Chapter 3: Those Tears, They Were Tears of PainGarp carried a pot of soup—god knows what was in it—and kicked the door open to enter the room, with Luffy following closely by his side.The force he used made it seem like he wasn't entering his own home, but the home of an enemy. Noticing that Satoru had woken up and was watching the grandfather-grandson duo, he spoke."Hmm!""You're awake, kid.""It's good that you're awake, just don't die in my house. I'm not saying this just to be mean, but your constitution is way too weak. You just fell from the sky and ended up with fractures in your limbs and ribs, especially your legs. You'll be in a wheelchair for a while, so you need to strengthen your body."A certain Mosshead, whose childhood friend died after falling down stairs, felt offended by that comment.Hearing Garp's words, Satoru almost made a sweat-drop expression.How could he compare himself to "monsters" like them? Especially with that "heaven-defying" sickly ability he had; it was already a miracle he was alive.Struggling to sit up, Satoru realized that his upper body was wrapped in bandages like a mummy. Except for his head, every other part was covered in bandages."Did you save me?""Thank you so much.""Otherwise, I think I might have died in the wild and been eaten by beasts."Satoru replied, thinking to himself that it was better not to say he recognized them, although it was only a one-sided acquaintance."Hmm?""You're just lucky, kid. You happened to land right on my head."Garp was confused for a moment. He thought to himself, I have a bit of a reputation, I'm a Marine Vice Admiral, and you don't recognize me? Is it because I'm not wearing my Marine uniform? He immediately brushed it off; Garp wasn't the type to care about fame."Hello, I'm Monkey D. Luffy.""Why did you fall from the sky? You're really a bit weak, though. I can fall off a cliff and be perfectly fine."A little polite, but not much.Little Luffy was seven years old at this time and had been trained by Garp for a while. Falling off a cliff wouldn't cause him much harm."My name is Satoru.""As for the rest...""I've forgotten. I only remember that my name is Satoru. Where I lived before? Who I was? I can't remember."After thinking about it, Satoru felt that the amnesia excuse was the easiest way to fool them; otherwise, he would have to fabricate a fake identity."You don't remember?""But I didn't see you hit your head?""You're lucky, kid. You had a News Coo to cushion your fall first, then you hit a crooked tree, which absorbed some of the impact, before you finally landed on me.""Otherwise, with your physical constitution, you'd probably be done for."The crooked tree was the real MVP!Garp scooped a bowl of soup and handed it to Satoru while explaining.Satoru took the bowl and said thank you. He recalled "lying" in the air; after that dog of a system disappeared, he had indeed hit something while falling. So, it was a News Coo."Thank you, Brother Bird. If you hadn't cushioned my fall, I would've been toast. I will never forget your great kindness."After thanking the News Coo in his heart, Satorusuddenly realized. Wait, what about Brother Bird? What happened to it?"So... what about that News Coo?" Satoru asked while drinking the soup.Little Luffy was holding his bowl, head tilted back as he drank the soup, and didn't answer.Garp stopped the bowl he had just brought to his lips. "Well, it's in the pot, in the bowl, and in your mouth.""Ugh! Cough, cough, cough!"Garp's answer made Satoru's eyes widen; he nearly choked to death."Cough! Cough! W-what? This soup was made from that News Coo?""Yeah, what else? It fell from the sky. Free food is free food. Making it into soup can also nourish your body. With a body like yours, you need to drink plenty."Garp replied, handed Satoru a cloth, and then resumed drinking his soup.Satoru took the cloth and wiped his mouth. Looking at the soup in the bowl, the surface seemed to reflect the image of Brother Bird."I'm sorry, Brother Bird. But, honestly, this soup is actually really delicious.""Hiccup!""Thank you for the meal."By the time Satoru finished the bowl of soup made from his "lifesaver" Brother Bird, Little Luffy had already finished everything in the pot. He put down his bowl and thanked Garp and Luffy."Hmm.""Luffy, go wash the dishes."Garp nodded and immediately told Luffy to go wash the dishes."Okay." Luffy didn't refuse. He put the bowls into the pot and then carried them out of the room.Garp's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a serious expression. He looked at Satoru, folded his arms, and slowly exerted his presence, pressing down on Satoru.The atmosphere instantly became tense. Satorupanicked, thinking, I didn't do anything wrong, did I, Vice Admiral Garp!"Satoru?""White Kid, you were lying just now, weren't you?""You don't just remember nothing, right?"Garp asked, his tone flat.So he had been exposed. That was fine. Fine my ass!!!"Uh, this... well..."Satoru began to stutter, while Garp's "death stare" remained fixed on him.A brainstorming session took place in his mind. Satoru summoned all the writing skills he'd learned during his nine years of compulsory education to start fabricating an identity for himself."I really can't hide anything from you, Vice Admiral Garp.""I'm actually a mercenary, just trying to make a living with the big brothers in my team. I'm from Loguetown.""Yesterday, we accepted a job to escort a merchant ship, but on the way, we encountered a powerful group of pirates. Everyone... everyone sacrificed themselves."As Satoru spoke, tears fell. This acting—he deserved an Oscar for it. However, it wasn't just Satoru's acting skills; under the covers, he had secretly pinched his thigh hard. Damn, it really hurt!Those tears were tears of pain.
