Chapter 8

East Blue - Americas Archipelago 

America Island - Kingdom of USA 

As they disembarked at the city's port, Luffy was amazed by how much the city resembled a modern city from the Soul World that had merged with this one. The skyline was filled with buildings, ranging from small structures to towering skyscrapers, concrete-paved roads, a true jungle of stone and steel. 

Reiju then turned to Luffy and said, "Luffy, while I'm out trying to gather some new information about the island's interior, try not to get into any trouble, okay?" 

"Don't worry, Bubblegum, I'm very responsible." 

"That's not what you told me before, and it's not how it seems now." 

"Hey, it's not like I go looking for trouble wherever I go. Trouble just finds me; it never leaves me alone." 

"Hrumm, in your dreams I'd believe that lame excuse", she said, not believing him in the slightest. 

She then handed Luffy a black transponder snail and a piece of paper with her contact information before saying, "If anything happens, call me." 

Luffy just nodded, already thinking about exploring the city as soon as Reiju was out of sight. 

=Scene Break= 

After a tiring day of trying to gather new information, Reiju returned to the ship in the evening, only to find some sort of wheeled vehicle, brushed silver with blue decals, parked next to the ship. 

She then called one of her servants and asked, pointing to the vehicle, "What is that?" 

"The lady's guest went out to explore the city as soon as you left, and a few hours later, he returned driving this. He said it's a race car called a Nissan Skyline GTR R35, equipped with a Rocket Bunny body kit." 

Reiju looked at the servant strangely and said, "Why did you memorize the entire name?" 

"Your guest made me memorize it, madam", the servant said with a weary sigh. 

=Scene Break= 

After finishing his bath, Luffy grabbed his ringing transponder snail and answered, "Hey, Luffy, my golden boy!" 

"Hey, Tej, what's up?" 

"Well, my boy, a spot opened up in tonight's race. You interested?" 

"Not sure, man. It's almost time for my nap." 

"Are you sure? Tonight's race features the best drivers in the city." 

"Is Sofia racing too?" 

"Yes, why?" 

"Alright, now you've got my attention. Racing with Sofia is always fun." 

"I don't think she finds it fun racing against you, my dear." 

"Well, anyway, how long do I have to get there?" 

"You've got five minutes." 

"No problem, I'm on my way." 

Luffy then looked out the ship's window and saw Reiju talking to a servant next to his car. 

"Hey, Tej, can I bring a friend along as a passenger?" 

"Sure, but it's your car that'll get heavier." 

"Alright, I'll be there soon." 

=Scene Break= 

After quickly changing clothes, Luffy rushed off the ship, and as he was getting into the car, he spoke to Reiju, who was watching curiously, "Bubblegum, get in the car; we've got a race to participate in." 

She looked at him, confused, before deciding to get in the car. Once they were both inside, Luffy started the car and connected the integrated transponder snail to play a playlist he had recorded earlier that day. 

He then revved the engine, speeding away from the port, burning rubber, and heading into the city streets as the beat of the music began to play. 

"(Drop!) 2 Fast 

(Drop!) 2 Furious 

I'm too fast for y'all, man 

(Drop!) 2 Fast 

(Drop!) 2 Furious 

Oh, I'm too fast for y'all, ah!" 

"You just came home from doin' a bid 

Tell me whatcha gon' do? Act a fool! 

Somebody broke in and cleaned out your crib 

Boy, whatcha gon' do? Act a fool!" 

"Just bought a new pair and they scuffed your shoes 

Tell me whatcha gon' do? Act a fool! 

Now them cops tryna throw you in them county blues 

Boy, whatcha gon' do? Act a fool!" 

"Talkin' about gats, traps, cops and robbers 

It's 9-1-1, please, call the doctor! 

Evacuate the building and trick the pigs 

Since everybody wanna piece 

We gon' split ya wigs 

See some fools slipped up and over-stepped they boundaries 

You about to catch a cold, stay the fuck around me! 

Ya peeps talkin' 'bout: What kinda shits he on? 

You disappear like: Poof, bitch, be gone!" 

As the music played, Reiju finally asked, "So, what's going on? Where did you get this vehicle?" 

"Today was so cool, Bubblegum. I went out to explore the city this morning, and I met these cool people who were participating in and organizing something called 'illegal street races.' I thought it was cool and wanted to join, so I bought a white, boxy car and raced in a few races. Then I raced in a race where the loser's car was on the line, and I won. That's how I got this beauty here", he said while caressing the Skyline's steering wheel. 

"Then I participated in a few more races before going to a shop to tune my Skyline. I took the opportunity to paint it the way I wanted. After that, I and the people I met went to a music studio/shop because they were going to record some songs. So I took the chance to buy several instruments that will be delivered to the ship tomorrow and record some songs too. And now Tej, one of the friends I made and also the organizer of these races, invited me to race in one tonight. He said the best drivers in the city would be racing." 

Reiju then started to think that leaving Luffy unsupervised might not have been the best idea. 

They eventually arrived at the location where the race was going to take place. As Luffy drove his Skyline to the starting line, a new song from his playlist started playing, and he turned up the volume, catching the attention of everyone around. 

The melody of a guitar spread through the air as a Nissan Skyline GTR R35 equipped with a Rocket Bunny body kit roared, making its presence known as it slowly approached the starting line, its turbo hissing sporadically. 

