Chapter 25

Ten minutes later, all the pirates were piled up against each others in a small boat, which almost capsized at the slightest wave.

" Wow, what solid boat. " Said Luffy, seeing this.

" Hey, Mugiwara ! " Cried Gin. " We'll meet Again. "

" Hum ? "

" I plan to go on the Grand Line again. " Asserted Gin. " After what I have experienced, nothing will be able to scare me now. "

" And with which crew ? " Sneered Raynare.

" Good question ! As soon as we reach the nearest island, I will have to run away before Don Krieg wakes up ! Knowing him, he will try to pass his anger on me and will eventually kill me ! Maybe I will recruit a little further south! However, … "

Pointing to Luffy and Raynare, he cried out.

" We'll meet again. "

Then, putting a foot on the boat, he was about to leave with it, when he felt a hand grab the back of his collar. Raynare laughed as the man fell on the pontoon, while the man cried out.

" What are you doing ? "

" Hey, Luffy ! How would you like to make him the cleaning lady on our boat ? " Raynare asked him.

" Huh ? " Gin wondered.

Crouching down before him, Luffy gave him a broad smile, before asking him.

" If you go on Grand Line, wouldn't you like to come with us ? "

" What ? " Gin wondered, thinking he had heard wrong.

" You are pretty strong. " Assured him Luffy. " And then, you really look like a real pirate. "

Then tempting his hand, Luffy questioned him.

" So you're coming ? "

" You're not okay, Mugiwara ? " Patty asked him, while he was behind with the rest of the cooks.

" I remind you that this guy is an enemy! Why are you inviting him to join your crew ? "

" Close it, it's none of our business. " Sanji said, continuing to smoke.

Continuing to stare at Luffy's hand, Gin suddenly let out a weary sigh, before standing up and heading for the boat. Looking at his companions inside, and Don Krieg's unconscious body on top, the pirate finally asserts.

" It may be really time for me to start all over again. "

Then pushing the boat to go, he watched it go, while he stayed near Luffy. Finally, he declared.

" I agree to follow you, captain. "

" Awesome ! " Rejoices Luffy, wrapping his arm around his shoulders, before giving him a friendly punch on the arm. " I'm so happy ! Ok, we have to celebrate that with a banquet! "

Watching this from the top of the Baratie, Zeff looked at the scene, smiling.

" That little guy ! He really has nothing to do with the other pirates ! He has this little something that invites people to follow him ! He would make an excellent captain for Sanji. "

Suddenly hearing another voice, he ended up turning to Mihawk, who was on his way back to his boat. Waking up inside it, Alice seemed panicked as she saw him walking towards her.

" What… what am I doing here ? "

" Are you awake, Carmyna ? "

Hearing her real name, Alice couldn't hide her surprise, as she looked away from him.

" Where is your mother ? " Mihawk asked her.

" Death ! " Whispered Alice. " The boat we were on sank due to a storm and I never saw her again. "

" A problem ? " Wanted to know Zeff, walking towards them.

Immediately rushing towards him, Alice hid behind him.

" Why are you afraid of me ? " Mihawk asked her.

" Because you've always scared me. " Assured Alice. " Whenever I saw you, you always killed someone. "

" Hum ? What is your relationship ? " Wanted to know Zeff. " I may be wrong but you said that you were from the same family, earlier ! So, are you her father ? "

" No ! " Retorted Mihawk. " I am her uncle! She is my sister's daughter. "

" You are nothing at all. " Replied Alice. " I ... I don't love you ! You have always been mean to others ! You always kill. "

" Carmyna, I ... "

" Don't call me Carmyna. " She ordered, starting to sob. " When the other pirates knew that we were part of the same family, they started chasing us, my mother and me ! If we were on this boat, it was only to flee a group of pirates who were looking for us ! Now, my name is Alice and I have no connection with you. "

" So your awkward side and everything was just a blanket ? " Asked Zeff.

Looking down then, Alice said.

" No, I ... I'm really so clumsy ! The only difference is that I can handle all types of swords and that I inherited the haki. "

" But you don't know how to handle. " Asserted Mihawk. " You represent a danger for this place ! So I plan to take you with me, to train you. "

Hearing this, Alice was frightened.

" No, I don't want ! I ... You are going to kill me. "

Suddenly crouching in front of her, Mihawk put his arms behind her back, before hugging her.

