[ Ray's Pov ]
" Huh? "
That was the only word that left my mouth as The Monkey D Luffy, Son of the Leader of the Revolutionary Army, Grandson of A Marine Vice Admiral and last but not the least my favourite fictional character for the last 5 Years had asked me to join his Crew.
I look at his Grinning expression and then look at Coby's confused expression as i think about this situation.
Now mostly i am a calm person, but this situation was making me both exited and conflicted.
I had been thrown from one revelation to another and i hadn't even had time to prosess that. And now the world's most powerful trouble magnet was asking me to accompany him on a journey filled with death scenario at every corner.
As the island was about 10-20 meters distance from us, I thought that the best thing to do was to sort out my Thoughts.
" I...I will think about it and give you my answer before either you or I depart from this island. "
I said as Coby tied the boat up at the pier.
" Hum, hum, Ok, I'll wait for you. " Says Luffy as we all got off the boat.
He then suddenly gets excited and then points towards the town and says. " Till then Lets go find this Zoro guy and see if he is a good guy or not. "
" He's in Prison, Of course he's not a good guy! " Replies Coby as i looked towards some people that were in the watching distance.
Most people were wearing rubber boots or were bare feet. The fashion was alot of miss matched regular day clothes.
Like T-shirts, Shirts, Shorts and full pants. Some people were even wearing overalls. Most people here were carrying fishing equipment.
It looked like a scene from a rural fishing village.
As i was observing and comparing my modern 20th century life to life of people here, I heard a loud rumble, which after looking at Luffy rubbing his stomach and showing a sad expression had me realising that it was coming from his stomach.
" Ahh, I'm Hungry! Let's go Eat first, then lets look for Zoro later. " Says Luffy before rushing towards the closest looking restaurant.
Coby and I just sigh at this and walk into the Restaurant named Food Foo.
One thing i had noticed was that everything was mostly build from wood, from boats to houses. Even as we sat at the table with luffy, i noticed that even the Bowels and spoons were made of wood, though the plates were still ceramic.
The Restaurant was pretty much empty save for a few people, so our entry garnered some glances.
" Welcome to our restaurant! What would you like to eat and drink? You can give your order to me. "
I look towards the little girl in pig tails asking us while writing something on a small notepad.
Without even giving us a chance to order Luffy just yells out, " Meat!! Lots of Meat! "
I sigh and speak as well, " Steak is fine for me too and some Whiskey if you keep some. What about you Coby?"
I had just recently turned 18 but had already been drinking for a while now, so i had a craving for some numbness after all i had been through today.
" Ahh, Well I guess i'll also just have the steak with some potatoes as well. " Says Coby while smiling towards the little girl.
" Ok, Steaks for three and one with Potatoes on the side. Ahh, but mister we don't have any whiskey but a big barrel of wine arrived just yesterday! Do you want some? " Says the little girl after she writes everything down with a concentrated face.
After looking at the writing i realised that the even though i didn't have a clue of the language, i could read and understand everything that was written.
" Wow, You're quiet smart for your age. Already knowing how to write! " Says Coby.
' Huh, That's right! Schools here are a luxury so having the knowledge to read and write isn't that common.'
The girl shows a proud expression and then looks towards me, waiting for my reply.
"No, thanks. Just the food and some water please. " Not looking to get super drunk i replied relectantly.
The girl just nods and walks through a back door, towards the kitchen.
" Ano. Luffy san, Ray san...How much money do you have? I have only about 2000 bellies that i hid from those pirates. " Asks Coby with an embarrassed face.
' Now that i think about it...Do i even have any money. ' As i come to a realisation and start checking my pockets as Luffy does the same.
" Hooo!! I found....only 100 bellies... " Says Luffy as he goes from exited about finding money to disappointed about how much he found.
Meanwhile i finally feel something in the inner pocket of my hoodie.
My new outfit was quite weird. I wore black jogger pants and a black arm less shirt that came up to my chin. On top of that i was wearing a front open baggy gray hoodie.
The item as i took it out to see was actually a bundle of cash and a small note saying good luck.
I clenched my jaw and just put the stuff back into my pocket.
" Don't worry about the money Coby. You guys eat all you want its my treat, for saving me from drowning. "
Listening to this both of them visibly perked up.
" Really, Thank you Gray!!! You're the best. " Says Luffy.
Just looking at that grinning face, i can't help as a smile formed on my face.
Even though he pronounced my name wrong.
" Thanks Ray san. I'll definitely repay you as soon as i join the Marines. " Says Coby with a determined look on his blushing face.
I just chuckle at this and wave it off.
As we were making small talk, most Coby trying to convince Luffy to give up on looking for Zoro. Our food finally arrived.
It would have been a calm and a really delicious meal had i not been unerved by the way luffy was beginning to expand after each plate.
Even the restaurant's staff and customers were shocked by the amount Luffy was eating. This sight made the almost empty place brim with people and customers. Although the little waiter girl was nowhere to be seen now replaced by an older woman taking orders as she took glance at our table.
Soon after finishing his meal, Luffy's balloon like stomach suddenly deflated.
" Ahh, I'm stuffed! Thanks for the food Gray."
Luffy says to me as he starts to get up from the table.
" Don't mention it afterall you did save my life, its the least i can do for you. " I reply to him and then i too get up and think about what to do next.
I couldn't just aimlessly be led by Luffy's charisma anymore.
This was the One Piece world! I had to figure some stuff out, remember more details about the story i may have forgotten and come up with a plan to grow strong fastest way possible.
As i start to move towards the counter to pay for our meal, i hear Luffy say to Coby, " Yosh, Now lets go find this Pirate hunter Zoro!! "
It was one thing to see the people getting scared and jump about just by hearing a name on a screen, where it was somewhat funny but actually seeing all the people around you go dead quiet and stare at a person behind you was very scary.
Luffy just looks at this with a tilted head.
" Weird.. Anyways Coby you're coming with me right? After all we are going to the Marine Base. " asks Luffy with a confused look.
" Hai, I heard that the commander of this base is Captain Morgan.." before Coby could finish his sentence some of the people just fell down unconscious.
If before it was just shock now i could feel people's fear as it was palabe, they were shaking and breaking out into sweats.
I just sigh and calm myself down. This was the least bizzare thing that i am going to encounter, if I don't adapt quickly to this new environment i might not even survive the Weakest of the blues.
" Sigh, Luffy. Just take Coby and go, i will stay here for a bit. " I say to Luffy as i took the bill from the brown short haired woman who looked like she was about to collapse.
" Huuh, Ok. Let's go Coby! " Says Luffy with a serious face and the left the restaurant as Coby soon followed after him.
When i look at the bill in my hand my eyes twitch.
I took out the bundle of money and was relieved to see that i had enough and a lot extra too.
After paying the bill and asking for a quiet room for the rest of the day from the lady.
I locked myself in said room and didn't come out till i heard the some commotion downstairs.
When i came downstairs the first thing i saw was coby lying on the ground breathing heavily as Luffy standing over him but being held back by a green haired guy who had three swords on his waist, a cloth tied around his bisep and a green shash on his abdomen.
" Another one! Who are you!? Are you with the Pirates as well? " Asks a guy in Blue and White Navy outfit wearing a cap that had MARINE written on it.
I had finnally made up my mind. I would live this life to the fullest, find the f**ker who messed with my life and make him pay.
And that all would start from my decision right here.
I grin as widely as i could and look towards Luffy as he we meet gazes. Then declared.
" Thats right! He's my Captain, Monkey D Luffy. "
" ShiShishishishi " And he just Laughed.