Chapter 6: Baratie
"Show yourself! I'll kill all of you!"
Luffy & Tyler immediately made their way to the deck where they found Johnny kicking some barrels that were on the Going Merry.
"Hey! Just who do you think you are?" Luffy asked.
Johnny, upon hearing Luffy's voice, brandished his sword at them, "It's none of your business to know who I am." He then lunged at the two and slashed at Luffy, forcing the Strawhat to dodge, the attack taking out the banister, "Remember that."
Tyler sighed and punched Johnny in the face knocking him flat out on the deck, "When you're destroying their ship it is, making it mine as well. Cause if anything happens to it, they'll be back on mine."
"I almost had him." Johnny said weakly.
"Sure you did." Tyler said looking down at Johnny, as Zoro came walking out the Going Merry next.
"Huh? Isn't that Johnny? What happened? Where's Yosaku?" Zoro asked as he looked down at Johnny.
Johnny, seeing Zoro, jumped up. "Zoro-aniki! Yosaku is-"
Later had the 2 crews on the deck of the Going Merry, Johnny had brought a sickly Yosaku to the boat after it had been explained how Zoro and him knew each other from Zoro's days as a bounty hunter, as he used to travel and work alongside him. Johnny and Yosaku had apparently been hiding out on the island Usopp shot, resting due to Yosaku's sickness. Which led to them almost getting caught up in the wake of the blast.
Nami and Tyler had given Yosaku a good look over, informing those gathered that the bounty hunter was suffering from Scurvy and needed vitamin C. A swift order from Nami had Luffy, Usopp, and Jango stuffing him full of limes and lime juice, bringing the bounty hunter back up. While Yosaku and Johnny celebrated, Nami hammered home the need for a chef on the ship for the Strawhat crew if they were going to make it anywhere. This caused Johnny to recommend a floating restaurant two days' journey from their current location, telling Zoro that a man named 'Hawk-eyes' was said to be in the area.
The voyage to the restaurant had been peaceful enough that Tyler had decided he would take a nap, leaving Silk in charge of the ship, Chouchou, and their new crew member. He left instructions for them to wake him up once they had arrived at the restaurant. He got his wake up in the form of cannon fire, running outside the fishman found both the Dakuwaqa and the Going Merry almost being subjected to cannon fire had Luffy not gotten in the way of it. The Strawhat Captain then tried to fire it back only for his retaliation to awry and hit the restaurant, with some concern for the occupants of the establishment, Luffy went in to make sure everyone was alright.
Sighing and rubbing the bridge of his nose Tyler located Silk, "What happened?"
"Okay first, we were minding our own business-" Silk began.
"BULLSHIT!" Tyler interrupted.
"We were…" Silk whined at him.
"And exactly what happened whilst y'all were 'minding your own business'?" Tyler asked.
Silk then went on to explain the events leading up to Tyler's arrival outside. Apparently a marine by the name of Fullbody was on his way for a nice meal at the restaurant, bumping into them on the way. He then decided to talk down to Johnny and Yosaku, after which told his men to fire at the ships of the two crews.
"Great I can already tell this is going to be a thing. I really should've just made a beeline for Arlong. I could have killed him by now and been on my way home." Tyler commented.
As it turns out Tyler had been right, as it had been turned into a thing. Apparently due to the damages Luffy caused in his misdirection, he'd need to work in the restaurant, that was apparently named the Baratie, for about a year. Luffy promised he'd try to work out a shorter sentence but Tyler doubted it. So that's what the 2 crews and their guests found themselves stationed at for the next 2 days. Enjoying the food of the restaurant and getting a kick out of messing with Luffy, who was constantly being chewed out and on job rotation as he displayed a lack in skill in doing chores. They had also been introduced to Sanji, who Luffy wanted to recruit as the Chef for his crew.
Also during those two days, a pirate escaped from Fullbody's ship, by the name of "Man-Demon" Gin, coming into the restaurant he demanded food, only to get beat up by one of the cooks, Patty, due to not having any money. Gin was then kicked out the back of the restaurant.
On the third day inside the restaurant were Zoro, Usopp, Tyler, Chouchou, Silk, and Jango. They were enjoying a meal when the occupants of the restaurant began to scream about a pirate ship being on the way here and it belonging to Don Krieg. Looking out the windows they could see that the ship that arrived was in shambles.
"This is bad if Don Krieg is actually showing up." Jango said, looking at his new Captain, crewmate and their friends.
Tyler sighed, starting to roll his shoulders and arms, "We better get ready. This looks like it'll be a fight soon."
It was then the doors to the Baratie were kicked open, Gin walked in while supporting Don Krieg's weight.
"Sorry for intruding, but could I have some water & food. If it's money you want, I've got plenty." Krieg begged, panting.
Tyler gave a whistle, "Man looks like he went to battle with a Sea King and barely made it out."
It was then Don Krieg fell off Gin's shoulder onto the ground, "Don Krieg! I'm begging you! Please give him some food and water. Please save my Captain. He'll die at this rate."
