"Huh? You want to join my crew?" Shanks asked in surprise, staring at Luffy.
With his experience reading people, he never expected Luffy to choose a subordinate position, so he hadn't considered it.
Hearing Luffy now, Shanks was naturally delighted. Even though Luffy was still small, his extraordinary skills at this age promised he would grow into an incredible figure. Shanks, having seen the world, never judged someone's strength by height or age.
"Impossible!" Luffy said, refusing as a matter of course.
"I just want a ride, to test myself at sea. Just drop me off somewhere when it's time," Luffy added, hiding his true intentions from Shanks and the crew.
"Alright, then. No time to waste—we set sail tomorrow," Shanks said, raising his cup in agreement.
"Great!"
Though the schedule was tight, both Shanks and his crew were used to such rushed departures over the years.
Luffy turned to Makino in the corner of the tavern. "Makino, I'll be gone for a while tomorrow."
Makino froze for a moment, hands rising slightly, as if realizing something, then slowly lowered them.
"Be careful," she said, her warm smile returning.
"Today's a good day, brothers—let the feast begin!" Shanks stood, laughing heartily and draping his arm around Luffy's neck, as if finally finding a reason to celebrate.
"Put me down! My neck!" Luffy shouted, struggling, his mind already set on buying the "Rapid Growth Capsules" as soon as possible.
"Hahaha!"
Laughter echoed through the tavern all night, one wave after another, until darkness fell.
After the revelry, the tavern lay in disarray.
At sunrise, golden light spilled over the horizon. Luffy rose early, preparing to tidy the mess.
Last night, he had witnessed real pirate life, blood on the blade—fortunately, he had sent Makino to rest early. Otherwise, she would have seen drunken pirates dancing wildly.
Shivering at the thought, Luffy approached the tavern's main hall, seeing Makino already sweeping. Empty barrels and bottles littered the floor.
"I'll help you, Makino," Luffy said, jumping in to assist with the physically demanding cleanup.
"Luffy…" Makino whispered.
Before she could continue, Luffy spoke while working. "Sorry, Makino… I might have to leave here. I didn't mean to worry you."
Makino smiled gently through her teary eyes.
"I know. I've known from the start—Luffy, you're strong and capable," she said, and returned to cleaning. Luffy said nothing further. Together, they silently restored the tavern.
By noon, at Windmill Town's small port, six-year-old Luffy, amidst villagers' farewells, boarded the Red Force, Shanks' ship.
Standing at the stern, Luffy watched Windmill Town shrink in the distance, imagining Makino waving tears goodbye.
"I'll be back," he whispered, turning just as Shanks approached.
"Nervous for your first voyage?" Shanks asked, slowly removing his straw hat.
"A little…" Luffy said, gripping the railing, eyes sparkling with excitement, showing no sign of fear.
Shanks glanced at Luffy, then at the straw hat in his hand. "Luffy, this hat was given to me by someone very important…"
Luffy looked at it, asking softly, "Then it must mean a lot to you, right?"
"Yes… very much… it carries his will… as long as I wear it…"
"But carrying someone else's will… wouldn't that make it hard to surpass them?" Luffy interrupted suddenly.
Shanks' hand trembled, struck by Luffy's words. After a long moment, he placed the hat back on his head and said nothing further.
Luffy looked out over the vast sea. Sitting on the railing, he kicked his small feet. "Grandpa always wanted me to be in the Navy, but I won't live for someone else's will. I came to this amazing world—I'll live for myself, do what I like!"
"Is that so…" Shanks murmured, sharing Luffy's view of the endless ocean. "That… is a truly great dream."
Luffy had no intention of making major changes, but he would act according to his own plan. Having crossed into the world of pirates, with a golden-system advantage, he intended to live this life on his own terms.
If possible, he also wanted to see whether there was still a way home.
"What a remarkable kid," Shanks thought silently, watching Luffy's determined gaze.
Luffy noticed Shanks' fatherly gaze and felt slightly awkward.
He didn't always want to act like this, but the system had forced his hand. He could only hope it would grant him powerful abilities later; otherwise, he would be little more than an emotionless kid killer in this pirate world.
"Since that's your thinking, do you have any specific goals? I'll need to start preparing after sending you off," Shanks asked, slightly provoked by Luffy's words.
"If possible, just drop me at Loguetown. Oh, and could you help me find Cocosia Village and Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue?"
"Sure, I'll inquire about that."
For years, Luffy had recalled the story of One Piece daily, especially tragic events, so he would not forget.
Boarding Shanks' ship had been planned long in advance, though he hadn't expected it to happen so soon—one year earlier than intended.
That also meant Luffy was still weak. In terms of raw strength, he was about equal to a pirate with a bounty around 5 million Berries.
For a six-year-old, that was considerable, yet insufficient for all he wanted to accomplish.
In the original story, Kuina and Bellemere were crucial to Zoro and Nami. Luffy wanted to prevent their deaths if possible, even if it altered the plot.
He didn't want to see his future companions hurt—but not knowing when these events would occur, he decided to investigate one by one. He couldn't just do nothing.
Thus, Luffy planned his journey aboard the Red Force, slowly making his way to the bow, a smile creeping across his face.
"The world of One Piece… I, Monkey D. Luffy, have arrived!"