One Piece: Randomizer!

Raphael: <>

System: []

******

Two days had passed since the Straw Hats left Gold Island behind. They were now on their way to the famous Baratie restaurant, eager to try the most highly praised meals in all of East Blue.

Luffy, however, wasn't holding his breath when it came to finding Sanji there. His past experiences in this world had taught him one crucial lesson: expect the unexpected. Things rarely played out the way he remembered from his past life, so rather than making assumptions, he decided to just go with the flow and deal with whatever situation awaited them.

Onboard the ship, everyone was busy with their own tasks—except for Luffy, who sat perched in the crow's nest, arms crossed and a slight frown tugging at his lips.

'I didn't get any achievements this time. Strange,' he mused, leaning back. 'Wasn't defeating Eldoraggo and finding the truth about Woonan's treasure worth anything at all?'

It wasn't that he was obsessed with rewards, but he had started noticing a pattern. Achievements usually popped up after major battles or significant discoveries. But this time? Nothing. Not even a measly reward of a few hundred points.

Unable to figure out the answer himself, he decided to consult his ever-reliable companion.

'Raphael, what do you think?'

Luffy hummed in thought. 'So the conditions aren't met yet, huh...' He mulled it over for a few seconds before shrugging. 'Oh well. If it triggers, great. If not, I'm not gonna stress over it.'

There was no point in dwelling on things he couldn't control.

Shaking off the thought, he suddenly pushed off from the crow's nest and plummeted toward the deck, landing right beside Kaya with a solid thud.

"AH!" Kaya yelped, nearly dropping the book she had been reading. She clutched her chest, eyes wide. "Luffy! Could you not do that?!"

Luffy merely grinned. "Nope!"

Then, cupping his hands around his mouth, he called out, "All right! Zoro, Kaya, Kuina—get your butts on deck! It's time for training!"

******

Meanwhile, back on Gold Island, a small floating shop boat gently rocked as it docked along the quiet shore. Stepping onto the island was an old traveling oden chef, Ganzo, accompanied by his impatient grandson, Tobio.

"Hey, old man! What is this place? Why'd you bring me here?" Tobio huffed, crossing his arms. He had no interest in wasting time on some nameless island—he wanted to keep searching for the legendary pirate Woonan's treasure.

"Just shut up and walk," Ganzo grumbled, grabbing the boy's arm and dragging him along.

Truthfully, he had never intended to return here—never thought he would. Yet, for the past two days, an unshakable pull had gnawed at him, a strange instinct urging him back to this place. He didn't understand it, but the feeling refused to fade. And so, unwilling to ignore it—and unwilling to leave Tobio behind—he set sail for Gold Island.

As they ventured deeper into the island, they noticed clear signs of battle—scorched earth, broken trees, and deep gouges in the ground. A sense of unease crept into Ganzo's heart, quickening his pace. Soon, they arrived at a familiar small hill, a place where his and his best friend's lives had taken drastically different paths.

But nothing could have prepared him for what awaited them there.

Ganzo stopped in his tracks, his breath catching in his throat. In front of him stood several large carved stones, their surfaces etched with words. A fresh grave rested before them, a tattered pirate flag marking its head.

Tobio, oblivious to his grandfather's shock, stepped forward and began reading the inscriptions aloud. As he reached the end, his expression twisted with disbelief, his hands clenched into fists.

"No! This can't be true!" he shouted, whirling around to glare at the stones. "Those pirates must be lying! They probably stole all the treasure and made up this stupid story—"

His furious rant came to an abrupt halt when he turned and saw his grandfather kneeling before the grave, silent tears streaking his weathered face.

"Grandpa?" Tobio's anger melted into concern as he rushed to Ganzo's side. "What's wrong?!"

For a long moment, Ganzo didn't speak. He simply stared at the grave, as if searching for something—perhaps an answer, perhaps a memory. Then, with a deep, shuddering breath, he wiped his tears and slowly rose to his feet.

"Tobio..." His voice was quiet, yet firm. "I don't think the Straw Hat Pirates were lying."

