It was noon.
The breeze was gentle, the sunlight just right.
On the parade ground of the Marine 153rd Branch—
After sweeping up all of Morgan's savings and treasures, Arelon brought Luffy and the others back to the open training field.
The cross-shaped post that once bound Zoro had already been quietly taken down by the understanding Marine soldiers, and even the pit beneath it had been filled.
Seeing this, both Zoro and Arelon showed satisfied smiles.
Only Nami—dragged here against her will—looked thoroughly displeased.
"Seriously, why did you give so much money to the Marines!?"
"Don't they already get funded by the World Government!?"
"That was a full five million Beli!!"
"If you don't want it, you could've just given it to me!!"
She muttered under her breath, but her confusion toward Arelon's decision was obvious.
Hearing the hidden meaning in her complaint, Arelon turned his head and smiled:
"Just five million Beli, don't worry about pocket change, little Nami."
"Look at our team—put us anywhere and we could casually make a few hundred million."
"That lieutenant commander is a native of Shells Town. I'm sure he'll make good use of the money."
"Letting the residents of Shells Town feel some comfort ahead of time—don't you think that's worth it?"
"Nope!" Nami puffed her cheeks without hesitation, perfectly embodying her money-obsessed nature.
But no one knew what she was really thinking deep down.
Still, when she looked at Arelon's back, there was unmistakable surprise in her eyes.
A pirate who gives money away…
What a strange guy…
"Alright, since our team has taken shape, it's time for a proper introduction."
After reaching the open space, Arelon didn't immediately let Luffy and Zoro start sparring.
Instead, he guided everyone into formally acknowledging one another.
He and Luffy were easy—one had a God's-eye view of the world, the other was carefree and unconcerned.
But Zoro and Nami were just joining them.
Nami in particular was hiding her own thoughts, ready to bolt with the money at any time.
As vice-captain, Arelon needed to step in and establish the team's foundation.
Hearing Arelon's suggestion, Luffy instantly raised both hands:
"Introductions!? YES!!"
After gaining two new crewmates at once, Luffy was practically bursting with excitement.
Arelon smiled.
This was exactly the reaction he wanted.
"Then, since you're the captain, you should go first, Luffy."
"Hehehe! No problem!" Luffy grinned.
He placed his hand on his straw hat, wore his signature confident smile, and said loudly:
"My name is Monkey D. Luffy, and my dream is to become the most free man on the seas—the Pirate King!!!
I also ate the Gomu Gomu no Mi, so I'm a rubber man! My body can stretch just like rubber!"
"Like this—"
To prove his point, he grabbed the corners of his mouth and stretched them until they were as long as his arms.
Zoro and Nami were instantly dumbstruck.
But Zoro soon snapped back and quickly asked:
"Wait! If all you can do is stretch like rubber, then what was that speed earlier!?
You moved like you teleported!"
Still being confined to the weak East Blue, Zoro had yet to witness true monsters; his worldview was fragile.
But Luffy simply snapped his mouth back into place and said casually:
"Oh, that? That's a special combat technique! One of the Rokushiki techniques Arelon invented—'Soru!'
It lets you explode with power in an instant."
"Correction!" Arelon cut in with a smile.
"I didn't invent it. It's an existing Marine combat technique."
"Its proper name is the Marine Rokushiki. I just happen to know a little about it."
"After all… I am a Trainer."
"Trainer…?"
Hearing that word again, Zoro finally grabbed the chance to ask:
"So—what is a trainer, exactly?"
"That's a long story," Arelon said with a smile. "So I'll go next."
"You know already—I'm this crew's vice-captain. I don't have any grand dreams, I'm just drifting along, taking things as they come."
"And I'm also a Trainer."
"As for what a Trainer does… it's just like it sounds.
I train people.
Help people become stronger faster—
And help them gain miraculous powers!"
"For example—this."
He flicked his wrist lightly.
Primitive, ancient energy surged around him again, forming rugged stone boulders behind him.
Because it was only a demonstration, he cut the energy off shortly after—letting the stones hit the ground and vanish.
"As you can see, I can grant all sorts of abilities."
"Of course, it requires some time… and your own effort."
"Th-this is impossible…! Is that also from a Devil Fruit!?" Nami asked in shock.
"No."
"But if it helps, you can think of it that way."
Arelon shook his head, then smiled mysteriously at Nami:
"With my power, even someone not suited for combat—like you—
I can still train you into a top-tier fighter who can stand against any enemy."
