Chương 3: Chapter 1 : Setting Sails
### Chapter 1: Setting Sails
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the quiet village of Shimotsuki. The gentle breeze carried the scent of the sea, mingling with the earthy aroma of the dojo's wooden floors. Inside, the rhythmic clash of wooden swords echoed through the training hall, accompanied by the grunts and shouts of children learning the way of the sword. This was a place of discipline and tradition, where young minds were molded into warriors, and where one boy had grown into a man.
Roronoa Zoro stood at the edge of the training grounds, watching the young students practice their forms with a critical eye. He had once been like them—eager, determined, and hungry for strength. But now, at seventeen, he was no longer a boy. His body had grown strong and lean, honed by years of relentless training. His hair, a vibrant green, fell over his forehead in messy spikes, framing a face that had seen more battles than most men twice his age. Three swords hung at his side, each one a testament to his journey so far.
The white-sheathed 'Wado Ichimonji' was the most precious of them all. A relic of his past, it carried the weight of a promise—a promise made to a friend who was no longer among the living. Zoro's hand instinctively drifted to its hilt, his thumb brushing over the cool metal. Memories flooded his mind—memories of Kuina, her fierce determination, her unwavering spirit, and her untimely death. He had vowed to become the greatest swordsman in the world, not just for himself, but for her as well.
Yet, there was another sword at his side that held its own significance—'Mugenjin,' a black-sheathed blade with a green handle. It was a sword of great power, gifted to him by a man who had changed the course of his life. Master Umino, the wandering swordsman who had appeared in Zoro's life like a storm, teaching him not only the way of the sword but the way of the world. Umino had trained him for a year, pushing him to his limits and beyond, molding him into a swordsman worthy of wielding such a blade. Zoro could still remember their parting words, the weight of the black blade heavy in his hands as Umino walked away, leaving him with more than just a weapon.
"One day, you'll have to make a choice," Umino had said, his voice calm but firm. "Will you follow the path of honor, or will you walk the path of power? They don't always lead in the same direction."
Zoro had nodded, not fully understanding at the time, but he had grown to realize the truth in those words. The world was vast and filled with all kinds of people—those who sought strength for its own sake, those who fought for justice, and those who lived by their own code, regardless of the consequences. Zoro knew where he stood. He was not a hero, nor was he a villain. He was a swordsman, and the path he chose would be his own.
He sighed, his breath coming out in a long, slow exhale as he turned away from the dojo. The time had come to leave this place, to step out into the world and carve his own path. But as he walked toward the main building, where his master awaited, a part of him hesitated. This dojo had been his home for ten years—a place of learning, of growth, of bonds formed through sweat and blood. Leaving it behind felt like leaving a part of himself behind as well.
But he had no choice. Zoro's goal was not to remain a swordsman-in-training forever. He had outgrown this place, and the world was calling to him. The vast, open sea was where his destiny lay, not in the confines of a village dojo. He knew that the only way to honor Kuina, to live up to the promise he had made, was to face the challenges that awaited him out there.
As he approached the dojo's entrance, he paused for a moment, his hand resting on the wooden frame. The door was slightly ajar, and through the crack, he could see the familiar figure of his master, Koshiro, seated in the dimly lit room. The old man was calm as always, his eyes closed in quiet contemplation. He had always been a man of few words, letting his teachings speak for him. Zoro respected him deeply, not just as a swordsman but as a father figure. Koshiro had taken him in when he was just a boy, angry at the world and grieving for his lost friend. He had given Zoro purpose, guidance, and the skills that had shaped him into who he was today.
Taking a deep breath, Zoro pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was simple, adorned with scrolls of calligraphy and a few traditional weapons displayed on the walls. The floor creaked under his weight as he moved to stand before his master.
"Master, I think it is time for me to go," Zoro said, his voice steady but carrying a hint of something deeper—resolve, perhaps, or a quiet sadness.
Koshiro opened his eyes, meeting Zoro's gaze with a look that was both knowing and serene. "Is it now, Zoro?" he asked, his tone gentle. "Time sure flies fast."
Zoro nodded. "It has been ten years since I first came to this dojo. I have a promise to fulfill and a goal to achieve. Staying in the village won't help me anymore."
Koshiro studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded. "You've grown strong, Zoro. Stronger than I could have ever imagined. But strength alone is not enough. You know that, don't you?"