" Idiot, I would never do that to you. "

Preparing to say something, Alice's eyes widened when she heard.

" I'm so glad ! So glad to know you are alive ... Alice ! "

Looking down, he hid the sadness in his gaze, despite the fact that Alice could hear it in his tone.

" I'm sorry for what happened to your mother ! However, now that I know you are still alive, I plan to protect you! It's my role! So please accept my apologies and come with me. "

Seeing her lost in thought, Zeff finally says.

" It's best that you follow him, Alice ! "

Seeing him go, Alice said.

" Zeff-san ! I ... I never pretended to lied concerning this restaurant ! I love working there, and I love you all ! I ... I don't want to leave here."

" I know it, Alice ! However, what I am asking you is for your good as well as ours ! Until now, you had been able to control your haki because you were young and I was there to watch you ! However, now that you have grown up, there is nothing I can do to help you and I could never teach you how to master it ! Unintentionally, you will use it and injure others or even sink the boat. "

Then turning to her, Alice could see him with a tear in his eye as he said.

" I would never ask my precious mascot to take his bags and get out of my restaurant ! I just want you to be able to master your haki and then come back after becoming a real warrior ! You don't mind ? "

Sobbing then, Alice found it difficult to nod, while asserting.

" Yes ! For you, I would do anything. "

Then, finally leaving, while she was going to cry, she ran inside the Baratie. Seeing her go, Mihawk eventually returned to his boat, and lay down on it. Seeing him do so, Zeff questioned him.

" Why did you protect us ? "

" What are you talking about ? "

" Don't be the one who doesn't understand ! I'm talking to you about gas ! Why did you protect us all, when you could simply avoid the gas that came directly to your boat ? "

" I also ask you a question ! Why did you save Alice and let yourself starve ? "

" I may be a pirate, but I have a minimum of humanism in me! " Zeff told him.

" Well, tell yourself that this is the reason why I saved you and your men. " Asserted Mihawk. " Now, we are quits ! So don't expect me to stay here to protect your restaurant. "

" You have already done enough, Mihawk ! " Zeff said.

Remaining silent, the two men were at a loss for words. However, Zeff wanted to ask the man a question, thought it important.

" Tell me, does Mugiwara have a chance to survive on the Grand Line ? "

" What do you think ? "

" As a pirate, I would say that he has the courage and the will to enter. "

" Well, me, as a shishibukai, I would say the same ! However, it is still far too early for him to imagine reaching Raftel ! He doesn't have the strength to do this ! He must get stronger and his crew must do the same. "

" Awesome ! We're leaving here. " Raynare rejoices, returning to Sanji's room, where he was, as well as Luffy and Gin.

" He accepted ? " Asked Luffy.

" Yeah ! Since we got rid of the Krieg gang, the old is willing to deleted our debt. "

" Youpi ! In this case, it only remains from here and join Zoro and the others. "

" In fact, who else is in the crew, apart from Roronoa and the guy with the long nose ? " Gin asked him.

" There are Lucy, who controls spirits, and Nami, our navigator. "

" A girl who controls spirits ? Definitely, I would have seen everything. "

" And of course, we also have Sanji. " Luffy said, watching the blond stare at the ocean.

" Out of the question; " Retorted the cook. " For me, it is impossible to leave without the old man recognizing my cooking skills ! Sorry, but that's how it is ! I don't have what it takes to be a pirate. "

" Even if I invite you, my little Sanji ? " Raynare asked, displaying her most charming smile.

Preparing to beg her to become his mistress, Sanji restrained himself in time, before declaring.

" Sorry, but it's a no ! We each have a path to follow! And mine is to stay here for a while before leaving. "

" To go where ? " Asked Gin. " You want to build your own restaurant elsewhere. "

" No ! I want to discover All-Blue. "

" All-Blue ? " The three others wondered.

" You don't know ? Wait, let me explain ! It is a legendary sea which… "

" At table ! " Rejoices Luffy, opening the door to the dining room.

Next, Sanji and Raynare noticed the presence of all the cooks, except Alice. As for Gin, he stayed behind until Sanji kicked him in the butt to bring him into the room.

" Yum ! Meat ! " Remarked Luffy, already starting to serve himself. " And this dish looks good too. "

" Just try not to eat like a pig. " Warned him Raynare, using himself.

Taking care of finding seats, Sanji was surprised to see no free chair in the room.

