Author's Note: Hello readers. This story is my first attempt at One Piece fanfiction. You may find this prologue a strange read. It will all make sense towards the end of the chapter.

Prologue

On the vast seas, a legend was born. It was said that a samurai of unparalleled skill wandered the oceans in search of adventure, wealth, and worthy opponents. His heroics were legendary, and his name commanded respect and fear in equal measure.

Many stories circulated about him, and tales of his bravery and swordsmanship were told throughout the Blue and Grand Line. Some even compared his abilities to that of a god, a sword god to be exact.

No, not a sword god. The sword god.

He was the perfect warrior, untouchable and unbeatable. His face obscured by a bamboo hat, he strode along a pier, his presence causing even the most notorious criminals and pirates to fall silent when he entered a bar.

As the lone samurai warrior entered the bar, vile thieves and pirates glared at him, their wretched aura seemingly offended by his mere presence. The normal patrons watched in wonder as he made his way to a wooden table, pulling out a green bag filled with warm dumplings. With a pair of chopsticks, he devoured each dumpling one by one, his expression unmoving as to whether they were delicious or not.

The bandits, criminals, and ruthless pirates wasted no time in surrounding the warrior as he ate his food, yet no one dared to attack him. Perhaps they were terrified of the awesome abilities he had under his belt.

As he continued to eat, a bandit attempted to be the bold one out of the crowd, saying, "I see you like to chew. Maybe you should chew on my fist!"

With a loud slam, the bandit's fist came crashing down on the table, shaking it and disturbing the samurai's meal. The warrior paused, lowering his chopsticks and reaching for the hilt of a blade strapped to the side of his waist, his expression still hidden behind his bamboo hat.

And then, the warrior spoke.

"You just ruined a perfectly good meal."

No. No, he said something a whole lot cooler.

"So, would you like to start or shall I?"

As if on cue, one of the bandits with a large axe in hand took a swing for the warrior's head. But with inhuman reflexes, the warrior's sword had already left its sheathe and the silver of the blade collided with the axe. No matter how hard the bandit pushed, his axe refused to move any closer to its initial target. It was as if he had just hit a wall of steel.

In that moment, the gates of hell had been released. Each nasty bandit, pirate, and thief all raised their sharp weapons to attack, but they were not prepared for the skill of the samurai. In one quick swing of his blade and a flash of blue light, each enemy was sent flying backward, the wooden table shattering from the sheer power of the blade.

A large pirate standing 6 feet tall let out a war cry and ran at the lone warrior with a giant sword meant to cleave him in two. But the warrior was too quick. Like a snake preparing to strike, the warrior poised to attack then swung his sword across the chest of the pirate with blinding speed before he even had the chance to swing his weapon . The pirate cried out in pain, blood bursting from his chest as he fell to the wooden bar floor.

As two bandits charged with swords raised high, the warrior braced himself. Their battle cries rang through the air, but the warrior was too fast and too skilled. He dodged their strikes with a crouch, then spun with his sword in hand. In a single fluid motion, he sliced through both torsos, sending the bandits to the floor - one screaming in pain, the other silent.

A pirate shouted, "You're dead meat!" and aimed his flintlock pistols at the warrior.

Two shots rang out, hurtling towards the warrior's face. But the warrior remained calm, his expression unchanged. With deft strokes of his blade, he sliced the projectiles in two, as if carving the air.

Every enemy in the bar froze, staring in disbelief.

"He deflected the shots!"

"No, he cut them in half!"

"Let's get out of here!"

"I didn't sign up to die!"

The warrior watched as his enemies retreated, knowing they would come back with more allies. But he was ready for them, his determination as sharp as his blade.

Half of the violent tendencies of the scum filling the bar had sated, replaced by fear of death. Majority of the enemies fled through the entrance and scattered as if Davy Jones himself had stared them in the eyes. Only a few stragglers who believed they still had a chance of victory remained.

The lone warrior stood tall, his black blade gleaming with a mysterious power that seemed to radiate from it. The sight of it alone was enough to make his enemies tremble in fear, knowing that one wrong move could mean certain death.

The innocent patrons of the bar watched in wonder as this lone and mighty warrior had freed them from the grip of the vile and corrupt individuals that once filled their bar. They could feel the power emanating from the warrior's sword, a legendary weapon that was said to have the ability to cut through anything.

As the last of his enemies fell to the ground, the warrior sheathed his sword and turned to the stunned onlookers. The black blade hummed with a strange energy, and the air around it seemed to shimmer and warp. The patrons of the bar couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and respect for the warrior, who had single-handedly taken on a group of hardened criminals and emerged victorious.

"He's amazing!"

"He's so strong!"

"And attractive!"

The patrons of the bar did not hold back on their thoughts. And yet, despite how true most of them were, the awesome lone warrior did not move an inch from his stance. There were still more enemies to deal with.

