A/N: Hello, I do hope you like this chapter and will continue reading. Past true or not I do not know, and I don't know if it will even mention where Mihawk's Swords came from.

Review Answers:

Tanithlipsky- Thank you, normally I am terrible at the action part in stories where I don't just rewrite the series or show. I read torture and stories that have stuff like that in it, as well as fighting, but I can never actually write things like that. I am rambling sorry.

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Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or its characters


Chapter Twelve: Zoro and Sanji's Fight

Luffy's POV

I got the two out of the water with my Staff before I shook off the sea water over the railing. "What did you just say?!" Usopp asked the duo when they told us she left with all the treasure. Technically it is her treasure. I don't keep my gold and expensive/priceless artifacts on the ship.

"What do you mean by that?!" Zoro asked pushing me out of the way. I sat on the railing as they told the story.

They explained to us what happened making me nod. "You should not have mentioned Arlong, and she is a part of our crew" I told them. "What are you talking about? She said she wasn't anymore" Johnny asked sounding confused. "She is our Navigator and the only one I will accept. We were supposed to go after Arlong after we got Sanji on our crew, you just had to show her the Bounty Posters though" I scolded them.

"What?! You're going after Arlong? Why?!" the duo yelled simultaneously. I jumped over them and onto the railing, ignoring their questions.

"I can see the Going Merry! Usopp?" I asked, getting his attention. "Take Johnny and Yosaku to where the Going Merry is headed. Take their boat" I ordered. "Why me?! Why not Zoro?" Usopp asked, frightened. "Hawky is going to be here soon, I'm pretty sure Zoro wants to try and see how long he will last against him. To see just what staying in the East Blue will get him" I explained it to him simply.

"What are you going to do?" Zoro asked when the duo brought the boat over. "I want to see Hawky and I have to make sure that we get Sanji as our Cook" I smiled. "You are so high maintenance" Zoro complained.

I heard the men on Dan Krieg's ruined ship panic. "It's him! The one who destroyed our Fleet is back!" a man freaked out. "As I said, Hawky is back!" I chimed waving frantically at the older man.

"Did ya get bored again?! You didn't answer me before!" I asked. The man sighed before looking in our direction. "I see you are as energetic as ever, Luffy" Mihawk bellowed. I nodded, smiling from ear to ear. "Of course! I have too much knowledge in my head to act like an adult my whole life" I chirped, crouching on the railing. "Yeah, yeah" he dismissed with a wave of his hand.

"How is Shanks?! Have ya seen him in the Grand Line?" I asked wondering how he's been. "Same as always, still getting drunk with his crewmates and partying" Mihawk grumbled. "Shishishi, sounds like him. Are you jealous?" grinning as my shoulders shook with laughter when he glared at me

A man cursed before he finally stopped stuttering. "What did we ever do to you?!" a Pirate questioned angrily. "I'm just killing time, as Luffy said, I'm bored" Mihawk answered dismissively. I like that Mihawk is like this. He is the polar opposite of Shanks which makes them perfect for each other. Shanks can get him to do stuff he doesn't normally do and Mihawk can calm Shanks down, so he can relax from being a Pirate Captain.

His answer angered the one who spoke enough to shoot at Dracule. The man took out his Busoshoku Haki covered Sword. The bullets didn't even graze the Shichibukai's face or his hair and clothes. I clapped at the display of elegance and nonwasted movement. "W-What?! I was sure I aimed straight for him!" the flustered Pirate yelled.

Zoro appeared on the ship, right behind the Pirate, scaring him when he spoke. He explained what happened in detail. It should not have been hard to understand under normal circumstances, but Mihawk sheathed his Sword too quick for anyone to see.

"He gently changed the course of the bullets with the point of his Sword"

The Pirate said that it couldn't be true, he didn't want to believe someone was that strong. Zoro walked past the man as he asked who Zoro was. The Swordsman ignored his question. "Those Swords… could it be? Are you…" before the Pirate could finish Zoro spoke to Mihawk. "I haven't seen a Sword move so gently before" Zoro praised.

