beenjammin0421: Hey, thanks! That's kind of what I was going for, we've got enough crazy to go around, a little common sense would be plenty of good. Glad you like the story, I already have some ideas, I hope you'll like the changes you'll see.
''Hmph, this'll be a piece of cake!'' Krieg declared, still managing to hold onto his arrogance despite everything. ''The only pirates around are a devil fruit user and another tired one. They don't stand a chance. Attack!''
His crew readily followed the command, hurriedly getting up to swarm the Baratie. Any who went near Luffy and Miguel were quickly defeated by the former, who had noticed how the latter seemed to be in the middle of casting a spell and so would help ensure that they don't get in the way.
On another part of the ship, Zeff watched the attackers impassively for a few before lashing out with a powerful kick, the wind from which knocked many of them back. ''If you think the kids are the only ones you need to worry about, you're in for a rude awakening.'' The cooks cheered loudly as they agreed to this.
''Oh yeah? Let's see you keep that big talk up!''
But it was soon proven true as many of the Krieg Pirates were sent regretting their actions with the cooks holding their own, helped especially by Carne blasting them with the ship's cannons.
What-or rather who-really tipped the scale in their favor was Sanji. None of the pirates stood a chance before the blond chef, who was beating any adversary with ease with quick and powerful kicks.
Luffy began to grin ''I knew he was tough!''
''He really is clearing out a crowd, huh?''
He blinked and looked left, seeing Miguel join him ''Hey, you okay?''
''I'm not back at a 100% yet...'' Miguel admitted. His healing magic may only be good with wounds and injuries but it had the added benefit of restoring his vitality. ''...but I can keep fighting.''
''Good, then let's go!''
''This is absurd.''
Sanji turned at the voice, finding one of the enemies leering at him ''You're not even fighting with your hands. Do you still think it's not worth going all out?''
''A chef's hands are their life. I have no intention of risking mine now, this style is all I need to fight.''
''You're a fool, that's why you'll lose. I have never lost a battle before.'' The man bragged.
Sanji was unimpressed ''Don't go bragging so much. You guys wouldn't even be here if you were that strong, so if you think you're scaring me, don't waste my time.''
The man looked angry ''Fine, I, 'Iron Wall' Pearl will now defeat you!''
Sanji dodged a couple of his punches before Pearl jumped back and began firing projectiles that resembled cannonballs, but also looked like the namesake. Sanji was quick to avoid them to the best of his ability. Pearl grit his teeth and fired another round fast, almost nailing Sanji a few times and letting him get a couple of punches in.
The cook thought fast and kicked one of the projectiles at Pearl, hitting his gut and leaving him stunned. He took advantage of this to kick him repeatedly, ending the barrage with a final, powerful kick that sent him flying back.
The Krieg Pirates were in shock, not even paying attention to their captain telling them to keep going. The Baratie's cooks cheered, to see one of their own doing so well. Pearl slowly got up, suddenly stiffening as his eyes widened.
He touched the side of his head and cried out ''This is...blood! I'm bleeding...!''
If that wasn't random enough, things got even more confusing as Pearl began to really panic and for some reason, this really worried many of the Krieg Pirates who tried to calm him down.
But it failed as the man proceeded to unleash numerous flaming projectiles, while Sanji made sure to avoid them, a few landed on the Baratie.
''Oi, Pearl! Are you trying to damage the ship we're going to take?!'' Krieg growled.
''Has he lost it?'' Sanji grimaced as the fire began to spread around the restaurant. ''Stop it!''
''What, you getting scared?'' Pearl sneered, ignoring his angry denial. ''I'll finish this now, Fire Pearl!''
The cooks hurried to douse the flames. Sanji ground his teeth and decided to stop this before Pearl made things worse, proceeding to kick the pirate hard then. Before he could go on, however, Sanji heard a voice calling for him to stop and another demanding to know what the deal was.
Bewildered, Sanji looked back to find that the second voice had belonged to Luffy, who was staring at Gin. The man was currently holding a gun to Zeff's head.
''This doesn't have to go on.'' Gin's voice broke the ensuing silence. ''Sanji-san, please...just give up the ship and everyone can go free. It doesn't have to be this way.''
''That's not going to happen.'' The blond replied without hesitation. ''Aim that at me for all I care but I'm never going to surrender the restaurant, got it?''
Gin grimaced, watching as Pearl blindsided the cook with an attack. Luffy started ''What're you doing?! Don't just stand there!''
