A little reminder that I updated the last chapter to make this next chapter more sense.
Now, on to the story!
Chapter 13: Betrayals
(Four days later)
A few days have passed as the crew and the bounty hunter duo are currently waiting for Luffy on the Merry. Seth, Hoopa, Usopp, and Zoro are starting to get bored of staying here. And other than that, it is currently foggy at the Baratie.
"We've been sitting around, twiddling our thumbs for four days now." Usopp sighed. "How long do you think we're gonna be here anyway?"
"Who knows." Zoro answered.
"He said he'll stay a year." Usopp said. "But I'm already so bored."
"Tell me about it." Seth agreed. "There's really nothing to do other than stuffing our faces with food and watching some fights in the restaurant."
"Quit your whining, you two. "Nami said with a smile. "This place is great. Plus, all the food here is free."
"Yeah, for you it is." Zoro said.
"I like fancy foods as much as the next person, but we really need to get going." Seth suggested. "And for the record, Nami, you only say that because that "Love Cook" giving you whatever you want."
"Seth..." Nami said with a devious smile. At least she's not angry of him anymore. "Are you jealous?"
"Me? Get jealous? As if I'm jealous to that flirt of a cook." Seth scoffed as he turns away from her. "But I like how Snowy froze him the other day."
"Yeah, that was a surprise." Nami said. "How can she hear from the Pokeball?"
"Probably the mechanism on those things." Seth answered. "Pokémon are intelligent. If they find you inadequate, they will disobey you."
"I see." Nami said. "And you know this how?"
"From experience." Seth replied. "Just keep my word for it."
"Okay..." Nami said.
"Still, that Zeff human is more than willing if he give Sanji to us." Hoopa commented as he reminisces about what happened four days ago...
(Flashback)
Intense pressure filled the air as Sanji and Zeff glared at each other.
"You fight with the customers 24/7." Zeff argued towards Sanji. "You flirt with any woman under 80 who walk through here. And you can't even cook a decent meal. In that conclusion, you're worthless to me than the chum after brunch. That's what I mean."
"So... uh..." Sanji said as he was speechless. The cooks came back, looking down from the stairs as they snickered at the former.
"Oh, and let's not forget about how the other cooks avoid you like you're a poison." Zeff continued. "So just run off and be a pirate or whatever, but get out of this restaurant."
"Well you look at that, he gave you the okay." Seth remarked.
"Shut it, Red Eyes!" Sanji retorted to Seth before turned to Zeff again. "If you expect that I'm gonna take this, then you're wrong..."
"Is that so?" Zeff asked casually.
"I could blow off everything you said, but I won't listen to anyone trash talk about my cooking! I'm staying here as a Sous-Chef and that's final!" Sanji said as he grabbed Zeff by the shirt. "YOU HEAR ME!?"
"What do you think your doing grabbing your boss by the collar!" Zeff said as he grabbed Sanji back and then threw him. "You ingrate!"
Sanji landed on the table the crew (minus Luffy) were sitting at. Seth, Zoro, Usopp, and Nami grabbed the plates of food so that they didn't get smashed when Sanji landed on the table. Snowy managed to jump a few steps back in order avoid the table.
"Damn geezer..." Sanji groaned and then sat up from the ground. "Enough of this bullshit. You can try to kick me out, but I'm here to stay! I'm not going anywhere old man. Not until you're dead and gone!"
"Dead?" Zeff replied as walked away from Sanji. "I've got another hundred years of kicking your ass left in me."
"He's always gotta have the last word." Sanji muttered.
"See? He said it's cool." Luffy said as he leaned down next to Sanji. "Now you can become a pirate."
"SHUT UP!" Sanji yelled at him with blank, angry eyes and shark teeth. He then propped the table back up. "My apologies. I hope I can make it up to you with this delightful fruit macedonia, my princess." He said as he place a cup with fruits as well as as drink.
"Wow you're too kind." Nami said, happily. "It looks wonderful."
"Hey! Don't forget about us, Mr. Casanova!" Usopp yelled, angrily. "We better get some kind of apology too."
"This tea should be more than inadequate for you." Sanji said rudely as he got in Usopp's face with a cup of tea in hand. "In fact you should be thanking me."
"What!?" Usopp exclaimed angrily. "You wanna fight? You're gonna regret this!" Usopp commaded as he pointed Zoro to Sanji. "Take him out, Zoro!"
"You take him out." Zoro replied as he was drinking.
"Stop it." Nami said, sweetly. "Please don't fight because of me."
"Of course my dear." Sanji said with a heart shaped eye.
"Who said it was about about you!?" Usopp shouted.
"Yeah. As if anyone would fight over you." Seth muttered as he's more annoyed than usual. It goes without saying, but he doesn't like how Sanji flirting with Nami. Unfortunately, he didn't know why.
"I wanted to tell you that..." Nami began.
"Yeah?" Sanji said.
"That all of the food here is just delicious." Nami said as she lightly touching Sanji's face. "But it's a little too expensive for me."
"Relax. For you it's free." Sanji replied.
Oh thank you!" Nami said and pulled Sanji into hug much to the blonde's pleasure... and much to Seth displeasure.
"You guys still gotta pay though." Sanji said as looked at Seth.
"Geez. Thanks for the memo, Love Cook." Seth sarcastically remarked as he was grabbed by the collar by Sanji.
"If you're looking to start something, then I'll happy to oblige." Seth threatened him.
"Oh yeah? Don't think for a second you can beat me by using some fancy footwork!" Seth retorted as Sanji and Seth both glared electricity at each other as if looks can kill. Luffy just laughed at the whole scene as Sanji turns to him.
"What're you sitting around for!?" Sanji said as kicked Luffy with his neck stretching and snapping back. The Sous-Chef began dragging Luffy off with the others watching them go. "You're not here to lounge around."
"Right." Luffy groaned.
(Flashback end)
"Needless to say, this is starting to get boring." Hoopa commented as they all see Luffy taking out a trash.
"Hey, Luffy!" He called. "What're we still doing here? C'mon, let's just get outta this place!"
"Just sit tight a little longer." Luffy answered. "I'm gonna try to make another deal with the owner."
"Let me convince that old man." Seth volunteeed as he jumps out of the Merry and into the restaurant's entrance. "We're not going anywhere if these keeps up."
"Please don't, Seth!" Luffy said. "He'll make you work here too!"
"Then so be it." Seth replied. "I'm not going to sit here and do nothing-"
"Despair..."
Seth widen his eyes as an unknown, deep demonic voice suddenly appeared in his head as it interrupts him followed by a headache.
"Who said that?" Seth asked as he clenches his head in pain.
"You shall suffer despair... The despair of being betrayed... That Nami woman will betray you...!"
"Seth, are you okay? You're not looking so good." Luffy asked as the Seth's headache subsides.
"I'm fine. Just a minor headache." Seth said.
"Did someone just talked to you?" Luffy asked as Seth were surprised as Luffy was able to hear the unknown voice.
"Luffy, how can you hear that?" Seth asked.
"I don't know. I just do." Luffy answered before he feels like there something in the distance. Sure enough, a large galleon ship (the same one that Ghin entered), appears from the fog. And as the fog clears up, the ship can be seen in a full view. The flag on the ship is skull and crossbones with red hourglass symbols on each sides. And that's not all, the ship is in a sorry state.
"GUYS DON'T PANIC!" Usopp shouted in fright. Only he and Nami are the one's who panicking. "BUT I THINK THIS IS OUR CUE TO LEAVE RIGHT NOW!"
"Look at the sheer size of that galleon!?" Nami shouted.
"Wow. I wonder what wrecked the ship." Seth commented. "I kinda expected more from the "dreaded" Krieg Pirates." He said as Sanji is next to him and Luffy.
"What a huge ship!" Luffy exclaimed as he turns to Sanji. "You think Ghin came back to thank you?" Luffy asked Sanji.
"I seriously doubt that." Sanji answered.
The cooks and the customers stand in their places as they stare on the big man that Ghin carries by his shoulder. He has light purple hair and has a bandage on it. He wears a yellow leopard printed vest over a fur lined coat, a golden chain that he wears as a necklace light purple trousers, and a pair of black shoes. But the most interesting part of them all is that he has what appears to be a gold plated armor concealed by his vest. To cooks and the customers, there's no mistaking that this is indeed the infamous Don Krieg.
Seth, Hoopa, and Luffy are currently on the the stairs along with the cooks and Sanji.
"Huh, so this is the "dreaded" Don Krieg?" Seth rhetorically asked. "Not so dangerous. But then again, there's more to him than meets the eye."
"I... beg you." Krieg weakly said. "I need food... and water." He continued. "We have money... lots of money."
'Yeah, I don't fall for this.' Seth thought.
