Koby
On a remote island in East Blue...
-Why is there so much dust?-
-S... Sorry about that, Alvida-sama! I thought I've already cleaned the whole deck...!! I... I'll clean it again, so... So please don't...!!-
-Don't do what?- Alvida asked.
-Please, don't hit me with your mace...!! I don't want to dieee!!!-
Alvida hit the man, ignoring his pleas.
-Koby! What's the most beautiful thing of all the seas?- Alvida asked a small, timid, chubby boy with pink hair and round-frame glasses.
-Eh... Eh hehehe, of course that'll be... That'll be you, Alvida-sama! Eh hehehe.- Koby said nervously.
-That's right!! And that's why I absolutely hate dirty things!! So I don't want the slightest bit of dust on my ship!! Do you hear me? I only let you live this long because you know more about navigation than the others.-
-Y... Yes ma'am. Thank you very much.-
-But other than that you're totally useless! Now clean my shoes!!-
Alvida kicks Koby as he cringes, taking the kicks.
-Y... Yes, right away ma'am.-
-Keep cleaning and don't leave any dust behind!!!-
-Y...!! Yes ma'am!!!-
"Iron Mace" Alvida was a tall and very obese woman with long wavy black hair and freckles on her cheeks.
-That's enough for now!!! You piece of garbage!!-
Alvida kicked Koby again.
-Eh... Eh hehehe. I...... I'm so sorry.-
-If you have time to apologize, why don't you go clean the wash room!!?-
-Eh hehehe. I'll be on my way, Alvida-sama.- Koby turned around and began to walk with his head lowered as he pressed his lips against the urge to cry.- ............ On my way...-
++++++++
-What? You're saying that barrel of sake got washed up on shore, Koby?-
-Ye... Yes. There seems to be something inside it. What should we do with it...-
-Great! Let's all drink together!!!- a man suggested.
-But! If the captain finds out, we'll be...-
-She won't find out!! We're the only ones cleaning the wine cellar, so only us and stupid Joby will know about this.-
-You're right.-
-You know what to do, right!? Koby...-
-Of... Of course! I... I haven't seen anything! Eh hehehe...! S... So please don't beat me...-
Suddenly a boy came out of the barrel, breaking the wooden lid.
-AHHHHH!!!!-
-WHAT THE HELL!!?-
-WHAT A NICE NAP THAT WAS!!!- Luffy of 17 years old shouted.- Looks like I'm saved. I thought I was fonna die too!! Hahahahaha!!-
He looked around and saw four men.
-......!?-
-Huh?-
-......!?-
-Who are you?- asked Luffy.
-WHO THE HECK ARE YOU!!?- those three men asked.
-Why would someone be coming out of a wine barrel!?-
Suddenly Alvida threw her mace at them.
-STOP SLACKING OFF!!!-
The mace smashed the hut and the barrel began to roll with Luffy inside towards the forest. Koby seeing this decided to follow Luffy into the forest.
-Um... Are you alright? Did you get hurt?- Koby asked.- You got knocked pretty far.-
-Hahaha!- Luffy just laughed.- I'm fine, just a little surprised. That's all. I'm Luffy. What is this place?-
-This is the breeding ground of the Pirate "Iron Mace" Alvida. I'm a caretaker on this ship. My name is Koby.-
-I see.- Luffy climbed out of the wooden barrel.- Actually, that's not important.-
-Oh...-
-Do you have a small boat? Mine got caught in a whirlpool.-
-Whirl... Whirlpool!!? You were caught in a whirlpool!?-
-Yeah, that whirlpool was scary. I really liked that boat that my aunt Rouge gave me...-
-A normal person would've died already... You... You want a small boat? Well, I have one, but...-
Koby showed Luffy his super crappy ship.
-What's this? A coffin?- Luffy asked confused.
-That's a boat I built secretly for 2 years.- Koby responded nervously.
-Spent 2 years? You... Don't want it anymore?-
-Yeah... I don't want it anymore. I was gonna run away in this, but I don't have the guts to do it... Looks like I'm gonna be a caretaker my whole life.- Koby looked down.- Although... I do have something else I wanna do.-
-Then you should leave.-
-No... No I can't. It'll never work! Whenever I think of Alvida-sama fiding out, my legs turn all mushy...!!- Koby shook his head quickly.- I get so scared...!!!- Koby began to remember the day he met Alvida's crew for the first time.- That day... I was only fishing, but I accidentally walked onto this ship!!! And I had to become a caretaker on the ship these two years to stay alive...!!-
-You're pretty stupid and useless.- Luffy beamed.- And you seem kinda wimpy too. I don't like you.-
-Eh... Eh heheh heheheheh hehehehehe...!!!- Koby was crying at that point.- But... You're right... If only I'm brave enough... Hey... Luffy-san, why are you sailing?-
-I want to become the Pirate King!!!-
-Eh......! Wha!!? What!!? "Pirate King" was the title of someone who has had everything in this world!! Are you telling me that you're looking for the "World's Greatest Treasure"... Uhm. The "One Piece"!!? You wanna die or something!? All the pirates in the world are looking for that treasure!-
-Well, so am I.-
-...... Im... Impossible!! Absolutely impossible!!. Utterly utterly impossible!!- Koby shook his head vigorously.- To become the Pirate King in the Pirate Era. There's no chance!! Utterly impossible!!-
Luffy hit Koby and left a bump on him.
-Ow!!! W... Why'd you hit me!?-
-Because I couldn't stand you!!!-
-... Oh well... I'm used to it anyway... Eh heh heh heh...-
-I'm not afraid of dying!-
-Huh?-
-Because it's my dream.- Luffy took off his straw hat and stared at it.- And that's why I won't mind dying for it.-
-......!!! W... Won't even mind death...!!?-
-Besides, I think I can do it. Although it could get pretty tough.-
-... Will I also... Be able to accomplish my dream...!?- Koby asked with tears falling down his cheeks.- If... I'm willing to die...-
-Hm? What?-
-Will I be able... To become a Marine...!!?-
-A Marine?-
-Luffy-san, I know it means that we'll be enemies!! But joining the Marines and catching bad guys... Has always been my dream!!!- shouted Koby with tears in his eyes.- Do you think I can do it!!?-
-I wouldn't know!-
-I have to at least try!!! I'd rather die trying to get out of here and join the Marines!! Tha stay here and be a caretaker my entire life!! And then Alvida-sama... I'll be able to arrest someone like Alvida!!-