### Chapter 5 : Luffy's Past
Luffy, Zoro, and Nami boarded the dinghy, their laughter and chatter fading as they prepared to set sail. The boat bobbed gently on the water as they made their way out of Shell's Town.
"What a shit show," Zoro said, shaking his head as he glanced back at the town. "I bet they saw right through your act."
"What do you mean?" Nami asked, puzzled. Her last view of the town had been Luffy, happily beating up Koby, oblivious to anything else.
Luffy chuckled. "Well, Koby's going to join the Marines for real now. He's got the determination for it, and the next step is his to take."
Just then, they heard a shout from the shore. "Luffy!!" Turning, they saw Koby standing on the dock, his face lit up with determination. "I'll never forget what you did for me, Captain Luffy!!"
The trio waved back, with Luffy giving a big grin. "Good luck, Koby!"
"Attention!" came a voice behind Koby. The group turned to see a squad of marines standing at attention, saluting the departing pirates.
"A marine saluting a pirate," Zoro said with a bemused smile. "Now I've seen it all."
Nami snorted, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Tell me about it."
Luffy just laughed, thoroughly entertained by the unexpected turn of events.
The lieutenant of the marines approached Koby. "You had a great friend," he said, nodding at Koby, who beamed with pride.
The lieutenant then addressed his soldiers. "Listen up, soldiers. What we just did is against Marine regulations. So no dinner for us for the next week!"
The marines responded in unison, their voices echoing across the dock. "Yes, Sir!"
Luffy, Zoro, and Nami watched with a mix of amusement and respect as the marines marched off. With the sun setting on the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the water, the trio turned their attention back to their journey.
"So Nami, why did you want us to go with you again?" Luffy asked, once they were far from Shell's Town and the waves were calm.
Nami pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from her bag. "I saw a letter in the Marine base saying that Buggy the Clown had taken the map of the Grand Line," she explained, showing them the paper she had spotted while trying to steal it herself.
"Buggy!?" both Zoro and Luffy exclaimed in unison, their expressions reflecting recognition and surprise.
"Yeah, that's the one," Nami confirmed, tucking the paper away. "I've been searching for that map for a long time. If Buggy has it, it's probably somewhere on his ship or with his crew."
"Anyway, why exactly are you setting sail, Captain?" Zoro asked, shifting his attention to Luffy, clearly more interested in their captain's motives.
Luffy leaned back, staring at the open sea with a thoughtful expression. "Well, it's because of my dream," he began, and told them of his story.
***
Ten years before today. In the heart of Foosha Village, the small but lively bar remained a central gathering spot for the locals, with the Red-Haired Pirates making it their base during their frequent visits. The village, once a quiet and peaceful place, had become a hub of excitement and activity thanks to Shanks and his crew.
On the dock of the Village, where Luffy set from. A pirate ship could be seen, flying the joly roger of the Red-Haired Pirates. The ship is the Red Force, captained by 'Red Hair' Shanks. He and his crew had been in the village for a week now.
"Shanks take me with you in your next voyage" said young Luffy, sitting in front of a counter of the only bar within the village.
"In your dreams" Shanks answered.
"Come ooonnn... I am strong, and I wouldn't be a dead weight. My punches are as strong as pistol" Luffy said punching the air.
"Yeah,, yeah.. Whatever" Shanks dismissed. Suddenly, he get an idea. "Show me your punches" he said, looking at Luffy.
Luffy showed him excitedly, punching the stretch out hand of Shanks. "Yeah, you are weak" Shanks said mocking.
"I will show you how to punch" Shanks said, getting up from his seat and leaving the bar, "Follow me" he said, reckoning Luffy to go with him.
The two of them headed towards the forest, where Shanks punched one of the tree, crushing it effortlessly.
"Now, if you can do that I will take you with me" he said, looking towards Luffy who practically had a stars in his eyes seeing what Shanks did. He just nodded and keep punching the tree.
Shanks left Luffy to his own device and returned to the bar, telling the boy to be back early.
"Captain, what do you think of the boy?" Ben, his first-mate asked, seeing Shanks entering the bar and drinking.
"He is a good child as I see. As for what you meant, I would leave some of the guys to keep track of him whether he could be my student or not." Shanks said, remembering the mockery he received from his two rivals about him unable to teach.
The Red Hair Pirates left the village for a voyage the next day, leaving five of them to the village for some purposes.
During that time, Luffy had started a new routine. He woke up early in the morning, head towards the forest and keep on punching the tree. Returned for a meal, and leaving again to continue what he is doing in the morning with a lunch packed for him by Makino, the bartender. He returned only when the sun sets, with his hand all bruised, even blood dripping from it.
Makino tends to his wound every night, telling him to stop hurting himself, which she get a laugh as a reply everytime. She gave up in the end, and just keep on treating the boy.