"There is no strength in Swordsmanship based solely on force, friend of Luffy" Mihawk stated making me chuckle. He takes his Swordsmanship very seriously, as well as anyone that Shanks cares about. I don't think Zoro liked being called my friend though. "I am not his friend, I'm his First Mate" Zoro answered as blandly as one could.

"Did you cut up that Galleon with that Sword of yours?" Zoro asked the man. Mihawk nodded saying that he did. "So, you are the strongest" Mihawk didn't say anything to that. I don't think he cares about his 'Strongest Swordsman in the World' title. I know he does a bit as he would never let just anyone have it, but that's as far as his care for the title goes.

"I set out one day with one goal in mind: to beat you" Zoro stated. "That is pretty foolish" Mihawk told him. I only nodded once Zoro slid his Kurikara out of its sheath. I won't stop him. If he wants to fight someone that is stronger than him, that is his mistake.

I know Hawk-Eye won't kill him, or fatally injure him. I also know that he will be impressed by Zoro's current strength of honor and soul. "You have some spare time, so let's fight?" Zoro suggested.

"H-He's Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro! Roronoa Zoro of the Three-Sword Style!" a Pirate exclaimed in fear. "He's a what?!" Sanji asked in disbelief. Balancing on the railing I jumped on the one on the second floor. I stopped right above Sanji. "He's a Pirate Hunter! I decided on my crew members before I set out to sea. You're the next one on my list and I'm not leaving 'till that happens" I smiled. This surprised Sanji but Zeff smirked to hide his surprise.

"We have to go now, Luffy! The Going Merry is going to be out of sight soon!" Usopp called. "I know, you should leave now" I told him.

"A Fight? A weakling like you wants to fight me?" Mihawk asked disappearing from view. In the blink of an eye he reappeared on Zoro's left. "If you were a proficient Swordsman you would see the difference in our abilities as soon as you saw me" Mihawk told him. "Is it courage or ignorance that pushes you to fight me?"

He asked that as though those could be the only reasons. I am guessing the only reason for that is because those are the only reasons he has come across.

"My ambition drives me!" Zoro said putting the hilt of Kurikara in his mouth. "And, I made a promise" Zoro answered. It was muffled slightly because of the Sword he had in his mouth. I was glad that I was given such weird DNA when I was sold. It allows me to change form, my hearing and sight is also better than a normal human's.

"What kind of fight will this turn out to be?" Patty asked making me sigh. "A short, but not tragic, one" I smiled. "There cannot possibly be anyone who can defeat Big Bro!" Johnny or Yosaku said. "Now, now, that's not the case outside of the East Blue" I shook my finger at them. "What are you going to do with that?" Zoro asked.

I turned back to the fight to see that Mihawk took off his Cross Necklace. It was gifted to him by his father. He unsheathed the tiny Sword revealing a part of a Sword end that was jammed into the top of it. The Sword's edge belonged to a Sword that his father cut off another Sword in battle.

"You may have a reputation in the East Blue but that means nothing to me. The East Blue is not called the 'Weakest Sea' for no reason. I do not go all out against anyone who hasn't passed the Grand Line's trial" Mihawk answered him.

He wasn't being condescending or confident. That's how many people are here, weak. There are no Pirates that can cause real trouble here because they are considered weak by everyone in the World. No one even tries to go anywhere else because their wills and dreams are not that broad.

Zoro was insulted by what he said before he ran forwards. "You have no idea how big the World is" Mihawk told the Swordsman. "Santoryu!" Zoro yelled but the small sword was definitely enough for the three longer Swords.

"This is probably what your Captain wanted to show you. You can not live your life in such a small and weak shell" Mihawk said making me sigh. Putting words into my mouth again I see. "You know that's not why I am not stopping him, Hawky! Stop putting words into my mouth" I pouted.

"Big Bro's Santoryu was stopped! That's not possible" Johnny and Yosaku were genuinely surprised by that. "In the East Blue blocking that move is not very possible, but the World is a big place. This is one of the reasons I wanted Zoro on my crew" I smiled.

