Zeff, Sanji, and the other chefs were currently working in the kitchen, Noire was taking a few more orders and delivering the finished and prepared dishes to the customers.
"You really should consider taking the girl's offer, Sanji," Zeff said.
"I still haven't paid off my debt to you, Pops," Sanji pointed out.
"You keep thinking about that debt, and you'll never leave. Then who will fulfill our dream?" Zeff retorted. "Besides, it's clear you and the other cooks don't get along, and for good reason. You get in fights with customers, albeit not without reason. Your nostrils flare up whenever you meet a pretty girl. If you weren't the best damn chef in this place I'd have kicked you out years ago."
"And that's another thing. Sanji... Several times you've wound up getting caught off-guard because some pirate starting a fight in this place happened to be a woman." Noire said, having heard the tail-end of the conversation as she came in.
"And I know I taught you never to hit women, but I never meant that to be an absolute." Zeff pointed out. "If you don't fight back against a woman who's trying to kill you, they will succeed. Honestly, I shouldn't even have to explain this flat-out. I thought it was common sense."
A new customer suddenly entered the dining room; a hooded man with a large backpack he left at the door as he sat down. Zeff tensed at the sight of him but then smiled.
"Sanji, Noire. Take a break." He commanded. "I have business with that one."
The two were surprised at this; it was the dinner rush and Zeff was letting them off so soon? Still, who were they to deny their boss?
"I do believe that lovely miss at Table 23 was in need of some company!" Sanji smiled giddily as he raced over. Noire just sighed and noticed a family eating, so she manifested some cards to do a magic show.
Zeff made his way over to the newcomer and served him a glass of wine.
"Excellent year. Thank you." The Merchant said as he took a sip. "Whatever is easiest for your staff to make up at the moment, I'm not picky."
Zeff made a note of that and moved to give the order…
"Oh, wait!" the Merchant said, holding up a finger. "My payment for the meal."
He marched back to his bag and pulled out a Devil Fruit, one that looked like a dark purple and black turtle shell.
"Someone will take it up in the coming days. Someone in need of help. And no worries; something tells me your boy is uninterested."
Zeff said nothing as he took the Devil Fruit and placed the Merchant's order.
-OP-
Meanwhile, on the Going Merry, Nami was holding the wanted poster for the fishman. She was so lost in her thoughts that she almost missed Luffy and the others coming down to sit beside her.
"That the guy who killed the person you were close to?" Luffy asked.
Nami nodded. "His name is Arlong and the woman he killed...Well, she might as well have been my mother."
"I'm sorry to hear that..." Kaya said, having been sitting with Nami while petting a snoring Kirby.
"It's been four days, any news on Sanji?" Draco asked.
"Guy seems determined to work here until Zeff dies, but I can wear him down. Zeff already gave me permission to take Sanji for the crew, so at least that's one obstacle down." Luffy said. "Heck, he even said we can let Noire come along as well!"
"Something's coming through the fog just off starboard!" Usopp suddenly called out.
Luffy, Draco, Sonson, and Ben went up near the aft of the Merry to take a look. A dark shape, visible even from miles away, was approaching swiftly.
"Is that a ship?" Zoro asked.
"Looks pretty banged up," Kuina noted.
Usopp looked through his telescope and his jaw dropped in shock. Ben took out his own telescope and arched an eyebrow in interest.
"That Jolly Roger! A skull and crossbones with an hourglass on each side! That's the mark of the Krieg Pirates!"
"Looks like Gin decided to tell his crew about this place," Sonson noted.
The customers inside must have seen the ship as well because there was a sudden chorus of panicked screams coming from inside the Baratie. As the fog cleared, the damage to the Dreadnaught Sabre became more evident.
"Holy crap...Who or what could have wrecked such a powerful galleon?" Nami wondered.
"I can think of a few people more than capable off the top of my head," Draco replied. "Looks like those rumors Johnny mentioned have a bit of weight to them."
Krieg himself soon boarded the Baratie, supported by Gin, and entered the restaurant. Several people noticed that his head was bandaged as if someone had actually managed to injure him.
"My crew needs food and water. There's plenty of money on my ship to pay for it." He dropped a bag of money on the ground. "And here's Gin's tab for his last visit. This amount should cover it, right?"
Both the customers and cooks were flabbergasted. Krieg wasn't begging, but he wasn't being forceful either. He was just acting like he was another customer. Suddenly he keeled over, and a growling from his gut could be heard.
"Captain!" Gin called out, "Damn it, he hasn't had food in days... Hey, someone help us out here! He's about to starve!"
"Well, you heard him!" Zeff called to his cooks. "Get to work right now! Carne, escort any customer that has finished paying out. We don't want the unsettling mood to kill anyone's appetites."
"Sir, what are you thinking?" Patty asked. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance! If we call the Marines right now and keep Kreig under arrest-"
"They'll just take all the credit," Zeff swiftly cut him off. "Don't go dreaming of improving our restaurant's reputation with something like that. The only way we'll keep folks coming is by maintaining a strict policy of feeding anyone who comes in hungry."
"Are you nuts?! Krieg's sure to attack us once he's back to full strength!"
"Then we'll simply fight to protect ourselves, just like we always do. Or do you think you've gotten so soft you can't handle it?"
Sanji then came walking down from the kitchen carrying a large bowl of fried rice and placing it in front of Krieg, who gratefully began eating it.
"Go ahead and eat up."
"Sanji, are you crazy?! Do you have any idea who Krieg is?! He's known as 'Foul Play' for a reason!" Carne cried. "At the start of his career, he pretended to be a Marine soldier and took over a ship by killing its senior officer. That's when he first declared himself a pirate.
Patty nodded. "He would raise Marine flags to sneak into towns and passenger ships to attack them. Or white flags to trick enemy ships into thinking he was surrendering, then destroying them when they got close. His strength is said to be overwhelming! We're better off just letting him die!"
"Do you know how long it takes to starve to death?" Sanji suddenly asked while taking a drag from a cigarette. "How painful it is?
"Huh?"
"Your body literally starts eating itself due to a lack of calories. It does more than just weaken you. You feel the worst sort of pain you've ever felt in your entire existence."
Krieg stood up. "Thank you. That was the best food I've had in a long time. The rest of my crew still needs as well. Plus my wife."
"How is mom, by the way?" Noire cooly asked as she came over, Don Krieg having a look of solemn fondness in his eyes when he saw her.
"She's doing well, but like I said, our crew has gone on a while without food."
"Wait, Don Krieg is your father?!" Carne asked Noire. "You never told us that!"
"You never asked."
