Chapter 1

Higuma walked out of the tavern, his men following behind, chuckling. The tavern was left silent with everyone looking down at their drinks. The man wearing a Straw Hat, sat on the floor in front of the bar gave a slight snort. This caused everyone else in the room to drop into fits full of laughter. There were only two people not laughing, the barmaid, Makino and a young boy, Luffy.

"SHUT UP!" screamed the boy, causing the bar to go silent. "How can you call yourselves Pirates. That Mountain Bandit just humiliated you."

"Don't worry about it Luffy," said the Red-haired Pirate, "He only spilt some booze on me. Hardly enough to go to war for."

Shanks continued to chuckle and wipe himself clean, while Luffy turned away from him. He was about to have more of his drink when he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. Turning fully to what he saw, he gave a quick gasp and launched himself to the young boy, slapping the purple fruit out of his hand before he could take a bite.

"OWWW!" screamed Luffy, "What did you do that for. I was gunna enjoy my desert."

"No Luffy. You were going to eat a Devil Fruit."

"What's that?" Luffy asked with a cute little tilt of his head.

"It's a powerful fruit that gives anyone who eats it special powers," said Shanks. Luffy looked at the fruit with stars in his eyes. "No Luffy. It's not a good thing to eat. Especially as a kid."

"Why not?"

"It takes away your ability to swim," Shanks replied, "Plus I would rather you make a thought out decision as an adult, than a stupid mistake as a kid."

"So wait until I'm an adult to eat one?" Luffy asked confused.

Shanks gave sigh and walked over to his First mat Benn Beckman and grabbed the book he was holding. He gave the book to Luffy and gave him a few minutes to give it a quick study.

"What's this?"

"It's a book about all the known Devil Fruits in the world," said Shanks, "I want you to read it and when your older, if you have found a Devil Fruit that you think is worth risking your ability to swim, then you can eat it."

"Ok," said Luffy, "Just one question."

"What's up Luffy?"

"How do you read?"

This caused all of the Red-haired Pirates to slap their hands onto their heads. They didn't know that the seven year old wouldn't be able to read.

"How long are we planning on staying for Captain?" asked Benn

"About six months," he replied, "Why?"

"I can teach him how to read."

"Really?" said Luffy.

"Yeah," he said, "I will teach you how to read and write. I will also teach you what you need to know to live life on the seas."

"YES!" screamed Luffy jumping around the bar like a mad man.

It was a tricky six months for Luffy but he was determined to see it through. It took him a little over a month to be able to read and write correctly which is when Benn taught him how to use a sword, a gun and how to navigate and repair a ship.

They also allowed Luffy to gain some experience on the seas. Luffy managed to go on one trip with them where he got a chance to do every job on board. He got to raise and lower the sails and anchor, he swabbed the deck, manned the cannons, took the helm and even took a night shift in the Crows Nest. For the trip back, Shanks allowed Luffy to take command and navigate the ship back to Dawn Island. According to Shanks and Benn, he had done a very good job. They had not expected him to be able to pick things up so quickly.

The last month of the Red-haired Pirates visit, Luffy spent training his body. He would run around the entire Island in the morning and would then spend the rest of the day practicing his fighting and sword play. By the time Shanks was ready to leave, Luffy's punch definitely was as strong as a pistol.

As a parting gift, Benn gave Luffy several books on things he should learn before he sets sail. Luffy gave a hug to the tall mans leg. Benn gave a slight chuckle and gave Luffy a pat on the head. Luffy let go and Benn made his way onto the ship.

"So," said Shanks, "Not going to ask to come with me again?"

"Nah," replied Luffy, "I've decided to keep training and make my own crew. I've decided to become King of the Pirates."

"Really? You think you can do it?"

"Doesn't matter if I can or not. What matters is I keep trying."

"Good answer kid," said Shanks with a grin, "I've got something for you."

Shanks took the hat off his head and gave it to Luffy. He held the brim of the hat and looked at Shanks in shock.

"Really?" he asked.

"My Captain gave it to me," he replied, "As I was your Captain for a short while I'm giving it to you. Just promise to never give up your dream."

"That's a deal," said Luffy with a large grin on his face.

He watched them sail away with a grin on his face and a plan for his future. He would train and learn. He would be the best Pirate ever.

The next two months went by quickly for Luffy. He trained as hard as he could and improved his skills with a sword and a gun, given to him by Benn. He also read through some of the books. He still wasn't the best reader but he had managed to go through a book every month. He also tried out all the things he found in the books.

