Chapter 1: Year 1519 in the Sea Circle Calendar!One year before Luffy sets sail!
In the Great Pirate Era, the first half of the Grand Line is divided into the Four Blues. Among them, the East Blue is known as the weakest sea. But is it truly the weakest? After all, in recent decades, this sea has produced countless legendary figures.
On a small, beautiful, and habitable isolated island, a purple-haired teenager lay relaxed on a deck chair. He wore sunglasses and nothing but shorts, as if on vacation—basking in the sun on the beach while a gentle sea breeze blew past.
He wasn't alone. In front of him, two adorable and lively twin girls were happily building a sandcastle on the beach. Their charming smiles lit up their faces, full of innocent joy.
The purple-haired boy and a slightly chubby green-haired boy nearby watched the girls with quiet enjoyment.
Yes, that slightly plump green-haired boy was the fourth and final member of their little group—the only other survivor on this island besides the purple-haired teen and the twins. Despite his young age and round figure, he was already an impressive cook. Right now, he was grilling food over an open fire. The mouthwatering aroma of roasted meat and vegetables drifted across the entire island.
If any adult—or especially a professional chef—were here, they would be shocked. This chubby kid's skills were extraordinary for his age. The purple-haired boy and the twins kept glancing over, drooling slightly, but they held back. They knew better than to dig in before the cook gave the word. Dinner was almost ready.
Finally, after one last flip and a sprinkle of seasoning, the irresistible scent intensified, fully capturing everyone's attention.
"Dinner's ready!" the chubby boy announced with a grin.
"Haha! I'm first, sis!" the more energetic twin shouted, dashing toward the food while laughing back at her sister.
"Silly girl, there's plenty—no need to rush," the older twin replied with a helpless smile. After their shipwreck, they had more than enough preserved food to last at least two years.
"Come on, don't be shy! Xiao Xi, Xiao Ke, Da-ge—try my cooking!" The chubby boy beamed with pride. Sharing his creations with his three companions and eating together was his favorite part of the day.
"When have I ever doubted your skills, kid?" the purple-haired teen said with a smirk. Close enough to the fire, he didn't even need to get up from his chair. He simply reached out and grabbed the plate of grilled meat.
Soon, he was tearing into juicy chicken wings and tender steak, eating with gusto. The twins and the chubby boy quickly joined in. Enjoying their meal together while the sea breeze blew—it was a peaceful, heartwarming beachside scene.
But as Kuruda—the purple-haired teenager—gazed at the endless ocean, a trace of sorrow filled his heart.
Only he, a transmigrator, truly understood. This island might seem calm and serene now, but the world beyond was far crueler than he had imagined. This was the world of One Piece—a pirate world even darker and more brutal than the anime he had watched in his previous life.
Yes, Kuruda was a transmigrator from Blue Star (Earth). His soul had crossed over and possessed the body of a fallen young noble. In his past life, he had been a model citizen—raised in an ancient country, repeatedly honored as an outstanding student and citizen. Everyone saw him as a genuinely good person.
But good people don't live long. Betrayed and framed without evidence, he was imprisoned and died filled with resentment.
In his final moments, a new conviction formed: If being good meant being abandoned and destroyed by one injustice, then why not be bad and live freely? Better to stay vigilant and never let villains exploit kindness again.
Carrying that resolve, his soul arrived in the One Piece world he once loved.
He awakened in the body of a young noble who shared his first name but not his surname. Through the original owner's memories, Kuruda learned the boy's tragic story. As the youngest child in a noble family, he was ignored and gradually sidelined. When his family lost a power struggle with rival nobles, they were ruined. The boy escaped with a small fortune and his three closest childhood friends—the chubby boy and the twin sisters—and began wandering.
The original plan was to join the Marines for protection. But their merchant ship was caught between two warring pirate crews and a terrible storm. All four were swept overboard. The original boy drowned. His body washed ashore on this island... and that's when Kuruda's soul took over.
The other three survived the ordeal and were washed up nearby. Kuruda couldn't help but feel pity for the original owner's misfortune.
Fortunately, wreckage from the merchant ship and the destroyed pirate ships also washed ashore—supplies, preserved food, tools, seeds, clothing, and building materials. Using those and the island's natural resources, the four built three small wooden cabins, planted crops, fished, and created a comfortable life. It was far better than the horrors they had escaped.
Thanks to newspapers delivered by special news seagulls (purchased with remaining money) and the original owner's memories, Kuruda confirmed his timeline: It was currently Sea Circle Calendar 1519—one year before Monkey D. Luffy would set sail.
But survival in this world wouldn't be easy.
The four of them were ordinary humans—no special bloodlines, no training in swordsmanship, physical arts, Haki, or Devil Fruits. Their strength was barely equivalent to a wild wolf. In a world ruled by "survival of the fittest," how could they hope to thrive?
Danger could arrive any day—a passing pirate crew could enslave or kill them. Not to mention the corrupt World Government, the depraved Celestial Dragons who saw themselves as gods, or the Marines who preached justice while hiding endless darkness.
Staring at the sea, Kuruda sighed. How were they supposed to survive in this cruel world? They couldn't stay hidden on this island forever.
Just then, a mechanical voice suddenly rang in his mind:
"Host's desire detected. Invincible Great Villain System activating... 1%... 45%... 94%..."
"Huh? A system?!" Kuruda froze, then overwhelming joy surged through him. He even stopped chewing the steak in his mouth.