AN:

Not much to say about this chapter, so go ahead and jump right into it. Thanks for all the support and feel free to let me know what you think of this one!

Here's Chapter 28.

Chapter 28: Maps, Posters, and Menus

"Levi! Look how big that bird is!" Luffy exclaimed, looking up into the sky while he swam with his friend. It looked like he could ride it if he could get up there… Plus, it was moving in the direction they were headed in! He looked over at the sea beast, a plan forming in his head… A crazy plan. "Hey, Levi… Think you can get me up there?", he asked, a grin growing on his face.

"Luffy! Don't you dare!", Nami screamed over the railing of the Merry. They were close to the island and if he got there first, all hell was sure to break loose. It would make it way harder to steal not only the map but the treasure they were sure to have too.

Zoro dropped his barbell and looked up at the navigator to tell her she should save her breath but was interrupted by the sound of his captain's laughter shooting into the air, his form heading directly for the large bird… The verdet sighed to himself and watched Luffy crash into the bird. It looked like he almost fell down to the ocean below before the creature shot off in the direction of their destination, likely in panic…

Brown orbs followed the boy now riding away and a huff came from the orangette's mouth. "Zoro, grab Levi's reins! We need to get there at least close to the same time he does…", she ordered.

The verdet certainly didn't disagree with the sentiment and therefore grabbed the rope Luffy used to pull the boat from where it sat beside the figurehead. He stepped up and tossed the makeshift reins into the water, watching them immediately be pulled under the water. "Alright, Levi. Get to Luffy and be quick about it.", he commanded to the beast.

The Merry was immediately jerked forward and began to move much faster than it previously had been… Hopefully, they made it before Luffy did anything too ridiculous…

"To Buggy! Our incredible captain!", one of the man's subordinates screamed, raising his mug of ale into the air.

The rest of the men yelled their agreement to the statement, raising their glasses in reply. "Speech! Speech! Speech!", the crew of the Buggy Pirates chanted.

The man who stood at the request of his men closely resembled… A clown for lack of a better word. His large spherical red nose was mostly what made him look this way.

He wore a long orange captain's coat around his shoulders and a red/white striped shirt underneath. Around his neck was a purple ascot and he wore a pair of tan pants tucked into socks that were patterned just like his shirt. The last things of note were his large red shoes and the orange sash tied around his waist.

Buggy raised his hand to quiet his men before speaking, "I just want to say, that I wouldn't be half the man I am today if it wasn't for all of you.". A lie, of course. He was The Great Buggy, a former crewman of the King of the Pirates. He didn't really need any of the rabble he was surrounded with. "Each and every one of you is near and dear to me.", the clown lied, smirking at all the looks of admiration he was receiving.

The pirate captain turned and walked to the table behind him, grabbing a rolled-up piece of parchment from it. He returned to his spot and slowly unrolled the paper, unveiling it for the eyes of his men to see, "For those of you who don't know, this is a map to the Grandline!… And I've decided that it's our next great adventure!". What they didn't know, was that he didn't need the map at all… But that knowledge would imply that he'd been to the Grandline before… Which, he didn't need anyone knowing at this very moment…

Buggy went to continue but was interrupted by screaming coming from the sky above and looked up to identify where it was coming from. As the screams became louder, he could tell that it was a person and couldn't help but think they were headed directly for him.

The clown-like man thought to himself while the flying body continued to descend and a flashy plan came to his mind. He would woo his crew by stepping out of the way at the very last moment. Yes! It was perfect! Then he would receive even more of the love and affection he so desired.

Just before the screaming boy was to hit the ground, Buggy moved his vision to his wide-eyed men with a smirk, stepping to the right and standing still as he waited for the figure to smack into the ground next to him.

Luffy's frantic yelling abruptly stopped when he hit the ground, the stone lightly cracking around him and a piece of paper floating into the air. He slowly opened his eyes while the dust settled and couldn't help but think his landing had been softer than he thought it would be.

"Captain!", the Buggy Pirates screamed at seeing the man be smashed flat into the ground by the falling figure.

