Yay! The 1000th episode of the One Piece anime has aired! In celebration, I wanted to post the next chapter of Zero Reasons and the 1st chapter of another One Piece story, Viper Pirates.

Our favorite Chore Boy is here! How many swirly siblings will he recruit? You'll have to read and see. :D

You may realize that some of the story events in this chapter are out of order. I chose to rearrange or alter events slightly for Zero Reasons to read smoother, even if that means some cannon events are glossed over (such as Krieg's poison gas).

Since this story is mostly through Reiju's perspective, I'm trying to be very careful of rehashing the cannon story too. From this chapter on, Reiju's not always there for key moments so the perspective may shift to others.

11/20/2021

Chapter 5: The Straw Hat

Reiju continued to uphold her promise to her mother.

Ichiji, Niji, Sanji, and Yonji were living freely, safe from Judge's influences. When she took her brothers away from their father, she never expected that raising them on an ocean restaurant with a staff that were more befitting of a pirate crew than of chefs and an owner who nearly got one of her brothers killed would be the ideal environment. But somehow it worked, perhaps it was the freedom the quadruplets were given to pursue their interests and passions.

After years of working in the kitchen Sanji gained the title of Sous chef. Some of the chefs protested Zeff's decision of giving the position to someone so young but, though they were older, they had not been in the Baratie's kitchen as long as Sanji. His skill spoke for his qualifications.

The others helped out around the restaurant between their hobbies. Yonji liked to work the supply runs since it gave him an excuse to explore different islands. Niji was only helpful when he didn't have his head buried in one of his experiments, and Ichiji was the most reliable. He worked as the Head Waiter and was the first to handle any trouble that came from rambunctious customers.

Life, as hectic as it was on the Baratie, was adequately mundane and Reiju relished in it.

Then a straw hatted boy crashed through the roof.

Right into Owner Zeff's room.

Ichiji heard the commotion and ran to check if the man was alright. When he kicked open the door, he found Zeff grinding the skinny teen under his peg leg. Ichiji scanned over the chef for injuries and was relieved to see him visibly unharmed.

"Little Radish, knock next time. I deserve some privacy." Zeff greeted.

"Hey old man, I said I was sorry!" The intruder howled. Ichiji was unsure how he wasn't in pain from how much Zeff was pressing his leg into the teen's back.

"You threw out my back and ruined my roof."

Ichiji eyed the hole in the ceiling. "Did he… fall from the sky?"

"Reiju's prays have been answered." Zeff grinned. "I caught you a chore boy."

"WHAT!" The teen shrieked. "Hey old man! I can't stay here!"

"Like I care,"

Zeff grabbed him by the scruff of his vest and tossed him at Ichiji. "You're in charge of him."

The door was shut in their face. Ichiji and the intruder stood in the hall. Ichiji stared down at the teen. There wasn't anything remarkable about him, an unassuming teen with a straw hat upon his head. He didn't have a pronounced muscle and the only sign of hardship was the scar under his eye. How he was fine from falling through a roof? Ichiji and his brothers would be fine but not a normal human.

Ichiji's hand clasped over the teen's shoulder when he attempted to casually walk off. Might as well not look a gift horse in the mouth so Ichiji dragged off the reluctant chore boy not knowing the hell this straw hatted teen would inflict upon him and the Baratie.

..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..

Niji found Ichiji standing at the reservation podium, rubbing his temple furiously as if he could press out all the pain from his ears.

"I know that look. What broke?" Niji asked.

"For once, not one of your inventions." Niji punched his brother for that insult against his precious babies. Ichiji slumped against the podium in exhaustion. "It's that chore boy."

"The one that came through the old man's roof?"

"He's a nightmare."

"He can't be that bad." Niji said.

"I set him up washing dishes and I thought I could leave him alone for a while."

Niji shrugged. "So did he skip out on work?"

"He washed them but just dropped them! Every single plate. Shattered. I don't know if he wasn't paying attention or he's just stupid." Ichiji scoffed in disbelief. "You know what he said when I asked him how many plates he broke. He said, 'I didn't count.'"

"Yikes."

"Whatever work I give him, he makes it a hundred times worse." Ichiji explained. "I have him mop, he dumps the water across the floor. I have him peel potatoes, he eats them instead. The only thing that hasn't ended in disaster is him refilling the water glasses."

