Kaido Chronicle 1492
Duramos Island, an ordinary small island located in the first half of the New World.
"Hey, Jesse, you wouldn't want word getting out that you're still wetting the bed at eight years old, would you?"
In a cluttered alleyway, a small boy with long black hair and a bare torso looked wickedly at the snot-nosed kid before him. Several other children in the distance glared angrily at the long-haired boy.
"Huh? But I washed everything clean before dawn. How could you know, Oss..." Halfway through his sentence, the snot-nosed kid Jesse quickly covered his mouth, as if afraid his friends in the distance might hear.
"I've told you before—nothing in this world escapes my eyes."
Snatching the few hundred Berries of pocket money from the kid's hand, the long-haired boy stuffed them into his pocket amid Jesse's furious glare, then strutted away with a hearty laugh.
Only after he left did the other children dare to come comfort the robbed Jesse, cursing angrily:
"Damn it! I'll definitely get revenge when I grow up!"
"Yeah, Oss keeps stealing our pocket money. If I get the chance, I'll beat him to a pulp!"
But one child was more rational, watching the departing figure with a bitter expression:
"That's impossible, isn't it? Even the mayor said Oss killed a wild boar when he was just six. He's..."
The child's eyes showed a hint of fear, as if recalling their parents' warnings:
"A natural-born monster!"
...
"Great, another five hundred Berries in the bank. I can buy two more newspapers now."
Oss pushed open his front door in high spirits.
This was his ninth year in the world of One Piece. Abandoned at birth and raised by the old mayor, Oss had long since adapted to this novel world.
However, he had yet to witness the truly vast scope of this world, so he actively purchased newspapers from the News Coo to keep up with major events at sea.
Today, like usual, he was preparing to go home for lunch, but for some reason, old Mayor Grandpa wasn't home.
He looked around and found no one, then frowned and gazed toward the neighbor's door, as if carefully sensing something. After a moment, he shook his head.
"That's odd. He's not at the widow's house next door either."
Probably went drinking. Oss didn't think much of it and grabbed some bread and ham from the kitchen, sitting down to eat.
As he ate, he read today's newly purchased newspaper.
"The remnants of Rocks are developing their respective forces, particularly Golden Lion, Whitebeard, and others..."
Nothing particularly noteworthy, though he had to admit, young Charlotte Linlin was quite beautiful.
Looking at the sexy figure in the newspaper, Oss chewed while silently appreciating the view, then continued reading.
"Roger Pirates reportedly spotted at Sandrila Island."
The living Pirate King, huh? Oss mused while chewing, then continued down the page.
The next news item was...
Wait!
Oss suddenly stopped chewing, sensing something was wrong. He looked back at the Roger Pirates news item, the bread falling from his mouth unnoticed as he froze completely!
Sandrila Island?
Wasn't that the island just dozens of nautical miles away?
Fuck!
At this point in time, Roger hadn't reached Laugh Tale yet and wasn't the Pirate King!
Oss's eyes widened. Within seconds, his mind had formed an incredibly bold decision!
"In my previous life, I waited nearly thirty years without ever finding out what One Piece really was. Now isn't this a ready-made opportunity to see it?"
If he could join the Roger Pirates...
Starting at the peak?
While ordinary pirates searched their whole lives for the great treasure, he'd find it just two years after setting sail?
The thought made Oss's entire being buzz with excitement.
Not to mention, the Roger Pirates were all top-tier experts. Learning just a couple of techniques from them would be enough to become a movie villain.
The status boost was secondary—just look at how even Buggy in the future commanded respect everywhere simply for being a former Roger Pirates crew member.
Act on the thought immediately.
"Old man, I'm going to join the Roger Pirates. I'll repay your kindness in raising me later!"
After writing a note and shouldering a stick with a bundle tied to the end, Oss resolved that once he became a big shot, he'd return to repay the villagers who raised him.
"When that time comes, I'll even take the village stray dogs to those kingdoms to serve as guard dogs."
Oss immediately packed up the few belongings in the old mayor's house and sprinted toward the docks.
...
Meanwhile,
A magnificent ship with two mermaid sculptures carved on its red and gold pointed bow officially docked at Duramos's largest pier.
At the bow, a man who appeared to be the captain stood steadily.
Wearing a red coat and captain's hat, with his signature mustache beneath a bold smile belonging only to the strong, his natural kingly aura radiated outward.
"Such overwhelming presence—truly a top-tier powerhouse of the seas."
Through perception alone, Oss could already understand the abyss-like gap between his own strength and the other's.
This was the Pirate King—Gol D. Roger!
Currently, he had already experienced the God Valley incident with his companions and was sailing everywhere, searching for the lost four Poneglyphs, on his final adventure.
At this time, he hadn't yet contracted his incurable disease and was freely enjoying the freedom and journey of the seas.
At the dock, members of the Roger Pirates disembarked one by one. They were merely passing through to resupply.
However, among the group of large men, two small figures moved about, looking out of place with their surroundings.
They were two rather special kids.
One had red hair, the other a red nose.
"Who are you calling red-nose? Say it again if you dare!" Young Buggy was furious, his face flushed red with anger.
"Nobody called you red-nose, Buggy," Shanks jumped off the gangplank, pressing down his straw hat against the wind, somewhat helplessly saying, "Being able to sense it without any sound—is your Observation Haki a red nose...?"
"No, someone definitely said it! This feeling can't be wrong!"
Buggy clenched his fists and shouted, then looked around. Suddenly spotting a figure running toward them in the distance, he yelled, "Hey, was it you, kid?!"
"Hahahaha... Long time no see, Buggy, Shanks!"
Oss laughed while waving as he ran toward them.