One Piece: Shadow Sovereign

The sea breeze brushed against his face as he stood on the small boat, gazing at the endless horizon. The salty air filled his lungs, and the sound of gentle waves lapping against the wooden hull created a calming rhythm. The sun shone brightly above, casting a golden hue over the water, making it sparkle like a sea of jewels. This was it. The start of his journey.

After Shanks and his crew had left Foosha Village, the weight of the straw hat on his head became a constant reminder of his promise—to become a great pirate and return it to Shanks. That promise was more than just words; it was a goal that burned fiercely within him. But unlike the original Luffy, he was no naive boy chasing a whimsical dream. He was a man—a man with a system, knowledge of the dangers ahead, and a burning desire to carve his own path through this treacherous world.

The past few years had been a blend of preparation and quiet observation. He trained his body every day, pushing himself to the limits. Running through the dense forests surrounding the village, climbing trees with nothing but his bare hands, swimming against strong currents that threatened to pull him under, and practicing his punches against thick logs until his knuckles bled. His muscles ached every night, but he welcomed the pain. It was proof that he was growing stronger.

But strength alone wasn't enough. He had to be smart. He knew the challenges that lay ahead—Logia users, Warlords, Marines, and even the Four Emperors. This world was unforgiving to the weak. He couldn't afford to rely solely on his rubber abilities. He needed more.

His physical strength was growing, but the system remained mostly dormant. It had only shown a few notifications during his training:

[Level 1 - Progress: 12%] [Shadow Monarch Power: Dormant] [Conditions for Growth: Defeat Strong Opponents. Overcome Life-Threatening Situations.]

Each time he checked, his frustration grew. He had hoped that rigorous training alone would awaken his power, but the system was clear—true strength came from battle and survival.

He clenched his fists, staring at the calm sea. He needed to get stronger. This world was not kind to the weak. And he had no intention of dying a second time.

His thoughts were interrupted by a loud creaking sound. He turned to see a small ship in the distance, its sails worn and patched, swaying slightly as it cut through the waves. The men aboard it looked rough, their clothes tattered and their expressions hardened. Pirates. His heart raced, not in fear, but in anticipation. This was his chance.

The ship approached, and a group of rough-looking men leaned over the railing. Their leader, a burly man with a scar running diagonally across his face, sneered down at him, revealing yellowed teeth.

"Oi, brat! What are you doing all alone out here? You got any valuables?" he called, his voice gruff and laced with malice.

Luffy smirked, his eyes narrowing slightly. He had been waiting for an opportunity like this.

The pirates lowered a plank and boarded his small boat, their laughter crude and mocking. The leader grabbed him by the collar, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. "Hand over everything you got, or we'll toss you to the sharks!"

Luffy met his eyes with a cold stare, his lips curling into a confident smirk. "You chose the wrong person to rob."

With a swift motion, he twisted free from the man's grip and delivered a powerful punch to the pirate's stomach. The impact was brutal—the man's eyes bulged, and a wheezing gasp escaped his lips before he collapsed to the ground, clutching his abdomen in agony.

[Opponent Defeated: +5% Level Progress]

A system notification flashed in his mind, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. The other pirates froze, their laughter replaced by shock. Their eyes darted between their fallen leader and the boy who had dropped him with a single blow.

"Get him!" one of them shouted, breaking the silence.

The remaining pirates charged at him, their rusty swords gleaming under the sunlight. Luffy ducked under the first blade, feeling the wind from the swing brush against his hair. He drove his knee into the attacker's stomach, making the man crumple to the deck, coughing violently. Another pirate swung his sword from behind, but Luffy sensed it. He spun around, catching the man's wrist mid-swing. With a twist, he disarmed him and followed up with a crushing punch to his face, sending him sprawling across the boat.

[Opponent Defeated: +3% Level Progress] [Opponent Defeated: +4% Level Progress]

The final pirate dropped his weapon and stumbled back, his eyes wide with terror. His bravado had shattered.

"P-please, don't kill me!" he pleaded, his voice trembling.

Luffy stepped forward, his heart pounding. He felt a dark urge rise within him—the cruelty he carried from his past life. He could kill this man. He could start building his army of shadows right now.

[Shadow Extraction Available]

The system's voice echoed in his mind, cold and emotionless.

He raised his fist, ready to strike—but then paused. Killing him would be easy, but was it necessary? He was not a senseless murderer. He was in control.

"Get out of here. Tell your crew that the sea belongs to me now," Luffy said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority.

The pirate scrambled onto the ship and sailed away, his fear evident in his frantic movements, leaving the unconscious bodies of his comrades behind.

Luffy stood over them, breathing heavily. He looked at the system notification:

[Shadow Extraction Available - Select Target]

He hesitated for a moment, then selected the burly leader. Darkness swirled around the man's body, tendrils of black smoke weaving through the air. A shadow figure slowly emerged from the ground. It was crude, lacking detail, but its presence was undeniable. It knelt before him in silent obedience.

[Shadow Soldier Created - Rank: Weak]

Luffy stared at the figure, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. His first shadow. The beginning of his true power. The path of the Shadow Monarch had begun.

A surge of satisfaction filled him, but with it came a reminder—this was merely the first step. He had a long road ahead. He would grow stronger. He would build an army that would shake the very foundations of this world.

Adjusting the straw hat on his head, he looked out at the open sea. The future was vast and uncertain, but he would face it head-on.

His journey had truly begun.