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On Dawn Island located somewhere in the east blue was Foosha Village. A small rural village that sat peacefully for all of time. Here lived a young boy, a boy who loved the sea. His head filled with wild dreams. Now he sat on the pier, listening to the ocean while a certain group of pirates prepared to set sail.
The small boy looked out at the sparkling water. The ocean stared back. The sea breeze envelops him, caressing his face as he relaxes in its hold. Breathing along to the waves as they crash and retreat against the pier. He was always in a state of peace when near the sea, it beckons him.
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" asks the man.
"The freest man on the sea," says the boy as he smiles ear to ear laughing, "King of the Pirates!"
The boy stares up at the man who stands before him. A warm smile and kind eyes greet the child. His red hair swished to the rhythm of the wind. His hat softly sways to its muse. It draws the child's attention. Eyes shining with admiration. Soon those once twinkling eyes grow downcast. As they stand there the crewmates begin trickling into the ship as the sun goes down. Soon to depart. He yearns to be out there with them.
Before he could slip further into his thoughts he felt something placed on his head. He knows what it is before he even looks. He tears up, fists clenched, while he suppresses his sniffles. He wants to be happy but he can't stop the frustration that burns behind his eyes. That ever-present lump in his throat was unrelenting. He stays quiet. Words left unspoken were conveyed through the sea. Nothing was left except a vague understanding.
Soon the man departs and leaves the island. The boy stands there, feeling determined to live up to the hat's legacy. Determined to be the freest man on the sea.
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Today I was so excited, so excited that I hardly slept last night. It was children's day. A day celebrated across the seas! A day in which every child is invited to go to Neverland Island! An island that only appears on children's day. It was gonna be my first time there! Gramps said he took time off of work to take me, Ace, and Sabo. So this was a big deal.
They had all packed and ready to leave. Sabo had been the first to finish preparing, followed by Ace. They were both now just waiting for me a the dock. I'm not slow! I just had to really think about what I should bring. You can never be too sure. So to be safe I decided to pack tons of food! I wave Dadan and the bandits goodbye and run down the mountain.
Reaching the dock I leap onto the first brother I see.
"Ace!!!" I shout.
I wrap my rubber arms around him a few times as I hug him. He yells out in surprise then in annoyance when I don't let go. I hold onto him until he hits me over the head.
"Ouchie! Ace you meanie!! Idiot! Mean Idiot!" I blow a raspberry at him and run to Sabo, "Sabooo~ Ace is being mean!"
"Why you..." Ace growls.
"Now now. Let's not fight, or else Garp won't take us to Neverland. So Ace don't hit Lu and Lu-"
I was just then pulling my bottom eyelid down and blowing another raspberry at Ace when Sabo gave me a warning look. I smile innocently as he returns to his previous speech.
"Ahem...And Lu quit teasing Ace! Even if he is being a big idiot meanie" Sabo slips a smug smile at Ace as he finishes that last part.
Ace rolls his eyes good-naturedly. They banter for a bit and play around as they wait for Garp to arrive. Makino brings by some lunch for them to eat as they wait. While finishing up their food Garp pulls in on a dinghy. We share a look amongst each other, all unimpressed by our soon-to-be transportation.
"Oi gramps, what happened to your BIIIG cool ship?!" Luffy probed, "Cus this ship looks lame"
"Watch yer mouth brat, Be grateful I'm even taking you lot!" Garp huffed.
"What Luffy meant to say is, Why didn't you bring your marine ship?" Sabo questions.
"Yeah! Why the crap boat geezer?" Ace asks bluntly.
They all quickly climbed in as Grap looked ready to just ditch them then and there. He grumbled for a few seconds. Maybe he was hungry. Well, that's not my problem since I'm not a hero.
"I didn't bring my ship because it'd draw too much attention. If bad men see you kids on my ship that'd put a target on your backs. Best avoid the worst case scenario"
"Ah!," we all say in unison.
The rest of the boat ride was spent playing games and chatting. Garp listened intently as they spoke, enjoying their company. Not very often could he just be around his grandson and adopted grandsons.
After three hours they saw Neverland a little ways away. They bounced excitedly. So much so that I almost fell overboard. Thankfully Sabo and Ace grabbed my arms before I fell in.
