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Chapter 2 - Dawn Island, A New Life Begins

Warm sunlight touched my eyelids before anything else.

I groaned softly and forced my eyes open.

A wooden ceiling. White curtains fluttering with the breeze. And the faint smell of herbs.

"…Where am I?"

I pushed myself up. My body felt lighter—like I was the same age as Luffy in his earliest manga chapters.Young enough to start over.

The door creaked open.

"Oh! You're awake."

The mayor walked in—short, round, kind-looking.

"You were found near the coast, floating on a plank from a shipwreck," he explained. "The fishermen brought you here. You're safe now."

A shipwreck… so that's how this world inserted me.

I bowed my head. "Thank you, sir."

"Rest until you're fully recovered," he said. "You're lucky to be alive."

Days passed as I healed and helped with small chores around the house. It felt peaceful.

Then—

DING!

A familiar voice echoed in my mind.

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[QUEST AVAILABLE]

First Step to Survival

Get a job at Makino's Bar.

Reward:

• Rokushiki Martial Arts — Level 1 (Max 100)

• 1× Gacha Spin

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My eyes widened.

Rokushiki…? And weapons and haki in the gacha?

I immediately asked, "Mayor, where is Makino's bar?"

He pointed down the path. "Follow the road. It's near the village square."

I jogged off.

Makino's Bar — First Job

Warm lantern light and the smell of wood greeted me as I entered.

Makino looked up from cleaning a glass.

"Oh, hello. Can I help you?"

I bowed too fast, too hard.

"I—I'm looking for work. Please. Anything. I can clean, carry crates, wash dishes—anything. I really need a job."

Makino blinked, surprised by my desperation.

"You don't need to rush," she said softly. "Are you in trouble?"

"No, I just…"

"…I don't have anywhere else to go."

Makino studied me quietly—eyes gentle, not pitying.

"You remind me of someone," she murmured.

"Someone…?"

"A boy who never gives up no matter what," she smiled faintly. "He has that same fire in his eyes."

Luffy.

Her voice warmed. "You must've gone through a lot. Being in a shipwreck is terrifying. But you're still standing here, trying. That's enough."

"Does that mean—?"

"You're hired," she said with a bright smile. "Welcome to Party Bar."

My chest tightened with relief. "T-thank you… I really won't let you down."

Makino chuckled softly. "Relax. Just do your best."

Her eyes softened even more.

"You're a lot like Luffy, you know."

QUEST COMPLETE

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[REWARDS RECEIVED]

• Rokushiki — Level 1

• 1× Gacha Spin

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✨ Rokushiki Awakening

The reward hit like lightning.

My breath caught as energy surged through my muscles—warm, electric, refining every fiber inside me.

This is… Rokushiki?!

Knowledge bloomed like instinct.

• Tekkai — foundation

Muscles ready to harden instantly.

• Soru — foundation

My legs felt spring-loaded, built for explosive bursts.

• Kami-e — foundation

My body felt lighter, almost floaty.

• Rankyaku / Geppo — blueprints

Not usable yet—but the mechanics were carved into my bones.

Then came awareness.

Every sound sharpened.

Footsteps outside.

The wood creaking.

Makino humming.

This is only level 1…?

A grin tugged at my lips.

If this is the start… what the hell will level 100 feel like?

Red-Haired Pirates Arrive

A week later—

BOOM.

A cannon fired from the harbor.

Shanks' ship docked, loud and lively.

And then—

"I've had it with you guys!!" Luffy yelled, holding a tiny knife. "You're not taking me seriously! I'm tough!"

Shanks laughed. "Alright, alright. Show us then."

Ben Beckman sighed. "What now…?"

Then—

Luffy stabbed his own cheek.

The entire crew froze.

"ARGHHH!!"

Shanks panicked. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU IDIOT?!"

I almost dropped the tray in my hands.

Inside the Bar —

Later, the bar overflowed with pirates drinking, singing, and celebrating like a chaotic family.

I carried trays of meat and booze between tables.

Shanks leaned on the counter. "Since when did you hire kids, Makino?"

"A few days ago," she said. "He was desperate. The mayor said he survived a shipwreck."

Shanks turned toward me.

"Hoh. That so?"

His eyes lingered—sharp, calculating, but amused.

Then—

He grinned.

"Hey kid."

"Y-yes, Captain Shanks?"

"You've got strong eyes. Too strong for a normal kid."

My heart stopped.

Then he chuckled.

"Ever thought of joining my crew? A kid with your potential could go far."

My soul ascended.

"I—uh—sorry Captain Shanks. I've got a lot on my plate right now… heheh."

Shanks blinked, then burst out laughing.

Ainz Inner Monologue — Panic Mode Activated

HOLY SHIT.

SHANKS. THE Shanks. Emperor-level Shanks.

He saw through me instantly!

I scrubbed dishes like my life depended on it—which, honestly, it might.

Keep calm… keep it cool… don't die. Do NOT die.

Damn… that's why he's the GOAT.

Dreams and Drinks

Meanwhile:

Luffy slammed the table. "Take me with you! I'm not scared! I wanna be a pirate!"

Shanks grinned. "You? A pirate? You will sink like an anchor!"

"I've been training! My punch is like a pistol!"

The crew wrapped arms around each other, swaying and singing.

"Calm down, Luffy!"

"The sea is huge! Freedom everywhere!"

Shanks shouted, "Stop filling his head with crazy ideas!"

"But it's true, Cap'n!"

I smirked quietly while delivering drinks.

Rokushiki level 1… and it already feels insane.

As for the gacha… I'll spin it later.

Shanks eventually gave Luffy milk disguised as booze.

"BLEH!! Why does booze taste like milk?!"

The whole bar roared with laughter—

And then—

The door slammed open.

Bang.

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