Somewhere in the East Blue
The day after leaving Syrup Village Luffy decided it was about time he created his own Jolly Roger and so after a hearty breakfast, courtesy of a still aloof Nami, he sat down with a paintbrush and a plain black flag. A short while later Luffy stepped back to admire his work and he called everyone over. "So guys what do you think?" Luffy questioned excitedly.
The reaction of the crew was varied; Usopp just stared at the Jolly Roger in stunned disbelief, Nami laughed mockingly and Zoro just looked thoughtful before stating "well a Jolly Roger is supposed to strike fear into the enemies hearts and that Jolly Roller is pretty horrifying."
Luffy looked genuinely offended at this comment. "Hey what's wrong with it?" He asked with a childish pout before looking down at his work. In Luffy's eyes it was a perfect skull crossbones wearing a straw hat inside a circle of small lightning bolts. What everyone else saw was something else entirely.
What everyone else saw was a misshapen skull with a lopsided grin that was larger than the actual skull with what looked to be a brown cloud on it's head.
"Leave this to me captain," said Usopp as he puffed his chest out "I was the best artist on the whole Gecko archipelago."
While usually incredibly boastful to the point of outright lies in this case Usopp was actually being truthful. Something he proved a short while later when he held up the new Jolly Roger of the straw hat pirates.
"Great Usopp! Now paint it on the front sails!" Luffy ordered excitement clear in his voice and posture.
After letting out a small sigh at the additional task he had earned himself Usopp complied and soon enough the Going Merry felt like a real pirate ship.
The journey to the Baratie continued after that and just like the journey to Syrup Village the crew soon fell into a routine, the only difference now being that Usopp could also been seen tinkering with various ammunition at the bow of the ship.
At first he attempted to do this and then goof off for the rest of the day, this soon changed when Luffy press ganged him into training with him and Zoro. He tried to resist at first but both Luffy and Zoro were far more stubborn than him and would not relent. It also didn't help that Luffy wasn't afraid to fight dirty by using Kaya as a way to get Usopp to train. In truth all Luffy did was say that he was sure Kaya would would be impressed with the results of his training but that caused Usopp to put one hundred and ten percent into training.
The straw hat pirates had been sailing for five days when Zoro asked Usopp a question that had been on his mind since they fought off the black cat pirates. "Hey, why do you fight with that child's toy anyway?" Luffy and Nami who had both been nearby looked over at hearing the question.
"I'm just as accurate with my slingshot as any man with a pistol!" Shouted an indignant Usopp.
"Never said you weren't," said Zoro with a shrug. "But it's not exactly dangerous...or a weapon," he added with a raised eyebrow.
This comment did nothing to temper Usopp's anger at what he saw as mockery. "So what if it doesn't kill it still does the job so what does it matter."
"It matters because sometimes in battle you need to kill some enemies so they don't get back up and kill your friends."
"Well I don't see why I need to kill anyone."
"You do realise you're a pirate now don't you?" Asked a perplexed Zoro "besides nobody on this crew likes killing and we'd never kill anyone innocent but sometimes it's necessary."
"He's got a point Usopp," Luffy chimed in. Usopp then looked past Zoro to look at Luffy and then to Nami to her nod sadly as well. Before he could say anything else Luffy continued "nobody is questioning your ability Usopp you're a damn better shot than the rest of us, probably the best I've ever seen and you can be just as good with a pistol except a pistol would keep you safer."
"But...but what about all my special ammunition?" asked Usopp and it was clear to everyone that he was now clutching at straws.
"What about them?" Luffy asked amusedly. "Are you telling me someone as smart as you can't do the same but with a bullet," scoffed Luffy.
Usopp hung his head knowing they had a point and it wasn't unreasonable to ask him to put away his toy and use an actual weapon especially if they were going to fighting people that would be aiming to kill them.
Seeing Usopp's reaction for what it was Zoro stated "don't worry we can get you some weapons."
"We're going to be passing by Anderfel island soon we should be able to get what he needs there," chimed in Nami.
Luffy looked at Nami "thanks Nami," was all he said before he flashed her the Luffy grin.
This grin brought back memories of their night together so she turned away and headed towards the helm without saying anything more, an action that once again drew a raised eyebrow from Zoro.