Chapter 4: Growing Stronger by WatchingPicking up from the previous chapter, Satorucontinued to trick... no! He was explaining to Garpwhy he fell from the sky."When I was a child, I accidentally ate a devil fruitand escaped under the protection of my older brothers. But after a battle, I flew in the air for half a day, which led to exhaustion, and I fell. Luckily, I met Vice Admiral Garp.""I have internal injuries, and didn't I have blood at the corner of my mouth when I fell? That's proof that I fought.""I really didn't mean to lie to you, Vice Admiral Garp. I have nowhere to go. I've lost my... all my comrades...""I thought about pretending to be foolish to see if I could stay, so I lied to you. I really have no ill intentions!"Satoru wiped away tears, looking genuinely heartbroken, recalling all the sad things from his past 18 years.Who would have thought that the mouthful of blood he coughed up when he drew the 'Frail and Sickly' ability could also help? Life is truly unpredictable.Garp listened, his expression softened, and the oppressive aura he had directed at Satoru receded."Is that so?""What kind of devil fruit did you eat, kid? You can fly?""It's... the Paramecia-type Replication Fruit."After a moment of hesitation, Satoru chose to tell the truth. Since fate had brought him and Garp's grandson together, he would likely be staying here for a while... he had to cling on!"Replication Fruit?""Yes, it can temporarily replicate others' abilities.""For example, Vice Admiral Garp, if you, a Marine, use the Six Powers in front of me, I can temporarily replicate and use the Six Powers."Satoru explained with full sincerity, but he didn't tell everything. He could also replicate devil fruitAbilities, with the strength depending on the method of replication.Moreover, if it's a skill-based technique like the Six Powers, as long as he replicates it once, he can remember the feeling and practice it himself to fully master these moves.Simply put, after replicating those skill-based techniques, even if the replication's duration passes, he would have already grasped the basics, without even needing to practice."Hmm... it is indeed a 'terrifying' devil fruit. To be able to instantly master techniques that others have trained for countless years, that's truly 'fair' for them!""But that's the power of a devil fruit."Garp replied, his tone still calm. Having joined the Marine and risen to his current position as a marine hero, he had seen all sorts of major events; this was not enough to surprise him."Get some good rest.""You're too weak, kid, you need to train hard.""There's a kettle on the table."Garp stood up and walked away. His words meant that he agreed to let Satoru stay.Perhaps seeing Satoru's powerful devil fruit, he developed an appreciation for his talent and planned to train him and Luffy as new Marine prospects.However, some things always go against one's wishes.Satoru's eyes slightly opened, suppressing his inner excitement, and said faintly."Thank you, Vice Admiral Garp."...This is time.It is always moving without stopping. You can give me fifty to conduct an experiment to try and stop it.Alright, the experiment failed.In the blink of an eye, a month passed."Satoru! Is it ready?! Is it ready?!"Luffy sat directly on the ground, not minding the dirt, waiting for Satoru's barbecue.Satoru lay for half a month before he could get up, but his legs were the most severely injured, so he still needed to sit in a wheelchair.He then sat in the wheelchair, letting Luffy push him to visit the village restaurant kitchen.Garp was excellent at martial arts, but cooking was a challenge for him.Their meals either came from hunting and making do, or from the restaurant.Now that they knew Satoru had the ability to learn something just by watching, they had to utilize it!So, Satoru, sitting in a wheelchair, had to become the exclusive chef for the grandfather and grandson."Almost ready, just a moment longer. Let me sprinkle some cumin. Tsk, that smell, it's amazing!"As the cumin was sprinkled, it melted on the crispy surface, and the aroma wafted out, making Luffy's mouth water.Satoru skillfully pulled out the boning knife from his waist, cut a large piece of thigh meat in two, and handed one to Luffy.Luffy immediately took it, not caring how hot it was, and took a bite."Hot! Hot! Hot!"The result was his tongue sticking out, red from the heat, like a puppy."Hmm, it smells good."Garp's snot bubble burst from the aroma, and he opened his eyes. Satoru happened to hand him the other piece of thigh meat."Oh ho, not bad, not bad.""Just by watching for a week, you have such skill. This is a truly good Devil Fruit Ability."Garp exclaimed.Satoru returned a smile, but silently complained about the old man in his heart.This was the eighth day of his, Luffy's, and Garp's special training in the forest—of course, it was Luffy's training—and also the last day of his first month in the world of pirates.Garp's training for Luffy mainly focused on physical conditioning. He didn't demonstrate any Six Powersor other offensive moves, so Satoru had no chance to replicate anything.It was known that Garp was a pure martial arts expert who hadn't eaten a devil fruit. If Satoru could replicate his martial arts and keep it, it would be a life-saving weapon.However, after replicating cooking skills for seven days, Satoru had figured out a bit about the characteristics of his Replication Fruit.He could replicate by just watching, and if he didn't use it immediately, he could store it and use it when needed. This way, he could watch powerful individuals fight, directly replicate their abilities and techniques, and grow stronger just by observing.However, it seemed that replicating abilities by watching only allowed him to replicate half of their power.
