Reborn sat on top of a barrel, his fedora tilted forward, casting a dark shadow over his eyes, hiding them from sight, meticulously cleaning his gun, making sure to get every nook and cranny, cleaning it spotless after the scuffle he just went through.

He needs it in top condition for the near upcoming future. Something told him the stupid cow wouldn't be coming quietly. And if this crew he joined up with is anything like the stupid cow, they got to be a little crazy, stupid even, in order to take on someone like Lambo. Crazy or stupid, even both, Reborn's gut told him that they wouldn't let him go without a fight either.

He cleaned the gun powder and oil on that splattered all across the inside, and then he cleaned off the blood that splattered on the outside.

Surrounding him were multiple bodies of marines.

In actuality, Reborn was on a Marine ship. Well, it's more of a ghost ship now that all the men are dead.

The Marine ship had stopped his much smaller ship, he had chosen it for its speed so he could catch up with the stupid cow, and the Marines thought him easy pickings, tried to arrest him as soon as they found out he was a member of the Vongola.

Reborn, at first, tried to get out of his predicament without the use of violence, Vongola's Decimo doesn't care for unnecessary bloodshed. But several days had past, and Reborn couldn't afford to let the stupid cow gain any more ground than he probably already has from the number one hitman, his deadline is coming up, and soon.

So, when Reborn was met with more resistance from the Marines, he had no choice but to get rid of them.

They were getting in his way.

Reborn sighed, his job all done, holstering his weapon inside his jacket and standing up on his feet, straightening his tie as he did so.

"Time to get back on the trail.", Reborn muttered, raising his head, the shadows of the hat receding enough to reveal hard coal black eyes.

…...

Lambo will never be quite sure how they got there, but he, Zoro, and Ussop stood up on the stairs looking down to see Luffy and Don Creed in a silent stand-off.

Lambo was on the step below Zoro's, leaning all the way forward, with his elbows on the railing and arms out, wrists crossed, in front of him, Zoro had one arm on the railing and another on his swords, Ussop looked like he was scared to death but tried to appear heroic anyway.

Zoro's thumb flicked his sword an inch from its sheath, ready to draw when needed, the sound seemed ten times louder in the tense and heavy silence that had encased the room.

"What's going on Luffy? Need a hand?", Zoro asked casually, but the threat clear in his voice.

Lambo's fingers twitched as green lightening sparked between his fingertips, with only small few noticing.

"I've got two.", Lambo stated monotonously with narrowed eyes.

"If you don't need help, that's okay too!", Ussop exclaimed, still trying to appear brave as his knees were shaking beneath him.

"Hey guys.", greeted Luffy, "Appreciate the offer, but I think I can handle it."

Zoro put his sword away, while Lambo's body loosened from its tensed position, his fingers stopped twitching and the sparks no longer flickered between them.

"Aw, that's too bad.", Ussop said, Lambo and Zoro gave him matching unimpressed looks, knowing he didn't really mean it, "But if you say you don't need any help, who am I to argue? Us awesome fighters are just going to sit this one out, holler if you need us-ah!"

Zoro swiped Ussops legs from underneath him causing him to fall on his back and shut up.

"Oh, you found the off button.", Lambo said with a side eyed look and a small smirk.

"What was that for Zoro!?", Ussop asked.

"Shut up already weirdo.", Zoro hissed back.

Suddenly Don Creed was laughing, bringing everyone's attention back to him.

"Are those three guys your crew?", Creed asked mockingly, "Pretty small group you got there kid."

"That's not all, I got two more!", Luffy announced, proudly holding up two fingers.

Sanji was quick to catch on.

"I'm not a part of your crew!", he shouted in frustration, and probably exasperation.

Lambo just shook his head at the chef, he's just wasting his breath honestly, Luffy really wants him on his crew, and somehow, he is going to get him on his crew. Better to give up now then continue on fighting it.

Creed on the other hand just smirked before his eyes flickered to the Head Chef, his smile turned into a frown. His shoulder pad armor closed, hiding away his guns once more.

"I'll deal with you later.", Creed said, his words held a promise within them, "Right now, I've got to go feed my men."

Creed easily hefted the giant, and most likely heavy, bag of food onto his shoulder with a single heave.

