East Blue, Windmill Village.
At noon, a boy named Lin Mo, dressed in a simple black T-shirt, pushed open the tavern doors just like he did every day.
"Makino, the usual," he said calmly.
Without hesitation, Lin Mo took a seat at the bar.
"Of course."
Makino, the tavern's owner, smiled warmly. With her signature green short hair tied under a headscarf, she reached up to the shelf and picked a bottle of aged liquor. Popping the cork, she poured it into a glass and set it gently in front of him.
This tavern, the only one in Windmill Village, saw a steady stream of regulars villagers and passing travelers alike.
Most customers came for strong drinks, but now and then kids like Luffy would drop by. Naturally, kids didn't drink, so the bar stocked fruit juice just for them.
But Lin Mo, a quiet ten-year-old, was unlike any child she'd ever served he actually liked alcohol.
Raising the glass, Lin Mo took a slow sip.
"How is it?" Makino asked with a soft smile.
"Not bad," he replied.
Just then, a burst of lively noise echoed from the entrance.
The door swung open, and a cheerful voice called out, "Yo, Lin Mo's here too!"
It was Red-Haired Shanks.
Moments later, Yasopp, Lucky Roux, and the rest of the Red-Haired Pirates filled the tavern, boisterously calling for drinks.
Shanks plopped down right beside Lin Mo, took off his straw hat, and placed it on the bar. At this point in time, he still had both arms.
Makino brought out her best stock without being asked.
Shanks cracked open a bottle, took a long swig straight from it, then laughed heartily and slapped Lin Mo on the back.
"Ahahaha! Kid, have you thought about my offer from yesterday?"
Lin Mo calmly set his glass down and answered casually, "I refuse."
"Huh? Just like that?" Shanks pretended to be heartbroken. "No hesitation? Not even a little face-saving?"
The Red-Haired Pirates roared with laughter.
"Bwahaha, boss got rejected!"
"Even a kid won't say yes to you? You're slipping, Captain!"
"Hahaha, come on, boss! We believe in you!"
Unbothered, Shanks downed another gulp of liquor and joined in the laughter like nothing happened.
The atmosphere was so cheerful that even Lin Mo, a transmigrator, couldn't help but chuckle along.
That's right Lin Mo wasn't originally from this world. It had been ten days since his soul crossed over into the world of One Piece.
His golden finger? The Traveler's System a mysterious mechanism that granted rewards whenever he completed "check-ins" at specific locations.
But the check-ins weren't as simple as just arriving. The system required a progress bar to reach 100%, and the way to fill it... was a mystery.
When Lin Mo first arrived in Windmill Village, the bar filled to 30%. After drinking a glass of wine at Makino's tavern, another 30%. Then, after getting to know Shanks and buying him a drink, it jumped to 90%.
Once he hit 100%, he could leave for the next destination.
But the last 10% had stubbornly refused to budge ever since he met Shanks a week ago.
"Hey, kid." Shanks suddenly wrapped an arm around Lin Mo's neck and asked with a grin, "Ever think about your future?"
"Set sail, drink fine wine, eat good meat, and see the world," Lin Mo said, pushing Shanks away. "I want to be a free-spirited traveler."
Shanks burst out laughing, slapping the table.
"Haha! A traveler? Don't you think that's a waste of your talent?"
Talent?
Did he notice something?
Before Lin Mo could respond, Shanks leaned in and said, "You can't fool me, kid."
Though they'd only known each other for a week, Lin Mo didn't talk much but when he did, his words were far too mature and insightful for someone his age. Grand ambitions, calm reasoning traits not seen in typical children.
While other patrons often laughed at his words, Lin Mo never seemed to care and never argued back. Were it not for his young appearance, Shanks might have mistaken him for a man who had already lived through many adventures.
Their personalities clicked instantly, and they quickly became close friends.
More than that, Shanks had sensed something extraordinary from Lin Mo.
Even if others couldn't see it, he knew this boy had already awakened all three types of Haki Observation, Armament, and even the rare Conqueror's Haki.
Haki is a latent power anyone can potentially access. It's an invisible force of will, shaped by fighting spirit, bloodlust, and sheer presence. But most people can only awaken one or two types through extensive training and even then, it takes years.
To master Observation and Armament Haki at ten years old was already exceptional. But to also possess Conqueror's Haki found only in one among millions? That was terrifying.
And Lin Mo was only ten!
What amazed Shanks even more was the boy's rapid growth.
A week ago, Lin Mo's Haki was unsteady, wild, and uncontrolled. Yet each day, his aura grew calmer, his strength more refined. Without any teacher in this quiet village, he was mastering Haki entirely on his own.
That kind of progress was unheard of.
If Shanks hadn't seen it himself every day, he wouldn't have believed such talent existed.
He was certain this kid was destined to shake the world.
That's why he made the offer yesterday: to join the Red-Haired Pirates. He'd even given Lin Mo the night to think it over.
And now, even after being rejected...
Despite Lin Mo's overwhelming talent, Shanks couldn't imagine a ten-year-old surviving the dangers of the open sea alone.
"You've awakened all three forms of Haki, haven't you?" Shanks said seriously. "With your potential, being a simple traveler would be a waste. Come aboard my ship. We'll still travel the world, feast, drink, and live free but you'll also gain a crew of comrades worth dying for."
Lin Mo remained silent.
So he had noticed after all.
No wonder he would one day become one of the Four Emperors.
And honestly, with Shanks' carefree nature, life aboard his ship would probably be enjoyable. Gaining such trustworthy and lively companions did sound appealing.
But Lin Mo had made up his mind long ago.
He would never join any crew or faction.
Shaking his head, Lin Mo answered firmly, "I'm used to being on my own. No matter how good the offer sounds, I'm not interested. My dream is simple to be a free, unbound traveler. That's all."
Shanks blinked, taken aback.
He hadn't expected to be rejected twice.
He opened his mouth to speak again, but one look at the boy's resolute eyes told him it was pointless.
"You sure, kid?" Shanks said with a sigh. "You're the first person I've invited twice. Absolutely certain you won't reconsider?"
Shanks was a man of generosity and spirit, admired for his easygoing nature and deep loyalty to his crew. Even before he became one of the fearsome Four Emperors, his character alone made people want to follow him.
And Lin Mo did admire that side of him.
But to join his crew?
Out of the question.
Lin Mo shook his head. "My mind's made up. There's no need to ask again."
Just as he spoke those words, a voice echoed in his mind.
Ding! Successfully refused Shanks' invitation. Sign-in progress +10%.
Ding! Windmill Village sign-in complete. Congratulations, Host! Reward: Full-Attribute Chakra Physique and Fire Style: Majestic Dragon Flame Jutsu.