3. The Adventure starts anew

It was time. He had trained for three years under Garp and was now ready to cast off. Luffy took one last look around the forest he had grown up in and smiled. He took in a deep breath before rushing off to the bandit house.

"Dadan! Everyone! I'm leaving now." Luffy said as he peered inside the house. The bandits all looked at him while Dadan had her back turned to him.

"Good. Now we can finally get some peace around here, you little monster." Dadan said, not looking at Luffy at all. Luffy just smiled and was about to walk away, but turned back to them and said "I hate mountain bandits, but I like you guys."

"Will you just get out of here, you rotten brat?!" Dadan shouted through her tears that she failed to wipe up with her hanky. Luffy's smile grew before he bolted off through the forest, running at speeds even he didn't know he could. In what felt like no time at all, he had already run all the way to the docks of Fushia Village. Some of the villagers were a little surprised to see Luffy appear of nowhere, but they smiled anyway. Soon, the whole village appeared to see Luffy off, cheering him on and wishing him good luck.

"Well Mayor, he's off," said Makino as she smiled.

"Hmph." grumped Mayor Woop Slap. "Off to bring shame to our village no doubt."

"Alright, everyone!" Luffy shouted as he untied his little fishing boat. "I'm off!" And he slowly drifted away from his village, waving back to them all. "Bye Mayor! Bye Makino! Bye, Everyone! Wish me luck!" Luffy shouted as waved. His eyes widened a bit as he felt a presence lurking under the water before his smile returned. Out from under the water rose the Lord of the Coast. Luffy decided to have some fun and pretend not to notice, even with all the villagers crying out in panic. The sea king lunged at Luffy, only for Luffy to smile and turn around at the last second, backhanding the sea king so hard that it flew out of the water and skipped across the surface a few times before using the same hand to wave it goodbye as well. "Bye Fish!" he said, stunning the villagers silent. Luffy then looked to the clear blue sky and smiled as memories of his friends came to him. He felt a few tears fall before rubbing his eyes and smiling.

"Wait for me, everyone. We'll be together again," he said before he thought of Nami and Robin again. He pulled his hat down over his eyes as he blushed. "I gotta be careful. I might turn into Sanji," he said before he started laughing. He stared again at the sky with a determined look. "You know, Phil did say to change history. I wonder how I'll do that this time. Last time," he said before he lowered his eyes to the boat as he sat down, letting the wind and waves carry him along. "Last time, they got us because they threw every marine they could spare at us. Hundreds of thousands of them against 10 of us." His eyes shot open "That's it! I'll get more crewmates. More friends! I've come across other strong people who weren't in my crew before, I'll recruit them this time. This is gonna be so fun!" He then stood up and shouted for the whole world to hear, "I'M GONNA BE KING OF THE PIRATES!"

()()()()

It had been a few hours since Luffy left for his adventure, and on cue, his first obstacle had appeared.

"There's the whirlpool I got sucked into last time. Alright then," he said before eating all the fruit in the barrel and sealing himself inside. "Time for a ride." He waited for a moment before he felt it. His boat was slowly being swallowed by the whirlpool as he spun around for a few moments. "Ahhhh I'm getting dizzy," he said as his eyes spiralled around. It lasted for a few moments before it ceased. All was quiet for a moment as the barrel then floated away from the whirlpool and surfaced. He closed his eyes and used his Observation Haki to see everything through the barrel. He smiled as he felt the presence of everyone on both the Cruise ship that was sailing close by and the far off Pirate Ship that was hiding behind the rocks. His eyes opened when he felt...her. He could see her plain as day with his haki, and he couldn't help the rush of feelings coming to him. He wanted to burst out of that barrel, stretch over to the ship, and squeeze her in a hug like there was no tomorrow, but he remembered why he was here. He took a deep breath to calm himself down as he tried to focus on other things. He took his mind off of Nami when he felt two sailors trying to throw a hook out to his barrel. He smiled when he heard the splash of water.

"Missed," he said with a laugh as another hook latched on and dragged the barrel toward the ship. He felt them slowly lift the barrel up to the deck before another started shouting.