"Ahahaha! Perfect, just perfect. So this is what the infamous outlaw Don Krieg looks like?" Patty laughed at Don Krieg & Gin.
"We have money this time, we're paying customers." Gin responded.
Patty looked at the cooks, "Hey! Contact the marines immediately. This is the perfect chance for the government to arrest him. Don't let him have a single morsel of food."
The customers began to agree, "That's right. Who knows what he'll do once he gets back on his feet. This is retribution for all the crimes he committed. It's only right that he should die after all he's done."
The cooks began to speak up as well, "If we give him food and he recovers, it's only obvious that he'll attack our restaurant. I ain't giving him a single drop of water."
"I won't do anything. If you give me food, I promise I'll quietly withdraw from here. So please…please help me…" Don Krieg pleaded, his head bowed.
"You think he'll actually do as he said?" Silk asked those gathered.
"Not likely." Jango said.
"I agree. Especially if they keep that up. Even if he does attack us, no one should have to starve." Tyler commented.
"Don Krieg! Please stop! A great man like you shouldn't be lowering his head. It's too shameful." Gin said to his Captain.
"I'm begging you…I don't mind if it's leftovers or whatever! Please just give me anything. Anything." Don Krieg continued to beg.
"Don…" Gin said, tearing up.
Sanji came up behind Patty with a plate of food and something to drink, "Hey, move it Patty." Sanji kicks Patty out of the way, coming up to Don Krieg and Gin. "Here Gin. Give this to him."
"Sanji." Gin smiled.
Don Krieg started to stuff his face with food, "Thank you."
"Hey Sanji, take that food back this instant, do you have any idea what kind of man he is?" Carne said, he then began to explain some of the things that Don Krieg had done during his time on the sea. Once the cook had finished explaining, Don Krieg was done eating and proceeded to take Sanji down with a lariat.
"Here we go." Tyler said, taking a sip of wine.
Gin looked at Don Krieg in horror, "D-Don Krieg. This is different from what you promised. I guided you here because you promised not to harm this restaurant. Not only that, that man is our savior."
Don Krieg grabbed Gin by the shoulder in a crushing grip, "Ahh, that was a great meal. I feel like I'm back to my normal self again."
"Gin!" Luffy said.
"So he reveals his fangs at last." Sanji said from the ground.
"Nice restaurant you've got here, I'll take it." Don Krieg told those gathered.
The customers began to run away in panic getting onto a luxury boat outside the restaurant.
"My ship's all worn out, so I've been wanting a new one. Once my business is done with you, I'll have you get off this ship. Right now, I have around a hundred subordinates on my ship, and they're all starving and critically wounded. So prepare enough water and food, to feed all 100 men of mine. There are a few who've already starved to death, so make it quick."
"You're asking us to willingly feed 100 pirates, knowing that they're going to attack us and steal our ship later? WE REFUSE!" Carne said in disbelief.
"Refuse…? Seems like we have a little misunderstanding on our hands. I wasn't asking whether or not you'd do it. I'm ordering you and nobody disobeys my orders!" Don Krieg told them.
Gin, who was on the floor from the mistreatment he suffered from Don Krieg, "Sanji…I'm sorry…I…never intended for things to turn out this way."
Patty, who had recovered from Sanj's attack, looked back at him, "Sanji, you bastard! It's because of you that we're in this m.. Hey! Where do you think you're going?"
Sanji calmly walked to another part of the restaurant, took out his cigarette and looked back, "To the kitchen, in order to prepare enough food for a 100 people."
"What?!" The cooks said.
"Sanji?" Gin asked.
"Wise choice…" Don Krieg commented.
"Sanji." Luffy said.
"Looks like Strawhat chose a good man." Tyler smirked.
The cooks then pointed all their guns at Sanji, "Who the hell do you think you are, Sanji? Krieg's secret agent or something? We ain't gonna let you take one step into the kitchen. We've had enough of your insane and reckless actions!"
"Fine, stop me if you wish. Go ahead and shoot. I know that they're nothing but scum who aren't worth a dime saving… But to me, none of that matters. Thinking about the consequences of feeding a person, it's all such a big hassle. A cook should freely be able to feed anyone who's starving. Isn't that ideal?!" Sanji then got hit over the top of the head by Patty, who commanded the cooks to hold him down.
"Sanji! I know you feed the customers I chase away from time to time, and I'm not going to say who was right and who was wrong for all those times. But this time, it's all your fault! So don't you dare do any more unnecessary things. I'll protect thi restaurant myself." Patty went and grabbed some type of launcher. "This is Baratie, the restaurant that deals with all sorts of pirates on a daily basis. We're more than prepared to handle any customer that might come." Patty then aimed it at Don Krieg, "If you're finished with your meal, how about an iron dessert?! Indigestion meatball cannon" He fired a cannonball at Don Krieg.
"Son of a…" Don Krieg said as the ball hit him, pushing him back and destroying the entrance.
"Agh, damn it. I ended up destroying the entrance, the owner's gonna have my head for this." Patty said.
"It's fine. It's just collateral damage from protecting the restaurant." The cooks said.
"What're you planning to do with his underlings on the ship?" Sanji asked.
