Chapter 5 - My Name Is.....

In a moment of unparalleled frustration and indignation, my once carefree and leisurely life, brimming with tranquility, has been shattered into a chaotic tumult by none other than a straw hat-wearing boy! Oh, the audacity! I cannot, and shall not, endure such an affront! With every step I take towards my intended destination, my stomps resonate with the intensity of my ire, causing the very ground beneath me to crack and tremble. Alas, my peaceful sojourn to this island has been marred within moments of arrival, all thanks to the reckless antics of that absolute moron!

My emotions swirl like a tempestuous whirlwind as I round the last corner of an alleyway, the pulsating fury within me nearing its boiling point. There, right before my seething eyes, stands the very epitome of my vexation, that infuriating individual to whom my ire is so ardently directed. He stands, blissfully ignorant, alongside a green-haired man, apparently preparing to board the very boat that had brought us to this island.

My fury finds voice as I unleash a bellowing cry, my words echoing through the air like thunderclaps, "There he is! Luffy, you insufferable idiot!" My pace quickens, propelled not just by my determination to confront him, but also fueled by the incandescent rage that rages within me like a blazing inferno. In that instant, both the straw hat boy and his green-haired companion turn their heads in unison, their attention captured by the raw power behind my voice and my relentless pursuit.

As I look at Luffy, my frustration boils over, and I can't help but let out a torrent of words, unable to even take a moment to catch my breath. "Why on earth can't you just behave like a normal person, just for once? Seriously, we've just set foot on this island, and you're already causing a commotion! It's beyond exasperating!"

As Luffy's eyes momentarily shift towards my approaching figure, a delightful grin widens across his face, revealing the thrill of introducing me as the other crew member he had mentioned to Zoro. With a voice tinged with mischief, he joyfully remarks, "Look, Zoro, that's the additional member of our crew!"

In response to Luffy's words, Zoro's attention is drawn to me, and he voices his thoughts, clearly unimpressed and skeptical of my potential as a valuable addition to the adventures that lie ahead. "A kid is your other crew member?" he utters, the hint of disbelief evident in his tone. "When you mentioned there was someone else, this is certainly not what I was expecting," he adds with a touch of disappointment.

Alas, my tirade doesn't seem to phase Luffy in the slightest. His expression transforms from surprise to a carefree, almost mischievous, grin, and this only serves to fuel my irritation even more. "Oh, come on!" he retorts with a nonchalant shrug, as if my frustration is no big deal. "Life is all about embracing adventure and the excitement it brings! Rules are meant to be broken, right?"

Despite my rising annoyance, I find myself momentarily struck by his perspective. Adventure does hold a certain allure, but it can't be reckless and thoughtless, can it? I take a deep breath, trying to regain composure. "Luffy, I get that adventure can be thrilling," I say, my voice steadier but still tinged with irritation. "But it's not about being an absolute moron and getting into trouble without a second thought! We have to be mindful and responsible in our actions!"

My face starts to flush with an intense surge of fury, and I feel my patience reaching its very breaking point. With an unstoppable force, I retort, my voice trembling with a passionate intensity, "Adventure is not synonymous with reckless chaos, you dimwit!" I can't help but release a deep sigh, frustrated that the message doesn't seem to get through to this seemingly impervious individual. "You never take a moment to consider the consequences of your actions, do you? It's like you're an unstoppable force of disaster, just attracting trouble wherever you go!"

Standing right beside the charismatic and free-spirited Luffy, the green-haired man attempts to mediate the situation, appealing for calmness, "Hey, let's all take a moment to breathe and talk things through." Despite his noble intentions, his soothing words seem to fall upon deaf ears, as my torrent of frustration continues to pour out in the direction of the straw hat-wearing troublemaker. As I finally manage to close the gap between us, I lock eyes with Luffy, my gaze unwavering and filled with an unwavering determination. "You may revel in your carefree ways, but you're jeopardizing the peace and leisure in my life!" I declare with a mixture of anger and desperation, hoping that my words will finally penetrate the unyielding resolve of this seemingly oblivious individual.

"Hahahah, you've returned! It seems you're eager to become part of my extraordinary crew, don't you?" Luffy's carefree tone hinted that my earlier comment was of little importance to him, which made me question if he was even real.

In a gleeful manner, he drew my attention to Zoro, the green-haired man wielding three swords on his right, proudly declaring, "Shishishi, take a look, Zoro is now a member of my crew too!" Zoro appeared ready and eager, waiting for both Luffy and me to join them on their grand adventure.

"We're setting sail now, and the best way for pirates to leave a town is with everyone hating us," Luffy said excitedly, as if they embraced the chaos and thrill of the pirate life. He confidently led the way, boarding the boat, and shot me a mischievous smile.

"Come on, don't be shy! You're coming along too, right?" Luffy playfully urged, patting the boat as an inviting gesture for me to join.

Luffy truly exhibits a level of uniqueness that sets him apart from others, almost like a boat navigating through the undulating waves of life, undeterred and embracing a sense of unrestricted freedom in his actions. I find it rather intriguing that he's extending an invitation for me to join him, and admittedly, it leaves me pondering the limited alternatives I might have at this juncture. Given our current situation as criminals, it seems, however undesirable it may be, that sticking by his side might offer some semblance of improved circumstances, no matter the difficulties that may arise from this association.