"You're saying I could gain abilities like that too?" Nami pointed at herself in disbelief.
"Of course," Arelon answered without hesitation.
"I am a Trainer, after all!"
He emphasized the word again, almost like brainwashing—branding the title onto himself.
He still wasn't fully certain, but something told him that this was the key to letting others enter the Pokémon world.
Before Nami could press further, Arelon clapped his hands:
"Alright."
"There's too much to explain in detail now. Let time answer the questions for you."
"Next is your turn, Zoro."
"Huh?"
Still shocked by Luffy and Arelon's abilities, Zoro stumbled for a moment but quickly composed himself.
His introduction was the same as always.
Straightforward, honest, unchanged.
Entirely Zoro.
After he finished, it was finally Nami's turn.
Feeling everyone's eyes fall on her, her heart thumped hard.
She felt… weirdly nervous.
Maybe it was Arelon's earlier gesture of giving money to the townspeople—something about that had shaken her.
So she took a deep breath and said seriously:
"My name is Nami. I'm a thief who steals from pirates."
"And let me clarify—I'm not nearly as skilled as you claim. I just know a little bit about navigation."
Like Arelon and Luffy, she intentionally downplayed herself.
Mostly because she still didn't understand the situation at all.
If not for Arelon and Luffy forcing her in—and the big pile of money and jewels in Arelon's possession tempting her…
she'd already be planning her escape.
But comparing everyone's "humble" introductions, she realized something odd:
Zoro was the only one not hiding anything.
Come on, Zoro!
Show some mystique!
Have some depth!
Zoro: "???"
Isn't it your turn? Why is the vice-captain staring at me??
"..."
Feeling the strange atmosphere building in the air, Nami made one conclusion:
These people—NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THEM—is normal!!!
After introductions, Nami didn't elaborate further.
And Arelon didn't press.
Instead, he smiled, gathered everyone's attention again, and said to Luffy:
"So, Luffy? Didn't I say Shells Town wouldn't let us down?"
"We got two excellent crewmates at once—your path to Pirate King just moved one step forward!"
"Hahahahaha! All thanks to you, Arelon!!!"
Luffy burst out laughing.
He even started auto-completing the rest of the speech himself:
"I knew it! Listening to you is never wrong!"
"But of course!" Arelon laughed, then suddenly turned and called out to a Marine soldier nearby:
"Hey, you there!"
"W-what!?"
The Marine stiffened immediately.
He still hadn't forgotten how Arelon one-shot their captain moments ago.
"W-what do you need!?"
"Relax," Arelon waved. "You guys should have a visual transponder snail or a camera, right?"
"Go get one—we need a picture."
"Huh!?" The Marine's jaw dropped. "A picture? HERE!?"
"Of course."
Arelon slapped Luffy's shoulder.
"Today marks the official founding of the Straw Hat Pirates!"
"A historic moment like this needs to be recorded."
"Isn't that right, Luffy?"
"Right!! Absolutely right!!" Luffy nodded wildly.
"W-wait!!"
Nami suddenly yelled.
"You want us to take a photo HERE!? In a MARINE BASE!?"
"What's the problem?" Arelon asked calmly.
Nami clutched her head in despair.
"This is a HUGE PROBLEM!!!
You're pirates! What pirate takes a commemorative photo in front of a Marine base!?"
"Well, today's the first then," Arelon replied casually.
Seeing the Marine run off to get equipment, he patted Nami's shoulder in reassurance…
…and was immediately dragged away by Luffy to choose the best photo angle.
Watching the two happily planning the photo shoot, Nami's eyes dimmed further.
A pirate photo… taken inside a Marine base?
If this spreads, the Marines will see it as a direct insult!
Everyone in the picture will be hunted relentlessly!!
She could already see her future—
Nami, fugitive for life!
At last, she understood why Arelon called their crew a "thief ship."
In desperation, she turned to Zoro for help.
And shockingly… Zoro did understand her plea.
He nodded at her seriously.
"Don't worry. I get what you're concerned about!"
Nami brightened instantly.
Finally—a sane human being!!
Then Zoro raised his voice and yelled:
"Hey! You two! Don't hog all the fun!"
"You need to consider Nami too!"
Nami: Yes!! Finally someone with sense!!
Then Zoro continued:
"Nami's a girl—you can't use a background of warships and cannons!"
"I think that flowerbed over there is perfect! And that Marine logo! Very aesthetic!"
Nami: "..."
Forget it.
I'm done.
Just destroy everything already.
~~--------------------------
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