One Piece - The First Mate

Jason quickly made his way towards the boy to get him out of the trap. The boy seems to notice him since he stopped struggling while curiously looking at Jason.

Jason: "Wait a minute, I will get you out soon okay."

The boy ?? Nodded his head.

After a while Jason got the boy out and they were staring at each other. Jason was quiet nervous as the boy was the first person he spoke to all year.

Jason: "Are you okay? What are you doing in this jungle."

The boy suddenly grinned and said "I am fine, Thanks for the help. I am Luffy and I am training to become strong."

Jason: "Nice meeting you Luffy, I am Jason and I too am training here to get strong."

Suddenly Luffy's stomach started growling startling both the boys.

Luffy: "Ah I am really hungry, do you have any food?"

Jason: " Sure, Come along, I have some fruits and meat left from dinner."

With that the two boys made it inside Jason's hideout and Luffy started eating.

Jason: "So Luffy, do you live on this island?"

Luffy: "No, I live in my Granpa's ship. We are stopping by here for my survival training. My grandpa threw me in this jungle today and I need to be here for a week."

Jason: "So Luffy what are you training for?"

Luffy excitedly replied: "I am training to become a pirate and freely roam around the seas."

Jason: "What is a pirate?" Jason asked this question as even though he read many books he did not know the word and his mother did not get a chance to educate him on all the world powers. From his books he knows about all the normal jobs like navigator, shipwright or soldiers but not a pirate.

Luffy continued: "Pirates are brave warriors who roam the seas seeking adventures. They sing, eat and find treasures while travelling."

Jason hearing this for the first time got a little exited and replied: "That is also my dream, I want to go around the world and roam freely"

Luffy suddenly grinned hearing my response and said "Then lets be pirates together."

Jason got good vibes from his new friend said: "okay, but how do we become pirates."

Luffy also got quiet as both the young boys thought of how they can become pirates. After a while Luffy said "Well we do need to be strong and also need a big ship with several other nakama"

Jason hearing this nodded as it made sense and they talked about all the things they would do when they eventually become pirates throughout the night.

Both the young boys who did not have a friend the same age developed a good comradery over their similar dreams and slept off till morning. For the first time over a year Jason did not have a nightmare and was dreaming of his adventure with his new friend.

Next morning, Both the boys woke up and had the remaining food after which luffy asked to explore the jungle.

Luffy: "lets go Jason, we need to explore the Jungle for treasures."

Jason: "Wait Luffy, first we need to finish training and then we can go"

Jason has explained his training to Luffy yesterday night and they both decided that they would train together from ow on. Luffy who did not get any formal training menu from his grandpa just pushed his body to the limit everyday doing various activities.

Jason explained every training he usually do and both the boys set out on training their bodies. By lunch both of them are exhausted as they pushed each other to work hard as both dint want other to get stronger. Finally they caught a rabbit and ate lunch while talking about all kinds of things.

Jason and Luffy for the rest of the day explored the jungle for anything interesting which is a unique experience for both the lonely boys.

In this way the week was up with Jason and Luffy growing closer to each other becoming best friends. Jason also for the first time since his mother died started smiling again and while the shadow of her death is not completely gone the wound is not hurting anymore.

Both the boys even started sparring with each other and decently learning more about the basic combat techniques Jason had got from his mother.

'Grandpa again left me in Jungle as training. He is always telling me to become a marine but I am going to become a pirate anyways, but his punch sure hurts.' I start rubbing my head to alleviate the pain where he punched just now.

As I was making my way through the jungle suddenly I was caught up in a trap which startled me. I was trying to get out of it when I saw a boy my age coming towards me.

He seems cautious and was moving slowly until his eyes met mine. We stared at each other for a while when he suddenly moved towards me and said he would get me out.

After I got out of the trap we started talking when he introduced himself as Jason and he had offered me food too.

While we were talking, I noticed a lot of similarities between us. I usually act like an idiot most of the time, and don't study much since its boring but I can at least understand what grandpa does. But I don't like the idea of working under someone, following orders all the time. I just want to be free and see the world.

We both became good friends from then on. It seems Jason is also eager to share whatever helps us both. I have decided then and there that both of us would become pirates together.

Finally 7 days has passed, Grandpa should be coming back to pick me up so I asked my new best friend : "Jason, my grandpa should be coming back now, let's go."

I can see Jason tense up on meeting my grandpa, its been this way the whole week but I can see he wants to come with me.

Jason: "Luffy, are you sure its okay?"

Luffy; "Come on Jason, we promised we will be pirates together and aren't we nakama already?"

I saw a small smile come over Jason as we both ran back to the edge of the Jungle.

Both boys ran towards the edge of the jungle where a huge muscular man was calling over Luffy's name. Jason paused a bit before sedately following Luffy to look at a older man who was wearing a red Aloha shit and blue shorts.

Luffy: "Gramps, meet Jason my nakama. He is going to become pirate with me."

The muscular man's face twitched when he suddenly appeared before Luffy clocking him on the head and thundered: "You Idiot, why are you making others follow you with this foolish idea. How many times should I tell you, You Will Be a Marine Luffy!! Got it!!!"

Jason froze when he heard the word marine, his mother's warning barring his thoughts. Just when he was deciding on what to do he heard the big man speak.

Grandpa: "Boy, are you really going to be a pirate? Pirates are bad, you will also be marines with Luffy here."

Luffy: "Who would want to be Marine. Its boring. Both Jason and I will become pirates and go on bunch of adventures."

Luffy got another hit on head for his comment. Jason who was watching both of them got somewhat nostalgic and decided that Luffy's Grandpa is not a bad person.

Jason introduced himself like his mother taught him: "Nice to meet you Luffy's Grandpa, my name is Jason"

The older man grinned and said: "What a mannered brat. Luffy learn to respect your grandpa like him" while heaving Luffy by neck until rounds appeared in Luffy's eyes.

Jason continued: "I have been living in Jungle for a year until Luffy came here, Can I join you guys? I will help in chores if we live together and hunt for meals too."

The older man quieted down: "Well brat, I have decided, you will also be my grandson with Luffy. Now come along we need to get going to you boys new homw"

With that the older man and two young boys went away.

-tbc