Firstly, this is just Part One of the book, there will be 2 parts with a definite ending point to the story.
The idea for this novel has been with me for a several years. One Piece has been my favorite anime since I was a preteen. After my grandfather died several years ago I started thinking about his generation (he was born in 1935) and learned about a lot more the so-called 'Silent Generation'.
Like most broad labels, the moniker 'Silent' isn't right for everyone born between1928-1945 but one thing that really struck me was how conservative that generation of people were. Not necessarily conservative in a political sense, but definitely very thrifty, hard working, and not wanting too much change. This is the generation who believed such things like "George Washington never told a lie" and in general were very patriotic. They lived in a strange time after WW2 and were much more trusting in the federal government than people today.
It wasn't long until I put these ideas together with how the Marines are in One Piece.
The Marines in One Piece are the bad guys... or at least they uphold the rules of the bad nobility... right?
Well as I thought about it more, like how would it even be possible to have a global organization in an Archipelago World, I discovered there was something really interesting.
Anyways, after years of telling myself short-stories as I cut the grass or idled around before bed, I decided to write them down.
So here the thing. I will finish this story. I will write 2 hours each day unless there is a real reason preventing me. I think I can write 1 chapter every 2 days.
Although I have been swirling this idea in my head for years, this is the first thing I've ever written, it may not be perfect but I will try to get close.
Thank you for reading, don't forget to click the heart button!
They lived in a strange time after WW2 and were much more trusting in the federal government than people today.
This generation grew up in an era where jobs were as scarce as hens teeth. Everyday people had almost or no cash. They bartered as much as they could. Virtually nothing was wasted. Menfolk would travel to far distant cities from time to time to earn enough money for their family.
Everyone worked from sunrise to sundown. Young Children were taught to gather eggs, feed stock, milk cows, pull weeds, pick bugs, carry spring water, help wash dishes and clothes, and ant other errands that needed doing. The womenfolk cooked, canned, cleaned, washed clothes and hung them out to dry, set chores for the children, sewed and darned clothes, and kept the family sane and together.
Every one grew a garden and either had chickens, cows, or hogs that they kept raised and slaughtered for meat on the table. They hunted and fished as well. They would Cure and smoke the meats
Families would go out during berry and fruit season to gather those treasured berries and fruits to make jellies and jams. They canned everything to get through the winter months.
They cut firewood to last them through the cold months. Most families cooked on the stove that heated the house. They would sell what they could to get the 50 # sacks of flour, meal (if they didn't grow corn and have it milled), there were 10# sacks of sugar and salt.
People saved the cloth sacks that the flour came with to make children's dresses. They would trace the outlines of a child's feet on a sheet of paper and send it off to Sears and Roebuck in early fall to get shoes for that winter. This was usually paid for by selling pigs calves, or chickens they had raised over the summer with that goal in mind.
They churned for butter and buttermilk. Households kept a yeast starter growing all the time to make breads.
Most households had outhouses, with a Sears and Roebuck catalogue. They would use pages torn from the catalogue for toilet paper. Water was drawn from springs and carried in buckets for drinking. Rainwater collected in barrels was used for washing and cooking. In many homes they bathed in tubs place in the kitchen.
A trip to town was a journey planned long in advance that would take anywhere from a day to a week and was undertaken either monthly or seasonally.
Neighbors and family were your first (and often only) responders. Church was the main social event. Toys, music and entertainment were all home grown or made.
Reputation was everything.Communities were rather insular. Everyone knew everyone else. Your word was your bond and a handshake was as good or better than any contract. If you gained a reputation as a liar, no one would help you.
This was everyday rural life for hundreds of thousands of people. Into this life came FDR and the WPA. . In 1935 unemployment was 20%. The WPA was enacted in 1935. In the 8 years that the program ran roughly 8.5 million people were put to work, Add to this an horrendous attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, these 2 events cemented trust in FDR's popularity for millions of people.
His popularity was so enormous that he was elected for 4 consecutive terms of office. He died 3 months into his 4th term. He was president from 1933 until his death in 1945. He was seen as the president that brought jobs back to America. He was also the wartime president that brought America to the brink of victory before his death. He brought hope to millions of Americans. One can argue that the trust the 'silent generation' had for government stemmed from their regard for FDR.
Concern had been growing about the possibility of having a 'president for life' cycle . This was the reason the 22nd amendment was passed.
Only thing to add to that stellar example of what the silent Gen was is that was the average people and there were worse off folk. See the grapes of wrath for a good read.
I have stories from my grandparents where on one side they were like Gipsys traveling where work could be found and on the other side share croping.
Even the liberals back then would be considered extreme conservatives by today's standards: fiscally, morally, and governmentaly.
Thank you for that very thorough explanation
This is one of the comments that should be minimized, half of my page was this comment alone.
Thank you for being my first comment!
Well here’s to being second
Thank You!
@UberNuber my pleasure wonderful story
aight love the first chapter felt very perfectional
Tftw
I'm not really a big one-piece fan, but I like it the series, especially the Marines, anyway, I've been reading some OP fan fic, some were good, but mostly were bad, especially when Harem is included because for me, Harem doesn't compliment the OP world. The plot is all focused on what shown in the manga and anime, like they all literally following the same line just changing some words here and there, when I saw your book, I was excited and hoping that this will satiate my hunger for a book that doesn't include forced plot, harem, emotional decisions, etc.
Thanks for the comment!
This fanfic does try and expand the world somewhat from the POV to a regular(ish) Marine Officer. It expands on duties and responsibilities of the Marines and does not follow the canon story line at all (though the canon story line is going on in the background).
This is my first time writing, so the novel probably gets better as it goes along, but hopefully some people will enjoy the journey!
I'm gonna read a bit more but kinda seems like the mc will be a lapdog for the government and if that happens immediate drop ☠️
Actually nvm this whole preface sh*t just took me out of it completely I aint reading this 😭