East Blue
The sea didn't forgive carelessness. Three years of training had prepared Zac, but even so, the ocean was unpredictable. After leaving the island in his small makeshift boat, he tried to follow what he remembered from the One Piece timeline, keeping close to the events he was supposed to witness.
But as the days passed, anxiety grew. A gnawing unease settled in his chest.
"I should've run into Luffy by now… if he got into the barrel, he's already met Coby and Alvida. Did I… miss him?"
The thought made his chest tighten. In his old world, he had watched that beginning countless times: the barrel, Alvida's pirates attacking, the meeting with Coby. But now, none of it had happened before his eyes. Only one conclusion remained.
"Damn it… I missed him," he muttered, clenching his fists.
If that was true, what else could have changed? If Luffy was already sailing, the next stop would be Shells Town, where the future Straw Hat swordsman awaited, trapped. That meant he still had time to catch up.
But the East Blue wouldn't make things easy. That afternoon, the wind shifted suddenly. Waves shot up like walls, tossing Zac's small boat violently.
On the horizon, other small vessels—carried by travelers and merchants—battled the same currents.
The sea roared like a hungry beast. Waves slammed against fragile hulls, splintering wood and spraying salty foam. Zac held the rudder tight, eyes locked on the chaos ahead.
Then he saw them. Two young boys struggling against the waves—one with wild pink hair, frantically rowing, and beside him… a boy with the iconic straw hat, tied down with a string, fighting the wind.
Zac inhaled deeply. His heart pounded. Three years stranded on an island, training for this moment, dreaming of meeting the protagonist of the story that had once existed only on screens and pages. Luffy was here. Real. Alive.
But he couldn't just shout or leap in obviously—that would ruin everything.
"If I'm going to step into this world, I need to do it right. This is my chance."
Gripping his makeshift rudder, Zac did the unthinkable: he broke one of his oars and turned his boat into the current. Letting the waves push him from beneath, he steered straight for the spot where Luffy and the blond boy fought for their lives.
It was suicidal. Any sailor would call it madness. But Zac had faith. He swam better than most, and he trusted that the collision would be the perfect excuse to be there, right when it mattered.
The boat surged forward. Wood clashed with wood, wave against wave. Zac's hull hit a drifting vessel, which bounced into another, creating chaos. Water splashed everywhere, dragging the two boys deeper into the sea.
Zac didn't hesitate. He dove in instantly.
The cold stung his skin, but he swam with determination. He reached the blond first, grabbing him by the shoulder, then pulled Luffy by the shirt—who was laughing even in the chaos. For a brief moment, Luffy's eyes narrowed.
It was subtle, but Zac noticed it: even someone as carefree as Luffy had sensed something was off in that collision. As if the sea itself obeyed an unseen will.
Zac avoided eye contact, focusing on getting them to the surface. When they finally broke through, coughing and spitting out water, Zac's boat was still floating—barely. With effort, he lifted them aboard before climbing up himself.
The wet deck greeted them with a heavy thud. The blond dropped to his knees, panting, nearly in tears from the shock. Luffy, however, stood laughing, brushing water off his hat.
"Hahaha! That was intense!" he exclaimed, full of his usual energy. But beneath the smile, Zac noticed Luffy studying him, like he was trying to figure something out.
"Thanks for saving us!" Luffy said, extending his hand. "I'm Monkey D. Luffy. Nice to meet you."
Zac shook it firmly and replied:
"I'm Zac. Sorry for the mess, but one of my fragile oars broke, and I lost control of my boat."
"Don't worry about it, ahahaha!" Luffy laughed, clearly letting go of any suspicion. Zac felt relieved—he hadn't started off on the wrong foot with the playful pirate.
Inside, Zac's chest burned with gratitude. He had spent years alone on an island, surviving on memories of that story, that journey that had given him hope. And now, before him, was the boy who inspired millions. A stranger who had no idea of his importance, yet carried the greatest dream on his shoulders.
And there, amid the rolling waves and the smell of salt, Zac made a silent decision: no matter the risks, he would do everything to protect Luffy and help him reach the top.
Even if it meant keeping secrets about who he was and where he came from.