"Those of you who don't wish to die can leave now and escape that fate.", Creed stated, "The only things that I'm after are the log book and this ship."

Don Creed turned around, about to leave only to pause at the door way.

"However, if you wish to stay... I have no problem burying every last one of you at sea. Know that."

And with those final words, he finally left.

The restaurant just watched him leave in silence, no one knowing what to say.

'Well, isn't he just a bunch of sunshine and rainbows.', Lambo thought to himself with a quiet sigh.

"I'm so sorry Sanji.", the Creed pirate from earlier said, body shaking, he was clutching tightly to his shoulder, Lambo could tell it was dislocated, "I never thought it'd be like this."

Sanji remained silent, but it was the Head Chef that spoke up.

"You have nothing to apologize for sailor.", he said, much to the shock of his cooks, "Every cook in this restaurant did what they thought was right. Let's just leave it at that."

"But boss!", protested Patty, "You act like you're taking Sanji's side, this mess is his fault!"

"He's right!", another cook agrees, "If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be in the middle of this whole thing!"

"Yeah Boss!", cries out another chef, "This man is the reason that your precious restaurant is going to go out of business-!"

"YOU FOOLS DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!", shouts the Head Chef, immediately silencing the entire restaurant, "Have any of you have any idea what it's like to be at the brink of starvation? To have no food or water on the open water?"

Lambo's eyes slowly trailed over to Sanji, watching as he lit a new cigarette expressionlessly. He has a feeling that Sanji knew what it's like to nearly starve to death, him and the owner.

"There isn't anything that you could possibly understand what a terrifying prospect that is.", the Head Chef continued, his voice filled with emotion, "It's the most difficult situation a man could ever face."

"We don't know what you're talking about Chef Zeff.", Patty said quietly.

Zeff just stared at the ground in a short moment of silence.

"The difference between all of you and Sanji, is because Sanji knows."

Lambo sat at the table staring down at his food unable to eat it. He can feel the judgmental stares piercing through every inch of his body. Judging every move he makes.

An important guest is there, and Lambo has to attend at least the dinner party for formalities, he isn't allowed in the meetings, they tell their guests he is too young to understand.

During these dinner parties, Tsuna, Reborn, and the other Guardians always watch his every move to make sure he doesn't do something wrong.

He can't handle the stares. They're too much. He can feel his blood freeze as his body quivers, his eyes flickering from his food to his tableware. What if he were to do something wrong? What if he messed up? What if he accidently spilt his drink or food all over their important guest? Or spill it at all?

Lambo shakily pushed his plate away.

'I'm not hungry.', he mumbled.

He did that for the next two weeks, unable to have breakfast and dinner with all the eyes staring at him, only able to skip lunch and have it in his room.

He couldn't eat out of fear of doing something wrong, but despite his words, Lambo was always hungry, he was just too scared to do anything about it.

Lambo jumped at the loud sound of the chefs cheering and roaring in determination, ready to fight. With another groan, he rubbed his head. What the hell is wrong with him? That was nothing compared to whatever shit Sanji went through.

His troubles are nothing compared to what pain others like Sanji have gone through. He needs to quit comparing the two. Plus, he left. There's no reason to be thinking about the Vongola anymore. So why do these memories keep coming back to haunt him?

Lambo didn't notice the way Ussop and Zoro stared at him, noticing Lambo's odd behavior. The two shared telling looks, both worrying for their friend.

Suddenly, the man from Creed's crew slammed his hands loudly down to the ground.

"What are you doing!? You saw how powerful Don Creed was, right?"

"Hey Gin.", Sanji called out as he walked towards the kneeling man, "Listen closely cause I'm only going to say this once. Feeding those who are hungry is my sacred duty, but-!"

With a flick of his foot, an overturned table was in the air, Sanji slammed his leg down on the table top, causing it to land upright, and he sat comfortably on top of the table, casually smoking his cigarette.

"Once your crew is all fed, I have no further obligation to them.", Sanji stated sternly, "With a clean conscious I can beat ever last one of them into a bloody pulp. Anyone that tries to take the restaurant, they're dead. I'll kill them without a moment's hesitation. Got that?"

