The First Step and Crossing Paths with Luffy and Zoro

Morning sunlight filtered through the trees as Kira made his way back toward the cabin, boots crunching over soft earth. The breeze was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and salt. Slung across his back, the Leviathan Axe glinted faintly in the rising light—its frost-kissed steel catching every beam.

No way in hell he was keeping something that cool locked in his inventory.

The Axe belonged to the Norse world—seen, wielded, and feared.

He reached the cabin and paused at the door, adjusting the weapon's leather strap across his chest. The cold metal of the handle pressed against his spine, a reminder of what he carried now.

He pushed the door open.

Aria was already awake, seated at the edge of the cabin, her sword resting beside her like an old companion.

She stood as he entered, picking up the blade with smooth familiarity. There was no tension in her stance, but Kira caught it—the flicker in her eyes. Not hostility. Not doubt.

Respect. Maybe something more.

Kira raised an eyebrow. "You look better."

"I feel better," she replied, stepping closer. "And I've made my decision."

He leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, though he already knew the answer. Still, he let her speak it.

"I'm joining you," she said. "For now."

She paused, gaze steady. "But I won't bow. I'm not built to follow."

Kira nodded once, expression unreadable. "Good. I don't need followers."

He pushed off the wall, took a single step forward. "I need people with fire. People who fight for something real—and still stand with me when the time comes."

Aria met his gaze, then stepped forward with silent conviction.

She raised her sword—not to strike, but horizontally, between them, like an unspoken oath.

"Then I'll be your blade, Raven D. Kira," she said quietly, her voice steel-wrapped silk. "And you'll be the one I carve my name into history beside."

——

The morning breeze drifted through the clearing, carrying the scent of dew and pine. Sunlight spilled through the trees, bathing the cabin in a golden glow.

Aria stood just outside, arms crossed, gaze fixed on the massive weapon slung over Kira's back.

"Cool axe," she said, raising an eyebrow.

Kira pulled it free with a grin. Frost shimmered along the edge, trailing mist as he swung it low through the air.

"I know, right?" he said. "When I swing it, the damn thing breathes cold. It's called the Leviathan."

Aria's eyes widened slightly. "How does that even work?"

Kira smirked. "Magic."

She let out a short laugh. "Figures."

Kira turned toward her sword, noting the single blade strapped to her hip. "Speaking of weapons… you fight with one sword?"

"No," she said. "I use two."

Kira raised a brow. "Where's the other?"

Her voice dipped. "It broke."

She didn't say more—but something in her tone told him it wasn't just any weapon. It mattered.

Kira didn't press. Instead, he turned on his heel and headed into the cabin.

Aria watched him go, curious.

A few moments later, he returned with a long, cloth-wrapped object in his hands. He stepped close and unwrapped it slowly, revealing a blade that caught the light like a mirror of the sea.

The sword was breathtaking—sleek and deadly, the metal veined with faint silver lines that pulsed faintly. The hilt was wrapped in obsidian leather, firm and elegant. Ancient symbols were etched into the steel, glowing faintly.

Aria's breath caught. She didn't need to be told—it was special. Powerful.

"This is Hoshigami, one of the 21 great Grade swords," Kira said simply. "This isn't something you find in a market."

He held it out to her.

She didn't take it right away. "You're just… giving me this?"

"You said your blade broke," Kira said. "This one won't."

Aria stared at him, unsure if it was arrogance or trust in his voice. Maybe both.

"Why me?"

Kira looked her dead in the eye. "Because I don't need someone behind me. I need someone beside me."

A beat of silence.

Then she stepped forward, hand steady as she took the sword from him. It was heavier than it looked, but it fit her grip perfectly.

She looked down at the blade, then back at him.

"I'll wield it right," she said. "You won't regret it."

Kira just nodded.

"I know I won't."

——

The clearing behind the cabin was quiet, save for the rustling of leaves and the occasional cry of gulls in the distance. Aria was still admiring Hoshigami, the celestial blade humming softly in her grip, when Kira stretched his shoulders and cracked his neck.

"You up for a spar?" he asked, already moving to the center of the clearing.

Aria looked up, a spark in her eye. "You sure? I don't hold back."

Kira smirked. "Neither do I."

[Side Quest Triggered - "Spar of frost and metal"]

Objective: Spar with Aria

Reward: +1,200 EXP , Random Loot box

The system screen faded as Kira settled into a loose stance, Leviathan Axe in hand, its frost aura curling around his fingers.

Aria moved opposite him, twin swords in hand now—Hoshigami in her right, Tsukihana in her left. She nodded once.

They clashed—steel meeting frost, strikes fast and measured. Aria was fast, precise, her footwork tight and calculated. Kira had power and presence, the Leviathan Axe carving cold arcs through the air. Their movements stirred dust and leaves, a rhythm of controlled chaos.

Then Kira took a step back—grinned—and hurled the axe.

Aria's eyes widened. She twisted mid-dodge, the massive blade whistling past her cheek and embedding into a tree with a thundering crack.

