Chereads / The New Dawn of Monkey D. Luffy / Chapter 5 - Chapter 5:The Buffoon and the Thief's Inner Battle

Chapter 5 - Chapter 5:The Buffoon and the Thief's Inner Battle

After a day at sea, the sun hung high in the sky as the crew finally reached their destination: Orange Town. Luffy, with his usual enthusiasm, led them to see Chouchou, the loyal dog who had become a symbol of resilience and loyalty. The pet food shop, which Chouchou considered his last relic and treasure from his deceased owner, still stood intact. Chouchou sat faithfully in front of the store, guarding it from any lingering threats of Buggy's pirates.

Luffy immediately approached Chouchou, crouching down to pat the loyal dog on the head. They shared a moment of understanding and respect. "You're a good boy, Chouchou," Luffy said with a grin, appreciating the dog's dedication.

Nami and Zoro watched the interaction, puzzled. Nami crossed her arms, smirking. "Luffy, are you making friends with every animal we meet?" she teased.

Zoro chuckled, adding, "Next thing you know, he'll be talking to seagulls."

Luffy laughed, "Hey, seagulls are great listeners!"

After a moment of silence, Nami and Zoro exchanged puzzled glances. Luffy had led them to a seemingly ordinary pet food shop, where a dog sat vigilantly at the entrance. The dog's unwavering gaze and the way Luffy interacted with him piqued their curiosity.

"Hey, Luffy," Nami began, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Why did you bring us here? What's so special about this dog and this shop?"

Zoro nodded in agreement, crossing his arms. "Yeah, and how do you know about this place? You seem to know a lot more than you let on."

Luffy grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is Chouchou! He's guarding this pet food shop, which was his owner's. Even after his owner passed away, Chouchou stayed here to protect it from Buggy's pirates."

Nami and Zoro exchanged another glance, their curiosity deepening. Nami decided to voice the questions that had been nagging at her. "Luffy, how do you know so much about us? You knew my name and that I'm a navigator before I even told you. And Zoro's dream... you seemed to know that too."

Zoro nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, it's like you have some kind of sixth sense or something. How do you know all this stuff?"

Luffy chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Do you want to know? Do you want to know?"

Nami leaned in, intrigued. "Yes, I do."

Luffy burst into laughter, his signature carefree spirit shining through. "I don't want to tell you! Shishishishishishi!"

Nami rolled her eyes, a mix of exasperation, slight anger, and amusement on her face. "You're impossible, Luffy."

Zoro smirked, shaking his head. "Figures. I should've known you'd pull something like that."

Despite their initial frustration, Nami and Zoro couldn't help but smile at Luffy's playful nature. It was moments like these that reminded them why they had chosen to follow him on this unpredictable journey.

As they stood together, watching Chouchou guard his beloved shop, the crew felt a sense of camaraderie growing among them. Despite the mysteries and uncertainties, they knew they were part of something special—a crew bound by trust, adventure, and the promise of new beginnings.

With a renewed sense of purpose, the crew finally set off toward the Buggy Pirates' camp, determined to put an end to their terror in Orange Town. Luffy led the way, his usual enthusiasm infectious. "Let's go kick some pirate butt!" he exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air.

As they reached the camp, Luffy's voice boomed through the air, "COME OUT!!! YOU BIG-NOSE!" His comrades Zoro and Nami stood beside him, brimming with anticipation.

Moments later, Buggy emerged, his face twisted in fury. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING BIG-NOSE, YOU STRAW HAT BASTARD?!" he bellowed, brandishing a finger at Luffy, Zoro, and Nami from atop a nearby pub. "Flashily fire the Buggy Ball!!"

"Great, now he's mad," Nami muttered, slapping Luffy on the head in exasperation. "Why did you say that, you idiot?" she scolded, quickly moving out of the line of fire.

"Hey, Luffy! Run!" Zoro shouted, sensing the imminent danger.

Just then, Buggy and Luffy spoke in unison. Luffy, brimming with confidence, declared, "That won't work on me!" Meanwhile, Buggy roared, "Time to blow out!"

"Gum Gum BALLOON!" Luffy shouted as he inhaled deeply, his body inflating comically. The cannonball shot towards him, but instead of hitting him, it bounced harmlessly off, sending everyone else reeling in shock. Luffy rocketed towards Buggy and his crew, a wide grin plastered across his face.

Buggy's eyes widened in disbelief. "No, no, no! Not the Buggy Ball!" he stammered, but it was too late. The cannonball exploded, showering debris everywhere as Luffy deflated to his usual shape.

"Is that a Devil Fruit?" came a voice from the wreckage. The dust settled, revealing Buggy holding Mohji in his right hand and another random pirate in his left, while Cabaji clung to Richie, the lion, to shield himself from the chaos.

