Luffy sighed as he tried to move around in the tight confines of the barrel. It had been a few days since his family, 'The Whitebeard Pirates' had dropped him off at East Blue. His father, the world's most wanted man, the Revolutionary, Monkey D. Dragon, had left him and his twin sister, Lucy, in the care of 'The Strongest Man in the World' ever since they were infants. Now Luffy had left WhiteBeard's ship and set out on his own adventure.

Of course, the excitement of setting out was cut short when Luffy had ended up in a whirlpool and had to escape into the wooden barrel he was currently in to avoid drowning. Ah yes, he can remember his farewell like it was yesterday.

Flashback

"Hey! Take care of yourself, yoi!" Marco, the first division commander yelled, wishing him good luck on his journey.

"Yeah, stay out of trouble!" Thatch, the fourth division commander added. The two were Luffy's playmates and friends onboard. Although, Thatch was more favorable than Marco, in Luffy's opinion, that is.

"Take care Luffy." Ace, Luffy's older brother had said before pulling him into a bear hug. Although they were not blood brothers, they both shared an unbreakable bond of brother. Luffy had made friends with the black haired boy when he had become one of Whitebeard's sons, which eventually evolved into such a strong friendship that the rest of the crew considered them blood brothers. Luffy knew everything about Ace and Ace knew everything about Luffy.

Luffy then turned to face Whitebeard, the captain of the notorious 'Whitebeard Pirates'.

"See you Pops," Luffy had said, "I'm setting out on my own adventure to become the Pirate King!"

His adoptive father, who Luffy had considered more of a father then his biological one, had then laughed and held out a bottle of sake, a common drink of the crew. "A parting gift," Whitebeard said. Luffy opened the bottle up and took a sip before turning to his sister and saying, "See you sis. I'm going to miss ya."

The two then hugged before Luffy got onto the small dingy and sailed away.

A violent yank of the barrel caused Luffy to be knocked out of his daydreaming and was brought back to the real world. Using his Kenbunshoku Haki, Luffy sensed two men fishing the barrel he was occupying out of the water. Then one of them shouted in horror. "It's the Alvida Pirates!"

The two sailors were quick to release the barrel and Luffy was sent tumnling down a set of stairs before stopping and silence ensued. Then timid footsteps rang through the room and a shy voice stuttered. "He-l-l-l-o-o-o? Is anybody here?"

"Coby," Someone addressed. "You're not trying to pass up the action are you?" The hostile pirate spat out.

"No, no!" Coby denied, his pink hair flying. "I was trying to get this barrel of sake to you guys!"

"Thanks, I was just getting thirsty," A second pirate said, staring eagerly at the barrel.

"I'll open this sucker up," Another pirate announced as he cracked his knuckles and prepared to smash it open. Suddenly he was hit in the head as Luffy jumped out of the barrel and punched the guy square in the jaw, sending him tumbling to the floor unconscious.

"Ahhhhh! That was a great nap!" Luffy said as he stretched and after noticing the two pirates looking at him and the third one on the floor said, "You know, your friend shouldn't really be sleeping on the floor, he could catch a cold."

"Your the one who put him there dumbass!" The two remaining pirates yelled as they charged Luffy, who didn't even pay them any mind as he turned to face the pink haired kid and asked, "Hey, do you know where I can find some food?"

The two pirates, pissed at both being ignored and just by this kid in general, swung their blades downward, only to have them break into two and become embedded in the ceiling. The two pirates then, grabbed their fallen comrade and dragged him away to the upper decks, terrified.

"They weren't even worth the effort, those foolish weaklings," Luffy muttered.

Coby stared back at the scene in shock, his eyes widened behind his large glasses.

Luffy asked the pink haired boy a couple more times if he knew where the food was, but found the boy was unresponsive. Luffy eventually found the pantry himself, before sitting down and gorging himself with fresh apples

"So, what's your name?" Luffy asked. Coby answered, surprised at how calm the older is.

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm the man who's going to become King of the Pirates." Luffy stated.

"No way, that's impossible," Coby countered. He started ranting about how it couldn't be done until Luffy hit him.

"Why did you hit me?" Coby whined.

"Cause I felt like it," Luffy said bluntly as he continued eating.

"I would like to be a marine," Coby said. "That's my dream."

"Then why don't you join?" Luffy questioned with interest. Coby looked startled and kind of mortified.

"Because I am deathly afraid of Alvida," Coby shivered at the thought.

"You're a crybaby and a coward. I don't like you." Luffy said in between bites, remaining very blunt. Coby countered by saying, "Yeah well, you know what! When I become a Marine I'm going to catch pirates, and I'll start with Alvida!"

