Luffy's reputation as a bounty hunter had spread far beyond the waters of Dawn Island. Stories of his ruthlessness against pirates and his strategic brilliance in battle had reached even the most remote corners of the East Blue. But with this growing fame came attention from those Luffy had hoped to avoid—his grandfather, Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp.

Garp had always been a larger-than-life figure in Luffy's life. Known as the "Hero of the Marines," Garp was a man of immense power and influence, and he had always hoped that Luffy would follow in his footsteps and become a Marine. But Luffy, with the mind of Alex Mercer guiding him, had other plans.

It was a quiet afternoon when Luffy felt the presence of a powerful figure approaching the village. The air seemed to crackle with energy, and Luffy knew, even before he saw the familiar Marine ship docked at the harbor, that Garp had come to visit.

As Garp made his way through the village, the townspeople greeted him with a mixture of awe and respect. He was, after all, one of the most powerful Marines in the world. But Garp's expression was unusually serious as he approached Luffy, who stood waiting near the edge of the village.

"Luffy!" Garp's voice boomed as he closed the distance between them. "What's this I hear about you running around as a bounty hunter?"

Luffy met his grandfather's gaze, his expression calm and collected. "I'm doing what I need to do, Gramps."

Garp frowned, his eyes narrowing as he studied Luffy. "And what exactly is that? Playing pirate hunter? You're supposed to be training to become a Marine, not chasing after scum!"

Luffy remained unfazed. "I'm not playing, and I'm not becoming a Marine, either. I have my own path to follow."

Garp's frown deepened. "And what path is that? You think becoming a pirate is the answer? You'll be hunted down like all the others!"

Luffy shook his head. "I'm not just becoming a pirate. I'm going to be the Pirate King."

For a moment, there was silence as Garp processed Luffy's words. Then, with a frustrated growl, Garp swung his massive fist at Luffy's head—a blow that, in the past, would have left Luffy dazed and reeling. But this time, Luffy was ready. He anticipated the attack with his Observation Haki, his body moving just enough to avoid the full force of the punch. Garp's fist grazed past his head, the sheer power of it sending a gust of wind through the village square.

Garp paused, his eyes widening slightly as he realized what Luffy had just done. "You… dodged that?"

Luffy nodded, his expression serious. "I've been training hard, Gramps. I'm not the same kid you used to knock around."

Garp crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "So you've gotten stronger. But strength alone won't keep you alive out there. You need more than just raw power."

"I know," Luffy replied. "That's why I've been mastering Haki and training in the marine techniques. I'm not going into this blind."

Garp's eyes narrowed as he looked at Luffy, his mind racing with a mixture of pride and concern. He could see the determination in Luffy's eyes, the same determination that had driven him to become a Marine hero. But Luffy's path was different, more dangerous, and Garp knew that the world would not be kind to him.

"Show me," Garp said finally. "Show me what you've learned."

Without hesitation, Luffy moved into a stance, his body radiating power. He activated his Armament Haki, his fists turning a deep black as he focused his will into them. The air around him seemed to hum with energy as he prepared to demonstrate his control over the marine techniques he had been secretly studying—Soru, Geppo, and Rankyaku.

Luffy vanished from sight, reappearing behind Garp in an instant, the ground where he had stood cracking under the force of his movement. He used Soru, one of the Six Powers, with precision and speed that rivaled even the most experienced Marines.

Next, Luffy launched himself into the air using Geppo, the Moonwalk technique, leaping from one invisible platform to another as if defying gravity itself. High above the village, he looked down at Garp, who watched with a mixture of pride and worry.

Luffy descended swiftly, his leg cutting through the air with the Rankyaku technique, sending a blade of compressed air hurtling toward Garp. The blade struck the ground near Garp, slicing through stone and earth with ease, but Garp didn't flinch.

When Luffy landed, Garp nodded slowly. "You've gotten strong, Luffy. Stronger than I ever expected." There was a moment of silence before Garp continued, his voice heavy with emotion. "But the path you're choosing… it's going to be harder than anything you've ever faced. The world out there isn't kind, and there are enemies far stronger than you can imagine."

Luffy met his grandfather's gaze, his eyes unwavering. "I know, Gramps. But I've made up my mind. I'm going to become the Pirate King, and I'm going to change this world."

Garp sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I can't stop you, can I?"

Luffy shook his head. "No. But you can trust me to take care of myself."

Garp was silent for a long moment before finally placing a heavy hand on Luffy's shoulder. "Just promise me one thing, Luffy. Promise me you won't lose yourself out there. No matter what happens, remember who you are."

Luffy nodded, feeling the weight of his grandfather's words. "I promise."

With that, Garp turned to leave, his expression a mixture of pride, sadness, and resignation. As he walked away, Luffy watched him go, knowing that this was likely the last time they would see each other for a long time.

Three years had passed since Garp's visit, and Luffy had grown into a formidable force. Now 17 years old, he stood at the edge of Dawn Island, ready to embark on the journey that would take him to the Grand Line and beyond. His training had been rigorous, his resolve unshakeable, and now, his ship—the culmination of years of work—was finally ready.

The ship, which Luffy and Kob had painstakingly designed and built, was a marvel of both traditional shipbuilding and modern innovation. It was sleek and formidable, with a reinforced alloy hull that could withstand the harshest conditions the Grand Line might throw at it. But what made the ship truly unique was its ability to be navigated by a single person.

Luffy knew that in the early stages of his journey, he would be sailing alone. He needed a ship that could respond to his commands quickly and efficiently, even without a full crew. To achieve this, Kob had helped him design an advanced steering system, combined with strategically placed ropes and pulleys that allowed Luffy to control the sails and navigate the ship from a single point. The ship was also equipped with automated mechanisms for lowering and raising the anchor, adjusting the sails, and even firing the cannons—innovations that would give Luffy an edge in both speed and combat.

The deck of the ship was uncluttered, allowing for quick movement during battle, while the interior was spacious enough to house the crew Luffy intended to gather. Below deck, Luffy had incorporated storage for supplies, a small workshop where he could continue to innovate, and quarters that would eventually be filled by his future crew mates.

Luffy's mastery of Haki had progressed to the point where he could use Observation Haki to sense changes in the wind and sea currents, giving him an almost supernatural ability to navigate. His Armament Haki was strong enough to reinforce the ship's structure in moments of extreme stress, and his developing Conqueror's Haki would prove invaluable when facing foes who dared to challenge him.

As he stood on the deck, the wind filling the sails, Luffy knew exactly where he was headed. His first destination was clear—Shells Town, where he would find his first crew mate: Roronoa Zoro. Luffy had heard rumors of a swordsman with unmatched skill being held captive by the Marines, and he knew that Zoro would be the perfect first addition to his crew. The thought of meeting Zoro, a man whose reputation had already begun to spread, filled Luffy with excitement.

But the journey to Shells Town wouldn't be without obstacles. Luffy knew that the seas between Dawn Island and Shells Town were frequented by pirates, and one in particular stood out in the rumors he had heard—the Alvida Pirates. Led by the feared Captain Alvida, a brutal and tyrannical pirate, they were known for preying on small ships and terrorizing coastal villages. Luffy was ready for them.

Before setting sail, Luffy climbed to the highest point on his ship, a small mast near the bow, where he unfurled a flag he had kept carefully hidden until now. The flag was simple but powerful—a skull with a broad grin, and above it, Luffy's iconic straw hat. The Jolly Roger symbolized Luffy's determination and the promise he had made to himself to become the Pirate King. As the flag caught the wind, Luffy felt a surge of pride and excitement. This was the true beginning of his adventure.