A/N: This chapter will be the first in a 5 part series about how Luffy met Sanji, Smoker, and the Samurais. This is by far the longest chapter I've written so I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece. Duh.

The crew was still currently headed to the Baratie. The weather was sunny and fair as usually, leading everyone on the Going Merry to hangout on the deck.

Luffy laughing at one of Usopp's stories, Zoro was lifting some serious weight, Johnny and Yosaku were trying (and failing) to lift some serious weight, and Nami was checking the ships direction.

"Then I, the brave Great Usopp, using my mastery over the wind and rain struck down the Great Cthulhu, and brought peace back to the world," finished Usopp, taking a bow from his seated position.

Luffy, who had a huge grin, began clapping and hyping up the sniper until he almost suffocated with pride. Nami couldn't believe her eyes.

"How can someone as smart as you listen to that rubbish," asked the navigator to the cheerful captain.

"What wrong with that? And Usopp's stories aren't rubbish anyway," countered Luffy.

"Whatever," sighed Nami, completely done with this conversation. She headed back to the upper deck.

"Wait!" Luffy grabbed Nami's wrist before she could leave. The thief turned around to see what he wanted.

"Don't you want to hear my story?"

This got Nami interested, considering no one knew barely anything about him. She turned around and sat down to listen. Even Zoro perked at this, wanting to know more about his captain. Johnny and Yosaku read the room and stopped there workout. Luffy had everyone's full attention.

"Ok, I'll tell you guys about the time I first set off to sea at fifthteen."

"What did you do that for," asked Usopp, really interested to hear a true story that might be crazier than his own. Knowing Luffy it would be.

"Ok," said Luffy preparing himself, "it all started with me leaving my island..."

STORY

Luffy had set off from Dawn Island two days ago and was currently reading a book about ninjas. It was almost appropriate, considering why he was out there in the first place.

The fifteen year old had ventured from the small island to find a blacksmith capable of refurbishing and adding sea stone to a legendary sword. His destination was Lougetown. If all went well, it should have taken 2 weeks to get there and 2 weeks back. To bad life doesn't always workout for you.

The teen was dressed in a long sleeve plaid flannel over a simple black t-shirt, black fingerless gloves, dark blue jeans, charcoal combat boots, and a simple straw hat. Knife tucked securely in belt.

Checking his compass for the 5th time, Luffy saw that he was still indeed on course and would most likely stay that way with the gentle currents and what not in the East Blue. The chances of rain were bad, much less a storm of any kind. Yes, the East Blue should have truly been named the Easy Blue.

That being said, the events that follow are quite odd. Not very noticeable at first, the pressure began to change and clouds started to form overhead. It would take another 5 hours for the clouds became full blow thunderheads, more than enough time for a skilled navigator to move out of the storms path. To bad Luffy couldn't read weather patterns as well as a certain orange haired girl, or read weather at all. He might have been able to tell something was wrong but the raven neglected to spread out his observation haki farther than a few feet around the boat.

"Yep, another easy going day on the seas. Almost makes me wish for some action around here."

Luffy took the seastone dagger from his belt and placed the flat of the blade on his cheek. He felt the power immediately start ebbing out of his body. It became harder, if not impossible, to use his limbs. Keeping his tongue from falling out his mouth even became a feat of mighty strength.

Its good to know how weak you can be. Its good to know your not invincible.

It was odd that Luffy was quoting that man, even after all the things that were done to him. Even after he had basically disfigured Luffy's entire lower body to the point it should be covered up from view. Even after the reverse acupuncture that targeted every nerve meant for pain and activated them at once. Guess it was hard to forget good advice, even if it came from a psychopath.

Luffy was snapped out of thought by a wave rocking the boat gently. That wouldnt have been overly strange if it wasn't for the darkening sky and increase in pressure. Still Luffy chalked it up to happenstance. It wasn't until the sun was blotted out that Luffy looked up from his book again and noticed the lack of sky. A huge storm system had rolled in, miles of clouds long and high.

