Date In The Town

The town was bustling. People were walking about, drinking, and arguing about random stuff, basically living their lives. Among these people, two men walked side by side. The taller of the two was dressed in a grey blazer suit with his black hair tied in a ponytail and a pair of thin-frame glasses on his face. This was Hancock whose disguise was given an upgrade. Beside her was Luffy whose hair was still blonde but wavier. He was dressed in a suit as well but wore shorts instead of pants. His scar was transformed into a snake tattoo.

"Damn you, Granny!"

Hancock gritted her teeth.

(How can I seduce Luffy when I'm dressed like a man?!)

She cursed Elder Nyon a hundred times over in her head.

"Wow, those two look so handsome!"

The two were drawing the attention of the women around them.

"That tall one with the glasses is just my type. He looks like the mysterious type who's a bit sadistic."

(Get lost. I live on an island of women, so you're nothing special. None of you can make my heart flutter like Luffy.)

The murmurs annoyed Hancock.

"Really? I prefer the blonde. He has a wild vibe to him. It makes me want to try and tame him."

(Who said that?!)

Hancock started looking around.

(If any of you approach my man, I'll burn this island to the ground!)

"Kyaa! The one with the glasses just glared at me!"

"Did you see the look in his eyes? I'm telling you, he's the type to enjoy bullying others!"

"I wouldn't mind being tied up by him!"

(The hell?! Who loves bullying others?!)

Hancock was appalled.

"What's wrong?"

Some men close by were observing Hancock and Luffy. One of them asked his friend who had a serious expression.

"....I fell in love with my first woman when I was just 5 years old. I'm the definition of an early bloomer...But in my 32 years of life, this is the first I've experienced such an emotion."

He spoke with a now profound expression. He placed his hand on his chin.

"To think I would develop feelings for a man."

He said with a serious face.

"You too?!"

"Huh? Then you guys feel the same way?!"

"Wow, to think we all were lying to ourselves the whole time."

The men smiled with enlightened expressions on their faces. One of them stood up from his table.

"Come, my brothers. We have been shown a new path, so let's embrace it together."

The men stood up one after the other and shook each other's hands and even started hugging. One of them pointed towards the sun.

"Let's embark on this new path!"

They hooked arms.

"Let's explore our new world!"

They laughed as they walked towards the new horizon.

"........"

Hancock, who witnessed the men's "awakening", stood in silence.

(I'm not even going to comment on that.)

She continued to walk with Luffy.

"Anyway, Luffy~. Is there anything you want to do?"

"The water horses!"

Luffy's eyes sparkled.

"Alright, let's go find some."

"They're not water horses."

A shadow cast over them as a familiar voice entered their ears. They looked up to see Caria descending from a rooftop. Her poncho made it appear as if she had butterfly wings as she landed softly before them.

"They're called Karros, not water horses."

"Tsk. What are you doing here?"

Hancock frowned at Caria's appearance.

"I told you, we will be monitoring your movements."

Caria looked at Luffy.

"I can tell from your presence who you are but I'm surprised. So you were a man, huh?"

She looked at Hancock.

"I take it you're actually a woman?"

"For someone who should be slow, you're annoyingly preceptive at the moment."

Hancock grumbled. Caria shrugged.

"I'm not one to judge others' hobbies so don't worry."

(This girl...Does she think we cross-dressed as a hobby? Is something wrong with her head?)

Hancock looked at Caria with pity.

"But I gotta admit..."

Caria looked at the two again.

"You two look good together."

(This girl is a genius!)

Hancock patted Caria's shoulder in a friendly manner.

"I see, I see. We look good together."

"Y-Yeah."

Caria stepped back a lit bit.

"Anyway, you two wanted to see the Karros, right? I'll show you where we keep them."

"Really?! Thanks! I told you she was a good person!"

Hancock nodded at Luffy.

"You were right. She's a good and sensible girl."

