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Chapter 1 - [1]: Crossing into One Piece: The Emperor Attacks

Marineford – Headquarters of the Navy

It had been more than a year since the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, was executed.

Inside the gleaming halls of Marineford, Liam Ross knelt over the spotless floor, mop in hand, scrubbing until the marble gleamed bright enough to reflect his own tired face. From time to time, passing marines shot him glances some sneered, others ignored him entirely.

Well, who could blame them? He was nothing more than a lowly janitor in the vast machinery of the Navy.

Not because Liam lacked ambition, but because he was dirt poor. If not for the Navy taking him in, he'd have been fish food long ago.

His story was absurd even to himself. An ordinary guy, mysteriously transported into the world of One Piece, he'd drifted at sea for two whole days clinging to a wooden barrel before being rescued by Vice Admiral Garp. Seeing his pitiful state, the legendary "Hero of the Marines" had offered him a choice join the Navy or risk the ocean again.

For someone powerless, penniless, and alone in a world full of monsters, the decision was obvious.

Liam wasn't naive. He knew this world far too well.

After all, he'd been a die-hard fan of the anime before he somehow woke up inside it.

And if there was one word to describe the next twenty years of this world, it was dangerous. Extremely, terrifyingly dangerous.

Here, men could sink islands with a punch and wipe out nations in a single afternoon. Even Navy Vice Admirals so awe-inspiring in the eyes of recruits would still get tossed around like rag dolls when the real monsters appeared.

In Liam's mind, the logic was simple: unless you became an Admiral, you were just another disposable soldier waiting to die.

So until he gained real strength, he was perfectly content remaining a nobody with a mop.

At least janitors didn't get sent to the frontlines.

Even when that legendary battle at Marineford would one day erupt, there was no way Fleet Admiral Sengoku would send a cleaner to fight. The most Liam would probably have to do was haul supplies or mop up blood afterward.

Peaceful. Safe. Predictable. That was his plan.

After another hour of scrubbing, Liam finally leaned on his mop and sighed. "Done at last," he muttered, stretching his sore arms. He turned to leave 

And the building behind him exploded.

"BOOM!"

A deafening blast tore through the air, followed by a shockwave that hurled Liam several meters away. He crashed hard onto the pavement, the breath knocked out of him as pain flared through his ribs.

"Holy crap! That nearly killed me!" he groaned, clutching his chest.

What the hell just happened? This was Marineford, the heart of the Navy, guarded by countless elites. How could something like this even happen here?

Then a terrifying thought crossed his mind.

"Don't tell me… one of the Four Emperors attacked?!"

He remembered the timeline vividly. Around this period, Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido were still fighting over dominance in the New World. Red-Haired Shanks had only just made a name for himself he definitely wouldn't be reckless enough to attack Marineford yet.

Still, the explosion was no joke.

Liam struggled to his feet and looked up and froze.

A gigantic shadow blotted out the sun.

When his eyes adjusted, his heart nearly stopped.

"No way… it's him!"

Descending from the sky like a living mountain was none other than Kaido of the Beasts, the so-called "Strongest Creature in the World."

Almost instantly, two figures appeared midair, stepping on invisible platforms as they confronted the intruder.

Admiral Sengoku, the "Buddha of the Navy," and Vice Admiral Garp, the "Hero of the Marines."

Their expressions were grim, their combined aura enough to make the air tremble.

Sengoku's voice was cold. "Kaido. You've attacked Marineford more than once. Do you really think we can't stop you?"

Kaido laughed, his massive frame swaying slightly. Even from a distance, Liam could smell the alcohol.

"Stop me? Hah! I came here for a fight, Sengoku! You and Garp come! Let's see who dies first today!"

Liam blinked. "…He's drunk."

That explained everything. Only Kaido would be insane enough to attack Marineford while hammered.

Without another word, Kaido swung his enormous spiked club. The weapon crackled with purple lightning as he roared:

"Thunder Bagua!"

The air split apart. Lightning flashed.

Liam's stomach dropped. He was too close. The shockwave was massive there was no way he could dodge in time.

"Why me?!"

Just as he braced for death, a white-cloaked figure appeared in front of him like a flash of light.

"BANG!"

The impact split the sky, the collision of pure force and lightning scattering the attack before it could reach him.

Liam blinked, realizing who had saved him.

"Vice Admiral Garp! Thank you, sir!"

Garp didn't turn around. His deep, steady voice rumbled over the chaos. "This isn't a place for rookies, kid. Get out of here. Now."

"Yes, sir!"

Liam didn't need to be told twice. He ran as if his life depended on it because it did.

By the time he looked down, one of his shoes had flown off somewhere behind him.

He didn't care. He just kept running, lungs burning, heart pounding. Never in his life had he felt death breathe so close to his neck.

Behind him, explosions shook the entire island. The sky burned as the clash between titans raged on.

Marineford trembled.

Panting, Liam finally stopped at the edge of the harbor, staring at the distant battlefield. His hands were still shaking.

"If I want to survive in this world…" he whispered, "I need to get stronger. Strong enough that no one can ever threaten my life again."

But becoming strong in this world wasn't easy. Power here wasn't just strength it was destiny, willpower, bloodline, and luck.

He gave a bitter laugh. "Easier said than done."

And then 

A crisp, electronic chime echoed inside his mind.

"Ding! The Ultimate Check-In System has been successfully activated!"

Liam froze. Then his eyes widened in disbelief before slowly lighting up with hope.

A grin tugged at his lips.

"So it finally begins… my golden finger."

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