1 The crew is created and the first members appear!!.

Roar~~

Tigers roared, elephants stomped, and other beasts fled, driven by terror from the island's depths to the outside. Whatever lurked within seemed to inspire primal fear.

Before long, a figure emerged.

A young man clad in black garments, towering at about 185 cm, aged 19, with unruly red hair and eyes of contrasting colors: one Purple, the other Green. His face bore two scars, one cutting through his left eyebrow near the eye, the other tracing a path along the bridge of his nose.

"The year of the Sea Circle Calendar is 1519; it's time to set sail."

In his previous life, orphaned by tragedy, he inhabited a humble abode, engrossed in crafting One Piece fanfiction. One fateful day, during a siesta, he slipped into slumber and awoke to find himself on this island. Beside him lay a Devil Fruit, and thus, he christened himself Ethan.

With recollection flooding in, he leaped skyward, employing his Devil Fruit powers to hover above the island.

"After 14 years of toil..." Ethan's mind raced, reminiscing on his journey since his transmigration at the tender age of 5, consuming the Reberu Reberu no mi and honing his skills relentlessly...

Now, he departs to etch his name upon the seas.

Ethan extended his arms slowly, his gaze turning steely as he uttered a low incantation.

"Shinra Tensei!" A radiant white circle manifested, expanding outward in a brilliant burst.

The entire expanse was bathed in luminance.

Rumble~~

The island quaked incessantly, echoing with the cries of fleeing creatures...

As the light gradually subsided,

Below, the island vanished, leaving behind a gaping bowl-shaped cavity in the sea.

In short order, the ocean surged forth, filling the void.

One could behold the island floating in the heavens, steadily ascending under Ethan's command until it soared above the clouds.

Drawing nearer, Ethan approached the island. Upon reaching its surface, he pressed his palm against the ground and spoke a command.

"Repulse Barrier."

Instantly, a protective shield expanded, enveloping the entire island and sealing off any exit save for Ethan himself.

"Now it's time for me to depart and embark on my journey. I shall bring this island along with me."

"My initial objective is to locate Baccarat, the Goddess of Luck."

Though her physical prowess may be modest, her Devil Fruit ability is miraculous.

It holds pivotal importance in my upcoming endeavors.

There can be no room for error!

"Repelling Space." Without hesitation, Ethan vanished in a blink, setting course for South Blue.

In his past life as a genuine One Piece enthusiast, Ethan knew Baccarat hailed from a humble village in South Blue.

The Repulse Fruit's potency knows no bounds.

Ethan has honed numerous techniques, harnessing its unique traits.

A day later.

In Nashika town, South Blue.

A sizable vessel lay docked at the bustling port, surrounded by a flurry of activity.

"Sister Baccarat, we're mere days away from completing our pirate ship."

"I'm eager to set sail and hunt for treasure!"

"With Sister Baccarat by our side, we'll lead a prosperous life, hahaha..."

"The sea beckons true men; I've yearned for the ocean for ages, yayah~~."

Baccarat waved her hand dismissively, her tone stern.

"How many times must I reiterate that I cannot helm this ship?"

"We lack strength and must rely on the capable. Thus, I've led us to sea searching for the ship's rightful owner."

With a solemn shake of her head, Baccarat spoke with conviction, "Navigating the treacherous waters without sufficient strength is tantamount to suicide."

Suddenly, a voice echoed from above.

"Are you in search of strength?"

"I may possess the power you seek."

"Behold, Lady Luck Baccarat!"

Startled, the ship's occupants gazed upward to behold a young man perched atop the mast.

Clad in black trousers, arms crossed, he exuded an air of calm assurance.

There are bursts of terrifying Haki faintly emanating from his body!!

"Who are you? Why have you appeared..."

Baccarat interjected before her subordinates could finish speaking.

"Hold your tongues!"

Her crew, thoroughly convinced by Baccarat's authority, turned their attention to her and fell silent.

Ignoring their stares, Baccarat inclined her head slightly towards the mast's direction.

With a delighted smile, she addressed the figure atop the mast, "Captain, Baccarat has awaited your arrival eagerly. You are most welcome."

Ever since Ethan's arrival, her intuition had been stubborn.

This young man was the formidable leader she had been anticipating.

Baccarat placed her trust in her instincts.

After all, her Devil Fruit ability had never led her astray.

"What?!"

"He's our Captain?? How is this possible??"

"Sister Baccarat, you must be jesting; cease these games."

"You insolent lot! How dare you question Sister Baccarat? Anyone who dares to challenge her will answer to me first."

"Indeed, although our captain is youthful, he must possess great strength, hehe..."

"We have a captain; long live~~."