Zoro slashed repeatedly making me frown. That isn't going to work. He needs to get stronger for his dream to come true. That is one of the things I wanted Zoro to get out of this. The New World is the only place he can get strong enough to get close to his dream. Zoro fell to the ground but he was determined to continue the battle.

Mihawk only clashed blades with Zoro three times before he almost hit the railing. He used it as a platform to jump high in the air before landing behind Zoro. "Your Swordplay is so ferocious" Mihawk commented. The fight was good but Zoro was losing.

When they clashed again, this time with the Sword in Zoro's mouth, it created a *boom* sound and the dust on the ship was blown away in a circular pattern.

They continued the fierce fight and it was obvious that Zoro was going to lose. Mihawk knows a lot more techniques than Zoro does, is stronger than Zoro, has better opponents than Zoro, has more years of training on Zoro, and Dracule isn't even using his Haki-covered Sword.

Zoro was caught off-guard by something, but I don't know what. He missed with his Sword and Mihawk moved to the side making Zoro fall forwards. Dracule hit him hard on the back of his neck. It wasn't hard enough in the right place to kill him though.

Zoro still stood back up after the blow to the neck. He still decided to fight despite knowing he's fighting someone stronger than him. Good. He needs that resolve for the Grand Line. He missed and fell again but a determined look was in his eyes. I know Mihawk is, at least, a little bit intrigued by it.

"What weight do you carry upon your shoulders? You'll have to speak up, weakling" Mihawk challenged. It riled up Yosaku and Johnny. They jumped forward before I held out my Staff. "Freeze!" I ordered seeing them and my Staff's gem glow Sky Blue. Stretching out my arms I pulled them back before I bound their hands in red cloth.

"Unfreeze" I frowned at the duo. I was mad that Mihawk was calling Zoro a weakling as well but the fact that he faced opponents here, in the East Blue, and the fact that Dracule is the strongest Swordsman in the World I can't disagree. Compared to Mihawk and other Swordsman in the Grand Line and other seas, Zoro is a weakling.

"I will not lose!" Zoro declared before using a move. Everything turned black and white and grey when he did. The formation he used was familiar. I think he called the move 'Tiger Trap' or something like that.

Before he could complete the move though Mihawk stabbed him with his small Sword. Gritting my teeth when I saw this I made sure I wouldn't move until Zoro at least fell over. "Why aren't you doing anything? Are you just going to let me pierce your heart without putting up a fight? Why won't you withdraw?!" Mihawk asked.

"I don't know why I'm not withdrawing…" Zoro started. "I do know that if I took one step back, all the important things from the past like pledges and promises will be shattered. I feel I will not be able to get back to where I am now if I stepped back either" Zoro answered him. "That is what defeat is all about" Mihawk answered the man. "Even more reason to now withdraw" Zoro said.

"So, you would rather die?" Mihawk asked. I smiled through my gritted teeth. "I'd rather die" he confirmed. That is similar to a strong bond to an activity of some kind. One person may rather die if they no longer have the ability to do it anymore. Mihawk took a few steps back before sheathing his tiny Sword.

"What is your name, kid?" Mihawk asked. He acknowledges Zoro as a Swordsman! I was giddy about that. Zoro did an odd motion with his Swords before stating his name. Mihawk put his small Sword back around his neck before speaking.

"I haven't seen someone like you in a while strong one…" he grabbed the hilt of Yoru as he spoke. Yoru is one of the twelve Saijo O Wazamono and a Black Blade Sword. "I will trounce you with the World's Strongest Black Sword" Mihawk announced holding out his Yoru. He said he would because it is out of courtesy for the 'Code of Swordsmanship' that Zoro follows. "Appreciate it" Zoro sounded glad. Now it definitely won't last long.

I gripped the railing really hard, feeling/hearing it splinter before Zoro was about to move. "Three Swords Style Secret Technique! Three Thousand Worlds!" Zoro called as the two attacked the other. Mihawk had attacked a second before he finished saying the move's name.

