One Piece belongs to Eiichiro Oda. Everything else belongs to the crew. Comments or reviews are welcome.
- The Crew ;)
Chapter 23
Two days after relatively being calm, trouble started. Don Krieg arrived in a tattered and broken down ship. I was sitting on the roof when the huge galleon arrived. Sighing, I bow my head. (This was going to turn out to be a big mess soon.) I slowly stand up and hear my knees pop in satisfaction of finally moving. (I'm getting pretty old, even though I'm only 21.) I smirk. (Maybe I won't have a heart attack before I'm 25, but knowing Luffy, I just might have one before even getting to the Grand Line.) Opening the hatch to the roof, I go down and head to where all the noise was coming from. I stop in the middle of the spiralling stairwell and lean against the railing. Sanji was giving some food and liquor to Don Krieg, who thanks him and starts eating. The other cooks start yelling at Sanji that Don Krieg was two-faced and tricks both the navy and the towns he pillages. Don Krieg than attacked Sanji, sending him skidding across the floor. Gin protests against Don Krieg for doing that. Don Krieg hurts Gin to make him shut up and then goes on to claim that the restaurant was now his. The customers then fled. One of chefs refuses to allow the ship to be taken from them. Don Krieg then orders all the chiefs to prepare 100 meals for the men still alive on his destroyed ship. By this time Patty had woken from and asked what was going on and where Sanji was going. I smirk. (This was going to be interesting.)
"The kitchen of course. We've got a hundred meals to prepare." Sanji replies to Patty's question. The chefs look at him in shock and then pull out their pistols on him.
"Are you Krieg's dog, Sanji? We can't let you into the kitchen. WE'RE NOT GOING ALONG WITH THIS. IT'S AN OUTRAGE!" One of the chefs stated. Sanji raises his arms outwards.
"If you want to stop me… fire. I know… they're unredeemable villains. But my job is to feed people, not to judge them. It gets too complicated. If a man is hungry, I feed him! That's a cook's job." Patty then hits him on the back of his head. He orders the other chefs to hold Sanji down.
"Sanji, I know you feed the people I chase off. Maybe you're right to do that sometimes. But this time, you're wrong! Now you keep still. I'm going to defend this restaurant! He may be don Krieg, but he's just one man. He can't beat all of us! This is Baratie! We deal with rowdy pirates everyday. And we know what kind of customer service to give them!" Patty pulls out the lobster cannon and fires a cannonball straight at Don Krieg. All the chefs believe that he was done for good, then the smoke clears and Don Krieg stands there unscathed in his steel armour. Patty has all of them rush Don Krieg, who then fires the guns that were hidden under his armour. The chefs are all lying on the ground as Don Krieg yells that he was the best and that no one defies him. I shake my head. (That is some inflated ego for someone who nearly died.) Zeff then plants are large tan bag down, right in front Don Krieg. Zeff then called Krieg and his men cowards after they had been to the grand line. The chefs looked shocked.
"You're 'Red shoes' Zeff!" Don Krieg said in surprise. "Red shoes Zeff. So you're alive. A unique pirate, the captain cook."
"So what if I'm alive? What's it to you? Now I'm a chef exclusively."
"Ha you say it like it was a choice. But did you chose to be a cook or was being a pirate too much for you? Looks like your red shoes days are behind you. 'Red shoes' Zeff… master of the deadly kick, who never used his hands in battle. That awesome leg strength could smash bedrock and even leave footprints in steel. The blood of your enemies dyed your shoes hence your unusual nickname." Him and Zeff then continued talking about how Zeff had gone to the Grand line and had a logbook with him. Zeff refused to give it to him and Don Krieg went on to explain that he was going to take everything even the title of King of the Pirates. (Uh oh. This might not turn out well.) Luffy gets angry.
"Hold it. I'm going to be the King of the Pirates."
"Stay out of this kid! He'll kill ya!" Patty yelled at Luffy.
"I can't. Not out of this!" Don Krieg then spoke up.
"Did you say something boy? Do you want to take that back?"
"Nope. I was only stating the facts." Don Krieg glared at Luffy.
"This isn't a game." Luffy had this mischievous and knowing look on his face. I smirk.
"Obviously." I look to my right as Usopp speaks up.
"Weren't you just listening? The Grand Line was even too much for Don Krieg. Can't we just call it off? Going there is suicide!" Zolo then speaks up.
"Quiet. Stay out of this." Zoro looks to Luffy. "Time to fight, Luffy? I'll lend a hand."