"That was dumb," she called, breath sharp. "Never throw away your weapon in a fight—"

Whuuum!

The axe ripped from the tree, rocketing back to Kira's hand. The air around it shimmered with frost as it returned to his grip.

Aria barely had time to bring up both swords—clang!—the impact nearly buckled her knees as she deflected the return strike.

Kira's grin widened. "Not dumb if it comes back."

Aria steadied her breathing, her expression narrowing into something razor-sharp. "Alright, that's pretty damn cool."

They circled again, blades ready, respect quietly blooming between each exchanged strike.

The spar had become more than a simple duel—it was a clash of wills, of dreams spoken and unspoken. Aria moved like a storm, quick and fluid, blades slicing through the air with grace that came from years of training and survival. But Kira stood his ground, a glacier of calm power, the Leviathan Axe leaving trails of frost with every swing.

Their weapons met again and again—steel screaming against steel.

Aria tried to break his stance with speed. Kira answered with weight and precision.

Then came the moment.

She lunged with Hoshigami, aiming for his side—but Kira stepped in, pivoted, and caught the blade against the haft of his axe. With a twist and a surge of momentum, he swept her legs from under her and brought the flat of the axe to her chest as she hit the ground.

She lay there for a second, chest rising and falling, hair fanned out around her. Then she laughed, just once—dry and short. "Damn."

Kira offered her a hand. "Close."

"Good, I don't want my captain to be weaker than me," Aria said, smirking as she fell into step beside him.

Kira glanced sideways, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before it faded into a crooked grin. The title felt strange on his shoulders… but not unwelcome.

"I'm not bowing," she said quickly. "But I'll stand beside you. Long as your strength holds."

Kira chuckled, eyes scanning the trees ahead. "Then I better keep getting stronger."

Aria looked up at the Leviathan Axe strapped to his back, then at the frost-lined cloak shifting in the wind. "You've got a head start. But I'm not far behind."

"Wouldn't want it any other way."

They reached the edge of the clearing, sunlight beginning to filter through the trees. The wind carried the scent of the sea—and something else. Something just on the horizon.

Change. Destiny.

A crew had begun. Small, but sharp.

And the world didn't know their names yet.

But it would.

[side Quest Completed - "Spar of frost and metal" ]

Rewards:

• +1,200 EXP

• +1 Random Loot box

• Leviathan Axe Proficiency +3%

——

Kira stood silently at the edge of the treeline, gazing down at Shells Town. The salty breeze rolled in from the ocean, brushing past his face and tugging at his shirt. Beside him, Aria adjusted the sword on her side, her silver eyes scanning the town below.

"So," she said, breaking the quiet, "what now?"

Kira didn't answer right away. His eyes were fixed on the Marine base in the distance. He remembered what he saw the day before—green hair, tied up. The infamous bounty hunter. Zoro.

Still alive. Still waiting.

And if Zoro was here, that meant the storm was coming. Somewhere, maybe already on the sea, a boy with a straw hat was smiling like nothing in the world could stop him.

Luffy… it's starting soon. I just have to be ready.

"We need a ship," Kira finally said aloud. "A real one. And a crew. But we'll find them. Out there."

Aria nodded once, no questions asked. "So what are we doing now?"

"Follow me" Kira replied.

——

The streets of Shells Town were buzzing.

Not with the usual sleepy port-town hum, but something sharper—excitement. Whispers passed from merchant to sailor, from marine to bartender.

"Did you hear?"

"Morgan's down."

"That iron-jawed bastard? Gone?"

"Some kid knocked him flat."

"Crazy hat, stretchy arms… Devil Fruit, maybe?"

"Nah—had to be more than that."

Kira sipped water from a bottle as he walked past the murmuring townsfolk, face calm, eyes scanning.

Morgan. Defeated.

——

Kira walked with his hands in his pockets, a calm expression on his face. Aria walked beside him, Her white hair was tied back, silver eyes sharp but curious.

"What's all this about a 'rubber kid'?" she asked, glancing around at the chatter.

Kira gave a small shrug. "If it's who I think it is… history just started."

Aria blinked. "That's vague and dramatic. You feeling alright?"

He smirked. "Come on. Let's grab a drink before we move out."

——

The Tidebreak Tavern was rowdy as ever.

Wooden floors groaned under the weight of half-drunken sailors and townsfolk. Laughter and gossip filled the air along with the scent of grilled meat and cheap rum.

As Kira and Aria stepped inside, the room quieted for just a second—enough for curious eyes to glance at them before losing interest.

They were there.

Luffy, straw hat perched lazily on his head, sitting on a barrel with a massive grin as he devoured a plate of meat.

Zoro, seated beside him, leaning back against the wall with his arms folded, all three swords at his hip, his eyes sharp even as he rested.

And a frazzled looking marine-turned-friend was trying to argue with Luffy about something—probably about the Marines chasing him out of town.

Kira stepped back into the shadow near the door, heart thudding—not from fear, but from realization.

This is the moment. This is when it begins.

