Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece

...

The crew on the Going Merry was silent, deathly so. It was understandable given the situation unfolding before them.

They had watched as the World's Greatest Swordsman landed his vessel on the side of the Baratie before stepping upon the decking. Before he could move away from his boat however he had found himself facing down a foe who was unlikely to back down. It didn't matter what they had said in trying to get him to stop, Zoro had been determined to see his promise through.

Gin had already claimed the man's life as forfeit.

Now, they could only watch and pray the the Pirate Hunter didn't do anything stupid when confronting his goal head on.

...

Dracule Mihawk considered himself a patient man, especially given his status as one of the Seven Warlords. Arguably, the only pirate amongst his peers who was more patient was Bartholomew Kuma but given the apparent inability to show emotion that the tyrant possessed that was always going to be a difficult task.

Still it was due to his level of patience that as he eyed the swordsman standing before him he had opted to not end his life...as of yet.

"I assume you wish to do battle with me but I assure you, I have no current interest in battling with you," declared Mihawk as his gaze pierced forward.

"Be that as it may," said Zoro as he undid the bandana from around his bicep and tied it atop his head. "I set sail so that I could one day meet you. To meet the one who stands at the top of the mountain; the strongest swordsman in the world."

"Now that you have met me, what is it that you wish from me? Choose your words wisely," cautioned Mihawk.

Zoro couldn't help but allow a smirk to befall his features. "I have heard from my commanding officer of some of the skills those on the sea are capable of. I have heard how a sword when wielded by great swordsmen are capable of altering the trajectory of bullets and are even able to slice an enemy from a distance."

"Your commanding officer sounds well versed for someone in the East Blue, the weakest of the seas. To my knowledge nobody on this sea is capable of such techniques," commented Mihawk.

"Well, as he has said on multiple occasions, he's unlike any other Warrant Officer, let alone Marine, that I'm ever likely to meet," said Zoro as he withdrew his katanas.

"Warrant Officer," repeated Mihawk. "I see. I ask again of you, what is it that you wish from me?"

"I know that I am not the strongest in the world," declared Zoro. "I know that I can't deflect bullets or strike at you from where I stand. I know there are other techniques out there that I am yet to comprehend but it matters not. Right now, all that matters is the world's greatest swordsman stands before me and I wish to see just how high the mountain is."

"It is often that I hear my opponents boast of their accomplishments hence it is refreshing to hear someone acknowledge their weaknesses," said Mihawk. "Tell me your name boy."

"Roronoa Zoro."

"Very well. Roronoa Zoro, you wish to know the challenge ahead of you then come at me and I will show you just how high the mountain is."

...

Zeff and Sanji worked in tandem, the two of them working as one to craft the best meal that they could. No words were said between them as they prepared to serve up a dish for the strongest customer they had ever received.

The rest of the Baratie's crew watched with their nerves well and truly on edge. The lot of them knew that in the past they had dealt with those who had disrespected their meals and pride as a chef with violence. Their incoming customer however was not somebody who could be dealt with in such a way.

Your everyday pirates, not an issue.

Rowdy civilians, they were taught a lesson.

Smart ass Marines, got what they deserved.

A Warlord of the sea, this was beyond anything they had ever come across and they knew it.

No ordinary pirate could simply become a Warlord. Those who had that title to their name had undoubtedly deserved it one way or another and the World Government opted to use that to their advantage. Powerful pirates that wouldn't be arrested but were at the beck and call of the Marines. Encountering one was paramount to death itself.

"What's the fanciest wine you've got?" asked Luffy.

Then of course there were the people who were willing to serve one of these Warlords without a second thought.

"I'll show you," said Patty, moving from the other chefs who had gathered to assist the Warrant Officer with his task.

Luffy followed Patty away from the kitchen where the meal was being crafted. Even when they left the room the aroma was still quite potent, wafting through the air.

"I'm going to assume that whatever is being cooked back there is for me."

Patty froze up only for Luffy to give the man a reassuring pat on the back. "You go get the wine," he said casually before turning to face the sole customer at that moment in time. "Mihawk."

Of course the casual way in which Luffy spoke to one of the most dangerous men in the world sent Patty scampering away, expecting the poor boy to be murdered without a second thought. The pirate sat with his feet up on the table and his infamous blade by his side. Luffy's eyes did notice the distinct red line of blood along the edge.

