Updated 26/08/2024.
Luffy's breath came out in hot puffs through parched lips, as he ran through the island avoiding the traps laid by Shank's crew. It had been three years of almost constant training, honing the the boys skills and hardening his body for what was to come.
His observational Haki was pinging around - forewarning him of any dangers, while his armament haki kept his legs empowered, pushing him to move forward, faster than the average brain could process. Catching a glance one of his assailants through the trees Luffy quickly sent a tidal wave of power, with just a flick of his finger the trees fell forcing his target out to the open.
Yassop gulped knowingly preparing himself for what was to come as Luffy turned his sights on him. In the time they had trained Luffy he had become a near impossible foe, bested by only Benn and the Captain himself. The older sniper barely had time to raise his gun before Luffy was on him, fists raining down in an almost unbearable barrage of pain that didn't relent until Yassop faded into unconsciousness, his last thought as he faded was that he would be feeling the effects for weeks to come.
The moment Luffy felt Yassop consciousness slip he sprung up, heading to the coast. At the start of his journey it had been hard to get over his internal fear of harming friends, worried his fragile mind would snap and he would cause unintended pain to his allies, but he had moved forward with time, safe in the knowledge he was in control, not the demons that laid dormant in his mind. Shanks had been his main ally in jumping the mental hurdles in his mind, the Red Haired pirate had lived with guilt and knew what it was to fight your own mind, he was always happy to listen to his son's fears to help him find ways to quiet the darkness. Benn had also been a helpful soundboard, he had been told the truth shortly into Luffy's stay - of course the intelligent first mate had already worked out most of the pieces himself.
Luffy rose taking a moment to calm his breathing, to ensure he could continue to move forward silently. As he took flight once more Luffy still had to dodge projectiles from above and traps from below, he could sense lifeforms around him lying in wait for him to slip up but Luffy gave them no edge. Tumbling onto the seafront Luffy paused to prepare for the last leg, he knew what was to come and it would be the cultivation of all his time here, the ultimate test.
As his breath puffed around him his haki flagged just in time for him to roll to avoid a slash of air coming toward him.
A joyful laugh came from the forest behind, 'Damn' thought Luffy he hadn't felt the presence approaching but now it was to late, he was within range.
"Did you think we'd make it easy kiddo?" Benn chuckled lowly, his arm raised out, stance strong, the gun in his hand cocked.
"Well kid, you almost made it, but game over." Shanks laughed his posture relaxed, Gryphon held loosely in his hand, he walked forward from the seafront, steps sure.
Luffy huffed frustrated that he had been cornered, he could see his target in the distance, the sails unfurled ready to leave, it was too close for him to fail now, he could do this, he had to.
He raised his fist sending a powerful blast of haki to his left while dodging to the right hoping to buy a moment to escape, unfortunately neither had fallen for his trick. A seastone bullet lodged itself into his shoulder as a black blade blocked his path. Luffy barely felt the sting of his shoulder bursting open, it was a clean shot, he could however feel the energy draining from him as Shanks smirked, "That's game Anchor."
Luffy dropped to his knees grumbling in defeat as Shanks withdrew his sword returning it to his holster. The second Shanks looked away Luffy smirked, whispering under his breath, "Now."
The creatures of the island began to stampede out in all directions throwing Benn off his feet and breaking line of sight with the rubber boy. Luffy grinned wasting no time he threw his uninjured arm skyward to an awaiting bird. Once the animals cleared Shanks and Benn looked up to see the boy flying on a birds back towards the awaiting ship.
"Thanks for everything Shanks-San, see you at laugh tale!" The boy called out waiving his arm frantically, his grin was bright and alive standing out on his worn and tired face. He was glad to have done it, to clutch a victory from the claws of defeat. He would miss his father figure, the only one who understood Luffy's pain of loss, who had been with him for the beginning and the end, even if this version didn't remember the end. It would be a while before they would be together again but Luffy knew Shanks would always be on his side till the end of the line.
Shanks looked at the boy as he left, tears slowly falling down his face, he was impressed his boy had managed to escape their clutches, the final test passed, but that also meant it was time to say goodbye, for Shanks to stand in the sidelines while Luffy rushed off to his destiny. Forcing a smile to his face he called out; "Till then Luffy, next time I see you be ready to actually defeat me!" Luffy nodded solemnly, they both knew nothing but the best would suffice to save the world.
