At just 14 years old, Luffy—now fully embodying the strategic mind of Alex Mercer—had begun to carve out a name for himself in the waters around Dawn Island. Word of a young bounty hunter with a fearsome reputation was spreading among the lesser pirate crews that prowled the East Blue. Some whispered that he was a demon, others that he was the vengeful spirit of the seas. But all agreed on one thing: this "hunter" was not to be trifled with.
Luffy had taken to the seas in his small, agile craft, the vessel both a test of his shipbuilding skills and a tool for hunting down pirates. The ship had served him well, its speed and maneuverability allowing him to outmatch his targets. But it was Luffy's combat prowess, honed through relentless training, that struck fear into the hearts of those who crossed him.
On this particular day, Luffy had set his sights on a pirate crew known as the Black Claw Pirates. They were notorious for their cruelty, leaving behind a trail of burned villages and butchered innocents. Led by a man named Gris Fang, a towering brute with a reputation for sadistic violence, the Black Claw Pirates were the perfect target for Luffy to further test his skills and exact his own brand of justice.
As Luffy's ship approached the Black Claw Pirates' vessel, anchored near a small, desolate island, he could see the signs of their recent raid—a plume of smoke rising from the island's interior, the scent of charred wood and blood carried on the wind. His grip tightened on the wheel, his eyes narrowing with cold determination. These pirates were monsters, and he would show them no mercy.
Luffy maneuvered his ship to the far side of the pirate vessel, out of sight, before stealthily boarding. The deck was eerily quiet, the crew either below deck or off on the island. Luffy moved silently, his senses heightened by Observation Haki, detecting the faintest movements around him. He made his way to the entrance of the lower decks, the sounds of clinking metal and raucous laughter growing louder.
As he descended, the sight that greeted him only fueled his rage. The lower decks were filled with plundered goods—gold, weapons, and crates of supplies—but more horrifying were the prisoners, shackled and beaten, their eyes hollow with despair. Some were villagers from the island, others unfortunate souls who had crossed paths with the Black Claw Pirates.
Luffy's presence went unnoticed until he stepped into the light, the dim glow of lanterns revealing his figure to the pirates guarding the prisoners. They looked up, confusion turning to shock as they recognized the straw hat on his head—a symbol of the boy they had heard whispers about.
"Who the hell are you?" one of the pirates snarled, drawing a knife from his belt.
Luffy's voice was cold, devoid of any of the boyish cheerfulness that once characterized him. "I'm the last person you'll ever see," he said, his eyes hardening as he advanced.
The pirate lunged at him, but Luffy was faster. His arm shot out, stretching unnaturally as it connected with the pirate's throat, crushing his windpipe in an instant. The man's eyes bulged, his hands clawing at his neck as he collapsed to the ground, gasping for air that would never come.
The other pirates barely had time to react before Luffy was upon them. He moved with brutal efficiency, his fists and feet a blur as he tore through the guards. A knife-wielding pirate tried to stab him from behind, but Luffy spun around, his leg extending into a powerful kick that sent the man crashing into a wall with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed across the wooden planks, staining them crimson.
One of the guards, realizing the hopelessness of the situation, turned to flee, but Luffy caught him by the collar, yanking him back and slamming him face-first into the floor. The man's nose shattered on impact, blood pooling beneath his broken face as he whimpered in terror.
"Please… don't… I'll tell you anything!" the pirate begged, his voice trembling.
Luffy leaned down, his voice a deadly whisper. "Where's Gris Fang?"
"H-he's on the island… overseeing the raid," the pirate stammered, tears mixing with the blood on his face. "Please… I told you what you wanted… just let me go…"
Luffy's eyes darkened, and for a moment, the pirate thought he saw a glimpse of something monstrous in the boy's gaze. "You've hurt too many people," Luffy said, his voice chillingly calm. "There's no mercy for scum like you."
With a swift motion, Luffy's hand clamped around the man's throat, crushing his windpipe in a brutal display of strength. The pirate's struggles grew weaker until his body went limp, eyes glazing over in death.
Luffy straightened, his breath steady, his heart hardened against the horrors he had witnessed. These men deserved worse, but his focus was on Gris Fang now. Leaving the lifeless bodies of the guards behind, Luffy made his way back to the deck and onto the island, following the trail of destruction left by the Black Claw Pirates.
The village was a smoldering ruin, bodies strewn across the ground like discarded dolls. The sight made Luffy's blood boil, his hands clenching into fists as he sought out Gris Fang. He found the pirate captain at the village square, surrounded by the last of his crew. They were looting what remained of the village, laughing and jeering at the terrified survivors huddled nearby.
Gris Fang was an imposing figure, towering over his men with a muscular frame covered in scars. His face was twisted into a grin of sadistic pleasure as he watched his men at work. But that grin faded when he spotted Luffy approaching, a lone figure emerging from the smoke and shadows.
