Monkey D. Luffy

Deep within the hijacked passenger ship, in a secluded storage room,

A short pink-haired boy wearing thick glasses and a terrified expression was pushing a large wooden barrel when three pirate grunts blocked his way—one thin as a bamboo pole, one fat, and one dark-skinned.

"Look what the coward brought back! You're finally useful for once, Koby. We're thirsty anyway~" the bamboo-pole pirate mocked, his face twisting into a malicious grin.

"Th-this is loot from the pirate crew! If Miss Alvida finds out, she'll kill us!" Koby stammered, trembling as he looked at the three men before him.

"As long as you don't tell her, how would she know? Right, Koby?" the dark-skinned pirate said with a toothy, threatening grin.

"Y-yes! You're absolutely right!" Faced with the threat, Koby hurriedly put on a fawning, obedient expression.

"Enough. Let me smash this thing open!" The fat grunt raised his fist, preparing to forcefully break open the barrel.

Crack!

Two fists shot out from inside the barrel and slammed squarely into the fat grunt's chin, knocking him unconscious on the spot.

"Ah! That was such a good nap!!!"

A straw-hatted boy sprang out of the barrel, shouting with a wide grin.

"Who are you?!" The remaining bamboo-pole pirate and dark-skinned pirate roared in shock and anger.

"Huh? Why is he lying on the ground sleeping? He'll catch a cold~" The straw-hatted boy looked curiously at the fallen pirate.

"It's because of you, idiot!!" The two pirates' faces turned red with rage as they shouted at him.

"You little brat! You know we're pirates, yet you still dare pick a fight?!" The bamboo-pole pirate drew his sword and pointed it at the straw-hatted boy.

"Do you have any meat? I'm starving~" The straw-hatted boy ignored him completely and turned to ask the frozen Koby.

"Listen when people are talking!" the bamboo-pole pirate roared.

"Damn it! If you want to die, I'll grant your wish!" The bamboo-pole pirate shouted as he swung his blade at the boy.

"Hm?" The straw-hatted boy tilted his head, about to make a move, when—

Bang!

A violent, overwhelming force struck the bamboo-pole pirate head-on. He flew backward, the sharp crack of shattering bones ringing out as he slammed heavily into the cabin wall and fell still.

"Y-you..." The last remaining dark-skinned pirate stared at the suddenly appearing handsome young man, his face drained of all color.

"Ah... ah..." Koby collapsed onto the floor, utterly terrified.

Just one punch had completely silenced that pirate grunt. The dull sound of bones breaking still echoed in his ears.

That kind of strength was even more terrifying than Miss Alvida with an iron club in hand!

"Who are you? You're pretty strong! Why did you help me?" the straw-hatted boy asked with a grin.

"Rayson. I'm a passenger on this ship. Since pirates hijacked it, I just cleaned them up while I was at it~" Rayson answered with a smile, watching the legendary Monkey D. Luffy before him.

He really was exactly like the original.

Then his gaze shifted to Koby, cowering in the corner.

I finally found you.

A nearly imperceptible smile appeared on Rayson's face.

"Rayson? I'm Monkey D. Luffy! Nice to meet you!" Luffy said with a smile.

"Likewise~" Rayson replied with a smile.

"Waaaahhh!!!" While the two were talking, the dark-skinned pirate screamed, grabbed his companion, and fled in a panicked scramble.

"This is bad! If he goes to call for reinforcements, you two are dead for sure!" Seeing the pirate run away, Koby shouted anxiously.

"I'm hungry~" Luffy paid no attention to his cries and muttered while rubbing his stomach.

"I happened to bring some food down from the party upstairs. Want some meat?" Rayson smiled and took out the food he had prepared beforehand.

"Meat!!!" Luffy's eyes lit up as he immediately began wolfing it down with great relish.

"Rayson, you're such a good person!" Luffy mumbled indistinctly, his face full of smiles.

Rayson merely chuckled.

"Reading traits~"

A dazzling golden light flashed.

> Luffy's traits: Transcendent Physique (deep purple), Conqueror's Haki (unawakened) (pale gold), Unrivaled Connections (special), Sun God (ultimate gold), Gum-Gum Fruit [disguise] (deep purple), [Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Nika (unawakened) (ultimate gold)],

> Transcendent Physique (deep purple): Possesses physical capabilities far beyond ordinary people, can rapidly absorb vast amounts of nutrients to strengthen the body, and has exceptionally abundant stamina that can provide an endless supply of fuel for Devil Fruit abilities. (Physique-type traits will upgrade as the host's body becomes stronger.)

> Conqueror's Haki (unawakened) (pale gold): The disposition of a king, possessed by only one person in a million! It cannot be obtained through training. At the beginner stage, it can use willpower to directly knock out those with fragile minds. With further control, it can reach the Conqueror's Coating (deep gold) stage. If completely mastered with sufficient kingly bearing, one can dominate the seas (ultimate gold).

> Unrivaled Connections (special): Possesses the world's most extensive network of connections. When facing a fatal crisis, there is a chance of escaping danger unscathed. When trapped in a hopeless situation, one of the following effects may trigger at random: "Fire Fist" Portgas D. Ace rushes to provide full support; "Marine Hero" Monkey D. Garp intervenes with his "Fist of Love"; "Revolutionary Army Leader" Monkey D. Dragon appears; "Red-Haired" Shanks arrives with the entire Red-Haired Pirates crew. (Special traits cannot be upgraded.)

> Sun God (ultimate gold): The Sun God of this era, a warrior who brings hope to people. As long as people's hope remains, he can keep rising again and growing stronger, fighting without end.

> Gum-Gum Fruit [disguise] (deep purple), [Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Nika (unawakened) (ultimate gold)]: On the surface, it is the Paramecia-type Gum-Gum Fruit (deep purple). In truth, it is the legendary Zoan-type Mythical Zoan, Model: Nika (ultimate gold)~

A golden legend!

This panel was ridiculously luxurious!

Although Rayson had been mentally prepared, he still could not help feeling secretly envious when he saw that lineup of traits with his own eyes.

This was Luffy just after setting out to sea. Compared with other pirates, he had practically been born with a golden key in his mouth.

However, Sun God (ultimate gold) was currently Luffy's only ultimate-gold trait in an activated state.

The Nika form itself and fully mastered Conqueror's Coating were still dormant for now.

As for the Sun God's effect: "As long as people's hope remains, he can keep rising again and growing stronger, fighting without end~"

No wonder that guy could get back up no matter how many times Kaido knocked him down in the original story.

Rayson suddenly understood. This ability really was absurdly overpowered.

But when he saw Unrivaled Connections (special), even Rayson, who knew the plot inside and out, could not stop the corner of his mouth from twitching.

This was his first time seeing a special trait.