A Chance Encounter Aboard Ship

Locke had only just boarded and had not even found his footing when a fat man in a suit grabbed him and began feeling him over as he spoke.

"Are you... Uncle John?" Locke looked at the fat man before him and asked uncertainly.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Good, I didn't expect you to still remember me!" Hearing Locke's question, John burst into laughter again.

"Of course! Uncle is still as handsome as ever. How could I possibly fail to recognize you?"

"Ha! Ha! Ha! So you saw through me!"

"..."

"Now that you're on your uncle's ship, don't stand on ceremony. Treat it like your own home! I've already had your rooms prepared. Go get settled first, then come see me. We'll have a good chat, just the two of us!" As John spoke, he patted Locke on the shoulder, then beckoned to the sailors beside him and had them lead Locke to his room.

This merchant ship had been arranged for Locke by the old butler. Back at home, the old butler had told Locke that the ship belonged to an acquaintance of Locke's father. The man had only agreed to help this time out of respect for Locke's late father.

After arranging their rooms, John left, telling them to get themselves settled before departing.

Once John disappeared from Locke and Carmen's sight, Carmen asked softly, "Do you really remember that man?"

"I don't! The old man told me before I left."

"..."

"Stop asking. Hurry up and follow them!" Locke cut Carmen off before she could continue, grabbed her hand, and followed the sailors ahead.

The rooms John had arranged for Locke and Carmen were side by side. After entering his own room and putting down his luggage, Locke went straight next door to Carmen's room. Once he had helped her tidy up, he told her about accidentally eating a Devil Fruit yesterday.

"What? A Devil Fruit?" Carmen exclaimed in surprise after hearing Locke's explanation.

"What kind of ability is it? Hurry up and show me!"

"This one." As Locke spoke, he held out his hand. A cluster of purple light appeared in his palm, slowly taking shape into land, trees, streams, several low houses, and some human-like figures of light walking back and forth in the middle.

Although the image was not very clear, Carmen recognized it at a glance. It was Chrisby Island, which they had just left, only many times smaller in Locke's hand.

"That's amazing!" Carmen said with delight written all over her face.

"Of course. Who do you think this ability belongs to?" Hearing Carmen's praise, Locke could not help feeling smug.

"By the way, what else can your ability do?"

"..."

"For now, nothing..." Locke was rendered speechless by Carmen's question.

"Hmph! So it's useless!" Upon hearing Locke's answer, Carmen immediately lost interest in his ability.

Seeing Locke's awkward expression, Carmen changed the subject. "Come on, let's go take a look at the deck." With that, she pulled Locke out of the room.

The two passed through the corridor and came to the edge of the deck. Before them stretched the deep blue sea, while white clouds drifted slowly across the sky. The faint sadness brought on by their departure was instantly swept away by the beautiful view.

"Ah!!!" On a sudden whim, Locke shouted toward the sea.

"What are you doing?!" Carmen, standing beside him, jumped in fright at his sudden outburst.

"Nothing. I was just suddenly inspired."

"Hmph!" Carmen rolled her eyes at Locke and ignored him, turning back to admire the sea herself.

Seeing Carmen's expression, Locke did not bother with her either. He continued gazing at the ocean, thinking about his arrival in this world.

It had been five years since he came to this world. At first, having arrived in such a dangerous place, fear had taken root in his heart, along with a faint sense of alienation from this world. Only after constant training had made him somewhat stronger did that fear begin to fade. But the distance he felt from the world had not been so easy to erase. It was not until two years ago, when he rescued Carmen by the shore, that two equally lonely people slowly came to understand and comfort each other, allowing Locke to gradually open his heart to this world.

Now, Locke had left the island where he had lived ever since crossing over, and he still felt lost. He did not know where his path would lead next. This trip to Shimotsuki Village to study swordsmanship was only meant to drive away the fear in his heart. But what came after that? Where should he go? Was he supposed to return to that island and live the ordinary life of a wealthy young master? If so, would he not be letting down the favor Heaven had shown him by letting him cross over?

He still remembered all the unanswered questions he had when he used to watch One Piece. What exactly was the Void Century? What was the One Piece treasure? Those were things worth looking forward to.

And if none of that worked out, he could still spread the red flames from his previous life across the entire world. Just thinking about it made him a little excited.

"This world will change because of me," Locke murmured.

"You've got quite the ambition, young man." A hoarse voice came from beside Locke.

"Who?"

Locke looked toward the source of the voice.

Before him stood a man completely wrapped in a trench coat. Beside him stood another extremely tall man, likewise covered in a trench coat. Locke, who was only five feet tall at the moment, barely reached the man's waist.

"Who are you?"

"Just someone like you, someone who wants to change the world."

"..." Locke was speechless upon hearing that. Who is this guy? He talks like he's some grand hero. How am I supposed to respond to that?

"What? You don't believe me?" Seeing that Locke was staring at him without speaking, the man asked.

"No! I just wanted to ask, have you done it?" Locke stopped mocking him internally and said.

"I don't know. I'm only working toward it!"

"What if you fail?"

"But what if I succeed?"

Seeing Locke fall into thought because of his words, the man in the trench coat let the breeze lift his hood slightly, revealing the faint upward curve of his lips.

He quietly led the person behind him away from the deck and into the cabin.

"What are you thinking about? Who was that man just now?" Carmen came over and asked.

"Just someone who wants to change the world." With that, Locke headed directly toward his room.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Seeing Locke leave, Carmen hurried after him. When that man spoke to Locke about changing the world, Locke had not fallen into thought because of his words. It was because he had seen the square-shaped tattoo on the man's face and realized that he was Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, a man wanted by the World Government. Locke had no idea why he was aboard this ship.