Ling had heard of these stories—fantastical tales where people were whisked away to other worlds, caught in absurd circumstances. Sometimes they gained powers, sometimes they faced incredible challenges. Yet never once did Ling imagine that his own life would turn into one of these stories.
It started on a perfectly ordinary day. Ling had just finished a long day at work and was walking back home, his mind wandering to the latest episode of One Piece he'd been watching. As he crossed the street, headphones in his ears, he didn't even hear the sound of the approaching truck.
Before he could react, the infamous Truck-kun came out of nowhere.
BAM!
The world went black in an instant.
When Ling opened his eyes, he was no longer lying on the pavement. Instead, he was in an endless void, surrounded by nothing but a pale, white light that stretched on for eternity. It was unsettling, like being stuck in a dream, but too vivid to be a hallucination.
Before he could even comprehend his situation, a voice called out to him, startling him.
"Ah, you're awake."
Ling whirled around and saw a tall figure standing before him. The figure was dressed in flowing robes, and his eyes seemed to shimmer with cosmic energy, ancient and powerful. This was no ordinary person; Ling could feel it in his bones.
"Who are you?" Ling asked, his heart still racing. "What... where am I?"
The figure smiled in amusement, as if this scenario played out far too often. "I am a god—or at least, that's what you humans would call me. As for where you are, let's just say you're in the space between worlds."
Ling's breath caught in his throat. "Truck-kun…" he muttered, piecing it together.
The god raised an eyebrow. "Ah, so you're familiar with the concept. Yes, it was my unfortunate truck that ended your previous life. It was an accident—one that shouldn't have happened, but these things occasionally slip through the cracks."
Ling was taken aback. The sheer absurdity of the situation was starting to sink in. This wasn't a joke. He had actually died and was now standing in front of the god responsible for his death.
"So, what happens now?" Ling asked warily. "Am I just dead? That's it?"
The god smiled again, this time with a bit more kindness. "Not quite. You see, when a mortal dies prematurely due to an error on our part, we offer them a compensation: one wish. You can choose to be reborn in another world, and I'll grant you any one thing you desire."
Ling's mind raced. A wish? A new world? Could this actually be happening?
The world of One Piece immediately popped into his head. As a long-time fan of the series, he had always daydreamed about what it would be like to explore that vast world of pirates, treasure, and adventure. But at the same time, he knew how dangerous it was. The seas were filled with monstrous enemies, and the power structures were immense. It was no place for a weakling like him.
"If I'm going to survive there…" Ling muttered to himself, then looked up at the god. "Can I be reincarnated into the One Piece world? Two years before the main events of the story?"
The god nodded, as if that were a simple request.
"But your last sentence is a wish, so is that your wish?"
"What?" Ling stood speechless.
"Wanna ask for anything besides that?."
Ling paused, thinking carefully. He could ask for incredible strength, or the knowledge of Haki, or even a powerful Devil Fruit. But his thoughts kept returning to one particular power—a power that is very tempting. The Toki Toki no Mi, the Time-Time Fruit. A Devil Fruit with the ability to send someone or even an untapped potential that wasn't shown in the series. Although It wasn't a flashy or offensive power as shown in the series, maybe it could have a some hidden potential that wasn't explored by the previuos owner.
The mere thought of wielding that kind of control over time excites him.
In the chaotic world of One Piece, with its constant wars and power struggles, using the Toki Toki no Mi is a wise move specially when youre on danger.
"I have my wish," Ling finally said. "I want the Toki Toki no Mi"
"Are you sure?" God asked one last time.
Ling shook his head. "Yes" Confident with his ansswer.
The god smiled. "Very well. Your wish is granted. You will possess the Toki Toki no Mi. But remember, that world is dangerous. You'll need more than a Devil Fruit to survive."
Ling nodded, taking a deep breath. "I understand."
The world around him began to shimmer, and a bright light enveloped his vision. As the god's form dissolved, Ling's consciousness was pulled into a new reality.
Ling awoke with the sound of crashing waves and the calls of seagulls echoing in his ears. Blinking against the harsh sunlight, he slowly sat up, feeling the gritty texture of sand beneath his palms. The salty scent of the ocean filled his nostrils.
He was on a beach.
Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Ling's eyes scanned the horizon. Dense forest surrounded the shoreline, with no signs of civilization in sight. This must be some remote island. He wasn't sure where he was yet, but one thing was certain: he was in the world of One Piece.
Ling looked down at his hands, his new, younger body. He had been reincarnated as a teenager, around 15 to 16. His limbs felt strong, his senses sharper than they had been in his previous life.
But first, there was something more important.
"The Toki Toki no Mi..." Ling whispered.
He patted his pockets, his heart racing as he searched for the Devil Fruit. After a moment, he found it—a peculiar fruit, the shape of which seemed almost like a clock's spiral, with mysterious swirling patterns etched into its surface.
Ling held it up, marveling at its design. This was it. The power of time itself, resting in his hands. A power that he want.
He imdiately put it in his mouth to eat it. Slimy juice splashed around his mouth, his face contorting due to the taste of the fruit, it was so bitter.
Ling muttered to himself. "It fucking taste so bad."
He finished the fruit, going towards the ocean to wash his face. As he washed his face, he remembered that his weak to sea water, making him fall to his face in the water.
"Fuck, I shouldve known better" He cursed of his idiocrasy.
He went to a shade place and sat with his back behind a coconut tree.
Ling knew that in this world, information was everything. He had an advantage—his knowledge of future events from the anime and manga. But even that knowledge would only take him so far. He needed to grow stronger, gather resources, and forge alliances if he was going survive in this dangerous world.
His mind began racing with plans. He could travel to specific islands and key locations, intercepting events and players before they became dangerous. He could use his knowledge of the world's power dynamics to avoid dangerous encounters and secure safe passage through hostile territories. The seas were dangerous, and with the Toki Toki no Mi in his possession, he could stay on this Island for a bit, and train his powers and try unlocking haki first, even the most basic one could help. He could just jump time if he faces an unfavoravble situation.
But before all of that, he needs to eat.
Ling stood up, dusting off his pants, and began surveying his surroundings. The island was lush and wild, filled with thick trees and undergrowth. If he was lucky, there might be a village where he could get a food. If not, he'd have to eat wild foods.
As he ventured into the forest, his mind raced with thoughts of the future.
The survival guide to One Piece had begun, and Ling was ready to face the challenges ahead.