"Well, maybe we oughta butter his ship up and roast it with fire." Patty suggested.
"I kinda hate that Patty fellow." Silk commented.
"No, yeah I agree." Tyler said, taking another sip of wine.
"Woof." Chouchou barked in agreement.
"At least he took out Don Krieg." Jango offered.
"It's never that easy for us." Tyler, Silk, Usopp, and Zoro all said.
Don Krieg stood up from the debris, "That's the best dessert you've got, you lousy cook. Serving that pile of crap for dessert, this is the worst restaurant I've ever been to…" He was now revealed to have golden armor under his clothes.
Patty and the cooks all armed up with giant utensils, "That bastard and his fancy steel armor. Get him! Let's go!"
"Annoying Pricks!" Don Krieg yelled as he revealed he had guns built into his armor and started shooting at them.
"Guns…?!" Luffy began.
"From all over his body…!" Sanji finished.
"You damn worms think you can defy me? I'm the strongest. This steel arm, more powerful than that of anyone. This body of steel, tougher than anyone else's. This diamond fist that can pulverize anything. My entire body is a finely tuned weapon." Don Krieg bragged as he showed off his armor. "I'm the fleet admiral of 50 ships and the commander of 5000 men. I've won every single battle I've been in. There is no other man more worthy of the title "Don" than I am. So if I tell you to prepare food for my men, then you shut up and do it. Nobody goes against Don Krieg!"
It was then that Zeff came up with a giant bag of food and left it in front of Don Krieg, "There's enough food here for a hundred people. So hurry up and bring it to your men."
"Did…did they just say Zeff?" Don Krieg asked.
The cooks then began to make an uproar to which Zeff responded, with the revelation that Don Krieg and his men had recently fled from the Grand Line. This shocked all as Don Krieg, figured out that Zeff was previously "Red-Leg Zeff". A few words were then exchanged, Don Krieg ended up demanding the log of Zeff's travels through the Grand Line, Zeff denied Don Krieg declared to take the log with the ship and then become King of the Pirates. This spurred Luffy to step in and declare his own claim to the title.
"Did you say something, little brat? I'll be nice enough to let your comment just now slide…" Don Krieg said.
"It's fine, you don't have to let it slide. I was only stating the truth." Luffy said bluntly.
"This ain't a game." Don Krieg told Luffy.
"Of course." Luffy said plainly.
It was then Zoro and Usopp spoke up from the table, "You planning to rumble Luffy? Need a hand?"
Luffy looked back at them, "Oh hey guys, no it's fine. You can just stay sitting down."
Don Krieg began to laugh as he saw the group, "Those are your crewmates? A rather small bunch aren't they?"
"Not his crew." Tyler said.
"What're you talking about? I've got 2 others as well." Luffy said holding up his fingers
"Hey, you just counted me in, didn't you?" Sanji asked, sitting down.
"Don't joke with me, punk! Even my fleet of ships and 5000 pirates were utterly decimated by that devilish sea in just 7 days only because we lacked information!" Don Krieg yelled at Luffy. Everyone except for Zoro and Tyler reacted with shock and fear. "Even as a bluff, your comments just now show how completely ignorant you are to reality! If there's one thing I hate, it's empty boasting like yours. Keep saying that and I'll kill you right on the spot once I get back from unloading this food. As for the rest of you, I'll give you a little extension. I'm going to go give this food to my subordinates, and then return back here. I'd suggest you leave this place within that time if you want to die. The only things I need are this ship and Zeff's travel log."
Don Krieg began to walk out of the restaurant, "If any of you still feel like dying even after I warned you, then so be it. I'll burn you to the bottom of the sea for eternity."
"Sanji, please forgive me. I had no idea…no idea at all that this would happen…I…" Gin apologized.
"There's no need for you to apologize. The cooks of this restaurant acted out of their own free will, and this is the result of that." Zeff said.
"Sir. How could you of all people side with Sanji on this? Just what's the meaning of this?" Patty asked.
"That's right. He's the one to blame for all this. He just wants to destroy this restaurant that's important to you sir." The cooks said, then pointed at Sanji, "SANJI! Were you planning on using this mess we're in to become the next head chef?! Or have you just completely lost it? Which is it?"
"Silence, you numbskulls!" Zeff yelled at the cooks, "Have any one of you been hungry enough to die? Do any of you know just how terrifying and painful it is to be stuck in this ocean, deprived of food and water?"
"Wha…what do you mean sir?" Patty asked.
"If you've got time to be crying over spilt milk, then just leave this place using the back door." Zeff said.
Patty and the cooks picked up their weapons once more, "I'm gonna stay here. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I just left without a fight. Same here. This is the place I live and work at. Not like I've anywhere else to go to…"
"W-what're you all doing? Haven't you realized how powerful the Don is by now? You need to run away." Gin said.
"Hey Gin, let me tell you something. It's my duty as a cook to feed anyone who's starving, but the ones who are coming to attack this ship are those who've already been fed. So you better not complain when I kill them. If someone is planning on stealing this ship, then I'll kill that person without a second thought, even if it's you. Got that?" Sanji told Gin.
