Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece
...
The clash of steel on steel rang forth much to the cheer of the crowd. The kitchen staff who were not currently needed and customers who were still curious as to what was going on watched on with admiration of the display. With the lunch service effectively having ended it meant that only those doing dishes and those finishing off their meals were the only one's not bearing witness to the spectacle.
Luffy was forced backwards, bouncing off the ground and skidding to a kneeling position before raising the katana in his hand to block the oncoming slash from Zoro. Despite the strength of the strike, Luffy's defence remained strong. With a primal roar he lashed out, pushing Zoro's sword up into the air. In doing so however he left himself wide open for Zoro to retaliate, his katana gliding through the air before stopping mere inches from Luffy's neck.
"Winner, Zoro!" announced Usopp, the crowd roaring in approval.
"Looks like you got me again," chuckled Luffy as he got to his feet, handing the katana he had borrowed from Zoro back to the swordsman as the crowd started to disperse.
"You are getting better," said Zoro as he sheathed his blades. These entire conflicts had come about when Luffy had haphazardly mentioned that he had partaken in some of the Marine's sword training exercises. He had gone onto explain that he had managed to swiftly pass through a number of the initial tasks before starting to struggle when it came to some of the more difficult techniques.
Zoro, of course, had taken this as an opportunity to spar against someone that could put up something of a fight.
Johnny and Yosaku didn't count.
"As much as I'm improving, it still doesn't quite feel right," said Luffy as he raised his hands up to his chest. "It just doesn't feel natural."
"Well for not feeling natural I reckon you would have been able to take on any of Jango's men one on one," said Zoro as he placed a hand on Luffy's shoulder. "Who knows, one day you may even come across someone with a devil fruit which makes them impervious to anything but impalement."
"Like a Devil Fruit that would turn their skin to glue, or rubber perhaps."
"Do powers like that exist?" asked Zoro.
"Probably," said Luffy with a shrug of the shoulder. "Given how many random things could theoretically happen when you ate one..."
Luffy left his comment hanging in the air as the two of them made their way back towards the Going Merry. Usopp was not too far behind with his hands full of money that he had made with some bets with some of the customers and kitchen staff. Apparently some of them thought that a Warrant Officer who had 'single handedly forced the notorious Captain Buggy and his crew to retreat,' as well as 'hold off the invading forces of the Black Cat Pirates,' would be able to defeat Pirate Hunter Zoro in a sword fight.
It wasn't like he had lied when he had been breaking down Luffy's recent accomplishments, he had simply avoided going into great detail about what had happened. Considering when he had been told the story of how Luffy had managed to negotiate Buggy into leaving in the first place, he doubted whether anybody would have believed him if he had said it. He also didn't make mention that the Black Cat pirates had been repelled by not only Luffy, but also the person whom he was competing with.
Understandably, more than a handful of people had been willing to put their Beli on the up and coming Marine. There had been a couple who had been reluctant to part with their money afterwards, proclaiming the whole ordeal to be rigged. Usopp had managed to assure them that the pride of the two combatants would not permit them to even consider throwing a bout.
He simply knew between the two of them who the better swordsman was. None of those betting their money had to know that Luffy fought primarily with his fists.
"A meal for the combatants," announced Zeff, the head chef of the Baratie holding a plate in each of his hands.
"You don't have to chef," said Luffy as Zeff walked towards the two of them.
"Nonsense, the two of you have been putting on a show for my clients. If you intend to stay here for an extended period I can start charging for a meal and a show," said Zeff.
"Well if you insist," said Luffy as he took the offered plate and started to devour the contents. Zoro took his plate, giving the chef a light nod of the head in thanks.
"I take it your other chef is still moping inside," said Zoro as he grabbed his own meal.
"Given that he almost refuses to take any notice when the other chefs try to get any sort of reaction out of him, I'd definitely classify it as moping," said Zeff with an exasperated sigh.
"Do you think he'll cave anytime soon?" asked Luffy between mouthfuls.
"Given that he hasn't come out since you hit him, I think you're the last person he wants to see," said Usopp as he eyed the food that Zoro and Luffy had before them.
