A Fruitless Start

by Apprendice of Life

Luffy start his jorney on the East Blue but a twist of fate makes so he can't eat a devil fruit. How this change shapes the world? Join him on a new journey. 1st story.

9. Chapter 9

A Fruitless Start

One Piece belongs to Oda.

Chapter 9 - Is There a Cook in the Army?

…..

Garp was in the main HQ today, getting ready for a vacation, checking in with his grandson and going for a while in a few days. He is also excited to see the results of his brilliant plan to incentivize Luffy to embrace the life of a marine, his train of thought was that if Luffy saw how much good he could do helping people he would want to help more and become a marine was the best way for that….all he would need is to keep Luffy away from the Celestial Dragons but there are hundreds of marines in important positions that never ever meet them so that would be easy. Even if Luffy chose to remain in the East Blue if he was a marine he would be fine.

He was in his office getting his last reports done….mostly because his men were getting a break soon too and he had no one to do the work for him which was the usual. Not that it mattered much, he may not like it but he can do this work thank you very much. He was almost done too and once he is done with the huge piles of papers he won't have to worry about work for at least a month.

He can't wait to be done with the work, so much paper around his desk that he wonders why so much is wasted in reports when everyone knew that if Garp found something wrong he would deal with it personally.

"HA and they said that this would take me all day, I have been a marine for years, this paperwork is a piece of cake," he enjoys the fact he was almost done, all neatly organized and ready to deliver.

"GARP!" And just like that someone slams the door open of his office open and his neatly just finished pile of reports spread to the floor to make him work for probably more hours and perhaps even a day.

Surprising himself, Garp just mutters "So that is how it feels like."

"YOU ABSOLUTE MORON!" Screamed Sengoku having barged in the office with all the rage of an angry god, every marine around the area ran and hid from the rage of the man nicknamed "The Buda".

"Well hello to you too Sengoku," Garp really was not mad that the paperwork was now in a messed state. He did it enough to Sengoku through the years to let his old friend let him go without troubles this time. "What did I do this time? I'm pretty sure I have been good for the last few months, just chasing some pirates and training recruits"….he is sure he didn't do anything worth pissing off anyone relevet at least.

"YOUR BRAIN DEAD SCHEME GAVE YOUR GRANDSON TOO MUCH POWER!"

Grandson? The only one he could be referring to was- "What did Luffy do?" In his mind Garp was praying for anything other than the word pirate to be the reason for this.

"HE USED THE LEGITIMITY YOU GAVE HIM AND DID THIS!" Sengoku slams a newspaper on Garp's desk and for a minute the vice-admiral runs the possibilities.

If it was piracy then it was on the wrong time and Luffy wouldn't break a promise for no reason so that was(thankfully) out. What could he do with marine 'approval'? All that Garp did was give Luffy popularity, the chance to see how was to be a hero.

Okay, did he join the revolutionaries?...Not his style, even if he rebels against the government it would be as a pirate. Maybe he was seduced by a noble lady because of his fame and the father threatened him to marry her? Luffy would absolutely reject marriage like that, especially since it means he would have to settle down and his ambition won't allow that unless the woman would go with him on his adventures.

If he had attacked a Celestial Dragon things would be way worse, that was out too. He really should pick the paper, Sengoku is giving him the stink eye.

Finally opening the paper he is greeted with the first page news, the ones the owner of the paper 'Big News' Morgan sees as a priority, and he almost falls down from his chair and passes out.

Right there on his view was a picture of Luffy, a picture that will be spread through all the seas of the planet for this was the main edition of the paper. Luffy looked stupid with a smile that could only be called goofe but around him any could see the the procecion of followers, a throne and on his head a huge crown too big for his head to the point he needed to use his hat to have it there.

The headline was simple but he could understand why Sengoku was agitated 'The New King is Crowned, Monkey D. Luffy, He Who Rules Most of The East.' What followed was an explanation of the claim where it is revealed that Luffy gained the support of almost thirty islands to have him as their king, quite a sum. For what he could read, many nobles were in the capital of his new kingdom on vacation and swore themselves after he stopped a pirate attack on the Conomis island.

And that was not all. Because so many islands with different governments made the same oath to the same king all of them are considered a single kingdom with all the benefits that any other had, including the right to a personal army for protection and the use of their resources however they wanted, all on the islands belong to him now if he pays the tax and whoever is supporting him, because he knew Luffy has no interest in being that kind of king, would make sure the damn thing was paid for the benefits.

He wondered how certain others would react to the news….

…..

Somewhere on the Grand Line "LUFFY! WHAT THE HELL!" Two men were sharing stories about their acquaintance, a brother and a friend, when one of the subordinates of the older man brought forward a newspaper.

The crews of both sides swore that the faces of the captains in that moment would bring joy to all for the rest of their lives.

…..

Huh, looks like Luffy forgave Dandan for her past as one of his first acts, saying that she helped him keep some mountains safe from the real bandits. That is interesting….."So….can he still be a marine?"

"'Can he still be a marine'?" Sengoku repeats raising a eyebrom "'Can he still be a marine'? 'CAN HE STILL BE A MARINE'? GARP DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THAT MEANS?' He demanded gesturing to the newspapers. "YOUR GRANDSON JUST BUILDED, ARGUABLY, THE RICHEST COUNTRY OF THE WORLD!"

"Now, now Sengoku, you are exaggerating," how could that be the richest just like that? It was just born and it had barely a month of existence. "That makes no sense."

"Garp, who am I?" The sudden question surprised Garp, especially the calm tone of it.

"You are Sengoku," he was not understanding the question.

"And my job is?" Does he want to play twenty questions now?

"The fleet Admiral of the marines, the boss of the navy," he saw his friend eye twitch at the last one. "What is the point of these questions?"

"THE POINT…" the man stops for a bit and takes a deep deep breath to calm down before continuing, "The point is that I understand the world more than you do, more than a lot of people do and I had to learn economy to do it, politics to work with it and when I tell you this…" He points to the paper. "Is the beginning of the richest country of the world and maybe one day even the strongest YOU SHOULD LISTEN!"

Garp nods but still doesn't get what is the problem, "Okay...what of it?" Couldn't his friend just get to the point?

"Garp, you gave your grandson 'approval' from us by using Smoker to affirm him as a hero," Sengoku knew that most people wouldn't understand what exactly was happening but after years working for the World Government he could see the writing on the wall. "There was only one organization, legally speaking, with that big of a reach and it was the World Government. What your grandson just accomplished was creating a miniature of the main government but without the Celestial Dragons. DAMN Garp in a few years the East Blue may still be the weakest sea but it will be by far the richest."

"Aren't you exaggerating a bit?" There is no way Luffy knew about all that, he doubted the people backing him would if what Segoku says is true.

"Do we have to repeat the last few minutes?" Sengoku takes off his glasses and massages his eyes for a bit, "We have seen plenty of pirates rise to power in our lifetime, you were there with Xebec and we are here with the Yonkou. But those were pirates. This time we have a 'Hero' becoming king, a 'hero' you made us give our backing to. Opposing him would be bad especially if they obey the laws and pay the taxes."

No one can say that Garp is dumb, slow sure but not dumb, "You think the Gorosei would want to do anything about this?" Because his purpose in giving Luffy the title of Hero was convincing him to join the marines and protect him against the government. If Garp had to choose, he doesn't know what he would do.

"No," Sengoku was quick to assure him. "They can't see what I can and I won't tell them anything." The last piece shocked Garp and seeing this Sengoku explained "Your grandson did nothing wrong and he is acting by the law, even if he does become all powerful until he does any wrong doing I will do nothing against him."

Sengoku is the kind of man that would always do the right thing when possible, his justice was the 'justice of order'. Until Luffy did anything that threatened that order, Sengoku would let him do as he pleased, as much as he would Garp in a sense. That tranquilized Garp, knowing that his friend had chosen to follow his conscience instead of what the World Nobles would want. "What am I supposed to do?" Garp didn't want to make the life of his grandson harder, especially if Luffy changed his goal and didn't want to become a pirate….Garp would only be sure of it on his 17th birthday or if he asked himself.

"Don't go to the East, at least for a while," the anger must have showed on his face because Sengoku quickly explained what he meant, "Your grandson started something and if we are show helping more than we should that may impact him negatively, maybe not on the East but on the high levels of the government. If he is seen as a treat it will be the Cipher Pols that are going to be sent to deal with him."

What a scary thought, Luffy isn't ready for such a challenge yet. If they infiltrated to kill him the boy could defend himself but not from the CP9, the best assassins from the government and there is also the fact that the others CP could try and mine his reputation from inside. Luffy wouldn't care but the people that he is trying to help, and Garp knows that is the only reason he would become a king in the first place, could be caught in the crossfire.

"Fine," decided Garp "I will stay away for now, I will try and find something to make myself busy in the Grand Line." That was the best Garp could do for the moment.

"If it helps, I approve of what he is doing," Sengoku was surprising Garp much that day. "The people of the seas stand divided by nothing but the oceans themselves, if someone can bridge this gap I say let them, if they do it for the right reasons."

"And will the old farts let that slide?" The fact that the Gorosei was not being brought up more on this talk should either reassure him or scare him for Luffy sake. "You know they have the same info as you and that they can use more power than any of us."

Sengoku sighs at that, he knows Garp is right. At the end of the day the marines work for the elders and not for the people and if they order it, they would have no choice but declare war against the new kingdom, howerever…."Garp, who am I?"

"Not this again, just say what you think."

The smile on Sengoku's face was the most happy he has been in a while, such was the rarity to tease his old friend in the past few years, "If the war is declared we would lose, maybe not to your grandson but to the reasons the admirals have not left the Grand Lines for the last couple of years."

Ah yes, the Yonkou again. If the main fighting force of the marines or even too many of them leave the Grand Line there is a chance that one of them tries to take over the Paradise to get more armies or weapons to their side, not even mentioning what that would do to the government stability in a lot of levels. "This is truly the Pirate Age isn't it?"

Sengoku rolls his eyes, "We just need a chance, an opportunity to get the Yonkou in a position they can't run and we can end it with our own hands." The Fleet Admiral was sure of that, he was convinced they could break Roger's legacy.

Garp knew the truth however, one that his friend is still unable to see or refused to believe, while the World Government stays as it is, there will never be peace. There will always be another Roger, another Whitebeard….another Dragon. "Well, my next vacation will be years from now, hope that until then Luffy will have already done with the king bit."

"He didn't plan that?" The surprise on Sengoku's voice made Garp laugh from joy.

"Plan that?" The Vice-Admiral just stayed there laughing for a long while, by the time he stopped Sengoku was already gone and he calmed himself a bit. "Maybe that is going to stop him from becoming a pirate." All that the old man wants is his family safe, marine or not if Luffy was protected he could live with the boy's decisions. He keeps reading the paper, "The Flowers and Fruits Kingdom…."

…..

After his 16th birthday Luffy was getting more frustrated by his current position, dressed in fancy clothes with only his hat as a personal choice, the rest was a nice suit and a(cool but cumbersome) cape. He was raised as king of a country that had too many people and too spread to just take care of itself and he had to make appearances and some stuff that he never wanted in his life. Like sitting in a boring meeting to make decisions that he would never see the result of himself.

The original plan was to have the leaders of each island govern themselves with coordination, using his name and position to do acts that wouldn't make the World Government mad, but Luffy was never one to just sit quietly and he offered a suggestion and advice in something or another about some islands.

Apparently his idea was good, too good even to the point that every new idea that he had was brought to a meeting like the one he was now. Surrounded by den den mushi and talking with the governors of each part of his territory. Their jobs were determined by the system that their island was ruled before joining to become the kingdom, there were nobles and mayors at the meeting, both good and bad ones, but his word was law. All of them respected it, even more when his ideas made money or improved the life of his citizens.

But that was months ago and besides training and spending some time with his friends he has been stuck in his palace, built on the centre of the Conomi Island, where he is supposed to lead everyone but besides that he feels like he will go crazy. He grew used to traveling with Nami, with the company and now he is always sitting on his throne doing…..what? Some say leading but he says nothing. He wants to go out, see more places and meet more people.

"...the attacks of Krieg have been reduced to nothing at this point, not a single one of our islands or ships have seen or heard any news of him…." he hears the part about Krieg and that makes him even more mad, he still hadn't the chance to get that coward.

"Luffy pay attention," whispered Nami at his side. She does it because she knows that he wants to get Krieg and that information is important to it.

Of all things that changed with his 'ascension' as some called it, Nami being his right hand woman had not, she still takes care of many of the boring stuff that he didn't know how to but she is also growing as frustrated as he was for not being able to leave as they please. He is not the only one missing the sea.

"Why haven't we dealt with Krieg yet?" Asked the king and everyone else shutted up to listen. Luffy rolled his eyes and he made sure the snail catched that, almost all in this meeting knew he wanted to be a pirate and yet here he was, trying to make a brand new kingdom work because he can't let people suffer. Maybe he is a hero? He hated thinking that. "We know that he is going to hurt us at some point, why aren't we finishing him already?"

"Your majesty," started one of the snails, Luffy knew the name of the speaker, a noble called Gugi. "You shouldn't bother yourself with such a trivial matter, let the marines deal with it. Krieg is just a pirate." By the way many of the snails turned to look at the speaker, nobody liked that comment. Krieg had attacked many small islands in his time and the fact he stopped because the World Government recognized them now didn't make all better.

Luffy knew this was one of the people that didn't know he intended to become a pirate but he was not in the mood for this. "Aren't I the king?" The snails nodded. "Then, I want that man gone and if we are missing something to get him I want to know what."

Even Nami was nodding after that comment, the snails that belonged to the smaller islands, the majority, agreed as well, "We lack cooks, your majesty." Spoke Fabian, the man was the first to call to Luffy being king and it is his major supporter, telling him stuff even when others under his authority didn't want.