Gin just stared up at Sanji wide eyed, a bead of sweat trailing down his face as he nervously swallowed.

"Ha!", laughs out Patty, "You're a real hit case kid. Letting them live and now ready to kill them?"

"Can it cook.", Sanji growled.

"See?", Luffy said excitedly pointing at Sanji, "He's awesome huh?"

"Yep.", Lambo nodded in agreement, "Awesome and scary as hell."

"Who cares how awesome he is!", Ussop shrieks, "We got to get out of here right now!"

"Easy there Luffy.", Zoro stated calmly, "It is Don Creed but he's in pretty bad shape."

"Hey Gin.", Luffy turned to the frozen man, "You said you didn't know anything about the Grand Line, but I thought you've been there. That doesn't make any sense."

For a short while, Gin was just quite before turning horrified fearful eyes to the floor.

"Nothing makes sense now.", he said quietly, "What happened to us on our seventh day of our journey at that cursed sea."

Lambo just raised a brow as his eyes narrowed at Gin's figure in confusion. What the hell happened to Don Creed and his crew?

"I don't know if it was a dream, or reality.", Gin looked like he was in disbelief despite being the one telling the story, "I saw things that I can't bring myself to believe. I know in my heart that it's impossible for that entire fifty ship fleet... to be completely eradicated by a single man."

"Porca troia.", Lambo muttered in shock (Holy shit).

The Grand Line is going to be a whole different rodeo.

The cooks gasped and shouted in fear, Sanji looked to be in disbelief, Zoro looked to be in shock while Ussop screamed loudly, and Luffy shouted in surprise.

Lambo can say for sure that there is no way in hell, even if working together, could Tsuna and his guardians beat this man, maybe put up a fight, but not even close to defeating him if he is strong enough to take down a fifty-ship fleet in seconds. Not even Tsuna and the other guardians can do that in that amount of time without some form of backup and/or help.

"WHAT!?"

"It all happened so fast.", Gin explained, "As soon as this man appeared, he began to systematically sink our ships one after another. If that raging storm hadn't come upon us when it did, then that monster would have destroyed our flag ship as well. I don't know if a single other ship had made it out. It all seems like a terrible nightmare burned into my memory! I just want to forget!"

Lambo kept his body tensed, feeling some of his fear of the Grand Line from his childhood start to creep back, as he stared down the trembling traumatized man. He won't show fear, but Lambo felt very afraid of the enemies they may face in the Grand Line.

Didn't mean he was going to give up and run away though, pretty sure Ussop wants to on the other hand.

"His eyes...", Gin's voice wobbled, "They were like a hawks. Sharp and murderous. His gaze alone felt like the cold hand of death."

Zoro gasped as he leaned forward, Lambo is almost scared to say that he looked eager.

"Well then.", Zeff said assuredly, "That can only be the one known as Hawk-eye."

Well, that's creative.

"Your description of his gaze isn't proof of who he is, but the way he decimated your fleet confirms that, without a doubt, it's him."

Zoro was clutching the railing tightly, his body shaking, and his eyes were wide.

"Hawk-eye Mihawk.", Zoro said, eyes unfocused.

What does Zoro know of this Mihawk guy? What makes this guy so important to him?

"So you know him Zoro?", Luffy asks, voicing the question on Lambo's mind as well.

"Yeah, I do.", Zoro answers, body posture relaxing, "He's the man I'm looking for."

Oh. Lambo didn't see that coming, and this Hawk-eye Mihawk guy sounds strong, not to mention terrifying. He would honestly rather not meet him anytime soon, but fears the thought that Zoro wishes the opposite.

"Hawke-eye is the whole reason I set out to sea.", the swordsman explained.

The restaurant fell silent after that.

Lambo on the other hand was realizing that this meant the Grand Line was going to be filled with creatures, challenges, and even people that are stronger than he has ever dreamed of meeting, much less facing.

He knew it wasn't going to be easy, but he didn't expect it to be anything like this.

'You don't have to worry, let the other Guardians take care of something like this.'

'You can't handle this, your not strong stupid cow.'

'You'd cry the moment you take a hit.'

'You won't ever be able to fight like this, just let us take care of the heavy lifting.'

