The red sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving streaks of orange and pink across the East Blue sky. The docks creaked as the tide shifted and boats bobbed gently against their ropes. While waiting, I was learning and watching. Every movement of the villagers, every sound of the sea, every ripple in the water was data for Red Queen to process, and she did it silently, feeding me insight only when I asked.
I tested my fingers again, feeling the subtle hum of the nanomachines beneath my skin. Strength was there. Speed was there. Reflexes were there. I flexed, jumped, and landed without a sound, noting how the boards of the dock held against my weight. The AI monitored everything.
Your body can handle more stress than normal humans, Red Queen said softly. Your reflexes are optimal for combat, endurance, and survival. Training will refine control.
I nodded slightly, already imagining the possibilities. My eyes drifted toward the small boat Luffy had arrived in earlier. He was still there, laughing with a few villagers, showing no sign of care for danger. I wanted to move closer. I wanted to see him in action, to study him up close.
I walked along the edge of the dock, careful not to make noise. My shadow stretched over the planks as I approached. Luffy noticed me eventually, his straw hat shading his bright eyes. He waved without hesitation.
"Hey! You new here?" he shouted.
I stopped in my tracks. The sound of his voice made my heart beat faster. I nodded, unsure how to respond. Red Queen analyzed the situation instantly.
He is energetic and unpredictable. Approach cautiously. His actions are difficult to predict.
I nodded again, inwardly amused. "Yeah… I'm new."
Luffy grinned and waved me over. "Cool! I'm Monkey D. Luffy! You wanna be a pirate too?"
The question made me pause. Pirates. Adventure. Danger. Freedom. I had no idea yet what I wanted. But my body was ready. My mind was ready.
"I… don't know," I admitted, keeping my tone neutral. "Maybe."
Luffy laughed. "Heh, that's okay! Come with me anyway!"
I stayed silent, observing him. Every motion, every glance, every gesture. He had something raw and unstoppable. I could see it even without the AI pointing it out. But I needed more information.
"Red Queen, tell me," I said quietly, "what can you see about him?"
He has enhanced endurance, quick reflexes beyond average humans, and a strong will that defies logic. Probability of survival in dangerous situations is high. His decisions are impulsive but often result in favorable outcomes.
I smirked slightly. "Impulsive, huh? Sounds about right."
We walked along the docks together. Luffy pointed to a small market. He picked up some food and waved me to try it. I hesitated, but Red Queen analyzed everything instantly.
Safe for consumption. Nutritional content sufficient for survival and endurance. No contaminants detected.
I took a bite. The flavor was simple, salty, and earthy. Not bad. I chewed thoughtfully, watching Luffy's energy. He was laughing at something, throwing his arms wide, completely unbothered by anything.
I realized I had been holding back. My body had strength, but my mind was cautious. Red Queen reminded me subtly:
You have options. Testing without full engagement will not reveal limits. Controlled experimentation is recommended.
I nodded slightly, acknowledging the suggestion without speaking. My first test would be subtle. I wanted to see how my body performed without drawing attention.
I picked up a loose plank on the dock. Light. I twisted it in my hands, flexing my muscles. Then I snapped it cleanly, careful not to make a sound. Luffy glanced at me curiously.
"Hey! That's strong! Wanna show me more?"
I smiled faintly. Not yet. Observation first. Control first. Patience first.
We wandered along the docks. A small scuffle broke out near a fish stall. A boy had knocked over a basket of fish, and the vendor was yelling. Luffy ran over to help, and instinctively I followed. Red Queen guided my movements.
Optimal intervention angle: left flank. Minimum force to control situation.
I moved as she suggested. My hand shot out, catching a falling basket with ease. The vendor blinked. The boy stared. Luffy grinned.
"Whoa! That was amazing!" he said.
I shrugged lightly, saying nothing. I wanted to test more, but still, subtlety was key. This world was strange, and I had yet to understand all of its rules. Red Queen reminded me of the boundaries and probabilities, but she waited for my command, always patient, always obedient.
Night fell fully. Lanterns lit up the docks with a soft golden glow. The air smelled of seaweed and smoke from small fires. Luffy kept talking, telling stories, laughing at jokes, completely fearless. I listened, analyzing him, analyzing the village, analyzing myself.
While walking, I flexed my fingers again, sensing the hum of the nanomachines, testing the limits of strength and speed without exposing it. I felt alive, truly alive. And with Red Queen, I was more than human.
Do you wish to sleep? she asked.
"Not yet," I said. "I want to see more."
We moved quietly along the village edge, observing the sea, the fishermen, and the small boats. Luffy suddenly jumped onto a barrel, almost falling into the water. I caught a plank mid-fall, steadying the barrel without effort. He blinked at me, amazed, and laughed.
"Whoa! Who are you?!"
I smirked faintly. "Just someone… new here."
Luffy nodded, as if that explained everything. I didn't explain anything else. I didn't need to. Red Queen whispered details silently—trajectory calculations, force outputs, potential reactions. All I had to do was move.
The night grew colder, and finally, I found a quiet spot near the shore. I sat on a crate, feeling the breeze on my skin, the hum of my enhanced body, the quiet presence of Red Queen inside my mind. While waiting, I was learning and watching. Every shadow, every ripple, every movement of the villagers and boats, every breath of the sea.
Tomorrow, I would explore further. Tomorrow, I would test limits more openly. Tomorrow, I might even speak more with Luffy, see what kind of pirate he really was.
For now, I simply existed, and that was enough. The world was new, dangerous, full of opportunity, and I was ready. With Red Queen guiding silently, I was ready to step into the East Blue and see what it could teach me.