A/N: New chapter. Don't read if your heart isn't prepared. Also, when I said no happy beginnings I meant it.

Sir Godot: There will be a expanded crew. Haven't decided if I should leave any out yet.

blackfirekingkoncor: Not completely far off from where this fic is headed.

Xerzo LotCN: You're going to love the ending to the East Blue Arc. Very funny punchline I have lined up.

Orchamus: Glad my humor didn't fall flat. Also, the buster call went to the wrong island, but that doesn't mean someone didn't cause the signal to come from the wrong place...

Z-Breezy: No. Well at least not for the foreseeable future.

Forzarismo: Thank you for the kind words. I think you'll like this chapter a lot.

pipi69: You're about to find out

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. Duh.

Chapter 3: Coordinates 45-6-9-21-7

Luffy and Zoro boarded the Navy vessel waiting to leave, each one carrying bags of supplies and clothes that were quickly handed off to the marines to be taken to their rooms. Luffy was wearing black undershirt, blue knee length shorts, brown laced boots, and a customized navy jacket that had flames sewn into the bottom edges, yet still having the word 'justice' along the back. That was really more of a personal joke because the brand of justice he was going to unleash would be very different than the Navy's. Zoro had on his usual attire.

"Okay men, let's move out!"

"Yes sir," shouted the men in unison. The gangway was pulled in, anchor raised, sails opened, all done in less than two minutes. The entire town had come out to see them off, each marine saluting, and each citizen waving. Before leaving however, Luffy decided to put on one more show.

"Fire…" The teen took aim at the large blemish still towering above Shells Town. "Fist!"

A large column of fire shot out from Luffy's fist, shooting over the entire town in spectacular fashion, finally hitting its target and evaporating Morgan's large statue into nothing. If the crowd wasn't cheering then, they certainly were now, praising the very ground he stood on. The Straw Hat turned to his current crew, which consisted of 50 kidnapped marines and a sleeping Zoro. Not a bad start.

The ship slowly picked up speed and Shells Town was just a blip on the horizon in no time. Luffy was about to sit down on a barrel before Firmen rushed over, saluted, and then asked a pressing question.

"Sir! To what location are we headed?"

Luffy rubbed his chin a bit in thought. That was until he remembered something one of the marines had told him during their fill in.

"Zoro!" The swordsman opened one eye in question.

"What's up?"

"You up for the toughest fight you've ever had?" Zoro smirked and gripped the handle of Wando.

"Always." Luffy smirked as well and subconsciously touched the brim of his hat.

"Jackson!" A tan marine with the sleeves cut off his marine shirt and a blue bandana tied around his neck, sitting on top of the mast, looked down and asked what was wrong.

"What island did you say a pirate fishman docked on," asked Luffy, his next island already in mind.

"The Conomi Islands! Cocoyashi Village to be exact, however, no one has been able to help out because they are too strong to challenge.

Looks like it's their lucky day. "Maybe it is time that changed. What do you say men? Do you think we can take down the big kahuna of the East Blue pirate scene?"

A loud cheer erupted from the marines. Some actually started high fiving and running around with no outlet to put their energy into. Guess this would be every low level marines dream. To help takeout a former Grand Line pirate.

"Yo Zoro. Get your lazy ass up and teach some of these guys to properly hold a sword. Everyone get out your weapons and get to deck!"

Multiple pairs of boots were heard running down to the lower level where weapons were stored. Most (30) had swords, while the overs were totting pistols, rifles, and other assorted weapons. Firmen had dual pistols and dual karambit knives on his belt, left blade being a rose red and right an ice blue tint. Jackson also had a specialty weapon in the form of a large sledgehammer object, although it looked more like an almost rectangular rock that wasn't carved completely placed on a 5 foot long stick. Hey, whatever works.

Zoro went through the ranks, having to adjust the stance and grip of most. One guy was actually holding is sword by the blade. After a few minutes of minor fixes, the training was ready to begin.

"Okay," started Zoro, "let's start with a simple downward slash," spoke Zoro, drawing his Wando. He demonstrated the move perfectly and waited for the marines to do the same. The failure was more than spectacular. Most couldn't seem to swing exactly straight, while others tripped on the way down. Needless to say, Zoro had his work cut out for him.

