To be The King

by TheShadowSwan

Luffy early on finds out what kind of danger being Monkey D. Dragon's child brings. She also takes proper steps. fem!Luffy smart!Luffy differentDF!Luffy bigger!crew MarcoLu in later chapters. Crossposted with Ao3 under the same title. Edited

8. Baratie

Oh well... I simply can't write things quickly :(

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Warnings and canon differences:

AU: female, smart, mature, different devil fruit Luffy

AU: pirate titles actually matter. Yonko and most of pirates feel the need to actually somehow adhere to The King's wishes so the title is also a little more formal. To become The King candidate needs: a) nomination from member of previous King's crew (if alive); b) support/acknowledgement of at least 3 Yonko; c) reach the Raftel

AU: additional crew members

OOC: characters' personalities will be changing as a result of interactions with Luffy and other people

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Disclaimer: One Piece belongs to Oda-sensei and his publishers. Idea's mine

Betaed by - SuspiciousKiwi :)

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For all that they managed somehow to keep the ship's cost in reasonable range (it might or might not have something to do with Kuro going all dark and menacing, with glinting glasses when it come to negotiating the price), they still had to pay up 30 millions for it.

The only problem - Luffy's crew did not have 30 millions. So she paid up what they had right off the bat, knowing that they'll need to magic those missing 5 millions to life. One way or another…

With a bit of D-brand luck they'll find those millions on their way to Baratie, otherwise? Otherwise they'll need to help someone lose some shinies.

Luckily there were few others kingdoms in East Blue with nobles ripe for robbing.

Taking advantage of the few days it'd take them to reach famous floating restaurant, Luffy started both Kuro and Usopp at mediation, as well as moved Zoro into exercises helping person track their surroundings. And only after they started did she understood why people in East Blue considered him a monster. With the rate he was making progress in? She wouldn't put it past him to learn how to use at least a bit of Observation while still in East Blue… And Grand Line and its dangers will take care of the rest.

Some people would rave at her callousness and seeming disregard of her crew' safety, but Luffy sincerely hoped for them to land on at least one of those treacherous islands so everyone could learn how to at least spot the danger at the start of the Grand Line. The Seas know, in the later parts of their journey it will be too late to learn the skill.

But expecting things from her Crew and plotting the way they should progress was one thing… And making herself become the best, sharpest weapon possible was another. Both were important, but she could make only one happen with any kind of surety needed.

So Luffy trained. She worked really hard on learning how to use wind blades of consistent strength. As well as tentatively tried to find a way to cut through harder kinds of steel (very much theoretically). It was such a pity they needed Black Cat Pirates to be able to sail out of Gecko Island, otherwise she'd probably practice on The Claw a bit… Or not, Kuro would probably protest cutting bruises in his ship…

Oh well, sending the cuts on water it was…

At least as long as she trained them behind the boat, it was getting short bursts of speed… The sooner they got to the Baratie the faster she'll get her hands on the proper steel. And maybe even annoy the hug out of her Shishou…

That's an idea!

…

Thanks to the really Luffy-friendly winds and speed bursts from her training, the clutter of presences surrounding two stronger ones, pinged on her internal Haki-fueled radar. And sure enough almost right after she tentatively decided that it had to be a restaurant Usopp's voice broke her out of the meditative state she was in.

From the clear irritation Kuro was radiating next to her, it broke him out of it too.

"Baratie, ahoy!"

"There's no need to scream at a boat, Usopp" Luffy gave up on her meditation and opened her eyes, immediately wincing at the sunlight. Soon enough there was a shade falling at her and after raising her head just a little bit, she came almost face to face with the smiling face of their sniper.

"Sorry, sorry… It's just… Baratie, you know?" He explained waving his hands around and causing Luffy to smile at the a bit childlike behaviour of the 'freshest' crewmember.

"I know, I'm excited as well." Thought for completely different reasons, she was sure about that… Give her, her new pretty sharpie! "Were you ever there?" Yasopp never said anything about taking his son on any other island and later there was no one to take Usopp on a trip or something… She had absolutely no doubt that she was also almost skipping when landing on Conomi Island for the first time. At least before realising what kind of situation she got into. Here's to hoping his first semi-recreational landing would end up more peaceful.

"No…" He dropped but then continued with even more enthusiasm "But there was no need! The Great Chef Usopp…"

Kuro snorted at that and even Zoro opened an eye from where he was napping in the sun.

"Shishishishi…" On the other hand Luffy could only giggle at that. "Try to tell it to someone who did not eat your 'cooking'."

"It wasn't that bad"

"Sure, it wasn't." his cooking was absolutely terrible and she was not sure she even wanted to know what he ate before going with them to the seas. She'd be liable to hurt someone (probably Usopp himself).

"It wasn't…" He whined causing Luffy to burst into giggles again, Zoro could cook better and his 'cooking' meant mostly fried meat and some raw veggies.

Then she got serious. There was something she'd need to warn the sniper about. Especially with the planned meeting and undoubtedly following acts of stupidity. Even if it looked that constant beatdowns helped to convince Zoro that none of them was at a proper Grand Line level. Definitely not strong enough to win against a Shichibukai. Especially that Shichibukai.

"Usopp, if we'll get in a crew fight, by which I mean crew versus crew, you're supposed to keep in the back and snipe people." Not that she expected one but… Just in case. Shishou said something about chasing idiotic rookies after all "If any of us will pick a fight one on one, you are to not interfere." That was much more relevant at the moment but those were the information he needed to have.

"Umm…" It looked like his knees were a second at most away from quacking but he soldiered on. "There will be that kind of fight?" He was not that brave when it came to the defense of Syrup Town (even if he tried), but there was no way he'd get suddenly braver just from sailing around with them. Was it because he was explicitly expected to stay behind them? Or was it that he knew by then that together all three of frontline fighters in their lineup would be enough to stop whatever they could reasonably find in East Blue?

The first one probably.

"My Shishou will join us at the Restaurant." Hmm… Thinking about it, did she tell him who her Shishou was? Or would it be surprise? … Oh well, he'll survive that. "I'm quite sure Zoro will try to pick a fight with him…" Even if she oh so dearly hoped that all the preaching she did would bring fruits. "And I'm going to get my ass kicked by him for sure, soo…" Yes, she had no hope to get out of some kind of training then.

"Of course it will be hard for Great Sniper Usopp to not aid you in battle, but I understand the need" He boasted, getting sceptical look for his troubles. By that point of time, no one on the Dreamer would believe in his boasts, but he should have more luck around new people….

"You're free to snipe any idiot that'd try to interfere. In fact I'd expect you to do so." A pity he still didn't have anything more lethal than those pachinko balls of his. From what he said he wanted his ammo to do… The ideas were fine, but there was no way he'd be allowed to try and manufacture most of those ideas on their small boat.

"Umm… Alright"

"That's my sniper!" She smiled at him happily. After all even with 'just pachinko balls' he was an excellent shot and she had no doubt that should he try, he could make some serious damage to a man.

Now to make him wish to do so.

…

Docking their Dreamer to the Baratie was… difficult. Of course most of the clients undoubtedly came on a big trip yacht docked by but there was a lot of different ships of various shapes and sizes. As such any hope for comfortable docking space was axed right off the bat. But with a bit of maneuvering and some careful use of wind blades to move other ships, they managed to put the Dreamer near the a bit more elastic (but also unstable) part of the docks. Away from the other smaller ships.

Even though the almost full docks probably should prepare them for it, they were still taken aback by the amount of guests already in the restaurant. There were people in suits and long dresses, there were those in standard tourist clothes, then there were those that looked like sailors, probably even smugglers from the way they were eyeing those clothed in clothes of better quality.

They waited for someone to show them where they could even sit, for a while and just when it looked like Zoro was about to suggest they wait for Mihawk outside finally one of the stronger presences came up to them… And immediately went straight into some kind of overly flowered, poetic mode.

"O'blessed are the oceans for this day! Blessed Goddess, thank you for gracing our restaurant with your glory this day! Please, accept this Fruit Macedonia, as well as this glass of Grand Mariner." Somehow the man managed to get them all to the table and put said drinks right before her in the span of his little speech… Along with the absolutely ridiculous bows and near kneeling… Luffy was impressed.

From their faces… The boys were not.

It was probably the first time she heard that kind of overly romanticised speech pointed at herself and so she felt her cheeks warm, almost against herself. And the waiter was even blonde as well…

Should she?

Why not?

"Oh? My thanks Mister…?" She took a sip of the fruity drink and fluttered her eyelashes at him. In that overly dramatised way, she's seen noble girls in Goa Kingdom do.

"Oh the Goddess asks for the name of unworthy…" The waiter honest to the Seas swooned, making Luffy giggle at the ridiculousness of that and boys of her crew look at that new side of her incredulously. "The lowly Sous Chief of this restaurant is called Sanji" Sanji was… tall. Elegant in his black suit, with blonde hair hiding one eye and an… interestingly spiralled brows.

"Sous Chef, huh?" She fluttered her eyelashes again, squashing urge of kicking her First Mate under the table after noticing his scowl. "Will you be taking our order, Sanji-san?"

The other stronger presence… The strongest that already was in the restaurant moved closer to them and with a bit of maneuvering to… officially give more of her attention to the Sous Chef, she managed to spy a man on a shorter kind of a spectrum, with tall chef hat, ridiculous parallel to the floor, braided moustache and what looked like a peg leg, looking at them over the balustrade.

