Genre: Humor

Characters: Luffy, Makino

Rating: K

Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece.

Luffy was feeling very disappointed. He was just seven years old and he had already his whole world coming down to crush him. First Shanks had told him that he wouldn't take him into his crew because he's too small and cannot swim. Even cutting his own face to prove his toughness didn't change the pirate captain's mind. Then he ate the weird fruit that tasted yucky and Shanks told him that he won't ever be able to swim, so no chance of being able to join the Red Hair crew in the future. And then the bandits came and it turned out that Shanks was actually a weakling and a coward. That had completely destroyed Luffy's image of his hero, but it made him feel better about not being allowed into his crew.

"Stupid Shanks," he muttered. "Who'd want to be in his crew anyway?"

"Don't be so angry at him," Makino said with her typical kind smile. They were alone in her bar, the Red Hair crew having left a while earlier. Luffy didn't go to see them off, thus breaking the tradition he had started when Shanks' ship had first landed in Windmill Village a year ago. "He does it to protect you."

"I don't need protecting," Luffy grumbled. "I'm strong. And I have an awesome power. Look," he stretched his arm. "I'm going to be a famous pirate. Much better than Shanks can ever be."

"Sure, but you have to grow up first," Makino replied. Luffy scowled. Why did everybody insist that he was a little kid? He wasn't. He was seven already. "I have something to help you with it." She showed him a plate with a steak on it.

"Meat!" Luffy cheered. His bad mood had vanished the instant he saw his favorite food. He grabbed the steak and bit into it, savoring the taste on his tongue. But as he tried to eat it, he noticed something wrong. He didn't let it deter him and pressed on. But a minute later he had to admit defeat. He lay the steak back on the plate.

"Why can't I chew the meat?" he asked, thoroughly confused.

"That's strange," Makino mused. "Hmm... let me see your mouth." Luffy opened his mouth, stretching it wide so she could see better. "I think I know what's the problem," she announced after a minute.

"What?" Luffy asked eagerly.

"Your teeth have turned into rubber."