system: |host is currently located on Dawn Palm Island, one of the many small islands scattered near East Blue|
"...Dawn Palm Island? Never heard of it," I mumbled, standing up and brushing sand off my clothes. I looked around—tall coconut trees swaying, ocean glimmering under the sun, and strange bird sounds echoing from the forest nearby. It felt too peaceful... almost suspiciously peaceful.
but if it's near East Blue...that means...this is the beginning, isn't it? The sea where everything starts. the starting point of pirates, dreams, and adventures...
my heart started beating faster. this is it. this is the real deal.
I walked a bit down the beach, still in awe, when I caught my reflection in the shallow water pooled between rocks.
"...that's me?" I whispered, staring into unfamiliar eyes. long blue hair flowed past my shoulders like silk, with paper decorations fluttering softly in the wind. I looked ethereal—almost not human.
i mean, Konan always looked like a calm goddess of death. now I look like that too.
"...guess I need a new name, huh?"
the girl I was before...she doesn't exist in this world. and honestly? good riddance. no one ever called my name with love, no one really cared.
so if I'm gonna start over...let it be something that means something to me.
I placed a hand over my chest and said quietly:
"From now on...my name is Ame. Ame Noa."
system: |host's name successfully registered: Ame Noa|
"Ame" as in rain...and "Noa", because it sounds like 'no one' and 'new' at the same time. like a blank page. a new beginning.
a loud growl interrupted my deep, poetic moment.
"...was that my stomach?" I blinked. yup. definitely me.
"guess i should start by finding food—"
but just as I turned back toward the forest, I heard voices. they were faint...but getting closer.
"i swear i saw someone land here—" "are you sure it wasn't just debris from that storm yesterday?" "idiot! debris doesn't shimmer like that!"
I panicked. people?! wait, am i even dressed normally?? i still looked like Konan, right? like a full-on ninja angel from another universe!
I rushed behind a rock just in time to see three people—teenagers maybe?—emerge from the trees. they were armed with makeshift weapons: a spear, a slingshot, and...a frying pan??
"it was here, i saw something blue move!" one of them, a girl with bright red hair, pointed toward where I had been a second ago.
system: |warning: unknown individuals nearby. potential threat level: low to moderate|
"....great, love that."
i waited until they moved further down the beach, then quietly moved out from hiding and circled into the trees. after walking for a bit, i found a small stream and sat down.
"okay so let's think."
i'm on a random island, there are strangers with weapons nearby, and pirates exist in this world. i might get caught in something messy real fast.
but also...this is one piece. and i have Konan's abilities. I'm not just some random background character. not anymore.
if i want to live here...i need strength. connections. a goal.
"what do i want...?" I murmured aloud.
i don't care about treasure. or being a pirate. but...
I want to travel. meet people. find something that makes me feel alive.
and maybe—just maybe—I could build something for myself in this world. a family. a purpose. a crew? who knows.
but before that... I need to get off this island.
system: |special mission unlocked:
Interact with the islanders
Objective: Earn their trust and gather info on pirate activity nearby Reward: Template progress +1%, unlock: Paper Clone Technique|
"...a side quest already? okay, let's go then."
i stood up, cracked my neck, and smiled.
"Time to introduce myself."
Ame Noa. ninja of paper. girl from another world.
let's see what this world has to offer.
___________________________________________
A/N:Wow, it feels kinda weird to be writing again after such a long break. I wasn't really happy with what I wrote before (chapters 1 and 2), so I went back and changed it—well, just a little bit?