Great...
And why do I always wake up in unfamiliar places?
For example, after dying I woke up in some world where 80% of people are mutants...
Now I've come to in who-knows-where. Though I have a guess. The naked skeleton standing in the corner and medicine cabinet nearby could only mean one thing.
A hospital.
Slowly sitting up, I massaged my forehead and stretched my aching shoulders before rising from the cot.
At least... I didn't feel exhausted. But one question remained...
I looked at my finger and experimentally pulled. Like rubber, it stretched... Meaning...
— I've become rubber. — I grinned.
Though... why am I actually happy? Didn't I just want to live as an ordinary person?
But thinking about it... The original Luffy had complexes about lacking a Quirk unlike his uncle or other kids at the orphanage.
— Hah... Childhood emotions... So complicated.
I walked toward the door—until it opened to reveal a white-coated man.
— Oh! You're awake already... Um... — He checked his tablet, — Luffy. — The doctor said my name and I nodded.
— Yeah, just woke up and want to know where I am.
— Haha! — He laughed briefly, — No need to rush. I'll explain everything. — He guided me back to bed.
Sitting again, the examination began. For some reason he checked my toes and raised an eyebrow oddly.
He briefly explained the villain attack and how all children escaped except me.
— Luffy, do you have a Quirk?
Should I tell the truth? Nothing bad would happen if I only mention the rubber properties and conceal the Haki.
— Honestly, doctor... I didn't have a Quirk, but it seems... — I repeated the finger-stretching trick, — I've become rubber. — I admitted.
I decided to omit Haki simply because I don't want to discuss what I don't fully understand yet.
— I see. — He smiled and stood. — Luffy, you lack the extra toe joint. — He noted while cheerfully recording.
— Is that bad?
— Not at all... To my knowledge, you're the first to awaken a Quirk without the joint. Your Quirk must have been mutating all this time, resulting in rubber properties.
— W-wow! — I marveled.
The doctor nodded, patted my head, and headed out.
— Come, your guardian's waiting outside.
Probably Saya, who must've been worried.
Exiting, I noticed Saya rushing over with a smile before tightly... extremely tightly hugging me.
— Can't... breathe... — I managed.
— Luffy, you scared me half to death! Strangling you wouldn't be sinful!
— S-sorry! — I barely uttered.
Saya noticed my expression and released me.
— Hahaha! Seems you're having fun. — A familiar high-pitched voice sounded.
Behind her stood a white mouse... or was it a dog? Though he's better known as the competition organizer.
— You're... Nezu? — I asked.
— Oh! You know me? — He proudly puffed his chest, nose upturned.
— UA's principal, if I'm not mistaken. — I nodded.
— Pleasure to meet you, Monkey D. Luffy. — He smiled, offering a paw.
Without hesitation, I shook it.
— Yes, but how do you know me?
— You see, I'm responsible if anything happens to participants, so I came to apologize and escort you to the award ceremony.
Confused, I glanced at equally puzzled Saya.
— Wasn't the competition canceled? I thought results would be online.
— We intended to. But one family insisted on an in-person announcement.
After Saya and the doctor nodded approval, I decided.
— Alright. Though... I seem to have awakened my Quirk, hehe... Don't I need to register it?
— L-Luffy... Really?! — Saya stared shocked.
— Yeah. — I smiled.
— Congratulations! — She moved to hug me but I stepped back.
— Thanks, but let's save that.
— Hmph... — She pouted adorably enough to melt even my rubber heart.
— Hahaha! Don't worry Luffy. I'll handle it since I already examined you while you slept. — The doctor said.
— Thank you. — I bowed.
Following Nezu, I learned this was a private hero clinic. Due to circumstances, we'd been brought here—conveniently near the competition site.
Soon, we arrived.
Outside, a crowd of adults and children had seemingly moved past the attack.
— Luffy, come with me. Saya-san, please wait here. — Nezu requested.
— Understood. — She nodded at me. — Good luck, Luffy.
— Yeah. — I nodded firmly.
Inside, Nezu instructed me to wait while he went backstage.
Only five participants remained, including me and Saiko, who sat staring at the floor while occasionally glancing my way.
To pass time, I approached her.
— What're you looking at? — I asked, — It's unladylike to stare. — I smirked.
— Hmph! — She flushed and turned away.
— Hahaha! — I laughed, — That's what you said to me during the exam. — Her reaction delighted me.
— What do you want? Money? — She demanded.
I frowned in genuine confusion.
— Money? Why would I want yours? — I asked.