Zoro's two Swords broke at the same time that blood splashed onto the deck from his wounds. I know he won't die from it, so I wasn't completely worried about his safety. Zoro dropped to a knee saying he never imagined that he would ever lose. From the look on Mihawk's face I can tell he doesn't want this battle to end yet.

Zoro sheathed his remaining Sword before he stood, arms stretched wide. He turned to face Mihawk confusing the latter. "What are you doing?" Mihawk asked.

"Scars on a Swordsman's back is their greatest shame" was Zoro's only answer. It was an admirable thing to say to Mihawk. That is exactly what he said to.

He slashed Zoro's front but the angle didn't allow any deep wounds. Or fatal ones. "Big Bro!" Yosaku and Johnny yelled as I gritted my teeth. I don't want to do something stupid for something as grave as an open wound. Untying my Bottomless Pouch, I opened it taking out the First Aid Kit again. It won't do much, but it can at least be useful.

Seeing Zoro fall into the water I turned to the duo. Pulling my arm back I grabbed Yosaku and Johnny with the other surprising them. Throwing my arm forward I grabbed a rickety railing. Shooting forward I was glad that it at least held. Moving so my back would hit the wood I made sure that Johnny and Yosaku wouldn't get hurt.

"Go and get him, it should be easier now that we're not so far away" smiling as I sat up at my position on the ground. "You impressed me even more for watching 'till the end, Strawhat" Mihawk told me. I nodded watching Johnny and Yosaku pulling Zoro out of the water.

"Catch, Usopp!" I yelled throwing the First Aid Kit at him. I was surprised he even caught it. Mihawk decided then was the time to give Zoro a speech. "It is still too early for you to die, strong one. My name is Dracule Mihawk!" the man announced.

"Learn about yourself and about the World! Become strong! No matter how many years it will take you, I will hold my seat as the strongest and wait for you to challenge me again. Try to surpass my Sword, try to surpass me! Roronoa Zoro!" Mihawk stated. Mihawk turned to me before speaking.

"What is your goal again, kid?" he asked making me sigh. "King of the Pirates!" was my simple but determined answer. "Now that will be harder than surpassing me" he smirked. "You know who I am and still say that? I won't know until I try!" I grinned from ear to ear, sticking my tongue out at him.

"He's alive! He's alive!" Yosaku yelled making me smile wider. I saw Zoro raise his Sword before he spoke to me. "L-Luffy… can you hear me?!" Zoro asked. "Loud and clear!" I smiled knowing he will say something worth hearing after that near-death experience.

"Did I worry you? You need no less than the 'World's Greatest Swordsman', correct?" he asked shocking me. I was shocked because I didn't think he would act that way so quickly. He did cough up more blood from talking though. The cough that interrupted him sounded wet which is why I think he coughed up blood.

"Don't talk anymore big bro!" Johnny and Yosaku worried. "I-I won't be defeated anymore! Not until I defeat him and become the World's Greatest Swordsman. Is that a problem, King of the Pirates?" Zoro asked making me laugh with a wide grin.

"Never!" I smiled when I stood up. "You are a great team. I hope to see you again, Strawhat" Mihawk said making me turn to him. Well his back since he had turned to leave. I heard a loud thud before I turned my head to see Don Krieg on the deck.

"Oi, Hawk-Eye!" Krieg said making Mihawk stop walking towards his boat. "Didn't you come to the East Blue to take its ruler's, Don Krieg's, life?" Krieg asked. Does he want to die so quickly? If he didn't make it past the trial what makes him think he can face a Shichibukai?

"I had enough fun already, so I changed my mind, I'm going home" was his answer. I heard Krieg crack his neck before he started speaking again. "You may be tired, but I've had enough of being beaten" was Krieg's arrogant comment. It wasn't a surprise that he felt that way though.

"D-Don?"

"Why are you trying to keep that man here?"

"Die before you leave!" the Captain declared once his weapons were revealed. His attacks weren't working, all they did was make a big splash.

I threw my hands forward grabbing the railing of the Baratie to escape the sea water. I don't want to drown or experience cold symptoms. When I reached the railing I heard the Chefs there screaming from fright.