The wind picked up drastically from its usually gentle breeze to full blown hurricane winds. The waves rose 20 feet in the air then would 20 feet below sea level and vise versa. Dark waters began crash into the boat in buckets, nearly capsizing it at every turn. It was all Luffy could do to stay afloat, paddling and leaning with the waves. He grabbed the sheath of his sword and put the strap around his torso so it wouldn't accidentally fly from the vessel.

This is really bad. If I fall into sea it's game over. If only there was a break in the storm, anything! Dammit! My geppo isn't nearly good enough to fly through these winds. My he boat is my best bet.

A particularly large column of water hit the boat directly, causing it to go underwater for five seconds until resurfacing. Luffy leaned overboard and vomited out sea water and bile. It soon became hard to tell if one was above or below the water, the rain was coming down by the sheet, the wind whipped water in every direction, and the waves never stopped.

Luffy gave up rowing and held onto the sides of the boat, squeezing his eyes shut to avoid being blinded by the salt water. Every breath felt like drowning, he began choking and sputtering as if there was no oxygen. On top of not being able to see or breath, being drenched in sea water was starting to weaken him physically to the point he couldn't grip the sides anymore.

The lining in Luffys throat was completely raw, making every swallow a painfully nightmare. Multiple cuts formed on rubbery skin, the high wind speeds had turned the rain to a knife storm of death and tragedy.

The straw hat was most surprised at the fact his boat had not been ripped in half like paper. Deciding to open his eyes and look around, he saw that wouldn't be the case for long. There were maybe 10 gigantic waterspouts in the distance, a literal minefield of whirlpools, and lighting bolts the width of a house. The lighting was so powerful that every strike would cause the ocean to boil in a 100 foot radius. Sea kings were being thrown out the water at the volicity

Did this storm come from the New World?! Ok, I only have one chance to survive this, though its risky.

With a complete lack of options, Luffy climbed into the air tight barrel he had on the boat, surprisingly it had not been washed into the sea yet. Not even a few minutes later, a gigantic 50 foot wave crashed on to the tiny vessel, caving in the wood and crushing the boat to pieces.

The barrel containing our favorite pirate survived the onslaught, floating back to the surface with after 10 seconds of being under the dark waters. Nearing to close to one of the countless waterspouts, the barrel was lifted in the air and thrown 200 feet away into yet another waterspout, it was almost as if they were playing catch. The barrel was thrown high into the air once more, but this time landed in a whirlpool large enough to sink a galleon.

Down into the depths of the sea, down into darkness, the cold suppressing darkness of no escape. Unless your Monkey D. Luffy.

The barrel proceeded to float back up to the surface, bobbing up and down through it all.

THIRTY HOURS LATER.

Sanji POV

It had been one hell of a storm last afternoon. Heck, it almost ripped the entire restaurant to shitty shreds. Good thing they were a couple of miles away from the center of the storm.

Walking on the fins of the fish like ship, Sanji took a rather large draw from his cigarette and looked out into the ocean. It would be a while before anymore customers came. Most would be recovering from the hurricane and wouldn't have time to fine dine. To bad.

The cook was about to go back to the kitchen, until he saw a barrel floating towards the Baratie. Initially he was going to just let it be, it wasn't like a random barrel was a uncommon or anything, especially after a huge strom. But on the other hand there wasn't anything else going so might as well. Who knows, it might have come off a fancy cruise liner and be filled to the brim in sake.

The barrel washed up beside the fins of the Baratie, lightly tapping against it with every wave. Sanji reached down and pulled it up, setting it on the dry deck. It was much heavier than Sanji expected.

It might actually be sake.

Experimenting with the lid, the blond realized that it was going to require a crow bar in get in there. He went to fetch one. Before he could go back inside a loud crash was heard behind him. Turning around, it appeared as if the barrel had sprouted arms and learned how to speak.

"H-help," a voiced called weakly. "Please help."

Sanji ran over to the barrel and lifted a leg above the container. With one stiff kick, the wood splintered and cracked open. Out came a a very sick looking teen, who upon liberation, began puking out his guts on the fins. The cook could only watch on, not exactly knowing how to help.

