The vast, surging sea stretched to the horizon, an unbroken expanse of blue under a warm, breezy sky. A flock of milky-white seagulls circled over a migrating school of fish, their calls echoing across the sparkling water. Below the surface, fish leaped and splashed in the waves, their scales glinting in the dazzling sunlight.
This peaceful scene was set in the East Blue, not far from the coast of the Goa Kingdom. A luxurious merchant vessel cut gracefully through the waves, its sails full. But the tranquility was shattered by the sudden appearance of another ship—one with a swan-shaped bow and a heart-emblazoned pirate flag. The sounds of clashing steel and excited shouts echoed from its deck, a stark contrast to the calm of the sea.
This was the ship of "Iron Mace" Alvida, a pirate with a bounty of five million Berries. In a sea like the East Blue, where a bounty half that size could make one a local terror, she was considered a formidable pirate indeed. Her crew was now in the process of boarding the merchant ship, ready to plunder its goods and treasures, utterly unconcerned with who might be aboard.
"Pirates! Run for your lives!" "It's Iron Mace Alvida! They say she crushes the head of anyone who gets in her way!"
Panic erupted on the merchant vessel. Wealthy merchants, dignitaries, and sailors alike scrambled in terror, their journey brought to a violent halt. Amidst the chaos, one figure moved with an unnatural calm. A young man, dressed in a sharp black vest over a white shirt and matching trousers, walked steadily toward the ship's main cabin.
He tipped his top hat, and the elegant cane in his right hand tapped a soft, rhythmic beat against the wooden deck. A subtle wave of sound emanated from each tap, and anyone who heard it seemed to subconsciously look away, their panicked eyes sliding right past the composed young man as if he wasn't there. His name was Silas, and he had noticed three of Alvida's pirates already heading below deck.
He had to hurry. If he wanted to witness the debut of the future King of the Pirates, he couldn't let this crowd delay him.
Meanwhile, in a storage room deep within the ship, the three pirates Silas had spotted were gathered around a massive wine barrel.
"Never seen a barrel this big before, have you?" one of them grunted. "Nope, first time for me too. That coward Koby actually found something good for once."
The pink-haired boy they called a coward stood meekly to the side, too afraid to speak.
"Perfect! We're thirsty as hell. Let's crack it open right here!" one of the burlier pirates declared, raising a fist to smash the lid.
"Um..." Koby stammered, wringing his hands. "T-That's part of the haul, isn't it? If Miss Alvida finds out we helped ourselves, she'll... she'll..." The mere thought of the furious, obese pirate captain made him tremble.
"Relax," another pirate sneered, shoving him lightly. "It'll be fine as long as that fat cow doesn't find out. You know what to do, right, Koby?"
Cold sweat beaded on Koby's forehead. "Y-Yes! I know! I didn't see a thing!"
The moment the words left his mouth—BANG!
The barrel lid exploded outward. A fist that seemed to be made of rubber shot out and slammed squarely into a pirate's face, sending him flying across the room.
"Man, that was a great nap!" a cheerful voice boomed from within the barrel. "Looks like I'm saved! I really thought I was gonna die out there, hahahaha!"
A boy in a red vest, blue shorts, and sandals climbed out of the shattered barrel. He had messy black hair and a wide, sunny smile that made his eyes crinkle. A simple straw hat was perched on his head, bobbing with his hearty laughter.
After a satisfying stretch, the straw-hatted boy finally took a look at his surroundings.
"Who are you guys?" he asked casually.
"Who are you?!" Koby and the two remaining pirates yelled back, their expressions a mixture of shock and confusion.
The boy ignored them, rubbing his stomach. "Got any food? I'm starving."
"We're pirates!" one of the men shouted, drawing his sword. "How dare you ignore us and ask for food!"
The two pirates angrily charged the boy, but he simply looked past them toward Koby, who was trying to shrink into the wall.
"I'm really hungry. You got anything to eat?"
"Hey! Listen when someone's talking to you, brat!" "You're dead!"
Their patience gone, the two pirates swung their swords wildly at the boy.
THWACK!
To Koby's astonishment, the boy wasn't cut down. Instead, a blur of motion sent the two pirates flying into the far wall, where they collapsed in a heap. Standing where the boy had been was Silas, slowly lowering his cane. He turned his gaze to the stunned Koby and the equally surprised straw-hatted boy.
"Hello," Silas said with a polite smile. "My name is Silas. I'm a magician." He then focused on the boy. "You're hungry, aren't you? I happen to have plenty of delicious food right here."
The straw-hatted boy, who had been about to fight back himself, tilted his head, a giant question mark practically floating over it. But when he heard the word "food," his eyes lit up like stars. He leaped out of the broken barrel and threw his arms around Silas in a crushing hug.
"Really?! Where's the food? You have it? Where is it?!"
Silas, despite knowing what this boy—Monkey D. Luffy—was like, was still taken aback by the sheer intensity. "If you let go of me," he said, straining slightly, "I can get it for you."
Luffy instantly released him and hopped back, his eyes wide with anticipation.
Silas gave his cane a gentle flourish. Specks of light shimmered in the air, and in an instant, a massive pile of roasted meats, assorted fruits, and fresh bread appeared on the floor, the aroma filling the small room. It was a simple magician's trick—pulling items from a pocket storage space.
"WOOOOOW!" Luffy's jaw dropped. "TIME TO EAT!"
He dove headfirst into the pile of food, and a symphony of crunching and munching began. The mountain of provisions started disappearing at an astonishing rate.
With a chuckle, Silas paid no mind to Luffy's table manners. He picked a crisp apple from the pile and offered it to the terrified Koby.
"You're Koby, correct? Would you like some?"
Koby flinched. Silas's kind tone made him hesitate, but then he remembered the sight of the two pirates being sent flying by a flick of that very man's cane. He couldn't possibly refuse.
"Y-Yes, sir!" he squeaked, accepting the apple.
Watching the timid boy, Silas felt a pang of nostalgia. He had been just as cautious and uncertain when he first arrived in this chaotic world.