Coby looked between us, still pale from earlier. "Um… Mr. Luffy, Mr. Lock… how did you even end up inside those wine barrels?"
Luffy answered without hesitation, grinning like he was talking about the weather. "Oh, that? The boat I was using to go to sea got sucked into a whirlpool, so I wound up in a barrel."
…Like that's the most normal thing in the world. Sure, why not?
Coby blinked. "Mr. Luffy, why would you go to such lengths just to go out to sea?"
"I'm gonna be the Pirate King!" Luffy declared, teeth flashing.
Coby's jaw dropped. Then, as if reading from a script, he launched into the same speech I remembered from the anime—how the Grand Line was impossible, how the great treasure was just a legend, and how Luffy had no chance of becoming Pirate King.
While he rambled, I found myself just… watching Luffy. The last time I "saw" this kid, I was a little kid myself—through a TV screen. Now here he was in front of me, alive, real, exactly as ridiculous as I'd imagined. My childhood dream had just walked out of fiction and into my life.
Luffy ignored Coby's pessimism and turned to me. "Lock, what about you? Why're you going out to sea?"
I snapped out of my thoughts. "No particular reason. Doesn't matter where I drift."
Luffy tilted his head, thinking for a whole two seconds before lighting up. "Then be my crew member, Lock!"
I arched a brow. "Oh? You're inviting me aboard, but why should I?"
"Because I want you to be my partner," he said simply, smiling so wide it could blind someone.
I held his gaze for a moment, my mind drifting back to the years I'd spent in another world—studying magic, surviving political schemes, protecting a clueless disciple who'd somehow become king at twelve. Compared to that, Luffy's brand of stupidity felt… refreshing. Honest.
And, well… I liked him. I'd liked him since the first time I saw him on screen.
"Alright," I said, turning slightly so he saw only my profile. "I accept."
"Yo-sha!" Luffy pumped a fist in the air. "You're my vice-captain now!" He started bouncing like a kid who just found out school was canceled.
Feels like watching a guy win the lottery without buying a ticket.
Somewhere, unseen, fate's gears gave a slow turn.
Coby, watching all this, gathered enough courage to speak up about his dream—joining the Marines and arresting Alvida.
Boom!
The deck above exploded with a crash of wood.
Rumble—!
From the broken boards, a massive figure landed hard, her voice like a gravelly whip. "Who are you planning to capture, Coby?"
Alvida. Up close, she looked even less charming than the anime suggested.
"A-Alvida…" Coby's knees knocked together. His arms rose automatically in front of him, like that would block a mace.
Her eyes slid past him to me and Luffy. "So you're not Zoro. Pity."
"Zoro?" Luffy asked, tilting his head. "Who's Zoro?"
She ignored him, turning back to Coby. "Coby! Who's the most beautiful woman on this sea?"
Coby's mouth opened, but before he could answer, Luffy pointed right at her. "Who's this rude old hag?"
The temperature on deck dropped by ten degrees.
"You brat!" Alvida roared, hefting her iron mace and swinging it straight at Luffy.
He hopped back with a laugh, snatched up Coby, and leapt to the deck above.
Which left me.
Her gaze locked on me like a predator spotting a second meal. "You his accomplice?"
I sighed. "If there's no one else to fight, guess I'll do."
Alvida swaggered closer, mace resting on her shoulder. "Your friends abandoned you and ran. Aren't you scared? Not that they'll get far from me."
"Scared?" I covered my mouth with one hand, peeking out with a single eye, and laughed. "There's no one in this world who scares me."
"We'll see about that!" She leapt, bringing the mace down in a crushing arc.
"Strengthen magic."
I murmured it slowly, deliberately. I didn't need the chant, but hey—style points matter.
Bang!
Her weapon stopped dead. On my fingertip.
Alvida's jaw unhinged. "How… how is that possible?"
I glanced at her stunned face. "Yep. The world of One Piece. People here really know how to stretch their mouths when they're shocked."
With a sharp crack, her mace shattered into useless chunks.
She stumbled back, eyes wide. He broke it with one finger?
I gave her my friendliest smile. "Ah, sorry. Got distracted and used too much strength. Hope you didn't like that toy."
Her skin prickled. "When did a monster like you show up in the East Blue? Who are you?"
"Just got here, so it's no surprise you haven't heard of me. As for my name… I don't plan to tell you." I gave her a once-over. "Honestly, if not for the skin tone and facial features, I'd have guessed you were some weird sea race."
The vein in her forehead twitched. I want to kill this guy, but if I try, I'm dead.
"So," she said tightly, "you're going to kill me?"
I waved a hand. "Nah. I don't kill people casually."
She exhaled, relieved—
"Since God created you, I'll just consider you human."
Her fingers clenched around empty air. Breathe, Alvida. Breathe. Dignity's replaceable. Life isn't.
She said nothing. Smart choice.
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A/N: Please Leave A Comment Or Drop A Powerstone It'll mean alot to me...