The waves moved back and forth, brushing against the shore in a slow, endless rhythm. Beneath the wet sand, a silhouette lay buried.
With every retreating wave, more sand was pulled away—until it became clear.
It was the body of a child.
No older than five or six.
Moments passed. Then—
The child's fingers twitched.
A sharp gasp escaped his lips as he suddenly inhaled, coughing as sand spilled from his mouth.
"Argh… my head…"
He slowly pushed himself up, eyes burning as sunlight flooded his vision.
"W-What's happening…? Where am I?"
His gaze wandered.
Blue sky. Endless ocean.
"…Is this a beach?"
As he tried to stand, something felt wrong.
He looked down.
Small hands.
Short legs.
"What the—"
His breath hitched.
"Why am I… so small?"
Panic surged through him. He touched his face, his arms—everything was wrong.
"No… this isn't a prank. My friends aren't magicians."
His heart pounded.
"…Did I reincarnate?"
The thought sent chills through him.
"Then where am I… and who am I now?"
Forcing himself to calm down, the boy searched his body for clues. That's when his fingers brushed against something cold around his neck.
A locket.
He opened it.
Carved inside were the words:
Monkey D. Joe
"…You've got to be kidding me."
His blood ran cold.
"If I'm right… am I really connected to him?"
Questions flooded his mind, but one mattered most.
"How did I die?"
Memories rushed back.
His mother screaming.
His drunk father raising a bottle.
The pain.
"Oh… right."
A bitter laugh escaped him.
"I died protecting my mom… before even seeing the end of One Piece."
His expression hardened.
"…That bastard."
He exhaled slowly.
"Well, looks like I've got a second chance."
He glanced ahead—the ocean stretched endlessly in front of him, while behind him stood a dense forest.
"Forest means food. Maybe people."
With unsteady steps, Joe began walking forward.
"In my last life, I lived chained to responsibility. I lived for my mother… and died for her."
His lips curved into a small smile.
"But this time…"
His eyes shone with resolve.
"I'm going to live for myself."
"I want freedom."
"And I'm going on an adventure—no matter what."