"You sure he's ready?" Benn asked quietly looking to the sky.
"He will be, we've prepared him as much as we can, the rest lays in his hands." Shanks paused lost in his thoughts silently sending a prayer into the universe, protect his son.
After a moment of silence the red head grinned over at his first mate. "Benn he managed to escape us, there's nothing that can hold him down, this is a cause for a celebration."
"Only because he cheated." Benn grumbled acting the part of a frustrated pirate sore at being bested.
"We're pirates, we always cheat!" Shanks laughed jovially. "Now where is the booze!" He clapped his hand on his mates shoulder, leading them both away from the shore.
It had been a hard three years full of highs and lows, but every smile on the rubber boys face made it worth it, Shanks would hold that with him as he awaited the time he could once more hold his son in his arms.
Luffy jumped smoothly off of the bird and onto the small sloop that awaited him below.
"You're bleeding" Garp huffed, throwing a glance his grandsons way, he committed each bruise and scrape to memory, would ensure to pay that damned pirate each one back in kind.
He was concerned at Luffy's eyes, the dark circles had become a permanent feature on his too young face. In his weekly phone calls with Shanks he had been informed that he had found a way of helping Luffy through the sleepless nights, holding the rubber boy through the night seemed to chase away the terrors of the future, but the stubborn idiot had declined to allow this often, stubbornly exclaiming he couldn't become reliant on others to help, that he had to learn to cope alone.
"It's just a small scratch, but I made it." Luffy grinned, proud at his victory and what it meant for the future.
"Not good enough!" Garp lightly slapped the back of the grinning boys head. "Now sit still while I dig that bullet out."
Luffy sat down allowing his brain to switch off, barely wincing as Garp applied his less then gentle first aid. "It'll scar" Garp advised finishing his stitching.
"That's okay, the best pirates have the coolest scars" Luffy stated, his voice was detached his focus obviously elsewhere, another feature this Luffy had returned to him with, a uncanny ability to dissociate from reality.
"Terrific" Garp grumbled bitterly, as he placed a hand on Luffy's head grounding him to the moment. It took a moment but Garp removed his hand as he saw his Grandson blink owlishly coming back down to reality.
"Sorry" Luffy smiled guiltily, he knew it worried his family when he went away.
Garp nodded sharply accepting his grandsons words.
Glancing around and allowing his haki to observe the ship around Luffy noted that they were alone. "Where's the crew?" he asked curiously, he knew Garp had hand picked his marines, trusted them impeccably.
"We are the crew, I took a vacation" Garp barked a laugh. "Now time to set sail, show me your skills pirate." The last word was said with a glint in Garps eyes, three years and he had finally accepted who his grandson's were, who they would always be.
Luffy nodded rushing to help set sail. He ignored the pull on his shoulder as he moved, he was afterall long used to pain.
Garp watched the boy as he worked, he had visited several times over the past three years lending his brand of support to Luffy's training. Garp was angry at the world watching how the wounds of the future scared his young grandson, the bags under his eyes making him look older than his 17 years, the casual scars he had picked up while training that he bore without complaint. When his chosen trainers had attempted to hold back, to ensure he remained safe the boy had thrown a fit, shouting that he needed to get stronger, to ensure everyone survived, it was their responsibility to prepare him for what was to come, he would not accept anything but their best.
Even throughout all the hardships Luffy had somehow maintained his jovial exterior able to keep smiling through the pain.
Garp knew they had done all they could to give Luffy a better start but he couldn't help but think he was delivering his grandson to slaughter.
"Oh man, I can't believe three years has gone by already! I can't wait to pick up my Nakama and start our journey." Luffy grinned hanging from the mast, the feeling of the ship moving and the sea air making him feel free in a way land never could.
"Your sure this is what you want?" Garp asked voice gruff with barely contained emotion.
"We've been through this Gramps, I'm the king of the pirates, I can't be anything else." Luffy grumbled climbing down from his perch to meet his grandfathers gaze.
Garp looked over his grandson thoughtfully, no matter what became of this future he would stand by his family, he would continue to wear the uniform of the marines but underneath was the heart of a Monkey D, something that he would die to defend. When he had first grappled with the truth of what became of his family he had felt shame, he couldn't understand how the man who had risked everything to hide the sons of Gol D Rodger and Monkey D Dragon had served them up on a platter. No matter if they had decided to become pirates he had always thought he would lay down his life to ensure their safety, to keep his promises, when had a uniform become more important than his family?