"Hmph, you save a person only to kill him afterward? Some guy you are." Patty commented.
"Shut up, you shitty cook." Sanji shot back.
"Hey! What do you think about him? Pretty good, right?" Luffy asked, pointing to Sanji as he sat on the table the rest of the group was at.
"Who cares about-" Usopp got cut off as Tyler shoved some food into his mouth.
"Hush up. They're really not a threat." Tyler said.
"That's right, and besides I have to fight with that guy. If he truly is strong, then he and I are going to butt heads eventually anyways." Luffy said with determination, "Oh that's right, Gin! You said you didn't know anything about the Grand Line. But didn't you guys go there?"
Gin then held his head, "What I don't know is the truth, I just can't believe it. I just don't know if those 7 days spent in the Grand Line were real or just a nightmare. I'm still wrestling with it in my mind."
"Hey! Word of advice, it was, the impossible is possible on the Grand Line." Tyler told Gin.
Gin looked to Tyler, then blinked a horrified look coming across his face, "To think 50 ships of the Krieg pirate fleet were destroyed by a single man."
"THE ENTIRE FLEET?!" Everyone but Tyler yelled.
Gin then went on to explain how the Don Krieg fleet got attacked and destroyed by one person, and how they barely managed to make it back with the main ship. Describing the man who did it as someone he didn't want to think about.
"That had to be the work of "Hawk-eyes" Dracule Mihawk, without a doubt." Zeff said, gathering everyone's attention in curiosity, "You saying that you witnessed a man, whose glare was as sharp as that of a hawk doesn't necessarily prove it was him, but the fact that he sunk your entire fleet, is more than enough proof that it really was him."
"Dracule Mihawk? Who's that?" Usopp asked.
"Beats me." Luffy answered.
"He's the man I'm searching for. Johnny said he was here but…" Zoro trailed off, as the cooks started talking about a red-eyed man they had a while back, "That idiot got his information mixed up."
"Did he bear some ill grudge against you guys for him to destroy your entire feet like that?" Sanji asked.
"I don't remember anything like that. He just attacked us all of a sudden." Gin answered.
"Perhaps you disturbed his afternoon nap." Zeff offered.
"That's bullshit. You mean to tell me he destroyed our entire fleet for that!" Gin yelled.
"People like him on the Grand Line kill people for less." Tyler said.
"That sounds like such a thrill! We definitely gotta go there." Luffy was excited to head to the Grand Line.
"Can you at least try to think of the danger?" Usopp said to Luffy.
"But with this it looks like my own goal is inextricably tied with the Grand Line, considering that Mihawk is there as well." Zoro said.
Silk looked excited herself and grabbed Tyler's arm, "Can we go to the Grand Line? Can we? Can we?"
"Woof. Woof Woof." Chouchou barked in excitement.
"The Grand line is nothing to sneeze at, even Don Krieg's fleet couldn't survive long. Our small crew-" Jango began to say.
"We were already gonna go there. Like I said, all I want to do is kick Arlong's ass and go home. Fishman Island is on the Grand Line." Tyler said, this caused Silk to let out a cheer.
Jango lowered his head, "I threw my hat into the ring with a troublesome group."
Sanji looked at the group, "Bunch of idiots, you lot are the type to rush to their deaths."
"True, but I'd rather you leave out the 'Idiot' part. Ever since I decided to become the world's greatest swordsman, I threw away my attachment to life. The only one who has the right to call me an idiot is me alone." Zoro said.
"Ooh. Me too." Luffy raised his hand.
"As a real man, the same goes for me too." Usopp lied, getting a bonk from Zoro's sword.
"Death is inevitable, everyone dies at one point. No use living a life trying to run away from it. Instead you embrace death and live the life that will bring you the most joy." Tyler said. "I'll happily throw my life away to live the life I think is worth living."
"Death means nothing to me, I have something worth protecting and I'll give my life protecting it if I have to." Silk said.
"Woof! Woof Woof Woof!" Chouchou looked determined.
"I…I'm still figuring things out. But I know one thing, I hate bad pirates. I'll die to stop one from carrying out his plans." Jango said, thinking back to his former Captain.
"Psh, what a load of crap." Sanji said.
Time passed and soon everyone in the restaurant could hear the pirate coming, then out of nowhere the sea began to ripple causing the Baratie to shake, catching all by surprise as outside Don Krieg's ship was cut in half.
Luffy jumped from his spot and ran off, "Crap! Our ship was outside too, with Nami, Yosaku, and Johnny still inside!"
"NOT THE DAKUWAQA!" Tyler was right behind Luffy, worried for his own ship. Their crews began to follow the two.
Outside was the Dakuwaqa but no Going Merry, in the water were Johnny and Yosaku.
"Zoro-aniki!" The two called for the group.
"Yosaku! Johnny! You alright? The ship! Where's the ship? What happened to Nami?" Zoro asked the two.
"About that, we're sorry aniki, she's not here anymore." Johnny said.
"Nami-aniki took the treasure and sailed away." Yosaku explained.