"We have cooks," the problem actually confunded him. He knows for a fact that the palace had at least ten to take care of his staff meals, not to mention his as well. "Just the other day Pernigam made a nice steak to all."

Fabian's snail nodded and he said, "We have cooks sure, landbound cooks, those that never cooked at sea or for long trips and we don't know how long a campaign against Krieg will last and to every ship we send we need also to send, at very least, three cooks that know the best foods for the sea, how to make fish and have the ability to ration food when necessary." Looks like a lot of stuff goes to be a good cook in the ocean.

"And can't our own cooks learn?"

"We need time, your majesty and also those willing," Fabian sighed before proceeding. "After the formation of the Flowers and Fruits Kingdom we have managed to pool many resources together but people are still complicated. Not because we lack them but we lack who to teach them. Thanks to Roronoa Zoro's and other's training we have plenty of fighters but that is just part of what we need."

Zoro left the company to become Luffy's 'Royal Guard' or something like that, it was just an excuse really but the swordsman is not complaining. He gets to train recruits and spar with Luffy, he was not really affected by the change. Even now, if Luffy looked outside, he would see Zoro training the volunteers to his army or new members for the company that wished to learn swordskills or his fighting style: Santoryu.

"Can't the marines help?" asked another at the meeting.

"If they could, they should be dealing with Krieg." And with that comment all discussion was lost in debates and complaints about the marines responsibility or not with the kingdom or with pirates or whatever.

Luffy looked at Nami and she just shrugged, as the main councilwoman she was technically the second in command of the meeting after him but even her can't be bothered to stop the descent into chaos that was happening. When it comes to dealing with something important, everyone thinks they know everything. "I want to deal with Krieg," he said in his 'king voice'. There is no discussing this.

"Sir it's not our fault that most of the good sea cooks are in the marines or in the Baratie-"

"What is this Baratie?" Luffy interrupts before anyone can say anything else, there was a moment of silence and all wait for the noble who talked to explain his comment.

"Well…."he began, it was clear to all that he was nervous. "It's a restaurant." He looked like he didn't want to continue talking but Luffy was going to insist. At this point they knew the kind of king they had, "It stays in the middle of the ocean."

That put a smile on Luffy's face, "Nami, have someone prepare a boat, we are going to the Baratie." The young woman smiled and also got up from her chair to leave, even though she hated these meetings, profitable or not ,considering all money there goes to the kingdom technically not….didn't stop her from buying lots of clothes like the ones she is using, a practical red dress for an important occasion. 'It's important that important people look important' said Nojiko. She only says that because she doesn't have to deal with this kind of work everyday.

"Sir," another snail called, "Let others deal with it, we have important things to discuss."

"Having our seafaring man well fed is not important?" Luffy had one advantage on all this king business that he could always use. Since he was the king he could technically do anything, he could actually leave and they couldn't stop him, just like it was promised before and he will in a few months. It was already decided that he, Nami and Zoro would leave and those that knew it were already preparing, the other advantage is that, noble or not, the moment that these people swore to follow him, he could ruin the with just a few words and nobody would be able to undo it, he just don't abuse it.

The guy on the other side of the East was already panicking, "Yes sir, of course it is but you are the king you should be bother with….minor situations, we can send a representative and-"

"Nope, we are going." He got up and started to leave, "You guys can solve anything else today right? Let's go Nami." And they started to leave the meeting room.

"Wait sir, we need to review the taxes, talk about production sir…." Soon all Luffy could hear was the fading sound of one of his council members' complaints.

He and Nami walk through the palace in the direction of the exit to the main road before Nami asks, "Aren't you gonna ask Zoro if you want him to come along?" Luffy stops, turns around and starts moving to the garden, Nami just smiles and follows.

The palace or castle is big but more for practically than for opulence(was that the word?), it's pretty much a huge barracks and sleeping quarters to his people, company, army and staff, then a demonstration of wealth. Because of his position and the many people looking for jobs in his kingdom there is a staff of at least seventy people, from cleaners to cooks and others ready to serve him at any moment.

But those were just the staff, there were also soldiers, builders and sailors close and ready to scourt him if needed. Getting to the garden, he sees plenty of soldiers and fighters training. Some would join the company and others would become protectors of their villages or towns, trade vessels of the kingdom and islands where they could make a life for themselves away from their home for any reason, Luffy wanted to give his people the right to choose where to live if he could and many liked that.

The training grounds were a simple forest that worked as a garden to the palace and had plenty of space, if Luffy looked behind him he could see his….'home' for the last year on the East. There were five towers and the structure was simple, Luffy liked that.

The garden had some flowers and spaces that gardners took care of, but the main attractions were the trees and open spaces all good for runs, spars and training. Luffy comes to his garden every day to get ready for his future journey….when he doesn't have his king stuff to do or is out on another island of his kingdom. He still can explore but not as much, always with schedules and timetables, if Nami or Zoro weren't there to make him company he would go mad.

The training is divided into five parts: the first three are the preparation part, if you are going to fight you better be prepared physically before even thinking about getting a weapon. And the teacher for that section is….."Hey mom, how is it going today?"

No other than Dandan, former mountain bandit and now royal instructor of the basics of fighting(it was what the job was so Luffy kept the name even if others complained). The woman still dressed in men's clothes and carried her axe, if someone needed a lesson she could hit them with the blunt side. "Still can't believe you convinced me to take this job." She sounded happy even if her words didn't show it.

Being the adoptive mother of a king has benefits, the fact he got her a full pardon was proof of that, "You can't exactly be a bandit anymore. Besides, you like to wipe the new blood into shape." Being a bandit involved lots of exercise and she knew how to teach basics to the recruits…..better than his gramps would at least. If he trained them, some would probably cry and run after the first day.

"Most of these weaklings are falling behind on the runs but plenty came from farming villages or similar so strength is actually fine," there were at least forty people running around at the moment with another forty doing push ups or sparing, in the last few months only the strongest stayed to complete the training, the rest learned some of the basic and gone to learn a profession to complement it. The ones that stayed will be fighters one way or another and they will be the strongest of the East Blue. "About the mental aspect….these fellas won't run from a fight, that I assure you."

After what almost happened against Krieg's crew months ago, Luffy made a point that there had to be some tests to see if one person was ready to fight. Since Dandan was a bandit once and had to ease some people in his life he asked her opinion, she came with some ideas, most he didn't approve but one he could go behind.

"Make them know fear," she had said. "One can show his or her's true character when under stress or panic." And that is what she does now, forces her 'students' to challenge her by pushing them to their limits physically or mentally. Those that did were explained the merits of the test and swore secrecy, those that resist in silence also received merity and the ones that couldn't take the pressure were sent to their homes or new posts depending of where they wanted to be assigned to, choosing between their home or to let the their superiors to choose. Even the ones that finished the training had to pass to the same process after all is said and done gaining a more trustworthy position in the kingdom. Those that finished would be leaders and would have to give additional but a different training for the ones who gave up for their relationship would be more direct at that point in their posts. That also taught the new commanders to lead more directly outside of battle.

"I'm going to leave for a while," he informs her. "Going to find cooks for our ships."

Dandan nods, "Finally getting ready to fight Krieg?" She knew how much Luffy wanted that fight, if it wasn't by his wish to help and his duties as king he would have already got it, but with Krieg's numbers he also needs the kingdom to fight properly. "Is Nami going with you?" He affirms, "Zoro is up there after the 'armed ones'."

"Thanks mom." Luffy goes in the direction where she said Zoro was and Nami follows him both passing by the 'armed ones' or the group of weapons. They trained with all kinds of weapons that the kingdom could get their hands on but there are not many firearms….not that they can have much use when someone can dodge them and punch hard enough to break stone. When someone laughed at him raising that point he gave the man a gun and told him to shoot, after convincing him that the king was ordering and it would be fine, Luffy dodged all six bullets then destroyed the wall of the guy's house. All that made him respected by the people of the island of that noble, who was an incompetent idiot and was replaced later in favor of his brother who knew what he was doing. Also weapons are expensive and he didn't need Nami or anyone else complaining about the budget.

After the 'armed ones' there were the 'sword ones' which were exclusively focused on the way of the sword, Zoro was the instructor of this one while the 'armed ones' were trained by the most skilled member of the kingdom present. Shinzo used to teach spears but he was out with the company this week so they were being trained by one of the guards.

There was supposed to be an unarmed section but apparently he was too much of a brute and had not enough technique and until they find a proper unarmed fighter to teach them(and him because he wants to get stronger) there will be only spars and tests of strength supervised by Dandan.

"Move your arms more," Zoro was instructing one of his students, a young woman named Kaoro that was trying to learn one handed sword styles. His class was divided like that with almost thirty people trying to learn from him from the ones that had passed the basic part, of this thirty, eighteen wanted to learn one sword style, five wanted to learn a two swords approach, the last three wanted to learn his personal style, the Santoryu and two that wanted to learn all of them. "Remember, you must pay attention to the whole body when swinging as well but your arms are still doing most of the job."

"Zoro," called Luffy and the green haired man turns around, he is still dressed in his classic style with haramaki, a simple shirt with his swords at his side "We are going to recruit cooks. Wanna come?"

Zoro turns around and tells his students, "Keep practicing and sparring with each other. If anyone asks where I am, tell that the king wanted to go explore and as his main guard I am doing my job."

"YES, ZORO-SENSEI!" And the trainees keep training, obeying his orders without hesitation. Nami finds it amusing.

"Look who got to teaching as a fish gets to swimming," she can't help herself but comment. Zoro just shrugs his shoulders.

"You should try," the Santoryu user comments "They respect anyone who knows what they are doing. If you have anything to teach go ahead." He sounds nonchalant but both could see he actually enjoys teaching…..the fact that Dandan already weeded the weak helps.

"So we are going to get cooks so we can kick Krieg's ass," Luffy explained. "Wanna come?"

"Sure."

"We can leave tomorrow," said Nami. "I will make preparations for the ship." She smiles at Luffy and asks, "Want to go as a king or as a pirate?"

Luffy smiles.

…..

Krieg was getting frustrated for the last few months, he will have to delay his plans for the Grand Line for months, maybe years at this point and the fault lies in the damn Straw Hat.

He punches his table in his office for the hundredth time in months just remembering the problems that the brat gave him for the last few months. First it was the galleon, then the crew sent to get it back got captured or killed and he repurposed more of his ships to his kingdom and the last part is his damn kingdom itself. HOW? HOW A BRAT BARELY OUT OF THIS DIAPERS BECOMES A KING OUT OF NOWHERE?

The worst part is that the government approves of him, which means he is on the same deal that protects the other major kingdoms from Krieg or else he will have to deal with the marines.

"Don?" Gin enters his office and his face tells Krieg everything the man needs to know.

"What went wrong now?" He can guess, either one of his captains got cocky and sunk or the alternative that is plaguing him for the last few weeks. Gin looks nervous, he doesn't want to be the deliverer of bad news. "SPILL IT OUT GIN!"

The man flinched but nodded, "Another of our usual targets joined the Arlong's Bane kingdom" he stopped to breathe a bit to give Krieg time to process. "They already have a small outpost with cannons stationed, when we approached they opened fire on us instantly….we lost a few men."

At that Krieg flips the table and let out a roar of rage, "ALL THE FAULT OF THAT DAMN BRAT!" Krieg was almost saying 'screw it' to his deal with the government but he knows that he would kill a pest and face a lion if he did that. "AT THIS RATE MY TREASURE IS GOING TO EVAPORATE!"

Because everytime he or another attacked an island they ran to join the new nation. Once they become a part of it Krieg couldn't attack with and they get some soldiers and cannons to protect their ports. He also heard that every island is getting training for a small militia for their inhabitants. For the time being Krieg can argue that it's too risky to attack them and use his treasure to buy supplies for his fleet at a higher price but even then he is starting to run dry.

He can almost swear that the brat was planning that from the beginning, using Don Krieg as a villain to make the small islands and even some of the big kingdoms to join him and swear fealty. The Don would be impressed if all wasn't being done at HIS EXPENSE.

He is running out of islands to raid and the news praised the young king's initiative when some small fry tried to attack one of his islands and got sunk or arrested for their troubles, East Blue is starting to become a dangerous place to pirates to attack islands directly and only attacks on the trade routes are safe at this point. Krieg's problem is that HE can't attack even that.

Calming down he took a deep breath, he needs a plan to recuperate his losses or at least cut his expenses. If he doesn't do something someone will figure out he has a deal with the World Government and from that there would be no time before challengers, assasination attempts and desertion from his ranks.

The men need something to do, "Gin, order everyone to go in supply runs." The Straw Hat wants to rule the East? Time to show him the real king. The boy can have the East.

"Don? When you say everyone…."

"I MEAN EVERYONE!" He was sure the men behind his door heard him too, "I WANT SUPPLIES, I WANT SHIPS, ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT CAN HELP US TAKE THE GRAND LINE! WE ARE DONE ON THE EAST BLUE, IT'S TIME FOR ME TO BECOME KING OF THE PIRATES!"

"SIR, YES SIR!" Gin, always loyal, saluted and moved to initiate his final orders. There is a plan already in place and he expected to execute it in a few months to go and take the Grand Line, but he had to change his timetable. The boy can keep the East, he will rule the WORLD.

The operation involves many attacks on all trades routes and ships that can be found, kingdom or not, there will be no protection anymore. The deal will be irrelevant anyway once he has reached the Grand Line and his men are going to be equipped for it, the new ships are going to be filled with many thieves and bandits that they can recruit, the prisoners are going to be ransomed and all that will reinforce his power which guarantees more recruits in the future.

