilding."

"Water 7?" Itachi repeated, the name unfamiliar to him. "And these...seahorses?"

The fisherman chuckled. "Aye, seahorses are a common sight here. Faster and more reliable than regular horses on land."

Itachi furrowed his brow. "I've never heard of this place. What can you tell me about its significance?"

The fisherman paused, studying Itachi's face. "You must be a long way from home. Water 7 is known for building the finest ships in the world. It's where the legendary shipwrights work, and it's said that Gold Roger's ship was built here."

Itachi's confusion deepened. "Gold Roger?"

The fisherman nodded. "Aye, the Pirate King. He found the greatest treasure, the One Piece. You really must be from far away if you don't know about him."

"I see," Itachi said, processing the information. "Thank you for your help."

The fisherman nodded, his curiosity about Itachi evident but unspoken. "You're welcome, young man. If you need anything, feel free to ask. Name's Jiro, by the way."

"Thank you, Jiro," Itachi replied with a slight bow. "I am Itachi Uchiha."

Leaving the fisherman, Itachi made his way to the area known for shipwrecks. There, he found a building labeled "Galley-La Company." Outside stood a man with a prominent nose and a well-built frame, dressed in a dark blue suit with a white shirt underneath. His hair was neatly combed, and he had a confident air about him. The locals had mentioned a man named Iceberg, the head of shipbuilding here.

Meeting Iceberg

Itachi approached him, introducing himself. "Excuse me, are you Iceberg?"

The man looked up from his work and nodded. "Yes, I am. How can I help you?"

"My name is Itachi Uchiha. I seem to have found myself in a place I am unfamiliar with and was hoping to gather some information," Itachi explained.

Iceberg's assistant, a woman with bright pink hair tied up in a ponytail and wearing a white blouse with a green skirt, watched him curiously. "You're not from around here, are you?" she asked.

Itachi shook his head. "No, I'm not. I come from a different...land."

Iceberg studied Itachi for a moment before nodding. "Come inside. We can talk more comfortably there."

They entered Iceberg's office, a spacious room filled with blueprints, models of ships, and various nautical instruments. Iceberg gestured for Itachi to sit, then poured them both a cup of tea.

"Itachi, you said you're not from here. What exactly do you want to know?" Iceberg asked, taking a sip of his tea.

Itachi hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "I want to know about this world. Its people, its history, its power structures."

Iceberg raised an eyebrow. "That's quite a broad request. But I'll do my best to explain. We are currently in Water 7, one of the premier shipbuilding locations in the world. This world is divided into various seas, each with its own unique characteristics and challenges. The most significant powers are the World Government and the pirates."

"Pirates?" Itachi echoed, intrigued.

"Yes. Pirates play a major role in this world. They seek freedom, adventure, and often treasure. The most famous pirate was Gold Roger, the King of the Pirates. He discovered the greatest treasure, known as the One Piece," Iceberg explained.

Itachi absorbed the information, nodding slowly. "And the World Government?"

"They are the ruling authority, enforcing laws and maintaining order. They have their own powerful forces, including the Marines. It's a complex world, filled with conflict and alliances," Iceberg continued.

As the hours passed, the two men found common ground and formed a tentative friendship. Itachi didn't reveal his true origins, but Iceberg could sense there was something unusual about him.

Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion outside. Stepping out, they saw a boy with a straw hat, a girl with orange hair, and a long-nosed man causing a ruckus. The boy was shouting excitedly about something, drawing the attention of the entire dock.

A Lively Encounter

The boy with the straw hat wore a red vest and blue shorts, his messy black hair sticking out from underneath his signature hat. He had a wide grin on his face and an infectious energy about him. The girl had bright orange hair and wore a white and blue striped shirt with a short denim skirt. She looked exasperated but amused. The long-nosed man wore a green tunic and had a distinctive green bandana tied around his head.

"Who are they?" Itachi asked, intrigued by the lively trio.

Iceberg frowned slightly. "I'm not sure. They look like pirates, but I don't recognize them."

As they watched, the boy with the straw hat continued to shout, "Iceberg! We need our ship repaired!"

Iceberg's eyes narrowed. "That's Monkey D. Luffy. He's been making waves recently. He's the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates."

Luffy waved his arms energetically. "Iceberg! Please fix the Going Merry! We can't sail without her!"

The girl with the orange hair stepped forward, her eyes pleading. "Please, Mr. Iceberg. The Going Merry means everything to us."

Itachi's interest was piqued. A new world, new faces, and new challenges. Perhaps this was his chance to start over, to find a new purpose.

Iceberg sighed, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, alright. Bring her over, and we'll take a look."

Luffy's face lit up with a beaming smile. "Thank you so much, Iceberg! You're the best!"

As the Straw Hat Pirates moved to bring their ship to the dock, Itachi watched them with a sense of curiosity and admiration. This world was vastly different from his own, but he could sense the same underlying currents of hope, struggle, and determination.

Joining the Crew

Itachi stood by the dock, watching as the Galley-La Company workers inspected the Going Merry. Luffy, his new captain, bounded over with a wide grin.

"Itachi! Welcome to the crew!" Luffy exclaimed, slapping Itachi on the back.

Itachi smiled warmly. "Thank you, Luffy. I'm honored to be here."

Luffy turned to his crewmates, who had gathered nearby. "Hey guys, this is Itachi! He's joining our crew!"

The crew cheered, welcoming Itachi with open arms. Usopp, with his characteristic enthusiasm, clapped Itachi on the shoulder. "Glad to have you aboard! You look like you can handle yourself."

Nami, the navigator, approached with a calculating gaze. "Welcome, Itachi. I hope you're ready for some exciting adventures."

Itachi nodded, feeling a sense of camaraderie he hadn't felt in a long time. "I'm looking forward to it."

Luffy pointed towards a corner where a man with green hair and a bandana lay napping against a wall, his swords resting beside him.

"That's Zoro," Luffy said with a grin. "He's our swordsman. He's probably taking a nap before we set sail again."

Itachi studied Zoro curiously. The swordsman looked formidable even in repose, with a muscular build and an air of quiet strength. His swords gleamed in the fading light, a testament to his skill and dedication.

Luffy nudged Zoro with his foot. "Hey, Zoro! Wake up! We have a new crewmate!"

Zoro stirred awake, blinking sleepily before focusing on Itachi and Luffy. His gaze was sharp, assessing the newcomer with a hint of curiosity.

"I'm Roronoa Zoro," he said in a gruff voice, his tone neutral but attentive.

"Itachi Uchiha," Itachi replied calmly, extending a hand in greeting.

Zoro nodded, clasping Itachi's hand firmly. "Welcome to the crew. Make sure you pull your weight."

Itachi smiled faintly. "I intend to."

Luffy looked around eagerly. "I want to introduce you to everyone, but Robin, Sanji, and Chopper aren't here right now. They went to pick up some supplies from the market."

Itachi nodded understandingly. "That's alright. I'm sure I'll meet them soon enough."

As the sun began to set over Water 7, Itachi stood with the Straw Hat Pirates, feeling a new sense of purpose and belonging. He knew that this was just the beginning of their journey together, and he couldn't wait to see where their adventures would take them.