After their slight detour to Anderfel island Usopp came away with four pistols and one repeater rifle as well as the appropriate holsters to accompany them. Usopp now had two pistols holstered on his thighs and two at his hips while the rifle was slung across his back.
He had only had the guns for a few hours before he had started customising them. He had filed down the boring chamber making it bigger which now allow him to use customised ammunition, he added a scope and filed grooves into the forestock for a better grip.
Zoro could only watch on in satisfaction at the fruits of his endeavour now all he needed to do was break him out of his cowardly streak. Perhaps some would argue that it should be the captain's job to do this but as first mate of the straw hat pirates it was his job to assist his captain with anything he needs as well as the things he doesn't know he needs.
It was a further two days after their foray to Anderfel island that Usopp gained the confidence to practice using the cannon. As he was lining up his first shot, aiming at a rock formation in the distance, Luffy came over to check in on him causing Usopp to sweat at the added pressure he was now under. Taking a deep breath to steady himself he fired.
Luffy watched as the cannonball flew and struck true demolishing the rock, it was a perfect shot and not that many others would have been able to make. "I expected nothing else form my master gunner," Luffy said placing extra emphasis on the title.
Hearing that he had been called master gunner Usopp swelled with pride. The two then began chatting about the cannons and how well they should perform in combat when Luffy's haki alerted him to someone attempting to climb aboard the Merry.
As the intruder was about to hop over the guard rail luffy appeared directly in front and hauled him over by the scruff of his neck and in a calm and deadly voice he asked "what do you think you're doing sneaking aboard my ship."
"Me! You're the ones who fired at me and my partner!"
The intruder's screaming woke Zoro who had until that point been taking his post workout nap. "Yosuku? Is that you?" asked a bleary eyed Zoro.
"Big bro Zoro what are you doing here? Hey big bro Zoro you've gotta help me it's Johnny he's dying."
Zoro sent a quick look to Luffy who was still holding down Yosuku and he saw him give a slight nod. "Bring him aboard Yosuku."
Yosuku returned shortly carrying a deadly pale Johnny. "You've gotta help him he just keeps getting sicker and sicker, just the other day some old wounds stated reopening and his teeth started falling out!" Whimpered a panicked Yozuku.
Luffy gave Yozuku a dope slap as he told Yozuku that he's an idiot.
"He's got scurvy you moron," said an exasperated Nami. "If you idiots are gunna set sail you need to know the kinda dangers you're gunna face at sea."
"Usopp do me a favor and bring me all the lemons we have," Luffy said before turning back to Yozuku "don't worry he's gunna be fine."
Usopp returned with the fruit and began squeezing the lemon juice into Johnny's mouth. After a while the colour began returning to his skin.
"He's not out of the woods yet but we'll keep giving him lemon juice for the next few days," Luffy said with compassion clear in his voice.
"You know Luffy I'm a bit surprised you know about scurvy." Nami said snidley.
Luffy didn't take offence to that as he could have instead he just looked at Nami and shrugged. "It's the captain's job to take care of his crew, to help where he's needed. To do that I have to know about most jobs on this ship."
Nami looked at him with no small amount of surprise. Half the time he seemed to be a bit of a goofball, a charming goofball but a goofball nonetheless, just wanting to have fun. Then he would have moments like this when he would speak with great wisdom or when he would act with laser like focus. Truthfully Nami didn't know how much longer she could stay on this ship as the longer she was here the more her long held beliefs on pirates were torn down, and it was all thanks to Luffy.
When Johnny began to stir some time later Yozuku was ecstatic as he began to hug Johnny for all that he was worth. He didn't forget however to show his gratitude to Luffy and Nami though. "Thanks big bro Luffy, big bro Nami."
Luffy just waved his gratitude off with a smile. Nami however took great offence to being called bro, "I'm a girl dammit, don't call me bro."
"Whatever you say big bro Nami."
Luffy could help but laugh when Nami pouted as she stamped her foot like a toddler throwing a tantrum.
"Thanks for saving Johnny they're both good people," said Zoro to Luffy in little more than a whisper.
"How do you know them two anyways?"
"I ran with them a few times during my bounty hunter days," replied Zoro with a shrug.
"Hey Yozuku we're heading to the Baratie, you're welcome to join us."