"What?!" The Strawhats asked.
"That checks out." Tyler sat against the railing.
They then began to explain what happened prior to the group's exit, of Nami looking over Arlong's poster, then tricking them so that she could push them off the ship and take it. Zoro and Usopp were pissed, at her actions and cursing her name.
"Wait! I can still see our ship!" Luffy said as he looked out at sea.
This caught Zoro's attention, as he looked at his Captain, "What?"
Luffy looked to Tyler, "Can I borrow your-"
"No, figure out something else. This is your crew's problem." Tyler said.
Luffy nodded and looked at Johnny and Yosaku, "Yosaku! Johnny! Where's your ship?"
"Well, we still have ours." Yosaku answered.
"Zoro! Usopp!" Luffy looked to his remaining crew.
"Just let her go, no good will come of chasing after that thief." Zoro said.
"But she took our ship. That ship's important." Usopp said.
"I want her to be our Navigator, no matter what." Luffy said.
"Fine. Why'd I have to follow such a troublesome Captain. Hey Usopp, we're going." Zoro said.
"Right." Usopp said.
Tyler smirked to himself, and shook his head. 'Look at that Nami, you betrayed them but they still want you around. Hopefully you'll realize that soon.' Tyler thought to himself.
Yosaku and Johnny got their ship ready, "Zoro-aniki, we're ready to set sail."
Usopp looked to Luffy, "Luffy, what about you?"
"Sorry, but I can't, I still haven't paid this restaurant back for what I did." Luffy said.
Silk and Chouchou looked to their Captain, while Jango started to get on the ship only to get pulled back onto the Baratie, "We're staying obviously. This is a good place to eat and I'd rather make sure it stays unconquered."
"IT'S HIM! DON KRIEG, IT"S HIM! THE ONE WHO DESTROYED OUR FLEET!" One of the Krieg's pirates yelled.
Zoro looked shocked as on the water was "Hawk-eyes" Mihawk in a coffin shaped boat, "I-it can't be…is that…Mihawk?"
"We're done for… Damn it! What did we ever do to you? Why the hell do you have to follow us all the way out here?" One of the pirates asked Mihawk.
"Just to kill some time." Mihawk said casually.
The pirate in outrage began to shoot at Mihawk, only for him to grab the cross on his back, drawing out a sword and holding it out. The bullets missed him as he used his sword to deflect.
"Wha? It missed?" The pirates were surprised.
Zoro came up behind them, "He deflected it. It'll be the same no matter how many times you shoot. He changes the bullet's trajectory with the tip of his sword."
Mihawk resheathed his sword, "A sword without grace is no strong sword."
"Did you cut this ship as well with that sword?" Zoro asked.
"Yes indeed." Mihawk answered.
"No wonder. You really are the strongest. I set sail to meet you." Zoro said.
"What is your aim?" Mihawk asked him.
"To be the strongest, you said you're free right? So let's duel." Zoro put on his bandana and drew one of his katanas, Wado Ichimonji.
Mihawk at first refused his request, but once Zoro showed no signs of backing down, Mihawk obliged, taking a small knife version of his sword. The battle was short with Mihawk easily able to defend against all of Zoro's attacks, before ultimately stabbing him in the midsection. Throughout the short fight Zoro was able to earn Mihawk's respect enough for him to finish Zoro off with his real sword. Though Zoro's 2 other katanas did get broken in their final clash. As Zoro was struck down, all looked on in horror at both the power of the Grad Line and Zoro's defeat as he fell back into the water.
Tyler sighed, diving into the water he went to collect Zoro's body, bringing him to the boat, where Usopp, Yosaku, and Johnny were already on board. "Dress the dumbasses' wounds."
Tyler dived back into the ocean as Mihawk declared for Zoro to become strong and surpass him one day, which Zoro's response was to promise Luffy that he would be the strongest swordsman one day and never lose again. Mihawk then began to leave.
"Hawk-eyes, did you come all the way out here for my head? The head of the infamous ruler of the East Blue, Don Krieg?" Don Krieg asked.
Tyler arrived back at Baratie and blinked, as he heard Don Krieg antagonizing Mihawk. Looking around he found Gin staring at the events that have transpired and tapped him on the shoulder.
"You're Captain is a dumbass…" Almost as if to emphasize his words, Don Krieg began to fire at Mihawk after more words were exchanged. "He's gonna get you and the rest of your crew killed. You guys can't seriously still want to follow him." Once again as if to emphasize Mihawk destroyed the rest of the ship, and left.
"Don Krieg is the strongest-" Gin began to say.
"What in the East Blue? Cause it sure as hell ain't in general as you can see." Tyler gestured to the current state of Krieg's ship. "What even makes him the strongest here? The crimes he committed? His bounty? So what? I know at least 4 or 5 people who could kick his ass in this sea and that's not even me including myself. Think Gin! Think!" Tyler looked back to the destroyed ship when he heard cheers, seeing the pirates were ready to attack again. "Look, you decide to do whatever you're gonna do. I'm gonna go beat the shit out of, and maybe kill some of your crewmates. Then I gotta go make sure a certain orange haired thief doesn't get her new friends killed."
