One Piece: All Scope Adventure

by JayH120

A dream can become real if a person follows it. Kusari Jou has got a dream. A dream to go to the Grand Line and find the All Scope. As he travels with the Straw Hat Pirates, he will face many dangers, going against those threats will make him become stronger and honor a promise he made with his mother. A promise is a promise after all.

11. The Sea Restaurant, Baratie

I do not own One Piece

It is owned by Oda

I just now my OC

Enjoy!

The brand new ship known as the Going Merry sailed across the ocean. It was quiet save for the seagulls flying above. Near the front of the ship was Usopp, his arms were folded over his chest and a serious look on his face and a wooden pole tucked into his sash.

"You pathetic little maggots," Usopp spoke and drew his wooden. "You unknowingly attack the invincible fleet of Pirates commanded by Captain Usopp on the Going Merry!" he leaped the railing and landed on his feet and swung his weapon. "Attack them!" he exclaimed. "Show no mercy!"

Usopp noticed that no one was paying attention to him. Nami was checking her maps, Zoro was taking a nap, Luffy was painting on a black canvas that was laid out on a deck, and Jou was leaning on the mast and just finished putting his telescope together after cleaning it.

"Usopp, if it's not too much trouble could you keep it a down what you're doing over there," Jou stated. "Thanks, bud," he added a thumbs-up as Zoro let out a yawn not long after.

"Geez, I really expected you guys to be a little more lively than this," Usopp remarked.

"I'M FINISHED!" Luffy exclaimed which startled Usopp and caused him to fall down on the deck. "Look! Our Pirate Mark!" Luffy proudly displayed what was drawn on the canvas he held. "Now that Usopp joined we got 5 people, that's a whole crew! I think it's about time we got our own flag!"

The Pirate Mark drawn by Luffy had simple Jolly Rodger design of a skull and crossbones with the addition of his straw hat. But the only problem with his mark was the fact that it was poorly drawn and the bottom part curved which left it all wrong and misshapen. Each member of the crew just frowned at Luffy's 'creation' and picked on the fact that the boy had no art skill whatsoever.

"What in Gold Roger's name is that...?" Jou wondered as he rubbed the back his neck.

"Luffy...?" Zoro said as his own expression was one of concern. "Is 'that' really gonna be our mark?"

"What do you think?" Luffy grinned. "It's nice, huh?"

"Our mark should be scary," Zoro stated. "It should strike fear into our enemy's hearts."

"If our enemies were terrified infants then this would be perfect," Nami commented.

"Or infants would only laugh at our mark instead of being terrified of it," Jou brought up with a cross of his arms. "I got an idea!" he grinned. "Let me give it a whirl at drawing the mark. I promise it won't turn out too bad as I'm actually quite the artist."

"Oh, this should be good," Nami said with a hand on her hip.

"Just let him do it," Zoro smirked in amusement. "Let's see what he's got."

"Alright, prepare to be amazed..." Jou declared as he started drawing the Pirate mark on his own.

He had the right idea with the skull and crossbones. Instead of the crossbones, Jou replaced one with a red chain and the other with what looked like his telescope. Instead of Luffy's straw hat idea, he went with his dark-blue beanie as he seemed to have drawn his own personal Jolly Roger.

The only problem was that Jou, himself, was also a terrible artist. His skull was crooked as the jaw was not aligned with the rest of the face, his chain and telescope he had drawn didn't look great either. It was also noted among the crew that Jou was awful at drawing just like their Captain.

"That doesn't look like the mark that I drew..." Luffy said with a disapproving frown.

"I now regret vouching for you to draw our mark, Jou..." Zoro commented with a sigh.

"Why would you even tell us you're an artist when you can't even draw in the first place?" Nami stated as she lightly smacked Jou on the head which didn't phase him.

"Yeah, I'll accept all criticism, haha..." Jou gave an embarrassed chuckle. "Me saying I'm an artist may have been an exaggeration on my part. Art is not my forte, hell, my little brother is the one with all the art skill."

"Tsk tsk tsk..." Usopp clicked his tongue as he got everyone's gaze toward him. "You guys really should've told me about this. Maybe you didn't know this about me but I am an actual artist."

"Does that mean you can actually draw?" Luffy wondered.

"Can you draw something that doesn't look like the family dog puked on it, Usopp?" Jou asked.

"Much better!" Usopp grinned. "When it comes to painting, I'm in a league of my own. I've been drawing graffiti for 50 years straight!"

"Woah!" Luffy exclaimed. "50 years?"

"That would mean he's an old man by now," Zoro commented.

"I hope I look that good in 50 years," Jou chuckled. "He's not too bad for a grandpa."

"He should have 5 or 6 grandchildren," Nami giggled.

"Hey!" Usopp barked at the others laughing at his own expense. He got to work on a much better work of art unlike the creations of Luffy and Jou had done.

"Behold!" Usopp held out the black canvas for the rest of the crew to see. "A priceless work of Pirate art! TADA!" The mark was better drawn but the problem was that Usopp seemed to draw his own personal mark.

"Looks a lot like you on that flag," Luffy noted staring at Usopp's creation. The liar was met with separate punches from Luffy and Zoro and soon got started on Luffy's Pirate mark idea.

"So, how do you like this one?" Usopp questioned as he had drawn up the skull and crossbones with the addition of Luffy's straw hat.

"Wow, that's actually pretty good, Usopp," Nami praised.

"I like it," Jou agreed with a smirk.

"Yeah, keep it," Luffy smiled. "That's the one."

"So, we finally settled on it?" Zoro questioned. "This is gonna be our mark?"

"Sure is," Luffy said. "Hey, Usopp? Draw one on the sail, too," he suggested as he pointed. The flag was placed at the very top of the mainmast along with the mark being painted on the sail.

"Okay!" Luffy declared. "It's all done! Now the Going Merry has everything she can need!"

---

Jou was in the crow's nest writing in his journal of a recent adventure the crew had. Jou's journal originally belonged to his mother. It was filled with some chain techniques and described how it's done to use Fade-Step. It also went into some of her adventures with her old crew, the Chain Pirates. Becky told Jou to add in his own adventures which didn't seem like a bad idea at all to him.

Tucked into the pages of the journal was a picture. It happened to be the only picture he had of his mother and it brought a smile to Jou's face whenever he saw it. Jou stowed the journal in his back pocket and made a mental note to put it in his backpack later. While up in the crow's nest, he thought it was a good a time as any to pull his telescope from his holster, he extended it and peered into it. So far, everything seemed quiet and there wasn't anything in sight.

"Jou!" Luffy's voice called from below as Jou looked down to find his Captain. He noticed Luffy staring up at him and carrying a big crate in his hands.

"What's up, Captain?" Jou wondered.

"You see anything from up there?" Luffy asked.

"Nah, everything's quiet so far," Jou shook his head. "I'll let you know when I do," Jou smirked with a nod at his Captain who returned the smile.

"You're gonna be Look-out for our crew, Jou," Luffy grinned. "That okay with you?"

"Look-out, huh?" Jou repeated as he stared at his telescope and smiled at the idea. "I can do that. You got it. If I spot an island through my scope, you'll be the first person I'll tell, Captain!" Jou claimed with a thumbs up at Luffy.

"Great!" Luffy remarked as he made his way up to the front of the ship while lifting the heavy crate.

At the front, was Nami and Usopp. Nami was sitting in a lounge chair with a map in her lap and Usopp was making more ammunition. The two became startled as Luffy set down the crate with a thud.

"This sucker's heavy," Luffy breathed out.

"What the hell is that?" Nami wondered.

"Well, as you can see it's something called a 'crate'," Jou stated as he seemed to have somehow spawned beside Nami's chair which seemed to surprise her.

"Smartass," Nami glowered at him.

"Sticks and stones, Nami," Jou grinned crossing his arms.

"Ignoring the oblivious flirtation from those two..." Usopp noted causing Jou and Nami to raise questioning brows at him. "What's even in that crate you got there, Luffy?" Luffy opened the crate which revealed a stack of cannonballs.

"It's a crate full of cannonballs," Nami noticed as Jou crouched beside her to say something but was stopped when Nami put a hand over his mouth. "I already know what you're going to say. 'Why yes, Nami, these are in-fact cannonballs because I'm Jou and I can't help but be facetious whenever I can'."

"Well, that's not even close to what I was going to say," Jou said as he gently pushes Nami's hand away. "I was going to suggest since we got ourselves a brand new cannon, maybe it's time we get some cannon practice in. But that's up to you, Captain?"

"Exactly what I was thinking!" Luffy agreed.

"Just leave the cannoning to me," Usopp announced began telling a tale about he rode a passing cannonball when he was 3 years old but was left ignored by everyone.

"So how do you work this thing?" Luffy wondered looking over the cannon. "Zoro! You know how to shoot this?" Luffy's question went unheard by the swordsman since he was sleeping.

"The guy sleeps constantly," Nami sighed.

"He's no fun," Luffy noted and looked at his Look-out. "Do you know how to shoot a cannon, Jou?"

"Unfortunately, I do not, Captain," Jou revealed regretfully. "The only experience I got with a cannon is when we shot one at Buggy and his crew." he smiled in content at the memory. "I remember it like it was yesterday. Other than that, I have no clue how to shoot the cannon."

"You know..." Nami spoke bringing all attention to herself. "Just to the south of here is a reef that would make some excellent target practice."

"Let's go!" Luffy marveled at the idea as that was to be their next destination.

