beenjammin0421: Hey, thanks! That's kind of what I was going for, we've got enough crazy to go around, a little common sense would be plenty of good. Glad you like the story, I already have some ideas, I hope you'll like the changes you'll see.

''Hmph, this'll be a piece of cake!'' The fact that Krieg was somehow managing to hold on to his arrogance was either a marvel or a sign of the sheer strength of his delusions.''The only pirates around are a devil fruit user and another tired one. They don't stand a chance. Attack!''

His crew readily followed the command, hurriedly getting up to swarm the Baratie. Any who went near Luffy and Miguel were quickly defeated by the former, who had noticed how the latter seemed to be in the middle of casting a spell and so would help ensure that they don't get in the way.

On another part of the ship, Zeff watched the attackers impassively for a few seconds before lashing out with a kick, the sheer wind and force from the strike enough to throw his attackers back. ''If you think the kids are the only ones you need to worry about, you're in for a rude awakening.'' The cooks cheered loudly in agreement.

''Oh yeah? Let's see you keep that big talk up!''

But it was soon proven true as many of the Krieg Pirates were sent regretting their actions with the cooks holding their own, helped especially by Carne blasting them with the ship's cannons.

What-or rather who-really tipped the scale in their favor was Sanji. None of the pirates stood a chance before the blond chef, who was beating any adversary with ease with quick and powerful kicks.

Luffy began to grin ''I knew he was tough!''

''He really is clearing out a crowd, huh?''

Startled, he looked left to see Miguel join him ''Hey, you okay?''

''I'm not back at a 100% yet...'' Miguel's healing magic may only be good with wounds and injuries but it had the added benefit of restoring his vitality. ''...but I can keep fighting.''

''Good, then let's go!''

''This is absurd.''

Sanji turned at the voice, finding one of the enemies leering at him ''You're not even fighting with your hands. Do you still think it's not worth going all out?''

''A chef's hands are their life. I have no intention of risking mine now, this style is all I need to fight.''

''You're a fool, that's why you'll lose. I have never lost a battle before.''

The boasting never made Sanji so much as blink ''Don't go bragging so much. You guys wouldn't even be here if you were that strong, so if you think you're scaring me, don't waste my time.''

''Fine, I, 'Iron Wall' Pearl will now defeat you!''

Sanji dodged a couple of his punches before Pearl jumped back and began firing projectiles that resembled cannonballs, but also looked like the namesake. Sanji was quick to avoid them to the best of his ability. Pearl grit his teeth and fired another round fast, almost nailing Sanji a few times and letting him get a couple of punches in.

The cook thought fast and kicked one of the projectiles at Pearl, hitting his gut and leaving him stunned. He took advantage of this to kick him repeatedly, ending the barrage with a final, powerful kick that sent him flying back.

The Krieg Pirates were in shock, not even paying attention to their captain telling them to keep going. The Baratie's cooks cheered, to see one of their own doing so well. Pearl slowly got up, suddenly stiffening as his eyes widened.

He touched the side of his head and cried out ''This is...blood! I'm bleeding...!''

If that wasn't random enough, things got even more confusing as Pearl began to really panic and for some reason, this really worried many of the Krieg Pirates who tried to calm him down.

But it failed as the man proceeded to unleash numerous flaming projectiles, while Sanji made sure to avoid them, a few landed on the Baratie.

''Oi, Pearl! Are you trying to damage the ship we're going to take?!'' Krieg growled.

''Has he lost it?'' Sanji grimaced as the fire began to spread around the restaurant. ''Stop it!''

''What, you getting scared?'' Pearl's taunt went ignored as he tried to stop more of the attacks. ''I'll finish this now, Fire Pearl!''

The cooks hurried to douse the flames. Frustrtated, Sanji kicked the pirate hard but before he could go on, a voice called out to him to stop. Then he heard Luffy calling out ''What're you doing?''

Sanji found the rubber teen staring at Gin, who was currently holding a gun to Zeff's head.

''This doesn't have to go on.'' Gin's voice broke the ensuing silence. ''Sanji-san, please...just give up the ship and everyone can go free. It doesn't have to be this way.''

''That's not going to happen.'' The blond's reply was instant. ''Aim that at me for all I care but I'm never going to surrender the restaurant, got it?''

Gin grimaced, watching as Pearl blindsided the cook with an attack. Luffy started ''What're you doing?! Don't just stand there!''