Accessing the situation, Sanji noted that the teen had a very ripped flannel over a black shirt on, completely torn jeans, charcoal boots, black fingerless gloves, and a straw hat on top of messy black curls. A black sheath adorned his back. There was multiple cuts on the guys face, although that wasn't what concerned the chief.

Because the flannel was so ripped, the raven haired teen's forearms were showing. There were extensive burn marks going down the length of both arms. The scarring was horrendous to say the least. Looking closely, he noticed that the scars where very old though no less terrible. This guy had been through hell at some point in his life.

Panting heavily and grabbing his chest, Luffy looked up his savior. Blond hair, piercing eyes, and a cigarette between his lips. He hoped to god this guy had food.

"Aak!" Luffy started another coughing fit by trying to speak. Water was still very much in his lungs and being a devil fruit user wasn't helping. To be honest, he was surprised to be alive. Still wasn't the worst thing he had been through.

"F-f-food," croaked Luffy.

Hearing that word snapped Sanji out of his mini trance. Of course this guy was hungry! Obviously he was shipwrecked from that storm and had been drifting. Just the thought made the curly brow remember a time when he was shipwrecked too.

Sanji put the ravens left arm around his neck and hauled him up. Walking slowly as to not put to much of a strain on the teen, Sanji led them to the dinning area. When they arrived, Luffy sat down in one of the chairs and Sanji went to the kitchen to whip up some fried rice.

Luffy looked looked around the dinning area, very impressed at the atmosphere. Very...sea like. He hadn't exactly got a good look outside but he was pretty sure this place was floating in the middle of the ocean. Trippy.

A rather large hand landed on Luffys shoulder, jolting him from his thoughts. Looking up he saw a tall man with huge hairy forearms, a rope was tied to his forehead, shaved green hair, and a apron tied to his waist.

"Hey! Are you a paying customer?"

"Um, no-"

"Then you must leave!"

Luffy sighed. Leave and go where? This guy was a buffoon.

"Listen man," began Luffy, now getting very impatient, "I'm not in the mood to fight. Get out of my face."

Patty raised his oversized arms, preparing to hit the teen who had insulted him.

"Paying customers onl-"

He was cut off due to a black shoe connecting with his face. The impact sent him fly across the room into a brick wall.

"Sorry about that sir, here's your food," said Sanji, placing a large bowl of rice, shell fish, carrots, peas, and a glass of water on the side.

"Thank you. Hey, can I get your name?"

"Sanji," replied Sanji, who had sat down opposite to Luffy. "What's yours?"

"Luffy."

Sanji blinked. In that brief moment all the food was gone and the water was drank. His cigarette almost fell from his mouth hanging agape in surprise. He had seen people eat fast before but that was ridiculous.

"Hey Sanji, I appreciate your kindness, but am I really welcomed here," asked Luffy who glanced at Pattys broken form across the room. He really didn't want to be a burden on this guy, especially if it meant Sanji would lose pay or something.

"Its fine man. I can only image being in a shitty barrel through a storm like that. Its amazing you didn't die."

Luffy nodded his head. Still, it felt like he was taking advantage of the cooks kindness. To pay for the food, Luffy asked if he could work around the restaurant until he could hitch a ride to Lougetown with someone. Sanji liked the idea, but told him to ask owner Zeff. The blond pointed Luffy in the direction of Zeffs quarters, wished him luck, and walked back to the kitchen.

Luffy walked up stairs and knocked on Zeffs door. Waiting awhile, he finally got called in to the bedroom. The modest abode was fairly nice. Clean, cozy, and it had the whole 'out at sea' look. Zeff was a large man, suited in a white chief uniform, a blue scarf, very tall chief hat, burgundy pants, a rather long mustache that looked as thick as rope, and brown boots. Well ready it was just one boot, as he only had one actual leg, the right was a peg leg.

