The sun painted the sky orange and gold as the tiny boat drifted toward a port. The wind was calm, the water shimmered, and the promise of a new chapter whispered in the sea breeze.
"There it is!" Luffy shouted, pointing ahead. "Shells Town!"
Rex leaned over the boat's edge, letting the salty air run through his fingers. He watched as the island grew bigger. Buildings dotted the landscape, but towering above it all was a tall Navy base.
He smirked. "Looks like we're about to make an entrance."
[…Shells Town. Hostile territory probability: 34%. Caution recommended. Surveillance initiated.]
Rex ignored [Michael] for now. His heart beat not with fear, but excitement. He had only been in this world for a single day, and already, he'd punched a pirate through a wall, claimed his place beside Luffy, and decided to chase the same impossible dream.
To become the King of the Pirates.
The boat gently bumped against the dock.
"Let's go!" Luffy jumped out cheerfully and started marching toward town.
Rex stepped onto the wood and took in the sights. Marines were patrolling in white uniforms. Civilians walked by, casting curious glances at the newcomers. Children laughed in the distance. It looked peaceful—but he knew better.
Because up ahead, behind those stone walls and guards… was Zoro.
Roronoa Zoro.
The Pirate Hunter.
The Demon of the East Blue.
Rex smiled to himself. "Can't wait to meet him."
They didn't even get ten steps into town before trouble found them.
"HEY YOU! STOP RIGHT THERE!" a marine shouted.
Luffy blinked. "Us?"
"You're not allowed to loiter near the base!"
Luffy tilted his head. "We're not loitering. We're walking."
The marine raised his baton. "Do you want to get arrested?!"
Rex sighed and stepped forward.
"No need for violence, officer. My friend is just… new to walking and talking at the same time," Rex said, flashing a charming smile.
The marine hesitated. "Huh? Uh…"
"I suggest you check with your captain before swinging that stick again," Rex added, his tone low and smooth.
Something in his voice made the marine freeze. Then he gulped and backed away.
Rex turned to Luffy. "We should avoid drawing attention. For now."
"Ahaha! You're like a grown-up Nami!" Luffy laughed.
"Nami?" Rex blinked.
But before Luffy could explain, a flash of orange ran past them.
A blur. Graceful. Fast. Sharp.
Rex turned instantly, locking eyes with a girl sprinting out of an alley, holding a brown satchel. Her short orange hair bounced as she ran. She was stunning.
She didn't stop, didn't look back. She vanished into another street, but not before Rex caught the sparkle in her eyes.
"…That must be her," Rex muttered.
"Huh?" Luffy asked, distracted by a poster on a wall.
Rex wasn't listening anymore.
He knew her face. Nami. The thief. The navigator. The girl who would someday join their crew.
But right now… she was a ghost in the wind.
And Rex? He wasn't letting ghosts get away.
Shells Town Navy Base - Courtyard
"HEY! DON'T EAT MY RICE BALLS!!"
A little girl stood crying beside a huge man in a fancy white coat. The man, Captain Morgan, sneered down at her.
"You fed food to a criminal. You're lucky I don't jail you too," Morgan hissed.
He stomped on the rice balls, squashing them into the dirt. Behind him, tied to a post in the hot sun, was a green-haired man with three swords and a scowl that could break walls.
Roronoa Zoro.
He didn't speak. He didn't move.
But his eyes burned with fury.
The girl ran off crying.
And Zoro lifted his head.
"I'll remember this," he growled.
Elsewhere… in the alleys of Shells Town
"Hey! You!" Rex called out, his feet light, his body flowing with purpose.
Nami turned sharply, a dagger in hand. "Who the hell are you?"
Rex raised his hands. "Calm down. I'm not here to steal your loot."
Her eyes narrowed. "Then what do you want?"
Rex stepped closer, slowly. His expression soft, his voice calm. "To talk."
Nami blinked. "Talk?"
He studied her. Her posture was strong. Her hands confident. Her eyes… tired. She looked like someone who'd been betrayed one too many times.
"You're Nami, right? You steal from pirates," he said gently.
She looked shocked. "How do you—?"
"I do my research."
She hesitated, backing away. "You're weird."
"And you're beautiful."
She froze. Her face turned red. "W-What?!"
Rex smiled. "I like girls who can outrun Marines and charm wallets."
"…Tch." She turned away, trying to hide the flush in her cheeks. "What's your deal?"
Rex leaned against a wall. "I'm a pirate."
"A pirate?! Then we're enemies."
"Maybe," he said. "Or maybe we're something else."
Nami gave him a look. "You're either bold or stupid."
"I'm both. But I'm also serious. I'm not like the others. I'm not here to rule over anyone. I'm here to claim my dream."
She crossed her arms. "And what dream is that?"
Rex looked at the sky. "To be the Pirate King."
She laughed, but there was no malice in it. "You and every other moron."
Rex looked at her seriously. "And I have what it takes."
[…Target impression: positive. Emotional resonance: 22%. Female subject 'Nami' has not rejected potential bond. Continue approach.]
He stepped forward. "I'll see you again. And when I do, maybe you'll stop running."
Nami didn't answer. But she didn't turn away, either.
Back at the Navy Base
Luffy was climbing the wall with zero stealth.
"ZORO!!" he shouted.
Zoro squinted. "What the hell do you want, kid?"
"I want you to join my crew!"
Zoro groaned. "Not interested."
Luffy smiled. "You will be."
Rex landed beside him silently.
"Hey, he's cool," Luffy said, thumbing toward Rex.
Rex gave a nod. "I know who you are, Zoro. And I know why you're here."
Zoro raised a brow. "Do you now?"
"You took the punishment for a little girl. You're not a monster. You're a man with a code."
Zoro looked away. "…So what?"
"I respect that."
Zoro studied him for a second. "You're not like the rubber idiot."
Luffy grinned. "Hey!"
"I'll tell you what," Rex said, crouching beside him. "If we take down that bastard Morgan, you owe us a conversation."
Zoro smirked. "Fine. But I'm not joining unless you prove you're strong enough."
Rex stood tall. "Good. Because I want rivals, not sidekicks."
Luffy pouted. "Oi! I'm the captain!"
Rex turned to him, eyes serious.
"Not yet, you're not."