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While Garp docked our dinghy with other similar boats. Ace and Sabo pulled me aside to give me the talk.
"Lu listen to what we say! This is important" Sabo begins, "We are in a new place so that means you gotta stay close! You got that?"
I look into their concerned faces and roll my eyes. They always treat me like a baby. I'm a man! I could handle this. So I nod reluctantly.
"If you get lost we might never see each other again-" Ace states morbidly.
"Eh!?"
"Ace!" Sabo sharply exclaims, "Luffy don't be gullible, of course, we'll see each other again. It'll just be harder to find each other if you get separated. So don't wander and you'll be fine ok Lu"
"Uhn"
Garp walks over and gives us a rundown of what's to happen. I don't get most of it but what I do get is that the adults stay in another small area of the island and all the kids have the rest of the island to have fun. So no adults? So awesome!
We explore around for a while taking in all the children running around. Playgrounds of all shapes and sizes all around them. Sandpits were as large as swimming pools. Water parks are located in shallow water on the beach. A fence was placed where the ocean became deep, it stretched the full length of the island save for the dock.
Food stalls with copious amounts of free food. It's my dream come true. We moved farther into the island. In the center of the island was a garden. All the calmer and quieter children found themselves here. There were bookshelves and a small sweets and juice stall right by it. My body was itching to run around with all the kids though.
I could try to escape my overprotective brothers but Ace was right behind me and Sabo was in front. They had me trapped. We wander back to the water park in shallow water. I jump up and down as they talk about where they'll be going first.
"Can I go to the water park while you guys decide!! Please, I promise I won't go too far!" I beg with my large puppy dog eyes.
"Ok but not too far Lu" Sabo confirms.
I ran out to the park. The seawater was just at my knees before a sudden burst of exhaustion washed over me. I fall into the water with a plunk. Ace and Sabo run over to me and pull me out so fast it makes me dizzy.
"Not soOooO fast..." I whine.
"Shit...how could we forget he-"
"Shhhh" Sabo hissed, "We have to be careful about this, It could be dangerous for him if the wrong people find out"
Sabo looks around anxiously, looking for anyone suspicious. No one seemed to be looking. Sabo nods to Ace and they carry me away from the ocean. After I felt better we played at a pirate-themed playground. Running around and playing together. Everything was great until this older kid bumped into me. I fall over from the impact with an inaudible 'oof'. I get up while rubbing my face and look up to see a large pre-teen.
Black bushy hair, gap-toothed crooked smile. A black tank top with a strange skull design. He was eating a cherry pie. Yuck. I scowled at him for a brief second then cock my head to the side. He just stands over me without a reaction. So I just get up and brush myself off to look for Ace and Sabo.
"What a weird guy" I mutter as I wander off.
I don't know how long I wandered but I made it to another large playground. It was like a marine base. I watch some kids run around chasing each other then I feel something hit my leg. A ball had rolled over to me I guess. Picking it up I look around to see if anyone would come get it. I see a small wimpy kid scuttling over nervously. He looked weak with those funny large-looking glasses and that strange pink hair. He looked so small. Small and lame.
"T-that's m-m-my ball...Could I p-please have it b-back?"
"Hmmm? No!"
I laugh as his face falls so drastically. She slouches and begins to retreat, not even going to try and get it back I guess. What a spineless kid. I giggle for a while longer before I toss him the ball. Pink Wimp stumbles back and fumbles trying to catch the ball suddenly thrown at him. His glasses slip down his face as he looks at me with that dumb look.
"Th-thanks? I guess..."
Pink wimp turns to leave and I look back over to the kids on the playground. They seem to be ganging up on another kid. I wonder what they're doing. So maybe I should ask Pink Wimp.
"Oi! Pink Wimp!" I call out.
He turns around to look at me confused. Then nervous as I began my approach. Such a funny kid.
"Y-yeah? You need something?"
"Yup! Tell me about what's going on over there?"
I point over as the kids now led by another small and really funny-looking kid with a chin. All these slightly older kids are just following that small-looking one, so weird. I like it! The older kids pull along another child.
"Oh, that...Well I'd stay away if I were you"
"Why?"
"W-well cus that's Helmeppo...he's the son of a notorious marine soldier! All the other marine kids listen to him since their dads work under his dad!"