''If...I fight back...'' Sanji pulled himself up. ''...he's going to fire that thing. I won't risk the old geezer's life.''

Then, all of a sudden, Zeff was surrounded by a violet aura that levitated him and pushed him out of the area. Gin recovered from the surprise and tried to stop this but Luffy, already knowing what was up, punched him back.

''Back off!''

The violet aura receded and Zeff landed near the rubber teen and Miguel, with the man looking at the latter in sudden understanding.

''...You're a bag full of surprises, aren't you, kid?''

Miguel gave a small smile while Sanji sighed in relief, glad that the situation was averted.

''You two shouldn't have interfered.'' Gin said at last.

''We weren't going to run away.'' Luffy retorted.

''You keep acting like that but Krieg made sure we'd be involved, remember? I'm not just going to watch him do whatever he wants.'' Miguel stated. ''If anything, you're the one who needs to stop this. You obviously don't want to follow his orders now, Krieg's not going to win.''

''You're wrong!'' Gin fired back ''Don Krieg is the strongest man in East Blue.''

Zeff scoffed loudly ''...You really are a fool if you believe that.''

''That's for sure.'' Luffy concurred ''I'll fight you now!''

''Fine by me. I'll take you down and help my captain fulfill his ambitions.''

As the two squared off, Zeff glanced at Miguel ''...There really is more to him than meets the eye. You were good at handling things but you're spent after all you've done. Dealing with the small fry would be easy but you aren't up for a fight like that one now.''

''You really are good...'' Miguel's surprise was evident in his tone. ''...it's true. I can pull off support just fine but it's like you said, fighting like that is most likely going to get me in trouble right now.''

''Don't feel too bad. It's good to acknowledge your limits. You'd be surprised how many people your age and even older can't even do that.''

Seeing how Pearl's rapid volley of projectiles was causing more damage, Zeff's eyes narrowed a bit ''I'd better get to work then...''

He aimed a single kick at the burning area, sending sharp winds that made the flames die out, leaving many of the observers shocked.

This left Pearl to scowl ''You won't stop this!''

He used another round of Fire Pearls, firing them all at once. As he kicked Gin back, Luffy happened to see them but he knew there wasn't anything to worry about. The next burst of Gravity magic that froze them in mid-air before sinking them to the ocean made him smile.

The volley suddenly stopped in mid-air before being thrown into the ocean by Miguel's gravity magic, to general surprise.

''Thanks! I'll make sure he stays down this time,'' Sanji rushed at Pearl, lauching some fast kicks that took him off guard, even causing cracks in the armor. ''Reception!''

The following kick slammed the man's head down and Sanji added another attack. ''Flanchet!''

Pearl crashed down even harder, now clearly unable to fight, to his comrades' disbelief.

''He won?!''

''No way!''

''All right!'' Luffy calmly blocked Gin's tonfa. ''That won't work on me! Gum Gum Spear!''

The sudden attack hit the man hard, leaving him to fall. The Krieg Pirates were in shock that their two most powerful fighters had been defeated. One glance at their captain had many troubled, and for good reason. For Kreig's already short temper was a step short of blowing up and they were wary of his wrath.

''You useless bastards!'' He cried. ''I have to do everything by myself.''

Krieg saw Luffy jump on the broken platform opposite his ''So you've come on your own? Idiot brat, you'll lose! I'm not only stronger but you're a devil fruit user, you don't stand a chance.''

''That's what you think!''

''Eat this!'' He sent a few arrows from the cross bow that had been on his side but Luffy deftly dodged them. Krieg aimed a punch next, with Luffy ducking to avoid it, seeing that the man's gauntlets had spikes on them.

As they continued to fight, Luffy was beginning to see that Krieg relied on a number of weapons that he could activate easily. The older pirate laughed as the teen jumped back to avoid a burst of fire from his flamethrower. ''Useless resistance! You're not going to win. I'll finish you off, take the logbook and that other brat to help me get through the Grand Line!''

''No way!'' Luffy punched him. ''I won't let you. You're not taking Miguel!''

''...He still believes he can do things his way even after all what happened?'' The wizard had to wonder.

''As they say, there's no cure for idiocy.'' Zeff mused.

Krieg righted himself and made to attack, but then both were startled by a few shocked cries coming from somewhere nearby. It didn't take them long to find the reason. Gin was now holding Sanji at gunpoint.

Krieg grinned ''Good work, Gin! Now shoot him!''

Sanji appeared unfazed ''...So this is what it's come to?''

