7

In my small, damp cell, I couldn't help but observe the other slaves around me. The place was filled with a variety of captives, each with their own story of how they ended up here. Right across from me was a giant of a man, easily 5 meters tall. His massive frame towered over everyone else, his face etched with lines of fatigue and resignation. Despite his size, there was a certain gentleness in his eyes, a stark contrast to the brutal world we were all trapped in.

In another corner of the cell, mermaids were confined in a large aquarium. Their graceful movements in the water were captivating, yet tinged with sadness. Their vibrant tails shimmered even in the dim light of the cell, and their hauntingly beautiful faces were marked with sorrow. It was a cruel fate for creatures who belonged to the open sea.

Among the captives, there were also some exotic animals. One that caught my eye was a creature that seemed to be a cross between a lion and a bear. It had the muscular body of a bear but the mane and fierce face of a lion. It paced restlessly in its cage, growling softly. The sight of such a majestic creature caged and treated as merchandise was disheartening.

As I looked around at my fellow captives, I felt a deep sense of despair. We were all different – humans, mermaids, and unique animals – but shared the same fate of being stripped of our freedom and dignity. The diversity of the captives was a stark reminder of how vast and often cruel the world of One Piece could be.

Sitting in that cell, waiting for my transfer to the Whitebeard Pirates, I wondered about their intentions. Did they recognize me, or was there some other reason they bid for me? My thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of the auction continuing outside. I could only hope that my fate with the Whitebeard Pirates would be better than what awaited the others in this grim place

From Marco's perspective:

Getting our crewmate back was a relief, but there were so many questions. How did he end up as a slave? We needed to figure this out.

The auction for the sword was intense. It was crowded, and everyone seemed eager. Several rich folks tried to bid higher than us, but we weren't backing down. Eventually, we got the sword for a whopping 700 million berries. It was expensive, but it was worth it for such a rare sword.

Before the sword, they auctioned off two Zoan Devil Fruits – the Neko Neko no Mi, model: Lion, and the Zou Zou no Mi. They were interesting, but our eyes were on the prize - the sword.

Then came the last item, a Logia-type Devil Fruit. It wasn't the usual kind. This one was the Moku Moku no Mi. It let the user create and control smoke. The whole crowd was buzzing with interest. The bidding was fierce, but in the end, a Navy representative won it for a staggering 1.6 billion berries.

After securing the sword and our crewmate, it was time to leave. I was thinking about him a lot. What had happend to him and how he ended up here

From Marco's perspective:

After the auction, we were led by the workers to a room to pick up the things we won – the special sword and a guy named Cesar. We got the sword first, and it was pretty impressive. We were checking it out, waiting for Cesar to be brought in.

Switching to the main character's perspective:

The guards got me ready and led me out of the dark cell. They took me into a room where Marco and Jozu were waiting. The room was bright compared to my cell, and it took a moment for my eyes to adjust. When they told the guards to let me go, I thought for a second that I might be free. But then reality set in. Even if I tried to run, I wouldn't get far. I wasn't really free, not yet.

Then Marco looked at me, gave a casual wave, and said, "What's up, Cesar? Yoi." His voice was friendly, but I was still confused. Did they really think I was someone named Cesar? Or did I just look like a crewmate of theirs?

The guards brought me some new clothes to change into. The fabric felt soft and comfortable compared to what I was wearing before. Once I changed, we started heading outside. I wasn't sure why they were being so nice, but I couldn't help feeling thankful.

Stepping outside was incredible. The air was so fresh, and the world around me seemed brighter and more alive than I had ever seen it. It was the best feeling. But as we walked, I couldn't stop wondering about who I was to these people. Was I really Cesar, or just someone who looked like a member of their crew? "

We walked for a while, and Marco started making conversation. "How are you doing, Cesar? Yoi. What have you been up to?" he asked. I just gave him a confused look. Seeing my face, he realized something wasn't right.

"What's wrong?" Marco asked, his tone more serious now.

I hesitated, then told him, "I'm not really sure who you are... I don't remember anything before waking up alone on some island."

Marco and Jozu exchanged a glance and then went silent for a bit. "Everything will be okay, yoi," Marco finally said. "Can you show us your back?"

I didn't understand why, but I lifted my shirt so they could see. They looked at something on my back for a moment. Then Marco nodded and said, "Okay, everything's good. We know you, but we'll explain everything later, yoi." They started walking again, and I just followed, still full of questions.

We walked for about 20 minutes, and I began to take in the sights and sounds around Sabaody. The air was filled with the noise of bustling crowds, the scent of street food, and the occasional laughter of children playing. The sun was shining bright, and the sky was a clear blue. Everything seemed so lively and colorful.

