The Straw hats had defeated Captain Kuro, received a "new ship" as a thank you from Kaya. They left their small little row boat behind and Usopp joined the crew. As for Nami as far as Luffy was concerned she was already officially a member of the crew regardless of how she acts when they get to their next destination.
"What do you guys think of this for our symbol?" Luffy asked
"You can't be serious." The trio said
"We are not flying that." Zoro said
"What about this?" Usopp said
"Who told you to make your flag." Zoro said hitting Usopp on the head
"Ouch, alright I get it."
A little while later Usopp showed them their new symbol.
"Now that is better" Luffy said
It was the mark that they had flown for years. The traditional skull and crossbones with the addition of Luffy's soon to be trademark Straw Hat. There was something about doing it all again that made Luffy really happy.
"Now Usopp can you paint it on the sail?" Luffy asked
"Of course"
Two hours later Usopp had finished the painting the symbol on the sail. While they were sailing Luffy saw a familiar rock jutting out of the ocean and remembered the people who were hiding behind it. Luffy began practicing with the cannon. Unfortunately he was still a terrible shot.
"Let me try." Usopp said
Usopp loaded the cannon and set the trajectory he figured he would need to actually hit the rock. He lit the fuse and much to his own surprise he hit his target.
"Sugoi" Luffy said amazed that Usopp hit it but also glad even now he was an amazing shot.
Twenty minutes later the crew was inside the cabin talking about their next move when someone started breaking barrels and making a lot of noise on deck.
"Come out you pirates!" The person said
"I'll go check it out." Luffy said getting up from his seat and making his way out the door.
"Who are you?"
"It doesn't matter who I am!"
"How many are there?" Zoro asked to Nami and Usopp who were looking out the window of the kitchen door.
"Only one" Nami said
"Then leave it to him." Zoro said going back to his nap.
"I've killed a countless number of pirates. I can't forgive a no name pirate like you who dares to try and kill my partner?!"
"That voice…" Zoro said getting up to go check it out
"Partner? I don't know what's going on." Luffy said completely aware of what was happening.
"But don't damage our ship!" Luffy said grabbing the man and throwing him against a wall.
"Hey you! Aren't you Johnny?" Zoro asked the man lying on the deck
"Who is it? Calling out my name with no respect" Johnny said looking up and only seeing a silhouette and no face. He stood up to get the sun out of his eyes. In doing so he recognized who was talking to him
"Zoro-aniki" Johnny said all excited to see an old friend.
"So it is you Johnny."
"Why are you here, aniki?"
"Where's Yosaku? You're not together?"
"You two know each other?" Luffy said pretending not to know already.
"What are you doing on a pirate ship aniki?" Johnny asked again.
"I'm a pirate now."
"You're a pirate now?" Johnny said surprised
"Yeah it's not so bad" Zoro said "Where's Yosaku isn't he always with you?"
Usopp and Nami were still looking out the window. The person Zoro seemed to know ran over to the side of the ship. Zoro followed him. A few minutes later a sick Yosaku was lying on the deck of the Merry. Yosaku was bleeding and was very pale.
"He was fine until a while ago. Recently he turned pale and lost consciousness. His teeth started to fall out and his old wounds started to open up and start bleeding. I don't know what to do. I took him to that rocky island to rest but then it was destroyed by a cannonball and this was the only ship in the area!"
"I'm sorry" Usopp and Luffy both said in unison
"Are you guys stupid?" Nami yelled
"What?" Zoro said
"It's scurvy."
"Luffy, Usopp go get me the limes from storage." Nami said
A few minutes later Usopp and Luffy came back with a barrel of limes. Nami told them what to do and they began squeezing the juice out of the limes and into Yosaku's mouth. After going through nearly the whole barrel Yosaku finally got up and began to dance around for a few minutes only to fall back down.
"You shouldn't be moving around yet idiot." Nami said
Johnny brought Yosaku into the ship to rest. A while later as they finally saw their destination up ahead a Marine ship sailed up next to them.
"Oh great" Luffy said 'I have to avoid damaging that old man's ship. I don't want to be a chore boy again.' Luffy thought
"I've never seen that flag before." Lieutenant Fullbody said
"We just created it earlier today." Luffy said proudly
"Who is the captain of this ship?" Fullbody asked
"I am the captain, my names Luffy."
"Destroy that ship it's an eyesore!" Fullbody said having seen enough.
Some marines on the ship got the cannon ready to fire. A few seconds later there was a large bang. The marines were foolish enough to aim the cannon right at Luffy. He really didn't even have to move.
"Busoshoku koka" Luffy said as his arm turned black.
When there was no smoke or fire the marines took a closer look and were surprised by what they saw. Luffy had caught the cannonball and now he was just playing with it.
"No way" Johnny and Yosaku said in unison. They couldn't believe their eyes. Usopp fell on his butt, mouth wide open a look of shock on his face.
"Not as amazing the second time." Nami said kind of sarcastic and Zoro nodded agreeing.
"What do you mean second time?" Usopp and Johnny said in unison. Johnny was hiding behind the door to avoid being seen.
"He's done this before. It's still cool to see but not quite as amazing as the first time." Nami said
"Now what should I do with this?" Luffy said to no one in particular.
The marines backed away from the cannon. Clearly it wasn't going to be effective. By this point Fullbody and his lady friend were already on a small boat heading to Baratie.
"Just get rid of it idiot." Nami said
Luffy complied and hurled the thing as far as he could. In the process he sent it flying past the heads of the marines on the ship. He threw it faster than the cannon could shoot it.
"I recommend you guys leave us alone and go dock your ship. We aren't here to cause any trouble." Luffy said putting on an intimidating face just to get the point marines complied and left them alone.
