"Luffy, it's been four days, how long are we gonna stay here?" Usopp complained. Luffy took a break from eating to answer. "I told you to gimme a week if Sanji doesn't join us by then we'll leave."
"I already told you I'm not joining you." Sanji said as he appeared with fruit salad and wine. He laid it in front of Nami with a dopey smile and hearts beating in his eyes. "Here you go Nami-swan." He sang, dancing around the navigator. Nami winked at him as she took the food. Free of charge of course. The crew has been here for 4 days and everyday Luffy has tried to get sanji to join his crew. He's denied him Every Time.
"You heard him Luffy. Let the pervert cook saty. He probably couldn't hack it on the Grand line anyway." Zoro said. Sanji immediately switched from lover boy mode to angry chef.
"What did you say Moss Head?!"
"You heard me pervert. A guy like you couldn't hack it on the Grand Line. You're too scared to even leave this restaurant."
Sanji and Zoro didn't like each other at all and safe to say Zoro didn't agree with his Captain's decision to have Sanji join them.
"I'm not scared, I have my reasons for staying." Sanji said heatedly but their arguing was interrupted by a scream. Everyone of the customers rushed to the windows and they all started to scream in terror. "The hourglass means our time is up!"
"It's the krige pirates!"
While everyone was freaking out about what to do Luffy and his crew say at their table calmly. Well most of them. Usopp was shaking in his seat and Nami had discreetly moved closer to Luffy. Luffy continued to eat unbothered and Zoro rested a hand on his sword just in case. Everything went silent as the large ship came to a stop in front of the Baratie. The people couldn't stop the shock that invaded them at the sight. Not just because they were scared but the state of the ship itself. It looked like it came from sailing in a hurricane.
THUD!
Loud footsteps stopped the actions of everyone in the restaurant. Luffy was idly chewing on a cleaned bone as the doors opened and the infamous don krige walked in. He looked weak, being supported by Gin. The long jacket he wore scraped the ground as he walked in. The chains around his neck filled the silent restaurant with noise that unnerved the residents. He abruptly fell on his hands and knees much to the confusion of the people.
"Please… food." His voice was hoarse probably from lack of food and drink. "I promise to leave after just one meal." He said and Gin looked outraged at his captain throwing away his pride like this. The people seemed confused, this wasn't the Don they had heard about. While everyone was in shock about what to do, nobody saw Sanji walk away.
"You think we're gonna give you food? Hey, someone call the Marines!" Patty said.
"But we have money! We can pay you!" Gin said, his voice laced with worry.
"This isn't about the money anymore. Krige built his name on playing tricks. Raising marine flags to sneak into port towns. Betraying his superior in the marines to start his career. We'll never fall for his tricks!" Patty exclaimed. As a unimous yes resound through the restaurant all became silent as Sanji set a plate of hot food in front of Don Krige. The Pirate immediately dug his hands into the food and started to stuff it down his face. Not caring about how it made him look. While Gin looked at Sanji greatfuly the others looked at him like he was mad man.
"Sanji what the hell is wrong with you!?"
"I feed anybody that's hungry. Doesn't matter who they are." Sanji said as Krige finished his food.
CRASH!
Everyone's eyes widened as Krige uppercut Sanji into the ceiling. The cook's head broke through the floor and his body dangled in the air. Luffy watched with an emotionless look and continued to idly chew on the bone as Krige stood and stretched his body.
"Don you promised you wouldn't hurt anybody, that's the only reason I brought you here!" Gin screamed, his face colored in betrayal.
"The food was good, I feel great."
It only took a few seconds for everyone to register what happened before a stampede of people rushed from the restaurant. The only people left in the restaurant were Luffy and his crew and the cooks.
"This is a pretty good ship. I think I'll take it." Krige said as he looked around with appreciation. "As you can see my ship is destroyed so I'll be needing a new one. I have about 100 men left on my ship, all weak from hunger. I want you all to prepare 100 meals for them and then leave this place if you value your lives." Krige ordered them. Sanji pushes himself from the ceiling landing on his two legs. He didn't pause as he started to make his way to the kitchen.
"Where are you going, Sanji?"
"What's it look like? I'm making 100 more meals today." He said casually, like a child telling you they were going to play. The cook's immediately surrounded him, all of them using absurdly large cutlery. Some may have laughed at the scene if the tension wasn't so thick.
"We've had enough Sanji. I can overlook you feeding those bums I toss out of here but I will not let you feed these pirates." Patty said as he dug into a hidden cabinet. He pulled out something wrapped in cloth. "I have some dessert for you Krige." He unveiled a lobster shaped bazooka and wasted no time in firing it.
BOOM!
The sound was deafening and nobody had time to react as the shell fired from it hit Krige dead on, engulfing him in an explosion. Zoro whistled at the power while Usopp and Nami silently cheered. As the smoke started to clear everyone saw Don Krige standing there just fine. His long coat was gone and it was replaced by a gold suit of armor. Everyone's eyes widened as guns started to sprout from every surface of the armor. The shoulders and sides. And I'm his hands.