"You guys are still here? I can handle this." Don Krieg then breaks out in laughter and then says that his crew was pretty small. Luffy says that he has two more and that gets Don Krieg angry. Krieg then spouts out that all 50 fleets were destroyed in a week. All the chefs were in shock, Usopp was crying and Zoro said that it sounded interesting. Don Krieg then threatened to kill everyone if they haven't left by the time that he comes back. Krieg then grabs the large bag of food and leaves. Gin was still there on the floor. He starts apologizing to Sanji. Zeff then speaks up.
"It's not all your fault, swabby. The cooks helped to this on us, as well." Patty and the other chefs then start yelling that this was Sanji's fault and that he was trying to destroy the restaurant. Zeff told them to be quiet and then preceded to ask them if they knew what real hunger was. He then told them to leave if they were going to keep moaning. All the chefs decided to stay and fight for the restaurant. Sanji was talking and threating Gin. Luffy was talking to Usopp and Zoro. Luffy says that he would have to defeat Krieg. I nod. (He certainly got that right.) Luffy then turns to Gin and states that he had been to the Grand Line but didn't know anything about it. Gin starts shaking and says that his memories were a crazy fog, but on the seventh day of their journey. Then one man appeared and destroyed all 50 ships. Everyone gapes at him in surprise. Gin then said that the man had piercing, hawk eyes that could kill with a glance. I glance over to Zoro, knowing that this held some sort of meaning to the swordsman. Zoro was glaring at Gin, looking for answers. Gin was cowering in fear. I put my chin into the palm of my hand.
"It had to be him… had to be Hawkeye." Zeff said. Everyone looked to Zeff in surprise. "You said his eyes were like that of a hawk. That is proof enough. But what he did to your ships… it had to be him." (Maybe they interrupted his nap.) The chef's talk about a man who drank too much and his eyes turned red and then caught fire and exploded. Zoro heard that and thought that Johnny lied to him. I roll my eyes. (No he didn't.) Sanji asked Gin if they did something to him, and Gin says that they didn't. Zeff then mentions what I thought before about them interrupting his nap. Gin got angry at that proposition. Zeff calms him down and explains that that is the kind of place the Grand Line is. Luffy gets excited.
"Now I know where I have to go. To the Grand Line. That's where I'll find him." Zoro says and leans back in the restaurant chair.
"You're fools. You'll both die as soon as you get there." Sanji says as he blows out smoke from his cigarette.
"True enough… but don't insult us. The day I decided to become the world's greatest swordsman, I gave myself up for dead. Nobody calls me a fool but me. I have my reasons." Zoro says. Both Luffy and Usopp say that they agree to what Zoro said. (I guess I agree with them too, but I already know what I'm doing is making me a fool. But this is what I have chosen.) Sanji hmphs and calls them stupid. I hear Zeff give a small laugh. Patty then goes on a shouting spree that now was not the time to talk about dreams. I chuckle. Everyone then turns to me. I raise an eyebrow.
"What?" All the chefs, excluding Zeff, yell at me.
"Why are you laughing?" I then shrug my shoulders.
"The way things are turning out is just funny." They all yell at me again.
"No it's not!" Luffy then starts laughing at me.
"Bat you sure are funny." I sigh.
"Of course." The Don Krieg pirates call out their battle cry. All the chefs prepare for battle to protect the restaurant. The huge, destroyed galleon is then split into three large sections. I smirk. (Here he comes.) Everyone, even Zeff watches in shock as the ship and pirates fall into the sea. Luffy dashes outside, yelling that Johnny and Yosaku were on the Merry. Zeff tells them to pull up the anchor. I can hear Luffy shouting outside that the Merry was gone and asks Johnny and Yosaku where Nami and the ship were. They apologize, that Nami had sailed off with all the treasure. I sigh. Getting up from the stairwell, I make my way outside onto the deck of the boat. I stand by Zeff and see a figure in the distance approaching. Zeff then speaks.
"Uh oh. It's him!" I then hear Johnny and Yosaku's explanation of Nami stealing the boat and treasure. Zoro gets mad and claims that he never trusted her. Usopp believes that she had abandoned them. Luffy then says that he can still see the Merry. He then asks Johnny and Yosaku where their ship was. Zoro gets where he was going with this and says that they don't need to go after her. Luffy refuses and says that Nami was going to be the navigator. Zoro gives in and tells Usopp that they are going. Luffy says that he is going to stay here because the Baratie was in trouble. Zoro tells him to be careful. A pirate then yells out that it's him. They shout out to the world that it was him who destroyed the fleet. (It's him all right.) The chefs question that he really did that and that he looked human. Zeff said that his weapon was on his back. A chef shouted in surprise that he destroyed the galleon with a sword. Zeff crossed his arms.
