I had spent the night in the small shed near the docks. The boards creaked when I shifted, but I barely noticed. My mind was alive, scanning the village, testing my senses, feeling the hum of nanomachines under my skin. The world was quiet, but I was not. Red Queen stayed silent, observing my environment, analyzing patterns, waiting for instructions. I liked it that way. Her loyalty was absolute, but she never interfered unless I commanded it.
By morning, the village was awake. Fishermen shouted across the water, gulls screamed above, and the smell of frying fish drifted from a small stall. I stepped out, adjusting my jacket, keeping my movements casual. I needed to understand this world better. I needed to test its boundaries without drawing attention.
And then I saw him.
Luffy. The boy from yesterday. He was practicing with a small wooden sword he had found, swinging it wildly, tripping over his own feet and laughing. His hat slid over his eyes, but he didn't care. His energy was endless, almost irritating. Almost.
I stepped closer, careful not to scare him. "Hey," I said casually.
He froze mid-swing, then looked up, eyes bright. "Huh? Who are you?"
"Someone new," I said, shrugging lightly. "I just moved here. Name's Ji-Hoon."
He tilted his head, grinning. "Ji-Hoon? Cool! I'm Luffy! Wanna play?"
I laughed softly. "Not exactly play. I… want to see what you can do."
Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Oh! Okay! Watch this!" He lunged forward with the sword, swinging wildly. I stepped back with ease, catching the blade between my fingers mid-air. The wood didn't break, but I held it perfectly still. Luffy's jaw dropped.
"Whoa! You… you didn't even move your feet!" he exclaimed.
I let the sword go. "I just watched your movements. You're fast, but predictable if you repeat the same patterns."
He blinked, then laughed, unfazed. "Heh! I like you already. You're not scared of me."
I studied him carefully. Red Queen analyzed everything silently. Enhanced reflexes, high endurance, unpredictable, impulsive, resilient. Probability of survival is high. I nodded internally, impressed. He wasn't extraordinary by my standards yet, but his potential was obvious.
"Tell me," I said slowly, "do you want to be a pirate?"
"Of course!" he shouted. "I'm gonna find the One Piece and be King of the Pirates!"
I let a small smile form. He was reckless, confident, fearless. Exactly the kind of chaos I could work with. "Then follow me," I said, deciding quickly. "I'm putting together a crew. You'll be the first member if you want."
Luffy's eyes widened, then he grinned from ear to ear. "Really?! Me?! First? That's awesome!"
I nodded. "Yeah. But you have to listen to me. Carefully. I won't hold your hand, but you'll need to trust me."
"Trust! Got it! I trust you!" he said without hesitation, his energy infectious.
I could already tell Red Queen was analyzing him in real time. Absolute loyalty is not guaranteed. Impulsive behavior may cause minor injury. Predictable actions limited. I ignored it for now. I needed him to follow me, but I didn't need perfection. I needed potential, raw and unfiltered.
"Good," I said. "First lesson: observation. Watch what happens, learn, and repeat." I gestured toward the docks, toward a small stack of crates. "Try lifting that without hurting yourself."
Luffy ran over and grabbed a crate. He struggled, grunting, his straw hat sliding over his eyes. I observed carefully, stepping closer, adjusting only slightly. My nanomachines adjusted muscle tension in my arms and legs just enough to subtly assist him without him realizing it. The crate lifted smoothly, and he almost tumbled backward.
"Whoa!" he laughed, holding the crate steady. "Hey! I did it! I actually did it!"
I smiled faintly. "You did it. But notice how your balance shifted. Watch your footing next time. Control matters more than brute strength."
He nodded eagerly, eyes shining. "Got it! I'll do it again!"
I spent the morning guiding him subtly, testing his instincts, showing him small techniques without revealing my full strength. Each time, Red Queen monitored silently, ready to adjust only if I commanded. I didn't need to show him everything. I needed him intrigued, learning, wanting more.
By midday, I decided it was enough for the first day. Luffy was panting, sweaty, but smiling like he could run forever. I felt satisfaction, a rare feeling I hadn't experienced in years. He was raw potential. He could become someone extraordinary, and I could guide him.
"Alright," I said, "you're officially part of my crew. First member. Don't mess this up."
Luffy pumped his fists into the air. "Yes! First crew member! Awesome! I'm not gonna mess up!"
