A day had passed since Renjiro's sudden transmigration. As bewildering as it was, a strange, almost clinical pragmatism was beginning to settle over him.
"Now that I think about it," he mused internally, kicking snow off his boots as he stood outside with the two children, "I'm in the North Blue. That's something. Still, it's strange—I've never even heard of this kingdom before."
"Come on, Renjiro! Don't just stand there like a buffoon!" Yurie called out, flopping onto her back in the snow like she was swimming in it—ironic, considering her bossy attitude.
Renjiro smirked. "Yes, ma'am," he muttered under his breath, a faint echo of his old sarcasm.
Meanwhile, Renzo tugged at Renjiro's sleeve, his nose already red from the cold.
"Big bro, when is the snow gonna melt and go back to normal?" he asked sincerely, clearly not a fan of winter. For him, snow was just an obstacle—something that kept him from adventures with his brother.
Renjiro let out a sigh, glancing at his little foster brother.
Can't believe I'm a kid again... Still feels weird. I'm literally a teenager trapped in a child's body. Then again... another chance at life, I guess. A faint, almost bitter, thought followed: You never know what fresh hell awaits.
He gave Renzo a warm smile, an expression that felt both natural and entirely alien on his new face. "Not sure, but it'll melt soon. For now… let's join Yurie."
Then, leaning in close to Renzo's ear, he whispered with a grin: "You're it."
"Ah, I'll get you!" Renzo squealed, his tiny legs pumping through the snow as he chased Yurie. Their laughter echoed, sharp and clear in the crisp, cold air.
They lived in Tundveil, a small, isolated town nestled deep within the Saint Athers Kingdom. Though the kingdom itself was sprawling across the North Blue, Tundveil's remote, northern location meant prolonged, brutal winters—a stark deterrent for even the most adventurous children.
The town itself was barely more than a handful of hardy families: the Caelins and three others. They lived a life of subsistence, far from the bustling capital, surviving on the food they harvested and the game they hunted.
As the children played, a towering figure emerged from the snow-laden trees, casting a long shadow across the pristine white. He had a thick white beard, frosted with snow, and a powerful, muscular frame that belied his age.
"Ho, ho, ho! If it isn't my beloved trio! Not going to greet your grandpa?" he boomed, a wide, warm smile splitting his face.
"Grandpa!" Renzo shrieked, instantly abandoning his chase. He launched himself at the towering man, hugging his leg with all the force a three-year-old could muster.
"Old Man Bram!" Yurie pouted, marching up to him, hands on her hips. "Renjiro was sick for a while, and you didn't even come see him!"
"Ho, ho, ho, don't be upset, little storm cloud," Bram chuckled, his deep voice rumbling like an earthquake. "I'm sure Renjiro would understand the struggles of hunting. Mister Coal and I went deep into the forest, and... rejoice! Today, we will all be feasting!" He let out a booming, casual One Piece laugh: "Ho ho ho!"
Renjiro stood there, bewildered. In his past life, his biological father had been practically non-existent, even during his chronic illness. Only his grandfather had consistently shown up at the hospital; everyone else had been relegated to a phone call.
Now, overwhelmed by the raw, genuine care radiating from this man—this "Grandpa"—Renjiro felt a surge of emotion he was utterly unable to sort. Something entirely new. Something profoundly warm.
Tears welled up, thick and hot, blurring the snowy landscape. He wept, silent at first, then letting out small, choked sobs. Bram noticed. His laughter died, replaced by a gentle concern. He knelt, scooping Renjiro up easily and settling him onto his broad shoulder.
"Ho, ho, ho, Renjiro," Bram said softly, patting his back. "Thought you were a man now. You knew I was gonna be gone for a while. Don't cry, little sprout."
But the tears didn't stop. Because for the first time in two lives—Renjiro wasn't alone.
As the four continued towards their cabin, they were met by Mister Coal, their neighbor. He was a lean man, perhaps a few years younger than Bram, with sharp, watchful eyes and a quiet intensity that contrasted with Bram's boisterous warmth.
"That was a great hunt, Bram," Mister Coal said, patting his friend firmly on the back. "Took a lot out of us, but we did it. I'll tell the other families about our catch."