"Well, it doesn't matter! We're not going to risk getting your crew back up to full strength!" Patty snapped. "So you can all starve for all we-"
Zeff slammed his peg leg down on Patty's skull, sending him crashing face-first into the ground hard.
"Have you idiots not gotten it through your thick skulls yet?! How about I strand you on a deserted reef with no food for a month!? See how you feel about letting people starve after that!?"
"You heard Pops! Get to work, you bunch of no-good louts!" Noire barked out.
That got the cooks scrambling all at once. Sanji just smirked as he headed up as well. Meanwhile, Krieg was looking at Zeff with a fear Gin had never seen before.
"So, it seems even you were beaten by the Grand Line, Krieg."
"You gotta be kidding..." Carne said in shock. "A fleet of fifty ships... And he still got defeated by the Grand Line?"
"Red Leg Zeff... That is you, right?" Krieg replied, unbothered by Zeff's words. "I had no idea you were still alive. A pirate of such skill that you were both your ship's cook and captain."
"So you've heard of me. And what of it?" Zeff noted. "My bounty was canceled years ago when it was clear I couldn't act as a pirate anymore. Now I'm just the head chef of this establishment."
"Maybe, but it's clear you haven't lost your edge. Even with a peg leg, it's clear you're as strong as ever." Krieg pointed out. "Back in the day, Red Leg Zeff was a master of kicks who never used his hands in battle. His legs were strong enough to break bedrock and leave footprints on steel. He got his epithet from the blood of his enemies that covered his legs. But I'm curious... What could finally remove that powerful leg of yours after so much success?"
"You really want to know? I'm sure you've heard your fair share of rumors."
"Well, you did come out of the Grand Line after a year completely unscathed," Krieg noted. "Which reminds me. You should have a chronicle of your journey there, yes? I'd appreciate it if you'd hand it over."
Zeff shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't do that. That logbook is the last testament of the crew I sailed with during that year. It's far too precious to hand over. Besides, it won't help you."
"Look, I'll admit we got careless sailing into the Grand Line, but that's only because we couldn't understand it. If we only had the knowledge of what to expect, I'm positive a crew as strong as mine could easily make its way through!" Krieg said. "I'm the strongest man in the world! So I figure why not take that to its logical conclusion to become King of the Pirates? And for that, I need the One Piece. With it, I will stand atop the Golden Age of Pirates!"
Zeff smirked. "You think you're the only one after the One Piece? I've had hundreds of pirate crews stop here and talk big about how they would claim the legendary treasure of Gol D. Roger. Heck, you might have noticed the only other ship still docked here. They also intend to sail on the Grand Line. Except they have the benefit of someone who actually lived there."
Krieg was stunned. "You're serious? Maybe I should try interrogating him."
"You can try if you like."
Krieg spun around to see Draco there with a hand on his hip and a cool gaze in his eyes.
"Unfortunately, you won't get anywhere. There's only one man who's going to be the King of the Pirates. And that's one of my fellow captains."
Krieg scoffed. "Just a kid? You're telling me someone like you once lived in the Grand Line?"
"It's the truth. My dad makes his home out there." Draco said. "And let me tell you this much... five thousand men are way too many to be taking out there."
"You clearly have no idea who you're taunting. Allow me to show you why I'm the strongest in the world!"
With that declaration, Krieg's golden armor opened to reveal multiple pistols. Instantly they all fired only for Draco to hold his hand out and turn all the bullets into water pellets that harmlessly splashed against him, leaving Krieg gobsmacked.
"You know, I take offense to you giving yourself a title that already belongs to someone else," Draco said with a glare. "You see, my dad is Edward Newgate, known to the world as Whitebeard. And it's he who is considered the strongest man in the world. Someone like you, who only rules the East Blue and nothing else, could never compare to him."
Krieg just growled at the audacity Draco showed as Ben, Luffy, and Sonson came in.
"Need a hand?"
"All four captains against this loser? This won't even be fair."
Krieg was stunned at this, all four of those kids were the captains of their crew?! It seemed practically unfathomable! He then noticed that one of the cooks had come down with a large bag of food. He picked it up and started to walk out.
"Anyone who wants to live can leave. I'm only interested in the logbook and the ship. I need a replacement after what happened to my old one. Any of you choose to fight, and I won't hesitate to bury you at sea."
As he walked out, Gin gave an apologetic look to Sanji and Noire as he bowed.
"Sorry about this. I was able to convince him to spare the customers and the cooks, but I knew we needed a new ship. Our flagship is simply beyond repair."
"Don't apologize. I know firsthand what it's like to be on the brink of starvation." Sanji said as he lit his cigarette. "You might as well go join your captain; I get the feeling he's prepping for a raid just in case."
Gin grumbled and nodded, but just as he was about to leave, Noire stopped him.
"Uncle Gin! I just want you to know...don't hesitate when it counts. Sanji and I aren't going to regret our actions and neither should you."
The man then felt something forced into his hand; what looked like a dark purple and black turtle shell with a fruit stem.
"You'll know." Was all Noire said with a smirk as she raced back with the others.
-OP-
Zeff sighed. "Any of you who value your lives more than this restaurant should leave through the back door while you can. This is going to be a rough one."
"I'm going to stick around and fight," Patty said as he brandished a lobster-themed hand cannon. "I couldn't bear it if I was beaten without at least giving it my all."
Luffy, Draco, Sonson, and Ben all smiled as they saw the rest of the chefs declare that they would fight as well. The Baratie was their home and they were going to fight for it.
"Count on us to help, too. We're always willing to help someone protect their treasure."
Zeff smiled. "I certainly won't say no to a bit of extra help. Especially since you seem to have a personal stake in this."
Ben laughed. "If Usopp were here he might be freaking out."
"Why would he freak out? He's safe on the Merry with the others." Luffy pointed out. "Even if Nami hasn't sailed off with it, our ship's too small for Krieg to bother with."
"Oh yeah, she wanted us to head for Cocoyashi Village after we're done here," Draco recalled.
-OP-
Meanwhile, Krieg had gotten the food to his crew and they were scarfing it down.
"Don't waste a single crumb, boys! It'll be some time before we can restock our food supplies so we might as well get what we can."
Once the men had eaten their fill, they cheered at finally being free from their nightmare.
"Alright, boys, there's something else we need before we leave. As much as I hate to admit it, this ship's seen its last voyage." Krieg said. "We need to trade up. And it just so happens the ship we're moored with is perfect for the Grand Line. It even has a logbook of its captain's year-long journey there. Once we get those, we can return to the Grand Line with a renewed fervor."
Some of the men clenched their fists, but Krieg was pleased to see none of them were hesitant to return.