Gun smoke filled the air as Krige unloaded bullets into the restaurant. Everyone besides Luffy ran to hide as the bullets rained down. No one was hit but everyone was thoroughly scared.
"WHEN I GIVE YOU BASTARDS AN ORDER YOU FOLLOW IT DOWN TO THE LETTER! DO YOU HEAR ME! I AM DON!"
Everyone of the cooks were shaking on their boots but to others. Mainly Luffy and Zoro Krige just seem to be throwing a tantrum. He had the anger of someone who didn't get their way. The cooks seemed to be debating actually getting the hundred meals when the owner Zeff had appeared with a large bag in hand.
"Here this is 100 meals, now leave."
"Chef Zeff no!" Krige looked at the stubby old man in awed surprise. "Your… Red Foot Zeff" He said.
"Red Foot?" People questioned.
"The Pirate captain who was also the cook. They say his kicks were so strong he left foot prints on solid steel. And he survived the waters of the Grand Line." Krige said, an opportunist smile overtaking his face. Luffy looked at the old man in surprise. "He sailed the Grand Line." He said in awe.
"I chose the life of a cook. I haven't been a Pirate for years." Krige laughed at his choice of words. "Chose the life huh…" Luffy saw the way Sanji's face scrunched up when they mentioned Zeff's old life.
"Enough chit chat, what do you want from me?"
"Your log book. You must have one."
"Yes I do have one but what do you want it for?"
"Isn't obvious! I'm gonna use it. The Grand Line beat me, I'll admit that. I had the ships, I had the weapons, and I had the ambition. But what I didn't have was knowledge! But with your log book I'll have everything I need to conquer the Grand Line and grab the one piece. And then be the ruler of this pirate era!"
CRACK!
The distinct sound of bone breaking caught people's attention. Luffy had broken the meat bone in his mouth with his teeth.
"Hold on. The one who'll be king of the pirates is me." Luffy said, his voice full of confidence. If the restaurant was silent before now you could hear the dead's whispers.
"What was that kid?" Krige asked, his eyes narrowed dangerously at Luffy and his crew. Shiro laid wrapped around Luffy's chair as the captain stood out in front of the table. Gin seemed to be pleading with Luffy to stand down.
"You can be the pirate Commodore or the Don. But the pirate king is gonna be me." Luffy said, showing a challenging smile. Zoro peeked the steel of his sword while Usopp kept a steady hand on his pistol though his hand was as shaky as always.
"This isn't a game kid."
"Of course it isn't." Krige eyed the table behind him with a mocking smirk. "Am I to guess that's your crew? Pretty small bunch."
"What's that saying? Quality over commodity… no. Ah quantity. Quality over quantity." Luffy said and his words seemed to anger Krige more while it seemed to body his crew's confidence.
"Don't joke with me! My fleet of over 50 ships and 5,000 pirates was wiped out in seven days! Even as bluff your comments show your ignorance. If any of you are still here after I get back then you'll be dead. Right now the only things I want are the ship and the log book." Krige said as he walked away with the large sack on his shoulder.
"Sanji I'm sorry… I didn't want this to happen." Gin said, bowing his head. "You don't have to apologize, the cooks of this ship made their choices." Zeff said and Gin looked at him in surprise.
"But sir…"
"How can you side with Sanji on this chef!?" Patty said in outrage and the other cooks agreed saying similar things.
"Silence all of you! Which one of you knows what it's like to starve huh! To be on the ocean with no food or water! If you have the time to be crying over this then you can leave out the back."
The cook's immediately stopped complaining and picked up their weapons. Guns and oversized cutlery were in all of their hands. "No way I can never forgive myself if I run and something happens to this place!" Gin looked at them in shock, he couldn't understand why they would still fight after seeing how powerful Krige was.
"Hey Gin let me tell you something. To feed hungry people is my duty as a cook but now that they are fed I can kill them without a second thought. That includes you." Sanji said, his glare was fierce enough to make Gin freeze for a second.
"Luffy if we don't get out of here soon…" Usopp said, shaking in his seat. "Calm down, we're fighting wounded pirates." Zoro said from his seat.
"That's right and besides I want to fight that guy. If he really is strong we would have butted heads eventually." Luffy said as he cracked his knuckles. Shiro growled and waved his tail in excitement.
"Well I for one won't be participating in this battle. I'm gonna wait on the ship and steal the treasure at the perfect moment." Nami said as she walked out the door. "That's what she always does." Zoro said.
"Oh right Gin you said you went to the Grand Line but don't know anything. How?" Luffy asked him. Gin started to shake as the horror movie started to replay in his mind.
"I don't know anything that's the truth. It's impossible. Those 7 days are like a nightmare and then he appeared. All 50 ships sunk by one man!"