" Hey, you did not keep a place for us ? "

" None ! " Affirmed a cook, smiling.

" You only have to sit on the ground. "

" Mmmh ? Well, thank you for your recognition ! It's always a pleasure. "

Then sitting on the floor, he said.

" Also strange these guys. "

" As long as it's good." Luffy said, already starting to eat.

" Yum ! The food in this restaurant is really excellent. " Said Gin, biting into a leg.

Seeing him gobbling up a plate similar to Luffy's, Raynare noticed.

" Another big eater. "

" After what I experienced, count on me to always fill my stomach even if I have to burst. "

" Hey, who made the soup of the day ? " Asked Patty.

" It's me, why ? " Sanji asked him.

" It's just sock juice ! Even worse than usual. "

" What ? What did you dare to say? Would your taste buds have a problem today ? "

" Berk ! " Said Carne. " It's disgusting. "

" Inedible ! "

" Despicate . "

" I want to vomit. "

Seeing several people pretending to vomit, Sanji roared.

" What's wrong with my soup ? "

" It's a shame, Sanji ! "

Everyone then turned to Zeff, who had just finished his own plate. Breaking the latter to release his frustration, he said.

" You really are not worth a nail ! To believe that I have taught you nothing ! You disappoint me. "

" What did you say, old debris ? "

Suddenly hitting him with his fist, Zeff knocked him to the ground, while asserting.

" May things be clear ! Even if you helped us defend Baratie, that doesn't change the fact that I want you to go! So, for the last time, disappear before I throw you into the water myself. "

Boiling with anger, Sanji then runs away, releasing his anger outside.

" Huh ... what are you talking about ? " Wanted to know Luffy, once the blond was gone.

Tasting the soup, he ends up offering a plate to his two comrades, before asking.

" How do you find that ? "

" This soup is really good. " Said Gin, drinking it.

" It is edible. " Raynare said simply.

" Of course his soup is delicious. " Affirmed Zeff. " I refuse to admit it but Sanji has long since exceeded my level ! He has nothing more to learn from me. "

Then looking out of one of the windows, he said.

" It's a waste to leave him here when there are so many ingredients in these oceans that he never had the chance to see ! Countless new recipes can reach out to him! Nevertheless, this idiot refuses to leave. "

Turning to Luffy, he taught him.

" You know, I was serious, since all this time ! I really want you to take Sanji with you ! I know he likes you. "

" Me, I wouldn't say no. " Asserted Luffy. " But I refuse. "

" Wha t? " Surprised everyone, as well as Gin and Raynare.

" It is not my fault ! He's the one who doesn't want to come ! I want to take him, but not force him. "

" But if he agrees to come, would you like ? " Asked Zeff.

" No problem ! He's a great cook! He's the guy we need. "

" In this case, he must take the first step himself ! We understood that! That's why we played the comedy. "

" Me, I especially believe that he stays because he loves Alice. " Sneered Patty.

" Bah, if that is the case, he may leave in a short time. " Affirmed Zeff. " Alice is going too. "

" What ? " All the cooks wondered.

" How does she go ? " Wanted to know Sanji, opening the door through which he had left.

" Sanji? "

" Admit everything, old fart ! Why Alice ... ? "

Suddenly screaming, a figure was heard behind Sanji's back before smashing against him. Making a dramatic entrance, Yosaku now crushed Sanji, while he seemed dazed and nauseous.

" Never… Never again. "

" What happened ? Where does he come from ? "

" Yosaku ? " Luffy wondered.

Appearing in turn, floating above the ground, Aquarius headed for Yosaku, while declaring.

" Hey, you could at least say "thank you". "

" Thanks ? " Wondered the man. " You have almost drowned me over a hundred times since Lucy entrusted you with the mission of bringing me here. "

" So what ? You came to the restaurant alive. "

Then turning her gaze, she saw several men, their mouths wide open.

" What ? What do you have ? "

" A… A mermaid ? "

" It's a real mermaid. "

Then looking up, Sanji couldn't help but have his eyes shaped like a body while feeling his nose bleed.

" A ... A ... A ... A mermaid! "

Seeing their behavior, Aquarius simply sighed, before disappearing.

" Hum? Who was it ? " Wanted to know Luffy.

" I seem to have already seen her ! She must be a Lucy's spirit. " Raynare said.

