I let myself drift for a while, blending into the gentle rhythm of life on the pirate ship. The deck gradually comes alive as the first blush of morning light filters through the rigging. Crew members emerge from below, their movements practiced and purposeful. The salty air rings with the scrape of scrubbing brushes, the slap of water against the hull, and the low buzz of conversation. Here, everyone knows their place. Some gather nets for fishing, others mend sails or haul up buckets from the galley. The ship feels like a living organism, each person a cell playing their part, all moving in time to a routine as old as the sea.
As I observe, one figure catches my attention, standing out from the colorful chaos. He's a short, slightly chubby boy, his unruly pink hair shining in the sunlight, round glasses perched on his nose. There's a nervous energy about him. He moves with quick, jerky steps, eyes darting from shadow to shadow, shrinking away from the rougher crew members. I watch as he tries to make himself invisible, hugging the rail, shoulders hunched, flinching at every loud voice. Coby. I know him from the stories. Timid now, but destined for greatness. He'll rise to become a Marine trained by Vice-Admiral Garp, Luffy's own grandfather, and eventually stand as one of the most formidable men in the Navy. But right now, he's just a scared kid, isolated and ignored, clutching a mop like it's a lifeline. I feel a surge of protectiveness. Allies are hard to come by in this world, and Coby, with his hidden courage, is worth the effort.
The ship's atmosphere shifts as word spreads among the crew. I overhear hushed voices: "We're approaching a cruise ship today. Alvida-sama wants us ready for looting." There's a restless energy in the air, pirates crowding into the mess hall for breakfast. I slip in, grabbing a bowl of bland gruel and a hard crust of bread. The food is as uninspired as the conversation, just fuel for what promises to be a hectic day. My thoughts drift to Coby, who sits apart from the others, gazing out at the endless stretch of ocean, his breakfast untouched on the bench beside him. He looks impossibly alone, a small figure set against the vast, hungry sea.
On impulse, I pocket my extra loaf of bread and move towards him, letting my shinobi-trained stealth guide my steps. He doesn't notice me until I'm right behind him. I reach out, tapping his shoulder gently. He startles, spinning around with wide, anxious eyes, words tripping over themselves as he tries to stammer a greeting. Before he can say anything, I set the loaf of bread in his lap and offer him a reassuring smile. "You may want to eat up. It's gonna be a busy day today." I ruffle his hair lightly. He flinches at first, but then gives a tiny, grateful nod. I'm not much older than him, but in this moment, I feel the weight of an older sibling, a protector. Somewhere deep inside, the longing for family, for purpose, for connection, stirs. Maybe that's why I've always been drawn to helping others. Maybe, in this strange new world, that's who I'll become. But I also never had anyone to do that with as an orphan, so I still feel unsure about how to go about it.
Coby sits with his shoulders hunched, fiddling with the bread I gave him, as if he's not sure he's allowed to keep it. He glances at me, then quickly looks away, his uncertainty almost palpable. I take a breath, trying to sound steadier than I feel.
"Hey, Coby?" My voice is soft, but I manage to keep it from shaking. "I… I never really wanted to be here, you know. Not under Alvida."
He looks up in surprise, clutching the bread a little tighter. "Y-you didn't? Then… why are you here?"
I rub the back of my neck, searching for the right words. "It wasn't really a choice. She… she took over my village when I was a kid. It was either join her or… well, not make it." I swallow, letting out a small sigh. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm strong enough to get away. Or if I'll ever be able to find something, or someone, worth fighting for."
Coby nods, still not meeting my eyes. "I… I kind of get that. I didn't want to end up here either." He hesitates, then adds, "Do you ever think you'll get out?"
I offer a small, hopeful smile, though there's doubt underneath. "I want to. I really do. I want to find people I can trust, maybe even call family. Not because I have to, but because I choose them. People who'd look out for me, and I'd do the same. I just… don't know if I'm strong enough yet. But I'm going to try."
He's silent, then asks, almost whispering, "Do you… Do you think dreams like that can come true?" "I do," I say, a little more firmly. "I mean, I have to believe it. Otherwise, what's the point? Even if I'm not the strongest, I can keep trying." I glance at him, offering reassurance. "What about you, Coby? Do you have a dream?"
He hugs the bread to his chest, his voice barely above the sound of the waves. "I… I want to be a Marine. I want to help people. So nobody has to be scared, like I've been. Or like you."
I smile, more confident for his sake. "That's a great dream. Seriously. And… I think you can do it. You've got more courage than you realize. It's not about being the strongest guy around, it's about not giving up."
He looks at me, surprised, then gives a shy, grateful nod. "Thanks… That means a lot."
We sit for a moment, the ship creaking gently around us. I lean in, lowering my voice but keeping it steady. "Hey, uh… Alvida wants us to be ready soon. We're supposed to raid a cruise ship. I've got a feeling something big is coming up. Maybe your chance will come sooner than you think. If it does, I'll try to help however I can."
Coby's eyes widen with a mix of hope and nerves. "You… you really think so? How do you know?"
I give a sheepish little laugh. "Well, I guess I'm good at keeping my eyes open. And I know how to move around without being noticed." I shrug, a hint of pride in my voice. "It's one thing I am confident about."
He looks amazed, the beginnings of a smile on his face. "That's… that's incredible. How do you do it?" I grin. "I practice a lot and try not to show off unless I have to. I'm still figuring out what I'm really capable of, but… I'll do my best. For both of us."
For the first time, the silence between us feels comfortable. There's uncertainty, sure, but also a quiet sense that maybe, if we stick together, we might just make it.