"That was amazing Luffy-aniki" Johnny said
"You guys go on ahead."
"You aren't coming with us?" Zoro asked
"Nope, we will see you guys inside."
"Nami it's time to get ready." Luffy said, Nami nodded and went to her room to get ready
"Wait, what are talking about?" Usopp asked
"Oh just having some fun." Luffy walked off to the guys' room to get changed.
Once the Merry was docked Zoro, Usopp, Johnny and Yosaku went in.
Luffy had finished changing and was outside on deck waiting for Nami. A few minutes later Nami walked out onto deck.
"You look beautiful Nami."
"Thank you" Nami said blushing
"Are you ready?"
Nami nodded and the two got off the ship and headed towards the main doors
Inside the restaurant Zoro and company were enjoying their lunch when the doors opened and Luffy and Nami walked into the restaurant arm in arm. Everyone turned to look at the pair that just walked in. Zoro, Usopp, Johnny and Yosaku's jaws just dropped to the floor. They were surprised to say the least. Luffy had on a black pinstripe suit with a maroon shirt, his sandals and his straw hat. Nami had on a maroon form fitting dress with a long sleeve on the left side to cover the Arlong mark tattoo on her shoulder. The dress was cut low enough to show off a little cleavage. And she had on open toe blackhigh heels.
Sanji being the temporary waiter had been filling up glasses of wine for Fullbody and Moodie when his attention shifted to the "couple" that entered the restaurant. Sanji went full Casanova and abandoned what he was doing to greet the people at the door.
"My lady would you be so kind as to abandon this loser and spend time with me?" Sanji asked on one knee grabbling Nami's hand with hearts in his eyes.
"Leave the lady alone please." Luffy said annoyed at Sanji's playboy routine.
"Well, alright then sir. Let me show you to your table." Sanji said getting up irritated at Luffy.
Sanji walked them over to a table and pulled out Nami's chair and pushed it in for her.
"Please consider my offer my lady." Sanji said trying to be charismatic.
"Here are you menus I will be back to take your order soon. If you need anything feel free to call me. My name is Sanji my sweet princess."
From across the restaurant Fullbody got up and yelled at Sanji.
"Are you going to let those pirates eat here?" Fullbody yelled in Sanji's general direction.
This got all the customers nervous. Luffy stood up and addressed the people "We may be pirates but we are just here to enjoy the food. I have heard nothing but great things about this place. I have no intention of ruining anyone's meal" Luffy sat back down and continued to look at the menu.
That calmed the patrons down but irritated Fullbody. He noticed a bug crawling on the floor. He stepped on it, picked it up and put it in his soup.
"Waiter" Fullbody said
Sanji walked over to the couple. "I'm not a damn waiter" Sanji said eyebrow twitching
"There is a bug in my soup"
"How can you serve this to a paying customer?"
"Did you try scooping it out?" Sanji asked
That annoyed Fullbody. He stood up and smashed the table with his arm. "Do you know who I am I can have this restaurant shut down."
"How dare you waste food." Sanji said really pissed off.
"Concasure" Sanji said as he kicked Fullbody in the ribs causing him to bend over holding his stomach. Sanji then kicked him in the back of the head causing him to fall down over the broken table.
"What do you think you are doing to our customer Sanji?" Patty asked
"Shut up you bastard." He destroyed a table and more importantly he ruined perfectly good food.
"Sanji you shouldn't do that to our customers." Zeff said walking down the spiral staircase in the middle of the restaurant.
"What are talking about old man, you know he deserved it." Sanji said
"Just because I said you shouldn't do that doesn't mean that I don't agree with your actions."
Before Sanji could get in another word a marine walked into the restaurant holding his side.
"Lieutenant Fullbody, the Krieg pirate escaped."
Fullbody got up, he had a look of terror and shock on his face.
"The Krieg Pirate" many of the customers whispered
"They are supposed to be the strongest in the East Blue." Other customers whispered
"How did he get away? We haven't fed him for three days. He shouldn't have the strength to move around let alone fight his way out of a cell."
Before the marine could say anything else he was shot in the back and fell down. Gin walked in to the restaurant like nothing happened. He walked over to a table, sat down and put his feet up.
"Give me some food" Gin demanded
"Do you have any money?" Patty asked
Gin didn't say anything. He just pointed a gun at Patty's head.
"So you don't have any money" Patty said.
Gin didn't move a muscle. Patty responded by cracking Gin over the head with his huge forearms destroying a perfectly good chair in the process.
"If you can't pay you are not a customer" Patty said standing over Gin.
Gin's stomach grumbled. Sanji walked up the stairs to the kitchen and started cooking. Patty continued to beat on a pretty much defenseless Gin. That was until Patty curtsied to the customers telling them they could get back to their meals in peace.
Patty picked up Gin and took him out the back door of the restaurant.
"And don't come back" Patty said dropping Gin on the floor.
"If you would excuse me Nami, I will be back in a little bit." Luffy got up and started heading for the back door. Nami just looked at Luffy confused.
"Where are you going?" Nami asked
"I am going to ask Sanji if he wants to join my crew."
Luffy walked out the door to see Gin sitting against the railing. Not saying anything Luffy sat on the railing near Gin. A few moments later Sanji walked out with a plate of food and a glass of water.
"Here you go" Sanji said
"I don't want it" Gin said but his stomach betrayed him.
"Just eat it" Sanji said "Anyone who is hungry is a customer to me."
Gin swallowed his pride and reluctantly began to eat the meal that was prepared for him.
"This is delicious" Gin said
"I am glad you're enjoying it."
