Arrival

The sky over Dawn Island was a canvas of swirling oranges and pinks as the sun dipped toward the horizon, painting a breathtaking spectacle over Foosha Village. It was a scene of peaceful simplicity, with the ocean whispering gently to the shore and the wind carrying the faint laughter of children playing in the distance.

In stark contrast to this tranquil evening, a strange phenomenon unfolded at the edge of the village. A subtle distortion in the air, like heat rising from hot cobblestones, shimmered briefly before settling. From this mirage, a figure emerged—small and disoriented. It was a boy, no older than ten, with unkempt dark hair that fell in waves just past his shoulders and eyes as green as the lush forests that blanketed much of the island.

The boy was Kai Rifter.

Kai stumbled forward, his legs unsteady as if he were walking on a swaying ship's deck. His clothes were foreign, consisting of a patched-up vest over a light-colored shirt, with trousers tucked into worn boots—attire not commonly seen among the local children.

Bewildered, Kai took in his surroundings. Behind him, the sea stretched vast and endless, a sight he had seen countless times in books and on screens back on Earth. Before him lay the village, its thatched roofs and wooden structures inviting yet unnervingly unfamiliar.

As the last rays of sunlight kissed the sea, Kai's stomach rumbled, a stark reminder of his new reality. Hunger pushed him forward, guiding his steps toward the village. His entrance went largely unnoticed; the villagers were accustomed to strangers, often sailors stopping by for supplies or gossip.

Kai's first interaction was with an elderly woman, her back bent like a bow, who was sweeping her front porch. She paused to look him over with a keen eye, then smiled, revealing a gap where teeth once were.

"Lost are ya, boy?" she asked, her voice as rough as the gravel paths of the village.

Kai nodded, unable to find his voice just yet.

"Come on then. No one should be hungry and alone," she said, beckoning him toward her humble home.

Inside, the woman, who introduced herself as Margo, served Kai a bowl of steaming fish stew. As he ate, Margo observed him with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"You're not from around here, are ya? You've got the look of someone who's seen far-off places," she remarked.

Kai paused, considering how much to reveal. "I... I think I am from a far-off place. Very far," he managed to say, his voice unsure.

Margo nodded as if this confirmed her suspicions. "The sea brings all sorts to our shore. You'll find your way, or it'll find you."

After the meal, Margo offered him a place to sleep in her storage room, filled with nets and fishing gear. Kai lay there that night, the events of the day swirling in his mind like the sea currents. He thought of his old life, the accident, and the incredible reality of his situation. He was in the world of One Piece, a world he knew as well as his own, yet he was utterly alone.

But Kai was not one to dwell on despair for long. He remembered the tales of pirates and adventures, of Luffy and his indomitable will. A spark kindled within him, a determination to not just survive in this world but to thrive.

As the moon climbed high and the village settled into the quiet of night, Kai's eyes finally closed. But this was not the end of his day. It was the beginning of his grand adventure.