Suddenly the roof the bar shattered into pieces and bandits came flying from it like water from a sprinkler. The warrior leaped onto the roof and sprinted forward. Some of the enemies who were on the roof began firing shot at him. But they were no match for the warrior. With quick slashes of his blade, the shots were cut into two and he cut through them like butter to a knife-

What?

I meant knife to butter.

It took the swordsman no more than one cut to dispose of his attackers. No matter the armor, shield, or sword they had to defend themselves, his blade would cut through them as if there was nothing but air protecting them.

While the lone warrior continued to slay each honorless thief and pirate, a large man, at least 6 feet tall carrying a weighty blade just as big as him entered the town. His face was warped with anger as he walked past some of his men lying motionless on the floor.

"Where is the damn bastard who's killing all my men?" He growled, snorting like an angry bull.

"He's over there boss!" A bandit shouted, walking beside him like a child telling a parent that someone had hurt him.

The townspeople coward at the sight of the large and angry man. They knew him very well. This man and his faction of bandits had the entire town under his control. He stole from them, forced them to pay berries for protection, only for him to go back on his word and destroy their property, homes, and livelihoods. He had not a hint of honor within him.

The large and evil bandit leader spotted the lone swordsman in the distance. He had just cut down the last of his men. This only made the large bandit even angrier. He was going to crush this outsider. He would make an example out of him towards those who wanted to play hero. There were no heroes here. He was in charge.

"Hey! Outsider!" The bandit leader called out, brandishing his large sword. "I hope you enjoyed killing my men. Because you'll be joining them when I crush you to a bloody mess! This is my town! And you have no place in it!"

"You tell him boss!"

"Show him that it was a mistake to come here!"

The lone warrior ignored the chants and rowdy cries of the few remaining bandits and focused on their leader. He studied him for a moment, taking his size and weapon into account. He then remembered he has slain much larger and stronger enemies than this dishonorable bandit.

He once slain a giant….

What was it?

Right, a dragon!

The lone warrior was no stranger to slaying monsters. He had once felled a giant dragon with a single cut of his black blade, severing its head and saving an entire town from certain doom. But the bandit leader was no dragon. He would not pose much of a challenge to the seasoned samurai.

Without wasting any time, the bandit leader charged at the warrior with his sword raised high, ready to strike.

"Get ready to die!" he shouted as he brought the blade down with all his might.

The samurai's fierce gaze narrowed as he brought up his own sword, expertly blocking the attack. The bandit leader stumbled back in disbelief, surprised by the sheer strength of the warrior's defense. Despite his larger size, the bandit felt as though he was striking a solid steel wall.

Undeterred, the bandit leader continued his assault, swinging his sword again and again with all his might. Yet, each blow was effortlessly deflected by the samurai warrior with his black steel blade. The bandit's power was no match for the warrior's skill.

On the bandit leader's final swing, the samurai warrior deftly sidestepped, causing the giant sword to crash down with a resounding clang. Seizing the opportunity, the samurai struck with precision, slicing at the bandit leader's arms and drawing blood. The bandit leader cried out in pain and dropped his weapon as the warrior leapt back to gain some distance.

The bandit leader glared at his trembling arms with a mixture of fury and disbelief. The samurai's black blade had sliced through his skin in a flurry of movements too quick for him to follow. He seethed with anger as he faced the outsider standing before him, but the samurai remained unperturbed, his sword returning to its sheath.

"You...you bastard!" the bandit leader bellowed, charging at the swordsman with a clenched fist.

It was a fatal mistake. The samurai warrior smirked and crouched, his hand gripping the hilt of his black blade at his waist and inside its sheath. To onlookers, it appeared as though the samurai was frozen, but he was simply biding his time.

The bandit leader closed in on his target, unaware of the danger he was in. Suddenly, the samurai's eyes snapped open and he launched himself forward in a blur of motion, his black blade flashing in the light. With lightning-fast precision, he sliced through the bandit leader, who stumbled forward before collapsing to the ground in agony.

The bandit writhed on the ground, his body convulsing with pain as he gazed down at the gaping wound in his abdomen. Arcs of blue electricity danced around the cut, causing his muscles to spasm uncontrollably. He let out a groan of despair, realizing too late that he had underestimated the strength and skill of the samurai warrior. With one final gasp, he fell face-first to the floor, lifeless.

The remaining bandits and thieves that remained to witness the attack and the death of their leader froze in cold terror, and then screamed. They retreated for the hills, running with every inch of energy they hadand begged for mercy from the brave samurai warrior. The townspeople on the other hand broke out in cheer and reverence.

"We are free!"

"Did you see that? He bested him! This samurai is amazing!"

"Yeah! I bet no one could possibly match his skill!"

"He must be the world's greatest swordsman!"

"No! He must be some sort of sword god!"