"If you are worried for the safety of your comrade, fear not. I taught the man a lesson in humility is all," said Mihawk, having seen where Luffy's eyes had lingered.

"I'd say that whatever damage you dealt to my nakama I would return to you but we both know how that would end," said Luffy as he stepped closer to where the swordsman rested.

"Indeed," said Mihawk as Patty stumbled into view, bottle of wine in one hand and a glass in the other.

"Here you go sir," said Patty, placing both the bottle and the glass down on the table. Pulling a corkscrew from out his pocket, he went to unseal the bottle before Mihawk held up a hand and stopped him in his tracks.

"Bring my friend here a glass," instructed Mihawk, Patty not wasting a second in getting as far away from the table as he could. "I trust even you could see what was going to happen there."

"He was shaking," said Luffy as he took the seat opposite Mihawk. "There was a chance he'd spill more than he'd actually get into the glass."

"Which is nothing we can allow now, can we," said Mihwak as he drew the pocket knife from his necklace. With a fluid motion he swung the miniscule blade and relieved the top most part of the bottle away without a single sliver chipping away. More importantly, he had relieved the wine of the cork which had held it captive

Luffy watched as Mihawk poured himself a glass moments before Patty arrived with a glass for him. Without so much as a word the chef bolted from sight, lest he find himself in the line of fire. Mihawk paid it no attention as he beckoned Luffy to give him his glass, to which the Warrant Officer obliged without question.

"So this seems pretty far out for you to be travelling," commented Luffy as he took the full glass from Mihawk. "Any reason you'd come to East Blue?"

"Killing time," said Mihawk as he took a sip. "Prevented some upstart from doing anything stupid and came to finish the job."

"Don Krieg?"

"How should I know the name of every pirate on these waters?"

"Fair enough," said Luffy with a shrug of his shoulders. "Take it you killed him then."

"Last I saw a navy vessel was bombarding their remaining ship, I saw no reason to aid them," stated Mihawk.

Luffy merely nodded, stashing that bit of information away to inform Gin of later. It was at that moment the door to the kitchen opened up and Sanji walked out, a plate of food in his hand. Luffy nervously held his breath as the chef closed in on them before depositing the meal down in front of the Warlord.

The chef said nothing as he stepped a couple of paces back before glancing at Luffy, unsure as to why the Marine was sitting opposite the pirate. Or, more importantly, why Luffy was so casually sitting there with a felon of Mihawk's notoriety.

Understandably, Sanji was not the only one currently thinking this. During the brief conversation that had gone on between Luffy and Mihawk, the restaurant had become a lot more populated. A number of chefs had snuck out from the kitchen from time to time and were watching the ongoings from several tables away. They weren't the only ones with Usopp having snuck in to witness what was transpiring.

Whether Mihawk or Luffy knew of their presence, they either didn't show it or simply didn't care.

Luffy didn't say anything as the man before him began to eat at his meal, making no motion as to whether or not he enjoyed it. Many observing what was happening did so with baited breath, nervous about what could potentially unfold in front of them. The only two people who seemed content outside of the man eating his cuisine were Luffy and Sanji, the chef seemingly still more confused as to why Luffy was sitting there.

He wasn't the only one however as the door to the Baratie burst open for Zoro to step in, his abdomen heavily bandaged. Behind him it was clear to see the shaken forms of Johnny and Yosaku who seemed to be wordlessly screaming at Zoro not to do anything rash. Luffy saw what was going on and simply hoped that nothing was going on aboard their ship. If Johnny and Yosaku were trying to stop Zoro and Usopp had snuck his way in earlier (he had noticed) it left Nami and Gin as the sole people aboard the ship.

He knew too well just how Nami felt about pirates.

Despite that, he had to be sure that nothing befell the staff here if Zoro was to try something.

"I am well aware of the injury I gave you," said Mihawk, not even turning to look at Zoro. "I would recommend that you not move around so much."

"This...this is nothing," said Zoro through gritted teeth.

"Zoro, I know what Mihawk is capable of," said Luffy.

"And just how would you know that?" asked Sanji, the chef having been silent until that point.

"It would be because I was one of his teachers," said Mihawk as he placed his cutlery down on the now empty plate.