The Straw Hat Pirates. The crew that would one day challenge Emperors, clash with the World Government, and light the world on fire.

He didn't move.

Didn't speak.

Just observed.

Aria leaned in close to Kira.

"Those the ones who beat the marine?"

Kira nodded once. "That's them."

They approached—not out of arrogance, but because curiosity demanded it.

Luffy looked up as they drew near. His grin didn't falter. "Yo!"

Zoro's gaze shifted to Kira for a long moment, as if measuring something. He didn't speak.

Kira gave a polite nod. "Heard you made some noise."

"Yup!" Luffy grinned, wiping grease from his mouth. "That guy had a weird chin and a bad attitude."

Aria raised an eyebrow. "That's one way to put it."

Zoro eyed her swords, particularly Hoshigami, and gave a slight grunt of interest. "You use both?"

"I do," Aria replied coolly. "You?"

Zoro smirked. "I use three."

There was a moment of silence.

Then Luffy stood suddenly, stretching. "We're setting sail soon! Gotta find a cook and a navigator next!"

Kira simply watched him, curious.

This was Monkey D. Luffy.

Not a myth.

Not a name in a future headline.

Just a boy with a straw hat and a dream far too big for the room to contain.

And yet—there was something undeniable in the air around him. That pull. That fire.

Kira spoke quietly. "You aiming for the Grand Line?"

Luffy gave a wide grin. "Nope. I'm aiming for the top. I'm gonna be King of the Pirates."

Kira met his eyes.

No laughter. No mockery.

Just a single, genuine smile.

"…Then we might meet again."

Luffy nodded. "Hope so."

Zoro gave a small tilt of the head.

Aria, meanwhile, simply said, "Try not to die before we catch up."

With that, Kira turned and walked toward the door, Aria following behind him.

As they stepped out into the sunlit street, Aria asked, "So?"

"So," Kira said quietly, "we're not the only ones chasing something big."

She looked at him sideways. "Does it bother you?"

He shook his head. "No. It motivates me."

He glanced at the ocean ahead.

"The race has started. Let's build a crew that can keep up."

[Main Quest Updated – "Set Sail"]

Objective: Acquire a Ship

Time Limit: 3 Days

Reward: Unlock Crew Managment

+3,000 EXP

——

Night had crept in over Shells Town, draping the harbor in a blanket of shadows and salt.

Kira and Aria crouched behind a stack of crates, watching the smuggler ship docked at the far end of the pier. A sleek vessel—faster than any marine patrol boat—with black sails and rusted iron plating along its sides. It was lightly guarded. A few drunk thugs patrolling lazily with half-sheathed weapons.

"Four on deck," Aria whispered. "Probably two more inside."

Kira nodded. "Perfect."

——

The operation was fast. Clean.

Kira took the left—two guards at the stern, both unconscious before they could shout.

Aria danced through the shadows at starboard, blades flashing in a blur of silver and black. Her footwork was precise, movements like water cutting through stone.

By the time they breached the cabin, the final two smugglers were too groggy to resist.

Kira grabbed the wheel, heart pounding—not from the fight, but from what it meant.

Freedom. Momentum. A beginning.

Aria joined him on deck, breathing only slightly heavier. "We've got ourselves a ship."

Aria sheathed her blades and stepped up beside him, resting her arms on the railing.

For a while, they stood in silence, looking out over the moonlit sea.

Then she asked, "Why did you decide to become a pirate?"

Kira took a breath, thinking.

"I didn't want to be a hero," he said. "Or a soldier. I wanted freedom. A path I could carve myself. The world's broken, Aria. Full of monsters pretending to be kings. I don't want to serve them."

She was quiet for a moment. Then: "That's… a better answer than most."

He looked at her.

"What about you? That goal you mentioned. Want to tell me more?"

She hesitated. "One day."

——

[Quest Completed]

Rewards:

• +3000 EXP

• +2,500 Credit

[Status Update – Level 29→ 30]

[Crew management – Crew Slot 1]

Name: Veyra D. Aria

Role: Swordswoman

Loyalty: 88%

Devil fruit: none

[Status]

• Name: Raven D.Kira

• Title: Captain

• Race: Human

• Age: 20

• Affiliation: Pirate

• Bounty: None

• Level: 30 (EXP: 1200/6000)

• Credits: 20000

• Stat Points Available: 0

—

Stats:

• Strength: 49

• Agility: 41

• Stamina: 43

• Perception: 35

• Intelligence: 30

• Willpower: 43

——

on the edge of the docks, two figures stood, watching the waves roll in.

Kira adjusted the strap holding the Leviathan Axe across his back, the cold steel humming faintly with ancient power. Beside him, Aria stood tall, her swords sheathed at her hip, white hair dancing in the breeze

The East Blue stretched endlessly ahead of them—filled with islands, enemies, allies, and legends waiting to be written.

This was the beginning.

Of battles.

Of bonds.

Of dreams.

"Let the world come. We're ready."

And just like that—their journey began.

———————————————————

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