One Piece: New Luffy

"Of course I accept the challenge!"

As Luffy's words echoed across the island, an awkward silence fell over the plain. Not only were the Blue Pirates of Forke West left speechless, but even the Straw Hat crew was taken aback.

"Huh? Luffy, you actually accepted?" Nami blinked in surprise. "It's not like I think we'll lose… but wasn't this supposed to be a training session?"

"Training and having fun don't have to be separate things," Luffy replied with his usual carefree smile.

On the other side, Foxy's pirates started to panic.

"What do we do? What do we do? He really accepted!"

"Oh no, we're doomed! We're definitely going to lose!"

"What if we lose, and Luffy picks me to join his crew?!"

"He's totally going to pick me! Damn, I'll end up as one of the Shichibukai's subordinates!"

"You idiot! Did you forget about the Captain? A reckless fool like you has no business calling himself a pirate!"

Hmph!

Suddenly, a cold snort silenced the chaos.

The noisy pirates all turned to look at their captain.

Foxy's face had darkened. He hadn't expected Luffy to actually accept...

After all, their standings weren't equal—normally, extra conditions would be negotiated.

Damn it, Straw Hat… What are you planning?

Is he targeting me?

That's it! That must be it!

If I lose, he'll definitely choose me. Damn it!

Goodbye, my beloved Foxy Pirates… If I'm chosen, I'll say my farewells with a smile!

With that thought, tears welled up in Foxy's eyes.

"Of course… it's only natural he'd be drawn to my outstanding personality and charm. I'm the perfect fit for the Straw Hat Pirates! He'll definitely pick me!"

"What are you talking about, Captain?" his crewmates asked, looking at him with disgust.

Oops!

Foxy coughed, accidentally having said his thoughts out loud.

"Ahem! I see now, Straw Hat Luffy! Since you've accepted my challenge, let's begin the Pirate Games!"

He jumped from the ship with a dramatic flair.

"You get to pick the game. Combat? Groggy Ring? Donut Race? Speak! Since you accepted the challenge, it's your right to choose the competition!"

Luffy's mouth curved into a grin.

Foxy had eaten the Noro Noro no Mi, which allows him to fire microscopic light particles that slow down his opponents or objects for 30 seconds—known as the Noro Noro Beam.

A powerful ability… but wasted on an idiot.

Since the other side had approached him willingly, Luffy didn't mind adding a new crew member.

"Let me think… Ordinary pirate games aren't all that exciting."

Luffy paused for a moment, then smiled: "How about a team battle?"

"A team battle? What's that?"

"All members of both crews join the competition. The team with the most people still standing at the end wins."

Luffy turned to the two women beside him. "Nami, Vivi, make a thundercloud."

Though they didn't know what he was planning, the two women nodded without hesitation.

Vivi raised her right hand, palm facing the sky.

In an instant, the clear sky turned dark with thick clouds.

A light drizzle began to fall over the vast meadow.

"The weather… changed?!"

"That woman did that?!"

"An Akuma no Mi user?!"

Foxy's pirates stared upward in shock.

Then, Nami smiled and snapped her fingers.

The snap sent a surge of electricity into the sky, vanishing into the clouds.

Moments later, a loud boom echoed above.

Lightning flashed, and thunder rumbled within the dark sky.

Foxy's crew felt a chill down their spines. Their faces went pale as they gulped.

"Captain… are we really doing this? That's gotta be… a Logia-type power!" said a burly pirate, his voice trembling.

They were already terrified, jaws hanging open.

Logia—one of the rarest types of Devil Fruits.

The three Marine Admirals all have Logia powers: Ice, Magma, and Light!

And now, these two women standing beside Straw Hat Luffy…

Electricity!

Clouds and rain!

Foxy swallowed hard. Are these really just two of a Warlord's crewmates? They're monsters in disguise!

"Hmph…"

"You can't back out now."

Luffy's eyes narrowed slightly, his Conqueror's Haki flaring—though he kept it restrained.

To Foxy, in that moment, sitting cross-legged while sipping tea, Luffy looked like he had a terrifying demon looming behind him.

Its tendrils sparked with black and red lightning, ready to strike at any moment.

"Alright! Let's keep going! So, uh… how are we doing this exactly?" Foxy quickly changed his tone.

"It's simple. Lightning will fall continuously from the storm clouds. Everyone must stay beneath the clouds and find a way to avoid the lightning. After one hour, the team with the most members still standing wins."

Luffy gave a wry smile. "A rule that benefits you, huh? After all, you've got over a hundred people."

Right on cue, Nami released a bolt of lightning.

BOOM!

The lightning struck the field, instantly turning a patch of green grass into scorched earth.

Foxy and his crew: "…"

Dead.

Someone's going to die!

"Wait!" the beautiful crewmate with the strange hat shouted. "That's not fair! You've got complete control over where the lightning strikes!"

"Then let's do it like this: two bolts per second—one for each side. Nami, make sure you control them carefully. Don't electrocute anyone, alright?"

"Don't worry, Luffy~"

Nami flashed a mischievous smile.

Luffy nodded, satisfied. "Other than that, no additional conditions. We'll start in one minute. Everyone, step into the storm zone."

Saying that, he pulled out a pocket watch and began the countdown.

Since Nami could completely control the strength of each bolt, she could make them stronger when hitting Foxy's crew and weaker when hitting their own.

Fair? Not exactly. But in a world of pirates, fairness is a matter of perspective.

Luffy's real goal? To train his crew… and have some fun in the process.

This training exercise had originally been planned for later—but why not now?

---

(End of Chapter)

"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."