(Basically The Fight From The Anime)

Luffy looked at Buggy in disgust for using his men as human shields, while Nami shot a concerned glance at him. "Captain, allow me to kill these worms," Cabaji sneered, standing next to Buggy.

"Very well then, Cabaji," Buggy replied with a wave, and Cabaji pulled a sword from his mouth before hopping onto a unicycle. He sped towards Luffy, intent on skewering him, only for Zoro to leap in front and block the attack with his blade.

"If you're a swordsman, your fight is with me," Zoro said, glaring at Cabaji with a steely resolve.

"Roronoa Zoro," Cabaji smirked. "Defeating you will boost our reputation." He pulled down his scarf and breathed fire into Zoro's face, causing the swordsman to back off momentarily. The clash began, Cabaji performing circus tricks and utilizing spinning tops, while Zoro effortlessly deflected each attack, looking bored as the fight dragged on.

"Are you going to fight, or just do tricks all day?" Zoro asked, his patience wearing thin. Meanwhile, Nami had quietly snuck off, eyeing Buggy's treasure with greedy intent.

"Don't worry. I'll finish you off with my greatest attack!" Cabaji boasted, speeding off toward a nearby building. He rode up the side and launched himself high into the air, aiming to strike Zoro down. However, Buggy, in a desperate attempt to keep Zoro occupied, sent his hand flying toward him.

"AHHH!" Buggy screamed as Luffy stomped down on it, crushing his fingers and sending Buggy's hand scrambling back to him.

"Hands off Zoro's fight, Big Nose!" Luffy declared, smirking at Buggy's predicament.

"WHO HAS A BIG NOSE?!" Buggy screamed, anger boiling over as Zoro dodged Cabaji's attack with ease.

"Enough games!" Zoro growled, readying himself for a decisive strike.

"Fine! I'll finish you off with my swordsmanship!" Cabaji yelled, charging at Zoro.

"Oni...GIRI!" Zoro called, unleashing a powerful slash that incapacitated Cabaji in one fell swoop.

"The Buggy pirates...lost to...this trash?" Cabaji gasped before collapsing, his pride shattered.

"We're not trash. We're pirates!" Zoro replied, sheathing his swords with a determined glint in his eyes.

"Enough!" Buggy roared, pulling out daggers with his remaining hand. "I don't care what you are! You're all going to die by my hands!" He shouted, "Chop Chop Cannon!" as his hand flew toward Luffy, ready to slice him.

"What the?!" Zoro exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief as Luffy sidestepped the attack just in time. Buggy laughed maniacally. "The Chop Chop Fruit! I can never be killed by a sword!"

Luffy merely smirked and vanished, leaving Buggy looking around for him in confusion.

"Up here!" Luffy called from a rooftop behind Buggy. Buggy fumed, his anger rising.

"Hold still, Straw Hat!" he bellowed, launching himself at Luffy again, only for Luffy to disappear once more and reappear back where Buggy was.

"Why can't you stay still?!" Buggy shouted in frustration. He looked up and noticed Luffy's straw hat. "That hat of yours reminds me of that blasted Red-Haired."

"You mean Shanks?" Luffy interjected, bracing himself for Buggy's inevitable tirade. "This is his hat. He gave it to me. I promised to return it to him one day."

"No wonder that hat pisses me off!" Buggy shouted, launching into a rant about his past with Shanks, detailing how he lost his treasure map and ability to swim after Shanks saved him from drowning.

"Doesn't that mean Shanks saved your ass?" Zoro chimed in, intrigued.

"NOT MY POINT!" Buggy screamed. "Because of Shanks, I'll never get the treasure in the sea, so I'll take all the treasure on land!"

Just then, Buggy's attention shifted as he spotted Nami, who was sneaking away with his treasure slung over her shoulder. "You dare steal from me, Nami?!" he screeched, charging after her.

"Crap! He saw me!" Nami yelped, sprinting away as Buggy pursued her. Unbeknownst to Buggy, Luffy was stealthily approaching his lower half.

In an instant, Buggy was a foot away from Nami when he suddenly stopped, his face contorted in agony. Nami opened her eyes cautiously and saw Buggy frozen in place. She turned to see Luffy, who had just kicked Buggy in the nuts, a cheeky grin plastered on his face.

"Your fight is with me, Buggy," Luffy said, stepping forward. He made sure not to use all his strength; even enemies deserved some mercy.

"Ouch." Zoro winced, a smirk tugging at his lips, not feeling sorry for Buggy at all.

Buggy floated into the air again, a look of sheer rage on his face. "Time to finish you all off! CHOP CHOP...FESTIVAL!" he screamed as he chased after Nami to reclaim his treasure.

