"What the hell? Is this fate? I risked my life to steal this, and now I have to give it to someone else?"
Roy's head was bleeding as he clutched a box in one arm and dragged a child with the other.
"Little pineapple-head, this was supposed to be yours, but it fell into my hands. I'm saving your life today, so you better protect me in the future."
Roy pulled the child into a corner, muttering to himself, completely unaware that the "wall" he was hiding against was actually a man leaning there.
His muttering caught the man's attention, and when the man turned to glance at him, he was stunned by what he saw.
Roy opened the box and pulled out a blue fruit. Without hesitation, he pried open the pineapple-headed child's mouth and shoved the fruit inside.
"If I'm not mistaken, this should be the Mythical Zoan-type Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Phoenix. You're so badly injured right now, and the only thing that can save your life is this fruit." Roy leaned against the wall, panting heavily. He was exhausted.
He had never imagined that he would transmigrate into the world of One Piece, and worse yet, become a slave, dragged to God Valley by the Celestial Dragons to participate in their once-every-three-years "hunting game."
Had it been in previous years, he would've surely died. But luckily, he spotted Ginny, Ivankov, and Kuma. Once he saw them, he stuck with them.
During the recent chaos, Ivankov and the others stole two Devil Fruits, drawing most of the attention. Roy seized the chance to grab one for himself and was naturally hunted down.
After barely escaping, he stumbled upon a severely wounded child.
In his previous life, Roy had been a doctor. Seeing the child's injuries, he couldn't bear to leave him behind and took him along.
Looking at the kid's hair and then at the Devil Fruit in his hand, Roy realized fate had already decided.
The Phoenix Fruit was destined to be eaten by Little Pineapple Head.
"I might die again, huh? Heh... then so be it. As long as you live." Roy accepted the idea of death calmly. In his past life, he died from overwork. When he realized he was about to die, he had felt relief — he didn't even cry for help and simply accepted it.
Maybe saving another life with his own was just his fate, so be it.
After eating the Phoenix Fruit, blue flames erupted from Marco's body. His wounds healed rapidly, though the blood loss kept him unconscious for a while longer.
"I need to figure out a way to get you onto a pirate ship and let them take you. Best if it's Whitebeard — he should be on this island."
Roy muttered to himself as he hoisted Marco onto his back, ready to move—only to look up and lock eyes with a man whose fists were the size of his head.
Roy's breath hitched, his heart pounding, adrenaline surging through his veins.
"kid, you're lookin' for me?"
"You're… Whitebeard?!"
Roy stared at the man. There was no mistaking that crescent-shaped mustache.
"You're hurt." Roy noticed blood trickling from Whitebeard's mouth.
"Just a scratch." Whitebeard frowned.
"Injuries need treatment." Without thinking, Roy tore off part of his shirt and pressed it against the wound.
Whitebeard watched as Roy tended to him, only slightly wincing.
"Why save him? If you'd eaten that fruit, you could've escaped."
"What if I told you I wasn't planning on surviving?" Roy laughed bitterly.
"Lost your purpose?"
"Something like that."
"Then join my crew. The Rocks Pirates are finished. I'm starting my own. Sail with me."
"Join you? Let's focus on getting out alive first."
"Gurarara! Get on. I'll take you both out of here."
Whitebeard grabbed Roy and Marco just as the Celestial Dragons' God's Knights closed in.
With one hand holding them and the other gripping his supreme-grade blade, Murakumogiri, Whitebeard charged forward.
God Valley was in chaos—Celestial Dragons, Marines, and pirates locked in a three-way slaughter.
Though Whitebeard was already powerful at this time, he still sustained some injuries — a testament to the strength of the Celestial Dragons' side.
Not only was the God's Knight present, but even the Five Elders were here.
Though only Saturn was physically present, Imu's power had somehow brought the other four Elders to the island.
If it were just the God's Knight and Garp, they wouldn't have stood a chance against both the Roger Pirates and the entire Rocks crew.
Had the two pirate crews not turned on each other, the outcome might've been different.
But the Rocks Pirates were never united; each member had their own agenda. Once they got what they wanted, they betrayed Xebec.
Whitebeard had been one of the few who stayed loyal, holding off Figarland Garling. But with the tide turning, he had to retreat quickly.
Now, the Rocks Pirates were in full retreat. Whitebeard commandeered a Marine warship, cutting the anchor chain and setting sail with Roy and Marco.
"Cough!"
Whitebeard spat blood, and Roy rushed into the cabin for medical supplies.
When he returned, he immediately began treating Whitebeard's wounds.
"Relax! If you keep tensing your Haki, I can't stitch you up!" Roy struggled to pierce Whitebeard's skin with the needle.
"Don't bother. Just bandage it."
"Why? This'll leave a massive scar."
"Scars are a man's shame. I'll keep this one to remind myself to grow stronger."
"That's bullsh— Oh, hey, pineapple-head, you're awake." Roy noticed Marco stirring.
"Thank you… for saving me." Marco remembered Roy carrying him to safety and feeding him something that healed him.
"Come here."
Marco obediently approached.
"Can you use your power yet?"
"You mean… this?" Marco's body suddenly transformed into a blue flaming bird.
Whitebeard instinctively stepped back, wary of the unknown ability.
"Don't worry. He ate the Mythical Zoan Phoenix Fruit. The flames don't burn." Roy reached out, touching the fire harmlessly.
"Then what's his ability?"
"Healing. Hey, pineapple-head—use your flames on his wound."