''If...I fight back...'' Sanji pulled himself up. ''...he's going to fire that thing. I won't risk the old geezer's life.''
Then, all of a sudden, Zeff was surrounded by a violet aura that levitated him and pushed him out of the area. Gin recovered from the surprise and tried to stop this but Luffy, already knowing what was up, punched him back.
''Back off!''
The violet aura receded and Zeff landed near the rubber teen and Miguel, with the man looking at the latter in sudden understanding.
''...You're a bag full of surprises, aren't you, kid?''
Miguel gave a small smile while Sanji sighed in relief, glad that the situation was averted.
''You two shouldn't have interfered.'' Gin said at last.
''We weren't going to run away.'' Luffy retorted.
''You keep acting like that but Krieg made sure we'd be involved, remember? I'm not just going to watch him do whatever he wants.'' Miguel stated. ''If anything, you're the one who needs to stop this. You obviously don't want to follow his orders now, Krieg's not going to win.''
''You're wrong!'' Gin said strongly. ''Don Krieg is the strongest man in East Blue.''
''...You really are a fool if you believe that.'' Zeff remarked.
''That's for sure.'' Luffy agreed. ''I'll fight you now!''
''Fine by me.'' The man returned. ''I'll take you down and help my captain fulfill his ambitions.''
As the two squared off, Zeff glanced at Miguel ''...There really is more to him than meets the eye. You were good at handling things but you're spent after all you've done. Dealing with the small fry would be easy but you aren't up for a fight like that one now.''
''You really are good...'' Miguel returned, some surprise evident in his tone. ''...it's true. I can pull off support just fine but it's like you said, fighting like that is most likely going to get me in trouble right now.''
''Don't feel too bad. It's good to acknowledge your limits. You'd be surprised how many people your age and even older can't even do that.''
Seeing how Pearl's rapid volley of projectiles was causing more damage, Zeff's eyes narrowed a bit ''I'd better get to work then...''
He aimed a single kick at the burning area, sending sharp winds that made the flames die out, leaving many of the observers shocked.
This left Pearl to scowl ''You won't stop this!''
He used another round of Fire Pearls, firing them all at once. As he kicked Gin back, Luffy happened to see them. He wasn't worried, though.
The volley suddenly stopped in mid-air before being thrown into the ocean by Miguel's gravity magic, to general surprise.
''Thanks! I'll make sure he stays down this time,'' Sanji rushed at Pearl, lauching some fast kicks that took him off guard, even causing cracks in the armor. ''Reception!''
The following kick slammed the man's head down and Sanji added another attack. ''Flanchet!''
Pearl crashed down even harder, now clearly unable to fight, to his comrades' disbelief.
''He won?!''
''No way!''
''All right!'' Luffy calmly blocked Gin's tonfa. ''That won't work on me! Gum Gum Spear!''
The sudden attack hit the man hard, leaving him to fall. The Krieg Pirates were in shock that their two most powerful fighters had been defeated. One glance at their captain had many troubled, and for good reason. For Kreig's already short temper was a step short of blowing up and they were wary of his wrath.
''You useless bastards!'' He cried. ''I have to do everything by myself.''
Krieg saw Luffy jump on the broken platform opposite his ''So you've come on your own? Idiot chore boy, you'll lose! I'm not only stronger but you're a devil fruit user, you don't stand a chance.''
Luffy wasn't fazed by his words at all ''That's what you think!''
''Eat this!'' He sent a few arrows from the cross bow that had been on his side but Luffy deftly dodged them. Krieg aimed a punch next, with Luffy ducking to avoid it, seeing that the man's gauntlets had spikes on them.
As they continued to fight, Luffy was beginning to see that Krieg relied on a number of weapons that he could activate easily. The older pirate laughed as the teen jumped back to avoid a burst of fire from his flamethrower. ''Useless resistance! You're not going to win, Chore boy. I'll finish you off, take the logbook and that other brat to help me get through the Grand Line!''
''No way!'' Luffy punched him. ''I won't let you. You're not taking Miguel!''
Krieg righted himself and made to attack, but then both were startled by a few shocked cries coming from somewhere nearby. It didn't take them long to find the reason. Gin was now holding Sanji at gunpoint.
Krieg grinned ''Good work, Gin! Now shoot him!''
Sanji appeared unfazed ''...So this is what it's come to?''
''It didn't have to be like this. All you had to do was leave the restaurant.'' Gin stated.
''I told you before, it's not going to happen.''
''Why? It's not worth this!''