They sailed to the landform as mentioned by the Navigator and used it for target practice. Usopp had given up altogether to tell his ridiculous story as he and Luffy went to use the cannon. Jou took a seat and watched from the cabin where Zoro was sleeping. The cannon fired as the shot made its way toward the landform and missed.

"That was way off the mark!" Luffy commented. It caused Zoro to quickly shoot up in alarm as Jou turned around and smirked.

"Hey there, sleepyhead," Jou greeted.

"Hey, what's so loud down there?" Zoro questioned.

"Cannon-firing practice," Luffy told him. "But it's not going very well."

"Like I said, let the expert aim the thing," Usopp suggested. "Judging by the flying distance of the last one. This should do it." Usopp took control of the cannon and properly aimed it.

"FIRE!" Usopp called before the cannon fired as the shot hit its target as the top of the landform was obliterated.

"Awesome!" Luffy praised. "You hit that thing on the first try."

"Wow, I did..." Usopp himself seemed rather astonished that he was able to get it.

"Yeah, good shot," Jou commented with a smile.

"What you think?" Usopp asked confidently. "I'm pretty magnificent when it comes to aiming. So, are you impressed yet?"

"Yeah, you better believe it!" Luffy smiled. "So it's all settled. You'll be our sniper."

"What?" Usopp frowned. " I don't get to be captain?"

"No, I'm still the captain!" Luffy objected.

"You should take it," Jou remarked. "Sniper's an important job."

"There's one other position that we have to fill before we can head out for the Grandline," Luffy mentioned as everyone was at the table with him, except for Zoro who was leaning against the fridge and napping once again.

"There's one more position that should be filled," Jou stated. "It's essential for a voyages like this."

"Yeah!" Luffy agreed. "It's an important one that needs to be on every ship."

"The kitchen is really nice on this ship," Nami commented. "Just pay me and I'll do it."

"You wish," Jou scoffed. "It'll be easier if we find someone willing to do it without charging us."

"Don't be like that," Nami reassured with a smile. "It'll just be fair."

"Fair since we'll be paying you," Jou said as he side-eyed the Navigator as her only response was to playfully stick her tongue at him. "We need to recruit someone willing to sail with Pirates."

"I suppose it is vital for long trips," Zoro chimed in.

"Exactly," Jou nodded. "What do you say, Luffy? You know what we need for this crew?"

"A musician!" Luffy announced proudly.

"Right," Jou smiled. "A musi-wait hang on!" he frowned at his captain.

"Yep!" Luffy nodded. "No decent Pirate ship could set sail without one."

"Are you an idiot!" Zoro groaned.

"What do you think we're doing out here?" Nami questioned.

"Just when I thought you were gonna say something smart," Usopp stated.

"Well..." Jou scratched the back of his head. "Pirates do like to sing and we can't exactly party if we don't have one of those so-"

"Don't start agreeing with him!" Zoro, Usopp, and Nami exclaimed in unison.

"Pirates sing a lot," Luffy brought up. "Didn't you know?" Before they could continue the discussion further, there was a loud crash on the deck. Each of them wondered what it was until shouting was heard outside.

"GET OUT HERE, YOU DAMN PIRATES!" the voice called out to them.

"Who the hell's that?" Jou wondered.

"I'm gonna go check!" Luffy got out of his seat and went outside to deal with whoever it was outside. "Hey, what the hell!?" Luffy shouted at the person. "Who're you?"

"Shut up! Who I am means nothing! Ya sticking Pirate!" a tussle was heard outside from Luffy and the guy on the ship. From inside the kitchen, Nami and Usopp were watching from the window.

How many guys are there?" Zoro asked them.

"Uh... 1," Nami answered.

"Only 1 guy...?" Jou questioned. "Guy sounds pretty confident boarding our ship alone." Jou shrugged. "If it's only one, just let the Captain handle it."

"Over the years, I've lost count of all Pirate heads we've taken! And now you guys think you can kill my partner!"

"That voice!" Zoro said as his eyes shot open.

"Hmm?" Jou hummed in question. "You know that guy outside?" he asked nudging his head toward the door.

"I might," Zoro replied as he walked toward the door as Jou followed him.

"What do you mean by your partner?" Luffy asked the guy. "Look, I don't know what this is? Just stop wrecking our ship!" the small scuffle was over once Luffy grabbed the guy and tossed him into the cabin. The guy was a young man with a pair of sunglasses, a blue hoodie, and carried a sword.

"Lost by a hair," the guy said hitting the ground.

"Johnny, tell me that isn't you?" Zoro questioned.

"Who's saying my name like they think they know me or something!?" the guy looked up and saw Zoro. "Big bro Zoro!"

"Johnny," Zoro said. "It is you."

"What're you doing here, big bro!?" Johnny wondered.

"Where's Yosaku?" Zoro asked him. "Isn't he with you?"

"What's going on?" Luffy voiced his confusion.

"Why are you on a Pirate ship?" Johnny questioned Zoro. "What's going on around here?"

"Hey, relax," Zoro reasoned. "Is everything okay? Where's Yosaku?"

"So, this is guy is a friend of yours?" Jou asked Zoro.

"Something like that," Zoro replied. Johnny went on to explain to Zoro what has happened and led him to Yosaku, Johnny's partner. Yosaku wore a red hat that resembled a helmet, and a green jacket. Bandages were wrapped around his midsection as his own blood covered them and was laying on the deck of Johnny's boat.

"He's been sick," Johnny cried as tears fell down his face as Zoro clasped a hand on his shoulder. The crew decided to bring Yosaku on board to figure out what was wrong with him.

"What is it?" Zoro wondered as stared down at Yosaku.

"Up until a few days ago he was healthy and full of life," Johnny said. "And now he keeps fainting and getting really pale! I have no idea what's causing it? His teeth have been falling out and his old wound had opened up and started bleeding! He just got worse and worse I didn't know what to do! So I thought maybe we just rest on a little island but then a cannonball came flying from the ship."

"Oh?" Jou mouthed in realization. "I see." he noticed Luffy and Usopp were sweating profusely as they were the ones operating the cannon. Jou figured out what was wrong with Yosaku the moment Johnny brought him on board. He found Nami walking down the steps and stopped beside him.

"Why I am not surprised they have no clue what's wrong with him," Nami sighed in exasperation.

"Only one way to know for sure," Jou stated. "Check his tongue."

"Big bro, give it to me straight," Johnny cried to Zoro. "Is he gonna die?" before Zoro could answer, Nami knelt beside Yosaku and pushed up one of his eyelids and slightly yanked on his tongue.

"Stop it!" Johnny spat whilst grabbing Nami by her arm. "Whatever you're doing, stop! You're mocking his dea-" Johnny's words were paused as Jou grabbed Johnny by the wrist, causing him to release Nami's arm as Jou twisted Johnny's arm behind his back.

"Stop!" Johnny yelled. "Let me go!"

"Cut it out!" Jou exclaimed. "We get that you're worried about your friend! She's trying to help him!" Jou turned to Luffy and Usopp, the two crying tears of regret. "Usopp! Luffy! If you guys feel bad about shooting that cannonball at them then go get some limes from the storage. We're lucky Kaya supplied us with enough of them."

Luffy and Usopp only stared at Jou with sad puppy-dog eyes, each of them still sniffling. Nami groaned as she turned her head at the two.

"What are you waiting for!?" Nami yelled. "You heard Jou! Go get the limes!" Luffy and Usopp scampered off to find the limes and were in such a hurry they couldn't get through the door until they crashed into the storage room. They returned with a whole crate full of limes and were squeezing the lime juice on Yosaku's face.

"If you wanna know what's wrong, your buddy's got scurvy," Jou mentioned.

Scurvy?" Johnny repeated.

"If we weren't too late, he'll be just fine in a few days," Nami stated.

"Really, big sis!" Johnny happily exclaimed. "Really, thank you, big sis!" he thanked Nami while getting saliva on her face.

"Please, don't call me that," Nami said as she shoved Johnny away from her. "It sounds so dumb." Johnny turned to Jou with a smile of gratitude but had also gotten in his personal space.

"You figured out what he had, too!" Johnny said. "Thank you, big bro!"

Jou felt it strange to have someone else call him bro other than his surrogate siblings. It also didn't help that Johnny pretty much spat out every word he had uttered which left Jou's face slightly drenched.

"No big deal," the chain-wielder replied with a not amused expression. "Next time say it and not spray it." Jou wiped the saliva with his sleeve and then addressed everyone. "Back in the day, scurvy was a big deal for all kinds of sailors. It's caused by lack of Vitamin C."

"Jou's right," Nami agreed. "It's a hopeless disease and we just know how to deal with it now. "Back in the old days, they couldn't carry fresh fruits and vegetables because they couldn't store them but we know better now." Nami turned to Jou. "I'm surprised you were even aware of what scurvy was."

"It doesn't hurt to have basic sea knowledge," Jou shrugged. "And I knew people growing up to teach me about those kinda things." Jou looked at Luffy and Usopp and found them stuffing several limes into Yosaku's mouth.

"If a little is good then a lot is gooder!" Luffy figured himself as he and Usopp continued to give limes to Yosaku. "You guys are smart," Luffy said to Jou and Nami. "You guys are like doctors."

"Hahaha!" Jou chuckled. "Not exactly, Captain. Scurvy is just one of those things every sailor should be aware of."

At this time, Yosaku had spat all the limes from his mouth and leaned back up. Not long after he got up, Yosaku and Johnny were both happily dancing about on Going Merry's deck as everyone watched.

"IT'S CURED ME!" Yosaku cheered.

"NOW YOU'RE ALL BETTER!" Johnny sang.