Minuscule flare of his presence was both a welcome and a warning to behave. She game similar flare and a smile.

"Whatever might I bring to you Your Grace?" 'Your Grace'? Close enough… One day it won't be just overly flirting cook calling her that. She smiled.

"I have a high metabolism, so please take it into consideration… Other than that? Surprise me." Inventiveness was important on the Seas. And that was Sea Restaurant…

"Your word is my order Beauty of the seas!" The blonde chef moved so fast he almost floated back to where Luffy guessed kitchen was, completely ignoring Usopp opening his mouth, no doubt to order his own meal. Luffy could only laugh at the absolutely affronted expression on his face. Her bursting in giggles soon was followed by rest of the table.

From the absolutely evil glint in Kuro's eye, she could guess that if he wasn't still in that 'have to listen to captain' phase, there'd be barbed comment or two thrown her way for the completely out of character behaviour… She couldn't wait to break him out of it.

The short time it took for Sanji-san to come back with a plate was spent in comfortable silence only broken by quiet comments about how some of the cooks serving in the restaurant would be rather pegged by them as experienced sailors, maybe even not always aligned with the letter of a law, or about the way some of the customers had problems with their footing even before drinking anything.

Soon enough the Sous Chef brought back the plate with some rice based dish and put it right before Luffy… The dish smelled heavenly and a first bite convinced her that it tasted just as good.

"Delicious!" Luffy barely held in the literal moan from the heavenly taste of the food. She thought herself a successful cook but what he prepared… She wondered idly whether the cook would be coming with them voluntarily or if they needed to shanghai him… No matter how much she didn't want to behave like Roger… She was not letting such a good cook go. Even if she'd need to personally tow him around and protect him on the Grand Line.

"Hey!" Usopp yelled, interrupting the already starting joyous wiggling the chef started. "Serve the rest of us as well, cook! This is gender discrimination! I'll sue!"

That was gender discrimination?! Not the way those weaponsmith on Syros tried to talk to Zoro or Kuro rather than herself?

"I already gave you your tea. Be a little grateful, punk." Before she could give Usopp piece of her mind, Sanji's joyous expression disappeared and he answered Usopp.

"You want to start something?" Usopp had a look of not so quiet rage overtaking his face, "I won't go easy on you! Go get him, Zoro!"

"Get him yourself." Zoro took a look at their sniper, then at her absolutely sweet expression and drawled lazily, taking a sip of the tea, "This is some pretty good tea too."

"Oh you two, please don't fight over me." She didn't even hide the venomous smirk at the angry blush rising on Usopp's face.

"Who's fighting over you!" Usopp squawked at her angrily and then blanched after seeing the amount of teeth in her smile.

"Anything for you, miss!" Sanji on the other hand was back in what she dubbed a 'love-mode'. It looked like shanghaing him into joining would be… rather easy.

She hoped it wouldn't be easy though… Seducing him onto a ship would make it… cheap.

"Why did you start working here Sanji-san?" She decided to check the waves so to speak.

"I've acquired a debt to the old Zeff, pretty miss" Though the answer was suave as the rest of his speech, something in his eyes… or maybe a posture gave out a vibe that it's sensitive topic, as such…

"Once it's paid… You wouldn't wish to change your ah… manner of employment? Just a bit?" She could only offer in the most vague terms… For obvious reasons. Unlike the rest of her Crew, he was not an outlaw or related to one. He had a lot to lose. So she wasn't really surprised when he refused in that fawning, flowery tone of his.

"Damn lecher." Zoro muttered scornfully from behind his cup, eyeballing the chef's fluttering around amused and very flattered Luffy.

His scorn was only a bit lessened when even he had to admit that the food the chef brought for them as well was damn delicious. Even if his approval came in the way of a look and a smirk.

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They were at their dessert when something interesting happened… Not, the announcement of her Shishou's arrival unfortunately, but… Something almost as good - another sign of the crazy luck of a D.

Something pinged on her Haki…

Multiple somethings…

"IT'S DON KRIEG'S PIRATE SHIP!" There was a terrified yell.

Some of the guests was staring out the window in terror,

"A skull with two hourglasses to either side…to threaten their enemies… THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! THAT'S KRIEG'S FLAG! WHY IS HE HERE?!" Pandemonium erupted in the ship, guests threw themselves to their ships while the chefs around the place stood frozen. The one that introduced himself as Patty earlier - irrespectful bastard, focused much more on the money than at customer experience, stood there trembling with his head in his hands.

"Come on… it was just a light tap… he would have gotten worse in a bar fight… he can't be coming here to kill me, right?"

"Are you happy Patty?!" Another chef asked hysterically, "Aren't you so glad you messed with him! Well? Are you going to chase him off, mister tough guy?!"

"This is really bad! Shouldn't we set sail and get out of here?" Usopp looked like he was panicking… And Luffy only smiled. If she remembered correctly Don Krieg was the second highest bounty in East Blue. The ship payment… Here she comes~

"That's a pretty big ship." Kuro murmured surprised… And after exchanging questioning look and a nod with Luffy went straight for the suitcase with his claws. There went her 'we won't need to fight' declaration.

"But it's strange…" Sanji murmured, lighting up a cigarette. They all gazed as the ship came into full view and they could make out details, "That ship is in complete shambles. What manner of hurricane did they sail into?" Indeed, the giant Galleon was an utter mess. The sails were torn and ripped. The figurehead of a snarling saber-toothed cat had a huge chunk of it torn off. The main mast was… in absolutely terrific state, the wood barely staying together. All in all, it just looked like it had been mauled by a very, very large cat. "To turn a giant galleon into this state… This certainly isn't the work of humans." He stated ominously.

Luffy… Didn't quite agree. Especially since she knew that Shishou was coming to the Baratie and that he was chasing some weakling. So maybe the large cat they met wasn't so much a cat but a nap addicted hawk?

There were two weak-feeling presences coming closer to them, probably someone from the ship so with a mournful sigh Luffy set down her tea-saucer and pointed her attention to the entrance.

The door leading into the restaurant slammed open, revealing a large shadow. Everyone's eyes went wide as the shadow came into the light. It was a tired looking man, carefully holding up a much larger one. He was pretty huge and muscular. His hair was greying, and he had huge sideburns, with gauze wrapped around his head. He wore a yellow cheetah-print shirt with a fur-lined cape over it, secured to him by a large golden chain. He might have possibly cut a somewhat intimidating picture if he wasn't barely standing, hunched over looking absolutely miserable.

"Pardon the intrusion…" Even his voice sounded weak, "But could I have some food… and water? If it is money you want, I got plenty." He was in terrible state, Luffy could see the way the armor and all the gold on his person were weighing him down even more. And yet… There was something…

"He's starving." She noted dispassionately. For all that he cut a pitiful picture… There was something rotten in the way he felt to her Haki.

"Wonder what happened." Sanji looked at the man with understanding eyes. At the sight of that look Luffy quirked an eyebrow curious… maybe the chef wasn't as flat of a character she pegged him as. Interesting.

"… The heck?" Patty asked, laughter bubbling in his voice and The King Nominee didn't need Haki to know he'd do something that'd bite them all in the ass… oh well it's just as good that she's ready to exchange big bad pirate for a bounty. "This weak looking guy is Don Krieg?"

The man, who had to be Krieg tried to take another step forward, but he just keeled over and fell, unable to stand any longer.

"DON KRIEG!" The one supporting him yelled in shock, "Please, save my captain! Get him some food and water! He'll die at this rate!" He looked out onto a sea of faces, searching for some sympathy. But as Arlong was fond of saying 'only the strong can afford mercy'. The chefs gathered on deck… were not in that group, so look as he could there was no sympathy in sight.

For… whatever reason he looked surprised that no one moved to help them. Why? There is no mercy for Pirates in The Blues. Not like there was a mercy for Pirates anywhere…

"Ahahaha!" Patty crowed above his laughter "This is just perfect! This is what the infamous Don Krieg looks like!?" Because provoking pirates is such a good idea…

"WE'RE PAYING CUSTOMERS THIS TIME!" Pirate supporting his captain roared out. "WE HAVE MONEY! PLENTY OF IT! YOU CAN'T TURN US AWAY, YOU DAMN BASTARDS!"

"You there! Call the Marines! They won't get another chance like this!" Patty said, ignoring the furious man, "Don't let him get a single scrap of food!"

And it seemed like most of the still staying around guests were in agreement.

"That's right! This is punishment for all the crimes he's committed! It's only right that he should die after all that he's done!" They muttered loud enough for Luffy's ears to catch them and…

By The Seas…

Those were the people Marines were protecting… Those were the people daddy-dearest and his Revolutionaries professed to fight for… Those that'd rather let someone die from hunger than at least give him quick and more importantly relatively painless death. The only Monkey around felt her lips pull into a scowl. For all that she understood why sometime getting a message out was important, that mindless cruelty… It made her angry!

Those were the same people that were all for hunting down the child of Gol D Roger… Those were the people that would be all for hunting her if it'd come out that she was Dragon's blood. Monsters.

For fuck sake! Even Marines (proper ones that is) fed their prisoners…

"Not yet" Silent whisper and a grounding hand on her shoulder stopped her from doing something incredibly stupid, like giving in to her anger for example. She sent grateful look at Kuro and focused her attention back on the happenings before her. Worse come to worse she'll cut short Krieg's torment herself.

"If we feed him, it's obvious that he'll just attack the ship! I ain't giving him a single damn drop of water!" One of the chefs, visibly sweating announced.

