Somewhere in the East Blue, the sky had just been filled with thunder and dark clouds. Now, the sun was shining, and the sea breeze was gentle. The weather on the ocean was like a woman's mood—constantly changing.
A wooden barrel bobbed atop the waves. Inside was Luffy.
Back when the boat was about to be swallowed by the whirlpool, Lynn had used his ability to push it away. But the giant waves shattered the vessel, and Lynn, clutching a plank of wood, had been separated from Luffy.
At that moment, a sailor aboard a passing merchant ship spotted the floating barrel. Thinking it might contain treasure or wine, they hauled it aboard...
Not far from the merchant vessel, a pirate ship appeared on the horizon.
From the bow came a shrill voice: "Coby! Who is the most beautiful woman on this sea?"
The one being addressed was a short, nervous-looking boy with pink, middle-parted hair and glasses—Coby.
"Of course… the most beautiful is the captain of this ship, Miss Alvida!" he stammered.
"Heeheehee… HAHAHAHAHA!" Standing at the bow, a grotesquely obese woman with pockmarks burst into laughter. This was Iron Mace Alvida, the captain of the pirate crew. She was loud, brash, and incredibly full of herself.
"Good answer," she said with a grin.
"T-Thank you…" Coby replied, gulping.
At that moment, a crewmember interrupted, "Captain Alvida! That ship looks like a prime catch!"
"You're right," she said, eyes glinting. "We'll hijack it."
"OOOUUUHH!!" The pirates roared in excitement, and the cannons began to fire.
Alvida looked at the luxurious merchant ship ahead and shouted, "Let these fools see how terrifying the great Iron Mace Alvida is!"
With that, the pirates swung over on ropes and boarded the merchant vessel.
"Coby! What are you waiting for?" Alvida snapped.
"I… I'm scared of scenes like this…" he murmured, gripping the rope tightly.
Alvida's expression darkened. "You dare disobey me?!"
She gave him a swift kick, sending him flying across to the other ship.
Then, with a deranged laugh, Alvida leapt after him. "Heehee—HAHAHA! HERE I COME!"
Meanwhile, Lynn was still drifting alone at sea, holding onto a broken plank.
He had no idea how much time had passed. The power of nature had truly shaken him. Being thrown dozens of meters below the surface had panicked even him.
But Lynn's mind was steady. He kept his head clear.
Suddenly, he heard something faint in the distance—"Woo… woo…"
He immediately perked up.
Using his one free arm, he paddled toward the source of the noise. Soon, he spotted two ships not far off.
"Space Field."
With a flash, Lynn warped directly onto one of the decks. Before he could even dry his Kurothes, he spotted Luffy nearby—laughing and being chased by a bunch of angry pirates.
And just like that, Luffy bounced back and sent the entire group flying.
Lynn couldn't help but call out, "Yo, Luffy! Looks like you're having fun."
"Ah! Lynn!" Luffy beamed. "I knew you'd be fine, hahaha!"
Just then, a thunderous thud echoed across the deck as Alvida approached, dragging her massive iron mace behind her.
Lynn's eyes lit up.
Flirty System, it's time to shine.
He strolled casually up to Luffy and asked, "These people pirates?"
Before Luffy could answer, Alvida interjected proudly, "Yes, we're pirates! I'm Captain Alvida. Who are you supposed to be?"
"I'm Luffy, and this is my friend Lynn. We're pirates too!" Luffy grinned.
Alvida narrowed her eyes. "Are you here for the treasure?"
Lynn stepped forward, arms crossed. "Absolutely. Hand it over."
Luffy blinked in confusion. When did we come for treasure?
Lynn gave Luffy a calming look before turning back to Alvida.
He ran both hands through his hair and sighed, "Why are you looking at me like that? Don't tell me… you've fallen for me."
The deck went silent. Everyone stared in disbelief.
Lynn continued dramatically, "Sure, I'm dashing and elegant, but let's not kid ourselves—how can a phoenix mate with a chicken? It's wrong of you to even hope."
"Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do—flirt with me, get close, hope for a chance? There's no chance. None at all."
Alvida trembled with rage, her expression darkening.
Flirty System: Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing a flirtatious operation.
Lynn smirked and went on, "Why aren't you looking at me now? Hmph, suspicious. Obviously, you have impure thoughts!"
"I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU!" Alvida roared. She swung her massive mace at him. "You dare humiliate me?! I'll kill you!"
"Lynn—duck!" Luffy called out.
After spending so much time together, they had built up a silent rapport. Lynn crouched instantly.
WHAM!
Luffy's rubber arm stretched forward and slammed into Alvida's stomach.
"GYAAAHHH!"
The massive pirate captain was sent flying across the deck and crashed with a deafening BOOM.
Nearby, Coby stood trembling. "S-Sugoi…"
The rest of Alvida's crew panicked. Their leader had been defeated in one blow. Chaos erupted—some pirates fled, others scrambled to find her.
With the immediate threat gone, the merchant crew regained control.
After speaking with the merchant ship's captain, it was determined that their route was going the opposite direction of where Lynn and Luffy needed to go.
Thankfully, in gratitude for saving the ship, the captain offered them a lifeboat and pointed them toward the nearest island. It wasn't far.
Just as Lynn and Luffy prepared to leave, Coby ran up.
"Wait!" he called. "I heard you're headed toward Shells Town. Can I come with you?"
The two turned to look at him.
"I've always dreamed of becoming a Marine!" Coby explained earnestly. "I want to bring justice to the sea. There's a naval base in Shells Town, and I want to enlist."
Lynn smirked. "Oh? Luffy and I are pirates—terrible, evil pirates. You want to help your enemies?"
Coby faltered, looking nervous.
"Hahahaha!" Luffy laughed and threw an arm around him. "Don't listen to this guy. Come on, Coby!"
Lynn grinned. "Don't worry. We don't even know how to get to the next island. Would be nice to have someone who actually knows what they're doing."
He gave Luffy a sly glance. "I'd rather not drift across the sea again and end up hiding in a barrel."
At that, Coby finally understood—so that's why Luffy was inside a barrel!
Luffy blushed and shouted, "Shut up, Lynn! You're the worst!"
And so, Lynn, Luffy, and Coby boarded the small boat and set sail for Shells Town.
But they weren't alone.
Not far away, on another small boat, sat a curvy orange-haired girl with bright eyes and a confident grin.
Who else could it be—but Nami?
-End Chapter-
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