"He just doesn't know any better," said Zeff. "The moment you guys leave he'll realize that he missed his chance and that another opportunity to follow his dream may never come round."
"But he won't see that as a bad thing until we're gone," said Zoro.
"Maybe not even for weeks after we've left," added Usopp.
Zeff meanwhile focused on the Marine in front of him who seemed deep in thought. Despite his intense concentration, it didn't take away the fact that he was still consuming his meal at a rapid pace. It was a rather perplexing sight, "What's on your mind kid? Still thinking about Sanji?"
"Actually, I've been thinking about you," said Luffy, causing the chef before him to raise an eyebrow in curiosity. "You're Red Leg Zeff aren't you."
It wasn't a question.
"Who?" asked Usopp, unsure where Luffy was going with his question.
"I was," said Zeff, Luffy taking full notice of the man's choice of words. "That was a lifetime ago though."
"I imagine," said Luffy, not so subtly glancing at the wooden peg that was situated where Zeff's right foot was once located. "You know the Marines classify you as dead."
"Well then, what do you intend to do with this information?" asked Zeff.
"Why should I do anything?" asked Luffy as he tossed the last piece of his meal into his mouth. "As far as I can tell, you're spending your time helping others lead a good life. Doing anything wouldn't be in my best interest."
"Much obliged," said Zeff with a light nod of the head as he turned his back to the trio of Marines and made his way towards the Baratie's front door.
"What was all that about?" asked Usopp.
"Zeff was a pirate," said Zoro, having been able to piece together the bits of information that hadn't been said.
"Yeah, proclaimed dead a long time ago," said Luffy, running his finger around the rim of his plate and picking up as much leftover sauce as he could.
"So why don't you arrest him?" asked Usopp. "I mean he could be doing a Klahadore Kuro thing."
"I wouldn't worry about that," said Luffy. "Kuro had weaseled his way into a manor and had intended to steal it's wealth. Zeff here had made a home for chefs from all across East Blue, regardless of their upbringing. I've talked to a number of them and no two stories are the same."
"Couldn't he be building some secret evil crew or something?" asked Usopp, his imagination starting to go wild.
"An evil crew that spends their days serving customers, I don't really see it," said Zoro as he finished off his own meal. "If we'd heard of thefts from the ships while they were docked here that would be a different story. Far as I can tell he's not going to be firing cannons at anyone soon."
"Well at least I hope not," said Luffy, his attention now out on the horizon.
"You're sensing someone or something again aren't you," said Zoro, having already seen Luffy look out into the distance on more than a single occasion thus far.
"Zoro, please promise me you're not going to do something stupid in the coming hour or so," said Luffy causing Zoro to look at him with his interest now peaked.
"Who the heck are you sensing?" asked Zoro, turning his eyes out in the direction that Luffy was looking.
"If I'm right about this, which I'm pretty sure I am, it's a pirate that I couldn't arrest even if I was strong enough," said Luffy as he braced himself. "I should let the staff know who's coming."
"Who is it?" asked Usopp, his knees starting to shake beneath him.
"Gentlemen, I believe the two of you are about to meet one of the Seven Warlords."
...
Sanji worked away in the kitchen in his own little corner, scrubbing away at the pot currently in his hand. It was one of many that was stacked by his side that needed to be cleaned before the next wave of patrons arrived. It wasn't a difficult task and shouldn't take him too long...at least normally. Given the fact that he hadn't succeeded in cleaning at a rate faster than a plate per minute, the pile was not going down anytime soon.
None of the other chefs wished to assist him, fully knowing that the blond haired man wanted to spend some time to himself. At first they had tried to rile him up and get him to react but no matter what they tried, nothing they did managed to get a reaction out of him.
The only person who had been able to get him to so much as say a single word, was the head chef.
"You still sulking brat," said Zeff from behind Sanji, glaring daggers at him.
"Please, as if I would be sulking," said Sanji, not bothering to turn and face the person who had rescued him all those years ago.
"You've served your due," said Zeff, trying to get to the crux of the matter.
"I owe you my life," said Sanji.
"Then what happens after I'm gone?" asked Zeff, his voice raising ever so slightly.
"Then I'll run this place in your stead."