"We were so close to figuring that place out!"
"Yeah, until that hawk-eyed man started tearing apart our ships! Thank goodness for that storm. It actually helped us escape through the Calm Belt."
"Glad to see there's no objections. My dear wife Frieden is on the other ship just to the port, so leave it out of the fight. Stick to the restaurant and take it over with everything we have. We only have some punk cooks and a few rookie pirates to deal with, so it should be easy." Krieg said. "My daughter also happens to be one of the cooks there. It's best if, for my sake, you go easy on her if you come across her."
As he spoke, a small boat was approaching, carrying a man dressed in a large coat and wide-brimmed hat, a cross-like sword hanging off his back. As the Krieg Pirates started to make their attack, the mysterious swordsman pulled out his blade and struck. In an instant, the Dreadnaught Saber was sliced in three, causing it to start sinking.
"What just happened?!" Krieg called out. "It looks like the ship got cut! But how...?"
The tidal wave resulting from the Dreadnaught Sabre sinking rocked the Baratie and Going Merry, but both managed to keep from capsizing.
"Holy crap! Did you see that?!" Yosaku exclaimed.
"What kind of monster could have possibly made a slice that big?!" Johnny asked, "Not even Big Bro or Big Sis can do that!"
By now the cooks, along with the four captains, had run onto the deck of the Baratie.
"Hey, look over there!" Usopp said.
The others looked where Usopp was pointing, but only saw the small ship.
"Who's that sitting on it?" Nami wondered.
"No, it couldn't be..." Kuina whispered in shock.
Zoro was just as shocked as his friend. He knew the man by sight. He gripped the railing, his body trembling from both fear and anticipation.
"Kuina...this is our chance..." He said, getting his friend's attention. "The two of us can gauge how strong we are compared to him."
"As long as you don't just rush in headfirst, I'm game," Kuina said, her back sprouting out flaming wings as her eyes blazed a brilliant amber.
"I think the wave is starting to calm down, but holy cow! I had no idea anyone could be so powerful." Nami said. "I'm pretty sure only Draco would be able to do something like that.
"Is that a floating coffin? No, it's a boat that looks like a coffin." Kaya noted as she looked ahead.
"Who even is that?!" Sonson gawked.
"Dracule 'Hawk-Eyes' Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. He's also the World's Greatest Swordsman." Draco explained calmly.
"Who are the Seven Warlords?" Luffy asked.
"A group of powerful pirates commissioned by the World Government to keep the peace in regions where Marines can't easily reach," Draco explained. "I've personally met three of them, including Mihawk. But I know all seven by reputation, and three of them have very bad ones."
"Bastard! What grudge do you have to come after us!?" One of the Krieg Pirates called out to Mihawk.
"I was hoping to stop here for a bite before visiting an old friend, but I can't ignore it when villains attack an innocent settlement." Mihawk calmly replied. "It's just an unfortunate twist of fate that we cross paths once more."
"Don't you mock us like that!" The pirate yelled as he fired with a pair of pistols, only for Mihawk to draw his sword, Kokuto Yoru, and easily deflect the shots.
"What just happened?! It looked like the guy was aiming right at him!" Johnny exclaimed.
"No, his aim was perfect. Somehow this guy deflected the shots."
Neither Zoro nor Kuina could sit still any longer; they immediately jumped down to confront Mihawk.
"We've heard that a skilled swordsman can easily deflect bullets, but neither of us has ever seen a sword moved so gently to do so."
"And yet the two of you were able to perceive the motion of my blade, meaning you possess a degree of skill yourself," Mihawk noted. "A free lesson for you, children. There is no strength in swordplay based only on force."
"Hey, Uncle Mihawk!" Draco called out.
Ever so slightly surprised, Mihawk gave a small smile as he recognized the boy waving at him.
"Good to see you again. I didn't think we'd cross paths after you were sent to the East Blue by your father. Quite the fortunate reunion."
"Hello, good sir!" Ben called out next. "Pardon my question but why did you decide to sink three-quarters of the Don's fleet?"
"They caught me in a bad mood. I was having a fitful night's sleep and they woke me."
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Was the general response of most of the Krieg Pirates.
Zeff couldn't help but laugh. "That sure sounds like Ol' Hawk-Eyes, alright!"
Zoro smiled. "Mihawk, My friend and I have been planning on meeting you for years now."
"Is that so? For what purpose?"
"Our shared dream is to surpass you as the world's greatest swordsman!" Kuina declared. "To do that, we need to see how strong we are."
Mihawk chuckled. "So you wish to challenge me. I have time to spare for a small match, so I'll indulge you. But don't blame me if you die by my blade."
"That just means our dreams were too fragile to come true. The two of us swore to put our lives on the line for this dream." Zoro declared as he drew his three swords while Kuina drew Wado Ichimonji.
"The Three-Sword-Style..." Krieg noted in shock. "Those are the Pirate Hunters Roronoa Zoro and Shimotsuki Kuina!"
Mihawk instantly leaped from his own boat to the remains of the dreadnaught as Zoro and Kuina readied themselves.
"So, the two of you have a reputation in these waters. That means you're both clearly competent swordsmen. Such confidence from a weak frog and a bird still too small to leave the nest."
"I'd say more ambitious," Kuina smirked. "And just to be fair, I won't use my Devil Fruit either!"
"I respect that handicap," Mihawk said as he took off the crucifix around his neck and pulled off the long part to reveal a sheath hiding a blade.
"A kogatana? Don't want to risk tossing us into the sea with your main blade?" Zoro asked.
"No. A proper hunter doesn't immediately go use canons to shoot their prey," Mihawk said. "Unfortunately, I don't carry any blades smaller than this."
"Don't underestimate the two of us," Kuina said with a fire in her eyes. "Even if we're not worthy of your main blade, Neither of us are so weak that you need a sewing needle to duel the two of us."
The two swordsmen rushed forward with their primary strike, only for Mihawk to block them with the small blade. Zoro and Kuina quickly jumped back to center themselves before moving in a more zigzag pattern. Mihawk managed to deflect the strikes but had yet to make his own offense.
"This is impossible! He's stronger than Big Bro and Big Sis?!" Johnny exclaimed.
"Come on, Big Bro! Big Sis!" Yosaku cried out. "It's time to get serious!"
"Damn... I knew he'd be stronger... But I didn't think the gap between us would be this far apart." Zoro said as he and Kuina were knocked down.
"Then let's hit him from two sides!"
"ONI GIRI!"
Mihawk quickly raised his blade to block the strike. But he felt something.