"You, what are you doing here." Sanji said finally acknowledging Luffy's presence.
"I am here to talk to you." Luffy said with his trademark grin
"Why would you want to talk to me? You are here with a beautiful lady you bastard."
Luffy could only laugh. "You're right she is beautiful."
"But I came to talk to you, I want you to join my crew."
"You're really a pirate?"
"Yeah, I want you to be the cook on my ship."
"I refuse"
"I refuse your refusal" Luffy said pouting
"You're a pirate do you have a dream?" Gin asked
"Yup, I am going to be King of the Pirates."
"King of the Pirates." Sanji said
Gin had just finished his food before Luffy spoke about his dream. If he hadn't he would have chocked.
"You can't be serious." Gin said. "Do you know what that means?"
"Yeah, I know what it means. It means I am the freest man on the sea." Luffy said laughing
Gin and Sanji just looked at each other
"The Grand Line is a terrible place. You're still young don't go risking your life for a dream." Gin said
"But I am willing to risk my life to make sure my dream comes true."
"You don't have to listen to me I am just warning you."
"I appreciate the advice."
Sanji got a boat ready for Gin and he was getting ready to sail off.
"Thank you for the food Sanji-san."
"Glad you enjoyed it."
"Would it be okay if I came back sometime?"
"Of course, when ever you want."
Zeff walked outside to find Gin and Sanji talking
"Sanji what do you think you are doing?" Zeff asked from the second floor
"I'm sorry Sanji-san, you are going to get in trouble for feeding me for free."
"I am not doing anything Old man." Sanji said picking up the empty plate and tossing it in the ocean.
"See no proof, now there is no reason for me to get yelled at."
"Thank you very much."
"Don't worry about it."
"Back to work Sanji."
"Yeah, yeah" Sanji said taking a puff of his cigarette and walking back into the restaurant.
Luffy walked back into the restaurant and sat back down with Nami.
"How did it go?" Nami asked slightly annoyed.
"He refused but I will get him to change his mind."
"Why do you want him to join?"
"He reminds me of an old friend."
After that short talk about business Luffy and Nami had a nice lunch cracking jokes about the members of the crew and about the blond haired chef. They paid for their lunch and walked out of the restaurant to the Merry.
"So how did your date go?" Zoro asked teasing Luffy and Nami
"It wasn't a date." Nami said blushing
"It looks like it was a date." Zoro said
"You two looked like you were having fun." Usopp added
Nami punched Zoro and Usopp on the head leaving large bumps. She huffed and began walking away to her room to go change.
"So captain."
"How long do we have to stay here?" Zoro asked
"I want to stay for four days or so,"
"Four days?"
"Really, there is nothing to do here."
"Don't worry, it will be worth it."
"If you say so."
Luffy walked off to change back into his regular clothes
An uneventful three days passed. They all tried their hand at cooking no one but Nami had any real skill. She charged them to have her cook for them. She wanted more than they paid at Baratie so they ended up eating there.
On the fourth day it was foggy out and no one could see very far out on to the ocean. But while they were having lunch Luffy could sense the Krieg pirates and the remembered the beat up galleon that was coming closer.
"Things are going to get interesting real soon." Luffy said
"What are you talking about Luffy-aniki" Yosaku asked
"What's coming Luffy?" Nami asked just ignoring Yosaku
"Don Krieg is coming" Luffy said smiling
"How do you know that?"
"Luffy can sense people."
"He can really do that? That's so cool."
"I think about a hundred are coming. But most of them are unconscious."
"Then we have nothing to worry about." Usopp said
"Just wait and see guys." Luffy said
Not long after that people started to notice a large ship getting closer. They recognized the flag belonging to the Krieg pirates. They started to freak out. Not long after that Gin and Krieg walked into the restaurant.
"Man he looks pathetic." Luffy said
"Please, can I have some food?" Krieg begged
"I haven't eaten anything for days. I'm starving"
"We have plenty of money this time." Gin said
Sanji looked at the pathetic state of Krieg and went up to cook him some food.
"Someone call the Marines." Patty said. "We have to take advantage of this, They might never have a chance like this again."
"I won't do anything. Once I eat I will leave."
"Don't listen to him" Carne said "He will say or do anything to win."
Sanji made his way back down the stairs and in the process kicked Patty in the face sending him over the railing and onto the floor below. Sanji put a large bowl of food and a bottle of sake down in front of Krieg.
"What are you doing?" Carne asked "Take that food away from him now Sanji."
"Sanji-san"
"There is no telling what he will do if he regains his strength."
Krieg began devouring the food in front of him. Every so often he would take a drink of sake. Just as Krieg finished eating he stood up and went to attack the man who just gave him food. Before he could hurt Sanji Luffy intervened.
"What do you think you are doing you bastard? How dare you attack the man who essentially saved your life."
Everyone in the restaurant stood there with their mouths wide open. They couldn't believe what they had just heard. In fact they didn't know what they had just seen. One second the boy in the Straw Hat was sitting with his friends enjoying a nice meal the next he is stopping Krieg from attacking Sanji.
"How did you do that?" Sanji asked
"I am just really fast." Luffy said grinning
"I am sorry but it would be good if all customers would be so kind as to leave the restaurant before things get really ugly." Luffy said not looking away from Krieg. All of the patrons nodded and got out of the restaurant as fast as they could.
"How did you do that boy?"
"Easy, I am stronger and faster than you." Luffy said
"There is no one stronger than me."
"I am the ruler of the East Blue."
Krieg tried to remove his arm from Luffy's grasp but he couldn't.
"Let go of me boy. You are going to get hurt." Luffy complied
"Good. Now I want you cooks to go prepare 100 meals for my men."