"Usopp!" I said getting his attention. "I leave Nami to you!" I smiled. "Alright, Zoro and I will bring Nami back for sure! Be sure to bring that Cook you want so badly" he replied. He was waving his hands making me realize I wasn't wearing my hat. Usopp had it in his hands.

"When the five of us reunite, we'll head for the Grand Line!" he exclaimed, sounding excited about it for once. He threw my hat into the air so I stretched my arm to grab it. "Of course!" I chirped happily, loud enough for him to hear.

"We ran into some interference, but the real fight starts now. We can take that ship!" Krieg told his crew. They were pumped up as they yelled with determination in their tone. "What do I get if I drive them away, pops?" I smiled dangling from the railing with one arm.

"If Sanji decides to go with you because of it, then you can have anything that's left on the ship" he told me. I nodded, seeing that as a good deal. Protection for whatever is salvageable. Pirates and Civilian relation of the older World.

~East Blue Saga~

Leaning back, I dangled by my knees since my calves were over the railing. "I'm so fired up now!" I chirped pulling myself up. "You weren't lying to me when you said that I can take whatever is salvageable once I drive them off, right pops?" I smiled hands on either side of me. "I don't have anything else to offer you, so yeah" he answered simply. I bopped the top of my head with a smile as I cheered happily.

"You said you are going to be King of the Pirates, are you serious about it?" Zeff questioned. My smile brightened at that. "I promised my cousin/brothers that I would, as well as my mentor. Every ambition my crewmates will have requires them to go on this excursion" laughing a little. "I will definitely become King of the Pirates, shishishi" I snickered with a wide grin.

"In all my years, it has been a long time since anyone has ever said that so undoubtedly. That is admirable!" he spoke making me nod. "I heard that you were a pretty resilient Pirate yourself. What were you aiming for?" I smiled, eyes sparkling. I frowned when he replied though.

"I forgot about the past. It is enough for me to be the owner of this Restaurant" his dream right now was simple and already realized. He sounded content with just this.

"As long as we seize that ship, the Grand Line is nothing to fear!" Krieg yelled at his crew. I rolled my eyes at this because it still is for that man. He's a man with no genuine power so having a working ship won't get him past the Grand Line's trial. The Four Emperors are hard to beat, especially the present-day ones.

Krieg shot a man who was right about the Grand Line. If they come across someone like Mihawk again this ship won't do anything for them. "You think an ordinary person like that can cut up our Galleon?! It was probably the power of a Devil Fruit" I suppressed a laugh at that. It wasn't a Devil Fruit power, it was Haki skill that carved up his ship. Any Sword can cut up a ship and the same Sword cannot slice a leaf.

He mentioned that there are many Devil Fruit users in the Grand Line. It may be true to some people that once I enter the Grand Line I'll be a mere Pirate, but that is only to a majority of people. Anyone who knows who I am, and my accomplishments, will see differently.

I leaned back over the railing once he was done talking about Devil Fruit Users. "'Red-Foot' Zeff traveled the Grand Line for a year. I cannot help but think he had ways of dealing with the monsters that dwell there. Those tactics must be written somewhere in his Logbook" Krieg told his men before he continued.

"If we're lucky, there may even be some information on the One Piece" I chuckled at that. If there was such information there would be more theories about what the One Piece truly is. The men started saying stuff about finding the One Piece again confusing me. The One Piece should be in the New World. If they were only in the Grand Line for seven days, they could not have reached the New World yet.

"This ship belongs to the Chefs… it belongs to us!"

Looking at Patty and another Chef, I saw them jump into a contraption. That is true, but they no longer remember how the contraption they are wanting to use works anymore. Sanji walked before he turned towards the Baratie.

"This ship will soon become a battlefield" he said making me smile. He is right, but I don't intend to involve it in too much of the fighting.

"Go to the Operating Room and activate the Fins" Sanji ordered a Chef. The Chef was surprised by the order. "Wha? Why?! That will give the enemy a foothold!" the Chef said. "That is fine, we cannot make the inside of the Restaurant a battlefield" was his only answer.