Still composed and expressionless, Ethan maintained his folded arms, exuding an aura of strength and authority.

Unwavering and commanding as ever!!

He had already braced himself for this outcome and felt no surge of excitement.

With Baccarat's fruit ability, she could discern his strength.

She would make the right choice if she weren't foolish.

Thus, the first objective was accomplished.

Now, onto the second goal: recruiting allies and expanding his influence.

Even before setting sail, Ethan had meticulously planned...

------------------------------------------------------------

Two days later.

At the port of Nashika Town.

"Wiiiihahahaha..."

Gazing at the imposing vessel before him, Burgess raised his arms triumphantly. "Doc Q, we've finally stumbled upon a grand ship ripe for the taking!"

Doc Q lay atop Stronger, his demeanor reflecting his ailing condition.

"Burgess, I'm ailing..."

"Thus, I leave the task to you..." His words came in fragmented intervals, punctuated by weakness as if he were on death's door.

"Wiiihahaha...Of course, you stay put!" Burgess chuckled and strode forward.

Approaching the shore, he addressed the workers aboard the ship with a booming voice.

"Listen up; you lot on that vessel; I claim this ship! Vacate immediately..."

As the workers prepared to retort, a voice interrupted from ahead.

"I'll gladly surrender this ship to you if you defeat me."

Ethan approached calmly, his voice steady. "But should you lose, you'll willingly join my crew."

Looking at the frail-looking Doc Q beside him, Ethan clarified his intentions.

Two days prior, Ethan and Baccarat discussed their next course of action.

Upon the arrival of Burgess and Doc Q, they witnessed firsthand the confirmation of Baccarat's Lucky Fruit ability.

"Captain, this bloke's too cocky; let's take him down!!"

"Boss Ethan, you're the toughest of the lot; show him what you've got..."

"What nonsense! Daring to provoke our Captain..."

"Brothers, there's a spectacle unfolding; come quickly..."

Burgess immediately perked up. Fighting was his forte, so how could he resist Ethan's challenge?

"Kid, I, Burgess, am claiming your ship."

"Bow down before me, Weihahahaha~~"

With his declaration, Burgess charged toward Ethan like a speeding arrow.

His fist, the size of a sandbag, was clenched tightly, his expression wild.

Ethan crossed his arms before him, glancing at Burgess before addressing Doc Q.

In a calm tone, he stated, "Both of you, pay attention; I'm about to impart a power, a skill reserved for the strongest."

"It's called Haki!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Burgess's colossal fist hurtled towards him.

"Quit your yammering; just lie down!"

Ethan replied flatly, "You'll strike from the left."

As he spoke, he subtly shifted his head to the right.

"What?!"

Burgess exclaimed, a mixture of shock and disbelief on his face.

His punch had missed its mark.

How was this possible?

How had Ethan eluded his attack?

A flurry of questions flooded his mind.

Even Doc Q beside him wore a stunned expression.

He understood Burgess's might all too well.

Yet, the outcome defied all expectations.

It was inconceivable!!

Ignoring their astonishment, Ethan continued calmly.

"The ability to keenly sense an opponent's presence is Observation Haki."

Consumed by disbelief, Burgess roared, "I can't believe I can't land a hit on you!"

His fists continued to rain toward Ethan with incredible speed and ferocity, each blow carrying the potential to finish off its target.

"By honing this ability, one can perceive the position and movements of unseen enemies, even predicting their next actions," Ethan explained calmly, adjusting his posture constantly, whether by crossing his arms, bowing his head, or shifting sideways. His movements resembled a carefully orchestrated dance, fluid and precise.

"Some call this Mantra in certain regions, though the concept remains the same," he added.

Witnessing the spectacle before them, onlookers were left dumbfounded.

"What in the world? This is incredible!"

"Does the Captain have three eyes or something? How else could he do that?"

"Three eyes? Didn't you hear Captain Ethan? He called it Haki. But what exactly is Haki?"

"Observation, Haki, that's what Boss Ethan mentioned."

"You're unbeatable, Captain! I admire you so much..." a crew member chimed in.

Baccarat stood silently on the sidelines, her eyes shimmering with admiration, fixated on Ethan's imposing figure. Her intuition had proven to be right all along. Ethan was the one she had been waiting for.

Meanwhile, Doc Q, unable to remain prone any longer, sat up with a look of horror etched on his weathered face.

"Observation Haki..." he muttered, racking his brain but coming up empty. The term was unfamiliar to him, and he couldn't fathom the existence of such a power.

Amidst Burgess's frustrated roar, Ethan intervened, "I just mentioned Observation Haki, but now I'll demonstrate another form of Haki."

Raising his right hand, it instantaneously turned pitch black and radiated with a strange gleam...