The sun glimmered brightly over the calm waves of the East Blue, its rays reflecting like diamonds on the water's surface. In the small and quiet Windmill Village, nestled by the sea, the atmosphere was peaceful—except for the rowdy commotion inside the village tavern.
"C'mon, drink up, Shanks!" a deep voice bellowed, followed by laughter and the clinking of mugs.
Inside, a lively group of pirates had turned the humble tavern into a party hall. At the head of the group sat their captain, a laid-back man with striking red hair and a carefree grin. This was "Red-Haired" Shanks, a man whose reputation as a pirate struck fear into many, but whose demeanor was surprisingly relaxed.
Among the boisterous pirates was a small boy with wide, curious eyes and a scar under his left eye. He wore a straw hat far too big for his head and clung to Shanks' every word. This was Monkey D. Luffy, a boy of barely seven, but already brimming with dreams of adventure.
"Shanks! I've decided—I'm going to be a pirate just like you!" Luffy announced boldly, puffing out his chest.
The pirates erupted in laughter, and Shanks ruffled the boy's messy black hair. "Oh, really? Think you've got what it takes to sail the seas?"
"Of course! I'm strong, and I'm not afraid of anything!" Luffy declared, his voice firm despite the laughter around him.
Shanks chuckled and raised his mug. "Well, being a pirate isn't just about being strong, kid. You've gotta have guts, a good crew, and a sense of adventure."
"And a love for partying!" one of the crew added, raising his drink.
The tavern exploded in cheers again, but Luffy wasn't deterred. "I'll show you! I'll prove how tough I am!"
Before anyone could stop him, Luffy grabbed a knife from the table. Without hesitation, he slashed a deep cut beneath his left eye, blood trickling down his cheek.
The room went silent.
"Luffy! What the hell are you doing?!" Shanks exclaimed, his usual grin replaced with alarm.
The boy grinned through the pain. "See? I'm not afraid of anything!"
Shanks stared for a moment before bursting into laughter, his concern replaced with admiration. "You're one crazy kid, Luffy."
The pirates resumed their celebration, but the moment had left an impression.
Days later, the Red-Haired Pirates were still anchored near the village, and Luffy had made it his mission to hang around Shanks and his crew. He admired their carefree spirits and marveled at their stories of the Grand Line, a dangerous and mysterious stretch of sea where the greatest pirates ventured.
However, there was one treasure aboard Shanks' ship that intrigued Luffy more than anything else: a strange-looking fruit kept in a small chest.
"What's this thing, Shanks?" Luffy asked one day, pointing at the fruit.
Shanks smirked. "That's a Devil Fruit. Eating one gives you incredible powers, but it comes with a price. You'll never be able to swim again."
Luffy's eyes widened. "What kind of powers?"
"It depends on the fruit. But trust me, kid, it's not something you just eat for a snack." Shanks' warning was clear, but the boy's curiosity was stronger.
Later that day, as the pirates were unloading supplies, Luffy sat on the ship, staring at the fruit. His stomach growled. "It doesn't look that special," he muttered before taking a big bite.
Almost immediately, he regretted it.
"Blegh! This tastes awful!" he exclaimed, spitting out the remains.
Before he could process what he'd done, the pirates returned. Shanks froze, his eyes locking onto the half-eaten fruit in Luffy's hands.
"Luffy… tell me you didn't eat that!"
The boy blinked, confused. "I was hungry…"
Shanks slapped his forehead, groaning. "Do you have any idea what you've done? That was the Gomu Gomu no Mi! You're a rubber man now!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Luffy asked, tilting his head.
Shanks grabbed the boy's arm and stretched it across the deck like a slingshot. Luffy's jaw dropped. "Whoa! I'm like… rubber!"
The pirates roared with laughter, but Shanks' expression was serious. "Luffy, this isn't a game. You can never swim again. In the world of pirates, that's a big deal."
But Luffy didn't seem fazed. "Who cares? I'm gonna be the Pirate King! I don't need to swim!"
Shanks stared at the boy, a grin slowly forming. "You've got spirit, kid."
One fateful day, while Shanks and most of his crew were out at sea, trouble came to Windmill Village. A group of mountain bandits, led by a brutish man named Higuma, barged into the tavern where Luffy was enjoying a meal.
The bandits sneered at the boy. "You're that brat who hangs around with those pirates, aren't you?" Higuma taunted.
"Leave me alone!" Luffy shouted, standing his ground.
The bandits laughed. "What are you gonna do, rubber boy? Bounce us away?"
When Luffy refused to back down, Higuma grabbed the boy by the arm, lifting him off the ground. "You've got guts, kid, but you're out of your league."
As Higuma's grip tightened, Luffy's arm stretched unnaturally, shocking everyone.
"What the—?!"
"I told you, I'm a rubber man!" Luffy shouted, struggling to free himself.
Before the situation could escalate further, the tavern doors slammed open.
Shanks and his crew stood in the doorway, their carefree expressions replaced with cold determination.
"Let the boy go," Shanks said, his voice calm but firm.
Higuma smirked. "And what are you gonna do about it, pirate?"
Without a word, one of Shanks' crew stepped forward, unsheathing his sword. The bandits quickly realized they were outmatched and fled, dragging Higuma with them.
But the danger wasn't over. Higuma, desperate and humiliated, returned later that day, grabbing Luffy and taking him to sea. "Let's see if those pirates will save you now!" he sneered, throwing the boy into the water.
Luffy flailed helplessly, unable to swim.
Before Higuma could celebrate, a massive shadow emerged from the depths—a sea king, its jaws wide open.
"Help!" Higuma screamed, but the creature devoured him in an instant.
As the sea king turned its attention to Luffy, a figure dove into the water.
It was Shanks.
With incredible speed, Shanks reached the boy and pulled him to safety. The sea king lunged, but Shanks glared at the beast with such intensity that it froze in place before retreating into the depths.
Luffy gasped for air, clutching Shanks' arm.
"Shanks… your arm!"
The pirate's left arm was gone, torn away by the sea king. But Shanks only smiled. "It's just an arm. You're safe, and that's what matters."
Tears streamed down Luffy's face. "I'm sorry…"
"Don't cry, Luffy. You're strong. And one day, you'll be even stronger."
The Red-Haired Pirates left Windmill Village soon after. As they prepared to set sail, Shanks knelt before Luffy, removing his straw hat and placing it on the boy's head.
"Take care of this hat for me, Luffy. It's my treasure, and I want you to return it when you've become a great pirate."
Luffy clutched the hat, his tears replaced with determination. "I will, Shanks! I'll become the Pirate King, and I'll return your hat!"
Shanks grinned. "I'll hold you to that, kid."
As the ship disappeared over the horizon, Luffy stood on the shore, the straw hat casting a shadow over his eyes.
"Just you wait," he whispered. "I'm going to gather a crew, find the One Piece, and become the King of the Pirates