Currently, an 18-year-old dude sat in front of a glowing computer screen in a cramped internet café, his headphones snugly covering his ears as he immersed himself in the latest episode of a popular anime.
The faint hum of computers and occasional chatter from other patrons filled the air, blending with the click-clack of keyboards. Unlike his classmates, who spent their free time hanging out at malls or partying, Travis preferred this modest setup, even though the chairs were uncomfortable, and the smell of instant noodles lingered in the air.
At home, Wi-Fi was a luxury his family couldn't afford, so he made it a ritual to visit this café every other day. Sometimes to download anime, sometimes to stream it, and occasionally to indulge in the latest memes.
This was Travis—an average, unapologetic weeb. His passion for anime had escalated during the lockdown, evolving into what some might call an obsession. But despite the hours he poured into watching series and reading manga, he somehow managed to ace his exams. His grades always served as his shield whenever his parents complained about his "waste of time."
"Y'all should be happy I'm into anime and not into drugs or booze," he often countered. And compared to others his age, they reluctantly agreed.
This was Travis's last year in school, but he couldn't care less about his studies. His mind was preoccupied with a single mission: catching up with One Piece, which he'd fallen behind on due to school projects the previous year.
Leaning back in his chair, he let out a quiet sigh. 'Man, if only I could die and get some wishes from a random ROB. Life would be fun.'
Suddenly, a deafening BOOM shattered the air, rocking the café violently. Before he could even react, the world around him exploded into chaos—fire, rubble, and screams swallowed everything in an instant.
And just like that, Travis was dead.
'-'
'-'
'-'
....
Somewhere in a realm beyond comprehension, a boundless void stretched out endlessly, dotted with stars, swirling galaxies, and radiant planets. Amidst this cosmic expanse floated a single figure—a young man.
Travis blinked, his eyes adjusting to the overwhelming brightness and beauty around him. The infinite expanse of space made him feel insignificant, like a speck of dust drifting aimlessly through the current of eternity. The silence was deafening, yet calming.
"What the... Did I die?" he thought, his voice swallowed by the abyss as he gazed in awe at the celestial scenery.
"Yeah, you did."
The sudden voice boomed like a divine drumbeat, shaking the very fabric of space. Travis flinched, spinning around in mid-air as a colossal figure emerged from the stardust. Its form was vaguely humanoid, but it pulsed with radiant energy—shifting between forms, like the embodiment of creation itself.
It was as if galaxies orbited its limbs and time bent around its presence.
Travis's jaw dropped. "Holy crap," he muttered. "Yo." He raised his hand in a half-hearted wave, completely overwhelmed.
"Sup," the being replied with cosmic chill. Its voice echoed like ancient harmonics resonating across galaxies. "You good?"
Travis scratched his head, still drifting awkwardly in space. "Uh... I guess? I mean, I'm kinda dead, but I've seen worse Mondays."
The being chuckled, and the void shimmered with laughter—each note rippling like a wave across the stars.
"Well, kid, you're in luck. Let's talk wishes."
Travis perked up. "For real? Thanks. So how many do I get?" he asked, trying to steady himself in zero gravity.
"Hmm... Let's go with two. Make 'em count. You're not getting a reroll."
Travis nodded, thinking hard. His brow furrowed in concentration. Then, with a spark of clarity in his eyes, he made his first wish.
"I wish for a Saitama Template with flight enabled. One that grants me the ability to grow endlessly stronger like him—not starting bald though, right?"
"Smart choice. Baldness not included. Wish granted."
A soft ding sound echoed, and suddenly a green digital screen popped up in front of Travis's face like a HUD. It began initializing.
> [Saitama Template Installation in Progress…]
Flight Module Activated
Growth Potential: Unlimited
Status: Locked to Host - TRAVIS.
Travis grinned. "Oh hell yeah."
"Next?" the ROB asked, arms crossed like a celestial bouncer.
"Do I have to use my second wish to choose the world I go to?"
"Nah. I already know where your heart lies."
Travis gave a small smirk. "Cool. Then for my final wish... I want the ability to steal Devil Fruits—from users or the world itself—without inheriting their weaknesses."
The ROB's luminous brows shot up.
"Damn. That's some endgame villain energy. Alright... granted." The being's hand twitched, and symbols the size of planets whirled behind it like a spell circle the universe itself was decoding.
> [Devil Fruit Drain: Installed]
User Immune to Seawater & Kairoseki Weaknesses
Storage Capacity: Infinite
Extraction Method: Physical Contact
Compatibility: 100%
"There. It's done," the ROB said. "Now, I'll drop you into One Piece, before the story begins. Luffy hasn't even left Foosha Village. You'll have plenty of time to shape your legend. Complete your journey, and I might just send you to another world next. But for now..."
The cosmic space began to collapse inward, drawing Travis toward a point of light.
"Good luck, Travis."
Before he could respond, reality fractured—and he vanished.
---
[East Blue — ??? Island]
The gentle sound of waves crashing against the shore echoed along the empty beach. Seagulls circled above, and the midday sun beat down relentlessly.
A lone figure lay sprawled on the white sands, unconscious.
His eyes fluttered open, blinking against the glare of the sun. As soon as awareness returned, a rogue wave slapped him in the face.
Splash!
"Gah—dammit!" Travis shouted, coughing up seawater as he scrambled to his feet, drenched and disoriented.
His clothes were simple—dark pants, a sleeveless black hoodie with red trim—and somehow completely dry again after only a few seconds. Another side effect of the template?
"I just had to spawn on a beach, huh?" he muttered, shaking out his hair. "Bloody hell."
He staggered a bit before sitting on a sun-warmed rock, taking in his surroundings. Coconut trees rustled in the breeze, but there were no signs of civilization. No smoke, no voices, no ships. Just wilderness and ocean as far as the eye could see.
'I really should've asked for a map or something.'
*Ping*
A green screen blinked into existence before his eyes, glowing faintly.
His lips curled into a grin.
"Alright. Let's see how this template works."
TO BE CONTINUED
[ A/N: He'll pretty much use the Devil Fruit ability for his crew mates. Also hope you enjoyed this chapter]