The Boy with the Straw Hat 2

Seeing Luffy here was definitely a shock. It was already surprising enough that he ended up in Fooshia Village but meeting the main protagonist was completely off his expectations. Looking at Luffy, his attire and stature, it seems Luffy had not yet left for his journey and that would mean that the timeline of this world was a bit older than the start of the anime series. As Luffy looked old enough, it should be another few months before Luffy starts his great adventure, meeting Zoro, Nami and others on his crew, challenging the World Government repeatedly and defeating Shichibukais. Even though Seth had not read yet but it is obvious that Luffy would become the Pirate King at the end of the series.

Seth approached the counter and turned towards the girl bringing glasses filled with beer from the back of the bar.

"Hello."

The green haired girl looked at Seth "You are the boy from the morning. How are you feeling now? You seemed very weak earlier."

"Yes, I am fine now and thank you. Johnny Oji-san has told me how you helped me. I am really grateful for that."

"It's alright. So, why are you here?"

Seth placed the bag on the counter and said "This bag. You left it at Oji-san's house. He told me to give it to you."

"So, you came all the way here for this. That's so nice of you" Makino paused thinking about something then she said "Have you eaten anything since morning?"

"No, I haven't"

Well he did eat the devil fruit but that wasn't a proper meal.

"Then you can take a seat. And do not worry about the money. It's on the house."

Makino smiled and turned away.

"Makino. Bring me meat. Meat, meat, meat." Luffy called out.

"Yes, yes. I will bring it for you."

After Makino left, Seth sat beside Luffy. But the other person had no interest in him and was just busy with his meat.

(Looking up close he is really like how Oda drew. The carelessness, innocence. No one can believe that he will shake the entire Marine administration. Monkey D. Luffy.)

"Is there something on my face?" Luffy turned to Seth and asked.

Seth was so engrossed in his thoughts that he forgot that he was continuously staring at Luffy. He felt really pathetic now, but didn't allow the shame to express on his face.

"Ah no. I am Seth. I am new to this town. And you?"

"Luffy. I live here." Luffy answered nonchalantly.

"It seems you come here frequently. Do you live close-by? "

"No, I live a little far away, in the mountains. But I often come here to meet Makino and others."

Seth looked at the crowd inside the bar "This town serves pirates well, huh?"

"So what is your take on pirates?" Seth wanted Luffy to be interested in him. If he wanted to live in this world, having some kind of amiable relation with the main protagonist may serve him well in future.

"Uh? nothing much. There are good pirates like Shanks but there are also bad pirates."

(Nothing much, huh?) Seth smiled at Luffy's words, "So are you also going to be a pirate?"

"Yup. And I will become the Pirate King."

Seth was expecting those words. Luffy was the type to not shy away from announcing his dreams, not even near a complete stranger.

"There goes Luffy. Even near the new boy." "Boy, becoming Pirate King is no joke."

"It's not good to dream too big, lad."

People in the bar started laughing. Angrily Luffy stood up and shouted, "I will become the Pirate King."

Everyone became quiet but that was just momentary, they started laughing again and this time much louder. Luffy was getting red hot in anger.

"Now, now. They are just joking Luffy. They are just having a fun time. Do not take it to your heart" Makino, who had arrived with our dishes started consoling Luffy.

"U-" Luffy sat down pouting and started eating the meat Makino brought.

"In a month, after I reach 17, I will set out on my own journey and will one day become the Pirate King."

The crowd started laughing again at the mention of "Pirate King".

"Shut up" Luffy shouted again but the crowd wasn't going to stop.

(I thought it will be few months in the future but actually it is just the next month. Now I have a basic grasp of this world's timeline.)

"What are you going to do?" Makino asked Seth "You seemed like you were washed up."

"Actually I don't know what I should do. Initially I planned to go on a journey but I was unprepared and ended up here. Might as well give it try again but I have no idea how to go back. The boat I came in, I have no idea where it is."

"You are in a tough position. I will help you as much as I can."

"Thank you, you saying that is more than enough." Seth was really grateful. Coming to this village, he has been helped a lot. Even though he wanted to repay them, he had no way to do it.

All this while, Luffy had been fighting with others in the bar and the fight didn't look like it will stop anytime soon.

Just then a small group of people entered carrying guns and swords. The person at the front who seemed like the leader of the bunch advanced to the counter and said "Hey lady, bring all the alcohol you have got."

It was only common to ask for alcohol in a bar, but just from the attitude and tone of the person Seth was sure that this was going to turn troublesome.