Bab 4: Change of Destiny
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XLOVEX
As the barrel burst open and Luffy emerged, Coby's heart raced with excitement. Standing before him was the future King of the Pirates, a character he had admired for so long. Luffy's casual demeanor and infectious grin immediately put Coby at ease, despite the chaos that had just unfolded in the cellar.
Luffy, curious about the brave cabin boy who had taken on pirate ship members, extended his hand to Coby. "You're pretty brave for a skinny guy," Luffy said with a grin. "What's your name?"
Coby, still catching his breath from the skirmish, 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 chuckled warmly, his voice carrying a hint of admiration. "That's quite the ambition, Luffy. To proclaim you'll be the King of Pirates, conqueror of the Grand Line, and finder of the legendary treasure, One Piece."
Luffy's expression shifted to a frown, mistaking Coby's laughter for skepticism. "I mean it. I will become the King of the Pirates," he stated firmly, his resolve unshaken.
Realizing the misunderstanding, Coby's grin broadened. "I believe you will, Luffy. You've got an unbreakable spirit and a clear vision. That's pretty incredible," he praised, his tone genuine.
Luffy's frown melted into a hearty laugh, his infectious energy filling the air. "Shishi, you're not too bad yourself, haha!" he exclaimed, his earlier annoyance forgotten.
Joining in the laughter, Coby inquired curiously, "So, what's the story with the barrel, Luffy? How did you end up in there?"
Luffy started, his tone easy and matter-of-fact, as if hiding in a barrel and ending up on a pirate ship was the most normal thing in the world. "Well, I set out from my village in a little boat, aiming to start my adventure and gather a crew. Everything was going great until I ran into a huge whirlpool. It was crazy! The boat was spinning and getting sucked in. I spotted this barrel floating by and thought, 'Hey, that looks safer than my boat!' So, I jumped in, closed the lid, and the next thing I knew, I was here! Ahahahaha!"
Coby listened, wide-eyed. "That's... quite the entrance, Luffy. Most people would be terrified, but you make it sound like just another day."
Luffy shrugged, brushing off the danger. "I've always wanted to be a pirate. A little whirlpool isn't going to stop me! Besides, I can't swim, so the barrel was my best shot."
Coby blinked, surprised. "You can't swim? But you want to be a pirate?"
"Yeah, it's a bit of a problem, but I'll manage. I've got other strengths," Luffy said with a grin, flexing his arm for emphasis.
Coby couldn't help but smile at Luffy's optimism. "So, what's your plan now, Luffy? We're still on Alvida's ship, and she's not going to be happy about this."
Luffy asked, curiosity lighting up his eyes, "Alvida? Who is that? And why were you fighting those bad guys?"
Coby settled into a more comfortable stance, ready to share his tale. "Well, it all started when I was fishing. Out of nowhere, Alvida's ship loomed behind me, and before I knew it, I was captured and forced to work as her cabin boy." He sighed, a shadow of frustration passing over his face. "It's been a rough time, but I never gave up hope."
Luffy's expression turned into a scowl. "That's lame. You are weak."
Coby chuckled, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Well, I worked hard to get stronger, to escape. And here I am, aren't I? Besides, I do have a dream after all." He gestured towards the two men lying unconscious on the ground, ignoring the man who was crawling away. He added the last part deliberately, knowing well Luffy's disdain for those without dreams and ambition.
Luffy's expression getting excited, and a grin crept onto his face. "What's your dream, Coby?" he asked, his tone lightening.
Coby sneered playfully, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "To fight and go on adventures. And, well, fooling around with beautiful women." He gave a half-shrug, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Luffy burst into laughter, his carefree nature shining through. "Shishi, I don't know much about women, but fighting and adventuring sound awesome. Yosh! I've decided. I want you to join my crew!"
Coby's heart leapt at the invitation. Joining Luffy's crew – this was more than he could have ever hoped for. "Really? You want me to join your crew?" he asked, barely concealing his excitement.
"Yeah, why not? You seem fun, and I can tell you've got guts. Plus, every great pirate needs a good crew, right?" Luffy said, his eyes sparkling with the thrill of starting his pirate journey.
Coby nodded eagerly, his earlier reservations melting away in the face of Luffy's infectious enthusiasm. "Absolutely. I'm in, Luffy. Let's conquer the seas together!"
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps and angry shouts echoing through the ship. Alvida, her face contorted with rage, stormed toward them. "Whose crew are you joining, Coby?" she barked, her eyes narrowing. "You are my cabin boy."