After a month, the Red Force returned from their voyage, and now are partying in 'Party's Bar'.
Luffy's determination to join Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates was unwavering. Day in and day out, he dedicated himself to the grueling training regimen, driven by his dream of becoming a great pirate. The boy's hands were often bruised and bloodied, a testament to his relentless efforts. Makino, the bartender who had taken on the role of a motherly figure for Luffy, tended to his wounds with a mixture of concern and exasperation. Despite her warnings, she couldn't help but admire his spirit.
Shanks and his crew observed Luffy's progress with a mix of amusement and respect. Shanks himself, though initially skeptical, was slowly growing to appreciate the boy's dedication. The Red-Haired Pirates kept a watchful eye on him, ensuring that he remained safe and healthy, even as they continued their own adventures.
When the Red Force returned from their latest voyage, the village was abuzz with excitement. The crew, now familiar with Luffy's routine, gathered at Party's Bar for a well-deserved celebration. The air was filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses.
As the night wore on and the celebration reached its peak, Shanks approached Luffy, who was eagerly sitting beside him, a broad grin plastered on his face. "So, have you been training hard?" Shanks asked, his tone casual but curious.
Luffy's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Of course! I can break the smaller trees now!" he said proudly, showing off his bruised but determined hands.
Shanks raised an eyebrow and glanced at the crew members he had left behind in the village. They nodded in acknowledgment, their expressions a mix of surprise and approval.
"Okay then," Shanks said, downing his bottle of sake with a satisfied gulp. "I'll take you with me on the next voyage."
Luffy's face beamed with joy. "Yaay!!" he cheered, his excitement evident.
True to his word, Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates took Luffy under their wing. The boy's days were filled with intense training, learning the ways of the sea, and absorbing the knowledge and skills imparted by the experienced pirates. Shanks and his crew taught him not only how to fight but also how to navigate the treacherous waters of the East Blue. Luffy's dedication to training was matched only by his desire to prove himself as a capable and respected member of the crew.
As Luffy continued to grow stronger and more skilled, he began to understand the true essence of piracy and the camaraderie that bound the Red-Haired Pirates together. His days of punching trees were replaced with real combat training and navigating the high seas. The lessons he learned under Shanks' guidance were shaping him into the pirate he aspired to be.
The bond between Luffy and the Red-Haired Pirates deepened, and Foosha Village remained a haven where their adventures began and continued. Luffy's dream of becoming a great pirate was no longer just a distant hope; it was becoming a reality with each passing day, fueled by the support and mentorship of the Red-Haired Pirates.
***
It had been eight months since Luffy joined the Red-Haired Pirates, and the crew was taking a well-deserved break in Foosha Village. The village, now accustomed to the frequent visits of Shanks and his crew, was bustling with activity as they celebrated their return.
Luffy, ever eager and full of energy, approached Shanks with a question that had been on his mind. "Shanks, when will we leave again?"
"Soon," Shanks replied, his tone casual as he enjoyed a drink at the bar.
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the entrance of a rough-looking man. The atmosphere in the bar immediately shifted from lively to tense. "Heh… Heh… You lot call yourselves pirates, huh? First time I've seen one of your kind. You look like a sorry lot to me," the newcomer sneered, drawing the attention of everyone in the bar.
Luffy glanced at the stranger with a disinterested shrug. He then noticed a chest being carried over by Lucky Roux. Curiosity piqued, he pulled it towards him and saw a strange fruit inside.
"We're the Mountain Bandits," the intruder continued, raising his voice. "Don't wet yourselves. We're not going to wreck this place. Just give us ten barrels of grog, and we'll only injure the bare minimum."
"I'm sorry, but we've just run out of liquor," Makino said, her calm demeanor slightly frayed as she spoke.
"Hmph… That's strange. Then what are these pirates drinking? Fruit juice?" the bandit retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"I feel kinda guilty. I guess we drank up the liquor of the bar… Sorry about that," Shanks said, his tone sincere as he offered the bandit a bottle of unopened liquor.
The bandit's face contorted with anger. Without warning, he swung the bottle at Shanks, shattering it and spilling the contents over him. "What do you take me for? Don't make a fool of me! What good is one bottle of grog?" he growled, his fist clenched.
He then brandished a bounty poster, slamming it down on the counter. "I'm Higuma, the Bear Leader of the Mountain Bandits. My head's worth 8 million Berries. I've killed 56 people, mostly fools like you!" he proclaimed with pride.
"Watch yourself if you like breathing. If you're smart, you'll sail away from here and never show your face again," Higuma threatened, breaking the remaining bottle on the counter before leaving the bar with a mocking laugh.
As the bandits departed, the bar fell into a heavy silence. After a moment, the Red-Haired Pirates erupted into laughter, clearly finding the whole situation amusing.
"Cap'n, he got you good!!" one of the crew members said, their faces alight with amusement.