Tyler came up to Zeff, Sanji, and Luffy as the cooks got ready for a fight. Luffy grabbed hold of the railing and backed into the restaurant, "Gum-Gum: Rocket!" Luffy launched himself from the Baratie towards the pirates, "Followed by Scythe!" Luffy stretched his arms out wide and took out a group of pirates. Luffy then grabbed onto a piece of broken mast.
"Well guess it's time to move. Jango! Silk! Time to fight!" Tyler jumped back into the water and started to hunt down some of the pirates who ended up in the water, dragging them under. Suddenly the front of the Baratie detached into a small boat that swam at Don Krieg and his men, once there it began to fire off cannonballs at them, while the Baratie had platforms extend out from it allowing, Zeff, Sanji, Jango, Silk, and the cooks a place to stand on and fight back.
The platform now there, the pirates began to swim over onto it, at least those who didn't get attacked by Tyler as he attacked them in the water. The fish ship went around to attack Krieg directly only for him to easily stop it with a hand and throw it at the Baratie, Sanji easily defended the restaurant by jumping into the air and kicking the ship away. All paused in their fight to look at Sanji.
"W-what strength. He kicked that weird ass ship." A pirate said.
"That kicking technique…" Don Krieg commented.
"Not bad." Luffy cheered.
Both Patty and Carne, came out of the fish ship in a fit of anger, "SANJI! You trying to kill your own side?"
"Yeah." Was Sanji's simple response.
"Did your brains become boiled into stew retard? You almost lost 2 powerful fighters, you spaghetti-head!" They responded.
"Powerful? Ha! Even if you hold weapons a cook's still a cook. So why don'cha scram back into some other kitchen on land. Don't compare us to other pirates you've crossed before. We're pirates of Don Krieg, the ruler of East Blue." One of the pirates told them as they finished taking down some of the cooks.
"Wow, you guys got taken down fast. Also you guys just witnessed that display from one man and you still have the nerve to talk about Krieg like he's hot shit." Silk said, stepping up to the pirates with Jango.
"They just don't learn. When it comes down to it, there is always someone stronger." Jango commented.
"How dare you!" The pirate said as he and the rest charged at the two.
Silk smirked to herself, drawing her sword she began to meet the pirates' attack, cutting them down in droves. Jango on the other hand stayed back and used his hypnotism and chakrams to take out those who came up to him. Putting most to sleep and sending them to the water to be handled by his Captain. Then out of nowhere Pearl came onto the platform, knocking Silk when she tried to attack him.
"Hahaha! Behold! My invincible Iron Wall!" Pearl said as the pirates cheered at his arrival.
Tyler got up on the platform, him and Jango checking on Silk. As Sanji looked pissed and glared at Pearl.
"How dare you hit a lady?!" Sanji went to attack Pearl only for it to be in vain as he too got sent flying back when Pearl punched him back with one of shields.
"Silk, you okay?" Tyler asked, looking at the downed and injured Silk.
"Blondie, come on, you can't be taken down that easy." Jango said.
"Hahaha! You won't be standing after my lethal punch. You both just got a good taste of my special Pearl Present."
"You bastard." Tyler was about to get up and fight only for Silk to grab his arm. He looked back to her, "Silk?"
Silk sat up and grabbed her sword, "What the hell do you think you're doing? I haven't lost yet. This is my fight! Don't interfere." Silk stood up, facing down Pearl and the rest of the pirates.
"Alright girlie, why don't you stop now before we have to kill you." One of the pirates threatened.
"If you're so sure why don't you all come at me at once. I'll take you all down." Silk shot back with a confident smirk, she sheathed her sword and took her stance. The pirates, pissed, charged at her ready to attack. Once close enough, Silk drew her sword and cut them all down at once. "Concentrated Strike!" Silk then pointed her sword at Pearl, "You're next."
"You take me down? I'm afraid that just ain't happening. In the last 61 fights I've been in, I've won them all without even so much as a scratch on me! I've never even lost a single drop of blood in all the fights I've been in. Not one single drop." Pearl boasted, "That's proof-"
"Yeah, yeah. You're a wall of defense. I have no chance. Let's fight already. Your voice is irritating." Silk said with an attitude similar to her Captain's. "I'm about to break that streak of yours. So you better pay attention…" Silk ran at Pearl, attacking him with a slash of her sword that got blocked with one of his shields. "For when I coat my saber in your blood."
"You insolent little girl! I can even withstand a direct blast from a battleship cannon! No matter the attack, I'm impenetrable." Pearl said, and then almost comically Luffy hit the back shield and fell to the ground.
Luffy got up, dusting himself off, "Whew, that was close. Glad I didn't fall into the ocean… Hm?"
Both Silk and Luffy looked at Pearl to find him staring at a bit of blood that came from his nose.
"Shit." Don Krieg said.
"It's blood! Oh shit!" The pirates screamed. "Pearl, it's fine! It's just a little nosebleed! Everyone gets those! You haven't really been hurt at all! So just calm down, Pearl!"