"Yo' 

Tego Calderón 

Don Omar 

Los bandoleros" 

"Aunque digan que soy 

Un bandolero donde voy 

Le doy gracias a Dios 

Por hoy estar donde estoy" 

"Y voy a seguir con mi tumbao' 

Y con mis ojos colorao' 

Con mis gato' activao' 

Ustedes to' me lo han dao'" 

Leaning against a white Ferrari 458 with light pink details and equipped with a Liberty Walk body kit, a beautiful woman with her hair tied up in a ponytail said upon spotting Luffy's car approaching, "Damn, it's Luffy." 

One of the other racers who didn't know Luffy then asked, confused, "Why so worried? Who is this guy, anyway?" 

The woman turned to him, slightly annoyed, and said, "You've got to be kidding me. You don't know the kid, right? He showed up here looking like he'd never seen a car in his life. So imagine everyone's surprise when this little runt, who had never even touched a steering wheel before, turns out to be a monster behind the wheel. In less than a day, the kid is already considered one of the best drivers in the city." 

"Wow, sorry, I was working until just a little while ago, so I couldn't keep up with the news." 

The woman just huffed and turned away. 

"Geez, what a bad-tempered woman", the man muttered under his breath. 

The woman then turned abruptly to him and said angrily, "What the hell did you just say about me?" 

"Ahh, I said, what a well-dressed woman", the man said, trying to calm her down. 

=Scene Break= 

"That's right, folks, the fourth racer has arrived, gentlemen, and ah… lady", a tall, muscular black man with a stylish Afro, dressed in a gray mechanic's uniform, said as he approached the three racers at the starting line, coming out of a garage to greet Luffy, who had just gotten out of the car along with Reiju, who was looking around at a large number of people, tuned cars, scantily clad women, and loud music filling the place. 

Luffy walked over to the man with a smile and greeted him with a handshake, lightly tapping one of his shoulders while holding his straw hat on his head with his free hand. 

"Hey, Tej, what's the course for tonight?" 

"Here, my bro, put this in your car's transponder snail, and the race route will appear on the multimedia screen", Tej said, handing Luffy a chip. 

"How much is the bet for this race?" 

"This one has a big prize, 50,000 Berries per head, so a total of 200,000." 

"Got it. By the way, this is my friend Bubblegum; she's part of my crew", Luffy said, handing over his share of the bet and then pointing to Reiju, leaning against his Skyline. 

Tej greets Reiju with a wave, and she returns the gesture. He then turns to the racers and shouts, "Alright, everyone, get in your cars! The race is about to start, and I've got a little surprise for you tonight." 

All four racers get into their respective cars and start revving their engines, waiting for the countdown to begin. 

With engines roaring and exhausts spitting fire, Tej walks behind the cars, yelling to the crowd, "Back up, everyone, back up, unless you wanna get grilled!" 

He then looks at all the racers and says, "Alright, let's get this show on the road." 

He asks each driver "Ready?", as they rev their engines to indicate they are set. 

After getting confirmation from everyone, he drops his hand and yells, "Go!" 

All four cars take off, burning rubber and creating a cloud of smoke. 

Luffy, with Reiju beside him, starts in second place, right behind the girl in the Ferrari 458. 

Luffy turns to Reiju and starts chatting while weaving through the traffic that begins to form as they move forward. "So, how was your day?" 

"A bit tiring. Shouldn't you be paying attention to the road?" 

"Relax, Bubblegum. What, do you really think we're going to crash?", He then looks at her while weaving through the traffic without looking at the road, even overtaking the Ferrari 458. After what felt like long minutes, Luffy says, "You know I can use Observation Haki, right?" 

"...." 

Smiling, Luffy turns his gaze back to the road just as a sharp curve appears ahead. 

He takes the curve at full speed without braking, making a sharp turn. The car's rear end starts to slide out, initiating a drift that he controls perfectly with the pedals. 

From that point on, the rest of the race was smooth. The only notable moment was when they jumped over a raised bridge that Tej had set up for the race. His crew had taken over the bridge's control center and raised it. 

And so, Luffy won another race. After collecting the prize money, they were enjoying the event when suddenly a bunch of police cars showed up. 

Luffy and Reiju then escape in the Skyline, easily outrunning the police. 

Afterward, they return to the port, where Reiju instructs her servants to load Luffy's car onto the ship. 

=Scene Break= 

Inside the ship, in Reiju's cabin, she and Luffy are talking when the topic of why Luffy started his journey to this island comes up. 

"Well, a few days ago, I was talking to Chico when I heard a voice calling me. The voice was coming from here." 

"Could this call have something to do with the Akuma no Mi that I'm investigating?" Reiju asks, intrigued. 

"It's possible because the voice is coming from deeper within the island." 

"When we head into the forest tomorrow, can you guide us to the source of this voice?" 

"Sure, I just have to receive the musical instruments I bought tomorrow morning, and then we can go." 

"Alright then." 

=Scene Break= 

The following morning, Luffy receives the delivery of all the instruments he bought the previous day. 

After storing everything on his ship, which became even smaller and more cramped, they prepared everything they might need for their exploration. Luffy then says goodbye to Chico before they head toward the island's interior, entering the forest. 

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(AN: 2,043 Words) 

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