The World Of Crackheads

Chapter 3

Once Luffy understood what Nini was telling him, he'd burst with energy. His enthusiasm was justified, because this is where his favourite part came into play. It was something he wanted to do since his pirate-dreaming days.

But he needed to do something first.

His happy-go-lucky attitude disappeared in an instant.

"I need to take care of something first," Luffy said to Nini. His eyes casted in a shadow and face blank, he left their secret hide-out.

➵

"I've come to avenge the person you murdered in cold blood! He who shall not be named!" Luffy exclaimed, pointing a finger at Captain Blackbutt.

"Who Voldemort?" Blackbutt asked, perplexed with the little boy before him.

"Who's that?"

"You don't know the book Garry Potter?"

"The only book I read was Goku. It's a book about a guy who done a hundred push-ups, a hundred sit-ups, a hundred squats, and ten kilometre runs. Then he became bald," Luffy said the next part nonchalantly, "My grandpa read it to me every night."

"Wow, no wonder you Marines are all messed-up."

Luffy enraged by his insulting words - and his presence in general - he charged at Captain Blackbutt. He was ready to kill him! He wanted his head; he wanted to rip him to shreds. He wanted--

Suddenly, he remembered the words of Captain Underpants, Admiral Jeffrey's best friend. He had no idea how they were best friends, but nonetheless, they were.

"I know you want to avenge him. I want to too. He was my best friend..."

Luffy punched him in the gut at an inhumane speed. And with the same inhumane strength, his punch launched the Captain across the battlefield.

His anger had caused him to hold nothing back. His pent up grief had turned into rage that exploded into brutality.

"... but killing him won't make you feel better."

As Luffy was repeatedly attacking the barely standing Blackbutt, a memory abruptly surfaced. It caused him to pause; his fist stopped an inch away from the pirate's face.

He recalled a man's face. Every feature of that man was clear to him. But his words stuck out the most to him - and his red hair but that wasn't the point.

"Luffy, with great power, comes great responsibility."

That was his wise words. He really was a wise man. Luffy admired him and respected him for that and many other reasons.

"Won't you get sued for saying that, Shanks."

"Nobody needs to know."

Luffy only realised then, that the famous Blackbutt was quivering in front of him. He was in a pathetic bruised state with an already swollen cheek. His hands were up in defeat, begging him not to hurt him anymore.

To think, this was the man that killed the previous Admiral.

"Please, don't kill me," he begged desperately. Tears and snot had leaked out.

Luffy caught his breathe and composed himself once he got a hold of his emotions. He slowly backed away from Blackbutt, while lowering his hands.

"I won't kill you."

Blackbutt's relief was short-lived when Luffy continued.

"You'll be arrested and sent to Impel Down," he said coldly, the epitome of contrasting his usual self, "That's worse than death."

➵

"Good job, Admiral Luffy. Now the notorious Blackbutt will pay for his sins. You've carried the name of the Marines and the justice we strive for well," Sengoku had praised, although a little begrudgingly.

Luffy scowled.

Thinking about that pretentious Marine's praises made him want to break something.

But he had no choice but to keep a low profile as Nini told him to. Adding on, he was in the middle of the sea, so he couldn't be reckless.

Other than Nini's strict instructions, Luffy felt free. Especially so in his disguise or 'casual wear'. It felt good to wear his strawhat after so long and the clothes he would have worn as a pirate at sea.

He couldn't help but wriggle his toes around in his slippers too. Those boots and stuff concealed his feet twenty-four seven.

This felt so much better.

People weren't watching him do patrols and were minding their own business.

He wished he'd been a pirate. He misses his brothers.

I wonder what they're doing n--

"Nope!" Luffy shook his head, which earned him looks from some of the people on the ship.

Let's not think about that.

I'm going to go to Shells Island and making a new friend! Let's focus on that.

You have nothing to do with Sabo and Ace. He reminded himself.

➵

A man was leisurely strolling around the streets. Multiple stalls were open and everything was lively.

He glanced around, noticing the inconspicuous expressions here and there that resembled sadness. These people were no doubt miserable, but they hid that fact very well.

The man tilted his hat and put on a friendly smile. He approached a man that sold fruit.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes?"

"Sorry to bother, but have you seen a boy with black hair and a scar under his eye? His face looks similar to mine." The man pointed at his face, mostly emphasizing his onyx eyes.

His answer had been a shake of the head and frown. "I haven't, sorry."

"Okay, it's fine. Thank you, sir," he replied.

The man went off to ask around some more, but after many answered similarly, he'd decided to stop for the day.

I guess, today isn't the day either.

➵

Author's Note