Lambo's fist clenched tightly until his knuckles turned white.

Like hell he will.

They think he can't fight strong opponents? They think he won't survive the Grand Line? Over comes its challenges?

Watch Him!

Maybe he actually does know why Zoro would want to meet Hawk-eye Mihawk. Nothing solid, but enough to understand.

"Could that man have some kind of score to settle with you guys?", Sanji asked as he smoked his cigarette.

"We didn't do anything to him!", Gin insisted.

"Perhaps you disturbed him during a nap.", Zeff proposes.

Are people really that petty!? Wondered Lambo before remembering a certain Right-hand man and skylark.

Yes, people really are that petty. He knows people who are that petty.

"Stupid cook! Why on earth would he destroy an entire fleet for something so trivial!", Gin yelled angrily.

Lambo felt like mentioning several occasions where Hibari did something similar, remembering the story of him and Tsuna sharing a hospital room in their early days when they were just learning of the ways of the mafia after battling Mukuro. But he decided against it, Zeff seemed to have it handled anyway.

He chuckled, making a mental note to try and tell Gin the story, if not then his crewmates at least.

"There's no reason to shout.", Zeff said smugly, "It's just an example. I thought you'd might like a little friendly advice on what kind of place the Grand Line is."

"And what kind of place is that?", whimpers Ussop.

"He probably means that anything can happen there.", Zoro answered.

"Of course, it can.", sulked Lambo while Ussop whimpered as a river of tears fell from his eyes.

"Hey Luffy!", Ussop screams, "Do we really really have to go there?"

Luffy shoulders began to shake.

Ussop called out to their silent captain, "Luffy?"

Luffy continued to shake, still silent to their calls.

"You okay Luffy?", Lambo asked unsure, the older boy's silence begining to worry him.

Luffy straightened up with the widest grin Lambo has ever seen in his life with a loud shout in excitement.

"That sounds so awesome!", exclaims Luffy, "This is going to be such a blast!"

"Don't you understand the concept of danger!", Ussop shouts with sharp teeth.

"I'm starting to think he is some kind of adrenaline junkie.", Lambo deadpanned.

"What gave it away kid?", Zoro asked with a smirk.

An irk mark appeared on Lambo's head as he glared at the swordsman.

"Don't call me kid.", Lambo growled.

Zoro chuckled before stepping away from the railing.

"Finally, my life goal will be achieved on the Grand Line.", Zoro said, sounding content.

"What~…", Ussop cried in dread.

"My rival. He's out there somewhere and I'm going to find him.", Zoro said confidently.

Of course Zoro's rival is a scary hawk-eyed man that can take out an entire fleet by himself.

"Are you that stupid.", Sanji's voice run out, causing Lambo to look down at the cook with a raised brow, "It's idiots like you guys that end up dead."

"That may be true.", Zoro retorted, "But lay off the name calling. I devoted my entire life into becoming the world's greatest swordsman. I made my choice, so I'm the only one that gets to call me stupid."

Sanji just stared at the swordsman without another word.

"Besides, what's the point of living or following our dreams if there weren't any risks?", Lambo cut in with a small grin as he stared down at Sanji who looked up at him in surprise, "If you want to live, why not live a little. I don't know about you, but I like the idea of risk and challenge. That's what makes an adventure worth taking."

"Hey! What about me!", Luffy exclaimed gleefully.

"Yeah me too, right?", Ussop added nervously, "I mean it all seems fair!"

Zoro just poked him hard in the head with the end of his sheath, "Shut up stupid."

Lambo snickered at the two.

Sanji studied the group for a second before scoffing and turning away.

"What morons.", was all he said.

Something told Lambo that what they said struck a chord in Sanji, he was just too stubborn to admit it.

"Enough!", shouts Patty stepping forward, "Do any of you maggots understand the current situation!? That enormous Galleon moored in front of our dear little restaurant, is none other than Don Creed's flag ship! So why don't we check back in to reality and deal with this!"

Lambo just stared at him before sighing.

"Yare yare, he really is annoying.", Lambo muttered.

"WHAT WAS THAT!?", Patty roared, "Who said that!?"