''It didn't have to be like this. All you had to do was leave the restaurant.''

''I told you before, it's not going to happen.''

''Why? It's not worth this!''

Did he really expect them to simply just bow down and give up because Krieg said so? As if. There was more to it though...

''Chief Zeff saved my life, not only that, he took me under his wing and taught me all he knew. This place means everything to the old geezer. I already took so much from him...'' Sanji's eyes flickered with pain and memories.

Zeff and his crew had attacked the ship Sanji worked as an apprentice chef. It looked like it had been the end for Sanji before the storm turned everything around. He woke up on a rock in the middle of nowhere to learn that Zeff had saved him. They were left looking for help, Zeff dividing their shares, ignoring Sanji's sheer ire and hate and they both went about on opposite sides.

But despite his words and action, Zeff just made it look like he took more food than Sanji. His bag held nothing but treasure, Sanji having found out the hard way when in sheer desperation born of starvation, he decided to attack the man. It turned out that he clearly had no intention of taking any food right from the get go, having eaten his own leg the whole time!

it was clear that not even the cooks had known about this, most of them in tears at the end of the tale. Surprisingly enough, the same went for a few of the Krieg Pirates. Particularly Gin, who appeared stricken. Luffy's expression was unusually stoic, though anyone looking closer would've seen the understanding in his eyes.

The majority however, only laughed and mocked the pair, deriding Zeff for not taking the chance to save himself for someone else's sake.

Luffy realized he wasn't the only one willing to pound their faces in when the red spell circle of gravity magic threw the fools in the air before slamming in the water or surrounding debris.

''If you can't even try to appreciate his courage and strength then put a sock in it.'' 'Or else' was unsaid but highly implied. The pirates clearly caught the implication as well, trying to avoid Miguel's gaze. Grinning, Luffy gave his newest member a thumbs up.

Miguel couldn't help remember his earlier words, now realizing how much he'd been shackled down by guilt all those years. Still...

''...You really are bad at listening, shitty brat.''

Zeff's remark had almost gone unheard but that just proived it. They had been right, The chef never expected Sanji so much of Sanji, least of all throwing his life away like this.

Besides, Sanji was really missing something quite obvious. ''...He says it like that but risking his life would be the complete opposite of repaying any debt.''

A glint of approval flashed in Zeff's eyes at that. But before things progressed any further though, something happened that threw everyone for a loop.

Luffy stretched out his leg and rammed it against the Baratie. The cooks cried out in shock and alarm while as a simlarily bewildered Sanji and Gin looked on.

''STOP! What're you doing?!''

Completely tuning him out, Luffy continued to attack, plowing past the few chefs who tried to stop him. Random as it were, Miguel realized this did actually make sense.

''Sorry about him, Luffy means well...he's just really over the top sometimes.''

Zeff just chuckled, having caught on as well. ''I don't mind, kid.''

The captain's next words proved their suspicion to be spot on ''If the ship is gone, they can't have it.''

''It's not that simple. You can't just...do you understand the situation here? I won't let you destroy the ship, I still have a debt to pay!''

''This isn't the way to do it!'' Luffy retorted. ''It's just like we talked about before! You think the old man did all this so you'd just throw your life away. You talk about your debt and how important his actions were but you're the one making them worthless!''

Miguel put in his piece ''The Baratie means a lot to you and I understand that but he's right. Even if it is lost, you can rebuild but there's no replacing a life that's lost. What's the restaurant even going to be without the cooks there?''

''I...'' Lowering his head, Sanji could feel their words resonate with him. The fact that Zeff had yet to so much as say or do anything about it proved they had his approval. Had it really been that way all along? Was he the one who completely misunderstood Zeff and his intentions the whole time?

''Gin!'' It was only when Krieg tried bellowing orders again that Sanji realized Gin hadn't moved a muscle.

Then, Gin's arm began to shake as he spoke ''I can't!'' He wept. ''I have the utmost respect for you, Don Krieg. I'll follow you anywhere but I can't shoot him! This man has shown me kindness I had never experienced before. Please...let's just leave and find another ship.''

Krieg's glower never faded, the words clearly unheard ''...You have some nerve. You didn't just disobey me, you actually the nerve to tell me what to do. You know I hate feelings getting in the way. You're a disappointment, Gin!''

''You're one to talk about disappointment...'' Muttering darkly, Sanji wondered, not for the first time just what Gin saw in this asshole. He didn't deserve even an ounce of this loyalty.

