NOVEL NEXT Ch3- Monkey D. Luffy
One evening, after a few months since he was transmigrated, as he practiced his stealth skills in the lower decks, he overheard a conversation between two crew members. They spoke of a rumored ship of treasure filled with rich customers. Coby's ears perked up.
Coby thought to himself, "Isn't this the start of One Piece? Wait, if I recall correctly, Nami is on that ship too, and Luffy will soon appear in a barrel. This is my chance."
His mind raced with possibilities. In the original story, Luffy's entrance was a turning point for Coby, marking the start of his journey towards becoming a Marine. But now, with his knowledge of the future and the Skill Weaver, Coby pondered if he should stick to the script or carve a new path.
He remembered Nami's crucial role in the early arcs. She was clever, resourceful, and had an intricate understanding of navigation and thievery – skills that could be invaluable to someone like him. However, aligning himself with Nami meant stepping into unknown territory, deviating from the familiar storyline.
On the other hand, encountering Luffy could provide a sense of security. Luffy was a powerhouse, a force of nature with a heart of gold. Aligning with him could mean safety and a clear path forward.
As he weighed his options, Coby realized the gravity of his decision. It wasn't just about whom he met first; it was about defining his journey in this world. He could stick to the known narrative, with its relative safety and predictability, or he could venture into the unknown, carving a path filled with risks and potential rewards.
His heart pounded at the thought of meeting Luffy, the protagonist of his favorite anime. Yet, the allure of an uncharted path with Nami was equally tempting. Coby knew that whichever choice he made, it would set the tone for his life in the One Piece world.
He returned to his duties on deck, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He kept a close watch on the horizon, knowing that the moment of decision was drawing near. The ship was approaching the area where the treasure ship was rumored to be, and the crew was abuzz with excitement at the prospect of loot.
Coby's anticipation grew as well. This was his moment, his chance to choose his destiny. He felt a surge of adrenaline at the thought of action, of making a meaningful choice in his new life.
As the sun began to climb, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, the lookout cried out, "Ship ahoy!" The crew scrambled into action, and Alvida barked orders, her voice carrying across the deck.
Coby's heart raced. This was it. The ship in the distance could be the one carrying Nami. He glanced at the ocean, half-expecting to see a barrel floating nearby, signaling Luffy's arrival.
He felt torn. On one hand, he wanted to meet Luffy, to see the hero of his beloved anime in the flesh. On the other hand, the thrill of the unknown, of meeting Nami and potentially changing the course of events, was equally enticing.
Then it dawned on him. Luffy was literally the best wingman. The guy was renowned for saving girls and yet had no romantic interest in them whatsoever. If he, as Coby, could become the Vice-Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, he would have first dibs on meeting many of the beautiful women he had admired from behind the screen in his past life. Wasn't that the dream?
He made his choice. Instead of rushing to the deck as Kai would have, he hid in the cellar like Coby would, and waited for the fated barrel to appear. After all, Nami was destined to join the crew anyway. There was no reason to step into the unknown when the known path was equally adventurous and fulfilling. He yearned to meet other characters like Zoro and Brook, those cool and iconic figures of the One Piece world.
As the ship rocked gently on the waves, Coby found a secluded spot in the cellar. He sat there, his heart beating with anticipation and excitement. He was about to meet Monkey D. Luffy, the future King of the Pirates. The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
He could hear the commotion above, the crew preparing to board the supposed treasure ship. The voices of the crew members were muffled, but the excitement in their tones was unmistakable. Coby smiled to himself. They had no idea that they were about to encounter the most significant pirate of their era. They were so lucky!
Hours seemed to crawl by as Coby waited in the dim light of the cellar. His mind was abuzz with thoughts and plans. As Kai, he had always been an action-taker, someone who stepped up and seized opportunities. But now, as Coby, he had to be more cautious, more calculated in his actions.
The moment finally arrived. Two burly crew members, muscles bulging under their tattered shirts, heaved a large, sealed barrel into the cellar. As they lumbered in, their eyes fell on Coby, squatting in the shadows. Their expressions twisted into sneers.
