One Piece: Chopping Ace Back to Foosha Village at the Start

Seven years earlier, in the desert kingdom of Alabasta.

Not yet eighteen, Wayne wandered through a sun‑bleached town, wide‑eyed and curious.

"Hot enough to cook a Sea King," he muttered while ducking under a tiled awning. A white‑bearded shopkeeper handed him a bottle of fruit juice; Wayne took a grateful swig. "Nothing beats an ice‑cold drink in midsummer."

Two years had passed since he left the Sabaody Archipelago, where he had lived for a decade. The trip was part pilgrimage, part training: Wayne wanted a breakthrough with his swordsmanship. He remembered the farewell with old man Rayleigh.

"Hey, geezer. I'm heading out to see the world."

"Mm‑hmm. Place your bets, no more calls," Rayleigh replied, rattling dice in the casino.

"You don't have anything else to say?"

"Lost again! Wayne, lend me fifty thousand Berries. I'll pay you back once my luck turns."

Veins bulged on Wayne's forehead. Rayleigh chuckled.

"Relax, kid. In Paradise you'll be fine at your level except your sword still needs work. With that monster body of yours you could be a pure brawler, you know."

"No. I'm becoming a great swordsman."

"As you wish. Here, take a log pose and get going."

Back in the present, a girl collided with him. She had sun‑bronzed skin, denim hat and jacket, bright hawk‑like eyes.

"Sorry! Excuse me!" she chirped, steadying herself.

Wayne blinked. Why does she look familiar?

"No harm done," he said.

Before they could trade more than a few words, shouts erupted behind them.

"There she is! After her!"

"Because of that woman we've had the Navy on our tail!"

The girl Nico Robin winked. "Thanks, handsome. Maybe we'll meet again."

She vanished into the alley maze, leaving Wayne staring after her.

A dozen pirates thundered up and surrounded him.

"Out of the way, brat. Hand over the loot your friend stole!"

Wayne sighed. "I don't even know her."

"You were talking to her. Beat him!"

Steel flashed.

"One‑Sword Style: Rending Flash!"

The pirates hit the dirt, groaning. Wayne scratched his head.

"That girl used me as a decoy."

He scanned the street. Not a trace of Robin.

"Fine. No skin off my nose. First, a room."

Five minutes later he stormed out of an inn, fuming. His coin purse and log pose were missing.

"She picked my pocket? Nico Robin, huh? We'll see about that."

Three days later in Rainbase's casino.

"I'll bet on high."

The croupier lifted the cup. "Four‑five‑six, high wins!"

Wayne pocketed chips, then deliberately lost a couple of rounds before strolling out. Rayleigh had taught him all the tricks plus Observation Haki turned dice into glass.

Outside, a hulking four‑meter pirate blocked his path.

"Heh. I saw your winnings. Hand them over."

Wayne squinted. "Bounty, twenty‑seven million. Julian the Ogre?"

"That's me!"

"Good. I'll collect your head price."

"One‑Sword Style: Iron Cleave!"

Black Haki flickered along Snowchaser. One slash, and Julian collapsed. His crew bolted.

Wayne dragged the body to a trembling security guard at the casino door.

"Do me a favor. Cash in this bounty. I'll be back. And don't even think of skimming; I never forget a face."

He spotted Robin's hat disappearing in the crowd.

"No one steals from me for free." Wayne gave chase, a wolfish grin on his face.