AN:

I'm back! Sorry this one is coming a little later than usual! I had a little bit of trouble with this chapter, hence why it is coming a little later than previous chapters. However, I got it finished and I think it will lead nicely into where I want things to go. Things are going to be a little different from here on out and I'm excited for the next couple of chapters. Also, I know I'm going to sound like a broken record here, but don't be afraid to leave long-winded reviews if the urge strikes you, they are actually a ton of fun for me to read and I always get excited in people showing an interest in how the story is going to develop. Just wanted to put that out there again... Don't worry, it probably won't be the last time :)

As always, thanks for the support and I would love to know what you think of the chapter! Anyways, enough out of me!

Here's Chapter 31!

Chapter 31: Captain's Orders

"Anyone in here a doctor?", Luffy yelled as the front door of the Baratie slammed open.

Gin looked up and his eyes widened at the sight that met his vision. What the hell had happened to Zoro?! The swordsman's form was soaked in blood, most of it coming from the large gash starting at his left shoulder and running almost all the way down to his right hip.

"You, boy.", Don Krieg said, disregarding the bleeding form in the kid's arms. He dropped his fork on his plate and stood up to address him, "I've seen you somewhere before.". As soon as the two had come through the door, he'd thought they looked familiar. The straw hat was especially tickling something in his brain. However, he was having trouble placing where he'd seen them.

Luffy ignored the large man and repeated his earlier words, "Someone in here a doctor?". He showed Zoro's bloodied body to the rest of the room, "He needs help… Bad.".

A woman stood from her table and rushed in their direction after being shown the gruesome injury on the green-haired boy's chest. "Please put him on the ground.", she said, looking into the eyes of the straw-hatted teen. He looked worried…

"You're a doctor?", Luffy asked while he softly placed his friend on the floor.

"Ten years today, actually.", the woman replied. This was the last thing she expected to be doing on her day off… "I need gauze, a needle, something to sew this up with, and the strongest alcohol you can find.", she ordered, pressing a cloth napkin against the bleeding wound in the boy's chest. It was one of the most gruesome injuries she'd ever seen… She wasn't even really sure how he was still alive...

"Thanks doc… I really need that drink.", Zoro hissed as the cloth pressed against his split skin.

The doctor gaped at the green-haired swordsman, "That's not what the alcohol is fo-"

"I'm talking to you boy.", Don Krieg said, interrupting the woman before she could finish. The displeasure at being ignored could very obviously be heard in his voice.

"SANJI! I NEED YOU!", Luffy screamed in the direction of the kitchen, ignoring the man once again. Sanji probably had a better idea of where that stuff would be. He just hoped he responded quickly… He didn't know how much more blood Zoro could afford to lose… "Is he gonna be alright?", the teen asked softly.

The woman kept the cloth firmly pressed against the large wound, "... Somehow... If I'm being honest...". Crimson spurted onto the front of her green dress, but she held her hands steady. It wasn't her first time seeing blood. This much?… Maybe… "As long as I get the things I need, he'll be alright.", she replied.

Don Krieg went to approach the group but a glare was shot in his direction and he halted in place. He stood still for a moment, trying to continue forward, when he realized he was shaking… Those eyes... When they were shadowed by the straw hat like that... Just who the hell was this kid to have that kind of presence?! He unconsciously took a step back, immediately turning on his heel to sit back down and finish his meal.

"Sir?", Gin asked, eyeing his captain's twitching hand. He'd never seen someone make him react like that… Well… Besides the man that had destroyed their crew…

"Shut your damn mouth, Gin.", the man growled, still staring at the straw-hatted teen while he struggled to stop his shaking hand, "That brat isn't normal…".

The kitchen door was pushed open and Sanji walked out with his apron on, "What the hell do you wan-". He stopped himself when he saw the moss ball with blood profusely pouring out of a gaping wound on his chest. He rushed over to his two soon-to-be crew mates, "What the hell happened, Luffy?".

