The Rubber Hero

Sitting in the classroom across from the homeroom teacher, he gave me a sharp look.

– So, Luffy... –

– Yes, sensei? –

– What do you want to become? – he asked.

This question caught me off guard, and I thought for a moment.

– I don't know. – I leaned back in my chair. –

– I see... – the teacher sighed, pulling out a paper from his drawer.

He walked around his desk and handed me the form.

– Luffy-kun... I know you're an orphan and don't have anyone to guide you down a set path. – the homeroom teacher looked at me – That's why I recommend you think seriously about your future. You have good grades, a sense of humor, and a strong Quirk. – he smiled – Good luck, and if you decide, my doors are always open for you. –

– Alright... Thank you for everything... – I nodded, smiling slightly, and left the classroom.

– Don't forget to fill out the form! – he shouted after me.

Hah... What a pain...

Walking down the school hallway, I started thinking about what to do next.

What do I want?

I wanted to help the orphanage, and I did... I wanted to get stronger, and I got stronger... Now what? Should I set a goal like "Find the right school!" or "Find the perfect job!"...

Either way... it's nonsense.

If I think about it, in my previous life, I worked so hard to get close to big names and work under them.

Every day felt like a trial I followed. Everyone I knew quit, while I kept pushing forward. That's what led me to my death, and then I ended up reincarnated.

Now... I don't want to work under someone else's command. My dream is to be free, like a pirate... Man, I'm really starting to sound like Luffy.

But still. I can't just randomly choose a profession, though in this life I have a much better chance of getting into any school.

– It'd be nice to be like Saiko... – I sighed, remembering my friend – She's rich, can get into any school she wants... No... With the kind of money her family has, she doesn't even need to go anywhere. –

Thinking about Saiko made me feel a bit nostalgic.

Saiko and I became friends during a contest. After she won and the orphanage received donations from many people, she started visiting the orphanage often.

She was a really sweet girl. Always aiming for her goals and planning everything ahead.

Of course, she thinks I saved her while I was unconscious, and I don't want to know why she thought that, since I didn't really do anything... But it was fun with her around.

But it didn't last long.

Saiko left the country to study with other gifted and influential kids. Of course, she tried many times to convince her parents otherwise, but her parents... they're really strict.

After that, she disappeared and cut ties with me.

I tried many times to call her, tried to reach out on social media... She ignored me.

I hope she's okay, because... even though she could be annoying and get in the way when I was busy, because of that... it felt like I lost something.

For now, Saiko and Itsuki haven't met, but maybe... they could have become friends...

Ah... no...

They're like two sides of the same coin...

Well, maybe one day our paths will cross again, and we'll smile like we did in our younger days.

For now... I had Itsuki. She's the only one my age who's friends with me. Sure, I made a few guy friends from other classes, but our interests were... too different.

– Oh, Luffy! – Itsuki called out, interrupting my thoughts, walking toward me with boxes in her hands. –

– They loaded you with work again, Miss Class Rep. – I smirked, taking a few boxes from her.

– Haha... – the redhead laughed awkwardly – What can I do? The teacher asked me to bring all the tests we've taken over the years. – she said energetically.

– You say that because you can't refuse anyone... – I looked at her skeptically.

– Maybe... – she sighed – Ugh... I want ice cream. – she pouted, looking out the window.

– What am I gonna do with you... If I don't buy it, you'll blackmail me... –

– What are you talking about? – Itsuki smirked playfully.

– I remember when I almost got killed by sensei... because someone couldn't take no for an answer... – I recalled that painful hit on the head.

– Sorry. I really went too far back then... – she said sadly.

– Don't worry about it... It's in the past. We're adults now. –

– Hehehe... – she giggled – You say you're an adult, but you still can't dress properly. –

Looking at her, I smiled. She only acted like this in front of me.

Itsuki Kendo – my dojo master's daughter. She's my age, like Saiko.

Looking at her now, I'm amazed. It's only been three years, but she's become so pretty... A C-cup at fifteen, seriously... Did I end up in some anime?!

Now I look at myself reflected in the windows, thinking, man, I'm lucky to be friends with a girl like her. Smart, pretty, energetic, and cheerful.

Meanwhile, I'm just a regular guy, 174 centimeters tall.

And the way I dress... well... is pretty relaxed.

Instead of pants, I wear black shorts. A white shirt, unbuttoned near the top, and hanging from my neck is my uncle's straw hat.

I always carry it with me, though I have to take it off during training and school so it doesn't get taken away or damaged by accident.

On my feet, I always wear slippers, which I like.

Wait... I really am turning into Luffy...

– I like dressing this way. And I use the excuse that it gets in the way of my Quirk. –

– You're always like this... – Itsuki said ironically, then remembered something – By the way, where are you planning to apply? Did the teacher give you any advice? –

– Nah. He just told me to think about it since my grades are good... Oh, and he asked me to let him know once I decide, and gave me a form to fill out. –

– Why don't you become a hero? – she asked – You train with Dad all the time... Even more than he trains with me. –

– Sounds like jealousy. – I smiled.

– But it's true. – she pouted.