The dust finally cleared and the straw-hatted teen looked around curiously, his nose being hit with a wonderful smell. It smelled like a feast. He ignored the groaning coming from underneath him as he stood up and followed the heavenly scent of a wonderfully cooked meal.

The gathered group of pirates couldn't do anything other than gape at the sight of the boy standing without a care in the world and beginning to eat the food they'd set out for the feast. Their wide eyes shifted back to their captain.

Buggy groaned while trying to unbend his body, anger starting to build in his chest. Whoever had just landed on him, made him look bad in front of his crew! He was going to kill the flashy bastard! He groaned again when he stood and angrily searched the area for his offender.

The sound of munching hit the pirate captain's ear and he turned toward the table, his eyes widening incredulously. "What the hell are you doing, you flashy bastard?!", he shouted, watching the kid suck down food like he was a vacuum cleaner… Wait… That hat… It couldn't be…

Luffy turned to the voice and laughed at the man who'd addressed him through bites of food. "That's a REALLY big nose.", the boy exclaimed, pointing in the funny-looking guy's direction. The entire area seemed to freeze, all the chattering ceasing the moment the words left his mouth, and he looked around curiously. Why was everyone looking at him like that?… His vision shifted back to the clown and he noticed that the man's skin tone had a reddish tint to it… It even looked to be getting darker… Weird.

Buggy's right and left-hand men looked at each other in outrage, Richie growling loudly in the background, "You dare insult Captain Buggy's no-".

"Cabaji, Mohji.", Buggy interrupted before they could finish. His eyes never left the object of his ire, "He's mine to kill.". He no longer cared about the hat the flashy brat wore… He only wanted him dead.

The straw-hatted teen stopped himself in the middle of a bite from his meat stick and watched the clown slowly draw his sword with a white-knuckled grip.

"You die.", the pirate captain whispered into the air in front of him, his blade finally leaving its sheath.

Luffy continued to blankly stare. Was he meant to hear that?… "What was that?", he asked.

"I SAID YOU DIE!", Buggy screamed, rushing forward with his sword above his head. He was going to split this flashy bastard in two!

The boy stood still while the man approached, taking another bite from his meat stick and sighing when he felt bone instead of meat. He looked between the bone and the approaching clown with a shrug, pulling his arm back and launching it in his direction.

Buggy yelped in pain when he felt the bone connect with his forehead, a large bruise bump beginning to form, but he didn't stop moving… The insult was too great… His thought was interrupted when his vision was suddenly met with a blinding white smile.

"You know, you could really hurt someone with this thing.", Luffy mused. He'd seen what Zoro could do with one… He held the man's hands in place above his head as he reared his arm back, twisting his core to load as much power as he could into the appendage.

Buggy's eyes were as wide as saucers. He didn't even have time to use his devil fruit before he felt a fist ram into the center of his chest, a shockwave being sent out either side of him.

The crew of the Buggy Pirates watched in bewilderment as a boom sounded into the air and their captain was launched into the sky like a bullet, his form quickly disappearing from their sight.

The area was dead silent for a moment, the smoke from Luffy's fist still wafting into the air, but it was eventually broken by a shaking voice. "Wait… Doesn't Captain Buggy… Have a devil fruit?…", a pirate said, the realization finally hitting him.

Collectively, it was like a wave washed over the group and they all began to scramble toward the docks as quickly as they could. They had to find their captain! Otherwise, he would drown!

Cabaji looked back at the teen watching their retreating forms and shot him the bird, "You're dead meat if we ever see you again!". With that said, he frantically turned and rushed after the rest of the crew.

Luffy watched the men retreat with only one thought on his mind. With them gone… He turned and faced the half-empty table, eyeing the side still covered by food with a pair of gluttonous black orbs…

More for him…

Before the boy could make his way there, however, his vision found a piece of parchment laying on the ground. He curiously walked over and picked it up, unfurling it to take a look at what it was. From what he could see, it was a map of some sort… Hadn't Nami been looking for something like that?… He shook his head and folded the piece of paper, tucking it into the back of his jeans. He hadn't really been listening… But it couldn't hurt to hang onto it.