The straw-hatted pirate captain went to respond but was beaten to the punch.

"Awww.", Zoro groaned before shooting a pained smirk at the blond, "Were you worried about me, Cook?".

"Please try not to speak, sir.", the woman advised, "It'll only make you lose more blood.

"Yeah, shitty Mosshead. Don't speak.", Sanji scowled, "I wasn't talking to you.". He couldn't lie though… There was a small part of him… A minuscule part of him… That was a little worried. Emphasis on the little…

"Sanji, she needs stuff to fix Zoro.", Luffy said, ignoring his question. He faced the woman trading out her blood-soaked cloth for another that sat on an empty table, "Hey, lady. Tell him what you need.".

The woman wasted no time in relaying the list of items she needed to make sure the green-haired boy didn't die. "Gauze, the strongest alcohol you can find, a small needle that string can be looped through, and something to sew this up with.", she said, pressing the new cloth napkin to her patient's wound. The other injuries could be taken care of later.

"Your wish is my command, my lady!", Sanji exclaimed with hearts in his eyes. He went to rush off and grab the requested items but stopped himself from doing so. Knowing Mosshead probably wasn't going to die on the spot, he decided he had time to ask a very important question. "Hey, Luffy.", he said, getting the boy's attention, "You guys find Nami?". He'd been wondering where his goddess could have gone this whole time… She wouldn't just up and leave without giving him a goodbye… Right?… The thought made him want to droop in sadness.

Luffy sighed at the words, his mind moving to the girl in question… He was worried about her… "No.", he replied, frowning. At this point, it was safe to say she'd left and it made his frown deepen even further. Ever since they'd reunited she'd seemed different, and now that she was gone again… A part of him was nervous. For some reason, he really didn't like the idea of her being alone… Even more than usual.

"Excuse me.", the woman interjected, "Unless you both want your friend to die, I suggest getting me the things I asked for.". She lifted the blood-soaked napkin from the boy's chest and paled at how dark it was, "Quickly.".

Sanji acquiesced immediately this time, "I'm so sorry, my lady! I'll get the stuff you need and be back in a flash!". He shot one last look at his frowning friend before turning and rushing in the direction of the kitchen.

"I think you should go after her.", Zoro groaned out after the chef's retreating footsteps could no longer be heard.

Luffy looked at his first mate with wide eyes. Where was this coming from all of a sudden? What was he even talking about?… Did he expect him to just up and leave him in the state he was in?

"We've both seen it… She's different than she used to be… More closed off.", the verdet said, a fit of bloody coughs taking him over.

The woman trying to stem the swordsman's bleeding wound shot him a panicked eye, "Sir, please stop talking. You're only making things worse for your-".

"I don't know why, Luffy, but something in my gut is telling me she needs you more than I do right now.", Zoro said, looking up at the ceiling. Over the time they'd been traveling together, it felt like she kept getting further and further away from them, like she was trying to distance herself… He moved his eyes to his friend's gaze, "Our navigator needs your help, Captain. I just know it.". For some reason, he felt that if Luffy didn't go now… The Nami they knew might just be lost for good.

Luffy gaped at the words. He felt the same way, but… "But, Zoro… What about you and Sanji?", he asked. The swordsman wouldn't be able to travel safely until his wound had at least healed a little and his chef still didn't look ready to leave…

"Leave me here.", Zoro replied, sighing and looking back up to the ceiling, "And then, when you've got our navigator, come back and pick me and the cook up.". The thought of having to live with Sanji sent shivers down his spine, but he made no move to retract his statement.

The straw-hatted pirate captain eyed his first mate for a long moment. "You're sure?", he asked. He wasn't going to argue but he was still a little reluctant to leave with the state the swordsman was in.