"I won't do anything!" Krieg croaked weakly "If you give me food, I promise I'll quietly withdraw… Please… help me!" He got on his knees and bowed his head.

"Don Krieg!" His subordinate had tears in his eyes "Stop! Don't do this! A great man like you shouldn't be lowering his head! It's too shameful!" That kind of loyalty… She was surprised the chefs on deck were unmoved. Though… She did notice that both Sanji and the Presence she pegged as an owner were both in the kitchen. Maybe not all was lost for humanity.

"I'm begging! I don't care if it's scraps or leftovers! I'll eat anything you have to give me! Anything!" Krieg's voice was hoarse and defeated. Tears were leaking from his officer eyes. (Luffy was very curious who he was.) Some of the customers were even looking a little doubtful at the display.

"Trying to earn some sympathy points?" The chef… Patty harrumphed harshly. Her Haki warned her about Sanji's arrival even faster than the delicious smell of the food on the plate.

"Hey, move it Patty." Sanji said when he was close enough and no one moved out of his way, a plate and a bottle of wine in his hands. He twirled in an effortless-looking spin and his foot lashed out. His heel caught Patty square on the cheek, and sent him careening to the floor. "Here Gin. Give him this." Huh… So they knew each other… The two obvious pirates gaped in astonishment, before Krieg started scarfing down his meal with moans of delight.

"Sanji!" A cook with dark sunglasses yelled in shock, "Take that food back this instant! Don't you know what kind of guy Krieg is?! He's the ruler of East Blue! The King of Deception! Krieg disguised himself as a Marine after escaping prison and killed the commanding officer of the ship he ended up stealing! He's attacked peaceful ports and towns, while waving a Marine Flag to fool them into letting him get close! He's waved white flags at his enemies before attacking them when their guards were down! He's scum who will do anything to win! That's how he made it to the top! His strength ain't no exaggeration either! You really think he'll leave after you feed him?! That's impossible for a man like him! Letting a demon like him starve is good for the world!" Luffy heard all of that before and… generally agreed that Krieg was scum. But starvation is a terrible way to die… Even if it was a fate that waited for many pirates.

And like a prophet speaking… His words quickly proved true.

Krieg gulped down the last of his food and clenched his fists in triumph. His intention to take a swing was obvious and Sanji's inaction was… Well… Luffy would like to think he let the punch connect for some kind of a reason, she had a feeling he was just blindsided since his reflexes clearly were top-notch. The guests and chefs (with exception of who Luffy was sure was Zeff) both gasped in terror, when Sanji were sent flying and this time it was her turn to keep one of the boys back. Zoro looked like he was ready to filet Don Krieg with his own swords, probably comparing his own reaction to being fed that time and the reaction shown by Krieg.

"Don Krieg!" Gin yelled hysterically, "This isn't what you promised! I guided you here because you swore you wouldn't harm anyone! That man is our savior!" Don Krieg's comparatively massive hand grabbed onto his shoulder and tightened like a vice. "GAHHH!" Gin screamed in pain as his shoulder was crushed beneath his captain's grip.

Yeah… She's sending that ass straight into Marines hands.

"Ah, that felt great." Krieg sighed, dare she say satisfied… "I feel like I'm back to my normal self." He grinned as he looked around, before sneering at those still in restaurant..

"So…the snake bears his fangs at last." Sanji sat up, smirking lightly. A stream of blood slowly dripping from his mouth.

"Nice ship." Krieg commented, cracking his neck. "I'll take it."

"I told you…" The cook who earlier ranted at Sanji said lowly, miserably, "THIS IS THE REAL KRIEG! HE'LL TAKE OVER THIS SHIP!"

Those more hardy of guests that stayed up to the moment panicked and ran from the ship as one, practically diving onto the ferry nearby. The slowest of them literally taking a dive and being fished out of water, since the ferry started to sail away as fast as was humanly possible.

"Don Krieg!" Gin hissed betrayed, clutching his throbbing arm "What about your promise!"

Krieg didn't even spare him a glance,

"My ship's all torn up." He said lightly, "I'll be needing a new one, so after my business with you all is finished, I'll let you all leave." Though the chefs were gritting their teeth no one really protested at that announcement. Like they all acknowledged that the workplace they professed earlier such loyalty to would be taken away… Luffy's eyes were drawn to Sanji whose presence was reeling with anger and determination. Such a shame, he declared that she wouldn't be able to tempt him onto her ship. Though… She needed a cook. "I have a hundred subordinates left on my ship, and they're all starving. You all will prepare enough food to feed them." Krieg had a mean, evil glint in his eye as he stared at the cooks, before barking when it became clear that none of them were jumping to follow his orders, "Well?! Make it quick! Some of them have already starved to death!"

The cook with sunglasses grit his teeth again.

"Feed a hundred men who are only going to attack us once we do so? You must be out of your mind! We refuse!"

"You seem to be under the mistaken impression that it was a request." He said looking half amused, half enraged, causing many cooks to cringe, "I gave an order, and no one disobeys my orders!" Ho? Why is he tempting her? This is still Baratie's chefs matter.

"I…I'm sorry Sanji!" Gin yelled, "I never intended this!"

Patty growled and whirled around, to look at the one that got hit.

"Sanji, you shitty cook! This is all your fault! Because of you we're in this mess… WHERE ARE YOU GOING?" He shouted with his eyes opened wide in surprise as he watched Sanji walk away. The Sous Chef turned back to him with a raised eyebrow,

"Where am I going? Isn't it clear? I'm going to the kitchen. I have a hundred meals to prepare." Sanji's announcement was met with surprised frowns of the chefs.

"Smart man." While the Krieg was just smirking approvingly, no doubt deciding that he managed to scare the blonde into compliance… Luffy's Observation told her different story though.

The other chefs though… they ran up to and surrounded Sanji.

"Like hell you will!" The all pulled guns and other weapons out and aimed them straight for Sanji's head. "Are you Krieg's secret agent Sanji? Is that why you're doing this?! You're not taking a fucking step into that kitchen!"

Luffy felt her brows raise up incredulously, as well as silent seething of her Crew… How long exactly were they working together to hurl such accusations?

"Go ahead and shoot then." The Sous Chef said blandly, not surprised or shaken by that display in the slightest.. The cooks around him recoiled, some even jerking their guns back. "You think I don't know full well that they're scum?" He scoffed, "None of that matters. Thinking of the consequences is too much of a hassle. If I see someone starving in front of me, then it is my sworn duty as a cook to feed them! If you want to stop me then you better pull those triggers! If not, save them for Krieg's grunts." He took a drag from his smoke, "I feed hungry men. I don't care about what happens to them after that. If they then decide to bite the hand that fed them, I'll kill them myself." That… was such a pirate thing to say, Luffy let out a silent chuckle and leant back relaxing. Shishou wasn't there yet… and for all the bluster Krieg didn't do anything that would stop them from waiting for Mihawk.

Various cooks on the deck looked up at him silent awe… Just for a moment to be broken few seconds later.

"Hold this idiot down!" Patty smacked the blonde at the back of his head and quickly stepped up closer to Sanji, holding a long rectangular thing wrapped in white blankets (don't ask Luffy where it came from… She really didn't want to know) "I know full well that you've fed the people I've turned away! I've ignored all of that, because I can't say who was right and who was wrong! But this time you're definitely in the wrong! I'll protect this place my own damn self." He lifted his package and tore away the wrapping, revealing a huge, lobster shaped thing with a huge bore in its mouth, "Luckily we only have Krieg himself to deal with! He can't mess with all of us!" He lifted the cannon and took aim, "This is the Baratie! We have Pirates coming here looking to make a mess every day! We're more than prepared to deal with your sort!" Krieg looked completely unimpressed, "Since you enjoyed your meal so much, how about some dessert, Krieg?! Indigestion Meatball Special!" He roared and fired a large cannonball directly at Krieg. They watched in silence as it hit Krieg and engulfed him in a massive explosion.

"DON!" Gin yelled in shock as his captain was blown through the doors and out of the restaurant.

"Ah damn it." Patty frowned "I blew the doors out. The owner's going to have my head for this…"

"It's fine Patty." The cook with glasses said, "It was collateral damage from defending this place. Chef Zeff will understand."

"And what will you do with his underlings?" Sanji asked from his position on the floor. But for all their wish to do so, the cooks didn't get a chance to answer,

"That dessert tasted like shit." Krieg walked back in, not even scuffed up. The armour he's been hiding under the clothes before was on full display. "You shitty cooks…this is the worst restaurant I've ever been to."

Patty cringed away, taking a step back and the rest of the cooks brandished their giant cutlery at the pirate.

"Get him!"

"ANNOYING LITTLE SHITS!" Krieg roared, before he pulled out two pistols and ten more came out of various parts of his armor. He immediately started firing at various points of the surroundings, hitting some people and forcing Luffy to play defense against bullets again… (Marines in Shell's Town had better targetting) As many of the cooks collapsed, their bodies bleeding from all the bullets that managed to hit them, Krieg roared in anger, "You insignificant worms think you can defy me! I'm the strongest! This steel arm, more powerful than any other! This unbreakable armor made of Wootz Steel! These diamond fists which can pulverize anything! My entire body is a finely tuned weapon! I'm the Fleet Admiral of fifty ships and five thousand men! I've won every batt-"

"Oh, do shut up already." Dead silence fell onto the restaurant. Krieg turned mechanically to Luffy, rage literally pouring out from him, "Who cares about your fancy toys?" Luffy smirked mockingly, taking few steps ahead and correcting The Hat on her head. How dare that little coward even consider himself strong, never mind 'the strongest' "You are not the strongest of anything."

