Chapter 3:The Awakening of a Legend

Jason did spend time assimilating into his life as Silvers D. Jason, son of Shakuyaku and Rayleigh. He was trained by his fatherin the fundamentals of sword fighting and battle, and his mother educated him in the world and its evils. He soon found that this life was not as serene as it appeared. Transition to at twelve at night not age He still had his memories of old and the factthat this universe was unsafe—full ofpirates, Marines, and worse. And he hadnot forgotten that weird, godlike feeling he had experienced before he woke up in this body. He had wished. Strong wishes. The days passed in a blur of intense training and rapid growth as Jason spent his life on Sabaody Archipelago, training under the observant eye of his father, Silvers D. Rayleigh. Every day was a new trial. Rayleigh taught him the basics of kenjutsu, the general principles of Haki, and overallsurvival skills that came with existing in such a lethal part of the world. Sabaody was a hotbed of anarchism, prowled bypirates, bounty hunters, and worst of all—the constant danger presented by the Marines. Jason's development, though, was hardly typical. Rayleigh watched in amazement as his boy, not quite four years of age, studied sword techniques with effortless ease despite his tender age. Within weeks, Jason had exceeded the proficiency of an average kid in sword fighting, and his Observation Haki began to show itself in ways Rayleigh could not evade. On a bright afternoon, during anintense practice session, something didnot feel right. A divergence in the intent of his father. He shut his eyes, his Observation Haki focusing. Suddenly, notonly could he feel his father move but the emotions in the air—a quiet confidence with a hint of pride. Rayleigh struck, but Jason dodged him effortlessly, his feet moving before his brain had even processed the attack. Rayleigh stopped, lowering his sword. His eyes narrowed as he studied his son. "You're learning this too quickly, kid," he told him, a touch of pride beneath his otherwise gruff demeanor. "It took me years to reachwhere you are now, and you're managing it at four." Jason shrugged, attempting to brush it off. "I'm just a quick learner, I suppose." Rayleigh laughed, but his eyeswere keen. "Perhaps. But you're not thesame, Jason. You don't just have talent. You've got. potential. Not the sort that'sgained from simple training." Jason quietlysmiled to himself. If only you knew, Father. Jason went on living his life to the fullest asShakuyaku and Rayleigh's son as time wentby. Training was rigorous, and as his father taught him the art of combat, his mother taught him the ways of the world, the badside of it. He realized early on that this existence was one of constant danger, and Sabaody was anything but tranquil. His recollections of the old world were still vivid. He carried them like a burden—a reminder of the dangers in this pirateworld. He had not forgotten the god-likecreature he encountered before waking up in this body, nor the wishes he had made, which were soon to be granted. One night, when Jason was 12, he lay in bed, wide awake, staring at the ceiling. His mind wasa whirlwind of the amazing power that he knew lay dormant within him. The Dragon Dragon no Mi, Model: Elemental Dragon God—his dream Devil Fruit—was out there, waiting for him.