"WHAT!"
"If it wasn't for that freak storm then he would've sunk our flag ship. The hawk eyed man's glare was Sharp enough to kill someone."
"You must have met Hawk-eye. The eyes aren't proof enough but the fact he sunk your fleet was." Zeff explained and the people in the restaurant still couldn't believe it.
"Well it seems my goal is tied to the Grand Line if that man is there as well." Zoro said his smile painted in excitement. Sanji scoffed at him.
"Bunch of idiots. You lot are the type to rush to their deaths."
"True but you can leave out the idiot part. I've dedicated my life to being the world's greatest swordsman and to do that I threw away my attachment to living. The only one who can call me an idiot is me." Zoro didn't have a trace of hesitation in his words or his eyes.
"Me too." Luffy said.
"And as a real man the same goes for me." Usopp said and Zoro hit him with his sword. "Liar."
It didn't take long for the restaurant to hear the sound of invigorated roars coming from the boat outside nor did it take long before boots touched down on the restaurant. But then something crazy happened. Right out of a fantasy book.
CRASH!
The sound of kriges ship breaking filled everyone's ears. The waves on the sea started to move wildly and the screams of the pirates could be heard from inside.
"Oh crap our ship's outside too." Luffy said as he ran out the door followed by his crew. When they saw what looked like the happenings of a storm except it was a clear sunny day. The waves rocked the boat and they couldn't barley keep balance. Once Luffy outside he stopped and his eyes shadowed his hat. "Crap I wasn't paying attention." He said to himself. Usopp and Zoro both looked at him strangely. But Shiro knew.
"Big bro Zoro!"
They found Johnny and Yosaku in the water with tears in their eyes. "Johnny! Yosaku! Where's our ship and what about Nami!?"
"Were sorry bro she's gone."
"Gone? Gone where?"
"She took all the treasure and left with the ship!"
"WHAT!"
Johnny and Yosaku explained to them that Nami tricked them and stole their treasure before she left.
"Hey I can still see the merry. Wow, it's faster than I thought. Johnny, do you guys still have your ship?" Luffy said.
"Yeah."
"Zoro, Usopp go after her." Luffy ordered.
"Just let her go. Nothing good will come of chasing that thief." Zoro dismissed her.
"She's The one I want as navigator. Besides, a good pirate crew never lets their ship be stolen!" Zoro sighed and rubbed his head in frustration.
"Fine then come on. Usopp."
"Right. Luffy, what about you?"
"Me and Shiro will stay and I'm gonna kick this krige guy's ass and get Sanji on the crew." Luffy said with a smile of complete confidence.
"IT'S HIM! DON KRIGE IT'S THE MAN WHO SUNK OUR FLEET!"
Everyone's eyes rushed to meet the man who destroyed the fleet of Don Krige. They were supposed and awed to see it really was a single man in a small boat. The sword in his back was large and had a cross design. The blade was pure black. His eyes raked over the krige pirates like that of a hawk. This was Hawk Eye Mihawk. The world's greatest swordsman.
"Damn it, what did we ever do to you!?" One of the pirates asked.
"I'm just killing time."
"Bullshit!" he screamed as he shot multiple bullets at mihawk. The swordsman simply took out the large sword with ease and in one movement he was able to redirect the bullets.
"It missed!"
"No, he deflected it with the tip of his sword. I've never seen such graceful swordplay." Zoro appeared next to the pirates. Right in front of Mihawk.
"A sword without grace is a weak sword." Mihawk commented.
"Did you cut this ship with that sword?"
"Indeed."
"You really are the strongest." Zoro's smile held a multitude of emotions. This was everything he's been working towards. "I set sail to meet you."
"What do you aim for?" Zoro tied his bandana around his head. "To be the strongest. You're free right, let's have a duel." people started to recognize Zoro as put on his bandana.
"That's Roronoa Zoro! The Pirate Hunter!"
Everyone seemed surprised to see him here, it seemed no one noticed he was a pirate now and a part of Luffy's crew. "Hey Zoro, we're gonna lose the ship!" Usopp screamed but Zoro ignored him. Luffy watched his swordsman gear up to fight his dream. But Luffy knew Zoro couldn't win. He felt it the moment he laid eyes on Mihawk that he was too strong for his crew.
"You pitiful weakling. If you were competent at all you would be able to see the difference between us without crossing swords. Is your bravery born from ignorance or something else?" Mihawk said as he and Zoro stood on the destroyed ship.
"It comes from my ambition and a promise to a friend." Zoro said as he drew his three swords. Zoro paused as Mihawk drew a tiny blade from the necklace he wore.
"What is that?"
"I'm sorry I don't have a smaller knife." Zoro's eyes narrowed dangerously and his aura was steamy.
"There's a limit to how much you can underestimate me!" Zoro kick started the duel with his signature attack. Crossing his arms his speed from his position.
"ONI GIRI!"
