Leaving Loguetown.

The very next day, I was heading to the market to do a routine run for supplies.

In the middle of it, a girl with red framed spectacles, Tashigi, called out to me. We had become good lunch acquaintances over the past few months.

"I just came back from the arms shop where I met an amazing swordsman! You want to come check out his swords?"

A fake smile formed on my face at her words. If I followed her, I'd waste my entire evening and achieve nothing.

"Uh, I have too much work to d-"

Suddenly, from the very corner of my vision, I caught sight of someone.

It was a man in a straw-hat, with black shaggy hair, round black eyes, and you get the point… It was the Monkey D. Luffy.

Tashigi took note of my distraction and glanced in the same direction.

She squinted her eyes and murmured, "I think I've seen that man with the Straw-Hat before.... but where?"

At that moment, I forcefully chuckled and said, "Weren't you taking about Meito swords! Yeah, let's go righ-"

"I'm sorry, Sei… I have to go check something!"

Tashigi adjusted her spectacles and ran in the direction of the Marine base.

I just took a pronounced sigh and continued with my shopping spree.

…

Tens of minutes later, I was about to walk into the Antique House store in Loguetown.

It was funky boutique that sold cheap and fashionable clothing.

Outside the store, I spotted a slim young woman of average height with orange hair and brown eyes. It was the "Cat Burglar" Nami.

She was carrying a large bag of clothes on her and a compass in her hand.

"The air pressure is dropping abnormally. It might be best to quickly return to the ship…" She muttered to herself.

Eavesdropping her words, I looked up to the sky and thought, 'I should return home now.'

Step-Step-Step…!

However, at that instant, a group of six Marines rushed at our location.

"Capture that girl! She was spotted with the straw-hat pirate too!"

Tashigi, the leader of this unit, pointed at Nami and yelled out her orders.

Click-Click- At her orders, the Marines surrounded Nami and pointed their guns on her.

"Oh, no!"

Nami couldn't do anything and allowed the arrest to take place. It was all done very quickly.

Tashigi went ahead and tied Nami's hands with a rope right after.

I just watched all of this happen with wide eyes. 'Did this happen in the manga too?' Or perhaps, I'd changed the plot of Loguetown a bit through the butterfly effect.

"Ma'am, we've been asked to regroup with Smoker's group to barge into the square. Should we just leave this pirate here for now?"

"Uh…"

Tashigi looked around until her her eyes lingered towards where I was. She ran up to me and said, "Sei, can you watch over her? A few more Marines will come here in minutes and take care of her."

"Me…?"

"Yes, thank you!"

Just like that, Tashigi and the rest of her unit headed somewhere else and left Nami with the worst person they could.

I turned my glance towards Nami and swallowed hard. Did I really have to watch over her?

In the meantime, Nami's brows had knitted in worry as she thought, 'I've to warn the crew and escape before the storm comes.'

She began struggling against the ropes immediately.

After failing to get out, she looked at me with puppy eyes and said, "Could you please loosen the ropes a little? They're hurting me."

I knew enough about Nami to know this was just another plow of the Cat Burglar, using her beauty to fool me. Fortunately for her, I had already planned to let her go from the start.

"Here, I'll just let you escape."

I walked behind her and began to untie her ropes.

Nami chewed on her lip and asked, "Why're you helping me?"

Technically, I was helping a criminal escape right now. If I got caught in this act, I'd surely be incriminated.

"Because I like you all."

"Like us?"

Bang! Right then, a bullet was shot near us.

"That criminal is trying to escape!"

"Looks like a crewmate seems to be helping her!"

A few more Marines began to arrive at our location. I just yelled, "run," as we both went our separate directions to escape.

I had to leave during the storm. Otherwise, Smoker would eventually capture me now that I'd probably exposed myself.

This was okay, since it was about time I began my career as a pirate. I wanted to get a crew of my own and set sail to the Grand Line too…

The first place I headed to was the warehouse, where I'd prepared my supplies beforehand. From there, I would go to the docks and escape.

**

Rumble…!

A lightning strike struck the execution platform and caused a miracle. It also signaled the beginning of the birth of a legend as he escaped from the town square.

I was on my way too towards my ship too, a little worried due to the intensity of the rain and wind from the storm.

I had to get to the ship before the storm swept it away…

"I shall take back that Wadou Ichimonji!"

"Just try it!"

Shinng…! All of a sudden, I encountered the figure of Tashigi and Zoro fighting on the street.

Zoro eventually made quick work of her but didn't care to cut her down. This angered Tashigi, and they both got into a quarrel.

Meanwhile, I ignored the fight and continued to head towards the dock.

However, Tashigi took note of me and didn't let me go scot-free. She had heard earlier about how I teamed up with the straw-hat.

"Sie, it's you! Just like Zoro, you were toying with me too?! This is all because you two think I'm a woman, right?!"

A bead of sweat rolled down the faces of Zoro and me. I didn't think either of us were against women.

"I told you that you look like someone I knew!"

Zoro berated Tashigi and continued to run away. On the other hand, I didn't give her a reply and just ran away too.

It would have been impossible to explain my stance on becoming a pirate with the time I had anyway.

Tashigi watched us escape and clenched her fists tightly. 'I can't forgive them,' she thought.

…

Eventually, Zoro, Luffy, Sanji and I arrived at the entrance of the dock after escaping from Smoker and Tashigi. But there was a group of Marines that had hastily gathered together to block us.

"It's the Straw-Hat!"

"Hold him back until the captain comes!"

On the very far end of the dock, Usopp was tightly holding on to a rope to prevent the Going Merry from slipping back to the ocean.

"Hurry up!!! This rope won't hold for much longer!"

The ship was about to slip in the ocean at any moment. The winds from the storm were getting stronger by the second.

Sanji bit on his cigarette and said, "Tsk. These Marines have made good preparations… Fighting them to our ship may take too much time."

Zoro and Luffy nodded, and the monster trio got ready to fight their way to the ship. Before they could do so though…

Boom…! Boom...! Hiss…!

I threw a bunch of gas grenades that immediately knocked the tens of Marines unconscious.

The gas was also driven away by the heavy wind, making it safe for everyone to cross.

"That was cool!"

Luffy watched me with eyes flashing in excitement. Zoro and Sanji were also a little shocked at the effects of my weapons.

"Hurry up! We're setting sail immediately!"

Nami's voice resounded around the dock. This forced everyone to wake up from their stupor and rush towards the ship.

In the meantime, I had confirmed that the ship I had prepare beforehand was nowhere to be seen anymore.

"Looks like I have to hitchhike."

With no other choice, I looked towards the Going Merry and Buggy's ship in the distance. I had to escape with what I had.

Right before the Going Merry left the dock…Thud…! I jumped in the boat as well.

All members of Straw Hat turned their glance towards me with confused faces.

"W-Who're you?!"

Usopp pointed at me with trembling features. Knocking out the Marines in a flash had made him wary of me.

"My name's Sei… And thanks for having me."

With a bright smile, I introduced myself to the crew. My journey was now just beginning.