Chapter 56

56

The Going Merry sailed the oceans with the new crewmate of Luffy on board. Luffy jumped onto his feet from the dock where a dripping paint bucket lay and held up a flag with a pirate flag excitedly. "It's done!"

His crewmates looked at the flag and nodded. "Well, not bad I'll say," Usopp said. "I would have made the nose a bit more pointy, but… I have to say, you really thought this through…"

On the flag was the iconic symbol of the straw hat pirate.

"So the straw hat pirates… because of the straw hat… kinda simple? No?" Nami asked curiously.

Kuina and Zoro had woken up quite a few hours ago, and taken to the role of piracy by practicing their blades against each other. Training that is. On the deck, they were constantly practicing their swordsmanship to overcome their weakness… their loss was in a way eye-opening for them. Now they were taking a bit more rest.

Luffy actually felt glad that their sudden loss didn't make them spiral into desperation. Though they were a bit too eager to challenge him again. Now he kinda got how his grandpa felt when all the times he just threw challenges at his face.

Anyway back to the conversation at hand.

"Well, this straw hat holds significance," Luffy stated, grabbing the hat that was on his head. Everyone looked curiously at Luffy, even Sparky.

"Oh, really?" Usopp said, holding his own flag with It had a long nose, a brown hat with a crossed stripe pattern, and a slingshot in place of one of the crossbones and a wooden gun as another. "Does the hat also have a story?"

Zoro and Kuina who were resting from a recent sparring session also curiously joined the conversation.

"That it does…" Luffy said as he spun the straw hat. "This one was passed down from Roger to Shanks… and now to me. So, I value it dearly… it's kinda like a crown passed down from one king to another… so I don't have any choice to be the strongest pirate king ever."

Coby, Usopp, and the rest of the crew didn't know what to say. That had their doubts, but… Luffy was no ordinary guy, was he?

Kuina and Zoro were both surprised and awed by their captain. They knew about Red-haired Shanks, anyone with a passion for swords would.

Usopp was the one to break the silence. "But wait… didn't you say your grandpa was the marine hero… how did that hat not raise flags."

Luffy blinked, not expecting that question. He shrugged, "Eh… who knows. The moment gramps heard that Shanks gave me his hat and told me be a great pirate Grandpa kinda made the whole pirate crew flee to the grandline… He was all angry and bitter back then. And even if he is a marine… he won't stop me from pursuing my dream. Perusing what I deem justice… I mean even my dad isn't a marine and is a constant pain in their ass and Grandpa does nothing. Well, he won't do anything… unless you do something unreasonable and go full evil, then you are good as dead. The old man is kinda scary in that sense."

Luffy shivered at the last part. Sparky who jumped on his shoulder nodded.

"Anyway, let's not droll too much on my past, and let's focus on our journey. The pirate ship Going Merry is ready for action! Let's get this journey started."

Usopp and Sparky cheered while the others also went on with their activities. Coby was on his part, fully enjoining the journey, and he had already decided that he would join Luffy… seeing the Marine's trying to hide Kuro was the last straw that broke the camel's back. However there was some hesitance, and he didn't want to rush it. So for now he was good as it is.

Also now that the hypnosis had run off, Coby was fully feeling the pain of his overworked muscles and wounds. The boy also wanted to join the training, but Luffy reprimanded him until he was a bit more stable.

"So, now that we have our ship, what's next, Luffy?" Nami asked. Luffy thought for a moment and turned his attention to the positions that needed to be filled.

"Well, we'll need a chef," he began. "As well as a doctor, Sparky isn't that well trained enough for the grandline and eventually, a carpenter. We should also recruit someone once we get into the Grand Line who has practical knowledge and experience from traveling the area." Luffy said.

Nami nodded at each suggestion, genuinely impressed. Luffy had really thought this through.

"And of course, we'll need a musician at some point. Can't go without that."

Nami sweatdropped.

"Uh, right." Luffy looked at her innocently. Before remembering something, "Oh, yeah, we also need a belly dancer… but I think you are multi-talented enough to do the job. You might be lacking up there, but your hips are broad enough for an enjoyable performance."

"Why you!" Nami screamed come here, with that Nami was chasing of Luffy around the ship.

Coby and the rest sweatdropped at the scene. Luffy wasn't a pervert, but he seemed to find some sick pleasure in teasing the orange-haired girl.

Soon things went on as it is. And Usopp was trying to figure out the cannon of the ships. He was already done with today's training, Luffy didn't push him hard as this was basically his first day.

Suddenly they heard the sound of cannon fire and turned to see Usopp standing in front of one of their few cannons with a shocked expression on his face. In the distance, they could see the shattered remains of what looked to be a strange rock formation.

"I hit it," Usopp whispered in shock.

"Nice, Usopp! Try to hit a flying pinata next time." Luffy chuckled, before he frowned as he sensed two auras at the rock formation. One was frantic and desperate, while the other was extremely faint. But both of them were relatively strong to be picked up by Luffy's haki.

Shit. He almost forgot about that part. "Nami, can you take us over to that rock?"

Nami looked confused but did as she was asked.