Sanji's eyes narrowed, did he really expect them to simply just bow down and give up because Krieg said so? As if. There was more to it though...
''Chief Zeff saved my life, not only that, he took me under his wing and taught me all he knew. This place means everything to the old geezer. I already took so much from him...his power and dream...I'm going to make sure he doesn't lose this, no matter what!''
Miguel had a feeling there was quite a story there. It didn't change how he felt about the declaration though.
''...He says it like that but...risking one's life would be the complete opposite of repayment.''
If he had looked at Zeff then, he would've seen the glint of approval in the chef's eyes at the words.
Before things progressed any further though, something else happened that threw everyone for a loop.
Luffy stretched out his leg and rammed it against the Baratie. The cooks cried out in shock and alarm while Sanji looked at the teen and Gin appeared bewildered.
''STOP! What're you doing?!''
Miguel thought things over and it suddenly added up. ''...Sorry about him, Luffy means well but he really does come off as too much sometimes.''
Zeff chuckled, knowing that he had caught on as well. ''I don't mind, kid.''
Luffy's next words proved their suspicion to be spot on ''If the ship is gone, they can't have it.''
''It's not that simple. You can't just...do you understand the situation here? I won't let you destroy the ship, I still have a debt to pay!''
''This isn't the way to do it!'' Luffy retorted. ''The old man didn't risk his life so you would throw yours away like this. This way, all he did for you would be meaningless!''
Sanji seemed at a loss of words here and Miguel put in his piece ''He's right. I get that the Baratie means a lot to you guys but it isn't worth your lives. Worse comes to worse, even if it is lost in all this, you can rebuild it. Lives are irreplaceable, that's why no one should treat theirs carelessly.''
''I...'' The blond lowered his head.
''Gin!'' Krieg called. ''What're you waiting for? Move it!'' When his right hand man didn't respond, the man pressed on. ''Shoot him!''
Then, Gin's arm began to shake as he spoke, his voice cracking up ''I can't!'' He wept. ''I have the utmost respect for you, Don Krieg. I'll follow you anywhere but I can't shoot him! This man has shown me kindness I had never experienced before. Please...let's just leave and find another ship.''
Krieg glowered at him, not even considering the speech ''...You have some nerve. You didn't just disobey me, you actually the nerve to tell me what to do. You know I hate feelings getting in the way. You're a disappointment, Gin!''
The man took out a mask, leaving his pirates nearby troubled as they could see where this was going.
''But that means...!''
''The MH5?!''
''He's going to use that poison gas now?!''
They all proceeded to search themselves, some fumbling as they got out their own masks.
''Means don't matter, only the ends do. All I care about is victory, it's true strength!'' Krieg declared, holding the gas bomb in his hand.
Luffy scowled ''What about your crew?!''
''If they were so useless as to be caught up in it then they're weak. They deserve to die.'' He replied readily. ''Gin! Don't you dare put on that mask, a traitor like you don't deserve to.''
''Don't listen to him!'' Luffy said at once.
''That guy only cares about him. He doesn't deserve your loyalty.'' Miguel added.
''You're wrong!'' The man said, to their surprise. ''Don Krieg is the greatest man in the world!''
''How can you even talk like that?! You heard him just now!'' Sanji exclaimed.
''It's what I deserve! I acted in a way that shames someone of my position.''
The three were understandably upset by all this but Luffy hurried to pick up masks, stretching an arm with one towards Sanji. Then Krieg threw the bomb, making it release a purple cloud of poison gas.
''This will put you in your place!''
Seconds later, something flashed and the cloud was encompassed by winds that were growing faster, sweeping up the cloud and blowing it high into the sky before dispersing it.
Krieg's jaw dropped ''What just happened?!''
Having a very good guess, Luffy grinned and looked back, seeing Miguel holding up his wind sword in their direction.
''Thanks, you did great!'' He chirped, Miguel smiled back.
Krieg cursed ''I'll make sure you pay for that!'' Seeing how his threat was once more ineffective made him angrier but before he could do anything, Luffy sprang right back to battle and kicked him.
Krieg activated another weapon, one that released spikes which his opponent manages to dodge in time but the Don proceeded to toss small bombs that caught him off guard.
Undaunted, Luffy pushed through the pain and punched Krieg's side before using a Gum Gum Pistol that damaged the armor, to the pirates' shock. Krieg wasn't finished yet either.