"What was that, you damn brat?" Krieg growled out through gritted teeth.

"Did I stutter?" She asked faux-quizzically before turning to Kuro "I didn't stutter, did I?"

"No Captain." Kuro smirked with very same amount of venom as when he talked about assassinating Kaya… More in fact as in Baratie he didn't even try to pretend to play the part of 'concerned butler'. That was Kuro of Thousand Plans, while still not announcing his name to the world. "I don't believe you did." He corrected his glasses in that specific way of his, which went luckily unrecognised.

"Honestly, I think we should record all the blundering the fool makes." She continued blithely "Whitebeard would get a laugh out of him at least" She could already see it… Thatch would laugh so hard he'd go double and Marco would get that derisive little smirk of his… If she'd be lucky she could later kiss it off~

"We're going to meet W-Whitebeard?" As was kind of expected, Usopp immediately reacted to the possibility of meeting The Strongest Man in the World… With expected amount of enthusiasm.

"Yup, we'll have party together" It'd be hard to avoid the Yonko. What with her being a Nominee, him having those… 'brothers' of hers in the Crew and the fact that Thatch would hunt her down himself if she'd even try to not visit him when on the same Sea.

"How do you know Whitebeard?" Kuro questioned curiously. Sharp, dark eyes which catching for the crew delighted her more and more with every passing day, measured her once again, adding new variables to what he already knew about her.

"I don't know him" She smiled toothily returning Kuro's look with one of her own. One just screaming 'yes, I still have secrets, wanna know them?'. Which got another long look from the more experienced pirate.

"Then who do you know that you can tell we'll have a party together?" Yup, that's her strategist. Sharp as a blade.

"Maa… That's a secret" She winked at him, squashing the irrational urge to add a 'yoi' to her sentence. Focus Luffy, focus!

"You stupid little bitch." Krieg used the byplay she had with her Strategist to calm himself and so he seemed almost calm… Like he tried to go for 'stating the fact' and not 'toddler's temper tantrum'. He'd probably say something more and send Luffy into another fit of 'lets kill the fucker', but a giant sack landed in front of him cutting anything he could say. "What's this?"

"Owner Zeff!" The cooks, who were ready to attack their coworker earlier, shouted in shock at the sight of owner of the restaurant doing essentially Krieg's bidding.

"Food for a hundred men." Zeff said lazily "Hurry up and bring it to your men."

"Did… did they say 'Zeff'?" Krieg stuttered surprised and… if Luffy was reading him right (of course she was, she had Haki!) scared… Well, no wonder. She hasn't connected 'Zeff the cook' with 'Zeff-the-pirate' but with the Haki presence earlier and with the absolute lack of fear he shown in the moment? She did remember hearing about Red-Leg Zeff, The Cooking Captain and his disappearance from the New World. Even if mostly from Garp's ranting when drunk…

That peg leg suddenly seemed a lot scarier than before.

"Sir!" One of the cooks on the floor yelled out baffled "How could you give them that food! Once they recover they're going to be gunning for the ship!" Zeff smirked at that.

"Oh, they will, will they?" He asked in such derisive tone that Krieg's face darkened. Luffy wanted to learn to talk like that. It was beautiful. "That's only if they have any fighting spirit left in them… isn't that right, Grand Line dropouts?"

The cooks bar Sanji, who she pegged as Zeff's protegee, as one recoiled at that.

"Even Don Krieg couldn't make it?!" Their screech hurt the future pirate captain's ears so badly, she had to forcibly keep herself from covering them and doing something much more… satisfying that just scowling at the loud menaces. "The strongest of the East Blue were defeated by the Grand Line!" Honestly, if Shanks hadn't explained to her exactly how weak typical East Blue pirate is, compared to the Grand Line or even rest of the Blues… Hell, if she didn't know from her youngest years what's the difference between Grand Line or even New World strong (Garp had some uses… even if she wouldn't recommend his care to anyone) and normal human, she'd be surprised too.

But she did know. She was… well not raised, lets call it visited by Garp few times a year. The only Shichibukai to not have Devil Fruit Power regularly spent a month beating what a strength is into her. The only non Devil Fruit user among the Yonko has taught her and seen in her something worth Nominating her. She knew what strength looked like. She knew how it felt to stand against one of those predators with only her wits and some feeble knives in her hands. She knew how it felt to be the full focus of one of them.

And Krieg? He wasn't in that league. In fact… No one in East Blue was even close to that league.

"Y…you're 'Red Leg' Zeff!" Krieg blanched at the recognition of who Zeff was or more importantly what he was. He stared at Zeff like he was a treasure, completely disregarding his subordinate almost sobbing at his feet. "The peerless cook and Captain… so you were alive."

"And? My being alive has nothing to do with you. As you can see, I'm a cook full time now." Zeff replied nonchalantly.

"A cook full time?" Krieg chuckled darkly "That's an interesting way to put it. More appropriate would be to say you can do nothing else now." He laughed mockingly "To hear of Red Leg Zeff is to hear of the man who could kick so hard his shoes would be dyed red with the blood of his enemies…" Luffy had to admit, she loved when people around her recounted all those informations without even recognising how much knowledge they were imparting that way. Like the fighting style of Zeff and probably Sanji as well… "the man who could break cliffs with only his legs and leave imprints of his shoes on steel!" Or the fact that Zeff was at least highly proficient in Armament Haki… "The man who would never use his hands in a fight! You're a laughable nobody now!" Or exactly how naive Krieg himself was… You can take the successful pirate from the Grand Line, but you can't take the Grand Line out of the successful pirate. "Full time cook? HA! More like you can never put your red shoes back on! You're a cook now because it's the only thing you can do!" He grinned "I heard you died in a shipwreck. It seems you managed to survive, though it cost you one of your precious legs. With it gone, you can't fight anymore." That… moron of an East Blue pirate gloated over the presumed misfortune of the New World pirate… Honestly if not the sardonic feeling Zeff's Presence gave off to Luffy's Observation, she'd probably shut the idiot down herself. As it was though? She just relaxed some more and settled to watch the show.

Sanji though looked utterly furious and ready to go for Krieg's throat himself, giving more credit to Luffy's feeling of him being Zeff's protegee… Probably someone that did know Zeff before he lost his leg. Was he from New World too?

"As long as I have these hands, it doesn't matter if I can fight or not. I can still cook." Zeff raised said hands mockingly and dropped them back to his side. "So, are you going to get to the point, or are you going to continue blathering?"

"Red Leg Zeff!" Krieg finally shouted triumphantly "The man who once braved the waters of the Devil's Hideout! The Grand Line! You not only sailed those waters, but you returned without injury!" Without injury… What is wrong with those people? "You must have kept a log of your voyage! HAND IT OVER!"

Zeff looked on unimpressed, but he was the only pirate to do so… Kuro was gritting his teeth and even Luffy with their just started log was hoping her glare would actually set the guy on fire.

"You're right that I kept a log." Zeff agreed just as unwaveringly calm as he was entire exchange. "Indeed, I still have it to this day. But I shan't be handing it to the likes of you. That logbook is the pride of me and my crew. It's much too valuable to give to a weakling like you." Red Leg Zeff shown himself from behind the facade of just a cook. The New World Pirate speaking to the one that got defeated by the Paradise.

"WEAKLING?!" Krieg roared in full on offended man pride mode. "I CAN THROW BATTLESHIPS WITH MY BARE HANDS! HOW IS THAT WEAK?!" Has he ever hear about 'resolve'?

"There's no sense explaining it to an idiot." Zeff smirked at bigger man without a care in the world.

"THEN I SHALL TAKE IT FROM YOUR CORPSE, OLD MAN!" Krieg clenched his fist in front of him "It's true that I came back defeated from the Grand Line, but even so, I'm still the mighty Don Krieg!" He growled out, taking a step forward. Zeff didn't flinch whatsoever, "That dark sea which sends weak men to their knees… I had the power! I had the ambition! I had the manpower!" He ranted, "I only lacked information! It was my only flaw! That is why I'll take that logbook from you! Once I have it, I'll reassemble my crew and conquer the Grand Line! I'll find One Piece and become the Pirate King!" At that… Luffy lost it. She fell into fit of giggles. Mighty Don Krieg, indeed… If those are the people populating Grand Line it was no wonder that Shanks decided to Nominate little girl in East Blue. At least she had both Monkey genes going for her and a cheat called 'I am a D.'

"You're so pathetic it's almost cute!" Krieg turned to Luffy enraged once again. "Honestly, there's bigger chance that Admiral Akainu would get the Throne than you." The ones that have already seen, or felt what she could do and the ones that did at least hear about Akainu's hatred for all things not-absolutely-just smirked at that announcement. Others… namely no-name cooks on the Baratie, Sanji and poor Krieg Pirate… Gin, right? Looked on in horrifying disbelief.

"I'll let that comment slide, you dumb brat." Krieg announced after short measuring of the loose posture of the only D on board. Not like she had a habit of introducing herself as such. She knew what Government did to Ds they couldn't break.

"Of course you will." Luffy's voice was an art of condescension if she could say so herself. After all the… well 'man' of his caliber needed his toys to find the balls to do anything "Your guns are empty." Observation is such a useful skill. "And it doesn't look like you're man enough to fight without your little toys."