"I do," Zoro replied, his voice firm. "I've learned that the hard way. But I also know that I need to get stronger if I'm going to fulfill my promise. And I can't do that here."
Koshiro sighed softly, his eyes filled with a mixture of pride and sadness. "I knew this day would come, Zoro. I knew you would leave, just as your master did before you. The world is vast, and there are things you can only learn by facing it head-on. But remember, the path you choose will define the man you become."
Zoro's jaw tightened, and he nodded. He had already made his choice, and there was no turning back now. "I will, Master. I won't forget what you've taught me."
A silence settled between them, heavy with unspoken words. Finally, Koshiro spoke again, his voice softer this time. "Alright, go on then. Have a great adventure. Remember, you have a place to return to whenever you wish."
Zoro bowed deeply, his head nearly touching the floor. "Thank you, Master," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "For everything."
With that, Zoro turned and left the room, the door sliding shut behind him with a soft thud. He walked through the dojo one last time, his steps echoing in the empty halls. The memories of his years here played in his mind like a film—training with Kuina, sparring with the other students, the day he received Wado Ichimonji, and the countless hours spent honing his skills under Koshiro's watchful eye. But those memories, as precious as they were, belonged to the past. His future lay beyond this village, beyond the East Blue, out there in the vast, uncharted seas.
As he stepped out into the fading light of the evening, Zoro felt a strange mix of emotions—sadness at leaving behind a place that had been his home, excitement at the thought of the journey ahead, and a fierce determination to succeed no matter what. The world was wide and full of challenges, but Zoro was ready to face them all.
He made his way to the village dock, where a small merchant ship was preparing to set sail. The captain, a burly man with a thick beard, gave Zoro a nod as he approached. They had already spoken earlier, and the captain had agreed to give him passage to the nearest island with a larger port.
"Ready to go, lad?" the captain asked, his voice gruff but not unkind.
Zoro nodded. "Yeah, I'm ready."
With a final glance back at the village, Zoro boarded the ship. The crew was busy with preparations, tying ropes and securing cargo, but Zoro paid them little mind. He moved to the front deck, where he could see the open sea stretching out before him. The salty breeze whipped through his hair, and he closed his eyes for a moment, letting the wind carry away any lingering doubts.
His hand drifted once more to the hilts of his swords. Wado Ichimonji and Mugenjin—two blades, two promises, two parts of his soul. He had no devil fruit powers, no crew to back him up, and no grand ship to sail. All he had were these swords and his own strength. But that was enough.
"Kuina, Master Umino, I'm starting my journey today," Zoro whispered, his voice carried away by the wind. "I will become the world's greatest swordsman. Just wait and see."
As the ship pulled away from the dock, the village of Shimotsuki grew smaller and smaller, until it was nothing more than a speck on the horizon. Zoro stood at the bow, his eyes fixed on the distant line where the sea met the sky. The world was vast, full of dangers and opportunities alike. But Zoro knew that no matter what lay ahead, he would face it with unwavering resolve.
***
Sure! Here's the continuation, merging the elements you provided with the narrative:
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**Two Years Later...**
In a certain island on the East Blue, where the cleanest kingdom in the world, the 'Goa Kingdom,' is located, there exists a small village on the other side of the island called 'Windmill Village.' This village, known for its peaceful atmosphere, holds a special place in history. It is the very place where one of the Five Emperors of the Sea, 'Gotei,' docked his ship ten years ago. Today, the villagers gather once again at the dock, but this time for a different reason.
A crowd of people, wearing a mix of emotions on their faces, wave and shout to a young man who is preparing to set sail. The young man is none other than Monkey D. Luffy, the boy who had once been taken under the wing of the notorious Shanks, and who now harbors a dream as vast as the sea itself.
"He's finally setting out, eh, Mayor?" said a slender woman with green hair, wearing an apron over simple clothing. "I'll miss that rascal."
"But if he really does become a pirate, he'll bring shame to the village," replied the elderly man wearing a hat, the Mayor of the town. Despite his stern words, a hint of pride gleamed in his eyes.
"I can't believe he actually did it," came another voice from the crowd, followed by murmurs as the villagers watched the young boy set off on his journey.
Out on the sea, in a small boat, sat Luffy. He wore a sleeveless red vest, over which hung a black coat draped like a cape on his shoulders. His blue pants reached just below his knees, and a straw hat sat atop his head, though it couldn't hide all of his black hair. A noticeable scar rested just under his left eye. Standing at 175 cm, he was lean, muscular, and full of energy—every inch of him radiated the spirit of adventure.