"I'm sure.", Zoro said, "But if you're gonna go, you'd better do it soon. She's probably been gone for a while already.". He turned away from his captain and looked at the woman sending him a glare for disregarding her words, sighing once again, "I'm gonna be fine, Luffy. She's gonna take care o-". She pressed harder on his wound and he groaned in pain. "Yeah, yeah. I'll shut up now.", he placated. Honestly, it was a miracle he hadn't passed out yet.

The door to the kitchen swung open and Chef Zeff walked out of it holding a bulging brown sack over his shoulder. He strode through the restaurant, all the guest's eyes following him, and heaved it onto the table Don Krieg was sitting at. "Fifty meals for fifty men.", the man said, scowling, "Now get the hell outta my restaurant.".

The captain of the Krieg Pirates grinned, forgetting about the boy whose identity he still couldn't place momentarily. "Gin. Let's go.", he ordered, standing from his chair and walking in the direction of the front door. Once his men were fed, he would rally his troops and take not only Red Leg Zeff's logbook but his ship as well. A devious grin plastered itself on his face. He'd been thinking about it while they waited and decided that this was the perfect vessel for him. It was perfectly inconspicuous and without flying a pirate flag... His smile widened even further at all the possibilities the vessel would bring.

Gin immediately acquiesced and picked up the large sack of food, lugging it over his shoulder. His captain's grin was back... A pit settled in his stomach as he followed the man. He really hoped things didn't go the way he thought they would…

Zeff stood still while he watched the men exit through the door, his eyes peeled. Why did he feel like that wouldn't be the last he saw of them?… He shook his head and his vision was caught by a bloody body, two people on either side of it. It was the green-haired brat and the kid in the straw hat. The two idiots his sous chef would soon be sailing with… "What the hell happened to him.", he asked, approaching the group.

Luffy lifted his head, coming out of his thoughts, before looking back to his bleeding friend. "He got hurt.", the boy replied, softly.

"No shit.", Zeff said sarcastically. The green-haired kid was ruining his floors with all the blood…

Before the man could question any further, the front door slammed back open and all eyes were met with a furious-looking Don Krieg. "Who the hell killed my men?!", he raged. The ship was nowhere to be found when they walked out the door. The only thing they saw were some splinters of wood and the bodies of his remaining crew members floating in the water.

"Who the hell was it?!" Krieg questioned once more, his glaring eyes roaming the people in the restaurant. Suddenly, his vision was caught by the straw-hatted boy and his bleeding friend… Was it them?…

"Go, Luffy.", Zoro whispered out, trying to keep himself conscious, "You don't have time to get caught up in this.". He meant the words. Nami was getting further and further away with every moment he stood there. If he ended up staying any longer… They just might lose her…

"Sir…", the woman growled. Was this idiot trying to die?…

Zeff frowned to himself as he eyed the two at the door… Who the hell was supposed to eat all the food he'd made, now? Speaking of… Where the hell even was it?

Don Krieg eyed the boys whispering to each other and his scowl deepened. It had to have been them. "You two… It was you… Wasn't it?", he spat.

"… Alright.", Luffy replied to his first mate, ignoring the words coming from the pirate captain and standing from his place kneeled at Zoro's side. There was no use in thinking about it. If Zoro wanted him to go, he'd go. He looked the verdet in the eyes and a determined smirk plastered itself on his face. "I'll bring her back… And this time, it'll be for good.", he declared. His smirk turned more teasing as he stepped around the wounded boy and in the direction of the entrance, "Don't have too much fun while I'm gone.".

"ANSWER ME, BOY!", Krieg shouted in anger, lunging in the straw-hatted teen's direction. He drew his fist back and shot it forward with all the strength in his body, his knuckles impacting skin with a loud smack. It took a moment, but he eventually realized that all his momentum had halted and his eyes widened when he looked up into the glaring orbs of the kid stopping his hand

Luffy held the man's fist in his palm and gripped it tightly, the bones caught in his grasp beginning to creak. "I don't have time for you… My friend needs me.", he said in a low voice. In the blink of an eye, he ripped his hand up and brought it back down, slamming the man into the ground before anyone could even blink.

