It was midday.
By chance, she went for a walk. After morning sword training, sweating, she wandered to the nearby beach.
There, she found two boys lying face-down.
Drenched, likely washed ashore, unconscious.
They must've come from far away—no towns nearby. She peered at their faces.
Youthful, unfamiliar.
Not locals or acquaintances. Standing straight, she scanned the area. Wreckage from a broken ship littered the beach. Then, she spotted a straw hat bobbing in the waves.
Theirs, probably. She walked toward it.
Careful not to wet her shoes, she picked it up.
Shaking off water, she held it to the sun. Old, red-ribboned, patched up, oddly charming.
She glanced back at the boys.
Their chests moved—they were alive. Relieved, she knew they could be saved.
Kneeling, she checked closer. Peaceful faces.
They must've nearly died, yet looked calm. She smirked.
Unknown, but she'd help. They didn't seem like pirates—too young for merchants, maybe adventurers. Not villains.
But two people—she couldn't carry them alone.
How to help? Hand on chin, she pondered.
"Ugh!"
Luffy woke suddenly, inside a house. A wooden ceiling greeted him, unfamiliar.
He was at sea moments ago. Even groggy, he knew ceilings didn't belong at sea—sky did.
Puzzled, half-awake, he scanned the room.
Sitting up on a bed, cross-legged, he touched his head.
His hair, normal. But his treasured straw hat was gone. Eyes wide, he patted his head—no hat. Scanning the room, nothing.
Lost. Realizing it, his demeanor shifted.
Stunned, he froze, hand dropping.
Seconds passed, eyes wide.
Understanding hit, and he leapt up, shouting:
"My hat's gone!?"
His prized treasure missing, Luffy frantically searched. Sleep vanished, eyes sharp. He checked under the bed, rummaged through drawers and shelves, scattering contents, transforming the room.
Still nothing. Panic deepened. He flung the door open, nearly breaking it, and rushed downstairs, bursting into a space, yelling:
"My hat!"
Stomping into what seemed a tavern, he spotted someone at a table wearing his hat.
His face lit up. It was Kiri, dazed.
Relieved his nakama had it, not stolen, Luffy sighed deeply, clutching his chest.
"My hat! You had it, Kiri. Phew, thought someone stole it."
"Morning, Luffy. Nobody's dumb enough to steal just a hat."
Kiri sat at a table, finishing a meal, empty plates before him, a glass of water in hand.
Luffy, calmed by the hat's safety, noticed the food. His stomach growled. A glutton, he couldn't resist hunger. He shuffled to Kiri, peering at the plates, tongue out like a dog.
"You ate? Not fair, where's mine?"
"Calm down, there's more. Manners, Luffy."
"Is the old lady cooking? Granny, make mine big!"
"Sit first. Here."
"Shishishi, I'm starving."
Calling to the old woman behind the counter, Luffy sat beside Kiri.
Kiri placed the straw hat on Luffy's head.
It felt right. Adjusting it, Luffy's mood lifted, grinning at Kiri.
"Thanks. Thought I lost it."
"Don't thank me."
"You didn't find it?"
"I just took it. She found it."
Luffy tilted his head. Kiri nodded toward a girl across the table, giggling.
A slender, pretty girl with blonde hair in a ponytail, wearing a t-shirt and checkered shorts. A sword rested by her seat.
Her innocent smile and shrug felt familiar, close to their age.
Luffy, distracted by the hat, only now noticed her.
Blinking, Kiri added:
"She saved us, too."
"Really? Thanks, we owe you."
"No big deal. You're not hurt or sick, so I'm glad."
The girl, Silk, eyed them curiously, oddly delighted.
"I'm Silk. Kiri told me you're pirates."
"Just starting, no ship, just us two."
"No biggie, we're new. I'm Luffy, future Pirate King."
"Pirate King? That one?"
"You know it?"
Leaning forward, Luffy matched Silk's eager posture.
Both curious, eyes gleaming like kids.
Seconds after meeting, already friends? Kiri sighed, amused. Luffy's charm made bonding easy.
"The One Piece, hidden in the Grand Line—that's what makes you Pirate King. I'll find it and rule the seas."
"I heard One Piece is just a rumor. Is it real?"
"Dunno. But adventuring to find out's the point. Real or not, doesn't matter."
"Then why be a pirate?"
"To be Pirate King."
"But if One Piece doesn't matter—"
"It's fine."
"I'm lost…"
Like a debate, Silk frowned, puzzled, arms crossed.
Kiri, chin on hand, watched with a gentle smile.
