Chapter 1: Meeting Luffy in the Pirate World
Heaven's Arena, June 23, 1999. 6:00 AM.
The pre-dawn light was faint, but the atmosphere in the room was palpably tense.
Three days ago, Gon had officially challenged the powerful Hisoka. Now, only 17 days remained until that seemingly impossible duel.
"Kyle, I'm ready."
Gon's eyes were clear and determined, completely ignoring the icy stare of worry from Killua beside him.
"Gon!" Killua couldn't help but step forward. His ice-blue pupils were sharp as knives—the exact look of a Zoldyck assessing prey—and they were locked firmly on Kyle.
"Are you sure about this? An ability involving souls and unknown worlds... the risk is too high!"
"I trust Kyle."
Gon's reply was simple and direct, but it carried immense weight. It was a trust forged in the life-and-death trials of the Hunter Exam.
Kyle said nothing, only giving a solemn nod.
He took a deep breath, concentrating his will into the palm of his hand.
As he activated his Ren, a visible stream of Aura began to swirl, finally materializing an ancient, simple bronze book covered in strange symbols: the [Book of Resonance].
The moment his fingertips touched the cold bronze cover, two brief, tragic memory fragments pierced his mind—the cold gleam of a blade in the Pirate World, and a whistling kunai from the night of the massacre in the Shinobi World.
The chill of death made his fingers tremble, but it only strengthened his resolve. In this Hunter World, which was far more bizarre and dangerous than the previous two, he had to seize every opportunity to grow stronger.
"Gon Freecss," Kyle's voice was formal, almost ceremonial, as the book's pages turned on their own. "Are you willing to form a Resonance Contract with me? To explore unknown worlds together, and to share a portion of your training results and the risks involved?"
"I am!" Gon replied without hesitation, unleashing his own Nen at full power.
A pure, vibrant Aura, like a blazing golden flame, answered the ancient contract's call. It formed a brilliant thread and slowly flowed into the Book of Resonance.
VMMMM—!
The book bloomed with a soft, brilliant light.
On the first page, the golden light moved like a living brushstroke, powerfully etching the name: GON FREECSS.
The instant the name was complete, both Gon and Kyle shuddered. A strange mental link formed between them, an invisible bond that made their Auras faintly resonate with each other.
"It worked..." Kyle thought, relieved. But the contract was only the first step.
He immediately focused his mind deep into the Book, guiding his Aura to activate the soul-imprint representing the Pirate World.
"Ugh—!"
Kyle let out a muffled groan, his body trembling violently.
He felt like a dam gate being forced open. The massive amount of Nen he had painstakingly accumulated over five years of grueling training was being drained at an unprecedented, frantic rate, pouring into the newly-lit imprint.
A tearing pain shot through his Aura pathways. His face turned ghost-white as sweat instantly soaked his clothes.
Before Gon and Killua's shocked eyes, the air in front of Kyle began to twist violently. Streaks of light appeared from thin air, converging and weaving together.
Finally, they formed a luminous portal, its edges rippling like water.
The scene within was blurry, but a damp, salty sea breeze was already blowing out, and the faint sound of crashing waves echoed into the room.
"Is... is that a door to another world?" Killua's ice-blue eyes were wide with a shock he had never felt before.
He instinctively took half a step forward, shielding Gon in a semi-defensive stance. He was both mesmerized by the miracle before him and on high alert, his assassin's instincts screaming.
Kyle had almost collapsed. He was gasping for breath, feeling utterly drained.
He forced himself to explain, "The... passage... won't last long... We have to go, now!"
Gon nodded. He shot a determined look at Killua, and without a second of hesitation, stepped directly into the flowing curtain of light. His figure vanished instantly.
"Killua," Kyle looked at the silver-haired boy, using all his remaining strength to make a promise. "We'll be back in three days! I swear!"
With that, he staggered into the light.
The moment Kyle's figure disappeared, the portal began to fluctuate violently and shrink.
An idea flashed in Killua's mind. He lunged at the dissipating gate, trying to force his way in.
But the instant his body touched the edge of the light, a gentle yet irresistible force threw him back.
Killua flipped gracefully in mid-air and landed lightly on his feet. He stared at the spot where the portal had vanished, a flash of understanding and complex emotion in his eyes.
"Just as I thought... It's another world that only those who've made a Contract with Kyle can enter."
One Piece World, Shells Town Harbor.
Passing through the light felt like being seized by an immense force. Gon and Kyle experienced a brief, dizzying spin, as if they'd been thrown into a colorful vortex.
When they felt solid ground beneath their feet again, they were standing in an unfamiliar harbor, the air thick with the smell of salt and sea.
"WHOAAAAA! They appeared! People just came out of the light!" a high-pitched, piercing voice shouted.
A black-haired boy in a straw hat was staring, his eyes as wide as saucers and his mouth in a perfect "O." He pointed at them, jumping up and down excitedly, his rubbery-looking cheeks wobbling. He wasn't the least bit scared.
In stark contrast, the "moss-head" swordsman next to him instantly put his right hand on the hilt of his sword. His eyes were sharp as a hawk's, muscles tense. He was ready for battle.
"Luffy, get back!" he growled, shielding his idiot captain. He warily assessed the two strange boys who had just fallen out of the light. "Who are you?"
"Kyle, is this the other world?" Gon asked, curiously observing the nautical-style buildings and the strangely dressed people, though he remained wary of the swordsman's hostility.
"That's right. A world made of oceans and islands," Kyle said, leaning against a large wooden crate. He was pale and breathing hard.
He felt a boneless exhaustion in his limbs; it was difficult to even maintain a basic Ten. Right now, he was barely stronger than a normal person.
He took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the boy in the straw hat. He lowered his voice and spoke quickly to Gon.
"Gon, watch the one in the straw hat. He's a Devil Fruit user—the Gum-Gum Fruit. His body can stretch just like rubber. His fighting style is completely different from any enemy we've ever faced."
"His attack trajectories are impossible to predict with common sense. Fighting him is the perfect chance to hone your combat instincts and your ability to handle unknown powers."
"Hisoka's ability has a fundamental similarity to his. Fighting this guy will give you valuable experience."
"Eh? A fight?" The boy named Luffy heard this and immediately forgot his curiosity. His rubber arm shot out with a thwack as he cracked his knuckles.
A wide, battle-hungry grin spread across his face. "I'm the man who's gonna be King of the Pirates! Bring it on!"