"Hmm... You actually pushed back my arm a little. I'll give you both credit, one fights like a raging beast while the other fights like a graceful storm." Mihawk noted. "But you both have yet to bear a proper weight on your shoulders."
"What are you saying?" Kuina asked, taking a deep breath to calm her shaking nerves.
"The weight I speak of is someone in your here and now you fight for. I found mine years ago when I became Draco's honorary uncle. To help protect Newgate's beloved whenever he could not." Mihawk explained.
This resonated with Zoro and Kuina, who both realized something from Mihawk's words.
"We may have accepted Luffy, Sonson, Draco, and Ben as our captains but...we're not really fighting for them, are we? We're just fighting for ourselves."They both thought."And yet... they didn't laugh at our dreams. They accepted it. Praised it. Even said our shared dream made us perfect for their crew."
Mihawk could see a new resolve forming in Zoro and Kuina's eyes as they readied themselves for a new attack.
"I see my words have not been lost on you." The faintest hints of a grin crossed the swordsman's face. "Then let's see if you can survive this final pass."
"TORA GARI!"
"TAKA NAMI!"
Zoro and Kuina came in from both sides. Mihawk was still faster, but the two managed to avoid a fatal blow, only getting a hit in the shoulder and side respectively.
"Forgive me for insulting you, I had mistaken you for a frog in a well and a bird still in the nest, unaware of the world outside." Mihawk apologized as he sheathed his blade. "Had I known you had decided to hop out to explore and spread your wings, I would have tried using a bigger blade."
"It's still our loss. These wounds aren't deep, but a bigger blade would have likely killed us." Zoro said as he and Kuina felt the wounds they had taken. "If that were to happen, then we both would have simply let you run us through."
Mihawk nodded in understanding. "You possess a strong heart the likes of which I've never seen. Your names were Roronoa Zoro and Shimotsuki Kuina, yes? Do you think you can still fight a little longer?"
"We're good for just one more pass!" Kuina said, struggling to her feet.
"Very well, but this blade is clearly too small for your level of skill. You have proven worthy of facing my true sword." Mihawk said as he drew Kokuto Yoru. "One strike. We judge the winner by the outcome."
"Damn, that sword looks crazy! It's all black!" Usopp said.
"I'm sensing a potent aura radiating from it that is being projected from Mihawk's very soul, his will." Penny pointed out.
"SANTORYU OGI: SANZEN SEKAI!"
The clash was over in a second. Nobody was injured, but after a few seconds, the three swords in Zoro's hands broke apart as he and Kuina collapsed to their knees, doing their best to support each other.
"We lost..." Zoro managed.
"We're not ready...yet..." Kuina realized.
"You did well, all things considered," Mihawk said as he turned to Kuina and Wado Ichimonji, the only sword to survive. "The sword you carry... It's clear you understand its weight, and it has certainly accepted you as its master. Had you more swords at its level, you both would at least have scratched Kokuto Yoru."
"It's my family's blade...and Zoro is just as worthy to wield it as me," Kuina said. "Because Zoro...is family!"
Mihakw smiled. "You both have the potential to surpass, but not for a long time. It will take training and experience. And I would recommend finding swords more suited to your levels. The ones that were wrecked were little more than training wheels."
Penny, Kaya, Luffy, and Sonson quickly hurried over to Zoro and Kuina, helping the two of them up.
"Let us tend to your wounds!" Kaya said. "I know a bit about medicine and tending to injuries!"
Mihawk turned to Luffy and Sonson as Penny and Kaya brought Zoro and Kuina up onto the Merry to get treated for their wounds.
"I don't know who you are, but Draco wouldn't serve under just any pirate captain, let alone share the title with others. Not to mention you never once let anyone interrupt our duel. I think if anyone can help Zoro and Kuina learn more about the world, and themselves, it's someone like you. It may take them two years, it may take them ten or longer, but I believe those two will be the ones who can surpass me."
"You got that right! Zoro and Kuina are gonna be the two most awesome swordsmen ever!" Sonson declared. "As for me, I'm going to rise and become the Great Sage Warrior Equal to God!"
"And I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!" Luffy added.
Mihawk chuckled. "Well, it won't be easy. I never once doubted that the One Piece was real, but Roger's throne seemed too lofty a goal for my taste. Still, you seem far more aware of the world outside. Zoro and Kuina are lucky to have found captains like you."
From the Merry, both Zoro and Kuina held Wado Ichimonji together and raised it high.
"Luffy! Sonson! Ben! Draco! We're gonna make a promise to you guys...neither of us will ever be defeated again!"
Mihawk smirked. "And with someone like them on your crew, your goals will be just a little bit easier. Anyway, I should get going. I still have that friend to meet."
"I wonder who that friend is." Penny wondered.
"I think I can take a guess..." Ben hummed.
"Hold it, Hawk-Eye! We still have a score to settle!" Krieg called out as he jumped down to where Mihawk was.
"I already defeated you before," Mihawk pointed out as he took a side glance at Noire, who had been watching. "And I'm not in the habit of separating children from their fathers. Besides, these rookies are more than enough to stop your rampage here."
"What did you say?! Let's see how you deal with an entire firing squad!"
He opened up his armor to fire all his pistols at once. Mihawk easily deflected them all with Kokuto Yoru.
"Ah, it seems my ears weren't mistaken earlier. I heard a frog croaking in a well, but it seems that was you all along."
He managed to return to his boat during the cloud of smoke and sailed off.
"Damn it...How am I supposed to keep my feared reputation with monsters like him defeating me?" Krieg fumed as he watched Mihawk disappear into the fog. "Well, no matter. Men! Nothing's changed! Now that the interference is gone, we can get back to our raid! Take that ship, and let no one stop you!"
"So how do we do this?" Luffy asked the others.
"Mihawk looks like he left enough of the ship alive to be used as a fighting platform," Ben noted. "Luckily, this'll keep the Baratie out of the crossfire."
"That ship is the key to our victory, men!" Krieg declared. "With it, the Grand Line is nothing to be scared of! We can get close to any target and make a surprise attack with greater effectiveness than pretending to be Marines or a surrendering vessel!"
"But what if we run into someone like Mihawk again?!"
Krieg scoffed. "That man can't truly be human. No human can slice a ship in half. He clearly has to have a Devil Fruit power of some kind."
"Not really! In fact, Mihawk is famed for his swimming ability as much as his swordsmanship!" Draco called out.
Krieg's jaw dropped. "But how else could he slice my ship apart?! That's just not normal!"
"Well, obviously he's not using a normal sword!" Draco pointed out. "Like I said earlier, he coats his sword in a potent aura. And before you try to claim Devil Fruit again, this is the sort of aura that anyone can learn to use."