"The old geezer will complain if it becomes a combat zone" Sanji explained to the Chef. "What did you say, gaki?" Zeff asked in a brusque tone. I snickered at the bantering. This show is really fascinating. "I said you like to nitpick, stop standin' around will ya and go!" Sanji replied/ordered. The Chef ran to follow Sanji's orders before I heard the Pirate crew's battle cry again.

"They're finally coming" I chirped, glad the fight is happening soon. Holding the Baratie's railing I ran backwards into the Restaurant. When I was far enough away I jumped up, launching myself forward. "Gum-Gum Rocket!" I yelled flying over the staff.

Spreading out my limbs I stretched my left arm out spanning my fingers wide before making a fist with my other one. "Gum-Gum Giant Scythe!" I called as I ran them down with it. Many of them fell into the water.

Before I was about to I stretched my arms to grab the slanted mast. I spun a bit from the force before locking my legs around the pole. I hung upside down on it, similar to a Sloth hanging from a branch I guess.

"He's amazing! Just who is he?!" I heard the Chefs yell in amazement. "What the heck…" "…is he?" I heard the water encased Pirates ask. They were more curious and fearful than amazed like the Chefs were. "And the Grand Line is full of people like this?" I heard Sanji ask in disbelief.

I heard Zeff call Sanji's name as I waited for someone to attack me. "Watch how Luffy fights very carefully, don't let him leave your sight 'till the fight ends" Zeff said. I could tell he wanted Sanji to learn or see something.

"You're not a real Pirate if you treat those who treated you with kindness so harshly" I told the Pirate Captain. "Because you're an ungrateful jerk, I'll beat you up" I smiled, serious not long after. "So, you want to fight on the water where you don't have a foothold? I know Devil Fruit Users are useless in the sea" Krieg said.

Well, at least he's not a complete idiot. "I can still stretch" I grinned cheerfully.

Hearing the turning of gears and rattling of chains, I was a little confused. "What's this?" I asked through a toothy smile. A foothold rose from under the sea washing away some Pirates who were too close to where it was rising. It was like my toothy smile was glued to my face because even when I talked, I could still feel it. "So cool!" eyes sparkling when I saw it.

I watched as Sanji walked onto the Fins, as cool-looking as always. "We will fight our best, damn Pirates!" Sanji promised. "You set this up so the Restaurant won't be damaged during the fight" Krieg concluded. "Now I want the ship even more" he voiced making someone angry.

"We won't let you have this ship" someone said, angry with the Pirate. "Don't make light of us!" "We're fighting Chefs!" the Chefs yelled. Patty and the other Chef finally got the Mackerel Head #1 working as it disengaged from the Baratie. If I remember right, it's their ultimate sea-worthy weapon.

"Don't want to die? Better leave now then" the passenger-driver said. The Mackerel boat is so cool! I heard Patty yell at the Chef to paddle faster before they were stationary, facing the ruined ship. "Fire!" was yelled before three Cannonballs were shot off simultaneously. "Oh no!" I worried because waves were shaking the mast I was hanging onto.

"Patty! Carne! Get them!" so the other Chef is Carne? I don't understand why they were aiming for Krieg though. They won't be able to beat him and will likely get hurt more than anything else that might happen.

"Watch how powerful the Baratie's sea weapon is!" Patty yelled. They fired but it seemed to have backfired on them instead. They were no longer able to move and they couldn't be, weren't, stuck on anything either. "I am the man who will rule the Oceans! I am Don Krieg!" the man shouted crossly. "That's gonna be me!" I whined from my only life preserver on this field.

"I do not have any time to play around with you!" he shouted at the Chefs. Krieg gripped harder on one of the Cannons, pulling the boat up and out of the water. Carne and Patty were surprised at the Herculean strength Krieg possesses.

He threw the boat behind him and I heard the distressed cries of the staff about the well-being of the Baratie. Turning to watch I wasn't surprised to see Sanji jump so he could kick it away. The height at which he jumped was slightly impressive though. I figured he'd be able to jump high because being able to fight with only your legs would mean that they must be strong.

