Chapter 8: Welcome Usopp! The Cook of Love, Sanji!
"YES!" Tyson clapped his hands. "He did it! He hit the butler!"
"And in a way! He was amazing, for a reason he's my new champion!" Yelled Ares, very happy.
"Yes! He's unstoppable!" Hera added, just as happy. "Actually, it feels good."
"Serves you properly!" Demeter added as she watched Kuro fall, much to the surprise of the Black Cat Pirates.
"I don't think so! That boy actually beat Captain Kuro!"
"Kuro of a thousand plans, the man who managed to outwit the marines ... defeated by this scrawny dwarf ?!"
"Hey boy! Who the hell are you, anyway ?!"
A pause ... before Luffy turned to the Black Cat Pirates with a confident smile.
"My name is Monkey D. Luffy," he said. "Do you think I'm someone who lets someone who gave up being a pirate beat me?"
"Tell them, my fiancé!" Artemis added, eyes on hearts.
"Oh, by Olympus ... After this, your Hunters will be outraged at you, Lady Artemis ..." Percy warned.
"A real pirate would die before doing the things this guy did!" Luffy stated. "You better remember my name ... because one day I'll be the King of the Pirates!"
Hearing that made the Black Cat Pirates resist in disbelief. The demigods and Junior cheered such words, full of confidence.
"Now do me a favor," Luffy said as he lifted Kuro up. "Get out ... and take your GARBAGE!" He then threw the Pirate Captain Black Cat at the pirates, who screamed as they turned and fled, some being aware of carrying off the wounded.
"And never show your face around here again!" Luffy yelled.
"Hahahaha!" Aphrodite laughed. "Watch them run!"
"Hey, I think I saw some of them get dirty!" Hades added before joining in on the laughter of the Black Cat Pirates.
"What a bunch of weaklings!" Clarisse intervened.
"So, did they really take Kuro with them?" Groover asked. "But why? He said he would kill them."
"Because, with everything he's done, Kuro was right," Athena replied. "Despite knowing that his captain was so despicable, those pirates are nothing but sheeps ... and Kuro is his shepherd. Without him, they cannot function properly."
At that moment, Luffy began to collapse, the adrenaline dropping as the pain from his injuries began to settle. Fortunately for him, Nami was there to catch him.
"You did a good job back there," she said.
"Aww ~!" Afordita cooed as Nami smiled a little as she watched as she gently placed Luffy on the ground.
"Hmph ... Who would have thought that even the great and powerful Luffy would collapse from the loss of blood?" Nami pondered. "I guess that proves that in the end, you really are human."
"It sure is," Percy agreed.
"Sorry to differ, but he's NOT human. In fact, he's more like a monster from Tartarus." Annabeth contradicted.
"Do you believe?"
"... So ... what made you so angry in the first place?" Nami asked.
"... I hate that bastard," Luffy replied. "They are nothing but garbage."
Nami raised an eyebrow before sighing.
"Well, it shouldn't surprise you that much," she said. "Not many pirates have the morals like you."
"Right ... he has pleasantly surprised me." Zeus agreed with Nami.
A pause ... until the visitors heard Luffy's stomach growl.
"I want some meat," he said, which made Nami sigh in exasperation and the Olympians fell to the ground.
"My God," she murmured.
Soon, time began to move fast.
"You know, I didn't think it was possible for me to hate a mortal more than Ericsiton did," Demeter said, "but to hear him say that he was going to kill his own men, even if the plan succeeded. ... I wonder what he was thinking. He really was sick. "
"Luffy gave him a proper punishment," Apollo said. "If Kuro hated being a pirate so much, then Luffy gave him a fate worse than death, in my opinion."
"He deserves it," Hestia added.
"I agree." said the Olympian gods.
The time feed stopped, showing Luffy eating at the same restaurant that Usopp took him, Zoro, and Nami to. For some reason, Luffy was reaching for something in his mouth until he finally pulled it out: a fish bone.
"Bwah!" he gasped himself. "Understood ... this thing was touching my cheek."
"You really should work on eating fish bones," Zoro said.
"You know," Nami started as she held up a fish skeleton, "normally, people don't eat this part."
"Well, we finished eating," Zoro said. "We should go?"
"Yeah I think so," Luffy replied, biting into the fish bone, but just before they were about to do so, someone else walked into the restaurant: it was Kaya, who looked a bit more lively than when the visitors for the first time. .
"Wow, she's so much better ... With a little touch-up on her face, she'll be even more gorgeous." commented the goddess of love, happy.
"There you go!" She exclaimed.
"Oh hi Kaya!" Luffy greeted. "How is she doing?"
"Shouldn't you be resting?" Nami asked concerned.
"Oh don't worry about me," Kaya assured. "I'm fine. You see ... I was never really sick to begin with. This supposed illness I had? It was really the shock and sadness of my parents passing. It's because of Usopp that I was able to keep my spirits ... but now I realize that I can't depend on people forever. "
The Straw Hats and demigods smiled at this, while the gods nodded contently.