"Who are you going to catch Coby?!" Alvida said as she smashed through the wooden door with her iron mace, appearing in front of both Luffy and Coby.

"Hey Coby, who's that fat hag?" Luffy asked. A tick mark bulged on Alvida's forehead as she felt the rage building up inside her, making the chubby woman seem to be on fire. Her crew and Coby stood gawking in utter shock that this boy has just insulted PIrate Captain Alvida. Doesn't he know who he's dealing with!? Using the gaping crew members and a fuming Alvida as a distraction Luffy grabbed Coby and, punching a hole through the ceiling of the ship, disappeared through it.

"KILL THEM!" Shouted a clearly pissed Alvida. Her crew, upon hearing their captain, frantically rushed to get to the upper deck of the ship to attack the trouble-making duo. When Alvida's crew got onto the deck they charged towards a visible Luffy.

"Coby, just sit back and enjoy the show." Luffy said with a large smile as he closed his eyes and held his hands behind his back. He dodged the incoming wave of swords without moving from his position. The crew panted and hissed in anger.

"Don't get cocky," They yelled at Luffy, who was standing on the deck, with his eyes closed. Luffy only smiled before saying, "1,000,000 Volt Shock!"

All the pirates surrounding him started spasming as yellow lightning came from Luffy and shocked them. A few seconds later the lightning dissipated but it's job was complete as the pirates on the deck collapsed, unconscious. When Alvida arrived on deck she was in shock, there, standing unharmed, was Luffy, with her crew laying on the ground, unmoving and in some cases, smoking.

"Don't worry about your crew Alvida," Luffy said smirking as he brought his knuckles together and cracked his right knuckle, "I only rendered them unconscious. They should be fine in a couple of hours."

"However," Luffy continued, cracking his left knuckle, "Now it's your turn, Sea Hag Alvida." "You aren't seriously going to fight Alvida are you! Of all the pirates in the East Blue..." Coby stopped, thinking over his words carefully, thinking about what Luffy had said earlier about dieing for your dream.

"I am what Coby?" Alvida said, smirking.

"She's the most ugliest woman on the seas!" Coby said with anger. Anger of Alvida keeping him as her servant for two years, forcing him to say she was the most beautiful woman on the sea, even though it definitely wasn't true.

Luffy burst out laughing as Alvida's rage boiled to the breaking point. She swung her spiked club at Coby, determined to silence him once and for all. Luffy appeared in front of him and said, "Armament."

Luffy's head turned a shiny black, which shattered the iron club upon impact. Alvida yelped in shock. Luffy raised his hand and smiling, he said, "I'll be seeing you around, Alvida. That is, if you have good buoyancy."

Before Alvida could interpret the meaning of Luffys message however, he cocked his fist back and infusing it with Busoshuku haki, punched her square in the gut, which sent Alvida flying until she was just a speck in the sky.

"Man, that was boring!" Luffy pouted, "They weren't even a warm up!"

As Luffy kept complaining about the crappy battle he was in, a battleship appeared on the ocean's horizon.

"The Marines." Coby said in awe.

"Well, that's my queue to leave," Luffy said, knowing if the Marines saw one of Whitebeard's 'Sons' here in East Blue, the World Government Headquarters would definitely try to stop him from getting back to the Grand Line.

"Get me a boat!" Luffy ordered before, remembering that he had rendered all of the Alvida Pirates unconscious, muttered, "never mind", before jumping off the side of the ship with Coby in his arms, landing on the small boat below. A woman with orange hair, around Luffy's age looked up in shock. After she had moved said orange hair she yelled "What the hell!?"

"Excuses me Miss," Luffy politely said, remembering the lessons on manners Thatch had made sure to drill into his skull for a countless number of hours, "Could you please give us a lift to Shell's Town?"

Luffy sensed a cannonball coming toward them. He drew a mid-night black sword out of it's sheath, which was hanging on his back diagonally, and cut the cannonball in half.
"Zeus' Judgment!" Luffy yelled as a large bolt of lightning went straight to the Marine ship, causing it to explode and sank it immediately. "Crap, I wasn't supposed to use my devil fruit. If the marines find out that Lightning Prince Luffy is in East Blue, they'll send an admiral, or worse, my grandpa." Luffy visibly shivered as he thought about his grandfather, Vice-Admiral Garp..

'Who is he?' The woman, whose name was Nami, thought to herself. She had never seen a person effortlessly destroy a ship like that.

"Are you all right?" Luffy questioned in concern. He grasped her hand and kissed it. "I hope I did not hurt you during my display of force, Miss..."

