East Blue, over the sparkling sea.

The weather was clear, and a gentle breeze blew. Seagulls cried as they flew over the shimmering water.

On the sea, a large, luxurious ship sailed smoothly. It was a fancy merchant ship from the Goya Kingdom.

Inside the ship, just a few minutes ago…

The air was filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses. Merchants and nobles dressed in bright clothes raised their cups, enjoying each other's company, making it a lively party.

But now, the grand hall was almost empty.

The lively room was deserted because next to the merchant ship was a ship with a swan-like bow and a pirate flag with a heart symbol.

That ship belonged to the infamous pirate, Alvida, with a bounty of five million berries. In the East Blue, where bounties averaged around three million berries, she was truly a terrifying figure.

Now, this ruthless pirate was on the ship with her main crew, taking control of the rich guests and searching for treasures.

Other small pirates roamed the ship, looking for anyone who might be hiding.

In a small, quiet room on the ship…

"Wow, I've never seen such a big barrel before! Good job, Cowardly Koby, finding something this good!"

Three classic pirate thugs—one tall, one short, and one fat—mocked as they grabbed the barrel.

"Just in time, we're thirsty!"

The dark pirate raised his fist, ready to smash open the barrel and drink.

"Uh…," said Koby, the soft-hearted boy with pink hair and thick glasses, shrinking back nervously. "Isn't this our find? If we just take it, Miss Alvida will get mad."

"Just don't let her find out!" The tall and fat pirates waved him off, like shooing away flies. "Go on, stop whining!"

Just as they finished talking—

Bang!!

The sound of the barrel breaking echoed loudly! But it wasn't the dark pirate; the barrel burst open from the inside!

A stretchy fist shot out and hit the dark pirate right in the face, sending him flying!

"Ah, that felt great!!"

A cheerful, carefree voice rang out in the room. A boy wearing a red vest and blue shorts, with straw sandals, popped out from inside.

He had short, dark hair, squinty eyes, and a bright smile—a true sunshine boy. But the most noticeable thing was the plain straw hat on his head.

"Hmm? What's going on?"

After stretching lazily, he finally looked around.

"Who are you?" he asked, looking at the stunned pirates.

"Who are you?!" the tall and fat pirates shouted back, shocked.

"That guy sleeping there will catch a cold," the boy pointed at the dark pirate lying on the ground.

"That's your fault, you idiot!!" they yelled, their anger boiling.

Clang.

The tall pirate pulled out a sword, pointing it at the boy.

"Listen here, you little brat! You know we're pirates, and you did this on purpose!"

Before they could finish, the boy had already walked over to the terrified Koby, who was crouched down, clutching his head.

"Hey, I'm hungry. Do you have any food?" he asked, casually.

"Listen to us!"

"Little punk!!"

The two pirates were furious, baring their teeth as they raised their swords high.

"Die!!"

"Hmm?"

Hearing the commotion, the boy finally turned around, and his expression became serious.

Koby, scared, curled up like an ostrich, hiding his head.

Just as the swords were about to fall—

Bang!!

Again, there was the sound of something breaking!

But this time, the noise didn't come from inside the room; it came from above.

"Ah?!"

The straw hat boy looked up at the big hole in the ceiling. Then he noticed the two pirates on the ground, knocked over, and the figure that had suddenly dropped down from above.

"???"

He crossed his arms and tilted his head, three question marks floating above his straw hat.

Meanwhile…

"Where am I?"

Link slowly opened his eyes, still feeling fuzzy.

"I remember organizing the Gadget Encyclopedia… How did I suddenly lose consciousness?"

He tried to remember everything that had happened before.