"We are not going to listen to you." Carne said
"I am giving you an order. Once you are done with the food this will become my ship. As you can see I am in need of a new ship and this will work perfectly."
"Where are you going Sanji?"
"I am going to cook one hundred meals."
"We aren't going to let you do that"
All the cooks of Baratie circled around Sanji holding giant utensils preventing him from moving
"If you want to stop me go ahead. It's too much of a pain to think about what they might do after they are fed. I am a cook. When people are hungry I feed them."
Patty had heard enough and knocked Sanji to the ground
"I will protect this ship."
"What can one man do to all of us? Pirates come to this restaurant every day. I'm always prepared for a fight."
Patty took out his lobster bazooka, aimed it at Krieg and fired. To everyone's surprise Don Krieg survived the attack. Only his shirt and jacket were destroyed leaving behind his golden wootz steel armor.
"This dessert is terrible." Krieg said as a dozen guns appeared out of his armor.
Krieg began shooting at all of the cooks in Baratie. All of the cooks screamed in terror as he began firing.
"Gear Second" "Buso Koka" Luffy said in quick succession and disappeared.
Finally Krieg stopped firing only to be shocked at the outcome. Not a single chef had been hit. Luffy appeared in between Krieg and the cooks.
"Is that all you got." Luffy said with black haki coated forearms and emitting steam from his legs. Luffy emptied both of his hands. Everyone was stunned at what fell out. It was every single bullet Krieg had fired.
"What the hell are you?"
"I am a rubber man, I ate the Gomu Gomu no mi." The smoke dissipated and his black fists vanished.
"A devil fruit?"
"That's right."
Krieg was going to attack Luffy again but Zeff came down the stairs with a giant bag.
"Here, there should be enough in there for one hundred people."
"Owner Zeff" a few of the cooks said
"That's Zeff?" Krieg said looking scared
"What are you thinking?"
"If his crew gets better they will take over this restaurant."
"Only if they've got the guts to attack us. Isn't that right Krieg? Your crew couldn't make it through the Grand Line? Could they?"
"Even with a fleet of 50 ships they couldn't do it?"
"So Red Foot Zeff is alive."
"Yeah I am but that is none of your concern."
"As you can see I make a living cooking now. What do you want?"
"You must have kept a log of your travels through the Grand Line. Hand it over to me."
"I did do that, but I am not going to give it to you. That log is the pride of my entire crew; it's far too valuable for the likes of you."
"Then I will have to take it from you. I must have that log book."
"With it I will find the One Piece and become King of the Pirates."
"You become King of the Pirates? That's hilarious."
"I will be King of the Pirates." Luffy said proudly
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
"Do whatever you want I am just stating a fact."
"This is no game."
"I know it's not. But I will be the one to conquer the Grand Line."
"It was just a lack of information that my fleet of fifty ships and five thousand men only lasted seven days."
"Just seven day." Patty said
"I spent four years on the Grand Line." Luffy said like it was no big deal.
"WHAT" Everyone yelled, Zeff couldn't believe what he heard.
"You are lying kid. There is no way you could have lasted that long." Krieg said
"I don't care what you think, but it is the truth."
"I've had enough."
"I am going to bring this food to my men."
"When I get back you better be ready to turn this ship over to me as well as that log book."
Krieg grabbed the bag of food and walked out of the restaurant.
With Krieg out of the room all attention turned to Luffy
"Kid did you really spend four years on the Grand Line?"
"I don't lie." Luffy said grinning
"Gin you said that you knew nothing about the Grand Line, right? But you've been there? What happened?"
"I am not sure what happened. On our seventh day in the Grand Line something happened that I still can't explain. Just one man destroyed our fleet of fifty ships."
"WHAT." Most of the cooks said
"That's incredible." Luffy said knowing that Mihawk was the man to destroy those ships
"Out of nowhere one man just started attacking our fleet destroying one ship after another."
"A freak storm saved the flag ship but the others weren't as lucky. We just barely made it out. It looked like he had the eyes of a hawk."
"Hawk Eye Mihawk." Zeff said
Zoro couldn't believe what he had heard
"Do you know who he is Zoro?" Luffy asked
"He's the man I have been looking for. I went out to sea to find him. He's the strongest swordsman in the world!"
Outside on the beaten up pirate ship Krieg brought the food to his men and they stuffed their faces. Krieg told them they were going to take over the restaurant and they were going back to the Grand Line. The pirates were initially hesitant but after one of their crew mates was shot for voicing a concern about going back they fell into line. Krieg ordered his men to attack and take over the ship. They were making their way down from the deck of the beaten up ship when something happened. The ship was cut in three.
Everyone in the restaurant ran out to look at what was going on. Nami, Usopp, Johnny and Yosaku were shocked to say the least.
"Don Krieg, It's the man who destroyed our fleet." A pirate said
"We're doomed." Another pirate said
"It doesn't look like he is armed with anything special." A cook said
"His weapon is on his back." Zeff said
"He destroyed that huge galleon with a sword?"
"He's the swordsman who stands above all of the world's swordsmen." Zeff said
"I can't believe I get to challenge him so soon." Zoro said
"Why did you do this?" A pirate asked
"To kill time" Mihawk said
A pirate took out two guns and shot at Mihawk.
"W..What?!"
"He redirected the bullets with just his sword." Zoro said
"That's ridiculous!"
"I've never seen someone so graceful with a sword."
"A sword with strength alone is not powerful." Hawk Eye said
"This ship was cut apart with that sword?"
"Of course"
"It's clear now. You're the strongest! I've been sailing the seas to face you." Zoro said tying his bandana around his head
"What's your goal?"