He wiped the blood from the side of his face and scowled ''This is far from over! Let's see how you like my Great Battle Spear.'' Luffy dodged the following swipe which caused an explosion a second later. He was left on the defensive as Krieg kept his assault up, but soon he was cornered as he neared the edge of the piece was of wood they were on, now dangerously close to the water.
Krieg smirked as he picked up on this, attacking once more, feeling satisfied as he hit the mark. His crew began cheering him on but he paid them no mind for the moment as he watched Luffy move back and struck again.
Sanji grimaced as Luffy endeavored to get away from the water, it worked but he was blown back by another explosion in the process.
''He's getting up again? There's no point, that spear's too powerful. The fight's completely in Krieg's favor!'' Sanji exclaimed.
''I wonder about that.'' Zeff returned, noting how Miguel watched things proceed. The look on his face proved that his faith in his captain was still strong. ''Chore Boy's got a spear more powerful than all of Krieg's arsenal.''
''What do you mean?'' His apprentice asked.
''Conviction.'' Zeff replied simply. ''That's what matters most in a fight like this. Here, the one who hesitates will lose. The brat has yet to show any, if anything, he's the worst kind of opponent to face but also the best ally to have on your side.''
Krieg made to hit Luffy again, only to stop in surprise when the teen stomped on the spear's tip, leaving it to fall apart.
''M-my spear! What did you do?''
''I punched the tip five times!'' Luffy replied. ''Now all you have is a bomb on a stick, it won't help you.''
''Oh yeah?'' Krieg scowled. ''Don't bet on it, I can still finish you off. You're barely standing anyway.''
''Yeah, right!'' Luffy was undaunted as ever. ''I'm going to win!''
His opponent attacked again but Luffy jumped and kicked the man's arm, making him drop his weapon. The rubber teen then cocked a fist ''Gum Gum Pistol!''
He sent Krieg into the air with the punch before following up with more attacks that slowly but surely caused cracks along Krieg's armor before finalizing it with a Whip attack that threw Krieg down hard.
''D-dammit...'' Krieg grunted, pulling himself up. He was clearly too stubborn to stop but this had clearly caused a lot of damage. ''...I won't lose, take this!''
He activated a mechanism on his armor, which fired a net that caught Luffy off guard and trapped him. Krieg barked out a laugh ''How do you like that? Now I've got you!''
Luffy quickly realized that there was something he could do here ''No, you don't. Gum Gum Bell!'' Krieg yelled out in pain and shock as the teen's head hit his own, and Luffy angled his leg then.
''Gum Gum Tsuchi!''
The follow up slammed Krieg down on another drifting piece of wood, knocking him out. Gin and all the other pirates were left dumbfounded as they could only stare at their fallen captain.
''Don Krieg lost?!''
''No way!''
''It can't be!''
Sanji's eyes widened when he noticed Luffy swaying in place and hurried to catch, recalling what Krieg said about him being a devil fruit user. It was best not to let him touch the waters, especially when he was so exhausted.
Everyone was left confused when he yelled out seconds later. ''You idiot!''
Carne blinked and called out ''What is it?''
''He's asleep!''
''What?!'' Carne and Patty almost fell over at this. Zeff just chuckled while Miguel gave a bemused look.
''Well, at least it's over...''
Luffy woke up a while later, bewildered to find himself settled on a bed with his injuries addressed. His hat was also on a table nearby. Picking it up, the teen left the room and walked out, pausing when he saw Sanji nearby.
The cook blinked ''Oh, you're up...''
''What happened?''
''Well...'' He proceeded to explain how Gin took Krieg and led the pirates away, stating that he had spent too much time using the man's name to simply leave his side now. Though he wanted to tell Luffy that they would see each other on the Grand Line, a thought that made the teen grin.
''So...'' Luffy blinked. ''...wait, where's Miguel?''
''He's taking it easy too.'' Sanji returned. ''Last time I saw him, he was eating with some of the others. I think he said something about checking up on your supplies.''
''Oh good!'' He said brightly. ''So are you coming with us?''
''No.''
''Why not? Come on, it'll be great!''
The blond gave an exasperated sigh ''Listen, I appreciate it, really...but this is important. I will go to the Grand Line, to accomplish my dream but not before the old geezer acknowledges my skills.''
''What's your dream?'' Luffy cocked his head.
''Have your ever heard of the All Blue?'' Sanji asked in return, earning a quizzical look in return. ''Are you kidding me? It's a paradise for us chefs! See...''
As Sanji regaled him with details about the mythical ocean and Luffy listened with interest, both were left oblivious to the presence of Zeff, who heard every word.