"YOU CAN'T HEAL THAT QUICKLY!" Nami shouted with shark teeth as the duo paused their revelry and faced the 5 Pirates.

"Allow us to introduce ourselves..." they chorused in unison.

"My name is Johnny."

"And I'm Yosaku."

"Together we're the baddest Pirate bounty-hunting duo in the world."

"Big bro Zoro there used to be one us," Johnny mentioned. "Glad to make your acquaintance." Zoro walked toward his 2 old friends.

"Small world," Zoro remarked. "Never thought I'd see you guys again."

"Well, if you think you're surprised..." Johnny commented.

"We never imagined that the Pirate Hunter Zoro became a Pirate himself," Yosaku said.

"Tell me about it," Zoro admitted as he approached them while holding out his hand.

"Big bro," Johnny smirked taking Zoro's hand but as Yosaku was about to join his hand with theirs, he fell onto the deck and passed out.

"Uh, hey Partner!" Johnny exclaimed worriedly.

"He still has scurvy, he can't recover from it right away, I'm afraid," Jou stated. "For now he needs rest." Zoro and Johnny carried Yosaku to a bed so he can sleep off his sickness. As he slept, the 5 Pirates along with Johnny sat around the kitchen table.

"Let this be a lesson to you..." Nami addressed.

"Yeah, this is the kinda stuff you run into when you choose a life on the sea," Zoro agreed.

"Which when we're at sea we really gotta think how we can get the right amount of nutrients with very little food," Usopp said.

"Not to mention..." Jou brought up. "It would be a good thing to have someone who knows how to prepare proper meals that can do that."

"Proper meals?" Luffy repeated whilst stuffing his face with a piece of bread while a grin spread across his face. "Right! The ship needs a cook! Let's go find us a cook!"

"I'm in! Good idea!" Usopp smiled. "We'll have yummy food even when we're out at sea!"

"That's right!" Luffy said. "You got it!"

"A cook would actually be pretty sweet to have around," Jou commented. "A ship's cook is one of the most important jobs on a Pirate crew."

"A cook," Johnny repeated with a grin. "I know just the place and the food is gonna blow your mind."

"Alright, let's go!" Luffy said. "Where to?"

"Consider yourselves warned..." Johnny remarked. "This place is close to Grand Line and I've heard a lot of rumors that a certain hawk-eyed man you're looking for is there," Johnny mentioned to Zoro who wrapped his hand around his Wado Ichimonji with a grin.

"Set a course!" Johnny exclaimed pointing. "Towards Northeast!"

"Yes!" Nami thought with a smile.

"Awesome!" Usopp thought grinning.

"Sounds like we're actually getting somewhere in our journey." Jou thought smirking. Zoro and Luffy both had smiles on their faces as everyone seemed psyched about where Johnny was going to lead them. They sailed the Going Merry towards Northeast to the place Johnny talked about.

"Our destination is..." Johnny began. "The sea restaurant...BARATIE!"

The Baratie was a ship that happened to be a sea restaurant. The main cabin was a mint green color and separated into three floors and the most noticeable feature of the ship was the figurehead that was designed like a fish.

"So, whaddya think?" Johnny asked them.

"Wow, it's a big fish!" Luffy drooled.

"I've always wanted to go to a sea restaurant," Jou commented. "It's only a restaurant only it's on the ocean."

"How lovely!" Nami remarked happily.

"This is the coolest place ever!" Usopp said. The attention the crew gave the sea restaurant was interrupted as they heard honking from a horn as a Marine ship sailed beside the Going Merry.

"A Marine ship!?" Yosaku exclaimed as he had just woken up when they arrived at the restaurant.

"Wonder what they want?" Jou wondered. "It's not like we've done much to get us noticed. This might be something they do to people who are starting out as rookie Pirates. There's a chance they might try to start something."

"Are they going to attack us?" Usopp questioned while sweating.

"It's just my luck," Zoro said. "Of course the Marines would show up."

"But how did that ship...?" Nami began to say. From behind, Johnny was walking like he was sneaking away.

"Just play it cool," Jou suggested. "Luffy, since you're the captain here, you have to do the talking."

"Right," Luffy nodded as he walked forward. From the Marine ship, there was a man on board with pink hair and a light-blue striped suit. Johnny went behind the cabin door to hide with his partner.

"You think he knows that you and I aren't a couple of Pirates?" Johnny asked Yosaku who only nervously whimpered. The man from the Marine ship slammed a hand on the side of his ship and showed off the iron-knuckle on his right hand.

"I am 'Iron-Fist' Fullbody but you can call me sir!" the man introduced. "You there! Who's the captain! Identify yourself!"

"My name is Luffy!" Luffy announced. "I'm the captain."

"My name is Usopp!" Usopp proclaimed. "Got it!"

"We only made our flag the day before yesterday," Luffy mentioned.

"That's right, Marine!" Usopp said. "And I drew it!"

"Heh, you did!" Fullbody smirked. "Is that so?" He looked over from the side of the Merry to find Johnny and Yosaku hiding. "Hey, you two! Right there! I've seen you both before, you're that bounty hunter duo that goes after the small fish, right?"

"Yeah well, we..." Johnny said as he sweated much like his friend.

"So, you've finally been caught by pirates," Fullbody said.

"Well, actually we..." Johnny stammered.

"Now that's a laugh," Fullbody smirked. Sauntering to stand at Fullbody's side, was a beautiful blonde woman adorned in a fancy red dress that grabbed his arm. She was attractive to the point where it seemed like she was only with Fullbody for his Marine position rather than his looks since the guy wasn't exactly good-looking. Or at the very least, Fullbody thought he was good-looking.

"C'mon, baby," the woman said. "Let's get going."

"Sure," he answered her.

"Hey, wait a minute!" Johnny shouted as he pulled out a stack of wanted posters. "You think small-time bounty-hunters would go after these guys!?" Johnny tossed the posters in the air as they scattered on the Going Merry's deck.

"They're an eyesore," Fullbody said to his Marines. "Sink 'em."

"Sir!" saluted the Marines.

"He ignored us," Johnny grunted.

"Next time we see him he better have a little more respect for us," Yosaku growled.

"Hmm?" Nami hummed as she walked up to the wanted posters and got on a knee to pick one up. "What're these things?"

"Well, those are all wanted pirates," Johnny explained. "Big sis Nami..." he covered his mouth as he noticed her holding one poster in particular. "In other words..." Johnny continued. "If we defeat them we get the reward money."

"Pretty lucrative business, huh big sis?" Yosaku said and then had his mouth covered by his friend. Nami then crumbled the poster in her hands and began shaking. Jou had noticed her state and was curious as to what was wrong with her and knelt down beside her.

"What's the matter with you?" Jou asked. "You cold or something or did you see a ghost?" Jou remarked jokingly but Nami paid no attention to him and at the poster. Jou stared at it himself and got a better look at it. There was a man in the picture, it wasn't human but a Fishman. His mother had only told him a little about the fish people. She may have known more but she didn't share much about them with Jou. From examing the picture, this Fishman in it had a long, jagged nose and sharp teeth.

WANTED: Dead or Alive

'Sawtooth' Arlong

20,000,000

"Arlong?" Jou uttered the name. "Guy sure is worth a lot more than the standard amount in East Blue. That someone you know? Nami?"

Jou noticed she didn't answer right away as she sighed and turned to look at him. He could tell she was obviously putting on a brave face. This poster must have brought back some kind of memory from her past. Judging by her demeanor, it must not be a good one.

"No." Nami shook her head. "I'm fine it's nothing."

Definitely a brave face, Jou thought as he stood. He was still curious what was the deal between Nami and this Arlong.

"Look, if you want to talk about it-" Jou said.

"Listen here," Nami glared as her hand clenched onto the wanted poster as she got up and faced Jou. "What's going on with me is NONE of your concern," she mentioned whilst jabbing a finger in her chest. "If you really understand that, Jou, it'd be best if you just forget about it."

Jou wasn't surprised by the outburst from Nami. Her defensive state is caused by what happened to her back then. Jou felt the need to not pry anymore and instead sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Fine," Jou said. "If you say you're good, then I'll let it go."

"That's better," Nami stated. While that was going on, the Marines have aimed their cannons at the crew's ship.

"Guys, they're pointing a cannon right at us!" Usopp alarmed. It was too late to react as the Marine's cannon was fired at them.

"Leave it to me!" Luffy announced. "Gum-Gum..." Luffy extended his arms and grabbed Merry's figurehead and mast. His body stretched backward as the cannonball hit him. "Slingshot!"

It all went downhill when Luffy's stretched arms turned him toward the Baratie instead of the Marine ship. The cannonball launched and hit the top portion of the sea restaurant as Luffy slammed into the Going Merry's figurehead. The shot crashed into the Baratie roof as smoke billowed from inside.

"Well, that can't be too good," Jou muttered as he shook his head.

---

The cannonball left a smoking hole in the sea restaurant. Inside the room where cannonball made the hole was a man with a peg leg who collapsed on the ground. A pair of chefs rush in to check if the man was alright.

"Sir!" a chef cried.

"Are you alright Head Chef Zeff!?" The second chef asked. "Are you okay?"

"This is the guy," another chef announced while dragging none other than Luffy inside. Luffy came face to face with the head chef, he had a mustache that was braided and jutted out from either end and wore a chef hat that towered into the ceiling.

"Sir, I'm very sorry!" Luffy confessed as he bowed to Zeff and finally noticed the man's peg leg. "AHHHHH! YOUR LEG!"

"Idiot!" Zeff exclaimed as he kicked Luffy in the face. "Don't worry. You didn't do this to my leg."

