"This is a restaurant that welcomes only customers." That's a lie. I thought watching a half starved injured pirate get beat up by Pati "A poor pirate like you I won't give a crumb to." Before beating you up first. I added to myself.
Today was just one of those days... those days where nothing goes your way. Been having a lot of those lately. I thought as I watched Pati pummel this poor man. But today takes the cake, a hole blown in the ship, an annoying marine officer, and now a pirate shows up. I wasn't in the mood for the usual show and was stuck listening to Pati beat this guy up but I figured the less I protested the faster it would end.
When it was finally over I retreated to the kitchen passing the imbecile that shot the cannon that blew the hole in the ship on the way. He was just starring up at me with these big eyes. Probably a simpleton. I thought as I passed him while he starred at me. The doors swung shut behind me and I rolled up my sleeves tuned out everything else and whipped up something for the pirate.
When it was done I took the plate and went out to search for him. I knew that the others usually dumped them out onto the second floor deck. Sure enough I found him there face down on the deck. I put the plate of food next to his head and he turned towards it.
"Here have some of this" I tell him before leaning against the railing, lighting a cigarette, and sliding down to sit on the deck, leaning my back against the railing. The pirate lifts his head as the smell of the rice reaches him.
"Ah!" he sits up and begins scarfing down the food. The next thing I know there are tears running down his face. I look away to give him some privacy but he speaks, barely legibly enough to hear him with his mouth full.
"I don't want to be ashamed but this is the most delicious rice I have ever had. I don't want to be ashamed but I did not think I was going to make it" He sobs. tears mixing with crumbs of food on his face. The look in his eyes is half crazed. It is a look I know all to well. There was a time when I was that hungry. I smile
"It's really delicious right." I murmur laughing to myself. then the sound of an actual laugh reaches my ears, an obnoxious laugh. I look up following the sound to the source and see the boy with the hat leaning on the third floor railing. His head rests on his elbows that are crossed on the railing.
"I've found a good..." I can hear him murmur, but the rest of his words are lost on the wind. Then he announces
"You are really cool. I want you to cook for us." Whose us? I noticed that it does not sound like a wish but more like a congratulations. What an idiot congratulating me when I have not said yes.
"You're almost dead Haha." the little prick laughs looking past me at Gin.
"Hey chef. would you like to join me. Please become my pirate chef."
"WHAT!" He is a pirate? I have never seen a pirate look as stupid, he is not scary at all, no way is he a pirate. This guy is an idiot.
The boy starts telling us about his crew. Only four other people. what kind of pirate crew is that small? He comes down from the third floor to perch in the railing a few feet from me. He looks like a simpleton, talks like a child, but there is something about the way he sits now, the ease in his movement, the balance that he has sitting on the thin railing that oozes something else that I can't quite put my finger on, he moves like a predator and talks like a child.
"So your a pirate? Why did you fire the cannon?"
"It was an accident, caused by self defense." But still an idiot.
"I want to warn you not to do anything stupid here. Zeff used to be a very famous pirate." I tell him.
"What the old man was a pirate" he exclaims excitement dancing in his eyes. Its been a long time since I have met someone who didn't know Zeff. He must not be from around here.
"For the old man the restaurant is his treasure" his eye light up at my words I wonder if they will glow if I say the word pirate flag, or ship, I ponder briefly before continuing.
"Besides every chef here used to be a cold-blooded pirate, and pirates are our major customer."
"No wonder this restaurant is in chaos."
"That is usual some of our guests come to see our chefs fight pirates. That is why all the part time chefs quit."
"That is why I have to work here for a year, anyway," the pirate plowed on "would you like to join me?"
"Sorry I have a reason to stay here." Looking up at him the atmosphere had changed. Instantly the boys face formed a snarl not unlike a jungle cat.
"No I refuse." He growled.
"HUH? What do you mean?"
"I refuse your objection you are a very good chef, so I want you to become a pirate with me." What the hell? How on Earth can someone be this moronic? What the hell does he mean, "I refuse," he does not get a say.
"Hey, Hey would you listen?"
"What is your reason?" he demanded, "tell me." I almost did,
"I don't have to tell you." I said annoyed at this pirate's rudeness.
"But you just told me to listen to you."
"I mean that you should listen to others you little brat! Don't you understand?"
"Don't call me a brat. Or I will beat you up." he snarled his eyes practically glowing with rage.
"Excuse me." Came a voice from the side.
"WHAT!" we both shouted at him. Oh its Gin. I completely forgot about him. I realized, surprised.
"My name is Gin and I work for the Krieg pirates you're a pirate right? What is your goal?"
"My goal is the One Piece. That is why I am heading to the Grand Line." His grin was back on his face.
"You said that you're looking for a chef. I guess you don't have many crew members right?"
"Now I have five people including him." he announced gesturing to me.
"Who told you to count me as a member?"
"You aren't a bad person so I want to warn you not to go to the Grand are still young so don't waste your life there. It is just one part of the ocean." The pirates grin was gone again.
"If you want to become a pirate you can always go to other places
"Really? Why do you know so much about the Grand Line?" It was the first time he seem to be focusing his complete attention on something. So he does not listen that is annoying.
"No I do not know a thing about that place that is why I am so afraid"
"Why is a Krieg pirate such a wimp
"Krieg what?" asked the straw hatted pirate
If he has never even heard of Don Krieg that it is hopeless may as well cut this conversation off now. I got up and Gin followed suit.
"I gotta go now" Gin said and he scaled down to a tiny boat tied to the restaurant and got in.
"Anyway I'll go to the Grand Line." Luffy yelled at him.
"Hahahaha that is up to you I don't have any right to stop you." Gin laughed
"Hey KIDS" Came Zeff's voice I looked back and the plate Gin had been eating from was still out on the deck I quickly threw it overboard.
Luffy looked over his shoulder as well "Its that old man."
We saw Gin off, and scrambled back inside when Zeff yelled
"SANJI, SERVANT. Get to work now."
In the next hour I found out very quickly why Luffy, as he introduced himself, was a pirate. It was simple, he was not good at anything else. He broke every dish that he washed, ate every dish of food he could get his hands on, did not want to do any work and was currently putting boogers in one of the customer's drinks.
Maybe he was trying to out smart Zeff by being such a horrible worker that Zeff would be forced to let him go. I glanced over at him again and corrected myself, there is no way that he has enough brain power to think of that. It was at that moment that my eye caught on the most beautiful treasure I had ever seen. She was sitting across from the moss hair guy laughing. With her red hair, she was magnificent and I found myself drifting towards her. She is sitting with the rest of his crew so I wonder if she is in his crew? If she is a part of the crew then sign me up!