One Piece:The Merchant King of Grand Line

The Merchant King of the Grand Line

Chapter 1: The Value of a Second Chance

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Reincarnation is a Business Deal

I woke up to the sound of waves.

Not the kind that gently lap against the shore, soothing the mind, but the kind that crash relentlessly, as if the world itself were trying to force me awake. The scent of saltwater filled my nostrils, and I quickly realized that I wasn't in my apartment anymore.

I sat up, my body feeling strange—lighter, younger, yet far more… alive. I could feel the heat of the sun on my skin and the grain of sand under my fingers. Looking around, I found myself on a small beach, with a coastal village in the distance. The only thing I could hear were the distant calls of seagulls and the waves.

East Blue.

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. This wasn't some random beach in the middle of nowhere. This was the world of One Piece. The pirates, the Marines, the Revolutionary Army—it all flashed in my mind in a torrent of memories.

But there was more. My previous life as Victor D. Lancaster, a businessman known for creating empires from the ground up, had been erased, replaced by the memories of this new existence. I had a second chance, a fresh start in a world where power wasn't just measured by strength—it was measured by wealth, influence, and the ability to control the tides of history.

In my old life, I had built my empire not through violence or force, but through manipulation, foresight, and the art of the deal. Here, I could do the same. But this time, I was no longer bound by the rigid laws of the corporate world. This was a world where pirates, treasure, and Devil Fruits ruled, and I would conquer it all through business.

I glanced at the small village in the distance. A port town. Fishermen, merchants, the occasional pirate looking to offload stolen goods… this was the perfect starting point.

Step One: Capital Acquisition

A businessman's first rule? Starting capital. Without it, nothing else matters.

I surveyed the town, noting the bustling marketplace where villagers traded fish, fruits, and hand-made goods. There was money to be made here, but how?

I didn't have any starting funds, but I had something better—knowledge, the ability to predict outcomes, and the keen instinct of a financial genius. I made my way toward a familiar sight: a gambling den tucked away between a few buildings.

Inside, the air was thick with smoke, the clatter of dice, and the murmur of eager bettors. A table in the back had a group of sailors huddled around it, laughing, shouting, and exchanging piles of gold. Perfect.

I didn't need to be a gambler to know how this would end. I had a talent for reading people, for knowing the odds of every possible outcome. I stepped up to the table, my hands confident as I placed a bet. The dealer, an aging man with a scar across his face, looked me over with mild suspicion.

"You sure about that, pal?" he asked, shaking the dice in his hand.

I smiled, a calm, confident smirk that oozed the same arrogance I carried in my previous life. "I've got the odds figured out."

The dice rolled, clattering on the table. The sailors gasped as I picked up my winnings—all of them.

In less than an hour, I had turned the table's modest stake into a small fortune. The room fell silent as I casually collected my winnings and walked out of the den, leaving behind stunned faces and empty pockets.

Step one, complete.

Step Two: Establishing a Business

Now that I had the capital, it was time to build the foundation. But how? This was a world where wealth was power, but true wealth wasn't about holding gold—it was about controlling resources.

The fishermen were underselling their catches, the merchants overpricing their goods, and the villagers were being squeezed by monopolies. I spotted a massive opportunity.

I walked into the market, scanning the stalls with the precision of a hawk. There was a small seafood stand where a fisherman was haggling over a poor catch. I approached him.

"How much for everything you've got?"

He looked at me, puzzled. "You… you sure you can handle all that?"

I pulled a pouch of gold from my pocket and tossed it to him. "I'll take the lot. I'll give you double market value for it."

His eyes widened at the sight of the gold, and greed took over. He agreed without hesitation.

Now, I needed storage. Not just any storage, but cold storage. I made a deal with the local merchant who owned the town's only ice house. Instead of just storing his own goods, I rented out space to other fishermen for a better price.

By nightfall, I had a new monopoly on the local fish market. I had control over both supply and storage, meaning I could dictate prices and ensure my competitors couldn't compete.

Step Three: Expanding Influence

Wealth alone wasn't enough. In this world, to truly thrive, I needed allies.

I made my way to the Marine base near the town's docks. The Marines controlled the law here, and if I wanted to make my mark without too much interference, I needed them to be on my side.

I approached a Marine officer, a man in his thirties with a no-nonsense look on his face.

"Afternoon, sir," I said, offering a smiling handshake. "I'm starting a new business here, and I'd like to offer you something in exchange for your cooperation."

He raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "What's that?"

I pulled a small pouch of gold from my coat and handed it to him. "Consider this a small investment in your future. In exchange, I'll make sure the town remains peaceful, with no pirate disturbances."

His eyes flickered to the gold, and I could practically see the gears in his head turning. Greed had its way with everyone.

He accepted my offer, his grip tightening around the pouch. "We'll see what you can do."

That was all I needed. A foot in the door.

The Future: An Empire Begins

By the end of the day, I had:

✔ A steady revenue stream through the fish market and storage

✔ Government protection through bribery and influence

✔ A monopoly over the town's seafood industry

This was just the beginning. The world was ripe for the taking, and I would build my empire one deal at a time.

It wasn't about force. It wasn't about piracy or rebellion. It was about money. And once I had that, I would have everything else.

No Marine fleet, no pirate crew, no government would be able to stand against me. I would reshape the Grand Line through wealth, influence, and the power of the deal.

Victor D. Lancaster had arrived.

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Next Chapter: The Art of the Deal

Victor begins to expand his influence, lures powerful allies, and confronts his first business rival.