Chapter 1: Changes

He blinked blankly as he regained consciousness, casting a bewildered gaze around. Before he could fully awaken, the mountain suddenly trembled, as if in the throes of an earthquake, startling Lucas out of his stupor. He hastily rose to his feet.

However, upon standing, he noticed something peculiar. The ground seemed distant, unnaturally so.

"What's going on? Why does the ground seem so far away from me? No, no, it's not that the ground is distant, it's as if I'm growing taller."

In a moment of clarity, Lucas realised the truth. It wasn't that the ground had receded; rather, he had grown taller, his body stretching upwards. Looking down, the ground appeared farther, a consequence of his increased stature. He reached out, beholding a pair of unfamiliar hands—much larger than before.

"Good heavens, whose hand is this, and why is it so colossal?"

Lucas stared in disbelief, shaking his hands repeatedly. Yet, the oversized palm responded to his commands, unmistakably his own. He examined himself, from head to toe.

After a minute of contemplation, Lucas reached a sobering conclusion: he was not himself. Instead, he had assumed another's identity. Remarkably, he retained memories of his past life; a clear indication of his transmigration. The identity of the individual he displaced remained a mystery.

However, upon closer inspection, he noted his current height exceeded two meters—a giant compared to his former self. His physique was robust, akin to a boxing champion from his previous life. Dressed in a simple suit beneath a red jacket, he was further confounded by a floral tattoo adorning his chest and arms.

"Who have I become?"

Though he comprehended his physical transformation and sensed newfound vigour, uncertainty lingered. Why hadn't he inherited this body's memories post-transmigration? Moreover, the unfamiliar surroundings bore little resemblance to his native country; a curious amalgamation of European and East Asian influences.

As he pondered, the ground trembled once more. Disoriented, he nearly stumbled, yet his body instinctively adjusted, maintaining balance.

Lucas realised his current form possessed capabilities far surpassing his previous self's. "Physically enhanced in every aspect—beneficial or detrimental?"

Whilst the prospect of heightened abilities typically elicited joy, his altered circumstances induced trepidation. Unable to reconcile his new reality, he remained unsettled.

" Vice Admiral Sakazuki, Vice Admiral Sakazuki!"

An urgent voice pierced the air, accompanied by frantic knocking. After a moment's hesitation, Lucas approached the door and opened it to reveal a soldier clad in white Marine attire, his expression wrought with urgency.

"You," Lucas began, but the soldier interjected eagerly, " Vice Admiral, why are you still indoors? A crisis looms outside! Are you unaware?"

Lucas remained silent, reluctant to reveal his newfound identity. Judging by the soldier's attire and address, however, he deduced a few truths.

The body he now inhabited belonged to Sakazuki, a Vice Admiral. The soldier before him was likely a subordinate, dressed in a uniform reminiscent of the Marines.

After a moment's deliberation, Lucas inquired cautiously, "What's happening outside?"

Unperturbed by his superior's reticence, the soldier relayed urgent news: "Vice Admiral Sakazuki, do you not know? It's the notorious New World pirate, Golden Lion! Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp are already engaged in battle. Marineford has suffered extensive damage. The Fleet Admiral has ordered all Marine generals to assemble immediately at Bayhead to confront the Flying Pirates."

"What?" Lucas's shock mirrored his internal turmoil. Familiar names and places flooded his memory—a testament to his past life's fascination with the popular anime.

"Golden Lion Shiki, Sengoku, Garp, Marineford..."

"I..." Lucas's exclamation died on his lips. Though outwardly composed, inwardly, he grappled with the enormity of his revelation.

"So, this is the world of One Piece. I am Sakazuki, the future Marine Marshal—Akainu. Have I truly become Akainu through transmigration? Unbelievable! In my previous life, I condemned Akainu countless times, yearning for his demise. And now... I am him."

A ruthless enforcer of justice, Akainu's unwavering resolve spared no mercy for perceived adversaries, even his comrades—a stark contrast to Lucas's former self.

"Yet, it's not entirely bleak. Akainu commands unparalleled authority within the Pirate World, destined for greatness as the future Marine Marshal. In comparison, I am insignificant. Embracing this identity may elevate me to unprecedented heights."

Reflecting on his past and present, Lucas grappled with his newfound reality as Sakazuki, the Admiral of Headquarters. Despite the disconcerting circumstances, one truth remained undeniable: he was now Akainu, an influential figure within the turbulent seas of the One Piece universe.

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