Krieg's next act was odd. All he did was take out a mask but his crew immediately began fretting.

''But that means...!''

''The MH5?!''

''He's going to use that poison gas now?!''

''Poison gas?!'' Patty cried, watching them search themselves, some fumbling as they got out their own masks.

''Means don't matter, only the ends do. All I care about is victory, it's true strength!'' Krieg declared, holding the gas bomb in his hand.

Luffy gave him a disgusted look ''What about your crew?!''

''If they were so useless as to be caught up in it then they're weak. They deserve to die. Gin! Don't you dare put on that mask, a traitor like you don't deserve to.''

''Don't listen to him! That guy only cares about him. He doesn't deserve your loyalty.'' Luffy added.

''You're wrong!'' Gin's loyalty had yet to waver ''Don Krieg is the greatest man in the world!''

''Are you blind?! How can you even talk like that?! You heard him just now!'' Sanji exclaimed.

''It's what I deserve! I acted in a way that shames someone of my position.''

Understandably upset by all this, Luffy hurried to pick up masks as Krieg threw the bomb with a cackle ''This will put you in your place!''

Seconds later, something flashed and the poisonus clouds was encompassed by winds that were growing faster, dispersing it in seconds.

''What just happened?!''

Having a very good guess, a very pleased Luffy looked back to find Miguel holding up his wind sword in their direction.

''Thanks, you did great!'' Miguel met his captain's smile with one of his own.

Krieg cursed ''I'll make sure you pay for that!'' Seeing how his threat was once more ineffective made him angrier but before he could do anything, Luffy sprang right back to battle and kicked him.

Krieg activated another weapon, one that released spikes which his opponent manages to dodge in time but the Don proceeded to toss small bombs that caught him off guard.

Undaunted, Luffy pushed through the pain and punched Krieg's side before using a Gum Gum Pistol that damaged the armor, to the pirates' shock. Krieg wasn't finished yet either.

He wiped the blood from the side of his face and scowled ''This is far from over! Let's see how you like my Great Battle Spear.'' Luffy dodged the following swipe which caused an explosion a second later. He was left on the defensive as Krieg kept his assault up, but soon he was cornered as he neared the edge of the piece was of wood they were on, now dangerously close to the water.

Krieg smirked as he picked up on this, attacking once more, feeling satisfied as he hit the mark. His crew began cheering him on but he paid them no mind for the moment as he watched Luffy move back and struck again.

Sanji grimaced as Luffy endeavored to get away from the water, it worked but he was blown back by another explosion in the process.''He's getting up again? There's no point, that spear's too powerful. The fight's completely in Krieg's favor!''

''I wonder about that.'' Zeff was visibly satisfied, eyes traveling from Luffy to Miguel. The look on his face proved that his faith in his captain was still strong. ''That brat's got a spear more powerful than all of Krieg's arsenal.''

''What do you mean?''

''Conviction.'' Zeff replied simply. ''That's what matters most in a fight like this. Here, the one who hesitates will lose. The brat has yet to show any, if anything, he's the worst kind of opponent to face but also the best ally to have on your side.''

Krieg made to hit Luffy again, only to stop in surprise when the teen stomped on the spear's tip, leaving it to fall apart.

''M-my spear! What did you do?''

''I punched the tip five times! Now all you have is a bomb on a stick, it won't help you.''

''Oh yeah?'' Krieg scowled. ''Don't bet on it, I can still finish you off. You're barely standing anyway.''

''Yeah, right!'' Luffy was undaunted as ever. ''All you have is your little toys and you can barely do much without them. I'm going to win!''

His opponent attacked again but Luffy jumped and kicked the man's arm, making him drop his weapon. The rubber teen then cocked a fist ''Gum Gum Pistol!''

He sent Krieg into the air with the punch before following up with more attacks that slowly but surely caused cracks along Krieg's armor before finalizing it with a Whip attack that threw Krieg down hard.

''D-dammit...'' Krieg grunted, pulling himself up. He was clearly too stubborn to stop but this had clearly caused a lot of damage. ''...I won't lose, take this!''

He activated a mechanism on his armor, which fired a net that caught Luffy off guard and trapped him. Krieg barked out a laugh ''How do you like that? Now I've got you!''

Luffy quickly realized that there was something he could do here ''No, you don't. Gum Gum Bell!'' Krieg yelled out in pain and shock as the teen's head hit his own, and Luffy angled his leg then.

''Gum Gum Tsuchi!''

