A New Plan
Luffy wandered deep into the forest, her footsteps quiet against the earthy ground. The moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting dappled silver light on her thoughtful face. She had a lot to think about before she set sail. Her past life as the carefree, reckless Straw Hat Captain was over. If she wanted to protect everyone she loved this time, she couldn’t afford to make the same mistakes.
She sat down on a fallen log, Padfoot curling up at her side, his dark fur blending into the shadows. Her two swords, Abyss and Asura, gleamed faintly in the moonlight, resting against the log. Tipping her straw hat back, she sighed, letting her thoughts swirl.
“Only a fool repeats the same actions and expects different results,” she murmured to herself. “If I do things the exact same way, I’m bound to fail again.”
Her mind drifted to her nakama, the crew she hadn’t even met yet in this timeline. She needed them—they were her family—but she couldn’t ignore the flaws in their previous journey. While having strong crewmates was essential, sheer strength wasn’t enough. Numbers mattered, too.
Her thoughts turned to Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido. They were powerful, yes, but what made them truly terrifying to the Marines and the World Government was their fleets. Hundreds of ships, thousands of loyal followers, and powerful commanders at their sides. Even if their captains fell, their fleets remained forces to be reckoned with.
Luffy frowned, clenching her fists. "That’s something I lacked. I had powerful nakama, but we were just one ship. One crew. That’s why the Marines could take us on. That’s why we were vulnerable.”
She thought of Garp, her grandfather. As strong as he was, even he couldn’t oppose the World Government outright. They would’ve retaliated by targeting their home, her village. The thought of Makino, the mayor, and everyone else being hurt because of her made her blood boil. She wouldn’t let that happen.
“Then I need a fleet,” she decided, her voice firm. “I need numbers, ships, and commanders I can trust. Just like Whitebeard protected Fish-Man Island, I’ll protect my home—and more.”
Her mind raced, forming a plan. She thought of Alabasta and Vivi, her kind-hearted princess friend. Alabasta was a crucial kingdom, and if she helped Vivi early enough, she could offer her protection in return. Then there was Drum Island, where she had met Chopper. The people there suffered under Wapol’s tyranny, but she could liberate them earlier and bring them under her protection as well.
“If I’m going to build a fleet, I need allies,” she said to Padfoot, who tilted his head at her. “Not just nakama. Allies who will fight for something bigger than themselves. And I’ll need territories . Places where people know they’re safe because I’m protecting them.”
The more she thought about it, the more sense it made. She couldn’t fight the World Government or the Emperors with just brute strength. She needed influence, strategy, and resources. And she needed to start now.
---
A Plan Takes Shape
Luffy spent hours in the forest, mapping out her strategy. She would follow her original journey, gathering her nakama, but with changes.
First, she would save Zoro as before, but she would strengthen him faster, using what Mihawk had taught her. She would push him to become the swordsman she knew he could be.
Then, she would find Nami and help her free Cocoyasi Village from Arlong, but instead of moving on immediately, she would strengthen her crew and make alliances. Arlong’s defeat could send a message to the Fish-Man population, opening the door for potential allies like Jinbe later on.
Alabasta would be a key turning point. She would protect Vivi and her kingdom, and in return, Alabasta could become a part of her fleet. Vivi wouldn’t just be a friend—she’d be an ally with resources and influence.
Drum Island would be next. By defeating Wapol earlier and installing a fair leader, she could ensure the island’s loyalty.
Every island she visited could be an opportunity to gain allies, resources, or territory. By the time she reached the Grand Line’s halfway point, she would have more than just her crew—she would have a fleet.
---
The Goal
As the sun began to rise, Luffy stood, her straw hat casting a shadow over her sharp, determined eyes. Padfoot wagged his tail, sensing her resolve.
“This time, things will be different,” she said, gripping the hilts of Abyss and Asura. “I’ll protect my nakama, my home, and everyone who needs me. And when I become Pirate King, it’ll be because I built something worth protecting.”
She adjusted her swords and began the walk back to the village, her mind clear and her heart set on her new path. This time, she wouldn’t fail. This time, the Straw Hat Pirates wouldn’t just be a crew—they’d be a force to be reckoned with.