Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece! One Piece is owned by Eiichiro Oda, Shonen Jump, and Toei animation. Please support the official release.

Chapter 1: A Dream

William just stood there.

He wished it all a dream, that when he went home his grandfather would be standing there waiting for him, but he wasn't and he would never be ever again. He just kept looking at the gravestone almost in disbelief that it was there. He knew this day would come that he would have to say goodbye but it still didn't make it any easier to do it. The gravestone said the following: "Here Lies Vice Admiral James Snow: The Greatest Grandfather Ever".

" Hey Paw Paw." he whispered. " I know I was here last week but just wanted to tell you something important. I'm leaving. I thought long and hard about it but with you gone there's nothing here to hold me back any longer, so I think it's time to go explore the world. If you're worried about the house don't worry I asked Matthew if he could watch the house while I'm gone and he said he would. But I know what you're really worried about. I get it. The world is a big place filled with all kinds of challenges even in the East Blue but don't worry I had the best teacher ever didn't I." William began to smile as the one sided conversation continued. " I still have to stop by the house and grab my stuff but other than that I'm ready to go." William then took a deep breath inhaling the cool morning breeze. " Well I should probably get going, Matthew said he would get me a ship so I shouldn't keep him waiting." He began to turn around and walk down the hill but not before giving the grave one last look. " Thanks, for everything. I love you Paw Paw." He smiled and continued the walk back home.

…

The walk back home gave him time to think about his decision. William always wanted to go out to sea and explore. He would hear stories about the world from his grandfather during his time in the marines. He would always be amazed by stories about these far off places all over the world, from the East Blue all the way to the New World, he had been everywhere. So at a young age he decided what he would do with his life, he would be like his grandfather and explore the oceans in search of adventure and to complete is one true goal. Make him proud!

It was at the end of this train of thought that William made it home. It was a small house tucked away in the forest just a short walk from town. When he stepped in the house it felt empty, where he would see his grandfather drinking his coffee and reading the newspaper. There was nothing, just the sound of his own footsteps on the creaking floorboards.

He continued through the house and went to his room where he had sitting on his bed was a duffle bag full of stuff he planned on taking with him on his journey. It was mostly clothes but he made sure to pack soap, shampoo, his toothbrush, and toothpaste. As he was leaving he saw two things out of the corner of his eye, the first was a photo on a table by the wall. It was of him and his grandfather on the hill where his grandfather was now laid to rest, William was brandishing a massive sword that was almost as long as he was tall. He had the biggest smile on his face while his grandfather just a smirk on his.

Seeing this photo made William smile as he remembered the day the photo was taken. It was the day he got his present for his 18th birthday, his grandfather's Buster Blade from his time in the marines. Said blade was leaning against the wall by the entrance of the house waiting for him. When his grandfather had give the blade he told him something that would stick with him for the rest of his life, " Don't be me, be better than me". He grabbed the sword, holstered it on his back, grabbed his duffle bag, and proceeded to walk out the door and continued down the road into town.

…

As William walked through town he took one last look around. Appa may have been the only town on Lacha but it had everything you needed, whether it be food, supplies, or in William's case boats Appa had it all. William had lived on Lacha all his life and now he had to say goodbye to all of it. As he made his way to the harbor William could see Matthew standing on a sloop docked at the pier, waving his hands trying to get his attention.

"Hey Matt, how's the bakery been?" he asked.

" Not too bad, just sent a huge shipment of goods off to the Goa Kingdom this morning." It was at this point Matthew had got a good look at William with the Buster Blade on his back and began to smile.

"Well look at this!" he exclaimed with a big smile on his face. " You look just like your old man back in the day, minus the uniform!"

William smiled, taking the compliment in stride. "Thanks, so is this the boat?" It was a small wooden ship that looked capable enough to take on the vast ocean in front of them. " Yep!" He replied " She may not be a Galleon but she can take you from A to B safely.".

" Well that's all that matters anyways. Thanks again I know this probably was a lot of money to get this but I promise to pay you back when I get the money." William said to which Matthew just waved him off. "Don't worry about it kid, it's the least I could do. I'd rather spend a few berries on a ship then have you go out there in a raft and capsize before your adventure could even get started."

When William did climb aboard he went into the hold to place his bag he found barrels of dried meat, fruits, and water ready for the journey. He went back up to the deck to see Matthew starting to undo the ropes that attached the ship to the docks.

" Well you ready to head out?" he asked.

"Yep, but before you hop off there's something I need to tell you." as he walked towards Matthew whose back was turned as he continued to untie the rope.

"Yeah, what's tha-" he couldn't finish his sentence as when he turned around William had wrapped him in a hug which left him stunned for only a moment as he hugged William in response.

"Thanks Matt, for everything." a small tear began to roll down William's cheek.

"Like I said it's no big deal, James would have haunted me forever if I let go out to sea unprepared. Now go out there and make him proud."

Matthew then hopped off the boat and pushed it away from the dock where the wind caught the sail and began taking the small vessel out into the ocean. William, now at the helm with the wind at his back, smiled.

His journey had finally begun.

…

Hello! I wanted to take the time to say thank you for taking the time to read this story. This is my first time doing anything like this so I want your honest thoughts even if they are negative. I want to grow as a writer and be proud of the story I'm making. Anyways the next chapter might be a while but I have the general idea as chapter 2 will be the linking point with the original story.

Thanks again for reading and have a wonderful day.