Kaizen stood atop a cliff, gazing out at the vast ocean stretching endlessly before him. It had been nearly two years since he had woken up on this unforgiving island. He had conquered its beasts, mastered its terrain, and honed his body to peak condition. Now, it was time for the next step—escape.
But before that, he needed to make sure he could survive outside this island just as well as he had within it.
Building a Home
Kaizen's shelter had evolved over time. At first, he had merely slept in trees or hidden in caves, wary of the island's many dangers. But as he grew stronger, he realized he needed a proper base—a home.
Using sturdy logs from the jungle's thickest trees, he constructed a wooden cabin reinforced with vines and hardened mud. It wasn't just for protection from the elements, but also to store food, weapons, and tools.
For water, he built a filtration system using charcoal, sand, and bamboo, ensuring a clean supply from the nearby river. Hunting had become second nature to him, and he had learned to smoke and preserve meat to last longer. Fruits and edible plants provided balance to his diet, making sure he remained in peak condition.
As days passed, his shelter became more than just a survival necessity—it became a symbol of how much he had grown. He was no longer just a stranded boy. He was a survivor, a warrior, a king of his domain.
But even kings had to move on.
The Plan for Escape
Kaizen knew that staying on the island forever wasn't an option. The world was out there, waiting for him. He needed to explore, to test himself against real warriors and uncover the truth about his reincarnation.
Step one of his escape plan was figuring out where he was.
Using a rudimentary sundial and mapping the stars at night, he estimated that he was somewhere in East Blue—not in the Grand Line, which was both a relief and a challenge.
If he was in East Blue, then he needed to find a way to civilization. Ships rarely came near the island due to its dangerous reputation. That meant his only option was to build a boat.
Crafting the Boat
Building a seaworthy vessel was no easy task. The tides around the island were strong, and without the right materials, his boat would be smashed apart before it even got far.
He started by selecting the sturdiest wood from the jungle, cutting down massive trees and carving them into planks. Using natural resin and fibers, he sealed the gaps to ensure the boat wouldn't take on water.
For propulsion, he crafted a simple sail from woven palm leaves and animal hide. He also carved out oars, in case the wind wasn't in his favor.
It took weeks of grueling labor, but finally, his boat was ready.
Discovering the Timeline
As Kaizen made his final preparations, he needed to confirm what year it was. He knew that certain events in One Piece's timeline were crucial—if he landed in the wrong era, he could be in serious trouble.
One day, while scouting the island's shores, he saw something unexpected—a broken piece of wood washed up on the beach. It had a pirate flag painted on it, but the design was unfamiliar.
That meant ships had been nearby recently.
Determined to learn more, Kaizen spent days watching the horizon. Finally, he spotted a merchant ship sailing past in the far distance. Climbing to his highest vantage point, he used his enhanced vision to read the flag and markings on the sails.
It belonged to a trade company operating during Luffy's childhood.
That meant… he was likely ten years before Luffy set sail.
His heart pounded. This was before the Great Pirate Era had truly exploded. That meant opportunities. That meant time.
The Road Ahead
Kaizen stared at his boat, fists clenched. He had spent two years surviving, growing, evolving into something far beyond the weak child he once was.
Now, it was time to set sail.
The world wouldn't know what was coming for it.
But soon, it would.