On an unknown island, the Straw Hat Pirates were facing grave danger.
The black clouds stormed around the island like it's the center while thundering.
"I want to go home!"
Goof had some tears in his eyes, he closed his eyes waiting for the huge jaw to crush him.
Luffy clenched his fist tightly and looked at the beast without fear.
Zoro and Sanji took fighting stances, their eyes observing every detail they could.
The biggest one amongst all the beast, was the one in front of Luffy.
Taking two steps forward it opened his mouth, planning to start with Luffy and Goof.
*Boom!*
An object came falling and smashed the giant beast's skull with a loud explosion.
Mud splashed around, Luffy covered his eyes with his hands to avoid it.
All the beasts on the sides stopped, their gaze fixed on the place where the sound came from.
Zoro and Sanji also looked there, as the mud finished splashing.
The giant beast had his brains out while its skull split in multiple fragments.
Red blood dyed the ground, some blood got on Luffy and Goof.
"What is that?"
Asked Zoro, he looked at the object that was standing erect on the ground.
"A staff?"
Sanji immediately recognized the object, it was golden and silver mixed in color.
*Boom*
With a blast, the ground next to the staff was crushed making more blood and flesh of the beast splash.
"This time it's just a few kids?"
With the thunder falling, the person that landed next to the staff was visible.
His voice was somewhat monkey-like. But it was exactly expected with what he looked like.
Holding the staff, the person put it on his shoulder and looked at Luffy.
He had white fur with golden armor on, and there were also white clothes hanging.
A tail that swings around, two big canine teeth on the lower jaw and orange eyes.
"Who are you? Do you know which island you have stepped on?"
The person slowly walked and stooped in front of Luffy, their heights were completely apart.
Luffy was only about 1.72 meters while the other was about 4 meters in height.
"Who are you?"
Luffy was surprised by the sudden appearance of this person who also saved their lives.
"Hey, brat! Are you deaf? I clearly asked you before. Who the hell are you? Yet you ask the same question to me!"
The person held out his index finger and hit Luffy's chest multiple times.
"Who, me?"
Asked Luffy, he stared at the person's face and had many thoughts in his head.
"Yes, you!"
The person now hit Luffy's forehead with his index finger and said.
"I am Luffy! The man who will become the pirate king!"
Luffy raised his chest and looked at the man proudly while saying so.
"Aha haha hahaha! You! A brat! Pirate King! Hahaha!"
The person when he heard Luffy introduce himself, bursted in laughter.
"What the hell is he! A monkey or human?"
Coming behind Luffy, Zoro asked as he held his swords tightly.
He was cautious towards this person just like Sanji, who was ready to attack at any moment.
"Haaa! You made me laugh good! It's been a long time since I heard a joke!"
The person held his stomach, some tears were visible in his orange eyes.
"I wasn't joking! I will become the pirate king!"
Luffy voiced but the man didn't believe it even in the slightest. He just laughed it off.
"I forgot to introduce myself because of that joke! I am Blaze!"
Blaze smiled at Luffy and others, he turned his face to look at the remaining beasts.
"Run."
With that single word from the man, all those beasts that surrounded Luffy and others ran away.
'Just with a single word!'
Goof had opened his eyes and saw the scenes uphold live.
"You all better get off this island now. If you don't want to be a meal for these Nightcrawlers. I did my job to warn you. Now your lives depend on what you choose."
Kicking the ground, Blaze flew in the sky blasting air apart and pushing Luffy backwards.
"And one more thing! Brat! I don't think you can become the pirate king!"
Halfway through, Blaze looked down and shouted with his monkey-like voice.
Luffy didn't speak back, he just stared at the flying Blaze and his eyes had a flash of light.
"Luffy, like that guy warned! We must leave before more of these Nightcrawlers come!"
Sanji had a worried face, Nami and Usopp were still on the boat alone.
What if a Nightcrawler attacks while they are away? It will mean only death for those two.
"Zoro, carry Goof and go back with together Sanji!"
Luffy held Goof and handed him over to Zoro as he turned back towards the direction where Blaze flew.
"What do you mean? Where are you planning to go!"
Zoro asked, Sanji and Goof were confused as well with Luffy's decision.
"He said I was joking when I told him that I will become the Pirate King! I must leave a message for him to believe that it was not a joke!"
Luffy took a deep breath and sprinted towards the mountains where Blaze headed.
"Damn it! Luffy! Come back!"
Zoro, Sanji and Goof could only watch as Luffy disappeared in the woods.
"Let's go! Nami and Usopp must be worried!"
Zoro started running as fast as he could with Goof on his back followed closely by Sanji.
* * *
In the ship, Nami sat on the chair and held her forehead in anger.
"What's up with Luffy? That man just laughed and joked that Luffy won't become pirate king. I also did that before, everyone did that."
Nami was stressed, she hit the dining table with her fist in anger while Usopp tried to calm her down.
"That guy didn't just joke. He was mocking and declaring that Luffy won't become the pirate king."
Zoro's voice came as the kitchen door opened and he walked in next to Usopp.
"If it were me. I would do the same. Make the person believe that I can become the greatest swordsman in the world."
Nami and Usopp stared at Zoro, who sat down in a very serious mood.
"Don't worry, Luffy will definitely come back. We should trust our captain."
Sanji brought some night snacks on the table while his eyes swiped on the window.
The rain was very heavy with loud thunder almost every minute.
The winds were very strong. If the ship was not tied to those thick trees, it would have been blown away.
Hours later, Luffy came back on the ship with his exhausted body.
The crew spent the night in the ship that held itself on the shore tightly.