A while later, the two headed to eat but Sanji was surprised to see that there were no chairs at all. Something wasn't adding up...
He was distracted upon seeing some of the cooks taste his soup. Patty's brow furrowed ''...Who made this?''
''I did. Pretty good, right?'' Sanji half-smiled.
''This is a load of slop!'' Patty proceeded to push the plate away.
''What?!''
He wasn't the only one as all the cooks were either spitting the food out, grimacing at the taste or even practically throwing the plate or ladle...
''Ugh!''
''Disgusting!''
''This is the nastiest thing I've ever had!''
''Is there something wrong with your taste buds?!'' Sanji demanded angrily.
''Oi, oi, enough...'' Zeff cut in as he proceeded to taste the soup. ''...remember, we don't waste food here.''
For a moment, it seemed like he would be the one to calm the waters but he just swallowed the mouthful before smashing the plate. ''Not that any of you are wrong, this is awful. Are you trying to put me out of business, Sanji?!''
''What was that?'' The blond's eyes narrowed. ''How is my soup any different than yours?!''
''You've got some nerve! You're a hundred years too early to ever compare your work to mine!''
Sanji grit his teeth and stormed off. Luffy cocked his head and tasted the soup ''I don't get it, this is really good!''
''We know.'' Carne assured, leaving him confused.
''Sanji's skill as a chef are unquestionable.'' Zeff stated. ''We felt that we had to do this.''
''He wouldn't leave otherwise.'' Patty added.
''I think you know by now, brat...'' Zeff continued. ''...but he actually does want to travel, he's just too hard headed to admit it. Would you take him with you?''
''...No.''
''What?!'' Several voices cried.
''Hold on! At least think about it, I mean you asked him all those times!'' Patty pointed out.
Zeff frowned ''Is he not good enough for you?''
''It's not like that!'' Luffy seemed offended by the suggestion. ''But I don't want to force him, he needs to decide to come on his own terms.''
''...I see...''
Little did they realize, that Sanji had overheard the whole exchange.
''...Damn shitheads...''
''That's some family you've got there.''
Sanji blinked at the voice, turning back to see Miguel watching with a bemused look. He snorted ''I don't know if I'd call them that...the idiots couldn't see any way besides this?''
''Well from what you told us, it was obvious that it would take some drastic measures to make you move.''
''...Fair point.''
''So I guess that means you're good to join the crew?''
''Yeah, go ahead and tell your-I mean our captain. I need to sort out a few things.''
''Got it.''
Luffy was delighted at the news, the three of them were on the Baratie's deck with the cooks watching nearby. ''You're really coming!''
''Yeah...'' Sanji walked over to the two. ''...it's about time I get started on my dream. So I'll be the cook on the ship of the future Pirate King.'' He allowed himself a smirk as the teen cheered.
''...Although, I'm sorry you all had to resort to that bad acting.'' The blond added, leaving everyone besides Miguel surprised.
The wizard looked amused ''You could have just let them believed that it worked.''
''Sorry but it was so bad that I couldn't stomach it.'' Sanji shrugged back.
''It's your fault anyway! Everything with you has to be a fight, Sanji.'' Patty huffed.
''Just get going.'' Zeff said gruffly.
''Yeah...take care.''
After a few moments of silence, his mentor spoke ''Sanji, take care, all right?''
The blond stopped in his tracks at the words and looked over at the people he had grown up with for years. He wouldn't admit it earlier but Miguel was right in a way, they were like his family. Sanji found himself thinking back on the times he spent in the Baratie, all his mistakes, all his success, every bit was a special memory for him.
He bowed deeply ''Chef Zeff! Thank you, thank you so much for everything! I'll never forget all you've done!''
Zeff began to smile as the cooks teared up, happy but also sad to see him leave. They had their spats, but Sanji was one of their own. There was no denying that they would miss him, even if they wouldn't admit it. Soon, they all began to call out their own farewells to the blond as the now group of three made to leave. Each of them had their own dream in mind and they were sure to work and make it happen.
However, the priority at the moment was to catch up to the others and find Nami.
And we're done.
Well, I hope this was good. Personally, I like the Baratie arc, thanks in a big part to Zeff. He's a pretty cool character, even more now that I know how deep the bond between him and Sanji actually was. You know, because of the Whole Cake Island Arc and all.
Anyway, next time we're starting up the Arlong Park arc. Thanks for sticking with this story and I hope you keep it.
