The morning after Yuri's victory over the pirates, Windmill Village was alive with chatter. The pirates, bound and unconscious, had been handed over to a passing Marine patrol. The villagers marveled at Yuri's strength, and while some whispered in awe, others regarded him with caution. It wasn't every day a teenager wielded power beyond reason.
Yuri, however, was restless. Sitting on a rocky outcrop overlooking the ocean, he stared at the horizon. The fight had cemented what he already knew: the East Blue was too small for him. He had to leave. The Grand Line, with its mysteries and dangers, was calling.
---
Makino found him there, carrying a basket of food. She set it down and joined him in silence for a moment before speaking.
"You're planning to leave, aren't you?" she asked softly.
Yuri didn't turn to her but nodded. "I've trained for this my entire life. Staying here… it's not enough."
Makino sighed. "You've done so much for the village, Yuri. But the Grand Line… it's not like the East Blue. It's dangerous."
"That's why I have to go," Yuri replied, his gray eyes steady. "This world rewards those who take risks. I can't grow stronger by staying safe."
Makino smiled faintly. "You sound just like Luffy."
"Luffy?" Yuri asked, turning to her. The name sparked a flicker of nostalgia from his memories of the anime.
Makino nodded. "He was a boy from this village. Always talking about becoming the Pirate King. He left a few years ago, chasing his dream."
Yuri chuckled. "Well, maybe I'll catch up to him someday."
Makino's smile faltered. "Promise me something, Yuri. Wherever you go, don't lose sight of who you are."
"I won't," Yuri said firmly. "That's a promise."
---
The next day, Yuri prepared for his departure. Clara, the elderly woman who had cared for him since his arrival in the village, watched him pack with misty eyes.
"You've grown so much, Yuri," she said, her voice trembling. "I always knew this day would come, but… I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Clara," Yuri said, embracing her. "Thank you for everything."
The villagers gathered at the docks to see him off. Some brought gifts—food, supplies, and a small chest of coins. Yuri thanked them all, his heart swelling with gratitude. Despite his ambitions, this village had been his home, and the people here had become his family.
As Yuri stepped onto a small fishing boat he had repaired over the years, Makino handed him a rolled-up map.
"You'll need this," she said. "It's not much, but it'll get you to Loguetown."
"Thanks," Yuri said, tucking it into his satchel. He looked back at the crowd one last time. "I'll make you all proud."
With that, he set sail, the wind carrying him toward the unknown.
---
The first few days at sea were uneventful. Yuri spent his time studying the map, practicing his Haki, and adjusting to life on the water. The boat was small but sturdy, and the supplies from the villagers ensured he wouldn't go hungry anytime soon.
But as he ventured farther from Windmill Village, the seas grew rougher. Storm clouds loomed on the horizon, and the once-calm waves became restless.
One night, as lightning illuminated the sky, Yuri found himself in the middle of a fierce storm. The wind howled, and the waves battered his boat mercilessly. He struggled to keep the vessel steady, his hands blistered from gripping the rudder.
"Damn it," Yuri muttered, his teeth clenched. "This isn't how it ends."
A massive wave rose before him, threatening to swallow the boat whole. Yuri closed his eyes, focusing his willpower. He unleashed a burst of Conqueror's Haki, the air crackling with energy. The wave seemed to falter, its force dissipating just enough for the boat to ride over it.
When the storm finally passed, Yuri collapsed onto the deck, drenched and exhausted. He stared up at the stars, his chest heaving.
"I survived," he whispered, a small smile forming. "The Grand Line won't be so easy."
---
The next morning, Yuri awoke to calm seas and a gentle breeze. As he steered the boat, he spotted a ship in the distance. It was a merchant vessel, its sails pristine and its deck bustling with activity.
Yuri approached cautiously, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. The crew, a mix of burly sailors and sharp-eyed traders, regarded him warily.
"What do you want, kid?" the captain called out, a grizzled man with a weathered face.
"I'm just passing through," Yuri replied. "But I could use some information. Where am I headed?"
The captain squinted at him before nodding. "You're on the right course for Loguetown. Another day or two, and you'll be there."
"Thanks," Yuri said. He hesitated, then added, "Anything I should know about the area?"
The captain's expression darkened. "Pirates. The East Blue's been crawling with them lately. And some of them are nastier than others."
Yuri nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."
---
True to the captain's word, Yuri arrived at Loguetown two days later. The bustling port city was a stark contrast to the quiet of Windmill Village. Ships of all sizes crowded the harbor, and the streets were alive with merchants, sailors, and townsfolk going about their business.
Yuri docked his boat and stepped onto the pier, taking in the sights and sounds. This was the starting point for many pirates, and the energy of adventure hung heavy in the air.
He spent the day exploring, purchasing supplies, and gathering information. As he walked through the marketplace, a commotion caught his attention. A group of thugs was harassing a merchant, their voices loud and threatening.
"Pay up, old man," one of them growled, brandishing a knife. "Or we'll wreck your stall."
The merchant pleaded, but the thugs only laughed. Yuri's blood boiled. He couldn't stand by and watch.
"Hey!" he called out, stepping forward. "Leave him alone."
The thugs turned to him, their expressions shifting from surprise to amusement. "What's this? A hero in the making?"
"You don't want to do this," Yuri said, his voice calm but firm. "Walk away."
The leader sneered. "Or what?"
Yuri didn't reply. Instead, he unleashed a pulse of Conqueror's Haki. The thugs froze, their eyes wide with fear. One by one, they collapsed, unconscious.
The marketplace fell silent as everyone stared at Yuri in awe. The merchant stammered his thanks, but Yuri waved it off.
"It's nothing," he said, turning to leave. As he walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that his actions had drawn unwanted attention.
---
Later that night, as Yuri rested at an inn, a shadowy figure slipped into the room. Yuri's eyes snapped open, his Observation Haki alerting him to the intruder's presence.
"You've got guts, kid," the figure said, stepping into the moonlight. He was a man in his thirties, with a scarred face and a pair of pistols at his hips. "Taking down those thugs like that."
"Who are you?" Yuri asked, his voice steady.
"The name's Darius," the man replied. "And I've got an offer for you. You're strong. Join my crew, and we'll take this world by storm."
Yuri smirked. "Not interested."
Darius chuckled. "Suit yourself. But remember, kid—this world doesn't play fair. You'll need more than Haki to survive."
As Darius disappeared into the night, Yuri clenched his fists. He knew the man was right. The journey ahead would be ruthless. But he was ready.
The Grand Line awaited, and Yuri was determined to conquer it.