"So," Kaya began, "I understand that you three need a boat, right?"
"Oh!" Luffy exclaimed, excited. "Are you going to give us one ?!"
"Mm-hmm!" Kaya nodded. "It's the least I could do everything you've done."
Some of the demigods and gods were interested in what ship it would be, particularly Poseidon, Amphitrite, Percy, Tyson, and even Hephaestus. At that moment they all found themselves standing in front of a cape ... looking at the ship called ...
"Behold!" exclaimed Kaya's other butler, Merry. "The Going Merry!"
"Whoa ~!" Luffy exclaimed.
"A caravel!" Nami said in amazement.
"Sweet," Zoro smirked.
"Is beautiful!" Amphitrite whispered with tears in her eyes.
"It looks ... great ..." Thalia said.
"So this was the Going Merry," Hephaestus said. "It may not be a big deal, but it shows that it has been built with love and tenacity. A great ship, without a doubt."
"Since when are you so interested in ships?" Amphitrite asked. "Although I recognize that this ship has ... something special ... I can't say what it is."
"Yes, I thought the same," Poseidon added.
"It is not the latest model," said Merry, "but I designed it myself! It is a caravel with a jib and central stern rudder." She then she looked at the trio of pirates. "So you guys were the ones who chased after the Black Cat Pirates? Honestly, I thought you would be a bit taller."
"Are you really going to give us this new ship ?!" Luffy asked.
"Indeed," Kaya said. "I hope you accept it."
"Let me explain the rigging to you," Merry said to Luffy. "First, regarding the setting of the yard with the garnet clew and ..."
"Uh, excuse me!" Nami called. "You are talking to the wrong person! I am the navigator!"
The demigods laughed a bit at this.
"She looks like a girl at Christmas ..." Percy commented.
"What a cool ship!" Luffy said as he looked at the Merry.
"I stocked him with everything they could need at sea," Merry said.
"Oh, thank you!" Luffy said. "She sure is adding insult to injury, huh, Miss Kaya?"
"I think you mean 'add frosting to the cake,'" Zoro pointed out.
"WHOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAA ~!"
The trio turned to see something huge rolling towards them.
"What's that?" Groover asked. "A rock?"
"Nope. It's a person." Junior smiled.
"SOMEBODY STOP MEEEEEEEEEE ~!" yelled a familiar voice.
"Oh my God!" Kaya yelled. "It's Usopp!"
In fact, it was Usopp, rolling down the slope with a giant backpack strapped to him.
"Usopp, why did you have such a big backpack in the first place ?!" Nami asked.
"Uh ... you packed too much," Hera said with a bead of sweat.
"What is he doing now?" Luffy asked.
"I don't know," Zoro replied, "but we'd better stop him before he hits the ship."
At that, they both lifted their legs and ended up stopping Past Usopp right in his path ... and ended up slamming their feet against his face.
"Thanks guys...!" Usopp groaned.
"Anytime," Luffy said.
"Did they really have to use their feet?" Demeter asked as Hades shrugged.
After removing his backpack, Usopp had announced his departure to Kaya, who seemed sated with this news.
"So are you really leaving?" Kaya asked.
"Yes," Usopp replied. "I have to act now before I change my mind. Don't try to stop me, Kaya."
"... Honestly," Kaya began, "I knew this day would come ... and I have a feeling that I couldn't stop you if I wanted to anyway, right?"
"Yes," replied Usopp last. "Wait, Kaya! When I come back, I will have many stories to tell you, and this time, they will all be 100% true!"
"I hope that!" Kaya smiled.
"So she's just a friend, huh, Long Nose?" Ares asked.
"Shut up, Ares!" Aphrodite barked. "It was beautiful, it is obvious that these two will be very happy when they have their dreams come true!"
Soon Usopp put his luggage into a boat before looking at Luffy, who was standing in the stern of the Merry.
"Well good luck guys!" he called. "I hope we meet again one day!"
"But why?" Luffy.
"Hey?" Usopp asked. "What do you mean 'why'? You have no manners at all, do you? I mean ... since we're pirates, it would make sense to us if we met again at sea and ..."
"Could you shut up and get on board already?" Zoro asked.
"Thank you, I thought no one was going to ask you!" Dionysus said
"Wha ... what ...?" Usopp asked.
"Come on," Luffy said. "We are friends right?"
A pause ... but then Usopp smirked before jumping into the air excitedly.
"YES!" he cheered. "I CAN FINALLY BE A PIRATE CAPTAIN!"
"YEAH RIGHT!" Luffy yelled. "I AM THE CAPTAIN, HERE!"
At that, once again, and the Straw Hats soon found Luffy, holding a black cloth ... with what looked like a poorly painted version of his Jolly Roger.
"Yes!" Luffy exclaimed. "I did it! I made our new mark!"