Hearing Luffy's offer Yozuku quickly nodded his head in agreement not wanting to miss out on the delicious food at the Baratie.
It was a further three days before Johnny recovered enough to be able to move about once more. It was also the same day that the Baratie was spotted on the horizon by Usopp in the crows nest.
As the Going Merry neared the Baratie they began sailing beside a marine ship. Seeing no reason to cause trouble the straw hat pirates planned to just ignore the marines. Sadly this plan went out the window when a one of the marines shouted over. "Who are you lot? I don't recognise that pirate flag!" Everything about this marine just screamed arrogance.
Recognising that continuing to ignore them was not going to yield any results Luffy stepped onto the guardrail and shouted over to the marine "I'm Monkey D. Luffy and we're the Strawhat pirates and as for the flag it's probably because its only a few days old."
"I am lieutenant Fullbody, be grateful I have better things to do at the moment than deal with trash like you." Lieutenant Fullbody then began walking away however as he passed one of his marines he said "they're an eyesore, sink 'em."
Luffy narrowed his eyes in fury however he made no move to do anything. It was when a small rowboat with the lieutenant and a very beautiful woman in a long red evening gown sat in it was moving towards the floating restaurant that something happened.
The marines opened fire with a single cannon, Usopp screamed in alarm while Johnny and Yozuku dived to the deck as the did so various bounty posters flew out of their pockets. Luffy however remained unmoving, he simply watched then scoffed as the cannonball flew wide.
The marines were stunned that they had missed but they recovered and scrambled to fire again, and once again Luffy remained unmoving. Unlike with the last shot this one wasn't so wildly off target, instead the cannonball headed straight at Luffy. Seeing the cannonball heading for the pirate captain a few marines started smiling. Smiles that were quickly lost however when Luffy simply caught the cannonball with his bare hand.
"Here this is yours, I think you better have it back," as he said the word back he lauched the cannonball like a world class pitcher straight at the marine ship sending it crashing straight through the ship and crashing out the other side.
With a massive hole in the ship the marines began scrambling to save the ship, not an easy task considering the size of the hole Luffy had just put in both sides of their ship.
Seeing that the marines were now taken care of Luffy turned to his crew "I dunno about you guys but I'm hungry, hows about we go get some food."
Johnny, Yozuku and Usopp just looked at Luffy with complete admiration and stars in their eyes while mumbling "so cool."
The crew all began piling into a small rowboat, well everyone except Nami who was staring at a bounty poster with the intensity of a thousand suns.
"You coming Nami?"
"Huh? Oh yeah just gimme a sec."
As she passed Luffy to head towards the rowboat Luffy grabbed her hand and spun her around. "Nami whatever it is that's got you upset you can talk to me, anything you need and I'll do it." As he said this his other hand came up as he cupped her face while he stroked her cheek with his thumb.
Nami was slightly unnerved that he'd seen through her so easily but she couldn't involve him not when she was so close to her goal, she just couldn't risk it. She also couldn't risk him, over the weeks they had travelled together she'd grown to genuinely like the guy. No she just couldn't involve him.
"Don't worry about its nothing," she lied a smile firmly in place.
Despite being able to clearly see that she was lying he just nodded his head and the headed into the rowboat to head into the Baratie. Their still joined hands was only noticed by Zoro and oddly enough Yozuku and while Yozuku simply shrugged it off as none of his business Zoro raised an eyebrow once again and let out a short chuckle.
The journey to the Baratie was short but the Strawhat pirates had a good laugh when they passed the arrogant navy lieutenant as he was forced to return to his heavily damaged ship. As they passed Luffy locked eyes with him, stood up then gave a mocking bow flourishing his arms flamboyantly as he did so.
Stepping onto the ship that was built to look like a fish they entered only to have their noses assaulted by the aroma of the delicious food on offer there. Luffy and Nami were the last to walk through the door and Luffy made sure to hold the door open for Nami.
"Prentending to be a gentlemen?" asked a deadpan Nami.
"Maybe I am a gentleman, or maybe I just enjoy the view I get by walking behind you," said a smirking Luffy and the smirk only grew when he saw her the blush creep up the back of her neck and into her cheeks.
