One piece: A Tale Before the Wind

In a forest clearing, three sat facing each other, talking. Luffy and Silk mostly listened, while the odd man they'd just met, Gaimon, a former pirate stuck in an empty treasure chest, spoke. For twenty years, he'd lived alone on this island after falling from a rock, landing in the chest, and being abandoned by his crew, who didn't notice his absence. A foolish yet tragic tale.

Both sides were intrigued—Luffy and Silk by Gaimon's unique predicament, Gaimon by their Devil Fruit powers. He'd heard of such abilities but never seen them. Luffy, a rubber man, and Silk explained their piracy. Gaimon marveled at Luffy's powers, while they couldn't ignore his one-of-a-kind appearance.

"Devil Fruit users… Heard rumors, but seeing's different," Gaimon said.

"You're wild too, stuck in a chest," Luffy grinned.

"Didn't choose this. I'd get out if I could, but I'm stuck," Gaimon sighed.

"Can't we help?" Silk asked.

"Nah, twenty years in, I'm too snug. No pulling me out," Gaimon said.

As he spoke to Silk, Luffy stood behind him, suddenly grabbing his hair and yanking upward, trying to free him. No luck—Gaimon just yelped in pain.

"Ow! What're you doing!? That won't work!" Gaimon shouted.

"It's stuck…" Luffy muttered.

"Stop! You'll break my neck!" Gaimon cried.

Luffy let go, and Gaimon toppled over, the exchange like a comedy skit. Silk sweated, unsure what to say, pitying Gaimon for Luffy's recklessness. Gaimon rolled upright, yelling, "Help me up!"

"Why so bossy?" Luffy grumbled.

"Don't force it, Luffy. He can't move well. Let's help," Silk said.

They righted him, resuming the talk. Luffy and Silk sat on logs, Gaimon in his chest.

"Weird bunch. You're pirates, right?" Gaimon asked.

"Yup. Gonna be Pirate King," Luffy declared.

"Pirate King? That's for finding the One Piece. Aiming for the Grand Line?" Gaimon said.

"Yeah, gathering a crew. Just four now," Luffy replied.

"Piracy's great! Treasure hunting's thrilling!" Gaimon beamed, his past as a pirate surfacing.

Silk asked, "You love piracy, don't you?"

"Wouldn't have done it otherwise," Gaimon said.

"Then why stay here twenty years? Your crew never returned?" Silk pressed.

She regretted asking, but curiosity won. Twenty years alone on an isolated island—how painful. Gaimon didn't take offense, just looked down.

"They didn't come back. Probably forgot me. I wasn't key, and even if they remembered, I wasn't worth returning for," he said.

"That's… abandonment," Silk whispered.

"That's awful. I hate pirates like that," Luffy said.

"It's fine. Pirates are scum who break laws. Greed blinds them, and many value their lives over comrades'. Those types survive longest," Gaimon said, sighing.

He seemed resigned, but his heart was unclear. Twenty years alone gave him time to rationalize, perhaps to cope. Silk, pained by the harsh reality, looked down. Not all pirates were admirable.

If Luffy had been on that crew, this wouldn't have happened, she thought, glancing at him. His serious expression mirrored her complex feelings.

"But others must've come in twenty years, right? Not crew, but passersby like us. Couldn't they help?" Silk asked.

"There's a reason. You saw the island's animals," Gaimon said.

"Yeah, weird chickens," Luffy said.

"Those were foxes… maybe," Silk corrected.

"And weird rabbits," Luffy added.

"Snakes," Silk said.

"Whatever. The animals are rare. Visitors are usually pirates or poachers hunting them," Gaimon explained, gazing at the forest.

Animals peeked from the grass, watching curiously, some approaching fearlessly. Odd-looking but harmless, even cute. A tiger-striped squirrel sat by Gaimon.

"Twenty years with them. They kept me sane. I won't let poachers take or display them. I drove off those types with forest traps," Gaimon said.

"Cool guy," Luffy said.

"Where'd you get pistols and ammo?" Silk asked.

"From poachers' leftovers. Before that, I made traps and weapons from the island. Can't fight directly like this, so I hide and trap. These animals can be tough too," Gaimon said.

He glanced at the squirrel, which climbed his chest to his hair, clearly bonded. Luffy and Silk softened, seeing their trust despite Gaimon's loneliness.

The mood shifted. Gaimon's eyes sharpened, serious. "That's not all. I'm guarding something else."

"What?" Luffy asked.

Gaimon smiled. "First humans I've talked to in twenty years. I've got a request."

"What? We'll help if we can," Silk said.

"Get you out?" Luffy guessed.

"No, something else. Follow me," Gaimon said, heading deeper into the forest.

They followed, animals staying behind. The squirrel leapt off Gaimon's afro. Through the clearing, they entered a beast trail, vision dimming in dense grass. Gaimon's green afro blended in, barely visible—perfect for a forest guardian. His untrimmed hair aided his role.

They trailed carefully, his voice explaining. "I told you how I got stuck, right?"

"Fell from a rock?" Luffy said.

"Yeah. But there's a reason. I can't forget what I saw that day…" Gaimon said.

"What? Something you guarded?" Silk asked.

Gaimon nodded, excited. "I saw it. On that rock was the treasure we sought. Followed a map to this island, and it was there. My crew searched for days, but I found it. For twenty years, I guarded it for this moment."

Sweat beaded on his brow, not from heat but anticipation. He'd waited for someone to climb in his place, someone trustworthy to claim it.

He believed in them, eager for the treasure. His steps quickened, Luffy and Silk noticing his hope, smiling gently.

"My quest ends today," Gaimon murmured.

They reached a massive, smooth rock—too high and slippery to climb casually. Gaimon touched it reverently. "Haven't been here since that day. No one's reached it. The treasure's still up there… Straw Hat."