"Yes! Hawkeye is a master swordsman. He is the greatest swordsman in the world." One of the pirates asks Hawkeye why he was going after them. He then answers that it was for fun. I slap my forehead. (He did this for fun? Really?) The same pirate gets angry and fires his pistols at him. Hawkeye pulls out his sword and deflects the bullets. The pirates shouted that he missed, but Zoro explains what Hawkeye did. The pirates ask who he was, but he ignores them. Zoro turns to Hawkeye.
"I have never seen such subtle sword work." Hawkeye puts his sword back.
"Without subtlety, a sword is but an iron bar."
"You split this galleon with that sword?"
"Of course." Zoro grins at Hawkeye's answer.
"I see. Then you are the greatest. I went to sea to find you!"
"Why?" Zoro puts his bandana on.
"To be the greatest. Looking for some fun? Then fight me!" The pirates then figure out that he was the famous pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro. Usopp tried to get him and Zoro to leave because the Merry was almost out of sight. Hawkeye then speaks.
"Pathetic. Weakling. If you're a competent swordsman, you don't need to cross swords to know that I far surpass your puny skills. Does the courage to point your sword come from confidence or from ignorance?"
"It comes from ambition. And from a promise to a friend." Zoro says and puts his third sword into his mouth. "We meet at last. Actually sooner than I thought…" Hawkeye crosses his arms.
"How futile." Hawkeye then pulls out a tiny knife from the necklace around his neck.
"What's that for?"
"I'm not the kind of person who hunts a rabbit with a cannon. You may have a reputation, but you're just a bunny. The red line and the Grand Line divide the seas into four quarters. The East Blue is the weakest of them. Sorry this is the smallest blade I have."
"Better take it easy with the bravado. YOU'LL FEEL STUPID WHEN I KILL YOU! Zoro rushes at him.
"You're a little frog, croaking in your puddle. Time you learned how big the world is. Zoro attacks with onigiri, but Hawkeye stops him. Everyone gasps in surprise and then Zoro goes on a slashing spree, and Hawkeye fends him off. Zoro shouts that he has to win against this man.
"What drives you so? Why do you fight when you cannot win? You're a weakling…" Johnny and Yosaku get mad and start shouting that Zoro was not a weakling. Luffy then yells at them to stop and holds them down against the railing, telling them to control themselves. I smirk at Luffy's self control in this situation. Zoro gets pushed back. He gets back up and goes in for another attack, but Hawkeye gets him in the chest. I teleport to a railing that is fairly nearby the battleground. I lean against it with my arms crossed. Zoro doesn't move.
"You want your guts cut out? Why don't you retreat?" Hawkeye asks him.
"I can't… if I retreat even one step… my vow, my ambition, everything I care about will be shattered. And all my dreams will be lost forever"
"Yes. That's defeat." Zoro laughs.
"So I can't retreat."
"Even if it means death?"
"I prefer death over defeat." I could practically hear Hawkeye's thought on this. I smile. Hawkeye withdrew the knife.
"Boy, speak your name." Zoro prepares for an attack.
"Roronoa Zoro"
"I'll remember it. It's been a while since I've meet one so brave." Hawkeye draws his black sword. "I will honor the swordsman code and send you to you to your death with this black blade – the finest in the world." The pirates shout in surprise behind me after Hawkeye drew his blade. Hawkeye rushes forward. I hear Johnny and Yosaku call out to Zoro. Zoro then starts spinning his blades, and shouts out it's his secret move. He then tries to attack the oncoming Hawkeye. I sigh. (He's going to lose.) Two of Zoro's blades break. The only one that didn't was the one in his mouth. Zoro sheaths the unbroken blade and turns around to face Hawkeye with his arms stretched outwards.
"What are you…" Hawkeye tries to ask. I smirk. Zoro grins with blood running from his mouth.
"Wounds on the back are a swordsman shame." Hawkeye grins like a mad man.
"Magnificent." Hawkeye then slashes him from the left shoulder downwards. Luffy screams out his name. Johnny and Yosaku call out brother. Sanji then yells at Zoro to abandon his stupid dream. I chuckle. (That squirt needs to wake up and smell the sea salt. People just can't abandon their dreams.) Zoro then falls into the sea. Johnny and Yosaku jump in after him. Luffy then stretches his arm and grabs onto the railing that I'm leaning on. He comes flying towards Hawkeye and I.