"My Iron wall was broken through. These guys are dangerous." Pearl said.
"The hell's up with him?" Sanji asked, walking up to Luffy.
"IIt's just a little nosebleed." Luffy said.
Silk had an ominous feeling and backed away from Pearl, "I have a bad feeling about this."
"Pearl, stop it. There's no need to go wild over a damn nosebleed. This ain't the jungle." Don Krieg commanded.
"Something's happening." The cooks said.
Pearl began to freak out banging his shields against each other, "I'm in danger! I'm in danger!" Sparks begin to generate and set him on fire.
"What the fuck?" Tyler asked, watching the scene, he could hear the pirates talking about it being a defense tactic he learned in the jungle. "How the fuck?"
"Don't you dare get close to me! Fire Pearl's Special Treat!" He then threw pearls of fire at the trio in front of him.
"Hot!" Luffy said, him, Silk, and Sanji dodging the fire. The rest however landed on parts of the platform and even on some of the crew setting them on fire.
"Our ship's gonna catch on fire!" The cooks yelled in worry.
"Like hell it will." Tyler jumped into the water and swam as deep as he could before turning around speeding out like a torpedo water trailing behind him, putting out some of the fires. "Fishman Jujutsu: Rainfall!"
"Alright, with the fires handled, time to cut you up." Silk ran at Pearl and attacked him again, it being blocked once more pushing her back.
"H-How could you attack me, the Fire Pearl that wild beasts won't even approach?" Pearl said.
"Oh please." Silk said, charging to attack once more, dodging Pearl's attack and delivering a good cut across his face. Then jumped out of his guard.
"Danger! She's too dangerous! More fire! More fire pearls!" Pearl fired off more flaming pearls.
As the pearls came flying at Zeff, he kicked his pegleg and put the fires out causing the pearls to fall harmlessly. "I may have lost one leg, but this much is nothing I can't handle."
"That idiot Pearl's more trouble than he's worth! Before that fire spreads to the rest of the restaurant. I'll sink those fins!" Don Krieg said, swinging a giant ball with spikes on a chain.
"The fuck you will. Don't! Disrupt her fight!" Tyler said as he came out the sea for another torrent of water, only to have to kick the ball away. Beside him were 2 Chakrams that were used to help disrupt its course. Looking over he could see Jango with Chakrams in his hand. Jango then threw another pair at Dnn Krieg's hands causing the golden armored man to have to let go of the chain to move his hand.
Silk then took this as her chance to attack, running in. Pearl launched more of his flaming pearls at her, to which she avoided with ease, making sure to stay weary of the fire around her. She began to slash at Pearl's armor with repeated strikes. Each attack being blocked by him as he continued to freak out. The fire began to heat up the metal of Silk's saber as it hit.
"Danger! Danger!" Pearl kept calling out in terror.
"This guy is seriously ridiculous." Silk kept attacking and dodging, looking for an opening. "Okay, looks like I'm gonna have to do it. I still don't have it mastered but it's not like I can do much else." Silk watched Pearl's movements, waiting for a moment. Then with a breath Silk, charged at Pearl. Pearl went to attack her, only for Silk to disappear and appear behind him, "Silent Step!" She appeared behind him and swung her sword. "Cauterizing Slash!" Pearl fell forward as a giant slash mark went along his back, Silk's heated sword having cut through his armor.
"Good job Silk, now you might want to put your hands and that sword in the water before the adrenaline wears off." Tyler said coming up to her.
Silk looked back at Tyler, "Huh?" Then she started to feel it, as she released a scream of pain and dipped her sword and hands in the water.
"Now if I'm not mistaken. That was the thing we saw Kuro doing back at Syrup Village. How did you learn it?" Tyler asked.
"Well, I'm still learning how to pull it off properly. I'm nowhere close to being on his level with it. After I saw him use it a few times during the fights. I've been practicing it in my free time, since you haven't had me work on anything else." Silk explained.
"Well, it seems you were able to pull it off pretty well there." Jango said, coming up to the three.
"No, I was only able to pull it off cause he was in such a freaked out state." Silk told him.
"Ahh!" Zeff screamed, getting the attention of all who were gathered. Looking back they saw Gin with his foot on Zeff, a double-barreled shot aimed at Zeff's head. A piece of Zeff's leg in his hand.
"Please stop fighting Sanji, I don't want to end up killing you." Gin threatened.
"Gin!" Luffy yelled.
"Gin, you…!" Sanji said.
"No matter how great of a man he may have been in the past, he's just another cook that I can easily kill at gunpoint now." Gin said.
"Why that bastard! He broke owner Zeff's pegleg." Patty said.
"That's it, I'm gonna send him flying!" Luffy said, pissed off.
"Wait. Let's see what he has to say first." Sanji stopped Luffy.
"You want to save this man, don't you Sanji? Then leave this ship!" Gin advised.
"Leave this ship? As if." Sanji told him.
It was then Pearl started to get up and charge at the group, only for Gin to come running up and past him, he had a pair of tonfa with metal spheres on the end of it that he used to destroy and break Pearl's armor and defeat him.