"Wow!... It's a great day to set out to sea!" Luffy exclaimed, taking in the vast expanse of the ocean around him. The wind whipped past him as if welcoming his journey.
Suddenly, the sea began to churn, creating waves that rocked his small boat. From the depths, a massive sea king emerged, its mouth wide open, ready to swallow Luffy and his boat whole.
Luffy looked at the sea king with a calm, determined gaze, and then comically extended his arm backward. "Our local sea monster," he said casually. "Sorry for doing this, but I've been perfecting a move since we last met."
With a sharp pull, he brought his fist back and then thrust it forward with incredible force. "Gomu Gomu no... Pistol!" he shouted. His fist collided with the sea king, sending the massive creature flying back into the ocean.
"Hmph, that's what you get, you darn fish," Luffy muttered with his hands on his hips. He looked forward, his mind already set on the next steps of his journey.
"First thing's first, I should get some members to join my crew," he mused, shading his eyes from the sun with his hand. "Ten of them should do. A strong first mate, a navigator, a sniper, a cook, and a shipwright are for sure needed, as Shanks told me. And, of course, a musician—a pirate crew can't go without one." He thought about where to find such crewmates, pondering the start of his quest. "And I'll need a pirate flag too," he added thoughtfully.
Then, in a burst of energy, he threw his arms into a 'T' position and shouted with all his might, "LOOK OUT WORLD, HERE I COME! I AM GOING TO BECOME... 'THE KING OF THE PIRATES'!"
***
Fast forward, Luffy is hugging the oar, not rowing the boat. "Ahh, what a beautiful day," he said, without any anxiety showing on his face despite the situation he found himself in. The sun shone brightly above, the sky a clear, endless blue, and the sea stretched out around him like a vast, inviting blanket. It was, indeed, a beautiful day to be at sea.
But even on the calmest of days, the sea could be unpredictable. Before him, the waters began to swirl and churn, gradually pulling his small boat toward the center of a massive whirlpool.
"Who would have thought this voyage would end too soon," Luffy added, his voice as carefree as ever, almost amused by the predicament he was in. He leaned over the side of the boat, staring down into the swirling abyss with curious eyes, as if this was just another part of his grand adventure.
"Hard to believe that I am getting sucked into a giant whirlpool," he said nonchalantly, watching the whirlpool grow stronger, its pull more insistent. "Oh well, can't be helped, down I go."
Despite the life-threatening situation, Luffy remained calm, accepting his fate with a shrug. He knew he couldn't swim, not with the Devil Fruit's curse making him sink like a hammer in water. But even that didn't seem to faze him.
"Too bad, I can't swim either," he mused, almost chuckling at the thought. To anyone else, it would seem like a hopeless situation, but Luffy's confidence never wavered. He knew there was always a way out, even if it wasn't obvious at first.
Looking around the boat, his eyes landed on a large barrel, one he had been using to store food and supplies. His eyes lit up as if he had just found the perfect solution to his dilemma.
"That'll do!" he exclaimed, his usual grin spreading across his face.
Quickly, he emptied the barrel, eating up the last of the fruits and other provisions stored inside. With the barrel now empty, he climbed in, bringing the oar with him. He placed the lid securely over his head, fitting snugly inside the wooden container. The inside of the barrel was dark and cramped, but Luffy didn't mind. It was a makeshift refuge, and it would keep him safe from the whirlpool's pull.
"Hah, nothing to worry about," he said to himself, hugging the oar close to his chest. His voice echoed slightly within the barrel, but it was full of his usual optimism. He had faced countless dangers before, and this was just another challenge to overcome.
As the whirlpool grew stronger, the boat began to break apart, sucked into the vortex's center. But Luffy, safely tucked inside the barrel, remained calm, even as the whirlpool finally swallowed his boat whole.
The sea eventually calmed, the waters returning to their normal, serene state. All that was left was a single barrel, bobbing up and down on the gentle waves, floating aimlessly across the open sea. Inside, Luffy dozed off, his mind filled with dreams of the adventures yet to come, of the crew he would gather, and the ultimate goal that awaited him at the end of the Grand Line.
He wasn't worried, not in the slightest. After all, he was Monkey D. Luffy, and nothing was going to stop him from becoming the King of the Pirates.
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