As he met Mihawk everyone paused. Mihawk had stopped him dead in his tracks. All three swords were held by the small knife. Zoro was shocked still as was everyone else. This one action set the tone for the entire fight. The three sword still user started to battle erratically, he swung his swords wildly like a beast and mihawk met every attack with the small knife. "You're like a frog in a whale. Do not fret, I will show you what the ocean is like." Even Luffy was surprised at the state of the duel and already knew the outcome.
'No the gap between me and him can't be this big.'
Zoro started to doubt himself, he replayed the promises he made with people in his head. 'One day one of us will be the world's greatest swordsman and we'll battle it out!' He remembered the day he was told kuina had disappeared and the betrayal he felt. He vowed not to fall behind her no matter where she was, he trained even harder and he swore on his sword that he would be great enough that his name reached her anywhere.
"Big bro!" Johnny and Yosaku tried to jump into the fight but Luffy held them down. "Don't interfere." He told them with a dangerous tone. Usopp looked at him in mild shock.
"TIGER HUNT!"
Zoro again tried one of his three sword style techniques but it was futile. The sound of fleshes being pierced was heard as Zoro was stabbed in the chest. He coughed up blood as it poured from the wound. Mihawk kept the blade in his body and Zoro made no move to remove it. "Zoro!" Luffy screamed but he held himself in place. And Zoro thanked him for it.
'That's fine the King Of the Pirates should have nothing but the best on his crew.'
"Why won't you step back? Do you want me to pierce your heart?"
"I feel if I step back I'll lose something important. Something would break and I wouldn't be able to return to this place." Zoro choked out not fully understanding his own actions.
"Such is defeat."
"Then that's why."
"Even if it means death."
"I'd rather that."
Mihawk looked in shocked awe. He was impressed by him. "Tell me your name." He said as he pulled the knife from Zoro's chest.
"Roronoa Zoro."
"I shall remember. Your strength is not often seen in this world. And to pay my respect I shall end you with this. Yoru." Mihawk said as he drew the large cross-shaped sword from his back. Zoro held his swords out and placed them both in reverse grip. He started to spin them at a fast pace as he dashed towards Mihawk.
"THREE SWORD STYLE SECRET TECHNIQUE: THREE THOUSAND WORLDS!"
The two clashed and appeared on the other side of each other. And in an instant two of Zoro's swords broke and he was left with one. He sheathed his one sword and turned around with his arm out. "Why?" Mihawk asked. Zoro smiled despite himself. "Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame."
"Splendid!"
It happened almost in slow motion for everyone. For those in the small pond that was the east blue they never could have imagined that Pirate Hunter Zoro could have lost. So as Mihawk brought his sword down onto Zoro and blood spewed from his chest for many their world was shattered.
"Zoro!" Luffy screamed as Zoro fell into the ocean.
"This is what the Grand Line… not even Roronoa Zoro could match it!" Pirates screamed.
"YOU IDIOT JUST THROW AWAY YOUR AMBITION AND LIVE!" Sanji screamed as Johnny and Yosaku dove in the water to save Zoro. Luffy extended his arm much to the shock of everyone and shot himself at Mihawk. The world's greatest easily dodged the attack but Luffy was able to right himself in the air. He landed and immediately tried to attack again.
"Your friend is alive." Luffy tripped over his own feet when Mihawk said that and he calmed down to find it was true. He could still feel Zoro. He looked over to the boat to see Zoro being dragged on. His white shirt dyed red. "Usopp is Zoro okay!?"
"He ain't okay but he's gonna live!" Usopp said and a huge wave of relief hit Luffy.
"It is too early for you to die Roronoa Zoro. I am Dracule Mihawk and it doesn't matter if it takes months or years. I will hold this title as the world's strongest and wait for you. Experience this world for all that it's Worth and grow stronger and challenge me again!"
"To earn the respect of Hawk eye…" Zeff said.
"You, what is your goal?" Mihawk asked Luffy.
"To be the king."
"That is a goal even greater than surpassing me."
"Just let me worry about that funny stache bastard." Luffy said and Mihawk let out a small smile.
"Luffy, can you hear me?" Luffy was surprised to hear Zoro's voice and when he turned to him he could see his sword raised in the air.
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry for disappointing you. I know the pirate king needs nothing but the best." Zoro was crying as he spoke and Luffy could hear it.
"I PROMISE TO NEVER LOSE AGAIN UNTIL THE DAY I FIGHT HIM AND WIN! ANY PROBLEMS KING OF THE PIRATES?!"
"Shishishi. Nope."
"You make a good team. I'd like to see you two again." Mihawk said as he turned to leave.
"Wait didn't you come all the way here for me. The ruler of the east blue." Don Krige appeared standing on his destroyed ship with a cocky smirk on his face. Mihawk looked at him like a fly.
"Hey, your opponent is me, don't worry about this guy." Luffy said as he stood in front of Mihawk. The swordsman was surprised but he saw something that caught his attention. The straw hat resting on Luffy's back.