"Strong and a dreamer!" I smiled, glad that I was right to want him on my crew.

The two Chefs that crashed were not very happy with the blonde before they were interrupted. "You actually think you have time for jokes, Chefs?" the Chef's weapons were fragile compared to the Spiked Clubs, Cutlasses, and Swords.

Multiple Chefs hit the railings as they were easily pushed back. They lost to at least three people who treaded the ocean waters to get here. The Chefs made excuses that they were stronger than previous Pirates.

"They survived seven days in the Grand Line, what did you expect?" my voice dripping with sarcasm. They saw how outmatched Zoro was against Mihawk. What do they think others who came from the Grand Line are like?

"'The ship already belongs to the Krieg Pirates!' that is all you have to say" Krieg told his crew.

"We won't let you step even one foot into this Restaurant" Sanji told them. "The gaki is right!" Zeff agreed. I heard Patty give a speech.

"We are allowed to do whatever we like here, even after going from Restaurant to Restaurant for work. I've been to 300" Patty told the Pirates. "No other Restaurant is as good as this one" Carne finished. "Did you get that, Krieg?" Sanji asked. "Compared to cooking every day, these Pirates are nothing!" someone yelled. All of the Chefs agreed.

They started fighting again before I heard splashing. A man was swimming to the Fins. The Pearled-Armored man came out of the sea knocking Patty down without touching him. The same went for Carne as he was down as soon as he turned around.

It was Pearl-san, the 'Invincible Shield of the Krieg Pirates'. He introduced himself in a sing-songy tone. The Pirates were ecstatic to see him. If I remember right the name of the move he used to take them down was 'Peral Surprise'.

A Pirate tried to pinch Patty's Cooking Knife while he was unconscious but couldn't. Sanji kicked him in the face when he couldn't get the knife out of the unconscious man's hand. The force of the kick knocked him into three other Pirates. Sanji caught the knife that was twirling in the air once it came back down.

The four Pirates were pushed so far back they ended up colliding with Pearl-san's Shield.

"So, I did like him for a reason. Let's just hope that when it comes time for him to leave he's gotten used to the Pirate life" I mumbled softly. I only mumbled so no one would hear, but at least I got it out of my head now.

"A Chef's Cooking Knife is his soul, don't carelessly touch it with your amateurish hands" Sanji warned the Pirates. I heard Patty say Sanji's name getting the blonde's attention. "Hold tight and stay down, I will take care of them" Sanji assured when he handed Patty back his knife.

Some Pirates rushed at my Cook, but he was gone in an instant. If you blinked your eyes he would be gone as soon as you opened them again. He appeared in the middle of the group, spinning his legs to kick them in the face. "We are not mere Chefs. I will cut you in three you idiots!" Sanji said. He was angry from the look of his face and the vein popping from his forehead.

"How insolent of you to defeat them only using kicks, might that be your dogma?" Pearl-san asked the Chef. "Hands are the most important things for Chefs. We can't risk injuring or dirtying them, now can we?" his response was sort of sarcastic but serious at the same time.

"I will take you down with this leg" Sanji challenged balancing on his right leg. He held his left leg in front of him meaning that he would defeat Pearl-san with it.

"That is impossible. I am an impenetrable man who has won all of my battles unscathed. Losing alone is unheard of for me" Pearl-san stated. His tone was dismissive and arrogant. "I have never once shed a miniscule drop of blood in battle. Winning without injury is proof enough of my power" Pearl-san finished.

"That wasn't funny at all, his jokes need some work" I commented, as laid-back as always. I heard the rattling of chains before I heard Krieg speak to me. "Strawhat! Pay attention or you'll get hurt!" Krieg shouted.

Turning around I saw Krieg swinging around a Flail. I didn't move even as the Mast was split in two right under me when the Flail hit it. He swung at me again before the world started spinning. I was still clinging onto the Mast which was spinning backwards in the air.