"PIRATES!"

'Here they come.' Luffy thought as a volley of cannonballs rocked the ship, causing his barrel to roll around. Luffy spun inside for a moment before it rolled down some stairs and stopped in one room. 'That was fun.' Luffy thought. 'I'm kinda sad I missed it the first time.' He waited yet again for a few more moments before he heard a "Hello?"

'Coby!' Luffy thought. It was good to see his friend again. He listened as Coby looked around, hoping no one would be.

"Whoa. That's a big barrel." Coby said as he walked toward Luffy's barrel. Luffy smiled as felt Coby roll the barrel away, only to be stopped by three other pirates.

"Well look here, boys. It's our favourite little coward." one of them sneered. "You trying to duck out of all the action runt?"

"N-n-no. J-just getting some p-provisions is all." Coby stammered as the three men stood the barrel up on one end.

"We'll take it off your hands brat. Probably some booze."

"B-but if Lady Alvida finds out-" Coby started to shout.

"She won't as long as you keep your trap shut. Got it!" yelled another pirate, causing Coby to agree in fear. Luffy heard one of them cracking their knuckles and knew this was his cue. Just as the pirate swung his fist, Luffy burst out of the barrel with his fists in the air, hitting one of them as he shouted "WHAT A RUSH!" Coby and the conscious pirates just stared in bewilderment at Luffy while he just looked down at the knocked out pirate.

"Who is that?" Luffy asked, never really knowing who he was the first time around before he looked back at the other pirates gaping at him. "Who are you?"

"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!" they screamed.

"Your friend will catch a cold sleeping on the floor," Luffy said as he got out of the barrel.

"WHO DO YOU THINK PUT HIM THERE?! they screamed again before pointing their swords at him.

"Who do you think you are brat? We're the ruthless Alvida Pirates and-"

"I'm starving. You know where the food is kid?" he asked Coby, ignoring the other two pirates.

"DON'T IGNORE US!" the pirates screamed as they brought their swords down on Luffy, causing Coby to scream. Luffy didn't even flinch as the swords broke at stuck to the ceiling. Both pirates fell back, looking scared. Luffy looked at them both before asking "What was that for now?" Both just watched in horror before they asked "W-who are you?" Luffy just smiled as he crossed his arms together. "Me. I'm Monkey D. Luffy. Hello." he said before the pirates grabbed their unconscious shipmate and fled. "Shishishishi." Luffy laughed before looking at Coby. "Those guys are funny. Anyway, what's your name kid?" Coby just stared at Luffy in awe before he snapped out of it and answered "M-m-my name's C-Coby."

"Great, so where's the food?" Luffy asked with a smile.

"There s-should be a pantry over there," he said as he pointed towards a door, which Luffy immediately rushed over and flung the doors open, cheering at the sight of the food. He then jumped in a started chowing down on apples as Coby walked into the room. "You really should leave. Those pirates will be back with their friends to kill you."

"Who were they?" Luffy asked though he knew who.

"Those guys were pirates under the command of the lady pirate Captain Alvida. She's ruthless with that iron mace of hers and she won't hesitate to shatter your skull with it." Coby said as he started shaking in fear.

"Are you one of them?" Luffy asked. He saw Coby look at him and explain that it wasn't by his will, but by accidentally boarding a boat of theirs, thinking it was a fishing boat and had been brought on as a cabin boy for the last two years.

"Why not leave?" Luffy asked, waiting for the reaction he knew would come.

"No way. Impossible, impossible. I can't escape from Alvida. Just thinking of what Alvida would do to me scares me so much I could throw up. Nope, nope, nope, no-"

BAM! Luffy's fist shot out, nailing Coby in the head as he fell back clutching it. "Why'd you hit me?"

"Felt like it," Luffy said smiling. Coby just sat back up as he rubbed his head. "Heh. Well, I'm used to it anyway. All the other pirates on her ship smack me around for laughs."

