C1 Red Hair's Invitation

In the East Blue's Windmill Village, a boy named Lin Mo, clad in a black T-shirt, pushed open the tavern door at noon, just as he always did.

"Makino, the usual."

Without hesitation, Lin Mo took a seat at the bar.

"Coming right up." Makino, the tavern owner with dark green short hair and a headscarf, selected a bottle of fine, aged wine from the cabinet. She uncorked it, poured a glass, and set it before him with a smile.

As the sole tavern in Windmill Village, it welcomed regulars not only from the local area but also many passersby from other villages.

The patrons here favored strong spirits, though occasionally children like Luffy would drop by. Since the kids weren't drinkers, the tavern also stocked a variety of fruit juices.

This quiet ten-year-old boy was the first child Makino had ever served who actually enjoyed alcohol.

Lin Mo took a delicate sip from his glass.

"How is it?" Makino inquired with a smile.

"Not bad," he replied.

Suddenly, the tavern's entrance buzzed with activity.

With the door swinging open, a jovial voice rang out, "Yo, Lin Mo's here too."

It was none other than Red Hair Shanks.

Yasopp and Roux, followed by the rest of the Red Hair Pirates, burst into the tavern, calling for Makino to bring out the drinks.

Red Hair settled next to Lin Mo, removed his straw hat, and placed it on the counter—this was before he lost his left arm saving Luffy.

Makino fetched the finest bottles for the occasion.

Red Hair popped open a bottle and took a hearty swig, then, chuckling, clapped Lin Mo on the back. "Hahaha, kiddo, did you come up with an answer to my question from yesterday?"

Lin Mo set his glass down with a calm demeanor and replied nonchalantly, "I refuse."

"Eh? Such a flat-out refusal? You're not giving me any face at all," Red Hair feigned heartbreak.

The Red Hair Pirates erupted in laughter.

"Hahaha, the boss got turned down!"

"Can't even win over a little kid, boss, that's not like you."

"Ahahaha, keep at it, boss, we're rooting for you!"

Red Hair then took another generous gulp of wine and joined in the laughter as if it were all in good fun.

The Red Hair Pirates' merriment was infectious, and Lin Mo, a transmigrator, found himself laughing along with them.

Indeed, Lin Mo had transmigrated to this world, and ten days had already passed since his arrival.

His boon as a transmigrator was the traveler system, which presented him with a sign-in task at each designated location.

But signing in wasn't as simple as just reaching the sign-in zone; he had to wait for the progress bar to fill completely.

The criteria for filling the progress bar were somewhat mysterious. Upon his arrival in Windmill Village, the bar had only reached 30%. A drink at Makino's tavern bumped it up another 30%. Then, after befriending Red Hair and sharing a drink with him, the bar soared to 90%.

Once the final 10% was achieved, Lin Mo would be ready to head to the next sign-in zone.

But since meeting Red Hair a week prior, the progress bar hadn't budged.

"Hey, kid," Red Hair suddenly looped an arm around Lin Mo's neck, chuckling, "Ever thought about what you want to do in the future?"

"Set sail, enjoy good food and drink, take in the world's vistas," Lin Mo replied, shrugging off Red Hair's arm. "I aim to be an unbound traveler."

At that, Red Hair burst into laughter, pounding the table. "Ahaha, a traveler? With your talents, don't you think that's a bit of a waste?"

Talent?

Had he noticed something?

Lin Mo remained silent.

Red Hair pressed on, "Kid, others might not see it, but you can't fool me."

They had been formally acquainted for less than a week. Despite appearing to be a reticent ten-year-old, Lin Mo occasionally expressed insights and declarations far beyond his years.

While Lin Mo's remarks were often the subject of ridicule among the tavern's patrons, he never took offense or engaged in disputes. If not for his youthful appearance, Red Hair might well believe he was conversing with an adult seasoned by many tales.