"Even someone like you could learn to use it!" Ben added.
"Either way, it doesn't matter. He beat you, you lost. Devil Fruit or no Devil Fruit. Only a weakling makes excuses for why." Luffy said.
Krieg grunted but knew better than to try and continue the argument, so he dropped the matter.
"Men, we also need Zeff's logbook. He was able to last for a year in the Grand Line. During that time he had to have faced all manner of monsters, meaning he found ways to defeat them. He had to have written those methods in his logbook. And perhaps even information on the One Piece." Krieg said to his men. "With these two items, we can conquer the Grand Line! Now let's take over the restaurant!"
Patty and Carne hopped into the Baratie's fish figurehead. Sanji, meanwhile, had another idea.
"Get to the operating room. Open up the fins." He ordered one of the chefs.
"But that would give the enemy a foothold!"
"It would also give us more room to fight and keep the fight out of the restaurant itself."
The cook nodded at Sanji's logic and hurried into the operating room. At the same time, Luffy, Draco, Ben, and Sonson were leaping into the fray with their powers.
"GUM-GUM ROCKET!"
"SOMERSAULT CLOUD!"
"BONE-A-PULT!"
"WINGS OF MOTHRA!"
The charging Krieg Pirates stopped in shock at the two men flying at them. Luffy grinned as he stretched his arms out and clotheslined a whole group of pirates as he flew in.
"GUM-GUM GIANT SCYTHE!"
Ben smirked and created scythes made of blood from his forearms that he swung around.
"CROW CLAW!"
Sonson pointed two fingers at a group of pirates and pretend-fired them like guns. The pirates found themselves paralyzed and unable to move.
"BODY FREEZING!"
Draco flapped his moth wings, sending out plumes of golden dust that blinded the pirates, leaving them open to attack.
"SHINING DUST SHROUD!"
Krieg gritted his teeth at the sight of his men being made fools of by the four captains. Meanwhile, Sanji couldn't help but whistle as he and Noire observed the action.
"So, this is what Devil Fruits are like." The blonde chef mused. "Just reading about it doesn't do it justice."
"Hey, you've seen my Devil Fruit plenty of times!" Noire pointed out.
Sanji playfully smirked. "Well, it's different seeing a whole other type of Devil Fruit."
"I'd wager those kids have had their powers for at least a decade, judging from how well they use them," Zeff noted.
As Luffy, Sonson, and Ben continued giving the Krieg Pirates a beating, Draco dropped down in front of Don Krieg himself.
"I think it's about time I gave you a reality check."
Krieg laughed. "Are you sure you want to fight me on the water where there's so little foothold? I know that Devil Fruit users lack the ability to swim."
"Did you not see the giant moth wings I had sticking out of my back earlier?" Draco pointed out. "Trust me, that small tidbit of knowledge doesn't give you any sort of edge."
Suddenly, the fins on the underside of the Baratie flipped up and were positioned all around the ship.
"Holy mackerel! Now the place looks like a battle arena!" Nami called out. "Johnny never mentioned the stabilizing fins were that massive!"
"Because I had no idea!" Johnny admitted.
"Now that we have more room, we'll be sure to fight to the utmost," Sanji said as he stepped onto the extended deck.
Just then the figurehead split off from the ship, revealing it to be a submarine.
"Took us a while to remember how to work this baby! This is the Baratie's secret sea battle weapon, the Mackerel Head 1!" Carne said.
"Damn, the more tricks this floating restaurant pulls out the more I want it," Krieg said. He had to admit, that was impressive.
The Mackerel Head opened fire, blasting what was left of the dreadnaught. Luffy, Sonson, and Ben quickly sprung themselves back onto the Baratie. One shot hit Krieg, the splash catching Draco.
"Crap, we hit the kid!" Patty cried.
Fortunately, Draco was fine, serpent heads made of stone had erupted from his back to shield him. Unfortunately, Krieg was also fine, thanks to his heavy armor, as he proceeded to take off his gloves to reveal diamond-covered gauntlets.
"This is what I bring to bear. The mightiest weapons, the strongest armor, the greatest crew, and the largest fleet. Tell me, how am I not the strongest man in the world?!"
"I'll grant you have a lot of power to your name," Draco admitted. "But power and strength are two very different things."
Krieg growled. "You want to see strength?! Then let me show you strength!"
He grabbed the Mackerel Head by one of its cannons, and with great effort started to lift it out of the ocean, throwing it into the air. Draco sighed in annoyance, then clapped his hands as blue lightning sparked off them before grabbing the air like it was a sheet and began changing it into a giant mattress, flying into the air with his moth wings to catch the Mackarel Head safely with ease.
"You were straining to lift that giant ship," Draco said to Krieg as he came back down. "I know at least five people who could toss it like it was a baseball."
By now some of the Krieg Pirates had reached the Baratie's deck, but Sanji was unphased as he put out his cigarette while Noire cracked her head from side to side.
"Come on, boys. Are we really gonna do this? I've known most of you guys since I was in diapers!"
Some of the pirates actually hesitated at Noire's words, allowing Sanji to strike one in the head with lightning speed while Noire threw out several glowing orange cards, which exploded on impact.
"I don't care what sort of rulers you think you are or what you think is yours. This restaurant belongs to us, and nothing you do or say is going to change that." Sanji said.
"For once, I agree with Sanji," Patty said. "I've been a cook for ten years. I've visited or worked at over 300 restaurants. I've been fired numerous times for causing a scuffle and lived a rough life. It wasn't until me and Carne found this place that we found a boss that didn't care about our disposition, so long as we knew how to cook."
Carne nodded. "Zeff's only rule was that a customer had to leave with a full belly, no matter who they were. This is the only place we've found that accepts us, so don't you dare tell us to change jobs like it's no big deal!"
The other cooks cheered in agreement and immediately started thrashing the pirates. As they did, Luffy noticed a large pearl floating up to the deck. It turned out to be a piece of headgear worn by a rather large man wearing steel shields like they were armor, each with a large pearl in the center.
"Oh no, not this guy..." Noire grumbled.
"I didn't expect the resistance to be so potent. But now that I'm here it all stops. I am the unassailable! I am Pearl, the Invincible Shield of the Krieg Pirates!" The man announced. "Behold the dazzling beauty of my killer punches!PEARL SURPRISE!"
He moved with surprising speed and knocked down several of the cooks with a hard blow. One pirate tried to take the kitchen knife from a fallen cook, only for Sanji to hit the pirate with a hard kick that sent him flying into several of his crewmates, knocking them all down at once.