Luffy's hands left the paper and his attention was immediately consumed by the table still filled with food once again, the thought from earlier appearing in his mind as he approached his feast.

"He went flying in this direction!", a voice yelled.

"No! I saw it better than you! He obviously was sent in that direction!", another voice argued.

Zoro looked over at the retreating pirate ship with a curious eye. What the hell were they talking about… And why were they leaving?… He didn't even really know why he was wondering about that. He pretty much already knew why, and, more than likely, it had something to do with his wayward captain.

Nami shook her head, sighing. She was of a similar mind on the matter. She just hoped this journey wasn't a waste. Hopefully, the map was still there… And maybe even a little treasure.

"Levi, pull us in slowly.", the verdet commanded to the water below. At his words, the Merry drifted into the dock with a surprisingly gentle touch. He pulled the now slack rope from the water and set it on the front deck before jumping down to the dock. He turned to the water and Levi stuck his head out as Nami's form landed beside him, "Make sure the Merry doesn't go anywhere.".

At the nod of the beast, Zoro turned back toward the street leading through town and started on his way, Nami hot on his heels. Before the two could even take three steps in the direction they were heading, however, they both froze.

Was that… Luffy?

An obese figure was desperately running through the streets in their direction. It looked like he was being chased by a large group of very angry people.

"Get outta here, you damn pirate! This is our town!", a voice from the crowd yelled, various shouts of agreement coming from others in the mob.

"Zoro! Nami!", Luffy screamed, "Get back on the ship!".

Both of their eyes widened. So it was him, after all. They should have seen something like this coming…

"What the hell did you even do?!", Nami yelled, incredulously, quickly following Zoro back to the boat. Damn him! Now this whole trip was a waste! She huffed in irritation but didn't stop her legs from moving… There was nothing she could do about it now.

The straw-hatted teen looked back at the angry mob while he continued to run toward the Merry, his body violently jiggling along the way. He hadn't even gotten the chance to say anything! He'd been finishing off the last of the food when they'd showed up and just started attacking him, telling him to leave…

Luffy could only really think of one reason why they might be mad… He turned away from the raging crowd and back to the docks to reply, "I think they're mad 'cause I ate all the food!".

The swordsman scoffed at the words, grabbing Nami and jumping up to the deck of the Merry. That probably wasn't the reason they were chasing him, but he didn't really care. His captain had given an order. He didn't even think he really meant it that way, but that was the way it had been taken.

Zoro set the orangette down and rushed to the figurehead, "Levi! Push us out and let's get outta here!". A rumble he couldn't understand came from the water and he waited for the rope in his hands to be pulled tight, watching his fat captain run for his life in the direction of their now-moving ship.

Luffy's feet found the end of the dock just as the Merry hit open water and he jumped as hard as he could, his fat body jiggling as it flew through the air… And directly into the sea… Shock held the large boy in place for a moment before he scrambled to break the surface with wide eyes, watching his ship get further away from him… He thought for sure he'd be able to make that jump!

"Guy's wait up! I can't swim very fast right now!", Luffy yelled, trying, and failing, to catch up to the boat that was slowly but surely getting further away.

Luffy gasped for breath as he pulled himself over the rail of the Merry. "What the heck, guys!", he moaned from his place lying on the deck, the water from his soaked form darkening the wood below. He'd swam so hard that he burnt off all the food he ate!

Nami gave the boy a hard stare from the front deck. Because of him, the trip was a waste and she didn't have time to waste. If she had to serve under that blue-skinned bastard for much longer, she was sure to explode.

"What the hell happened back there?", Zoro asked, standing on the figurehead of the Merry and still holding Levi's reins.

The pirate captain saw his first mate in his spot and immediately jumped to his feet. "What the heck, Zoro! That's my spot!", he yelled, running up the stairs to reclaim what was rightfully his. He stepped up and grabbed the reins out of Zoro's hands, the swordsman gracefully stepping out of the way.

Nami eyed the boy now steering the boat and her vision landed on a wet piece of parchment tucked into one of the pockets on the back of his jeans… It couldn't be… She walked her way up to the figurehead as Zoro stepped down and grabbed at Luffy's pocket.

