A year ago, a pirate ship arrived at a small port and established it as their base for an entire year. Luffy, the main character who was still a child, developed a strong bond with these pirates. He constantly sought to prove himself to them and be taken along on their sea voyages. However, the pirate group frequently made fun of Luffy, which he always denied. In an attempt to demonstrate his bravery to the Red Haired Pirates, led by their captain Shanks, Luffy took a knife one day and made a deep cut under his left eye.
During a bar celebration, a group of bandits suddenly showed up and became agitated when they didn’t receive the desired amount of alcohol. Shanks offered the bandit leader a bottle of alcohol, which the leader promptly shattered. The leader, Higuna, then disrespectfully insulted Shanks in front of everyone. After the bandits left, every member of the pirate group, including Captain Shanks, laughed at the amusing sight of their captain.
This sight infuriated Luffy, prompting him to consume the Gomu Gomu no fruit, a rare Devil Fruit that grants the user rubber-like abilities. The Red Haired Pirates had obtained this fruit as a valuable treasure seized from their enemies. However, in exchange for these supernatural powers, the user is rendered unable to swim, effectively becoming a “hammer” in water.
Several months later, the bandits returned, finding the Red Haired Pirates absent at sea. Luffy, recalling the previous incident, insulted the bandits in retaliation. Seeking revenge, the bandits kidnapped Luffy to teach him a lesson. Upon discovering Luffy’s rubber powers, they considered selling him to a circus. Ultimately, they decided to kill him due to his persistent provocation. However, just as they were about to carry out their plan, Shanks arrived at the last moment and demanded Luffy’s release. Enraged by the harm inflicted upon his nakama (comrade), Shanks and his crew overpowered the bandits.
The bandit leader managed to escape under the cover of a smoke bomb, taking Luffy to the shore. As Luffy, being a Devil Fruit eater, was unable to swim, he began to drown. Suddenly, a sea monster appeared, attempting to devour him. In the nick of time, Shanks reappeared and drove away the sea monster, but at the cost of his left arm. Afterward, the Red Haired Pirates departed from the port. Prior to returning to the sea, Shanks gave Luffy a Straw Hat cap as a memento, asking for its return when they meet again. Tearfully, Luffy bid farewell to Shanks and his crew.
Ten years later, Luffy set sail with the aim of becoming the Pirate King. He challenged the same sea monster that had attacked him a decade ago and emerged victorious with a powerful punch. Equipped with a small boat and a barrel, he embarked on his journey across the vast ocean.