The townspeople surrounded the warrior and began chanting his name and showering him with riches and all the food he could eat! The samurai warrior gladly accepted it. After all, it would be rude to simply let it all go to waste. But soon he would return to his travels. There were more people to best, more honor to gain, and more adventures to be had.

How could he possibly sit and wait when there are more monsters and honorless people to be slain? When there are more villages, towns, and islands to be set free? No, he could not stand idly by. He was the sword god. A well renowned samurai known throughout the sea.

Hey….

And for the samurai, when face to face with strong enemies or other swordsman who dare challenge him to a duel…

Hey….!

There's only one thing that matters. And that's-

"HEY! WAKE UP DUMBASS!"

The sound of shattering glass was like Ryuza's dream of becoming a great samurai. He woke up abruptly, lifting his head from a table where he had been sleeping. It was just a fantasy. Ryuza was not the brave warrior he had imagined himself to be. He was an 18-year-old boy, who had left his village to find adventure and fame. However, his plan was not going well, in fact, it was going horribly wrong. And to top it off, he was being yelled at by the restaurant staff. The man in front of him was a burly worker with oversized arms, wearing a stained white apron.

"Ugh, what did you call me?" groaned Ryuza, rubbing his head.

"I said wake up, you're drooling on our nice tablecloths! Do you know how much those cost?" The worker bellowed, clenching his fists. "We let you stay here for more than a day, but this is getting ridiculous. You owe us money for the food and the two nights you slept here."

Ryuza sat up, glancing around the restaurant. The patrons were staring at him with annoyance and disdain, making him feel embarrassed. He had hoped to find a warm bed and a hot meal, but now he realized he could barely even pay for his stay. Ryuza felt ashamed and helpless.

This worker was one of the many cooks at the restaurant. Except it wasn't your average restaurant that was on an island or part of a mainland. This particular restaurant was a very strange one indeed. A restaurant in the middle of the sea. Though it may have looked like a fancy restaurant, with tables covered with white cloths and a clean carpet floor, it was anything but normal.

The chefs and workers seem to compete and argue so frequently that Ryuza had stopped trying to keep count. He was just grateful that these cooks let him, and his….traveling companion…stay for two days. Not for free of course. He would pay them back with the little amount he had. The rest was stolen unfairly from him.

"That blonde cook said the food was for free." protested Ryuza, still groaning with his head pressed against the table.

The cook crossed his oversized arms with an unconvinced look. "That retard isn't in charge of who pays and who doesn't. Plus, he only said the food was free for that tall friend of yours. And that's before she smashed one of our tables after getting into a fight with another customer!"

"Listen, I will pay you guys the rest of what I owe." Ryuza pleaded. "Just let me rest my head a bit. Sheesh."

"Good! Because from now on, there will be no more free handouts!" bellowed the cook. "And I could care less about what that little shitty cook says!"

Ryuza lifted his head from the table to the sight of his overly energetic traveling companion, Yamato, carrying two hot plates of food. The sound of her sandals approaching the table was unmistakable, and he couldn't help but feel like fate was making his day worse.

"Ryuza! That guy over there said he would give us one more meal for free!" Yamato beamed, completely unaware of Ryuza's sour mood. "Let's dig in! Wait, what's wrong?"

Ryuza glared at her, unamused, before slamming his head against the table again. The cook, who had been scolding him, was now beyond furious and rolled up his sleeves as if he was about to fight.

"Sanji!" he bellowed. "What the hell did I say? No more free food! Hey, don't you ignore me!"

The sounds of angry shouts and tables being moved only worsened Ryuza's headache. He needed to get out of there and back to the sea before he became stuck there forever. There was no way he would allow that to happen.

He resolved to leave the restaurant and embark on a journey across the seas. Ryuza envisioned himself as a renowned figure whose name would be etched in the annals of history. He would achieve his objectives and fulfill not only his aspirations but also those of his mentor. His adventurous and warrior spirit would eventually take him to the fabled land of Wano, the country of gold, and he would witness its wonders firsthand.

But more than anything else, Ryuza was determined to become the next sword god, mastering the art of swordplay and surpassing all those who came before him.

Just as soon as his headache ended….

Author's note: I hope you enjoyed the prologue and have captured your attention. I am aware that there are many OC stories involving the trope of them joining the strawhats and going on adventures. I hope that I can make this story a little different and more of an entertaining read.

The oc will be developed in a realistic way. Like the other straw hats and characters of One Piece, he will grow as the story progresses, not only in strength and ability, but as a character. I grew fond of the story of Ryuma after reading his manga, so I wanted to create someone who would attempt to take up his mantle.

You may also notice a certain character has made an earlier appearance in the Baratie Arc. Yamato will be present throughout the journey and have a prominent role within the story. Of course for balancing reasons, she will not be as powerful as she is in the Wano arc in the beginning of the story. But as it progresses, she will improve along with Ryuza, and the other Strawhat pirates.

It is a long journey ahead and I hope that I can keep your interest in this story.