Luffy had held such pain and contempt for his Grandfather for a long time after he returned, unable to separate this version of Garp to the future. With time they had been able to mend bridges and have a honest bond, but they would never be as close as Luffy and Shanks, something Garp would have to live with. He had driven his Grandson away a long time ago, his refusal to accept the boy for who he was had already cause a rift that time could not heal. All he could do now was try to ensure Luffy achieved his dreams.
"Okay then, let's get you back to Dawn Island."
Luffy grinned "Forward to the future!" He pointed forward his excitement palpable.
When they arrived at the island it was with a heavy heart, watching Luffy charge toward a future that had once ended in flames, delivering the rubber boy to his destiny like a sheep to slaughter. Garp knew he had a part to play in ensuring change, but it still went against everything he had once believed in to turn his back on his ideals. He hadn't been able to do it for his son but for his grandsons he would sacrifice everything. They were the future Garp believed in, the ones' who would bang the drums of change. It was Garps role to ensure that a different more fair marines would rise from the ashes.
Luffy excitement was palpable, as ready as he had ever been, charging fearlessly towards liberation. "Remember pops, you need to stick around for a while, I'm sending you a gift, one I think you'll like." Luffy grinned knowingly, wrapping his arms around his Grandfather's waist.
Garp leaned into the touch, momentarily basking in the moment. Thankful that no matter what he had done he was still allowed these moments of affection that still felt unearned.
"Yeah, yeah, bloody kids telling me what to do!" Garp groaned, acting his part. He forced his tears to retreat, he would not ruin this moment by being sappy. "Be good Luffy, and if you get your ass kicked after all the effort we went to I'll pound you twice as hard." Garp raised his fist of justice to sky, the effect slightly ruined by the gentle shake as his emotions overwhelmed him. Reaching for his pocket he pulled a white Den Den Mushi from its depths "Here take this, and let me know if you need anything." Garps eyes were serious, a promise, no matter what he would come if the boy asked. "I guess I should tell you, I also gave one to the Grandson stealing Shanks. If you need anything at all call us."
Luffy blinked away tears, the sincerity rarely heard from his grandfather coupled with the personal sacrifice it must have taken to actually give Shanks a tether to tie him to Luffy as he travelled. "Thank you Gramps, I'll be seeing you soon!" Luffy promised.
Once he was back at Dawn Island Luffy rushed to reclaim his hat from a tearful Makino, Luffy stayed long enough to prove he was okay and that Shanks hadn't led him to his death like she had feared, embellishing how great life had been at sea, laying the groundwork to convince his mother figure to finally make the plunge to join her beloved on the sea's, after all he informed her once he set sail there was nothing left to hold her to the village.
With his hat secure on his head Luffy began his work, building a small rowboat, one that would lead him to his destiny. He made sure to grab a barrel from Makino's bar, after all that was the most important part of his first 'pirate ship.'
It wasn't much but he wouldn't want his journey to begin any other way.
He spent time with Dadan, subtly trying to convince the old bat that a life at sea would suite the mountain bandits more than a life on land, using himself and Ace as bargaining tools, after all it would be sometime before they would be able to return to the East Blue but if Dadan was also at sea then she may run into her kids. Dadan had of course spluttered 'why would I want to seek out you stupid kids when I'm finally getting rid of you.' But Luffy knew better, the woman would be lost without them, he could only hope that it would be enough to bring the bandit out of her comfort zone and away from Dawn Island. The rubber boy had no intention of allowing the future to repeat itself, but he would feel better if the Nakama he left behind weren't easy stationary targets for the world government.
As he waved goodbye to the island, happy tears in his eyes, finally back to the start of his adventure he screamed out. "Zoro, Nami, Ussop, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Frank, Brook and Jimbe, I'm coming for you and this time we will make all our dreams come true."
It took one look to the Sea King who was awaiting him before the creature was turning tail and rushing out to sea in the opposite direction. He had thought about punching the creature, payback for Shanks and the arm he lost to the beast, but in the end that had been the catalyst for Shanks realisation he would give up everything for his son.