Luffy scanned the ground and grinned mischievously as he spotted Buggy's feet. He scooped them up, squeezing them in a death grip. Buggy's scream of pain echoed as Luffy hurled his feet at him, one foot getting stuck in his mouth while the other slammed against his face, sending Buggy crashing into the treasure bag Nami had been collecting.

All of Buggy's pieces went limp, and Luffy burst into laughter. As Buggy groggily pried his foot out of his mouth, he looked around in horror at his scattered body parts.

"BLEH! I think I stepped in something!" Buggy coughed, glaring at Luffy with newfound hatred. "You bastard! Chop Chop Reassemble!" he shouted, trying to call his disassembled body parts back, but only managing to retrieve his head, only to end up with his head, hands, and feet. "AHHHHH! WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?!"

"Hey, Buggy," Nami called. Everyone looked to see her with her foot keeping Buggy's tied-up parts in place. "Missing something?"

"MY PARTS! GIVE THEM BACK YOU WITCH!"

"Alright. Say goodbye Buggy!" Luffy yelled as he stretched his arms back before running towards Buggy. Buggy screamed in terror as Luffy's arm came forward. "GUM GUUUUM BAZOOKA!"

And like the first time, Buggy was sent flying off into the distance. "Finally. That guy was giving me a headache with all that talking." Zoro said as he walked over to Luffy.

Luffy stared off at where Buggy flew while Nami gathered the treasure in two smaller bags before joining them both and pulling out the Grand Line chart. "

Alright. I've got Buggy's treasure and the chart, so we're ready to leave whenever you two," she said as she hugged her treasure close to her.

They were about to leave but were stopped when they heard footsteps behind them. They turned to see the townspeople returning, armed and ready to defend their home. However, the scene before them was not what they expected. The remnants of Buggy's crew were scattered, and Buggy himself was nowhere to be seen.

The leader of the group, an elderly man with a determined expression, stepped forward, his eyes scanning the area. "What happened here?" he asked, his voice a mix of caution and curiosity.

Luffy, Zoro, and Nami exchanged glances before Luffy stepped forward with his usual carefree grin. "We took care of Buggy and his crew for you!" he announced proudly, pointing a thumb at himself.

The townspeople murmured among themselves, their expressions shifting from suspicion to relief. The elderly man Boodle, who seemed to be the mayor, nodded slowly. "So, you defeated Buggy?" he asked, his tone softening.

"Yep! Sent him flying!" Luffy replied, mimicking the motion with his hand.

The mayor's eyes widened in surprise, and then a smile broke across his face. "You've saved our town!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, thank you so much!"

The townspeople erupted into cheers, their weapons lowered as they rushed forward to express their thanks. 

"You three have done us a great service," Boodle said, his voice choked with emotion. "We owe you our freedom."

Nami, ever practical, couldn't help but smile at the praise. "Well, it was a team effort," she said, glancing at her crewmates.

Zoro nodded, a rare smile on his face. "Just doing what needed to be done."

Luffy, ever the optimist, laughed. "And we had fun doing it!"

The townspeople insisted on throwing a celebration in their honor, and soon the square was filled with music, food, and laughter. As the festivities continued, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami found themselves surrounded by grateful townsfolk, each eager to share their thanks and stories.

As the night wore on, the Straw Hat crew sat together, enjoying the feast and the company of their new friends. They knew that more adventures awaited them on the Grand Line, but for now, they were content to bask in the warmth of camaraderie and the joy of a hard-fought victory.

Nami raised her glass, smiling at her crewmates. "To new adventures and more treasure!" she toasted.

Zoro nodded, a rare smile on his face. "And to kick more pirate butt," he added.

Luffy, with a mouthful of food, grinned widely. "And to make more friends along the way!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious.

The crew laughed, their camaraderie stronger than ever, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead on their journey.

The crew laughed, their camaraderie stronger than ever, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead on their journey.

---

**Next Morning**

As the sun rose, casting a golden hue over the ocean, the crew busied themselves with restocking the boat. The sail, now painted with Buggy's flag, fluttered gently in the morning breeze. Nami, Zoro, and Luffy worked together.

Nami paused, wiping her brow, and looked over at Luffy. "So, where's our next destination?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

Luffy, with his usual enthusiasm, replied, "Usopp Island!"

Nami sighed, a tired smile on her face. "And I'm asking, where is this Usopp island?" she retorted, her tone playful yet exasperated.

Zoro, overhearing the exchange, chuckled from where he was organizing supplies. "Sounds like another one of Luffy's made-up names," he teased.

Luffy, seemingly lost in thought, stared off into the distance. His mind raced as he tried to recall the correct name. 'The name Usopp Island is S...sy...' he pondered, his brow furrowing and face becoming light red in concentration.

Suddenly, a light bulb seemed to go off in his head, and he cried out, "Syrup Village!"