"Is he strong?"
"His dad is supper strong!"
"So is chin dude strong?"
"Helmeppo? No, I-I don't think so..."
"Ok, I'm going over!"
"W-wait! What are you doing?! Are you crazy!? Why would you go even knowing what I just told you!!"
"Cus"
"T-then before you go tell me your name so I can find your dad or something...because I just know this won't end well..."
"Oh yeah, I totally forgot to introduce myself! Shishi shii my name is Monkey D. Luffy!"
"Luffy...Ah and my name is Koby-"
"Bye then Koby!"
I run off leaving Koby by himself. Maybe he will get gramps. I really don't want to get in trouble for picking a fight. So maybe I'll just ask to join their game. That seems like a great idea.
I ran over and yelled at them to get their attention. They all turn their heads in unison. How funny. I reached the group and then locked eyes with the boy in their grasp. An angry green-haired boy. He looked tired and a little hungry.
"Oi! Are you guys playing a game? Can I play?"
"Hah?!!"
"No, you can't play with us" snarked chin dude, "We already have 5 people and we wanna keep it an even number"
"Ok...well then I guess I'll just play on the playground then!"
"No! You can't! This is my playground!"
"No, it isn't"
"Yeah, it is!"
"Then why isn't your name on it?"
"Th-that's cause... cause-"
I walk around and start going inside the marine tower that leads up to a slide. I thought he was done talking but I guess not since he runs up behind me and pulls me back by my shirt.
"Ooh oi! What're you doing chin dude!"
"C-chin?!" He squawks out.
His posse stifle their giggles but I don't. How could I when this guy is being so funny? I burst out laughing as he touched his chin. He was looking mad. Maybe I wasn't supposed to say that?
"Hey! Someone grab this pipsqueak! And take that other kid and tie him up!"
"Aye Sir!"
They run around the tower and drag the moss head. I continue to run around and jump dodge and roll around their every attempt to grab me. And I thought they said I couldn't play. We go at it until they all collapse with exhaustion.
"You all sure are weak...and here I thought chin dude was strong"
"You *huff* Bastard..." chin dude gasps out.
I walk over around the tower and moss head is fully tied and just glaring at his captors. I wonder, should I help or is this a part of the game? If it is a game then maybe we're playing marines and pirates! So that must mean moss head is also a pirate. So that also means I gotta save him from the marines! I sure am smart.
I walk up behind the two other marine kids and press my fingers to my mouth to make sure moss head doesn't talk. They tighten the binds a bit before giving a satisfied chuff. I stay behind them, in their blind spot while they walk back around the tower. Once they're far enough I run back over to moss head. His eyebrow raised the entire time.
"Yo! I'm Monkey D. Luffy! I'll be king of the pirates"
"Huh, strange way to introduce yourself don't you think?"
"Hmmm, nope. So what're you doing playing with these weirdos?"
"Did it look like I was playing with those weaklings?"
"Uh...so what's your name?"
"Haaaa you're not a very bright person I guess. Well, the name's Roronoa Zoro! I'll be the greatest swordsman in the world!"
"Sooo cool!! But king of the pirates is better..."
"Hah!? What'd you say? Fine, let's fight this out like men!"
"Fine by me!"
I finish untying Zoro and he immediately runs to pick up some sticks lying on the floor. So I prepare by spinning my arms. We run at each other until another figure runs up to us and just talks. I don't really get it but she seems to be pinning something on us. Her orange hair and plaid sundress catch my eye. I focus on her as she talks, the fight now long forgotten.
"It's these two! They're the ones who told me to take your money~"
Zoro and I stopped to just gawk at her. Heads tilted to the side. She grabs both our arms and pulls us in front of her. Putting us right in front of an angry group of pre-teens. All grumbling and starring down at us.
"Well then boys could you tell her what you told me?"
"Told you what? Who even are you?" Zoro questioned.
"Yeah, who the heck are you?" I deadpanned
"Oh, now you want to play dumb to let me take the fall huh? Typical men! At least try to take some accountability!"
"A count a billy? What's that?" my stomach growled, "is it food!"
"Ace! I'm hungry!...Ace?"