Now she looked equally puzzled.
— Aren't you going to demand payment for saving me?
Saving her? What was she talking about?
— Um... I'm here for the competition. Why would I take your money? — I sat beside her.
— But you saved me—saved all the kids today! Won't you request compensation from me or my parents? — Her questions multiplied.
— Hold on! — I stopped her, — First, I'm no extortionist! Second, why would I? I was a hostage too. — I explained.
She studied me strangely.
— I don't understand.
— Likewise! — I said, — Sigh... And I thought we could be friends.
Suddenly, Saiko's perspective seemed to shift—her intense stare unnerved me.
— W-why the stare? It's creepy...
— You... want to be friends? — She asked.
— Well, yeah... Isn't that why I approached you? — I replied uncomfortably.
— Fine. — She smiled, — Then be my friend! — Her usual demeanor returned.
— Less arrogance, then maybe. — I stood, — I'm Monkey D. Luffy.
— Saiko Intelli. — She nodded.
After sitting awhile, Nezu's voice sounded.
— Now, welcome our five geniuses! — His amplified voice startled me.
The curtains parted.
— W-what? — I gaped.
— What're you standing for? Come on! — Saiko said, unfazed unlike me.
Following the others, we emerged onto a plaza before the crowd.
— Now, behold the results! — Nezu gestured to a large screen.
What the hell was happening? Why so sudden?
The screen lit up displaying names:
▪︎ 5th - Momono Akuta - 85/100 ▪︎
▪︎ 4th - Sakamoto Enma - 88/100 ▪︎
▪︎ 3rd - Ayame Sakura - 92/100 ▪︎
The lower placements finished... Two remained.
I swallowed nervously... Losing would make facing the director impossible after my bold promise...
▪︎ 2nd - Monkey D. Luffy 98/100 ▪︎
▪︎ 1st - Saiko Intelli 100/100 ▪︎
— Congratulations! — Nezu announced as cheers erupted.
I stared defeated at the results.
My efforts and promises... Reduced to ashes in my eyes...
Scanning the crowd, I found Saya smiling at me.
Why? Why smile at my failure?
— Now for the awards. — Nezu said as staff brought prizes.
The three lowest received premium smartphones. I got a high-end laptop. And Saiko received the prize I'd wanted.
— This $10,000 check goes to... Saiko Intelli! — Nezu announced.
Well... I had a backup plan for the orphanage's crisis... For if I lost.
— Mr. Nezu. — I approached, — Can this laptop be exchanged for money? — I asked shamelessly.
Nezu looked puzzled.
— I don't follow?
Noticing the silent crowd and confused Saya, I smiled.
— I'm an orphan. — I said, — The orphanage is my family, and for them I entered this competition.
Understanding dawned on Nezu.
— Our budget can't keep up as more children arrive... That's why I'm here. — I smiled nostalgically, — After my year-long coma, the director and caretakers worked tirelessly for us. They never let us feel alone... — My gaze turned resolute, — I'd trade my life for my siblings' wellbeing. That's my ambition—what I live for. Family!
The crowd listened quietly. Some seemed moved, others awaited Nezu's response.
— I...
— Wait!
Before he could answer, Saiko shouted.
— Principal Nezu, I cheated! — She confessed inexplicably.
I genuinely didn't understand how.
— My IQ Quirk! We weren't allowed to use Quirks for answers!
So that's it... Her perfect score came from that?
Well... But I disagreed.
— Saiko. — I said as she trembled, — That's your Quirk and intellect.
— B-but... I...
— We're rivals and friends. — I grinned widely, — So let's keep competing—and being friends!
— Luffy... — She murmured.
— Ahem... — Nezu cleared his throat, — I'm glad you're helping each other. So young yet so mature.
We laughed awkwardly.
— Regarding your request, Luffy-kun... I must decline.
I sighed at the answer.
— Thank you anyway... — I turned to leave.
— However... I'll donate substantially to your orphanage. — He said, stopping me.
— W-what? — I stared.
— I'm offering a generous donation. Just provide the address. — He smiled kindly.
— Me too! The Intellis will donate! — Saiko added.
— Us too!
— And us!
— What's your account number?!
The previously silent crowd suddenly clamored to contribute.
I stood stunned until Saiko took my hand.
— This is for saving me. — She smiled.
Looking around, I smiled and bowed deeply.
— Thank you all!
That day... I realized I'm not alone. My ambitions were heard—by everyone and perhaps the heavens too... Because I'll protect my new family and live as I choose!