Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or the Gamer. Please support the official release.
The day had started like any other. He woke up late, as usual, groaning as the sunlight streamed through the cracks in his curtains. His room was a mess—clothes strewn across the floor, empty soda cans piled on his desk, and a stack of manga volumes balanced on the edge of his bed. He rubbed his eyes and reached for his phone, scrolling through notifications.
It was a Saturday, which meant no school, no responsibilities, and no plans. Just the way he liked it. He spent the morning lazing around, replaying his favorite video games and catching up on the latest chapters of One Piece. The series had been his escape for years, a world of adventure and freedom that felt so far removed from his own mundane life.
By midday, his stomach was growling, and he realized he hadn't eaten anything since the previous night. A quick glance at the fridge revealed nothing but a half-empty bottle of soy sauce and a questionable-looking container of leftovers.
'Guess I'll have to make a grocery run,' he muttered, grabbing his wallet and slipping on his sneakers.
The grocery store was just a few blocks away, but the summer heat made the walk feel like a marathon. By the time he got there, he was already sweating. He grabbed a basket and wandered the aisles, picking up instant noodles, a bag of chips, and a couple of energy drinks. Not the healthiest choices, but he wasn't exactly a gourmet chef.
As he stood in line to pay, he pulled out his phone and opened the latest chapter of One Piece. The story was getting intense—Luffy and his crew were facing off against a powerful new enemy, and he couldn't wait to see how it would play out. He was so engrossed in the manga that he barely noticed when the cashier handed him his change.
"Thanks," he said absently, shoving the change into his pocket and grabbing his bags.
The walk home was just as hot as the walk to the store, but he didn't mind. He was too busy reading, his eyes glued to the screen as he followed Luffy's latest adventure. He didn't notice the traffic light change, didn't hear the honking of horns, didn't see the truck driving toward him.
The last thing he remembered was the blinding headlights of the truck, the screech of tires, and the sound of his own heartbeat thundering in his ears. He had been crossing the street, his attention completely absorbed by the manga, when it happened. He hadn't seen it coming. One moment, he was immersed in the world of One Piece, and the next, the world turned into a blur of pain and darkness.
As his vision faded, he saw his life flash before his eyes—mundane memories of high school, late-night gaming sessions, and the endless hours spent reading manga and manhwa. But then, something strange happened. A glowing text appeared in the void before him, as if the universe itself were speaking directly to his soul.
Do you want to become a Player?
A timer appeared, counting down from three.
3…
His mind raced. 'What did it mean? Was this some kind of joke? A hallucination?'
2…
He didn't have time to think. His instincts screamed at him to survive, to cling to life no matter what.
1…
Before he could make a decision, another line of text appeared, glowing brighter than the rest.
Warning: If you do not become a Player, your heart will stop in 3 seconds.
The words sent a jolt of panic through him. This wasn't a choice—it was a matter of life and death.
"YES! I WANNA LIVE!" he shouted mentally, his voice echoing in the void.
The timer stopped. The text changed.
Welcome, Player.
And then, everything went black.
When he opened his eyes again, the world was different. The smell of a hospital was gone, replaced by the smell of the sea and the scent of grass. He was lying on the ground, staring up at a clear blue sky. The sun was warm on his face, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore filled his ears.
He sat up slowly, his body feeling… smaller. His hands were tiny, his fingers stubby and childlike. Panic surged through him as he looked down at himself. He was wearing simple, worn-out clothes—a red vest and shorts. His legs were short, his feet bare.
'What the…?' he muttered, his voice high-pitched and unfamiliar.
He scrambled to his feet and ran toward the nearby village, his heart pounding. The buildings had thatched roofs and wooden walls. People bustled about, carrying baskets of fish and produce. It was like something out of a storybook.
And then it hit him.
'Foosha Village…' he whispered, his voice trembling.
He knew this place. He had seen it countless times in the pages of One Piece. This was where Monkey D. Luffy grew up. This was where his journey began.
'No way… No way!' he exclaimed, his mind racing.
He ran to a nearby puddle and stared at his reflection. The face staring back at him had round cheeks, a wide grin, but a face that was impossible to mistake.
He was Luffy.
'I'm… I'm Luffy?' he said, his voice cracking.