I look around and don't see any of my brothers. I spin to get a better look and then remember what Ace said. I'll never see them again! My eyes begin to gloss over as tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. I know better than to cry because then that would make me a crybaby but they won't stop.
"What's wrong with him?"
"Is he ok?"
"Should we get an adult?"
"I think he's lost..."
The new kids begin to whisper about me. I look around slightly panicked. I feel someone grab my shoulder and look over with hopeful eyes but it's not Ace nor is it Sabo. Zoro awkwardly pats my shoulder.
"Erm...I'll help you find, uh... whoever it is you're looking for. So let's get some food first then try looking after, okay?" He says awkwardly.
"Uhn..."
Zoro and I walk away from the strangers. Leaving them awkwardly standing there not knowing what to do. The orange-haired girl ran while they were all distracted. The angry crowd of preteens spread out and searched for her again. They may not know where orange girl is but Luffy knew, he saw her shadowing them.
While they ate on the grass eating a steamed sweet potato the orange girl walks up to them. Her round brown eyes stare at them annoyed. Zoro ignores her as he talks with me but I can't help but feel like she needs help. Just like Zoro, I felt like they needed me. Almost like I felt when I first met Ace.
"Why did you ruin my plan? Couldn't you just help me out?" she pointedly asked.
"And why are you stealing? Everything in Neverland is free? The food the toys, so why are you stealing money?" Zoro retorted.
"I-I don't gotta tell you nothing!"
Luffy listened to them argue while he ate his sweet potato. Out of the corner of his eye, he spots that crooked guy with black hair and missing teeth. Looking at him. What was his deal? He wanna fight or something. Orange girl follows my gaze and Zoro follows. They stare at the crooked guy as well.
"Luffy? Is that the person you're looking for?"
"What a creepy kid" Orange shrinks.
"No. I don't know him" I cautiously say.
"Then...why's he looking this way?"
"Dun know but he was there when I lost my brothers...that guy bumped into me"
"What a creep" Orange mutters.
"Oh, that's right! Last time I saw my brothers I was by a playground that looked like a pirate ship! You know where that is Zoro?"
"Yeah sure I think so...It's like south of here, right?"
They get up now that the Sweet potatoes are finished and the crooked guy is now forgotten. Zoro gets up to lead the way but heads west. Orange girl just sighs and grabs them both by the collar of their shirts.
"You dummies don't know how to tell directions, do you? Fine, I guess I'll help out just for now"
"You know, you never did tell us who you are. Mind starting with that?"
"Oh, well I'm Nami! And since I'm helping you, all I ask in return is some safety! See those kids are still looking for me but if I'm in a group then it'll be harder to spot me!" she beams, "So if you don't mind I think I'll stick with you two for a while, so thanks for having me...er what are your names?"
"Monkey D. Luffy! I'm gonna be king of the pirates!"
"Roronoa Zoro"
As that was all settled we went on in search of something. Luffy had already forgotten. So instead he just followed Nami. Along the way, they got distracted by every possible attraction. Luffy is more interested in the food than anything else. While Luffy was preoccupied with food another kid was doing the same. They ran tight into each other.
"Oi watch where you're going!"
Luffy and the stranger yelled in unison. I blinked a few times before one thing was obvious. This guy had a long nose. One of the longest Luffy had ever seen. The other kid looked at Luffy and smiled. A sort of mischievous smile but a is always a good thing in Luffy's book.
"You guys strong? You all look strong hehe..."
"Nose"
"Eh?"
"You have a long nose"
"Oi Luffy" Zoro sighs.
"Well, anyway I need help! Just for a bit, and hey it might even be fun!"
"Ooh! I'm in! Come on Zoro!"
"Huh? Me?"
"Oh, and you too Nami! Let's go play!"
"What-"
"Come on hurry! We don't have much time and we still need one more person! Follow me!"
Long Nose started running off and I grab Mami and Zoro and started running as well. Before they argued against me I pulled them along as Long Nose led the way to where the fun is. They stumbled and let out surprised squeaks as they got pulled. Nami was stunned and Zoro seemed impressed.
"You're surprisingly strong..." Zoro mumbles.
"And fast! Now could you slow down I can't keep up!" Nami shrieks.
To this, I pick her up while also continuing to pull Zoro along. She squeaks but shrugs it off, feeling as if there is no point. Which there isn't. So they run for a few more minutes before they reach another group of kids. Younger ones. Like Koby. They look funny, they remind me of vegetables.
