Windmill Village was small.
So small that the sound of waves striking the wooden docks could be heard from almost anywhere in town. Fishing boats swayed gently against their ropes, their hulls creaking in rhythm with the sea. The air smelled faintly of salt, fish, and old wood baked by years of sunlight.
At the edge of the port, stone steps descended toward the water.
A boy sat there alone.
He was around seven years old, his legs dangling loosely over the steps as he stared at the horizon. He wore simple black shorts and a red T-shirt that had been washed so many times its color had faded slightly. His blond hair was tousled by the sea breeze, strands fluttering across sharp blue eyes that seemed far older than his age.
Lucas tilted his head back and looked up at the sky.
The sun was setting, sinking slowly toward the sea. Its afterglow painted the surface of the ocean in shades of orange and crimson, as if the world itself had been dipped in fire. The light reflected in Lucas's eyes, but he did not blink.
He closed his eyes.
The wind brushed against his face, cool and gentle. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to forget everything else—the whispers, the stares, the unspoken distance between himself and the rest of the village.
Just the sea.Just the wind.Just silence.
"Lucas."
A gentle voice called from behind him.
Lucas opened his eyes and turned.
Standing a few steps away was Makino.
She wore light blue trousers and an orange mesh top layered over black sleeves. A yellow plaid headscarf wrapped around her green hair, holding it back neatly. She smiled as she approached, her presence warm and familiar—one of the few adults in the village who treated him normally.
"Hey, Makino," Lucas said casually. "What's wrong?"
Makino covered her mouth as she laughed softly. "Did you hear? Mr. Garp is coming to the village today."
Lucas stiffened.
'Grandpa.'
The image of a towering Marine with a wild grin and iron-hard fists flashed through his mind. His shoulders twitched as a chill ran down his spine.
"What's that old man doing here?" he blurted out.
"Lucas!"
A loud, rude voice exploded from the side.
Before Lucas could react, his instincts screamed danger. His legs moved on their own, pivoting as he tried to bolt—
Too late.
A massive fist descended from above and struck the top of his head with brutal precision.
BAM.
"Ow—!"
Lucas dropped into a squat, clutching his head as tears welled in his eyes. He gritted his teeth, already familiar with the pain. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a thought surfaced with frightening clarity.
At this rate, I'm definitely going to die by this crazy old man's hands someday.
"Grandpa, why did you hit me?!" Lucas complained, his voice trembling with both pain and protest.
The man standing before him was tall and broad, dressed in a Marine coat worn casually over his shoulders. His face was rough, weathered by years at sea, and his grin was as wild as ever.
Monkey D. Garp.
He held a bundle in one arm while shamelessly digging into his nose with his free hand.
"Brat," Garp said disdainfully, glancing down at Lucas. "Is that how you greet your dear grandpa?"
Makino hurried forward immediately, kneeling beside Lucas with concern written all over her face. "Lucas, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Sister Makino," Lucas muttered, rubbing his head as he stood back up.
His eyes shifted toward the bundle in Garp's arms.
"Hey… Grandpa," Lucas asked cautiously. "What's that you're holding?"
Garp's expression changed.
It was subtle—but real.
He adjusted his grip, his large hands suddenly becoming careful, almost gentle, as he lifted the bundle slightly.
"Lucas," Garp said. "Come here. Meet your brother."
"…Brother?"
Lucas froze.
He stepped closer, eyes wide with curiosity and disbelief.
Wrapped in soft cloth was a baby—tiny, fragile, sleeping peacefully. His chest rose and fell with each quiet breath, his face relaxed in a way Lucas had never seen on anyone before.
Without realizing it, Lucas reached out and poked the baby's cheek.
It was warm.
Soft.
The baby shifted slightly but didn't wake, letting out a small, contented sound.
Something tightened in Lucas's chest.
Is this… my brother?My family…?
Memories surfaced uninvited.
"He's a monster.""Don't play with him.""My mother says his father is a dangerous criminal.""Stay away from him."
Lucas clenched his fists.
He had always been alone.
At the edge of the village.At the edge of conversations.At the edge of everything.
Even at night, in his own room, fear had been something he endured alone. No one to talk to. No one to cling to.
He didn't understand why his father was called a criminal.He didn't understand why his grandfather never let him mingle freely with the village.He didn't understand why loneliness had become so familiar.
But now—
He wasn't alone anymore.
"I'll protect him," Lucas thought firmly. "No matter what."
Loneliness was worse than pain. Worse than bruises. Worse than fists.
He would never let this child feel it.
"Lucas," Garp said heavily, placing a hand on his head. "You must take good care of your younger brother. His name is Monkey D. Luffy. From now on, he'll live with you."
Lucas nodded without hesitation.
"I will," he said quietly—but with absolute certainty.
Garp turned toward Makino. "I'll be busy for a while. Take care of them for me."
Makino blinked in surprise. "M-Mr. Garp…"
She straightened and nodded firmly. "Leave it to me."
Garp laughed loudly, waving his hand as he started toward the shore. "Lucas, take care of yourself—and Luffy. Next time we meet, call me 'Grandpa.'"
He turned back briefly, raising his fist in warning.
Lucas snorted. "Got it, you old man!"
Garp burst into laughter and leapt into his boat, which quickly disappeared across the sea.
Makino smiled down at the baby. "Let's take Luffy to the tavern and get him some milk."
"Okay!" Lucas shouted eagerly, running ahead to clear the path, glancing back every few steps to make sure they were following.
Makino watched him fondly.
They'll be close, she thought. Very close.
As she fed Luffy later, Lucas handed her the bottle without being asked, his movements careful—protective.
Watching the baby giggle softly, Lucas felt something change inside him.
From this moment on—
He would give everything to protect Monkey D. Luffy.
Like a shadow that never leaves.Like family that never breaks.