Sunlight managed to passed the rich green leafs of the ancient trees, it shone down and lit a strange pond that was deep within a jungle like forest; around the water's edge massive roots and dense foliage framed it.
As the light spilled over the pond many giant water-lilies floated gently over the water, lilac and white flower buds stuck out from some as they had not yet in bloom; the water that the water-lilies did not cover sprinkled like little diamonds.
Upon one giant water-lily pad sat a young boy named Monkey D Luffy; feeling very alone right there and then, as the jungle birds sang together from somewhere, and the dragonflies hovered with their mates.
He tighten his grip on the metal pole he had in his hands, so strong was his grip with his knuckles had turned white; he glanced around at the rest of the pond keep an eye out for any movement in the water.
'This is not like when Grandpa left me!' Luffy thought to himself, those words he kept repeating over and over.
He closes his eyes as he lets one hand go from the pole and bringing it up he touched his straw hat. Luffy slowly opens his dark eyes, narrowing them as he watched and waited.
When the lily pad stirs he quickly takes his hand away from his hat, he took hold of the pole once more. He briefly looks to the left and then to the right; there he notices a shadow moving under the surface. On following it with his eyes, Luffy saw that it was circling the lily pad he was on.
Leaning back the young child placing the flat of his feet against the lily pad's floor, readying himself to stand with his pole out.
'It going to come soon!' Luffy thinks as his eyes darken as he narrowed them more, and grin appears on his lips.
The waters stirred again.
One second all was calm the next, something had broken the surface to the water and was sticking its enormous head out of the water, with its mouth open wide.
Through his grin, Luffy gritted his teeth hard and jumping to his feet he raised his pole above his head. But before he could move forward, or even before the crocodile could bring its head down into a full attack; two dark forms leaped from the overhanging trees from above and slammed their own poles upon the creature's head, rocking it out cold.
Luffy pouts as the water made waves as the crocodile crashed down; it causing the water-lily pad to bob up and down for a moment. He had wanted a piece of it too, but the older boys had finished before he could start.
Ace and Sabo stood on the back of the crocodile, grinning and laughing at each other. Luffy looks almost sadly on wanting to be a part of what they had. He flops out down, staring at his feet.
The water-lily pad moved again, making Luffy look up quickly. Standing in front of him was Ace and Sabo, both offering him their hand to him. Smiling Luffy reaches up and took their outstretched hands.
Both pulled in believe of helping him to his feet, but all that happened was the rubber boy's arm lengthen.
Blinking the three boys stared at each other for a moment, and they laughed. Suddenly Luffy's body chose to follow the arms and he smacked into the other two, sending them to the floor of the water-lily pad.
They was all silent for a moment, then they laughed together.
Luffy grins from under his hat as he let his chin touch the water-lily pad's soft floor, he was glad he met them. He was no longer alone, this was something he should never forget.