"To be the best"
"Fool"
"You have time to spare, don't you? Let's duel?"
"Duel such a pitiful weakling? If you really were a fine swordsman, you would be able to tell the difference in our strength without even drawing a blade. Challenging me you have to be brave? Or simply reckless?"
"This is for my dream and for a promise to my friend."
Mihawk took off his necklace to reveal a small blade hidden in a cross
"What's the meaning of this?"
"Though you've earned a name for yourself as swordsman this is still the East Blue. It is the weakest of the four seas. And this is the smallest blade that I have"
"Quit mocking me! Just don't regret it when you die!"
"You're but someone who's yet to experience the real world."
"Oni..giri." Zoro said but his attack was stopped dead in its tracks
"What's going on? I can't move. This technique has never failed me before, but now he is stopping me with a toy. Is he really that much stronger than me? I can't be this far away."
Zoro began attacking with all he had but Mihawk deflected or avoided every attack.
"Such untapped potential."
"Just with that little thing, he's taking on all three of Zoro's swords." A krieg pirate said shocked
"I…I didn't come all this way to lose to a toy. If I could just defeat this man…"
Zoro tried attacking but missed and fell down breathing hard.
"What is your goal? Why do you seek power, you weakling?"
Johnny and Yosaku had heard enough and tried to attack Mihawk but didn't make it very far. Luffy grabbed the collars of their shirts and pulled them back.
"Don't interfere." Luffy said
"How can you watch this Luffy?" Nami asked
"Zoro needs this. He needs to learn that he has got a long way to go."
"How can you say that?" Nami asked
"Just look, Mihawk is toying with him. I know it's painful to watch. I'm not enjoying this but it has to happen."
"I still don't understand but if you say so."
"How can you say that Luffy-aniki?"
"What would Zoro say if he found out you two tried to interrupt his duel?"
Johnny and Yosaku looked at each other and said "He would be pissed"
"Exactly, now sit here and be patient."
"I can't afford to lose!" Zoro said getting back up
"Tora…gari" Zoro said setting up and trying to attack Mihawk only to be stabbed in the chest.
"Do you wish to have this go through your heart? Why don't you step back?"
"I don't know. I'm not sure why myself. But if I were to take even one step back, I believe that all of those important promises 'til now, will all go to waste and I'll never be able to challenge you, ever again."
"Yes, that's called losing."
"That's why I can't step back."
"Even if it means death?"
"Death would be better!"
'What strong will!' Mihawk thought. 'Preferring death over defeat.' Mihawk took his toy like dagger out of Zoro's chest
"Kid, what is your name?"
"Roronoa Zoro!" he said getting into a stance for one final attack
"I'll remember it. It's been a while since I've seen such a strong will. As a gesture to a fellow swordsman, I shall use my black sword Yoru, the most powerful sword in the world, to end this."
"I appreciate your offer. This is my last chance. World's strongest… or death?"
"Santoryu Ogi" Zoro said as he began spinning his swords. "Sanzen Sekai" Zoro said trying to attack only to have two of his swords break apart.
"I lost. Losing wasn't something I'd ever imagine possible." Zoro said resheathing Wado Ichimonji . "So this is the level that I am going to have to reach to be the greatest swordsman in the world?"
"What now?" Mihawk said as Zoro stood up and turned to face him and held his arms out.
"A scar on a swordsman's back is shameful."
"Well said" Mihawk said as he cut zoro from his left shoulder to his right hip
"Zoro!" Luffy, Usopp, Nami, Johnny and Yosaku yelled
"Don't rush your death, young one."
'Why would he do that?' Sanji said. 'His opponent was the world's greatest. The outcome was obvious. Why didn't you give up your ambitions, realizing death was inevitable?'
"It simple to give up your ambition" Sanji yelled
"Even the pirate hunter Zoro didn't stand a chance!" a pirate said
"Aniki" Johnny and Yosaku jumped into the water to get Zoro.
"Bastard." Luffy yelled as he launched himself over to Mihawk.
"You're the young swordsman's nakama? Thank you for watching over him. Don't worry, he is still alive."
"Oh that's good."
"Quickly get him on the ship!" Usopp said from the Merry.
A few minutes later Zoro was on board the Merry and Usopp had just come back with some supplies to treat Zoro's huge wound. "Here's some medicine! We have to get this stitched up."
"It's still too early for you to die. My name is Dracule Mihawk! Discover your true self, the true world, become stronger! However long it may take, I shall await you at the top. Surpass this sword! Surpass me! Roronoa Zoro!"
"For Hawk Eye Mihawk to say such a thing." Zeff said
"Boy, what's your goal?"
"King of the Pirates"
"That's a difficult path, harder than surpassing me."
"He's alive" Usopp yelled
"Luffy, can you hear me? Sorry for worrying you. If I don't become the greatest swordsman in the world that would be a problem for the king of the pirates right?"
"I will…I will never…LOSE AGAIN" Zoro said crying "Until I defeat him and become the greatest swordsman, I will not be defeated again! Got a problem with Kaizoku oh?"
"None" Luffy said laughing
"I hope we meet again."
"Hold on Hawk Eye. Didn't you come for my head?"
"That was my intention. But I've had more than enough fun. I am going home."
"You may have had your fun but I have not." Don's armor opened up and he began shooting at Mihawk.
"Fool" Mihawk said as he disappeared.
"He got away" He said with a vein throbbing in his forehead
With Mihawk gone Don turned his attention back to the Baratie. "Men with Hawk Eye gone we can focus on taking that ship. With that ship we will be able to attack enemy ships much easier."