Luffy smiled as his boat began to give way, climbing without reservation into the barrel that would lead him to his first challenger as an official captain.
Sitting in the darkness of the barrel as it bobbed along the sea Luffy mentally prepared himself, he had to be ready, this was his last chance, he would find his Nakama and save them. Luffy reminded himself in order to let them become the people he loved he would have to let events mostly play out as they originally happened. A thick weight was placed within his chest, it was a painful fact that these were not the same people he lost, that they never would be but Luffy would give anything to save a version of them, he reminded himself of all the trials and tribulations they had endured, the moments they had fought through to come back stronger. The rubber boy knew he couldn't recklessly charge in changing everything, that his crew had found themselves in their despair, that they were a crew built to survive and grow through pain. It would be an impossible task to allow their pain, but it was one that he must undertake, he couldn't and wouldn't take their growth from them, he could restrain himself, for them.
He didn't know how long he had spent curled up in the barrel the first time around, as he had mostly managed to sleep through it, this time he sat lost in his thoughts. Going over and over his memories from this time, ensuring he knew the path he needed to take. As he thought he allowed his haki to expand, feeling out to the ocean and its inhabitants around him, relishing in the life he could feel. He hoped to never again feel the stillness of a decimated battlefield.
He paused, honing in on a familiar presence that tingled into his field. It was dimmer then he had felt before, cloaked in a aura of desperation and deception, something that soured his mind softly, it felt wrong. He had basked in this aura for years, but it should be free and full of determination, okay sometimes the deception would still seek through but not this thick, heavy deception, this version of it felt wrong.
Luffy ran through his memories once more, why was she here? It was too early, Luffy wasn't ready he hadn't prepared.
As panic gripped his heart in its cold vice Luffy felt the barrel being hefted on to a ship. Luffy knew Nami was here, he could pinpoint her exact location on this ship picking her out of a crowd of hundreds, the Nakama who had suffered the most earliest in the journey within reach before her time.
Luffy gripped his arms tightly, causing crescent shape wounds to appear from his nails, he was unsure if he wanted to curl up into a ball and fall apart at the memories of the end of the last flare Nami sent his way, not one of fear but one of appreciation and love, even as she died too young in her last moment she had thought to send a last message to her captain, to ensure his last memory of her wouldn't be tainted with fear, brave to the very end. His body vibrated against his will, his internal war of fighting through his small frame, a part of him wanted to throw caution to the wind, escape to the confines of the barrell and rush to his navigators side, that part almost won when a jolt of fear spread through Nami's aura, it was only the following feeling of determination from her that kept Luffy on his path. He knew Nami had suffered in these seas but this was also where she learned her might, how much she could survive, the power to ask for help and trust others. He reminded himself, this Nami would write him off even if he hand delivered Arlong's head on a plate, no he had to let her endure and learn.
His barrel rolled around the ship as Luffy continued his internal battle, his entire concentration on Nami, tracking her as she moved around Alvida's ship, of course his sneaky thief would be on a heist during a hold up. He was satisfied that she was safe, feeling her preen in victory as she stumbled on what Luffy assumed was some form of treasure.
Luffy was jolted back to his own reality by the sound Koby's voice talking to some of Alvida's crew, listening to the conversation Luffy couldn't help smiling to himself, he forgot what a spineless worm the Marine captain had once been. Pulling his haki inwards, ensuring he remained in this moment, he curled his legs up under him, timing it perfectly as he pounced from the barrel with a scream, his fist exploding into a pirates face.
"Wow, I thought that journey would never end!" Luffy exclaimed looking around the room. He reminded himself to act nonchalant, carefree, and oblivious. "hmm.. who are you?" Luffy addressed the stunned pirates, head cocked to the side, he calculated the situation, eyes narrowed as he was faced with Coby's shaking figure. These people had hurt his friend, plan thrown out the window Luffy's temper snapped, his eyes tight. "You should join your friend and get some sleep, if you know what's good for you."
"Who the hell are you to talk to us like that?" one of the pirates exclaimed putting his sword forward.
