π•Ώπ–π–Š π–‹π–šπ–™π–šπ–—π–Š π–‡π–Šπ–‘π–”π–“π–Œπ–˜ 𝖙𝖔 π–™π–π–”π–˜π–Š π–œπ–π–” π–‡π–Šπ–‘π–Žπ–Šπ–›π–Š π–Žπ–“ π–™π–π–Š π–‡π–Šπ–†π–šπ–™π–ž 𝖔𝖋 π–™π–π–Šπ–Žπ–— π–‰π–—π–Šπ–†π–’π–˜.

Monkey D. Luna has wanted to be a pirate ever since she met Shanks, her idol. Hearing all the tales of his adventures just made her want to seek that too. She wanted to become like him and even better. She wanted to gather Nakama that were just as cool as his.

So, when Shanks was about to leave her island for the last time, going to leave the east blue, after the incidence with the bandit, Luna promised him that she will become a pirate. And not just any pirate.

"I'm going to become the king of the pirates! I'll be the strongest, the greatest and the freest pirate!"

Shanks grinned brightly down at the young girl, "The king of pirates, huh..." The grin gained a mischievous glint, "But you're a girl Anchor, doesn't that mean you will be the queen?"

Luna stuck her tongue out at Shanks while whipping away the tears falling from her eyes. "Nu-uh! There is only a king, so I will be the king and nothing less!"

Shanks grin softened into a gentle smile; eyes filled with love for the girl he came to see as a little sister. He let his eyes wander to the sea, eyes gaining a determined glint. He returned his gaze to the young raven-haired girl and plucked the straw-hat off his head and set it on her head.

This action made the pirate crew take a double take; they all knew that the straw-hat was important for their captain.

"Luna," Shanks said, "This hat is very important to me, it was left to me by my previous captain when I was just his cabin boy. I promised to myself that I will keep it safe, but it seems like a new promise will have to take place."

Luna lifted her shaking hands to grip into the hat as she continued listening to her idol.

"Luna. Promise me, that when you become the strongest, the greatest and freest pirate, when you become the king of the pirates, return it to me!"

Luna bit her lower lip to stop any noise from spilling out. Stupid Shanks for making her cry again. She jerked her head as a nod.

Shanks crouched down and let his arm out, "Well," he grinned, "I want a hug from the future king of the pirates."

Luna obliged with his request and threw herself at Shanks, arms around his neck in a hug. "I'll miss you," she whispered, eyes still teary.

"I'll miss you too, Anchor." Shanks murmured into her hair, "But we'll see each other one day, and I'll always be a call away. I'm giving our DenDen mushi details to Makino so that you will keep contact with us."

Luna smiled slightly, "I'll call you every day."

"Every day seems a bit much, doesn't it?" Benn, the first mate, said, coming over to his captain and the little girl, who became like family to the crew. He was watching the interactions between the red-haired captain and the young Monkey with an amused expression.

Benn received two nearly identical pouts from Shanks and Luna, "Every day isn't too much." Shanks grumbled, pulling away from Luna. "If I can't keep watch over her, I need to at least know everything going on."

"Besides, I have no one except Makino with you guys leaving." Luna whispered, voice saddened, "I'm going to be alone. And grandpa barely visits."

Shanks' and Benn's smiles slipped a bit, before they forced them back, even if strained. Luna is important to them both, an honorary member of their crew, and every single member of their crew adored her and wished to take *cough* Kidnap *cough* her, but they understood that taking a child onboard will be dangerous for her.

Benn moved forward to ruffle Luna's locks, "If that's the case, then you can call us."

Shanks pulled Luna in one last hug when one of his crew shouted out that the ship was set for sail. "I have a feeling that you won't be lonely." Shanks said. "That you will be making a new friend soon."

"H-how are you so sure?" Luna sniffed.

"I just am," Shanks winked, "Won't you believe your older brother for now?"

She nodded, standing on her tiptoes to lay a peck on Shanks' cheek, "Have fun and be safe."

Shanks eyes were soft looking, "I will, and you better take care of yourself, promise?"

Luna extended out a pinkie finger to lock with Shanks' own, "I'll try my best."

"Bahahaha!" Shanks let out a loud laugh, "I guess that's the best I can get from you Anchor."

Luna pouted, "Stupid Shanks." She grumbled and pulled away from him so that he can stand up and board his ship.

With the pirates onboard and ready, they started to wave at the villagers who came to bid them goodbye. And especially at Little Luna.

"Bye Anchor!"

"Don't get into too much trouble!"

"You better talk to all of us! You can't just call Captain only!"

"Don't get a boyfriend without our permission!"

The last sentence made Shanks freeze up and pale, "Don't even think of getting a boyfriend! Don't even get your first kiss!" He shouted.

The crew laughed at the overprotective nature of Shanks, as the ship started to leave the docks.

Luna gripped once more into her newly given hat to hid her tears, even though everyone knew that she was crying, but then suddenly she wiped them away and look at the leaving ship and shouting out at the top of her lungs.

"I'm going to get Stronger and a fantastic crew of my own! They will be my nakama for life, and they will be the crew of the future pirate King! So be ready to get your ass kicked by us!"

Shanks felt a big grin spread on his face, and this smile was contagious as the surrounding people also smiled widely. "We'll wait for you and your future crew!"

Sucking in one big breath before letting out a loud exclamation filled with will that made the sea quiet down in respect to the young one.

"I'LL BE THE KING OF THE PIRATES!"

And Shanks believes that she will do it.

(And it seems like sea did too. He looked down at the water, and tracked down the sea king residing by the island. The sea king was looking at the raven-haired young girl and moved his head down as if bowing.

'Captain...' Shanks thought to himself, 'She's the one, isn't she? The one you are waiting for...'

"Cap! Whatcha thinkin' about to look so serious?" One shouted.

"Probably about Anchor getting a boyfriend!" Another answered.

Shanks snapped at that, "Anchor is never getting a boyfriend!"

Yassop and Lucky Roo walked over to Benn, both laughing. "But Anchor can be quite thick-headed and oblivious, what if she doesn't notice the signs or if a guy forced himself on her." Lucky Roo said.

"Or a girl." Yassop added.

Shanks angry face turned into one filled with fear before he turned towards his most trusted friends. "You guys are right! We need to go back! We're taking her with us!"

"Absolutely not!" Benn interrupted before Shanks actually gave an order to turn around, which not many would go against when there is a chance to have Luna be with them. "You are the one who always told her no, and you promised that you will wait for her to become her own pirate. Are you going to break your promise to her? You know how much Luna hates breaking promises."

Shanks wilted at each remark made by Benn, before he slumped again the railing with a depressing aura surrounding him. "Anchor..." He wailed.

He got ignored by his crew, already having their fill of causing problems to their Captain.

Benn sighed, knowing that he will have to be the one to deal with Shanks in this state as his first mate and best friend. The one thing that makes him regret joining Shanks is this.

While Benn can understand where Shanks' worries lie, he knows that Luna is a strong and emotionally intelligent. She knows whom to trust and not to, she seems to know when someone intentions are to harm her or not. Shanks knows this, too, but his overprotective brother instincts seem to be taking over his head right now.

Benn pities whoever Luna is going to end up with.)

Monkey D. Luna was six years old when she promised Shanks to become the King of the Pirates.

A/N: Feel welcome to correct any grammatical errors or to leave any comments in general3