(This story is purely fictional and does not contain any harmful guidance)
(Brain Storage)
…
The year is 1515 in the Age of the Sea.
West Blue.
A warship from Marine Headquarters, sails full mast across the sea.
The ocean stretches endlessly, the sea breeze whips up waves, spraying whitecaps.
The sky is azure, clear and vast.
"A lifetime of war, to end up like this, what a joke."
On the flat deck of the warship, Prodemore Eric laughed self-deprecatingly.
He was a transmigrator from Earth. His original Chinese name was Zhou Yang, but he changed it to his current name to avoid attracting attention.
Prodemore, his surname, comes from a family in World of Warcraft, whose head is the Alliance’s Admiral.
Eric, a famous pirate in real history.
When he realized he had transmigrated into the world of One Piece, he combined the two to create a new name for himself.
He hoped it would bring good luck to his new life.
17 years ago, Eric witnessed the fall of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, in Loguetown. Roger’s final words triggered the Great Pirate Era.
Foreseeing the coming chaos, Eric joined the Marines.
He dared not slack off, training tirelessly every day.
But alas, limited by the genes of Earthlings, and lacking a cheat, he couldn't become a top-tier powerhouse on the high seas.
After 17 years, he only climbed to the rank of Captain.
Captain Eric!
"If that was all, I wouldn't have any complaints."
Eric clenched his fist, his anger festering within.
He wouldn't claim to have made great achievements for the Marines, but he had always been diligent and loyal.
However, recently, the World Government issued an order to subjugate the Pirate Emperor, BIG MOM Charlotte Linlin.
As a Captain at Headquarters, Eric was considered one of the selected Marine elites.
But in this battle, he was unfortunately attacked by BIG MOM's Soul Soul Fruit, and his lifespan was stolen for 50 years.
He was only 20 when he transmigrated, and had spent 17 years in the Marines.
Now at 37, he was in his prime.
But, counting the stolen 50 years, Eric was already 87 years old!
How old was Whitebeard when he died in the Paramount War? 72!
How old was former Marine Admiral Zephyr when he died? 74!
"Marine hero" Monkey D. Garp, how old was he when he died battling the Yonko, saving Koby? 78!
And him? 87!
"I'm only 37, but I'm already like one of those old-timers from a bygone era. How much longer can I even live?"
Eric could only laugh bitterly.
After the war, the Marines tallied their casualties.
His condition was classified as "injured", but in reality, it was almost the same as "dead".
He was retired!
The World Government generously gave him 30 million Berries in "compensation," but it was layered with government official embezzlement, leaving only 5 million in his pocket.
Outrageous!
Marine Headquarters had some semblance of shame, and didn’t directly kick him out, but gave him a mission.
This year, a new country joined the World Government. He was to go to that country's port city and establish a new Marine branch, where he would be the base commander.
The budget was nominally 1 billion Berries for the first year, but the actual operating funds he received were only 10 million.
With these 10 million, he was to build a Marine base from scratch.
Recruit soldiers, construct the base.
"What a joke. They want me to build a branch with only 10 million Berries?"
Eric laughed sarcastically.
He knew very well that certain people didn’t expect him to live long.
After all, he was 87 years old!
When he dies, wouldn’t that settle certain accounts?
Yes, Eric knew, he had been used.
He became a tool for some people at Headquarters to settle accounts.
As for who… he didn’t know.
This is reality, even within the Marines who pride themselves on justice, there are all kinds of dark dealings.
As for building a new Marine branch?
The new member state is from West Blue, called "The Rubeck Kingdom". He’s to go to the kingdom’s port city and establish a branch.
Looking at it another way, the 10 million from Headquarters isn’t just a budget, but a bribe.
“…Adding to the 5 million compensation from the World Government, and the 280 million I saved over the years, my total assets are about 300 million."
He doesn't know how long he has left.
Eric accepts reality, and prepares to enjoy his remaining time.
Buy a… no, rent a villa. Hire eight or ten beautiful young maids. Indulge in the pleasures of life until his final days.
"Should I find a woman to marry?"
Eric couldn’t help but think, his lifespan was stolen for 50 years, but his body isn't actually 87 years old.
He could still have children if he wanted to.
To come to this world and not leave behind a single bloodline, that would be a pity.
No one to even tend his grave when he died.
"Forget it, forget it. When I die, leaving behind a widow and orphans would only invite trouble. Don’t want to harm young girls."
Eric shook his head. The last bit of his conscience made him abandon this idea.
[Ding, triggered keyword, Branching Lineage System is activating…]
[Activation complete!]
The sudden voice in his mind caused Eric to shudder.
His expression turned complex.
I’m practically dead, and the system is just now coming?
[Detecting host without a wife, without children, please quickly marry and have children, to branch and multiply.]
Can the system solve the lifespan issue?
With the mindset of "worth a shot", Eric checked the system’s functions.
Simply put, it's divided into two parts.
Marriage, procreation, both can earn rewards.
For each wife he marries, or each child born to his wife, he receives a basic reward of five years of lifespan.
The better the child's talent, the richer the reward.
"Lifespan, five years of lifespan!"
Eric grabbed at this last life preserver like a drowning man.
Marriage, he must get married as soon as possible.
He must live!
[Friendly reminder, the woman must be a female character appearing in the One Piece storyline, and a virgin.]
Eric was stunned.
Where could he find beautiful women from the story, and they must be virgins.
Suddenly.
His trusted subordinate interrupted his thoughts.
"Captain Eric, we can see the Rubeck Kingdom."
"We're here?"
Eric looked up and saw the port city "Xihong" in the distance.
"Prepare to enter port."
Soon, the warship docked at Xihong Harbor.
As soon as he stepped off the ship, he heard shouting in the distance.
"Stop! Don't run!"
Eric looked in the direction of the sound, and saw a group of men in black suits, chasing a tall young lady.
She was running towards the port, about to collide with Eric and the others.
Noticing the warship and Eric, the Marine Captain, the young lady’s pupils constricted, her body trembling slightly. She quickly turned and fled in another direction.
"Strange, why would she run seeing us Marines?" Calvin, the lieutenant, frowned. "Captain Eric, should we stop those thugs?"
Eric was stunned.
That woman, that face…
The Devil Child, Nico Robin!