"A kitchen knife is a cook's soul! It's not for an amateur to carelessly handle!"
"Damn, he's good," Zoro noted as he and the rest of the Straw Hats watched the action unfold.
Several more pirates tried to attack Sanji, only for him to show amazing speed, disappearing for a few seconds before completely thrashing them with a spinning leg strike. Noire moved just as swiftly, throwing out three yellow cards that glowed brightly before unleashing volts of electricity that electrocuted many of the pirates.
"THUNDERBOLT'S FATE!"
"My my, such impudence. Beating them all using only kicks. Are you so conceited that you don't think you need to use your bare hands?" Pearl mockingly asked. "Of course, I know of Noire's little Devil Fruit. I will admit, theCard-Card Fruithas many creative uses."
"Don't mistake my demeanor. A cook's hands are the most important part of his body." Sanji replied. "I can't have them hurt in battle. So I'll be using only my legs to take you down."
Pearl just laughed. "Take me down? Impossible. I am an invincible man who's won all 61 of my battles unharmed, never once losing even a single drop of blood. To win unharmed is the very proof of my power! I am a shield and gentlemen, the very essence of refinement!"
"I've known you long enough to say that you're the furthest thing from a gentleman or refinement!" Noire snarked.
"…He thinks 61 battles is impressive?" Ben asked aloud, getting shrugs everywhere.
Pearl gasped in a deeply offended manner, not realizing Patty was pulling out his cannon. Without another word, he fired and blasted Pearl right in the head, knocking him to the ground.
"How do you like myMeatball of Doom? Spicy, ain't it!"
Pearl managed to get up but noticed something liquid on his lip. He felt near his nose and gasped when he saw red on his fingers. The blast had caused him to get a nosebleed. As a result, he began to freak out, muttering in disbelief.
Krieg sighed in annoyance. "Damn it, Pearl is so confident in his ability to avoid damage, that even the smallest injury can set him off in the worst possible way. It gets so bad that it even threatens the rest of the crew."
"That's always been your problem, Pearl!" Noire taunted. "You can dish it out, but you can never seem to take it!"
Pearl furiously began banging his shields together before silver flames coated his body.
"FIRE PEARLS SPECIAL TREAT!"He roared. "My flame shield will burn everything dangerous! It will maintain my invincibility!"
"He's going to burn down the whole ship at this rate," Krieg said, shaking his head. "This is why I've been considering ditching him. He's too much of a liability."
"Oh yeah, never mind what he tried to do to Noire," Gin muttered, only to realize that Krieg heard him. With a sigh, he explained: "Okay, he got real drunk one night and came onto the missus."
Kreig clenched in rage.
"Now, she could've handled him no prob, but Noir? Well, she didn't like what he tried to do and…well, it was actually kind of funny what she did, all I'll say."
This did little to alleviate his captain's mood, as Krieg roared:
"PEARL! IF YOU LOSE THIS FIGHT, TOSS YOURSELF INTO THE OCEAN!"
Unfortunately, Pearl was too enraged to care, as he raced to the two youngsters.
"Bastard. I'm not about to let you burn this restaurant down!" Sanji snarled in fury.
"And me neither! It's finally time I got to shut your big fat mouth up, Pearl!" Noire added.
Sanji lunged forward and much to Pearl's surprise, he began delivering a flurry of powerful kicks that actually managed to push him back.
"MOUTON SHOOT!"
"Carne, quick! Activate the Mackerel Head 1's water cannons!" Patty called out.
"Right!," Carne said as he got to work. "Let's see... Ah, here it is! Good thing Boss Zeff thought to label these clearly."
He pulled a lever, and the cannons on the Mackerel Head started spraying out torrents of water to douse the flames. Meanwhile, Pearl was freaking out so much he started launching more Fire Pearls. As the pearls neared Zeff, he kicked with his peg leg so fast that the fires were instantly put out, making the pearls drop to the ground harmlessly.
"An attack like that and you think you can take over this ship?" Zeff remarked. "Try again when you get some real battle experience."
"LOOK OUT!" Penny called out suddenly."FAIRY GUN: SPRING SEASON!"
Penny fired a green and black beam of solar energy like a sniper shot, hitting Gin as he had just been about to try and grab Zeff from behind.
"You were gonna try and take Pops hostage, weren't you? Another dirty trick like Krieg prefers? How is something like that supposed to make someone strong?" Noire said as she came up beside Zeff. "What happened to you, Gin? Despite Dad's dirty tactics, you were always the most noble of the crew."
Gin looked down at his feet.
"You're lucky you weren't there." He said. "The Grand Line? How people can survive there I have no clue…We did all we could, but…your dad and all of us changed to survive. I don't like it, but I swore to follow Krieg to hell itself and back."
Noire sighed at this, looking at the man she considered her uncle and her father, reading for battle. She recalled how Krieg had been so sweet and caring for her when she was younger, always treating her like a princess and training her as best he could.
It hadn't been perfect, but to Noire, those memories of the Krieg Pirates were home and family.
"I may have a way out." She looked at Gin and smiled as Sanji leaped over to Penny.
"Thanks for protecting the old geezer. He gave up his leg so that I could live, so I owe him a lot." Sanji thanked the adorable android girl. Normally, he'd be swooning over her, but the restaurant was still in danger, so he had to prioritize. Maybe get her a nice dessert later in thanks.
"So, he's like your father in a way?' Penny asked innocently, moving to retract when she saw the forlorn look on Sanji's face…but then she saw the sad smile.
Sanji couldn't help but think back to how he and Zeff first met, as well as what caused him to be indebted to the man in the first place….
[Years Ago]
Sanji and Zeff had been on the same ship, which was destroyed in a terrible storm. They managed to get to a small quarry with two bags. Zeff gave Sanji the smaller one, taking the bigger bag to look out for a ship. Try as Sanji might, he exhausted his bag's food supplies within days.
Not helping matters was Zeff roasting something over an open fire one night and refusing to share with Sanji.
A few days in, when he saw Zeff's bag was unopened, hunger had overwhelmed Sanji, and, brandishing a knife, he had moved to kill the old man and take his food. Spying Zeff not moving, Sanji had cut open the bag…
Only to find it was filled with treasure. Not a scrap of food within.
The boy had wanted to yell and scream and Zeff, now little more than skin and bones, for giving him all the food, but that was all forgotten when he saw Zeff was now missing one of his legs.
It then clicked:
Zeff had given the boy all the food they had. Cut off, cooked, and eaten his own leg, the source of his fame to survive….
"..W-why would you…?" Sanji asked.
"Because we have the same dream."