Across the restaurant, the chore boy was most certainly not working but standing by a table where there were three customers. Each customer were eccentric characters based on appearance alone, there was a green haired man carrying three swords, a long nosed man and a shifty eyed orangette. Judging by the fact how they were laughing and chatting with Chore Boy suggested they were friends.

"Give him to Reiju. She'll straighten him out." Niji suggested.

"Zeff has faith in me to handle him." Ichiji replied. "This is a challenge for me."

The green haired man made a remark to the Chore Boy and annoyed him enough to pick a booger and drop it into his friend's glass. It looked like the green haired man was about to drink it before suddenly shoving the water down the Chore Boy's throat. The others laughed at the Chore Boy's plight as he was drowned in booger water.

Ichiji just buried his face into his hands and shook his head.

Niji patted his back.

The disruptive chaos of the Chore Boy's table was interrupted by a loud crash. Why Sanji beat up and held a customer up in the air, Ichiji couldn't say, but he knew it wasn't going to end well. Sure enough, Patty came stomping out and everything became a hundred times worse. The customer was kicked out and then came in the sick looking guy shortly after. The raccoon eyed man threatened Patty, Patty beat the crap out of him and tossed him out too.

Ichiji wasn't sure when but Sanji and the Chore Boy vanished during the commotion. Honestly, it was a typical day on the Baratie so Ichiji didn't think much of it.

..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..

Later, Ichiji was discussing the budget for repairing the roof with his sister when Sanji ran by. Reiju was surprised to see Sanji. "I didn't know you were on break."

"I'm trying to shake an idiot," Sanji grumbled.

"Oooooi!"

"Che," Sanji disappeared into the kitchen.

Seconds later, Chore Boy stopped in front of them. "Oi you! Have you seen your cook clone?"

"It doesn't matter. Why aren't you working?"

"I don't wanna." Chore Boy said simply.

Reiju placed the menus she was carrying down and put a hand on her hip, "And who are you?"

"I'm Luffy." The Chore Boy's eyes zeroed in on her face. "Ah! You have a weird eyebrow too."

"Nee-san is the Baratie's Manager, please give her some respect." Ichiji chided.

"Does that make you the boss?" Chore Boy asked.

"That would be the owner, Zeff." Reiju replied. "Surely you must know whose room you crashed into."

Chore Boy made a face of displeasure.

Reiju should have known that the Chore Boy would be arguably more trouble than his help was worth but Zeff was firm on his position that the straw hatted teen was going to work off his debt so he was here to stay. So she took charge, intending to make sure that their new Chore Boy's work would be somewhat productive.

..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..

A week passed and Reiju found that this unassuming Chore Boy was frustratingly stubborn who had to be under constant supervision. She suspected he was trying to get kicked out so he wouldn't have to work for an entire year. If Reiju took her eyes off the teen for a minute, he would abandon his duties to go bother Sanji, trying to get her brother to join his crew.

Occasionally, Reiju fancied the idea. Though he doesn't bring it up often, Sanji still dreamed of finding the All Blue but he was held back by his obligations to his family and his perceived debt to Zeff. She still had reservations of Sanji trying to find an ocean that couldn't possibly exist but she took her brothers away from Germa so that they could live freely. If Sanji wanted to travel the world in search of a mythical ocean then Reiju would send him off with the best of wishes. With that said, she wasn't sure about Sanji traveling with an airhead like Chore Boy. On the other hand, Zeff thought this was the opportunity for her brothers to pursue their dreams but Sanji has been as stubborn as a bull despite Zeff constantly badgering him in his usual tactless manner.

Reiju was concerned about her other brothers as well. The Chore Boy was not only targeting Sanji, he was trying to recruit every single one of her brothers. Yonji and the Chore Boy ended up talking when both ducked out of the restaurant to take a break. They apparently connected over their interest in adventuring. Later on in the night as he got ready for bed, Yonji admitted he was offered a place on the crew and he was considering it. Reiju nor her other brothers could understand why Yonji thought the Chore Boy could be a man he could follow.

Niji hypothesized that Yonji felt an affinity to the Chore Boy because they both have monkey brains, yet, by the next day, his opinion had changed after showcasing his inventions to Luffy.

Today Reiju saw the Chore Boy hanging off Ichiji as he went about his work, pleading to borrow his cool red sunglasses. Ichiji was not amused in the slightest, but Reiju found it strange that her brother was tolerating the Chore Boy's endless pestering.