While this travesty of swordsmanship happened, Luffy worked with the others. During this rather disheartening training session, the Straw Hat captain noticed that Firman and Jackson were actually quite quick with a blade or really any weapon. Both shot better than any of the East Blue marines that specialized in rifles.

"Firmen, Jackson. Can you come over here?"

The two exchanged a looked and walked over to Luffy, each saluting.

"Can you two explain why you're both far above the others?" It was Jackson that responded first for a change.

"Well you see sir, me and Firmen are transfers from the Grand Line. We've only been to the East Blue for 6 months. Neither I nor Firmen however, made a rank higher than private first class. Apparently, the Navy in the East Blue was lacking, so a few Grand Line privates were sent to each Navy branch."

Luffy nodded in understanding. Of course these men would be more experienced in that case. They could also be very useful later.

"Hey, you guys wouldn't mine teaching the others a thing or two about shooting a rifle would ya?"

"Will do captain."

The two went over and started providing sound guidance to shockingly incompetent East Blue marines. One had even been holding his weapon upside down. Luffy shook his head and went back over to Zoro, who was leaning against the railing of the large Navy vessel.

"They learn anything?" Zoro breathed out a sigh in frustration and rubbed his green hair.

"Uh…I finally got them to swing straight."

Looking over, all thirty sword totting marines were swinging downward in something close to unison. Impressive considering what they had been doing just a few minutes ago. Their stamina would need work however, as many were already struggling to breath and sweating profusely. Most were about stop until Luffy gave some extra incentive to keep going.

"Whoever stops first has to fight me!"

Talk about renewed strength. The marines awakened power they never knew existed, all signs of fatigue gone. Some even picked up the pace, downward striking ever two seconds with fear filled gusto. Zoro's eyes widened at this, wondering what made the marines so scared of Luffy. All the captain had said was that he stole a Navy ship, but now the swordsman realized that most likely wasn't the whole truth.

Zoro went over to a rifle totting marine and asked him bring out some weights. The man nodded and went down to the lower levels. After few minutes, that man called for some assistance. Then those two called for assistance. Soon, six men were attempting to lift this box of weights upstairs, grunting with extreme effort.

Finally, after thirty minutes of work, the six brought it up and laid the container it in front of Zoro, who had had fallen asleep.

"Sir!"

The moss haired man woke with a start and lifted his gaze to the tired marines.

"We have brought the weights sir," shouted the young boy in front named Chars, saluting with the other six marines. He couldn't have been more than eighteen years old.

"Good, now start lifting." The teen exchanged a look at his buddies.

"What?"

"I want to see how strong you guys are right now, so get to lifting." Not ones to disobey orders, or argue with a really scary swordsman, the marines began. However in their weary state, most could pick up no more than 25 pounds. Zoro shook his head in disappointment, almost disgusted.

"Pathetic."

The swordsman then picked up three hundred pound dumbbells in each arm and started pumping iron. Many who were witness dropped their jaws in shock that a human could accomplish such a thing. They didn't consider Luffy human, so nothing the captain did shocked them as much.

Speaking of, Luffy was setting up sparing matches to gauge everyone's strength. But to kill two birds with one stone, he set the matches up into teams of three to gauge the teamwork as well.

"Oi, you guys can rest now," spoke Luffy to the thirty sword totting marines, still practicing their downward strike. At the sound of the word "rest", multiple men fell to the floor in a near stroke. Air seemed like a rare commodity, considering none of the men seemed to be able to get any in their dry, swollen, and nearly closed over lungs. None were able to hold their swords for a single more second, causing a loud clattering sound when each one fell to the deck floor.

After this scene, Luffy looked around to see that most of the marines were very tired, even the ones not part of the swordsmen marines.

"Ok, everybody take five. Maybe ten."

The fifty marines all started stretching, catching their breath, and going to get something to drink from the kitchen. What Luffy didn't see was anyone start cooking in the kitchen, which he found rather odd. Everyone, including himself, was at the least craving something to eat and at the most completely famished. Any reasonable cook would have read the room and put something on the pot. Maybe they were waiting for orders?

"Um, whoever the cook of this ship is, could you start preparing lunch?"

Firmen responded quickly, running up to his captain. "The two cooks on this vessel died before you took command sir. Died of dysentery. In all the excitement we forgot to mention it. So sorry."

Luffy sat on a barrel and pondered for a second. This wouldn't do at all, there had to be a solution. Zoro walked over to Luffy, scratching the back of his head.