Luffy ignored him in favour of addressing the still shaking Koby, in the barrel he had found it amusing that Coby had been so fearful, but faced with the reality of his future friend, growing up a slave to these so called pirates, a child abused by adults, forced to do manual labour till he dropped, his friend who had died a hero standing up against the corrupt marines, begging them to see reason to help save the innocents, cut down in his prime for having the guts to say no, to see him so afraid shaking and crying, it snapped something inside Luffy's brain. A strong blast of Haki escaped Luffy, knocking the pirates out cold a stream of blood running from there nose's. The sight of blood brought Luffy back to reality, fuck, first challenge and he had failed. He could fix this. Determined Luffy forced his face into a grin, allowed his eyes to soften, looking the part of a innocent bystander who didn't know what was going on.
"Hey you!" He looked at Koby who was cowering in front of him. Luffy thanked his lucky stars that his Haki had remained contained, Koby would have no way to sense it in his current state. "You got any food?"
As Koby risked looking up seeing the straw hated boy who had sat in front of him, casually picking at his nose. "Are...are they dead?" he whimpered in fear.
"Nope, they are just sleeping." Luffy shrugged a innocent grin on his face. "They must be tired falling asleep like that, anywho... food, you got any?"
"W...who are you?" Koby asked voice shaking.
"Oh I'm Monkey D. Luffy and I'm going to be king of the pirates!" Luffy exclaimed proudly.
"K..k..king of the pirates." Koby questioned whimpering even more, part of Luffy wanted to roll his eyes at the boy in front of him, he may have been angry at the pirates who had done this to his friend and knew the strong person Coby would become, but this kids fear sure was annoying.
"Yup, you know your quite a scaredy cat aren't you?" Luffy bit out laughing at the boys expense.
"You should be scared to there is a hundred pirates on deck and Alvida will kill you for knocking out her crew!" Koby shouted terrified.
"Cool, I could do with a warm up. Being stuck in that barrel has me feeling tight." Luffy cheered rolling his shoulders.
As Luffy started to leave, hoping that a change of scenery would snap Koby from his consuming fear. As he left Koby tried to hold him back to no success, it made Luffy's smile more genuine, of course even here at Koby's lowest he would put up a fight to save an innocent, even if that innocent was claiming to be the next king of the pirates.
As they left the room entering the next Luffy looked around, looking for something to use as a fake distraction, he wanted to allow Koby the opportunity to organise his thoughts, seeing some apples Luffy happily began munching down, acting consumed by the act of eating he watched Koby from the corner of his eye. The boy was staring at him, watching him eat his face flitting between fear and curiousity.
As Luffy ate Koby pondered his choices; this boy had some skill being able to knock out at least one of Alvida's men, and Koby somehow did not buy that the other two had just 'fallen asleep'. He seemed friendly enough but had also declared he would be king of the pirates, and seemed eager to fight.
"So, what's your name?" Luffy asked around mouthfuls of apple, he had hoped that Koby would approach a conversation himself, but quickly realised he may need some prompting.
"K..k...koby." Coby stuttered out, Luffy nodded happy at receiving a response.
"So Koby, is this a pirate ship?" Luffy prompted again, anything to get Koby to open up, unfortunately hard as he tried Luffy could not remember everything about this encounter, to be honest the only things he could remember was that he met Koby and that there had been a fight with a pirate.
"N..n..no a passenger ship, Alvida and her crew attacked it."
"Thats lame, who wants to attack innocent people who don't even want to fight back." Luffy enquired munching on his apple, internally he tried to remember this 'Alvida' he didn't want to affect the future by going to far against pirates who they had met again, he knew that old adversaries had a funny way of popping up again as friends. He would have to be careful to not hurt the wrong person unfortunately the only people Luffy could remember from this early was Buggy, Arlong and Smoker.
"Pirates?" Koby asked, puzzled at the boys odd attitude for a person claiming to be a pirate.
"Nah real pirates aren't bothered with those that are just looking to be free, real pirates are out for adventure, not hurting people who don't ask for it." Luffy exclaimed pausing in his eating to look at Koby seriously, imploring that he understood this message.
"Have you ever met a pirate, all they do is hurt people." Koby exclaimed, he anger at pirates breaking through his fear, his voice coming out determined for the first time, making Luffy smirk to himself, there he is he thought.
"I've met lots of pirates both real ones and fakes. Sounds like this Alvida is a fake. How do you know this fake pirate?" Luffy questioned giving Koby his full attention as he explained the story of how he ended up under Alvida's command.