He hadn't planned to go for hostages before, neither the ships but he had to adapt because of the actual problem he is facing and the loss of one of his commanders. Speaking of them Peluce enters the office. "Don, are you sure about it?"

He was the one who helped Krieg plan the operation and to improve after their losses, "If we stay, we will have to fight anyway. The best we can do is leave this place and since the deal won't be useful anymore we can break it at our leisure." The smile on the giant man was cruel and full of glee, he hated the government and had used them enough.

"We lost one of our commanders and six of our ships," Peluce looked at his superior with a serious look on his face. "We don't know if that news reached the Grand Line but if we go now we may not have that much support."

"We have little choice," Krieg spoke loud enough so only his commander could hear him. "If we stay after we break the deal the government won't go easy on us here but the Grand Line is so full of pirates that the most they would be able to do would be to raise my bounty."

That was the thing about the Grand Line, it was chaotic and that offered opportunities to pirates that run from the other seas. It was harder to navigate and, from the little information they managed to get about the place, even if the marine presence there was large most of it is in the center of the place, not the entrance. "Yes, once we are in we will have time. But there will be no going back from this Don."

"We will have fifty ships, we don't need to come back."

Raising an eyebrow Peluce comments "Fifty? Our men are competent but I expect no more than forty six or seven at most." Not all trade ships are unprotected and there are a lot of unknown factors and even the chance that their crew didn't run into any on the way. "Once we have the supplies of our other bases, we will have enough but ship? That is a hard sell."

"Our men will pull it off, we are the strongest pirates and soon I will be Pirate King," Krieg was certain that his plan will work and that they would take the Grand Line like a storm.

Raising an eyebrow Peluce just says, "You the boss," And he moves to go and do his part.

Yes, he was the boss, soon to be king. The only king that mattered and once he was at the top he would come back and teach the brat a lesson. Krieg had no rivals and challenging him was a mistake anyone will regret.

…..

Nami was enjoying the wind of the sea passing by her, "God, how I missed this," she whispered and some close to her smile. Being stuffed in an office is fine but not for long, her home is the sea, her passion to explore and map new places.

One of the advantages of Luffy being king now is that the company had the backing of a kingdom and, by default, the World Government who approves said kingdom, it allows her one of the most important things that makes sure the company can work without her or Luffy, they can delegate.

For training it was easy, both in the company and the bounty hunters that decided that Luffy was their boss too for some reason(seriously his charisma is monstrous) a lot of the territory of the kingdom is getting prepared to defend itself and go and help their allies without many difficulties with smits making cannons to use against pirates that were known to be aggressive working around the clock and also to equip the trading vessels that are going to be repurposed on a fighting force once they are ready to counter attack Krieg.

And Luffy really wants to pick that pirate apart for going against the Code, it wasn't him but still..., even Arlong was not insane enough to do that. Nami can't disagree that if Krieg is letting his men run around with that attitude he was too much of a risk to let loose and after some research during her tenure as prime minister of a kingdom(second only to the king himself and she felt she was not qualified for that. Luffy's words about her concern? "I trust you more than any other to do this) she knows the awful stuff that Krieg let's his men get around doing.

The transport of slaves was just the tip of the iceberg and 'Foul Play' Krieg made his name proud: Betrayals, the attacks without fear to harm innocents, what he did to some of the survivors that he ransomed. All that made her blood boil.

Luffy put the company to work and made sure that many islands had defenders ready, even those he hadn't anything to do with. They ended up joining the Flowers and Fruits Kingdom out of gratitude and his foresight on trying to stop Krieg. Now they had a fleet that could cover a big number of territory, allies and trade routes, in total fifteen ships. Still not enough to face Krieg but enough to make short trips and cover lots of places with good coordination.

Genzo was indispensable in that, being named later minister of the defense, he had the job of coordinating the many troops, both in the company and the army of the kingdom itself(he also felt underprepared but Nami just said the same Luffy said to her). He proved himself capable in a few weeks in the job, the years being under Arlong's rule helped shape his mind in a weapon when under pressure and to coordinate how to make much with little. The fact that their main forces are stronger than Krieg's pirates also gives him some security.

"OI NAMI!" Called Luffy jumping from the crow nest. He dressed as he usually does when they don't need to go around looking important, his vest, jacket, and his hat on his face. Today he is going by jeans and shoes since they were going to a restaurant to try and gather cooks for the company, army and, if possible, their pirate crew. She herself was dressed with a sleeveless shirt and miniskirt enjoying the heat and the wind from the sea.

"Enjoying not being a king for the week?" His smile said it all, the ship they were in was a small cruiser one but the crew were trusted personal, soldier of the kingdom and members of the company that wanted to work for Luffy until the day he left for the Grand Line, they knew soon, both of them and Zoro will leave as pirates. "Yuve was alright up there?"

"Yep," he nods, still smiling. "We have no sign of the Baratie yet but all is well and the sea looks calm." He is full of energy that day, probably happy to just be away from his king job and able to just go to a new place once again.

"Haven't you found a new staff yet?" Nami was curious about that, she was sure someone sended one to him as a gift or something. "You need to let go of the one you lost."

The two move about on the deck, checking if anyone needs help, Zoro was around training with two of his students, they already completed the main training but stick around Conomi to either help him or help protect the town. Moving on they reach the end of the deck and Luffy talks, "Yeah I need a new staff but there is no rush for now."

"Didn't you get one as a gift," Nami finally asked about it.

"Yes, one made of gold with jewelry in it," Luffy tells her and she almost felt her eyes turn to bellys because that must cost a fortune. "It was frail and would break easily so I sold it."

"Please tell me you didn't just give the money to the kingdom," his silence was her answer "Damned Luffy, it was a gift for you."

"For my coronation, so it was for the kingdom." Back and forward they went, debating what gifts were for him or for 'him' per say and the value that some of them would have on their journey as pirates.

After a while something is visible in the distance, it was a ship and while approaching others became visible, all with plenty of space to not hit each other but still in a great number to all be together in the middle of the sea for no reason. At the center of it there was a smaller ship, it's design was not made for long travels but for comfort with a rooftop covering all it's extension and multiple floors or decks, the sails were folded and it looked like a fish in general.

"This is it," said Nami, "Almost as it was described, Luffy I give you the Baratie, a ship in the middle of a trade route, the longest one on this sea and considered one of the best restaurants in all East Blue."

The rest of the crew also heard her speech and there was a small round of applause from some, she smiles, turns around and gives a small bow. Luffy just laughs and comments "Let's hope we can find some good cooks."

Finding space to anchor the ship wasn't that hard, the place was probably chosen to make sure the clients had a place to drop anchor easily, someone commented that it would be easier if the restaurant was on an island but then it wouldn't be even half as famous as it is. There is something beautiful in the idea of traveling a long journey and finding a place to rest in the middle of it, fill their stomachs and then go in their merry way, ready to face the world. She can see the appeal of such a restaurant.

"Alright guys," Luffy calls to attention and the crew gets ready to listen "We can't all go there but I bet that they can send some food to the ships if we ask." He looks around, "Anyone want to go" all raised their hands and the straw hat smiled "Well there is only one way to solve this….. Bye!" and he throws his hat to Nami jumping overboard straight to the sea, completely ignoring the small boat that would take him to the ship.

Everyone looked at him going for a few seconds and Nami took the time to just sit on the boat placing the hat on her head, when the crew looked at her she just asked "Are any of you paying?" with that it became clear she was going.

It was decided that her and two more would go and the rest would watch the ship. After a few minutes of discussion it was Zoro and Yuve the lucky ones that would have the least to do, Zoro even argued that as the king's guard he should go but all knew that he was just hungry and decided he didn't want to wait for the food. With that the three made their way to the Baratie.

…..

"'The client is king, he is always right'," repeated the mantra constantly: an adult cook with a shaved head with a small rope tied to it, he was dressed as a cook in blues with an apron but still looked intimidating because of his big muscular build. He finished trimming his beard to make sure it was elegant for the customers. "'The customer is always right'".

His name was Patty and today he will be the 'waiter' for their clients, he was generally a cook with great skill in making cakes and other sweets but their restaurant is without professional waiters because they always run away from the cooks. Almost every day there has to be a cook working as a waiter, especially when the Baratie is packed like today. He worked in the kitchen earlier but the chef that was the waiter for the day was the sous chef and he was called to work in some special dishes so now it's Patty's turn to play waiter.

Putting a big smile on his face, the big cook moved to exit the toilet after washing his hands. He sees the clients all eating happily and can't help but feel his smile turn real, this is what a restaurant is supposed to look like: people eating in joy and the cooks bringing more food from the kitchen, receiving the praise they earned by their hard work.

Soon he goes to stay by the door to wait for any new customer, checking his clothes once again he opens the entrance and sees a young man, almost a kid really, drying his clothes. He can't help but wonder if he was a cabin boy of one of their customers' ships, must have fallen down or something, "Are you alright young man?" the boy stopped drying himself for a bit and smiled at Patty.

"Sure," he answered "Just waiting for my friends, we came for cooks."

The 'cooks'? He must be a customer, "Are you here to eat?" He asked, just to make sure and, at Luffy nod, Patty just smiled and said "Welcome to the Baratie, the greatest restaurant of the sea. Would you like a table? If so, for how many?"

"Can we wait for my friends first? I kinda don't know how many are coming," the young man scratched his head and looked to a ship at the distance, from looking at it's direction Patty could see a small boat coming to the restaurant, at this he could only say….

"'The customer is king, he is always right'" at his line the kid grimaced a bit and asked.

"Can you not call me king please, I really hate that."

Patty was confused about the request. Had the kid been bullied and the word king was what he was called? Generally people liked being compared with royalty. "It's fine sir, the customer is always right." Patty had no problem avoiding a word if the customer didn't like it.

"Thanks! I am Luffy, nice to meet you," he makes to shake Patty's hand which the chef accepts.

"Nice to meet you too, I am Patty and I will be the waiter this day," he legitimately liked to attend nice customers and he could tell Luffy was a nice guy, barely an adult but polite. "I am sure you will enjoy our dishes. If you ask for any of the cakes I will be the one making them, it is my specialty."

"Really?" He asked eyes full of wonder, "That is awesome….but wait, why are you the waiter then?" At the question Patty scoffed.

"Because the wimps couldn't take a bit of a harsher attitude," Patty said but he suddenly catches himself remembering that he shouldn't say stuff like that to the customers, "I mean ah….the life on the sea is hard and not many can deal with it." Luffy just laughs.

"Relax. You are right not everyone wants the seas," Luffy lets out a huge smile and Patty is sure he understands the problem, smiling he continues to talk with his new acquaintance while they both wait for his friends.

They didn't have to wait for long, a few minutes tops and Patty could honestly say that he made a new friend that day. He sees three people in a small boat, two women with orange hair and a straw hat, another with black short hair and a man with green hair and three swords, all acted like experienced sailors even if they looked young but in this world young was extremely relative.

"Welcome to the Baratie, are you all Luffy's friends?" They nod, "Is anyone else coming?"

"No," answered the girl with the straw hat but she took it off and gave to Luffy, "We need to deliver food to our ship though" Patty nods.

"Don't worry, we will have some ready to deliver when you leave. All we need to know is the numbers on the ship and if anyone has any preferences."

"Guys this is Patty," the man bowed for the introduction, "he is a cook turned waiter for the day, he is a nice guy and he can make sweets and cakes. Patty, these are my friends, Nami Zoro and Yuve." Luffy said, pointing to each.

Patty smiled a true smile at this, he liked being called a nice guy and having nice customers, today is being a good day "Welcome, now let's find you all a table."

The restaurant Baratie had a comfortable atmosphere, all inside were eating their hearts content and there were no problems today, no odd pirates, no big fights among the staff and no sous chef being a pervert. There was a good chance he would act out to the two young ladies who came with Luffy but he just needed to play this smart, serve them himself and make sure their table is in a good spot AWAY from the kitchen, easy.

"Hey there is a table there," says Luffy pointing to one right in the front of the kitchen door. Patty was having trouble thinking of an excuse to not give them that table, it had even four chairs already there. "Something is wrong Patty?"

He just smiles, all he will need to do is make sure they are not bothered, "Right this way then," he leads them to the table and moves to show the menus at the table, the easier way to have menus close to any of the chefs/waiters "We have many kinds of dishes, you say the word and I will have it here in a flash. For drinks, we have plenty of options, from the simplest ale to the most expensive wine in all East."

After getting their orders Patty moved to the kitchen to have them ready, he will need to be careful, he doesn't want the nice customers to have a certain kind of problem, "Hey Patty, any new order?" asked his best friend Carne, the Meat Master and the one who he needs right now.

"That's right, we have a new customer, a nice guy named Luffy and, check this out, his order was one of all the kinds of meats we can make." Even the other cooks stopped at that one.

"He and his friends must have quite the appetite" noded Carne as he went to start preparations but Patty shook his head.

"He is with his friends, true, but the meat is just for him the rest have their own orders" he then starts to recite the orders made, beside Luffy's there was also a mixture of fishes and fruits, rice with sashimi separated and a well made steak with garlic bread. He also made sure to not mention other names or characteristics besides Luffy's, he was playing a dangerous game if a certain someone noticed that…."Where is Sanji?"

He heard from the restaurant "MY BEAUTIFUL ANGEL, YOU CAME FROM HEAVEN TO MEET ME!" Patty couldn't help but facepalm, there goes his hope for a peaceful day.

Moving out to the table where he left the new customers he sees a blonde man dressed in a black formal suit and shoes with only a blue shirt covered by the rest and a tie, also black. The young man was on his knees proclaiming his love for Nami, that happened once every other week: a woman of beauty would show up and the guy would start to act like an idiot in love and completely change his disposition focusing only on her for the first few minutes, even when he recovers if she gives him the minimum attention he will go back to being a love puppy again. There is even a bet going that if he ever meets the most beautiful woman in the world he will either die of blood loss for his perversion or turn stone from the situation itself.