"Boy what is your name?"
"Monkey D. Luffy" Mihawk let a small smile grace his face as he swung his sword into the ocean. Waves splashed up and swallowed what Luffy and Krige were standing on and when the waves cleared Mihawk was gone. Mihawk didn't care about Luffy it seemed, as the rubber pirate had to stretch or else he would have drowned. "Man that was close." He said as he hung on the banister of the restaurant.
"Usopp you guys get going I'll handle this!"
"Make sure you get us that cool and I'll make sure to get Nami!" Usopp said as he got further and further away. Luffy smiled as he turned to Sanji sitting on the banister. "So what do you say Sanji if I save this restaurant will you join my crew?" The blonde took a drag of his cigarette as he looked at Luffy. "I'll think about it." He said and Luffy snickered as he climbed on to the boat.
"Good enough. You ready Shiro?" His lion companion stood next to him with a rumble in his stomach. "Open the fins." Sanji said. Luffy and the pirates looked on in shock as two large platforms raised from beneath. Luffy had stars in his eyes as he saw it. "Cool!" He said.
"That just made it easier for us you stupid cooks!" The pirates said as they jumped and swam from the remains of their flag ship. Luffy didn't waste any time as he jumped over the banister. The pirates smirked as they thought Luffy would be an easy kill but they were in for a rude awakening. Luffy narrowly dodged his first opponent before he slammed his fist into face, knocking him out. He pulverized the entire first group of pirates and when he was done he eyed Krige who was sitting on the remains of his ship.
Luffy was ready to start his battle with the other captain when something else caught his attention. The fish head on the Baratie had separated and revealed itself to be a boat that had three cannons in its mouth. Luffy could see two cooks steering it. Patty as his friend. They moved in front of Krige and fired on him.
BOOM!
As the smoke from the cannon cleared everyone could see Krige was fine. "I don't have time for your games!" In an impressive show of physical power Krige lifted the house sized vessel out of the water and tossed it towards the Baratie. "It's coming right for us!"
The boat cast a shadow over them and no one saw Sanji jump into the air. Everyone stood in awe as Sanji spun and locked the boat away from the restaurant onto one of the wooden fins. Patty and the other cook immediately got out of the boat enraged.
"What the hell are you trying to kill us!" They screamed and Sanji ignored them and turned his eyes to the water. "Shut up and get ready." Sanji had his eyes trained on the enemies climbing on the platform. He looked over at Luffy but the captain had his eyes trained on Don Krige. "Sanji keep a special eye on how he fights." Zeff said.
The battle between the cooks and the pirates started. The cooks were putting up a good fight, shaking why they were called fighting cooks. Luffy didn't move from his place and any pirate that got too close to him was mauled by the white lion. Luffy took off at high speeds, he ran across the destroyed mast of the ship but he was blocked by a fat man in armor.
"I am pearl the invincible. Never have I once been damaged in-"
Luffy didn't stop his movement and jumped over him. Pearl barely had time to register that though as Shiro charged into him. His so-called invincible armor was destroyed on impact and his eyes whites out as he fell into the sea. The crew still in the water dive after him to make sure he didn't drown. Shiro was left on the mast with a bored look on his face. He hasn't had any good prey since he and Luffy started this journey.
"Wow that lion is pretty tough." The cooks commented.
Luffy continued his mad dash to Krige when the battle was stopped by a shout. "Stop!" Luffy recognized Gin's voice and the old man's painful grout. He stopped and turned to see Gin standing over Zeff with a gun pointed at his head. "This battle is over." The Man-Demon said, his voice icy cold. Sanji stopped kicking pirates and glared at him.
"I'll spare this old man only if you leave. Please Sanji, don't make me kill both of you." Gin said, his voice dripping with remorse. Sanji didn't waste any time in giving his answer. "Runaway huh? Not a chance." He raised his arms seemingly in surrender however. "Point that gun at me." He said, shocking everyone.
"But Sanji?" Gin questioned.
"That old man and This restaurant saved my life. I'm not gonna let it or him die." Sanji went on to explain how he and Zeff were stranded on an island and the only food they had Zeff had given to Sanji without his knowledge. "There's no way to repay his kindness unless I risk my life for him! So point the gun at me!" While everyone else found Those words admiral they seemed to make Luffy angry.
"Don't let your guard down boy!" Krige said as he fired a hoard of bullets at Luffy. Of course the young man didn't move, the bullets stretched his skin and were returned back to Krige. The Don was surprised but he shielded himself from the bullets. "Rubber bastard. Gin kill the old man!" He called out. Gin's hand was shaking as Krige gave the order. It was clear his words were true; he didn't want to do this. But it seemed he didn't have to make the hard choice as the spotlight was taken off him by Luffy jumping in the air.