Their dream: Finding the All Blue. The spot where all the waters of the world met. Where all sorts of wonderful dishes could be made in abundance and for small catching fees.
Sanji, whose own family had been…well, let's just say there was a reason such a young boy was sailing and cooking…seeing the sacrifice and will of Zeff had changed him. He swore he would repay the man back, no matter how long it took.
Luckily, a ship rescued them soon after that. Once Zeff had regained his strength and gotten his peg leg, the two and several other misfit chefs built and started the Baratie, which was soon booming.
And then one day, their sommelier came along:
The Baratie was about three or four years in business when a small lifeboat docked in and in stumbled a young girl in dirty, ragged clothes that used to be like those a noble would wear. She had only a few berries to her name and was too weak to talk, simply holding a sign that said:
"Will entertain for food and shelter."
Sanji himself had given the girl a simple but filling dinner, along with some hot cocoa, and slipped a few more berries for her to pay for the food. She had smiled sweetly and thanked him but then added a note;
"A hint of vanilla would've made that cocoa perfect."
Sanji was annoyed by this, but later tried it himself and realized she had a point.
"What's your name, little lass?" Zeff asked once the girl paid…only for Zeff to hand her back the Berris and motion for her to stay quiet.
"…Noire."
[Present Day]
"Wait, he did that?!" Patty gawked, as did the onlookers; the above story was shared through Penny's magic, like a movie in the sky.
Zeff smirked. "What, I never told you bastards the whole story?"
"NO!" Patty and the other chefs screamed. "NO, YOU DID NOT TELL US THE WHOLE STORY!"
Pearl chuckled. "I can respect such a refined statement. But sadly this restaurant is going to be closed now-"
He suddenly let out a choked gasp as Ben shot him with his custom-made revolver hand cannon. The bullet managed to pierce through Pearl's shields and puncture his lungs, causing him to cough up blood before falling to his knees and tipping over into the sea.
"Give my regards to Davy Jones, mate!" Ben called to Pearl's sinking corpse.
"We've been training hard to be able to handle the Grand Line. This isn't a game to us." Draco noted to a stunned Krieg, who quickly shook his head to regain his bearings.
"Nothing for it, I suppose," Krieg said as he turned to Draco. "But now it's time I played my trump card! READY WITH YOUR MASKS, MEN!"
One of the pauldrons Krieg wore moved to his fist and opened a hidden container. His crew gasped as they quickly began putting on gas masks.
"He's using that here?!" Noire gasped. "That's hisMH5, one of the strongest poison gases ever created!"
"That's poison gas?!" Usopp called out. "How are we supposed to guard against that!?"
"You go that far to try and win?" Draco asked.
"In this world, might makes right!" Krieg pointed out.
"Don't go blaming me when those words come back to bite you."
Krieg scoffed and activated a minigun on his pauldron to fire out spikes. Draco simply breathed out a wave of concentrated magma that melted the spikes before they could reach him. Taking advantage of the moment, Krieg quickly fired the MH5 canister over the barrier, aiming for the cooks near the restaurant before putting on his own gas mask.
"Nice try, Dad!" Noire shouted."SEALING CARD!"
With quick precision, Noire threw a card with a prison cage on it that hit the capsule in mid-air, sealing it inside the card. Krieg was stunned at this but relaxed his posture as he saw the determination in his daughter's eyes.
"You really care for these men, don't you?" He sighed with sadness yet also pride in his eyes and heart.
"Your fight is with me, Krieg! Remember that!"
Krieg turned his attention back to Draco, who was charging at him as he once more transformed into hisKong Mode. Krieg quickly put up his cape, revealing it was lined with spikes but Draco simply jumped with a flying dropkick.
"GREAT APE DROPKICK!"
The pirates were all gobsmacked as Krieg fell to the ground in a daze from the blow to the head.
"Unbelievable, Krieg's never so much as taken a knee before now, except when he proposed to his wife. Yet this kid just knocked him silly." Gin muttered. "Not to mention he found a flaw in thePorcupine Cape."
Krieg grunted, then charged in to try blasting Draco with a close-range explosion from his pauldron. To his shock, Draco was unphased, though his body did seem to have turned a metallic black.
"You think a kid raised on the Grand Line wouldn't know how to use a few of its tricks?"
Krieg backed up for a bit, stunned by what he was seeing. But he wasn't ready to give up yet. He slammed his pauldrons together, causing them to merge into a large spear.
"This is my mightyBattle Spear! It's my ultimate weapon that has never failed me! One touch from its black powder tip will blow you to pieces!"
"That's what you think!" Draco then hunched over, turning back to human form as three serpent heads erupted from his back, one made of black ice, the second made of lava, and the third made of acid.
The two attacks collided, causing a mighty explosion that forced everyone to shield their eyes. When the dust cleared, the Krieg Pirates were shocked to see Krieg collapsed, his armor shattered.
"To become strong, you need to face danger head-on. Relying on dirty tricks only takes you so far." Draco stated to his fallen foe.
"Victory is all that matters when you're a pirate, kid!" Krieg growled as he stood up and drew another hidden pistol, this one with a Seastone-laced bullet, but before he could fire….
"KRRRRRRIEEEEEEEEEEEG!"
The roaring voice, one of a woman, made all fighting to stop.
"….Uh. Oh." Gin gulped as Noir just beamed and tears began to well up.
Someone then leaped behind Krieg and he turned to see a woman of darker skin, half his height, and snow-white hair frowning at him.
"F-F-Frieden?!" Kreig managed. "S-sweetie…! Y-you're up al…"
"SHADDAP!" Don Frieden roared, making the Captain and his crew cower.
"Yes, dear."
"Well, we know who wears the pants in their relationship." Nami giggled to Kaya and Kuina.
Kirby, not understanding what that meant, looked to the others and asked:
"Pants?"
"We'll tell, you when you're older." Ben hurriedly said, just as Frieden began to rant and rave.
"We finally find our little girl after years and YOU MOVE TO GAS WHERE SHE IS ALL TO GET A STUPID SHIP!? SHE COULD'VE BEEN KILLED!"
Krieg's form turned pale white as he realized that.
"IF SHE DIDN'T HAVE HER DEVIL…!" Frieden moved to continue, only to be cut off with:
"MAMA!"
Noire had leaped into her mother's arms. And instantly, all the anger vanished as the woman hugged her long-lost daughter, peppering her with kisses and delighting at how she'd grown up to be so beautiful and strong.
Kreig, still shaking, waved sheepishly to Noire, who looked at her mother and then finally hugged him herself, making the man tear up as he embraced his daughter.