"SANJI!" He exits the kitchen to stop the blonde from making a fool of himself, "STOP DISTURBING OUR CUSTOMERS!"

If Patty was a fairer man he would say that the interactions between him and the direct apprentice of the main chef were the main reason why most waiters quit the job. He isn't a fair man and he would blame Sanji anyway, "What do you want?" The blonde turns to look at him irritated.

"You are bothering the customers," he tones down his voice to not bother anyone, even if most people are watching the interaction. "Go back to the kitchen and leave the young lady alone."

"HOW COULD YOU?" Sanji says sounding absolutely offended, "I just met the love of my life and you act so callously" Patty just massages his eyes trying to starve off a headache.

"Love of your life? What about that actress that was here last week?"

"She came and she was gone to follow her passions and dreams, I had to let her go." One could see the fire on his eyes.

"Okay, fine and the wife of the other guy last month?"

"I only discovered that later, if he mistreated her in any way I would have fought for her." The worst part is that Patty knows Sanji was serious about that.

"Shishishishi," Luffy was smiling to all that, not being bothered by the banter, "Oi Patty, who is the blonde guy? He is funny," well if the customer is having fun it's all right.

"His name is Sanji," the blonde man turns back to the ladies.

"My name is Sanji and I'm the Sous Chef of this establishment, all you two need to do is say the word and I will get anything you want." He had hearts on his eyes and the orange head girl showed a small smile.

"Anything?" Patty didn't feel comfortable with that tone in her voice, he felt like he was about to be pranked.

"Just say it and I shall move the oceans for it." He stood straight, a hand above his chest ready to face the word.

"Excellent, we will need a discount to all we are going to eat here, you see I'm the treasurer of our ship and my boss tends to spend a lot on food." If Patty knows Sanji then the next words are going to be….

"Yes my lady, for you and your beautiful friend I will make sure you have a 100% discount in all the dishes." Patty faceplams, HARD. Where is the boss?...He left yesterday to buy supplies and only will be back a little later, depending on how much they eat the damage will be huge.

"Nami," Luffy starts, "Don't be cruel, there is no need to get us that much of a discount." Patty knew Luffy was a good guy, that proved it, he would get a discount anyway after that….just not as high.

"I'm sorry, who was the one who limited our budget again?" She looks at him, not really waiting for an answer, the meaning is clear, any expense needs to be calculated and she is responsible for it. What did she mean by 'limited'?

"Even then, it's not fair to just eat all that for free," he turns to Sanji, "Please, don't fall for her traps, she will take everything if you let her."

"IF IT'S HER SHE CAN!" Where the fire came from?

"Give up Luffy," said Zoro "That man is completely lost to his perversion, he has no discipline." Patty found the comment correct.

"WANT ME TO SHOW DISCIPLINE MARIMO?" Sanji was getting ready for a fight, that is bad.

"BRING IT ON, ERO COOK!" The two were ready to fight and by the looks of it the other customer will get hurt, but he can only try and stop Sanji and the blonde is way stronger than him. He didn't want the customers hurt and he didn't know how strong Zoro is.

"So…" starts Luffy "When the food comes out? I'm starving."

At that comment Sanji immediately stopped "Haven't you eaten today?" He took a cigarette and lighter from his suit and soon he was smoking.

"We were coming here to eat, so I waited" Luffy smiled "I really want to see if the cooks here are as good as I people say."

"Well," Sanji smiles "You are about to see that we of the Baratie are the best cooks in the seas."

"Can't wait." Luffy smiles.

And just like that, all the tension was gone. Luck was on Patty's side that day and there would be no fighting which was great, Sanji was even motivated to prepare the dishes for the table himself going to the kitchen with all the confidence of a man in a mission and NOT just for a woman. Patty turns to Luffy. "Thank you."

"For what?" Luffy tilts his head, "I just said what I wanted, he is the one who cares that I am hungry."

Huh, well you look at that, Sanji had his priorities straight after all, paying attention to the customers needs before his own. Patty just could say, "Thank you anyway, soon I will have your orders."

Luffy nods as thanks and after nodding to the others Patty goes for the kitchen again for a bit, besides having to make sure he is the one fitting the bill for them, he also has something to say to Sanji.

Approaching the blonde man who was still smoking(he never understood how he could smoke and still have the nose and taste to cook) he noticed his approach, "Anything else?" ask Sanji.

"Just an advice," Patty smiles, "Many girls don't like push guys and Nami seems like one of those."

"Nami? SO that is the angel's name" even in a high of happiness the man still had his mind on the dish he was making.

"If you low your guard she will eat you alive."

"She can if she wants," then he focuses on Patty "and what do you know of the ladies?"

"HA, I was young once you know?"

"Like when you came here for work desperate after being fired, how many times again?"

"Feh, cheek brat" Patty turns to go back to his post as waiter and attend anyone who needs, "Don't say I didn't warn you, also I won't let you give the discounts" before Sanji could complain Patty finished, "You try and I tell Chef Zeff."

Puffing his smoke Sanji went back to focus on his dish, Patty left satisfied and ready to go to work.

…..

The food was delicious as he was told and Luffy was having a great time, talking to his friends and with Patty when he came to warn that another chef was taking plenty of food to their ship. Apparently it is a service offered by the restaurant but not everyone uses it, even if it costs a bit because thirty extra people were being fed Luffy wouldn't let them be without good food.

Sanji also passed by the table again and stayed there talking with Nami and Yuve. From time to time Luffy needed to stop Nami from trying to get a ridiculous discount, it's not that he cares about the money but after his time as king, as small his reign is being and will be, he now understands the value of it to others. Even if you are a good king, a kingdom is an expensive thing to take care of.

After eating the time for the bill had come, Nami tried but Luffy had none of her shenanigans, as his mother would say, and called Patty over. In the end there was still a discount from what he could understand but it was more because there is a promotion if you buy more than ten meals, an incentive to feed the crew of a ship. There was also a friends and family discount courtesy of Patty, when asked he said it was a small thank you for not letting Sanji ruin the restaurant. The fact that Nami was the one pulling the blonde strings went unsaid.

"Yep, they pass," says Nami after they finish their meal, he is also full and had no complaints however Zoro had some.

"If a certain cook wasn't here it would be better," he says looking to the cook.

"Wanna go now marimo? You are well fed now so I can kick your ass with no regrets," for the most part of the afternoon the man had given Nami his full attention but now looks like they are back to square one of their greetings.

"Sure thing, let's find an island and solve this once and for all." They started to headbutt each other and Luffy knew he needed to do something before the ship was sunk.

"Hey Sanji," he calls the blonde to attention but he kept focusing on Zoro and the two were ready to start the fight. "Sanji, can I talk to your boss?" Generally one would think the idea of someone speaking with their boss was enough to give them pause but Sanji was still completely focused on Zoro. Luffy turns to Nami and raises an eyebrow.

She just sighs and says "Sanji, can we give our compliments to the chefs, I know that you made most of this but we also should thank the owner right?" In less than a second the blonde attention was on the girl.

"OF COURSE NAMI-SWAN….but the owner and main chef is out right now, he is probably coming back a little later in the night or tomorrow in the morning for sure, that old geezer can't stay away from here for more than a day" Sanji explained, focusing for a bit to talk about his boss.

"Well if he doesn't get here soon we will only be able to talk with him tomorrow," said Nami, they still need chefs and there is an easy way to guarantee some, especially the ones who cooked their food today.

"DOES THAT MEAN THAT YOU TWO WILL STAY A FOR A FEW DAYS?" Sanji looks really happy with the news and Yuve decided to say something.

"Our ship can stay close and we have money to eat here for…." she tried to do the math but she was not really good at it, Luffy didn't blame her, he also sucks at math. She was good at playing cards but never at counting them.

"Four days," informed Nami, "We can stay more if we have some good discounts."

"OF COURSE, DON'T WORRY ABOUT PAYING TOMORROW, I WILL TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING." At that moment Luffy said something to try and tame Nami's opportunism.

"Do you want to start talking with their boss after telling him you pretty much robbed him of a couple thousand belly in food?" Many can't say Luffy isn't smart, but no one can deny he isn't wise. With Nami sticking her tongue a bit making a cheeky face, Luffy said "Great, what is there for desert?"

Soon closing time had arrived, most of the ships that were around the Baratie had departed with just Luffy's still anchored close. Sanji sent them(the girls) away with a lunch and a promise that the two would be there in the morning for a special breakfast, to which Zoro just said "At the very least the guy is dedicated to his perversion." That comment almost started a fight but this time Nami said she was tired and Sanji refused to do anything that would delay her sleep.

Soon they were back on their temporary home, the ship was one of Krieg's once and it was nothing much in general, Luffy for a time thought of using this one for his eventual adventure but it would need ten people at least to use it right and it just didn't feel right. It belongs to the kingdom now, not to him…. technically it IS his but the army didn't have many and he would do better with a smaller one anyway.

"Today was fun," he says to his friends on the way to their ship, once there they would see if all was alright with the rest of the crew, "Can't wait to talk with the grand chef and get food like that everyday."

"The chefs at home are not enough?" Nami asked with a smile. "You will break their hearts Luffy."

"Good food is good food," said Zoro. "Is not that the ones in the kingdom are bad it's just that the ones here have more practice."

"Maybe we should come here as the same group," Yuve said fast, "I mean…. both of us promised Sanji we would come back and if we bring more girls there are risks,"

"He may be a flirt Yuve, but he is harmless," commented Nami.

"Nami he is not dangerous, you are." No comments on that, even Luffy didn't want to end breaking the restaurant by eating all he could eat everyday.

Reaching the ship all the crew looks satisfied except the designated cook, he is not an official one and he was not really bad at it, but he had his pride and it was hurting a bit from the food of the professionals.

After a bit of a small meeting to tell the rest of the plan of staying, and yes they also would get more food tomorrow, all that was left was to sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day.

…..

Nami hadn't fallen asleep yet, she was on one of the bunk beds they had on the ship and couldn't help but think what would happen in the morning. If they can't secure a contract with the chefs of the Baratie they will have to try and convince one of them to teach their cooks the necessary to work in the sea and that can take months.

Every day that passes Krieg becomes more of a treat, sure he is not attacking now but sooner or later he will feel pressured to do something drastic and then people will die, the best way to avoid that is to stop him as fast as possible.

She looks around and notices all the other girls were already completely asleep, because how the ship is divided there are quarters to both men and women, even if someone on the crew was in a relationship with another, when on the see there is no funny business, not on a small ship where everyone can hear it.

Getting up, she puts on a pair of sandals and walks out of the room, she can't sleep and feels that something is wrong, she has no idea of what but it is bothering her a lot.

Exiting the room she looked around the ship, there were some people up, watchers and guards in case of pirates or climate change, it was a full moon that night and lanterns were not needed thanks to the moon and the stars and she could see much of the ship with little effort. Walking around to distract herself, she still can't shake the feeling that something is wrong.

It's not the climate or possible shifts in it, she can tell by the wind, waves and there were few clouds in the sky so no storm that night and probably not on the next day either. It wouldn't surprise her if the restaurant was there because the route is one of the most peaceful and the climate is the most generous in the East Blue. The fact that it is in the middle of the way for at least a couple of islands also must be great for business.

Suddenly she took her staff from her leg, combined it fast with practiced motion and made a spin, throwing an attack to her back hitting a man dressed in gray on the head. The guy fell to the deck and didn't get up. She didn't even need to hesitate "PIRATES! WAKE UP WE HAVE PIRATE ABOARD!" She may not know everyone on the ship but the Krieg's jolly roger on his clothes were a really good indicator that he was not friendly.

She sees the hooks at the side of the ship and other men climbing, the alarm bell of the ship is ringing and soon all her crew would be up and ready but for the next few moments she will have to defend this side on her own, moving fast she knocks out some of the hooks before the pirates could get on the ship and when on gets up she just hits his on the face and sends him back down.

She has knocked the third pirate when another two get in from different points, she was about to rush them when Luffy comes flying and sends them out himself "Needing some help?"

"Not really," she answered while unhooking and sending another pirate back down, this is not a small attack. "Can you see their ship anywhere?" They had to come from a proper boat or something similar to have so many.

"I don't know, first let's deal with the ones already here." Luffy was right, the pirates were attacking and even when they are thrown out they keep coming back. Luffy then kicks one other pirate and he falls to the deck, she keeps up the pace and hits a couple herself. This continues for a few minutes when they hear someone shout.

"GUYS! THE RESTAURANT!" She turns and sees it side by side with another ship, that one with Krieg's jolly roger and it was obvious what was happening, they were being attacked as well and if the restaurant hadn't anyone up at the time, the damage there would be huge, in materials and lives.

"We have to do something," she says and knows Luffy won't disagree with her, the problem is that they were being attacked too. "We don't know if they have any fighters there." She hits another pirate before continuing, "GO! I can hold here for now."

She knew Luffy wouldn't like that but they needed to go help the chefs before someone died, he hesitated a bit to leave his friends but she can hold the fort.

"Get there fast before things get worse, trust your crew… Trust us to take care of ourselves."

Luffy nods and rushes to the water, jumping over many enemy pirates, once on the sea he starts to swim to the Baratie. Seeing this Nami knows that the situation there will be under control and all that was left to do was to deal with their invaders. She takes a fighting position and smiles.

"GET HER NOW!" "SHE IS ALONE!" "TAKE THE SHIP!"