"No one would think pirates were on such a silly looking ship." A pirate said
"You don't want this ship damaged right?" Luffy asked Zeff
"I would like to keep the damage to a minimum."
"Sounds good to me" Luffy said
Luffy concentrated and let out a blast of Haoshoku no Haki. He knocked out a majority of the Krieg pirates. All of the cooks as well as Sanji, Zeff, Johnny and Yosaku all looked at Luffy in awe as the pirates started to fall down unconscious. Left standing were twenty Krieg pirates, Krieg, Gin and Pearl who had yet to show himself.
"What the hell is with this kid?" One cook said
"Just how strong is he?" Another said
"That was Haki wasn't it kid. You really did spend time on the Grand Line. You wouldn't pick up something like that here. It looks like you didn't spend all of your time in paradise either."
"I told you, I don't lie"
"What did you do to my men?" Krieg asked agitated
"I used my Haki to knock them out. You know, I could have just as easily knocked every last one of you out but where would be the fun in that?"
"Don't mock me boy. You don't know who you are messing with I'm Don.."
"I get it your Don Krieg Ruler of the East Blue. We know who you are just shut the hell up."
"You brat"
"Go open the fins" Sanji told one of the cooks
"We're going to give the enemy a place to fight?"
"Who cares? We can't let the dining room become a battlefield."
The cook ran off and a few minutes later the fins came up out of the water.
"Good idea, can't go wrecking the inside of my new ship. Thanks for that."
"We didn't do this for you. I wouldn't have heard the end of this if the restaurant got destroyed."
"Now are you going to be good cooks and hand over the restaurant?"
"Hell no you bastard." Sanji said taking a puff of his cigarette
"It's about time you showed up Pearl." Krieg said as Pearl pulled himself up out of the water onto the fin.
"Can you beat him Sanji?" Luffy asked.
"Who do you think you are talking to? Of course I can beat him." Sanji said feeling very reassured by this rubber boy's presence which was weird as they really didn't know each other.
"Good." Luffy said going to sit on the railing
"As soon as Sanji's fight is over I will take down Krieg." Luffy said very straight faced
"You aren't going to fight me now Mugiwara?" Krieg yelled
"Where would be the fun in talking down the boss before the lackeys?"
"Big talk from such a scrawny brat"
"Attack" Krieg yelled
Five pirates started running towards Sanji only to get kicked and sent flying into Pearls shield. More pirates attacked Sanji but he used his Party Table Kick Course and sends them flying. Patty and Carne try to attack Pearl but are easily dispatched and left lying on the ground. Sanji goes to kick Pearl in the head but Pearl stops it with one of the shields on his arm.
Krieg was not happy that half of his remaining men were beaten by one cook. He began swinging a very large morning star around. He let it fly and it went straight towards the cooks. Luffy intercepted the morning star and sent it back towards the Don. It hit a mast from the destroyed ship and it fell down. It landed directly on Pearls head knocking him out.
"Sanji-san just leave, If you don't I will shot him." Gin said pointing a double barreled gun at Zeff's head
"Sanji, what do you think?" Luffy asked still sitting on the railing swinging his feet back and forth out of sheer boredom.
"Do you want to fight him or should I just knock him out?"
"If you attack me I will shot him."
"Hey, I am just sitting here. I am not involved."
"Gin I didn't appoint you Fleet Battle Commander for no reason. Kill him and the ship is ours."
Sanji vanished and reappeared behind Gin. Sanji kicked Gin in the back and sent him flying out on to the fin.
"You shouldn't have done that"
"Well I got you away from him didn't I?"
Pearl woke up and was pissed off now and started yelling at Sanji and Luffy.
"Be quiet, a mast fell on your head and knocked you out." Sanji yelled to Pearl.
"Sanji if you want to fight Gin I will take out these idiots."
"Do whatever you want."
"Gear Second" "Buso Koka" Luffy said and disappeared then reappeared right in front of Pearl
Luffy didn't say anything he just punched him square in the gut and shattered his armor and sent him flying towards Krieg. Krieg avoided the flying Pearl only to go on the offensive now.
"That was amazing; just one punch is all it took." One of the cooks said the steam still coming off of Luffy and his fists were still black.
"Mugiwara it is time I finished you off."
"I would like to see you try."
Krieg took off his shoulder pads and put them together forming his daisenso. Krieg began swinging the daisenso around. The areas he struck blew up.
"This should be fun." Luffy said
Krieg swung the bomb spear at Luffy only for him to catch it but let it go.
"I don't feel like playing with you, So I am going to end this as fast as possible"
The Merry Go was a safe distance away from the fighting by now. Usopp, Johnny and Yosaku managed to crudely stitch up Zoro's massive wound and bandage him up. Nami was just watching amazed at what Luffy could do.
'He can do it' She thought. 'He can beat Arlong' She wasn't exactly sure why she had stayed with them as long as she did. She had originally planned to steal this ship and head back to Cocoyashi. But she felt like she had to stay here and that everything would be ok as long as she was with these guys.
"Nami, how is the fight going?" Usopp asked pulling her back to reality
"Luffy used his Haki to knock out most of the Krieg pirates and only left a fifth of them standing. He just beat the guy with the giant shields on his chest and now he is fighting Krieg."
"What is Haki?" Yosaku asked
"It's hard to explain."
"That's a terrible answer."
"I know, but I really don't know how to explain it."
"Luffy only told us about it, what a week ago back in Syrup Village."
"Yeah, that's right."
"How is Zoro doing?"
"As remarkable as it sounds I think he is going to be ok."
