Just before setting sail, a little incident occurred.
Kaito Sakamoto learned from the Navy about a pirate crew known as the Naptime Pirates. He initially thought it was a test before going out to sea, but it turned out to be a "money-giving boy." Although it wasn't much, only that girl had a bounty, which was even less than that of the mountain bandit king, Siegfried, amounting to just 5 million Berries. Still, this was their Straw Hat Pirates' first earnings, or rather, they should call it the Pre-Straw Hat Pirates since they hadn't actually set sail yet.
.....
"Ah, aren't you coming to see us off?"
The day had arrived for Luffy and Kaito to set sail.
Dadan still couldn't bring herself to see them off, fearing she wouldn't be able to handle it.
"Even if Makino and the mayor don't mind, the other villagers will be scared of us. Just hurry up and leave already!"
Dadan turned her back on Luffy and Kaito, a cigarette dangling from her mouth, striking a pose exactly like she did on the day Ace set sail.
Since that was the case, Luffy didn't push her further.
"Well, thank you all for your care up until now."
"Dadan! I hate mountain bandits the most, but I really like you all."
Dadan couldn't hold back her tears any longer.
"Stop saying stupid things and just go already! You're all the same!"
"Hahaha."
Compared to Luffy, Kaito was quieter. As they were leaving, he had Magura hand a suitcase to Dadan.
When she opened it, she was met with a whole chest full of Berries. Kaito had left them one million Berries.
They had never seen so much money before; Dadan's eyes nearly popped out, and her tears instantly stopped—money truly was the most useful thing.
Inside the suitcase was a note that read:
"Thank you for taking care of us, Dadan and everyone."
"It's kind of cliché to send money, but I thought you all would appreciate it."
"Kaito, you brat…"
"I knew you'd understand! Hahaha! We're rich! We're rich! We can finally treat ourselves to something nice, guys!"
Dadan cheered, lifting the suitcase, and Magura and the others immediately joined in.
.....
A transition.
Kaito and Luffy were now aboard the ship.
On the dock stood Makino, the old mayor, and other residents of Windmill Village to see them off.
Dadan hadn't come, but Magura and Dogura were hiding behind, secretly watching.
The ship was no longer the same old tiny boat they had used before. It took a lot of guts for Luffy, as a Devil Fruit user, to take that rickety little boat out to sea.
This time, they just happened to run into the Naptime Pirates, and with their newfound wealth, they bought an old fishing boat from the village's old fisherman uncle for 10,000 Berries.
It wasn't too big; it could fit two or three people comfortably in the cabin. Unfortunately, the Naptime Pirates' ship was too damaged to use.
As he gazed out at the sea, Luffy raised his arms. "We're finally setting sail!!"
"The first is Sabo, the second is Ace. Even though we're the third, we can't lose, Kaito!"
"Hehe, Ace's reputation is soaring right now. We'll have to work hard to surpass him."
Kaito felt the sea breeze against his face and responded to Luffy.
"Of course! I'm going to be the King of the Pirates!!"
Luffy tightened his straw hat, his spirits high.
"Well then! Let's set off!"
Kaito smiled at Luffy. "Aye, Captain! Hoist the sails! Let's sail!!"
With passionate fervor, Kaito said this, yet afterward, he still had to sit down and paddle.
As for Luffy…
Who said there was nothing to do? Here's something!
A Sea King emerged from the ocean, surfacing in front of their fishing boat, causing it to rock with the waves.
With one eye gone, there was no mistaking it; this was the same one that had bitten off Shanks' arm.
"Sea King, I've been waiting for you! It's bad luck to run into me! Let me show you my strength after ten years of training."
Luffy stood up, pressing his left hand against his right shoulder, staring at the Sea King.
"Rubber! Rubber! Pistol!"
At the moment the Sea King opened its mouth to bite, Luffy threw a punch, directly twisting its jaw, knocking it unconscious as it sank slowly into the sea.
"Did you feel my power, you foolish fish?"
"Clap, clap, clap! Luffy, you're amazing!"
Kaito cheered, supporting his friend.
"Hehe."
"Well, first we need to gather our crew, Kaito. We should aim to find at least ten people, then get our pirate flag."
Luffy gazed out at the sea, pondering their future plans.
"I actually have a decent design for the pirate flag, but first, we need our own pirate ship."
Kaito said.
"Yeah, we need a pirate ship; it's our partner too!"
"Alright, let's take on these goals. We're setting off!!!"
Luffy shouted, raising his hands.
Kaito nodded, "Let's go!"
But suddenly, they realized a problem.
"Where are we setting off to?"
"...."
"Wherever the wind takes us! Hahahaha."
Luffy froze for a second, then cheerfully responded.
Kaito couldn't help but laugh; it was just like him, Luffy.
"Okay, then we'll go wherever the wind takes us!"
And so, Luffy and Kaito, the initial members of the Straw Hat Pirates, set off on their great journey aboard an old fishing boat, with no one knowing how to navigate.
**********
Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 60 at patreon.com/Esei01.