Chapter 1: Hell on Earth

[Brain Storage Area] 

[The timeline may differ slightly from the anime, but it generally follows the original storyline.] 

[In my opinion, the bounties in One Piece are not strictly based on strength but rather on the threat level posed by the pirate.] 

[Devil Fruit abilities also require development. Due to the early timeline, many characters have not yet reached their full potential.] 

[A thousand readers will have a thousand interpretations. I hope you enjoy the story I've written.] 

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Year 1484 of the Sea Calendar. 

The western frontier of the West Blue. 

God Valley!!! 

Black smoke shrouded the sky, and crimson blood splattered everywhere. Lifeless bodies littered the ground, turning the entire island into a living hell. 

Prisoners in tattered uniforms and island residents fled in all directions. With every gunshot, another person fell to the ground, lifeless. 

Renji leaned against a tree, staring blankly at the scene before him, using the tree to support his trembling body and prevent himself from collapsing. 

Just moments ago, he had been in the bustling, peaceful modern world of the 21st century. Now, he found himself in the middle of a bloody battlefield. 

No, this wasn't a battlefield—it was a one-sided massacre!!! 

Such a place couldn't exist in the 21st century, at least not where he had lived. Yet, everything happening around him felt all too real. 

His trembling hands gripped the object in his hand tightly—a Yanling sword he had commissioned, which had somehow followed him to this unfamiliar world. He hoped it would bring him some comfort. 

As he took in the hellish scene, his breathing grew increasingly labored, each breath requiring immense effort. 

Meanwhile, across the island, the horrors continued to unfold. 

"Run! Get out of this area!" 

"They're coming!" 

"I'm the last one left in my family... why did this have to happen to us?" 

"If... if I can just survive three weeks... no!" 

"Why was this island chosen by those people? I hate this!" 

"I don't want to die! I have to survive this!" 

Deafening screams echoed from all directions, sending chills down his spine. It felt like a slaughterhouse, except the ones being hunted were living, breathing people. 

**Thud!** 

A bony fist slammed into Renji's face, sending him sprawling to the ground. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. 

Caught off guard, Renji's vision blurred, and his head spun. 

"Are you out of your mind, standing in the middle of the road like an idiot?" the man roared, his voice filled with panic and rage. "You're blocking my way! If you want to die, don't drag me down with you. Get out of here!" 

The pain jolted Renji back to his senses. He shot a glare at the man, his grip tightening on his sword. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. 

Anyone would be furious after being punched out of nowhere. And there was no road here—everyone was scrambling through the forest, dodging bullets fired by the nobles. 

But then, Renji chuckled softly. 

Of course, no matter where you went, there would always be scum like this. Even in the face of death, they'd still try to ensure others died before them. 

The man, unsatisfied with just knocking Renji down, stepped closer, his eyes bloodshot and pupils unnaturally dilated. 

He seemed to be drowning in fear, desperate for an outlet. 

"Kid, you look like you've got a problem with me?" The man sneered, glancing at the sword in Renji's hand. "You're too scrawny to even use that thing properly. With the nobles chasing us, why don't I hold onto it for you? I'll give it back once we're out of here." 

With a vicious grin, he swung his fist again. 

"Are you out of your mind? There's plenty of space here. How am I in your way?" 

Under the man's bewildered gaze, Renji swiftly sheathed his sword and rolled to the side, dodging the attack. 

The man couldn't understand how this kid had managed to evade him. Just moments ago, he had been standing there like a fool. 

Renji didn't waste time arguing. With a swift motion, he swung his sword, striking the man between the legs. 

**"Aaargh!!!"** 

The man howled in agony, collapsing to his knees and curling into a ball. 

Seizing the opportunity, Renji didn't linger. He left the man behind and sprinted deeper into the forest. 

**"Bang! Bang! Bang!"** 

Gunfire erupted behind him. 

At the same time, a group of elegantly dressed nobles appeared where Renji had been standing moments ago. They looked down at the writhing man with disdain. 

Before the man could even curse, a bullet pierced his forehead, and blood and brain matter spilled from the wound. 

His face still twisted in rage, the man's body went limp, collapsing to the ground. 

From behind a tree, Renji watched everything unfold. 

He instinctively covered his mouth, trying to suppress the urge to vomit. 

This was the closest he had ever come to death in both his lives. Here, no one cared about others' lives. 

On the contrary, to survive, people would resort to any means necessary. 

He knew that if he didn't escape quickly, he would end up like the others—shot, writhing in pain, and waiting for death... 

"Hahaha, did you see that? These idiots are still fighting among themselves while running for their lives!" one of the nobles sneered, clearly amused. 

In God Valley, these ordinary nobles, though far inferior in status to the Celestial Dragons, still reveled in tormenting the slaves and residents. 

They were like cats toying with mice, watching their prey die in despair. 

This kind of entertainment was hard to come by. 

"I saw it. Truly, slaves are nothing but ugly, despicable creatures. Disgusting." 

"Livestock exists to be hunted. At least they're serving some purpose by entertaining us." 

"How many points have you all scored? I'm getting closer to catching the attention of the Celestial Dragons!" 

"I don't care about points. The thrill of killing is enough for me." 

"Don't bother dreaming about rewards. The God's Knights have already left us far behind in the scoreboard." 

"Didn't a little 'rabbit' escape earlier? I hope he gives me more fun, hehehe." 

The nobles, having abandoned any pretense of decorum, laughed and raised their guns, searching for their next target. 

... 

Renji rubbed his forehead, his legs moving tirelessly. He could almost hear the nobles' mocking laughter in his ears. 

Shaking off the thought, he focused on his surroundings. Knowing the danger he was in, he pushed aside his exhaustion and scanned for a place to hide. 

He had likely been transported to another world, and it was a hellish start. He was probably one of the targets in this twisted hunt. 

He didn't know how long he could last, but staying calm was his only chance of survival. 

One thing puzzled him, though. Despite the chaos and desperation, there was a strange sense of hope in the eyes of those fleeing. 

The madness here was beyond his comprehension. He couldn't understand the reason for this massacre. Was it all just for entertainment? 

Renji's mind was filled with questions, but in a place like this, there was no one to provide answers. 

"..." 

"Big brother, it's too dangerous for you to stay here." 

A tall boy in a prisoner's uniform approached Renji, his toes wriggling nervously in his tattered shoes. It was clear the boy wasn't as calm as he appeared. 

"I... I have some friends in a safer spot. Do you... want to come with us?" 

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