One Piece: The Emperor Luffy

Foosha Village basked in the gentle warmth of a peaceful day. The sea breeze carried the scent of salt and sun, weaving through the village like a familiar friend.

Villagers moved about their routines with easy smiles, exchanging greetings, mending nets, and tending to their small shops. The calm hum of daily life filled the air, a melody of tranquility that lulled everyone into comfort.

Everyone except for one young boy.

Inside Makino's bar, the usual chatter was absent, the quiet broken only by the soft rustle of newspaper pages.

Luffy sat in his usual spot, his small hands carefully holding the paper as his dark eyes darted over the printed words. His focus was unnerving for someone so young, an intensity that seemed out of place in the warm, cozy space.

Makino, wiping a glass behind the counter, stole glances at him. It wasn't like Luffy to sit so still, especially without Shanks or his crew around to entertain him. She wondered if he was missing their lively presence, but something in the way he read the newspaper felt different today.

"Luffy," She called softly, setting the glass down and walking over. "You're awfully focused. Missing Shanks and the others?"

Luffy looked up, his usual playful grin sliding easily onto his face, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of something deeper.

"Yeah, maybe a little," He said, leaning back casually. "But you know me, Makino, I'm not the type to get stuck in the past."

Makino chuckled, her heart fluttering slightly at the charm in his voice. He had always been special to her.

He was her man and lover!

She brushed the thought aside with a light laugh. "Well, if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here."

Luffy's grin softened, and for a moment, his young face looked far older.

"I know," He said.

He watched her retreat to the counter, his playful expression fading as he returned to his thoughts.

'The Elegia Incident.'

It hadn't made the papers yet, but it was only a matter of time. The weight of it pressed heavily on him. He couldn't afford to wait much longer.

'I won't let Uta fall into that darkness.' He thought, clenching the edge of the newspaper. 'Not this time.'

The door burst open, and Ann bounded in, her energetic presence breaking through the tension like sunlight through clouds.

"Luffy! What's with the serious face?" She teased, hopping over to his side. "You look like you're planning world domination or something!"

Luffy smirked, folding the paper and leaning on his elbow.

"Maybe I am," He replied, his voice laced with a playful mystery. "Or maybe... I'm waiting for something big."

Ann's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Ooooh, like what?"

"You'll see," Luffy said with a sly grin, his cryptic words only making her more intrigued.

Sabo followed close behind, his sharp eyes narrowing as he observed Luffy.

"You're hiding something," He said, crossing his arms. "What's going on, Luffy?"

Luffy shrugged, his grin never wavering. "Nothing much, Sabo. Just keeping an eye on the world."

Sabo frowned but didn't press further. He knew Luffy well enough to recognize when he wasn't ready to share.

As the siblings settled into their usual bickering, Luffy's mind drifted once more. His memories were a constant reminder of what was to come.

Uta's smile, her laughter, her pain.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he was meant to save her from her fate.

'If the news does not come soon... I'll go to her myself.'

The bar grew quiet again as the trio settled, and Luffy's eyes flicked to the newspaper once more. He scanned the headlines, searching for any sign of Elegia. His heart tightened as he wondered if today would be the day.

"Luffy?" Makino's gentle voice pulled him back to the present. She was standing beside him again, her warm gaze filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

Luffy looked up, his grin returning effortlessly. "Of course, Makino. Don't worry about me."

Her concern melted into a fond smile, and she reached out to tousle his hair.

"You're such a mystery sometimes," She said softly.

Luffy chuckled, his heart swelling with affection for the woman. He watched her walk away, a quiet determination settling over him.

The storm was coming, but he was ready. He'd do whatever it took to protect those he cared about.

And it happened, the next day...

Luffy sat at his usual spot by the bar counter, eyes scanning the latest newspaper with an intensity that seemed out of place for a six-year-old.

Makino, who had been wiping down the counter, glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. She noticed his brows furrowed and his lips set in a hard line—a look far too serious for his age.

She approached him with a gentle smile. "Luffy, is everything okay? You've been glued to those newspapers since Shanks and his crew left."

Luffy didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on a headline that had finally appeared.

"Tragedy in Elegia: Attack Leaves Town in Ruins"

The words burned into his mind, bringing a mix of satisfaction and dread.

'So, it happened just as I remembered.'

He thought, his grip on the paper tightening. 'Uta... I knew they'd leave her. But I'm not going to.'

His mind raced. This was it. This was the sign he'd been waiting for. It was time to leave.

Makino watched him with a hint of worry, and he quickly smoothed his expression, flashing her his usual carefree grin.

"I'm fine, Makino. Just… you know, curious."

Makino tilted her head, sensing there was something he wasn't telling her. "Are you sure? You seem different like you're planning something."

She gave a soft laugh, brushing off her own comment as if it were ridiculous, but Luffy's grin didn't reach his eyes.

"Actually, I am going on a little adventure," Luffy said, standing up and folding the newspaper. He looked at her, his eyes holding a glint of mischief that usually meant trouble, but this time, it felt different—darker.

Makino's smile faltered, a motherly instinct kicking in. "Luffy, what do you mean? Adventure? You're so young—where would you even go?"

Luffy shrugged casually, forcing a boyish innocence into his voice. "Oh, just out there. Gotta see the world sometime, right?"

Makino's concern deepened, but Luffy knew he couldn't let her stop him.

"I'll be back before you know it," He added, chuckling. "I just… need to do something important."

He wanted to tell her, to explain everything, but he knew she wouldn't understand. 'Nobody would!'

He added in his thoughts, feeling a pang of frustration at being trapped in a child's body.

'This world… it's full of people I'm going to change.'

Just then, Sabo and Ann, who had been playing outside, dashed in.

Sabo, noticing the newspaper in Luffy's hand, gave him a curious look. "Oi, Luffy, why are you staring at the news like that? Don't tell me you're actually reading it."

Luffy flashed a grin, quickly stuffing the paper behind him. "Just thinking about things, you know."

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