Reborn as Luffy The Pirate King's Return

Years had passed since the night I spoke with Sabo under the campfire's glow. I had grown older, stronger, and the weight of the world began to settle more heavily on my shoulders. Now, at the age of 16, I stood at the precipice of the adventure I had been preparing for my entire life. The year was 1523 in the Grand Line, and though the world had changed, the promise I made to myself remained the same: to protect my brothers, to chase my dream, and to change the course of fate.

Ace and Sabo were ready. The days of training together were over. We had forged our skills, honed our techniques, and, more importantly, solidified our bonds. With each passing day, the time grew closer for them to set sail. I had made sure that they would be ready for what awaited them—just as I had made sure I would be ready when my own time came.

It was a quiet afternoon when the day arrived. The sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange hue over Foosha Village, and there was a sense of finality in the air. I stood on the docks, the salty breeze carrying the scent of the sea. My heart was heavy, but I couldn't show it. I needed to be strong for them.

Ace, the always fiery and determined older brother, stood next to me. His dark hair was longer now, his body more muscled and battle-worn. He clutched his hat, a symbol of his journey ahead. "Ready to leave, Luffy?" he asked, a smirk on his face, though I could see the bittersweetness behind his eyes.

Sabo, too, was standing at the edge of the pier. He looked different—calmer, more composed—but I could still see the fire in his eyes. His pipe was tucked securely in his belt, a reminder of the struggles he had overcome. He glanced back at me, his expression unreadable. "You'll be alright, won't you, Luffy?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I smiled, though it didn't quite reach my eyes. "I'll be fine. Just... make sure you two don't get yourselves into too much trouble. You've both got big things ahead of you."

The time for farewells had come. Ace and Sabo gave me one last brotherly embrace before they boarded their ships. As the sails caught the wind, the boats began to drift away, their figures growing smaller in the distance.

After they left, the weight of loneliness started to sink in, but I couldn't dwell on it. I had my own journey to begin. I decided to head to Makino's bar for something to eat before setting off. The familiar scent of food and the warmth of the bar always made me feel at home.

As I walked in, I saw the usual scene—villagers chatting, the gentle hum of conversation. Makino was behind the counter, as usual, preparing food. I smiled and walked over to her.

"Hey, Makino!" I greeted, settling into a seat. "Got anything good today?"

Makino gave me a smile, her eyes bright. "Of course, Luffy! What do you want? I've got something special for you today."

Before I could answer, something unusual caught my attention. A familiar sound—a ding ding ding—came from the corner of the bar. The den-den mushi sitting on the counter had started ringing. Makino froze for a moment, her eyes flicking nervously toward the phone before quickly walking over to it.

I didn't know why, but something felt off. Maybe it was the way Makino had acted when she saw the phone ring, or the way her cheeks flushed as she picked it up. Her hand hovered for a moment before she answered the call.

"Hello?" Makino's voice was a little softer than usual, and her cheeks were turning a faint shade of red.

I couldn't resist. "Who is it?" I leaned over, trying to get a glimpse of the conversation.

Makino seemed flustered, quickly glancing back at me. "Luffy! It's just... uh, an old friend."

I raised an eyebrow, curiosity getting the better of me. I stepped closer, and that's when I heard the voice on the other side of the den-den mushi.

"Hey, Makino, how's everything going?" The voice was cheerful, but there was something familiar about it. I couldn't place it at first, but then it hit me.

"Shanks?" I blurted out.

Makino's face turned even redder, and she quickly glanced down, clearly embarrassed. "Luffy, please—"

I grinned, suddenly piecing things together. The way Makino was acting, the fact that it was Shanks on the other end—this was what was going on. I couldn't help it. I chuckled. "So it's Shanks, huh? Are you two...?"

Makino turned even redder, muttering, "It's not like that, Luffy. I just... we're just friends."

I nodded, but my grin widened. I could tell there was more to it than just friendship. "Yeah, yeah, I got it," I teased.

Makino let out a deep sigh, clearly relieved that I wasn't pressing her further. "Luffy, please, just leave it at that."

"Alright, alright," I said, trying to contain my amusement. "But, hey, Shanks! You're on the phone, so since I'm here, I might as well ask for something!"

Shanks laughed, his voice coming through clear and warm. "Oh? What is it, Luffy?"

I stood up, grinning widely. "I want a copy of the six Marine techniques. I'm about to head out to the Grand Line, and I need to be ready. So, how about it?"

There was a brief silence on the other end before Shanks responded, his tone now serious. "The six Marine techniques? You sure you want that, Luffy? Those are some powerful skills. You'll have to work hard to master them."

I nodded. "I'll work hard for it. I'm not asking for a free handout—just a copy. In exchange, I won't bother you anymore. I know you've got your own things going on."

Shanks was quiet for a moment, then chuckled. "I've always liked your spirit, Luffy. Alright, I'll get them to you. Just don't go causing trouble."

"Thanks, Shanks!" I said, giving the phone a thumbs up as if he could see me.

Makino looked at me with wide eyes. "Luffy, you... really just did that?"

I grinned at her. "I've got to get strong if I'm going to be the Pirate King! Besides, Shanks owes me a favor now, so it's fine."

Makino laughed, shaking her head. "You really are something else, Luffy."

I waved it off. "It'll be fine! Now I just need to get ready for the Grand Line. And with those Marine techniques, I'll be unstoppable!"

As I finished my meal, the future stretched out before me—full of challenges, adventures, and battles to come. I wasn't just chasing my dream. I was taking it by the horns.

And with my new training under my belt, there was no stopping me now.