The morning sun reflected off the calm East Blue waters, stretching golden across the horizon. I stood on the small pier, adjusting the straps of the bag I carried. Luffy was already there, his straw hat tilted back, bouncing on the balls of his feet with his usual endless energy.
"Oi! Are we leaving already?" Luffy shouted, grinning.
I laughed lightly. "We're ready to set sail. The boat is prepped, and the tide is right."
Luffy's eyes widened, and he jumped in place. "Really?! Are we really gonna go now? That's awesome! I've been waiting for this forever!"
The boat rocked gently as we stepped onto it. I ran my hand over the worn wooden planks, noting their sturdiness, the salt stains from years at sea, the smell of wet wood and seaweed. Luffy immediately grabbed the railing, peering over the side. "Whoa! The sea's huge! I can't wait to see what's out there!"
I watched him closely. His excitement was endless, but he was careful with his footing, leaning into the sway of the boat without falling. My nanomachines adjusted subtly to maintain my own balance, and I felt the familiar hum of readiness beneath my skin.
"Luffy," I said, "this boat isn't fast. You'll need to help row if we want to move quickly."
He laughed and crouched, grabbing an oar. "Rowing? No problem! I can row all day! You'll see!"
We started moving through the calm waters, the sound of oars dipping in and out of the sea forming a steady rhythm. The boat rocked gently, creaking as it cut through small waves. I could feel the temperature shift with the breeze, the salt on my skin, the small spray from the bow. Luffy leaned over the edge and shouted to a passing gull, "Hey! Watch out, birdie!" The gull squawked and flew off, making Luffy laugh uncontrollably.
I smiled faintly. His energy was chaotic, unrefined, but genuine. I knew guiding him would take patience, observation, and subtle instruction.
"Ji-Hoon," Luffy asked suddenly, "what made you want to sail with me anyway?"
I thought for a moment, scanning the horizon, observing the small islands in the distance. "I saw potential," I said. "You move without fear. You trust yourself, even when others would hesitate. That's rare, even among pirates."
Luffy blinked, then grinned widely. "Heh! That's me! I'm fearless! You'll see lots of adventure with me!"
The wind picked up slightly, and I adjusted my stance on the deck, feeling the boat sway beneath my feet. Luffy noticed the change in speed and motion, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ooh! The wind's getting stronger! We're really moving now!"
I nodded. "Keep your balance. The waves can get rough, but the boat handles well if we move carefully."
We fell into an easy rhythm. Luffy rowed with surprising strength, laughing and talking the entire time. He told me about small adventures he had dreamed of, islands he wanted to explore, pirates he imagined meeting. I listened carefully, analyzing not only his words but his behavior, his reactions to the sea, his energy. Red Queen silently processed everything, occasionally feeding me probabilities of weather changes and currents.
"Do you ever get scared out here?" I asked quietly.
Luffy shook his head with a grin. "Scared? Nah! The sea's fun! There are big monsters, treasure, and people to meet. That's exciting! You're not scared either, right?"
I smiled faintly. "I feel ready. There's always something new to learn."
He nodded, eyes wide. "That's good! I like people who want to learn!"
The sun climbed higher, and we approached a small, rocky island. Birds nested in the cliffs, and the waves crashed against the rocks in rhythmic patterns. Luffy leaned over the side, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Ooh! Let's check that place out! Maybe there's treasure or something!"
I studied the island carefully. Its cliffs looked steep, but there were small paths and shallow areas where the water lapped against the rocks. I could see small caves and crevices. Red Queen analyzed potential landing points, water depth, and possible dangers.
"Alright," I said, "we can explore for a little while. Watch your footing."
Luffy leaped off the boat without hesitation, landing lightly on a rock near the water's edge. I followed more cautiously, stepping in precise motions, feeling every shift in balance. He turned and shouted, "Come on, Ji-Hoon! Don't be slow!"
I laughed softly and moved faster, testing my own limits, enjoying the feel of the rocks under my feet, the spray of the waves, and the breeze on my face. Luffy led the way, finding small caves and pointing out shells and fish. He laughed at the shapes in the rocks, at the birds flying overhead, at every little detail the island had to offer.
"Look at that one!" he shouted, pointing to a tiny crab scuttling across a rock. "It's trying to race me!"
I crouched slightly to observe it. "It's fast for its size," I said. Luffy laughed loudly, crouching beside me. "I think I can beat it!"
He ran after the crab, laughing, and the crab scuttled into a small hole. Luffy puffed his cheeks, looking disappointed but amused. "Aw! It got away!"
I laughed. "It's clever. You'll learn a lot from small things like this."
We explored the island, testing balance, running along rocks, climbing small cliffs. Each action allowed Luffy to build strength, coordination, and awareness naturally. Red Queen whispered subtle cues when necessary—currents, loose rocks, angles—but I kept guidance light and playful, letting Luffy experience the island with his own energy.
As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, we returned to the boat. Luffy jumped aboard first, laughing and brushing sand off. "That was amazing! I can't wait for tomorrow!"
I followed, adjusting my footing as the boat rocked gently. "Tomorrow, we sail farther. There's a small village not far from here. We can rest, gather supplies, and see if anyone wants to join us."
Luffy's grin widened. "New people? Awesome! I bet there's some crazy pirates or fun stuff there!"
I nodded, feeling the hum of readiness beneath my skin. The sea stretched endlessly, and the horizon glowed orange and pink. Every wave, every breeze, every sound became data, observation, and possibility.
I looked at Luffy, sprawled on the deck, laughing at nothing in particular. "You'll need more control," I said lightly.
He blinked, then laughed. "Heh! Control? I've got plenty of that! You'll see!"
I smiled, watching the sun dip below the waves. This was only the beginning. Luffy was the first of my crew, and the East Blue was wide, full of danger, adventure, and stories waiting to happen. And I was ready for every moment, every challenge, every laugh, every wave.
The boat rocked gently as we sailed toward the horizon. Waves whispered against the hull, gulls circled overhead, and the wind carried the smell of salt and adventure. I felt anticipation rise, excitement building, and a steady rhythm settle into our movements. With Luffy beside me, the crew's foundation was already forming, and the sea promised endless opportunities for growth, challenge, and discovery.