His leg stretched high into the air and he called out his attack. Everyone thought he was gonna attack Gin but he didn't. He slammed his leg down on the fin of the ship and destroyed it. As he landed Sanji's eyes were wide in shock and then narrowed in anger. "What the hell do you think you're doing!" He said as he stomped over to Luffy. "What's it look like I'm destroying the ship?" Luffy said simply.
"Didn't you hear anything I said?!"
"I did and you're a dumbass! Throwing your life away for a restaurant isn't gonna repay the old man! He didn't save your life for you to die!" Luffy grabbed his collar as he lectured sanji. The cook seemed to register his words but didn't look ready to accept them. Before either of them could say or do anything else they serrated as something slammed in between them.
"Gin what are you doing? Are you disobeying me!"
As the smoke cleared Gin was standing there with two big tonfas. They were different as they had large balls on the ends of them. "I'm sorry Don but I don't want to beat the man who saved my life like this. Allow me to kill him." Gin said as he spun his tonfas around. Krige seemed to tolerate his answer.
"Sanji I'm sorry it's come to this but it seems the restaurant can't avoid damage."
"Seems so. But if you think you're gonna get to this place without killing me you got another thing coming."
"It will be my pleasure. You as well straw hat."
"Thanks but I'm not afraid of any Krige pirate."
Everyone went still at Luffy's words before outrage was thrown at him. "Don't disrespect us kid, we're the rulers of the east blue!"
"Yeah only because you outnumber the others in the east blue. The Grand Line didn't beat you guys because you lacked knowledge or whatever. You just weren't strong enough." Luffy said simply. More screaming came from the remnants of the Krige pirates of course it didn't affect Luffy. Gin seemed to take in the young captain's words. Maybe he was right. The pirates jumped on the scattered pieces of the platform and started to charge Luffy. Shiro jumped in front of Luffy to protect him.
"Stop it! You losing control only proves his point! Only the weak react to words." Krige told them. "Boy, you can try any number of your devil fruit tricks. It doesn't matter, I'll show you the true meaning of power." Luffy's hat showed his eyes and his scowl.
"Your voice is getting annoying. I'm gonna kick your ass so just wait over there." Luffy said with a smile overtaking his face. As Luffy and Krige started each other down, Gin and Sanji started to battle.
The Man Demon dashed at Sanji with a wolfish grin on his face. One of his tonfas spinning faster with each step he took. Sanji lashed out with a quick kick but Gin stopped on a dime and dodged it. The demon slammed one tonfa down on Sanji but the cook dodged. The attack easily broke through the wood and the heavy weapon was stuck, Sanji tried to counter but Gin ripped his weapon from the wood making Sanji stop his attack. He instead made another attempt to kick Gin but his opponent spun in the air and dodged it while simultaneously pinning Sanji to the ground with his tonfa.
"I can't be beaten Sanji." Gin said as he prepared to smash the cook's skull. "We'll see." In a smart move Sanji spit the cigarette on his mouth at Gin momentarily stunning him. Sanji used this and slipped from Gin's hold on him and kicked him in the head. Gin was stunned but he quickly renamed his bearings and slammed his weighted tonfa into Sanji's ribs. He didn't hear it but Sanji felt them crack from the blow. He spat up blood as he and Gin both fell to the ground.
"Wow that cook knocked Gin out."
"Is he done?"
The pirates questioned but Gin stood up as did Sanji, Gin had blood running from his head from Sanji's blow and locked it as it started past his lips. They resumed their bout looking evenly matched, it was an incredible fight to watch. Both of them were very agile and precise with their movements. Sanji clashed with the tonfa his foot parrying the heavy weapon. Gin lashed out at his head but Sanji ducked it and slammed his leg into Gin's side. The Pirate flew into the broken mast. Gin got back up and Sanji charged in prepared to continue their fight but Gin dropped his weapons. Sanji stopped, confused.
"Gin what are you doing!?"
"I'm sorry Don I can't kill this man!" Gin said, tears leaking from his eyes. He dropped to his knees. "This man saved my life. I can't do it!" He screamed. Krige had no expression on his face as Gin broke down. The man demon looked to be in an internal struggle. His morals vs his loyalty. "Please let me disobey this once and we can leave." Gin pleaded.
"You BASTARD! You think you can disobey me and then order me around. You are no longer my chief of staff. You are no longer a Krige pirate!" He raised the shield in his hand and everyone on his crew seemed to know what it meant. They all panicked and started to put on gas masks. "Poison gas." Sanji said in panic. "You might as well throw that gas mask away Gin." Krige said before he fired the poison bomb. "MH5!" Luffy couldn't do anything to stop Krige from firing and when he did things started to move in slow motion for the rubber man. He saw Gin toss his gas mask in the water and the cooks dive in the water or run into the restaurant. Shiro himself dived in the water, he was smart enough to know what poison was. Luffy made a decision.
