One piece: A Tale Before the Wind

One day after leaving Shells Town, Luffy's Straw Hat crew spent a night on a deserted island, preparing for the next voyage. Zoro, refreshed after bathing for the first time in nine days, changed clothes and slept well, waking with a bright expression.

At sunrise, they set sail again. That's when trouble arose.

Kiri, in his blue hoodie but with a new shirt and cropped pants, sat cross-legged, arms folded, groaning thoughtfully. "Serious problem."

"What's up?" Luffy asked, sitting at the bow, munching an apple despite eating heavily before departure. His jeans and straw hat were the same, but his vest was now black.

"Food shortage. We bought plenty, but it's disappearing fast. Should've gotten more, but the ship can't hold too much without sinking," Kiri said.

"That's bad. I need meals daily. Why's this happening?" Luffy asked.

"Cause you eat like an idiot. Ever heard of eating moderately?" Zoro said, kicking Luffy's head lightly from where he lay.

Luffy yelped but didn't get mad. Food scarcity loomed, driven by Luffy's insatiable appetite. Kiri had prevented a crisis for now, but with their carefree captain, Kiri had to stay vigilant, his face troubled.

"The ship's too small. Seemed spacious at first, but with four of us and cargo, it's cramped. We need a bigger one," Kiri said.

"Yeah, a real pirate ship!" Luffy agreed.

"My calculations were off. For Luffy's appetite, we need more supplies, but this ship's too small," Kiri said.

"That's tricky. What do we do?" Luffy mused.

"Steal one from pirates. Faster that way," Zoro suggested, lying with arms behind head, now in a black-and-yellow jacket, chest exposed.

Kiri nodded. "Good idea. We'll get a proper ship later, but a better one for now might help. Shall we steal one?"

"You're the scariest one here," Zoro said.

"What's your call, Captain?" Kiri asked.

"Sounds good. If it means more food, let's do it," Luffy grinned, unthinking.

Silk, at the helm, spoke up. "What's next? We're far from Shells Town. Food's still okay, but will it last to the next town?"

"Maybe stop at an island to forage," Kiri said.

"Should've checked the last island," Silk said.

"Let's hit another island. Even without towns, there's fruit," Kiri suggested.

Silk left the helm, the calm waves keeping the ship steady. In a black tee and blue jeans, sans saber, she leaned against the cabin. "Luffy, what's your dream ship like?"

"Cool one!" Luffy said.

"This'll be tough," Kiri sighed.

"Same," Zoro added, shaking heads in sync, oddly in tune despite their usual bickering.

Silk chuckled. "A cool ship, huh? But where do we get one? Pirate ships aren't easy to find, and we're low on cash."

"It'll work out," Luffy said.

"Really? No plan?" Silk asked.

"Yeah, I like winging it," Luffy said.

"That's risky," Silk warned.

"Risk makes it fun. Knowing everything upfront isn't adventure," Luffy said.

"Fair point," Silk conceded.

"See? Adventure's about finding out," Luffy said.

Kiri sighed, checking the chart. Navigation was smooth; he knew East Blue's geography enough with a good map. The next town was a day away. The Grand Line, however, would need a proper navigator—Kiri wasn't one. Finding an expert would be hard, and with Luffy's free-spirited nature, problems piled up.

Kiri set the chart aside, lying down to rest, mimicking Luffy's ease. As he closed his eyes, Zoro spoke.

"Hey."

"Hm?" Kiri replied.

"What're you doing?"

"Gonna nap. Thinking too much isn't always good."

"You know what you're using as a pillow?" Zoro asked.

"Your thigh," Kiri said.

"Move. It's heavy," Zoro growled.

"Need a pillow to avoid neck strain," Kiri said.

"Doesn't mean you can use my leg. You a cat or what?" Zoro snapped.

"Fine, I'm a cat," Kiri teased.

"I'll slice you," Zoro threatened.

"Ugh, tired. No thinking for a bit," Kiri said, staying put, ignoring Zoro's grumbling without getting kicked.

Luffy and Silk smiled, seeing their bond. The ship's tension eased, unmanned but moving forward.

Minutes later, an island appeared. Not their destination, but Luffy's eyes sparkled, prompting action. Silk took the helm, Kiri sat up, and Zoro rose.

"That island looks cool. Let's check it out!" Luffy said.

"Roger, Captain. Hard to starboard!" Kiri called.

"Aye!" Silk responded, steering toward the small, likely deserted island.

The ship reached the sandy shore smoothly. "Zoro, pull it aground. No anchor, so we can't let it drift," Kiri said.

"My job?" Zoro grumbled.

"You're the strongest," Kiri said.

"Fine," Zoro said, wading into shallow water to haul the ship onto the beach, securing it for the non-swimmers.

Luffy leapt ashore, thrilled by the lush forest. "Smells like adventure!"