"Hello sir," started Luffy, hoping to get on this guys good side off the bat. "I recently got ship wreaked and was hoping to stay at this place until I can get a ride to Lougetown. Of course I plan to work while I'm staying in your company as to not be a burden. Would this arrangement be sufficient for you?"

Zeff liked the guy for some reason. Maybe it was his aura, or his over whelming confidence. Could be the scaring up and down the length of his arms, or the irony in him owning a sword worth more than the restaurant he was in. Whatever it was, he liked the kid.

"Sure kid. You can work for me until you find a ride. I don't want to see you messing though."

Luffy bowed his head and thanked him. Zeff gave him a apron and hat, then sent him off to the kitchen. Luffy walked back down stairs to tell Sanji the good news. Getting into the kitchen, Luffy noticed that there was no cooking to be seen. It wasn't surprising, considering that after the tropical storm, business would be slow for a while. Fine with him.

The first day Sanji gave a brief description about taking orders and the menu. Also, because there was free time after closing, Sanji taught Luffy a little about cooking.

"You have to use all your senses when it comes to cooking," told Sanji as he help Luffy stir the soup that would be tomorrow's special. "To make the prefect dish, you must become the prefect dish."

Luffy scrunched up his face. "That doesn't make any sense Sanji. You can't become a soup. A roast maybe though."

The seasoned cook mentally face palmed. "Just shut up stir."

So stir Luffy did. He kept doing this until Sanji said it was time to let it simmer for the night. The two walked out the kitchen for the night and turned off the lights. Everyone one else had already gone to bed to rest up for the following day. Sanji offered to let Luffy sleep in his room but the straw hat declined.

"Its cool. I never sleep anyway," gave Luffy as his reason.

"Why is that," inquired Sanji, knowing full well it might be to invasive a question. God only knows why someone wouldn't sleep anymore.

"I have night terrors and sleep paralysis. If I were to wake up screaming, I would feel bad about waking everyone."

Of course the cook wanted to ask what brought on these night terrors, but that would cross a line. Although he did guess it had something to do with those scars he saw.

"Ok then, see you tomorrow."

Luffy smiled. "Yea, seeya Sanji."

The next day was a bit more eventful.

The cooks where in the kitchen waiting for customers to come, to bad it looked like another slow day. Some took this opportunity to sharpen their knifes, others pealed potatoes, few even took naps (Zeff made sure to wake them with a kick to the head). They might not have been so board if it wasn't for Luffy.

Last night he had basically steam cleaned the kitchen, washed the table clothes, vacuumed and cleaned the carpet, washed the windows, buffered the fins and all the other wood, refurbished the tables and chairs, washed the dishes, and re-painted. The Baratie was actually in better condition than when it was first made. How Luffy got the paint to dry in one night would remain a mystery.

Because free time was in abundance at the moment, Luffy and Sanji decided to talk a little more in the dinning room over tea."

"So that's why you always give food to people, even if they have not money," stated Luffy, who had just gotten through listening to the story of how Sanji met Zeff.

"Yep, that's how it happened. I still can't understand why that geezer would save a brat like me." Sanji took a drag from his cigarette and looked up, remembering a time long since past.

"I know what it's like to starve."

This brought the cook back to reality in a hurry. He locked eyes with Luffy, silently questioning with his gaze. Didn't appear like Luffy would be giving any answers. So instead of asking that, he went for the safer approach.

"Where did you get that sword."

Luffy cracked a grin. He had yet to take the sheath from his back since coming to the restaurant, except being when he took a shower and put on fresh clothes. Luffy currently had on a yellow dress shirt, solid red tie, black fingerless gloves, black dress pants, a black belt that housed his sea stone dagger, and charcoal boots on. Sanji had been so kind as to lend some of his clothes to Luffy for the time being. The raven responded to this kindness by washing everyone's clothes by hand, somehow only taking 1 hour to do so.

"I stole it."

Sanji raised an eyebrow as he took another drag from the cigarette. One thing was for sure: this guy was super honest.

"In fact," began Luffy, "this sword is the whole reason I went out to sea. I was on my way to Lougetown to find a blacksmith that could add seastone to my blade before that storm wreaked my boat."

