It was noon.
The breeze was gentle, the sunlight warm.
On the training field of Marine Branch 153—
After sweeping up all of Axe-Hand Morgan's savings and treasures, Red returned once again to this open ground with Luffy and the others.
The cross where Zoro had once been bound had already been quietly dismantled by the considerate Marine soldiers. Even the holes in the ground had been carefully filled in.
Seeing this scene, both Zoro and Red revealed satisfied smiles.
Only Nami—who had been forcibly dragged along—wore an indignant expression.
"This is ridiculous! Why did you give so much money to the Marines?!"
"Don't they get funding from the World Government already?!"
"That was a full five million Beli!!!"
"If you didn't want it, you could've just given it to me!!!"
Nami muttered under her breath, though in truth, what she couldn't understand was Red's decision itself.
Hearing the meaning in her words, Red turned back and smiled faintly.
"It's only five million Beli. Don't worry about such a small amount, Little Nami."
"Just this group of ours—drop us anywhere and earning hundreds of millions would be easy."
"That Marine officer is a local from Shells Town. I believe he'll put the money to good use."
"Using five million Beli to give the townspeople a bit of comfort ahead of time—don't you think that's worth it?"
"Not at all!" Nami pouted and answered without hesitation, fully displaying her money-loving nature.
Yet no one knew what she was truly thinking.
As she looked at Red's back, there was unmistakable surprise in her eyes.
A pirate who gives money away…
What a strange guy.
...
...
"All right. Since our team is starting to take shape, it's time for a proper round of introductions."
After arriving at the open ground, Red didn't immediately have Luffy and Zoro spar.
Instead, he guided everyone into getting to know one another properly.
Red and Luffy were easy—one had a god's-eye view, the other was carefree to a fault.
But Zoro and Nami had only just joined.
Nami, in particular, was hiding her own little schemes, ready to grab the money and run at any moment.
If this crew was going to function smoothly, Red—acting as vice-captain—needed to take action.
Hearing Red's proposal, Luffy immediately raised both hands in approval.
"Introductions!? Sounds great! Sounds great!"
With two new companions joining at once, Luffy was beyond excited.
Red smiled slightly—this was exactly the reaction he wanted.
"Then as the leader of our crew, Luffy, you go first."
"Shishishi! No problem!"
Luffy grinned widely, then placed his straw hat firmly on his head, his face blooming with confidence.
"My name is Monkey D. Luffy! My dream is to become the freest Pirate King on this sea!!!"
"And I ate the Gum-Gum Fruit, so I'm a rubber human! My body can stretch and bend like rubber!"
"Like this—"
To prove it, Luffy immediately grabbed his mouth and stretched it out in front of Nami and Zoro until it was as long as his arm.
Staring at the absurd scene before them, both Zoro and Nami were left dumbfounded.
But Zoro quickly snapped back to his senses and interrupted.
"Wait! You said your ability just turns your body into rubber—then what was that speed you used earlier!?"
"That was practically teleportation!"
Having never left the East Blue—the weakest of seas—and never witnessed true monsters, Zoro still struggled to accept things beyond his understanding.
Luffy snapped his mouth back with a pop and replied casually.
"Oh, that? That's a special fighting technique—one of the Six Powers Red taught me: Shave!"
"It lets you burst out incredible power in an instant."
"Correction!" Red immediately cut in with a laugh. "I didn't invent that—it's a standard Marine technique."
"The official name is the Six Powers. I just happen to know a little."
"After all, I am a Trainer."
"A Trainer?!"
Hearing the term again, Zoro seized the chance to press the issue.
"So… what exactly is a Trainer?"
"That's a long story," Red said with a smile. "Which is why—it's my turn now."
"As you already know, I'm the vice-captain of this pirate crew. I don't really have a dream—I just go with the flow, wherever the road takes me."
"And I'm also a Trainer."
"As for what Trainers do—it's exactly what it sounds like. We train others, help them grow stronger quickly, and even gain miraculous powers."
"For example—this."
As he spoke, Red raised one hand casually.
Ancient Power surged once more from his body, forming chunks of rock that floated behind him.
Since it was just a demonstration, Red soon withdrew the energy. The stones fell to the ground and vanished without a trace.
"As you can see, a Trainer can allow you to obtain all kinds of extraordinary abilities."
"Of course, it takes time—and your own effort."
"T-That's impossible!" Nami blurted out, eyes filled with shock. "Is that another Devil Fruit ability?!"
"Not exactly…"
"But for now, you can think of it that way."
Red shook his head, a meaningful smile appearing as he looked at her.
"With my power—even someone like you, Nami, who isn't suited for combat—I'm confident I could train you into a top-tier expert capable of facing any strong enemy!"