But before he could get his answer, they heard a loud roar from outside the ship. One that meant people, pirates, are ready for battle, war cry by men.

"Hear that? They're going to be here soon!"

"The restaurant is ours! And I'll fight to the death to keep it that way!"

Lambo's eyes narrowed, his jade green eyes glowing just enough to show his Dying Will Flames were just below the surface, ready to be unleashed when Lambo deems fit.

He watched as the pirates began to climb down the ship only for something to pass through the ship twice, causing everyone to freeze in place, and a second later the ship split apart into three pieces, flying into the air from the force of the powerful strikes. And the once enormous galleon became a wreck in seconds. The Baratie was still rocking violently from the after effects on the sea after Creed's flag ship's destruction.

Lambo gaped in shock, his eyes dimmed, his pupils shrunk, shaking in shock, awe, and fear at whatever caused the ship's demise.

"What the-!", shouts Luffy, voicing everyone's thoughts.

"WHATS GOING OOOONNN!?", Creed's voice could be heard screaming outside the restaurant.

Gravity finally took hold of the ship and brought it crashing down in to the see, creating massive waves.

Inside the Baratie everyone struggled to stay in place as they were all thrown and rocked back and forth. Lambo was holding onto the railing tightly so he wouldn't be thrown over and so he wouldn't crash down the stairs.

"Raise the anchor! Or else we'll sink along with them!", Zeff ordered.

"Yes sir!", cried out a chef as he ran out to do as he was told.

"Wait, Nami and the guys are still on our ship out there!", Zoro said worriedly as he leaped over the railing.

Lambo's eyes widened, and he was quick to follow Zoro's lead. Lambo heard a bang from behind him before the sound of Ussop's footsteps were close behind.

"I hope we're not too late!", Ussop cried out.

Once outside the front doors, the four males gaped at the sight of the sinking galleon before they heard shouts off to their left.

"Yosaku? Johnny!", Luffy shouts before running to the two barely afloat bounty hunters.

"Are you guys okay?", Luffy asked worriedly.

"What happened to the ship?", asks Zoro, "Where's Nami? Is she okay?"

Lambo could feel his heart squeeze in panic when he couldn't spot the ginger haired navigator anywhere.

"I'm sorry Big Bro, I don't know how to say this, but she's gone.", Johnny panted.

Lambo's eyes widened as he began to scan the sea for a familiar head of ginger hair. Frantically searching for his crewmate. But he could find no sign of Nami, he quickly turns back down to Johnny and Yosaku.

"What do you mean she's gone!?", shouts Lambo in a panic.

"Big Sis Nami...!", cried out Johnny.

"She took all the treasure and sailed away!"

The four teens gaped at the duo.

"SHE DID WWHHHAAAAAAATTTTTTTT!?"

All four of their voices blended together, Lambo wouldn't be surprised if it was heard miles away.

…...

Reborn was navigating his ship, huffing in frustration, it took him longer than he would have liked to find a chart that had the location of where the restaurant ship Baratie is anchored on it. He met the owner a couple of times when he was still a pirate. Reborn hoped traveling to the Baratie, he would either find Lambo or get another lead.

Thanks to the Marines, Lambo's trail is starting to go cold. Reborn would be able to find it again, but he doesn't have the time. He can't lose the trail now.

His head popped up as he heard a multitude of angry and shocked voices from the distance.

Reborn hummed, before going back to his task at hand.

"Sounds like someone got screwed over.", he muttered to himself, chuckling at the thought.

…...

"That man...!", Zeff exclaims in shock.

Lambo looked up, pausing on his anger and panic, to see Zeff staring off in the distance with pure fear written all over his face. Not once since during their stay has Lambo ever seen Zeff bothered by something, much less afraid.

And that made him even more afraid too.

But Lambo couldn't help but follow the older man's gaze and spotted a small ship with candles sail their way, a man sat passively in the boat. His aura screamed strength, and it made Lambo freeze in fright.

'How can someone be so strong?', Lambo thought as his body shook as the boat sailed closer, 'Not even Reborn feels this strong.'

This man's strength far surpasses anyone the Guardian has ever met.

"It's him.", Zoro said, but Lambo didn't dare take his eyes away from that man, "Hawk-eye."