"Careful, Luffy" Zoro grinned, his voice just loud enough to carry in the restaurant. "They pay less for dead bounties" Well, true. And no money is too much money for when they'll need to stock their new, pretty Carrack.

"That's your crew? Three kids? Don't make me laugh." Krieg laughed, discarding earlier wariness.

"Does it matter how many?" She was pretty sure that Zoro could match Krieg by then and Kuro and Usopp should have pretty easy time dealing with that 'powerful crew' of his. Especially since Krieg didn't strike her as someone who'd take one for the team and feed the crew first. "I have a meeting in here sometime later. You try to disrupt it? You're going down." Probably by Shishou's hand since he was still faster, but still…

"DON'T FUCK WITH ME YOU LITTLE SLUT!" Krieg finally bellowed, his anger back in record time. "MY ENTIRE CREW OF FIVE THOUSAND MEN WERE WIPED OUT ON THAT HELLISH SEA! ALL BECAUSE WE LAC-"

"What does it matter if you had five thousand men?" Kuro commented in cold amusement of someone who already seen hundred men being taken out by three teenagers, forcing him to swallow his tongue in shock. Luffy raised an eyebrow at the different road their… 'conversation' took but decided to roll with it. "You could have had five million men and it wouldn't have made a difference if they were all weaklings." The room watched in stunned silence as Krieg turned purple in rage.

"Five thousand and all you have left are one hundred. They had to be terribly weak. Of course, with someone like that for a Captain, it's a miracle you even have a hundred left." She commented idly, checking her nails in that gesture she caught from Makino.

"YOU LITTLE SLUT!" Krieg screamed as he pulled out a gun, forgetting that it was empty, "WE'LL SEE HOW MUCH OF A BITCH YOU CAN BE WHEN I HAVE YOU SCREAMING UNDER ME!" Why… Oh why did those kinds of creatures always went straight to rape threats? And why on the Seas he thought that'd cow her rather than enrage?

And while normally she was fast… She was just angry enough to try to go for even faster.

Not a single person in The Baratie other than Zeff saw what happened next. One moment Krieg was pulling the trigger on his empty gun, and the next he was flying out the door with the front section of his armor dented in and broken in some places, leaving only drops of blood on the floor, from where the armour shards broken through the skin and not just bones. He flew backwards, breaking the railing and continuing into his flagship. The impact was so hard that the entire massive Galleon rocked back, sailing backwards and almost capsizing entirely. Before it settled down and drifted back to where it had been moored, one of its anchor snapped entirely and the chain dropped to the ocean floor, never to be brought back up.

"Fast." Zeff looked vaguely impressed as Luffy easing from the 'proper position to send enemy flying and still be alive to take another round of a beating' that Arlong taught her few years back, when she proved to have enough of both speed and strength to not leave herself opened for an attack. The boys of what will be known as Strawhat Crew had massive scowls on their faces. The rest of the cooks, this time including their Sous Chef, as well as Gin himself were looking shocked between where Luffy stood not even a second before and where she stood gaping in shock.

If that wasn't showing the difference between strong and strong, then she didn't know what was.

"Oops…" Luffy affected surprise and pouted in mock innocence turning to 'her boys' "Have I put too much strength?"

"Afraid so" Kuro has somehow managed to keep bland tone of voice even if his smirk clearly said exactly what he thought about that picture.

Luffy smirked back at him and grabbed the bag of food, hefted it with ease and walked with it towards Krieg's galleon. She moved slowly towards the ship, to let him crawl out of whatever hole his pride stuck him into. So when she already arrived on the deck of the galleon, Krieg was… well maybe not standing but at least no longer laying on the deck, his breathing hard and laboured, his armor dented and even shattered in the place Luffy's hand met it… So much for being unbreakable.

"Feed your crew, asshole!" She put the bag down and smirked at the growling pirate. "It'll be more fun to crush you at your best." Fuck not interfering! If the fucker was going to threaten to rape another being (who was she trying to fool, he obviously was willing to make his threats reality), then she was going to defeat his little crew and crush the moron under her feet. Hell… she'd do it even without incentive of a reward on his head.

…

She was not going to walk theatrically back inside, rather she employed her speed again to appeared back next to her Crew. It was… nice to be able to move like that, lately despite the fights they got in, it seemed like all she was doing was limiting her own power as to not stunt the growth of her Crew or training in as non-destructive way as was possible.

And while she was greeted with smirks (more or less bloodthirsty) and maybe some badly hidden awe (poor Usopp still wasn't used to what soon will be considered normal strength level by him as well) by her Crew, reaction by the rest of the room were quite different.

Zeff was looking at her in something as close to approval as he could with her still withholding information about her chosen path. Sanji, who she still hoped would be willing to go with them was looking both approving and like he was holding a bit of a grudge… He probably wanted to be the one to land the first actual blow at the fucker. The cooks were mostly looking like they were seeing ghost, which… understandable, she knew she was fast. Gin, the pirate that led Krieg to them, on the other hand looked almost like he wanted to attack her for hitting his Captain but knew better than to do that. Rather, he ground his teeth and bowed to the blond Sous Chef.

"I'm so sorry Sanji! I never intended this! I had no idea this would happen!" He looked close to tears.

"There's no need to apologize, kid." Zeff said softly "Every cook on this ship did what they thought was right."

"OWNER ZEFF!" One of the cooks yelled enraged "How could you side with Sanji! What's the meaning of this! It's his fault we're going to be attacked!" He turned to Sanji and started screaming in his face, "Was this your plan all along Sanji?! Was this how you wanted to become the Head Chef?! Or have you just completely lost your sense! Huh? Which is it?"

"SHUT UP YOU STUPID EGGPLANTS!" Before that chef managed to say something even more obviously stupid, Zeff yelled out in a whip-like voice. The cooks who were looking ready to join the one ripping into Sanji cringed as one, looking wide-eyed at Zeff. Sanji's head dipped, his face shadowed before the light of a match illuminated his face momentarily, "Do ANY of you know what it feels like to starve? Do any of you know what it feels like to be so hungry you beg for death?!" They all looked at him, lost and shocked, "Not one of you numbskulls know how terrifying and painful it is to be lost at sea with no food and water! The difference between you and Sanji is that he knows!" The cooks turned to an uncaring Sanji, shock plain in their gazes. Zeff scoffed "There's no use crying over spilt milk. If you want to leave, there's the door."

"I'm stayin right here. I couldn't live with myself if I left without a fight." Patty said announced, gripping his weapon in determination…

That caused the rest of them to throw their lot into that as well.

"Same here. I live and work in this place. Ain't nowhere for me to go."

"Yeah! We'll defend the restaurant!"

"What are you all doing?!" Gin yelled at that hysterically "Haven't you all realized how strong Don Krieg is already? You're all going to die!"

"I told you, didn't I?" Sanji stared at Gin blandly "As a cook, my duty is to feed starving people. The ones coming to attack will all be fed." He announced flatly "So you better not complain when I kill them." His face was dark and shadowed "If someone's coming to steal this ship, then I'll kill them myself… even if that someone is you. Got that?" That's the spirit!

"Hmph." Patty grunted, slinging his giant fork onto his shoulder "You save em only to kill em afterwards? What a guy."

"Shut up, shitty cook." Sanji said.

"Hey Gin!" Luffy called out wanting to confirm her suspicions. "You guys have been on the Grand Line, right?"

Called out pirate cringed, going back to holding his head.

"Seven days… for seven days we sailed aimlessly." Who the hell goes to Grand Line without a Log Pose? "I still don't know if I was actually awake for any of it or if it was just one giant nightmare. Then on the seventh day he appeared." Oh?

"He?" Sanji looked curious.

"To think the entire fifty-ship Krieg Fleet… it was ALL sunk by one man!" That got most of the ship to recoil in shock. The future StrawHats on the other hand… well Luffy was downright hopeful.

"Impossible!" Sanji and Patty looked completely terrified of the thought. "The entire fleet was crushed by one man?!" Even Zoro looked unsettled at the idea of that level of strength.

"While we still had no idea what was going on," Gin continued like in a trance "he started sinking our ships one by one! If it wasn't for a freak storm that picked up our ship and hauled it away, even the Flagship of the Krieg Fleet would have been sunk! I have no idea if anyone else got away!"

"Man, you guys have some terrible luck." Luffy whistled impressed, her suspicions almost completely cemented by then… He Shishou was near! Gin whirled around to stare at her with dumbfounded expression, as in surprised she was taking it so lightly. "So, who'd you run into? I can think of a few guys who could do that… Grandpapa maybe…" She shivered theatrically (or not so theatrically) and enjoyed the way, the rest cringed.

"Grandpapa?" Even Zeff looked unsettled at that. "Who's your grandpa, kid?"

"Garp." Kuro announced flatly, and even Zeff choked, "Yes, that Garp." He smirked meanly at the shocked face of the people around them.

"I don't know his name…" Gin shook his head, continuing his story in misery "but he was the most terrifying man I've ever come across!" He closed his eyes "I see him still, with his terrifying gaze! I want it to go away! I don't want to think about that 'Hawk-Eyed' man anymore!" Ha! Called it!

Zoro stiffened but after quick look settled down and didn't do something stupid, like declaring he's going to fight Mihawk, or something like that.

"Then it was his work for sure." Zeff crossed his arms "Simply calling him 'Hawk-Eyed' is no proof that it was him… but his handiwork proves it for you. The fact that he sunk your entire fleet is proof enough!"