"Please... It's been so long that I don't remember the last time I ate..." Krieg said as Ghin begin to tears up. "Please, sir... I need food and drink... I'm begging you."
The customers and some of the cooks were very surprised at seeing the dreadful pirate in a hungry state. Sanji just stares at Don Krieg.
"No, this can't be." The cook with glasses said as he stares on with disbelief.
"No joke, Carne. I can't believe it myself..." Patty said to the cook named Carne. "Where's the death and destruction? Is this even really THE Don Krieg, Commodore of the Grand Pirate Fleet?"
"Guess he's hungry." Luffy said as he sees Sanji going upstairs to prepare a meal.
Krieg suddenly begin to fall to the ground in hunger... or so that's he makes you to think.
"Captain!" Ghin called his captain. "Don Krieg!" He continued to call out the name as he turns to the cooks that is on the stairs. "Please help him! Our captain's on a brink of starvation! He could die! He hasn't had a single bite to eat for days. He'll die if he doesn't get some foods soon!"
While he said that, the customers look at him and Krieg with a disbelieving look. Understandable, considering what reputation that Krieg has.
Patty lets out a laugh before talking. "I haven't laugh that hard until that snow fox turned Sanji to a human popsicle!" He said proudly. "The "Great" Don Krieg kneeling before us!? That's certainly worth a laugh!"
"Please! We have some money!" Ghin begged. "We're here as customers this time!"
"Do you think I'm that stupid!?" Patty rhetorically asked before turns to a cook. "Hey! Get a hold of the Marine right away!"
"What!?" Ghin exclaimed.
"He's finally weakened after being captured! This may not happen again and I'm not gonna ruin that chance by helping him getting his strength back!" Patty said as Ghin grits his teeth in frustration.
"He's right! Who knows what will happen once he's on his feet again!"
"He done some terrible things."
"Even seeing him in this state, he'll just keep on doing it! I say let him starve!"
Ghin cannot believe how callous the customers are. But again, it's completely understandable.
"Once he's back to normal, he'll kill every last person in this restaurant! He's not so much as getting a glass of water from me!" A cook remarked.
'How could they say that...!?' Ghin thought as he doesn't really know what to do anymore.
"I won't... do anything..." Krieg weakly said as he manages to get himself up albeit barely. "I won't do anything...!" He continued as Ghin looks at him with worried expression. "Once I eat, I promise I leave quietly. So please... be merciful and help me...!" He begged as he kneels down to the cooks.
"You're a king, Don Krieg! Stop it!" Ghin begged his captain. "Please, don't reduce yourself to this! You're better than a common beggar! Please, sir! What about your pride?"
"I promise..." Krieg said. "Please... I'll take the scraps...! I'll take anything... ANYTHING...!" He continued as Ghin can only watch his captain in tears.
Sanji then comes down from upstairs towards Krieg.
"Huh... Boohoo for the cruel pirate!" Patty sarcastically remarked.
"Hey, step aside, Patty." Sanji said as he kicks him in the face, which he hits the wall behind him. Then, he falls down downstairs as he lands at the bottom, unconscious.
Luffy, Seth, and Hoopa notices Sanji with a meal and a bottle of wine.
"Sanji..." A cook said as Sanji arrives at front of Krieg before he places the food and wine in front of him.
"Here's something for your captain." Sanji said.
"Thank you, Sanji." Ghin said.
Then, Krieg starts eating the food. Then, Carne comes down while shoving a cook away.
"You dimwit! Get that food away from him right now!" Carne demanded, but Sanji just ignores him. "Don't you know that he's a cool-hearted killing machine!? This is the man that is known to be the "Ruler of the East Blue"! The most treacherous of all pirates!" He continued.
Carne then decides to explain a little something about Krieg. "It all started back in prison; he pretended to be a Marine. And when he decided to declare his pirate ambitions, he took command of a Marine vessel by killing the senior officer. He would raise the Marine flag to the ports, then laying waste on unsuspecting cities and pastorships there. He would show the white flag before attacking the enemy ships. He did anything to secure victory." He explained.
"Whoa. That guy plays dirty." Luffy commented.
"What a brute." Hoopa commented.
"Yup. That's why he's not worth my time." Seth added. 'That's nothing compared to the big ones in the Grand Line.'
"He's also unmatched in physical combat." Carne continued. "Do you think he'll just leave us alone!? Well I got news for you: That's not possible with a bloodthirsty killer like him! He deserved death!" He said as Don Krieg slams down the bottle of wine on the floor, but not too hard.
As soon as he gets up, Krieg hits Sanji with a lariat.
"Yup. Saw this comin' from miles away." Seth commented.
After seeing that, the customers instantly run away from Baratie as Ghin looks at his captain with disbelief. He clearly doesn't expect his captain to "bite the hand that feeds him"... or in this case "hits the man that feeds him".
"This is not what we agreed on!" Ghin said as he doesn't like what his captain just did. "You gave me your word! I only brought you here because you promised me not to ruin this place! Or hurt the man who saved us!" Ghin continued before Krieg grabs the former's right shoulder and lift him with one hand.
"Yes, that was delicious..." Krieg said as he starts crushing Ghin's shoulder, which he wince at the pain. "I feel alive again!" He said as he successfully breaks Ghin's shoulder before dropping him on the floor.
(In the Merry)
The crew sees countless of customers exits the restaurant in order to get away from Krieg and begin to board on a ship next to them.
"Hey, you see that?" Usopp asked as he now slightly frightened. "That looks bad. What do you think going around in there?"
"Dunno. Let's go inside and see." Zoro suggested.
"What!? Are you serious!?" Usopp asked with his eyes pop.
"Sure am." Zoro answered with a smile. "You scared?"
"I am not scared!" Usopp said as Zoro look towards the Krieg Pirates' ship.
'So strange...' Zoro thought. 'This ship almost as if it's abandoned...'
(Inside the Baratie)
All the cooks are staring at Don Krieg as the latter begin to look around while giving the cooks some glares. After that, the Commodore smirks.
"This ship is nice." Krieg commented. "I believe that I'll take it." He said as Sanji manages to get up as he has blood on his mouth.
"Right... I see..." Sanji said as Patty wakes up before rubbing his head. As soon as he notices Don Krieg up on his feet, he has his mouth open in shock as he begin sweating.
"As you can all see, my ship is a wreck." Krieg said. "Naturally, I'll be needing a nice new one. After a few small chores, every last one of you will leave this ship."
"What!? No!" Carne said.
"Don Krieg..." Ghin said while he holds his right shoulder. "You promised... please...!" He said but he was ignored.
Krieg then point towards his ship with his thumb. "There are about a hundred men left oboard on my ship. All are weak with hunger. And many are seriously wounded. If you values your lives, you will prepare food and water for each and every last one of them." He said. "I've lost too many men to hunger already."
'Gotta hand it to ya, at least you're better than Kuro.' Seth thought. 'Unfortunately, I won't be fighting you.'
"Bring them over. Immediately!" Krieg demanded.
"You're telling us to feed our executioners!?" Carne asked. "Do you hear how stupid that sounds? We refused!"
"You refused?" Krieg repeated as Carne tenses up. "I didn't ask for your opinion. Now make no mistake, you wretched cook. I'm not placing an order, I'm GIVING you one." He said before donning a furious expression. "DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR? DON'T DEFY ME!"
The cooks minus Sanji tenses up after hearing Krieg's outburst.
"Sanji..." Ghin called out as Sanji look towards him. "Sanji... I'm sorry. I didn't... mean for this to happen."
Patty then turns to Sanji with an angry look. "You see!? Look what've you brought to this restaurant, you stupid bastard!"
Sanji contemplates for awhile and seeing Ghin in pain. He then decides to stand up before making his way towards the stairs.
"And where do you think you're going!?" One cook asked as Sanji stop walking.
"To the kitchen..." Sanji said before Sanji turns to Don Krieg as he wipes the blood of his mouth while his eyes are covered by the bangs of his hair. "Looks like I'll be cooking 100 more meals today."
The cooks are rather surprised at his response as to why he is so calm about the situation at hand.
"WHAAAAAAT!? ARE YOU CRAZY!?" Most of the cooks exclaimed.
'I guess he'll stick to that creed to the very end. Even if it's going to cost him his life.' Hoopa thought.
Krieg grins as there are still someone who is obedient. "Good. Now hop to it."
Just before he gets to the stairs, the cooks point their weapons at him while also surrounding him. Said weapons are oversized silverwares that they use as spears.
Krieg can only watch the scene unfold with a stern look.
"Tell me the truth, Sanji. Are you his spy or something?" A cook asked.
"We're not going to let you anywhere near that kitchen!" Another cook said.
"We're fed up with you acting insane!" The third cook added.
Sanji only responds by outstretching his arm to his sides.