"Oh, I see," Luffy relaxed. "Good to know." Luffy was soon met with another kick that sent him to the ground.

"But, I'm all banged up," Zeff mentioned as he sat on his bed. "The medical fees and the repair charges for the ship are gonna cost you."

"I won't ask you to cut me any slack," Luffy stated as he stood. "But I'm flat broke!"

"Well, you're pretty direct, huh?" Zeff smirked. "If you don't have money, you've no choice but to work."

"Fine," Luffy smiled. "I wanna make it right."

"Then you'll work," Zeff said. "Un-paid for a whole year."

"Right!" Luffy grinned. "I'll work un-paid for a year!"

"I'll let you off the hook with that," Zeff stated.

"A year!?" Luffy sweated as it finally sunk in for how long Zeff wanted him to work for. "Did you just say a year? A whole year!?"

---

Onboard the Going Merry, the crew was hanging around the front of the ship as Johnny and Yosaku were repairing the railing on the upper part of the ship. Usopp and Nami leaned on the front rail as they watched the restaurant.

"What's taking Luffy so long?" Usopp wondered.

"Yeah," Nami agreed with a sigh.

"They'll make him work without pay for like a whole month," Usopp remarked.

"He should've just said it was the Marine's fault instead of being so freaking honest," Nami stated.

"I'm sure Luffy and the will come to some sort of agreement," Jou said as he was sitting on the rail beside the two. "Though, we should be worried that we might have to stay here for at least a while which we don't exactly have time for." Jou got up on his feet and cracked his neck. "So, what do you guys say we get some lunch?"

"Great idea!" Usopp grinned. "We are at a restaurant."

"Exactly," Jou smirked. "We can also laugh at our poor Captain's misfortune of having to work while we feast."

"Heh," Zoro chuckled. "I suppose I got no problem with that."

---

Fullbody and his date sat at their table and ordered soup for both of them. A blonde young man approached their table. He wore a black suit with gold buttons, slacks, and black dress shoes. A blue dress shirt and tie were worn underneath his suit. A lit cigarette was currently lit in his mouth and carried a bottle of wine in his hand as he came to the table and poured wine into their glasses. Fullbody had the attention of every customer in the restaurant as he took a sip of his wine.

"This flavor...?" Fullbody smiled and sniffed the wine. "This aroma...? It is the unmistakable scent from the soil of Mcqueot of Northland. Bitter with plenty of body and just a tad sour. This wine... it must be... the famous Itelzburgerstein!" the young man in the black suit set the bottle on the table. "Tell me, waiter, am I right?"

"Not even close, sir...?" the man said and shoved a spoon in Fullbody's hand. "Eat up. This dish is best when hot." he turned to leave as Fullbody was left speechless. "And sir, my name is Sanji, I'm the Sous-chef. All the waiters ran off as of yesterday."

---

Head Chef Zeff was still on about Luffy working unpaid at his restaurant for a whole year. Luffy raised up one finger toward the head chef with a serious expression.

"And what does that mean?" Zeff wondered

"I can only work for only one week," Luffy stated.

"Yeah, right," The older man smirked. "A week? Get real."

"Fine then!" Luffy upped the deal by raising a second finger. "Two!"

"You wreck my restaurant and seriously injure the Head Chef! That's a serious offense!" Zeff exclaimed and leaned his head down to bonk Luffy on the head with his tall chef hat. "You can't just settle that up one or two weeks of unpaid work. That's ridiculous."

"You win!" Luffy added. "Three weeks!"

Zeff narrowed his eyes and spun himself on one hand and kicked Luffy with his peg leg and sent the rubber man to the ground.

"No deal!" Luffy sprung up on his feet. "I've waited 10 long years to become a pirate. So I'm not gonna waste another year stuck in this restaurant!" Zeff stared back at Luffy with intrigue. "Listen, I'm gonna get you to let me off the hook in a week. That's my decision!"

"If you value your time so much," Zeff said walking up to the straw hat boy. "I'll tell you what you can do to settle your debt quickly, you runt!" Zeff jabbed Luffy's leg with his peg leg causing Luffy to shiver in pain. "It'll cost you a leg, my boy," Zeff mentioned holding up a knife with a zigzagged edge.

"That's pricey," Luffy whined whilst sweating profusely.

"Good," Zeff smiled. "I got your attention."

---

Jou, Zoro, Usopp, and Nami were sailing toward the Baratie in Johnny and Yosaku's boat. The Bounty-Hunting duo stayed behind offering to watch after the ship for them until they got back.

Meanwhile:

"Waiter!" Fullbody called for Sanji's attention. "Hey! Get over here!"

"I believe I've already told you..." Sanji said. "I'm not a waiter." he looked between Fullbody and his date, Sanji's focus on the Marine Lieutenant's date. "What an irresistible beauty you are." Sanji placed his hand on her's. "My lady, would you care to join me elsewhere for a glass of wine?"

Fullbody's hand hit the table as Sanji turned to him.

"What is this?" Fullbody questioned pointing at a bug in his soup. "Is bug soup on the menu today! Or did you make it just for me!?"

"Bug soup?" Sanji wondered.

"That's right!" Fullbody exclaimed. "What's this bug doing there waiter!?"

This is gonna ruin their restaurant's reputation, Fullbody thought with a grin.

"Sorry, sir," Sanji smiled. "Don't know really. Looks like he's floating. Then again, it kinda looks like drowning but it's hard to say for sure." Sanji's comment caused Fullbody's date and other customers chuckle. The Marine Lieutentnant didn't like it one bit that people at his own expense.

"Don't you mess with me!" Fullbody screamed. "WAITER!" Fullbody smashed the table the anger which the soup bowl's, utensils, etc. to fall on the ground.

---

Outside, Usopp was tying the boat to the sea restaurant. The four teens heard the commotion with caused them to look at the restaurant.

"Now, what could be going on in there?" Jou wondered. "It could be a fight?"

"You might be right," Zoro agreed.

---

"You could've eaten if you just taken the bug out," Sanji said kneeling and put his hand in the soup that's been spilled all over the floor. "It would've been wonderful. It took three full days of hard cooking to prepare that soup for you and you wasted it."

Fullbody's stamped his foot on Sanji's hand. The young cook never flinched as the Lieutenant's pinned his hand down.

"Can't you see that you're biting off more than you can chew?" Fullbody questioned. "I'm the customer here! Do you understand me!? I'm paying you!"

"Stop it, Fullbody!" Fullbody's date pleaded.

"SHUT UP!" Fullbody shoved her away as she fell to the ground.

"Can your money truly satisfy your hunger?" Sanji asked.

"What do you mean?" Fullbody wondered.

"I'm asking..." Sanji stared at him. "Can it satisfy your hunger?" before the Lieutentnant could say anything, Sanji spun around in a wide circle on his hands.

---

Jou approached the doors and pushed them open. He walked inside followed by Zoro, Usopp, and Nami. Each of them was greeted by the scene before them.

"Look's like you were right on the money, Jou," Zoro commented. "It is a fight."

"Just as I suspected," Jou said.

Blood was dripping from Fullbody as he was held up by Sanji using a single hand. The blood dripping from Fullbody's hand fell into the ruined soup on the floor.

"Don't ever waste food again," Sanji told a barely conscious Fullbody. "At sea, if you ever provoke your cook, you're signing your own death warrant, remember that?"

"Damn it! Not again, Sanji!" called a man with bulky forearms. "What do you think you're doing to our customer? Can't you see he's a Marine Lieutenant!?"

"You're a terrible cook," the young man known as Sanji stared at the man. "What makes you think you can talk to me like that?"

"A crappy cook like you is calling me bad!?" the man said stomping toward Sanji. "Restaurants can't exist without their customers! They're our lifeblood so we don't wanna hurt them which is what you seem to keep doing!?"

"But he deserved it," Sanji stated. "He didn't treat the food or me with respect and he insulted all the cooks!" Sanji dropped Fullbody on the ground. "So I simply taught him a lesson."

"You're gonna regret this," Fullbody said. "All of you. No restaurant should treat their customers like this. I'll shut you down. Do you understand me!? I will shut down this entire place! This whole restaurant is finished! DO YOU HEAR ME!"

"Then maybe I should just finish you off now," Sanji remarked and approached Fullbody but was restrained by a few other chefs preventing him from getting close to the Marine Lieutenant.

"Sous-Chef Sanji, stop it!" a chef shouted.

"Arrogant assholes like you who think they're such big shots thinking they can push anybody around really piss me off!" Sanji yelled while he was held back by the chefs. "You're not a big shot now! Are ya!?"

It was at this time, the ceiling collapsed as two figures fell with the debris. The dust settled to reveal Luffy and the head chef getting up from where they had fallen.

"Oh look, it's Luffy," Jou said as he placed a hand on his hip.

"My ceiling!" Zeff screamed. "That's another thing that's going to have to get fixed because of you! This is all your fault, you brat!"

"How is it my fault!?" Luffy wondered. "You attacked me!?"

"Boss!" one of the chef's restraining Sanji got Zeff's attention. "Sanji's gone crazy again!"

"Hey, Sanji!" Zeff called as he made his way toward Sanji. "Don't tell me you went on a rampage in here you idiot!"

"Put a cork in it, old man!" Sanji growled.

"Now you're ordering me around!?" Zeff questioned. "You wanna sink my restaurant to the bottom of the sea! You punk!" Zeff kicked Sanji across the face with his peg leg as this put a satisfied smirk on Fullbody's face. "You too!" Zeff said to Fullbody. "Get your ass out of my restaurant!" Fullbody was met with a kick in the face by Zeff's peg leg.