"Yeah?" Luffy said.

"You're rubber. Can you grab the treasure?" Gaimon asked.

"On it!" Luffy grinned, stretching his arm to grip the rock's top, launching himself up in a leap. Gaimon bounced with joy.

"Amazing! Thank you! Never thought this day'd come!" Gaimon exclaimed.

"You guarded it all this time. It's yours, no matter what," Silk said.

"You're too kind. I owe you," Gaimon said.

From below, they couldn't see Luffy or confirm the treasure. Soon, he appeared at the edge, holding five chests, thrilling Gaimon.

"Found 'em! Five chests!" Luffy called.

"That's it! Drop 'em down! Don't hit me, I'd die!" Gaimon laughed, reaching out.

Luffy smiled. "No way."

"What…?" Gaimon and Silk gasped.

The response stunned them. Silk reacted first, staring at her trusted captain. "What're you saying, Luffy!? That's Gaimon's! Give it here! We don't need it!"

"Can't," Luffy said.

"Why!? You hate those kinds of pirates—!" Silk cried.

"Enough," Gaimon interrupted.

"What!?" Silk turned.

Looking at Luffy, Gaimon understood. Something in Luffy's eyes conveyed more than refusal, filling Gaimon's chest. Tears fell. "Straw Hat… you're a good guy."

"Huh?" Silk said.

"I suspected… tried not to think it. If you say so, you don't need to give them," Gaimon said, tears streaming, head bowed.

"They're empty, aren't they…?" he whispered.

Silk gasped. Luffy sat cross-legged, placing the chests down, nodding quietly. "Yeah… all empty."

"But Gaimon guarded them for twenty years!" Silk protested.

"It happens with treasure maps. By the time you get the map, the treasure's gone…" Gaimon sobbed, covering his face.

His tears flowed, emotions—loss, regret—uncontrollable. Silk looked at Luffy, realizing he refused to spare Gaimon the pain of seeing empty chests, forcing him to accept the truth. A harsh but honest choice.

Silk struggled, unable to speak. Was this fair after twenty years? She bowed her head, anguished by the injustice, unable to accept it.

Luffy, rubbing his nose, laughed brightly. "Hahaha! Tough luck, old man. But after this flop, only one thing left—find the One Piece!"

"The One Piece…?" Gaimon echoed.

"Come with me. Let's hit the Grand Line and adventure!" Luffy urged.

"You'd invite me… like this?" Gaimon whispered.

He wiped his tears, murmuring, "Thank you…"

The words didn't erase the pain, but they shifted something. Silk, teary, smiled at Gaimon's gratitude.

Back at the clearing, Gaimon made his choice: stay on the island. The empty chests were a blow, but he had other treasures—the rare animals he'd lived with. He'd protect them, his face clear and smiling.

"Disappointing, but it's settled. I'm free now. I'll live for them," Gaimon said.

"They're your friends," Silk said.

"You're a strange beast too," Luffy teased.

"I ain't! Don't mess around!" Gaimon snapped, but laughed.

The air was light, burdens lifted. Gaimon, grateful, offered a deal. "You came for food, right? I won't let you hunt animals, but take all the fruit you want."

"Really?" Luffy asked.

"You need food too," Silk said.

"Plenty grows here, fast. Take what you need," Gaimon said.

"Cool guy. Let's grab a ton!" Luffy grinned.

"Get the others to help. They're probably at the beach," Silk suggested.

Luffy nodded, turning to go. "Let's call 'em!"

"Wait, Luffy, wrong way. They're that way," Silk corrected.

Can't take eyes off him. Silk led, and the three headed to the beach, chatting freely.

"Old man, can I take some animals?" Luffy asked.

"Bad idea. Kiri'll get mad," Silk warned.

"Kiri'd love it," Luffy said.

"I won't stop 'em if they wanna go, but they're stubborn. Won't listen," Gaimon said.

"Too many headstrong types already. Could get messy," Silk sighed.

"Such cool guys, though," Luffy pouted.

Unaware of his own stubbornness, Luffy tilted his head. They pushed through grass, reaching the beach. The ocean stretched out, but something new caught their eye—a large ship, absent earlier, with a Jolly Roger flag. People moved on deck, but Kiri and Zoro were gone.

"Awesome, a pirate ship!" Luffy exclaimed.

"Poachers? Time for judgment," Gaimon growled.

"Where's Kiri and Zoro? Don't tell me…" Silk muttered.

Their gazes fixed on the ship. Were the two aboard? Unlikely to betray, but those two could stir trouble. Like Luffy, they were unpredictable. Silk sighed.

"Luffy, what now? They're probably there," she said.

"Looks fun. Let's go! You in, old man?" Luffy asked.

"Me? Nah—" Gaimon started.

"Come back later. Let's move!" Luffy cut in.

He jogged to the forest, while Silk spoke to Gaimon, both missing Luffy's move. "Just for a bit, Gaimon. You haven't left in years. Adventure with us. Might be your last chance."

"Hm… fair point," Gaimon mused.

"Where's Luffy—?" Silk noticed.

Luffy, grabbing two trees, stretched his arms, ready to launch. Rustling grass alerted them. Silk, seeing his rubber body, panicked. "Gum-Gum—"

"Wait, Luffy! We can sail! That's too dangerous—!" Silk yelled.

"Rocket!" Luffy shouted.

He shot forward, grabbing Silk's waist and Gaimon's chest mid-flight, soaring toward the ship. Wind roared; Silk and Gaimon screamed, Luffy laughed.

"Kyaaa!?" Silk shrieked.

"Woooa—!" Gaimon yelled.

"Shishishi!" Luffy cackled.

Each reacted differently, hurtling through the air. Luffy's aim was true, landing them on the ship's deck with a crash.