"Who the hell are you?" Gris Fang growled, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of the young boy standing defiantly before him.
Luffy's voice was cold and clear. "I'm here to end you."
The pirates laughed, the sound grating and harsh in the tense silence that followed. "This brat thinks he can take us on?!" one of them sneered, brandishing a bloodied axe. "Let's show him what happens to heroes!"
They charged at Luffy, weapons raised, but Luffy didn't flinch. He met them head-on, his fists and feet moving with deadly precision. He snapped bones, crushed skulls, and left a trail of broken bodies in his wake. Blood splattered across his clothes, the metallic scent filling the air as he fought with ruthless efficiency.
However, as Luffy cut through the pirates, Gris Fang watched closely, his sharp eyes studying Luffy's every move. The boy was strong, far stronger than he had anticipated, but Gris Fang was no ordinary pirate. He had fought countless battles, surviving by being not only brutal but also cunning. He saw an opportunity, a pattern in Luffy's attacks—a slight hesitation when transitioning between his Gum-Gum abilities and his Haki.
As Luffy finished off another pirate, Gris Fang struck. With a speed that belied his massive size, he lunged at Luffy, swinging a massive, serrated blade aimed straight at Luffy's midsection. Luffy barely had time to react, twisting his body to avoid the lethal blow, but the blade caught him on the side, tearing through flesh and muscle. Pain exploded in Luffy's side as blood sprayed from the wound.
Gris Fang grinned, his teeth bared in a predatory smile. "Not so tough now, are you, kid?"
Luffy staggered back, clutching his side as he glared at Gris Fang. The pain was intense, but it only fueled his determination. This wasn't the first time he had been wounded, and it wouldn't be the last. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus, to push through the pain.
Gris Fang advanced, his blade gleaming with Luffy's blood. "I'll give you credit, you took out a lot of my men. But you're just a kid playing at being a hero. This is the real world, and in the real world, kids like you die."
Luffy's eyes narrowed, his resolve hardening. "I'm not playing," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "And I'm not a kid."
With a burst of speed, Luffy launched himself at Gris Fang, his fist coated in Armament Haki. He swung with all his might, aiming for the pirate's chest. Gris Fang raised his blade to block, but the force of Luffy's punch shattered the blade into pieces. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, but Gris Fang was ready. He took the blow head-on, his own body coated in Haki to absorb the worst of it. Even so, the force knocked him back several steps, his grin faltering.
Gris Fang's eyes widened in shock as he felt the sting of Luffy's punch, but he quickly recovered, his surprise turning into rage. "You're strong, I'll give you that," he snarled, wiping blood from his mouth. "But I'm not going down that easily!"
The two clashed again, trading blows with ferocious intensity. Gris Fang was a beast of a man, his strength and size giving him an edge in close combat. But Luffy's agility and quick reflexes kept him in the fight. Each time Gris Fang thought he had him cornered, Luffy would slip away, his rubbery body stretching and contorting in ways that defied expectation.
Gris Fang, despite his size, was fast and relentless, his attacks coming in heavy, brutal swings that could cleave through bone. Luffy could feel the raw power behind each strike, and it took all his focus to dodge and counter. He knew he couldn't afford to get hit again—another wound like the one on his side could be fatal.
Luffy danced around Gris Fang, using his Gum-Gum abilities to keep distance when needed, then closing in with quick, precise strikes. He focused on wearing Gris Fang down, aiming for weak points—joints, the sides of his torso, and his neck. But Gris Fang was durable, his body toughened by years of battle. He absorbed Luffy's hits with grunts of pain but kept coming, his eyes burning with murderous intent.
The two combatants locked in a fierce struggle, their Haki clashing in bursts of energy that sent shockwaves through the air. Gris Fang's brute strength was matched by Luffy's speed and ingenuity, but the pirate captain wasn't without his own tricks. He used feints and sudden changes in direction to catch Luffy off guard, forcing him to adapt on the fly.
In one of those moments, Gris Fang feigned a wide slash, forcing Luffy to leap back. But the real attack came as Gris Fang shifted his weight and lunged forward with surprising speed, driving his shoulder into Luffy's chest. The impact was like being hit by a cannonball, and Luffy was sent sprawling across the ground, gasping for air.
Gris Fang was on him in an instant, his massive boot coming down to crush Luffy's skull. But Luffy, instincts honed from countless battles, twisted his body at the last second, avoiding the crushing blow. He stretched his leg around Gris Fang's ankle, yanking it out from under him. The pirate captain staggered but didn't fall, using his massive frame to stay upright.
Panting, Luffy pushed himself to his feet, blood trickling from his mouth. His side throbbed with pain, the deep wound making every movement a struggle. But he couldn't let that stop him—he had to finish this.
Gris Fang, sensing Luffy's fatigue, grinned wickedly. "You're slowing down, kid. That's what happens when you play with the big boys. It's only a matter of time before I crush you."