"Captain Usopp! Your back! Did you find your super-strong crew members?!"
"You bet!" Usopp rubs his nose smugly, "These guys will help us win the competition for sure!"
The three veggie boys cheer and woot while Nami Zoro and I stand there confused. When did we say we'd be joining his crew? If anything it should be Luffy's crew! I puff my cheeks up and walk up to Long Nose who is named Usopp.
"Oi! I'm the captain! I refuse to be a lackey!"
"Huh!? Hehe what...what are you saying uh..."
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy and I will be king of the pirates!!"
"Here he goes again" Zoro sighs.
"Woah..." The veggie patch voiced,
"Oh, Captain Usopp! We're going to find a front-row seat before all the good spots are taken. We'll see you at the contest!"
The Veggie kids ran off. Leaving the rest of the group in silence about what was said earlier. Nami seemed like she had something to say. So I decided I would just wait until she or someone else spoke.
"Luffy, that's really not something to be bragging about, pirates are bad don't you know!"
Now all eyes are on Nami. What was she saying? Pirates aren't bad, not all at least. Nami doesn't get it, does she? Maybe cus she's a girl but that still doesn't make sense. Uta is a girl and she gets it, at least that was until she followed her dream.
"Nami, I thought you were smart..." Luffy frowns.
Zoro and Usopp laugh at that. For the differing amount of time they had spent knowing Luffy, they understood one thing about him. He was an idiot. An Idiot with a gold heart, they didn't need to know him when they could feel it. Zoro felt it in Luffy's gaze, they held no discrimination or doubt. Usopp could see it when Luffy passionately announced his dream. Nami saw it in his emotional outburst over losing his brothers as well as accepting her without questions. Yet her damaged heart would deny it anyway. She won't be quick to let down her guard.
"It's not like I said something stupid! All pirates are the same! They just want riches and power, they're all monsters!"
Without thinking about it I place my hat on her head. Her eyes were watery and she looked to be in despair. Something in her life was ruined by a pirate. Luffy made up his mind then.
"Be my friend Nami!"
"Idiot..." Nami whimpered.
After a beat of silence, Nami straightened herself and wiped her eyes. She looked slightly less defensive than when they first met. She smirks as she breaks the silence.
"So what's this competition about...there better be money as a reward or I won't try my best" Nami warned.
That made everyone perk up. Nami handed Luffy back his hat and gave a thankful smile. Usopp explained the rules and whatnot. I was once again paying zero attention. What I did hear was an eating competition. They laughed at me when I drooled at the mere mention of food.
"So it's decided! Zoro takes the weightlifting portion of the contest, Nami the quiz, I'll do the race since I'm the fastest!" Usopp proudly stated, "And Luffy takes the eating competition. But then..."
They all looked at each other. They needed another person to compete in the cooking contest. They concluded that they would split up and look around for their missing team member. I was initially looking for another team member but then the smell of food grabbed my attention. I was seated at a takoyaki stall when I heard muttering to my left. There sat a boy on the stool next to me. Bright blonde hair and funny eyebrows. And I mean some crazy eyebrows. He turns to look at me and his eyes widen. I guess he caught me but still, I couldn't care less. I found another friend!
"-Uhm, you need something?" he furrows his curly brows.
"You"
"Sorry, what?"
"You!"
"Huh wha-?!"
"What I need is you!"
"What are you dense? What are you saying?"
"I need you on my team for the competition! Please say you will!"
"The competition? Just you and me?"
"Nope, the rest of my group is out there looking for a person for the cooking thingy but now that I found you we're all good!"
"I haven't even agreed to this yet..."
"Will you?!"
"Hell no" he responds without hesitation.
"You will!"
"And I said I refuse!"
"And I refused your refusal!"
"You can't just- You don't- AUUGH!" eyebrows throws his hands up in surrender, "Fine fine ok...but afterward I'm leaving. Good grief there's no arguing with idiots"
"Great! Let's go after we eat!"
Eyebrows has probably never seen someone eat so much food cus he was looking at me like I was stretching right in front of him. Not that I'm stretching, after all, Ace and Sabo said not to cus it's dangerous. Or something. So I won't stretch! As I finish up eyebrows leans over and asks if I'm finally finished. I flashed a smile and nod then off we went.