" AHHHH, Luffy-aniki, Sister-Raynare ! " Cried Yosaku, getting up. " Finally I found you ! Listen to me, you must come at all costs. "

" You found Nami ? "

" Not quite ! But by making calculations while following her course, we pretty much guessed where she was going ! And unfortunately, it is a very dangerous place ! I therefore fear that we will need you. "

" Damn it ! " Sighed Gin." Barely entered this crew when a fight is getting ready. "

" Who are you ? " Asked Yosaku.

" My new recruit. " Said Luffy, with a broad smile. " Unable to find a cook, I have at least someone else to introduce to others. "

" Don't compare me to a consolation prize. "

" And then, me too, I'm coming." Sanji suddenly said.

" Huh? " Said Luffy, turning to him.

" I have too a damn dream come true ! And then, I must admit that I am curious to see how you will manage… future king of the pirates ! So, do you accept ? "

" Of course, I accept. " Said Luffy, rejoicing.

" Congratulations, Luffy ! You did it, you have a cook. " Congratulated him Yosaku.

Then seeing them begin to dance while smiling, Gin affirmed.

" It doesn't take much to make him happy. "

" It's Luffy. " Raynare simply explained.

" Finally. " Rejoices Zeff. " And never come back here, shitty kid. "

" You, shut up ! And then, what is this story with Alice ? "

" I am leaving. "

Arriving at this moment, Alice was in front of the group, suitcases in hand.

" All of you, thank you for what you did for me. "

" Can we really take it ? " Yosaku wondered, when he was in front of a boat.

" It's Sanji's. " Explained one of the cooks. " So do whatever you want with it. "

The blond, who was near Mihawk's boat, was talking to Alice.

" So that way, the old man knew from the start that you had this power ? "

" Yes. "

" And since all this time, you lied to us about your identity ? "

" I just lied about my first name and my family ties ! The rest, everything was authentic ! I love working here. "

" And when do you plan to return to the Baratie ? "

" As soon as I could. " Assured Alice, with conviction. " If I weren't there, these idiots would be hitting each other all day. "

Smiling at the thought, Sanji was about to say something else, when Alice suddenly hugged him, starting to cry.

" Thank you ! Thank you so much for all of Sanji ! We… we'll see you again! I promise you. "

Having the tear in his own eye, the cook kept a serious look when he stared at Mihawk, who was silently waiting for Alice to join him.

" Hey, Mihawk ! I don't care if you are a shichibukai or not ! Know one thing ! If something happens to Alice, know that I would come personally to smash you. "

Simply smiling, hearing this, Mihawk noticed.

" Decidedly, this crew is few but everyone wants to kill me. "

Then looking at Luffy, the man wanted to know.

" By the way, Mugiwara ! Regarding our market, you can fight me when you want. "

" I don't care to beat you. " Retorted Luffy. " In your case, it's up to Zoro to fight you and no one else. "

" Very good ! " Said Mihawk. " In this case, tell him on my behalf that I will wait for him, whatever happens ! Are you coming, Alice ? "

" I have… I'm coming ! Just time to say goodbye and ... "

" Sanji ! " Suddenly shouted Patty, jumping on him.

" It's time for revenge. " Carne assured.

However, even two of them couldn't touch Sanji, who then had no trouble hitting them and knocking them down.

" Tsss ! Bunch of slugs ! " He then insulted them, going away. " Lets' go. "

" You don't say goodbye ? " Asked Luffy.

" These baboons ? Never mind. "

" Hey, Sanji, Alice ! " Then called them Zeff. " Take care ! "

Freezing at this moment, Sanji could not hold back and ended up sobbing. Then turning to Zeff, he bent down before him before shouting.

" Boss Zeff ! Thank you for all that you have done for me ! I will not forget your kindness. "

Crying then in turn the other cooks declared.

" Why are you leaving at the same time ? It is too hard. "

" We will be bored without you. "

" Who will be there to set the mood by flirting with the girls and irritating the husbands ? And who will make everyone smile by constantly falling ? "

" We lose our best cook and the most adorable waitress. "

" You ... ? " Sanji wondered, raising his face.

Smiling, Alice motioned to everyone, while screaming.

" Goodbye ! We will see you soon, I promise ! And when a pirate comes to take over the restaurant, I will be there to stop him. "

Then climbing on Milhawk's lap, she allowed him to leave, at the same time as Sanji's boat. Greeting the cooks again, the two friends ended up saying goodbye to themselves before the two boats ended up taking different directions.