Tobio opened his mouth to protest, but Ganzo raised a hand, stopping him.

"Listen to me," he said, his gaze never leaving Woonan's resting place. "There's a story you need to hear. One that will help you understand."

And so, with a heavy heart, Ganzo began to tell Tobio a story from his own childhood—one he had never spoken of in such detail before.

He admitted that Woonan had been his closest friend, inseparable from the moment they could walk. But while they had once shared everything, their dreams had always been different. Woonan had never been content with their simple village life. He scoffed at Ganzo's small ambitions, especially his love for making oden, dismissing it as pointless when there was gold to be sought and glory to be claimed.

In return, Ganzo had always stood firm, countering Woonan's obsession with the same words:

"Gold doesn't laugh. Doesn't sing. Doesn't drink. Doesn't cry. It's no different from a rock!"

But Woonan never listened. And the more they argued, the more their friendship cracked under the weight of their opposing beliefs.

Eventually, the tension between them reached a breaking point. Woonan declared his intentions to become a pirate, crafting his own flag and holding a ceremony on a high cliff, demanding Ganzo's loyalty. But Ganzo refused. He couldn't follow a dream that placed gold above all else.

That day, for the first time, the two best friends came to blows. Their fists spoke where words had failed, years of frustration and unspoken feelings pouring out in a whirlwind of punches and shouts.

The fight ended when they both tumbled over the cliff's edge.

Woonan barely managed to catch his flag on a stray branch, his grip trembling as he dangled above the jagged rocks below. Ganzo, however, saw the truth in an instant—the branch wouldn't hold them both. Without hesitation, he made a choice.

He let go.

For a split second, he saw Woonan's face contort with shock and horror. Then, the wind roared in his ears as he plummeted toward the sea.

Miraculously, he survived the fall. But by the time he had recovered, Woonan was gone, never to return.

The years passed, and their paths diverged. Woonan became a pirate of unimaginable wealth, amassing enough gold to become a legend. Ganzo, on the other hand, had no regrets. He had followed his own dream, traveling the world in his oden boat, bringing warmth and comfort to those in need. Yet, even after all these years, a small part of him had always wondered—if fate ever brought them together again, would Woonan still sneer at his oden? Or would he finally sit down and share a meal with his old friend?

That question had driven him to the Isle of Gold. He had come here hoping—just maybe—to share one last pot of oden with an older, wiser Woonan.

But instead... he had found a grave.

Ganzo let out a weary sigh, wiping a stray tear from his cheek. "And here I am today," he murmured. "Standing in front of my best friend's resting place."

He took a deep breath, steadying his voice. "But at least now, I know... Even after all this time, our friendship still meant something to him." A faint smile ghosted his lips as he gazed at the tattered pirate flag planted at the head of the grave. 

Just then, he felt something wrap around him. Looking down, he saw Tobio, arms clinging tightly to his waist, his small frame trembling. His face was buried in Ganzo's stomach, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs. He was crying. Even though Tobio said nothing, it was clear the story—and the truth behind Woonan's legend—had struck him deeply.

Ganzo's heart ached at the sight, but he simply placed a hand on his grandson's head, ruffling his hair gently.

At that moment, he made a silent vow.

No matter what path Tobio chose in life, he would be there. He would support him, guide him, and stand by his side—just as he once wished he could have done for Woonan.

After spending a long, quiet moment at his friend's grave, Ganzo finally turned to leave. He took one last look at the stones, the carvings left behind by the Straw Hat Pirates. They had uncovered the truth behind his friend's final memory. They had honored Woonan.

For that, he was grateful.

As he stepped onto his boat and set sail, he knew one thing for certain. This was his last visit to Gold Island. From here on, he would find a peaceful place to open a shop—a place where he could cook, laugh, and watch over his grandson as he chased his own dreams.

This time, he would make sure that no dream was ever left behind.

******

Meanwhile, back with the Straw Hat Pirates, the night stretched on, silent and peaceful except for the gentle lapping of waves against the ship's hull. Only two figures remained awake, standing watch beneath the canopy of stars.