"So I forgot to ask...what's your name? I'm Sanji..."
"Oh, I'm Monkey D. Luffy, future King of the Pirates!"
"Hehaha your so damn weird!"
"Not as weird as your eyebrows! Shishishi"
"You little punk!"
While walking around looking for my friends Sanji and I became more familiar. He liked to cook and I liked to eat. He hated food being wasted and I will eat until everything is finished. Little by little Sanji opened up and we got along surprisingly well. We bonded over food!
Along the way, we ran into the gang one member at a time until finally we found Nami. Luffy explains that he found the final member of the group. Everyone hurried to the competition and made it in time. As we walked to the venue they all chatted and bickered like old friends and at the center was Luffy. Finally, there we filled out a piece of paper and had questions asked. All of them are easy.
"You 5 participating in the competition? Can I get a team name?"
"The Usopp Pirates!" Usopp cheers.
"Ugh no something not stupid, please" begged Nami.
"How about super awesome cool pirates!" Luffy asserts.
"No way in hell" They all scream in unison.
The wind picks up and my hat goes flying a foot away from me. I panic a bit as I run after it. When I return they all look at me, a knowing smile on their faces. They all seem to have the same idea for their group name. Something they could all somewhat agree on. Luffy felt out of the loop.
"I think we have a name" Zoro smirks.
"What is it?" Luffy chirps.
"I guess we do" Sanji sighs, a small smile spreading across his face.
Nami walks over the the signup sheet to enter their group name. Luffy watches intently as the name is neatly written on the sheet. My face may as well be the sun cus I was beaming at our name. I giggled with excitement. What a great name!
"Ok, Straw Hats! You guys can just take a seat wherever while we wait for the contest to begin"
We sat in the waiting room when goosebumps spread across my body. I felt chills for some reason. I look up and see that same crooked guy again. He watched from across the waiting room with his team at his side.
"What's that creep doing here again" Nami whispered.
"Huh? What creep Nami-san?"
"Some weirdo that keeps following wherever we go...he might actually be following Luffy"
Zoro's eyes narrow at me and all eyes fall to me as well. I can feel it but I don't bother checking. My attention is on the crooked guy. He starts walking over and although I tense and want to look away, I can't. I just watch. Now he's standing right in front of me. With that same gap-toothed twisted smile I'm starting to hate. I don't like this guy.
"Zeh-hahaha, straw hat kid...I challenge you!"
"Yeah I know, it's a contest so-"
"I mean just you. And your team of course. If I win you come with me"
"Why?"
"Cus I saw what happened at the beach...when you were with your brothers" the crooked guy grinned.
"I-I don't know what you mean..."
My face pulls into a ridiculous expression. Eyes look away, mouth puckered out in the direction of my gaze as I whistle a suspicious tune. All my friends jab at me in that funny kind of way in unison. Maybe it's obvious I'm lying, but that can't be true.
"You're so obviously lying!" Usopp laughs.
"Ah! How could you tell!" Luffy said, staggering back from being caught.
They all think the same thing at that moment. That Luffy was a horrible liar. My poker face needed serious work was what Ace once told me. Now I realize how right he was. Luffy forgot where he was for a second cause he pulled his cheek in thought. And then paused when he realized what he'd done. He stretched. That was a no-no here. Sabo would be mad.
"Whoa whoa whoa, oi oi oi oi wait a minute! You're not normal!?" Usopp gawked.
"Well Ace and Sabo told me to keep it a secret but...Augh who cares!" Luffy gave up thinking, " I ate the gum-gum fruit so now I'm a rubber man"
To prove my point I pull at my cheeks again and tug farther. Nami became a shade paler, Usopp looked like he saw a ghost, and Sanji seemed to reason that this was why I ate so much and Zoro was impressed. But that crooked guy had a hungry look. A look that hungers for power. I don't think I like him very much.
"So you ate a devil fruit...what an extraordinary thing! You know how much you can get for selling them! You can get more from selling the fruit itself but a user is just as pricey"
"You...Your grand plan is to sell him for money!" Sanji snarls, "You must think we're idiots to let that happen!"