"Alright... Stop me if you wish." Sanji answered as the cooks that was wielding weapons looked at him with surprised expression. "You know... It's no secret that Don Krieg is a terrible and ruthless man." He explained. "But that doesn't matter to me... Doesn't matter. After we feed all of his men, who knows what's going to happen. I'm just a simple cook, no more no less. If someone's going hungry, then it's my duty to feed them. That's all I know." He continued as he turns to the cooks. "What do you say? Is that wrong?"
'Now I see why Luffy's interested at making this guy to join the crew." Seth thought as he smirks. 'And here I thought that he's just a shameless flirt.'
But suddenly, Sanji feels that someone is hitting him from behind, causing him to fall to the floor. And that someone was Patty, who managed to get back on his feet.
"Patty!" Carne called.
"Hey! Somebody grab him!" Patty demanded as he turns to Sanji. "You bring free food to the bums I kicked out of this place over and over again!" He said as he knew about that particular tidbit. "And I'm not about to argue about who's right in that particular situation! But this time, you're just flat out wrong, Sanji!"
Patty then make his way towards the stairs as Sanji gives out a glare towards him.
"I can't let you do things like that anymore!" Patty said as he has arrived at the stairs as he opens a secret compartment under it. "We're going to protect this place. Fortunately, we got numbers on our side." He said as he searches something in the secret compartment. "It is Don Krieg, but what can he do against all of us?"
Krieg is starting get impatient of the delays.
"And what's more, we got pirate scumbags come and go all day." Patty said as he grab ahold an item wrapped in a white cloth. "We're fully prepared to serve any kind of customers!"
"Is that...!" Sanji said as he notices the item in Patty's hands.
"I really hope that you save some room for dessert..." Patty said as he look towards Don Krieg with one eye. "Cause I have a secret recipe!" He said as he unveils the object that makes Don Krieg winced with curiosity. "That is truly to DIE for! Open wide!" He said as he points Krieg with what appears to be a bazooka in a shape of prawn.
Patty then lights up the weapon. "Here comes the Meatball of Doom!" He said as he pulls the trigger, causing a cannonball to shoot out from the bazooka that head straight towards Krieg, who has surprised expression.
As soon as it make contact, it creates an explosion that is covered the lower ground of the restaurant that is followed by smokes covering the area.
"What firepower! I wonder if I can get my hands on one of those?" Seth muttered as he is impressed by the weapon.
"Is it really the time saying that?" Hoopa asked.
"Whoops. I may have broken the door." Patty said with a satisfied look. "I hope Chef Zeff doesn't yell at me."
"You could at least show a little restraint?" Carne asked. "But he might go easy on you since you saved the restaurant."
However, it doesn't last long as a certain someone survives.
"Are you a chef? Or a comedian?" A familiar voice said from the smoke covering the restaurant. "Because your jokes are lame!"
Patty and Carne have their mouth open in shock of how Krieg survived the explosion.
"And that dessert was terrible! The worst that I ever have!" Krieg said with veins forming on his face. He has attire is all but gone, leaving him with the gold plated armor, the pants, and the shoes. Then, four guns appears from his armor. Two on his shoulder armor while the other is near his waist. He himself wields two flintlock guns on each hands.
"Oh, something's about to go down..." Seth commented.
"NOW DIE!" Krieg said as he fires all the guns towards the guns. After several seconds of firing the guns, the four guns retracted from their original position while he holsters the other two. It's fortunate the cooks are still alive as he takes off one of his gloves, revealing a gauntlet that has diamond for the knuckles.
"Okay, he has some tricks on his sleeve." Hoopa commented. "But still a brute nonetheless."
"You cooks should not have defied me!" Krieg said. "I am, by far, the world's strongest man!"
This makes Seth smirks at him. 'Wow, he clearly haven't met Whitebeard.'
"Arms made of solid steel! Wootz steel body armor, impenetrable! And a diamond fist that can pound this entire world to dust!" Krieg boasted proudly. "In addition to the weapons on my body, I have made a fleet of 50 ships with 5,000 pirates! My record is perfect! I won every single battle that I never been in!"
Luffy just stares on to the man with a blank look.
"I am Don! And I'm the only one who is fit to be called "Don"!"
This of course as Seth laugh so hard at him then everyone is looking at him. Krieg, of course, isn't amused by Seth's action towards him.
"Oh man. I haven't laughed that hard in a while." Seth said as Krieg gives a pissed off glare.
"Is there something I said that made you laugh, boy?" Krieg asked with venoms in his voice.
"Not really, just the fact that you keep calling yourself the "World's Strongest Man"." Seth answered. "I find it hysterical that a brute like you think too highly of himself."
The cooks excluding Sanji have their jaw drops at Seth's choice of words.
"Hey, kid! Are you trying to get us all killed!?" Carne exclaimed.
"And what do you know of me, boy? If you want to fight, then I'll be happy to-"
"You're not worth my time." Seth said as this shocked the cooks and infuriates the man.
"What!?" Krieg asked angrily.
"I said you're not worth my time." Seth said. "You may have weapons, armors, fleets, and men. But in my eyes, you're just a short sighted brute."
Krieg gritted his teeth as Seth is literally talking down on him.
"You won't get far with that line of thinking, that's for sure." Seth said. "Your rep that doesn't mean shit to me. It's small compared to the bigwigs at the Grand Line." He said. "And since you're the strongest in this part of the sea, that makes you weak."
But just as Krieg about to attack, a thud can be heard as both Seth and Krieg notice who it is... it's Zeff, who has placed a large bag to the ground.
"Head Chef Zeff!? What are you doing here?" One cook said.
"Hey, it's the old guy." Luffy said as he doesn't see him coming down from the stairs.
"Geezer..." Sanji said as he and the rest of the cooks noticed him.
"This is about a hundred meal. Now take it to your men right away." Zeff said as Krieg widen his eyes.
"You're... "Red Foot" Zeff!" Krieg said with a surprised expression.
(In the sub dimension)
"I see... so he is starting to awaken within Seth." Arceus said as he watches the scene from the projection. With him are Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina.
"Yes. Even after all these years, why choose now of all of times?" Giratina asked. "Things like this can only mean a bad omen."
"I agreed with Giratina." Palkia added. "Should we interfere and help?"
"No." Arceus objected. "First reason: he is not what he seems to be. Second reason: If we are to show ourselves carelessly, we will surely attract too many attention. Especially the World Government."
"And it's probably for the best that Seth should not say that he's from another world." Dialga said.
"My points exactly." Arceus replied. "And, this will be a test to see if Seth Orion can surpress the darkness in him. Where if he's easily fall to temptation or not..."
(In the Baratie)
The cooks were shocked when Zeff told them that Krieg and his crew are defeated. To them, it's hard to believe Krieg actually lost a battle. Krieg then recognizes Zeff as the captain of the Cook Pirates, who is thought to be deceased in a storm along with his crew.
Krieg proceeds to explain how Zeff get his epithet because he always got blood on his foot when fighting the enemies. He proceeds to mock how Zeff lost a leg, making unable to fight likr how he used to. But Zeff didn't mind as he chose the life of a cook.
"Enough chitchat! What do you want from me, really?" Zeff asked.
""Red Foot"... You're apparently the only one who sailed through the Grand Line and managed to came back unscathed." Krieg said as the cooks were surprised at this newfound info. "Impressive. There should be a Log Book detailing of your tactics. A full year in there. Give it to me. Now!"
"Well, that explains how he managed to kick Luffy's ass." Seth commented. "I knew there's something not normal with that old man."
"My Log Book, huh?" Zeff asked. "Yes, you're right. I do have a record of my travels there." He said as Krieg grins. "But I'll never hand it to you!"
Krieg then changes his expression to a upside down.
"You ignorant brute! That Log Book is sacred to me! It's the pride of the proven that I sailed with." Zeff said as he refused to hand his Log Book to Krieg. "It's far too important to give to you!"
"Then, I'll take it!" Krieg proclaimed. "Yes. It's true that the Grand Line have beaten me. Still I will never give up on it, for I am Don Krieg! In the end, it's just another ocean. I had enough weapons, men, and ambition. Regrettably, the only thing I lacked was information. But I will fix all of that. Once I have your Log Book, I'll form another Pirate Fleet and seize the legendary One Piece. THEN I WILL STAND AS RULER OF THIS GREAT PIRATE ERA!"
"Hold on!" Luffy said as he step forward in front of Krieg. "It's ME who's gonna be King of the Pirates!"
The cooks of the restaurant are surprised by Luffy's words.
"Wait! Don't be such a idiot! You better back off, Chore Boy!" Patty said.
"No way." Luffy said as he smiles. "Not from this."
"Did you say something, kid?" Krieg said to Luffy. "I won't allow that kind of stupidity again."