"I hate people who take away others freedom." Luffy clenched his fists raw power emanating from him, making Koby startle. "So I'll help you, but I'm a pirate not a hero so I won't save people who sit there and cry while life happens to them, you want my help you need to fight for it. Can you do that?"
Luffy looked into Koby's eyes seeing the moment a small ember flickered to life behind them. The will to fight one that would only blossom over time. Coby nodded standing tall and clenching his shaking fists.
Luffy grinned his eyes sparkling with pure joy, he had done it, broken through to Koby, he hadn't ruined everything with his loss of control earlier. He stood shoulder to shoulder with his friend subtly sending waves of determination, building his friends confidence.
"So you want to be king of the pirates?" Koby asked as they made their way to the top deck.
"Yup." Luffy nodded, smirking to his friend.
"Isn't that impossible? If your a pirate where is your crew?" Koby asked, suddenly feeling chatty with this strange confidence flowing through him.
"Not impossible you just have to be willing to try, no matter the cost, and I'm on my way to get my crew, one of them is close but they aren't ready yet." Luffy exclaimed, a jolt of pain stabbing his heart at the truth of his last sentence.
"Huh..." Koby muttered confused, he had felt a sudden pain flowing from the boy beside him, eager to chase it away he tried to change the subject. "So your willing to die for your dream?"
Koby regretted the question as Luffy nodded solemnly, his aura had become somber and serious, chasing away the confidence the pink haired boy had felt not to long ago. "Sometimes the costs of dreams is high, but the cost of not trying is even higher."
Koby quietly considered Luffy's words, left with his own real emotions he really thought over what they meant to him, he had always wished to be a strong marine to protect people like him, to stop the cycle of pain that this world ran on. He wanted to be a hero to people like him, but he didn't know what a hero looked like, he had grown up on stories of Garp the Fist, the person who had brought an end to the dark ages, he had hoped that one day Garp would turn up, take him away from this pain, but it had been years, he had suffered under Alvida's command loosing more of himself every day. He had awaited being saved afraid to try and fight for himself, scared it would hurt if he ever tried, but he had hurt anyway, hadn't he? Maybe this kid had a point, maybe it was time for him to try, to fight for himself, to be his own hero so he could become someone else's.
In the silence Luffy reflected on the past and future, he had already accepted he was more than willing to give his own life, but this time was different, this time he had a line he would not cross. He would not sacrifice the lives of his Nakama for any dream, he would not give anyone that option again, it wasn't worth it.
"If i'm prepared to die for it do you think I could join the marines?" Koby muttered his voice small but confident.
Luffy snapped out of his thoughts, focusing on the moment he looked to the other boy, he could see a change manifesting, a train of thought that would lead him to his destiny. "The marines?" He asked softly, encouraging the boy.
"Ever since I was a child it's been my dream to catch bad guys." Koby explained impassioned. "Do you think if I can stop Alvida I could do it?"
"It doesn't matter if you can, only if you try." Luffy said wisely, internally he was happy Koby was on the right path, but it was important that this time Koby considered the truths of the world early. Luffy had already planted the seeds of right and wrong, but it couldn't hurt to ensure they took root. "But you shouldn't go into things blindly, things aren't always black and white, like their are good pirates and bad marines are the same. Koby if you became a marine do you think you could be a good one?"
Koby looked at Luffy considering his words and his change in demeanour, he was a perceptive child and could see that Luffy's question held an significant meaning to the straw hatted boy, and Kobys answer would solidify the future. "I want to try." Koby's eyes filled with tears the heavy emotions sitting heavy between the two boys.
"Good!" Luffy exclaimed grinning, he knew he had set Koby on the correct path, that he had given him the tools to be a great defender of justice. "In that case I should introduce you to my Gramps." Upon finishing his statement he winked at Koby before throwing the trap door to the top deck open and using his rubber arms to launch the now screaming boy out into Alvida's eyesight. "Now time for you to capture Alvida."
Koby squealed as he was thrown out to the sharks or at least one big shark. His new found confidence in himself fled as he cowered in front of her listening as she screamed about Luffy's loud statement trying to hunt down the owner to the voice dismissing Koby as an unworthy threat.
Luffy sighed as he heard Koby falter, of course he couldn't change years of being downtrodden in one interaction, but he had high hopes that Koby would at least get out one confident line before shrinking back to fear. Rolling his eyes he launched himself out on to the deck after his friend, he didn't have high hopes of a challenge but maybe he would be surprised.
