The smell of salty sea air hung heavy in the wind as Ventus overlooked the seaside. He wasn't exactly sure where he was. It seemed like an island village of some kind, far more rustic than the Land of Departure. Straightening himself up, Ventus began to walk the dusty road toward the town square, wondering if Terra had been here (though probably not, now that he thought about it).

It was by no means a fancy town, but Ventus had to admit, there was a certain charm to it. It seemed fairly quiet, a few buildings here and there with a farm and a few windmills in the distance. Just as Ventus passed a noisy tavern, however, he heard footsteps behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a shifty looking bunch. Not wanting to make a scene or cause trouble, though, Ventus just kept on.

"I'd have never seen any places like this if I just stayed back home." Ventus mused to himself. Just as he made his way toward the farm, however, he heard a crash in the direction of the town. Whirling around, Ventus could see the shifty bunch exiting the tavern, laughing and taunting whoever was inside. Narrowing his eyes, he saw a tall man in an overcoat with long black hair and a thin beard exit, saying something about cowards. As they started off, Ventus hurried down to the tavern to see what all the commotion was. Entering the tavern, he saw what he could only guess were a band of pirates all seated throughout the place. At the bar, however, he saw a man with red hair and a straw hat sitting against the bar, covered in grog as a little boy with a bandage on his cheek uttered silently in disbelief at him. There wasn't a sound in the building at all. Ventus was still trying to guess just what had happened before he heard "You really got your ass kicked, captain!"

The whole tavern erupted into riotous laughter, even the injured captain who sat on the floor chuckling with them. What was Ventus looking at, he wondered.

"Captain Shanks! Why were you such a coward!?" the little boy spat suddenly, everyone laughing hard at this outburst. "You didn't have to take their crap! You could've handled those lame mountain bandits!"

"Luffy, you'll grow up someday." the one he called Shanks said as he rose to his feet, wiping his face of liquor. Taking a closer look, Ventus saw his his youthful face had three straight, thin scars across his left eye, as if he had been scratched by an animal of some sort. Just then, however, a couple of pirates looked to the door and spotted Ventus and shot from their seats, brandishing guns and swords and holding them for him as he watched nervously. No way he could take all of them.

"Who are you?" one muscular pirate with long black hair asked, a long cigarette clenched in his teeth as he raised a long matchlock rifle to Ventus' face. Shuddering, sweating, Ventus stepped back, his heart pounding. He was a goner.

"We're just bull shittin'" the smoking pirate suddenly said, the whole tavern laughing once more as they returned to their drinks. Ventus didn't know if he should be relieved, amused or angry. Was this a regular thing for this world?

"C'mon in, kid." Shanks said, holding a hand wet with alcohol out for Ventus, who gave himself a mental slap and took to captains hand, giving it a shake. "The name is Shanks. Captain Red Hair Shanks. You just passing through?" he asked as his crew returned to their drinks and food, the little boy still looking unimpressed.

"You could say that." Ventus said, taking a seat at the bar as he wiped his hand off on his pant leg, the pirate captain taking a seat next to him, sighing lightly as he did.

"Sorry, but we just ran out of booze." a shipmate said, though Ventus waved it off as the captain ordered a meal.

"That's okay, I don't drink." the young Keyblade wielder said flatly as he looked over the selection of food.

"How 'bout you, Luffy, you hungry?" the captain asked, turning to the boy who buried his face in a juicy fruit. "Guess not." he smirked as Luffy gave a loud belch. Ventus smiled as the drunken buccaneers around him feasted and sang. This now seemed like quite a lively planet, far different from the strict life he lead back home. Just as a meal was served to Shanks, however, the clatter of the little boy's chair caused all eyes to turn to the lad, a scowl still on his face.

"What's eating you, Luffy?" a fat pirate asked as the boy huffed and stuck his nose up in the air. Stomping off, Shanks made a grab for his wrist.

"Hey, Luffy," he began "there's no need to- WAAAAH!?"

The tavern stared in disbelief as the young Luffy's arm began to stretch like rubber as he walked away, Ventus toppling off his seat at the sight. What was this?

"Shanks, what's goin'- AAAAARGH!" Luffy screamed, shaking in a frenzy at the sight of his elongated limb.

"Hey, lookit that!" another seaman called, pointing at a small treasure box lying open on the hardwood floor. "That's... that's the Devil Fruit's box!"

"Luffy!" Shanks snapped, jerking the boy close like a lasso. "Did you eat that... that Gum-Gum fruit!?" Luffy shuddered in place "Luffy, that fruit makes it so your whole body is like rubber." Shanks went on, both Luffy and Ventus staring with wide eyes. "And it makes it so you can never swim ever again!" At this, Luffy's jaw (literally) hit the floor. Never be able to swim? But then how would he ever fulfill his dream? It was a secret he kept from everyone, but now what was the point.

