The fishing boat drifted lazily, pulling Adam — now Uchiha D. Madara — closer to the tranquil shores of Baterilla Island. As the sun climbed higher, casting a golden glow on the calm waters, Madara's thoughts drifted beyond the immediate task of reaching land. The mention of Baterilla, and the system's confirmation of his location, had stirred something deep within him. It was a faint, almost imperceptible whisper of a past that wasn't Adam's.
Suddenly, a jolt. Not from the boat, but from inside his mind. Images, fragmented and fleeting, flashed across his consciousness: a woman with a gentle smile, calling him "little brother"; the salty air of the sea filling his lungs, but from a perspective much lower to the ground than he was now; a tiny, squalling infant clutched in strong arms; and then, a gruff, booming laugh that sent shivers down his spine, yet somehow felt… safe. Amidst these, he saw fleeting glimpses of a man with a booming laugh and a straw hat, and another with silver hair and a thoughtful gaze, both looking at him with knowing smiles.
He clutched his head as the memories intensified, a dizzying whirlwind of sensations and emotions. He saw himself as an infant, held by a kind woman, eventually understanding that she was Portgas D. Rouge, who had adopted him as her younger brother. He heard her voice, filled with tenderness, then a profound sorrow as her light faded, giving way to the cries of a newborn. He remembered being present, vaguely, when Rouge gave her life to protect Ace. And then, the arrival of Monkey D. Garp, who, true to his word, took both him and the infant Ace under his protective, if unorthodox, wing. This explained the "basic understanding" of Madara's fighting style in his status; Garp's relentless "fist of love" training must have subtly awakened dormant instincts related to his Madara template. The fleeting images of Gol D. Roger and Silvers Rayleigh solidified an even deeper, more complex past. They knew him, accepted him into their unique family.
The initial shock of the revelation warred with a sense of profound irony. Adam, who had wanted nothing to do with the dangerous world of One Piece, was now the adopted younger brother of the Pirate King's lover, known by the King himself and his right-hand man, and had been raised, at least in part, by the very Marine Hero who hunted pirates. The universe, or perhaps the bored God, certainly had a twisted sense of humor.
"So, I was adopted by Rouge… and Garp's been 'training' me, along with Ace, after she died?" Madara muttered, a faint headache throbbing behind his eyes. He checked his [Status] again. Nothing had outwardly changed in his stats, but the internal shift was monumental. He now had a personal history in this world, a foundation to build upon. He wasn't just a randomly transplanted soul; he had roots, deeply intertwined with the most wanted man, one of the strongest Marines, and the legendary King of the Pirates himself.
More memories surfaced, clearer now. He saw Rouge, her face etched with a mixture of love and weariness, clutching her swollen belly. Madara, a small boy of perhaps three or four, standing beside her.
"Madara, my little brother," Rouge had murmured, her hand gently resting on his head. "You'll look after your nephew for me, won't you? He's going to be a brave one, just like his father."
A different memory, sharper, colder: Garp, his massive form filling the small room, his gaze uncharacteristically somber as he looked at the two infants – Ace, newly born, and Madara, bewildered and small.
"Rouge… she pushed herself too far," Garp had grumbled, his voice thick with uncharacteristic grief. He picked up both babies, one in each arm. "Alright, you two. From now on, you're with me. I'll make sure you grow up strong, Marines through and through! No going down the wrong path, you hear me, Madara? You've got the spirit of a fighter, but we'll channel it right!"
Madara remembered Garp's booming laughter, often accompanied by a "fist of love" that was less about pain and more about tough affection. He remembered being taught to punch, to run, to push his limits, all while Ace, a little ball of energy, tumbled alongside them. Garp, despite his gruff exterior, had been a surprising source of stability and, in his own way, love. He hadn't just taken them in; he'd truly integrated them into his life, even if his methods were unconventional.
And then, snippets of a different kind of interaction. Roger, a wild grin on his face, ruffling his hair. "So, this is Rouge's little brother, eh? Got a look in your eyes, boy. A spirit that won't be caged. You'll make waves, Madara." Rayleigh, calmer, observing him with a knowing look. "He has the will of a king, Roger. Not one to be easily swayed." These fleeting moments confirmed his connection to the most legendary figures of the era, adding layers of complexity to his unexpected new life.
Just as the boat finally nudged against a sandy shore, Madara felt a familiar chime in his mind.
[Mission Complete: First Reincarnation Awareness! Rewards: Starter Pack unlocked!]
He blinked, and a small, ornate wooden chest materialized on the deck beside him, glowing faintly. He mentally commanded it to open. Inside, nestled on a bed of velvet, were two distinct items.
[Starter Pack Contents:]
* Zanpakutō: Bankai, Zanka no Tachi
* Kokushibo Template (Upper Demon 1 Template and Sun Resistant)
Madara's eyes widened. "Zanka no Tachi? Kokushibo?" These were legendary, game-breaking abilities from entirely different worlds! The Zanpakutō, a soul-cutting sword from Bleach, specifically Captain Yamamoto's terrifying Bankai, Zanka no Tachi — the embodiment of immense heat and destructive power. And Kokushibo, the Upper Rank One demon from Demon Slayer, along with his terrifying Moon Breathing and the ability to manifest a flesh blade that's "Sun Resistant." This wasn't just powerful; it was absurdly broken for the One Piece world.
He reached in and picked up the Zanpakutō. It was a sleek, black katana, its blade slim and deceptively simple, yet he could feel an unimaginable, dormant heat radiating from it. He felt an immediate connection, a surge of latent power humming within its hilt. This wasn't just a sword; it was an extension of his very soul, a miniature sun waiting to be unleashed.
Next, he focused on the Kokushibo Template. As he did, a wave of chilling information flooded his mind: intricate Moon Breathing forms, the terrifying precision of his blade manipulation, and a profound understanding of combat that felt innate, as if he had practiced them for centuries. He could feel his body, small as it was, reconfiguring itself, ready to execute these movements. The "Sun Resistant Blade" was an immense advantage in a world where powerful adversaries might be vulnerable to sunlight.
He looked out at the vast expanse of the ocean, then back at the small fishing vessel. He was no longer just Adam Rolls. He was Uchiha D. Madara, now equipped with the power of Zanka no Tachi and the terrifying skill of Kokushibo, with a personal history intertwined with some of the most influential figures in the One Piece world. He had a new life to live, a family to make proud, and a world to explore—a dangerous, exciting world where he would truly live freely.
The sun was fully risen now, painting the sky with brilliant oranges and purples. Madara leaped off the boat, his small feet sinking into the soft sand. Baterilla Island was even more beautiful than he imagined – lush green hills, vibrant flowers, and the distant sound of waves gently breaking on the reef. It looked like a paradise, a stark contrast to the brutal battles he knew would eventually unfold across this world. He grasped the hilt of his new Zanpakutō, a silent promise to himself to master these newfound powers.
He began to walk, following a faint path leading away from the beach and into the island's interior.