Chuckling, we reached our destination, dropped off the boxes, and headed home.

Today was a short day since it was set aside for consultations.

– If you think about it... – I looked up at the blue sky – Even our senpais ended up in the hero course... – I whispered.

– Did you say something? – Kendo asked.

– Ah? I was just thinking that I can't become a hero. It's really not for me. – I replied – Just imagine... me, a guy who loves to slack off, becoming a hero. Brr... –

– You're weird, Luffy. – the redhead told me.

– And you're just now realizing that? – I smirked.

– It's just... Everyone dreams of becoming a hero. – she thought aloud – Even in our class, some are aiming for the hero path, while others gave up because of weak Quirks and got into good schools instead.

– Itsuki. – I stopped her – Thanks for caring about my future, but I want to decide for myself, please. – I asked, smiling.

– Yeah... sorry... – the redhead sighed, a bit guilty.

– Stop being gloomy. I'm treating you, so let's go get that ice cream. – I grinned at her.

– Yay! – she cheered.

....

Now... I was sitting in the orphanage yard, watching the kids play.

After a while, a few of them came over to me.

– Luffy! Come play with us!

– Yeah... You look sad just sitting there watching us.

I smiled, ruffling the hair of the two little angels.

– Thanks, but I'll pass.

– Booo!

– Lucy's mean! You've stopped playing with us lately!

They stuck out their tongues and ran off to play again.

– Hah... – I sighed – What a pain...

Lying down on the grass, I watched the clouds until an old man sat down beside me.

– Well, what do we have here?

– Beat it, old man... I'm thinking about the future.

– Ho-ho! That's quite the trouble... – Touma said.

Sighing, I looked at the old man, the former orphanage director.

– Gramps... I don't know what to do. – I decided to open up.

The bald old man just stroked his beard.

– And what's so hard about that? Don't you have a dream?

– Hah... That's the thing. I don't dream about anything... – I sat up – When the orphanage was falling apart, I made it my goal to help you guys, and I did that. When I thought there were too many villains who could attack us, I decided to get stronger, and I did that too! That's why I'm lying here depressed, watching clouds.

– Luffy... Those aren't your ambitions or goals...

– What? – I looked at him in surprise.

– My boy... – he patted me with his wrinkled hand – That was just a scene you created. You didn't want the orphanage to fall apart because you wanted comfort and freedom. You wanted to be a winner so you could feel at ease while everyone ran around happily with you, and you wanted to get stronger so you could protect yourself.

– B-but...

– You want to look like an adult, but you're still just a kid.

– ...

I fell silent and kept listening to him.

– Look... – he pointed to Miyu, a nine-year-old girl from our orphanage – See how she's playing doctor?

Miyu was using a toy stethoscope to listen to the other kids' hearts.

– Miyu really wants to become a nurse. – he then pointed at another – And he's going to be a good soccer player.

It was the same boy who called me "Lucy." His name was Mariamu.

Touma continued pointing out all the children in the yard.

All of them... had a goal...

But I didn't... just like the old me...

– Luffy. – Touma called out to me – Now think, what did you want to be before you fell into a coma... No, even before that...

Before... what?

If I think about it... why did I want to get stronger? Why did I help the orphanage? Why do I keep trying?

No... it's that goal, buried deep inside me.

All these kids were inspired by someone real, just like I once was.

The person I wanted to be like was...

"What?! You want to be like me? Fine... Then get stronger and head toward your adventures with your head held high! Be like me! A free traveler!"

– Shanks... – I smiled, remembering my childhood and my uncle's stories.

– Looks like... you remembered.

– Yeah, thanks... I'm going... – I said, pulling the form out of my bag and running off.

Luffy ran off as the old man smiled at his back.

– No, thank you, Luffy. You let me see so many happy faces I would have lost... Now it's your turn to chase your dream.

....

Luffy ran. He sped up so fast that the wind rose behind him, leaving hot footprints in his wake.

Where he was heading – was the dojo. The place where he learned martial arts under his master.

Without hesitation, he jumped over the wall and landed in the small garden.

The boy used Observation Haki to find Muramatsu, and he was right inside the hall.

– Sensei! – Luffy shouted, sliding open the paper doors.

– Oh, Luffy. I was just...

– Sensei! I've decided what I'm going to do!

Muramatsu raised an eyebrow, but when Luffy handed him the form with his dream written on it, a smile spread across his face.

– Ha-ha-ha! Good... I approve of your path, Luffy. –

– Yeah. –

On the form Luffy had been holding all this time, his goal was written:

"I WANT TO BECOME A FREE HERO WHO WILL TRAVEL THE WORLD!"

– Luffy... There's something I wanted to tell you. – Muramatsu said – Since you've trained under me for three years without giving up, I hereby declare your training complete. – he surprised his student – You're free now.

Luffy grinned widely and bowed to Muramatsu, his master.

– Shi-shi-shi! Thank you!

And so... Luffy found his new goal. He would become a free hero, traveling the world like his uncle once did.

His Will of D. would spread across the world, and he would become known as the storm that shakes the villains of the world.