The follow up slammed Krieg down on another drifting piece of wood, knocking him out. Gin and all the other pirates were left dumbfounded as they could only stare at their fallen captain.

''Don Krieg lost?!''

''No way!''

''It can't be!''

It looked like Luffy was about to fall in the water when a sphere of wind enveloped him, bringing him back to the Baratie safely. Miguel let out a breath as the cooks approached, Zeff quirking a brow ''He's awfully quiet all of a sudden.''

The reason became clear when Luffy let out a yawn ''...Is it over? I'm kind of sleepy...''

Patty and Carne almost fell over while Sanji gawked ''You just...what the heck is wrong with you?!''

Zeff could tell the teen was completely oblivious to their befuddlement ''That's some captain you've got there, kid.''

Laughing, Miguel stood ''That's for sure...''

Luffy woke up a while later, bewildered to find himself settled on a bed with his injuries addressed. His hat was also on a table nearby. Picking it up, the teen left the room and walked out, pausing when he saw Sanji nearby.

''Oh, you're up...''

''What happened?''

''Well...'' Gin took Krieg and led the pirates away, stating that he had spent too much time using the man's name to simply leave his side now. Though he wanted to tell Luffy that they would see each other on the Grand Line, a thought that made the teen grin.

''So...'' Luffy blinked. ''...wait, where's Miguel?''

''He's taking it easy too.'' Sanji returned. ''Last time I saw him, he was eating with some of the others. I think he said something about checking up on your supplies.''

''Oh good! So are you coming with us?''

''No.''

''Why not? Come on, it'll be great!''

The blond gave an exasperated sigh ''Listen, I appreciate it, really...but this is important. I will go to the Grand Line, to accomplish my dream but not before the old geezer acknowledges my skills.''

''You really think he doesn't?'' The teen cocked his head ''I mean, you're basically the second in command when he's not here, right? Doesn't mean he knows he can count on you?''

''That's different.'' Shaking his head, Sanji knew he'd been proven wrong quite a bit today but not about this ''I've been here for so long, he probably thought it was convenient. That geezer always does things his own way and who knows what he's thinking.''

The two headed to eat, soon coming across Miguel watching the chefs with interest. Howver, Sanji noted that there were no chairs at all. Luffy didn't really mind, eager as always for good but something wasn't adding up...

He was distracted upon seeing some of the cooks taste his soup. Patty's brow furrowed ''...Who made this?''

''I did. Pretty good, right?'' Sanji half-smiled.

But...

''This is a load of slop!'' Patty proceeded to push the plate away.

''What?!''

He wasn't the only one as all the cooks were either spitting the food out, grimacing at the taste or even practically throwing the plate or ladle...

''Ugh!''

''Disgusting!''

''This is the nastiest thing I've ever had!''

Sanji shot up ''What the hell is wrong with your tastebuds?!''

''Oi, oi, enough...'' Zeff cut in as he proceeded to taste the soup. ''...remember, we don't waste food here.''

For a moment, it seemed like he would be the one to calm the waters but he just swallowed the mouthful before smashing the plate. ''Not that any of you are wrong, this is awful. Are you trying to put me out of business, Sanji?!''

''What was that?'' The blond's eyes narrowed. ''How is my soup any different than yours?!''

''You've got some nerve! You're a hundred years too early to ever compare your work to mine!''

Sanji grit his teeth and stormed off. Miguel sighed ''That wasn't necessary.''

''What do you mean?'' A curious Luffy tasted the soup ''...Hey, this stuff is great! What were you talking about?''

''That's the point, Luffy. They do know Sanji's a great chef, apparently it's getting them to say it that's the problem.'' Several of the cooks appeared rather sheepish at Miguel's statement, not bothering to deny it.

Zeff just shrugged ''Sanji's skill as a chef are unquestionable. The brat's just too damn stubborn, I thought you kids could get through to him after making such a difference already but he's still doubling down and refusing to change his mind. We couldn't see another way.''

''He wouldn't leave otherwise.'' Patty added.

''You brats already figured it out, he actually does want to travel, he won't come out and say it. Would you take him with you?'' Zeff finished.

The answer certainly wasn't what they expected.

''...No.''

''What?!''

''Hold on! At least think about it, I mean you asked him all those times!'' Carne pointed out.

''Is he not good enough for you?'' Zeff's demand almost made Miguel smile. They really did care, they were just horrible at showing it.

