Heavenly Gate: Trials of Survival

30 Minutes Later

[Narration]

Ethan returned to the group to find them gathered around a small fire, roasting a dead rat they had caught earlier. While far from an ideal meal, it was the only food they could scavenge in the situation they found themselves in.

Sitting down and tearing into one of the rat's legs, Ethan began recounting the information he remembered from the anime. He carefully combined it with the valuable details he had extracted from the beggars, weaving a coherent picture of the world they had been thrust into.

As his companions listened intently, they exchanged glances, the weight of the situation sinking in. The group soon found themselves locked in an intense discussion about their circumstances and the challenges ahead.

[Ethan's Thoughts]

"Interesting… Combining the beggar's information with what I already know, it's clear the Heavenly Gate has transported us into the One Piece world. The Gate's earlier claims were true—this world's power scale is far below something like Dragon Ball's, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous."

"In One Piece, even the weakest individuals are stronger than normal humans. The power system revolves around Haki, races, and Devil Fruits—all game-changers. Right now, I'm no more than a regular human. Even with rigorous training, I'm nowhere near superhuman. The locals' durability and strength exceed that of ordinary people by a mile, and then there are anomalies like Kaido and Big Mom.

"But there's hope. With enough training, it's possible to develop a superhuman physique and unlock Haki. My knowledge of the world gives me an edge. If I can identify and acquire a powerful Devil Fruit, my team and I can rise to power. The key will be strategic planning and survival."

"To ensure our survival and growth, we need to establish a strong foundation. That requires a steady supply of meat and fruits—resources we don't currently have. Hunting in the mountains is an option, but it's incredibly risky. Bandits or beasts could kill us in a single misstep.

"A more reliable approach would be theft. If we're lucky, we might stumble upon a Devil Fruit. With my knowledge, I should be able to identify its powers and decide who among us should consume it. This method requires patience, but we have time. We mustn't act recklessly."

[End Of Ethan's Thoughts]

[Rosalie Xander]

"What a chaotic world this is. Pirates, bounty hunters, celestial dragons, marines—all these factions exist while ordinary civilians constantly suffer from pirate raids. And the navy you mentioned—the one that's supposed to protect civilians—sounds incredibly questionable."

"Still, at least humans seem to be the apex predators, right? That means we shouldn't have to worry about any supernatural threats."

[Ethan Cross]

"Actually, that's not entirely true. According to the information I've gathered, supernatural beings like fish-men, mermaids, giants, and dwarves do exist. However, they mainly reside in the Grand Line and the New World. The Four Blues, where we are now, are primarily human-dominated territory. That doesn't mean we're completely safe; it just lowers the likelihood of encountering them."

"On top of that, humans' status as apex predators has made them a target for other species. Humans are the most populous race, which has led to many other species being persecuted, enslaved, or exploited by humans. If we meet non-humans, hostility is almost guaranteed."

"And as for the marines—don't expect them to be trustworthy. Most organizations under the World Government are corrupt. Their propaganda might make them seem like heroes, but in reality, some of them collaborate with pirates to exploit civilians for wealth and power. Relying on them for safety would be a mistake."

[Hank Xander]

"That's bleak. It seems like civilians in this world are treated as expendable, constantly oppressed by nobles, kings, pirates, and even the navy itself."

[Rosalie Xander]

"That's a grim thought, but for now, we need to focus on our own survival. No one else is going to help us."

[Ethan Cross]

"Exactly. We can't change this grim reality—not now, at least. We may even need to exploit it ourselves to survive. I've already come up with steps to help us grow stronger. One of the best options is becoming pirates. It's one of the quickest ways to earn money and gain opportunities to improve ourselves."

"As someone once said: 'The most profitable business is one where you don't pay upfront—like stealing.' In this world, only the strong survive, and only by constantly winning can we ensure our growth."

"This world doesn't need us to save it. Conflict and ambition are inherent to intelligent life. And with how the World Government operates, it's only a matter of time before retaliation against them becomes inevitable."

[John Derk]

"Wait a minute. What do you mean by 'this world'? Are you saying you're not from here?"

Realizing they had slipped up, the group quickly scrambled to cover their mistake.

[Levi York]

"Oh, no, no! That's not what we meant. We're all part of a bloodline of sailors, and for… personal reasons, we've recently come to this island. That's why our way of speaking might seem strange to you. Using phrases like 'this world' just comes naturally to us, right guys?"

[Rosalie Xander]

"Yep, exactly! Levi's got it right."

Turning to Ethan, she added, "By the way, where did you learn all this? I didn't expect you to be so... philosophical."

[Ethan Cross]

Smiling faintly, Ethan replied, "Well, I've always been well-informed. I just didn't show it before."

After finishing their discussion and meal, the group extinguished their fire and began preparing to move. With their destination set for the mountains, they continued their conversation along the way, quietly strategizing about how to navigate the dangers of this perilous new world.