"How can you deny our motto to treat the customer a king!?" the bulky forearm chef named Patty yelled at Sanji.

"The only kingly customers are the ones who stomach the slop that you call food," Sanji growled.

"That's it!" Zeff shouted. "If you two wanna fight you'll keep it in the kitchen, you understand me!?"

A Marine came running in to tell Fullbody that one of the Krieg's Pirates escaped custody. The Marine never got to say more as he was shot in the back by the said Pirate. The man slowly walked in along with the pistol in his hand. He was an average-sized man with short, scruffy hair, and stubble, and his eyes surrounded by dark rings.

"It would seem we have a new customer sir," Patty said.

"If we're to mind his manners then let's not start any trouble on my ship," Zeff mentioned.

"A pirate, huh?" Luffy smiled. The Pirate walked toward an empty table and once he sat he placed his foot on it.

"I want something to eat," the Pirate ordered. "Hurry up. I don't care what you give me."

"Hello and welcome you damn crook!" Patty grinned wildly as he approached the Pirate at the table.

"I'm just gonna say this one more time." the man demanded. "Just bring me something to eat and make it quick."

"Of course right away, but might I be so bold to inquire how you're paying for your meal?" Patty asked.

"Will a bullet be enough?" The man asked pointing his pistol to Patty's forehead.

"So, you don't have any money then!?" Patty exclaimed and placed his hands together and smashed the Pirate on the head sending him to the ground. "Sorry pirate, but our policy is to only serve paying customers!"

Cheers from the customers erupted throughout the restaurant. As the cheer's subsided, the growls from the Pirates' stomach were heard.

"I can hear your stomach grumbling from here pirate," Patty stated.

"Listen..." the pirate muttered. "Get me something to eat now."

"WE'RE NOT GETTING YOU ANYTHING SO BEAT IT!" Patty yelled.

Sanji left on his way to the kitchen as Zeff watched him leave and followed him. All while Patty continued kicking the crap out of the Pirate as the customers continued cheering as Patty tossed the starving Pirate out of the restaurant.

"Man, I guess the workers in this place don't mess around," Usopp said.

"I think they toss out Pirates or customers who cause trouble," Jou mentioned. "We're Pirates ourselves but we've just started and we're not here to cause a scene. We're just here to eat."

---

Nami lagged behind as she followed Jou and the others into the sea restaurant. She loved the style of the place, it sort of reminded her of that ship she took passage on that was filled with rich people to take their treasure. Granted, that ship was a lot nicer and the people dressed fancier but that didn't mean the Baratie didn't have its own charm. Nami still couldn't get 'his' wanted poster out of her head. Johnny and Yosaku just had to be carrying his poster, didn't they?

"Yo, slowpoke!" Jou called getting her attention. "What're you lagging for? Pick up the pace!" Nami walked up to Jou as he turned to face her. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," Nami assured simply.

"You just seem extra quiet," Jou said. "All I can think of why is because of that wanted poster earlier. You're still thinking about it, are you?"

Was she really that obvious? She didn't want to go into detail about what's going on. It was none of Jou's or the crew's business or concern. The best she can do is give Jou a half-lie that all was fine.

"It meant nothing to me," Nami remarked as she crossed her arms. "Remember what I said: It's NONE of your concern!"

"Right," Jou sighed. "Sorry, I forgot about that. Let's go sit. The others are waiting."

Jou made his way toward the open table Usopp and Zoro picked. Nami watched Jou step to the table, she wanted to stop him and apologize for how she acted and didn't mean to get so angry with him. He was only trying to help her but it was better this way. How can anyone help her in her situation? Nami approached the table as Jou looked at her and pulled a chair out. He was holding a chair out for her, she sat down in the offered chair.

"Thanks," she said as Jou walked to the final empty chair. He gazed at her from the corner of his eye.

"No problem," Jou stated as he sat down as both Zoro and Usopp stared at the two of them. "What's up, guys?"

"Something we should know about?" Zoro questioned leaning back in his seat.

"No, we're fine," Jou said with a reassuring smile. "Right, Nami?"

"Yep, everything's fine," Nami smiled herself with a nod.

---

"And please never come back!" Patty dropped the Pirate outside and went back inside.

"If I wasn't so weak from hunger I'd be inside eating," the Pirate grunted. "And he'd be lying here." he didn't notice Luffy just above him, staring down at him from an upper level.

"You're not hungry by any chance, are ya?" Luffy asked him.

"No, I'm not," the Pirate replied weakly. "Just leave me alone."

It was at this time, Sanji came outside with a dish of food and a glass of water and placed it in front of the Pirate. He was surprised by the gesture and stared at Sanji who had leaned against the railing.

"Eat up," Sanji said after he took a short drag of his cigarette. The Pirate gulped as the aroma of the food hit his nose but he didn't eat it right away.

"Take it and leave me alone," the Pirate muttered. "I won't accept charity. It doesn't matter how down and out and maybe. Just take the stuff away now!

"Stop your whining and eat it already," Sanji remarked. "I don't care what they say in there. To me, if anyone's hungry they're a customer."

"Sorry, but I'm not your customer," the Pirate stated but that didn't help his growling stomach.

"It's amazing how beautiful and cruel this ocean can be," Sanji commented staring up at the blue sky. "How it's almost a death sentence to lose your food and water out here, how difficult it is to survive. I know what it means to go hungry because of the sea more than anyone. You can die from your pride if you want." Sanji looked at the Pirate. "But listen, if you eat and survive, won't that give you the opportunity to fight for pride truly worth having now and in the future?"

Sanji's words seemed to work as the Pirate grabbed the food and started to scarf down the food with tears of joy in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," the Pirate cried. "I'm sorry. Thank you so much. I thought it was over. I truly thought I was going to die." he continued happily eating the food. "This food... it's delicious. I've never eaten food this good before."

Sanji only smirked in agreement.

"Of course it is," Sanji said. Luffy was still above the whole scene unfold and made his decision.

"I think I just found my cook," Luffy grinned. "You're lucky he gave you some food! You were looking so good there!" he chuckled. "I thought you were a goner!" he looked at Sanji. "So listen, Mr. Cook, why don't you leave this boat and join my crew!"

"Huh?" Sanji mouthed as he only stared at Luffy.

"I could use a cook like you on my Pirate ship," Luffy stated. Sanji and Gin only stared at Luffy as he hopped down and sat on the railing beside the two.

"So, you're a Pirate?" Sanji asked.

"Uh-huh," nodded the straw-hatted boy.

"Is that why you did a crazy thing like shoot a cannonball into the restaurant?" Sanji questioned.

"That was an accident," Luffy explained. "It was self-defense that turned into a stray-shot."

"A stray-shot?" Sanji repeated. "In any case, you really don't wanna do anything stupid to this place. The owner used to be a cook in a famous Pirate fleet."

"The old man used to be a Pirate?" Luffy smiled.

"This restaurant is everything to that crazy old man," Sanji said. "It's the only thing he'll need for the rest of his life. He'll do anything to protect it, on top of which all of the cooks who joined him out of respect and admiration are just a hot-headed as any Pirate. Which helps since Pirates are always coming and going out of this place."

"This a really wild restaurant, huh?" Luffy commented.

"This is how it is every day, it's gotten so bad the customers just come here just watch the fights," Sanji stated. "It wasn't long till all the waiters got scared and bailed."

"So, that's why the old man wanted me to work for him for a year," Luffy figured. "So, you joining my Pirate crew or what?" he grinned at Sanji.

"Sorry, but I can't," Sanji told him. "There's a reason I have to work here at the restaurant, so I can't just walk away from it."

"No way!" Luffy said as he got into Sanji's face. "I don't accept!"

"You don't accept!?" Sanji repeated.

"I refuse to accept your refusal," Luffy stated. "You're a good cook and I need one so it's obvious we should be Pirates together!"

"Listen, I can't leave here alright!" Sanji said.

"What's your reason for staying?" Luffy questioned.

"I don't have to tell you anything!" Sanji exclaimed.

"But you just said to listen to you?" Luffy said.

"I told you my answer was no and that's all you need to hear from me!" Sanji declared. "Now take your Pirate ship and find a cook someplace else before I cut you up Straw hat!"

"No one makes fun of my straw hat unless they're ready for a beating!" Luffy glared back at Sanji.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," the Pirate spoke up and got the angered Luffy and Sanji's attention to him. "My name is Gin and I'm a crew member of Don Krieg's Pirate fleet. And you say that you're a Pirate yourself. What is it you seek?"

"The One Piece!" Luffy smiled. "Pretty soon, I'll sail the Grand Line and find it."

"Well, you can't have been seeking it for long," Gin said. "If you don't even have a cook yet, your crew can't be all that big."

"Nope, he's only the 6th member," Luffy stated pointing at Sanji.

"I told you I'm not going so don't count me!" Sanji shouted angrily.

"You seem like a nice kid so let me give you some friendly advice," Gin mentioned. "The Grand Line is a place you want to avoid. You're still young, there's no need to rush into anything. Remember, the Grand Line is one small part of this entire ocean. If you wanna be a real Pirate, there are plenty of places out here on the sea's to explore."

"I see," Luffy replied. "Well, why don't you just tell me what to avoid in the Grand Line now?"

"I can't...!" Gin shook. "I don't understand it! And that is why I fear it."

"For a crewmember of Don Krieg's your a wimpy Pirate," Sanji commented.

"Who's Don Krieg?" Luffy wondered. Sanji lent Gin a boat which the Pirate accepted.