The idiots try to attack but Nami can see their attacks and dodges easily, all the training she did with Luffy made her really light with her feet but she still lacks strength to finish them without hitting the right places. All around her she hears the sounds of fighting-

SMASH

She keeps her balance but many around her aren't so lucky, they were hit by another ship, bigger than theirs and with Krieg's mark on it's sails, there were more pirates jumping down to them but that didn't last long, "TATSUMAKI!" Even if Luffy is away Zoro is still on the ship…. or was because Nami sees him jumping inside their attacker's, that is fine if this was the most that they have then all will be over soon.

She hears a loud noise to her side, "HAHAHA THIS WAS ONE OF OURS RIGHT? TIME TO RETURN HOME LITTLE SHIP!" It was a big man covered with iron plates like shields and a big crystal ball on his head, he had a maniacal grin on his face and she knows he must be one of Krieg's. "Time to DIE!" He charges at her with his huge shields.

She dodges the first charge and looks around, most of the crew was busy fending off the pirates and Zoro is attacking the other ship so she is the only one in position to deal with the guy. Swallowing her saliva and her fear she gets ready, "You boarded the wrong ship today."

…..

Sanji was having a nice dream, he was cooking for at least twenty different women, one more beautiful than the last and everytime he served a dish, their favorites every time, to one of them they insisted on giving him a reward. While passing he sees Nami in the middle of them with her arms around Yuve.

He approaches and she motions him to get closer and closer and-

BAM

He awakes startled, he recognized the sound of something falling down hard on the ground and it came from above, Zeff's quarters. But that didn't make any sense, if he hadn't come back at the open hours then why would someone be in his office?

Getting up Sanji just goes to check, the old man was a pirate once but with a small ship and just four people traveling at night is a perilous endeavor and he wouldn't risk it unless something urgent happened.

Exiting his room he sees a man turning the hallway, he never saw that guy before and he knows every cook in the ship but that was not what disturbed him. What did was the sword on the man's hand and his friends also armed coming from the corner.

"PIRATES!" After screaming and hoping the others chefs had heard him and charged and to deliver a kick on the face of the one in the front. The attack was strong enough to send the ones behind back and make a lot of noise, there were at least ten still standing "I don't know who you are," he charges again "BUT NONE OF YOU IS LEAVING HERE ALIVE!"

The next few minutes are a blur for Sanji, he demolished every single pirate on the hallway but there were more and he could only keep fighting. Kick after kick he just strikes all on his reach, for some reason the pirates were using only swords and clubs but it didn't matter, soon Sanji got reinforcements.

"AHH!" Charged Patty out of his room, he punches one pirate and pushes another on the wall,he finds and picks a club and starts smacking the pirates. Soon the other chefs also jump out of their rooms and attack the pirates who were obviously surprised not expecting that much resistance from cooks. But they were cooks of the sea, the chefs of the Baratie, kicking out pirates was a hobby for them.

"There are still some upstarts," said Sanji.

"Down as well," informed Patty, "We should focus on the restaurant, Chef Zeff cares more for it anyway."

Sanji agrees with the assessment but depending on the goal of the pirates the majority will be below, there is no realistic reason for them to be on the top, "You guys go down, I will take care of the old man stuff."

The others agreed with that, Sanji is their best fighter, even if he goes alone there is little chance that some common pirates can beat him, "Give them hell Sanji," says Carne. The blonde nods and races to the top while the rest pick some weapons and goes to the restaurant itself.

Sanji races to the top as fast as possible and once getting to Zeff's quarters he hears the noise of stuff breaking. Not wasting any time he kicks the door open and finds three pirates inside with an open window, around them there was a lot of stuff broken, cabinets, closets, the room itself was practically ruined.

"Hey look, it is one of the cooks."

"Great. Where is the owner of this room, someone like that must cost a pretty penny for someone else."

That was what this was about? Money? They dared to trample the dreams of the old man for just money. Sanji saw red and using his hands as support, he spins and knocks out the three men easily, "Be grateful I don't like killing, but you are really tempting me."

He wasn't hearing any more noise and that can only mean the battle is over. Letting the pirates on the ground he moves to the restaurant to join the others, then all they will have to do is get some ropes and call the marines…. after they deal with their ship. They must have come from somewhere afterall.

Getting to the restaurant he passed by many defeated pirates, they made a mistake in attacking the Baratie "Hey, I took care of the ones upstairs but we will need a lot-"

He saw his comrades all on the ground bleeding, bruised and defeated, the last one standing was Patty and he was already on his knees before he was hit by a cannonball in a tonfa. The chef was down and would not get up.

The attacker was dressed in gray with a bandana with blue stripes, he had two tonfas with cannonballs, was tanned and looked like he hadn't slept in a few days, "Another one? What the rest of the crew is doing?" the man talked.

"What are you doing here?" Sanji was mad and wanted to make the pirate pay but he has to think about the wounded around him, if this can be solved without anymore bloodshed then he will take the option. "Whatever you want, get it and go, we never did anything to you."

He nods, "Then surrender and get ready to go, you all will either serve as crew or hostages."

"WHAT?"

"My captain is going to be the Pirate King," he informs, "Because of certain problems we faced in the recent months we lost some of our ships. You and your friends can either join us or leave once a ransom is paid from you boss, your family or whoever cares for you."

The money Zeff has wouldn't be enough to free everyone and his family…. the less he thinks about them the better, "We have nothing to do with you or your captain, leave or I will throw you out." He will have to risk it and here fight the guy, he will need to be careful but he can beat him.

"It doesn't matter," said the man with all the patience in the world, "My captain gave me orders and I will see them done, we can do this the easy way or the hard way." He points one of his tonfas to the downed chefs, "They choose the hard way."

"Well," Sanji starts before charging and doing a jump kick at his opponent, he blocks the attack with his weapons but is pushed back a bit away from the chefs, "Hard way it is."

"It is." The pirate took a few steps back and Sanji didn't hesitate to press his attack. Two fast kicks were used and the man dodged the first and blocked the second but that didn't stop the blond.

Spinning around he tried to aim for the man's face but he ducked and took another step back, giving Sanji more time to attack. Finally the chef hits the left arm of the guy that couldn't raise his weapon fast enough to block. Sanji kicks three more times to force him to focus on that side before shifting fast and aiming for his leg.

Dropping on his knees the man then takes another kick, this time on his face, that sends him to a table breaking it in pieces.

After a few seconds the man got up easily, blood was dripping from his forehead but he still looked no worse for wear, "This is far enough."

Sanji raised his curly eyebrow, "Far enough for what?".

"Far enough for the other hostages don't get in the way." The man spread his arms and lowered his center of gravity a bit, he is now ready to fight.

"What is your name?" Sanji asked, this man is either really considered or dedicated to his captain to stay on defensive just enough to not get anyone else on the way. Hell he could have threatened one of them or just told Sanji that was what he wanted and he would have backed down a bit just to not have his friends killed.

"Gin." (the man-demon 12,000,000 belly)

"Sanji." Now they knew each other.

That was all the courtesy this fight would have, the two advanced at themselves, Gin using a short and cautious approach with Sanji going all in for another kick.

This time Gin not just blocks with his right, he also counters with his left aiming for the ribs of the blonde who is sending to the ground, recovering fast Sanji doesn't charge again. This was not his usual run of the mill pirate, he was stronger and obviously trained a lot.

Since the chef wasn't going for him Gin decided to take the initiative this time going at his opponent, still cautious. Sanji sees this and also takes a slower approach, paying attention to his opponent's weapons more than anything.

The first tonfa comes from the right and Sanji takes a step back, Gin tries to tackle him with his body using his shoulder but Sanji got far away enough to do a kick, the pirate spins completely using his other tonfa to the defense blocking the attack. Sanji changes the position of his feet and uses it to separate them, he does a flip on the air and uses a wall to launch himself at the pirate going even faster than before.

Gin manages to block the flying kick but this time he was pushed even further back and his right arm was trembling, he doesn't know if it was the impact or the adrenaline but he focused on his opponent that was going at him again with a fast sequence of kicks.

Sanji was the faster of the two that much was pretty clear in between the sequences of kicks trying to bring the pirate down, most of them were aimed to the face or torso but Sanji was smarter than that and was taking cheapshots at Gin's legs every chance he could.

Finally Gin blocks only with his right for a few kicks before swinging in an arc with his left forcing Sanji to retreat but the pirate Gin wouldn't let him try to go for his own barrage of attacks.

Sanji doesn't use weapons, a chef should only use his or her hand to cook afterall and he was barefoot, if his opponent was using swords this could have been a worse fight then it already is, at this moment Sanji uses one of his feet to block one of Gin strikes from above his head, Zeff's training made him capable of support the weight of the ball as much as his opponent.

There was a moment of surprise on Gin's face, this was obviously the first time someone did something like that and Sanji capitalized aiming at his shoulder with an axe kick to Gin's shoulder followed by another on the ribs and then of the arm making the pirate drop his weapon.

Gin retreated several steps back getting close to one of the tables, he looked to where his weapon had fallen but didn't move for it because Sanji was in the way. For a few seconds the moon was covered by the clouds leaving both combatants completely blind for that time.

Once they could see each other again Sanji charged, Gin pulled his arm back ready to intercept but now he only had one tonfa and Sanji was confident that now he could beat the pirate easily.

Gin surprised the chef by using his free hand to grab the table by his side and pushing it in Sanji's direction. The chef reacted by kicking the table and breaking it only for the pirate to show up, jumping after the table he used as bait and cover for an attack.

Sanji ended up receiving a cannonball on his chest coming with the full force his opponent could use, it ended up launching him to a wall and he was dizzy needing a few seconds to catch his breath.

Unfortunately for him, Gin wouldn't give him those seconds striking fast and hitting the face.

Sanji falls to the floor bleeding, Gin stops to take a breath, "Going to have to call some guys from the ship," he looks at Sanji and sighs "This didn't need to happen."

Suddenly Sanji kicked his legs forcing him to the ground while he got up to do an axe kick aiming to the head, same as his opponent had done. Caught by surprise GIn had no defense and ended meeting the floor with his face.

Sanji was not taking chances and goes for a kick from the side with his other leg, Gin takes the hit and falls on his back but rolls around to dodge another kick, getting up he notices his opponent is hurt but still ready to keep going, "How did you get up after that?"

"You messed with the wrong restaurant," the chef gets ready for another assault, "I won't let you or anyone else come here and mess with this place." The restaurant is the dream of an old man that Sanji wouldn't hesitate to call father if asked and he will protect it with his life.

"You sure you don't want to surrender and join our crew," Gin asked while getting up, he still has one of his tonfas, the other away from his reach. "You could be a commander, I can guarantee that the benefits are worth it."

"I have no interest in following someone that attacks like a coward then preaches to join them after attacking a restaurant like a coward in the middle of the night," Sanji was pissed, there was nothing that Gin could offer that would stop him from beating the pirate to a pulp.

"Pity," Gin pulls his arm back, "You would have made a great pirate."

"Not for a coward like you or your captain," Sanji advances to the side going for the disarmed arm, he estimates that it also must be hurt from his disarming attack.

But his opponent is a veteran pirate, even in the East Blue you don't survive other pirates or skirmishes against the marines, when you deal with all that you learn to go prepared in any way you can and Gin proves this by pulling out a gun and shooting Samji mid charge.

The chef is hit on the shoulder but only because he managed to dodge just enough to the right that saved his life, yet he is worried. His opponent had a gun, knew how to use it, he was wounded, even if the bullet had just scratched him the rest of the fight was taking its toll, and he had nothing to block the shoot, worse comes to worse he will have to keep dodging until he can hit the guy but the pirate is not the dumb type, he is patient and will only shoot when Sanji comes to close or maybe never, using the gun as a shield to retrive his other weapon.

"Things don't have to end this way Sanji, you can surrender and wait to be ransomed. I will make sure you and your friends are well treated anyway," the pirate is moving to his other weapon, the gun still in Sanji's position.

"Ha, want me to surrender?" he tried a plan, "Drop the gun and let's finish this then."

The pirate looks amused by the idea, "You are strong, maybe I could beat you but I don't need to risk it," he reaches his weapon but hasn't moved to get it yet. "Besides I am a pirate, anything that we need to win goes."

"Sounds like more a coward than a pirate," he waits to see if Gin would fire or reach for the tonfa, if any of the two happens he needs to move fast, "Even pirates have honor and you have none."

"What do you know about being a pirate? You are just a chef, a strong one sure, but your place is in the kitchen."

"And I am proud of it," Sanji smiles "If I had a choice I would cook all day and stay with the ladies all night," he was completely honest about that, "But the owner of this restaurant was a pirate and he is a better man than you and your captain could ever hope to be."

There was a twitch of Gin's eyebrow "You don't know what you are talking about."

He didn't shout but his whole body got rigid, that was what Sanji wanted, "I mean, you said he would be the King of the Pirates but I doubt that Roger ever needed to force recruitment in a bunch of cooks," it was well know that Roger never had a fleet or something like that. "And where is he right now? In the boat hiding like a coward? Maybe sleeping like any normal person should at night?"

"YOU WILL SHUT UP!" Gin is getting more agitated, Sanji is ready to spring into action once he commits.

"It doesn't matter right now, the important thing is," Sanji takes a deep breath "HE IS NOT HERE! KRIEG IS A COWARD!"

Sanji saw the moment that Gin was about to snap and attack but, as if out of nowhere, the man just calmed down and smiled "Nice try but I am the second in command of a fucking armada, do you think I can't keep my head cool under pressure?"

This was a stalemate, Sanji was ready to move at the first sign of Gin lowering his weapon but Gin had no intention of giving up his advantage until he could make sure that he could either retrieve his weapon safely or take Sanji out, if he just take a shot there is a chance Sanji dodges the bullet and he would run out of ammo eventually.

There were more factors that Sanji needed to be attentive to, there may be more pirates outside in a ship waiting for a signal or something, if any of them comes in them he is screwed, Gin also may decide to just say screw it and use one of the others as leverage and that would be worse.

