....
"Ow! That hurts!"
Lucas jolted awake, his body aching as if he'd been pricked by needles. Blinking, he stared at an unfamiliar ceiling.
Where… am I?
Beside him, Koby flinched at his sudden movement. "Y-You're awake?"
Lucas turned, meeting Koby's nervous gaze. He nodded, rubbing his sore spots before slowly standing. The memories clicked—he'd been knocked out during the Marine skirmish.
"Thanks, Koby."
Koby flushed, scratching his head. "It was nothing, really!"
Wait, how does he know my name?
A loud chomp snapped Lucas's attention to the table where Luffy and Zoro were devouring food like starved beasts.
"I haven't eaten in ages, yet you're hogging it all?!" Zoro gulped his sake, eyeing Luffy's mountain of meat.
"Shishishi! It's just too good!" Luffy grinned, cheeks stuffed.
Noticing Lucas's stare, both froze mid-bite.
"Oh! You're up!" they chorused.
"Yeah, just woke up." Lucas eyed his favorite anime characters—real, right in front of him—and fought the urge to fanboy.
The battle was over. Now? Freedom.
His stomach growled. Walking over, he reached for a meat skewer—
SNAP! Luffy's rubber hand snatched it first.
"Huh?!"
Lucas deadpanned as Luffy swallowed it whole. He tried for another—
YOINK. Gone again.
Zoro sighed, sliding a plate toward him. "Here."
"Thanks." Lucas smirked.
[Ding! Host's excitement detected. Mood +3.]
Holy— ZORO JUST GAVE ME FOOD!!!
He took a bite, flavors exploding. Heavenly.
Luffy, meanwhile, patted his ballooned stomach. "Ahhh! So good! I'm stuffed!"
Zoro leaned back. "Captain, if you're gonna be King of the Pirates, you've gotta have a crew. How many we got?"
Luffy held up two fingers. "Two."
"TWO?!" Zoro's eye twitched.
"Yep! You and me!"
Zoro facepalmed. "And our ship?"
Luffy pointed outside. "That rowboat! But we'll get a BIG one with a Jolly Roger!"
Lucas choked back laughter. Classic Luffy.
Zoro sighed, turning to Lucas. "What's your plan now?"
[Mood +1]
Lucas shrugged. "Dunno. Being a pirate sounds fun."
(Ask me to join! Ask me!)
[Mood +3]
Zoro nudged Luffy. "We need crew. Take him."
Luffy beamed. "Lucas! Wanna be my nakama?"
Lucas feigned thoughtfulness. (YESYESYES!!!)
"Sure. But make me Vice-Captain."
Luffy tilted his head. "Vice… what?"
Zoro raised a brow. 'Bold move.'
Lucas grinned. "Watch this." He tapped his system.
[Ding! Super King-Grade BBQ summoned!]
THUD!
A massive roast materialized, dwarfing the bar.
"WOAH!! SMELLS AMAZING!" Luffy's jaw dropped.
One bite later—
"SO GOOD!! YOU'RE HIRED!"
[Mood +1]
[Vice-Captain status: unlocked.]
The celebration ended when Marines stormed in.
"Pirates! Leave our town—now!"
Despite protests, Lucas, Luffy, and Zoro departed, waves of cheers behind them.
On the tiny boat, Lucas inhaled the sea breeze. Freedom…
"Next stop?" Zoro asked.
"Grand Line!" Luffy declared.
Zoro groaned. He doesn't even know where that is.
Hours later…
"I'm staaaarving! Lucas, got more meat?"
"Nope." Not risking capsizing us.
Luffy spotted a small bird overhead. "Dinner!"
"Rubber… BAZOOKA!"
"WAIT—"
SPLAT.
The "bird" was a monster, swallowing Luffy whole.
"LUFFY!"
Rowing frantically, they chased the beast—until three drowning pirates hailed them.
"Help us!"
Lucas smirked. "Work for us, and we'll pull you up."
Minutes later, the "recruits" rowed under Zoro's glare.
"Faster! You made us lose our captain!" Lucas teased.
[Mood +1]
Bossing around goons? Priceless.
Meanwhile…
Luffy crash-landed—right into Nami's trap.
"Huh? A girl? Hi!"
Nami smirked, rope in hand. "Welcome to your new life, pirate."
....