The air left the pirate captain's lungs when he felt his back crack into the wooden floor below, a pained yell leaving his lips. Luckily, he had his armor on… Otherwise, it probably would have hurt a lot more… What the hell was this kid?…

"CAPTAIN!", Gin screamed, scrambling to the man's side. His wide eyes looked up from his captain groaning on the ground to watch Luffy's retreating form… Just who was that kid? He'd lifted a man with solid gold armor underneath his clothes like he was weightless… How could he be that strong?… Sure, he was built, but... He made it look like the Don weighed nothing...

Luffy paid no mind to the person rolling on the floor and trying to regain his breath, simply walking past him to the entrance of the restaurant. Zoro was right. He didn't have time to get caught up there… However… He glanced over his shoulder at the man on the ground. He wasn't too keen on leaving Zoro alone with him either… The boy smirked to himself at the thought, once again turning to the door. He'd almost forgotten that he had more than one crew member there.

"Whe- Where the hell you goin'?", Krieg asked through clenched teeth, trying to sit up while his breath slowly came back to him. This brat… No one made a fool out of him… He was the one that fooled others, not the other way around!

"Sanji!", Luffy yelled, ignoring the man once again. He made to grasp the handle of the entrance and his mind moved to the orange-haired girl he was trying to find. Hopefully, Levi would be able to follow her trail. The beast actually had a really good nose for someone who spent most of their time underwater.

Don Krieg growled at being ignored once again, finishing sitting up while his glaring eyes watched the straw-hatted teen stop at the entrance.

"What?", the blond chef asked, exiting the kitchen with the items he'd been asked to get. He made his way in the direction of the entrance and saw Luffy at the door. Was he leaving?…

"This is my first order as your captain.", the boy said, smirking over his shoulder, "Take care of Zoro.". He didn't wait to hear the confused protests that came at his words and stepped through the door, quickly closing it behind him. Hopefully those two didn't kill each other before he got back…

Luffy turned away from the door and almost tripped over a hulking sack on the ground, looking at it curiously before the scent hit his nose… It was food… And a lot of it… His stomach grumbled and he shrugged to himself, bending over to pick up the large bag of goodies. If it was gonna just sit there he might as well take it…

The pirate captain threw the bag over his shoulder and stuck his fingers in his mouth as he began to approach the Merry, whistling out to sea. "Levi!", he yelled through his one cupped hand, "I need you to help me find Nami!".

His feet carried him to the edge of the Baratie's fin and while he waited for his friend, he brought his free hand into his vision, thinking about his exit from the restaurant. He felt strong... Ever since he lost his ability to use haki, he'd felt his body getting stronger. Sure, he worked out with Zoro every once in a while, but this was different... He knew it had to do with Haki Exhaustion, but he never realized how much strength he'd gain while waiting for it to end... Just how far had he pushed himself when he fought in the forest that night?...

Water splashing at Luffy's feet brought him out of his thoughts and he looked up to see Levi looking at him curiously. He shook his head, dropping his hand back down to his side. He had more important things to worry about. "Alright Levi, Nami's gone and I need you to help me find her. Can you still follow her scent?", he asked, hopefully. If he couldn't...

The beast turned its back to the Baratie and faced the sea, raising his head to sniff the air. A moment passed while Levi continued to search for the scent of his master's friend, but he eventually turned around and lowered his head in defeat.

"No luck?", the boy asked, sighing. His sigh deepened when his friend nodded his head in confirmation. How the hell was he supposed to find Nami now? He shot a thoughtful look over at the Merry and an idea came to his head, turning back to the beast with a question on his lips, "If I find something that has her scent on it... Could you find her then?".