"So, are you a criminal or something?"

"Shishishi, ya I guess I am."

Luffy took a swig of his tea and set the cup down, sighing in contentment. Then out of no where a dark look appeared on his face. It wasn't anger or worry, closer to annoyed like remembering a chore that needed to be done.

The next moment the door that led outside was kicked, almost ripping it from the hinges, causing a huge crashing sound drawing the attention of everyone in the building.

"Hi all ye sea cooks! Get the hell out here!"

The one responsible for the door kicking and loud out burst was a rather short stocky man, only reaching 5 foot 5. Ruddy and somewhat smushed face, beet red with sweat all around, a twisted nose, bushy mustache, unkempt sideburns, and wild brown hair that appeared to have never been cut.

He wore a blue and white checkered flannel over nothing, three of the buttons were open, displaying a broad chest full of hair, baggy brown pants that had an assortment of patches, and steel toe boots that appeared to have seen to much battle. The only weapon the man seemed to carry was a rifle that dangled on his side like a sword would.

There was one other person behind him, trying to appear as intimating as possible. One was a gigantic hulking man that easily stood 6'7, who wore a simple blue stripped v neck shirt adorned him, baggy red pants, and floppy old moccasins. He had dark skin and dark hair to match, hair tied in a pony tail. His weapon of choice was a rather large cutlass 5 feet in length, strapped to his back, currently gleaming in the sunlight.

There were others behind these, but they were all useless grunts, totaling thirty-five men all in all. 10 were on the fins of the Baratie, the other twenty-five were still on the ship. All of them were dressed in blue and white shirts of all kind.

The pirate ship was in a painted blue and white checkered, a huge galleon (1/3 the size of Kriegs ship), figurehead shaped like a swordfish, and a stereotypical pirate flag except the the crossbones were rifles.

Everyone in the kitchen came out to inspect the commotion first hand. Some already had knifes and guns ready, knowing that this could only mean trouble.

Luffy, who had yet to move, looked at the man with a board expression and kept drinking his tea. Sanji's eyes darkened, already he knew these people were going to have to be forcibly removed.

"Oi! Bring out yer money and valuables! I'm am Chuck the Rifleman, with a bounty of 15,000,000, challenge me if you please but be prepared to die! And behind me is Swordfish Larry, with a bounty of 5,000,000! Together we are unstoppable!"

Sanji had quite enough of the pirates existence. He readied himself to fight and kill if need be. But before he could act, Zeff walked up and spoke.

"Oi, what do you think you're doing in my restaurant scaring potential customers. We don't have a lot of money at the moment and the money we do is for more food and supplies. As for valuables, you might have better luck at a orphanage. This place isn't a treasure trove so just leave!"

There was silence for a full minute with no one making a sound. The silence was then ripped to shreds by a mini explosion coming from Chucks rifle. The bullet hit Zeff dead center of the chest, knocking the ex pirate 3 feet back into a table.

"ZEEEEEEEFFFFFFFFF!"

All the cooks and Sanji ran to Zeffs side, seeing if he was ok. Most were were already in tears at the sight of the beloved owners injury. A sigh of relief went out when the head chief stirred.

"Get off me you idiots. I'm fine," spoke Zeff trying to sit up.

With the concern for Zeffs health gone, Sanji had fear replaced with burning fury. Turning on the pirates, particularly the captain, he ran at blinding speeds, jumping in the air and preparing to strike with a kick to the throat. When the shoe connected, Sanji thought his leg was going to break in half. Instead of meeting a neck, his foot hit the abdomen of Swordfish Larry, which apparently was made if steel. Larry grabbed Sanji's leg and started swinging him around like a lasso. After thirty seconds of this, he released the blond, sending him flying 40 feet until Sanji hit, and went through, a brick wall leading outside.

Patty, unlike the other cooks, wasn't in a state of shock. The large man leaped into action, clamoring in the cupboard for the meatball of doom. Finally finding the weapon, he turned on the pirates, took aim, and got shot in the chest twice by the Rifleman.