"Oi, maybe there is an island or sea restaurant somewhere?"

"Psh, I believe island, but sea restaurant? There is no way something like that exist. Not around here anyway."

Before anymore could be said, someone on lookout screamed that there was a ship wreaked victim in the distance. Everyone on deck look to Luffy for orders. Well, not like were in any particular hurry.

"Steer the ship starboard and go save him/her!"

As the ship came closer to the cast away, they immediately noticed that the boy was young. No older than 15. Once they pulled in next to him, Jackson descended on a rope and took the child in his arms, then proceed to be pulled back up by Zoro. The child was laid down gently. Once on deck, Luffy discerned that he had seen this kid before. Pink hair was a pretty rare trait, especially for a male.

The marines crowed around the child and stared intently. His clothes were ripped to shreds, clearly had been in the sun to long, multiple cuts and bruises, and smelled horrendous. Everyone recoiled at the sent, except for Luffy and Zoro, who were staring rather indifferently.

"Take him to the infirmary."

Three marines walked over, hoisted the boy up, and walked down to the third level. Luffy rubbed his face and told the crew to drop anchor for now. Then he called Zoro, Firmen, and Jackson over.

"Hey guys, you feel that?"

Zoro look at Firmen, Firmen looked at Jackson, and Jackson looked at Zoro. Then in perfect unison, with eyebrows raised and heads cocked to the side, replying:

"Eh?"

Luffy scratched his head, looking for an explanation. "You know that feeling you get, when there is something dangerous in the area and you just kind of feel it. Come on, you guys know."

To some extent they did. Everyone alive has felt that at some point, but the way Luffy spoke almost made it seem like a 6th sense. Weird. But all this talk was starting to get to the men. Zoro even subconscious touched Wando's hilt.

"What are you getting at Luffy," asked Zoro, who was now looking behind his back. Firmen and Jackson were doing the same, looking at each flank.

"I'm not entirely sure…"

"Purupurupuru!"

"AAAHHHHH!" Zoro, Firmen, and Jackson fell on the ground in surprise at the sudden noise, desperately trying to reach their weapons. In an instant Wando was being brandished with flare, two karambit knives were flashing in the sun, and a sledgehammer was swung around with vigor. Luffy walked past the shaken men to find out where the sound was coming from.

"Purupurupuru!"

Looking around, Luffy noticed a small compartment in the side of the mast. He walked over and pulled a small knob, flipping out a flap and reviling a ringing Den Den Mushi. Interested in the device, the captain picked up the handset. Immediately afterward, an official voice began broadcasting to the ship.

"Pirate Commodore Don Krieg has been spotted in the vicinity of 45-6-9-21-7! Multiple civilian causalities expected. If single vessel, do not engage! Repeat, do not engage! Approximately 30 through 50 ships spotted. Repeat: DO NOT ENGAGE! Navy Branch 16, 8, 77, 83, and 6 have been diploid! Do not engage if in the vicinity! Repeat: DO NOT ENGAGE!"

The line went silent. When Luffy looked up, all of the marines were on deck with weapons in hand. Looking at them, it was clear they wanted to help in this battle between an apparent pirate commodore and most of the East Blues marine force.

"You guys want to fight this Krieg guy?"

Everyone nodded bravely, ready to prove themselves in battle. Zoro stood with a small smirk along with Firmen and Jackson. Arlong could wait awhile.

"Well I say we engage then."

A cheer with up from the marines. Some even started high fiving with each other. Before Luffy, the chances of them ever seeing actual combat was slim to zero. Now look at them, about to battle one of the most notorious pirates in the East Blue. This would also usually be a time for alarm, but this new captain gave them confidence. The confidence that maybe victory could be attained and justice would prevail.

Everyone rushed to their stations. Their navigator went upstairs to steer the ship in the new direction, the mast were open to full, and engines were at max power. Luffy noticed that they were still headed in the same direction and asked what was up.

"Sir," shouted the young recruit called Chars, "We were already in route to target sir. In fact, this location is relativity close to Arlong Park."

"What is this place? Island? Reef?"

"No sir. Based on the coordinates, it looks like the battle is taking place at the sea restaurant Baratie."

"Thank you Chars." The kid nodded and ran off to help haul weapons from the storage to the deck. Zoro appeared behind Luffy, shit eating grin and all.