Luffy rubbed at his brow with one hand as he grabbed his glass of wine, fully knowing what some of the likely questions were going to be.

"You were taught by one of the Warlords of the Sea!" exclaimed Usopp, having heard Mihawk's proclamation before leaping up from his hiding place.

"I believe that there were three overall, were there not," said Mihawk.

"How in the hell do you get taught by three separate Warlords?" asked Sanji in disbelief.

Luffy remained silent on the matter.

"I must say that I was disappointed that your aptitude for the sword was not what I had hoped, but I am happy to have taught you," said Mihawk before finishing his drink. "Perhaps I was a bit harsh on you for the fact that you took to 'his' training far more easily, however difficult that may have been to start with."

"I just prefer fighting with my hands is all," said Luffy.

"Well, his way was definitely better than the Tyrant's way," said Mihawk.

"The Tyrant?" repeated Sanji.

"One of my teachers was Bartholemew Kuma," said Luffy. "His teaching style wasn't even that, it was just torture."

"I wish I could say that it wasn't but I saw the state you were in," said Mihawk before standing up from the table. "My compliments to the chef."

As he turned and started to walk away, he gave Zoro a competitive look. "Meet me again Roronoa Zoro when you truly believe you can claim my title."

"I swore that I would not lose until I encountered you again," said Zoro as Mihawk walked past him. "I intend to keep that oath."

"Wait!"

All of the chefs in the area collectively held in their breath as they questioned why Sanji had decided to speak out to the Warlord.

"You've been all around the world. Have you encountered All Blue?" asked Sanji, standing determined.

Mihawk looked over his shoulder at the man who had spoken out to him before a light smile crossed his lips. "There are many things in this world young chef, things that you could not begin to comprehend," stated Mihawk. "Does what you seek exist? Possibly, but that's for you to find out now isn't it."

Without another word, Mihawk sauntered outside with his cloak billowing behind him as the tension in the floating restaurant eased. Still, in moments of peace chaos must ensue and Patty charged at Sanji, grabbing him by the shirt. "You crazy fool!" he shouted in Sanji's face but the blonde haired man paid it no attention.

"Warrant Officer Luffy," said Sanji, causing said Marine to look up at him. "You're looking for a chef aren't you."

Luffy could only give him a smile as Usopp and Zoro charged towards him with questions that needed answers.

...

Luffy was not smiling as he returned to the Going Merry to see the situation before him. Zoro, Usopp, Yosaku and Johnny had all followed him along with the newest member of his crew in Sanji. Said chef was also looking like he was about to blow a casket.

"What are you doing to that beautiful lady!" he growled between grinding teeth.

The scene in front of them was a simple one as Nami lay on the ground struggling against a hopeless situation as Gin held his foot down on her back, pinning her in place. In his hand he held his pistol, aiming it down at Nami's head. "Luffy," she managed to say as tears swelled in her eyes.

"Is this your answer Gin?" asked Luffy.

"If only it were that simple," said the former member of the Krieg Pirates. "You're probably thinking that I'm taking this woman as my hostage, to use for my own gain and to steal your ship and your treasure. As tempting as such an idea is, the offer you've given me is the finest I have had in a long time and I still owe Roronoa my life. Therefore, it was only right that I prevent this woman from stealing your ship."

The look on Nami's face shifted ever so slightly but it was noticeable by a few select individuals. Luffy being one of them. "Let her up," said Luffy, Gin obeying his order without question though he still kept his pistol aimed at her. As Nami got to her knees Luffy walked forward before kneeling in front of her.

"Luffy...I..."

"Nami, I know you are hiding something from us, from me," said Luffy sternly. "To hear that you attempted to steal the Going Merry, the ship that was given to us for having defended Syrup Island hurts me Nami. I feel that I know you however and I know that you wouldn't have done such a thing without reason. So, I'm going to give you one chance, one single chance to come clean. Tell your story and we will listen."

Nami struggled for words initially, looking at all of those who were gazing upon the scene in front of them. It was then that she spoke the truth, and true to his word, Luffy and the rest of the crew listened.

When her story was finished, the decision between all those onboard had already been made without so much as a word being said between them. A pirate was holed up in Cocoyashi Village and it didn't matter if he was a fishman or not.

What mattered was that there were people that needed saving.

And they would be saved.

...

Hope you enjoyed.