"So long, then," Gin told Sanji and Luffy.

"Thanks for the warning but I'm still gonna go to the Grand Line," Luffy decided.

"I know," Gin smiled. "Do whatever you want. I'm just a stranger and I can't stop you from going anywhere you want to go. I just wanted to give you a fair warning." he looked at Sanji. "And to you, chef, thank you for everything. You saved my life and I owe you for that. You're cooking skills are some of the best I've ever seen. I hope to come back again sometime."

"I'll have a seat for ya," Sanji grinned.

"Chore boy!" Zeff called from the deck above. "Get up here right now!" Zeff noticed the empty dishes on the floor.

"Gin, go," Sanji said.

"Sorry, you'll probably get yelled at or fired," Gin frowned. "Cause you gave me that food for free."

Sanji approached the dishes and picked them up and dropped them in the sea.

"Now there's no proof so there's no way for me to get yelled at," Sanji said. "Try not to get caught again, ya hear?"

"Thank you again, chef Sanji," Gin said as he bowed while his boat sailed away. "I will never forget your kindness!"

"Sanji! Chore boy!" Zeff called. "Get back to work already!"

---

Jou had the feeling something was going on with Nami, even if she doesn't want to speak a word of it. It was her business and he knew he shouldn't pry. But Jou knows if she can't just keep it bottled up forever. He needs to figure out a way to get her to talk about it and try to be subtle about it. But he'll worry about it later, the crew was at sea restaurant and were about to dine on delicious food while their Captain had to work. They ordered a nice spread of food that was set about the table.

"The food here is great!" Usopp exclaimed.

"It's delicious!" Nami commented happily.

"You can say that again," Jou said as he cleaned his plate.

"You got that right," Zoro agreed.

"Look who's here!" Jou called as he nudged toward the steps as everyone saw Luffy with a white apron around his waist.

"Chore boy!" Nami called.

"What're you doing!?" Luffy demanded as he stared incredulously at his crew.

"We heard you had to work here for a whole year." Usopp smiled.

"So we thought we'd get comfortable if we're gonna be here a while," Jou smirked crossing his arms. "Nice apron. They got you wearing one of those, huh? I've been there."

"Is it okay if we redraw the flag for our ship?" Zoro asked with a grin.

"Yeah, can we use my design?" Jou chuckled. "I promise I won't mess it up this time!"

"Like we'd ever use something you drew up!" Nami laughed as everyone let out boisterous laughter. Luffy ran to their table and stared at the amount of mouth-watering food they had.

"You're eating all this delicious food with me!?" Luffy exclaimed. "What kinda crew are you? HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!?

"The food is quite delicious, shame you can't have any, Captain," Jou laughed. "Or could I even still call you that?" as Jou was looking away Luffy dug into his own nose and put a booger in Jou's water while the chain-wielder wasn't paying attention.

"Oh boy, this is gonna be so good," Usopp said as he and Nami snickered to themselves as Zoro smirked at the scene.

"The food here is tasty," Jou commented he rose the glass to his lips. "Luffy, you look tired from all the hard work, you must be thirsty, so..." Jou grabbed Luffy by the head and forced the water down the straw-hat boy's throat. The act caused Luffy to crash on the floor gagging as Nami and Usopp completely lost it laughing their asses off, even Zoro couldn't control himself.

"JOU, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID THAT!?" Luffy yelled as he squirmed on the ground.

"I can ask you the same thing," Jou remarked staring at Luffy.

"OH, THAT WAS NASTY!" Luffy yelled as he kept flopping about in disgust.

---

The commotion of the Pirate crew caused the other customers to watch them. At a table just across from the Pirates', Sanji was pouring a woman a glass of wine and likely flirted with her much to her date's irritation.

"Aren't they quaint?" Sanji said as he stared at the group. "I wonder if that's the rest of his crew." one person, in particular, caught Sanji's eye which just so happened to be Nami who still in a laughing fit. "Finish pouring it yourself."

"You won't be trying that again, Luffy!" Jou said to the boy still spasming in disgust. He turned around to find Sanji kneeling in front of Nami with a flower in his hand. "What the...?"

"Oh, dear ocean, thank you for this treasure you have shared from your depths," Sanji remarked. Nami leaned away and was surprised as she didn't even see him there, it was like he just appeared. "Oh yes, my love!" Sanji dramatically gripped his face. "I can't bear this hardship of loving from afar! It is too difficult!"

"I don't know how this is love?" Jou wondered as he sat down. "You are aware you just met her?" Sanji seemed to ignore as he kept his attention on Nami.

"I am now prepared to sail the ends of the earth as a Pirate if it means sailing with someone of your beauty will be by my side!" Sanji looked up at her with his visible eye in the shape of a heart. Luffy had an awkward smile on his face and Zoro looked annoyed at the blonde's personality.

"Just what we needed," Jou sighed. "A Casanova."

"To be together sailing the seas!" Sanji continued. "But how tragic a great obstacle blocks our way!"

"And that great obstacle would be me right, Sanji?" Zeff asked as he walked up.

"Stupid geezer," Sanji muttered as he was knocked out of his love trance.

"This is an opportunity you don't want to pass up," Zeff suggested. "Why not join them and become a pirate. I have no need to keep you here at my restaurant."

"Hey listen pal!" Sanji said to Zeff. "I'm the Sous-Chef in this place. What do you mean you don't need me anymore?"

"You fight with customers all the time," Zeff stated. "You flirt with any woman under 80 who walkthrough here. You can't even cook a decent meal, you're worthless to me than the chum after brunch. That's what I mean."

"So uh..." was all Sanji could get out as some chefs from upstairs were snickering at him much to Sanji's irritation.

"Oh and let's not forget about how the other cooks avoid you like your poison," Zeff continued. "So just run off and be a Pirate or whatever but get out of this restaurant."

"That's how it is?" Sanji questioned. "You shoot off at the mouth and expect that I'm just going to take it, old man." Sanji walked up to Zeff. "I could blow off everything you said but I won't listen to anyone trying trash my cooking! I'm staying here as a Sous-Chef and that's final!" Sanji grabbed Zeff by the shirt. "YOU HEAR ME!?"

"What do you think you're doing grabbing your boss by the collar!" Zeff said, grabbing Sanji back and throwing him. "You ingrate!"

Sanji landed on the table crew was sitting at. Each of Zoro, Usopp, Jou, and Nami grabbed the plates of food so they didn't get ruined once Sanji crashed on the table.

"Geezer," Sanji groaned and stood up from the ground. "Enough with the games. You can try to kick me out, but I'm here to stay, I'm not going anywhere, old man. Not until you're dead and gone!"

"Dead?" Zeff wondered as he walked away. "I've got another hundred years of kicking your ass left in me."

"He's always gotta have the last word," Sanji sighed.

"See?" Luffy said to Sanji. "He said it's cool. Now you can become a Pirate."

"SHUT UP!" Sanji yelled at Luffy with shark teeth. He propped the table up and set the chairs. "My apologies." he placed a fancy glass of fruit in front of Nami much to her delight. "I hope I can make it up to you with this delightful fruit Macedonia, my princess."

"Wow, you're too kind," Nami chirped. "It looks wonderful."

"Good," Sanji smiled.

"Hey! Don't forget about us, Mister Casanova!" Usopp yelled angrily. "We better get some kind of apology."

"This tea should be more than adequate for you," Sanji growled getting in Usopp's face. "In fact, you should be thanking me."

"What!?" Usopp shouted. "You wanna fight! You're gonna regret this! Take him out, Zoro!" Usopp commanded the swordsman but he just ignored him since he was having a drink.

"You take him out," Zoro said.

"Fight him, Jou!" Usopp told the chain-wielder. "I can't because I might've pulled a muscle on the ship earlier."

"I'm not fighting battles for you," Jou sighed as he sat back in his chair.

"Stop it," Nami pleaded. "Please don't fight because of me."

"Of course, my dear," Sanji swooned with his eye in a heart shape.

"No one said it was about you," Jou said.

"I wanted to tell you that..." Nami began.

"Yeah?" Sanji said.

"That all of the food here is just delicious," Nami remarked touching Sanji's face. "But it's a little too expensive for me."

"Relax, it's free!" Sanji announced as Nami had pulled him into a hug much to the blonde's pleasure.

"Oh, thank you!" Nami exclaimed happily.

"You guys still have to pay though," Sanji said to Jou.

"Well, aren't you just so kind?" Jou commented sarcastically as Luffy just laughed at the whole scene.

"What're you sitting around for!?" Sanji said as he kicked Luffy in the head causing the boy's neck to stretch. The young cook dragged Luffy off as the other four Pirates watched. "You're not here to lounge around."

"Right," Luffy groaned.

---

"You ready to die?" Arlong grinned as he aimed his pistol at Belle-Mère

"Nojiko... Nami...!" Belle-Mère gave the two girls one last smile. "Love you."

Bang!

Nami shot up from her bed and shoved the covers off of her. She breathed out and felt the cold sweat pouring from her head. Nami looked around and found she was in her room on the Going Merry. Ever since she saw Arlong's wanted poster, she's started having that dream again that made her relive that horrible moment.

Nami doubted she could even go back to sleep and thought maybe some midnight air would help clear her head. She zipped up a hoodie and dipped her feet into some slippers and made her out onto the deck and walked to the side of the Merry and stared out at the ocean. The cool night air felt nice and calmed her nerves but that dream was still fresh in her mind. Nami sighed and crossed her arms and brought her attention toward the kitchen and the light was on the inside.