She could see why her brothers' attitude towards the Chore Boy were changing even if they didn't realize it themselves. As ordinary and unassuming as the teen appeared, there was an charismatic allure to him. From her experience, those who are able to rally a following with their personality are people who are scheming individuals with a hidden agenda. Her brothers were honest and straightforward, they were unfamiliar with those who would use their charisma to manipulate and use others for their own gain. Yet when Reiju studied the Chore boy's behavior, she couldn't detect any ulterior motives from him.

It was because of Don Krieg and Dracula Mihawk that Reiju was able to understand the kind of man he was.

The lowlife that threatened Patty for a meal a week ago returned with his crew, the Krieg Pirates. The raccoon eyed man had the audacity to drag Don Krieg into the restaurant. As she watched from the sidelines, everything played out as Reiju expected. The chefs refuse to serve Don Krieg and his men, Sanji argues with them, and Zeff walks out with a bag large enough to feed an army. Reiju knew that the pirates would not just sail away with their free meal but there was no other way the confrontation would have ended, not with Zeff and Sanji both understanding what it was like to starve.

Though it was expected, it still grated her nerves when Don Krieg and his pirates attacked the Baratie and she was very tempted to let the pirates know what it was like to suffer from poisoning. Zeff was the one to stop her.

"Let the youngsters handle Don Krieg." Zeff said to her and then to her brothers. "Brats, don't take your eyes off the Chore Boy, not even for a minute!"

Yonji, Niji, and Sanji had already stepped forward to participate in the fight. Ichiji was on the sideline with Reiju and the rest of the restaurant staff to protect the Baratie from any stray attacks. She knew her brothers would be able to handle the pirates but the Chore Boy's friends didn't look all that strong, even if the Pirate Hunter was among their ranks. At the beginning of the fight, she did not know that Roronoa Zoro would be the reason she would reevaluate how she perceived the Chore Boy and his crew. For the time being, she got a chance to see how much her brothers had grown.

When Pearl showed up, boasting his undefeated streak, Yonji happily traded blows with him. While the pearl man decorated himself with shields, Yonji had honed his body into solid steel through rigorous training. Pearl couldn't even handle a nosebleed and went on a rampage. He attacked indiscriminately with his flaming pearls. The flames kept Yonji at bay but he didn't fight alone. He had his brother to back him up.

Niji had developed mechanical gloves which hooked into a battery on his waist. Thanks to these gloves, he could generate electricity to shock his enemies. When Yonji clashed with the pearl man, Niji leapt over his brother and landed a shocking blow.

Reiju was proud and glanced over at Zeff just to see Gin take the man to the ground.

Though Zeff's life was at risk, she followed his request and let her brothers take the lead. Though the little good will the raccoon eyed man had was dwindling rapidly, especially when her brothers refused to fight so not to risk the old man's life. Niji and Yonji's skin took the beating well but blood squeezed out between Sanji's clenched teeth. Gin pleaded at them to stay down but they refused.

"I've taken everything from him, I've taken his power, his dream. I won't let anything else be taken from him!" Sanji shouted.

Niji rose to his feet in defiance. "The old geezer gave up his leg to save our brother, it would be wrong if we didn't risk our life for him."

"You idiots." Reiju murmured. She had no idea where they got this sacrificial streak from but she knew they could still win. Reiju had faith in her brothers. They just needed stop worrying about Zeff and focus on fighting.

The Chore Boy readied to destroy the fin which gave Reiju the perfect distraction. With a silent dash, she was behind Gin and sent the man flying off the ship with a kick.

Zeff eyed her with his usual grumpiness. "I thought I told you not to interfere."

"Complain all you want," Reiju said as she helped him up. "If you want my brothers to watch Chore Boy, stop hogging the spotlight."

The battle continued and her brothers fought off the next wave of pirates. Unfortunately, Sanji ended up facing off against Gin and he was clearly struggling. Demon man Gin was a formable and ruthless fighter. Don Krieg boasted Gin as his cool headed and cold hearted chief commander but there was clear desperation in Gin's haki as he tried to convince himself it was his duty to defeat her brother. Reiju was proud Sanji kept a cool head despite Gin being a stronger fighter. Ultimately, kindness was Sanji's key to victory and Reiju couldn't be any more proud.