"You guys!! Why are you all laughing? I don't get it!" Luffy shouted, his frustration evident. "He made you look like fools, and you didn't even fight back! You could've easily taken him down!"
"When you grow up, maybe you'll understand," Shanks said, his tone calm despite the earlier provocation. "He just got some grog on me. Nothing to start a fight over. Besides, needless killing doesn't make you a man."
Luffy, still fuming, decided to leave the bar, saying he was going to train somewhere quiet. As he made his way towards the exit, Shanks called out to him. "Now, you need to help me clean up this mess," he said, reaching out to grab Luffy.
To the shock of everyone in the bar, Luffy's arm stretched out, stretching beyond normal human limits. "His arm's stretching. Does this mean… Did he…" Shanks's eyes widened in disbelief.
"It's not here!" Lucky Roux shouted, holding up the empty chest. "The Gomu Gomu no Mi we took from that enemy ship is gone!"
Shanks turned to Luffy, panic in his voice. "Luffy, you didn't eat that fruit, did you?!"
"Yeah… I ate it for dessert. It tasted terrible," Luffy replied, oblivious to the gravity of the situation.
Shanks's face turned pale as he shook Luffy, his voice rising in frustration. "That was a Devil Fruit! I told you about those. Now you won't be able to swim for the rest of your life!"
"What?!" Luffy exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock.
"You idiot!" Shanks yelled, the weight of the situation finally sinking in. The realization that Luffy had accidentally consumed the Devil Fruit set in, leaving Shanks and his crew grappling with the consequences of their young recruit's actions.
***
A week had past since the Red-Haired Pirates had set sail on their voyage, leaving Luffy behind to train and adapt to his new Devil Fruit powers. Luffy spent his days practicing and familiarizing himself with his rubber-like abilities, while Makino, the kind-hearted bartender of Foosha Village, looked after him.
One afternoon, as Luffy and Makino chatted in the bar about the Red-Haired Pirates' adventures, the door swung open with a creak. The Mountain Bandits from before, led by Higuma, swaggered in with their usual air of menace.
"No pirates today, eh? Smells better… Now serve us drinks!" Higuma ordered, taking a seat at the bar with a smug grin.
Makino, recognizing the threat, served them with a nervous glance. She could sense trouble brewing. Her intuition proved right when the bandits started causing a ruckus, their voices growing louder and more aggressive.
As the commotion escalated, Makino sprinted through the village, her face etched with worry. She burst into the mayor's office, gasping for breath.
"Mayor, we've got a problem!" she exclaimed.
The mayor looked up from his desk, alarmed. "What's wrong, Makino?"
"It's Luffy… and the Mountain Bandits!" Makino explained urgently.
Outside, the scene was tense. Luffy stood defiantly in front of the bar, surrounded by the Mountain Bandits. Three of them lay on the ground, either lifeless or unconscious, a testament to Luffy's newfound strength. Higuma, furious, was barking orders and threats.
"You've got a strange body, boy. You'll pay for what you did to my men," Higuma sneered.
The bandits continued to circle Luffy, their confidence wavering in the face of his rubber-like abilities. Their attacks were desperate and half-hearted, each bandit wary of the strange strength Luffy displayed.
The gathered villagers tried to intervene, shouting and pleading, but their voices were lost in the chaos.
A familiar voice cut through the din. "Nobody came to greet us at the harbor. I was wondering what was going on…"
Shanks and his crew emerged from behind the crowd, pushing their way to the front. Shanks surveyed the scene with a steely gaze, taking in the fallen bandits, the agitated villagers, and Luffy standing resolutely amidst the chaos.
"What are you doing, anchor?" Shanks asked Luffy, his tone stern and questioning. Luffy remained silent, his gaze shifting to Makino, who stood beside him with a worried expression. Shanks followed Luffy's line of sight and saw Makino's distress.
Shanks strode forward, his expression darkening. As he approached, one of the bandits, panic evident in his eyes, pointed a gun at Shanks.
"Now that you're pointing a gun at me, are you ready to face the consequences?" Shanks said, his voice cold and unwavering. Before the bandit could react, a shot rang out—Lucky Roux had taken him down swiftly and decisively.
The bar fell into an uneasy silence. The villagers, Shanks's crew, and the remaining bandits all watched in stunned silence.
Shanks broke the silence, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "Listen up… You can pour drinks on me, curse me, call me names, and all that. But if you hurt or try to hurt anyone here, no matter the reason, you better count yourself as dead!" His tone was grim, emphasizing the seriousness of his words.
The bandits, realizing the gravity of their situation, shifted uneasily. The villagers, relieved by Shanks's intervention, looked on with a mix of gratitude and apprehension. Luffy, still grappling with his own frustrations, watched as Shanks took control of the situation, the reality of his crew's protective nature setting in.