The large creature somehow shrugged, as if to say 'I can try', and the boy smiled to himself, turning to jump up to the Merry. His sandals found the wood of the deck and he wasted no time in sprinting his way toward the storeroom, tossing his newfound sack of food up to the door of the galley before quickly pulling the door open. Rapid footsteps carried him to the hatch on the other side of the room, his hand quickly finding the handle.

He lifted the small door and the scent that hit his nose made him smile, taking a moment to revel in it while he climbed down the steps. It smelled like a sea breeze mixed with tangerines. The teen shook the thought away and glanced around, looking for anything that might smell strongly of Nami, when his eyes found the desk she liked to draw maps on.

Luffy gazed at the slanted wooden table and his smile grew when he saw only one item left on it. A pen. Specifically Nami's pen. The one she used to draw whenever she was on the Merry. It was perfect. He quickly snatched up the utensil and sprinted his way back up to the storeroom, not even turning to shut the door to Nami's room behind him. He pushed open the storeroom door and within moments had jumped back down to the Baratie's fin. "Levi! Will this work?", he asked holding the pen up to the beast's nose.

Levi turned away, sniffing the air once again, and this time he turned back to his master with something like a grin overtaking his large maw.

"Really?!", the boy asked, excitedly.

The beast nodded its large head once again and submerged back under the water, heading to the front of the Merry. He didn't need to wait for his master's words to know what was needed of him.

Luffy wasted no time in jumping back to the deck of his ship and sprinting to the anchor storage room. It took only seconds to raise the anchor and rush back out, moving in the direction of Merry's figurehead. He scooped up Levi's reins before he jumped up to his place and tossed the rope into the water, the slack cord tightening.

The pirate captain held on tightly with one hand, the other still gripping the item he was holding, "Remember, Levi! Don't hurt the Merry.". As the boat began to increase in speed, he opened his fingers and glanced at the pen resting in his palm, "But don't be afraid to go a little faster than usual...". He kept his eyes trained on the drawing utensil for a moment longer before placing it in his pocket, grasping the reins, and looking out to the horizon once again.

He was going to bring her back. There wasn't a single shred of doubt in his mind about it. His navigator was coming with him to the Grandline. He wouldn't have anyone else. A determined smile rose to the boy's lips... It was time to learn what Nami's dream was... Because once he found her and took care of whatever it was that needed to be taken care of... He wouldn't be letting his friend go... Ever again. "Just wait for me, Nami... I'm coming.", he whispered into the air in front of him as the Baratie continued to grow smaller and smaller in the background.

At this point, Luffy didn't care what she had to say about it, whether she wanted him to come after her or not. It didn't matter... He wanted his navigator and nothing was going to stop him now...

After all, he was a pirate... And pirates only did what they wanted.

Sanji gaped while he watched the door close behind his captain, silence hanging over the room like a wet blanket. He'd actually left… It took a moment, but Luffy's words eventually registered and he groaned, his feet moving once again. He couldn't ignore an order from his captain… Especially not his first one… No matter how badly he wanted to…

"Here you are, my lady.", the chef said, setting the items the woman had asked for on the ground beside her. He sent her a strained smile, "Please make sure this idiot doesn't die… My captain would be upset if he did.". He looked down at the bleeding swordsman. "Even though I don't really know why.", he whispered to himself.

"What was that, Cook?", Zoro scowled.

Don Krieg slammed his fist into the wood before standing up with a vicious scowl on his face, "That damn BRAT!". He wanted the kid dead… But it looked like that wasn't happening. He didn't think he could beat the straw-hatted brat in a straight fight... He'd felt like a rag doll in his hand... The thought only made his scowl deepen. His eyes found the bleeding body on the ground, two people on either side of it, and his glare slowly turned into a malicious grin... If he couldn't kill the kid who'd made a fool of him… Why not kill his injured friend?…

Sanji scowled back at the swordsman, unaware of the slowly approaching figure at his back, "All that moss in between your ears makin' you go deaf, greenie?".

