As they prepared to set sail, a little surprise awaited Kaito Sakamoto. He learned from the navy that this pirate crew was called the "Somnolent Pirate Crew." He initially thought this was a test before embarking on their journey, but it turned out to be more of a "money delivery service." Surprisingly, there wasn't much; only that girl had a bounty, and it was less than that of the Mountain Bandit King, Sig. Her bounty was only 5 million Beri.
However, this marked their first earnings as the Straw Hat Pirates—or should I say, the soon-to-be Straw Hat Pirates, since they hadn't even set sail yet.
.....
"Ah, aren't you going to see us off?"
The day had come for Luffy and Kaito to embark on their journey. Dadan couldn't bring herself to send them off; she was afraid she wouldn't handle it well.
"Even if Makino and the mayor don't mind, the other villagers might be scared of us. You should hurry and go." Dadan turned her back to Luffy and Kaito, cigarette in mouth, standing just like she had on the day Ace set out to sea.
With that, Luffy didn't push her any further.
"Thank you all for your care until now."
"Dadan! I hate mountain bandits, but I really like you guys."
That did it; Dadan couldn't hold back her tears any longer.
"Stop saying foolish things and hurry up and go, all of you."
"Hahahaha."
Compared to Luffy, Kaito didn't say much. As they were leaving, he had Morgura hand a suitcase to Dadan.
When Dadan opened it, she was met with a chest full of Beri. Kaito had left them a million Beri.
They had never seen so much money before, and Dadan's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Her tears immediately stopped; indeed, money was the most useful thing of all.
Inside the Beri was a note that read:
"Thank you for taking care of us, Dadan, and everyone."
"Sending money seems so common, but I thought you'd really like it."
"White kid..."
"I knew you'd understand, hahaha! We're rich! We can finally order something nice, boys!"
Dadan cheered, holding up the suitcase, and Morgura and the others immediately joined in the celebration.
.....
A scene change later, Kaito and Luffy were already on the ship.
At the dock were Makino, the old mayor, and other residents of Windmill Village, who had come to see them off.
Dadan hadn't come, but Morgura and Morgula were hiding in the back, watching secretly.
The ship wasn't the same old lonely boat they had before. Honestly, it took guts for Luffy, a mere ability user, to set sail on that tiny wreck.
This time, they had run into the Somnolent Pirate Crew and, with the money they had, bought an old fishing boat from the village's old fisherman for 10,000 Beri.
It wasn't too big; it could fit two or three people in the cabin, but sadly, the Somnolent Pirate Crew's ship was too damaged to be usable.
Looking out at the sea, Luffy raised his arms. "We're finally setting sail!!"
"The first was Sabo, the second was Ace. Although we're the third, we can't lose, Kaito."
"Hey, hey, Ace's name is really high up there now. To surpass him, we have to work hard."
Kaito felt the sea breeze on his face as he replied to Luffy.
"Of course! I'm going to be the King of the Pirates!!"
Luffy tightened his straw hat and replied, filled with determination.
"Then! Let's set off!"
Kaito smiled at Luffy. "Aye, Captain! Hoist the sails! Set sail!!"
His passionate words were followed by the need to sit down and row.
As for Luffy…
Who said he had nothing to do? Here we go.
A Sea King rose from the depths, appearing before their fishing boat, causing it to sway violently in the waves.
With its one blind eye, there was no mistaking it; it was the same creature that had bitten off Shanks' arm.
"Sea King, I've been waiting for you! You're unlucky to run into me! Let me show you the strength I've trained for ten years."
Luffy stood up, pressing his left hand against his right shoulder, staring at the Sea King.
"Rubber! Rubber! Gun!"
At the moment the Sea King opened its mouth to bite, Luffy threw a punch that misaligned the Sea King's jaw, knocking it unconscious as it slowly sank beneath the waves.
"Did you see my strength, you silly fish?"
"Clap, clap, clap! Luffy is amazing!"
Kaito cheered for him.
"Hey hey!"
"Now, first we need to gather our crew. Kaito, it's best if we can find ten people, then we'll get the pirate flag."
Luffy gazed at the sea, dreaming of their future.
"I actually have a great design for a pirate flag, but first, we need our own pirate ship."
Kaito replied.
"Yeah, and we need a pirate ship. The ship is also our partner."
"Right, with these goals in mind, let's set off!!!"
Luffy raised his hands in excitement.
Kaito nodded. "Let's go!"
But then he suddenly realized a problem.
"Where are we headed?"
"...."
"Wherever we go, that's where we'll be! Hahahaha."
Luffy paused for a moment, then cheerfully continued.
Kaito couldn't help but laugh. "Well, that's you, Luffy."
"Okay, then wherever we go, it counts!"
And so, Luffy and Kaito, the initial members of the Straw Hat Pirates, set sail on an old fishing boat, embarking on their great journey of wherever the wind would take them, without a single person who knew navigation.
**************
Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 86 at patreon.com/Esei01.