In this world, only a handful of beings could pose a genuine threat to Ye Chuan. Probably only Imu, hidden in the Holy Land Mary Geoise, and...
His gaze inadvertently drifted toward Luffy, who had started horsing around with Zoro after Zoro contradicted him.
...And this fellow, who bore the name of Nika... the Sun God.
But right now, Luffy had absolutely no idea of his Gum-Gum Fruit's true nature.
Everything would only truly come to light two years later.
Ye Chuan gathered his thoughts, walked over to a relatively quiet spot beneath a mast by the rail, and casually sat down. He addressed the Straw Hat Pirates, who were still horsing around:
"I don't intend to join your crew. I just want to hitch a ride into the Grand Line."
"Carry on with your ceremony. Don't mind me."
His attitude was clear and distant.
Hearing this, Luffy stopped horsing around with Zoro.
He looked at Ye Chuan, scratched his head, and muttered:
"What a weirdo... But you saved us back in town, so of course you can hitch a ride! Hee-hee!"
"Hey! Luffy! Don't trust some guy we know nothing about so easily!"
Nami and Usopp warned him from the side, looking somewhat worried.
But Luffy clearly hadn't taken their words to heart.
Sanji shrugged too and moved the barrel back to the center of the deck.
"All right, boys! And Miss Nami!!"
The five Straw Hat Pirates each planted one foot on the barrel, facing the guiding light ahead that marked the entrance to the Grand Line:
"I'm going to become the Pirate King!"
"I'm going to become the world's greatest swordsman!"
"I'm going to find the All Blue!"
"I'm going to draw a nautical chart of the entire world!"
"I... I'm going to become a brave warrior