"Who is he?" Usopp asked curiously. Even though he knew they were meeting with Mihawk in there… What the hell?

"Hawk-Eyes Mihawk." Zero stated seriously "The man I've been looking for all this time."

"Eh? Hawk-Eyes?" One of the cooks said with a laugh "Don't know nothing about no 'Hawk-Eyes,' but that reminds me of good old Red-Eyes. He came here often, and got so drunk his eyes went completely bloodshot. Then he went and caught himself on fire and died. Man, those flames were something else."

"So, why did he attack you?" Sanji asked, completely ignoring the slightly hysterical laughter of some of his colleagues. "Did he bear you some grudge?"

Luffy couldn't help but snort at that… As if Mihawk would even care to know who he was cutting down. Though… He was keeping watch on stronger Crews in East Blue since starting to tutor her, so maybe?

"No!" Gin yelled hoarsely "He attacked out of nowhere, for no reason!"

"Perhaps you disturbed his afternoon nap?" Zeff mused aloud. And yeah… That man knew his Shichibukai.

"THAT'S BULLSHIT!" Gin roared "He destroyed our entire fleet for that?!" Yup, that's a Grand Line baby~

"That's the kind of place the Grand Line is." Zeff snorted, his thoughts clearly going back to the 'good, old days' lane. "Besides, it was just an example. No need to get all irritated."

"We're going to have so much fun there" Luffy grinned toothily, focusing her attention on the boys.

"Could you at least pretend to be scared like the rest of us!" Usopp's complains were predictably ignored, bar her pointed look of disbelief. She has told him about her goal. And he went with them anyway.

"Looks like I made the right decision, huh?" Zoro grinned in the same wild way he has on that plaza they met for the first time. All wildness and bloodlust and teeth. "My own goals lie in the path of yours."

"Bunch of idiots." Sanji turned his face away from them and deadpanned "You're the type to rush to your deaths."

Where's the fun in living safely?

"True." Zoro agreed easily "But leave out the 'idiot' part." He cast his gaze to the blonde chef "Ever since I decided I would become the Greatest Swordsman in the World, I cast away any attachment to life. The only one who can call me an idiot is me."

"Ditto" Luffy agreed with a smile. She will become The King. Or die trying.

"It's hard to stay in one place"

"As a man, I must say the same." Usopp crossed his eyes, which was meant with dubious looks from those who already knew what kind of 'courage' the sniper possesed. And even a pommel of Zoro's katana against his head for what was a clear lie.

Zeff finally had an expression on his face other than seriousness. He was smirking broadly, looking at the small crew.

…

The calm didn't last long though. Previously steadily raising noise of eating and then preparing for the fight pirates has finally risen to the level audible even for those without Haki-in-training or sensitive Zoan ears. That couldn't be said about steadily getting closer powerful, but oh so dear Presence.

He was almost there.

"Brace yourselves! I can hear them coming!" One of the cooks yelled out which caused the rest of them to face the door in grim determination.

But they didn't come.

There was a… wave of pressure that caused Luffy to grin wildly and Zeff to stiffen up with shocked expression.

Seconds later, they've seen how the massive Galleon split into three pieces. The sea surged and roiled as water started rushing into the breached hull. The cuts were absolutely perfect. Not a splinter was visible.

"DON KRIEG! OUR SHIP'S BEEN CUT!"

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN IT'S BEEN CUT? HOW DOES A HUGE GALLEON GET CUT?!"

The Baratie shook and rode the waves caused by the massive ship starting to sink. And this time, there was not a single eye in the restaurant that wasn't wide open

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"

"HOIST THE ANCHOR!" Zeff roared in panic. No doubt knowing exactly what would happen to the ships in those situation.

"The Dreamer!"

"On it!" Kuro jumped back to unmoor their boat. From the triumph in his Presence Luffy would say he did it.

Zoro walked forward as if in a trance, as the ship settled down. Luffy following his unsteady steps with a smirk, her Haki finally catching and settling on the beloved Presence. Shishou.

"That… that man!" Zeff almost whispered at the sight of Mihawk sailing calmly on that crime against good taste that was his raft.

"IT'S HIM! DON KRIEG! IT'S THE MAN WHO SUNK OUR SHIPS! HE FOLLOWED US ALL THE WAY HERE! HE'S COME TO KILL US ALL!"

Krieg's crew was screaming in terror, but Luffy… She just let out a breathless, little laugh at the terrorised faces of people around her. Personally, she always found the so very gothic, 'I'm scary, fear me' style that Mihawk favoured ridiculous. But then, she knew that he'd never harm her. He liked her.

"Th-that's the one who sunk Krieg's fleet?" Patty blinked owlishly, "But he looks completely normal. He doesn't even have a special weapon."

"Idiots." Zoro breathed out moving as if to take a step forward before hesitating and looking at Luffy… Who was looking back with a mocking, little smirk.

"His weapon is on his back." Zeff took Zoro's clue and informed the ones who doubted.

"What?!" The cook with sunglasses yelled "He cut that huge ship with that tiny sword?!"

"That man is a renowned swordsman… more renowned than any other…" Zeff replied seriously, for the first time looking like he was actually worried for his ship. Even when his name was still carried by the Sea, Mihawk was in completely different league, one leg down and after ten years of peaceful existence in East Blue? Mihawk's student had no doubt he'd be flatter than a pancake.

"The greatest swordsman in the entire world." Zoro grinned "Dracule Mihawk!"

"Damn you… what did we ever do to you!" One of the terrified Krieg Pirates was trembling "WHY THE HELL DID YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW US HERE?!"

"Your vanguard interrupted my nap." Mihawk explained expressionless.

"THAT'S BULLSHIT!" The same pirate snarled in rage, pulled out his pistols and started unloading in Mihawk's direction.

Shishou just lazily raised his hand and pulled Yoru off his back. He directed it towards the man, and the bullets danced around it, changing directions completely and disappearing into the distance. It takes a lot of time and a lot of bullet holes to learn that kind of control. She remembered that part of her training with a small shudder… Even if Shishou, no doubt as to not bring Shanks' wrath onto his head used rubber bullet at the start.

"He deflected it." Zoro looked like he was seriously considering trying to beg off a spar or something, but… Then he looked at the rest of the crew and visibly shook it off after catching the eye of the one he swore to. No matter. The capsized Galleon had actually formed a decent platform for them to stand on, and Zoro still had moved there with an awed grin. Was he going to fangirl? "He changed their trajectory with the very tip of his blade. No matter how many times you shoot, the results won't be any different." He eyed Mihawk with anticipation, even as the Krieg Pirates freaked out at his presence beside them "I've never see such graceful movements."

"Oi!" Luffy called out with mock outrage. She deflected the bullets too! And she was damn graceful when doing that, thank you very much.

Mihawk eyed him with some idle curiosity, noticing the two crappy blades next to the one good blade on his hip

"A sword without grace is nothing but an iron bar." Ugh… was he going to treat to all those fortune-cookie like sayings made for swordsmen? Whyyy?

"Did you cut this ship with that blade as well?" Zoro was grinning as he pointedly glanced towards the cuts on the galleon.

"Indeed."

"Then it's true… you really are the greatest in the world…" Zoro had his hand on Wado. "I set sail to meet you!"

"And what is your goal?" Mihawk's face even normally was set in an unimpressed frown, but in the face of Zoro's eagerness? Well…

"To surpass you!" The greenet was grinning madly, but just before Luffy was going to facepalm and do something about him trying to fucking challenge World' Greatest Swordsman, he took a deep breath, stole another look at the deep wounds in galleon and announced. "One day I will take that title from you!"

Mihawk's eyes closed for the briefest of moments before his lips twitched in what would be a smirk on a non-broody person and then he vanished. Too fast for Luffy to follow or even process anything more than 'starting point, ending point' of his movement. He appeared – this time standing – in front of Zoro

"You'll 'take my title' little bunny?" He said harshly, looking at the younger swordsman like a hawk watches its prey. "If you are a competent swordsman, then you know the difference between us, yet you say you'll not only match but surpass me? You lack claws for that boy" Then he did something. It was not a Conqueror but… Mihawk flared his Presence and somehow poured his superiority and power into the flare.

Luffy wanted to learn that trick.

Seriously…

Most of those around her took more or less unconscious step back. The only reason she was not one of those, (even if mostly to have better standing should she defend,) was he utter assurance that her Shishou would not hurt her. That she was still under his protection. For however long it'd take for him to officially gift her the blade.

Zoro… stood in the face of that superiority unmoved.

"Neither." Zoro said "My ambition fuels me, and my promise to my departed friend." But for all the pretty talk he thankfully didn't draw.

Mihawk was still watching him. But after few more tension fraught moments he visibly dismissed the weaker swordsman and turned towards his student.

"That is supposed to be your 'promising swordsman' Luffy? I believed you to have better judgement"

"My judgement is just fine Shishou." Luffy came up to the railing and pouted at him. "He's just a bit hotheaded." Tiny, little 'bit'.

From the way black eyebrow went up in the sign of utter disbelief, she was not as convincing as she'd like.

"There are people that are too stupid to live" Mihawk pointed out and… well, he did his part of eliminating those people from the gene pool.