She wondered who that could've been. It couldn't have been Luffy since the Head Chef at the sea restaurant made him sleep there. So, who else could it have been? Nami made her up to the kitchen and opened the door.

"Jou?" Nami stepped inside the kitchen and true enough found the Look-out. He was seated at the table, drinking from a mug with a bottle of booze on the table. Jou stopped drinking and saw her and smiled.

"Nami," he said. "It's pretty late. What are you doing up? Figured you would be asleep?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Nami retorted.

"Well, since the Captain made me the Look-out..." Jou stated. "I thought I'd do a late-night look-out shift in the crow's nest. But things are quiet, especially since we're just sitting here by the restaurant, so I thought I'd have a drink before I hit the sack."

"Right," Nami said as she crossed her arms and averted her eyes to the side. Jou chuckled as she rose her brows at his sudden laughter. "What's so funny?"

"It's just..." Jou said as he smiled at her. "You look like crap." Nami's gaze lowered into a glare as her hands fell to her hips.

"Oh, well isn't that a nice thing to say to a girl," Nami remarked with a tick mark.

"Sorry," Jou said as he scratched the back of his head. "A friend and I used to say things like that to each other. Funny thing, she was a girl, too."

He had a friend who was a girl, huh? Nami wondered.

Nami mentally shook off the thought. Why would it matter to her if Jou and this 'girl-friend' he talked about were close or not? Even if she was even remotely interested in the topic, she wouldn't question Jou about it. Knowing him, Jou would tease her endlessly about it and make a snide comment that she was 'into' him.

"Anyway, would you like to join me?" Jou asked. "It might help if you're having trouble sleeping." he smiled. "Alcohol is good for knocking you the hell out."

Nami only came out of her room to get some air and free her mind of that nightmare. But Nami doubted she could go back to sleep so she figured Jou's company was better than having another terrible dream.

"Sure," Nami shrugged and took a seat across from him.

"That's the spirit," Jou grinned and leaned over to pour some booze in a mug and slid it toward Nami. "You know, it's surprising."

"What is?" Nami asked as she leaned forward to take the mug in her hands.

"That fact that you drink," Jou said. "You don't seem like the type or is that a trick for a thief?"

"I outdrank Pirates and rob them of all their treasure while they're drunk," Nami mentioned with a smile. "Because then they're too out of it to even try and stop me from running away with their gold."

"That's not a bad strategy," Jou agreed. "Oh, speaking of drinking. I noticed you seem to really enjoy yourself when we threw that celebration for Usopp and the Going Merry."

"Getting this ship was a good thing for us," Nami stated. "I like to drink for special occasions."

"Yeah, it is good for us," Jou smiled in agreement. "Hey, can I tell you something?"

"What is it?" Nami wondered.

"Well, how long have we been sailing together?" Jou asked. "A few weeks? While we're here, Let's say we play a game."

"A game?" Nami questioned raising a brow. "What kind?"

"It's a game where one person has to tell the other about themselves," Jou mentioned. "It could be personal but it doesn't have to be. So, how about it?"

Nami felt this was Jou's way of him trying to pry into her personal business like earlier. She'll play along for now but if it gets too much then she will leave.

"Alright then," Nami shrugged. "You start."

"Makes sense," Jou nodded. "I did suggest it. Okay, let's see..." he seemed to think until he said what he was going say. "I have a dog back home."

"You have a dog?" Nami asked. "What's its name?"

"Her name is Ashe," Jou mentioned." When I left my home island to find the All Scope, I thought about taking her with me. But felt it was best for her to stay with the folks back home, so she can look after things while I'm gone."

Nami thought it made sense that Jou liked dogs. He seemed to take a liking to Chouchou as he was willing to face a lion to get pet food back to Chouchou which led to a heartwarming moment between them. It let her know that Pirates like Jou or Luffy couldn't be all that bad.

"Okay, your turn," Jou said as he gestured for Nami to go. "Remember, you don't have to force yourself to mention anything personal. That's up to you."

Nami started to think of what she could say. It was good that it didn't have to be anything personal. So she just thought of the first thing that came to mind.

"I use to steal books about navigation when I was a kid," Nami said.

"Really?" Jou smiled. "This was before stealing gold became your goal?"

"I liked to study sea-faring and navigation," Nami smiled fondly. "I read books and even drew my own maps."

"And you were just a child at the time and could already draw your own maps?" Jou questioned as Nami nodded whilst keeping her smile. "That's impressive. I can see why Luffy wanted you specifically to be our navigator. Looks like he made the right choice." he smiled. "And by the way, we wouldn't have been able to get past those storms without your skills. You really are a great navigator."

Nami raised her mug to hide her smile and blush of pride. It was nice to hear her skills at navigation are appreciated.

"You look a little red there, Nami?" Jou smirked.

"It's from the booze," she stated with a glare.

"You haven't even taken a drink from your tankard," Jou pointed.

"Your turn," Nami said as Jou took a drink from his mug and wiped was left with his arm.

"Alright..." Jou sighed and placed his mug on the table. "This one's going to be a bit more personal." Jou kept his head down as his eyes lowered and kept his attention on the inside of his mug. "My mom passed away when I was a kid. I was 9-years-old. Pirates came and attacked my village. My mother died protecting me. Before she died, she told me to find the All Scope as a promise to her and gave me her chain." Jou's hand touched the red chain on his right wrist. "That's why I'm out here now and why I'm going to the Grand Line."

Nami didn't have anything to say after Jou finished his story. She couldn't help notice how similar his past was to her own. Jou turned out different from the experience. He lost his mother to Pirates but didn't hate them and decided to become one. But for Nami, Pirates ruined her life. They were the reason her own mother was gone and she hated them. This had to be a trick, he spoke about something personal, hoping that she'll do the same.

Nami had enough as she quickly got up from her seat as her chair hit the floor.

"Nami?" Jou said in confusion.

Nami's head was down as her hair fell into her eyes. Her head finally sprung up as she glared at Jou which caused confusion in his face.

"What's the big idea!?" Nami questioned.

"What do you mean...?" Jou wondered.

"I see what you're doing!" Nami said. "You talk about something personal about your own past and hope I'll do the same. Is that right?"

For a while, Jou didn't say anything. He only stared down at the inside of his tankard.

"Yeah, it was..." Jou sighed.

"You..." Nami kept her glare at Jou as he looked up at her. "You're unbelievable." she started making her way toward the door. Nami was stopped in her tracks when a hand wrapped around her wrist. She turned back to find Jou had leaped over the table to reach her before she could leave. "Let go."

"Not yet," Jou told her. "The way you looked at that wanted poster... I know that look. Whoever Arlong is, if he's still around and if he's troubling you... you know that you can count on me, Luffy, and the others. Just say the word and we'll help you."

Nami's head was down as she gritted her teeth. She turned around and shoved Jou up against the edge of the table. He knows he's stronger than her but he just let her do it. Her fingers tightened on his shirt as her head was kept down which avoided any sort of eye contact with him.

"I'm sorry," Jou muttered.

"Idiot!" Nami exclaimed. "What the hell are you sorry for? You didn't do anything."

"Whatever happened in your past is your business, no one else's," Jou stated. "So, I'm sorry if I was overstepping boundaries because I don't want things to become... uncomfortable between us. Despite how we act toward each other, I consider you a friend, Nami."

Nami's fingers relaxed and released Jou's shirt which left some crease's in it. She turned around to leave toward the door and opened it as Nami paused in the doorway. She gave Jou one last look as they made eye contact. Neither of them said anything as Nami left out the door and Jou watched her leave as the kitchen door shut. Nami made her way back to her room and sat on her bed with her knees to her chest.

Nami wanted to tell him the same thing. She knows she can count on Jou and the others to help. Even if she did ask, they would all die if she dragged them into her mess. Nami didn't want that to happen to people she's come to care about

---

It's been some time since the crew and bounty-hunting duo had been anchored beside Baratie.

"We've been sitting around, twiddling our thumbs for four days now." Usopp sighed. "How long do you think we're gonna be here anyway."

"Who knows," Zoro wondered.

"He said he'll stay a year," Usopp moped. "But I'm already so bored."

"Quit your whining," Nami retorted. "This place is great. Plus, all the food here is free."

"For you, it is," Zoro said.

"This is getting tiresome," Jou sighed. "We need to find a way to get out of here since we can't just be stuck here forever."

Usopp turned his head and saw Luffy lugging a large bag of trash.

"Hey, Luffy!" Usopp called. "What're we still doing here? C'mon, let's just get outta this place!"

"Just sit tight a little longer," Luffy assured. "I'm gonna try to make another deal with the owner."

"Well, hurry up!" Usopp shouted.

There was heavy fog around the Baratie and the Going Merry. Through the fog came a large Pirate ship making its way to the Baratie and shadowed the sea restaurant since it was so large. The flag upon the ship was a skull and crossbones with hourglasses on either side of it. On closer inspection, the ship was barely held together and had taken some heavy damage.

"Guys, don't panic!" Usopp alarmed. "But I think this our cue to leave right now!"

"Look at the sheer size of that galleon!?" Nami gaped.

"That thing looks like it's seen better days," Jou judged.

"What a huge ship!" Luffy exclaimed with Sanji beside him. "You think Gin came back to thank you?"

"I seriously doubt that," Sanji said.

---

Gin, the Pirate that Sanji fed and helped earlier came back carrying a man by his shoulder. This man was Don Krieg, Captain of the Krieg Pirates.

