"He's called Luffy, a kid who was just sent here recently."
On the small island, the only bar had already been taken over by pirates.
The bar owner and part-time waitress, Makino, seemed to be quite familiar with Shanks, and was introducing Windmill Village's newest resident to him.
"Hey, Luffy, what kind of man do you want to be when you grow up?"
Pirates had a natural talent for being friendly. After chugging down a few beers, they were overflowing with enthusiasm, wrapping their arms around Luffy and asking questions.
This little guy dared to challenge their captain—how interesting!
"I want to be the freest and happiest man alive."
Luffy replied with the catchphrase he currently used.
"Then how about becoming a pirate? We pirates have the freest job in the world—we can do whatever we want, travel and adventure across the seas..."
The pirates began to encourage King Luffy.
"No way, my grandpa would beat me up."
"Hahahaha, what a kid…"
The pirates laughed it off.
"My grandpa's super strong! I think all of you together still wouldn't be a match for him!" Luffy said angrily.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Shanks is the strongest!"
Uta, holding a glass of juice, walked over and cut in.
"Oh yeah? Shanks, can you really beat up my grandpa?"
"If so, then maybe I wouldn't mind becoming a pirate…"
Luffy grabbed Uta's juice and took a sip as he shouted over to Shanks, who was chatting with Miss Makino.
"Hey! That was MY juice!"
Seeing her drink stolen, Uta was instantly shocked and stared at Luffy in disbelief.
"And anyway, Shanks could totally send your grandpa flying!"
"Really? I don't believe you."
Those calm, dismissive words immediately got under Uta's skin. She grabbed Luffy by the collar, pulled her face close, and glared fiercely at the little brat.
"My grandpa is Garp—the Navy Hero!"
The once noisy bar suddenly fell into silence. Even Shanks, holding his wine glass, turned in surprise to look at the goofy boy.
"What? Is Garp really that strong?"
Uta didn't understand why the fun atmosphere had suddenly quieted down.
"Well… he is pretty strong,"The once-boastful pirates now looked awkward and unsure.
"Beckman, you're screwed. You tried to recruit Garp's grandson into piracy, hahahaha!"
"That wasn't me—I never said that!!" Beckman cried out in horror.
"But now that I think about it… this is kinda hilarious."
Laughter filled the bar once again.
Shanks came over and separated Uta, who was still clutching Luffy's collar. With a big hand, he playfully smacked both of them on the backs of their heads.
"That guy's a Marine, you know. It's only natural for pirates to run the moment they see a Marine."
"You two are the same age, so try to get along, alright?
Luffy, take Uta and show her around Windmill Village. We'll be staying here for a while."
"Oh! And when we come back, can you teach me swordsmanship? My grandpa only uses his fists—that's not cool at all."
King Luffy pointed to the sword hanging at Shanks' waist.
"You brat, you're bargaining with a pirate now?"
Uta was very displeased with this kid.
He was way too cocky with Shanks—and even demanded a reward just to show her around!
He was clearly a country bumpkin, wearing ragged, dirty clothes…
"Sure, sure…"Shanks casually agreed and patted Luffy on the head.
"Take good care of Uta, alright?"
"I promise!"
"Shanks! I'm two years older than him—it should be me taking care of him!" Uta huffed unhappily.
But before she could protest more, Luffy grabbed her wrist and took off running.
If only this weren't the movie version…
Once they left the bar, Luffy slowed down a bit as he led Uta along.
If this weren't the movie version, I could just train quietly in Windmill Village...
But... if it is the movie version, then Uta is going to release the Demon King of Songs this year, destroying an entire nation and island.
Should I stop Shanks from taking her to the Music Kingdom?
Stop her from leaving Windmill Village?
Sneak aboard the Red-Haired Pirates' ship and stop her from singing the forbidden score in the Music Kingdom?
King Luffy seriously pondered what he should do.
"You're hurting me!" Uta grumbled as she grabbed Luffy's hand, trying to make him loosen his grip. As the princess of the Red-Haired Pirates, she had never been treated so roughly before.
"Hey, Uta," Luffy grinned, "since Shanks put me in charge, how about you call me 'big brother' from now on?"
"No way! I'm older—YOU should call ME 'big sister'!"
Uta obviously wouldn't agree to such a ridiculous demand.
"But I'm stronger than you, and my grandpa is stronger than Shanks," Luffy said smugly. "You're weaker, so I have to make you call me big brother."
"That's not true! Shanks is the strongest! He just doesn't fight your grandpa because he's a pirate!"
Uta had picked up on how powerful Luffy's grandpa was from the way the pirates acted earlier—but she still wouldn't admit it. In her mind, Shanks was number one!
"And I'm stronger than you, too!"
No way a nine-year-old girl could lose to a seven-year-old boy.
Victory is mine!
"Really? I don't believe you."
There it was again—that annoying tone and indifferent face. It drove her crazy.
This guy!!!
Uta's frustration grew by the second. but Luffy had already stopped walking. They'd reached a grassy field just outside town.
From their short interaction, Luffy had already figured out that Uta wasn't as strong as he was.
He suddenly grabbed both of Uta's arms, used a bit of force, and pressed her down onto the soft grass.
"Ah—!"
Uta hadn't expected that at all and landed hard on her backside.
Then, to her shock, Luffy plopped down right on her waist.
"Seems like I'm stronger, Miss Uta," Luffy said smugly.
"My dress!!"
Uta was more concerned about her pretty outfit. This was a brand-new dress Shanks had bought her. She had walked carefully all day to keep it clean.
And now—he pushed her to the ground!?
Unforgivable!
Uta clenched her teeth, determined to make Luffy pay. But no matter how much she struggled, she couldn't break free. Eventually, she collapsed back in defeat, glaring up at her tormentor.
Boys are the worst!
Country boys are even worse!
"You're so rude! Jerk! I'm going to tell Shanks you bullied me!"
Tears welled up in Uta's eyes.
"You really are a little kid—running to the grown-ups, crying already," Luffy said as he made a silly face at her.
Uta's embarrassment turned into rage. "You're the kid! Immature brat! I'm the singer of the Red-Haired Pirates—I don't even need to fight! Let's compete at something else!"
"Okay! Let's see who can pee the farthest!"
Luffy stood up from on top of her, looked out at the grassy field, and pulled down his pants to pee.
(End of Chapter)