| abstract | - Luffy was born in Foosha Village in East Blue. When he was seven years old, he met and befriended a crew of pirates led by a captain named Red Haired Shanks. Luffy was inspired to become a pirate by Shanks and his crew. He once stabbed himself with a knife under his left eye to prove himself to Shanks so that he could join them in their adventures. However, later, Shanks refused to bring Luffy, stating that he was still too young to join Shanks' crew. During a scene with Shanks and Higuma, a local mountain bandit that insulted Shanks and his crew, Luffy accidentally ate a Devil Fruit known as the Gomu Gomu no Mi and unwittingly turned himself into a rubber human. Initially, this situation affected Luffy badly as it means he will never be able to swim again, which is a great weakness to anyone who wishes to journey the seas. This, however, does not deter Luffy's dream and he continued aspiring to become a pirate. Later, Luffy stood up to Higuma on behalf of Shanks. However, he was easily defeated and became a hostage. His captors were easily defeated by the Red-Haired Pirates, but the bandit leader Higuma has fled out to sea with Luffy. While out at sea, Higuma threw Luffy in the ocean, only to be attacked by a sea king. Moments later while he was laughing at Luffy, Higuma was eaten. Though Shanks manages to save Luffy, he paid a high price: his left arm was lost to the sea king. Shortly after, Shanks set sail along with his crew, but before leaving, he and Luffy promised each other that one day Luffy will surpass Shanks and become the Pirate King. Shanks then leaves Luffy his straw hat as a parting gift, telling him to return it once he surpasses him.
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