In a nutshell, despite their brief acquaintance, Lin Mo's easygoing nature meant that he and Red Hair hit it off immediately, quickly becoming friends who could chat about anything under the sun.

Moreover, while Lin Mo's abilities might not be apparent to the average onlooker, they certainly didn't elude Red Hair's perceptive gaze. He was convinced that the kid had fully awakened all three forms of Haki!

Haki is a latent power nearly everyone possesses, an innate ability manifesting through one's aura, killing intent, and fighting spirit, among other things. These intangible sensations can be harnessed into a formidable force, turning willpower into a weapon. There are three types of Haki: Kenbunshoku Haki, Busoshoku Haki, and Haoshoku Haki. While most people can develop these powers with training, achieving mastery, especially of Haoshoku Haki and the highest level of Kenbunshoku Haki, is not a feat accomplished overnight.

To awaken and master both Busoshoku Haki and Kenbunshoku Haki by the age of ten is a clear sign of exceptional talent. But to also possess Haoshoku Haki, a rare ability found in only one in millions, is extraordinary. And Lin Mo is just ten years old! That's downright frightening.

But Red Hair's admiration for Lin Mo doesn't stop there. When he first laid eyes on the boy in the tavern a week ago, he recognized the presence of the Three Haki within him, albeit in a raw and unrefined state. Since then, he's witnessed the boy's aura grow increasingly steady and his strength surge with each passing day.

Red Hair was certain that no one in Windmill Village was capable of mentoring Lin Mo. The fact that the boy was strengthening and stabilizing his Haki on his own was remarkable, a feat beyond the reach of most, particularly in such a short span of time.

It was clear to Red Hair that Lin Mo was an extraordinary kid. Had they not been meeting daily, he would have found it hard to believe that anyone could experience such a rapid and astounding rate of growth.

He was utterly convinced that this youngster would soon become a figure who would rock the entire world.

That's why Red Hair extended an invitation to Lin Mo to join his crew yesterday, allowing him a night to mull it over.

Despite the recent rejection...

No matter how gifted or quick to grow, how far could a ten-year-old child really make it alone on these perilous seas?

Red Hair didn't want Lin Mo, still in his formative years, to meet his end in the ocean's depths.

"You've awakened the Three Haki already, haven't you? With your talent, being just a traveler is beneath you," Red Hair persisted, unwilling to give up. "Join my crew. We'll see the world, feast on meat, drink our fill, and live freely. Plus, you'll gain a crew of companions you can trust with your life."

He had been found out.

Truly, he was destined to be one of the Four Emperors.

As Red Hair had pointed out, with Lin Mo's laid-back nature, life aboard his ship would likely be joyful.

And the prospect of having a band of loyal and fascinating comrades was indeed tempting.

Sadly, Lin Mo had never intended to align himself with any group from the start.

Lin Mo shook his head, resolute. "I'm accustomed to solitude. No matter what you say or how enticing the offer, I'm not interested. My dream is to be an unfettered traveler, nothing more, nothing less."

Caught off guard, Red Hair hadn't anticipated another refusal.

If not for Lin Mo's steadfast gaze, he would have pressed on. "Kid, think it over carefully. You're the first to receive a second invitation to join my ship. Are you certain you won't reconsider?"

Red Hair Shanks was known for his hearty, generous spirit, and his excellent rapport with his crew. He was a man who deeply valued friendship. Regardless of his future status as one of the fearsome Four Emperors, Lin Mo was quite willing to befriend him.

But to become a member of his pirate crew?

Out of the question.

Lin Mo shook his head, declaring, "My mind is made up. No further persuasion is necessary."

As soon as he uttered those words, a notification from the system echoed in his thoughts.

"Beep! Invitation from Red Hair successfully declined. Sign-in progress increased by 10%."

"Beep! Sign-in task for Windmill Village accomplished. Congratulations to the host on acquiring the All-Attributes Chakra Constitution and the Fire Escape technique, Fire Dragon Flame."