The straw-hatted pirate captain looked behind him, curiously. When he saw Nami reaching toward his back pocket, he sent her a teasing smile, looking ahead once more, "If you wanted to touch my butt, you could've just asked.".

The orangette scoffed, hiding the blush on her face while she snagged the piece of paper from the boy's jeans. She unfolded it and couldn't help but gape at what she now knew was the map she'd been looking for. She turned and looked at Luffy incredulously, "Where the hell did you get this?".

The boy turned curiously and saw Nami holding the map he'd found, "Oh, that?". Was that what she'd been looking for?… Good thing he'd hung on to it… "I picked it up after I punched a guy with a big nose.", he laughed, thinking of the man. He'd been funny! Maybe if he ever saw him again, he'd ask him to join his crew… Although, the man did appear to already have a crew of his own…

Luffy shrugged to himself. He'd probably ask him anyway.

Zoro walked up and glanced over the girl's shoulder, at the map she was holding. It wasn't in great shape… The ink was running and it was almost impossible for him to read.

Nami took in every inch of the page as quickly as she could, shouldering past Zoro and making her way toward the storeroom. She needed to get to her desk in her room before too much of the map was lost. It would be tough, but she would more than likely be able to make a good copy if she worked fast enough. She didn't like rushing when it came to maps, but sometimes it was necessary… Looked like this trip might have been worth it after all…

Zoro and Luffy watched the girl disappear into the storeroom at the back deck with curious eyes, both turning to look at each other for a moment before shrugging.

The swordsman walked up to the rail and looked in the direction of the horizon, "So, where to next, Captain?".

Luffy thought about the question for a moment. Nami wasn't there to give him a place to go so he got to decide this time. He'd dropped Usopp back off on Syrup and he definitely wanted to go get him, but eating all that food earlier was making him think of someone else… Someone he hadn't seen in far too long… He wanted to have his cooking again…

Zoro looked up at his captain when he turned to face him and, for some reason, could tell his peaceful days on the Merry were numbered… He just knew they were going to get HIM… He groaned into the air, and hung his head in acceptance of what he already knew was coming.

"Let's go get Sanji! I miss his food!", Luffy exclaimed, laughing at the irritated noises his first mate was making and looking down to the water below, "Levi! Take us to the Baratie!".

Nami finished putting the final touches on her map with a sigh, setting the pen down and leaning back in her chair. She'd been at it non-stop for a while now and she was finally done. She sat back up and gazed at her creation with a critical eye. It was perfect. It was actually probably a better map than the original… Not to toot her own horn or anything…

The orangette stood from her desk and stretched out her legs, a tingling feeling being sent down to her feet. That was enough map drawing for now. She turned to the small set of stairs and made her way up them, opening the hatch leading to the storeroom before stepping out.

Nami closed the small in-floor door and shut the latch behind her, approaching the door leading to the main deck. Before she could open it, however, her eyes glanced a stack of papers she'd never seen before… At least not one she'd ever noticed…

The girl curiously made her way over, picking up the stack, and flipped through the pages, her eyes widening when she realized what they were... Every single one was a bounty poster and almost all of them had the red words 'CASHED' stamped over the photo.

Nami's eyes widened even further as she continued. Not even half of them had been covered by the news... Her hands found the last couple of pages and she noticed they were the only ones without red stamps.

The orangette carefully set the rest of the stack down and examined the bounty posters of the few men, and one woman, Merry's Terrible Trio hadn't been able to cash the bounties on. The first showed an obese woman with long black hair as she sat on top of a group of unconscious men.

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

'IRON MACE ALVIDA'

'CAPTAIN OF THE ALVIDA PIRATES'

'฿ 5. 000. 000 ฿'

She honestly wasn't sure if the men in the picture were even still alive... That was a lot of weight sitting on top of them... Nami shook her head and placed the woman's bounty at the back, revealing the next. Her eyes were met by a figure with a tanned face and shadowed eyes, a large metal tonfa resting on his shoulder.