Unconvinced, Silk was about to press Luffy when her grandmother brought a heaping plate. Luffy, claiming hunger, lit up, making her smile.
Silk's cheer added warmth.
"You're in a good mood, Silk. Fun talking to pirates?"
"Stop it, Grandma. It's not like that."
"Mmph!"
"There's seconds, eat up. We've had few customers lately."
Luffy dug in, devouring the food with gusto, no struggle despite the larger portion.
Kiri glanced at the smiling grandmother.
"Business bad?"
"Yeah. Pirates are around, scaring people off. This place doubles as an inn, used to be packed with outsiders."
"Don't worry, Grandma. I'll drive off any pirates. People will come back."
Silk grabbed her sword, showing a polished saber, untouched by blood. Kiri judged she lacked combat experience.
Her grip was decent, but she seemed like a villager trained in basics. Beating seasoned pirates would be tough, Kiri knew from experience.
Despite her enthusiasm, his eyes grew calm.
Noticing his stare, Silk smiled shyly.
"I grew up here, so I'll protect everyone. This town's my treasure. I won't let pirates hurt it."
"I wish she wouldn't. A girl her age with a sword? What if she gets hurt?"
"I'm fine. I'm not scared to protect the town."
"She's like this. I'm always worried."
"Haha."
Kiri smirked but questioned the grandmother.
"With pirates around, why not call the Marines?"
"No attacks yet, no sightings either."
"Waiting's risky. Pirates don't spare anything. If there's rumors, request an investigation."
"Good idea. I'll tell the mayor. Thanks."
"Are you two like that?"
Silk, setting her sword down, eyed Kiri. They'd just called themselves pirates. Was she asking if they'd plunder? Asking outright amused Kiri, who sat up.
"Just us two, no ship. Can't carry much loot."
"Hehe, good. I'm safe."
"Next time, with a ship and crew, we might take everything."
"Hmph, bring it. I'll take you down."
Joking, Luffy finished eating.
Lifting his empty plate, he called out:
"Granny, seconds! This is delicious!"
"Thanks. If only Silk could cook like this."
"People have strengths and weaknesses. I'm busy training…"
"Worries me. Will she find a husband?"
"Stop it! I'm just not interested in marriage. I can cook if I try."
"Girls who can't always say that."
"Ugh…"
Silk glared as her grandmother returned to the kitchen. Routine, she ignored it, preparing Luffy's seconds. Despite expecting payment, she smiled, happy he ate so much.
Waiting, Luffy looked at Kiri.
"Why're we here again?"
"Now you ask? Most people wonder before eating. Our junk boat sank. Greedy, we loaded all the treasure. Too heavy, it sank fast."
"Oh, right. Both hammers, so we drowned?"
"Washing up here was a miracle. Lucky us."
"Good, good. Stuff happens."
"Two shipwrecks in such a short time, though?"
"We're alive, so it's fine."
"Not fine. We need a sturdy ship, or we'll die. Both hammers, no one to save us if we fall."
"Someone nearby might help."
"You're unreal, Luffy."
Their banter showed their bond, making Silk smile.
They didn't seem like pirates. Not the brutal outlaws she imagined. Hard to believe they were.
What are pirates? Meeting them made her rethink.
Good or evil? Their influence suggests evil, but it depends on the person. She didn't feel they'd make anyone cry.
Maybe she didn't know them, but their laughing faces weren't scary.
They kept bantering lightly.
"We lost the treasure. How do we get a ship? We're broke, stuck here."
"No money? Meat?"
"I kept some coins, but they'll run out. No meat for now."
"No way! Kiri, I need meat for strength."
"I know. But we're broke."
"Captain's orders: I want meat!"
"You're eating now."
"Not that—ship food. No meat, no deal."
"Silk, any shipwrights here?"
"Hey, Kiri, I'm serious!"
Luffy slapped Kiri's shoulder, ignored. The antics were funny.
Unfazed, Luffy quieted when more food arrived, eating happily. Kiri, freed, turned to Silk.
"There are. No big ships, but small ones for a few people."
"How many?"
"Cheapest fits five, maybe."
"Money's the issue. These coins won't do. Barter's out—we've got nothing. Luffy's treasure won't work either."
Kiri placed a small bag on the table, coins clinking—maybe a dozen. Even gold, not enough.
Poverty's a foe. Kiri clutched his head.
Finding treasure on that island felt too easy, but losing it all in a day was brutal.
No ship, no goods, no money—tough spot.
No treasure hunting or plundering. Sailing again would take time.
