Pirates: Invincible from the Start

She could go back to being the little princess of Cocoyasi Village.

She could be happy when she wanted to be happy and sad when she wanted to be sad. She no longer had to force herself to be strong.

Thinking of this, Genzo looked at Kuina with even greater gratitude.

"I really don't know how to thank them!

Genzo shook his head, cast aside his thoughts, and turned to Kuta.

"Oh, right. I haven't asked what you want this windmill for!"

Kuta stared at the windmill on his head and said with a smile,

"I was just curious because you've always had a windmill on your head. Besides, wasn't I thinking about our pirate flag? I figured we might as well use the windmill design as our pirate flag!"

He had indeed seen the windmill and thought of the protagonist of this world, Luffy, whose hometown was Foosha Village, a place also known for its windmills. So he decided to use a windmill.

It wasn't as if they could use a hammer and sickle, or five stars!

He was familiar with both of those, but they were the sort of thing that could easily get censored.

Besides, the windmill represented courage, diligence, progress, loyalty, happiness, liveliness, and love.

It also symbolized people's love for the sky and their fairy-tale-like happiness.

To him, that was what he pursued.

He hoped that he and the people he cherished could always be like windmills.

Forever free from worry, pain, and disaster.

Always living happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

"So that's how it is!"

Genzo hesitated for a moment before taking off the windmill and handing it to Kuta.

"Here, take it!"

However, Kuta didn't accept it. Instead, he looked at Genzo with a smile.

"Forget it, Uncle Genzo. I only wanted to borrow it as a reference so I could draw the flag."

"And to you, this is a keepsake of your beautiful memories with Nami!"

He paused before continuing, "I can't possibly snatch away a little girl's childhood toy, can I?"

Seeing that Kuta's expression was completely sincere, Genzo took back the windmill and stuck it into his hat again.

It wasn't exactly that he couldn't bear to part with it. It was just an ordinary windmill.

Besides, Nami had grown up. She wouldn't laugh at the windmill on his head like she had when she was little.

Now, the windmill was merely something he treasured as a reminder.

He hoped that whenever Nami returned, she could be just like she had been as a child—turning all her unhappy emotions away and remaining happy.

"How about this? I'll find a piece of cloth later and personally draw a windmill flag for you. How does that sound?"

"How could I accept that!"

Kuta stared at Genzo in surprise and delight.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Uncle Genzo."

Hearing that Genzo was willing to help draw the flag, Kuta instinctively felt happy.

Well, it definitely wasn't because his drawing skills were terrible.

"It's no trouble. Being able to draw a pirate flag for the benefactors of our entire Cocoyasi Village is my honor."

"Well then, if there's nothing else, I'll go help you draw the pirate flag."

It was obvious that he was even more eager than Kuta. He was probably happy because he could do something for Kuta and the others.

Kuta hurriedly thanked him again.

Watching Genzo's departing back, Kuta happily raised his Wine Gourd and took a sip.

"Refreshing."

Then he lay there like a wealthy old man, basking in the sun.

The spring sun really was comfortable. Even the midday sunlight felt pleasant.

The setting sun at dusk cast a warm glow.

Several large bonfires had already been built in the middle of the road through Cocoyasi Village.

Roasted meat, fruit, and all kinds of seafood were laid out around the bonfires.

The villagers, who had been suppressed for so long, cast aside all their disguises.

Some of them cried bitterly, some laughed loudly, and others shouted wildly as if they had gone mad.

They had needed this release for far too long.

The three of them—Ahua and the others—were pulled into the crowd by the village's young people.

Together, they danced simple, honest dances around the bonfires with the villagers.

Beside one of the bonfires, Kuta sat cross-legged on the ground, taking sip after sip from his Wine Gourd.

Kuina leaned against his shoulder, her pretty face flushed as she watched the people gathered around the bonfire.

She liked this kind of banquet.

Although she had been busy from noon until dusk, she didn't feel tired at all. Instead, she felt deeply fulfilled.

Because of that, she had made an exception and drunk several cups despite never drinking alcohol.

Kuina looked up at Kuta with hazy eyes.

"Hey, Kuta."

Kuta turned to look at her adorable expression and asked with a smile, "What is it?"

"Do you think I should come up with a title?"

"What kind of title?"

Kuina tilted her head and thought for a while.

"Hmm...!"

She furrowed her brows in distress, but no matter how hard she thought, she couldn't come up with anything.

Then she raised her head and stared at Kuta, a pitiful look in her beautiful eyes.

She grabbed his arm and shook it repeatedly.

"I can't think of one, Kuta. Why don't you come up with one for me?"

"All right, all right. Stop shaking me, or I'll fall apart."

Kuta looked at Kuina and said with a laugh, "Our Adventure Crew is called the Freedom Pirates, and our flag is a windmill."

"Hmm..."

He stroked his chin and thought for a moment. Then his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Then you can call yourself the Statue of Liberty!"

As soon as he said it, he couldn't help bursting into laughter.

"Hahahaha...!"

Kuina didn't know why Kuta had suddenly started laughing.

But seeing him laugh, she foolishly followed along and began laughing as well.

"The Statue of Liberty? That doesn't sound too bad! ε=('ο｀*))) Sigh!"

Chapter 29: Devil Fruit User

East Blue.

Gollome Islands.

A simple pier stood outside Cocoyasi Village. A ship with a sheep's head was moored there.

A red flag fluttered at the top of the ship's mast. A yellow windmill was painted on it.

From a distance, the yellow windmill looked as though it were constantly spinning.

It gave off a feeling of warmth and happiness.

On the Fake Merry.

No.

It should be called the "Freedom" now. Kuta and the other four had woken up early and were standing by the ship's side, looking toward Cocoyasi Village.

The villagers had been so excited the night before that they had all gotten drunk and passed out.

It seemed that no one would wake up before noon.

Although Kuta and the others had also drunk quite a bit the night before, their years of training meant they hadn't gotten as drunk as the villagers. That was why they had awakened early in the morning.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye?"

Kuina stared in the direction of the village, a trace of reluctance in her eyes.

This was the first place where she had ever felt such happiness.

It was different from the happiness that came from increasing her strength. This was a kind of happiness that brought immense satisfaction to both her heart and spirit.

Kuta rubbed Kuina's head and looked toward the village with a broad smile.

"There's nothing much to say goodbye to. This place is merely a beautiful memory from one part of our lives."

"Our journey has only just begun. We're heading toward more unknown places and more adventures."

"Believe me. As we continue adventuring, we'll definitely gain even more fulfillment and happiness."

As he said this, a trace of regret flashed through Kuta's eyes.

If there was one thing he regretted, it was that he hadn't met Nami.

She was probably aboard some pirate ship right now, fighting the pirates in a thrilling battle.

"Yeah! I've always believed in you, Kuta."

After hearing this, anticipation appeared in Kuina's eyes.

Ahua and the other two also hurriedly nodded.

They all believed that the road ahead would bring them even more wonderful people and scenery.

Kuta withdrew his gaze and turned toward the sea.

His voice rang out, filled with excitement and anticipation.

"All right, everyone. The Freedom is setting sail! Our adventure begins now!"

A day after leaving Gollome Islands, their excitement had faded and they had returned to normal.

Kuta continued his great undertaking of basking in the sun at the bow.

He basically didn't train anymore.

That was because ordinary training equipment was completely useless to him now.

The only thing he could do was expend Armament Haki without restraint, hoping to improve the quality of his Haki and strengthen Zankū as soon as possible.

Kuina spent most of her time training, much like Zoro had aboard the Merry.

The rest of the time, she drank tea, read newspapers, and chatted with Kuta while basking in the sun.