"When will Shanks come back?"
Luffy sat on the wooden dock, legs swinging back and forth above the water. The sea breeze brushed against his face, carrying the familiar smell of salt and adventure. His eyes stayed fixed on the horizon, full of expectation.
He had been waiting all morning.
Suddenly—
"LUFFY!"
A cheerful voice echoed across the port.
Luffy's head snapped up.
"SHANKS!"
A ship with red sails approached the dock. The moment it tied up, Luffy bolted forward without hesitation, leaping onto the deck with practiced ease.
"You're back!" Luffy shouted, grinning from ear to ear. "Tell me about your adventures!"
Shanks laughed loudly. "Straight to the stories again, huh?"
Then he leaned closer, lowering his voice. "But first—I brought you something."
"A gift?" Luffy's eyes sparkled. "What is it?!"
Shanks pulled out a small wooden box and handed it over.
Luffy carefully opened it.
Inside lay a beautifully crafted dagger, its handle decorated with small red gems. The blade remained sheathed, polished and well‑kept.
"Whoa…!" Luffy breathed. "It's so cool!"
Shanks smiled. "It's not a toy. Even if it's sheathed, it's still dangerous. Don't take it lightly."
Luffy nodded—then immediately bounced on his feet.
"Shanks! Take me with you next time! I'm strong now! I'm almost seven! I'm not a kid anymore!"
The deck erupted in laughter.
"Hahaha! He's asking again!""Boss, he's serious!"
Shanks rubbed his temples. "Nope. Still too young. The sea isn't a game."
Luffy's smile dropped.
"…You don't believe me."
Shanks chuckled. "I believe you want to be strong."
That wasn't enough.
Luffy turned away, fists clenched.
The pirates watched curiously as he climbed onto the decorative dragon head at the front of the ship.
"Hey—Luffy?" someone called out. "What are you doing?"
Luffy turned back, eyes blazing with stubborn resolve.
"I'm serious!" he shouted. "I'll prove it to you!"
The mood shifted.
"Luffy—wait—!"
Before anyone could stop him, something happened—fast, reckless, and impulsive.
The deck fell silent.
"No—!"
Shanks reacted instantly.
He rushed forward, catching Luffy before he could fall, his face pale with shock.
"Idiot…" Shanks said harshly, gripping Luffy tightly. "What were you thinking?!"
Luffy's eyes trembled.
"It… hurt," he whispered, tears forming despite himself.
Shanks didn't yell anymore.
He lifted Luffy without another word and rushed him below deck, shouting for the ship's doctor.
Later that night—
The tavern was loud with laughter.
"Cheers!""To our journey!""To that crazy kid!"
The Red‑Hair Pirates filled the room, drinking and eating like nothing could ever weigh them down.
Luffy sat on a bench, bandaged and sulking.
"…It didn't hurt that much," he muttered, eyes glossy.
"That's a lie," Shanks snapped immediately. "Don't ever do something that stupid again."
"But I'm not afraid of getting hurt!" Luffy shouted. "I want to be a pirate! Take me with you!"
Shanks sighed deeply.
"You can't be a pirate yet," he said calmly. "And being unable to swim is a serious problem."
"So what?!" Luffy argued. "As long as I don't fall in, it's fine! I train every day! My fists are strong!"
"Stronger than a pistol?" Shanks asked lazily.
"That tone again!" Luffy yelled.
The pirates burst out laughing.
"Cheer up, kid!""Pirates are the freest people on the sea!""The world is huge—full of islands and adventures!"
Luffy listened, eyes shining.
Shanks frowned. "Stop filling his head with nonsense."
"It's not nonsense," Lucky Roux said cheerfully.
"But if you're so eager," Shanks said casually, "who here wants to give up their seat for him?"
Silence.
Everyone suddenly found their drinks fascinating.
"That topic's closed!" someone said quickly.
"You're all awful!!" Luffy shouted.
Shanks smiled gently. "If you still want to go to sea… I'll think about it in ten years."
"Shanks, you stingy jerk!" Luffy snapped. "I'm not a brat!"
"Want some juice?" Shanks offered smoothly.
"…Yes."
Shanks laughed loudly. "See? Still a kid."
"That's mean!" Luffy protested.
Ben Beckman finally spoke, lighting a cigarette.
"Luffy," he said calmly, "the captain isn't laughing at your dream."
Luffy looked up.
"He knows how fun being a pirate is," Ben continued. "But he also knows how dangerous it can be. That's why he won't take you."
Luffy went quiet.
"…I still don't get it," he said softly.
Shanks leaned back, smiling. "That's okay. You will someday."
Makino approached with a warm smile. "Luffy, are you hungry?"
Luffy nodded.
"Very."
Shanks watched him eat, eyes thoughtful beneath the brim of his straw hat.