"Huh? You want to join my pirate crew?" Shanks blinked, staring at Luffy in surprise.
With his sharp sense for people, Shanks had never once imagined Luffy would want to work under someone else. It just didn't suit him. So he hadn't even considered the possibility.
Now that Luffy said it, though, Shanks felt delighted. Even if Luffy was still small, he already had something extraordinary about him, and when he grew up, he was bound to become someone incredible. Besides, Shanks wasn't the type to judge someone's potential based on height or age.
"Of course not!" Luffy shot back without hesitation.
"I just want to hitch a ride, that's all. I need to test myself out at sea, drop me off somewhere and that's it."
Of course, he couldn't tell them his real reason.
"Alright then," Shanks said, raising his mug. "No time like the present, we'll set sail tomorrow!"
"Sounds good!"
The timeline felt a bit rushed, but Luffy had grown used to things happening fast these past few years.
He turned to a corner of the bar and called out, "Makino-san, I'm heading out with them tomorrow for a while."
Makino froze mid-motion. Her hands lifted slightly, then, as if remembering something, she slowly lowered them again.
"Alright," she said with a gentle smile. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
"Today's a great day!" Shanks stood up, slung an arm around Luffy's neck, and laughed heartily. "Let's throw a party, boys!"
"Let me go! You're choking me!" Luffy squirmed, his face scrunched in discomfort. Yet this only reaffirmed his resolve to one day definitely buy that "Rapid Growth Capsule."
"Hahahahahaha!"
The bar filled once again with roaring laughter and wild celebration, lasting well into the night.
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The next morning, the bar was in total disarray.
Golden sunlight spilled across the horizon, painting everything in a warm glow.
Luffy was up early, ready to clean the mess they'd left behind.
Last night had been his first real glimpse into the blood-and-rum life of pirates.
Good thing he'd sent Makino home early, otherwise, she would've seen some very drunk pirates trying to perform strip dances.
Just thinking about it gave Luffy goosebumps.
When he entered the front hall, he saw Makino already sweeping quietly. Empty bottles and barrels littered the floor.
"Let me help you, Makino-san." Luffy stepped forward and started doing the heavier tasks.
"Luffy…"
Makino called his name softly.
Before she could say more, Luffy spoke while working:
"I'm sorry, Makino. I might really be leaving this place for a while. I didn't mean to make you worry."
Makino shook her head gently. Tears shimmered in her eyes, but her smile only grew more beautiful.
"I've always known. From the beginning. You're strong, Luffy… and amazing, too."
With that, she went back to cleaning. Luffy didn't say anything else. The two of them silently worked side by side, returning the bar to its former state.
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By noon, at the small port of Foosha Village, six-year-old Luffy boarded the Red Force under the watchful eyes of the villagers who'd come to see him off.
Standing at the stern, he looked back at his shrinking hometown, he could still picture Makino waving at him, tears in her eyes.
"I'll be back," he whispered, then turned around, just in time to see Shanks approaching.
"Nervous, Luffy? First time at sea." Shanks removed his straw hat, his tone casual.
"A little, maybe," Luffy replied, gripping the railing with tiny hands, eyes shining with excitement. He didn't look nervous, just thrilled.
Shanks smiled at the boy's excitement, then glanced down at the straw hat in his hand.
"Luffy, this hat was given to me by someone really important…"
Luffy stared at the hat and quietly said, "Then it must mean a lot to you."
"Yeah. It really does. There's a part of his will in this hat. As long as I wear it…"
"It must be hard to surpass someone while carrying their will," Luffy suddenly cut in.
Shanks flinched, as if the words struck a nerve. He stood frozen for a long time, then slowly placed the hat back on his head and said nothing more.
Luffy turned his gaze back to the vast, endless ocean.
He shifted slightly, sitting on the railing, swinging his little legs as he spoke:
"Gramps always wanted me to become a Marine, but I don't want to live under someone else's will. I finally made it to this amazing world, and I'm going to live for me, doing what I want."
"Is that so..." Shanks looked out at the same sea, his voice calm.
"That's quite the dream."
Luffy didn't plan on making any huge changes to the world.
But he also wasn't going to sit back and let the original story unfold without doing anything.
After all, he'd reincarnated into the world of One Piece.
Even if his "cheat system" still hadn't proven very useful, he was determined to live this new life his own way.
And if possible, he wanted to find out… if there was still a way to return home.
"What an incredible kid," Shanks thought, watching Luffy's unwavering eyes.
Luffy noticed the look and sighed inwardly.
Honestly, he didn't want to act this way either.
But what choice did he have? His system had been so underwhelming so far.
He just hoped it would unlock some real power eventually. Otherwise, he might end up a cold-blooded chibi assassin in the world of pirates…
"So, since that's how you feel… do you have a clear goal in mind?"
Shanks asked, seeming genuinely moved.
"After I drop you off, I need to start working harder myself."
"If possible, just drop me off at Loguetown. Oh, and, could you help me find Cocoyasi Village and Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue too?"
"Sure. I'll look into it for you."
In the few years since he reincarnated, Luffy had made it a daily habit to review the One Piece storyline whenever he had spare time, especially the tragic parts. He hadn't forgotten a thing.
Boarding Shanks' ship was something he'd planned all along.
He just didn't expect it to happen this soon, an entire year ahead of schedule.
The problem was, he was still too weak.
If his strength had to be measured, he was about on par with a pirate who had a 5 million berry bounty. Not bad for a six-year-old, sure, but nowhere near enough for what he wanted to do.
There was so much he needed to change.
Characters like Kuina and Bell-mère, deeply important to Zoro and Nami, had fates he wanted to alter. Even if it meant changing the course of the original story.
He didn't want to see his future crew suffer.
He didn't know exactly when those tragedies would happen, so he planned to check both villages himself. Even if he couldn't stop what was coming, he had to try.
And so, as the Red Force cut through the waves, Luffy stood at the bow, quietly mapping out his journey.
Looking out at the vast ocean, a smile spread across his face.
"World of One Piece... I, Monkey D. Luffy, have arrived!"
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