"You mean… even I could gain abilities like yours?" Nami pointed at herself, stunned.
"Of course," Red replied without hesitation.
"Because I am a Trainer!!!"
He emphasized the title again and again, practically branding it onto himself.
Though he couldn't be certain yet, Red felt deep down that this was the correct way to bring others into the Pokémon game world.
After that, he didn't give Nami a chance to ask further questions and clapped his hands.
"All right!"
"The details are complicated—it won't be easy for you to understand right now."
"Instead of wasting time here, let time answer those questions for us."
"Next up—it's your turn, Zoro."
"Huh?"
Still reeling from the powers of Luffy and Red, Zoro paused briefly before steadying himself and beginning his introduction.
Compared to the reserved vagueness of Luffy and Red, Zoro's introduction was straightforward as ever.
The same old words.
But also the most honest ones.
After Zoro finished, it was naturally Nami's turn.
With all three pairs of eyes on her, her heart skipped a beat, an inexplicable nervousness rising within her.
But perhaps Red's earlier gesture of leaving money for the people of Shells Town had moved her. Taking a deep breath, she actually introduced herself seriously.
"My name is Nami. I'm a thief who specializes in stealing pirate treasure."
"And just to be clear, I'm not nearly as good at navigation as you said—though I do know a little."
Like Red and Luffy, Nami left herself some room, deliberately downplaying her abilities.
Truth was, she was still confused and hadn't fully figured things out yet.
If Red and Luffy hadn't dragged her in—and if the cash and luxuries they'd looted weren't currently in Red's possession, tempting her—
She'd probably already be figuring out how to escape.
In comparison, Zoro—who had nothing to hide—suddenly seemed far too honest.
What's wrong, Zoro?
You need to step it up!
Zoro: ???
Isn't it Nami's introduction right now?
Why is the vice-captain staring at me?
"..."
Feeling the strange atmosphere in the air, Nami reaffirmed her thoughts internally:
"Every single one of these people… is insane!!!"
After her brief introduction, Nami didn't elaborate further.
And Red naturally didn't press her.
He simply smiled, gathering everyone's attention again, and said to Luffy:
"So, Luffy? Didn't I tell you Shells Town would satisfy us?"
"Two excellent crewmates in one go—you're another step closer to becoming Pirate King!"
"Hahahaha~! This is all thanks to you, Red!!!"
Luffy laughed happily.
Before Red could say anything, Luffy was already talking himself up.
"I knew it! Listening to you can never go wrong!"
"Of course," Red laughed along, then turned and called out to a busy Marine soldier.
"Hey! You there!"
"—Ah?!"
The Marine soldier jumped in fright.
He hadn't forgotten how Red had instantly defeated Colonel Morgan earlier.
"W-What is it?!"
"Relax. No need to be nervous."
Red smiled gently. "You should have a Camera Den Den Mushi or a camera here, right?"
"Go prepare one and help us take a photo."
"Ah?! A photo? Here?!"
"Of course!"
Red patted Luffy on the shoulder.
"Today is the official founding day of our Straw Hat Pirates!"
"Such a great moment deserves to be recorded."
"Right, Luffy?!"
"That's right!" Luffy nodded enthusiastically, clapping in excitement. "You really think of everything, Red!"
"W-Wait a second!" Nami blurted out.
"You want us to take a photo here? In a Marine base?!"
"What's the problem?" Red asked calmly.
Nami grabbed her hair with both hands, utterly losing it.
"It's a huge problem!"
"You're pirates! What pirate takes a group photo in front of a Marine base?!"
"Well, now there is," Red replied cheerfully.
Seeing the Marine soldier already running off to fetch the camera equipment, Red patted Nami's shoulder reassuringly before being dragged away by Luffy to find a good angle.
Watching the two of them happily fuss about, Nami's eyes grew dim.
Pirates taking a group photo at a Marine base?
If this ever got out, it would be an enormous humiliation for the Marines!
Everyone in that photo would be hunted mercilessly!
She could already see her miserable future—
Nami on the run for the rest of her life!
At this moment, she finally understood why Red called this a pirate ship!
In desperation, Nami turned to Zoro for help.
Hoping that this fellow newcomer would do something.
Unexpectedly, Zoro understood her look and nodded.
"Don't worry. I get your concerns," he said seriously.
Then, under Nami's hopeful gaze, he waved toward Luffy and Red and shouted:
"Hey! You two! Don't just think about yourselves—take Nami into consideration too!"
Nami: That's right! That's right!
There are still normal people in this world!
Zoro: "Nami's a girl, after all. How can the background just be warships and cannons?!"
"I think that flower bed over there is pretty good! And it even has the Marine logo—perfect!"
Nami: "..."
Forget it.
I'm tired.
Just end it all!!!
(End of Chapter)