Luffy spat blood on the ground, his eyes locking onto Gris Fang's with a cold intensity. "I'm not slowing down," he said through gritted teeth. "I'm just getting started."
With a roar, Luffy charged forward, his fists coated in Haki. He feinted left, drawing Gris Fang's attention, then spun to the right, delivering a powerful punch to the pirate's ribs. Gris Fang howled in pain, his ribs cracking under the force of the blow. But Luffy didn't stop there—he followed up with a rapid barrage of punches, each one striking with pinpoint accuracy.
Gris Fang, reeling from the assault, swung his fist in a desperate attempt to counter, but Luffy was already gone, his rubbery body twisting around the attack. He came in low, his foot sweeping Gris Fang's legs out from under him. The pirate captain hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of him.
Luffy didn't give him a chance to recover. He leapt onto Gris Fang, driving his fist into the man's face with all the strength he could muster. The first punch shattered Gris Fang's nose, blood spraying across the ground. The second punch dislocated his jaw, leaving it hanging grotesquely. The third punch caved in his skull, a sickening crunch echoing through the village square.
The light faded from Gris Fang's eyes, his body going limp under Luffy's relentless assault. But Luffy didn't stop. He pounded Gris Fang's face into an unrecognizable pulp, his anger and determination fueling every blow. The pirate had caused so much pain, so much suffering—Luffy wanted to make sure he never hurt anyone again.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Luffy stopped, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He looked down at what was left of Gris Fang's face, his hands trembling from the intensity of the fight. The pirate was dead—there was no doubt about that. Luffy had made sure of it.
He slowly got to his feet, swaying slightly as the adrenaline began to fade. His side was a mess of blood and torn flesh, the pain flaring up now that the fight was over. But he had won. He had taken down one of the most brutal pirate captains in the East Blue, and he had survived.
The few surviving pirates, seeing the fate of their captain, fled into the jungle, leaving their comrades behind. They were broken, defeated, and no longer a threat. Luffy watched them go, his expression hard and unyielding. He wasn't interested in chasing them down—his job was done.
As he limped back to his ship, Luffy took a moment to reflect on the fight. Gris Fang had been a formidable opponent, pushing Luffy to his limits. The wound in his side was a reminder that he still had a long way to go. He had won today, but there would be stronger foes in the future—foes who wouldn't give him the chance to make mistakes.
Back on his ship, Luffy slumped against the mast, his body finally giving in to the exhaustion and pain. He needed to rest, to heal—but his mind was already working, thinking of ways to improve. The fight had exposed weaknesses in his strategy, gaps in his technique that needed to be filled. He couldn't afford to be complacent.
The small ship that had served him so well in these early battles was nearing the end of its usefulness. It had been a good vessel, but Luffy knew it was time to take the next step. The fight with Gris Fang had shown him that he needed something more—a ship that could withstand the rigors of the Grand Line, a ship that could carry him through battles far more intense than this.
Over the next few days, as Luffy recovered, he and Kob worked tirelessly on refining the design of the destroyer. The experience gained from the smaller vessel was invaluable, highlighting areas that needed improvement. Luffy decided to reinforce the hull even further, adding layers of the special alloy they had developed to create a ship that was not only fast and maneuverable but also incredibly durable.
They also reworked the ship's armament, ensuring the cannons were more stable and capable of firing with greater accuracy, even during rapid maneuvers. Luffy's new knowledge of battle tactics informed the placement of the cannons, optimizing their positions to cover all angles of attack. He also considered adding a few hidden weapons, surprises that could turn the tide of battle in his favor.
The ship was coming together, each piece falling into place as Luffy and Kob pushed forward. It was a painstaking process, but Luffy was driven by the knowledge that this ship would be the key to his future. He could feel it—the destroyer was going to be something special, something that would make even the mightiest pirates think twice before challenging him.
As the weeks passed, Luffy's wound healed, leaving a scar as a reminder of the battle with Gris Fang. But more importantly, his resolve hardened. He was growing stronger with each fight, each challenge making him more prepared for the journey ahead.
The reputation of the young bounty hunter from Dawn Island continued to grow, spreading through the East Blue like wildfire. Pirates began to fear the boy with the straw hat, whispering tales of his ruthlessness and the justice he dispensed. But Luffy didn't care about the rumors. He had his sights set on something much bigger.
And as the ship neared completion, Luffy knew that the time was coming—soon, he would be ready to leave Dawn Island, to set sail on the path that would lead him to the Grand Line. But before that day arrived, there were still lessons to be learned, battles to be fought, and preparations to be made.
The journey was far from over, but Luffy was more determined than ever to see it through. With every fight, with every enemy he defeated, he was one step closer to becoming the Pirate King. And nothing—no pirate, no marine, no force in the world—would stop him from achieving his dream.