"What a massive warship! And that insignia... it's Admiral White Dragon!!!"
"Kai!? That Mitarashi Kai kid's finally back!?"
"Ahahahaha... I still remember what Kai looked like when he first came to our Windmill Village—didn't know the simplest things~"
"Shh, don't say that! Kai's an Admiral now!"
"So what if he's an Admiral!? No matter what, Kai came from our village! Just like Garp—they're both Windmill Village's pride! Besides, Kai's always had a good personality."
"True enough. But that Kai kid's really something—his rank's even higher than Garp's now."
Seeing the Marine warship sailing in from the distant sea, Windmill Village's residents couldn't help discussing excitedly. Meanwhile, at one spot by the village shore, Luffy was untying the ropes binding a small boat to a wooden post, his face full of excitement.
Today was Luffy's first day officially setting sail—how could he not be excited!?
Gradually, Luffy noticed more and more villagers gathering at the shore. He scratched his head in confusion, unable to figure out what was happening. Could everyone be here to see him off?
Just as Luffy was about to flash a grin and wave at everyone, his expression suddenly changed.
That's when Luffy spotted the massive warship appearing on the sea. A Marine warship!? Could Gramps have found out I'm setting sail and come back specifically to drag me into the Marines!? No way that's happening!
At this thought, Luffy sped up his hand movements.
Being able to recognize a Marine warship was already the limit of what Luffy could manage. As for the insignia on the warship?
What was that? Could you eat it?
The warship drew closer to Windmill Village, stopping about a thousand meters from shore. Not because the warship didn't want to advance further, but because Kai's warship was too massive—its draft was incredibly deep. The waters near Windmill Village were relatively shallow, meaning if it sailed too close to shore, the warship would easily run aground.
However, this distance was nothing to Kai.
Moonwalk!!!
"He's... he's flying!?" one villager gaped.
"Idiot! Vice Admiral Garp said that's a special Marine body technique called the Six Powers. One technique called Moonwalk lets people fly for short periods!" an older villager explained.
Luffy also spotted the figure in the sky.
He froze for a moment, then dropped the rope in his hands and waved at Kai, shouting: "Big Bro Kai, long time no see!" He'd completely forgotten about their different positions. Though in Luffy's eyes, the only scary Marine was his grandfather anyway.
Actually, Luffy didn't need to wave—Kai had already spotted him. His Moonwalk was heading in Luffy's direction.
"Luffy, long time no see!" Kai walked up and gave Luffy a hug with a smile.
"Big Bro Kai, I can't believe you became a Marine Admiral—even more impressive than Gramps! Wait, is being a Marine Admiral really that easy?" Luffy scratched his head, asking with a confused expression.
"Uh..."
Kai felt somewhat helpless. For an idiot like Luffy, Kai really didn't know how to explain. Finally he could only say: "Becoming a Marine Admiral is about as difficult as you becoming Pirate King."
Unless he used Pirate King as a comparison, Luffy wouldn't understand at all.
"Pirate King... that's amazing! As expected of Big Bro Kai." Sure enough, Luffy finally had some concept, looking at Kai with admiration.
"By the way, Luffy, what are you planning to do?" Kai pointed at the small boat nearby, looking at Luffy with a smile.
"Well... I'm setting sail," Luffy answered.
"Setting sail!? To become a pirate?" Kai asked knowingly.
"Yeah! I'm gonna be a pirate! Then I'll fulfill my promise with Shanks! And also... I'm definitely gonna become Pirate King!" Luffy pressed one hand on the straw hat atop his head, looking at Kai with a serious expression as he shouted loudly.
Kai fell silent, looking at Luffy. After a long moment, he spoke flatly: "Luffy, don't forget—standing before you, I'm a Marine Admiral. As a Marine, I have to arrest all pirates on the seas! And your grandfather, Garp, as a Marine Vice Admiral, won't let you go either. Even knowing this, you still insist on setting sail?"
Though Kai's tone was light, every word carried an undeniable weight!
"Of course! No matter who it is, no one can stop me from setting sail! This is my promise with Shanks, Ace, and Sabo! Even if it costs me my life, I'll definitely see it through!" Luffy clenched one fist, shouting his determination loudly.
The surrounding villagers also quieted down, watching the two tensely. They all had feelings for young Luffy and didn't want to see him dragged into a Marine prison by Kai. But as a Marine, arresting pirates was Kai's duty—for a moment, no one knew what to say.
Kai's expression gradually turned cold. Traces of Conqueror's Haki unconsciously pressed toward Luffy.
Luffy's serious face suddenly changed. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he gritted his teeth hard, breathing heavily, his shoulders forced downward. But his eyes still stared fixedly at Kai, his expression showing not a hint of evasion or retreat!
"I... I'm gonna be Pirate King... how can I... fall here!!!"
Luffy spoke through gritted teeth with difficulty.
Suddenly, an aura erupted from Luffy's body. The quality of a king—Conqueror's Haki—was directly triggered! Though still just a prototype, extremely weak, it was undoubtedly Conqueror's Haki!
"Being able to hold to your convictions—very good!" Kai suddenly smiled, withdrawing his Conqueror's Haki, speaking casually: "Anyway, I'm just here on vacation. Let someone else arrest pirates. However..."
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