Punching my way through One Piece

The sun cast its warm light over the dense jungle of Rusukaina, the uninhabited island chosen by Rayleigh to train Luffy. The air was alive with the calls of wild beasts and the rustling of leaves as predators stalked their prey. But amidst the cacophony of nature, Luffy stood still, a determined expression on his face.

Rayleigh watched him with a sharp eye, arms crossed as he leaned against a tree. "So, you understand the stakes now, don't you, Luffy?"

Luffy clenched his fists, the memory of Marineford still fresh in his mind. His brother Ace had been saved, but it was clear to him how far he still had to go. The might of the Admirals, the warlords, even the Yonko—it was a level of strength he couldn't yet touch.

"Yeah," Luffy said, his voice firm. "If I'm going to protect my crew… if I'm going to be King of the Pirates… I have to get stronger. Much stronger."

Rayleigh smiled faintly. "Good. Then let's not waste any time." He gestured toward the forest. "This island is perfect for your training. The animals here are powerful enough to give you a real challenge, and I'll teach you everything I know about haki."

Luffy nodded, his straw hat shadowing his determined gaze. But then he paused, his hand reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a piece of paper and looked at it intently—the vivre card that would guide him back to his crew.

"Rayleigh," Luffy said, turning to the old pirate, "before we start, I need to send a message to my crew. They need to know what's happening."

Rayleigh raised an eyebrow. "And what will you tell them?"

"That we'll meet again," Luffy said firmly. "But not now. Not until we're all ready."

---

Somewhere on the Grand Line, Zoro, Nami, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper, Robin, Franky, and Brook were each navigating their own challenges, unaware of the message their captain was about to send. On a passing News Coo, a simple yet powerful message was delivered to them in the form of a tattooed phrase on Luffy's arm.

"3D2Y."

The crew members, scattered across different islands, each saw the message in their own way. Some smiled, others felt a pang of sadness, but all of them understood its meaning. It wasn't just a message to wait—it was a promise that their captain was working to become stronger, and he expected the same of them.

Nami, staring at the message from Weatheria, clenched her fist. "Two years… I'll be ready, Luffy."

On a snowy island, Chopper wiped away tears and stood tall. "I'll become a doctor who can help everyone."

Franky, now in Vegapunk's old lab, laughed loudly. "Time to build something SUPER!"

Robin, deep in her studies on Tequila Wolf, gave a small smile. "I'll uncover the truth."

And Zoro, standing before Mihawk, simply nodded. "I won't waste this time."

The bond of the Straw Hat crew remained unbroken, and in two years, they would reunite stronger than ever.

---

While the Straw Hats set their sights on their own paths, Noboru was far removed from any such intensity. His small boat drifted aimlessly on the Grand Line, the sails barely catching the wind as he lay sprawled on the deck, arms crossed behind his head. His makeshift ship was simple, a far cry from the grandeur of a pirate flagship, but it suited him just fine.

The sun warmed his skin, and the gentle rocking of the boat lulled him into a state of relaxation. For the first time in weeks, he allowed himself to do absolutely nothing. No haki training, no battles, no alliances—just the sound of waves and the occasional squawk of a seagull.

He reached lazily for a piece of dried meat, chewing it slowly as he gazed at the horizon. The memories of Marineford felt like a distant storm now, and while he knew his journey was far from over, he saw no reason to rush. The world could wait.

Or so he thought.

A shadow loomed over his small boat, breaking the tranquility of the moment. Noboru sat up, squinting at the massive ship that had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Its red sails and skull flag were unmistakable—it was the Red-Haired Pirates

The ship slowed as it approached, and from its deck, a familiar figure stood grinning widely. Shanks, the Yonko himself, waved down at Noboru with a carefree attitude that mirrored Noboru's own. Around him, his crewmates, including Benn Beckman, Lucky Roux, and Yasopp, leaned on the railing, curious about the lone man on the tiny boat.

"Well, well," Shanks called out, his voice carrying easily over the waves. "What's a guy like you doing lazing around in the middle of the Grand Line?"

Noboru smirked, standing and stretching. "Taking a break. Not all of us need a massive crew to get by."

Shanks laughed heartily. "Fair enough! But a man like you? Word of your exploits is spreading fast. I've been hearing your name in all sorts of interesting places."

Noboru's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "Is that so?"