"Sweetie, let me ask you this," Frieden said, her anger now cooled. "Why didn't you make an offer to bring those cooks onto our crew? In case you forgot, all of ours pretty much sank to the bottom of the Grand Line."
That remark stunned Krieg. As for the rest of his crew, the silence was so thick Carne wondered if he could cut the air.
"WHY DID NONE OF US THINK OF THAT?!"
"Because you're all battle-hungry moronic macho men." Frieden and Noire sighed together,
"We could have avoided it all." Gin laughed in complete shock. "Stupid... How did no one realize it? I should have suggested it."
It wasn't long before everyone was laughing, realizing the entire fight was practically pointless.
"Wait, is nobody gonna say anything about how one of those guys KILLED Pearl?" One of the Krieg Pirates suddenly pointed out.
"Nobody'll miss him!"
"He was an idiot!"
"And he even had the gall to laugh when Noire was lost at sea after we escaped those Big Mom Pirates!"
That last line actually caught Draco's attention.
"So the Krieg Pirates managed to get to and escaped, never mind survived Tottoland? Respect earned, Krieg. Respect earned."
-OP-
Frieden brought her own ship to pick up the remaining Krieg Pirates but Gin had opted to stay behind, having something he wished to discuss with Noire and Sanji.
"That woman looks like she can whip these undependable idiots into shape. Maybe it is about time I set out for my dream." Sanji said.
"What is your dream?" Luffy asked.
Sanji smirked. "Simple; to find the All Blue."
"Wait, I've heard of that place! The legendary ocean where all sea creatures live?" Sonson asked in surprise.
Draco hummed. "I remember Dad telling me the legend of it. He thinks the island where the One Piece rests may be situated in it, but he was never really sure."
"Yup, finding it would be a seafaring cook's paradise!" Noire grinned. "Which is why I'd like to join you guys."
Sanji tensed when he heard that.
"I love this place and everyone else," Noire explained. "But…dangit I want to see the world! And besides, if my folks could make it by themselves, I think I can make it with you guys. Sides…be nice to be around some girls for change,"
"SEE?!" Sanji, Patty, and the other chefs snapped at Zeff. "WE'RE LOSING NOIRE CAUSE OF YOUR STUPID 'NO LADY CHEFS' RULE!"
"We now have a Sommelier. We just need a Chef." Sonson smiled, spying Noire's sly look directed at Sanji.
"Room for one more?"
All turned to see Gin on his knees.
"I know I said I'd follow Krieg to hell and back. And still want to honor that, But…I think I'd do better to make sure Noire's dream became a reality. So, if you need another fighter or whatever? I know the Grand Line will be crazy…But something tells me you kids might be the best ones to follow."
Noire beamed at this and hugged Gin, then looked at the Captains.
"Sure thing! Welcome aboard, Gin!" Luffy beamed.
"You will not be disappointed!" Sonson beamed.
"Always good to have another Grand Line vet, I bet." Ben smiled.
Draco simply gave a thumbs up.
"But Noire-" Sanji started, not fully forgiving Gin for bringing so much trouble to the restaurant.
"You know Sanji, You're wasting time staying here trying to get the old man to acknowledge you," Ben said as he approached Sanji. "Red Leg Zeff wasn't just a notorious pirate, he was a world-renowned cook. And you're not gonna find the All Blue sitting here trying to improve until you're old and gray. If you want to become a great chef, you need to get out there and experience the best cuisine the world has to offer."
For some reason, despite hearing the others say this before, hearing it from Ben made Sanji realize…everything that was just said was true.
"You have such a way with words, Ben!" Penny smiled.
Sanji chuckled. "You really know how to twist my arm. But I guess it is long overdue for me to set out on my own. And those with foolish dreams should stick together. So I'll accept your offer to become your ship's cook. And I guarantee no one on your crew will go hungry."
"If that's the case, I nominate myself as sous chef!" Noire said. "After all, I know a few mean dishes myself!"
Luffy grinned. "Alright! Welcome aboard, everyone!"
"Looks like we start to sail off. We still need to help Nami settle things at Cocoyashi Village." Zoro said.
"Dunno why she wants to go there. That place is crazy." Johnny said.
"That place is where I live!" Nami said incredulously. "And it was perfectly fine before Arlong showed up!"
With a huff, Nami went to check on the treasure haul and her eyes suddenly glowed brightly with Berri signs in them.
"200 million Berri! I can pay off the ransom and repair the village!"
"I think I can handle being on a ship with such a beauty. I can assure you no one will hurt you while I'm around." Sanji said.
"Oh for Oda's sake..." Noire groaned as she smacked Sanji upside the head. "Is it gonna be like this for the whole time we're on this crew?"
"Poyo!: Kirby beamed, making Noire smile as se nuzzled his face.
"Well, at least there's one PROPER gentleman."
"Hell of a crew I just joined, didn't I?" Gin noted.
"Trust us, Zoro and I said the same thing." Kuina chuckled.
The Merry was loaded up with a fresh food store and then set sail.
"HEY SANJI! NOIRE!"
The two looked to see the cooks all standing at waiting on them. The two groaned, expecting a lecture..
"KEEP YOUR FEET DRY, LIL' EGGPLANT!"
Sanji's eyes widened.
"WOW THE EYES AND STOMACH, LIL' COCOA CUP!"
Noire followed Sanji's example.
"NOT THAT YOU'LL NEED IT!"
And at that, the dams broke and the two fell to their knees, sobbing as they bowed to the man who saved their lives.
"I OWE YOU MY LIFE, YOU SHITTY OLD MAN!" Sanji managed through his tears. "ALL THESE YEARS IN YOUR SHIT RESTAURANT…!'
"THEY WERE THE BEST!" Noire managed to finish.
By then, they were too far to say more, but there was not a dry eye on any face.
Sanji smiled as he picked himself up and wiped the tears from his eyes as he kept his gaze on Zeff.
"I'll come back eventually as an even better cook than you, ya shitty old man." He said. "But one thing I can say... You were a better father than the one I was born with..."
Noire patted Sanji on the shoulder and offered him a hanky, which he took and gave her one of his own. Once their tears were dry, they both asked.
"Show us to the kitchen!"
Knightmare Lord A/N:
Put together the Mihawk and Krieg battles for this refurbished chapter, which made it long as sin!
Also, in regards to Don Krieg's wife; in Ash and Rubber by mtnetsurfer, Krieg's wife's name is Don Hart, the Hart being German for "tough". I decided to go for a different meaningful name and name his wife in this story Frieden, which is German for "peace" to counter Krieg's name, which is German for "war".
Get it? War & Peace?