Coby shivered, not out of fear, but due to Alvida's possessiveness. Despite her towering presence, he knew her reign of terror was about to end with Luffy there. "Tell me, who is the most beautiful woman in all the seas, Coby?" Alvida demanded, her mace gripped tightly in her hand.
Coby glanced at Luffy and grinned, bolstered by the future King of the Pirates' presence. "Definitely not you, you ugly hag!" he retorted, his voice carrying a newfound confidence.
Luffy, standing beside Coby, tilted his head, looking at Alvida with a puzzled expression. "Who is this ugly fat?" he asked, his words direct and simple, characteristic of his straightforward nature.
The other crew members behind Alvida grimaced at their words. To call Alvida ugly was a taboo, an unforgivable offense in their eyes.
Alvida's face turned an alarming shade of red, her anger reaching a boiling point. "You little brats! I'll crush you both!" she roared, swinging her mace with a fury that sent a gust of wind across the deck.
Coby instinctively stepped back, but Luffy stood his ground, his expression calm and unbothered. Coby rushed forward, his determination clear. "Captain, you deal with the ugly hag. I'll handle the others." He snatched up a discarded sword from the ground, gripping it tightly. It was time to put his Basic Sword stance into practice and farm some much-needed SP.
Alvida, with a malicious grin, swung her mace directly at Luffy's head. "I was expecting you to be Pirate Hunter Zoro, but he's not this weak," she taunted, expecting to see the boy crumble under her mighty blow.
However, Luffy just laughed, unaffected by the attack. His rubber body merely compressed under the weight of the mace, then sprang back into shape. With surprising ease, he lifted Alvida's mace off his head and, with a swift motion, punched her squarely in the face.
Meanwhile, Coby, now in the midst of Alvida's crew, moved with a fluidity that surprised even himself. He recalled every move he had observed, turning them into action. Each swing of his sword was calculated, each step deliberate. The crew members, caught off guard by his sudden ferocity, stumbled backward, trying to regroup.
Coby felt alive, his heart pounding with the thrill of combat. This was it, his moment to shine, to prove his worth as a member of Luffy's future crew. He danced around the deck, his sword a blur, as he took on one opponent after another.
"ARGH!"
"OOF!"
Luffy, having dealt with Alvida, turned his attention to the rest of the crew. "Hey, Coby! You're doing great!" he shouted, cheering him on.
Coby glanced over, a grin spreading across his face. "Thanks, Luffy!" he called back, before ducking a wild swing from one of the crew members.
Back in the fray, Coby's movements became more confident. He was no master swordsman, but he had the basics down, and that was enough for now. Each successful strike, each dodge, each parry, felt like a step closer to his dream.
The crew members, now realizing the threat Coby posed, began to attack more aggressively. But Coby was ready. He had watched and learned from every skirmish, every battle he had witnessed on this ship. And now, he was putting that knowledge to use.
Coby was relentless, his sword slashing through the air with precision. He had spent enough time on Alvida's ship to witness the cruelty and malice of her crew. There was no room for hesitation in his strikes; every swing was a proof of his resolve, his determination for his future harem! The deck was soon littered with fallen crew members, each bearing the mark of his newfound prowess.
Meanwhile, Luffy was gearing up for the final blow against Alvida. He pulled his arms back, stretching them far behind him. "Gomu Gomu no Bazooka!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the deck. With a powerful thrust, his palms collided with Alvida's massive stomach, sending her hurtling into the horizon like a cannonball.
Coby, pausing to catch his breath, watched in awe. Luffy's strength was unlike anything he had ever seen. It wasn't just the power of the Gum-Gum Fruit; it was the sheer confidence and simplicity with which Luffy approached every challenge.
Luffy watched intently as Coby fought with a fervor that spoke volumes about his determination. It wasn't just a fight for survival; it was a declaration of Coby's newfound freedom and strength. The deck was chaotic, with crew members swarming around, but Coby's focus never wavered. His sword moved with precision, each strike deliberate and powerful. Blood splattered across the wooden planks, brutal resignation letter from a cabin boy to ascending to Vice-Captain of Straw Hat Pirates!
Coby's movements were fluid, a dance of steel and agility. He wasn't just defending himself like he always did in the past as a meek and weak cabin boy; he was taking the fight to the enemy. With each fallen foe, his confidence grew, and so did his skill. The crew, who had once seen him as nothing more than a meek cabin boy, now faced a determined warrior.
Luffy, observing Coby's transformation, couldn't help but grin. "Not bad, Coby," he commented, his tone laced with respect. "You're really giving it your all."
Coby, hearing Luffy's praise, felt a surge of pride. "I have to," he replied, panting slightly from the exertion. "This is my chance to change my destiny."
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