"P-Power…?"
Koby stared wide-eyed at Luffy, shock painted across his face. Though beneath that surprise, there was a flicker of hope, of longing. Still, he couldn't quite believe what he'd just heard.
"M-My lord… what do you mean?"
Luffy burst into laughter, but his voice carried a rare clarity as he answered:
"My name is Luffy! I'm a pirate!"
"I see great potential in you."
"I want to invite you to join us, on a journey across the world!"
"I promise, if you become one of us, you'll gain power like that… very soon."
"W-Wait, wait, wait!!"
Koby reeled, staggering backward as if hit by a storm of words. The weight of Luffy's invitation was so overwhelming, it took him several steps just to process it.
"A… a pirate?!"
His round glasses trembled on his nose as he blinked furiously, trying to decipher whether Luffy was joking or serious.
Frankly, no one could blame him.
Even the Marine officers nearby were just as stunned.
After witnessing the unbelievable power Luffy had unleashed, a force that shook heaven and earth, who would've guessed he'd be interested in recruiting a short, timid, and constantly-crying boy?
It simply defied logic.
"Hahaha…"
"You don't have to be so nervous, Koby."
Luffy stepped forward again and looked down at him with a gentle, sincere expression. Despite Koby's childlike frame and uncertain demeanor, Luffy spoke to him as if he were already someone important.
"Even if you can't believe in yourself yet… believe in me."
"Trust my judgment. You have potential, far beyond the ordinary."
"Uhh…"
Luffy's words seemed to spark something in Koby. For the first time, he paused. That endless cycle of self-doubt wavered. A tiny flame of possibility flickered in his heart.
Could Luffy-san really mean it?
Do I truly… have that kind of potential?
He glanced down at his short, bowed legs, then held up his soft, pudgy hands.
No way… He's got to be messing with me!
"…So? Koby?" Luffy said earnestly. "Give it some real thought."
In the world of pirates, talent is everything. Power wasn't random, it stemmed from potential.
With it, you could rise as far as your will could take you.
Without it, no matter how hard you worked, the ceiling would always be there, looming, unbreakable, unless you altered your body through unnatural means.
But Koby, just fourteen years old, and barely a year into training, had already shown enough strength to qualify for the Paramount War.
Though only a junior fighter back then, it proved that he was no ordinary boy.
Even more impressive was his latent sensitivity to Observation Haki, an advanced skill few could master.
It was this rare promise, and the kindness in his heart, that had moved Luffy.
Koby had something most people in the pirate world lacked, a deep empathy and a drive to protect. That, too, made him worthy of an invitation.
Luffy wasn't the kind to recruit people lightly.
He didn't want sycophants. He valued strength, loyalty, and heart.
Right now, his eyes locked onto Koby with a rare intensity.
Koby's face still showed hesitation. Doubt and insecurity warred with the hope building inside him.
"M-Luffy-san…" he stammered, voice barely above a whisper. "Do you… really think I can?"
Without a word, Luffy stepped forward and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. His voice was calm but resolute:
"Believe me, Koby."
"My instincts have never led me wrong."
"Pffft…"
Zoro let out a low chuckle from the side, smirking knowingly.
Nami covered her mouth to hide a giggle.
From the mansion, Robin and Brook stepped out, their footsteps soft but purposeful, finally joining the group beside Koby.
The Marine officers, for their part, didn't dare move an inch.
Not a whisper escaped them, afraid to disturb whatever momentous decision was unfolding before their eyes.
Only the commanding officer's eyes remained sharp, locked on Koby. A glint of ambition sparkled within them.
After all, nothing stirs the soul more than watching an underdog rise. If even this tearful little brat could step onto the world stage… why not him?
Unbeknownst to Luffy, in the act of lifting one up, he had lit a spark in another.
Meanwhile, Koby stood surrounded, overwhelmed not by fear this time, but by awe. Then suddenly, he jolted, his finger pointed straight at Brook, jaw trembling, voice cracking:
"S-S-Skeleton!!!"
"A moving skeleton!!"
"Bwahaha!!"
Luffy burst out laughing again. "Don't worry! That's my crewmate. He's a kind soul."
"I think you two will get along just fine."
"G-Get along…?"
Koby stiffened like a statue. His head turned toward Luffy with the creak of dry gears, his hand still shaking wildly in midair.
Brook chuckled warmly, doffing his top hat and revealing his iconic afro beneath his bony skull.
With musical cheer in his voice, he sang:
"Yohohoho~! My name is Brook!"
"Please don't be frightened~"
"I ate the Revive-Revive Fruit, which is why I look like this."
"I'm the chief musician of the Stardust Pirates. I can play anything."
"I hope you'll join us, Koby!"
Zoro stepped forward too. The three swords at his waist clinked together with a crisp, metallic ring. His sharp features softened into a grin.
"Swordsman, Roronoa Zoro."
"Welcome aboard."
Then came the gentle voice of Robin:
"Nico Robin, historian. It's a pleasure to meet you."
And finally, the ever-energetic Nami winked:
"Nami, navigator. Welcome, Koby."
From beneath the waves came a sudden, low call, an echoing bellow that pierced through the ocean's depths and rolled across the beach.
"Booooooohhhhhh~~!!"
"That's also one of our friends," Luffy explained with a smile. "His name's Laboon, he's an island whale."
Then, he looked Koby straight in the eye.
"So, Koby… what's your answer?"
─────────🏴☠️────────
Tap. Tap… Tap…
Tears streamed down Koby's face, tracing his cheeks and chin before falling to the earth below.
For the first time in his life…
People saw him. They cared about him.
So this… this is what the sea is like?
Luffy's invitation wasn't just a chance, it was warmth, recognition, belonging.
All the doubts he'd carried since setting out… they vanished.
He no longer regretted setting sail that day. No longer resented Alvida for imprisoning him. No longer saw the suffering he'd endured on a pirate ship as punishment.
It all felt like fate.
Like every hardship had led him here, to this very moment.
Thud!
Koby suddenly dropped to his knees.
His hands pressed against the ground. He bowed his head low, forehead to the earth, tears soaking into the soil.
His voice broke, but he shouted with all his heart:
"Luffy-san!!"
"From this day forward, please take care of me!!!"
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You've recruited your fifth crewmate. Please access the Crew System to assign a unique item to your new companion.]
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