The first book he read was about Carpentry. In order to get the tools he needed he did some small jobs around the village to raise some money. He then those tool and started to practice his skills. He would help to repair ships and houses. He also helped an old lady to put up a shelf.

The second book was on navigation and map drawing. He had enough money left over to buy what he needed to practice. He used his new knowledge and drew a map of Dawn Island. Comparing it to maps Makino had got for him, it wasn't the best map but he was able to read it well enough. He decided he would have to find someone to draw the maps for him.

He was taking a day off in Party's Bar, when the doors were suddenly kicked open. In walked a tall, older man wearing a marine uniform. This was Luffy's grandpa Monkey D. Garp.

"Bwahaha. There you are brat," he said walking in and giving Luffy, his patented, Fist of Love. "Say your good byes. I'm taking you to live somewhere else."

Luffy was looking at his grandpa in shock. Not only had the Fist of Love not hurt as much but he really didn't want to move away from Windmill Village.

"This is my home Gramps," whined Luffy, "I don't wanna move."

"Luffy," said Makino kneeling down to his level, "Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do. It's something you're going to have to do when out at sea."

Luffy looked at her with a sigh. He knew he would have to learn to leave the Village, especially if he wanted to go out to sea.

"You will be able to visit here any time and I know where you are moving too so I can visit you too."

This put a smile on his face. He knew he would miss her but this way he could still see her. Luffy turned to his grandpa with a determined look on his face.

"One condition," said Luffy, "I want to be trained."

Garp gave a confused look to Luffy. "Trained?"

"I have been given books that I'm slowly reading and I'm also training to be stronger. I want your help," said Luffy.

Garp gave a laugh, happy that his Grandson seemed to be working his way to become a great marine.

"Deal," said Garp shaking Luffy's hand.

They spent the next two hours walking to the top of Mount Corvo where Luffy was introduced to Curly Dadan.

She was a large woman with curly, ginger hair. She was the leader of a group of mountain bandits but was being intimidated by Garp into taking care of Luffy and another child, Portgas D. Ace.

Ace was three years older than Luffy but didn't seem like he wanted to be friends. When Luffy introduced himself, ace just tried to spit on him. Luffy was thankful to be fast enough to dodge. Ace turned an ran off into the forest. Luffy didn't bother to follow, he was hoping to get started on training.

"See you later, Luffy," said Garp walking away.

"Hold up," shouted Luffy, "What about our deal? You said you would train me."

Garp looked a bit sheepish. It seemed he had forgot that little promise. "Ok Ok," he said, "I will stay for a week and show you some things to practice for the next time I see you."

Luffy happily accepted. He wanted to learn and knew he would be able to complete his grandpa's training.

It was a very difficult week for Luffy. The day would always start with a spar against his grandpa, who would always beat him into the dirt. After would be breakfast followed by Luffy practicing some of the moves he had been shown. He would practice this all day until Garp told him to sleep. He wouldn't let him have lunch or dinner because on the seas, you might have to go for some time on little rations.

After Garp had left and promised to return in a year, Luffy continued his training and reading. His first goal was to master a move called Shave. Garp had told him he would have to be able to step over ten times a second to master this move and the more steps you can do the faster you will go. It took Luffy six months training his legs to be able to successfully pull it off.

During that time his ability to read had got much better and he had managed to go through, at least, two books a month. He was learning about first aid and how to properly care for a sword and a gun. He was also learning more about Carpentry and ship building. He was currently learning how to sew. He didn't want to find himself out at sea with a ripped sail.

Luffy managed to make a trip down the mountain to see Makino at least once a month. He told her, he didn't want her to make the trip in case she got hurt, which she found very flattering. She was helping Luffy to learn proper manners. He thought it was silly but she had wanted him to be a proper gentleman.

During the six months, Luffy was watched over very closely by two boys, Ace and his friend Sabo. They were both interested in what he was learning but Ace was dead set on not asking him about it. Sabo ended up getting so frustrated with Ace, that he just went and talked to Luffy any way. He took note that Luffy wasn't as bad as Ace was making him out to be. He was willing to help them get strong and he allowed Sabo to borrow his books, just as long as he looked after them.

Ace, after accepting Luffy's offer to help, found Luffy to not be as annoying as he first thought him to be. They ended up showing Luffy what they liked to do during the day and all of the treasure they had found. Luffy was amazed that they had already collected treasure.

The three boys hadn't truly bonded until they had a run in with a Pirate called Bluejam. He was tasked with taking Sabo back to his noble family and then destroying the Grey Terminal. Luffy wouldn't let him.