At the same time Sanji and Gin were fighting. Sanji got a few good kicks in. But Gin using his tonfas also got a few good shots in. Both fell down but soon got back up.
Gin started swinging his tonfas around. He got them spinning fast and started racing toward Sanji. Sanji kicked at Gin only to miss. Gin tried to hit Sanji's leg but he just barely managed to move his leg out of the way. Sanji kicked at Gin only to miss and land on the deck. Gin brought down his tonfa trapping Sanji's neck stuck under the long cross bar. He sat down tapping the other tonfa on his left shoulder. Gin began spinning his tonfa getting it going fast. Sanji spit his lit cigarette up into Gin's face distracting him long enough to do a hand stand and get away. Gin smashed his tonfa into the fin. While Gin's tonfa was in the fin Sanji kicked him in the face and chest sending him to the edge of the fin. Gin did not get up for a little bit after that.
"Hey Luffy" Sanji yelled over to the boy in the straw hat.
"Take down Krieg."
"Of course" Luffy said followed by his trademark grin.
"YOU THINK YOU CAN BEAT ME?" Krieg yelled
"I don't think, I know." Luffy said confidently.
Krieg continued to swinging his daisenso around and got close to hitting Luffy.
"Oh that was actually kind of close."
Krieg swung it down blowing up the part of the broken ship they were on. One more time krieg picked it up and swung it down.
"Busoshoku koka " Luffy said coating his fists in Haki
Luffy grabbed the blade of the daisenso with one hand and in one fluid motion snapped the blade off the end of the weapon and punched Krieg with the other.
"How dare you do that."
"Yeah, yeah"
Krieg continued to swing the bomb on a stick around and instead of hurting Luffy he only ended up blowing up more parts of the broken ship as the two moved among all of the debris.
Luffy backed up a good distance to another section of ship to ready an attack.
"Are you afraid of me Mugiwara?"
"Nope, just getting ready to finish this"
"You insolent brat."
"Gear Second" Luffy said as he stretched his arm out behind him almost to Sanji standing on the fin watching.
"Busoshoku koka" Luffy's fist and forearm turned black
Luffy's fist began retracting and started glowing. Soon his arm was engulfed in a huge fire ball.
"Red Hawk" Luffy yelled
Krieg didn't have time to react as Luffy's fist was moving way to fast. Luffy's fist impacted Krieg's stomach shattering his armor both front and back plates, a huge fireball erupted from his back. Krieg's eyes rolled up in his head as he passed out unconscious. He fell down head first into the wood panels of the ship. He let go of his daisenso and dropped it into the ocean.
Luffy's fist turned back to normal and he turned back to face the cooks and then turned to his friends and crew on the Merry Go. Luffy was smiling and laughing. All of the Krieg pirates who were still awake were speechless. On the other hand all the cooks looked at each other and started yelling excitedly.
"The kid did it" Zeff said talking to no one in particular
"That was incredible" Sanji said
Usopp, Johnny and Yosaku were dancing around acting like idiots. Nami was just laughing at them.
'I made the right decision' Nami thought
Gin was standing up and looking around. He was shocked to see his leader lying unconscious on the ground.
"Don Krieg" Gin yelled
"It's over Gin" Sanji said
"None of your crew mates are willing to fight us anymore."
At this point there was nothing left Gin could do
"I'm sorry Sanji-san" Gin said "I truly am"
"Just stop, it's fine. Nothing was damaged too bad, you were doing this because you thought it was wanted us to surrender peacefully. And when that didn't work things got nasty." Sanji said taking a puff of his cigarette.
All of the sudden Don Krieg stood up like a zombie completely unconscious and knocked Luffy's hat off of his head. Even though Luffy could sense Krieg standing up to attack him he let his hat get knocked off. He just wanted to make a point. Also Krieg wouldn't feel the pain until later anyway.
"Nobody touches the hat." Luffy yelled releasing a wave Haoshoku Haki knocking out the rest of Krieg's crew minus Gin and punching Krieg with a black haki coated fist. He sent him flying into the second mast of their ship that was still sticking out of the water. On impact he left a huge crater in it and large spider web cracks in every direction. He fell down and landed face first onto more debris.
"Wow" was all the cooks could say.
"Hey kid" Gin said
"Yeah" Luffy said after he picked his hat up off the ground.
"One day we will meet again on the Grand Line."
"I look forward to it." Luffy said laughing
The cooks were just shocked by Luffy's response. Luffy's friends on the Merry could only laugh.
"One last thing and then we will leave you alone." Gin said "Can we have a boat to leave your ship?" Gin asked
"I don't see any other way." Sanji said
"Patty, Carne go get them the boat we use for grocery shopping." Sanji said
"Why should we?"
"Just do it" Sanji screamed
"Fine, no need to yell" They said running away.
A little while later the Krieg pirates were all finally awake. They were shocked to see that their leader was unconscious. "We are leaving" Gin said to his crewmates. They all ran to the small boat Patty and Carne had brought out. They were piling in while Gin was talking to Sanji.
"It's sinking" some of the pirates said.
"Thank you for all you have done for us."
"I'll be taking this. I don't have to return it, do I? Try if you dare, bastard."
Gin along with his crew and a still unconscious Krieg set sail.
"Remember now, this is the fighting sea restaurant Baratie!" Patty yelled as the small ship was heading out to sea
"What an annoying group" Gin said as the restaurant was getting smaller in the distance.
"So Sanji now that this is all done are you going to join me?"
"I can't, I still have something to do here."
"Alright if you say so" Luffy said knowing exactly what he was talking about.
"Some day I will go to the Grand Line. Hey, have you heard of the All Blue?"
