Strongest Celestial Dragon in the History of One Piece

A small child was seen waking from sleep, visibly disoriented, like someone waking after a night of heavy drinking and partying. Suddenly, a sharp headache struck him, the kind of pain that could make a grown man wish for death. But the child didn't scream. He couldn't. The agony paralyzed his entire body. Slowly, strange memories began flooding his mind—memories that belonged to the body he now inhabited, merging with the soul that had entered it.

Then, a bright flashing light appeared in his mind. It was the system embedded in his subconscious, something that would grant him his cheats.

[MEMORY INTEGRATION: 100%]

[BEGINNER'S GIFT PACK AVAILABLE: X1]

'What the...? I've been reincarnated into an OC character?' That was the first thought that surfaced in his mind.

He had once been an ordinary person living on Earth, obsessed with the anime One Piece. He was a huge fan, enthralled by its unique power systems, compelling story, and vast world-building. He had read the manga up to the latest chapter and knew the current events of the One Piece world, including some that were about to unfold.

As he sifted through the inherited memories, one revelation stood out: he was now the son of Shanks, entrusted to Makino's care. His new name was Gildarts—named by Shanks himself—and he had grown up alongside Luffy, as the two were raised under Makino's watchful eye.

Gildarts was also familiar to Garp, who treated him kindly. Garp bore no ill will toward him. In the old man's eyes, the sins of the father should not be shouldered by the son. So, every time Garp visited Luffy, he would also play with Gildarts, treating him like another grandson, just as he had done with Ace and Luffy.

After examining his newly inherited memories, Gildarts turned his attention to the system. He noticed a "Gift Pack" waiting, just like those in gacha or mobile games that give you early rewards to get you hooked. Curiosity piqued, he opened the pack to see what kind of abilities he would be starting with.

[CONGRATULATIONS. YOU RECEIVE:]

1. Zombieman's Powers: Regeneration

2. Shanks's Talent Added to Yours

3. Devil Fruit: Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Kirin

The system has delivered all gifts. Initiating self-destruct protocol...]

A bright flash filled his vision as the system began integrating the rewards directly into his body.

First came Zombieman's regeneration, coursing through his cells, rapidly enhancing his healing and bodily endurance. Then came Shanks's talent, an abstract but potent sensation—like a surge of battle intuition and charisma that settled deep into his soul. Lastly, a Devil Fruit appeared in his hands.

Before Gildarts could react further, the system blinked red and vanished. No matter how many times he called out or mentally prompted it, there was no response. It was clear: the system existed solely to deliver the rewards and had now terminated itself.

Holding the fruit carefully, Gildarts examined it. It looked unlike anything he'd seen on Earth. Still, it perfectly matched the description of the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Kirin from the manga—a Mythical Zoan fruit capable of putting others to sleep and manifesting their dreams or nightmares into reality. A versatile power with terrifying potential.

Without hesitation, Gildarts took a bite. He didn't want to risk Luffy stumbling in and eating it—after all, based on both his past and current memories, Luffy would eat anything that looked remotely edible. And if Gildarts' guess was right, Luffy would barge into his room any second now.

Expecting the infamous disgusting taste of Devil Fruits, Gildarts was surprised—the fruit tasted sweet, almost addictively so. For a moment, doubt crept in. Was this really a Devil Fruit?

That doubt was quickly dispelled.

Within seconds, his body began to change. He could feel his very being twisting and growing. In the mirror, he saw his new form take shape.

His transformed body resembled a Kirin: a dragon-like head crowned with elegant, deer-like antlers, his body wrapped in shimmering green scales, and legs resembling a fawn's—appropriate for his young age. A flowing mane ran down his back, and his tail was long and whip-like, reminiscent of an ox.

The transformation was awe-inspiring, even if incomplete. It resembled Momonosuke's early form when he had just consumed the clone fruit modeled after Kaido's.

As Gildarts admired his reflection, a heavy wave of sleepiness washed over him. His eyelids drooped involuntarily, his body craving rest. It was a side effect, perhaps, of awakening dream-based powers. With a yawn, Gildarts climbed back into bed, surrendering to the overwhelming urge to sleep once more.

--------------

While Gildarts slept peacefully, far out at sea, a ship was sailing steadily toward Foosha Village. The flag that it flew was one known across the New World—a symbol that struck fear into those who recognized it. The Jolly Roger bore two crossed sabers behind a skull, marked with two diagonal red stripes with black outlines cutting across the skull's left eye socket.

It was the flag of the Red-Haired Pirates.

"Why are you looking east? You know that's not where Dawn Island is," Ben Beckman teased, shooting a sideways glance at his captain.

Shanks flushed slightly, clearly caught in the act. "Shut up," he muttered, trying to maintain his usual cool demeanor.

Laughter erupted from the rest of the crew behind them. Their teasing was good-natured but relentless. Just then, a small girl stumbled out of the cabin, rubbing her eyes, still clearly half-asleep.

"Shanks?" she mumbled, blinking up at the red-haired man.

Shanks turned, his expression softening instantly. He walked over and scooped the girl into his arms.

"You're up early, Uta. What's wrong?" he asked gently. It wasn't like her to be awake at this hour.

"It's too noisy..." she murmured, resting her head against his chest.

Her sleepy complaint caused the crew to fall suddenly silent, some of them chuckling nervously as they realized they might've been too loud.

With Uta now dozing lightly in his arms, Shanks turned his gaze back toward the horizon.

The Red-Hair Pirates continued their journey, the crew bustling about while their captain stood quietly at the helm, excitement quietly building inside him. After seven long years, he was finally returning to meet his son, unlike before when he would just be able to talk with Gildarts in Den-Den Mushi.

In one arm, he held his adopted daughter, and in his heart, a flood of emotions he hadn't felt in a long time.