Chapter 7: Luffy’s Crew and Silk’s Defiance Against the Pirate Raid!!

The door burst open with a crash, and a man stumbled into the diner, panting and drenched in sweat. Luffy and Kiri, relaxing after a meal, turned toward the noise, followed by Silk's grandmother, Setsuyo. The commotion was too loud to ignore.

"Trouble!" the man gasped. "Pirates are coming!"

"Pirates?" Luffy muttered, setting his tea cup down and tilting his head. Unfazed, his eyes gleamed with curiosity. The man, too frantic to notice, focused on Setsuyo. "Setsuyo-san, get to the town's interior! It's dangerous here!"

"Pirates?" she said, skeptical. "Haven't seen any in years."

"It's true! They're close, and everyone's fleeing!" he urged.

"Well, that ruins our peaceful days," Setsuyo sighed, stepping out of the kitchen with a slow, steady gait, hand on her hip, unbothered by her age.

Luffy and Kiri watched her go, still seated, faces relaxed. The man, noticing their unfamiliar faces, shouted, "Why're you so calm? Pirates are coming! Run!"

"Haven't seen many pirates," Luffy said, sipping tea. "Just Shanks, Bluejam… anyone else?"

"Luffy," Kiri said, eyeing him. "Don't tell me…"

"Let's check 'em out, Kiri! Wanna see what kinda pirates they are!" Luffy grinned.

Kiri sighed. "Knew it."

The man's jaw dropped, stunned by their nonchalance. "You're not moving? Pirates, I said! Get out!"

"Fine by me," Kiri said. "Not much to see around here anyway. No big shots in these waters."

"Still wanna see!" Luffy said.

"You wanna be a pirate without seeing any?" Kiri teased.

"Love it, that's why! They're at the port, right?" Luffy asked.

"Fine, fine. It's not like we're in a rush," Kiri said.

"Alright, let's go!" Luffy cheered.

"Wait!" the man yelled, blocking the door as they stood. Sweat trickled down his spine. These strangers were clearly not locals, and their plan to face pirates out of curiosity was madness. "What're you doing? They're pirates! I don't know you, but run! Everyone's evacuating—"

"Nah, I'm good," Luffy said. "Not scared."

"Not scared? They're pirates!" the man stammered.

"We're pirates too," Luffy said, grinning.

The man froze, mouth agape, unable to process. His face cycled through shock as Luffy and Kiri brushed past him toward the door. Snapping back, he flung out his arms. "Wait! Don't go!"

"What's the big deal?" Luffy said.

"Thanks for the warning, but he won't listen," Kiri said.

"Pirates? You're really pirates?" the man said, trembling.

"Yup! Just the two of us for now," Luffy said, hands on hips, fearless.

The man's panic mixed with disbelief, words failing as they slipped by. At the door, Setsuyo blocked their path, her gaze steady despite her hunched back. Luffy and Kiri paused, their expressions tightening.

"I won't stop you," she said. "I believe you're pirates. Go if you want."

"Cool," Luffy said.

"But one favor," Setsuyo said, bowing slightly. "Protect Silk."

Her eyes dropped, her voice softening with worry. "She's always been reckless. Strong enough to beat local boys, but pirates? She'll do something foolish. Please, just keep her safe."

Luffy glanced at Kiri, who smirked. "We owe you for the free meal."

"Shishishi, yeah! Leave it to us, Granny!" Luffy said.

Setsuyo looked up, their carefree grins oddly reassuring. Not like pirates at all, she thought. "Silk's a good kid. Helped us, fed us well. I promise we'll protect her and her treasure!" Luffy said.

"Thank you," Setsuyo said, bowing deeply, her excitement subtle but clear. "I'd only get in the way, so I'll evacuate. Take care of her."

"Shishishi, got it!" Luffy said.

"Let's hit the port," Kiri said.

They stepped out, Kiri leading. The man, still dazed, turned to Setsuyo. "Is this okay? They're… going toward pirates!"

"They'll be fine," she said, stepping outside. "I trust them with Silk."

The man followed, bewildered. A bell tolled loudly, signaling a ship on the horizon—a pirate ship with a skull and crescent moon flag. Townsfolk gathered at the port, faces pale. This remote island, rarely visited by the Navy, had no defenses. Pirates meant disaster.

Men at the port scanned wanted posters, spotting the crescent moon. "It's Gally of the Crescent Moon! Five million berries!" one shouted.

"Why's a big shot like that here?" another panicked.

The ship was distant but closing fast—less than an hour away. The town's men, led by the mayor, argued frantically. "They'll destroy the town even if we flee!"

"Pay them off? We don't have that kind of money!"

"Run? We've got no ships, no time!"

Their talk looped, fear paralyzing them. Then a bold voice cut through.

"Fight them!" Silk stood, sword in hand, left hand on its sheath, right on the hilt, brimming with confidence.

The men groaned, shoulders slumping. This was typical Silk. "You again," one muttered.

"Stay out of it," another said.

"Go with Setsuyo and hide," a third added.

"Don't ignore me!" Silk shouted, indignant. "They're pirates! Paying them off won't save us. If you care about this town, grab a weapon and fight!"

"You'll make things worse!" a man snapped.

"Let the adults handle it. Protect Setsuyo," another said.

"What about everyone else? You're okay with pirates ruining our town?" Silk demanded.

More sighs followed. They shared her love for the town but knew fighting was suicide. The mayor stepped forward. "Silk, we protect the town by thinking, not fighting. We're not pirates. There's a better way."

"What if they won't listen?" she asked.

