Pirates: Seeing My Proficiency, I Became a Legend

"Zoro! He's gone!"

"Okay!"

"What a terrifying sword move! That's an unprecedented technique! That kid will be known everywhere in the future!"

Koshiro stood silently, reflecting on the battle that had just taken place. The wind rustled through the quiet dojo, but his mind remained fixed on the memory of Dongze's last attack. He never expected that the sword, seemingly ordinary in appearance, could unleash such devastating power in Dongze's hands.

Especially that final move—the Hundred-Step Flying Sword. The image replayed over and over in his head. A technique that kills with a single strike, so fast and precise that even the air seemed to cut apart before the blade touched its target.

Partings are always filled with unspoken sorrow. Dongze didn't say goodbye to anyone at the dojo. Before the first light of dawn broke across the horizon, he had already set off in a small boat.

Of course, the others had known. There was no way they would simply oversleep and miss his departure. But some things are too painful to put into words, so silence became their farewell.

At fifteen, Dongze's journey had officially begun.

Standing at the bow of his tiny vessel, he flexed his hands, feeling the roughness of the ropes. A small, almost imperceptible grin crossed his face. His sailing proficiency had finally increased. Sailing: 10/1000.

In the world of pirates, sailing was more than a skill—it was a necessity. With the vast oceans covering nearly 90% of the world, land was nothing more than scattered stepping stones in an endless sea. To grow stronger, to carve his name into history, he had to sail.

As he steered according to the guidance of the Log Pose, he began considering his future.

If he wanted to make a name for himself, he had three options:

1. Join the Navy. The Marines, for all their flaws, maintained order across the world. Without them, the Grand Line would descend into complete lawlessness.

But the Navy was not a simple, monolithic force of justice. Factions, politics, and favoritism ran rampant. Someone like him, without status or connections, would likely be suppressed rather than nurtured. Even worse, they served directly under the World Government and the Celestial Dragons—the very parasites he despised most.

The rot had already set in. Unless the Navy turned its blade inward and reformed itself from the core, its downfall was inevitable. But such a thing would never happen.

Joining the Navy? Discarded.

2. Become a pirate. But not all pirates are like the Straw Hat Crew. In reality, most were nothing more than lawless murderers and thieves. He could never align himself with those who destroyed innocent lives. If he blindly joined a random crew, he might end up with people he'd rather kill than follow.

Becoming a pirate? Discarded.

That left him with only one choice,

Forge his own path. Build his own crew.

But a crew was a heavy responsibility. A navigator, a chef, a doctor, and a shipwright were essential for survival. More people meant more strength, but also more burdens.

For now, he would rely on his own abilities, developing his skills until the time was right.

The first priority: A proper ship.

Just as he made up his mind, a News Coo flew overhead. Dongze raised a hand, and the bird, recognizing a customer, descended gracefully. He reached into its bag, pulling out the latest edition, flipping a 100 Berries coin into its pouch.

The front page was drenched in blood.

"Iron Wolf Pirates Massacre Sunflower Village—Entire Town Erased."

His gaze darkened. He skimmed the details. The Iron Wolf Pirates had razed a small village in the East Blue, leaving no survivors. By the time the Navy arrived, the crew had already vanished. A bounty had been issued for every member of the crew.

The second article mentioned a familiar name…

"Demon Child Nico Robin: Wanted for Her Very Existence."

It was the same story as always. The Navy painted her as a dangerous criminal, but in reality, they feared her knowledge. Oharans knew too much.

The third article hit closer to home.

"Frost Moon Village Raided—Mass Casualties Reported."

Dongze clenched his fist. So, the demons are on the move again.

The rest of the newspaper was predictable—

Praise for the Navy, glorification of the World Government, shallow victories against small-time criminals.

But something pulled his focus away.

A shadow loomed in the distance.

A ship.

Even before seeing the flag, his instincts screamed at him—Pirates.

The Navy wouldn't be out here at this hour. They worked on a strict schedule. But pirates? Pirates had no rules.

Dongze narrowed his eyes, activating Observation Haki. His senses expanded, locking onto the ship.

A two-masted brig, larger than a standard vessel. Its sails were tattered, full of holes, and the left hull had taken heavy damage—battle scars.

His expression remained unreadable as he studied the pirate flag.

A wolf's head with two crossed blades behind it.

The Iron Wolf Pirates.

What convenient timing.

It was clear they had barely escaped their last fight. The Navy must have nearly wiped them out. Desperate, they had likely come here searching for an escape route.

They didn't realize they had just stumbled into their next nightmare.

Dongze exhaled softly. His Moonwalk (Geppo) activated, and in an instant, he was airborne, soaring toward the ship.

There were twenty men aboard. Four cannons, twelve rifles. No women, all hardened criminals.

Only one sentry stood watch. The rest lay in the cabin, their snores like growling beasts.

Dongze's Observation Haki told him everything…

Their hands reeked of blood.

Not a single innocent soul among them.

Had this been the past, he might have hesitated. But not anymore.

He landed lightly on the deck. The sentry finally noticed but it was too late.

A bell rang,shattering the silence.

Inside the cabin, chaos erupted.

"Luke! Is it the Navy again?!"

"Didn't we just kill a few of them?!"

"Those bastards have been hunting us for two days straight!"

"To hell with it! If they want a fight, we'll give them one!"

"We're the Iron Wolves! We'll never run like dogs!"

Dongze cracked his knuckles, his sword humming at his side.

He smiled.

"Your journey ends here."