It was all silence for a moment but then suddenly the main door was bursted open, both men turning to see who it was, the blond recognized the youth, it was the guy named Luffy and he looked like he was throw in the ocean and swimmed all the way there, "ARLONG'S BANE? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

The shock in Gin's voice surprised Sanji but he didn't react, Gin still had the weapon aimed at him and- Wait a minute, where he heard that name before? "You again?" Asks Luffy but then he looks around and sees the chefs beaten and Sanji bleeding holding his shoulder. "Did you do all this?"

By the voice and he could see that Luffy was mad, even without his hat, there was a shadow in his eyes that made him feel uncomfortable. "You shouldn't be here, leave now or-"

"Did you hurt them? Answer the question," there was rage there. Sanji was sure he only came to the Baratie that day and never before but even then he looks mad about the wounds of the chefs.

Gin didn't hesitate, he wasn't even caring about Sanji anymore as he turned the gun at Luffy and fired it aiming for his head. But Luffy moved his hand and just catched the bullet like it was a fly, Sanji had no idea how the raven head did that and Gin was not much better as he just shot again just to the event repeat itself.

He fired a couple more times but eventually he ran out of ammo, Luffy noticed this, let the bullets that he caught barehanded fall to the ground and asked again, "DID YOU HURT THEM?" Gin got rid of his gun and got ready to fight picking his previously fallen weapon from the floor.

"I'm stronger than I was last time we fought Arlong's Bane and this time-"

Whatever he was going to say he didn't have time to finish it, Sanji saw the young man move, he watched almost as if in slow motion but in actuality Luffy moved faster in that moment than Sanji had moved in his entire life. From the door to Gin it was a second, even the pirate realized that but he hadn't time to defend himself as Luffy just punched him in the face "GORILLA SMASH!".

The pirate is sent flying and hits another wall of the restaurant, unlike the time that Sanji was sent flying this time the wall was considerably damaged, as in there is now an imprint of the man in it, Sanji would say he was impressed if he could say anything at all after the shock of what just happened.

"You alright?" Luffy asked him, getting close to see the wound. Sanji got up easily, now that the enemy was taken out there are plenty of other things to do.

"I am, the others need help," Luffy nods and starts going around checking the wounds. It was obvious the guy was no doctor but he knew how to stop bleedings and see if anyone was in grave condition. Sanji knows, by just watching him move, that Luffy cared about the chefs, it was weird considering they knew each other for less than a day but they blonde wouldn't complain for the help. He just starts moving to the door.

"And where are you going?" Luffy asked with a raised eyebrow, "You are also hurt." Unlike the others Sanji was shot and fought Gin with the pirate going all out so it is fair to say he was worse than the rest.

"They must have come from somewhere," said Sanji nodding to Gin, "If they have a ship close then I need to deal with them there before they come here and trash the place more."

"They have two," Sanji turns his head, wide eyed and looks at Luffy for the comment, "One is close to here and the other is attacking my ship."

Sanji didn't like to hear that, "WHAT ABOUT NAMI AND YUVI?" He is starting to panic thinking how the ladies must be in danger.

"Don't worry, they have lots of help there, most sailors on our ship are fighters and the strongest guy from their side was here….. I think he was for sure the strongest Krieg pirate that I fought so far. "Luffy tried to reassure Sanji and the blonde managed to calm himself a bit.

"Right, can you please watch over the others?" Sanji moved to the door but Luffy was already midway there, "HEY!"

"You should rest, leave the rest to me." Luffy looked at Sanji determined but the chef also had his own pride.

"You don't need to bother, I will deal with them, you rest if you want."

"Nah, I can still fight all night if I want."

"Well, I could the night and the next day."

"Cool." Sanji almost fell to the ground after the last one.

"What about the pirates already here? Someone should keep an eye on them or tie them up at least," the chef was still trying to get Luffy out of the way, he may have knocked out Gin but that could have been luck as far as he was concerned.

"You should do that." Unfortunately for him Luffy was decided to end all himself,

The two were going out of the restaurant now, the pirate ship was right at its side, anchored almost as if another client, "You sure Nami and Yuve are safe?" He noticed the two ships at the distance, one had hit the other and there had to be fights happening.

Luffy looked at Sanji in the eyes, "I trust that they can take care of each other." He turns to the pirate ship, "Besides Nami is stronger than you think."

…..

Nami is not strong enough for this, this armored guy jumped on the ship and just started attacking like a mad man and what was worse is that no one seemed able to hurt him. Some of the sailors were pirates from the Grand Line, sure they weren't the strongest, Luffy and Zoro could and did beat them in fights on a daily basis but even then this guy's defense is absurd.

She had managed to dodge the initial assault and hide herself behind the mast while the rest of the crew dealt with the pirates but nobody could defeat the shield guy "AHHH" charge Ichibo with his huge blade but the guy just paired with one arm and punished with the other, the red head was sent to the ground for the third time, bleeding now more than ever.

He was not the first to fight against that guy, most of the crew fell to him already and the worst part is that there was no damage done to him. Nami was terrified, she wasn't a fighter. Where is Zoro? Still on the other ship? Why is taking him so long to take care of the small fry when the real dangerous guy was here beating them all to a pulp?

From the side she could see Yuve running up a wall and getting in position to a surprise attack, unfortunately for her the wood made noise even with her swift steps and the crystal head guy turned around.

The young woman is already on the air, committed to her action. She grabs her chakram from behind her, a circular blade with a small handle, hard to use because it is capable of attacking in multiple directions or like in this case used in range.

She throws the weapons and her aim was true but the guy blocked again protecting his face with one of his shields. But that must have been the plan for when Yuve touched the ground she drew her second one and moved to the side where there was an opening in the armor and she attacked fully intending on killing the guy.

However this was not to be as the man turned around fast enough to block with his chest, "How?" Yuve asked, almost a whisper but Nami could hear it loud and clear.

"Nice try, blocking my vision with my own shield," the smile of the man was full of confidence. "But I grew up in the woods, I heard you even before the ship made a noise and when you choose which side you would attack I heard you move easily."

He grabs her arm and lifts her, making Yuve drop her blade because of the pressure. When she is above his face he punches her with his shield in the other hand right in her stomach then he lets her fall and attacks her face making her bleed while she goes to the ground.

"HAHAHA these guys are weak, at least there are a lot of them, the captain will be happy if they earn us a good ransom." He looks at the girl he just had beaten, "I am sure if no one else pays to save you someone will pay to have you."

That was enough for Nami, "HEY ASSHOLE!" The man turns to her as she assembles her staff "STAY AWAY FROM MY FRIENDS!" She wasn't a fighter, she was afraid and didn't know if she could even win.

"OH, another one here, well more work that will soon be done," the man steps away from Yuve and moves in Nami's direction, "If you surrender I can be really nice you know? I will treat you all really well until the captain decides your fate."

"Sorry but I don't believe in a slave trader word." That made the man pause, he tilted his head and then let out a laughter full of joy.

"You are the ones that stole from us? The straw hats?" He looks around until he sees a flag with the straw hat in it, "Now I really can't let you go. You all took the galleon and made our lives a lot harder, the Don is really mad because of all the troubles you gave us."

He approaches her but she takes a step back, they keep doing it until Nami hits a wall, she is afraid, she is not the fighter, she wants Luffy or Zoro to show up and save her. But they won't and for her friends she is the only one that can fight now. Swallowing her fear she prepares.

"Nowhere to hide now," he charges at him at full speed and she is ready, even before his attack was complete she could tell for some reason that he was going for the head with his right so she goes below the offending arm while he hits the wall.

She tries to gain some distance but he wouldn't let her charge and trying to punch her with his shields, she is faster and always manages to dodge his attacks for the moment. In an instant he overextends himself and she sees an opportunity and tries to swing to his face, the only part of his body she can really hit.

He uses his other arm to block, "Annoying wench." He tries to attack more frantically but even though he tries for feints or pretends he is growing tired she always manages to dodge, "Stop running you bitch." He throws himself at her trying to crush her but once again she manages to jump back just in time.

"Not complaining about training ever again," she whispered while the man gets up. How can he move so easily with that much metal? She has no clue but there is no need to rush this, she doesn't need to win but to hold him away from everyone else until the cavalry comes back.

The girl is feeling more and more confident in the fact that her opponent can't hit her but the moment that she shows a small smile it makes the pirate mad, "YOU HAVING FUN WENCH?" She kept her distance, there was no point in risking herself and the man noted that, he also noted something important earlier, "You care about these weaklings don't you?"

He steps closer to one of the sailors,Nami knew he was never a member of the company and was a native of the Conomi islands, someone that wanted to see the world and not fight. His name was Caro, he was younger than her and the pirate just raised one of his feet and stomped his kneecap, "AHHHHHHHHH!"

"STOP!" She can't let that continue and charges, ignoring every instinct that was screaming at her that it was a bad idea.

Nami was trained to be able to dodge almost any direct attack and she got good even on dodging from the front because she started to pursue Luffy when he used water balloons, the problem is that generally she only had to focus on the attacked and his weapon but now there was another element on the mix: hostages.

Her concern made so she couldn't react when the pirate punched her to the ground, "I GOT YOU NOW!" He goes for another stomp, this time on her but she manages to roll out of the way "GET BACK HERE!"

He pursued her and this time she was finding it harder to concentrate, that was not the first time she took a hit on her life but that was the strongest that someone managed to land one on her. She could feel the bruise forming, the pain was starting to get to her and she missed a step which the guy capitalized and landed a shielded hit in her stomach.

Before he could keep going someone jumped behind him, "NAMI RUN, GET ZORO!"

It was Flint, he was also wounded but was trying to stop the pirate assault by holding him by the neck, unfortunately Flint wasn't in condition to do anything else.

"GET OFF ME YOU WEAKLING!" The pirate tried to shake Flint off but the builder wouldn't let him go, making it hard for the man to move with the weight of his shields and another person in his back. "GET OFF ME!"

Nami had a choice at that moment, she could try to reach the other ship for Zoro and get him to come back but if she goes, there is a chance Flint tires or the pirate does something that frees himself and then her friends would be alone, wounded against a furious pirate that was a sadist. The other option was….

Shifting her posture and holding her staff in her left hand, Nami turned all her focus to her right and barely a second later it turned black signifying that she was using armament. She rushes to the pirate and Flint notices her attack and lets go of the pirate jumping back before he could be hit in the crossfire.

The shieldman finally notices Nami's punch but this time he hadn't enough space to raise his shields taking the strike directly in his face right in the nose making the man fall on his back.

"Nice one boss lady," Flint compliments, he looked tired and he was bleeding a bit.

"You need the doctor," she looks around, "a lot of us need the doctor."

"Last I saw him he was hiding in one of the cabins, that guy wasn't made for fights."

"Most people aren't," Nami looked over the fallen pirate and saw him twitch. Preparing her staff she gets ready to finish the guy.

"BLOOOOOOOOOOOOD! IT'S MY BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!" The man started to tremble and got on his feet quickly. He starts to hit his shields in each other, "BLOOOOOOOOOOD!"

All around him people started to awake, both the sailors from the ship and the pirates. Nami rationalized that the man entered in a state of panic and is calling for his allies. "PEARL IS GOING MAD! RUN!"

The shout of that pirate prompted all of them to race and jump ship in any direction or to try and go back to their own by trying to climb the mast. "What is wrong with them?" She heard someone ask but all her focus was on the pirate still on their ship, she knows she is not going to like what is going to happen next.

She was right, the man started to catch fire and his body was covered in flames but for whatever reason he didn't burn. The now named Pearl started to attack using his whole body as a flaming battering ram to hit anyone on his path. The ship was starting to catch fire as well and the situation was going from bad to worse. "GET WATER QUICKLY!" She needed to control the situation fast.

"YOU!" He was mad at her, all for because she made him bleed. At this moment she can't help but think how she regrets not having learned to fight more seriously, of not having anything to deal with the pyromaniac and of not being strong enough to beat him in one punch.

The flames were spreading and some were trying to hit the guy or to stop him but now that he is surrounded by fire only the armed fighters had a chance and even then they were blocked or thrown back, "Flint go to their ship, get Zoro!"

"BUT NAMI-"

"NO BUTS, HE IS AFTER ME NOW! IF I GO HE WILL BURN EVERYTHING ON THE WAY TO GET ME! GO!" That was the second time that day that she was sending someone to another place while she held the fort but this time she is not even a bit sure she can win.

Flint hesitated but he was gone fast to try and climb the other ship. Zoro is not an idiot, even if he notices the fire all he will think is that his comrades have it all under control, that is why calling him is important because things are definitivally not under control.

"HEY UGLY!" That got the pirate's attention, she is already regretting her life choices when the man charged like a fireball "STAY AWAY FROM ME!" She folded and started to run back with the pirate chasing her like a demon from hell. "ICAN'TDOTHISICAN'T DOTHISICAN'TDOTHIS!"

She was running and the enemy was chasing her while the other members of the crew tried to put out the fires but on letting him chase her she was making the situation worse and the fire was getting even more wild. Seeing no other choice she prepares to fight but then she had an idea, a risk one but her best hope of winning, preparing herself and swallowing her fear she turns around while close to the border of the deck.

The giant fire was still going at her falling into her trap, she uses the side to jump over and to try and force the pirate to the sea. She was shocked to see that the Pearl guy had stopped just before falling on the water and now the fire was spreading even more, "DIE!" He throws pearls covered in fire at her and she manages to dodge but the fire is spreading further, at this rate there would be no ship left.

The man kept throwing his pearls all around, trying to hit Nami and the flames were just getting more intense. It didn't take long for her to make a mistake and get herself hit on the arm, "AHHHH!" She screamed in pain and that shaped the pirate out of his frenezie, making him turn to her and laugh.