"Nami," she said, smiling. She didn't expect this boy to have such good manners.

"Ahhh, Nami. A beautiful name if you ask me." Luffy said, smiling as a small blush appeared on Nami's face and she replied, "Th- thank you"

" But of course madam. I can not stand anyone, either they be Marine or Pirate, from firing at a lady, especially an unarmed one."

A tick mark appeared on Nami's head and he punched him over the head and yelled, "I'm not thanking you for that!"

"Then what would you be thanking me for?" Luffy asked scratching his head in confusion.

Nami sweatdropped, how could this boy who she thought was so nice and polite when she first met him be so... idiotic?!

"I'm thanking you for complimenting me, moron!" Nami yelled.

"But why thank me, after all, I'm only speaking the truth," Luffy replied. Immediately after saying this Nami's anger turned to another small blush. 'Maybe I was wrong to dub him as an idiot,' Nami thought sheepishly.

"Oh my word, I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Monkey D. Luffy, Pirate.

Nami stiffened and punched him, though the only thing her punch hit was Luffy's hand. Which only was because he caught it.

"Now, now, miss Nami, theres no need to get violent. I can tell by your reaction that you have had a terrible experience with pirates and have since dubbed them horrible and evil." Luffy said calmly as Nami's eyes widened considerably, how did he know so much about her judging by her reaction.

"I know many things, miss Nami. I even know about that tattoo on your left shoulder." Luffy said, pointing to her shoulder where Arlong's tattoo was. Nami eyes widened in panic as she grabbed her shoulder in fear that they were able to see the tattoo.

"There's no need to fear me, miss Nami. for your secret will stay safe with me. In fact, since I know one of your secrets, I'll show you one of mine so that way we're even, OK?" Luffy said calmly as he began to unbutton his red vest while giving Nami a smile. She could only nod as a response she was so dumbfounded.

Luffy gave Nami one of his trademark grins as he finished unbuttoning his red vest and opened the flaps of the vest to her and their, in striking detail, was the jolly roger of the Whitebeard Pirates.

"Wh-wh- WHITEBEARD!" Nami and Coby both shrieked.

Nami was surprised she hadn't seen the jolly roger sooner, but most notable of all, she was absolutely terrified. Not only was this boy a pirate, but he was a crew member of the Whitebeard Pirates! Oh boy, what mess has she gotten herself into this time.

"Y-y-your apart of the Whitebeard Pirates?" Nami asked, her face a ghostly white.

Luffy gave Nami another one of his trademark grins and said, "Yep!"

Luffy's face took on a tone of seriousness as he said ,"Remember something Nami, not all pirates are bad, just as not all marines are good. Some are tyrants who use their power for their own personal gain."

"Anyway, since you're apart of the Whitebeard Pirates, I assume you have a pretty big bounty." Nami deducted after taking a few minutes to collect herself.

"Nope," Luffy answered. This caused Coby and Nami to go into another state of shock. Nami was the first to recover as she said,

"Fine, I'll take you to Shell's Town. I'm heading there anyway."

'I'll betray him to the marines. Then talk them into giving me a reward and buy Cocoyasi village back from Arlong.' Nami thought.

"You think Marines can stop me?" Luffy questioned in humor.

Nami panicked. 'Did he just read my mind?'

However Luffy never really answered her as he slumped to the side of the boat and nodded off into sleep.

"Thatch, no!" Luffy screamed as he woke up with a start. His breathing had become rapid and he began thrashing around. Nami was startled at the sudden commotion.

"I guess even the most powerful of pirates have nightmares." Nami said calmly. Luffy opened an eye and sighed. "It didn't feel like a dream."

Nami didn't really know what to feel at the moment, here she was, giving a ride to a pirate, the one thing she hated the most. Now, don't get the wrong idea, she had thought about throwing the young Whitebeard pirate overboard while he slept and be done with the whole ordeal, but, she didn't. She didn't know why, but she felt a strange sense of trust and comfort by which she was unfamiliar, yet, another strange sensation the young woman was feeling was whenever she was near or conversing with the young pirate she felt a warm feeling inside of her chest by which she had no explanation, but welcomed it with open arms as it felt nice and not in the least bit painful.. However, there was one unexplained fact about the boy which Nami desired the answer to...

"By the way, can you read minds?" Nami asked curiously, wanting to get a satisfactory answer to quench her curiosity . Luffy nodded.

"Did you try to read my mind then?"

"Not at the subconscious level, miss Nami," Nami felt her sudden nerves calm before Luffy gave her his trademark smile before he continued, "Miss Navigator of the Arlong Pirates."