Then, we reached an enormous ship, about 70 meters tall. It was massive and imposing, with a powerful aura. The ship's hull was painted in dark colors, and I could see the crew busily moving around on deck. At the top of the ship, fluttering in the wind, was the flag of the Whitebeard Pirates – a symbol that was known and respected by many.

As we boarded the ship, I felt a mix of awe and nervousness. The deck was wide and spacious, and the crew members were strong-looking, each busy with their tasks. Some of them glanced at me curiously as we passed by.

.

As we entered the captain's room, Marco motioned towards a chair. "Take a seat, Cesar," he said. The room was a maze of maps and nautical tools, clearly the command center of the ship.

Marco leaned in, his face serious. "What do you remember? Do you know your name, or who you are?" he asked.

I slowly shook my head. "No, I don't remember anything. My name, my past, it's all gone," I said, my voice full of confusion and frustration.

Marco nodded, understanding. "You were found alone on an island, right? Remember anything about that or before?"

I tried hard to think back, but it was like looking into a dark void. "No, nothing. My memory's blank until I woke up there."

Marco and Jozu exchanged a quick glance. "Your ship was attacked in the Grand Line and got destroyed," Marco explained. "We're heading there to find out who did it and make them pay."

I was shocked. "My ship was attacked?"

"Yes, yoi," Marco confirmed. "You were part of our crew. The tattoo on your back is damaged, but a part of the mustache in the Whitebeard mark is still there. That's how we know you're one of us."

The news hit me hard. I was part of the Whitebeard Pirates, but how could I not remember something so important?

Marco kept talking. "We'll help you figure out what happened. For now, just know you're safe with us. We take care of our crew."

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and curiosity. Being part of the Whitebeard crew sounded big, but without my memories, it felt strange. Maybe being with them would help me remember who I was.

We entered the captain's room, which Marco indicated was where I should sit. Maps and nautical tools filled the room, a clear sign of its importance on the ship.

Marco's gaze was fixed on me as he asked, "What do you remember? Do you know who you are?"

I had to be careful with my answer. The truth was, I had been reincarnated into this body and had no connection to its past. But I couldn't reveal that – it would be too complicated, maybe even dangerous. So, I played along with the idea of memory loss.

"No, I... I don't remember anything. My name, my past, it's all just a blank," I replied, trying to sound as confused and frustrated as I felt.

Marco looked thoughtful, then said, "You were part of our crew. Your ship was attacked in the Grand Line and destroyed. We're on our way there now to find out what happened and get back at whoever did it."

I nodded, acting as if this was all news to me. "I was part of the Whitebeard Pirates?" I asked, feigning surprise.

"Yes, yoi," Marco confirmed. "See, the tattoo on your back is part of the Whitebeard mark. Most of it's gone, but you can still make out part of the mustache."

Sitting there, I felt a mix of relief and anxiety. I was safe for now with the Whitebeard Pirates, but I had to keep up the act. I had no idea who the previous person was or what they had done. All I could do was go along and hope to figure things out as I went.

"We'll help you get your memories back, yoi," Marco said, reassuringly. "You're one of us, and we look after our own."

I nodded, grateful for their acceptance and support, even though I knew I wasn't the person they thought I was. I had to tread carefully, learn about my new identity, and navigate this unfamiliar world I had been thrown into.

Marco's interest grew as he asked about what happened after I woke up. I dove into the story, telling them everything about the island, the pirates I encountered, and the two figures who stood out – Vice Captain and Captain John, mentioning his notable bounty. I explained how I ended up being captured and eventually sold as a slave.

Marco listened intently, his eyebrows raised in surprise. "With your skills, you should've been able to handle anyone with a bounty under 50 million easily, yoi," he commented, a hint of confusion in his voice.

I could only nod in agreement, but inside, I was just as puzzled. The truth was, I had no memories or skills from this body's past. But I couldn't tell Marco that. So, I added, "Maybe it was because of trauma and exhaustion."

Marco seemed to consider this. "That could be it. And there's also the matter of the burn scar on your back," he said thoughtfully. "It's pretty severe. It might have affected you more than we realize."

I felt a chill thinking about the scar, a permanent mark from an event I had no memory of. "Yeah, maybe that's it," I replied, trying to sound as convinced as Marco seemed to be.

The conversation made me realize just how complex my situation was. Here I was, in a body with a past I knew nothing about, surrounded by people who expected me to be someone I wasn't. I had to tread carefully, learn as much as I could, and adapt to survive in this new life I'd found myself in.