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

'MAN DEMON GIN'

'FIRST MATE OF THE KRIEG PIRATES'

'฿ 12. 000. 000 ฿'

The girl looked at the photo for another moment before she flipped to the next page, this one showing the picture of a man with light purple hair and long, thick, sideburns, his face mostly covered by shadow. She assumed he was the captain of the person from before because... Well, it said so.

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

'FOUL-PLAY DON KRIEG'

'CAPTAIN OF THE KRIEG PIRATES'

'฿ 17. 000. 000 ฿'

Nami moved the poster to the back and looked at the next bounty, shivering at the image. It was for a man with long greasy black hair, a sickly face, and an even sicker smile, his lips covered in dripping blood.

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

'SETSUKO THE VILE'

'฿ 14. 000. 000 ฿'

The orangette quickly put that one away with a shiver of disgust. She remembered some of the news surrounding him and it made her sick just thinking about it. She shook the thoughts away and read the next poster, the page showing a close-up of a man with a round red nose scowling at the camera.

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

'BUGGY THE CLOWN'

'CAPTAIN OF THE BUGGY PIRATES'

'฿ 15. 000. 000 ฿'

That must have been the big-nosed guy Luffy had punched earlier… The girl lifted the page to see the last bounty poster and froze when she saw the name on it, revealing the rest very slowly. Her glaring eyes were met by the image of a blue fishman man with a long jagged nose, manically grinning at something out of frame… It was a pirate she knew all too well.

'WANTED'

'DEAD OR ALIVE'

'SAWTOOTH ARLONG'

'CAPTAIN OF THE ARLONG PIRATES'

'฿ 20. 000. 000 ฿'

Nami dropped the rest of the pages on top of the stack and stared at the one in her hands as if attempting to burn a hole through it… So they knew who he was… She growled to herself, her hand coming up to grasp her shoulder… She always had it covered with waterproof makeup but that did nothing to stop the tattoo from feeling like it was burning through her skin. It physically hurt her to have to keep it there…

The orangette grasped the bounty poster with both of her hands and ripped it into as many little shreds as she could, growling in anger. The pieces of paper floated into the air and she huffed when there was nothing left to tear, letting her hands drop back down to her sides while she tried to center herself. She couldn't go outside all upset, it would bring too many questions.

The girl breathed deeply for a moment before opening her eyes and glancing at the mess on the floor with a sigh. Not like she could just leave it there… That would bring questions too… She got to her knees to pick up the shreds of paper and noticed something peculiar in the corner of her vision, pausing to get a better look at it.

Behind a stack of barrels, was what looked to be the opening of a cloth sack.

Nami curiously approached the barrels and grabbed the sack from its place on the floor. It was heavier than she thought it would be… As the bag moved, she could hear the clanking of metal and her heartbeat was suddenly faster than it had been a moment earlier. Was this… What was left of Zoro's treasure?… Once she had it sitting in the middle of the storeroom, she glanced at the door… One little peek wouldn't hurt.

Before the orangette went to open the sack, she saw words written on the side in black and scoffed.

They read: 'FOR GRANDLINE BOOZE... NOT FOR MEAT'.

The girl shook her head and sent one more glance at the door… She'd have to be quick… She wrenched open the bag and her eyes were met with what was left of Zoro's treasure from all those months ago. Actually, there were a couple stacks of bills too… It must have been from their bounty-hunting adventures. She shrugged and went to close the bag up before she realized something, her eyes widening. She ripped it back open and desperately looked inside, mental math being completed in her head…

It was enough… Combined with Luffy's treasure… It would be enough. Nami's shaking hands closed the sack up and put it back in the place she'd found it, her mind moving a mile a minute… Could she do it?… Could she steal from her friends?… She could just ask… But…

"Zoro! Nami! I see it!… Levi go faster!".