"Good. This isn't just for us, Coal," Bram replied, his voice softening. "It's for all of us who stick together, to share what we have." He then gestured for the children to go on ahead into the warmth of the cabin. "Go on, you three. Get inside."
Renjiro, still lost in the swirling aftermath of his tears, lingered, his little legs moving slowly towards the cabin. He was close enough to hear something that jolted him, sparking a new chain of thought.
"Look, Coal," Bram said, his voice dropping, the cheer gone from it. Renjiro saw him grip Coal's shoulder, a gesture of grim solidarity. "The capital's getting more corrupt, and pirates are increasing. We both know that even our little place will eventually be touched by one or the other."
Coal looked down, a heavy understanding in his eyes. "Even though we retired from the Marine, we have neither the money nor the means to keep our people safe. We're the hope right now, Bram. We need to raise these little ones—yours and mine and the rest—into splendid people, and not let them rot."
"We need to be prepared for anything to happen. Be watchful of our surroundings and keep Drake informed of this, too." Bram nodded, and Coal left.
Renjiro, shocked to hear this, felt a cold dread settle in his small chest. I just got here, he thought, his mind racing. And now there are already potential threats to my life? I may be small, but I'll need to think fast.
He quickly slipped into the cabin, only to be confronted by Kaia. She stood by the roaring hearth, warmth radiating from her as she tilted her head, a knowing grin on her face.
"Overhearing Grandpa, weren't you?" she teased softly.
"Get inside, you silly goose," she added with a gentle laugh, nudging him further into the room. "There's nothing to worry about. Not as long as Bram, Coal, and Drake are here. We're safe."
"Man, that sucks," Renjiro muttered to himself, a grim assessment of his overheard reality. I'm just an orphan living up north, in this humble life. It's not like I have some magical plot armor keeping me, or these people, safe. He stood there, lost in the heavy weight of his thoughts.
A voice, bright and insistent, cut through his contemplation.
"Renjiro, come over here!" Yurie called out. Renzo was already seated beside her in front of the crackling fireplace, giggling.
"Each of us has to tell a story that makes someone else laugh," Yurie explained, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
With nothing else to do, Renjiro went to indulge them in their game.
Two Months Later
Winter had finally loosened its icy grip after a dreadful five and a half months of blizzards and deep snow. The green meadows burst back to life, and the trees, once stark, unfurled their new leaves. Birds sang from the branches, and even deer, once shy, roamed openly not far from the town.
This change of season meant only one thing for Renzo: adventure. And for Renjiro, he'd always been a fan of exploring. Even putting aside that childish desire just to run around, he had other plans brewing in his mind.
"Brother, you know what time of year it is!" Renzo exclaimed, his green eyes brimming with the unbridled desire for a new adventure.
"Yeah, I know," Renjiro replied, a slight smile playing on his lips. "The Grand Adventure of R&R."
During the long winter months, Renzo had done nothing but talk about their past escapades—the "old" Renjiro's adventures, and many fateful encounters they'd had. Enough to keep a kid's memory buzzing, at least.
"But where do you want to go?" Renjiro asked. "Should we go swim in the river? It's close by, not far at all."
"Let's go and explore the forest!" Renzo suggested, a hint of genuine excitement in his voice.
Renjiro's eyes widened. "The forest?! You know Grandpa said we shouldn't go anywhere near it! Forget about even entering it!"
Renjiro knew better. A four-year-old and a three-year-old on an expedition in a forest, especially in a world where he had no idea what lurked beyond the treeline, wouldn't bring any good news.
"Please!" Renzo whined, tugging at Renjiro's shirt. "We've already been to so many boring places. For our adventure to be really grand, we need to explore the dangerous, off-limits Forest of Death!" He exaggerated the name with a dramatic flourish.
Renjiro sighed, knowing Renzo wouldn't shut up about it now. At times, Renzo could be incredibly shy and quiet, but when it came to certain things he liked, he was a never-ending chatterbox.
A/N: Hello fellow readers, if you guys have any suggestions at all, please feel free to share them in the comments.