Haiyuan Calendar Year 1508, Cocosia Village.
A storm howled across the horizon, churning the sea into a frenzy. Amidst the crashing waves, a faint figure was hurled ashore—drenched, unconscious, and bruised.
"Is that a kid?!"
"Someone check if he's breathing!"
A crowd of villagers gathered, peering curiously at the unconscious boy who appeared no older than thirteen or fourteen.
At that moment, a slender, strong-willed woman stepped forward. Her pink hair was tied back in a loose braid, and her marine-style blouse clung to her damp shoulders. She knelt beside the boy and checked his pulse.
"He's alive… Just unconscious."
Her tone carried the relief of someone who had seen too much loss. She gently turned the boy over.
"I'm Bell-mère, from this village. Can you tell me your name?"
She smiled softly, lifting the boy's head as his eyelids fluttered open. The young man's gaze was unfocused, blinking rapidly as if adjusting to the world around him.
"…My name is… Shen Yuan. Wait—I need to boot the system."
Bell-mère blinked. "System?"
But Shen Yuan wasn't paying attention. His soul, now inhabiting a new body, was overwhelmed by a tidal wave of memories and fragmented thoughts.
A headache slammed into him like a cannonball.
"So… this is real. I've transmigrated?"
After digging through fragmented thoughts and clashing memories, Shen Yuan pieced together the truth: the original owner of this body was an orphan. With that revelation, he muttered aloud:
"…I'm an orphan."
Silence fell around him like a wet blanket.
Bell-mère didn't pry. She knew that kind of pain all too well.
"Do you know where you're from?" she asked gently.
Shen Yuan was about to respond, but something prickled at the edge of his senses—like an instinct. His brow furrowed.
Something wasn't right.
The hairs on his neck stood up.
Then—
"ROAR!!!"
A monstrous roar erupted from the ocean!
The surface split as a massive Sea King surged out of the water—its fanged jaws wide open, aiming straight for Shen Yuan!
The beast was terrifying—dozens of meters long, with eyes that gleamed with hunger. Its jaws could crush boats—and Shen Yuan was directly in its path!
"Move!" someone shouted in panic.
The villagers screamed and scattered, but Shen Yuan stood frozen.
A deep, reckless fury surged in his blood.
With a shout, he shoved Bell-mère out of the way and turned to face the Sea King head-on.
"If I die, so be it… I'm just an orphan anyway."
He clenched his fists, knowing full well he stood no chance.
The Sea King's shadow swallowed him—
CHOMP!
It swallowed him whole!
"Shen Yuan!!"
Bell-mère stumbled on the sand, but the Sea King didn't stop—it lunged toward her next.
She braced herself to strike—
But just then—
BOOM!!
A thunderous impact rang out from behind the Sea King!
Its entire body froze. A second later, it collapsed face-first into the sand—groaning, stunned, unconscious.
A blur emerged from the smoke and blood.
Out stepped an elderly man with iron muscle, dressed in a white Navy coat with "Justice" emblazoned on the back. His hair was white, but his presence radiated unstoppable power.
Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp.
Step by step, he approached Shen Yuan, who was now lying in a heap, spat out by the Sea King.
As Garp drew near, a strange, mechanical voice echoed in Shen Yuan's mind:
> "Life-threatening condition detected. Awakened: Skill Tree System."
"Binding host identity... complete."
"Skill Tree?" Shen Yuan blinked.
Bell-mère rushed over, but Shen Yuan was distracted. The glowing panel only he could see displayed critical system information.
> System Functions:
1. Check Current Location
2. View Personal Attributes
3. Skill Tree Access
Each level-up would grant him a Skill Point. Defeating enemies, completing quests, or advancing careers could all earn EXP. He noticed skills ranging from:
Basic Combat: Physical Reinforcement, Speed Boost
Advanced Techniques: Navy Rokushiki, Haki (Observation, Armament, Conqueror's)
??? Unknown Tier: Devil Fruit Integration
"Boy," Garp finally spoke, interrupting his thoughts. "You've got guts. What's your name?"
"Shen Yuan."
Garp nodded thoughtfully. Before he could say more, his eyes landed on Bell-mère.
"Hm? You're a Marine, aren't you?"
Bell-mère stood at attention. "Formerly, Vice Admiral Garp. Bell-mère, retired from the 16th Branch."
Guilt flickered in her eyes. If he recognized her as a deserter, Nami and Nojiko could be taken away.
"…Never heard of you!" Garp laughed and scratched his head.
Relieved, Bell-mère relaxed slightly.
Meanwhile, Shen Yuan's mind raced.
So this was the legendary Garp? Luffy's grandfather? The Hero of the Marines?
Garp turned back toward him. "Where are you from?"
"…Windmill Village," Shen Yuan lied instantly, keeping his expression neutral while still studying his system.
Garp's eyes lit up. "Oi! You know my grandson?"
"I know of him… but we've never met."
"Aha! Then it's fate!" Garp bellowed with a grin. "You wanna join the Marines?"
Shen Yuan hesitated.
With Garp's backing, he'd be safe until Luffy went out to sea.
But the system clearly wanted him to grow strong—not rot away in a military post.
"Navy Grandpa, I…"
"You're my grandson now!" Garp clapped him on the back, hard enough to rattle his teeth.
Shen Yuan's face twitched. Why does this feel like getting kidnapped by a random grandpa?!
"I think I'd rather live on my own for a while," he said cautiously.
"You're not becoming a pirate, are you?" Garp narrowed his eyes.
"No! I swear!"
Garp relaxed. Then, suddenly—an idea struck him.
He'd train Shen Yuan as the future "Navy King"!
He turned to Bell-mère. "You'll look after him for now. I'll send funds regularly."
Bell-mère blinked. "Wait… me?"
Without another word, Garp waved over his adjutant, Bogard, who handed over a bag stuffed with Berries.
"Take it. He's in your care now!"
And with that, Garp and Bogard turned and walked away, disappearing over the hill.
Shen Yuan stood dumbfounded.
Did I just get adopted by force…?
Bell-mère sighed and patted his shoulder. "Come on, kid. You need a hot meal."
"Hi! I'm Nami!" a red-haired girl beamed at him.
A more timid girl peeked from behind Bell-mère. "I'm Nojiko."
Shen Yuan smiled gently. "Nice to meet you. I'm Shen Yuan. Let's get along."
Bell-mère chuckled. "This kid's got a good heart. Maybe it was fate after all."
With money in hand and a new family growing, she led the group toward her home.
Nami spun with joy. "Yay! A big brother!"
And so, Shen Yuan's strange new life in the world of One Piece began—not as a pirate, nor a marine recruit, but as something else entirely.