Luffy's voice startled the orangette out of her frozen state and she looked up, quickly moving toward the door. She pulled it open, stepping out into the sun, and wiped the turmoil she was feeling from her face as she walked in the direction of the front deck… Why not just ask?… Her eyes glanced up and she saw the black flag flying from the top of the mast…

Nami's brown orbs hardened at the sight... That was why she couldn't ask... Suddenly, it felt like her resolve was set in stone. Of course she could steal from them… They were pirates… Just like him. The girl chose to ignore the twinging feeling in her heart and plastered a fake smile on her lips, stepping up to the front deck to see what Luffy was talking about.

As Zoro's feet stopped beside her, the orangette glanced a large fish-shaped vessel quickly growing larger as they approached… Was that… The Baratie?… The large fins of the vessel were down and several ships were docked around it. It made her think it was probably pretty busy.

Zoro groaned at seeing the floating restaurant. Why did they have to go there first?… He'd have much rather picked up Usopp before Twirly Brow, but, no, Luffy wanted to eat his food… Stupid cook… He turned away from the Baratie, shouldering past Nami and moving to put away his weights, as it looked like they would soon be arriving.

The swordsman huffed in irritation when he felt his stomach grumble, coming to a realization that made him scowl while he walked down the stairs to the main deck… He wouldn't mind having a bite of the idiot's food either…

Sanji pushed his nose into his elbow and sneezed, looking up curiously. Was someone thinking about him?… The thought sent a pervy smile to his lips. He hoped it was his goddess, Nami, or even Lady Carina…

The chef gently shook the thoughts away and finished putting the last touches on his dish, picking it up to carry to the serving window. He'd enjoyed being able to feed the beautiful purple-haired woman but was sad that she hadn't stayed long. "Order up!", he yelled through the window. Before he could even turn, a loud voice coming from the entrance caught his attention.

"SANJI!", the voice screamed, "I'M HUNGRY!".

Sanji's eyes widened. He knew that voice… So, he'd come. The thought brought a smile to his lips and he turned on his heel to go hang his apron up. It was finally time to set sail… Well... Maybe he'd cook one more meal... Luffy obviously wouldn't mind.

"Sanji! Where are you?!", Luffy's voice came again.

"I'm comin', I'm comin'.", the chef replied, pushing his way through the kitchen door. His eyes immediately found the entrance and he froze. Standing there was not only Luffy but also two others.

Sanji expected the shitty swordsman, so his eyes passed over the idiot and found the third person, his eyes immediately turning to hearts. "NAMI-SWAN!", he yelled, twirling his way over to the girl he'd missed so much.

Nami laughed at the nickname as she watched the chef make his way toward her. She'd missed him and his antics.

Zoro scoffed at watching the blond idiot kneel before his 'queen' and ask for her hand.

"My goddess, Nami.", Sanji said, now bending to kiss the girl's knuckle, "It is a gift to be able to bask in your presence once more.".

Before the orangette could respond, her hand was suddenly released.

"Sanji! I missed you!", Luffy yelled, tackling the chef to the ground and hugging him tightly. He pulled back enough to shoot his friend a smile, "Can you make me some food, Sanji?". His mouth was practically salivating at the thought.

As much as Sanji wanted to be angry that his wonderful moment with Nami had been interrupted, he couldn't help the small smile growing on his lips as his soon-to-be captain released him. The boy offered him a hand and he took it, rising to dust his suit off. "Yeah, I think I can handle that.", he acquiesced.

The blond smiled at the look of excitement he could see on Luffy's face and turned to the other two who had entered with him, "I'll whip something up for guys too.". His eyes turned to hearts and he looked at Nami again, "I'll make my Nami-Swan something so good it'll make her wanna get na-".

A fist slammed into Sanji's head and cut him off.

"On the house, of course, Sanji dear?", Nami asked in an expecting tone, lifting her smoking hand from his head.

The chef groaned as he stood but still couldn't help the blood beginning to leak from his nose. Nami-Swan's soft hand had touched him… He quickly recovered from his perverted thoughts and shot the girl a suave smile, the action looking ridiculous with the bruise on his head, "Of course, my Nami-Swan.".

Zoro scowled at the words, "Gonna make me pay for it, instead?".

Sanji turned away from the group and began to walk to the kitchen, seemingly ignoring the swordsman's question, "Take a seat at an open table. I'll be out in a few with some drinks.".

