Well, here we go! After a brief little in-between chapter, we are now starting off the next part of the East Blue. So let's not waste anymore time and jump right in!
Wealth, Fame, Power…
Chapter 20: The Sea Restaurant
"Alright guys, how's this?" Luffy asked his two observers, finishing up the flag he was painting.
Usopp and Johnny both looked at the boy quizzically, ready to judge his rendition of the pirate flag. When he finally lifted it up to show them… It wasn't what they were expecting. "Uh Luffy? That's not very good," Usopp commented. Lets just say that drawing wasn't the rubber man's strong suit.
"Yeah, I agree with big bro Usopp," Johnny added. "I've never seen a skull and crossbones look like that before."
Even Zoro, who was sitting a few feet away watching over Yosaku had an opinion on the low quality art. He had to agree with everyone else, the skull was all bent and messed up. And what was that on its head? "Yikes, no offence Luffy but I hope that's not our flag."
"Well if we don't draw it what else are we gonna do?" Luffy asked, slightly disappointed that they didn't like his masterpiece.
"Ehem!" Usopp cleared his throat loudly, successfully getting the three onlookers attention. "You may not know this about me, but I am quite a skilled artist."
"Oooh," Luffy and Johnny reacted in awe.
Nami on the other hand was doing her best not to roll her eyes at the interaction. Right now she was observing the crew from the upper deck, her arms on the rail while she leaned against it. Not really caring what the flag looked like. She had something more pressing on her mind, and was about to share it with the group when she got the chance.
"Ta-da! Usopp announced proudly, finishing his painting in record time. "Behold, our new and awesome pirate flag!"
Everyone on the boat except for Nami and the unconscious Yosaku directed their attention to Usopp and his new creation. Before anyone could make a comment though, Luffy jumped up from his seat, ready to throw a fit. "Usopp! That looks like you! It's supposed to have a straw hat on its head!"
"So that's what that was, I thought it was a banana," Zoro snickered.
"Shut up Zoro, it was a hat!"
Usopp watched as the swordsman and the captain butted heads, glaring at each other playfully. "Ok guys relax! I'll change it, no problem!"
"Yeah guys break it up, big bro Usopp is gonna fix it!" Johnny urged, walking in between the two crewmates.
But it was no use, the two continued their staredown. Even if it was all in good fun, their crew sure as hell didn't know that. Panicking, Usopp was even faster to draw this flag than his last. Painting it in an astounding time of fifty seconds. "Look guys, see? It's done!"
Luffy and Zoro both turned to look at the sniper's new creation, both of them saying nothing at first. This however, was quickly broken by Luffy as he zipped over excitedly to get a closer look at it. "Woah! Usopp this is perfect! Is there anything you can't do!?"
Zoro looked pleasantly surprised as well, smiling at the work of art in front of him. "Yeah Usopp, that is pretty good."
Even Nami was nodding at the good design, it was a very unique flag. With a normal skull and crossbones wearing Luffy's straw hat, it really popped out.
"Wow big bro, you really outdid yourself this time. I've seen tons of pirate flags over the years, but this one is really growing on me." Johnny complimented, having the most experience on the topic out of the group.
"Really you guys like it?" Usopp asked shylly. "Oh! I mean-ehem, of course it's great! It was me who drew it after all!" He proclaimed cockily.
"From this day on, this will be our mark. The mark of the Straw Hat Pirates!" The rubber man declared, looking around for other opinions.
"Straw Hat Pirates? Is that the best you could come up with?" Zoro asked boredly.
"Aw c'mon, I've been thinking that one up since we fought that clown guy."
"I like it, I think it's simple," Nami stated. Liking the way the name rolled off the tongue.
Usopp was also quick to agree with the navigator. "I like it too, it goes perfectly with the flag."
Hearing the opinions of the rest of the crew, Zoro gave in at last and just agreed with them. "Fine, whatever. At least it's not something unoriginal, like just putting the captain's name in the title."
"Great! Now draw the mark on the sail Usopp!" Luffy requested, pointing up to the main white sail on the small carabell.
"Roger that," the long nosed teen agreed. gathering his utensils and beginning to climb up the mast.
"While he's doing that, the rest of you listen up," Nami ordered. Preparing to bring an important topic to everyone's attention. "That case of scurvy has had me thinking about this for a while now. And I really think we should consider getting a cook for the ship. Or at least someone that knows how to handle food. I don't know about you guys, but I sure as heck don't wanna get sick out here or starve to death. It's a pretty essential crewmember, especially if we want to go to the Grand Line."
Luffy grinned at the navigator's suggestion, already beginning to think about his beloved food. "That's a great idea Nami! And maybe we can find a musician too!"
The orange haired teen just ignored the boy as she watched Johnny and Zoro nod at her idea. "Then it's settled. Now the only problem is where we would even find a chef out here."
At this, Johnny stood up dramatically, adjusting his sunglasses before answering the girl's question. "I think I can help you out with that one."
"Alright, let's hear it Johnny," Zoro encouraged.
"Perfect, I know this is gonna sound crazy, but just stick with me. Out here on these waters, there's a restaurant in the middle of the sea. It's actually a really nice place, and we're not too far from it right now."
"What? A restaurant on the water? Are you sure?" Nami questioned skeptically.
"I'm positive, the food is great and they have a whole line of cooks in the kitchen. Some of them are pretty tough too. But that isn't even the best part," Johnny explained, turning to Zoro.
"Go on," The pirate hunter instructed.
"The word around the east Blue is that a certain hawk-eyed swordsman has been seen hanging around there on occasion."