"Violence brings casualties. As mayor, I can't let anyone get hurt," he said.

Silk bit her lip, sensing his care but frustrated. "If it means saving everyone, I'd rather—"

"Enough!" a man interrupted. "This isn't a tantrum. We're serious."

The ship loomed closer. Time was running out. The man turned to the mayor, ignoring Silk. "We negotiate. Fighting's hopeless."

"We've got no money!" another said.

"Escape with what we can?"

"No ships, no time. They'll catch us."

Silk gripped her sheathed sword, her resolve clashing with their caution. Why couldn't they understand? Her frustration simmered, ready to erupt.

"Hey, Silk!" Luffy's voice rang out.

She spun to see Luffy and Kiri approaching. Stunned, her mouth fell open. "Luffy? Kiri? Why're you here?"

"Wanna see pirates!" Luffy said. "Where they at?"

"Out there," Kiri said, pointing to the sea.

"Which one?" Luffy asked, squinting.

They stood beside her, staring at the ship, utterly fearless. The townsfolk gaped, unnerved by their casual tone. Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Big ship! We need one like that!"

"No money for that," Kiri said. "Small boat for now."

"We'll find one!" Luffy said.

"That confidence," Kiri muttered, shaking his head.

The townsfolk's stares pierced them. "Silk, these your drifters?" one asked.

"Why're they here?" another said.

"This isn't a game! Run!" a third urged.

"Don't mind us," Kiri said, waving them off, focused on the ship.

"You can't just—" a man started.

"What're you gonna do, Luffy? Just look?" Kiri asked.

"Yup! Wanna see 'em!" Luffy said.

"So, nothing else?" Kiri said.

The townsfolk, ignored, grew frustrated. Silk suddenly realized—they were pirates. If townsfolk couldn't fight, maybe they could. Steeling herself, she faced Luffy. "Luffy, I need a favor."

"What?" he asked.

"Fight with me. I want to protect this town," she said.

"What!?" the townsfolk gasped.

Silk turned, unwavering. "I'll do anything to save this town. If fighting's wrong, I'll become a pirate! I'll join Luffy and drive them off!"

"Ridiculous!" the mayor shouted. "Becoming a pirate to fight pirates? Grow up!"

"Hahaha! That's awesome!" Luffy laughed, clutching his stomach.

His laughter shattered the tense air, baffling everyone. Adjusting his straw hat, he grinned at Silk. "Alright, Silk. You're my crewmate. Let's beat 'em up!"

"You're serious?" the mayor said. "Silk's just a girl! She can't fight pirates!"

"Waste of breath," Kiri said, stepping beside Luffy. "He's a pirate too. Barely started, but stubborn as hell. Won't listen."

"She's one of us!" the mayor protested. "If something happens—"

"Then make sure it doesn't," Kiri said, smirking.

The mayor faltered, unnerved by Kiri's calm. "I get your worry, but Silk's not the listening type either. Want to stop her? Tie her up."

"She's done nothing wrong!" the mayor said.

"Everyone's stubborn," Kiri said. "You're scared, standing here with no plan. Silk's reckless, but you won't drag her away or convince her. You're stuck."

"You outsider!" a man shouted. "Stay out of it!"

Kiri turned, unfazed. "With or without us, Silk'll fight alone and die. You know it. I just met her, and I can tell."

"That's true, but…" a man admitted.

"Should've dragged her off," Kiri said. "That's why she's like this."

"It's our town!" another said. "We can't let pirates do what they want!"

"Then fight," Kiri said.

"We've never held weapons!" the mayor said.

"Then run," Kiri said.

"Stop talking nonsense!" a man yelled. "What do we do?"

"Dunno," Kiri said, shrugging. "Not my problem."

His flippant tone infuriated them, but he ignored their glares, joining Luffy and Silk. "Captain, orders?"

"Fight!" Luffy said. "Gotta protect Silk and her treasure for Granny. Plus, I wanna test these pirates!"

"Got it. Let's prep," Kiri said.

They were set on fighting, no hint of retreat. The townsfolk stood frozen, then turned to Silk. "What about us?" one asked.

"Don't worry about me," Silk said. "Run. With Luffy and Kiri, I'll handle it. I'll save this town."

Her resolve silenced them. They stood, unable to respond. Luffy watched, then strode toward the port, glancing back. "Better run. I ain't protecting weaklings."

"Hey!" a man called.

"How strong are they?" Luffy said, eyes on the ship.

The townsfolk, at a loss, began trudging inland. Passing Silk, the mayor whispered, "Sorry."

Silk kept her eyes on the sea, on the approaching ship. Kiri, beside her, spoke. "I get their feelings. Peaceful days, right?"

"Yeah," Silk said.

"But standing there, doing nothing? Buildings can be rebuilt. People can't," Kiri said.

Silk glanced at him, catching a fleeting sadness before his usual grin returned. "Your 'crew' comment okay? Luffy's stubborn. He might drag you to sea after this."

"Oh," Silk said, pausing. She'd blurted it out on impulse, never imagining herself a pirate. No regrets, but why? Desperation, maybe, or something else. She pondered, chin in hand.

Kiri chuckled. "Decide later. For now, let's make sure no one dies."

"Right," Silk said.

Kiri approached Luffy at the port. "Let's prep. Standing there, you're a sniper's target."

"Nah, I'm rubber. Bullets don't work!" Luffy said.

"Right, Gomu Gomu's strong," Kiri said.

"Shishishi, yup!" Luffy said.

"Come help anyway," Kiri said.

"Got it," Luffy said.

Silk, curious about their preparations, followed, ready for the fight ahead.