"As if a kid like you'd ever run the Baratie."
"What did you say?" said Sanji, finally turning to look at Zeff.
"If you're acting like a stuck up brat then I might as well treat you like a stuck up brat," said Zeff. "Ever since this crossroad opened up before you all you've done is hole yourself up like a terrified little mouse."
Sanji's hand clenched into a fist. "I'm not hiding away from anything!"
"Look at yourself! You haven't stepped outside in two days for anything other than a smoke. Patty and Carne are getting genuinely worried about you while all you do is stand there and make my life hell."
"I've been serving you loyally for years..."
"Do you honestly think that's what I want for you?" asked Zeff slowly, his tone shifting entirely.
Sanji himself found himself freeze ever so slightly at the sudden change in the conversation.
"When we were rescued," started Zeff as he took his toque off of his head, holding it gingerly in his hands, "I expected you to run off, to stay as far away from me as you could. When you decided to stay by my side, I couldn't have been happier. Watching you grow at my side, you made me proud."
Sanji couldn't help but swallow at the lump that was forming in his throat as Zeff continued. "As you got older, I half expected you to leave with one of the customers, a lovely lady convincing you to leave with her feminine persuasion. Despite all the temptation, you stayed here and again I couldn't have been prouder. Now though, it is time for you to make your ultimate decision. Out there is a ship with a group of people who you will laugh with, cry with and fight alongside. A group of people who will welcome you with open arms. You will not find a better crew to be a part of."
"But the Baratie is..."
"Your home, and it will always be your home," said Zeff as he stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on Sanji's shoulder. "If you decide to go out and explore the world I won't think any less of you. If you squander the opportunity though I would hate to watch you regret your decision. On your journey, no matter how far away and how many islands you've visited, you will always be welcome aboard my ship."
"Zeff..."
"Hey guys, sorry to interrupt what I'm sure was a very touching speech," said Luffy, brazenly standing within the kitchen as if it public spacing.
"You better have a good reason to be back here runt," growled Zeff while Sanji wiped away some dust in his eyes with the back of his fist.
"Just coming to say, your lunch service ain't over yet," said Luffy raising his hands up in peace.
"I already gave you food brat," grumbled Zeff.
"Yeah...this meal ain't for me."
...
"I don't believe it," said Gin as he held onto the railings of the Going Merry, his knuckles going white from the pressure he was exerting. "He followed us here."
"He?" repeated Nami, still wary of the pirate who had stayed aboard their ship for the past couple of nights. Despite the fact that he had yet to stab them in their sleep didn't mean that he hadn't contemplated such an option.
"When Don Krieg traversed into the Grand Line, we did so with five thousand men and enough ships to carry them," stated Gin as he looked at the small one man vessel cruising towards the Baratie.
"Five thousand men," repeated Usopp in disbelief.
"What happened?" asked Johnny and Yosaku at the same time.
"The first few days were horrible as we tried to get our bearings. Storms would form in the blink of an eye. Creatures larger than our ships would bare down on us. All that was nothing however compared to him," said Gin as he recalled that horrifying moment. "The moment he locked his eyes on us our fates were sealed. Those piercing eyes..."
From nearby, Zoro's fingers wrapped around the hilt of Wado Ichimonji and he found himself taking a deep breath in. The man was only just in view but there was no mistaking the sword he carried on his back.
"He sunk the entire fleet as if it was nothing and we only managed to sail away on luck alone," said Gin as he lowered his head in terror. "Behind us we could hear the screams of thousands of men as they scrambled for any piece of debris they could cling on to. I don't know how many he killed or how many he simply left to die."
"What kind of monster is he?" said Usopp, visibly shaking.
"He's no monster," said Zoro, drawing all attention to him. "He's Dracule Mihawk."
"Mihawk!" shouted Yosaku.
"You mean the Hawk Eyes!" shouted Johnny.
"The one and the same," said Zoro as he allowed a devilish grin to cross his features. Now he could understand why Luffy had tried to get him to promise to not do anything stupid. Unfortunately for him, he had not made any such promise.
There was one promise he had made though, many, many years ago and now, he was going to keep it.
...
Hope you enjoyed.