"So, who was the one that suggested a sea restaurant again? I cannot seem to recall."

"…"

"And who was the joker that said they didn't exist? Darn, my memory today is just terrible. Hey captain, do you remember?"

Luffy rubbed his face in frustration, anger, and slight embarrassment. "Let it go Zoro."

The swordsman instead cupped his ear like he was trying to listen better. "What was that? Did I hear an 'I was right'? Is that what I heard?"

The Straw Hat groaned a walked away, Zoro laughing in the background.

Sanji was currently in the fight of his life.

No matter how many men he struck down, ten more took their place. Some had guns, while others wielded swords. Many cuts adorned Sanji's body, along with bullet grazes and full on bullet wounds. There were just so many men. Most shooting from the relative safety of their ships, while others got in close with melee weapons and pistols. Sanji's legs were currently on full display, with large black bruises with blood oozing from each pore, bone showing in some places. His pant legs were ripped at the hip, shoes barely even present anymore.

The combat had taken its toll sure, but what did it was the constant need to deflect cannon balls from the Baratie. At first it had been doable, because Krieg was using regular iron cannon balls. They had been easy to kick away and launch back at the enemy ships. But then came the impact balls that exploded on contact. When the cook had tried to deflect one the first time, the explosion nearly killed him. The worst part had been that both impact and regular cannon balls looked exactly the same, so it was just a gamble when deflecting a cannon ball whether it would explode or not. After 50 cannon balls and 27 explosive balls, his legs were basically fucked.

And even with his vigilance, the Baratie looked like Swiss cheese. It was actually incredible that the Baratie was still floating and not entirely destroyed. The restaurant was completely surround by the more than 50 ships, of which Sanji had destroyed three. Barely even a shitty dent.

Looking to his side, the blonde saw a bullet riddled Patty attempted to reload the Meat Ball of Doom cannon he was so proud of. But once he finished, the cook could no longer lift the bazooka off the deck no matter how much effort was exerted. Patty blinked through tears, pain searing at his nerves. Coughing harshly brought up large clumps of blood, which added to the already large puddle of blood coating the fins of the Baratie. Glancing through hazy, unfocused vision, the cook saw Carne's headless body slumped over in a pool of chunky red soup. Early in the fighting, a cannon ball blew his cranium and upper torso to a red mist.

"RRRAAAGGG!" Patty lifted the bazooka for one last attack. In the process, dozens of pirates fired at him, completely ripping his torso and face apart. No longer possessing the strength to even utter the name of his special attack, the cook simply pulled the trigger and closed his eyes eternally. His attack backfired, seeing that the bazooka boasted a hairline crack from deflecting bullet fire. The weapon exploded, charring and twisting Patty's corpse.

Sanji didn't have time to morn, or even acknowledge that increase to the death toll. He was currently in the process of being surrounded by thirty vicious pirates, dodging and ducking each saber swing. This usually wouldn't be a huge strain, but as stated, his legs were fucked and the fighting had been taking place for more than three hours.

"Party Table Kick Course!"

For the 108th time that day, he spun on his hands, kicking each man in the face. Once back up again, Sanji had a moment where no one was trying to end him. Looking around, nearly all the cooks had fled or died in battle. A fate Sanji expected of himself at the moment.

Zeff was currently fighting as well, kicking with the force of a train. But with each kick, some power was lost behind it. Some energy was draining.

The ex-pirate had at least five gunshot wounds in his chest. A slash from a swordsman put a large cut across his left eye and took some of his nose. Half of the rope mustache Zeff had been so proud of was gone. However, he fought on.

Twenty pirates ganged up around the wounded man, each slashing at his flesh like animals. Zeff's back was torn open like paper before he had a chance to evade. Using what power he had left, the head chief jumped high into the air and landed with a hard drop kick to the fins. The shock wave created blew back the crowd of pirates like ragdolls.

"He…he. Cheeky brats thing I'll die t-that easily," huffed out Zeff. Then out of no were, a large iron orb hit Zeff on the crown of his head, busting it at the seams. The old pirate still did not fall however, jumping backwards to face this new foe. Blood bubbling from his scalp trickled down to his eyes, obscuring vision to a pinkish veil. This pirate was clearly different, sporting tonfas instead of a regular sword or gun. He had a grey jacket with a red dragon, dark rings around his eyes, and short spikey hair. With a mere flick of the wrist, the left tonfa was sent into a spin.