The swordsman chose not to respond and turned away, locking his glaring eyes on the ceiling once again. Maybe he should have told Luffy to wait for him…

"This is gonna sting, so brace yourself.", the doctor said, pouring alcohol around the gash in the boy's chest. She wanted just enough to disinfect the wound but not so much as to damage the exposed tissue underneath.

Zoro hissed when he felt some of the liquid seep into his cut. She wasn't kidding about the sting... However, she could stand to use some more accurate descriptors… Sting was definitely an understatement.

The woman finished disinfecting the wound and went to dry it as best as she could. She needed to at least be able to see the skin she was trying to stitch back together. The napkin soaked up the excess blood and alcohol and she grabbed the needle sitting next to her, having prepped it beforehand. She turned to the chef that had brought her the things she needed, "Sir, I need you to hold this while I try and stitch up this wound as best I can.".

Sanji groaned in annoyance but complied nonetheless, getting to his knees. He couldn't deny a beautiful woman… Even if her request did involve Mosshead… "You're wish is my command, my la-", the blond suddenly ducked and lightly tackled the woman to the ground before she could be hit by the arm careening over both of their heads. He didn't even have the chance to ask if she was ok, already rising back to his feet and turning wide-eyed in the direction of his injured crewmate.

Zoro scowled at his own weakness, unable to do anything as he stared down the barrel of Don Krieg's golden pistol. "Cook.", the swordsman growled. He hated having to rely on the pervert, but he really didn't have much of a choice at the moment...

"This oughtta do it.", the pirate captain grinned to himself, eyeing the helpless boy at his mercy. This would show that damn straw-hatted brat why you didn't mess with Don Krieg. Just as he went to pull the trigger of his gun, the sole of a black boot connected with his wrist and pushed the barrel of the weapon away just in time to save his target from eternal rest.

A gunshot rang through the dining area and the patrons of the restaurants began to become more and more agitated, panicked voices rising as most scrambled to leave after the frightening display.

"Afraid I can't let you do that… No matter how much I might want to.", Sanji shrugged apologetically while people desperately shouldered past him to get out of the restaurant, "Captain's orders.".

The wood beside Zoro's head was splintered, smoke wafting from a small hole in the floor as his cheek dripped with blood from where the bullet had grazed his skin. He glared at the chef standing over him, "I better not die you damn pervert.".

"Just shut up and do something useful like go to sleep… I'm tired of hearing you run your shitty mouth.", the chef replied. He thrust his foot outward and knocked the pistol from Krieg's hand, launching off the ground with his other foot. Spinning in the air, he brought his leg around and slammed it into the man's side with much more force than it looked like he should have been able to generate.

The pirate captain's body flew toward the wall and impacted with a loud crash, the wood cracking underneath his heavy form.

"CAPTAIN!", Gin screamed for the second time that day, rushing to catch the man's falling body before it could hit the ground. He groaned when the heavy load landed on his shoulder but stabilized quickly enough to help the Don stay on his feet. He glanced back at the chef who had fed him earlier that day with shock on his face… Just who exactly were these kids he'd met?…

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask the two of you to leave.", Zeff said, stepping between Sanji and the two men. He gestured around the now-empty dining room, "As you can see we are about to close up for the day.".

Gin looked between the two chefs eyeing them and couldn't help but think it might be a good idea to listen. He'd just watched Sanji move faster than anyone he'd ever seen… It was like he'd known what the Don was going to do at the exact same time the man himself knew…

"Shut your damn mouth, you washed-up old pirate.", Krieg growled, shoving Gin away in anger. He was tired of looking weak. He wasn't weak… He was one of the largest bounties in the East Blue and this was the second time he'd been made a fool of in the past hour… He grit his teeth so hard they began to creak, "Here's what's going to happen.".