"So," spoke Chuck. "Does anyone else want to try something?"

The cooks were silent. They had always prided themselves on being the cooks who fight, but this was to much even for them. Luffy decided he had seen enough and was about to stand, until he saw Sanji walk through the hole in the wall, smoking a cigarette, suit slightly ripped and dirty.

"Is that all got? Zeff's kicks hurt more than that and I'm not even dead."

Chuck rolled his eyes and fired three shots at the curly brow. To Luffy's surprise, Sanji dodged each bullet and a began sprinting at the gun toting man. Larry once again stood in front of the captain as a human shield, although this didn't stop the young cook. Sanji once again jumped and flew horizontally at the Swordfish Larry, leg outstretched in a flying kick.

"Hehehe, give it your best shot kid," spoke Larry in a very deep voice.

Luffy decide to lend a hand. Right before Sanji's leg connected with Larry, Luffy sprinted forward, moving faster than the eye could see, and body checked Larry, knocking the man out the way. Chucks eyes widened as his body guard was taken out giving Sanji's shoe a perfect path towards his face. The kick broke his nose, left a shoe print, and sent him flying backwards through the doorway and into his own men.

Sanji, who wasn't even close to being done, ran outside to confront the captain again. Going through the doorway, he saw the Swordfish crew on their asses trying to gain their bearings. The captain was not present. The cook turned just in time get hit the the face with a rifle being wielded like a club.

"That'll show you not to mess with men," breathed Chuck through his broken face.

Sanji coughed out some blood and tried to lift himself from the deck, only to be kicked in the ribs. Chuck aimed the barrel at Sanji's head, preparing to blow it off.

"Oi."

The pirate captain turned around to see a young, straw hat wearing boy dragging Swordfish Larry behind him by the hair. Larry had multiple cuts around his body, numbering into the thousands. It appeared as if he had went through a wood chipper.

Luffy lowered his sword, being held in his right hand, towards Larry's throat.

"Let my friend go," commanded Luffy. "Or your buddy gets it." To emphasize his point, Luffy pressed the sword against Larry's throat harder, drawing a drop of blood.

"Ok, ok," Chuck sputtered out, finally complying. He kicked Sanji to where Luffy was standing and Luffy threw Larry over to Chuck. The pirate captain did not drop his guard, as the raven haired teen did not seem to have a scratch on him after going against his first mate.

"Good choice," said Luffy, completely devoid of emotion. The straw hat then raised his sword towards the heavens and brought it down with great force. "Doctors Order!"

A second past. Then another. On the third, Chucks ship, the Sailing Swordfish, split in two. Some who had been on the vessel were unlucky enough to have been cut by the attack. Fingers, arms, foots, legs, and one man was even cut completely in half. The crew members on the Baratie looked on in horror as the ship sank, some being able to swim to the fins, others (those that lost limbs) sank to a watery grave.

"Oh, did I forget to mention? Your not going anywhere." Luffy smiled, but in a twisted, sadistic way, scaring the Swordfish pirates and some of the cooks gathered at the doorway. "Oi," shouted Luffy behind his shoulder, "call the marines and tell them what happened." One of the cooks scrabbled to the back to do just so, the others came to Sanji's side and helped him up.

"You ok Sanji," asked Luffy, genuinely concerned for the man that had become his friend."

Said man was currently lighting another cigarette. "I'm good. Thanks for the help by the way." Luffy smiled a non-creepy smile.

"Don't mention it."

The cooks and Luffy went back inside, some went to check on a Partty, who was recovering nicely from the two gunshots, and others started repairing the broken wall (even though Luffy insisted he could fix it later). The Swordfish pirates were told to stay outside least they be decapitated. After a few hours, things went partially back to normal for the rowdy sea cooks. Sanji even started whipping up a nice dinner for Luffy as thanks. Everything was in order.

"Very interesting," spoke a smooth voice. The dark haired women had been in search of a certain three sword bounty hunter, but this could work to.

Miss All Sunday decided to wait till night before approaching.

Next time: Part two