Luffy blurred to the closest unoccupied seat, immediately beginning to bang a fork and knife on the table… Seriously, where did he keep getting those?… "Meat! Meat! Meat! Sanji, cook me up something with meat in it!", he yelled, Zoro and Nami pulling out chairs to sit on either side of him.

"Yeah, Yeah, Luffy. I got it.", the chef replied waving over his shoulder.

"Could you bring a menu, Sanji dear?", Nami asked sweetly.

The chef stopped right before walking into the kitchen and turned, hearts replacing his eyes, "You won't need one for this meal, Nami-Swan! I've got it covered!". The hearts dropped from his eyes when the girl nodded her understanding and he shot his soon-to-be captain a grin, "In honor of this being one of the last meals I cook as a chef of the Baratie… This one's on the house.".

Sanji's eyes shifted to the moss ball and his smile became a little more reluctant, "Everyone's is.".

Zoro watched the cook walk through the kitchen door with a shrug, turning back to Luffy and Nami. He'd take it.

Before the three could even begin to converse, a loud thump at the front door sounded and it began to slowly push open, the entire dining area quieting to see what was going on. They looked on in curiosity as a hand slapped onto the floor and an emaciated man began to pull himself into the restaurant.

"Food.", the person groaned. "If not for me...", he continued to pull himself further into the restaurant until he met the feet of two men standing over him, "Then, for my captain... Please.".

"Welcome to the Baratie, sir.", Patty said with a smile, looking down, "May I ask how you will be paying, today?".

The pirate looked up at the two smiling faces and scowled, sitting up to reach into the back of his pants. He pulled out the flintlock resting there and pointed it in the direction of the men, "You take lead around here?". His voice cracked with dryness and he looked so weak he might just drop dead, but he held his hand steady.

Carne's smile dropped from his face and he sent a scowl in return, "Unfortunately, sir. We do not.".

Before a response could even be made, Patty's foot found the underside of the man's chin and he lost the grip he had on his pistol, the weapon clattering to the floor as he crashed into the front door.

"We only take money around here, you cheap-skate.", the muscular chef insulted, watching the man groan pathetically on the ground.

"Please.", the man begged, slowly picking himself back up, "I'll take anything. Even scraps.". His stomach growled loudly and he stumbled, falling back to the ground.

The two chefs continued to look at him in contempt. However, before they could respond, a voice came from the direction of the kitchen.

"What the hell is going on here?", Sanji questioned looking at the men as he walked to set his friend's drinks down at their table. "Wine for you, Nami-Swan.", he smiled, uncorking the bottle and pouring her a generous glass. He set it on the cloth, along with the bottle, and removed the sake from the tray, tossing it in Zoro's direction without a word.

The chef looked at the last glass on the tray and shrugged, placing it in front of his soon-to-be captain. "Didn't really know what you liked to drink, so…", he pointed at the orange liquid, "Juice.".

Luffy looked at the drink in outrage. "Juice is for kids, Sanji! I'm not a kid!", he argued, pointing in the direction of his first mate, "Give me sake, like Zoro!".

Sanji went to respond but paused when he saw the previously full glass of juice… Completely empty… When had he even… He glanced up, sweat dropping, and pointed at the empty cup, "… Want another one?".

"Yes, please!", Luffy replied enthusiastically, seemingly forgetting that he'd called the drink childish only moments ago.

The blond wiped the sweat from his brow and shrugged, "I'll bring it with the food.". He turned to Nami and ignored the other two at the table, "Now, if you'll excuse me, Nami-Swan. I must go see what's happening at the front.".

Sanji turned away and walked in the direction of the entrance, addressing the group standing there while they continued to stare angrily at each other, "I asked you all a question.". The words got the group's attention and they all looked at him stalking in their direction.

The chef stepped in between his two co-workers and sent both a menacing look, his eyes glancing down. He grit his teeth when his vision was met with an obviously starving man sitting propped up against the front door.

Sanji looked back at Patty and Carne and his voice came out as more of a growl than he meant it to, "What the hell is going on here?".