"Isn't that word should be referring to you?" Seth said as he steps forward next to Luffy. "Plus, he just saying like it is."
"Yup." Hoopa said as he steps forward next to Seth. "Of course, a singleminded brute like you wouldn't understand."
"This isn't a game." Krieg said as he glare towards them.
"That's cute. Because from what you were saying earlier, you're the one who is treating it like a game. You said it yourself, "It's just another ocean"." Seth remarked, causing Krieg to get annoyed towards him.
"Yeah. Game or not, I'm still going to conquer the Grand Line." Luffy proclaimed as Krieg glares at him.
"NO, YOU WON'T!" Krieg shouted. "It's true that we don't have the information we needed, but my fleet of 5,000 men is wiped out in seven days, you brat! That sea is hell!" He said as Ghin was cowering in fear.
"Well, don't go blaming the Grand Line for YOUR misfortune." Seth said as he proceeds to mock Krieg once more. "It goes to show how incompetent you really are."
"Why you...!" Krieg growled.
"What!? One week!?" Patty exclaimed.
"The fleet of Don Krieg is wiped out in seven days!?" Carne exclaimed as he and the rest of the cooks were very surprised.
"Unfortunately, I don't find your smart ass remarks very amusing." Krieg said to Seth and Luffy. "If you insist on this foolish behavior, I'll crush you both right here and right now!"
"Go ahead if you can!" Luffy said, reeling back his fist.
"I know I promise you'll get the next fight, but oh hell! Let's do this!" Seth said as he turns to his Splash Plate form.
"Did that kid turns into a fishman!?" One cook asked.
"How's that even possible!?" The other cook asked.
"Nice trick he got there." Zeff commented on Seth's Splash Plate form.
"I can and I will!" Krieg declared. "It would be my pleasure to send you two to an early grave, you cocky runts!" He said the guns from armored shoulder appears again, ready to fire.
But just then, Zoro and Usopp appears on the stairs. Zoro has his Wado Ichimonji thumbed up while Usopp had his nose in the air, most likely scared due to his leg's shaking.
"What's goin' on, you three? You need a hand?" Zoro asked.
"If you don't need help, that's okay too!" Usopp said as his legs are still shaking in fright.
"Oh, hey guys!" Luffy said. "Appreciate the offer, but I think I can handle this clown." He said as he turns to Seth. "That goes for you too, Seth. I thought you promise that I'll get the next fight."
"Okay. I suppose that I'm a bit carried away." Seth said as he turns to normal. "Sorry, Big Guy, you'll be fighting only Luffy."
"It doesn't matter who I am fighting, as long as I get crush you with my bare hands." Krieg said as he notices Usopp and Zoro. "Is this the rest of your crew?" He said before laughing. "That's a pretty small group you got there, kid."
"Well that's not all!" Luffy said. "I got two more!" He said raising up two fingers.
"I'M NOT APART OF YOUR CREW!" Sanji yelled.
"Oh, and Seth's Pokémon too." Luffy added as everyone who aren't the crew are surprised by the word.
"Pokémon, what is that?" One cook asked.
"Geez, Luffy. You shouldn't casually mention my Pokémon." Seth said as he pulls a Pokeball. "But I guess I can show you one of mine."
"What's he gonna do with that ball?" Carne asked.
"Beats me. I don't have a clue." Patty added.
"Am I suppose to be afraid of some balls? Get real, kid!" Krieg scoffed.
"You ain't see nothing yet. Come on out, Ironhide!" Seth said as he throws the pokeball in the air, causing it to open followed by a blue energy came from the pokeballs. Then, Ironhide appears from the energy.
"Is it my time to fight?" Ironhide asked as he flexes his neck. "I'm started to get bored lately."
The cooks, Sanji, Krieg, and Ghin have their eyes wide open at Ironhide.
"How can something so big fits into that small ball!?"
"And did it just talk!?"
"That thing seems strong...!"
"Now that's a unique looking beast." Zeff commented.
Krieg can only stare at Ironhide with interest while Ghin are shocked just like the cooks.
'Damn... this guy's full of surprises.' Sanji thought as he stares at Seth. 'Just what is he really?'
The atmosphere was filled with intense pressure as a fight is about to break out... but a fight didn't happen as Krieg retracts his guns that is on his shoulder armor.
"I'll deal with you later." Krieg said as he has calmed down. "Right now, I'm going to go feed my men." He said as he carries the bag of foods and drinks by his right shoulder. "Those of you who don't wish to die can leave the restaurant now and escape that fate." He continued. "The only things I'm after are the Log Book, the ship..." He then point his free hand towards Ironhide. "And this big thing. I could use an extra muscle on my crew."
"Sorry, pal. I'm not fighting for the other team." Ironhide said. "So you can just take that offer and shove it!"
Krieg was about two seconds of blasting Ironhide for that remark, but chose not to because he got more important things to do. He then turn around and proceeds to walk back to his ship, but he stops right at the front door.
"However, if you wish to stay and be slaughtered..." Krieg said. "I'll have no problem burying every last one of you at sea!" He said as he continues to make his way back to the ship so he can feed his underlings.
(In the Going Merry)
"Now it's suddenly go quiet." Yosaku commented as he and Johnny are looking towards Baratie from the back of Merry.
"If Big Bro Zoro is in there, then everything should be fine." Johnny replied to his partner. "And there's Big Bro Seth too."
"Yeah, I know" Yosaku said. "But what if it's not?"
"Yeah, good point." Johnny said as he turn towards Nami, who is the back. "Big Sis Nami! Should we go in there too? What do you think?"
But Nami is currently looking at something so intensely that she didn't hear Johnny. She maybe hear him but chose to ignore.
"Big Sis?" Johnny called before Yosaku falls on him, making them to fall on the stairs they were lying in. After "something" happen between them, they get up and starts to gagged.
Then, they notices that Nami haven't talk about one thing as she's too focused on something.
"Hey, are you okay?" Johnny asked.
"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine." Nami said as she turns towards them with a smile... while hiding the paper she was holding Arlong's wanted poster behind her. "Is there something wrong?" She asked as Johnny and Yosaku look at each other before looking at Nami.
(In the Baratie)
"I'm sorry, Sanji..." Ghin said while holding his right shoulder. "I didn't expect this is how it's going to be..."
"You have nothing to apologize, poor sailor." Zeff said as Sanji and Ghin turns to him and so does the cooks. "Every cooks at this restaurant did what they thought was right. That's all there is to say about that."
"But Boss...! You make it sounds that you take Sanji's side!" Patty complained. "This mess is his fault!"
"That's right! Sanji is the one responsible for this whole damn mess!" A cook added.
"Yeah, boss! That man's trying to put you out of business-" Another cook said before he is interrupted.
"YOU FOOLS DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!" Zeff snapped as he surprises the cooks and Ghin by his outburst. "None of you have any idea what's it like to be on a brink of starvation! To have no food and water on the open ocean!" He continued as Sanji lights up another cigarette before blowing a smoke. "There is no way you could possibly understand but a terrifying prospect that is. It's the most difficult situation a man could ever face!"
"Wha...? I don't know what you're talking about, Chef Zeff." Patty said.
"The difference between all of you and Sanji... is that Sanji knows..." Zeff continued as Sanji turns to him with a cigarette on hand and blows some smoke.
The cooks are pondering on what their boss means by "Sanji knows"... to them, it's an important riddle.
"If you're all gonna do is standing around and grumbling, then leave this place and never come back!" Zeff said as this leave the other cooks to contemplate this.
"I, for one, am gonna to stay and fight!" Patty said as he made up his mind. "I couldn't live with myself if I accepted defeat!"
"I'm staying too! After all, this is our restaurant, isn't it?" A cook said.
"That's right. And this place is all I got too." Another cook said as the other cooks are riled up and ready to defend the Baratie.
Unfortunately, Ghin interprets this as suicides for them.
"What are you doing!?" Ghin asked as he slams the floor with both of his hands. "You know how powerful Don is!?"
"Your captain is like a pebble fighting a mountain." Hoopa said. "And as Seth said before, he won't go that far with his line of thinking."
"Yeah. There will always someone who is better than us." Seth said as Sanji gets up.
"Hey, Ghin..." Sanji called as he walk towards a fallen table. "Listen up, 'cause I only say this once. Feeding someone who's hungry is my sacred duty..." He said as he puts his foot the table's leg. "But...!" He then puts the table back up with his legs while having one of his hands in his pocket. "Now that your crew is well fed, I don't have any obligations to them. With a clean conscience, I can beat every last one of them to a bloody pulp. If anyone tries to take the restaurant..." He said as he dons a serious expression. "They're dead. I'll kill them all without a moment's hesitation. Got that?"
Ghin can only sweat drops as he swallows the lump on his throat, getting the message across.