"Is there anything we can do to cure him?" Ventus asked, stepping up to the duo, only for Shanks to give his head a shake.

"There's nothing... Luffy's cursed now and forever by the fruit." he said, Luffy standing there in awe. Ventus couldn't blame him. Not only was his body like rubber, but now he could never swim, which clearly was an issue considering he lived on an island. Poor, kid, Ventus thought-

"This is awesome!" Luffy called, jumping up. "I can't wait to go on the next voyage like this!" he cheered, proudly stepping to the tavern doors.

"Hey, wait a minute, Luffy!" Shanks called. "You can't go on any voyages now. Just think-" was all he said as little Luffy exited the tavern without a care in the world, Shanks staring in disbelief.

"Is he usually like this?" Ventus asked, Shanks massaging his temples.

"Luffy's the biggest goof you'll ever meet." the fat pirate chuckled as he returned to his meal (though Ventus wasn't sure how anyone could have an appetite after witnessing that).

"I'm gonna have to find some way to break it to Luffy." Shanks said glumly. "He can ever go out to sea ever again... it's way too dangerous, now." Just then, the sound of Luffy screaming could be heard outside. Jumping up to his feet, his men gathering up their arms, Shanks peaked his head out the door and growled.

"You lot know what to do." he said as he poked his head back inside, the long haired pirate with the matchlock nodding and quietly leading the other mateys out the back, Ventus wondering what was going on out there.

"Newcomer." Shanks said to him. "What's your name?"

"Me?" Ventus said automatically. "My name it Ven." he said, inching closer to the door. "What's going on out there?" he asked, Shanks looking out once more. Stepping quietly up behind Shanks, Ventus' eyes went wide as the head bandit from before held the struggling Luffy up by the scruff of his shirt.

"Can you help me save Luffy? I'd really appreciate it." he asked. Ventus wondered why this pirate would trust him so suddenly. "Hey, kid, can you give me a hand or what?" Shanks asked again, Ventus nodding. Sure enough, he had only just met this lot, but Luffy was still a helpless child and the pirate Shanks seemed like a decent man.

"Alright, his back is turned, let's move, an' follow my lead." he said sharply, walking briskly for the two in the square. Immediately, Ventus followed up behind him, the two making their way straight toward the bandit holding the struggling child.

"Hey you!" Shanks called with a smirk, the bandit leader turning to look at the duo. "Mind letting the kid go? You might hurt him."

"Shanks!? What d'you want!?" Luffy snapped, his eyes full of tears. Ventus was surprised at how Luffy was behaving. They had just shown up to save him after all. Shanks, however, was unfazed by this.

"C'mon, he's just a boy." Shanks said lazily. "Why don't you just let him-"

"This little runt had the nerve to bump into me." the bandit leader sneered in a vain tone. "Then he insulted me, insolence he clearly picked up from you uncouth pirates."

"I told you the truth. Captain Shanks can take you any day-"

"Shaddup, Luffy." Shanks interjected, narrowing his eyes slightly. "C'mon, can't you just give him a slap on the wrist and toss him to me?" Shanks said, Ventus wondering how Shanks was able to keep his cool so well. It reminded him of Aqua. "I'll rough him up for ya, I promise-"

"What!? What d'you mean, Shanks!?" Luffy spat, struggling in the bandit's grip. The bandit leader, however, just gave a smirk as a pack of Unversed shot up behind him, Ventus summoning his Keyblade. Again, Shanks made no movement.

"What's with those Unversed?" Ventus demanded, the band snorting at this.

"They answer to me... perhaps they recognize Higuma the Bear as a real leader of man... and Unversed." he sneered. "Enough talk." he said finally, drawing his sword. "Time for this little ant to die-" CRACK! The sound of a matchlock filled the afternoon air, Higuma's sword flying from his hand as he dropped Luffy in shock, the boy running off crying. In a flash, Shanks unsheathed his blade and shot for two Flood chasing Luffy, slicing them down like they were nothing. Ventus watched as he and his motley crew jumped into the fray, blasting and slicing down Unversed everywhere, cheering and hollering like they were having a party. Just then, he saw it. Higuma stepping slowly through the crowd. What was he up to? Just then, it hit him. He was walking calmly through the rampaging crowd toward Captain Shanks, the pirate's hands full with a mass of flying and slashing Unversed. Ventus got it now. If what that bandit said was true, and he could command the Unversed, this was all part of his plan!

Rushing into the ravel of Unversed and pirates, Ventus summoned his Keyblade and swung just in time to block the bandit's sword from running through Shanks, who barely had enough time to turn and see Ventus holding away Higuma. He would have been a goner were it not for Ventus.