The group had only been inside the restaurant for a moment before a tall blonde teen in a black suit and a distinctive swirled eyebrow approached them. "Hello my name's Sanji, I'm the sous chef here but I'll be your waiter today. If you'd like to follow me I'll escort you to your table."
He led the group to a large table, easily big enough to seat them all comfortably. "One moment while I fetch the menus."
After providing them with the menus and taking their orders of drink, all the while making lovesick eyes at Nami, he left them to decide. Returning shortly he began taking their orders however when he got to Nami she put all her acting skills to good use.
"Oh well it all looks so delicious," she demured and at hearing her praise for the food Sanji visibly preened as he stood up a bit taller. "But you see the thing is I'm not sure i could possibly afford any it," as she said this she batted her eyelashes at him an action that got the desired result.
"My dear anything you want is of course on the house, it would be my pleasure to provide food fit for kings to a beauty such as yourself."
Nami inwardly smirked as she smiled shyly as she thanked him. As she did this she chanced a glance at Luffy only to see him looking amused instead of jealous which was something that stung her pride a great deal. Nami had always taken pride in her beauty and her ability to manipulate men so the fact that Luffy seemed unaffected wounder her ego massively.
"Free food!" yelled an excited Usopp.
Sanji turned to face him then looked at the rest of the table before he spoke. "You shitheads still have to pay," deadpanned Sanji.
Usopp slammed his hand on the table and jumped to his feet in righteous anger. "That's gender discrimination, I've got a good mind to report you!"
"Take it up with the World Government you shitty pirate." Sanji responded completely unphased by the threat.
For the entire time it took for their food to arrive Usopp grumbled about Nami getting free food when the rest of them didn't and how it was so unfair he was going to complain to the manager. The rest of the group simply took it in stride so he had no support to fuel his moaning.
As they were eating the incredibly delicious food lieutenant Fullbody stormed through the door, his eyes roaming the dining hall before they landed on a smirking Luffy. Seeing the further disrepect being shown to him he stormed over to the table the straw hats were sat at.
"You dare attack my ship scum!" Fullbody roared as he neared the table His yelling had ganrnered the attention of the entire restaurant as every patron and waiter stopped what they were doing and all turned in almost perfect unison to watch the unfolding spectacle.
"No...you attacked us we simply retaliated," said Luffy in a tone one would use when talking to a child, a very slow child.
Further angered by his tone and nonchalance Fullbody's nostrils flared as he raised his arm before bringing it crashing down attempting to destroy the table. Luffy however was not about to let his meal end up on the floor and he stopped Fullbody's fist an inch above the table when he caught Fullbody's wrist in a vice like grip.
"Is there a problem here?" asked Sanji as he puffed away on a cigarette that perpetually seemed to be between his lips.
"Yeah, this arsehead is interrupting my meal," said Luffy before Fullbody could utter a word.
"I dont care about your meal you filth!" Luffy was sure this last shout from Fullbody could be heard all the way back in the Goa kingdom, however seeing the affect his attitude was having on the marine he gave him another smirk accompanied by wink.
"Sir I'm gunna have to ask you to take a seat and order or leave," an impassive Sanji stated.
"Tch, as if I would order any of this slop it looks disgusting," as Fullbody said this he swiped his now released arm across the table sending Usopp and Johnny's plates to floor with a clatter.
The cigarette between Sanji's lips quickly burned away as he took smoked the entire the cigarette in one massive drag." In a deceptively calm voice Sanji said clearly "you shouldn't waste food at sea," and as he said the last word he lashed out with a vicious roundhouse kick that sent Fullbody careening between several tables and into a wall where he slumped down.
"Hhow...how ddare you," Fullbody stuttered and Luffy genuinely wanted to know whether ot was from surprise or the force of the kick, but looking at both Sanji and Fullbody he decided it was probably a bit of both. "Im a navy lieutenant," shock and fear were now clear in his voice.
"You think i care," each word Sanji said was punctuated with a kick and he maneuvered Fullbody towards the door.
"That's our now cook," said Luffy in a whisper to everyone else at his table. Upon hearing this the rest of the table nodded uncaringly, well all but Zoro who simply looked upwards as if praying for strength all the while mumbling about stupid love cooks.