"You better not spill a word of this," one of them growled, his voice a threatening rumble. They assumed the barrel contained wine, a prize they intended to savor away from prying eyes.
Coby's heart pounded in his chest. This was no longer a moment to cower or hide. The old Coby would have bowed in submission, but Kai's spirit surged within him, fueling a newfound boldness. His hand subtly slipped into his pocket, fingers wrapping around the hilt of a small knife he had pilfered earlier.
With a swift, fluid motion, he drew the knife and flung it with remarkable precision. The blade whistled through the air, embedding itself in the shoulder of the man at the back. A cry of pain echoed through the cellar as the man stumbled backward, clutching his wounded shoulder.
Simultaneously, Coby lunged towards the other man, his body moving with a speed and agility that surprised even himself. His training, his observations, his determination – all culminated in this single, exhilarating moment.
‘Fight! I need to fight for SP! This is too exciting,’ Coby thought, his adrenaline surging.
The crew member swung a heavy fist, but Coby dodged, rolling to the side. He sprung up and delivered a swift punch to the man's gut. It wasn't a powerful blow, but it was enough to wind the man, buying Coby precious seconds.
The wounded man recovered and lunged at Coby with a roar, but Coby sidestepped, using the man's momentum against him. He pushed him towards the barrel, causing him to crash into it with a loud thud.
Coby's heart raced as he faced his adversaries. This was real combat, not a training session or a simulation. Every move, every decision mattered. He could die!
The man he had punched recovered and charged again, his face contorted with rage. Coby braced himself, ready to dodge and counter. But as he prepared to move, a loud crashing sound echoed from above, followed by shouts and the unmistakable sounds of a skirmish.
At the same moment, a powerful fist punched through the now felled barrel. Splinters of wood flew in every direction as a figure emerged from within. Coby's eyes widened in recognition and excitement. It was none other than Monkey D. Luffy, his straw hat unmistakable even in the dim light of the cellar.
Coby couldn't help but grin, even as he faced the aggressive crew members. Inspired by the iconic figure before him, he jokingly mimicked Luffy's signature move. "Pistol!" he exclaimed, throwing a punch at the nearest crew member. His attack, lacking Luffy's Gum-Gum power, was more symbolic than effective, but it was enough to startle his opponent.
Luffy, having just emerged from the barrel, watched the scene with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. His brows furrowed as he observed the unfamiliar cabin boy taking on the burly pirates with unexpected bravery and skill.
The crew members, now realizing they were even-numbered and outmatched, hesitated. Coby seized the opportunity, launching into a series of quick, dodging movements he had practiced. He ducked and weaved around the cellar, drawing on every bit of his observational learning and the basic combat skills he had been honing.
Luffy, still observing, couldn't help but chuckle at Coby's enthusiasm. There was something endearing and admirable about the cabin boy's spirited defense. He decided to intervene, stepping forward with a casual ease that only the future King of the Pirates could possess.
With a single, swift movement, Luffy knocked out the remaining crew member, ending the skirmish. Coby, panting from the exertion, looked up at Luffy with a mix of admiration and gratitude. This was the moment he had been waiting for, the start of his grand adventure in the world of One Piece.
The Skill Weaver interface chimed in Coby's mind, announcing the SP earned from the combat. [Combat success! 75 SP awarded. Current SP balance: 80.]
Coby stood there, catching his breath, as he processed the events that had just unfolded. He had successfully defended himself, earned a substantial amount of SP, and, most importantly, met Luffy, the central character of his beloved anime.
Luffy, looking down at Coby, offered a hand to help him up. "You're pretty brave for such a skinny guy," he said with a grin. "What's your name?"
Coby, still catching his breath, replied, "I'm Coby. Thank you for your help, um...?"
"Luffy, Monkey D. Luffy. I'm going to be the King of the Pirates!" Luffy declared with his trademark enthusiasm.
Coby's eyes sparkled with excitement. This was it, the beginning of an incredible journey.
AN: Warned you I am a fanboy...
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