On a sunny afternoon, the summer sun blazed like a giant fireball. In this heat, everyone felt lazy and unmotivated.
However, on a small island, a group of people lay sprawled on the ground, flushed and drunk. The bones of giant beasts scattered around hinted at a recent feast.
A young boy with a bright red nose opened his eyes blearily.
"What's that?" he mumbled, spotting something in the sky. He thought he was seeing things, but the object grew clearer. He rubbed his eyes, and it was still there.
"Captain! Captain! Look at the sky!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the island.
The rest of the group slowly regained consciousness.
"Buggy, what's all the yelling about?" a voice grumbled.
The boy was Buggy, an apprentice on the Roger Pirates. The others were members of the legendary crew.
"No, Captain, look at the sky!" Buggy insisted.
Roger, the captain, squinted up at the sky. "What is that? A sword?"
A massive sword hung in the air, impossible to miss.
"Is it Shiki?" Roger wondered aloud, referring to the Golden Lion, a powerful pirate known for his ability to control floating objects.
"It must be him," agreed a man with glasses and blond hair - Silvers Rayleigh, the first mate. "But where did he get such a huge sword?"
Both men were tense. Shiki was a formidable foe, even for them.
Suddenly, the giant sword glowed white, and something detached from it, falling towards the island.
Rayleigh gripped his sword, ready to strike if needed.
"Hold on, Rayleigh," Roger said. "This might not be Shiki."
Rayleigh relaxed slightly but remained alert.
"It looks like a person," someone observed.
As the white light descended, they could make out a figure within it.
"Indeed, there's someone in there," Roger confirmed.
The crew relaxed. A single person, no matter how strong, was no threat to the Roger Pirates. Even the Whitebeard Pirates wouldn't faze them right now. They had been nervous because of the strange sight, but now there was nothing to fear.
"He won't fall and die," Buggy said, emboldened by being part of the crew.
"Who knows?" a red-haired boy, Shanks, another apprentice, replied. "Even if he does, it's not our problem."
The white light landed gently, without a sound. As it faded, a young man, about seventeen or eighteen, lay on the ground. The giant sword vanished.
All eyes were on the boy.
"That sword must be his doing," someone said.
"Hey, Buggy, see if you can wake him up and find out what's going on," Roger ordered.
Buggy grabbed a half-empty wine barrel and dumped it on the boy's head. The boy didn't react.
"Captain, he's dead," Buggy reported.
"Get lost," Rayleigh snapped. He could sense the boy's steady heartbeat.
"He's just passed out," Rayleigh said. "Buggy, Shanks, keep an eye on him. Let me know when he wakes up."
The Roger Pirates resumed their activities, some resting, others continuing to drink. They had just escaped from the clutches of Garp, the Hero of the Marines, and were in a celebratory mood.
"Hey, Buggy, watch him for a bit. I'm going to get a drink," Shanks said.
"No way, Shanks," Buggy retorted. "If anyone's getting a drink, it's me. You're on watch duty."
"Alright, alright," Shanks sighed dramatically. "I'll watch him. You go ahead and drink. I'll have some later."
Buggy was surprised by Shanks' easy agreement.
"Okay, Shanks. I'm off to drink then," Buggy said, turning to leave.
As soon as Buggy's back was turned, Shanks punched himself in the face.
"First Mate! Buggy's deserted his post! He punched me when I tried to stop him!" Shanks wailed.
Buggy, about to take a swig of wine, froze. He turned to see Shanks with a red mark on his face.
Buggy realized he had been tricked.
"First Mate, let me explain! I didn't do anything! Shanks hit himself!" Buggy protested.
"So you're saying he gave himself that bruise?" Rayleigh asked.
"Yes, exactly!" Buggy insisted.
"Do you think Shanks is stupid enough to punch himself?"
Shanks' smile faltered. Was he stupid? Maybe a little, but it was worth it for the wine.
"But Shanks really did hit himself," Buggy said desperately.
"Alright, Buggy, that's enough," Rayleigh said. "You're off duty. As for Shanks, do whatever you want."
Shanks gleefully ran off to drink.
"Shanks, you're shameless! A scoundrel!" Buggy yelled after him.
He glared at the unconscious boy. "This is all your fault! Now I can't even have a drink."
He gave the boy a light kick.