"Well if you think you gonna lose then by all means don't accept my challenge"
"We're not stupid enough to fall for that-"
"I accept!"
"Luffy!" they all yell.
"I'm not gonna lose, we will win!"
"Zehhehahaha...sure you will! But should you lose you come with me to my ship, my captain would love to meet you"
"And if we win?" Nami pressed, "Then what?"
"Well then how about some riches?"
"DONE! I think this is a wonderful idea~" Nami chuffed.
With that said crooked guy walked back to his group of random kids. Sitting down and facing them. I couldn't care less, this contest will be easy for us anyway!
"Oi oi oi oi Nami you can't be serious..." Usopp frowns.
"Then I guess that's that" Zoro shrugs.
"Wonder what I'll be cooking..." Sanji looks up in thought.
"What's what? You're all not serious?" Usopp nervously says, "What if we lose? That would be bad for Lu-Luffy!"
"It's fine Usopp! We won't lose!" Luffy grins.
"You don't know that!"
"Yeah I do"
"How!?"
"Cus I said so!"
"... you're doomed" Usopp pales.
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We stand at each of our stations. I sit at a table with 10 other kids. The crooked guy is one of them. He glares at me from the end of the table. Glad I'm not sitting next to him. We all sit and wait for the eating contest to begin. I have to wait for my friends who are going first to finish before I can eat. I want to eat now. This sucks. They do give us a live feed of our friends while we wait so I guess it's not that boring.
Nami was first. It was a trivia. Whoever gets a score of 90% moves on and tags the next friend. So when will I get to start? From what I can tell, my friends need to go faster so I can eat sooner! She sits in front of a sheet and just casually answers the question. I for one could never. I don't think I'm as smart as Nami. After about 7 minutes she finishes second.
Nami passed with a 99%, as the announcer put it. That's good, right? Yeah, I'm sure it's good. So now it was Zoro's turn. This match was much more fun to watch. We're in second place but Zoro quickly changes that. It was a test of strength and man was Zoro really something. He stacked all the weights in record time like it was easy. Zoro's an interesting guy. He walks off.
Next was Sanji, but watching him only made my stomach rumble louder. He moved swiftly around the kitchen grabbing things and tossing stuff and just making food. He looked so cool while cooking. He finishes quickly as well. Not really sure what he made but all I know is it looks so damn good.
Sanji walks off screen and then I see him rounding the corner to my area. Am I finally next? He walks over and gives me a stick. I look at it confused.
"It's the baton, give that to Ussop when you're done eating okay?"
"Kay!"
Sanji leaves after giving me a quick pat. After he leaves a few others show up. But at that point, I already had food in front of me. I began wolfing down anything I could grab. I think I accidentally grabbed someone's hand and pulled it into my mouth because they then pulled something out of my mouth and scolded me while a kid to my right cradled his hand. I didn't stop eating though so I didn't really understand what they were telling me. I glance over at that crooked guy. He too was eating quickly. He was just looking my way the whole time. I give him a dirty look and continue to eat.
The food was amazing, it looked different than all the other kid's food. Looked kinda of fancy. Looking at their plates more closely some of the food looks charred and others just wrong. Crooked guy's food looked messy but normal. I was a little disappointed, I sort of wanted him to eat bad food. Oh well. I hear the announcer dude say something about the food being made by the kids before. So that means Sanji made my food! When I become a pirate he's so gonna be on my crew!
I touch my plate and then nothing. My food was gone. I frown and blink thinking more would reappear. It doesn't. I get up from my seat as the announcer guy pushes me to the side and around the corner. There I see Usopp standing by a track. He waves me over hurriedly and takes the baton. Before I could even try talking to him he was off. Two other kids came up behind me and then saw crooked guy. He quickly passed off his baton. He smirks at me while covered in sweat and clearly stuffed to the point of blowing a button. I should be laughing but I don't find it as funny as I should.
Ussop wins the race. We won. That was obvious so why is everyone so relieved? Did they really consider that we'd lose? I puff out my chest and stand for the ovation. We soaked up their cheers and all hugged each other. We all got a cool crown to wear and take home. Crooked guy was walking away and disappeared into the crowd. Guess Nami won't be getting those berries.