"Shishou." Luffy pouted harder and put on an illusion of her eyes getting watery (unfortunately she still didn't learn how to make herself cry on command, even when tears were such an excellent weapon against all those hardened men). "At least wait 'till my Swordsman reached his potential before trying to cut him down"

"Trying?" From the way Mihawk almost spat the word… he didn't appreciate her doubts in his strength and manliness and what-else… but then…

"He's mine." She discarded any pretense of threatening to cry - from her Shishou's flat look at the illusion, it wasn't working anyway and smiled viciously. "He will be the best." With or without his agreement. "And this one? I won't even need to drag him there" Zoro will climb up there by himself and drag her if she'd decide try to be lazy.

"Hmm…" The World's Greatest Swordsman looked at Zoro critically and dismissed him entirely. Of course he didn't do something as un-dignified as shrugging, though the intent was clear. "Well he's not the worst of those who tried to dethrone me"

"And I haven't dragged him through the Grand Line yet" Her swordsman is fuckin talented, alright? She'll argue with anyone saying differently.

Since there were almost no people who knew her better than her own Shishou, he smirked but let go of the issue.

"Kukuku… I have something for you, Little One" She still qualified to be called such? It was… She really enjoyed being called such by 'big, bad Mihawk'. Especially as the Fuusha knew Shichibukai as someone willing to help when various bandit menaces got too close to their village. At least 'till Luffy was strong enough to deal with them by herself. Neither of her 'brothers' cared about village people enough to help them. Which… was clearly a theme for Pirates. Theme she truly didn't like and had no intention of giving in…

With some creative jumping around Mihawk settled his raft a bit closer to the restaurant and passed three different swords to her. She grabbed all three of them revelently and put them down to think a little.

The three were as different as it was possible.

There was classic katana with truly beautiful curve and stark but no less pretty handle. But… While she knew how to fight with katana, that has never been her favoured blade.

There was a rapier with intricately decorated guard and wickedly looking blade. Quick, graceful, deadly… Beautiful. And it wouldn't even be fighting style so very different from her knives. She'd need to be just as quick on her feet to dance around any opponent she'd have and deal out the death by thousand cuts…

But then there was also the third of the swords. The claymore was easily the biggest and most attention catching among the others. The blade itself was easily almost of her height and the two-handed hilt just added to the length and so the reach of the weapon. Simple blade had no visible decorations but the handle had little skulls on the guard…

Luffy was in love.

And not just because of the faces the people would make at seeing her with that specific sword. She was not a big woman after all.

"I believe rapier would be the best to your style of fighting, but with that stubbornness of yours, I could see why you'd go for claymore Luffy" Mihawk sighed, proving that he did know her… Luffy would bet that if he'd be any less dignified, he'd be pinching bridge of his nose, he sounded so exasperated.

She stifled a giggle.

"Using a rapier would be like using daggers for me. Quick, shallow cuts. Just from greater distance." Luffy justified her still unvoiced choice with a shrug. "And while it's true that it would be familiar style I'd still be screwed if someone would be simply faster. Especially if I'd pigeonhole myself as a speed fighter." That she was probably the fastest in East Blue had no meaning in the actually dangerous Seas. "Katana would be simply boring. Sorry Shishou, I know you like them." She quickly added somewhat sheepishly. For all that Yoru was… fancy, she was still technically a katana "And while I will never be real powerfighter if I could get nice speed with claymore, it'd be pretty deadly" And with a bit of trickery and some serious powerboost she might be even able to stand her ground out there.

One day.

Okay, no… She will stand her ground against Yonko. She will be that powerful.

"So it would." Mihawk sighed again, undoubtedly seeing all the pitfalls she overlooked, but he did not veto her choice. Soo… It had to make sense. "You know how to strap it."

"I do" With a bit of luckily practiced movements she got into prepared harness (so similar to the one Mihawk had. Practically invisible and not working against a coat. Was he marking her?) and made few stretches to make sure her movements were not impeded by a long blade squarely in the middle of her back.

"It's called Todoroki." Mihawk announced softly, quickly checking that Todoroki's hilt was in proper position behind her head. One she wouldn't thump herself with… Roar, huh? Luffy carefully poked Roar's Presence and smiled just as softly at the feel of her sword reacting to her. Even if what she did notice from the Presence was an unmistakable challenge. "I had it made by the same blacksmith that made Yoru. Take good care of that blade."

He…

Oh…

Luffy swallowed the sudden need to hug her Master. And with it all the emotions that rose at that new knowledge.

"Thank you shishou" She murmured executing excruciatingly proper bow that Mihawk had tried (and failed) to beat into her for so long. From the proud glint and the smile playing on his lips, her feelings were received and appreciated for what they were.

"Wish to try it out?" He suggested idly, tilting his head a bit to Krieg's galleon in indication of their sparring platform. Luffy nodded with a smile and jumped onto the platform. Even she knew she needed that lesson in humility before sailing straight into danger.

"Oi! I was talking to you! Pay attention!" Zoro protested half-heartedly, just to get another of those infuriating smirks of Mihawk's…

Luffy had great experience with gnashing her teeth at those.

"Come back when you'll learn how to actually cut things Little Rabbit"

"Don't be cruel to my swordsman, Shishou" She protested more or less seriously at the sight of Zoro's hand going slowly towards the hilts of his katanas.

"Get a real swordsman then." This time there was easily discerned flicker of amusement in usually so dispassionate gold eyes "Take your stance, we'll start slowly. First kata."

"Humpf… He will take your title" The Nominee smiled sweetly and obediently started moving her body in the rhythm of the absolutely basic kata, meant to allow it's user to familiarise themselves with the sword in their hand.

"When the age will do what you couldn't and make me gray?"

"He can do it, Shishou" She twisted her body just enough to be able to meet his keen gaze. Yes, Zoro has been a big fish in small pond, but with such potential… Even without additional Haki lessons she knew, she could take him to swim in the sharks of Grand Line and bet on him surviving… With the early Haki access?

He will get up there.

If anyone could do it, Roronoa Zoro was it.

Her faith had to be found and acknowledged for what it was, for Mihawk slowly reached for Yoru's hilt and made a small circle with the tip of the blade, to indicate that he'll be the one to attack.

The Monkey quickly coated Todoroki in blackness of her Armament and fell into defensive pose… Which she had to modify on the fly to account for much longer blade that she was used to.

Wry smirk of her teacher has been the one and only warning before she had to start defending herself.

Even with Mihawk taking it easy and going at half of their usual speed, the new, long and most importantly heavy blade assured that every move Luffy did make, has been as careful as possible. It would be the worst possible time to get any bad habits…

Even if the hawk-like gaze of her Shishou made sure it would be caught and immediately (and quite possible painfully) corrected.

For all that Mihawk cared for her, it was not the kind of care that would make him teach her with any kind of gentleness. His job was to make sure she'll survive the 'fool's quest'.And Luffy earned many bruises on her way to competency.

…

After few minutes of just getting to know new weapon, Luffy moved into offensive and raised her speed a notch, to signalise that she was feeling fairly sure with her new weapon. And Todoroki proved its' name to be more than just fitting. The moment she started to be the aggressor in their spar, the blade started egging her on… Insisting to be allowed to cut. Easing into familiar rytm of fighting against her Shishou, while trying to temper the big blade's… enthusiasm was not an easy thing to do. Even if the entire struggle has been happening on the mental 'plane' and physically she was able to swing the big weapon without apparent problems.

Slowly, carefully they were getting up more and more speed, jumping around the big galeon, scaring the breath out of Krieg's pirates they were dancing around… Swinging, blocking and twisting around the blows, with black blades and additional layer of Haki coating over Luffy's body, just to make sure she would not get accidentally cut in what could be just barely called a 'training exercise' between the two.

(For all that she knew that Shishou was the best, even Luffy had to admit that she was at the level most of his 'contenders' were. No matter how good Mihawk was, he had to take her at least semi-seriously. And that would be enough to shorten her a bit.)

Getting faster… and faster… some time into their spar both of them become just a blur for all but Zeff's eyes.

…

Suddenly there was a proud smile at her Shishou's face and the block that has been used as a 'stop' signal between them since what felt like forever.

"Satisfactory." He murmured and disengaged from their swing/block pose, which was all she needed to relax and check over both her clothing and the weapon as well. "You did not stop your training and you managed to customise katas I taught you to your new weapon. you still need to work on your focus, speed and strength to be what you need to be, but you'll do well in the Paradise."

That… That was so like him… At one hand how hard she worked… at the other - how far she still had to go.

She made sure to put in her smile all the understanding of the advice; the gratefulness for the time he spent, making sure she'll survive; the pride of getting praise from World's Greatest Swordsman; all the surety of her path… Then she bowed again.

"Hai, shishou"

Then there was just another twitch of his lips in his version of the proud smile while in public, mad scramble to catch the log pose (with suspiciously wriggly papery bottom) thrown at her and Mihawk turning his back to her as her teacher that one last time…

And the noise of a pistol shooting at her teacher.

Yoru's blade cutting through the bullet…

Todoroki drawing its' first blood by going straight through already shattered body armor and cutting deep enough to incapacitate and shallow enough to let him live still… (Zoro was unfortunately right, his head was worth more attached to the alive body.)

Soft snarl of an angry fox, adjusted posture… And two males bracketing her.

Soft snick of unsheathed weapons… And the glint of the sun meeting fourteen blades.

One of the Krieg pirates taking step towards them… And a pachinko ball hitting straight in his face.

…

Quiet chuckle and theatrical disappearance of the Dracule Mihawk.

The chaos of the fight… And the distinct noise of boot meeting flesh.

The noise of the gunshots, and the soft clink of the bullets being split by the Todoroki's blade.

Soft thuds of falling bodies.