Nami and Zoro exchanged amused glances, their captain's antics never failing to entertain them. Despite the challenges they faced, moments like these reminded them of the joy and unpredictability of their journey together.

With their supplies restocked and their course set, the boat sailed onward. As they departed, Boodle, Chouchou, and the rest of the townsfolk gathered at the shoreline, waving their hands in farewell.

"Goodbye! Thank you for saving our town!" they called out, their voices filled with gratitude and warmth.

Luffy, Nami, and Zoro stood at the ship's railing, waving back with smiles on their faces. The bonds they had formed with the people of the town were a testament to the impact of their adventures, leaving behind not just memories but also friendships.

As the island grew smaller in the distance, the crew felt a renewed sense of purpose. The open sea stretched out before them, promising new challenges and discoveries. With Syrup Village as their next destination, they were ready to embrace whatever lay ahead, united by their shared dreams and unwavering camaraderie.

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Nami stood at the bow, her heart heavy with the weight of her dilemma. The recent victory against Buggy the Clown had brought them treasure and a crucial map, yet her mind was consumed by the secrets she carried. She had joined Luffy's crew with the intention of using them to gather enough money to buy back her village from Arlong's clutches. But as she spent more time with them, she found herself questioning her motives.

Luffy's carefree nature and unwavering belief in his friends had a way of breaking down the walls she had built around her heart. However, the revelation that he was the grandson of Monkey D. Garp, the legendary Marine hero, had sent shockwaves through her. Could she trust him with her secret? She didn't want him fighting Arlong, as she feared he wasn't yet strong enough to face him. But if she asked him to seek his grandfather's help, would he see her as just another thief, a liar who had deceived him and his crew?

The fear of rejection, of losing the fragile bonds she had formed, was almost paralyzing. A small part of her selfishly wished to forget everything and continue sailing with them, but she couldn't forget her sister Nojiko, her father figure Genzo, and the rest of the villagers who depended on her.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps. Looking behind her, she found Luffy walking toward her.

"Hey, Nami," Luffy called out with a serious look, his straw hat casting a shadow over his eyes. "We need to talk."

Nami hesitated, her heart a tumult of emotions. She had always been the navigator, the one who charted the course and kept everyone on track. But now, she felt lost in her own sea of doubts.

"About what?" Nami asked, confused and shakily.

Luffy stopped a few steps away from her, his expression unusually serious. "I know about Arlong and what he's doing to your village," he said quietly.

Nami's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't expected him to know about Arlong Park and the terror it brought to her home. Her heart raced as she tried to process his words.

"How... how did you find out?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'll tell you, but not now," Luffy said with determined eyes.

"When then?" Nami asked. Luffy replied, "When I gather our crew together. We are three now, and seven to go."

Nami felt a rush of vulnerability wash over her. "I... I didn't want you to know. I thought I could handle it alone," she admitted, her voice trembling. The weight of her secrets felt heavier now that Luffy was aware.

Luffy stepped closer, his eyes filled with determination. "You don't have to face it alone, Nami. We're a crew, and we look out for each other. If Arlong is hurting your village, then we need to do something about it."

"But you don't understand," Nami said, frustration bubbling up. "Arlong is powerful. He's not just some petty thief. If you confront him without a plan… it could end badly."

Luffy's expression softened. "We can figure it out together. I don't care if he's strong. I want to help you."

Nami stared at him, the sincerity in his words piercing through her doubts. She felt the familiar ache of longing for freedom and safety for her village, but the fear of endangering Luffy and the crew made her hesitate. "I just—"

"You're worried about us, aren't you?" Luffy interjected, tilting his head slightly. "But you're not alone anymore. Trust me. Let us help you. That's what friends do."

For a moment, Nami was speechless, grappling with the warmth of his unwavering support. She had always carried the burden of protecting her loved ones alone, but Luffy was offering her something she had never truly accepted: partnership.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. "I just don't want to lose you all," she confessed, her voice cracking.

Luffy hugged her and told her that everything was going to be okay. "If we fail, we can always call my gramps to come and clean up Arlong," he said with a light laugh.

Just then, Zoro appeared, having overheard the conversation. "So, where to next, Captain?" he asked, his voice steady and confident.

Luffy grinned, his eyes shining with determination. "First, we gather more nakama," he declared, using the word for "comrades" that held so much meaning for them. "And then, we take down Arlong and free your village."

Nami felt a renewed sense of hope. With Luffy, Zoro, and the rest of the crew by her side, she believed they could face anything together. As they stood together at the bow of the ship, the sun setting on the horizon, Nami felt a sense of belonging she hadn't experienced in a long time. With her friends by her side, she was ready to face whatever lay ahead, knowing that they would fight for each other and the freedom of her village. Together, they would chart a new course, one filled with adventure, friendship, and the promise of a brighter future.