Nami's entire body stiffened as only one thought raced through her mind 'I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!'

"I know how you feel Nami," Luffy said as he sighed, giving her a look of understanding, "That damn fish man sickens me. I don't know what Arlong did to you that caused you to hate pirates as much as you do, but it must have been pretty bad."

Luffy looked ahead at the incoming port somberly for a few moments before saying, "I could kick his ass for you if you want?"

Nami felt her heart race as she turned away from Luffy. This person was willing to fight Arlong for her, help her even though they've only known each other for only a couple of hours. She could feel the tears beginning to well up in her eyes as she considered what he wanted in return for helping her.

Nothing, that's what this young pirate wanted, absolutely nothing. He didn't want her body or even money for helping her, no, he wanted to help her only because she wasn't able to do it herself. It touched her heart so much so that she almost asked for this young mans help immediately, but no, she couldn't risk his life. She had seen countless numbers of people who challenged Arlong wind up dead and she wouldn't have the same thing happen to this particular pirate. Not when she was so close to getting the amount she promised.

"What do you even care pirate!" Nami yelled as she ran off, tears we're welling up in her eyes and she was about to cry, but she'd be damned if she let that pirate see her cry.

Coby voiced his theory. "You like her don't you?"

Luffy nodded as they both stepped off the boat.

"Now to find Zoro,"

All around them, within the little market, everyone jumped at the name.

"What? Why do you want to find Zoro?" Coby questioned.

"I want him on my crew because he's the best swordsman in the East Blue." Luffy said as the duo walked towards a large gray tower. The Marine base was surrounded by a cobblestone wall and a little girl was climbing over it with a small wooden ladder.

"Beat it kid," The gruff prisoner said. The green-haired man was tied to a pole in the hot sun. He was the great swordsman Roronoa Zoro.

Zoro did not want this girl to get hurt and although she was helping him, if someone caught her...He'd rather not think about it. "I said get lost kid."

"Now now, Zoro, no one like's a bully," A young blond-man tusked as he approached. He was the selfish Helmeppo, Captain Morgan's son. He took the riceballs the young intended to give to Zoro. "Those aren't for you!" The girl cried bravely.

Suddenly Helmeppo and the Marines collapsed into unconsciousness and Zoro was confused. Yet, he felt a spike of pressure and felt it coming from the side. He looked over and saw a man with a straw hat on his head walking over to him.

"Hey Zoro, join my crew." Luffy demanded. "Why should I?"

"Because you're the strongest swordsman in East Blue." Luffy replied. Zoro thought for a moment.

"What the hell, sounds like fun. I'm in, but, you have to wait ten days for the bet to end."

Zoro glanced at Helmeppo, whom was still unconscious.

"Fine, but if he breaks his word, I'm busting you out." Luffy firmly said.

Luffy sensed that Coby and the girl had left. Using haki, he found them heading for a bar and decided that it would be quite enjoyable to play a prank on them. He vanished and then appeared in front of the duo.

"Luffy how did you get here so fast?" Coby questioned when he saw Luffy waving to them over from the counter, ordering a bottle of sake.

Nami observed the straw hat wearing pirate quietly as she planned out how to sneak into the Marine base. Luffy had suddenly appeared in the bar a few minutes ago and surprised Nami, though she was certain he did not sneak in, stealth was her cup of tea. She sighed as she continued observing the selfless, courageous, and polite black-haired teen who had offered to help her.

Helmeppo arrived and decided that he was going to eat for free. Apparently he had woken up, due to the fact he was standing right in front of them.

"I'm bored. I think I'll execute Roronoa Zoro tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Luffy punched Helmeppo square in the face, sending him through the wall and into the street.

"That is no reason to kill someone!" Luffy roared.

"You hit me! I'll have my father kill you!" Helmeppo yelled clutching his face in pain. "Do you think he can kill me? I was raised on Whitebeards ship!" He laughed as the marines ran away carrying Helmeppo and everyone in the pub backed off in fear.

'This is Whitebeard's son!' they all thought

"You again," Zoro said. He was still tied to the pole, but now Luffy was back. "Helmeppo is going to execute you tomorrow so I'm here to untie you."

"Wait!" Zoro exclaimed. "Get my swords first! That stupid Helmeppo took them as a trophy!" This angered Luffy even more as he understood the values of a sword, after his own were thrown overboard by Thatch.

Luffy raced through the marine base, slashing two guards with his sword. He continued, not bothering to use even the slightest bit of effort. He only stopped when he saw Nami attempting to break into a room.

"Allow me, miss Nami. Lightning Bolt!"