He stretched his arms out and snatched two gas masks from Krige pirates and dashed over to Sanji and Gin. He held the gas masks over their faces. As expected they tried to fight him, Gin especially. "Gin when this is all over you should join my crew. I can't make you a chief of staff or whatever but I can promise to help you with your dream." Luffy's words shocked Gin still. Here he was an enemy, someone who tried to kill Sanji and brought harm to these innocent people. And yet. Yet this boy had just sincerely invited him on his crew and even promised to help him achieve his dream that was crushed on the Grand Line. Luffy took a deep breath right before the bomb hit.
BOOM!
The people gas blanketed the area covering everyone's view. The gas took a little too long to dissipate and Luffy had to breathe it in. He started to cough immediately and his vision got blurry. Sanji and Gin tried to give their masks to him but he held them firmly. Once the gas was completely gone Krige was happy to see Luffy had breathed it in. The rubber man coughed up a bit of blood and Krige smirked in glee. Shiro came up for air and he was shocked to see Luffy hurt. His eyes glistened with worry. He jumped on land and ran to him.
"Do you see now boy. This is true power!" Luffy stood for a second as people were looking at him in worry or sadistic joy. But he laughed. "True power? I barely felt that." Luffy mocked him. "Now let's finish this. I'm getting hungry." Luffy hopped on the destroyed mass and raced across it. Krige loaded up spikes into his shield cannon and started to fire them at Luffy. Luffy expertly dodged them even with the narrow space. His arm stretched back when he was close enough and Krige pulled out a spikes sheet.
"Come on, run to your funeral!" Krige taunted behind his apparent safety. "Damn he can't hit." Sanji said. But Luffy didn't stop.
"GUM GUM PISTOL!"
Luffy called his attack and slammed his fist into the spiked blanket. His punch hit Krige in the face through the blanket and the Don coughed up blood from the force. Luffy showed no reaction to his bleeding hand. "That guy is crazy." Sanji said in awed shock. "I've seen a few types like him. Those who don't fear death and would rather die than run from the fight." Zeff said and Gin and Sanji listened intently. "Whether he wins or loses I consider it an honor to watch him fight." Sanji and Gin decided not to take their eyes off the battle for a second.
Back over to the battle Krige was just getting up and he tried to shield bash Luffy, but Luffy jumped over his attack and kicked Krige in the face. "Is this my funeral or yours?" Luffy mocked as Krige got back up. The Don was seeing red as Luffy stood there with a smile on his face. Krige tossed his cape off and pulled off his two shoulder pads, he put them together and a handle popped out the bcka and blade the front.
"The bomb battle spear. Now he's pulling out the big guns."
Luffy didn't let Krige get a chance to use his new weapon as he dashed in front of him and used another Gum Gum Pistol. The punch landed square on Krige's chest but the Don just smiled. "I'm wearing steel body armor, kid this stuff is practically unbreakable." Krige said before he slammed his spear down on top of Luffy. But Luffy dodged it narrowly and the explosion that followed after and landed on a different piece of the destroyed ship. Kroger followed him and slammed the spear down again creating another explosion, this one larger than the last. "Up here." Luffy said. He was handing from a mast they held torn sails. He ripped a piece of wood off it and threw it at Don Krige.
"Nice try."
Flames shot From Kriges wrist and burned away the wood in an instant. But from the smoke made from the fire Luffy launched his next attack.
"GUM GUM GATLING!"
At the speed Luffy was throwing punches it seemed he grew multiple arms. But as the hits rained down on Krige they seemed to have no effect. "See I told you indestructible." As Luffy landed he didn't stop his attacks. Instead he kept pumping his arms as he got closer to Krige. When he was in range Krige slammed the bomb spear down on his and Luffy took the explosion but it didn't stop his advance.
"GUM GUM CANNON!"
He slammed his two palms into Kriges chest and the pirate commodore flew back. "Your attacks are useless." He said as he righted himself but Luffy smiled even as damage he took from the explosion started to show. "I don't know about that."
CRACK!
Kriges armor started to crack and crack before it crumbled and revealed his unprotected chest he was so shocked that didn't see Luffy charging him. Both his arms were stretched back and he slammed his palms into Kriges chest. The sound of his ribs breaking could be heard by the spectators and they cringed. Krige flew out into the open ocean and even skipped across the water before nobody could see him again.
"DON!"
His crew screamed and they all started to swim after him. All the spectators left were speechless before they started to cheer for Luffy. "HE DID IT!" as Luffy made it back over to the restaurant he stumbled. "Whoa you okay?" Sanji said as he helped Luffy stand straight. "I just need some meat and I'll be fine." Luffy said with a smile on his face. As he gaze met Gin's he stood up straight.
"So what do you say Gin. You wanna join my crew and conquer the Grand Line with me." Luffy asks and Gin hesitated. "But why would you ask me? You've heard the rumors, I've done terrible things for Don Krige."