Shanks nodded, jumping down from his ship and landing gracefully on Noboru's deck. His presence was overwhelming yet oddly welcoming, a testament to his mastery of conqueror's haki. The crew remained on the Red-Haired ship, giving their captain space.

"You've got a lot of people talking," Shanks said, his tone light but his eyes sharp. "Marineford, the Celestial Dragons, the Admirals—you've been stirring the pot quite a bit."

Noboru shrugged, leaning against the mast. "The pot needed stirring."

Shanks grinned, but his gaze grew serious. "I don't disagree. But you've got to know, shaking up the world like that comes with consequences. People like you… you don't get to stay in the background for long."

Noboru met Shanks' gaze, the weight of his words sinking in. "I'm not interested in ruling the world, Shanks. I just want to live free."

"That's a good answer," Shanks said, his grin returning. He reached into his coat and pulled out a bottle of sake, offering it to Noboru. "But freedom isn't something you get handed to you. It's something you have to fight for, every step of the way."

Noboru took the bottle, considering the Yonko's words. For a moment, the two men stood in silence, the weight of their shared understanding filling the air.

---

As the sun began to set, Shanks and Noboru joined the Red-Haired crew on their ship, the air filled with laughter and the clinking of mugs. Benn Beckman observed Noboru quietly, while Lucky Roux offered him a plate of meat with a hearty laugh.

"You've got the look of a man who doesn't back down," Beckman said, his tone measured. "But you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders too."

Noboru raised an eyebrow. "And you think I should do something about that?"

Beckman smirked. "Not my place to say. But the way things are shaping up, the world's going to need people like you."

As the night wore on, Noboru found himself feeling an odd sense of camaraderie with the Red-Haired Pirates. They were strong, free-spirited, and unyielding in their pursuit of their ideals. For the first time in a long while, Noboru felt like he wasn't alone in his fight against the injustices of the world.

As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, Noboru prepared to set sail once more. Shanks stood at the edge of his ship, watching as Noboru untied his boat from the Red-Haired Pirates' ship.

"You've got a lot of potential, Noboru," Shanks said. "But potential means nothing if you don't decide what to do with it."

Noboru looked up, a rare smile crossing his face. "I'll figure it out. Thanks for the sake."

Shanks laughed, raising his hand in farewell. "Good luck, Noboru. The world's about to get a whole lot more interesting."

As Noboru's boat drifted away, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The road ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, he didn't mind. The world was waiting, and he was ready to face it.

---

Meanwhile, aboard a small Revolutionary ship, Monkey D. Dragon stood at the helm, the scarred and battered form of Sabo resting against the cabin wall. The reunion was both joyous and somber, with Sabo slowly piecing together the rest of the fragments of his lost memory.

Sabo clutched a folded piece of paper—Noboru's letter. It contained details about their childhood, memories of the Grey Terminal, and the bond he had shared with Luffy and Ace. The words sparked something deep within him, reigniting the fire of his identity.

"Dragon," Sabo said, his voice hoarse but steady, "I'll repay Noboru for this. He didn't have to do it, but he helped me remember."

Dragon smiled faintly, his usual stoic demeanor softening. "Noboru has always acted for what he believes is right. But his path isn't like ours. He's... different."

Sabo's eyes sharpened. "He's stronger than anyone I've ever seen. What's his connection to all this?"

Dragon glanced toward the horizon, his expression unreadable. "Noboru has his own reasons to oppose the World Government. His hatred for them burns even brighter than mine."

As the ship sailed forward, Dragon allowed himself a rare moment of reflection. Edward Newgate, the Yonko Whitebeard, had sent him a message following the war. The two men, legendary in their own right, had discussed Noboru's potential to reshape the world.

On the deck of the Moby Dick, Whitebeard had stood tall, despite his injuries. Through a secure transponder snail, he had spoken with Dragon.

"That Noboru," Whitebeard said, his deep voice steady, "he's a storm waiting to break. What are you planning, Dragon?"

Dragon's voice had been calm but firm. "I'm not planning anything with him. Noboru isn't someone you can control. He'll chart his own course. But I do believe he'll help bring down the World Government."

Whitebeard chuckled. "If he survives the storms he's stirring up, maybe so. But a man like that… he's going to need allies."

Dragon agreed silently. The world was shifting, and Noboru was at the center of that change. Whether he liked it or not, he was now one of the most significant players on the stage.