"I don't think so, punk!" Ventus sneered, smirking at the unfazed bandit. "Sneaking up on Shanks while you let your lackey Unversed do all the dirty work? What a joke!" At this, however, Ventus was tackled by a rather fat Unversed, pinned to the ground as it began to swamp him.

"That was quite rude." Higuma said lazily, stepping up behind Captain Shanks as he held off two Unversed. He was completely helpless!

"LEAVE SHANKS ALONE!"

Everyone turned to see Luffy running full speed for them, crying and waving his arms all about.

"Luffy, don't" was all Shanks was able to say before Luffy swung his fist for the bandit leader. This would not have been at all shocking were it not for the fact that Luffy was several feet away from the square and his arm stretched several meters straight for the bandit's nose, knocking him flying through the rioting crowd. Even Luffy was shocked by what he had just done. Clearly this was the work of the Gum-Gum fruit. Ventus didn't have any time to worry about this as he kicked the big Unversed from on top iof him, slicing it in two as he jumped to his feet. As more and more Unversed began to swing and dive to and fro, the pirates had their hands full as the Higuma tried to make a break for it.

"Oh no you don't!" Shanks called, cutting down a number of Unversed. Diving this way and that, he managed to somehow make it through the crowd without a problem. After he managed to do this, however, all the Unversed stopped, the fighting buccaneers subsiding a moment later. Why would the Unversed suddenly stop? Just then, they saw why.

Higuma, flanked by two Flood, strolled calmly back into town once more, holding Luffy up once again.

"Let Luffy go, bitch!" Shanks snapped. "I ain't gonna tell you again!"

"You seem to care an awful lot about this little ankle biter." Higuma said in a haughty voice. "Maybe I should run him through." he said with a smirk, Shanks roaring out, stomping in place.

"Just let him go!" he called. "Luffy's my friend, you spineless bandit pig!"

"Say goodbye, little boy." Higuma taunted, smiling as Luffy cried and thrashed in the bandit's grip. Just as he was about to slice into the boy, however, he dropped him to the ground as one of the Flood impaled him, the bandit leader staring at two bloody claws sticking through him in disbelief. Ventus couldn't understand it either. The Unversed had turned on him? Before he could ponder this a moment more, though, every Unversed in the town square lunged for Luffy, the two who had run Higuma through flinging him back with incredible force, all the way into the sea with a splash. Immediately, the pirates did their best to hold back the rampaging beasts as Shanks rushed forward, throwing his arms around the boy and turning just in time to hide him from the two Flood chased him, both swinging their claws down at him. Rushing, Ventus dove over the ducking captain and twirled with his Keyblade, cutting down the two Unversed as the pirates easily fended off the attacking horde, now that they weren't interested in their attackers. Within seconds, the square was clear of Unversed.

"Well, you okay Luffy?" Shanks managed to breathe, the boy sniffling in shock.

"Y-y-yes... but Captain Shanks..." Luffy sniffled, throwing his arms around the friendly pirate. "What about your arm!?" he howled, sobbing into the now one-armed pirate's side. Sure enough, Ventus saw, the Unversed had torn the captain's arm off when he tried to protect Luffy. It was a sickening sight.

"You're safe, kid, that's all that matters." Shanks said as he held Luffy close. "No need to cry."

Ventus was reminded strongly of Terra... and the masked boy's words. There was no way Terra would ever turn into a different person. He and Terra were just like Luffy and shanks. The best of friends.

Ventus smiled as he watched the pirates load up their ship, ready to set sail once more.

"You're never coming back, Captain Shanks?" Luffy breathed behind him, Ventus turning to see the bandaged captain converse with the little boy.

"It's the pirate's life, Luffy. We need to find another place to call home. You'll understand when you get older-"

"Then I'll grow up fast!" Luffy called proudly, Shanks laughing with a few of his mateys. "I'll get real strong an' start a crew of my own!" he said proudly. "I'll be the greatest pirate ever! I'll be better than anyone!"

"Like what, the King of the Pirates?" Shanks taunted, Luffy staring at this. Ventus hadn't been in this land for long, but he got the feeling this was more than just a fancy title.

"Y-yeah! That's right!" Luffy stammered, hopping up and down. "I'll be King of the Pirates!" he cheered.

Maybe Shanks took pity on his boyish dreaming. Maybe he thought little Luffy had what it takes to back up such a claim. Either way, he reached with his one arm for the straw hat on his head and placed it on Luffy's, the brim dropping just above the boy's eyes.

"I'll meet you at the Grand Line, then... Captain Luffy." Shanks said, strolling off to the ship with his crew. Ventus and Luffy watched as the whole town gathered to see their friends off, everyone waving and cheering, a small handful of them crying. They could both tell, the future held great things for the both of them.