Luffy ate carefree. Kiri sighed, realizing planning was his job as vice-captain.
Silk, curious, asked:
"What's Luffy's treasure?"
"This hat. A friend entrusted it to me."
Luffy paused eating, lifting the hat, staring at it.
His expression shifted, a subtle but clear change startling Silk. A unique aura.
"My friend's a pirate. My dream's to surpass him, build a crew as great as his, and become Pirate King. I'd bet my life on it."
"Your life…"
"Yup. I decided this is my life. No regrets."
He put the hat back, grinning. Silk stared.
"You're a good guy, Silk. You saved us, found my treasure. Join us! Be a pirate!"
"Huh?"
Sudden invitation. Caught off guard, Silk stared.
Surprised, with mixed emotions. No one could read her fully, though her grandmother stirred slightly.
Seeing her struggle, Kiri stepped in, learning to handle Luffy as vice-captain.
"Hey, don't recruit so easily. Pirates, you know?"
"Why not? Pirating's great. You love it, Kiri."
"Not everyone does. Townsfolk fear being attacked. Most hate pirates."
"Really? So, Silk, join us!"
"I…"
Lips pursed, she looked down, thinking.
Her hesitation made them exchange glances. In their short time, they knew she spoke her mind. Her struggle was new, as if she couldn't sort her feelings.
Did she hate or like pirates? Unclear.
An odd silence fell.
After a few seconds, Silk closed her eyes, ready to speak.
Then, a bell rang outside.
Bad timing. Not a usual bell, worry crossed Silk's face.
The moment lost, she grabbed her sword, stood, and glanced at the door, apologizing as she left.
"Something's up. I'll check."
"Okay."
"No rush. We'll manage."
Silk left, silence filling the inn.
Luffy resumed eating, but his focus wavered, expression off. Kiri shrugged.
"Wrong question?"
"Hm, didn't seem like she hated it. What's with her?"
"She's a pirate's kid, left in this town."
The grandmother's voice came from the counter, washing dishes, not looking up. A soft murmur. Both turned to her.
A small figure, her back to them.
Her face was hidden, but her tone carried emotion.
Not joyful, not sad—flat, steady, as she spoke.
"Over ten years ago, when she was a baby, pirates left her here."
"Left?"
"No plundering. They came, left her, and went. We were relieved the town was spared, but a newborn can't survive alone. I took her in."
The two listened intently, her voice softening.
She paused, as if recalling memories, her gaze distant, speaking gently.
"No parents, not my own, but a baby's innocent. I couldn't let her die. She's grown strong, gets along with everyone. I did the right thing."
"So she's a pirate's kid?"
"Maybe not, but her past's unique. This town's her treasure…"
"She doesn't owe them, but she insists on protecting the town. I'd rather she learn cooking than wield a sword, but she won't listen."
A gentle laugh showed their bond.
After a thoughtful pause, Kiri, listening seriously, smirked at Luffy, leaning back with a suggestion. They likely thought the same.
"Give up recruiting her. Slim chance."
"Hm, if the town's her treasure, can't be helped."
Hearing them, the grandmother turned.
"The town's her treasure, she said. What about you two? Got treasures?"
"Yup. Shanks gave me this hat—my treasure."
"I—"
Kiri faltered, trying to answer.
He thought hard. Did he have a treasure like theirs?
He'd returned to East Blue after losing everything—ship, crew, happy memories, all gone in that sea. He'd given up so much, never considering what remained.
What was his treasure?
No answer came, and he fell silent, lost in thought.
Luffy's face clouded, seeing Kiri struggle.
A rare frown, showing care for his nakama, no matter how short their time.
"No treasure, Kiri?"
"Hm… can't think of one."
"Then find one. You said the road to Pirate King's long. Look for it while we sail."
"Treasure hunting, huh?"
"You'll find something adventuring. I'll help."
Grinning, Luffy pointed at Kiri, feigning anger.
He was never dull, always shifting.
Kiri, unfazed by the mock scolding, smiled casually, ignoring Luffy's intensity.
"But listen, your nakama's me now! Don't forget that!"
Kiri's eyes widened, as if reminded of old nakama. Unspoken, it felt like Luffy read his heart. Surprised, he laughed.
"I know. I don't see you like them."
"Good."
"By the way, jealous?"
"Dunno."
Finishing his food, Luffy raised his plate.
"Granny, seconds!"
"Don't order too much, Luffy. We're broke."
"No charge. Eat up, it's rare."
As if expecting it, she was already cooking, bringing another plate.
Luffy grinned, thrilled. Kiri smirked, resigned.