"Yeah but I'm not asking that guy to join my crew I'm asking the Gin in front of me to join." Luffy said simply and Gim seems dumbfounded. Watching Luffy fight, hearing what he said about Don Krige and his crew. Hearing the wonder in his voice about the Grand Line sparked something in him he thought died. His dream to see the Grand Line. The mystery sea he used to call it, to conquer it. Tears fell from his eyes and he bowed his head low to Luffy.
"I promise to serve you well captain." He choked out and Luffy let out a snicker. Happy to have another crew mate. "What about you Sanji?" He asked the cook and Sanji seemed a little surprised he still wanted him after getting Gin on board.
"I said I'll think about it."
Luffy ended up taking a nap in one of the upstairs rooms and while he was doing that everyone else was on the main floor eating. Gin was next to Shiro getting to know his new crew mate. As well as anybody could get to know an animal. So far all he's learned is that the lion liked meat and strangely booze.
"That was a good nap." Luffy said as he woke up. His nose immediately caught the scent of delicious food and was ready to go down stairs when he saw something on the balcony. Sanji was there smoking. "I can't go with you. At least not yet, these idiots don't know how to run a restaurant." Luffy was obviously disappointed but he couldn't stay and try to persuade Sanji he needed to catch up to his crew.
"But I did promise myself to go to the Grand Line one day. To find my dream." Luffy hopped on the banister with a curious smile on his face.
"What's that?"
"Have you ever heard of the all blue?" Sanji said with a wide child-like smile on his face. Luffy shook his head no and Sanji looked at him like he was crazy. "For cooks like me It's a dream ocean. A sea where all the fish in every sea meet. A place like that has to be on the Grand Line." Luffy listened intently as Sanji ranted about the all blue.
"That sounds great, you should join my crew so we can go together." This time Sanji seems disappointed to turn him down. "I can't like I said not yet."
"Well ok I'm gonna go eat." Luffy said as he ran down stairs. Sanji was left on the balcony alone as Zeff came to stand beside him. "Sanji, you're fired." He said smoothly and Sanji started to choke on the smoke in his lungs. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"You heard me you don't have a place here anymore." Sanji started to grow angry at the old man's words. He grabbed Zeff by his collar and made him face him. "What the hell are you saying old man!"
"Leave you stupid brat. And fulfill our dream." Zeff said and Sanji let him go and his anger dissipated. "I didn't save you so you could sit here in this restaurant. This is my place and you've outgrown it." Zeff said as he walked away leaving Sanji stuck in his place.
"Old man…"
Down stairs Luffy had joined his crew and he was eating as fast as possible so he could hurry and catch the others. "We have to hurry guys." He said as he struggled to swallow all the food in his mouth. "Slow down captain you'll choke." Gin warned him, looking worried for Luffy. As they were eating something strange happened.
CRASH!
Everyone jumped for their seats as a shark crashed through the wall of the restaurant. In its mouth was a human. Luffy parted the stunned crowd to see what happened and he was shocked to see someone he knew. "Yosaku."
"Hey big bro." The bounty hunter choked out in between spurts of water. "Where's everyone else?" At the mention of the others Yosaku seemed to get renewed energy and pulled himself from the shark's mouth. "There's trouble big bro Luffy, we need you!" someone got Yosaku a blanket and he sat down while Luffy and his crew sat around Yosaku. "Did you find Nami?" Luffy asked. Yosaku shook his head no. "But we know where she's going and it's bad big bro. Like certain death bad. We need you." Luffy could tell Yosaku was serious and terrified.
"Ok I don't really get it but I get it. Let's go."
"You'll have to fill me in on what's going on captain." Gin said as they were walking out of the restaurant. Yosaku just noticed Gin and backed up in fear. "Big bro Luffy, what's the man demon still doing here?"
"He joined my crew." Luffy said simply and Yosaku was gobsmacked. "You got the Gin on your crew. You're amazing big bro Luffy." as they were leaving they passed Sanji on the way. "Wait." They turned to him and Luffy raised an eyebrow.
"Your dream is foolish but mine is too. So I'll join you on your quest to be the King Of The Pirates. I wanna be the cook on your ship." Luffy's smile was like the sun as Sanji finally said yes. "Gin, did you hear that? I told you if you joined me you could eat Sanji's cooking everyday." He said and Gin looked just as happy that Sanji joined the crew.
Sanji joining turned out to be good in more ways than one as he had a ship that they could use. It was fairly big so they weren't crammed into each other. "Big bro cook sure is taking awhile." Yosaku said. Sanji finally walked out of the restaurant with his supplies. "You don't want to say goodbye." Luffy asked him as he put his things on the ship. "Nah it's fine."
"Sanji don't catch a cold." Those words form Zeff froze him and tears started to walk up in his eyes. He turned around and bowed with his head in the wood. "CHEF ZEFF THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!" He cried to him. The man he thought of as a father. As they sailed away Zeff shed tears of his own.
"Stupid son of mine."