Even after we left the competition we stayed together. Playing at different parks and eating at all kinds of food stalls. We became closer, I felt all warm and fuzzy being with them. Nearing a new food stall I see two familiar faces. Ace and Sabo were running around distressed and asking strangers something and showing them a piece of paper. Why do they have a photo of me?
"Ooooii! Ace! Sabo! Over here!!" Luffy yells.
Ace spins on his heel and Sabo turns his head so fast I thought it would fly off. Sabo and Ace take off running at me. Sabo reaches me first and grabs my face turning my head to inspect for something. Ace comes up and checks my arms as well as pats me up and down. They fret about and I shove them off.
"Luffy are you hurt you ok? Did someone take you? What happened? Why did you wander off?"
"You idiot I bet you got distracted. Do you know how worried Sabo was? Don't ever scare him like that! You nearly gave him a heart attack!"
"You were scared too Ace!" Sabo sniffles.
"N-No! Sabo shut your trap!"
"Oh, that's right! Ace, Sabo! These are my new friends!"
I stand to the side and let them introduce themselves. Nami goes first, then Zoro and Sanji talk at the same time and go off dissing each other. Last is Usopp who does a small bow. Ace looks at them suspiciously but Sabo bumps his shoulder and gives him a warm smile. They swell with pride as they ruffle my hair and pat my back.
"Aw, Luffy you made friends! Well, it's a pleasure to have met you all! I'm Sabo, Luffy's older brother!"
"An' I'm Ace Luffy's favorite older brother!"
"Well, I think Luffy would say otherwise!"
"Oh yeah!"
"Yeah"
Ace and Sabo butted heads while I watched. After a minute Zoro tapped my shoulder and asked if I still wanted to eat. I nodded and followed them away from my brothers as they bantered. By the time they realized we were gone, they panicked again but then relaxed when they saw me staring at them from the line. My brothers sure are stupid.
It was close to sunset and a nighttime show was scheduled to begin at sun down and right now it was just about time. We find a comfortable patch of grass. We all sit down and as much as I wanted to snuggle up with Ace and Sabo I also wanted to sit with my new friends. So I made up my mind and sat with my friends in a circle and sat my brothers behind me. It was so cozy having all the people I liked near me. If I could I'd keep it this way forever.
The fireworks began. It was so beautiful. I wished for this moment to last forever but when this ends we'll all part ways. But for now, we stay as we are without worries of the past or future. As the event comes to a close we get up. Ace and Sabo begin to walk to our docking section and stop when I don't follow. My circle of friends stood and waited, maybe they sensed that I wanted to say something. Or maybe they also don't want to go without a word.
"Zoro. Nami. Usopp. Sanji" Luffy pauses, feeling the words bubbling to the surface, "You're all my friends. One day I'll set sail and become king of the pirates. When I do I want you guys there"
I look up to look at them. Zoro stands with a grin that carries his resolve. Nami looks nervous but her eyes finally shine with the hope she didn't have before. Usopp was nothing if not inspired and excited. Sanji smiled with his hands crossed, knowing his answer already.
"I'll wait for your answer when we reunite! And I refuse to take no for an answer!" Luffy firmly but bluntly states.
I put my hand out in the center. Waiting for them to join. Zoro joins in first, then Usopp followed by Sanji, and albeit reluctantly, Nami joins in too. They smile at each other. Happy to have met.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Strength was a powerful weapon but so were promises. Parting ways was tough as all of them lived tough lives. Some more than others but even so they return to the real world. As much as the lull of freedom and fun begged them to stay on the island, they always knew it wouldn't last. Yet now they were shocked at how much more this thought hurt. Being brought together made a difference. The amount of joy they felt while together made it harder to leave. Leave the safety of this dream-like day. Fearing that that's all this day would become, in the end.
A light shined through the darkness of their doubt when Luffy promised. A promise that brought hope. Maybe this day won't just be a dream to recall the next day. They might not all feel the same in the future but what they could rely on was Luffy's stubbornness to pull them out of their shell. They felt they could trust him, if only just this once would they bet their future on a stranger. Not a stranger, a friend.
That night they slept snuggly, thinking of their night in Neverland. While they did leave Neverland, their spirit did not. Further down the line, in the distant future, Luffy fulfilled his promise. In the end, the straw hats gambled on their future and won.