"The young swordsman's crewmate. You did well to let him fight his own battle to the end!" Hawkeye says that as Luffy zooms past him and gets his head stuck in the wooden planking. He then pulls his head out and falls onto his back. "Don't worry. I left him alive." (Not like I would let him kill him.) At that moment Johnny and Yosaku pull Zoro to the surface of the water. Luffy calls out to Zoro. Johnny, Yosaku and Usopp pull him aboard the boat.
"My name is Dracule Mihawk. It's too soon for you to die. Discover yourself. See the world! And grow strong Zoro! However long it may take I shall await you at the top. STRIVE WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART AND MIND TO BEST THIS BLADE, FIERCE ONE! STRIVE TO SURPASS ME, RORONOA ZORO!" Hawkeye yells out to Zoro. I chuckle. Hawkeye turns to Luffy after giving me a glance.
"Lad, what's your goal?"
"To be King of the Pirates."
"You tread a perilous path. Even more than trying to surpass me."
"I don't care! That's what I'm going to be!" Luffy says and then sticks his tongue out at Hawkeye. Luffy then asks Usopp if Zoro is ok. He's say he's alive, but he's unconscious. Zoro then raises his only sword.
"Lu…Luffy? Can you hear me?"
"I hear you!"
"Were you worried? If I fail to become the worlds greatest swordsman, you'll be disappointed right?" The guys try to tell him to be quiet. "NEVER AGAIN! I WILL NEVER LOSE AGAIN! FROM NOW ON TO THE DAY I BEAT HIM TO BECOME THE GREATEST SWORDSMAN… I WILL NEVER… LOSE AGAIN! Got a problem with that King of the Pirates?" Luffy starts grinning and laughs.
"Not at all." Hawkeye smirks.
"They make a good team." I walk up to him.
"They certainly do." Hawkeye looks at me and raises an eyebrow.
"Aren't you with them?" I chuckle.
"I'm here on a promise only. Once that's done, we probably won't meet again."
"I see." Hawkeye turns to his boat. "I hope to encounter you two again someday." He turns back to me. "Stop by my island once in a while and help yourself to some of my wine. You're more than welcome to it, considering you're the one who told me where to find the specific wines." I smirk.
"There's no need. All I did was give some presents to an old friend."
"Old friend, huh?" With that Hawkeye was about to leave when Don Krieg stops him.
"Didn't you come here for my head? The head of Don Krieg, King of the Eastern Blue."
"That was my intention. But I had enough fun for now, so I shall take a nap." (What is he? A toddler?)
"Don't go yet fancy pants. You've had your fun, but I've only been on the receiving end." His underlings tell him not to do anything. "NOW IT'S MY TURN TO HAVE FUN!" Don Krieg then fires the pistols that were under his armour. (What an idiot.)
"You are indeed a slow learner. Farewell." Hawkeye then slashes his blade and creates waves to come up. I watch as he makes his way to his boat and leaves. (And there he goes.) Luffy got himself thrown onto the Baratie. I teleport myself to stand by Zeff. The others all jump back at my appearance. Luffy tells Usopp to set sail. Usopp shouts back that once they have everyone, then they are going to sail to the Grand Line. Luffy agrees as he catches his straw hat that Usopp had thrown to him. I smile.
"Here come the locusts." Sanji states and lights a cigarette.
"Hey mister, If I chase those guys off, can I stop being chore boy?" I look at Luffy as he asked Zeff. (He is going to use fighting as an excuse to stop working? Smart, but dumb plan. Just what I'd expect from Luffy.) Zeff then agrees to it. I look to Luffy again and catch his attention.
"Luffy, I'm going to go on ahead. I'll meet you in coco village." Luffy grins at me. I raise an eyebrow at his stupid grin. "What?"
"I didn't know you were friends with hawk dude." I sigh.
"Of course we're friends. I ran into him when I first went to the Grand Line. I gave him the very best sake from the ship. Of course, Shanks wasn't very happy about that. Well I better get going." I turn to Zeff, who had been staring holes into my back. "This will probably be the last time I see you so. Farewell, my friend." Zeff hmphs.
"Friends? You were just a moocher. So get going already." I chuckle and salute to them. As I teleport I call out to Luffy.
"Luffy go defeat Don Krieg."
Will update soon. Reviews welcomed. – The Crew ;)