I allowed myself a faint smirk. "Good. Tomorrow, we start proper training. You'll learn faster than most, but you'll need discipline too."
He nodded eagerly. "I can do that! I can do anything!"
I glanced at the horizon. The sea stretched endlessly, full of danger, adventure, and opportunities. And for the first time since I arrived in this world, I felt a sense of purpose. Not survival, not curiosity, but direction.
Red Queen, I thought, monitor him carefully, but do not intervene unless I ask.
Understood, she replied instantly.
I looked at Luffy again. He was shouting at a gull, laughing as it dodged his tiny wooden sword. He was reckless, chaotic, fearless. Perfect.
I had chosen well.
And so, the first bond of my crew was forged—not with words, not with force, but with subtle guidance, observation, and shared curiosity. The East Blue awaited us, and the sea was wide, but we would face it together, one step at a time.
The morning light spilled over the East Blue, golden and warm. I left the small shed near the docks, feeling the hum of the nanomachines beneath my skin. Every movement felt precise, controlled. Every breath filled me with energy. Red Queen monitored my body quietly, ready to assist only at my command.
Luffy waited by the edge of the docks, his straw hat tilted over his eyes. He bounced on the balls of his feet, laughing as he warmed up with stretches that were clumsy but energetic. I observed him carefully, calculating the best way to start his first proper training.
"Today," I said, "we will see how far you can push yourself."
His eyes lit up, and he pumped his fists. "Yeah! Let's go!"
I led him toward a row of stacked crates and barrels. The morning breeze smelled of salt and fish. Birds circled above, calling to each other. Luffy's grin never faltered as I instructed him to lift, balance, and move the crates. I guided his movements with small adjustments in my nanomachines, enhancing stability and timing. He noticed only the results, not the invisible aid behind them.
"Whoa! I feel stronger!" he shouted, lifting a heavier crate than before. "How'd I do that?"
"You improved," I said simply. "Your balance and strength are better." I watched his posture, his reflexes, his natural agility. He had raw power, but control would make him unstoppable. Red Queen calculated the safest ways to expand his abilities while keeping him focused.
We moved from crates to barrels, testing endurance and reaction time. Each action allowed him to push further, and each success sparked laughter. His excitement filled the air. My own senses sharpened, feeling the limits of my own body as I demonstrated movements, timing, and technique. Luffy mirrored some of them eagerly, curiosity driving him forward.
By midday, I decided to introduce a small challenge. I spotted a group of local thugs harassing a fisherman near the docks. Their stance was careless, but their intentions clear. I motioned Luffy closer, guiding him silently.
"Observe," I said. "Learn before acting."
He crouched low, watching every motion, his eyes wide. I stepped forward, carefully moving between the thugs and the fisherman. My body moved fluidly, each muscle responding instinctively. Nanomachines adjusted tension and speed, allowing me to control the flow without excessive force. A punch here, a grab there, and the thugs stumbled backward, startled by my precision and strength.
Luffy's mouth dropped open, eyes shining. "Whoa! You're amazing!"
I motioned him forward. "Your turn. Focus on timing. Move with confidence."
He darted between them, clumsy but fast. I adjusted subtly, ensuring he avoided injury while learning to read opponents. Red Queen whispered small insights, predictions of movements, probabilities of success, all without breaking the flow. Luffy absorbed it instinctively, adapting after every attempt.
The fisherman's gratitude was visible in his eyes, and Luffy's pride swelled with every successful move. I felt satisfaction. Leadership was not about dominance; it was about guiding potential into something real. This was the first true test for both of us.
After the encounter, we walked along the docks. The sun had risen high, casting sparkling reflections across the water. Luffy laughed, full of energy, and I observed him calmly, analyzing how much he had improved and how far he could still go.
"Tomorrow," I said, "we continue. Today was learning. Tomorrow, we push further."
Luffy grinned, slapping me on the shoulder. "I can't wait! You're gonna teach me everything!"
I allowed myself a small smile. His energy was infectious. My body thrummed with readiness, the nanomachines fine-tuning every fiber, preparing me for the challenges ahead. Red Queen confirmed all systems were optimal. The sea stretched endlessly before us, promising adventure, danger, and growth.
I felt anticipation build. This world offered endless possibilities. Every movement, every action, every choice mattered. And with Luffy at my side, this was the first step toward something greater.