The bolt blasted the door off it's hinges. "Um, thanks?" Nami said sheepishly. Why did he help her? He was a pirate, for god's sakes! Yet, he still helped her.

"My offer still stands, miss Nami. All you have to do is ask," Luffy said before running further down the hall, leaving Nami to collect her thoughts.

After a few moments Nami shook her head violently. She did not want him to die like everyone else who offered to help her. Yet, she still didn't know why she felt this way.

Upon finding Zoro's swords, which were located in that brat Helmeppo's room, he sensed that the Marines were lining up to execute Zoro. Luffy also sensed the little girl, Rika, and Coby down in the courtyard with Zoro. Luffy vanished and reappeared, slashing Zoro's binds with his sword. "What the…"

A large tall man with an axe looked on in shock. He had just ordered all of his men to shoot and the bullets missed their targets.

"Just who the hell are you boy!?" Morgan yelled as he had not seen Luffy free Zoro from his binds.

"These are yours right?" Luffy asked, completely ignoring Captain Morgan as showed the swords to Zoro. Zoro nodded as he grabbed the three katanas them and stopped the charging marines with a vicious glare, saying "Move and you will die."

"Zoro, duck!" Luffy yelled. Zoro obliged his new captain and ducked as Luffy yelled out, "Lightning Whip!"

"An Akuma no mi user!" The marines yelled, eyes widened in disbelief, "Those things actually exist! We can't kill these guys, Captain Morgan! They're just too strong! We can't even take on Roronoa Zoro, and he's half dead!"

"This is a direct order! Any that just sprouted weakness, shoot yourself!" Morgan yelled. Luffy sighed as he released a wave of Haoshoku Haki, knocking out everybody except Captain Morgan. Luffy then held up his hand and mumbled, "Zeus' Judgement."

A massive bolt of lightning struck Captain Morgan from the sky, rendering him unconscious and created a ten meter (30ft) crater in its wake. The marines soon afterward woke up and cheered for the defeat of their corrupt Marine Captain as the two pirates and their accomplices slithered off.

"How could you eat and drink more than someone who hasn't eaten anything in twenty days?" Zoro questioned back in the bar. Luffy was gobbling everything on the table.

"Because it's tasty," Luffy reasoned. Marines then came swarming into the bar.

"Is it true that you are pirates?" Asked a marine as he stood at attention. Luffy nodded and said, "That we are, what, are you going to try and capture us now?"

"Of course not! We wouldn't stand a chance against you." The marine admitted sadly.

"Yes that indeed is true!" replied Luffy, laughing wholeheartedly at the embarrassed marines. "I'm the new commander, Lieutenant Ripper, and as thanks for getting rid of Captain Morgan for us, we won't report you to headquarters. However I am going to have to ask you to leave."

"I need a ship, just a small one, or else I can't leave." Luffy said.

"Very well, we will provide a small ship for your departure," Lieutenant Ripper replied immediately.

Luffy and Zoro headed out. Coby stood still, fretting. The marine noticed him. "Isn't he part of the crew?"

"Nope, don't even know him." Luffy remained calm with an emotionless face.

They duo set out to see, watching a group of Marines saluting them. "So what was that thing you did?" Zoro questioned in curiosity.

"I told you, I ate a Goro Goro no mi, I'm a lightning man." Luffy repeated.

"Not that! When you looked at the marines and they passed out!"

"Oh that, shishishishi, I'll explain that later Zoro," Luffy said quietly. "It's not for the people in East Blue to hear."

Author's Notes (wjgr): I'm wondering if you guys want me to tell you how Luffy got his straw hat from shanks and his devil fruit powers as it will be a little different Luffy growing up on white beards ship and all although some parts will be similar I will only count vote's till next week Thursday Australian time. I am aware of my bad grammar but I have exams coming up next week so you may get another week to vote on the next chapter if you don't want it will skip to when they meet Nami again.

Beta-Reader's Notes (Mr. Indigo): Holy Crap! This took awhile to finish editing this chapter! Anyway, I hope you all are happy with the changes I made! I made the Nami falling for Luffy thing a little more subtle so that way it seems a little more 'natural'. Anyway, don't worry about it, I will still have them confess their love for one another at the end of the Arlong Park saga. :) Also, Damn Luffy! You got Nami to fall in love with you in a month, that's impressive! Then again, I can't say it isn't possible due to an anime I watched called 'The World God Only Knows'. Yeah, It's impressive that Keima got a girl to fall in love with him in only five days! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it!

Mr. Indigo, signing off.

If you sneezed while reading this,

God Bless You.