Nobita floated on the sea. His arms paddled weakly. * It is all because of that Devil Fruit, * he thought, grumbling.
On the night he crossed into this world, Nobita ate a Devil Fruit by mistake. Later, he learned it made him immortal. With a thought, he could share his injuries with others.
This power saved him from many beatings in the *One Piece* world. But it also made him hated. Karina, that cunning Marine, targeted him because of it.
Nobita sighed. His name was Nobita Nobi, like the clumsy kid from *Doraemon*. But he was a 19-year-old college student inside. His only goal was to find Doraemon. He used the name Nobita Nobi to make searching easier. Somehow, he felt finding the blue cat would get him back to Earth.
In the *One Piece* world, everyone had a bold, cartoonish look. Nobita saw his reflection once. He was lean, with a fair face that could seem charming or rough, like Essabo.
He understood his Devil Fruit's powers:
- He could not die.
- He could share his injuries with others.
- His wounds healed on their own, faster or slower depending on his health.
Nobita knew the fruit had more secrets, but this was enough. * I am not here to be Pirate King. I just need Doraemon. *
He drifted out of the 173rd jurisdiction. "Help! Anyone out there?" he shouted, voice weak.
Two days at sea left him limp, like a soaked rag. The sun burned his eyes. He checked the barrel beside him. The water layer had a small hole. Seawater mixed with the fresh water, making it salty.
* Karina did this, * Nobita thought, scowling. It was better than her last trick, cannonballs instead of food.
He sipped the water. It tasted like sand. He spat it out. The food layer was worse. Crumbs spilled out. A fat rat jumped into the sea. A note stuck to the board read: *Afraid you will be lonely, so I got you a friend. Thanks! (*￣︶￣) — Karina.*
"Karina!" Nobita yelled, his voice lost in the empty sea.
Night fell. The water cooled. Nobita shivered, starving.
A pirate ship appeared. Nobita waved. "Help!"
Lights hit his barrel. A voice called, "Captain, someone fell in the water!"
"What is he carrying?" a loud voice boomed.
"Just two barrels. One is full, one is empty," another voice answered.
"Forget him. Turn the ship!" the captain ordered.
The pirates agreed. The ship moved away.
Nobita frowned. * These pirates are heartless. *
But he had tricks from nine pirate crews and two warships. He cupped his hands and shouted, "I want a home! I am a chef who can cook thousands of dishes! I have tons of experience! I will board for free and just cook!"
The ship kept moving.
"No chef deal? How about a ship doctor?" Nobita muttered, throat dry. He prepared to shout again.
The ship stopped. It sped toward him. Pirates leaned over the rail, eyeing him like treasure. "Quick, pull him up!"
* That worked fast, * Nobita thought. Chefs were rare among pirates. Meals were often bland fish or old supplies. A good cook kept crews healthy and happy. Sickness was bad, but boring food was worse.
"You can cook thousands of dishes?" a square-faced man asked. He wore black glasses and had big front teeth like a rabbit.
Nobita shook water from his clothes. His stomach growled. "Sure. They call me a kitchen monster. I can make anything."
The crew buzzed with excitement.
* So annoying, * Nobita thought. "Where is your kitchen? I need to check it out."
"Nice! That is the chef I want!" a bald man shouted, stepping forward. He slapped Nobita's back, cutting off the glasses man. "If your food is good, you are my deputy captain!"
The bald man pointed to himself. The crew cheered. "No more Captain Wusi's cooking! Woo!"
The glasses man, Wusi, glared. The crew quieted.
"I handle the ship's crew," the bald man said. "Cook well, and you stay."
Nobita nodded, barely listening. A pirate led him to the kitchen, explaining the ship.
Nobita had drifted into the 175th jurisdiction. These were the Eggskull Pirates, a weak crew in the South Blue. Their flag showed a skull with an egg-like shape. The bald man was Mafei, the deputy captain. The glasses man, Wusi, was the captain, with a 200 million Bailey bounty. Wusi loved cooking but made awful food, forcing it on the crew until they begged for mercy.
* No wonder they want me, * Nobita thought.