I saw I was heading straight for Pearl-san a bit too late as my back already hit him. Flipping backwards I let go of the Mast. I ended up landing on my feet a foot in front of Sanji. Dusting off my knee-length jeans I spoke my worries.

"Man, that startled me! I thought I was going to end up in the ocean" I cried. Looking up I saw that Pearl-san's nose was bleeding. I froze when I heard the frightened cries of the Pirate crew and the annoyed groan of the Pirate Captain.

I do remember something about Pearl-san. It was mentioned in a book I read on the Krieg Pirates, that if Pearl-san ever sees a drop of blood he goes into a panicked frenzy. He likely suffers from Hemophobia, a fear of blood, or it happens as a result of his perfect record being tarnished. Despite any context of arrogance though, he acknowledges Gin and Krieg's strength.

I hope I can gain some form of respect from my crew as well, whether for my personality or my powers doesn't matter.

"Th-They're da-dangerous" Pearl-san said. "What is up with him?" Sanji asked. "Most likely afraid of blood, or having his record tarnished" I answered. Pearl-san started banging his hand-held Shields together making me frown. "Don't lose your cool over a nosebleed, Pearl!" Krieg yelled. I don't think it reached him though, or Pearl ignored him.

White fire had engulfed the man's body which is probably why they were worried. "It started! If he gets mad he catches fire!" one of the Pirates freaked. "Fire PearlsSpecial Treat!" Pearl yelled.

"Now that was hot!" I smiled. I kicked my legs over my head flipping forwards to avoid a flaming pearl that was aimed in my direction. The flaming pearls hit enemies and allies alike.

Pearl-san's allies begged him to stop making me feel a bit of déjà vu. "With this, you have no idea how invincible I am!" Pearl stated. I think he's just being arrogant. I did end up being lit on fire on the back of my pants though.

"Hot! Hot! Hot! Hot!" I cried running back and forth on the Fins. I can't go into the ocean to douse the fire and I don't know where there might be another source of water either. I could tell Sanji wasn't too happy at the thought of the Restaurant burning down.

He was being reckless when he jumped over the flames, kicking Pearl in the face. I don't know if he actually hit Pearl or his Shield though. The Chefs and Pirates talked about fire, how reckless Sanji was being, and how even animals stayed away from Pearl's flames.

"I would be unfit to cook if I was afraid of flames!" Sanji declared. That is true but wild, caging flames are different than the slow burn of a Stove/Oven. I finally heard Sanji hit him, knocking him to the ground.

More Fire Pearls were thrown, heading to the Restaurant's entrance. "Please get out of there! Owner!" I heard a Chef yell. Even though I was running in circles because of the fire on my butt I was still able to watch Zeff knock them out with a gust from his peg leg. The black pearls clattered onto the ground surprising everyone. "That's child's play" was his only comment.

I clapped, jumping up and down at the show. "So impressive!" I smiled still clapping but not jumping.

A Flail was hurled towards Sanji before I jumped over the fire. "Gum-Gum…" I started pulling my arms back before pulling them forward. "Bazooka!" I yelled hitting the Flail back just in time, so it wouldn't hit Sanji. That was hot, but at least I protected him.

I patted my butt trying to get the fire out because I was still on fire. I saw the Flail hit the Mast, breaking it before I pulled Sanji out of the fire by his arm. The Mast hit Pearl on the head knocking him unconscious. "Pearl-san is down for real this time!" one of the Pirates shouted.

"He really is an idiot" tilting my head to the right when I saw Pearl-san leaning against the Mast. "In the end… I can only count on myself!" I heard Krieg say with the cracking of his neck.

*Groan* *Thud* Turning I saw Zeff, face-first on the ground. There was a double barrel Shotgun pointed at his right ear and Gin's foot was on his back. "The battle ends here" he declared early.

When Krieg ordered him to shoot 'Red Foot' Zeff, I wasn't worried.


A/N: Hello, I finished writing this at 9:44 P.M. on May 17, 2017.

I finished rewriting this at 6:34 P.M. on September 5, 2018.

I do hope you like this chapter and story and will continue reading, see you next time.