The two were looking at Caria with sparkling eyes which caused her to frown. A little over 15 minutes later they arrived at a ranch east of the town and near the coastline. The ranch had dozens of Karros of various sizes moving about.

"Awesome! There are so many horses!"

Luffy looked around with excitement.

"Hey, can I ride them?"

"I'm sorry but you can't. The ones here aren't trained enough to be ridden just like that. They're very cautious around strangers. Even I can't--"

*BAM!*

Caria was interrupted by a loud noise. She turned her head to see Luffy being attacked by the Karros. He was getting literally kicked around. It was like a group of seals bouncing around a ball for an audience.

"Hahaha!"

Even so, Luffy was laughing. He twisted his body and landed on the ground. The Karros started firing water at him.

"Woah!"

He dodged the water attacks with minimal movements while laughing. He approached one and grabbed it.

"Gotcha! Let me--"

His eyes narrowed and he released the horse before leaping back. Someone appeared where he was before. They placed their hand on the Karros Luffy grabbed. It soon started to calm down.

"I don't know who you are but please don't bother the Karros."

Luffy's eyes narrowed as he stared at the person who appeared.

"You, you're pretty strong."

Luffy spoke to the person.

"Thanks, I guess."

The person's curly silver hair covered their eyes. They wore the local attire and was shorter than Luffy.

"Luffy, are you alright?"

Hancock came up to Luffy and whispered. Luffy nodded. Caria approached the person.

"My bad, Luka. I didn't notice when he moved."

"Are they the visitors from earlier?"

"Yeah. The mayor said they were in the clear for now. So, I just accompanied them as they looked around."

"Is that so?"

Luka tipped his cowboy hat.

"I'm Luka Murdock, Bounty Hunter."

"Luka is one of the Supreme Five like me and Frantz. He's the youngest member at only 16."

Caria said.

"I don't really agree with that title though."

Caria slapped his back.

"How many times do I have to tell you? The title is an honor, so be proud of your strength."

"I won't have any strength to be proud of if you continue hitting my back like that."

Luka grumbled.

"Lu--Lucia. Nice to meet you."

Somehow Luffy was able to keep his identity hidden. It was a miracle.

"Hello, Lucia. It's fine to look at the karros but please don't harass them. It stresses them out which in extension stresses me out since I'm in charge of taking care of them. In other words, please don't increase my workload."

"Hahaha! You're a pretty funny guy! The way how you talk so sluggishly is funny too."

"......"

Luka silently looked at Caria.

"What's up with this guy? He's so rude. I mean, he's mocking me to my face."

"Hahaha!"

"See? Now he's laughing at me. Can I shoot him? I can shoot him, right? Alright, I'm shooting him."

"Calm down, Luka. Also, Lucia could you stop laughing?"

Hancock was glaring at Luka. He soon noticed her.

"Wow, what a handsome man. I don't swing that way but I understand."

Luka gave her a thumbs up.

(I'm pretty sure this guy was one of the strong presences I felt was watching us when we arrived.)

She recalled when Luffy leaped back from the Karros before he appeared.

(Luffy wouldn't move if he didn't feel like he was in danger, not normal danger either. Normally, he would block attacks with Haki. If he moved out of the way then....)

"Luka, is there any Karros they can ride?"

Caria asked.

"Hmm, there are a few who are waiting to be assigned riders in the Sea Guards."

"Then could you let them ride one? They seem to be on a date."

"A date?"

Luka looked at Luffy and Hancock for a bit.

"You look good together."

Caria nodded in agreement.

(Oh, what great children!)

The way how Hancock looked at Luka completely changed.

"Since you're on a date, then I'll grant your wish."

"Alright!"

Luffy and Hancock followed behind Luka and Caria with smiles on their faces.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the Calm Belt.

"Hah~! Hah~!"

Captain of the Sea Guards, Conner was breathing heavily as he pressed his hand on his stomach. Blood seeped through his fingers as he lay on a wooden floor. Several silhouettes towered over him.

"Shit..."