"Well your not Zoro the Pirate hunter." Alvida sneered as she sized the young straw hat up.
"Zoro?" Luffy whispered, a frog painfully lodged itself in his throat, he had forgotten that this is where he heard of his first mate. He shook himself from his melancholy, he couldn't afford to keep letting this affect him like this, he needed to do better.
"Koby, who's the most beautiful pirate on the sea?" Alvida asked looking down on the cowering boy.
"Well.. I.. um can't say you cause your not a real pirate." Koby voice quivered but Luffy was proud that he managed to bring himself shakely to his feet, standing his ground in front of his captor.
"What!?" Alvida screamed enraged at the sheer audacity of her chore boy.
"Well," Kobys hand came up to rub at his head. "Real pirates don't attack defenceless people so you.. aren't a real pirate."
"How dare you, you filthy runt" Alvida screamed as she tried to bring down her mace on the boy, however she was stopped by a rubber hand reaching out and plucking her weapon from her grip and launching it out to sea.
"Oops sorry about that." Luffy smirked, his tone nonchalant and bored.
"What the... get him!" Alvida screamed, she could not believe the nerve of this kid, she would make Koby fish her beloved weapon from the sea before his punishment.
Luffy's grin grew as he weaved through the oncoming onslaught easily avoiding attack not a scratch to be found on him. "Gum-gum whip." Luffy called before knocking down all the oncoming opponents with ease, that was was too easy he thought, didn't even raise his heart rate.
Alvida looked on flabbergasted as all he men flew unconscious to the ground from the stretchy limbs of the young boy.
"Luffy, what are you?" Koby asked in awe.
"I'm a rubber man!" Luffy grinned stretching his cheek out.
"So, the devil fruits are real!" Alvida sneered standing tall, sure she had been taken by surprise, but now she knew there was still no way this child would win against the most beautiful pirate on the seas. "You seem skilled for a runt, are you a bounty hunter."
"Nope, I'm a pirate!" Luffy exclaimed, pride shining through at the statement, it was who he was at his core, the captain of the straw hat pirates, and that would never change.
"On your own?" Alvida dismissed, what a fool this kid was, a pirate, who would take him seriously?
"I have the best crew, I just haven't picked them up yet." Luffy smirked, his words were true, his Nakama really was the best. "I'll be with them soon, you'll see, well you won't because I'll defeat you, or maybe you will, honestly I can't remember you but you do seem somewhat familiar..." Luffy trailed off frustrated that he couldn't remember if Alvida held any importance.
"Defeat me?" Alvida sauntered forward, smirking, she could not believe the cheek of this so called pirate, it was time to teach him a lesson, she was startled out of her approach by her very own chore boy.
"Yes, he's going to defeat you, cause he's a real pirate and I'm going to help him and be a real marine!" Koby shouted confident in a way Alvida had never seen before, her eyes bugged as he spoke. "I'm going to catch bad pirates like you, in fact your first on my list!" Koby exclaimed determined.
"You tell her Koby!" Luffy cheered. "Just for that I'm going to let her escape so you can catch her." Luffy extended a hand knocking the other pirate captain out with ease, Alvida didn't even see it coming.
"Now you get us a boat!" Luffy turned to the closest still standing pirate, eager to be away from this ship and on to the next adventure where he would finally reunite with his swordsman.
As the pirate rushed off to listen to the boys order, Luffy noted the feeling of approaching ships on, Marines he thought, a part of him preened at the opportunity they may present, Alvida had certainly been disappointing, however fighting Marines for the sake of it may not give Koby the best impression, no it was best they move on, beside he could feel Nami below them on the waters, if he timed this right he may be able to see her before he sets sail to Zoro. "Time to go, before the Marines catch up to us!" Grinning at his new friend who spluttered at being dragged off.
They both loaded onto the provided boat quickly launching out to sea, Luffy couldn't help but grin at Nami as they passed her on the way, taking a snapshot in his mind Luffy comforted himself in seeing her, alive. It would have to carry him forward until he could once more be reunited with her.
"Now time to get Zoro!" Luffy exclaimed with joy, much to Koby's very vocal shock.
Let me know what you think. I've written up to Buggy's arc and planning on updating at least once a week.