Chapter 3: The Boy with the Straw Hat
The first thing I realized after finishing my fifth bowl of soup was this:
I was broke.
Completely.
Absolutely.
Hopelessly broke.
I checked my pockets.
Nothing.
No coins.
No notes.
Not even a useless receipt.
"…So I just committed robbery," I muttered.
The old man behind the counter raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm?"
I panicked.
"No! I mean— I will pay! Later! With interest! And maybe my life!"
He laughed loudly.
"Hahaha! Relax, kid. You look like you escaped from hell."
"…Accurate."
He waved his hand.
"Eat first. Worry later."
I almost cried.
Kind old men were rare.
Especially in a world where pirates existed.
I leaned back on the chair, exhausted.
My muscles burned.
My mind was foggy.
But for the first time since waking up…
I felt safe.
That's when the door burst open.
BAM!
"FOOOOOD!!!"
A loud voice shook the restaurant.
Everyone inside jumped.
I slowly turned my head.
And there he was.
Straw hat.
Red vest.
Shorts.
Sandals.
Big smile.
Zero sense of danger.
Monkey D. Luffy.
In the flesh.
In real life.
"…No way," I whispered.
He rushed to the counter.
"Old man! Meat! A LOT!"
The old man sighed.
"Sit down first, idiot."
"Okay!"
Luffy instantly sat.
Right.
Next.
To.
Me.
Way too close.
Our shoulders touched.
I froze.
"…Hi."
He turned.
Big grin.
"Hi!"
"…You're loud."
"Thanks!"
"That wasn't a compliment."
"Oh."
He nodded seriously.
"Okay."
Silence.
Then—
"Are you a pirate?"
I choked.
"WHAT?!"
He blinked.
"…No?"
"Then why do you look cool?"
"…That's your logic?"
"Yes!"
I rubbed my forehead.
"This guy is dangerous…"
Luffy leaned closer.
"Are you strong?"
"Define strong."
"Can you beat a sea monster?"
"…In theory."
"Cool! Join my crew!"
"…WHAT?!"
I slammed the table.
"No!"
"Why?"
"I just met you!"
"So?"
"That's not how friendships work!"
"Yes it is."
"No it's not!"
He tilted his head.
"…You're weird."
"YOU'RE weird!"
The old man laughed.
"Hahaha! You two are funny."
Food arrived.
Meat.
Mountains of meat.
Luffy's eyes sparkled.
"MEAT!!!"
He attacked it like a wild animal.
No manners.
No mercy.
No shame.
I stared.
"…Does he breathe while eating?"
"Nope," the old man said.
"He forgets."
"THAT'S DANGEROUS."
After ten minutes, only bones remained.
Luffy leaned back.
"Ahhh… life is good."
Then he looked at me again.
"So. Name?"
"…Nixu."
"Nixu!" He repeated happily. "I'm Luffy!"
"I know."
"You do?!"
"…You're famous."
"Really?!"
He jumped.
"I'm famous?!"
"Yes."
"YAY!"
He celebrated like he won a war.
I sighed.
"Why are you here?"
"I'm looking for crew!"
"…Of course you are."
"Do you want to be pirate?"
I hesitated.
Pirate.
Freedom.
Adventure.
Danger.
Enemies.
Dreams.
Running from my past.
Living for myself.
"…Maybe."
His eyes shone.
"Then you're my friend!"
"…That was fast."
Suddenly—
BOOM!
The wall exploded.
Smoke filled the room.
People screamed.
Three men walked in.
Guns.
Swords.
Scars.
Bad vibes.
"Everyone listen," the leader growled.
"This village belongs to us now."
Bandits.
Great.
My luck was amazing.
The villagers trembled.
The old man clenched his fists.
Luffy stood up.
"Hey."
The bandit looked at him.
"What?"
"You broke the wall."
"So?"
"You scared people."
"And?"
"That's bad."
The bandit laughed.
"Hahaha! And what will you do?"
Luffy smiled.
"I'll punch you."
BOOM!
One punch.
The bandit flew through three tables.
Silence.
I blinked.
"…Casual."
The others attacked.
"GET HIM!"
Chaos erupted.
Luffy dodged.
Punched.
Kicked.
Destroyed.
In seconds.
Two men unconscious.
One crying.
I stood slowly.
"…Guess I should help."
The last bandit rushed me.
Sword raised.
Fear flashed.
Then instinct moved.
I grabbed his wrist.
Twisted.
Punched.
He dropped.
Unconscious.
I stared at my fist.
"…Did I do that?"
Luffy cheered.
"WOAH! You're strong!"
"…Apparently."
The villagers thanked us.
Food.
Shelter.
Smiles.
That night, we sat outside.
Stars above.
Fire crackling.
Luffy looked at me seriously.
"Nixu."
"Yeah?"
"Be my crewmate."
I hesitated.
Then smiled.
"…Okay."
He jumped.
"YESSSS!"
Just like that…
I joined the future Pirate King.
Without knowing…
My past was already chasing me.
Chapter 3 End.