Simultaneous Transmigration: From Japanese Anime to American Comics

Chapter 51: The Future Path

At night, Chu Yang trained alone on the deck. Moments later, a figure emerged from the cabin and approached him.

"Why didn't you accept Brother Tiger's invitation?" Jinbe asked, looking puzzled at Chu Yang. He had thought that after going through so many battles together, everyone had long since become companions.

Chu Yang stopped what he was doing, sat down slowly, and explained, "If it were the Tiger who originally planned to travel the world, I would have joined him without hesitation. But now, all of his energy is focused on liberating slaves. That's his dream, not mine."

Jinbe fell silent. Indeed, as Chu Yang had said, everyone's dreams are different. Forcing others to follow your ideals, no matter how noble and righteous, is still questionable.

After pondering for a long time, Jinbe sighed deeply, his face full of regret. In his eyes, Chu Yang was a promising young man, and it was truly a pity for someone like him to leave the Sun Pirates.

Filled with regret, Jinbe sat down beside Chu Yang and asked, "So, is your dream the same as Brother Tiger's earlier one? To travel the world?"

Chu Yang smiled, "Something like that. I want to explore the world, spar with strong opponents, hone myself, and see the sights across the globe. After all, I'm here in this world, I can't just keep running from the Marines like a dog, can I?"

Jinbe reminded him, "Given your previous actions, I'm afraid you've already drawn the Navy's attention. You'll still be wanted even after leaving the ship."

Chu Yang responded resolutely, "Let them issue a bounty. At least I can freely choose where I want to go."

Jinbe sighed, "You really are like a true pirate now."

"I already am..." Chu Yang also felt a bit sentimental. He then patted Jinbe on the shoulder and smiled, "Don't be down. I'm not leaving immediately; I'll stay for a while longer."

Jinbe finally cracked a rare smile.

Chu Yang gazed at the high-hanging moon on the horizon and began contemplating what the magical Chu Yang had told him in the Soul Palace.

In the world of pirates, there are many who are skilled in Haki, but those who possess Conqueror's Haki are as rare as phoenix feathers. Currently, only a handful are known, including Boa Hancock, who hasn't fully matured yet, the late Pirate King Roger, and Kozuki Oden. The rest are all renowned pirates.

The Navy also has a few who wield Conqueror's Haki, but given that Chu Yang was once a slave to the Celestial Dragons and has now joined a pirate crew, it's impossible for him to join the Navy.

Therefore, if Chu Yang wants his Haki to grow stronger, he must seek opportunities within the pirate world.

Only a few candidates stood out.

First, the Four Emperors.

At this point in time, Kaido had been ruling Wano for nearly twelve years, with his arms dealings in the underworld flourishing—so much so that even the World Government was involved, making his influence overwhelming.

Charlotte Linlin, known as "Big Mom," had firmly established her dominance over Whole Cake Island, and with her ever-growing number of children and the increasing number of pirate crews pledging allegiance to her, her Totto Land was becoming an undeniable force.

It was this year that the calls for both of them to become "Emperors of the Sea" grew louder and louder.

Eventually, they would form a tripartite standoff with the world's strongest man, Whitebeard.

At this time, although Shanks, the Red-Haired Pirate, was also well-known, his reputation paled in comparison to the other three.

The structure of the Four Emperors wouldn't fully form for another six years.

After much thought, Chu Yang decided against learning Conqueror's Haki from Kaido or Big Mom.

Not only were both of them located far away in the second half of the Grand Line, but their personalities clashed with Chu Yang's. Both were somewhat unhinged, and if there was one thing Chu Yang couldn't stand, it was unstable people.

The Whitebeard Pirates seemed like a good option, but the idea of calling someone "dad" sent shivers down Chu Yang's spine.

Although he admired Whitebeard, calling him "father" was something Chu Yang couldn't accept.

Out of the Four Emperors, Shanks was the weakest at this point, and it would be the easiest to join his crew.

The problem was that Chu Yang couldn't confirm Shanks' current level of Conqueror's Haki. It was important to remember that Shanks was still six years away from becoming one of the Four Emperors.

The other potential option was Dark King Rayleigh, who was easy to approach since he resided in the Sabaody Archipelago.

However, being a pirate who had been in hiding for years, Rayleigh was unlikely to come out of retirement just to train Chu Yang.

Not everyone can have the "protagonist's halo."

Other options, like Doflamingo or Chinjao of the Happo Navy, were even worse choices.

After considering all these possibilities, Shanks still seemed the most reliable.

Then, Chu Yang suddenly realized something. This year wasn't just about Kaido and Big Mom rising to power; it was also the year Shanks met Luffy in Windmill Village (Foosha Village)!

The Gomu Gomu no Mi!

Its true name after awakening was the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Type, Model: Nika!

Shanks had snatched the Gomu Gomu no Mi from the hands of Who's-Who, intending to give it to Ace, the son of the Pirate King Roger. But instead, Luffy accidentally ate it!

If Shanks had no knowledge of the secret behind the fruit, Chu Yang would find that hard to believe.

It wasn't unusual for a pirate of Shanks' caliber to steal a Devil Fruit from the World Government.

What was strange was that he brought the fruit to Windmill Village, where Ace was.

Clearly, Shanks had hoped Ace would become the chosen one of destiny. But instead, fate chose Luffy, and Shanks saw in Luffy the shadow of his former captain, Roger.

So, he respected fate's choice and bet everything on Luffy.

Now, if Chu Yang was willing to pay the price and endure Shanks' wrath, he could manipulate the wheel of fate and steer it in an unknown direction.

The protagonist didn't have to be Luffy; it could be anyone, including Chu Yang himself.

But was Chu Yang willing?

Of course not!

The chances of success were too low, and the cost was unimaginable!

Pulling off such a stunt under Shanks' watchful eye was far from easy.

Not to mention how strong Shanks' Observation Haki was, but even Usopp's father, Yasopp, had top-tier Observation Haki. Chu Yang would likely get sniped before he even got close to the Gomu Gomu no Mi.

Luffy only succeeded because he was young, and no one was on guard around him. Chu Yang, on the other hand, would never be able to lower the Red-Haired Pirates' guard, even if he managed to join them.

The only thing Chu Yang could possibly affect…

Was to stop Luffy from eating the Gomu Gomu no Mi.

But what would be the point of that?

The next day, Chu Yang went to find Tiger and told him about his plan to head to the East Blue.

Tiger was surprised. He had anticipated that Chu Yang would disembark somewhere on the Grand Line, but he hadn't expected Chu Yang to go to the East Blue.

However, after his initial surprise, Tiger respected Chu Yang's decision and decided that the Sun Pirates would escort him all the way there.

From their current location, the fastest route to the East Blue was through the Calm Belt.