Before Sanji could kick Fullbody through the door it was flung open and a marine came rushing in panting heavily and out of breath. "Lieutenant! Sir the prisoner has escaped!"
Fullbody was flabbergasted, "but how? He ws half starved when we picked him up three days ago and we've not fed him since!"
"I don't kno." That was as far as the marine got before a a gunshot was heard and the marine fell face forwards to the ground dead.
Seeing his marine killed so mercilessly and wanting to be away from the dangerous waiter with the penchant for kicking things lieutenant Fullbody made a rapid tactical withdrawal thereby destroying any capability he had of holding onto his reputation.
Seconds after Fullbody had fled through a window an average sized man with dark skin and a goatee wearing off white pants and jacket with a snake design on either side of the zipper came walking into the restaurant. He managed to stagger his way to empty table before all but collapsing into a chair.
"Food, bring me food! This is a restaurant isn't it?," he said with all the strength he could muster. All around Luffy various whispers could be heard about the man and how he was the 'man demon' Gin, the right hand man to Don Krieg which was something that peaked Luffy's interest.
A tall and muscular waiter approached Gin with an obviously fake smile on his face. "Certainly you filthy crook, and just how will you be paying for this meal?" He asked with a forced, and somewhat cheesy grin.
"Will a bullet be enough?" Gin grunted out pointing his pistol at the waiter as he did so.
"You've got no money then?" As Patty the waiter said this he lost any trace of his faux geniality and he brought both his arms high into the air before he brought them down onto Gin's head sending him through the table. He then picked Gin up by the scruff of his neck and by his belt and marched towards the door with the applause of the restaurant behind him, "we only take money here! And if you're not paying then you're not a customer! And only customers eat here!" As he finished his tirade he launched Gin out of the restaurant and on to the outer deck of the ship.
Luffy followed him out wanting to speak with the man. As he got outside he saw Sanji putting a big plate of steaming down infront of Gin and telling him to eat. With the slightest bit of persuasion Gin dived into the food like a wild animal.
Luffy could no longer contain himself. "Sanji, oi Sanji, I want you on my crew."
Before saying anything Sanji took out another cigarette from an inner pocket and lit it with a match, he then turned to Luffy as he took a deep pull. "Sorry but no can do. I owe the old man that runs this place a debt, a debt I can't ever repay."
"I refuse your refusal," said Luffy with a childish pout, something that earned him a raised eyebrow from Sanji as well as look of disbelief. However before he could say anything he was beaten to thr punch by Gin.
"Erm excuse me, but are you a pirate?" his question earned a nod from Luffy. "And just what's your dream if you don't mind me asking?"
"I'm gunna find the one piece and become king of the pirates!" Luffy yelled at the top voice, fists raised as if in celebration.
"I see. Well please take it from me, I've seen the grand line and you don't wanna go there," at seeing Luffy's incredulous expression he continued "that place is hell, it just doesn't make any sense and I don't want anyone else to die senselessly like we did," as he said this a haunted expression crossed his face.
Unable to help himself Luffy scoffed "I don't care if I die," at saying that both Sanji and Gin's heads snapped towards him. "If I die chasing my dream it just means it wasn't to be."
Gin let out a defeated sigh realising it was pointless to attempt to argue with someone so determined, he'd seen the same determination in his own captain after all. "I see, well in that case I wish you thr best of luck," Gin then turned towards Sanji thanks for the food, "is it erm...is it OK if I come back sometime?" Questioned Gin nervously.
Sanji smiled and nodded, "see you around Gin." Gin nodded his head before turning around and leaving in a small rowboat pilfered from the marine ship he'd been imprisoned on.
"You know Sanji I'm a pirate and pirates take what they want," Sanji was now fixing Luffy with an impassive stare, "and I want you as my chef."
"Just go with him already none of us want you here anyway." Luffy and Sanji both looked up to see a short chef with a peg leg and an extremely long handlebar mustache stood on a balcony overlooking them.
"Chef Zeff," Zeff just glared at Sanji with boredom written all over his face. "The only way your getting me out of this restaurant is over my dead body." As he said this the cigarette he was holding between his teeth snapped as he grit his teeth in anger. Zeff just scoffed at him before turning away and limping his way back into the kitchen.
"You should know I aint going anywhere without you as my chef," grinned Luffy.