"Ha! You're a real headcase, Sanji!" Patty commented. "Letting them live then threatening to kill them."
"Can it, cook." Sanji retorted.
"See? This guy's awesome, huh?" Luffy said to Zoro and Usopp.
"Yeah. Despite being a flirt, he's pretty much a cool guy." Seth added as he also looking towards Zoro and Usopp.
"Yup. He's pretty suitable with us." Hoopa added.
"Who cares how awesome, cool, or suitable he is! We gotta get out of here right now!" Usopp said.
"Easy, you three." Zoro said to . "It is Don Krieg, but he's in pretty bad shape."
Hearing this, Luffy turns to Ghin.
"Hey, Ghin!" Luffy called. "You said that you didn't know about the Grand Line, I thought you've been there. It doesn't make any sense." Luffy said.
"That's what I want to know too." Seth said as Ghin has his head down.
"Nothing makes sense now..." Ghin replied. "What happened to us on the seventh day in that accursed sea..." He said as he begin to explain the reason. He explained that all but one fifty ships has been wiped out by a one man.
This causes most of everyone to react in shock as that how could one man wiped out almost an entire fleet all by himself. Ghin said that hadn't been the storm at the time, the flagship would have sink along with the others.
"And that man...? He has eyes like hawks, sharp and murderous." Ghin said as he describes about the man who attacked him and his crewmates. "His gaze alone is felt like a cold hand of death!"
The description made Zoro widen his eyes that he knows all to well who is Ghin referring to.
""Hawk Eye" Mihawk..." Seth said as he turns to Ghin with a serious expression. "Is that who you're referring to?"
Zoro widen his eyes as how Seth would know something like this. "Seth, how do you—"
"It goes without saying, but I have a hit list that listed the names of people I wanted to take down." Seth explained. "I stumbled upon his file in the other day, but I decided not to add him since I have a feeling that you wanted to fight him, Zoro. After all, he is the World's Greatest Swordsman."
Zoro can only gulps at the statement that Seth made.
"You are correct, boy." Zeff said. "With the description of his hawk-like eyes and the ability to sink countless ships, there's no doubt in my mind that it's him."
"From Seth's words, you seemed to know him, Zoro." Luffy said as he turns to the green haired man.
"Yeah, I do." Zoro answered. "He's the man that I've been looking for. "Hawk Eyes" is the reason why I set out to sea."
"Sounds like a good reason though." Seth said.
"Maybe he got a score against you?" Sanji suggested Ghin.
"No. We didn't do anything to make him angry." Ghin answered.
"Or maybe you disturbed when he was taking a nap?" Zeff suggested, which offends Ghin.
"Stupid cook! Why would he destroy an entire fleet for something that trivial!?" Ghin snapped.
"There's no need to shout. It's just an example..." Zeff said. "Thought I give you a friendly advice on how kind of a place the Grand Line is."
"And what kind of place is that?" Usopp asked as he is now scared.
"He probably means that anything can happen there." Zoro answered as Usopp has comical tears on his eyes.
"Hey, Luffy! Do we really have to go there!?" Usopp asked, but he was met with silence.
Luffy was just shaking and then throws his arms in the air.
"THIS SO AWESOME! THIS IS GONNA BE SUCH A BLAST!" Luffy shouted with excitement.
"It just makes me want go there even more!" Seth said. "I wonder what's my wanted poster going to be like?"
"Don't you two understand the concept of danger!?" Usopp shouted with shark teeth.
"Finally, my life's goal will be achieved on the Grand Line." Zoro said with a smirk.
"What?" Usopp asked with tears on his eyes.
"My rival is out there somewhere and I'm gonna find him." Zoro answered as Sanji turns to him.
"Are you that stupid?" Sanji asked. "It's idiots like you guys that end up dead."
"That may be true." Zoro said. "But lay off the name calling. I devoted my entire life to becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman. I made my choice, so I'm the only one who get's to call myself stupid."
"Hey! What about me?" Luffy yelled as he raise his hand.
"There are strong opponents out there..." Seth said. "It'll be a shame if I don't fight them. Plus, I could use an extra adventuring." He said as Ironhide agrees with him.
"Then that makes all of us stupid." Ironhide said. "But I don't mind either way."
"Me too, right?" Usopp said. "I mean it's only fair!"
"Shut up, stupid." Zoro said to Usopp poking Usopp in the head with a sheathed sword.
"What morons." Sanji muttered under his breath but Zeff just smiles.
The moment was interrupted as Krieg's ship suddenly collapse, surprising anyone. The one surprising thing is that the ship... was sliced cleanly like butter.
This also causes the Baratie to shake back and forth because of the waves. Everyone is keeping balance so they won't fall.
"Shit! Nami and the others are still there!" Seth said as he returns Ironhide to his pokeball before storming from the restaurant with Luffy and Hoopa.
Zoro and Usopp follows them as they see the Krieg's ship sinking to the ocean along with some other cooks.
"Damn it! Where's the Merry?" Seth said as he tries to find the Merry.
"Big Bro!" Seth turns to the voice, who turns out to be Johnny. For odd reason, he and Yosaku are on the water.
"Johnny!? Yosaku!? Why are you on the water!?" Seth asked. "What happened to Nami? Is she okay?"
"I'm sorry, Big Bro Seth..." Johnny said with tears on his eyes. "I don't know how to say this, but..."
"But what!? Did something happened!?" Seth asked.
"She's gone, Big Bro Seth! She sailed away!" Johnny finished.
"And she took the treasure with her too!" Yosaku added.
It's at this point that Luffy, Seth, Hoopa, Zoro, and Usopp have their eyes widen.
"SHE DID WHAT!?" The four of them exclaimed as they fished the two out from the sea.
"What did you say!?" Usopp asked as he's getting his face close to them.
"For real!?" Luffy asked. "Nami sailed off with the Going Merry!?"
"You're shitting me, right!?" Seth exclaimed. "Give me the exact details of it!"
"It all started a few minutes ago..." Yosaku said as he begin to explain how it all happened...
(Flashback: A few minutes ago)
Nami was still looking at the wanted poster, specifically Arlong's.
"Hey, Big Sis!" Yosaku said as he came to Nami's side. "I don't mean to pry, but what are looking at?"
"Well... It's nothing really." Nami lied as Johnny came over to her side and saw the particular wanted poster the former was looking at. Apparently, the duo is just so happened to have a spare wanted poster of Arlong.
"Nice. Now that's a big bounty pirate. I gotta say, I'm impressed." Johnny commented as Nami folds the wanted poster. "But Big Sis, I think you're aiming a little too high by going after Arlong. That guy's bad news. He was playing it cool and lay low for awhile, you know stay out of sight..."
"But these days, that maniac caused all sorts of trouble." Yosaku finished as Nami back away from them. "It's kinda tough walking away from a 20,000,000 berri bounty though."
"That guy is so powerful there is a slightest tiniest chance that we could lose and... well die." Johnny added as they turn to Nami, who has just put a shirt on the railing.
"Hey, could you guys mind turning around while I change to something comfortable?" Nami asked as she holds on the collar of her current shirt while her face is blushing.
"S-Sure! Whatever you say!" Johnny said with a blush on his face before he and Yosaku turned around. They didn't know that Nami was closing on them.
"Hey, do you ever met a woman that is quite daring?" Johnny asked his partner.
"Don't know. This could be the first." Yosaku answered. "Hey, why don't we turn around to see if she's done changing?"
"Good idea." Johnny said as they both turn around to see Nami... And before they knew it, they were pushed out of the Merry by her.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!?" Johnny asked as he and Yosaku were able to stay afloat.
"I'm doing business, of course!" Nami said as she turns to them. "Use your head guys, I'm a thief who only targets pirates." She continued. "And my next score is this ship!"
Johnny and Yosaku were shocked at Nami's betrayal.
"I never said anything about being a member of this crew. I was just traveling with them, nothing more." Nami explained.
"Even I was just traveling with them in a short time..." Nami said as she has her hair covered her eyes all while smiling. "I sure had a lot of fun." She continued. "Make sure to tell them that I said, "If it's truly meant to be, I'll see them real soon!"."
As she said that, she sailed away. And at the same time, that's when Krieg's ship fell apart.
(Flashback end)
"And that's the story of how Big Sis Nami took the ship!" Johnny concluded.
"I'm sorry!" Yosaku added as Zoro are very furious with Zoro punches the wall. Usopp and Seth are also angry.
"Damn it! She just HAD to make the bad situation worse!" Zoro said.
"What a heartless thief! Kaya gave us that ship!" Usopp said aloud as Luffy tries to find the Going Merry.
"Damn that Nami! Why would she leave now of all-Gack!" Seth exclaimed as the same headache comes back, except it's more painful than last time.
"Big Bro Seth!" The bounty hunter duo called.