He bolted into the woods, shouting, "Let's go, guys! Adventure starts now!"

"Luffy!" Silk called.

"Wait! Don't go alone, it's dangerous!" she added, but he vanished.

The crew sighed, unsurprised but resigned. Silk and Kiri disembarked, Silk grabbing her saber to chase Luffy but pausing when Kiri and Zoro stayed put.

"You guys not coming? We'll lose him," Silk said.

"He's not a kid. No need to babysit. I'm napping," Zoro said.

"I'll pass. Been a while since I hit a beach," Kiri said.

"Ugh, fine," Silk said, sprinting into the forest.

Tall trees and dense grass obscured her view. Luffy was gone, his speed outpacing her. Slowing, she worried he was lost, muttering, "Everyone's so reckless. Where'd you go, Luffy?"

"Silk! Over here!" Luffy called, waving from the left.

She pushed through grass, reaching him, and froze. He'd caught a strange animal—a fox-like creature with white fur, a red crest, and a red tail, blending fox and chicken traits.

Silk gaped, forgetting to scold. Luffy, stroking it, grinned. "Check out this weird chicken!"

"Chicken? Looks like a weird fox…" Silk said.

"Rare animal! See the crest?" Luffy said.

"What is this thing? Never seen anything like it," Silk said, crouching to meet its lazy gaze.

Unfazed, it stared back, puzzling her further. "Fox? Chicken? Both, but neither…"

"Look, another one!" Luffy said, moving to a bush, kneeling to grab something.

Silk frowned as he held up another odd creature—a snake with white rabbit fur and long ears, docile despite being held, flicking a snake tongue harmlessly.

"This one's a rabbit!" Luffy said.

"Rabbit? More like a weird snake…" Silk said, taking it, inspecting its calm demeanor.

This island's creatures were bizarre—hybrids with no aggression toward humans. "Snake? Rabbit? Never seen these," Silk said.

"Weird island. Bet there's more like this," Luffy said.

"Probably a unique ecosystem," Silk agreed.

"Let's find more. Maybe cooler ones!" Luffy said, eyes gleaming.

A voice boomed, "Get out!"

"Eek! What?" Silk yelped.

"What's that?" Luffy asked.

Echoing through the trees, the voice's source was unclear. "I'm the forest's guardian… No one enters. Leave now, or face the forest's judgment!"

"Enemy attack?" Silk asked.

"Dunno," Luffy said, stepping forward. "Hey, old man, who are you? What's this judgment? We're just adventuring."

"Leave. No one's allowed," the voice said.

"You're here, aren't you?" Luffy said.

"Shut up! I'm the guardian, not an old man!" it snapped.

"Your voice sounds old," Luffy said.

"Quiet!" it roared.

Silk doubted its threat, and Luffy ignored the "judgment," striding deeper. "Stop! You'll face judgment!" the voice warned.

"Wait, Luffy! It might be dangerous!" Silk said.

"Nah, I want adventure," Luffy said.

"This is my forest! Stay out!" the voice shouted.

"Coming in!" Luffy said.

"That's not what I meant!" it yelled.

Bang! A gunshot rang out. Silk ducked, covering ears, but gasped as Luffy staggered, seemingly hit.

"Luffy!" she screamed, reaching for him.

He steadied, standing tall. The bullet, lodged in his rubber belly, shot back into the forest at full speed. Unharmed, he rubbed his stomach. "Phew, that surprised me. Good thing I'm rubber."

Silk gaped, then nodded, recalling his ability. "Right, rubber man, bullets don't work…"

The voice fell silent. Luffy pressed on. "Judgment's just a gun. Someone's here."

"You're still going?" Silk asked.

"Yeah, shot came from that way," Luffy said, pushing through grass, Silk following, her nerves steadied by resolve.

Minutes later, in a clearing, they found a treasure chest with grass-like growths, broccoli-shaped, and a smoking gun nearby.

"No one's here. What's this? Treasure? Broccoli?" Luffy said, crouching.

"Gun's here. Someone was," Silk said.

The chest moved, sprinting away. "It moved!" Silk gasped.

"It's escaping!" Luffy said, chasing but tripping.

The chest fell, revealing a man's face embedded in it—a middle-aged man with a giant green afro, struggling to rise.

"Damn you, mocking me! Help me up!" he yelled.

"An old man's growing out of it!" Luffy said.

"He's stuck in it, I think," Silk said.

"Whatever, help me!" he barked.

"Why so bossy? You tripped," Luffy said.

"Let's help him, or we can't talk," Silk said, aiding the flailing man.

Luffy, intrigued, grabbed the chest to prevent escape. "Who are you, old man? Why're you in a box? Boxed-up son?"

"Raised preciously as a kid—No! Not literally!" the man snapped, sighing. "I'm Gaimon… former pirate."

Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Former pirate, huh?"