Chapter 5: Red Hair PiratesDo you know why the East Blue, having produced world-famous powerhouses like Roger, Garp, and Dragon, is still called the "weakest sea"?The title "weakest sea" only emerged during Luffy's era.That's because, when Garp was taking care of Luffyas a child, he constantly traveled back and forth between Foosha Village and Marineford. Any pirates he encountered along the way—whether they were novices fresh out of their starting villages or experienced sailors arriving in the East Blue—could not escape this boss-level monster, Garp. They simply couldn't escape.It was Garp who single-handedly "cleared" the East Blue into the "weakest sea." Strong people didn't want to come, and novices got hammered halfway through their development; it would be strange if it weren't weak...."Vice Admiral Garp, are you leaving?""Yeah, my vacation is over. If I don't leave now, that guy Sengoku will call to nag me."Garp replied, having already changed into his Marine uniform, and was adjusting his collar.If not for his status and the fact that he and Sengokuwere old friends, what other Vice Admiral could work for a month and take a month off like him?"I'll be back next month. During this time, I'm leaving Luffy to you."Garp said.Little Luffy expressed his dissatisfaction."Satoru and I are about the same age, but he's the one in a wheelchair! It's more like I should be taking care of him!"After Satoru transmigrated, his body had changed from an 18-year-old adult into a child. He didn't know exactly how old he was, so he just said he was the same age as Luffy, seven years old.Garp responded with one sentence, silencing little Luffy."Can you cook?""...""Usually when I'm not here, you go to help out at Makino's tavern. Now that Satoru is here, you won't need to do that, and you'll have more time to exercise.""I'm off. See you next month."After giving his instructions, Garp pushed the door open and walked out; his warship was likely already waiting for him at the dock....Garp was gone, and Luffy seemed a bit sad."Luffy, Vice Admiral Garp will be back nex...""Great! Grandpa is finally gone!"Satoru: "..."I still don't understand you, Luffy."Hahaha, Satoru, let's go play!""I don't care what Grandpa said about exercising; I've been exhausted lately!""Let's go find Makino and get some juice.""I want to hear those uncles tell stories about the Pirate King!"So the seeds had already been sown here.Satoru smiled helplessly, but it was indeed more interesting than watching Luffy exercise."Okay."...Half a month had passed since Garp left Foosha Village. Today, the town was still very peaceful, with an east wind blowing.But the arrival of a pirate ship at the harbor broke the peace."Huh? Satoru!! Shanks and the others are back! Hahaha!"Luffy, who was fishing at the dock with Satoru, became visibly excited upon seeing the approaching pirate ship. This was the grandson of a Marine Vice Admiral, after all."Shanks! The Red Hair Pirates! They're finally here!"After Garp left, Luffy had talked to Satoru about the Red Hair Pirates.During the time when Luffy was seven, the Red Hair Pirates used Foosha Village as their base of operations for a year.It was during this period that Luffy got to know Shanks and his crew, learned what pirates were, and developed the desire to go to sea and become a pirate.Using Foosha Village as a base didn't mean they never went out to sea or just stayed on shore; they still went out when they needed to. They would just return every so often. During the month and a half since Satoru transmigrated, Shanks and his crew had just happened to be out at sea.Satoru lay in his wheelchair, holding a newspaper with the mature air of a seven-year-old. Hearing Luffy's voice, he immediately put down the newspaper and looked out at the sea. Sure enough, a pirate ship was slowly sailing in.It was indeed the red force of the Red Hair Pirates. Its Jolly Roger featured a square-jawed skull with three red scratch marks over its left eye and two swords crossed behind it...."Ah! Luffy!""Long time no see!"As the ship docked, Luffy immediately ran to the base of the ship. At the bow, Shanks, with both arms intact, smiled and greeted Luffy."Alright! Drop anchor! Get off the ship! We had a great haul this time; we have to celebrate properly!"Shanks turned and said to Beckman and the others. It seemed they had a good haul this trip.But before Shanks and his crew could come down, Luffy climbed directly onto the ship and stood on the protruding "dragon head" at the bow of the red force.Below, Satoru could only push his wheelchair forward with a bitter expression; he knew what Luffy was about to do.From his high vantage point, Luffy put his hands on his hips and said."Hey! Shanks! Take me with you next time you set sail! I want to be a pirate!!"As soon as the words left his mouth, he was met with laughter from Shanks and his crew, as usual. After all, Luffy was just a little brat right now, and a non-swimmer on top of that."Hahaha! Luffy, stop messing around. Come down. You're just a little brat who can't even swim; what kind of pirate would you make? Hahaha!"This was Shanks' merciless mockery.Luffy was so angry he bared his white teeth and pulled a dagger from behind his back."I'm not messing around! I've had enough!""I'm going to prove it to you!""Hahahaha... hilarious. Go ahead and try. I really don't know what you're trying to do.""Luffy is doing something interesting again."Shanks and the others clearly didn't believe Luffy; their attitude toward him was just like they were coaxing a child.But the next second.Luffy resolutely slashed his own left cheek with the dagger!