"YES! NOW YOU DIE!" he charged again and she couldn't dodge this time, blind and dizzy from the pain. What followed next was even more suffering as the man hitted her from the front, burning her face and sending her tumbling to the deck. "BURN! BURN! BUUUUUURN!"

She was feeling awful and desperate but she was not going to quit, she had to stop the pirate before he burned the whole ship. She can hear some of her friends trying to help her but the flames were many and they needed to keep controlling the fire or else the ship was going to sink. "Closer, just a little….closer." She whispered exhausted getting ready for her last gamble.

The pirate approached, fire still around his form, she didn't know how he did that but she didn't care, there was one thing she could do but she needed to make sure he can't defend. Among her friends she is arguably the best one at use at Haki, she wasn't as strong as Luffy but she could do one thing that neither him or Zoro could.

She split a part of her staff and took a deep breath, powering through the pain and with concentration soon the small segment turned black. Once the pirate was close enough she got on her feet and smacked him on the face breaking a few teeth.

When the pirate didn't recover, she swung her other arm infusing Haki to the rest of the staff to attack again. Haki can protect objects against elements and it also can add the damage that they can do and that is all Nami can think about as she keeps trying to knock the pirate down.

Soon her opponent reacts and starts defending, his flames start spreading through the staff but she is attacking fast enough that on the next swing the fire is out before it can reach her. Again and again she hits the pirate until he falls to the ground. She stops then, the fire still around the man making it impossible for her to keep attacking.

When she stops and the adrenaline falls down, her concentration slips and the staff goes back to normal. She falls on her knees and ends up sitting on the deck, her body is covered in burns and she can still taste the blood in her mouth. Everything hurts so much.

Then she heard, the noise of metal moving and the pirate getting up. He was wounded, had lost most of his teeth but he was awake and he was furious. "I! WILL! KILL! YOU!"

She had nothing else to give, she was exhausted, bruised and burned, there was nothing she could do anymore, she couldn't lift her arms or run, she gave everything and it wasn't enough. "I'm sorry." She whispered to the ones she would never see again.

She thinks of her sister, of her friends, of-

"ONI GIRI!" He came from the side at high speed, and Pearl barely managed to turn before he was cut, shield and all.. "NAMI YOU ALRIGHT?" Look, he is worried.

"I think I lost a little too much blood." That was all she managed to say before she passed out.

…..

Zeff barely returned the next morning to see that there were two pirate ships parked and his restaurant damaged like it never was. The old cook with a huge mustache, dressed in his main chef carb that included a hat so big that couldn't go past most doors and had a wooden peg leg on his right limb, something he gave up in sympathy and he didn't regret it. After checking with his cooks and adopted son(not that neither would admit that easily) for what happened he grew frustrated. If he was here, if he was younger, if he had his leg then maybe he could have done something but the collect of his stock took more time than usual because of the shifts on the East Blue.

The Flowers and Fruits Kingdom foundation throwed the economy of the East out of whack for many people, the small islands banding together made that much of their food and resources were used by their new nation which automatically was bad for the big kingdoms that before could buy a lot with little money and now had to fight for scraps or buy second hand good from merchant ships and even those were hit because the ones that had the symbol of the Straw Hat Company or the Kingdom of Flowers and Fruits had the best prices for all goods not just food but precious metals and others, the advantage of having that much land and people working for a single nation.

The trade route that the Baratie resides is or was one of the best ones, ships used to pass everyday almost without failure but the head chef was thinking of moving because the waves had changed and now the best routes are in the new kingdom. He had to go to at least three different islands just for stock because the first two ones were not members of the kingdom and the price skyrocketed in these ones, the last one that they found was a member and he was able to stock easily and even had enough money for anything extra.

At this moment he can't focus on that, he needs to tend to his crew and make sure to thank their savior because it doesn't matter what Sanji had to say about his fight, he was stuck and could have died so the help that he got was appreciated and the guy wanted to talk to him after he himself saw to his crew and Zeff could respect that.

On the other hand Sanji got a bone to pick with the guy because he apparently let a woman to fight for herself(she wasn't but the opponent was too much for many there) and got hurt to the point that even at this afternoon of the next day she was still in bedrest.

To stop the blonde to start a fight Zeff ordered him to help in cooking food to all, both their saviors and their prisoner, all of the later transported to one of the pirate ships and crammed in a couple of rooms under guards in one of their former ships, the other was going to be sunk once all of value had been moved because there were not enough people to sail all of them, even the Baratie needed to go to one of the islands for repairs.

After cooking all morning and resting a bit in the afternoon now is almost night again and Zeff is about to have a meeting with the leader and the person who helped Sanji, accompanying him were the blonde himself, dressed in one of his usual suits, and Patty, using his usual uniform. Both men had bandages and wounds but they were treated after all the mess. "Now Sanji, remember to behave."

Sanji lit one of his cigarettes, "Don't worry old man, I will be on my best behavior." Zeff really should not bring Sanji to this but then he would probably find a show up in the meeting anyway.

"What was the name of the kid again?" Zeff asks, he was so busy running around that he was not focused properly last time someone told him that.

"His name is Luffy, he is a nice kid, treats us with respect and stopped Sanji from giving too much of a discount to his friends." Patty was trying to butter him up for the kid, he must have really done a good impression and knowing Sanji the discount story must be true- Wait, Luffy? Where has he heard that name before?

Getting to the local of the meeting, the main restaurant or what was left of it, Zeff can't help but feel a bit depressed. There will not be any customers today, not with two ships with pirates jolly rogers around and this will be the first time in years that Baratie fails to do service to any hungry sailors.

Getting to the main hall he see-

"YOU WILL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DONE!" Sanji tried to attack but Zeff was already used to his….eccentricities and kicked him down with his peg leg to stop him from charging.

"I apologize for his manners," Zeff took his time in looking at his visitors, there were three of them, and one was the medic they sent to help the chefs. He was relatively young, used a doctor coat, had brown hair and looked exhausted. After the fight he was the one working the most.

At the right of the three there was a tall man with green hair, three swords and a green haramaki. He was ready to draw one of his blades and would probably intercept Sanji even before the blonde proved himself a threat. He also had an annoyed look on his face. "SHUT UP ERO COOK!"

"WHY? HE IS THE ONE THAT LET A LADY FEND FOR HERSELF?" He pointed to the last one in the middle, looking young sited at the table he had black hair with a straw hat that would look at home in the head of any normal person but dressed in a black suit and red shirt, this must be Luffy and just seeing his face it was enough to remember what Zeff read in the paper a few months ago.

"You are still worried about Nami? She will recover and just need some rest, she will be fine," the words sounded certain and the young man looked to the doctor who nodded and started to list the herbs and medicine that he used to make sure the girl would recover completely without a single scar.

"IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT SHE WILL BE FINE!" Sanji was ready to go again but this time Patty had a hand on his shoulder. Usually Sanji could brush off the patissier but the damage done by Gin was still there stopping him from doing it, "SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN IN DANGER IN THE FIRST PLACE!"

Luffy looked at him for a bit before nodding, the green haired one on the other hand looked mad, "WHAT DO YOU KNOW?" he started to go to Sanji .

"ZORO!" The call from Luffy stopped him, "Let it go, he is just worried about Nami."

"BUT LUFFY….FINE!" The swordsman retreated back and Luffy turned to look at Sanji.

"Nami knew what she was doing, she decided that I needed to come and help and Zoro tried to stop more pirates to attacking our ship and hurt anyone that couldn't fight," Luffy pointed at the doctor, "after all had happened, Nami got the first treatment, she is being looked after even now so please don't disrespect her courage for holding out against a tough opponent."

He may look young but he knows a thing or two about command, you need to trust those behind you to be able to look after themselves when needed.

"Still doesn't excuse it," Sanji says but some of the fire in him died after seeing how calm Luffy was.

"If I knew that guy was there I would have dealt with him first, same thing for Zoro here," he turns to the swordsman, "you didn't know either and Nami is alive. Let it go already."

"Fine," accepts Zoro. "But she will get proper training or at least something to help her deal real damage in battle."

"That is up to her," said Luffy covering his eyes, "I won't force anything but I will ask." The swordsman accepted his words.

"As expected of a king as you, I suppose," Zeff interrupts before anyone could say anything and prolong that discussion. After his words Luffy looked a little depressed and the other chefs looked confused.

"'King' old man?" Sanji grew curious about that and the main chef just gave a small smile.

"You all should read the paper a bit more, and not just for news of beautiful girls." He was looking at someone in the last comment before looking at Luffy again, said person was trying and failing to cover himself with his hat while his companions were giving teasing smiles, "The man before us is the 'Hero of The East', 'Arlong's Bane' and the king of the new and biggest nation of all the seas at least in size, Monkey D. Luffy, the I."

"Arlong's Bane?" Sanji must have recognized the name, maybe he does read more than he gave the boy credit for.

"Can we please not talk about that?" Luffy was practically begging but his friends didn't give a ear.

"And why not Luffy?" Asked Zoro, "Didn't Nami say that you should always at least acknowledge your own fame."

"Indeed, indeed." The doctor affirmed, "And to avoid giving stress to my patient I hope you listen to her requests."

"That was…" Sanji started, "What the pirate, Gin, called you." Maybe he just goes to read about women after all. Women and food.

"His story is an interesting one, at fifteen he saved an island from a pirate crew of the Grand Line," Zeff began to recite what he read. "Then he founded a company that started small but became a true powerhouse when the island that he saved elected him their king making the company part of a kingdom that grew beyond many others by the union of many islands."

"Like the World Government?" Sanji asked.

"Yes, but without corruption for now."

"What do you mean for now?" Asked the doctor, he looked offended.

"No one lives forever, one day he won't be here," he said pointing at Luffy who said nothing, "after that, who knows how long this kingdom will last. Will it die with him or grow beyond him." Zeff just shrugs his shoulders.

"I won't be king for long anyway," Luffy affirms, making the head chef raise an eyebrow.

"Oh? Why? Don't you want to be king? I am sure many would kill to be in your position."

Before the straw hat could answer someone else woke up from his shock, "WHAAAAAAAAAAT!" Patty screamed so loud that Zeff could swear he would have awakened the dead. "Ki-ki-KING! I AM SORRY YOU MAJESTY FORGIVE ME AND MY COMPANION FOR OUR RUDENESS!" What followed next from his was a long stuttered apology while picking Sanji and forced him to bow while asking for forgiveness.

Luffy let out a "Tch" before saying "Patty please stop, I don't like being called 'king', 'his majesty or whatever, this is not the kind of king I wanted to be." For a moment the kid looked sad, but that didn't make sense to the old ex-pirate.

"Then what?" Zeff wondered, "You are a king that is loved by his people, respected by the world and is the head of a kingdom that is growing strong at an alarming rate. For all intents and purposes all that you need is a queen and a heir and you will be a candidate to the best king of the seas." Crossing his arms he asked at the end, "Unless you want to be a tyrant then there is nothing else that a king could want."

"But I didn't want to be king of a country, I WANT TO BE KING OF THE PIRATES!" Silence was all that was there after the last comment and Zeff was stiff for a bit before he finally said.

"Do you know what that means BOY?" He was a pirate once, in the great age after Roger's death and he saw many fools pursuing that same ambition for greed or for the sake of itself, but almost every time they died or gave up. There is a good reason why no one can claim to be the Pirate King at the moment.

"Yes!" That was all he said but it was not enough for the old chef.

"Do you? You will give up everything, the luxury, the food, the safety? All for your ambition?"

"Yes!"

"You will be chased by the World Government, a criminal, all your accomplishments forgotten when you become an inconvenience for them."

"I don't care about that, I will chase my dream." There was no hesitation in his eyes.

"Why give up all you have now? You already are living the dream of many men."

"Yes, many but not MY dream."

"THE GRAND LINE IS A PLACE THAT EAT PIRATES AND DESTROY DREAMS!" He remembers a young pirate that set sail to find an impossible sea and open a restaurant to all sailors. Where the years had gone? "THAT PLACE IS WHERE DREAMS GO TO DIE!"

"I DON'T CARE!" Luffy stands up, "I WILL MAKE MY DREAM A REALITY!"

No one said anything and Zeff looked over the others at the table, they didn't look surprised or impressed, "Then why are you here? Why aren't you already chasing your dream?"

"I made a promise," Luffy now looks truly sad, "I will become a pirate on my seventeenth birthday, one way or another." Then Luffy looked determined "And why we are here is because we need your help."

The old chef raises an eyebrow, "My help?"

"Krieg has a deal with the World Government." At this information the inhabitants of the Baratie were shocked, "He used to transport slaves for them and he didn't attack the big kingdoms."

"We broke the place that he used to take the slaves but he still didn't attack the big places," Zoro continued, "but he and his fleet are too dangerous to let them stay when we are leaving."

Zeff then focused on the final member from their side who just shook his head with a smile, looks like two of three here are going to be pirates in the future not that the doctor and probably others on the ship would mind.

Zeff finally decides to take a seat, "I have no intentions of leaving my restaurant."

"I don't want that," Luffy then stops to think for a bit on how he would say, "We need you to teach our chefs how to be sea cooks or to borrow some of yours….maybe both."

"Why?" At this point all were on the table and the rest just watched the negotiations between the both of them.

"Krieg is a coward that runs and hides and to beat him we need to keep chasing on the sea." Luffy nods, Zeff didn't know if that was his idea or another's but he was sure of it. "That is why we need people who can cook good food for the sea."

"And then? What comes after Krieg?"

"Then when the time comes I go on for the One Piece with anyone who wants to come," Luffy looks the man right into his eyes, "I am not asking you to be a pirate but to take down a bad one and after that you can do whatever."

"I will not do it for free."