"Hey, Zoro! What's going on with Seth now!?" Usopp asked.
"Don't know. This is the first time I see him like this!" Zoro answered.
"Oh boy. Arceus didn't mention this about him!" Hoopa muttered.
"Regrettably, yes." Arceus said to Hoopa via telepathy.
"Arceus! Do you know what's happening to Seth?" Hoopa asked via telepathy.
"There's demonic beast sealed inside Seth." Arceus answered.
"What!? You could've told me that sooner!" Hoopa exclaimed.
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha! I warned you, didn't I!? You will be betrayed once more! By another female no less!?"
"Who... are you!?" Seth asked to the mysterious voice as he kneels down.
"Who am I is not of your concern. And I have lived within you, human Seth Orion." The voice said. "And I know all there is to know about you!"
"Shut up! You don't know shit about me!"
"Oh, but I do. I know the fact that horrible incident to still haunts you to this very day." The voice boasted. "Why bother trust those fiends you called "females" if they're going to betray you eventually? It only brings pain and despair. As you have experienced just now."
"That's...!" That was Seth said before he is interrupted.
"Accept it! You and I are the same. That's why you are to surrender yourself to—"
"No! There's no way you Seth would surrender to you!" Luffy yelled, shocking everyone including the voice are surprised at Luffy's outburst.
"Luffy..." Seth said as he barely look towards him.
"Oh? I'm surprised that you can hear me, human." The voice said. "Then again, I believe that you heard me. Now, tell me: In what do you see in him? Please, tell me!"
"Simple. He has a strong heart." Luffy said. "He's my friend and an a member of my crew. Someone like you have no right to tell him that!"
"Luffy..." Seth said as he manages stand up but barely.
"I can vouch on that too." Zoro said. Eventhough He doesn't know or hear what's going on, but he knows when he should lend a hand to one of his friend. "He can be a pain sometimes, but he's a good guy."
"Y-Yeah!" Usopp joined in. "Plus, he saved my village. That's good enough in my book."
"Hoopa." Arceus communcated Hoopa via telepathy. "I believe that Seth needs an encouragement from you."
"I suppose I should..." Hoopa said. "You know, Seth... You're can be such an ass sometimes or even strangles me from time to time. But..." Hoopa said with encouraging look. "You, by far, the most precious human friend I have. It's really been a long time since I last had one, but I'll try my best to be the friend you really need."
"Everyone..." Seth said as before he realizes that he's not alone in this, besides his Pokémon team. He then has a determined look. "Yeah. Sure I will get betrayed in the near future, but as long as my friend stand beside me, then I'll never fall into despair!"
After a few moments of silence, the voice speaks up.
"Hmph! Such simple resolves!" The voice said. "And yet... there is something in that Straw Hat human that made me interested. And his determination to defend you also affects the other humans. It's sounds... nostalgic."
"I don't really quite get it." Seth said.
"Very well, you have passed the test." As he said that, the pain subsides. But at this point, Seth is shocked.
"Wait a second... What test!?" He exclaimed.
"The temptation test, of course!" The voice said despite all demonic like, you can help but to laugh. "Don't tell me that you take it seriously!? It was only just an act! And the test proven that you're not easily tempt on."
"So you're basically telling me is that was a frickin' test!?" Seth exclaimed.
"Yes." The voice answered. "With that said, I'll bid you farewell. I will continue watching you from the shadows... and by "from the shadows" I mean from inside you."
As the voice said that, the voice vanishes.
"Geez, whoever that guy was, he almost gave me a heart attack." Seth commented as he remembers the task at hand. "Hey, Luffy! See if you can spot the Merry for us!"
"On it!" Luffy said as he sees the Merry, sailing away in the distance. "I see it! It's right there!"
Seth then turns to the Johnny and Yosaku. "Do you have a ship?"
"We still have ours by the restaurant. Why?" Yosaku asked.
"Then there's still time." Seth said as he calms down. "Zoro! Usopp! Take that ship with them and go after Nami!"
"Normally, I refused. But after seeing what happened to you, I guess I should do it." Zoro said as he scratches the back of his head.
"Yeah! And besides, Nami's the only one I want as the crew's navigator!" Luffy said as Johnny and Yosaku fetches the ship. Then, they put an anchor right near them, in order to make the boarding process easy.
"Alright then." Zoro said before looking towards Luffy, Seth, and Hoopa. "What about you three?"
"I should probably stick around until I got this problem settled with the restaurant." Luffy said.
"And besides, Krieg is asking for one of my Pokémon." Seth said. "I can't let him get away by trying to take one of my Pokémon away from me."
"I'd like to see how this goes." Hoopa added.
"Well, be careful. Things could get really bad really fast." Zoro warned.
"Yeah." Luffy said as he, Seth, and Hoopa nods.
Then suddenly, there's a shout.
"DON KRIEG! THE MAN WHO DESTROYED OUR FLEET IS BACK! WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO!?" One of Krieg's underlings warned as he also alerted Zoro. He sees a small boat sailing amongst the wreckage. Sitting on the boat a tall, lean man with black hair that is covered by a wide-brimmed black hat decorated with a large plume, a short beard, mustache and sideburns that point upwards. He wears a long, open black coat with no shirt underneath to go with his crucifix necklace, with red, flower-patterned sleeves and collar. And he wears light purple pants held up by a decorated belt and tucked inside overly large boots in comparison to his leg size.
The most prominent feature of him are what seems to be a big sword on his back that have handles like a cross and his yellow eyes, sharp like hawks. This is indeed "Hawk Eye" Mihawk in the flesh.
"No way... That's him..!" Zoro said as he widen his eyes at the sight of Mihawk.
'That son of a bitch...!' Krieg thought.
"Hey, Zoro. Who's that?" Luffy asked.
"That's the man I've been looking for..." Zoro answered. ""Hawk Eye" Mihawk."
"So that's the guy in person." Seth commented. "He's every bit of what the file describes him."
"Yeah..." Zoro said. "He's the World's Greatest Swordsman."
Mihawk is only sitting in silence as his boat sails.
"So, that's him." Patty said. "The guy who managed to sink Don Krieg's fleet."
"I guess he's here to finish the job." Carne said. "Or maybe...
"He's just an ordinary man. I don't see a weapon on him." A cook said.
"He carries one on his back." Zeff corrected.
"What!? There's no way he's able to sunk a galleon with only a sword." Carne pointed out.
""Hawk Eye" Mihawk is a true master." Zeff explained. "He is, without a doubt, the Greatest Swordsman in the world." He continued Mihawk looks on with stoic expression to go with his hawk-like gaze.
'I didn't I would be meeting him so soon.' Zoro thought as he gulps at the thought of encountering Mihawk early. He then smirks. 'The time is come... to fulfill my promise.'
"You... You monster!" One of the pirates said. "Why are you doing this to us!? Why did we ever do to you!"
"Just killing time." Mihawk calmly answered as the same pirate stood up.
"Bastard!" The pirate cursed as he pulls out two guns and fires them towards Mihawk... but the swordsman simply pulls out the sword from his back and deflects the bullets very swiftly. But if looked with a keen eyesight, it's as if he slightly move the bullets away, causing the pirate to look like he's missed.
"What!? How did he do that!?" A pirate asked in shock.
"Yeah! I made sure that they hit him!" It's impossible to miss!" The pirate that tried to shoot Mihawk added.
"He diverted them." Zoro said as he suddenly appears behind the pirate. "He changed the course of the bullets using only the tip of his sword." He explained as Mihawk sheathes his big sword.
"No way... That's impossible...!" The pirate said as Zoro gets closer to Mihawk. "Hold on! Who do you think you are!?"
One pirate notices Zoro's three swords on his waist. "He got three swords! He couldn't be..." He said as he starts to recognize Zoro.
"I never seen a sword handled so gently or with such grace." Zoro commented towards Mihawk as the latter looks at him with one eye.
"There's no strength in swordplay based on force." Mihawk replied towards the green haired swordsman.
"Did you also used that sword to slice up this ship?" Zoro asked.
"I did." Mihawk answered.
"Then it's true..." Zoro said as he sweatdrops. "You're the best." He continued as he smirks. "I set sail for one reason: To meet you." Zoro then takes off the bandana from his left arm.
"And what is your goal?" Mihawk asked.
"To beat you!" Zoro answered with confidence as he puts on the bandana onto his head.
"How foolish." Mihawk said with a smirk.
Zoro proceeds to thumbs up his Wado Ichimonji before unsheathing it. Then he points towards Mihawk with said sword.
"You got spare time, so let's do this!" Zoro said.
"No way... It's him! Roronoa Zoro! It's Zoro of the Three Swords Style!" The same pirate that tried to shoot Mihawk said loudly.
"Really? A Pirate Hunter...?" Krieg asked rhetorically as he put on of his foot on a railing.