"Hey, Kuina," Luffy suddenly spoke, breaking the comfortable silence. "Do you ever wonder what you'd be doing right now if you hadn't chosen this path?"

It was a simple question, meant to keep him awake during his shift, but the answer he received was anything but simple.

"Probably dead," Kuina said flatly.

Luffy whipped his head toward her so fast he nearly gave himself whiplash. "What?!"

Kuina let out a humorless chuckle at his reaction, shaking her head. "I'm not joking," she added, her voice quieter this time. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "I was eleven when my father told me it was only a matter of time before Zoro surpassed me. That no matter how talented or naturally gifted I was, a man would always be stronger in the end."

Luffy frowned but didn't interrupt, sensing she had more to say.

"After that, I was furious. Heartbroken. I felt... helpless. I couldn't stop thinking about it, and it messed with my head." She exhaled slowly, her hands clenching at her sides. "And then, in that state of mind, Zoro challenged me again... and I lost."

She let out a dry laugh, her gaze turning distant, lost in memories. "My eleven-year-old self took it as proof. Proof that my father was right. That my dream of becoming the world's greatest swordswoman was nothing more than a fantasy. And in that grief and darkness... I decided I didn't want to keep going."

Luffy's eyes widened, his breath hitched and his chest tightened, but he stayed silent, letting her speak at her own pace.

"But then," Kuina continued, a small, almost amused smile ghosting her lips, "a swordsman who was visiting our village forced me to change my mind." She turned toward Luffy, her dark eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "Can you guess who it was?"

Luffy tilted his head, thinking for a moment before grinning and joked, "Let me guess—the Strongest Swordsman in the World, Dracule 'Hawk Eyes' Mihawk?"

His grin faltered when he saw the look on her face.

"No fucking way! Are you serious?!" he blurted out, eyes wide in shock.

Kuina chuckled. "Yeah. It was him. He wasn't the Strongest Swordsman yet, but he was already a famous Marine Hunter—his name was known all over the world. One day, he came to our village to challenge my father. Apparently, he had learned about our lineage and roots in Wano from who-knows-where."

She leaned back against the railing, gazing up at the night sky.

"So there I was—a heartbroken, suicidal eleven-year-old girl, standing face to face with the man who would one day become the world's greatest swordsman. And in that moment, I asked him the same question I had asked my father."

Luffy didn't say a word, just listening intently.

"You know what he said?" Kuina's lips curled slightly, her voice taking on a dry, amused edge. "He told me, 'If you're asking something so foolish and pointless, then you've already lost the spirit to become a true master of the sword. From now on, your dream is nothing more than a child's babbling.'"

She smirked. "And then—he just walked away. Like he hadn't just crushed a little girl's spirit."

Luffy winced. "Damn... that's harsh."

"Oh, it was," Kuina agreed. "But it had an effect—oh, it definitely did."

Her fingers drummed lightly against the wood of the deck as a flicker of old fire ignited in her eyes.

"That day, all the self-pity and helplessness vanished from my heart, replaced by rage—and a vindictive desire to prove everyone who doubted me wrong. An intense need to make a name for myself in a world filled with strong men." She let out a small laugh. "That same vindictive streak made me take a vow to never touch a sword again—just to piss off my father."

Luffy snorted. "Bet that drove him crazy."

"You have no idea," Kuina said with a smirk. "Nothing felt better than seeing his sour expression every time he realized I meant it."

Her smirk faded, replaced by something softer, something more vulnerable. "And that's how I became the person you see now. A brash, cynical, tomboyish girl who doesn't know a damn thing about jewelry or pretty dresses—but can tell the difference between a cut made by a dagger or a spear just by looking at it." She exhaled, her gaze dropping to the deck with a sad smile.

Before she could say anything else, Luffy suddenly moved, appearing beside her in an instant. Before she could react, he pulled her into a firm side hug, his warmth radiating against her.

She stiffened, caught off guard, but after a moment, she let herself relax, resting her head against his shoulder.