When Dracula Mihawk arrived and the Pirate Hunter challenged the Shichibukai to a duel, Reiju concluded that the green haired man was suicidal. The gap between their swordsmanship and power was a chasm. Roronoa Zoro attempted to leap it and he fell – but he fell with dignity.

As he laid bleeding out in the boat, he raised his white katana to the sky and proclaimed his oath to his captain. In that moment, Reiju caught a glimpse of the relationship between the swordsman and his captain and had a fleeting thought. Perhaps Reiju judged Luffy's crew too quickly.

Perhaps Sanji would be right at home….

Luffy doesn't disappoint her when he joined the battle. She could see why Zeff found it an honor to watch him battle. Don Krieg was a man of great ambition, but his folly was his gluttony. He amassed exotic weapons, numerous crewmembers, and a large fleet but all of it meant nothing to Luffy's fighting spirit.

Reiju glanced to her right where Ichiji stood next to her. Though his ruby lensed glasses obscured her ability to see Ichiji's eyes, it was easy to read the rest of his face. His lips were slightly parted as he let out a gasp of admiration, whispering, "How does he command such respect?"

….Perhaps all her brothers just might be.

..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..

After Gin departed with the Don Krieg's fleet, Reiju walked along the outside of the Baratie to assess the damages. Her estimate was pricey but at least the fins were still intact. She was on the second floor when she heard Sanji talking with Luffy down on the lower deck. She quietly leaned against the Baratie, just out of their sight and listened. It was easy to tell that Luffy was trying to get Sanji to join his crew.

"Didn't you already convince Niji and Yonji?" Sanji asked, to which Reiju was not surprised to hear.

"I need a cook." Luffy stated.

"I refuse."

"I refuse your refusal."

Sanji was taken aback and Reiju stifled a giggle. "You can't do that!"

"Yah-huh."

Sanji sighed in frustration, "You're so frustrating."

"I'm going to be the King of the Pirates. I have to have the best crew with me!" Luffy stated confidently.

"….. Say, have you ever heard of the All Blue?"

Reiju risked being discovered when she leaned forward to take a peek at the genuine smile gracing her brother's features. It was a grin so wide she could see the small boy in him screaming with joy. He looked truly happy as he described the mythical sea and all its wonders.

Leaving the boys to discuss the impossible, she moved quietly through the halls, stopping before her brothers' room.

Niji and Yonji were inside talking about traveling with Luffy. Yonji was nearly vibrating at the idea of adventure while Niji cleaned up his inventions but it was clear to Reiju he was trying to hid just how excited he was as well. It was amazing how one teen stoked the passions of her brothers.

Ichiji was nowhere to be found. He only disappeared when he needed to make an important decision and Reiju had a hunch to what he was considering.

After assessing the damage to the Baratie, Reiju made her way to the kitchen to see if anyone made lunch but Carne and Patty met her half way. Even before they made it to her, she could tell they were scheming.

"Where've you been?" Patty asked. "Listen we got this idea—"

"Too late!" Carne whispered as the cooks and pirate filed into the restaurant. He gave Reiju a conspiratorial wink. "Just play along."

Shooting them a distrustful look, she helped pass out bowls, and settled the excited Luffy while Sanji brought out the soup and served everyone. Hungry from the all action, the men dug into their food. Reiju didn't get a chance to sit down when one of the chefs shouted that the soup was terrible. Others followed suit which only served to rile Sanji up but Yonji was there to restrain him before a fight could break out.

"Calm down, Sanji!"

"Yeah, listen to monkey brains," Another chef shouted and Yonji was just as ready as Sanji to fight.

"What's going on?" Ichiji asked as he arrived with Niji.

"Butt out, four eyes." A chef said.

"We've taken your crap for a long time but this terrible soup is just the icing on the cake." Carne stated.

"You obviously have no taste buds!" Sanji exclaimed.

Ichiji stepped between them, "Knock it off. This is no way to act while we have guests."

"You shit-heads think you're the shit!" Patty shouted. "But you're just arrogant shitheads."

"It must have taken all your brain cells to think of that one!" Niji countered.

"More words than Yonji can string together."

"Oh yeah!" Yonji growled.

"You heard me! You should get outta here."

"We don't need you!"

Reiju frowned, realizing what the cooks were doing. She stepped forward, hands on her hip with a look of disappointment. "That's enough. You are acting like children. "

Carne stepped forward, standing firm. "This is a needed wake up call."