Right as the words entered left his friends lips, Zoro was on edge. His twitching hands could only be calmed by the hilts of swords as he reached for them. It was incredible how fast bloodlust grew in the man. "What are we waiting for then?"
All personnel turned to the captain of the ship in search of an anwer. "Shishishi, if Zoro wants it that bad, then I'm fine with it too. Johnny, give Nami the directions and let's go get us a cook!"
The swordsman mentally thanked Luffy for allowing his need. This was gonna be good.
"Hey guys! I think I see it!" Luffy exclaimed, practically bubbling with happiness at the thought of an amazing meal. And he had good reason to, because directly in front of the Going Merry was a large boat with a fish-themed structure on it. It appeared as though Johnny wasn't lying before when he told them about the place.
"I don't believe it, an actual restaurant in the middle of the ocean," Nami breathed.
"What did I tell you guys, did I come through or what?" Johnny asked confidently, glad he could help out his new friends.
"Yeah well I don't care how nice or fancy it looks, lets just dock and get in there," Zoro proposed. His demeanor was more serious than normal at the moment.
"Oh boy, my first great adventure on the high seas. This is gonna be great!" Usopp cheered.
"It's just a restaurant Usopp, nothings gonna happen while we're there," Nami told the boy. Stating it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Now stop dreaming and prepare the anchor, we're getting close to where all the other ships are docked."
The long nosed teen was quick to respond though, or better said, was quick to complain. "Are you crazy!? I can't lift that anchor by myself!"
"Just shut up and get ready to board that fish, I'll handle the anchor," Zoro intervened.
Once they were properly docked and the ship was secure, the majority of its passengers got off and boarded the restaurant. The first one to set foot on the interesting vessel was Luffy, who jumped off the merry and landed with a clap of his sandals on the deck of the fish-themed ship. "Bara-bar-bariti…"
"Baratie," Nami corrected as she joined Luffy on the large vessel.
Usopp was the third to board, making Zoro the last straw hat on the Merry as he turned to his two old friends one last time. "You coming Johnny?"
"Nah, you go ahead big bro. I'm gonna stay and watch Yosaku until he wakes up. That way I can also guard the ship for you guys."
"Alright, come get us if you need anything," The swordsman insisted. Not even bothering to use the rope ladder and just jumping off the Merry.
"Yes! Let's go eat guys!" Luffy shouted as his stomach began grumbling.
"Just remember that we're here to get a cook to join us Luffy," the navigator reminded, putting her hands on her hips.
With that, the small pirate crew made their way to the entrance of the restaurant, stopping when they got to the doors. With Luffy at the lead though, it didn't take long for him to push the doors open and reveal the inside. "Oh man, I can already smell the food from here!"
The interior of the Baratie was quite fancy indeed. It had a spacy dining hall with many circular tables lining the floor. In the middle of the room there was a thick column and a spiral staircase around it leading to the top. The overall aesthetic of the room was very elegant. But of course you wouldn't know that based on the big brawl that was going on at one of the tables. Luffy and his crew watched in curiosity as a blonde haired man held up a purple haired man by the neck.
"So you really think you can come in here and do whatever the hell you want just because you're some high ranked marine?" The blonde boy said, glaring at the man he was holding. "Well guess what pal, I dont give a damn if you're the fleet admiral himself. If you waste food in front of my eyes, I'll make you suffer for it."
"Woah, what's going on?" Nami whispered to the group.
"I dont know," Luffy answered. Completley forgetting about his previous hunger. He decided to leave it at that, wanting to observe the situation more closely. Getting a closer look at the blonde boy, he wore a full black suit and pants with a blue shirt underneath and a black tie. His most distinct feature was his odd curly eyebrow, which you could only see one of because his hair was parted to cover his left eye.
Before the blonde haired man could back up any of his threats, three chefs emerged from the kitchen. Apparently they heard the scuffle from the kitchen and came to shut it down. "Damn it Sanji, not again! That's the third time this week you mess with a customer!" The chef at the front complained. He was wearing a blue chef jacket, and boy were his forearms were huge.
The blonde man, now identified as Sanji, dropped the suit wearing marine to the floor and turned to the lead chef. "Shut the hell up Patty. I don't need a shitty cook like you telling me what to do."
"You people are crazy!" The purple haired man yelled shakily from the floor. His face was bleeding heavily and he looked absolutely terrified of the people in front of him. "T-this restaurant is finished! I'm gonna report this and get you shut down!"
The chefs seemed to sense that Sanji would do something because immediately they grabbed at him, holding him back. "Let me go! Arrogant assholes like you really piss me the hell off! You think you're so tough, but look at you! You're a pathetic pile of crap who wants to run home to mommy!"
"Sous Chef Sanji, stop!" The cooks yelled, working together to try and stop the man from killing this customer.
Having had enough of this for one day, the marine officer picked himself up and ran as fast as he could for the exit. Shoving people out of the way left and right, the man continued until he reached the door.
"Move it!" He yelled as he attempted to shoulder charge Luffy.
This didn't work out in his favor though because as soon as they collided it was the officer that was repelled. Falling to the floor once again, the man looked up angrily. Ready to give the person that knocked him down a piece of his mind.
But that thought disappeared fast when he saw the intense look on Luffy's face. Fear taking over him once again, the man kindly stood up and went around the straw hat teen. Clearly not ballsy enough to gamble on someone's strength for the second time that day.
Luffy changed his face back into a smile as he turned his attention back to the blonde haired man. He looked like he was finally starting to calm down now that the marine was gone. "I don't know who that guy is… But I like the way he thinks," The straw hat teen noted, his smile growing bigger than ever.