East Blue, Foosha Village.
As usual, a boy named Lin Mo, wearing a black T-shirt, pushed open the tavern door at noon.
"Makino, the usual."
He headed straight to the bar and sat down.
"Got it." Makino, the tavern owner with short dark green hair and a headscarf, smiled as she picked out a well-aged bottle of liquor from the shelf, opened it, poured it into a glass, and placed it in front of him.
As the only tavern in Foosha Village, it served both locals and many travelers passing through.
Most patrons preferred strong liquor. Occasionally, children like Luffy would stop by. Since they didn't drink alcohol, the tavern also stocked fruit juices.
But Lin Mo, a quiet ten-year-old, was the first child she'd ever served alcohol to in all her years running the place.
He raised the glass and took a small sip.
"How is it?" Makino asked with a smile.
"Not bad."
Just then, the tavern door burst open and the place grew lively.
A cheerful voice rang out with the sound of the door: "Yo, Lin Mo's here too!"
It was Red-Haired Shanks.
Soon, Yasopp, Lucky Roux, and the rest of the Red-Haired Pirates streamed into the tavern, boisterously calling for drinks.
Shanks sat right next to Lin Mo, set his straw hat on the bar, and grinned. At this time, he hadn't yet lost his left arm saving Luffy.
Makino brought out her best bottles of liquor.
Shanks grabbed one, took a long swig straight from it, then slapped Lin Mo on the back with a laugh. "A-hahaha! Kid, got an answer to my question from yesterday?"
Lin Mo calmly set down his glass and replied casually, "I refuse."
"Eh? Just like that? No hesitation?" Shanks acted dramatically hurt.
The Red-Haired Pirates burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Boss got rejected!"
"Can't even win over a kid. You're slippin', Captain!"
"Haha! We believe in you, Boss! Don't give up!"
Shanks took another big gulp and laughed along like nothing happened.
The atmosphere was so joyful that even Lin Mo, a transmigrator, couldn't help but smile.
Yes, Lin Mo had transmigrated into this world. It had been ten days since his arrival.
As a transmigrator, his golden finger (cheat ability) was the "Traveler System"—each time he reached a designated location, a check-in mission would be triggered.
But checking in wasn't as simple as just arriving; he had to wait until a progress bar filled up completely.
The conditions to fill the bar… were a bit mysterious. When he first arrived in Foosha Village, it ticked up to 30%. After having a drink in Makino's tavern, it rose another 30%. Later, after getting acquainted with Shanks and buying him a drink, the progress hit 90%.
Once that last 10% was complete, Lin Mo could move on to his next destination.
But ever since meeting Shanks a week ago, the progress bar had stalled.
"Hey, kid," Shanks suddenly hooked an arm around Lin Mo's neck and laughed, "have you thought about what you want to do in the future?"
"Sail the seas, drink, feast, and see every corner of the world," Lin Mo replied, pushing Shanks away. "I want to be a free and unbound traveler."
Shanks roared with laughter, slapping the bar. "A traveler? With your talent, don't you think that's a bit of a waste?"
Talent?
Did he notice something?
Before Lin Mo could reply, Shanks went on, "Kid, others might not see it, but you can't fool me."
Though they'd only known each other for seven days, Shanks could tell Lin Mo was no ordinary ten-year-old. His mature insights and bold declarations were far beyond his years.
Despite being mocked by other patrons for his words, Lin Mo never cared or argued. If not for his youthful appearance, Shanks might've mistaken him for an adult with a lifetime of experience.
In fact, their personalities clicked instantly, and they quickly became close friends.
What others couldn't see, Shanks had already noticed—Lin Mo had awakened all three types of Haki.
Haki is a latent power found in most people, involving things like spirit, killing intent, and willpower—it turns unseen force into strength.
There are three types: Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and Conqueror's Haki. Except for the rare Conqueror's Haki and its advanced forms, most people can awaken Haki through training—but not quickly.
A ten-year-old who'd already awakened both Observation and Armament Haki would be a prodigy. Add Conqueror's Haki, which appears in only one in millions?
Terrifying.
And yet, that wasn't even what Shanks admired most.
The first time they met, Shanks sensed the chaotic, unstable aura of someone who'd awakened all three Haki. But day by day, Lin Mo's aura grew calmer and stronger.
There was no one in Foosha Village capable of training him. That meant Lin Mo was mastering Haki entirely on his own.
That kind of progress in such a short time? Unheard of.
Shanks believed without a doubt that one day, this boy would shake the entire world.
That's why yesterday, he invited Lin Mo to join his crew, giving him a day to think it over.
Though Lin Mo had just refused...
Talent aside, Shanks worried about a ten-year-old sailing the perilous seas alone.
"You've awakened all three types of Haki, haven't you?" Shanks said, reluctant to give up. "With that talent, just being a traveler is a waste. Come aboard my ship. We'll still see the world, drink and feast, live freely—and you'll gain a crew worth dying for."
Lin Mo: "…"
So he had noticed.
As expected of a future Yonko.
And truthfully, Shanks seemed like someone easy to get along with. Life aboard his ship would probably be fun.
A trustworthy crew with shared life-or-death bonds… it was tempting.
But Lin Mo had never planned to join any faction from the start.
He shook his head, firmly: "I'm used to being alone. No matter how good your offer is, I'm not interested. My dream is to live freely as a traveler. That's all."
Shanks was stunned—he hadn't expected to be rejected again.
He was about to keep trying when he saw Lin Mo's unwavering eyes.
"…You sure?" Shanks said. "You're the first one I've ever invited twice. Don't want to think it over again?"
Shanks was a generous, easygoing man who valued camaraderie deeply. Even if he would one day become a Yonko feared across the seas, Lin Mo genuinely admired his character and would gladly call him a friend.
But join his crew?
No way.
Lin Mo shook his head. "My mind's made up. No need to say more."
Just then, a sound echoed in his mind—his system's notification:
"Ding! You have successfully rejected Shanks' invitation. Check-in progress +10%."
"Ding! Foosha Village check-in complete. Congratulations, Host—reward: Full Chakra Attributes and skill: Fire Style: Great Fire Dragon Jutsu."