One Piece: I will become stronger by checking in

After a while, Kai Vane stopped as he looked at the increasingly dense trees in front of him.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Hmm... where did I go wrong?"

"There's no way I'm as directionally challenged as Zoro, right? I can't be lost already."

While Kai was still contemplating, a sound reached his ears.

"Gomu Gomu..."

"Huh? That sounds familiar..."

Kai's eyes lit up, and he immediately ran toward the source of the voice.

As he arrived, he saw a boy wearing a straw hat, stretching his fist out and punching a tiger. The boy's fist extended several meters, landing a direct hit on the tiger's chin.

Seeing this, a smile crept onto Kai's face.

"Monkey D. Luffy?"

"It looks like I know where to go next!"

But before Kai could act, the tiger that Luffy had just punched flew toward him. Without warning, Luffy noticed Kai and shouted:

"Look out!"

"Huh?" Kai, still lost in thought, glanced up at Luffy's shout.

A huge tiger was barreling toward him, about to collide in the next second.

Startled, Kai instinctively threw a punch forward.

"BANG!"

The tiger was sent flying from Kai's punch, even harder than Luffy's earlier hit. The tiger's bones broke with a loud crack, and it spat out blood mid-air before crashing into a few trees.

Luffy stood there, wide-eyed and speechless.

"You... you..." Luffy stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.

Kai was just as shocked.

"Am I... this strong?"

He hadn't even used much strength! Could he really be this powerful?

Then it clicked—his indestructible body. Even in its early stages, it was already making him this strong?

"Wow! You're amazing!" Luffy shouted, running over with excitement.

"Are you from Windmill Village too? How come I've never seen you before?"

"No, I just arrived in Windmill Village today," Kai replied, shaking his head.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm going to become the King of the Pirates!" Luffy declared confidently.

"I want you to join my crew!"

"Huh?" Kai was taken aback.

He was just thinking about how to convince Luffy to let him on his ship, and now Luffy was inviting him without hesitation!

Should I say something? Kai thought. As expected from Luffy, he chooses his crewmates in an instant!

Kai had already made up his mind when he saw Luffy. He was determined to join Luffy's crew.

After all, most of the major islands in One Piece were tied to Luffy's adventures. Following the Straw Hats was the perfect way to check in on the plot islands!

Plus, it was much safer to stick with the protagonist. As powerful as he seemed now, Kai knew better than to get cocky. The One Piece world was filled with monsters. Even in the relatively weak East Blue, who knew what danger might pop up?

And more than that, in his previous life, Kai had always admired the camaraderie of Luffy's crew. He used to dream of being one of them.

Now that the opportunity had come knocking, he wasn't going to let it slip away.

Thinking of this, Kai smiled and said to Luffy:

"Alright! But I have one condition!"

"I want to be your first mate!"

"Hahaha, deal!" Luffy agreed without hesitation.

"So, Captain, when do we set sail?"

"Tomorrow! But first, let's have a big meal tonight!" Luffy replied, grinning ear to ear.

At the mention of food, Kai's eyes drifted to the tiger Luffy had punched earlier.

He grinned. "Sounds good!"

He was starving...

The next day~

"No, Luffy, couldn't you find a bigger ship?"

Kai looked down at the tiny boat beneath his feet. It barely had room for two people.

"I couldn't find one! This is the biggest boat I could borrow from the village chief's grandpa!"

Kai facepalmed. He suddenly began questioning his decision to join Luffy's crew.

But it was too late now. He was aboard a pirate ship, and there was no turning back.

Just then, Luffy shouted:

"Kai, look!"

"There's a tornado heading right for us!"

"What?!!"

Kai turned around, and sure enough, the previously calm sea had transformed. Dark clouds filled the sky, and huge raindrops began to fall. A massive tornado was now barreling toward them.

Holy crap, Kai thought. This isn't just a pirate ship, it's a deathtrap!

Their small boat rocked violently in the storm. There was no way they could survive the tornado.

But then Kai spotted something in the distance: two connected wine barrels floating on the water.

His eyes lit up.

"Luffy! Do you see those barrels? Head for them, quick!"

"Got it!"

When they reached the barrels, Kai opened one and peered inside.

"Hmm... no wine in here."

Without hesitation, Kai turned to Luffy and shouted:

"Get in!"

"Okay!" Luffy, trusting Kai completely, jumped into the barrel.

Kai opened the second barrel and climbed in himself. Before sealing the lid, he gave their small boat a shove to send it adrift, hoping it wouldn't get destroyed in the storm.

Out on the East Blue, a calm sea breeze drifted across the water. Seagulls called overhead, creating a peaceful scene.

But this tranquility was shattered aboard a pirate ship flying a skull-and-heart flag.

"Hahaha... listen up, boys!"

"Who's the most beautiful woman on these seas?" a rough, loud voice rang out.

"Of course... it's you, Captain!"

"Miss Alvida!" the crew responded nervously.

"Ha ha ha ha..."

"Well said!"

"No one deserves this title except me!" Alvida laughed heartily, causing the fat on her body to jiggle.

This was Alvida, the iron mace-wielding pirate with a 5 million bounty.

At that moment, a pirate with pink hair shouted:

"Miss Alvida! We found two connected barrels floating in the sea!"

"Huh? Connected barrels?"

"Fish them out! Let's see what treasure they hold!"