[Check Out My Patreon For +10 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For Only $5 and get chapters before publishing them here for free][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]
====
Mu Li originally didn't intend to become a pirate.
With his background, who would willingly choose to be a pirate?
But after thinking it over carefully, he realized that since he had awakened the Nika form, the World Government would never let him go.
"The Nika Fruit, the divine fruit the World Government has pursued for 800 years. Even if I joined the Navy, they'd still keep a close watch on me," Mu Li muttered, shaking his head.
In the best-case scenario, he'd be permanently imprisoned and controlled.
In the worst-case scenario, he'd be killed outright, and the World Government would find a way to recover the Nika Fruit.
Unless, of course, he never revealed his fruit powers.
But that would be too suffocating.
So, even without the Great Adventure System, he'd still have to set sail and become a pirate.
Or… he could turn to his cheap dad, join the Revolutionary Army, and become their crown prince. If the revolution succeeded one day, he'd be a true prince.
Or… he could find his childhood friend, the songstress Uta, and bring her along to seek refuge with his cheap father-in-law, Red-Haired Shanks.
Or…
"Thinking about it carefully, I actually have so many options. My background really is impressive!" Mu Li chuckled helplessly. Still, becoming a pirate seemed the best course.
He casually tossed aside the core of the fruit he'd eaten, filled his stomach, and touched his damp clothes.
"I need to find a place to change. There should be decent clothes on this ship."
With that thought, he opened the door and stepped out.
As he walked onto the deck, he was greeted by a group of pirates looting and transporting their spoils.
A rotund woman, one hand on her hip and the other holding a spiked club, barked fiercely, "Be careful with that! If you break it, I'll deal with you myself! Hey, Koby, answer me—who is the most beautiful woman in the East Blue?"
A scrawny pink-haired boy struggled to carry a large barrel of wine. Hearing the question, he trembled all over.
"It's… it's… Lady Alvida!"
"Good answer!"
Alvida let out a raucous laugh but suddenly froze mid-laugh.
She had spotted Mu Li standing at the doorway to the cabin, his white hair catching her eye. She narrowed her gaze.
"White hair? Quite rare... Who are you?"
"Hahaha, my name is Mu…" Mu Li couldn't help but laugh but quickly changed his response, "Monkey D. Luffy, a pirate."
A person can't let their pride keep them from holding onto a lifeline.
The name Luffy carried weight with so many connections. Of course, he couldn't abandon it.
Not only would he keep it, but he also intended to make full use of it.
As for his real name? Who said a person couldn't have multiple names?
Flexibility is key.
Right, Grandpa Garp, Dad Dragon, Father-in-law Shanks, Uncle Kizaru, Uncle Aokiji...
"Oh, so you're a pirate too."
Alvida tensed momentarily upon hearing he was a pirate, but seeing he was alone, she scoffed. "Just you? I thought it was a rival crew. This ship is mine, kid. Get lost!"
"That's not something I want to hear. If you'd asked me nicely, I might've left. But ugly people really love to cause trouble. You fat hag, if I don't teach you a lesson, you'll never know your place in the world!"
Mu Li wasn't about to hold back.
This was the perfect opportunity to test his awakened Nika Fruit powers!
But as he finished his rant, the surrounding pirates, busy with their plunder, froze in shock.
"He… he said the forbidden words!"
"We're doomed! Lady Alvida's going to lose it!"
"Quick, everyone scatter!"
The pirates scattered in panic, putting as much distance as they could between themselves and the scene.
Alvida's face turned dark, her teeth grinding as veins bulged on her forehead.
"Say that… again!"
"Fat hag."
Mu Li curled a finger, taunting her.
"Argh! You're dead, brat!"
Enraged, Alvida's face turned crimson as her massive body leaped into the air. Swinging her spiked club, she aimed to crush Mu Li.
Seeing this, Mu Li swung his arm, striking the club out of her hand. With a swift kick, he sent it flying, followed by a powerful blow to Alvida herself.
Bam!
"Ugh!"
Alvida spat out bile, her entire body convulsing as the kick practically pierced through her.
"Unconscious…!?"
Her massive form flew backward, smashing through the mast of the merchant ship. She rolled several meters and collapsed, unconscious, on the deck.
"That's it?"
Mu Li felt disappointed. He hadn't even put in much effort.
The destructive power of the Nika form was too overwhelming—it was a complete mismatch against small-time pirates.
The pirates, witnessing the scene, were utterly stunned.
"One hit… L-Lady Alvida is down… Run!"
Abandoning their loot, they fled back to their ship, hoisting sails and leaving in a hurry.
They didn't waste a single second.
Their speed impressed even Mu Li.
"People really do perform under pressure."
"Hm?"
Within seconds, the only one left on the deck was the pink-haired boy from earlier.
"You're not running?" Mu Li asked.
"S-sorry… my legs are weak… Don't kill me, please! I can do anything! Cleaning, cooking, laundry—I'll do it all!"
Tears streamed down Koby's face as he begged.
Mu Li: "…"
Am I that scary?
Just as he thought that, Mu Li spun around sharply.
His arm shot out, stretching to grab a sneaky figure trying to escape.
"Ah!"
A sharp cry came from the girl, who had been trying to slip away with valuable items. Now, she was pulled directly in front of Mu Li.
"Others can run. You can't."
Nami's eyes widened.
His hand stretched!
That guy's hand just stretched!
A monster?
"You've been hiding and observing for a while, haven't you? Hoping to slip away when the coast was clear? I noticed you a long time ago!" Mu Li grinned.
Nami's eyes darted as she pressed her hands to her cheeks and spoke in a soft, coquettish voice, "Lord Luffy, I'll do anything you want. Please don't kill me."
She struck a suggestive pose, attempting to use charm.
"That's what you said."
Mu Li immediately stepped back two paces, wary of a possible low blow. "Good. From now on, you're my navigator! You have only two choices: agree or nod."
That's just one choice!
Nami screamed internally.
But the enemy's fists were too strong. Reluctantly, she nodded like her life depended on it.
"Yes, yes, I'm your navigator! Wait… how do you know I'm a navigator?"
Mu Li froze.
Not because of her question, but because…
[Crew Member Recruited: Nami, Skill: Navigation, Reward: 500 Adventure Coins.]