''It's not like that!'' Luffy seemed offended by the suggestion. ''But I don't want to force him, he needs to decide to come on his own terms.''

''...I see...''

Miguel glanced back at the door, where the leather shoes had been barely visible a moment ago just before their owner left. His lips quirked, perhaps the truth coming out at last would make the difference...

''...Damn shitheads...''

Sanji couldn't believe he almost fell for that. The insults to his cooking aside, now that he'd calmed down, he could tell everything about their attitude was so damn forced that he felt like a complete idiot.

The worst part was, Zeff had a point. He couldn't deny meeting the Straw Hats had made an impact on him in just these couple of days. Of course it started with that beautiful goddess Nami-san but their passion, their determination and dedication to chase out their dreams...all of it resonated with him deeply.

Luffy seemed like a goofball but he was someone who truly appreciated food, which was more than enough to put him in Sanji's good books. Seeing him fight it out was honestly an inspiration. Everything he and Miguel said really did get to him, they'd completely changed his perspective.

Yes, the last couple of days had certainly been a profound experience. And thanks to that...he knew what to do.

Luffy and Miguel were preparing to set off, Zeff giving them one of the restaurant's boats and some supplies as thanks for all they'd done.

''Sorry it didn't work out the way you wanted.''

The teen shrugged, clearly still a bit disappointed ''We'll figure it out. What's important now is that we help Nami.''

That, he certainly wasn't about to argue with. Miguel could handle getting them there, he just hoped the others managed to find some answers.

As the two approached the boat, Luffy couldn't help but look around the deck again. Miguel took note of this ''Wondering about Sanji?''

''I thought we were friends. He could at least come say goodbye...''

''Goodbye?'' The subject of their conversation made his presence known ''What's the point if I'm leaving too?''

Luffy's countenance lit up ''You mean...?!''

''Yeah...it's about time I get started on my dream. So to start with, I'll be the cook on the ship of the future Pirate King.'' Sanji couldn't help smirking as the aforementioned captain cheered.

''So it really took that 'enlightening' conversation for you to finally make up your mind?'' Miguel injected slyly.

Patty and Carne froze as the implication sank in, Sanji giving him an amused look ''...You knew I was there the whole time, huh?''

''Well, you've all proven to be so awful at simple communication that it nearly took the Baratie's destruction for anything to change, so I thought it was worth a try.''

The cooks shuffled uncomfortably while a few tried to protest, Luffy burst into laughter ''Face it, he's right. You guys are one weird family. None of you can even try to be honest with yourselves.''

''Can't argue with that.'' Sanji held his hands up in surrender. ''Sorry you had to resort to that bad acting though.''

''And whose fault is that?!''

''Yeah, you're the one who's always causing trouble!''

''Everything with you has to be a fight, Sanji!''

Luffy and Miguel shared amused looks as they started to squabble, the very picture of a dysfunctional family. Patty huffing and looking away, but they could see no anger in his gaze ''Just go, at least it'll be way less peaceful without yuo stirring chaos, Sanji.''

''Yeah, guess so. Hope you won't get too bored then, see ya around!''

As Sanji joined his newfound crewmates, Zeff finally spoke ''Sanji, take care, all right?''

The blond felt his heart lenching at these words, his eyes traveling over the people he'd grown up with all those years and settling on Zeff.

The blond stopped in his tracks at the words and looked over at the people he had grown up with for years. In a way, Luffy was right, they had wound up like a bit of a family. Spending so much time together, it was hard not to. Zeff brought them all together and gave them a home, a place they could always go back to. All the time he spent here...his mistakes, all his success, every bit was a special memory for him.

Tears poured down his face as he bowed deeply ''Chef Zeff! Thank you, thank you so much for everything! I'll never forget all you've done!''

Zeff began to smile as the cooks teared up, happy but also sad to see him leave. They had their spats, but Sanji was one of their own. There was no denying that they would miss him, even if they wouldn't admit it. Soon, they all began to call out their own farewells to the blond as the now group of three made to leave. Each of them had their own dream in mind and they were sure to work and make it happen.

However, the priority at the moment was to catch up to the others and find Nami.

And we're done.

Well, I hope this was good. Personally, I like the Baratie arc, thanks in a big part to Zeff. He's a pretty cool character, even more now that I know how deep the bond between him and Sanji actually was. You know, because of the Whole Cake Island Arc and all.

Anyway, next time we're starting up the Arlong Park arc. Thanks for sticking with this story and I hope you keep it.