The pirate captain hated the fact that he had to resort to this right out of the gate, but without his men, it was the only way he'd be able to take the ship. He didn't care if the old man died. The logbook was somewhere on the vessel, he just knew it. He would find it eventually. He growled to himself for his weakness, reaching underneath his cloak to grab something off his back.

When Krieg brought his hand back out and it was grasping a circular golden shield which he placed in his left hand, pointing it in the direction of the chefs, "You're gonna give me that kid so I can kill him. Then…". His eyes met Zeff's and a grin plastered itself on his face, "You're going to give me this ship and the log book from your time as a pirate.". He smiled even bigger at Zeff's scowl, "I know you're hiding it around here somewhere.".

Gin watched the man fiddle with the inside of his shield and his eyes widened. A pit so big he thought he was going to vomit settled in the bottom of his stomach... He wouldn't… But the man knew better. Don Krieg absolutely would… And it looked like he was going to without giving any warning to the rest of the people in the restaurant.

"Gin.", Krieg whispered from his position in front of his first mate.

The man looked down to find his captain holding his hand behind his back so it was obscured. In his palm, rested a mask… Gin's hands shook as he reached out and discreetly grabbed the item from the Don, looking at it with bile scratching at the back of his throat. A part of him wanted to warn them… But… They didn't even have masks… It would be pointless… Plus, this man was his captain… A man he believed in…

"Sanji.", Zeff glared at the two men for a moment before he turned away and met the eyes of his sous chef. "Take out the trash.", he ordered, stepping past the boys and in the direction of the kitchen. Sanji could handle them. He'd seen how much the boy had grown ever since he'd met those kids. The thought made him smile to himself… He was just glad the damn brat had found some people to call friends. He turned to look over his shoulder and almost laughed at the massive scowl marring Krieg's face, his eyes meeting Sanji's once more, "Consider this your last job before I fire you for being the shitty sous chef you are.".

"YOU DAMN GEEZER! I AM NOT A SHITTY SOUS CHEF! PLUS, I'M NOT EVEN LEAVING YET!", Sanji yelled at the man with shark teeth. He scowled when the only reply he got was a wave over the shoulder, turning to the 'trash' that needed to be taken out. "Sorry boys...", the chef sighed, "Looks like you gotta go... Boss's orders."... It was strange, but the words just didn't have quite the same ring to them as 'captain's orders'... The thought made him scowl, his eyes glancing at the bleeding swordsman beside him. He was still peeved that his shitty captain had up and left him there with shitty Mosshead...

Don Krieg watched the ex-pirate walk away from him with rage in his eyes. He would be insulted no more. He raised the golden shield in the direction of Zeff's back, his demeanor changing from rageful to something more sinister.

Gin looked over his captain's shoulder at the retreating figure and then, guiltily, to the mask resting in his hands, "Captain… Are you sure about this?…".

Krieg ignored his first mate's words and eyed the retreating chef in glee, holding his mask in his unoccupied hand. He would show these people that he was the strongest by killing them without expending a modicum of effort. The thought made his grin grow even wider, "MH-".

Before the man could finish, a foot smashed into the side of his face, spittle flying from his mouth along with several teeth. His body crashed into his subordinate standing behind him and the two flew through the dining area in an almost straight line. As they smashed into the door, the wood immediately gave underneath their combined weight and they were sent out into the open air in the blink of an eye.

Sanji lightly landed on his feet before the crash of bodies against wood came from somewhere outside. He turned to the woman who had been too frightened to move the whole time and sent her a smile. "Sorry about all this, Ms. Doctor. But, I promise you won't be interrupted anymore, so make sure he doesn't die.", he said pointing at the now unconscious Mosshead. It looked like he'd actually taken his advice for once…

The chef shook the thought away as the woman nodded and tried to smile back, "I'll be back to check in with you soon.". He turned away from the two and in the direction of the broken entrance, a small smirk growing on his lips, "Like the old geezer said… I gotta go take out some trash.".