"Then say it how it is, instead of emotionally constipated sailors." Reiju turned to where Zeff was eating his soup. "You think this is a fine way of telling them?"

"… Does that mean the soup isn't bad?" Yonji asked.

"Screw off. The food I cook is perfect." Sanji rebutted.

Yonji shrugged and poured himself a bowl.

"Though they think they're too manly to say it, they want you to go with Chore Boy. They want you to chase your passions." Reiju said. "You've out grown this small little restaurant. A large world is waiting for you."

"…. What do you want for us?" Ichiji asked.

"It doesn't matter what I want." Reiju dismissed.

"I want to find the All Blue, but I have a debt to the old man. He saved my life and gave us a place to live." Sanji countered.

"You don't own me anything." Zeff said, finishing his bowl of soup. "My choices are my own. And I'm choosing to kick you out. I won't stand to have such wretched food at my restaurant."

Sanji said nothing and stormed out, his brothers following him.

Luffy took this opportunity to taste the soup. "This tastes awesome!"

"Of course it is," Zeff stated. "Sanji made it."

"You should tell him that. He looks up to you. They all do." Reiju said and walked away without waiting for a response.

..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..

Her brothers were in their room, packing their belongings.

"I can't believe they resorted to bad acting to get us to leave." Niji laughed.

Sanji tsked. "Did they really think hurting our pride would make us leave? Pass me my cologne."

"Sanji's smelly perfume coming right up." Yonji said as he tossed it to his growling brother.

Reiju gently knocked on their door to get their attention. All four of them look like they were caught sneaking off the Baratie. Not an uncommon sight from their teenage years.

Ichiji stepped forward, "Nee-san… we're going to go with Luffy."

Reiju smiled. "I know. You don't have to look so ashamed."

"Aren't you disappointed?" Yonji asked. "We're all leaving."

"Quite the contrary. I'm happy." Reiju replied. "We're all happy for you, even if those other idiots won't admit it."

"You've always taken care of us." Ichiji said.

"You are my darling Otoutos," Reiju stated. "I knew this day would come. The Baratie's too small for all of you. Explore the world," she said to Yonji, "Learn everything you can," she said to Niji, "Find your purpose," she said to Ichiji. She looked to Sanji, "And follow your dreams. It's your choice to make."

"We'll write." Sanji promised.

"I'll look forward to it." Reiju fondly gazed at her brothers. "Kaa-san would be so proud of the fine men you've become."

Their moods lifted the moment she mentioned their mother. Reiju fondly gazed over her brothers, seeing their mother in all of them. Sanji's kind smile resembled her most of all. He had so few memories with her. Yonji, Ichiji and Niji had even less. Reiju had nearly two decades of memories and she would glad share them so that her mother would live on in their memories.

Reiju turned solemn. "There is one more thing you need to promise me before you leave. I know it is unreasonable of me to ask for you to avoid getting bounties but, as your notoriety grows, so will the chance of you catching his attention." Reiju handed each of her brothers a colored bandana, not unlike the scarves they liked to wear many years ago. "Try your best to avoid drawing attention to yourselves."

"We'll be safe." Ichiji promised.

"We got Ichiji to keep us on the straight and narrow." Yonji joked.

"I bet you're going to get eaten by a sea king in under five minutes." Sanji said.

"I bet that Nami-chick will kick your ass the next time we see her."

Reiju smiled. Her composure never faltered even when her brothers packed their things, said their final goodbyes to her, and left the Baratie; nor when Sanji kneeled down, crying as he thanked Zeff for all he had done, nor when her other brothers joined him. A tear never welled in her eyes as the chefs broke down crying as they shouted their goodbyes. She was happy her brothers were expanding their horizon. Their mother could rest peacefully knowing they were living free.

As the boat carrying her precious brothers away disappeared, she said teasingly to Zeff, "You've become an empty nester."

Zeff grunted. As Reiju retreated back into the restaurant, he muttered under his breath, "Not entirely."

The brothers have set sail as new members of the Strawhat crew.

If I had more ideas and I didn't choose to make this mostly from Reiju's experience, perhaps I would have had the brothers take their own path. Alas that is for a story that I shall never write.

NOTE: I posted a family portrait of Zeff and the curly-eyebrowed siblings on my deviantart. My account is SurferoftheWeb.

I'm excited for the next chapter because I had a writing idea I think is cool and I can't wait to share it with you guys.

-DigitalGuardian