Chapter 31 : Straw Hats

Windmill Village…

Luffy gazed at the sky, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Sky Island... What's that?"

To be honest, he had never heard of such a place before. He knew Ace, his older brother, was talking to someone on a Den Den Mushi, but before Ace could finish speaking, the conversation abruptly ended.

Luffy couldn't help but feel a bit downcast.

Meanwhile, the villagers like Dadan and Makino who were standing behind him were astonished.

"Sky Island?"

"Isn't that a legendary place?"

"Does it even exist in this world?"

"Luffy has been there... I can't believe it."

The crowd was filled with shock and curiosity. They hadn't anticipated that Luffy's adventures at sea would be this thrilling.

Facing the infamous Shichibukai was one thing, but now he had ventured to a place of legends, leaving everyone both shocked and eager to know more.

A group of children, unable to contain their excitement, rushed toward Luffy. They gathered around him, clamoring for him to share his adventures on Sky Island.

Luffy looked at them, dumbfounded.

"I haven't been there, so I don't know what it's like."

...

Meanwhile, just before the Ninth Battle was about to commence...

In various places across the East Blue, some individuals stood out as particularly unique. They were none other than the members of the Straw Hat Pirates.

In a naval base town:

Zoro, with three swords at his waist, gazed out at the vast blue sea.

"Luffy's hometown is called Windmill Village, right?"

"It's not too far from here."

"I wonder if I'll willingly give my life for this crew in the future."

"In that case, let's find out what kind of captain Luffy is."

With those thoughts, Zoro stepped forward. Whether he was headed in the direction of Windmill Village or going astray, no one could say.

In Orange Town:

"My Nakama..."

Nami stared at the sky, her eyes filled with despair. She had been oppressed for far too long by Arlong.

Under the tyranny of the Arlong Pirates, over a dozen nearby towns, including Orange Town itself, struggled to survive. Nami, too, was forced to work tirelessly, unable to escape her plight.

At this moment, she could only hope that someone would come to rescue her and the others, someone she considered immensely important among those familiar faces.

Could it be her Nakama?

Nami didn't know, but she longed to escape and find the companions who meant so much to her in those pictures. Yet, as long as Arlong held sway, she couldn't break free. If she did, her loved ones would suffer the consequences.

If the bonds and warmth depicted in those images were real, and if she truly had caring companions who could defeat Arlong...

Then, she would wake up from this nightmare with tears of joy. But for now...

Arlong was lurking beneath the sea, and if he learned that Straw Hat Pirates had defeated him, would he return for vengeance?

She couldn't be certain, but one thing was clear: she couldn't escape on her own.

Nami forced a bitter smile and continued charting the sea.

In Syrup Village:

Usopp raced toward the village in a state of panic.

"What's going on? What's happening?"

He had unmistakably seen a familiar figure in Luffy's journey—someone wearing ten-clawed gloves!

How could he forget that person? Wasn't that Kaya's butler?

But he was a pirate!?

Usopp's mind was in turmoil, and he was currently in the next town, buying Kaya, a specialty she loved. However, when he saw a live broadcast, he discovered the true identity of Kaya's butler.

"Kaya, I'll protect you no matter what!"

Usopp sprinted toward town with determination. Despite his fear, he would face anything for Kaya's sake.

On the Sea Restaurant, Baratie:

"Hey, kid, aren't you supposed to be searching for your Nakama?"

Zeff approached Sanji leisurely and leaned on the restaurant's railing.

Sanji exhaled a smoke ring. "It may seem that way, but why bother looking for them now?"

Zeff grinned. "I know you better than that."

"Don't think I don't see it. You were deeply moved earlier, weren't you?"

"Go on, find your Nakama. You can't spend your entire life in this restaurant."

"Simultaneously, pursue your dream of finding the All Blue, a sea with all the ingredients. And fulfill that dream for me while you're at it."

Upon hearing this, Sanji's smoking hand froze, and he fell into deep thought.

In Drum Island:

Chopper gazed at the images in the sky with envy flickering in his young eyes.

He envied his future self, who had become a skilled doctor, capable of easily treating injuries sustained by Zoro and Luffy. He envied the fact that his future self had developed numerous combat forms.

But most of all, he envied his future self for having so many Nakama.

He yearned to find these companions, but the Drum Island held precious memories and important people for him.

While Chopper was tangled in his emotions, unaware of his surroundings, a figure stood silently behind him—Kureha, wearing a complicated expression.

After what felt like an eternity, a decision seemed to settle in her heart. Without a word, she quietly retreated.

**********

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