"No I haven't, what is it?" Luffy said. He couldn't tell Sanji that he knew what is was. Sanji was just so excited to talk about it.
"It's a mystical sea where fish from all four blues gather. It's a wonderland for a cook like me."
'He looks so damn happy.' Zeff thought to himself looking down from the third floor balcony.
"I know it has to be somewhere on the Grand Line." Sanji said. Sanji continued to tell Luffy about all the tales and rumors of the All Blue. Finally the lunch bell rang and Patty yelled loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Sounds like it's time to eat." Luffy said stomach growling.
Sanji and Luffy made their way down to the first level to get some lunch. The two were shocked to see that there were no seats left for them at any table. Nami, Usopp, Johnny and Yosaku were sitting down eating lunch. Even Zoro managed to make his way off the ship and get some lunch.
"Why the hell didn't you guys save us a seat?" Luffy said annoyed
"Sorry Luffy-aniki. This table is only big enough for five people."
Luffy and Sanji walked over and sat on the floor and ate their lunch. It wasn't long before the cooks were complaining about how terrible the soup was. Patty threw his bowl on the ground because he was so disgusted. Sanji was furious that he cooks were badmouthing his food. Even Zeff was in on it. He complained that this soup would shut down the restaurant. Sanji stormed off and ran out the door.
"What's wrong with it?" Nami asked as Luffy went and got more eventually sticking the ladle in his mouth.
"There's nothing wrong with it." Zeff said
Unknown to everyone but Luffy, Sanji had made his way back to the door after blowing off some steam.
"If we didn't do this he'd never leave. Hey kid you mentioned that you needed a cook on you ship, right? I'm not forcing you or anything but why don't you take him with you to the Grand Line?"
"I'm not going to take him with me unless he agrees to it."
"That would be for the best." Zeff said "He will never admit that he wants to go."
Sanji walked in and began talking.
"All of us have crazy dreams. I'm gonna do this for my own dream of finding the All Blue."
"Sanji" Luffy said
"As you wanted, I'll go with you on your journey to become King of the Pirates. Allow me to take up the position of cook aboard your ship. You got a problem with that?"
"None" Luffy said laughing
"This is my decision everyone. I caused a lot of trouble for you, didn't I?"
"I wanted to throw you out of here myself, but things turn out to be this easy" Patty said
"Well I'm sorry but that is what you get for putting on such an appalling performance."
"You figured it out."
"Of course I did, you're all morons."
An hour later Yosaku, Johnny, Luffy, Nami, Usopp and Zoro were all on the Going Merry. They were waiting for Sanji. Finally after one more walk around the Baratie Sanji walked out the main door with a bag and a brief case. Patty and Carne tried to attack Sanji but got their asses kicked. Sanji made his way over to the Going Merry.
"No goodbyes?" Luffy asked
"Sanji, don't catch a cold out there." Zeff said
Sanji began crying thinking about all the things Zeff did for him when he was young. All of the things they went through together.
"Owner Zeff" Sanjii yelled as he was bowing to his teacher
"I owe you so much. I'll never forget all that you have done for me." Sanji said crying
Zeff got all teary eyed. So did all of the other cooks at the restaurant. Sanji sat up when he heard Patty and Carne start talking.
"I'm gonna miss you, dammit." Patty said crying
"Alright I'm gonna miss you to." Carne said
"I'm so sad" some of the cooks said.
As much as he annoyed them they cared for him even if they were too tough to say it.
"You idiots, Men are supposed to part without saying anything."
Sanji stood up, grabbed his bag, his brief case and climbed the ladder of the Going Merry.
"Let's go, Set sail" Luffy said.
"Til we meet again you freakin' bastards!" Sanji screamed through tears as they were sailing off.
'They will find the All Blue' Zeff said to himself as they were sailing away.
Back to the future Straw Hats watching through the portal
"So are we past asking what was different?" Brook asked
"I would think so" Zoro said
"I didn't get to see Luffy fight Krieg last time." Usopp said only to be completely ignored
"So the dartboard brow can be more than a pain in the ass."
"Quiet marimo."
"That was a real touching moment." Franky said wiping the tears away from his eyes.
Sanji kicked Franky knocking him over
"That was real cute Sanji-san"
"Thank you Robin-chawn." Sanji said going into full love cook mode.
"Usopp-san you said you didn't get to see Luffy-san fight Krieg last time. What happened?"
"I don't want to get hurt but what I think I can tell you is that…" Nami interrupted Usopp by hitting him on the head leaving a large bump, Usopp shut his mouth.
"What I will tell you is that, like yours my life was pretty difficult. Before I met Luffy I was a part of another crew who only used me to make maps for them. Just watch, you will find out the whole story soon enough. If you have anymore questions after that I will answer them and maybe I won't hurt you."
Chopper hid behind Zoro's leg like he often does when he is scared.
"I appreciate it Nami-san" Robin said
"Just one thing." Franky asked finally standing back up.
"Will the future be affected by some of the things that are happening there?"
"You know, now that I think about it Gin wasn't poisoned this time." Sanji said back to normal
"What?" some of the straw hats said.
"Yeah, last time Krieg used this poison gas to finish him off after he disobeyed an order because he couldn't kill me. I don't know what happened to Gin after that. He may very well have died last time. Who knows, maybe we will meet him some day on the Grand Line."
"You know you will never meet that Gin. What you are watching is an technically an alternate reality. Eventually this one may cease to exist."
"WHAT" They said through shark teeth
"Yeah, your memories and knowledge have been passed on to them so eventually we may just cease to be. Then again I am only guessing. I have no idea what will happen."
"I would hit you if I could." Nami said
"So not SUPER." Franky said striking his signature pose.