Host: Monkey D. Luffy
Age: 17
Physique: 7.4
Spirit: 7.5
Swordsmanship: 6.9
Armament Haki: 5.1 (Intermediate)
Observation Haki: 5.2 (Intermediate)
Conqueror's Haki: 4.2 (Intermediate)
Special Ability: Genius Intuition
Skills: Radiant Force, Impervious Waters, Beast's Retreat, Navy Six-Style, Hundred-Meter Blink, Master Pickpocket, Charm, Navigation Maxed!
Combat Rating: 6.7 — Elite Rear Admiral of the Marines!
"Elite Rear Admiral??"
Luffy was surprised — it seemed the blink ability had given a small boost to his overall combat rating. If he developed more abilities later, his rating would surely skyrocket. Of course, fusing crew members' strengths into himself was another way to increase power. Notably, those fused strengths were permanent. In other words, if Luffy absorbed Nami's strength, he would stay stronger even if she later fell — though of course, Nami dying was out of the question. He shook his head; he didn't want to think about that.
All in all, if Luffy grew stronger and his Hundred-Meter Blink improved, his combat power would leap again. Still, he understood: abilities were only support. Even if he gained more powerful spatial skills, he couldn't become overconfident — in this world spirit and haki were the true foundations.
...
The next day at noon.
The execution at the Marine branch plaza went unusually smoothly. For some reason, the person that the admiralty had sent to replace Luffy and carry out the execution had not arrived. (Garp whistles: "Don't ask me, I don't know!") None of that mattered anyway.
Luffy glanced once at the dying, unrepentant Monka, then was swept up by a wave of cheering. He wasn't comfortable with that kind of attention. He glanced at Nami and Zoro and said, "Let's go. We've got places to be."
...
Shells Town, the harbor.
Beside the large ship the Marine branch had purchased.
"Lord Luffy, are you leaving already?"
"Won't you be our base captain, Lord Luffy?"
"Can't you stay, Lord Luffy?"
"..."
The townspeople surrounded him, showering Luffy with requests. He hadn't expected this. He said helplessly, "Everyone, I'm a pirate — how could I be your base captain?"
"But my grandfather, Monkey D. Garp, called. He'll come to settle things. You won't be under Monka's rule anymore…" Luffy tossed the responsibility onto Garp's shoulders. That old man was supposedly coming by the Den Den Mushi tomorrow to take care of them. Luffy needed to leave soon; otherwise Garp would block him and he'd be stuck.
"In that case... we won't keep you!" someone said.
"Lord Luffy, sailing is dangerous — take care!"
"Folks, let's gather food for Lord Luffy!"
"Okay, fill his ship up!"
At someone's suggestion, a chorus of responses erupted. The residents ran back to their homes, dragging out stored supplies and piling everything onto Luffy's ship. There was no refusing such heartfelt generosity.
Luffy: "..."
Nami watched the scene with a smile she couldn't hide. "See? You might be the most beloved pirate around!"
Zoro's mouth twitched. "Impressive."
They spent a good twenty minutes loading supplies; the not-very-big ship was nearly overflowing. It took a lot of effort for Luffy to finally get back on board. He didn't want to delay anymore — he'd leave today, or else Garp would come and make it impossible.
"All right, crew — cast off and set sail!" Luffy exclaimed, looping an arm around Nami's waist and raising his fist to the sky.
"Hey, Luffy — did you drop me?" Zoro shouted from below, staring up in shock.
Oops, he'd forgotten Zoro!
Luffy scratched his head and pointed to the small boat they had come in. "You can sit in that little boat and follow the big ship!"
"What?!" Zoro was stunned. "Wasn't I supposed to be your crewmate? Why are you giving me a separate skiff?" He didn't understand.
"Zoro! Make do for a bit — this ship is full of supplies and there's no room. Use that little boat to follow us. When we get to the next place, I'll get you a proper ship and make you a First Division commander!" Luffy explained loudly.
Zoro nodded — what else could he say? The captain was magnanimous: out of three people, Luffy promised to make him the First Division. No complaints, he headed for the small boat.
"You're going the wrong way!" Nami shouted from the deck, eyes wide. "Are you stupid?"
Luffy: top-tier directionless...
Zoro forced a crooked smile, his lips twitching. "Uh... I was just going to find some sake to bring along. Never mind, let's just go!" This time he aimed for the little boat and climbed in, taking up the oars.
"Big brother swordsman~" A little girl came over carrying a bag of rice balls. "Thank you for saving me and my mother. These are for the road."
"Oh, thanks." Zoro accepted the rice balls and set them in front of him, then looked around seriously. "No sake?"
The little girl: "..."
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T/N:
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