In the Island of Karakuri, a lone child was seen lying unconscious on the snowy shore. The winter winds swept across the coastline with a harsh cold that could freeze anyone wearing even normal clothes, yet this child was dressed in clothing that was completely inappropriate for such weather.
It was almost unbelievable that he was still alive by the time another child happened to walk along the shore accompanied by a robot like dog.
When the boy noticed the small body on the snow, he quickly hurried over and checked the child's breathing.
After confirming that the child was still alive, he instructed his mechanical companion to lift him and bring him back to his house.
The interior of the home was warm, almost too warm compared to the biting cold outside, and the moment the young rescuer entered with the stranger, his parents confronted him with worry and frustration.
His mother looked at him sharply. "Why did you bring someone home again, Vegapunk? You know that not all people can be trusted."
Only then did the unconscious child's rescuer fully reveal his name. He was Vegapunk, a boy who would one day become a legendary inventor.
He would eventually be known throughout the world for creating the Pacifista units, the Seraphim, and countless inventions that changed history.
For now, however, he was simply a young genius trying to improve life on Karakuri Island. He had already started working on an ambitious project meant to change the island's climate, with the goal of transforming it from a perpetually frozen Winter Island into a warm Summer Island.
Vegapunk bowed his head slightly. "I am sorry, Mother. But I found him sleeping on the shore with almost no clothes. He would have died if I had left him there. The most logical thing was to help him."
His mother sighed, but her irritation vanished quickly. She went to him and hugged him tightly, her expression filled with pride. She began praising him again, speaking about how incredible it was for someone so young to be both intelligent and compassionate.
After calming down, she and Vegapunk carried the unconscious child into a spare room. She added another portion to the meal she was preparing, believing that the boy would appreciate warm soup once he woke up from the cold he had endured.
After some time, the child in the bed slowly opened his eyes. He sat up straight and blinked repeatedly, quickly realizing that he was not in the same place where he had gone to sleep the previous night.
That realization reminded him of the truth of his situation. He was a transmigrator who had been transported into the world of One Piece.
The reason he was not panicking was because he had previously encountered ROB, the being responsible for this entire event.
ROB had let him choose his new world, and he selected One Piece because it was his favorite anime. ROB then allowed him to spin a wheel to determine whose body he would inhabit.
When the wheel stopped spinning, it had selected Captain John, the former user of the Jiki Jiki no mi who had also been part of the Rocks Pirates. Captain John eventually died during a mutiny caused by his own greed, and the transmigrator knew very little about him.
He only remembered the devil fruit and the fact that Captain John was strong enough to serve under Rocks D Xebec. He did not even know if Captain John was stronger or weaker than Eustass Kidd.
Despite the internet often mocking Kidd, Kidd was still a Conqueror, and the main issue with him was that he relied too much on his Devil Fruit instead of properly using haki.
Before he could complain to ROB about this choice, ROB gave him another wheel filled with cheats.
He watched countless tempting options spin past, including systems and talents of powerful characters, but the wheel eventually stopped on the Essence CYOA.
He was immediately ecstatic. He knew that a Meta Essence could create someone overwhelmingly powerful, potentially beyond even the mysterious Imu.
The Essence CYOA then turned into another roulette showing numerous essences. When it stopped, it chose the Essence of Ideal Growth. This essence then transformed into a vial, and ROB instructed him to drink it so the essence would merge with Captain John's body once he reincarnated.
After that, ROB asked him what background he wanted for Captain John. ROB explained that he could not choose to be a Celestial Dragon or part of the D family, but he could choose a noble origin or royal background.
The transmigrator thought carefully and decided on a background that would allow him to grow without being too restricted. He requested that Captain John be a noble similar to Sabo, kidnapped by pirates and taken to sea.
Those pirates would possess the Jiki Jiki no mi, and John would eventually eat it. He would then accidentally cause the ship to sink because of his inexperience, leading to his death.
His body would wash up on Karakuri Island where Vegapunk lived. He also asked that Captain John be given an age similar to Kaido or at least two years older. ROB considered the request and approved it, modifying Captain John's birth accordingly.
A bright light then surrounded him, and the next moment he was lying in this unfamiliar room.
He immediately felt the Essence of Ideal Growth working within him, removing the weaknesses of devil fruit users, including the weakness to seawater.
His body gradually strengthened every passing moment, and although the increase was not overwhelming, it was noticeable enough to confirm that the essence was active.
The door opened, and a child entered the room. John recognized him instantly. The large tongue and oversized head were unmistakable signs of the young Vegapunk. When Vegapunk saw John awake, he walked over with clear relief.
"Greetings," Vegapunk said calmly. "My name is Vegapunk. What is your name?"
John found it a little amusing that such a young child spoke so formally, but he did not comment on it. "My name is Davis John. You can just call me John. Nice to meet you, Vegapunk."
He extended his hand, and Vegapunk shook it politely.
Vegapunk tilted his head slightly. "John, would you mind telling me why you were washed up on the shore wearing clothing like that? You could have died from hypothermia."
John had already prepared a lie. "I was on a slave ship. I managed to escape after I found a strange fruit that was left unattended. When I ate it, I gained the ability to control metal. Like this."
He raised his hand and made the metal lamp in the corner fly through the air and land in his palm. Vegapunk stared in shock.
John continued calmly. "Since I was inexperienced, I used too much force and destroyed the ship. The explosion did not hurt me, but I fell into the sea and drowned. I passed out and drifted until I reached this island. If I had not been found, I might have died the way you described."
Vegapunk frowned with sympathy. "If you want, I can ask my mother about finding a ship that could take you back home."
John shook his head slowly. "I do not have parents anymore. That is why I was kidnapped. I was wandering alone. The pirates dressed me like this so buyers would think I was a noble child."
The truth was different. While unconscious earlier, he received the memories of the original Captain John, and he learned that the original parents were wealthy nobles who valued money above all else. They sold farmers into slavery whenever taxes were not paid. John wanted nothing to do with them.
Vegapunk nodded with genuine concern. "I am sorry to hear that. You can stay here if you want. It will not be free, though. I am an inventor, and I need help. There are things I want to create, but I do not have enough people to assist me. With your abilities, we could work together and make progress on my projects to help this island."
John agreed immediately. "I will help you, but I want you to teach me what you are working on. I do not like doing something without understanding it."
He had planned this from the beginning. He intended to use the Jiki Jiki no mi to build powerful inventions, and learning from Vegapunk was the best way to do that.
Vegapunk smiled. "Of course. I am always happy to meet someone interested in science. Science is connected to the future of humanity."
They shook hands again. Vegapunk then invited him to eat with his family because the food was ready.
John accepted the invitation while also planning how he would grow stronger and smarter. The Essence of Ideal Growth was already ensuring that every effort he made would bring him closer to his goals.