There was a small interlude right before they set sail.
Bai Yun learned from the Navy that this pirate crew was called the "Lullaby Pirates."
He thought it was a test before setting sail, but who knew it would be a "money-sending child"? Although it wasn't much, only the young girl had a bounty, which was even less than the Mountain Bandit King Higuma's, worth only 5 million Berries.
But it was still the Straw Hat Pirates' first pot of gold, wasn't it? Oh no, they hadn't even set sail yet, so they should be called the "Provisional Straw Hat Pirates." "Ah, aren't you going to see us off?"
The day came for Luffy and Bai Yun to set sail.
Dadan still couldn't bring herself to see them off, afraid she wouldn't be able to handle it.
"Even if Makino and the mayor don't mind, the other residents will be scared of us. Just get out of here quickly."
Dadan stood with her back to Luffy and Bai Yun, a cigarette dangling from her mouth, in the exact same posture as the day Ace set sail.
Since that was the case, Luffy didn't insist.
"Then, thank you all for taking care of us all this time."
"Dadan! I hate bandits, but I really like you guys."
Well, Dadan couldn't hold back her tears again.
"Don't talk nonsense, just get lost, all of you are like this."
"Hahahahaha."
Compared to Luffy, Bai Yun didn't say as much. As he left, he had Dogra hand Dadan a briefcase.
Dadan opened it to find a case full of Berries. Bai Yun had left them one million Berries.
They had never seen so much money before. Dadan's eyes nearly popped out, and her tears instantly stopped. Sure enough, money was the most useful.
And on the Berries was a note that read:
"Thank you for your care, Dadan, and everyone."
"It's indeed cliché to send money, but I think you all really like money."
"Little Bai..."
"I knew you were the most sensible, hahahaha, we're rich! We're rich! Now we can order good stuff, boys!"
Dadan cheered, holding up the briefcase, and Magra and the others immediately followed suit... A scene transition.
Bai Yun and Luffy were already on the boat.
Standing on the dock to see them off were Makino and the old mayor, along with other residents of Windmill Village.
Dadan didn't come, while Magra and Dogra hid behind, secretly watching.
The boat was not the same lone skiff as before. It had to be said that the original Luffy, a Devil Fruit user, was quite brave to venture out to sea in that small, broken boat.
This time, they happened to encounter the Lullaby Pirates, and with the money, they bought an old fishing boat from the village's old fisherman uncle for 10,000 Berries.
It wasn't very big, but two or three people could still lie down in the cabin. It was a shame about the Lullaby Pirates' ship; it was too badly damaged to be used.
Looking at the sea, Luffy raised both arms, "We're finally at sea!!"
"First was Sabo, then Ace, and though we're the third, we can't lose, Bai Yun."
"Hehe, Ace's reputation is quite high right now. To surpass him, we'll have to work hard."
Bai Yun felt the sea breeze on his face and responded to Luffy's words.
"Of course! I'm the man who's going to be the King of the Pirates!!"
Luffy pressed down on his straw hat and replied, full of fighting spirit.
"Then! Let's go!"
Bai Yun smiled and looked at Luffy, "Aye aye, Captain! Hoist the sails! Set off!!"
He spoke with passionate enthusiasm, but after saying it, Bai Yun still had to sit down and row.
As for Luffy...
Who said he had nothing to do? Here it was.
The Lord of the Coast emerged from the sea, appearing in front of the fishing boat, and the waves it caused made the boat rock violently.
Looking at its one blind eye, there was no mistake; it was the one that bit off Shanks' arm.
"Lord of the Coast, I've been waiting for you for a long time. It's your bad luck to run into me! Let me show you the strength I've trained for ten years."
Luffy stood up, his left hand pressing his right shoulder, staring at the Lord of the Coast.
"Gum-Gum! Pistol!"
The moment the Lord of the Coast opened its mouth to bite, Luffy threw a punch, directly distorting its mouth. It fainted on the sea surface and slowly sank.
"Taste my power, you stupid fish."
"Clap, clap, clap, Luffy is amazing."
Bai Yun enthusiastically cheered him on.
"Hehehe."
"So, first we need to gather companions, Bai Yun, preferably ten people, and then a pirate flag."
Luffy looked at the sea, thinking about his future plans.
"I do have a good design for a pirate flag, but first, we need our own pirate ship."
Bai Yun said.
"Yeah, and get a pirate ship. The ship is our companion too."
"Hmm, then with these goals, let's go!!!"
Luffy shouted, raising both hands.
Bai Yun nodded, "Let's go!"
But then he suddenly discovered a problem.
"Go where?"
"..."
"Wherever we end up! Hahahaha."
Luffy was stunned for a second, but then optimistically said.
Bai Yun chuckled, thinking, "You truly are Luffy."
"Alright, then let's go wherever we end up!"
And so, Luffy and Bai Yun, the initial members of the Straw Hat Pirates,
without anyone knowing navigation, embarked on their great journey of "wherever we end up" aboard an old fishing boat.
...
A/N: The journey continues! If you're eager to read far ahead and support this story, consider joining the Eternal Phoenix community. You can find me on Patreon by searching for "Eternal_Phoenix".
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