"So you're a coward and a weakling huh?" Luffy said with a laugh. "I hate people like you." Coby just hung his head in shame. "Way to state the obvious Luffy," he said before looking back at Luffy. "So Luffy, what made you go out to sea?" he asked. Luffy smiled at him and answered without hesitation. "To become King of the Pirates." He had to hold back his laugh at Coby's face.

"You're...a pirate?" Coby croaked out.

"Yep."

"Crew?"

"Just me. I just started." Luffy said as Coby froze as a statue. Luffy smiled again as he waved his hand in front of Coby's face. 'You know' he thought, 'I've always wondered if Coby's brain shut down here.' He waited until Coby stood up and found his voice.

"The King of the Pirates is the title given to one man who has it all. Wealth. Fame. Power. That means that you're aiming for the ultimate treasure. You're going after the One Piece!"

"Yep," Luffy answered, smiling as Coby was freaking out once again.

"No way no way no way no way! Millions of other pirates are after that prize and you're only one person. It can't be done! Impossible, impossible, impo-"

BAM!

"Why'd you hit me?"

"Felt like it," Luffy said as he took his straw hat off his head to stare at it. "I made a promise to a great man one day be King of the Pirates," he said as he remembered Shanks. "And if I die trying, then I'll die," he said, smiling without a hint of hesitation in his voice. He looked out of the corner of his eye to see Coby looking at him.

"Your... dream?" he said before he looked at the ground in thought. Luffy just waited for Coby to speak what he remembered him asking. "Luffy. Do you think...if I tried...that I could be a marine?"

"A marine?" Luffy asked, faking a look of surprise as Coby looked at him with determination. "It's always been my dream to be a marine and hunt down criminals! I know it would mean we'd be enemies, but do you think I could do it?"

"I don't know. You won't either if you don't get off this boat." Luffy answered back as he headed for the door.

"Then I'll do it. I'm not gonna be Alvida's cabin boy forever. I'm gonna join the marines! And then I'm gonna catch Alvida first!" he screamed before the ceiling above him caved in, causing him to panic and run, his courage going out the window in spades.

"Who are you going to catch Coby?" said a gruff woman's voice as the debris cleared, showing a fat woman with more chins than stars in the sky. She looked over at Luffy before grinning. "Who's this runt? He doesn't look like pirate hunter Zoro." Luffy smiled at the mention of his Nakama before Alvida barked Coby's name, making the boy cower in fear. "Who is the most lovely woman on the seas?"

"W-w-why that's y-you Lady Alvida?" Coby stammered. Luffy decided to really have some fun here as he pointed at Alvida with a surprised look and asked "That's a lady Coby?" The pirates, Coby, and Alvida just gaped at Luffy as the pirates looked frightened. Alvida growled before snapping. "BRAT!" she screamed as she brought her iron mace down towards Luffy, who quickly jumped out of the way. "Let's go," he said to Coby before grabbing him by his shirt collar and jumping out of the hole Alvida made. Luffy stared around as the pirates surrounded him. He smirked at the idea of fighting enemies pirates after so long.

The pirates charged him, but Luffy easily took them out without breaking a sweat until they all charged him at once. Luffy ran off, feigning fright before he grabbed the mast, stretching his arm out, causing the pirates to stare at Luffy who looked back with a smile. "Fooled ya," he said before they all freaked out and ran away.

"Gum Gum...ROCKET!" Luffy shouted before slamming into them all, scattering them all over the deck. Coby just stared at Luffy before asking "W-What are you Luffy?"

Luffy stretched his cheek out as he said "I'm a rubber man."

"Rubber...man?" Coby asked before he looked behind him and shrieked at the sight of Alvida.

"You've eaten a Devil Fruit, haven't you?" Alvida asked.

"Yep," he replied as he let his cheek go.

"Are you a bounty hunter?"

"No. I'm a pirate."

"Is that so?" she said with a smirk. "Well if you're a pirate, then that makes us enemies right?"

"Yep," Luffy said with a smile. He looked out of the corner of his eye to see a figure move along with Alvida's ship. His smile widened before Coby got his attention. "Luffy, I'd run if I were you."

"Why?"