The iron smell of blood, winning with the salty air of the ocean…

The joyous, hungry Presences of Zoro and Kuro cutting through the ones who'd dare to raise their hands on the order of such a lowlife like Krieg.

The scared but determined Presence of her Sniper…

The determined Presence of the one who showed mercy to the hungry… Even with the mess it led to.

The lost Presence of the one who had their worldview shattered that day.

The battle was short but brutal enough. Especially when one of the Krieg's tried to set himself on fire and had to be dunked deep in the ocean.

…

Soon there was just a smell of blood, whimpers of the wounded, harsh breaths of those with lower stamina and the sounds of seagulls hoping for easy meal.

Only once there was no more signs of danger for any of hers, did Luffy take stock of the rest of the 'battlefield'.

The galleon was in even worse shape that it was. Most of the Krieg pirates were laying on the deck with different amount and seriousness of wounds, the ones that were not too wounded, were ambitious enough to try and swim away from the Baratie (some even managed to get to the boat or two). There were no injuries on her crew, though Usopp was looking a bit unsteady and Zoro's shirt was ruined again. (What a surprise…)

What was interesting was the somewhat wistful look Sanji was spouting as well as a lost one the one called Gin had. Before she could meddle a bit though, Kuro was standing next to her.

"Do you wish for 'alive' bounty of his? Or are we carting around just his head?" Her Strategist asked dispassionately and cocked his head to indicate the pathetically wheezing pirate captain on the deck.

Here Luffy had to think about the situation.

They had no space on the Dreamer to be able to drag a captive with them and yet… They'd lose at least few millions on separating the head from the body. And the fucker deserved to suffer… (That was just a sidenote thought.)

"We could swing back to Dras Leona with that" Zoro suggested as if he was reading her mind… And if not for the surety that Buggy got out of the city already she'd be seriously tempted to do so. As it was though?

"Does Syros have an bounty exchange office?" If there was one there, that'd be ideal, but if not? Well, she certainly would not feel guilty for killing the damn bastard.

"Yes." To her surprise it was Sanji that answered her question. When she turned towards him and cocked her head in wordless demand, the blonde smirked and bowed his head a bit. "Whenever one of the bountied pirates makes trouble here, that's where we're taking them, oh lovely one." Aaand the flirtation was back. (Oh well, at least he bounces back quickly). She did a sweep of his form after waving to Kuro that yes, they were taking Krieg in alive and delegating him to making sure he'll survive the transport… Sanji was looking… A bit roughtened up. And yet, he was glowing with the exhilaration of the fight.

"You're sure you don't wish for alternative type of employment? I'm certain that today's defense paid off any debt you had" She smiled invitingly at him. No flirting, no cocqetism, no nothing… Just honest invitation and the 'this is who I am' air around her.

"As a bounty hunter?" The Chef challenged her, looking at the way her crewmember was both bandaging Krieg's injury and tying him up, so that there'd be no escape attempts.

"Hmm…" She hummed noncommittally, swept her eyes of those present and shrugged. They were pirates, ex-pirates, and pirate apprentices surrounding her anyway. "I was more thinking around something along the line of 'Chef of the Pirate King', but if you wish to be a hunter…"

Sanji was looking at her seriously, the one eye that was not hidden beneath the blonde fringe showing all the consideration he was giving to that decision.

"Pirate King? Are you serious girl?" The big-mouthed cook - Patty chortled in surprised glee. "Little girls should stay in the place they're protected and not trying to get into the Pirate's graveyard!"

…

For fuck's sake…

…

He has just seen her cut down the guy who was not harmed by his 'very special' gun and now he…

She hated such wilful blindness.

"Some of us have the means to achieve their dreams." Luffy murmured to the still pondering blonde and raised the Hat a bit. Then… she turned to the blind moron and looked pointedly at their relative position "Others… Will forever hide behind the strong"

"The dream?" Sanji asked sharply "Is that, what it is?"

"A goal." Luffy corrected herself with a smile "Dream is something one does not reach for. Goal is something worth dying for" She believed in that wholeheartedly. After all her goal has been decided so long ago… "Do you have one?" She asked softly…

Careful… Careful…

Think innocent… think harmless...

"I do" The blonde smirked at her and rose up to join his colleagues.

"If you have one, then what the fuck are you still doing here, little eggplant?" Zeff asked gruffly immediately after that. The blonde stopped and leveled his mentor with the same look, Luffy was recipient of earlier.

"My place is here" He spoke plainly and moved again.

"No. It's not" Old pirate's voice cut through everything… And from the look of it, Sanji's heart was included in that. "The brat that I first met, had a dream. A goal. And you?"

"My debt to you-" The blonde started…

"Is long paid" ...And got cut off immediately. "What was your goal, eggplant?"

"Is." Sanji corrected, squaring his shoulders "I will find the All Blue" He declared and Luffy smiled. She knew that voice.

It was the voice she was using for her Declaration since she met Shanks.

It was the voice of starved swordsman telling her his life ambition.

It was the voice Kuro used after he finally found the pirate in himself again.

It was the voice Usopp used when he spoke about achieving courage…

It was the voice Arlong used when he was talking setting her up there.

It was the voice of someone with a Dream.

"Then what are you waiting for? Go and find it" Zeff waved his hand around in obvious dismissal. Usopp opened his mouth as if to say something, but Luffy sharply gestured him to be quiet. Zeff's words and gesture maybe were giving the uncaring air, but his Haki Presence? That was revealing completely different tale.

It was the Presence Makino had every time she tried to teach Luffy another skill that would be needed on a ship. It was the Presence Shanks had when he was teaching her how to wield weapon. When he gave her The Fruit. It was the Presence of a parent trying to help their child make a decision that was the best for them.

Sanji stood for a while in silence, looking at the Zeff with narrowed eyes before he chuckled. Though with no real humor behind the sound.

"I see" He muttered, lighting up another smoke.

"Do you? Get out."

"You want to get rid of me, because you think they'll need a chef" Sanji accused flatly.

"I know they'll need a chef. I also know that they're also chasing fool's dreams" Zeff harrumphed, crossing his arms and visibly digging his heels… Men…

Luffy sighed and gestured for Usopp to bring the rope they'll need to make Krieg similar harness as the one she used to tow that small-time pirate to the Shell's Town. Let the idiots resolve that between them… Maybe with a little meddling…

"What he knows and for whatever reason cannot verbalise is that staying here is a waste of your potential." She said scathingly, because the fact that the blonde didn't know that already? That was a damned crime! The only Devil Fruit user on site took a deep breath, to keep down a growl trying to get free and continued after calming down. Softly. "And that I would be honored to be able to call you a Nakama one day" She would. Calling a man who was that loyal, a Nakama would be a delight.

…

However the rest of discussion between Zeff and Sanji went, Luffy did her best to tune it out…

(Even if she didn't even pretend to herself that she was trying to keep her mental senses to herself. Even if she'd be sure that Red-Leg Zeff would not turn on her boys and attack, they were on the Ocean. There was no say that Marines or other Crews wouldn't try to visit them.)

…She concentrated on tussling up their newest cash source and setting him up safely (for the crew of course) tied up to the ship. One of the cooks (the bad-mouthing one) even gave them a barrel for them to stuff Krieg into. Such a nice boy he was…

And only then did she turn to the other pirate still being on the deck.

Gin was sitting on the deck, leaning his back against a wall and looking at the happenings with the same shell shocked expression, he had when Krieg turned on Sanji earlier. Luffy smiled bitterly and went to sit next to him.

"You really wanted to believe in your captain, huh?" She asked softly, carefully keeping all things she thought about that so called captain of his under the key. Krieg could be a common scum and still be a good captain to his people… Or he could be just as much of a bastard as she pegged him to be.

"Is it surprising?" Gin snorted bitterly and looked at her cautiously "He wanted me. When no one else did"

Oh? Another 'hard childhood, gangs and then a strong mentor picking him up' story? Those things happen…

And yet…

And yet something was saying that he was important. Or at least he would be. If given the chance to be.

She could give him a chance, alright…

But then… she heard about Krieg's Battle Commander before.

"Did he really want you? Or just the so called demon?" His reputation was pretty terrible, even for a Krieg' pirate. There were tales about how bloodthirsty he was. How much of that was Gin? And how much of that was Krieg and whatever fucked up things he did to Gin?

"I am a demon" Gin muttered with such matter-of-fact voice, it was clear he really believed that… Krieg deserved to be given straight to Akainu.

"Bullshit." She could stop herself. She growled. If there was any sure way to trigger her, the words 'demon', 'devil' or 'devil blood' were a sure way to do so. "You are Gin." She knelt before him and grabbed his face between her hands, to make sure he'd be looking into her eyes. "Person of such loyalty as to get rid of almost every positive emotion and to commit atrocities to keep your captain happy and successful" What could she say? His reputation was really bad.

"Where are you going with it?" He was looking at her suspiciously, making her smile at him softly.

"I'd just be happy if my crew looked after each other"

"Huh?" He twitched and after a second or two of working through entire thing, looked up at her in wonder.

Luffy smiled again and stood up, offering him a hand.

"What do you think? Do you want to become part of my family?"

"I… I do." Stupefied, he reached out and grabbed the offered hand, allowing her to drag him up and straight into a hug.

"Welcome home Child of the Sea" Luffy whispered softly, observing with hopeful eyes the cooks bringing out another boat and tying her to the Dreamer.

Her hope transformed straight into happiness when she's seen Sanji start bringing produce into the second boat.