However, my hesitation arose from recent events that had transpired, including my involvement in a physical altercation with two navy soldiers. The thought of the carefree life Luffy lived seemed distant and unattainable after such encounters. "Luffy, you are truly one of a kind," I said, finding myself laughing slightly as my earlier rage that had consumed me earlier began to subside. With a mixture of curiosity and trepidation, I decided to accept Luffy's invitation and stepped onto the boat, ready to embrace the uncertain but exhilarating journey that lay ahead.

As our ship gracefully glided away from the lush island, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, the poignant echo of Koby's voice lingered in the salty sea breeze, reaching out to Luffy like a heartfelt melody. "L-Lu... L-Lu... Luffy!" Koby's voice carried the weight of exhaustion, a testament to the challenges he faced and the determination that fueled his yearning to connect with his newfound friend.

In response, Luffy turned his head, his gaze filled with genuine concern and unwavering appreciation for the young marine's determination. With a powerful voice that matched the strength of the ocean waves, "Koby!" he called back to Koby, making sure his acknowledgment resonated across the water.

From the distant shore, Koby's heart swelled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude, an emotion that he couldn't contain. "Thank you very much, cap'n Luffy! I'll never forget all you did for me!" His voice soared with emotion as he proudly saluted Luffy, his right hand firmly pressed against his forehead, a timeless gesture of respect and admiration that echoed through the ages.

The connection between Luffy and Koby was palpable, evident in the shared laughter that rippled through the air like a chorus of joyous seagulls. Luffy's wide smile shone like a beacon, a reflection of the profound bond they had forged during their brief but impactful encounter. With a heart full of hope and a sense of anticipation, he waved back at Koby, "We'll meet again, Koby!!" knowing deep within that their destinies might intertwine once more in the vast expanse of the unpredictable seas.

Heartwarming and impactful indeed, However, what truly captured my attention amidst the emotional whirlwind was the striking sight of navy soldiers, adorned in their distinct navy uniforms, standing tall and saluting our departing presence, as though we were individuals of high status within their esteemed collective ranks. It was a display that caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but exclaim in bewilderment, "What the heck!" The irony struck me immediately, as we, in essence, were seen as criminals in the eyes of the law.

In response to my baffled comment, Zoro couldn't help but let out a slight scoff, adding his own perspective to the peculiar situation. With an air of nonchalance mirroring that of Luffy's, he quipped, "Well, this is certainly a new one—a pirate being saluted by the navy." His words resonated with a sense of amusement and intrigue, making us all ponder the strange twist of fate we found ourselves in.

Luffy, undeterred by the unexpected salute and unfazed by the incongruity of the moment, maintained his unyielding focus on the journey ahead. With a passionate spirit, he looked ahead and boisterously proclaimed, "We're on our way to the grand line!!" The excitement in his voice was palpable, igniting a renewed sense of determination within each of us.

.....

As the sun slowly sinks beneath the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Luffy's voice echoes through the never-ending expanse of the sea, plaintively announcing, "I'm starving." He lies on his back, sprawled on the boat, his stomach growling with hunger. However, amidst his persistent hunger pangs, our primary concern doesn't revolve around satiating his appetite; rather, it's our current predicament that troubles us greatly. Lost in the vast, unfathomable ocean, we face a much larger issue that demands immediate attention.

With an air of concern and curiosity, Zoro steps forward and addresses Luffy, "Don't you find it peculiar that you can't navigate, Luffy?" As his gaze shifts towards Luffy, he turns to me, his voice still firm but with a hint of inquiry, "And what about you? How is it that you can't navigate either?" He seems genuinely puzzled by our lack of navigational abilities.

Feeling a mixture of exasperation and amusement, I can't help but retort, "I could easily say the same about you, mister pirate hunter." The situation strikes me as oddly comical, given that I'm grappling with the challenge of lost memories, which, in all fairness, offers a reasonable excuse for my navigational shortcomings. However, for Luffy and Zoro, there are no such plausible explanations to account for their navigational inadequacies.

"I don't recall ever calling myself that," he says, his voice calm and contemplative, as he places his left hand gently on his left cheek, displaying a hint of pensive expression. Meanwhile, his elbow finds a comfortable resting spot on the side of the boat, further emphasizing his relaxed demeanor amidst the conversation. "By the way, what's your name anyway?" he inquires, his curiosity evident in the way his eyes sparkle with interest. "If we are going to travel together, I must know that at least," he adds, his words carrying a sense of sincerity.

As Luffy begins to formulate an answer on my behalf, I take the initiative and speak up first, wanting to clarify the matter. "You can call me Tsukino, Tsukino Arashikan," I said, my voice steady and resolute. Though an unconventional name, it somehow feels fitting to my identity. "Tsukino," meaning moon, perfectly complements my distinctive blue hair, while "Arashikan," meaning storm, aptly captures the turbulent nature of my thoughts and emotions.

Upon hearing my sudden introduction, Luffy, his brows slightly furrowed, raises a question, breaking the momentary silence. "I thought you didn't remember your name?" he inquires, tilting his head to the side, an expression of genuine puzzlement painted across his face. Without hesitation, I respond, "I don't. I made it all up," revealing my decision to craft an identity that aligns with the essence of my being, even in the absence of clear memories.