"Why? Because Alvida is..." his voice trailed off as he stared at Luffy, remembering what he said before. Luffy kept a blank face as Alvida smirked.

"I'm what Coby?" she asked. Coby looked back at her, determination on his face as he shouted.

"ALVIDA IS...THE UGLIEST SEA HAG I'VE EVER SEEN!"

Luffy just laughed as Alvida looked ready to explode in anger as she glared at Coby. "What was that runt?"

"That's right! You're ugly! And also, I'm through being your cabin boy. I'm getting out of here and joining the marines!" Coby said as his courage soared.

"Do you have any idea what you're saying brat?!"

"I know what I'm saying! I'm gonna fight for my dreams from now on. I'm gonna join the marines and catch criminals. AND I'M GONNA START WITH YOUR UGLY ASS FIRST!"

"ENOUGH!" Alvida shouted as she raised her iron mace. Coby screamed but stayed put. He was gonna fight for his dreams, even if it meant death.

"Well said, Coby," Luffy said as he stepped in front of Coby, taking the full force of the hit.

"LUFFY!" Coby screamed, terrified at the thought of Luffy getting killed. Luffy just smiled under his hat. "That won't work."

"WHAT?!" Alvida screamed as Luffy slowly lifted a hand to her mace.

"It's because I'm rubber," he said before flicking his finger, shattering her mace into pieces before stretching his hand back. "Gum Guuuuum...PISTOL!" Luffy screamed as he slammed his fist into Alvida's gut, sending her flying. She screamed until she was nothing but a star in the sky. Luffy's arm returned to normal before he looked back at Alvida's men. "Bring Coby a boat. He's joining the marines." Luffy said as he glared at them all.

"Uh...well." one of the pirates said, looking nervous.

"Well, what?" Luffy asked. He was still glaring, but inside he was confused as to what could be the problem.

"W-well, when you shattered that iron mace, some of the pieces struck the lifeboats," he said as he pointed to the now useless boats.

"Oops," Luffy said before cannonballs started raining down around them.

"It's the marines!" Coby shouted as three marine vessels closed in on them. "If they find me on this boat, my dream will die before it starts!"

Luffy looked around, trying to figure out how to get them off the boat before he realized that there was one boat still useful. He smiled as he turned to Coby. "Don't worry Coby. You're joining the marines for sure," he said before he grabbed Coby and jumped over the railings. He looked down and sure enough, there was another boat in the water with one person tying a bag of what could only be treasure safely to it. "HEADS UP!" he shouted, gaining her attention before he and Coby fell into Nami's boat, shocking her."

"Are you crazy?!" she shouted at Luffy.

"Nope," he said with a smile before pointing at himself. "I'm Luffy. This is Coby," he said as he pointed at Coby, who passed out due to fear. "Can you help us get away from here?"

"Why should I? Who are you guys anyway?"

"Less talking. More rowing." he said before he let go of Coby and grabbed an oar, rowing away as fast as he could. He smiled as he rowed while Nami screamed as she hung on for dear life. After about 5 minutes, Luffy finally stopped rowing and looked back at both Nami and Coby, who had woken up after a while, and smiled. "Well, that was fun."

"No it wasn't!" they both screamed at him, causing him to laugh. Nami sighed as she looked at the Luffy. He was a little taller than her with black scruffy hair. He was wearing a red vest, blue shorts, open-toed sandals, and a straw hat with a red ribbon. She then noticed he had a scar under his left eye. She then turned to Coby. He wore a white shirt, black slacks, and white shoes, looking a little like a marine outfit. He had pink hair, blue glasses, and a little baby fat on his chin.

"Who exactly are you two anyway?" she asked.

"This is Coby," Luffy said as Coby raised up his hand and gave a meek greeting.

"And you?" she asked looking at Luffy.

"Me? I'm Monkey D. Luffy. Hi." he said, smiling at her. "Who are you by the way?" he asked, knowing full well who she was.

"I'm Nami," she said, keeping a close eye on the two of them. "So, where are you two going anyway?" she asked. Luffy smiled at her before answering.

"Do you know where the closest Marine base is?"