"I beg you." Krieg croaked weakly. "I need food and water. We have money. Lots of money. Please, it's been so long I don't even remember the last time I ate. Please, sir, I need food and drink? I'm begging you."

The cooks wondered if this really was the actual Don Krieg. Krieg slid off from Gin's and fell on the floor.

"Captain!" Gin yelled in concern. "Please help him, our captain is on the brink of starvation! He could die!"

Gin pleaded that Krieg hasn't had any food for days but neither of the cooks seemed to want to help. Patty started to mock Krieg until he was kicked in the face by Sanji, carrying a bowl of food and a bottle of wine. Sanji gave the food to Krieg which he quickly ate. After he scarfed don the food, he punched Sanji in the face and feel's he got his strength back. This caused panic among the customers as they promptly left the restaurant.

---

Don Krieg demands to take the Baratie as his new ship as his current one is a complete wreck. Krieg mentions his men are all weak with hunger and wants food for them. Sanji takes it upon himself to prepare the meals but the cooks stop him. Patty fired a shot from a cannon that resembled a lobster.

The attack didn't faze Krieg because he had armor made of solid steel. In the midst of all that, Zeff came down with a huge bag filled with enough food for a hundred men. Krieg recognizes that Zeff was a Pirate known as 'Red Foot'. Krieg requested to Zeff that he wanted his Log Book but instead refused Krieg.

"Alright, I'll take it," Krieg stated. "It's true that the Grand Line beat me. Still, I will never give up on it, I am Don Krieg. In the end, In the end, it's just another ocean. I had enough weapons and men and ambition. Regrettably, the only thing I lacked was information. But I will fix all of that. Once I have your Log Book, I'll form another Pirate Fleet and seize the legendary One Piece. THEN I WILL STAND RULER OF THIS GREAT PIRATE ERA!"

"Now hold on!" Luffy exclaimed to Krieg. "I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"

The cooks of the restaurant became by Luffy's words as Patty told Luffy to back off, believing that Luffy is out of his league against someone like Krieg.

"No way," Luffy smirked. "Not from this."

"Did you say something, kid?" Krieg said to Luffy. "I won't allow that kind of stupidity again."

"Oh yeah, well stupid or not..." Luffy retorted. "I'm just stating the facts like they are."

"This isn't a game." Krieg glared.

"Yeah, I know," Luffy said. "I'm still gonna concur the Grand Line."

Krieg becomes irritated by Luffy's eagerness and mentions he and his crew were wiped which caused surprise among the chefs.

"Unfortunately, I don't find your smart ass remarks very amusing," Krieg stated. "If you insist on this foolish behavior I'll crush you right here and right now."

"Go ahead if you can!" Luffy said as he reeled his fist.

"I can and I will!" Krieg declared. "It would be my pleasure to send you to an early grave you cocky runt!" Krieg revealed his guns from under his gold pauldrons.

"Hey, Captain," a voice from behind Luffy said. Luffy turned around to find Jou, Zoro, and Usopp on the stairs. Jou had his red chain slung over his shoulder, Zoro thumbed his katana from his sheath, and Usopp stood with his hands on his hips and his nose in the air, he was also visibly scared due to his leg's shaking.

"What's goin' on, Luffy?" Zoro asked.

"Need a hand?" Jou asked.

"If you don't need help that's okay, too!" Usopp said.

"Oh, hey guys!" Luffy said. "Appreciate the offer but I think I can handle this clown."

"T-Too bad!" Usopp blurted. "But if you say you don't need any help who am I to argue!"

"You're just a big scaredy-cat are you?" Jou asked with a smirk.

"No, of course not!" Usopp claimed as he was stuck in the same pose. "Us awesome fighters are just gonna sit this one out! Holler if you need us OWW-!" Usopp was elbowed by Zoro in the head which caused him to nurse it. "What'd you do that for, Zoro!?"

"Shut up already, you weirdo!" Zoro retorted.

"Well, just give us a shout when you need a hand, Captain?" Jou said to Luffy who gave a smile and nod.

"Are those three guys your crew?" Krieg laughed. "That's a pretty small group you got there, kid."

"Well, that's not all!" Luffy declared. "I got two more!" He said as he rose two fingers.

"I'M NOT APART OF YOUR CREW!" Sanji yelled. Krieg put his weapons away and went to feed the rest of his men tell's Zeff he'll deal with him later.

"However, if you wish to stay and be slaughtered?" Krieg said as he walked off. "I'll have no problem burying every last one of you at sea!" With that, he walked toward his ruined pirate ship that looks like it's gonna fall apart in a minute.

Gin tell's a story of how Don Krieg's fleet was destroyed by a single man. And almost everyone in the Baratie sweatdrop at the thought of one man that can destroy a whole fleet was terrifying.

"I'd like to give a little friendly advice on how the Grand Line is," Zeff spoke up.

"And what kind of place is that?" Usopp gulped fearfully.

"He probably means anything can happen there," Zoro stated.

"And to think I would've gone down there myself," Jou sighed but then grinned. "Probably wouldn't even have lasted long. But I'm sure if we brave it together, we'll be just fine."

"You must be out of your mind!?" Usopp questioned Jou. "Hey, Luffy! Do we really have to go there?"

Luffy never answered Usopp and was only shaking and thrust his arms in the air and shouted...

"THIS SO AWESOME! THIS IS GONNA BE A SUCH A BLAST!"

"Don't you understand the concept of danger!?" Usopp exclaimed with shark teeth.

"Finally, my life's goal will be achieved on the Grand Line," Zoro remarked as Jou gave a curious look.

"I think I remember you mentioning something about a man you're trying to find," Jou said to Zoro. "Is that right?"

"That's right," Zoro nodded and grinned. "My rival is out there somewhere and I'm gonna find him."

"Are you that stupid?" Sanji asked. "It's idiots like you guy's that end up dead."

"That may be true," Zoro replied. "But lay off the name-calling. I devoted my entire life to be the World's Greatest Swordsman. I made my choice so I'm the only one who gets to call myself stupid."

"Hey, What about me?" Luffy called out raising a hand.

"Since we all got something we want to achieve..." Jou smirked. "I guess we're all stupid then."

Me too, right?" Usopp smiled. "I mean it only seems fair!"

"Shut up, stupid," Zoro said whilst poking Usopp with a sheathed sword.

"What morons," Sanji muttered under his breath while Zeff smiled.

From outside, Don Krieg's ship suddenly collapsed which caused panic among everyone in the restaurant which Luffy to storm outside.

"Oh no!" Jou exclaimed with a concerned look. "Nami, Johnny, and Yosaku are still out there on the ship!" Jou leaped off the stairs and ran after Luffy and was followed by Zoro and Usopp.

"Hey, big bro!" Johnny shouted from the water as he and Yosaku were both out in the water.

"Yosaku! Johnny!" Luffy called and ran over with the others. "Are you okay?"

"What happened to the ship?" Zoro wondered.

"More importantly where's Nami?" Jou asked. "Is she alright?"

"I'm sorry, Big Bro," Yosaku said. " Don't know how to say this but... she's gone."

"Big sis Nami..." Johnny said with tears in his eyes.

"She took all the treasure and sailed away!" Yosaku wailed.

Luffy, Jou, Zoro, and Usopp's eyes all widened as they all let out a collective...

"SHE DID WHAT!?"

---

Got nothing to say?

Jou: Not this time. I can tell this chapter was a tough one to write.

Right. This chapter is nothing special. Though, I'm more curious about what you guys think about that Jou and Nami scene. Sorry, if it was awful or cheesy(or both). I got a review of someone telling me that the "romance between MC and Nami is terrible". Probably because I'm not a pro at writing romance as I don't have a lot of experience when it comes to that. But doesn't mean I still won't try.

Besides that and fighting my own anxiety, I still plan to continue this story. It's still too early to give up and I hope people look forward to chapters even though I think people don't care or most people are silent readers. Or early One Piece is just boring to write about.

Anyway, enough of my incoherent rambling.

Reviews...

RottingCrow: Thanks. I appreciate it.

Guest: Hope I can surprise you.

Guest: Here's an update.

Drakedragon297: Really? I hope you liked this one even though not much happened.

rainfallMyth: Thanks. Honestly, I don't get much haters. Speaking of haters...

Nami4Life: Yet you went ahead and read an original character story anyway? All I can tell you "is if you don't like it, then don't read it".

Guest: Heh, hey man. Probably 30 years at this point.

FartNinja: Now that I think about it, yeah he does.

searge: Thank you.

Asunito: Thanks, glad you think so.

KP360: If I had to be honest, I think Luffy vs Kuro is probably my favorite fight in the East Blue Saga.

Jou: Heh, we're slowly making our way through, Gian.

celesse201: I hope so since I'm going to be trying some new things here.

zanex141: That's a fair reason. I'm not good at writing romance, so I'm sorry if it's not so compelling.

Jonnie: Thank you for reading.

pokemonking0924: Glad you enjoyed the last chapter.

Son of Whitebeard: Yeah, cheery Luffy is great.

GunBlade2020: Thanks.

ShadowUzumaki55: Honestly, I'm starting to realize that Jou and Nami bit was borderline cheesy. But I'm glad you liked it.

johannvanguard: Thank you.

Okay, that'll be all for this one. If you've made it through this long AF filler chapter, I appreciate you taking the time to read it. I've just been doing a lot of thinking about whether if the story is okay. To be fair, OC stories are not what most people like to read. And people don't like OC/straw hat stories. I'm not going to let what others think stop me. Though, I'm already hard enough on myself as is. I tend to overthink things which leads to my anxiety.

Anyway, that's it.

See you guys next time.

Bye.