"He's a what!?" Sanji exclaimed.
Usopp notices the Merry keeps sailing away to the point that it's almost gone from the horizon.
"Hey, Luffy! We're better hurry come on!" Usopp said. "The Going Merry is about to sail right of sight!" He continued but Luffy is focused on seeing the upcoming battle between Zoro and Mihawk.
"A fight?" Mihawk asked rhetorically. "You're a weak, pitiful creature." He mocked as he jumps towards Zoro is so swiftly that he's teleporting. "If you are, in fact, an incompetent swordman, you should see the disparity in our abilities even before we crossed swords."
"Whoa... this is intense." Seth commented. 'What's it gonna be Zoro? Will you become the World's Greatest...' He thought as he swallows a lump on his throat. 'Or you will die here?'
"I must ask you. What drives you to challenge me?" Mihawk asked. "Could it be your courage...? Or simply your ignorance?"
"My ambition drives me!" Zoro answered as he puts the Wado Ichimonji into his mouth while unsheathing the other two swords, in which he held one on each hand. "Also, I made a promise I intend to keep!"
"THERE ISN'T A PERSON ALIVE WHO CAN BEAT BIG BRO!" Yosaku shouted. "HE'S ALREADY THE BEST OF THE WORLD!"
"I'm afraid that the world is a lot bigger than you think." Hoopa muttered. "There's no way that Zoro could win against someone like this Mihawk."
Mihawk responds to Zoro's answer by taking the cross pendant from his neck and then unsheathes it, revealing it to be a knife.
"Funny. What do you going to do with that?" Zoro asked with Wado Ichimonji in his mouth. He doesn't get that why Mihawk would use a knife instead of his blade.
"This should be more than adequate." Mihawk answered calmly. "After all, you wouldn't kill a fly with a cannon, would you?"
"He's got a point there. Just like how even the best Pokémon Trainers wouldn't use their ace Pokémon straight away." Seth commented as he continues to spectate from the sidelines.
"You may have quite the reputation in the East Blue, but that doesn't mean much to me. This sea is, by far, the weakest of the four." Mihawk answered as he frowns. "Unfortunately, I don't carry any blades much smaller than this one."
"I just had about enough of your attitude!" Zoro said still with a sword in his mouth before he charges towards Mihawk. "Now you die!"
"You have no idea how big the world really is!" Mihawk retorted as he readies himself.
"Three Swords Style: Oni Giri!" Zoro shouted as he tries to attack Mihawk with all of his swords... well, emphasis on "tries" because the latter manages to block the attack with only the knive.
"What!? Big Bro's Oni Giri was stopped!?" Johnny asked.
"But that's crazy! That attack never failed on an enemy before!" Yosaku added.
"Dude...!" Seth said as he is shocked. "So this is power of the World's Greatest Swordsman."
"From this alone, we can definitely see the gap of power between those two." Hoopa commented. "And needless to say, the gap is quite huge."
'I can't move my swords!' Zoro thought in shock. 'What has he done!? No one's able to defend from that technique! He stopped it with a pocket knife!' He continued from his thought. 'No...! This can't be happening! He can't be THIS better than me!? There's no way our skills are THAT far apart!?'
"Oh shit. I don't like where this is going." Seth muttered as Zoro starts to lose his composure.
"AAAAH! I'M NOT THAT FAR BEHIND THE WORLD'S STRONGEST!" Zoro roared ad he proceeds to the multiple slashes on Mihawk, but every time the latter blocks before he pushes back Zoro.
"YOU'RE JUST TOYING WITH HIM, RIGHT!?" Yosaku asked loudly as he and his partner can't believe what they're seeing right now. "FIGHT FOR REAL, BIG BRO!"
"BIG BRO!" Johnny also shouted.
"You can't be that much better than me!?" Zoro exclaimed with disbelief as Mihawk who just stared at him with an emotionless glare.
Zoro then charges towards Mihawk again slashing with all three of his swords, but Mihawk was still able block or dodge. Not giving Zoro a chance to land a cut.
"Such ferocious swordplay." Mihawk commented as he blocks a slash from Zoro. He then attack him with the sword in his mouth with Mihawk once again blocking it easily, which temporarily creates a small shockwave of air.
"How can he defended from Zoro's Three Swords Style with only a kitchen knife!?" A member of the Krieg Pirates exclaimed.
"He's even more of a monster with a blade than the great Zoro!" Another pirate pointed out
Zoro then continues his onslaught once more.
'I did NOT put my entire life to swordsmanship, only to be dispatched by a toy like this!?" Zoro thought as he continues to try attacking Mihawk.
"Zoro..."
A voice belonged to Zoro's deceased friend can be heard in his head, causing him to lose focus on one of his slash. Mihawk takes advantage of this by karate chop (not the Pokémon move) him to the neck, causing to fall to the ship's floor. Then, he hears the memories of his late friend, Kuina, who couldn't become the World's Greatest Swordsman just because she's a girl. Even with Zoro's encouragement, she doesn't get to chase her dream because she died on an accident at the stairs. Ever since that day, he's been training real hard in order to become the World's Greatest Swordsman ever since he was young. And not only that, he was given the Wado Ichimonji by his old Sensei, who is also Kuina's father.
'I have to do this...! For her!' Zoro thought as he stands up and begin to make his way towards Mihawk, but he's wobbly while doing it as he tries to land a slash on the latter. However, Mihawk simply side steps, causing Zoro to fall over on his back.
"What is it then?" Mihawk asked. "What kind of burden do you carry upon your shoulders? Speak up, weakling!"
"How dare you call him a "weakling"!" Yosaku said angrily as he pulls out his sword.
"Let's teach him a lesson!" Johnny added as he begin to lunge towards Mihawk, but Luffy pulls them before they can do so.
"No! Johnny! Yosaku!" Luffy said as he puts his hands on top of their heads, so they won't interfere with the battle.
"This Zoro's fight. We can't interfere, even if we wanted to." Seth said as he and the others sees Zoro gets up.
"No... I won't lose. I refuse to be defeated!" Zoro answered as he do a pose, that involves putting two swords he's wielding in each hand behind his back. "Three Swords Style: Tiger..."
"The World's Greatest Swordsman? The King of the Pirates want nothing more but the best in his crew."
Luffy's voice rings on his head as he is more determined to defeat Mihawk than ever.
"Trap!" Zoro shouted as he tries to attack Mihawk with the technique. Unfortunately, Mihawk simply stabs him in the chest before the green swordsman gets the chance of hitting him. Therefore, stopping Zoro.
"Amazing." Seth muttered.
"And the only thing he needed to do is stab him." Hoopa added.
Eventhough he was stabbed, Zoro didn't move one step back.
"You are defeated, and yet you won't step back." Mihawk said as he is surprised. "Why not?"
"I don't know..." Zoro answered. "But I will not run. Even if I retreat a single step, I would be shattering the promises I made. If I run, I would lose my honor." He continued while glaring towards Mihawk. "Without that, there would be nothing left for me here."
"That's what defeat is." Mihawk replied.
"Heh... Then I won't accept defeat." Zoro said.
"Then you'll die." Mihawk retorted.
"Fine by me..." Zoro said with a determined look. "I'd rather die than to lose."
'A strong heart indeed...' Mihawk thought as he is now impressed at Zoro's conviction. 'He rather chose death before defeat.' He then takes the blade out of Zoro's chest, but he endures the pain.
"Sir, state your name!" Mihawk demanded as he sheathes the knife.
"I am Roronoa Zoro." Zoro replied as he holds his two swords in a certain way.
"I'll remember it. No one as strong as you has come around for quite some time." Mihawk said as he pulls out the sword from his back with one hand. "So as a swordsman's courtesy, I will use the world's strongest black sword to finish you!"
"Thank you. I appreciated it." Zoro replied as he ready to use what could be his strongest technique. 'It's all comes down to this. Will I be the world's strongest...? or death?' He thought as he starts spinning the two swords in each hand.
Luffy grits his teeth with worry, Seth, Hoopa, and Usopp are also trembling with anticipation, and the bounty hunter duo are also trembling like Luffy.
"That's enough, Big Bro! Stop it!" Johnny pleaded but he was ignored.
"Three Swords Style Secret Technique..." Zoro said
"Fall!" Mihawk said aloud.
"Three Thousand Worlds!" Zoro shouted as he and Mihawk cut past through each other in a quick motion. Unfortunately, Zoro's two swords on his hands shatter as he got slashed on his body while blood gushing out of him. He then falls to one knee.
'I lost...' Zoro thought as he takes the Wado Ichimonji out of his mouth. 'Never in my life that I would lose...' He then sheathes said sword. Then, he stands up, turns to Mihawk, and then outstretches his arms.
"But why...?" Mihawk asked with a surprised tone.
