LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 1: A Glimmer of Hope in Despair
Azure skies met pristine white clouds, sunlight bathed the vast expanse of the similarly colored ocean, dotted with a few small, verdant islands.
"Drink up, lads! Once we deliver this cargo, we'll be living the high life for a good while!"
Aboard a sizable pirate ship, some twenty meters long, a red flag bearing a white skull and crossbones flapped in the wind. These were not dreamers in pursuit of the legendary One Piece, Roger's hidden treasure.
They were pirates in the truest sense, pillaging, plundering, and leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Their current objective: the raid and eradication of a small, vulnerable village.
Their plan was to capture the villagers - children, women, and able-bodied men alike - and sell them into slavery at the market, securing a hefty profit. On deck, a boisterous feast was underway, celebrating their successful raid.
"Give it up, he's probably not gonna make it."
"Ah, what a shame. Such a young fella… he should've stayed put and waited for a chance to escape later."
Deep within the ship's hold, numerous large iron cages held the captured villagers. Though their words offered a semblance of sympathy, they all knew the truth.
Once they reached their destination, escape would be all but impossible. Yet, the fear of death eclipsed even that bleak prospect.
Life, however slim the chance, offered a flicker of hope.
In a smaller cage, tucked away in a corner, lay a young man who appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen. His body was a tapestry of wounds inflicted by swords, whips, and who knows what else. His eyes were tightly shut.
He hadn't moved in hours. It was clear he was on the verge of death. The other captives could only offer silent prayers.
In their eyes, he was courageous, but also foolish. To defy a band of pirates was a death sentence. He had paid the ultimate price for his defiance.
Such an act of rebellion was deemed utterly futile.
"Ugh…" Ian slowly opened his eyes. A wave of searing pain coursed through his body, causing him to grimace.
"So this is it… I've been reincarnated into the world of One Piece?" Based on the fragmented memories lingering in this body, he instantly grasped the situation.
A surge of excitement welled up within him. He knew this world better than anyone. It was one of his favorite anime series, and he had always dreamt of being transported into it.
A world brimming with fantastical Devil Fruit powers, formidable martial arts and swordsmanship, and above all, the pursuit of dreams…
"But what the hell is this death-sentence starting scenario?!" He roared internally. His body was a canvas of pain.
Outside, a dozen pirates awaited, and they were nearing the island where the slave trade flourished. There was nowhere to run. He was the unluckiest reincarnation ever.
"Congratulations, host! You have awakened the Dimensional Template System and acquired your first template: Ulquiorra Cifer…"
Just as he closed his eyes, contemplating a desperate escape attempt or even gambling on death for a possible restart, a cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind. Ian was ecstatic. A reincarnated soul without a system? Unthinkable!
Ulquiorra Cifer. He knew this character well. Another favorite from one of his cherished anime series.
One of the Espada, ranked fourth, created by Sosuke Aizen in Hueco Mundo. But that was only his first Resurrección. His second release rivaled even Barragan Luisenbarn, the former king of Hueco Mundo who commanded the power of aging.
And even Starrk, the Primera Espada, capable of infinite soul division and self-Hollowfication, paled in comparison. After all, Ulquiorra was only a partial Arrancar.
If he hadn't encountered Ichigo Kurosaki, the protagonist with his plot armor, Shinigami, Hollow, and Quincy powers, Ulquiorra's demise wouldn't have been so easily orchestrated.
"Open the system, ugh…" He exclaimed in delight, but the movement triggered his injuries, causing him to wince in pain and nearly faint.
*Dimensional Template System*
*Host: Ian*
*First Template: Ulquiorra Cifer*
*Fusion Rate: 10%*
"..." Ian was speechless. A bare-bones interface with Ulquiorra's Hollow form as an avatar and no further explanation.
Simplicity at its finest. It seemed there wouldn't be any bubbly system mascot popping up to offer guidance.
Nevertheless, he was well-versed in Ulquiorra's abilities, capable of independent development, and he had a 10% fusion rate as a head start.
His base form was decent enough. Comparable to a Shinigami, a low-level Gillian, or a pirate with a bounty of several million berries.
"Fuse!" He mentally commanded. His prone body began to transform.
The wounds crisscrossing his body rapidly healed, a testament to Ulquiorra's High-Speed Regeneration. While limb regeneration wasn't possible yet, mending these injuries was a trivial matter.
A partial, white, bone-like helmet with horns materialized on his head. Distinct green tear marks appeared beneath his eyes, and his skin took on a deathly pale hue.
There was no Hollow hole, a clear indication that the system recognized him as human, not a Hollow. No existential loneliness here.
*Whoosh!* A faint surge of energy rippled outward. While not particularly powerful, it rattled the cages within the hold, drawing the attention of the pirates above.
A pair of pale green eyes snapped open. The 10% template fusion was complete. Ian felt his defenses harden considerably. This was the Hierro, the toughened skin of an Arrancar, and Ulquiorra, the 4th Espada.
He could even engage in hand-to-hand combat with Kenpachi, though ultimately no match for his dual-wielding Kendo. In the world of One Piece, this level of defense could rival the slashes of a master swordsman.
*Clang!* With newfound strength, he effortlessly ripped open the cage door, leaving the other captives awestruck.
"Young man, you're a Devil Fruit user?" They exclaimed, staring at his transformed appearance. But their fear was minimal.
Their savior had arrived. In their eyes, humans were far more terrifying than devils. Ian had been captured mid-journey, so his background was unknown. They presumed he was there to rescue them.
Why else would he endure such a beating without resisting? But wait…
If he was capable of fighting back, why not confront the pirates directly? Why suffer needlessly?
"I'll get you all out. I remember eating a fruit before, but I didn't know it was a Devil Fruit. It seems it finally activated just as I was about to die!" Ian fabricated a believable lie.
His current appearance certainly resembled a demon, but to them, he was an angel, a white raven soaring through the heavens.
"Thank you, young man! You're a god to us. When we get home, we'll build a shrine in your honor!" They cried out in joy. He was their savior, their liberator.
"..." Ian was speechless. He had inadvertently become a deity? "There's no need for that. We're all in the Iane boat, helping each other out."
*Clang! Clang!* With a few more effortless movements, he tore open the remaining cages, and the freed captives erupted in cheers.
"How did you all get out?! Get back in there!" A startled shout echoed from the entrance.
A young pirate, in his twenties, stumbled in, clutching a bottle of liquor. He was clearly drunk and oblivious to the situation. Could beasts freed from their cages be so easily recaptured? And was he even aware that he might be on the menu?
*Whoosh!* In a blink, Ian vanished, reappearing instantly behind the pirate, his hand clamping tightly around the man's throat…