40 Chapter 40

40

After that whole ordeal was over, the town's people came outside the restaurant to look at their heroes. Actually, they were already there, but after seeing Luffy enter, some of them left, thinking that a dangerous fight might break out. But nothing like that happened, so they came back.

Even Coby was a bit of awe at the appreciation that people gave them. And at the same time, he questioned himself if all Marines were like this.

He still wanted to pursue his own brand of justice, but he wasn't sure anymore. And also the fact that Luffy was pushing him to join the crew.

Luffy was the strongest person that he saw alongside Zoro, and Kuina. He hadn't seen them fight yet, but he could guess they weren't to be messed with.

Coby really wanted to be like them. Stand strong, bold, never backing down, and stand for his own beliefs. And he felt a bit of happiness hearing Luffy telling Coby that he had the potential to be strong. And Coby would have joined in if Luffy was a bounty hunter, but the straw hat was a pirate, and he didn't know if it was the right thing to do.

But there was also the fact that Luffy's grandfather was the marine hero. Maybe he saw something that made him dislike the marines. Coby might be a nerd, but he wasn't as naive as he let on.

If the Marine base in east blue had this kind of corruption, from Luffy's demeanor. He couldn't see the boy joining the marines. But it wasn't like he could downright ask Luffy about it. They weren't that close yet…

Pirates were bad right, they destroy villages, kill, rape and other stuff. And he already had some experience in that department, so Pirates should be bad… That's what common logic told him, but all logic didn't work with the straw hat boy. Maybe he should think about it for a bit before joining the Marine, maybe sail with them for a bit.

'Yeah, I should spend some time before taking such a huge step.' Coby told himself, 'Now that I'm free I can join the Marines any time I want.'

He watched in exasperation as Luffy devoured plate after plate of food. His body was gradually expanding before their eyes, and some had lost their appetites just watching the process. And he wasn't the only one, Sparky, the six-armed monkey joined in on the feast and started devouring the food.

'Maybe strong people needed more food?… Or maybe,' Coby sweat-dropped, 'yeah, logic didn't work with him.'

Zoro and Kuina looked at Luffy a bit weirdly, and… Nami… where was she? She was with them just a moment ago. Did she leave?

She did say she would leave after giving them a ride on her boat.

Luffy sighed in contentment and stood up, his round physique sagging in response to the action. The same thing happened to the six-armed monkey who gained a foot in height due to his bulging stomach.

A few bystanders wondered how this was possible. When Luffy's face scrunched up in concentration and his round physique rebounded into his moderate muscular figure, muscles bulging as if the mass had been redirected. Red hot steam coming out of him.

The bystanders gave up trying to make sense of anything they were seeing. "Aaahh, that's better. Kami-e really helps with quick digestion…" Luffy said in satisfaction, "And… I feel like I can beat a sea king right now. I digested it too much, too soon."

Coby and the other sweatdropped.

Kuina spoke, "Are you guys staying here for a while? It's will get dark if you want to go to another island."

Luffy glanced at her then back to Coby and grinned. "Actually, we're going out to sea. Zoro and you will be my first crewmate. Or at least human crewmate, Sparky has you beat there…"

The monkey in question rolled his shoulder. It was weird seeing a six-armed monkey rolling his shoulder. Did it have two shoulders or six?

"We didn't join your crew yet… you have to show us that you are at least strong enough to become my captain." Kuina said crossing her arms. "You are overwhelmingly underestimating us… against two of us you wouldn't stand a minute."

Luffy just smiled amused as he leaned back on his chair, "We'll see."

"Two former pirate hunters joining a pirate…" Luffy said, "I find it quite the tail…"

Coby still tried to wrap his mind around the two Pirate Hunters becoming a pirate.

"Anyway, we should head for the next island." Zoro said, "the sooner we can fight, the sooner we can get rid of you or join you…"

"Ow, your such a cold sourpuss, Zoro." Luffy whined back to his comedic demeanor.

Coby just sighed. This was the time to make a decision. "So, when do we set sail, Luffy?" he said.

"Just as soon as we get a ship that can take us," Luffy grinned hearing it from the boy.

Coby facepalmed. He almost forgot that Nami was gone… Oh, he also wanted to be clear with Luffy, "Uh… I hope you don't mind, but I'm not actually joining your crew yet." The boy clarified, a bit nervous. "If it's not a problem with you… I want to accompany your journey and see a bit more of the world. Before making a decision."

Coby was almost proud of himself that he said that without stuttering even once. But he had to stand up for his own believes, if he wanted to fulfill his dreams in the wide sea.

"Uw… come on Coby, not you too." Luffy whined like a baby. That went better than expected. "But hey, at least now you are following your dreams. Shishishi."

Coby smiled, "t-thanks. But we need to get a boat first."

"I think I can fix the issue." Kuina said, "The marines want us to leave the island anyways, so we can all take my boat… it should be able to house all of us for a trip to the nearest island."

She was actually not present when Zoro was captured by the marines. No, she got a cue from the bounty hunter association that he would be near these islands. It had been two years since they last met, so she wanted to meet him as well.

She had already gone and visited her father beforehand. As she was planning to venture into the grandline all by herself. So she wanted to meet one of her childhood friends and rival before going on the dangerous journey.

But having found no clue after a week of searching, even after getting the cue, she came here to Shells Town to refill her rations. But then things happened and she found out about what the Marines were scheming. And had no choice but to get involved.

So she did have a decent boat for the journey, she would, of course, have to sell it as there was no chance that the small dingy would make her cross to the grandline. But it could be used for nearby visits. "Anyhow where do you want to go…"

"Orange Town!"

Without further ado, they set sail for the place they knew to be called Orange Town. To meet a future Yonko of the sea…