"Wait a minute old man, are you seriously considering this?" Sanji was wide eyed after all that.

"And why wouldn't I brat?" He points at Luffy, "He hadn't told a single lie being so honest in all this that is almost painful and from a former pirate to a future one I feel that I should educate him."

"'Former pirate?'" Zoro was the one who asked but the rest also looked surprised.

"Red-Leg Zeff, Main Chef of Baratie and the once Cook and Captain of the Cook Pirates!" There was a lot of pride in the old man's voice.

"SHISHISHISHI! That is so cool, old man, you were a pirate? Have you been to the Grand Line?" Luffy was really excited, "We have tons of people from there too in the company but none that came back by their own power."

"If you call coming back by their own getting stranded and almost dying from hunger then sure."

"Did you regret it?" For some reason Zeff felt that question was really important but his answer would always be.

"Not for a second." The smile of the king just grew larger and Zeff could feel himself smile too, "Patty bring us a couple of drinks, we are going to talk business."

While the two leaders have found a common ground there is still the need to convince the old man to lend his help.

…..

Gin felt a lot of pain upon awakening, he can't move his arms or legs, he was in a makeshift bed and felt like he had the mother of all hangovers, his head felt like a group of monkeys jumped in it, made the greatest of all parties and left after demolishing the place.

At first he tried to get up but again he felt pain, a pain he was familiar with, the pain of broken bones, lots of them but his face was the part that hurted the most. He opens his eyes and sees someone taking care of him. It was their ship doctor, "You finally awake commander?"

Gin tries to smile but it hurts so bad, "Barely. What happened?" He manages to look around and notices that the place was packed with his people. "Why are there so many in our infirmary?"

The doctor kept quiet for a few seconds and soon the other pirates noticed that their commander was awake but they avoided his eyes and said nothing until finally the medic said, "We are in one of the cargo holds, we lost many men and there are guards around." He moved his head to the corners where there were at least three people on each all armed with swords and then to the door where a man with three swords stood guard and he looked pissed. "We lost sir."

"That can't be right," he tries to get up again but he can't. "Where is Pearl? I want a full report."

Another of his crewmates scratched his head before saying, "He is dead…. the three swords guy got him."

Knowing that someone could take out Pearl and that said man was there watching them was a really bad sign, "Do we have any weapons?"

"We barely have medical supplies, also many of ours don't want to fight." Did they give up already?

"Why?" They were the Don Krieg's Pirates, the strongest crew of the East Blue soon to take the Grand LIne.

"Because some tried to take down one of the guards an hour ago," the silence around them was telling, everyone was afraid. "I am not done with their stitches yet." The doctor turns to the side and Gin sees it, some of his comrades laying on the ground or in makeshift beds and one of them is down an arm.

"Was the three swords guy?" Gin was mad and at first chance he would kill the guy but the doctor shook his head.

"One of the others, they said that 'the shield guy had shields, you all have nothing and this is your only warning', he was screamed at, we are prisoners and we shouldn't be treated like this but just looking at some of the other guards we can tell, they agree." Then he turns to the three swords guy, "That was when the green guy showed up and warned that if anyone on any side tried anything they would be dealing with HIM. The fact that their people avoid using anything letal after that proves that we have no chance."

This people must work with Arlong's Bane and members of the company, that meant that this was over and with luck they will be turned to the marines but anyway now there is nothing Gin can do.

He laid there in regret, he failed his captain and soon he won't see the sunlight again.

…..

After the meeting and the hashing out of the details the Baratie was now employed by the Straw Hat Company, Sanji was still uncertain because of all he had heard in that meeting. He was once some that could understand the luxuries of royalty and can say that it was a thing that many wouldn't give up easily. Also the fact that now they are going to be working with/for that guy for the foreseeable future made him unable to beat him up properly(Zeff made a point of saying that he shouldn't).

"Belly for your thoughts?" Speaking of the old devil here he was coming with a small smile, everyone is fine and with the benefits of joining the company the Baratie will prosper again. "You know, it has been long since we met and you still are that urchin I proclaiming he would find the All Blue all those years ago."

"What was that old geezer?" There was no anger in his words, no bite and the old chef smiled.

"You should ask to go with them, Sanji." Zeff looked calm at that moment, he was at peace in a way but what he was saying was frustrating to Sanji.

"Are you mad? I-"

"Sanji!" He raised his voice a bit and immediately the blonde stopped. "You owe me nothing."

"Yo-"

"SANJI! Listen, when I saved you I told you that we shared the same dream." They were face to face and the old man put his hands on the shoulders of the younger man, "I am old now and I can't find the All Blue but you can."

"Huh!" He brushes off Zeff's hands and goes to look again to the sunset, "Are you trying to get rid of me old man?"

"Only trying to make you follow your dreams." Sanji was looking at him from the corner of his eye and the ex-pirate knew he had the young man's attention. "If you want to stay FOR YOU then you can, I will be happy to have you."

"Aren't you a bit too much mellow, old man?" Sanji lit a cigarette but the older man didn't mind.

"I agree and if I had a choice you would leave with just a small smile from my part saying that you food was good."

"Better than yours?"

"In your dreams brat," Zeff then puts his hand on the blonde shoulder again. "Talk with the guy, if you are upset about the girl know that the king cares more than enough himself." He turns around and starts to leave, leaving the blond with his own thoughts, "Besides they aren't leaving now, only in a few months so please give it a thought and let me be rid of your perverted ass."

With that Zeff was gone and Sanji was left staring at the sun thinking on his next move.

…..

Luffy entered in the captain room, it was supposed to be empty with his attempt to stay together with the crew and not on a pedestal but now it was being the residence of one person that got hurt the most in all the fighting…. at least on their side.

Nami was resting in a single big bed, fitting for a king really. She was covered in bandages, had lots of cream for her burns to the point the room smelled like them. The doctor promised that she would have not a single scar and she would recover perfectly by the end of the week thanks to their medicine.

But that was just the body, "How are you?" He asked her, they knew each other enough that he could tell…

"Feeling like garbage," she was awake and opening her eyes she looked at him and let out a small smile. "Do we have our chefs?" At his nod she smiles a little more, "Good, did anyone else was hurt."

"Some bruises and broken bones but they will recover," he sits in a chair by the side. "You took the worst of it all but you also saved the ship, thank you Nami."

"Yes, you are welcome," she tried to sit but he would not let her, she pouted "I need some exercise you know?"

"Not for the next week or so you do not." He wanted to train her properly but she didn't want it at the time but now maybe she does and he wants to bring it out, he is just waiting for the right time.

"Right, a break from training too, great." She was smiling but he could tell that it was not really all there. "SO, what did it cost to get our chefs?"

He explained that Zeff agreed to be a member of the company and that they would move to one of their trade routes and get discounts in the purchase of food from other members, in return they will train their cooks to a professional level to meet their crews needs. During all that Nami just nods and smiles but he was losing his patience with all this, "Nami," he takes a serious tone of voice and asks again, "How are you, really?"

She stops smiling, "Luffy… Am I weak?" He wouldn't lie.

"You are one of the strongest people that I ever meet, you don't give up, fight against the odds and when people need you, you are there even if you are afraid." He paused a bit and Nami was red for some reason, "Buuuuuut you are a shitty fighter."

"Reeeeeeeeally wishing I could hit your for that one," he shrugs, he couldn't lie to save his life anyway.

"What are you going to do about it?"

"If and I mean IF we were to train me to get strong enough to go to the Grand Line, how long do you think that would take?" She was looking to the ceiling at the question.

"I don't know. What do you want to learn?" Between the former pirates, soldiers and mercenaries Nami could have a lot of instructors.

"Humor me for a bit, how long do you think it would take for me to get a body good enough for fighting?"

"That doesn't matter, we go when you are ready and that is it."

"Luffy, what about your promise?"

"We set sail from the Dawn Village on my birthday anyway, we just don't go to the Grand Line."

"Luffy, we explored most if not all the East Blue, if we don't go to new places you are going to go mad." He knew she was right, beside a couple of islands that they hadn't had the time to go yet they had seen all the major kingdoms and discovered plenty of new lands. Damn just going to visit the islands of HIS kingdom had been so many that he lost count.

"I would be worse if something happened to you because we were not prepared," after the mountain bandits, Sabo and his and his mother almost dying of in the middle of the sea Luffy always tries to make sure he was ready to go to wherever with lots of food and prepared for a fight.

"But you will go insane, screw it I WILL GO INSANE TOO," Nami also wanted to explore to make maps, that was her dream. "We will go after we get a ship and that is final."

He won't force her to anything but… "I WILL BE WORSE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO YOU!" His words made her go completely still, "You know what happened to Sabo, please, don't do something just because you feel you should, if you want we can train, we take our time and go when WE are ready. Besides, we don't have our own ship yet."

Nami was staring at him and he just stared back, if she insisted she didn't want to train for any reason he would let it go. But if she will listen to him then she will grow stronger and be more safe and- "I want a devil fruit."

"Okay."

…..

First of all thanks to all that comment and read this story but special thanks to Yamajiji who passed and commented every chapter, much appreciated. Shoulder is a bit better but I shouldn't be writing…. Speaking of it:

"I want a devil fruit" in how many stories, even in cannon, we heard those words. For the record if the fruits are truly from the devil then this is the equivalent to wanting to make a deal with the guy but that is the only choice that Nami could go for that fits her personality. For the record in cannon when she almost died in the Mr.3 fight on Little Garden she reacted the same way but different, she doesn't go and ask to be trained, she goes to Usopp and asks for a weapon that can compensate for her weakness so they can keep going on their trip.

There is no Usopp yet so she defaulted to what Ana taught them or even what she would have heard from those that came from the Grand Line, even if there are lots of different powers the rules to all would be the same and the power that they give would be a "short cut" in a sense, sure she would still have to train them but it would still be hundreds of times better than to stay as a simple human.

Before talking about the fights let me tell you guys something, I read plenty of fanfics in my life, both One Piece ones and beyond, and there is a thing about special powers that Oda himself showed that many authors on all midias seems to forget, the powers are irrelevant, it's all about how they are used.

Want an example? Chopper devil fruit should just give him the ability to walk and talk, the minimum requirements to be human following some philosophies, then why the hell he can become a big gorilla or do half the stuff he can do? Okay that one isn't fair because some have already started thinking about the rumble balls, let's go to a better one then.

How many forms Rob Lucci has? Notice I am avoiding using Luffy as an example so nobody can claim protag power. Another good user then with plenty of imagination, Crocodile. When you stop to think about it their powers are simple but they push the limits with training and mental power, Lucci had in Enies Lobby his human form, a full animal form and two hybrid forms while Jabra, his teammate, had only the basic three. Crocodile could drain water(we already had this argument so let's skip this part). Mingo could create and control a clone of himself, for the record that was not the power of awakening and those are some examples of the top of my head, there are others but let's talk about some bad users, people who have powers but suck at using them well or with any imagination when you think about it.

Buggy is the first, instead of using a blade on each finger for example he uses knives that anyone can see coming and dodge or block, the smaller the weapon the harder it would be to see it coming and make use of his hands which he only has two instead of ten…. yes four knives each hand but those are big, visible and worthless in most of the guy's own fights. Other than not many people think about is Smoker, for a Logia the guy is surprisingly weak because he doesn't have any flexibility. Bellamy is also another one, his method of attack in his first fight with Luffy was using momentum… something that Luffy was doing since the first chapter if you paid enough attention, Luffy's rocket had more precision and control than that bouncing attack, for real if Bellamy was smarter(notice I am criticizing the character not the story the guy was an idiot because of his own decisions as he was made to be) he would use his style in counters for instance or at least turn his face in some kind of spring to avoid one obvious punch.

Okay that was a resume of my thoughts on devil fruits and why some characters are strong regardless of powers and I did all that to just say yes Nami is getting one. Why Nami? Because I put her in a fight, she lost and almost died so since she is smart enough to realize she needs something she asks Luffy the one thing she knows that may be able to help if she applies herself and she will. As a king Luffy can get one, the means will be revealed in the next chapter but it's something simple. Also the fruit is already decided and it will be something so far off the base in many levels that if Oda ever put that one in the manga I will be shocked, also remember that the omniscient narrator is only in certain parts(like the original) and most of the stuff is by the point views of the characters, keep that in mind when you start seeing what the power is.

Now about the fights, Gin is a fascinating character that is extremely loyal to his captain to the point that I believe he would only join Luffy if he meet him before he ever meet Krieg, that being said he and Pearl are the reasons why Sanji was not in the AN that talked about fights in the East, Sanji struggled with both of them, more with the former than the later. On the other hand Sanji didn't had other serious fights here before Gin so no damage from Pearl and he was 100%, which made the fight harder to judge a clear winner, I would still give to Gin on the argument that in cannon he was still hesitating a bit to not kill Sanji until the very end and even Sanji may had hold back a bit on sympathy but I believe less in that from Sanji's part.

Here these two didn't ever meet, never helped each other and were just two men fighting for what they believe in and if Luffy hadn't showed up Gin would have won…. maybe :D.

About Nami vs Pearl…. Zoro would one shot the guy but then I noticed that no one would be taking care of the other attackers and Nami needed a fight. Once that was decided I had to figure out how it would go and after checking Pearl's fights in the manga I realized he is at least Baroque Works level in a sense, which means that he could give a run to most people in the Grand Line if they were not from the top crews. He wouldn't be a number agent of high value or low number if you prefer but Nami was not a real fighter at the moment and Haki or not she lacks the power level to win a fair fight but she has more control and awareness than Luffy and Zoro. Just because you have a glove of steel it can't do harm without enough force behind it.

Comments? Thought? Is my writing better?

I wish all happy holidays and a happy new year, that 2021 will be better than 2020.

Next Chapter: The Art of War