"You know, Kuina," Luffy said with a grin, "if we weren't friends and I just saw you walking past me on the street, I'd probably stop and turn around for a second look."

Kuina scoffed, a small chuckle escaping her lips as she lightly punched his stomach. "Dumbass."

"But seriously," Luffy continued, his voice softer now, more sincere. "I'm glad you're here. It would've been a shame to miss out on a friend like you."

Kuina turned away quickly, not wanting him to see the moisture in her eyes.

"Thanks," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Then, abruptly, she stood up, clearing her throat. "I'm gonna freshen up. Be back in a minute," she said hastily before striding toward the bathroom.

Luffy just smiled, watching her go, shaking his head knowingly. He didn't need to say anything else. He already understood.

******

Just after Kuina left, a familiar notification sound rang in Luffy's head.

'Oh! The rewards are here!' he thought excitedly, a grin spreading across his face as he quickly pulled up his system interface.

[Congratualtions! Side Quest: One Piece the Movie was completed!

Reward: Upgrade Token x 1]

[Congratulations! 2 new Achievements unlocked!]

[Conquering Avarice:  The achievement is given to the individual who has defeated an extremely greedy pirate  Eldoraggo.

Reward: 1000 pts]

[The Woonan's Legacy:  The achievement is given to the individual  who has uncovered the truth behind the rumors of the legendary treasure of 'The Great Gold Pirate' Woonan.

Reward: 1000 pts]

Luffy grinned, scanning through the notifications. "An Upgrade Token, huh?" he mused, recalling the last time he had used one on Raphael. The results had been... impressive, to say the least.

"Since I upgraded Raphael before, let's try using it on the system this time. What do you think, Raphael?"

Luffy nodded. "Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Alright then—let's do this!"

Without hesitation, he activated the token.

[Congratulations! Upgrade Token has been used to enhance the Randomizer System!]

[Congratulations! The Randomizer System has been successfully overhauled.]

[Moving forward, Achievements and Titles will grant 'Randomizer Rolls' instead of points.]

[Additionally, rewards obtained from Achievements and Titles will be doubled.]

[Notice: Two unclaimed achievements have been detected.]

[Notice: The rewards for the unclaimed achievements have been adjusted according to the new system configuration.]

[Congratulations! Randomizer Roll x4 has been awarded to the user!]

Luffy stared at the notifications, blinking. Then, a wide grin stretched across his face. "Whoa... That's a hell of an upgrade!" he muttered. "Achievement hunting is gonna be way more fun from now on!"

Eager to test out his luck, he immediately initiated the first roll.

The result?

An ordinary item from his world.

"Eh..." Luffy scratched his head. "Alright, not bad, but let's go again."

He activated the second roll—only to get another mundane item.

He groaned. "Yeah... as Miss Guide told me, the Randomizer System really is both a blessing and a curse."

Shaking off his mild disappointment, he moved on to the third roll. The moment the notification popped up, his eyes widened in pure excitement.

[Congratulations! Iron Man Gauntlet x 1 Watch received!]

Luffy practically jumped. "NO. FREAKIN'. WAY!"

He didn't even wait—he immediately summoned the watch from his inventory, strapping it onto his wrist with eager hands. The sleek design alone was enough to make his inner fanboy scream, but then he pressed the face of the watch, and—

With a satisfying click, the device came to life, expanding and shifting, covering his entire palm with a sleek, metallic red-and-gold gauntlet.

Luffy let out a giddy laugh. "This is fucking awesome!"

He flexed his fingers, watching the gauntlet respond flawlessly to his movements. He tested its grip, the articulation, even mimicking some of Iron Man's iconic poses.

For the next few minutes, he played around with it like an excited kid, enjoying every second.

Then, finally, he calmed himself down, taking a deep breath. "Alright, last roll. Let's see what else I get!"

He initiated the fourth and final roll and once again was left with his mouth wide open. "Wait—no way!" he said staring at the screen with wide eyes.

[Congratulations! Polearm: Ascended Skyward Spine x 1 received!] 

To be continued...