NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: Future King
After my fight with Zoro, I ran into him a few more times at the bar. Over time, we became something like friends. We'd talk, share a drink, and exchange stories, but after a few days, I started to distance myself. Not because I didn't want to spend time with him—I enjoyed his company—but because I knew I had to let things unfold as they were meant to.
I had to allow him to be persuaded by Helmeppo into the bet that would lead to Luffy arriving on this island, recruiting Zoro into his crew, and—hopefully—paving the way for me to join them.
The days passed, and as expected, Zoro was captured. Shelltown was quieter without him, but I kept myself occupied, walking through the city and observing the people. One day, as I wandered aimlessly, I saw something that stopped me in my tracks—a smile.
It wasn't just any smile.
It was a smile so genuine, so honest, that it could light up even the darkest corners of the One Piece world. It was the kind of smile that inspired people, that motivated them to follow, to believe, even if the person smiling wasn't the smartest or strongest.
There he stood: Monkey D. Luffy.
He was at the entrance of the tavern, his straw hat tilted slightly to the side, his carefree demeanor radiating an infectious energy. Beside him stood a small, timid boy—Corby. Looking at him, you'd never imagine that one day this nervous, unassuming kid would become a Marine admiral.
As soon as I saw them, I made my way over.
The moment Luffy noticed me, he jumped back, his expression a mix of shock and curiosity. It was something I'd seen before—my sword seemed to emit an aura that sensitive people could feel, an oppressive presence that unsettled them. I couldn't sense it myself, but maybe my understanding of my black sword wasn't advanced enough yet.
But Luffy, being who he was, didn't dwell on it for long. His shock melted into his usual wide grin as I approached.
"Hey," I said with a smile, trying to ease the tension. "I'm a swordsman, and I just took down a bounty worth talking about. It'd be boring to eat alone. Care to join me?"
Corby hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. It seemed like he wanted to decline, perhaps wary of the dangers that often lurk behind such invitations. But Luffy, true to his nature, was unfazed. Without a second thought, he threw an arm around me and pulled me toward a table.
Hours passed as we ate and talked. Plates piled up as Luffy devoured everything in sight, while I watched in equal parts amusement and disbelief. After his fifteenth plate—or was it his twentieth?—Luffy finally paused, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at me with curiosity.
"So," he said, breaking the silence, "why's your sword so big? Shouldn't a sword be lighter? Faster?"
I couldn't help but smile at the simplicity of the question. "You're not wrong," I replied. "A lighter sword would be faster, and my fighting style isn't exactly… normal. But this sword isn't just a weapon. It's all I have left of my family and my old life. That's why I'll use it to reach the top."
Luffy tilted his head, intrigued. "The top? What do you mean by that?"
"I want to become the strongest man in the world," I said simply.
For a moment, Luffy stared at me in silence. Then, to my surprise, he burst into laughter—loud, hearty, and genuine. If I hadn't known better, I might have thought he was mocking me. But that wasn't who Luffy was.
After his laughter subsided, he leaned back in his chair and grinned. "That's a big dream. But if you're aiming for the top, I'd like to see it happen."
I couldn't help but laugh softly in return. "And you? What's your dream?"
He answered without hesitation, his voice brimming with conviction: "To become the King of the Pirates!"
This time, it was my turn to laugh. Not because I doubted him, but because his determination was infectious. "Well," I said, still chuckling, "that's something I'd love to see."
In the back of my mind, I thought my comment might prompt him to invite me into his crew. But to my surprise, he didn't. It seemed I'd have to prove myself another way.
As the hours passed, I realized I'd spent the entire evening ignoring Corby. Turning to him, I decided to strike up a conversation. At first, he was quiet, hesitant, as if unsure of how to interact with someone like me. But I pushed gently, trying to draw him out of his shell.
We talked about his dreams, his aspirations. He wanted to join the Marines, to become someone who could stand up for justice. I encouraged him, reminding him that the world needed good Marines—people with integrity and a strong sense of right and wrong.
By the time we finished talking, Corby seemed different. His shoulders were less slumped, his expression more determined. Maybe, just maybe, I'd helped him take the first step toward becoming the man he was destined to be.
As we parted ways that evening, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope.
Luffy, with his unshakable dream and infectious spirit.
Corby, with the beginnings of confidence and a fire in his heart.
And me, a swordsman with a black blade, standing at the crossroads of fate.
This world—dark, chaotic, and full of cruelty—needed people like them. And maybe, just maybe, it needed someone like me too.
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