"A wound on the back is the swordsman's shame." Zoro replied with a grin.
"Well said." Mihawk said with a smile as he slash Zoro across his body, causing him to spurt a lot of blood.
"ZORO!" Luffy yelled the name of his friend.
"You shouldn't rush these things, young man." Mihawk said calmly as Zoro let go of his only sword while he starts to fall.
"ZORO!" Seth, Hoopa, and Usopp shouted just like Luffy.
"BIG BRO!" The bounty hunter duo with tears on their eyes.
"NOOOOOOOO!" Luffy continued as Sanji is also bewildered at the outcome.
'Why...!?' Sanji thought with shock. 'He's insane! His opponent was way out of his league. How this fight would end was clear from the start, why chose death!?'
"DON'T BE STUPID!" Sanji shouted. "GIVE UP YOUR AMBITION AND LIVE!" He continued as Zoro falls to the sea along with his Wado Ichimonji.
"Damn you..." Luffy growled as he starts reeling his fist back as Mihawk puts his sword on his back.
"I got you, Zoro!" Seth said as he changes back to his Splash Plate form before dive to the water to get Zoro. 'Don't die on me! It's too soon for this crap!'
Luffy then stretches forward towards where the duel commenced as he grabs the railing near Mihawk. He then pulls himself forward with the intent to attack Mihawk.
"Is he some sort of a freak!?" A cook exclaimed as he and the other cooks including Sanji are surprised at Luffy's revelations on his ability to stretch.
"So that loudmouth, little twerp has Devil Fruit powers." Krieg commented.
"You bastard—" Luffy said before he crashes to the ship's floor, causing his head to stuck.
"Are you that young warrior's comrade?" Mihawk asked rhetorically. "I'm impressed with you for not interfering." He complimented as Luffy managed to get his head unstuck after a couple of tries before he falls on his back. "There is nothing to be upset about, your friend will live."
"What?" Luffy said as Mihawk look towards to the sea, specifically Seth.
'Odd. Wasn't he human a second ago?' Mihawk wondered as he sees Seth holds Zoro and his sword. He then sense something beneath, one that makes him intrigued. 'This one has an interesting air around him.'
"Say something, buddy! Tell me that you're okay!?" Seth pleaded as Zoro coughs some blood. He then proceeds to go towards the boat where Usopp is there.
"Come on! Let's get him out of the water." Usopp said as he helps Zoro get on the boat as well as his sword. The bounty hunter duo are also helping by putting him on spot where he can lie down while Usopp fetch some medicine.
"I hope everything turns out okay..." Seth said as he climbs up to where Luffy is before he returns to normal.
"It's still far too early for you to die." Mihawk said with arms folding. "My name is "Hawk Eye" Mihawk! You're strong, but there's still much for you to learn! No matter how many years it takes, I will hold this title of the greatest in the world and wait for you! Until that day, you must hone your skills. Then... SEEK ME OUT, RORONOA ZORO!"
"Please, say something!" Yosaku pleaded.
"Anything!" The bounty hunter duo said in unison.
"Not everyone can earn the regard of the great "Hawk Eye" Mihawk." Zeff said.
Mihawk then turns to Luffy. "Tell me. What is your goal?"
"To be a king." Luffy answered as Mihawk smirks.
"Your ambition is even loftier than your friend." Mihawk replied. "And that's going to be a quite of task."
"Well, you should just let me worry about that." Luffy retorted as he sticks his tongue out.
Mihawk then turns to Seth.
"You. The one who can turn into a fishman." Mihawk called him as Seth turns to him. "What is your goal?"
"To be the very best." Seth answered. "Like no one ever was."
"I see..." Mihawk said. "If I may be so bold to ask: You're not of this world, are you?"
"I'm surprised that you can tell." Seth said as he is slightly surprised. This, of course, is heard to everyone.
"Wait... Did he admitted that he's from another world!?" A pirate exclaimed.
"It's not possible! He must be lying!" Another pirate added.
Then soon, it begin a talk about Seth from both the Krieg Pirates and the Baratie cooks as Luffy simply laughs off and Hoopa just facepalms.
'Oh boy... here we go again.' Hoopa thought as he sighed.
"I should have guessed that's the case." Zeff commented. "He has an interesting air that differs from everyone else."
'From another world...!?' Sanji thought. 'That's even more insane! How can he do that!?'
"But I would appreciate it if you keep that little secret to yourself." Seth said to the World's Greatest Swordsman.
"I intended too." Mihawk said. "Though I may reveal this to an acquaintance of mine."
"As long as your acquaintances are trustworthy, I don't mind." Seth replied as both of them exchanged glances with respect.
"HE'S ALIVE!" Usopp shouted as Zoro gain consciousness. "He was just unconscious."
"That's a relief." Seth muttered with relief, knowing that
"Luffy..." Zoro said as he just gain consciousness. "Can you hear me?"
"Yeah!" Luffy answered.
"I'm sorry... for disappointing you." Zoro said. "I know that you need nothing less than the greatest swordsman in the world. I've let you down, please forgive me." Zoro then hacked blood out of his mouth.
"Okay! That's enough talking!" Yosaku said as he was worried Zoro might push too far.
"I solemnly swear from this moment foward..." Zoro now had tears running down his eyes as he holds his sword in air. "That I will never lose again, until the day comes when I beat him and take his title!" He said as even Mihawk slightly grins, finally found someone who could be his successor. "I will never, ever be defeated! IS THAT OKAY WITH YOU!? KING OF THE PIRATES!?"
Seeing his swear made Luffy laugh happily. "Yup!"
'Be the best in this world, huh?' Seth thought about the words because it's just slipped out. But he's happy, regardless. 'That's actually not a bad idea. I like it.'
(With Nami)
As the Merry sails towards her destination, Nami look towards the sea. She clearly didn't like how she abandoned the others at the Baratie, but at the same time, she doesn't much of a choice.
'We will surely meet again soon. Especially you, Seth...' She thought as she look towards Arlong's wanted poster. 'But I can't let you meet Arlong. He'll kill you for sure.'
"Nami..." Nami turns to Snowy, who just walked up towards her. "Where's Seth and the others?"
"Well, it's..." That's all Nami said.
"You left them, right?" Snowy asked, shocking Nami. It would seems that Nami didn't know that Snowy can still hear her even from her Pokeball.
"Well, it's—" She tried to say but she was interrupted.
"How could you!? I thought you're friends with them!" Snowy said as she angry at Nami.
"Look, Snowy! It's complicated—"
"Complicated that you're repaying them by stealing the ship ans sailed away!" Snowy retorted.
"THEY'RE ALL JUST GOOD FOR NOTHING PIRATES! ALL THEY CARE ARE MAYHEM AND DESTRUCTION!" Nami snapped, shocking Snowy. "AND SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES THAT RIDICULOUS BELIEFS THAT THEIR GOOD IS TOO STUPID AND NAIVE TO KNOW ANY BETTER!"
Snowy then tears up because her trainer is basically calling her "stupid". Nami realizes what just she said and immediately regret it.
"I'm not stupid..." Snowy said with a tear on her eye.
"What I meant is ignorant of what the pirate..." Nami corrected but stop because she didn't help her case at all by calling Snowy "ignorant".
"I don't want to believe what you said is true... but I guess I was too stupid to realize it..." Snowy said before she run off in tears towards the lounge.
"Snowy, wait!" Nami called out as she goes after Snowy, but when she enters the lounge, she just saw Snowy getting into het pokeball that was left on the table.
"Come on. I'm sorry..." Nami pleade as she throw the ball in the air to summon her Pokémon... but it does nothing as it land on her hand. "Please, come out! I'm sorry." She pleaded but nothing happened.
"Pokémon are intelligent. If they find you inadequate, they will disobey you."
Nami remembered the word that Seth said to her not too long ago.
"What have I done..." She said sadly as she held her head down.
To be continued...
Next...
U: And then, on the Going Merry, we can finally set sail to the Grand Line!
Zf: I've seen a whole lot of pirates in my day, but you're the only one who stated their desire so clearly without a doubt.
DK: That Log Book must have every strategy in dealing with those Devil Fruit monsters!
S: Well, I got news for you: The Log Book won't change anything!
I: Gotta hand it to ya, you got good taste on metal.
H: Sorry, can't do. It's not so much fun if my opponent can't even hit me.
S/H/L: Next time on A Star in the Ocean, Chapter 14: The Battle of Baratie
L: I'm going to be King of the Pirates!
Chapter 13's out! And it came out rather quickly.
So clearly, there's something... or rather someone inside of Seth. All will be revealed in due time.
For a guest review, let me make myself clear: I don't plan on doing a crossover with any of my other Pokémon crossover. I like for this story and the others to be independent.
Comments and reviews are appreciated XD!