A ,now eight year old, Luffy watched as Bluejam was dragging Sabo away while the rest of the Pirates had Ace on the floor, tied up. He was screaming at them to let Sabo go but he just kept walking away.

Luffy used Shave and appeared in front of Sabo and Bluejam. "Let them go," he growled.

Bluejam and his crew laughed at the young boy. "What are you going to do if I don't?"

Luffy used Shave again and landed a kick in Bluejam's face. He flew backwards and slammed into a tree. He stumbled to his feet, seeing double. His nose was bent out of shape and bleeding. He gave a snarl and ordered his men to attack.

Luffy took out the sword he had been given by Benn. It was called, Yamaoroshi and was one of the Fifty Skillful Grade swords. He pointed the sword at the Pirates and put his training to use. With several quick steps on the ground, Luffy disappeared. The Pirates looked around, trying to see where he had gone.

Bluejam turned around after hearing a scream. One of his men and been cut in two. Another scream and another of his men on the floor dead. He didn't know what was happening. Had the kid hired someone else to attack them. After all of his men had been killed, he saw the kid appear in front of him again. Noticing the blood on his sword, the Pirate started to panic.

"How?" he asked, "How did you do that?"

Luffy didn't answer, he just launched himself at the pirate. Bluejam, in a panic, threw Sabo aside and unsheathed his sword. He managed to block the young boy but was shocked when he was being pushed back.

"What the hell are you?" he screamed at the boy.

Luffy, once again, didn't give an answer. He put his hand behind his back and pulled out a gun. He placed the gun inbetween the pirates eyes and pulled the trigger. The last thing that went through Bluejam's mind, other than the bullet, was curiosity at how this kid was this strong.

Luffy received a very good amount of cash after handing over the body of Bluejam the pirate. He had a bounty of 14.3 million Berri. Luffy tried to share it with his newly sworn brothers but they refused, saying that Luffy took them down so he can keep the reward.

The next few years passed quickly. Garp turned up every year to train his three grandkids and they were able to learn the six powers. Luffy was sad, watching his brothers leaving on their journey. They didn't say if they were going to stay together or split up and go their separate ways but Luffy knew they would cause havoc.

The next two years were spent with constant training. He had read all of the books several times and felt he was strong enough to take care of himself and a crew. Like his brothers, he had originally planned to set out on his seventeenth birthday but its was three months away and he was starting to get impatient. He was tired of waiting and decided he was going to leave now. He made his way down to Windmill Village, after saying good bye to Dadan. He gave a quick bye to Makino and walked to the docks.

"Is anyone selling a boat?" Luffy shouted hoping there was one for sail.

"I'm currently selling one young man," said one of the fishermen.

"Can I see?" he asked.

The fisherman, led Luffy to a small sailing boat. "It has 2 cabins and a small galley. There is also a small living area with a comfy sofa and a table which can be converted into a bed. It has a single mast and can easily be manned by a single person."

"How much?" asked Luffy with a grin.

"I bought it for twenty thousand Berri and I'm happy to let it go for ten thousand," he said.

Luffy put his chest on the floor and pulled out some cash and handed it over.

"This is way to much. I can't accept this."

Luffy gave a smirk and waved him off. He had over 20 million and was happy to pay 100,000 for his new home. Luffy jumped on board and started to put his things away and get used to the ship. He checked on all the lines, the condition of the anchor and made sure the hull was in a good condition. He even dived under the ship to check the keel and the rudder. All was in perfect shape at the minute and he couldn't wait to set sail.

With everything ready, Luffy jumped onto the docks ready to untie the mooring lines and noticed the whole Village had turned up to see him off. He was shocked. He had only told a few people so he could avoid this.

"What are you all doing here?" he asked.

"Makino told us you're setting out today. We wanted to see you off," said one of the shop keepers.

"Go on Luffy," said one of the farmers, "You hop onboard. Let us cast you off."

Luffy gave a smile and a nod before he climbed onto his new ship. They untied the lines and threw them on the ship. Luffy was quick to unfurl the main sail and turned to the villagers. He stood tall and shouted to the sky.

"I'M GOING TO BE KING OF THE PIRATES!"

He raised his arms in the air and started to laugh. His journey was just beginning and nothing was going to ruin it.

There was a large splash of water as a small sea kings emerged from the ocean. The lord of the coast had come to say goodbye. Luffy gave a smirk as his first test on his journey stood before him. With a jump in the air and a powerful kick, the sea kings head was removed from the rest of its body. Tempest Kick. A move shown to him by his grandpa.

Landing back in the ship seconds before the wind caught the sails, Luffy began laughing. He was ready.