"Sorry Pearl. But I need you to get out of my way for a little while." Gin said.
"Gin! You dare betray me?!" Don Krieg yelled.
"My apologies Don Krieg but please allow me…to put an end to our saviors with my own two hands." Gin asked of Don Krieg.
"Hmm. Alright, I'm out of here." Tyler started to walk back towards the water.
"Where are you going Captain?" Jango asked.
"I think I'm gonna go help Zoro and Usopp bring Nami back. Not much else for me to do here. Plus I mostly wanted to see what he'd decide, now he's made his decision." Tyler's eyes were focused on Gin, then he looked down to Silk, who still had her hands and sword in the water. "Silk!"
Silk quickly stood up and looked at her Captain, "Yes Captain?"
"Boss. But anyway, I'm going after Nami, you're in charge while I'm gone. Once Luffy is done here, you're gonna go to Conomi Island. I marked it on the map, bring him with you, whether or not the cook is coming with. Also after this fight, feel free to make whatever decision you deem fit." Tyler then jumped into the water and began to swim away.
Later found the events resolved, Sanji and Gin had faced off with each other. That battle ended with Gin the victor after delivering a few strikes that broke some bones in Sanji's body. Then Luffy fought Don Krieg, with Don Krieg taking the win by tossing Luffy into the ocean, causing the Strawhat to have to be saved by Sanji. Don Krieg would have continued with his plans if it wasn't for Gin coming up to Krieg and punching him in his now exposed stomach, after Luffy broke the man's armor, knocking Krieg out.
During the fights Krieg had also released a poisonous gas that blanketed the waters around the Baratie. All of Krieg's men had masks for it that got stolen by the cooks, Silk, Jango. Luffy had stolen a mask for Sanji and Gin but not one for himself, which had caused Gin to give Luffy his and breath in the gas.
It was now right after and Gin was standing on the Baratie's fins with Don Krieg on his shoulder.
"Don Krieg, we've lost. Let's retreat. Thanks for everything Sanji." Gin told Sanji as he walked past Sanji and Luffy. "Sanji, when he wakes up could you pass him this message. Let's meet again, out on the Grand Line."
"You're still gonna be a pirate?" Sanji asked.
"When I think about it, there's nothing else I want to do. I guess before I realized it, Don Krieg's ambition became mine as well." Gin then coughed up some blood, causing all to worry. "I might only have a few hours to live. So it might be a bit cowardly for me to make this decision only at the end of my life, but it's still good for me nonetheless. I've decided that this time, I'll do things of my own will. In my own way." Gin continued, as he looked back to everyone.
"If I do that, I won't have a place to run away to, right? Loyalty to the Don, my ass." Silk smiled as she heard Gin's words. "All I've been doing is using the Don's name as a shield to escape and hide behind. As long as you're prepared, things like being scared of your enemies or getting hurt, are nothing but useless worrying. The shark, the blonde girl there, and that guy over there taught me it's better not to worry about any of that stuff." Gin finished.
"Patty, Carne! Give them the boat we use to go out and buy ingredients." Sanji commanded the 2 cooks.
"What? Are you retarded?!" Patty yelled.
"Why the hell do we have to give a boat to the very pirates that attacked us?! Those scum can swim away for all we care!" Carne yelled.
"Shut up and give them the damn boat already!" Sanji yelled at them, they both ran off to do as he ordered though with some reluctance and grumbling.
Once they got back with the boat, Gin with the help of Silk, Jango, and the cooks loaded up the pirates on the raft. The pirates began to complain about sinking though it was floating just fine.
"Thanks again. It's alright if I don't return this boat right?" Gin asked, standing on the bow of the raft.
"You mean if they don't return it. Where do you think you're going, 'Man-demon' Gin?" Silk asked as she walked up to Sanji and Gin with Jango and Chouchou flanking her.
"I'm goin-" Gin got cut off.
"Doesn't matter you're coming with us. You'll be able to give Luffy that message in person." She pointed at herself with her thumb, and held a self-satisfied smile. "My Captain left me in charge, and I just found the perfect candidate for the next member of his crew. He even approved it." Silk told Gin as she held out her hand for a handshake. "Even if you die in a couple hours, why not spend that time with friends, you can travel with us. Plus you owe it to me and my captain for teaching you a lesson."
Gin smiled and shook Silk's hand, "Alright, even if I die. I'll die among friends."
"Cool, you are now my Captain's underling. Make sure to address his title as Captain. He loves it." Silk told Gin, who looked confused.
"Okay…?" Gin said.
Tyler had been swimming for hours trying to make up time and get to Conomi island as fast as possible. 'Nami, what the hell? Why now of all times?' Thoughts like these repeated in his head as he did his best. Soon he could see the gates to Arlong Park; diving under, the Sand Tiger Fishman came up on the other side to find instead of Arlong and his crew waiting there with Nami, the park was littered with the bodies of defeated fishman. "What the hell?"
"Well, well, well, look who's back. Did you do this?" Tyler turned to the land based entrance of the park and there standing was the owner of the voice, Arlong.