"Time to die old man. Captain's orders and all."

Zeff grinned despite it all. "Bring it on brat. I've got over twenty years of ass kicking under my belt."

From a distance, Sanji saw this encounter happening and ran to help. All the cooks may be dead, the Baratie may be on the verge of sinking, he may even die, but as long as Zeff survived he wouldn't be a completely worthless failure. However, someone intended to stop that from happening.

A swift moving pearl-studded iron plate crashed into Sanji's head, nearly knocking it off. The downward strike hit with such force that when his head connected with the deck, it busted a hole right through it.

"Oh I'm sorry, were you going somewhere."

Amazingly, Sanji lifted his out the hole; a feat comparably to mankind landing on the moon. Like Zeff, his head was bleeding profusely and was somewhat dented. Through willpower and sheer willpower alone, he rose to his feet on shaking hands. This action was met with a pearl-embedded slam to the back, actually sending him through the wood this time and into the water. When floating up, Sanji was face down in the water.

"Hehe, another one falls to my might." Pearl turned and begin to walk off. By doing this though, Pearl missed the face of death lifting out the sea water. Sanji damn near kicked off air as he jetted towards Pearl, leg pulled back for a death strike to his back.

"Mutton Shot!"

Sanji's foot hit Pearl directly in between his shoulder blades, one of the only non-protected spots. The force nearly knocked the Krieg pirate's shoulders out of alinement, broke the collar bone, and turned three top vertebrates to dust. Pearl flew forward at an incredible velocity, clearing the fins and crashing through a random Krieg ship in an explosion of wooden splinters.

Sanji didn't revel in his victory however, immediately looking for the fight with Zeff and Kreig's right hand man. The fight was surprisingly still going.

Zeff did a quick roundhouse to a low swipe, but Gin jumped out the way in time. He swung his tonfa at Zeff's face, but it was blocked by a right arm, which broke in the process. The ex-pirate jumped back again, going into a coughing fit and muttering 'damn brat'.

Former Red Foot tried a quick kick with his peg leg, but was blocked with the round tonfa end. Then with lighting quickness, Gin slammed his other tonfa into the artificial leg, shattering it pieces. This attack cause Zeff to lose balance for a second, which gave Gin a perfect opening for an upward tonfa strike to Zeff's chin. The chief fell to the ground with a broken jaw and nearly collapsed windpipe.

Sanji sprinted forward, time moving in slow motion as Gin pulled out a sawed off shotgun and leveled it at Zeff's head. But then as Gin pulled the trigger, without turning around, he lifted the Gun to the side and shot Sanji dead center of the chest. When it only slowed his sprint, Gin fired again into Sanji's chest.

The cook however kept moving, half conscious and barely still alive. Gradually his pace slowed to a walk, then no movement at all. Blood completely soaking his skin and clothes, eyes nearly glazed over. His body going in and out of shock, wreaking various amounts of pain through his body. Sanji and Zeff make eye contact, neither able to speak because of their injuries.

"Sanji"

"Yea geezer?"

"I just wanted to say I'm glad I saved that day."

"Zef-"

"Follow your dreams boy. Find the All Blue for me."

Sanji stares at him in befuddlement, but cannot reply because the Krieg Pirates had started to board the fins.

"G-Go-o-d bye, Ze-ef," chokes out Sanji through a mouthful of blood. Zeff wheezes, trying to pass air through his swelling throat.

"Good *cough* by-e, S-S-Sanji." A single tear trickles down Zeff's cheek. Gin, seeing that the final exchange between them is over, lowers his gun and pulls the trigger, blowing an apple sized hole in Zeff's head.

The very next second, a barrage of explosive cannon balls hits the Baratie, blowing the restaurant into splinters and rocking the sea. The only thing Sanji has yet to lose is his life now. But just as Gin raises his shotgun, someone from a ship yells:

"Marines!"

"Marines are here!"

Gin looks Sanji dead in the eyes and jumps off the platform, disappearing into the smoke. Tears and blood mix on Sanji's face. He may still be alive, but he actually has nothing. The sea cooks dead bodies strewn throughout the slowly sinking platform seem to scream out to Sanji in anger. At his failure.

With nothing left to do or see, Sanji closes his eyes and waits for the end.

A/N: I'm a monster. But what do you guys think of some of the marines? Do you like the interaction?

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