"... Is this how Luffy wanted his flag to look ...?" Hecate asked in disgust.
"Unfortunately, yes," Junior replied.
"I thought about it a lot," said Luffy, "and decided that this will be our new flag! What do you guys think?"
"... Wow ... your artistic skills suck, man," Usopp said bluntly.
"Horrible." Athena seconded.
"Absolutely terrible." Apollo supported, shaking his head in disappointment.
"N-now, wait a second!" Nami said with a thoughtful expression. "Maybe the mark is supposed to look like abstract art!"
"Well," Zoro began, "they say the Jolly Roger is supposed to strike fear into the hearts of our enemies."
"I hate to say it," Artemis began, "but ... that looks really bad."
"Meh," Clarisse shrugged. "I've seen worse."
"When?" Percy asked him.
"Chris. He's awful at drawing."
"Wait a second," Usopp said. "Let me try something."
After a while, he came back with a new brand ... only it was a Jolly Roger that used his face as a skull and a sling as one of the crossbows.
"So what do you think?" Usopp asked.
"Are you kidding?!" Luffy questioned as he and Zoro hit him on the head. "Who said it had to be YOUR brand ?!"
"Man ... he has a real ego problem," Apollo said.
"... I know," Hades said. "I wonder how Luffy allowed it."
A little later, the quartet found themselves surrounded by the brand everyone knew and loved: the real Jolly Roger of the Straw Hat Pirates.
"There," Usopp said. "How is that?"
"That's so much better!" Nami exclaimed.
"Looks like it's new," Zoro mused.
"Shishishi!" Luffy laughed. "It's perfect! Hey, let's paint it on the candle too!"
"Sailing?" Usopp asked. "Uh ... okay, sure! Plus, I spent years painting on the walls of my neighbors' houses! How hard can painting on a candle be?"
A little later, the sniper had finally finished painting the Jolly Roger on the sail and was panting heavily as he lay on the deck.
"I did it...!" he said hoarsely.
"Yes!" Luffy cheered. "We have a new ship and a new Jolly Roger! Can you get any better today ?!"
"How about we make it official?" Nami asked. "So ... what exactly do we call each other?"
"Uhh ... I don't know," Luffy replied.
"What about the Straw Hat Pirates?" Zoro suggested.
"The ... Straw Hat Pirates?" Usopp repeated.
"Think about it," Zoro said. "I mean ... our captain wears a straw hat and our brand has a straw hat ... do the math."
"Straw Hat Pirates ..." Luffy repeated before grinning widely. "Yes ... yes! It's perfect!"
"You know, it sounds great!" Nami agreed.
"Well, it's not as pretty a ring as 'Usopp Pirates'," Usopp began, "but you know, who cares?"
"The Straw Hat Pirates are!" Luffy exclaimed.
"Let's break the drinks!" Zoro said as he put down a keg and four mugs of beer.
"Uh ... wait," Luffy said. "I do not drink alcohol".
"It's not like that?" Nami asked.
"Ha, you're a softie, boy!" scoffed Dionysus.
"Yes, you're right," Ares agreed. "A true warrior must drink, as a reward for victory."
"Oh, don't say that, Ares. I'm glad he's not a drinker. So what, Hera?" Themis said, earning a nod from Hera and a look from Zeus.
"Ah, one drink won't hurt," Zoro said as he handed Luffy a cup, while Nami and Usopp drank their own cups. "Come on, Captain! Start the toast!"
"Uh ... yeah right!" Luffy exclaimed before lifting his mug. "Here's to us: the Straw Hat Pirates!"
"Health!" exclaimed the quartet as everyone clinked cups ... and with that, the Straw Hat Pirates were officially formed.
"How touching ..." Hestia whispered with tears streaming from her eye sockets. "They are a family now."
"BWAAAAAAAAAAAH ~!" Clarisse sobbed. "WHAT A MOVING STORY! I'M NOT CRYING, ALREADY JERKS!"
"You know, it's not bad to admit it." Annabeth told him, tears in her eyes.
"Oh shut up, princess!"
"Ha ha, it looks like you've both been affected by this." Percy spoke, smiling.
"The official foundation of the Straw Hat crew," Junior smiled.
"You know, I always thought it was Luffy who baptized his crew, not Roronoa, Athena said.
"Well who knew he was so creative?" Hera smiled, which made Zeus smile too. He never saw his wife so happy.
It was night, and the Merry had been anchored overnight to avoid drift. The gods and demigods noticed Luffy lying face down on the figurehead as he looked up at the starry sky with a happy expression on his face.
"Oh guys!" Said Luffy. "... I thought I'd see how you guys are doing."
"Well, removing the part where you can see us without a problem, I'd say pretty good." Dionysus spoke, with a slight tone of annoyance in his voice.
"Ignore him, he's always like that. Still, great job with that butler." Hestia told him.
"Oh, it was nothing. He was an idiot! And on top of that he was tired of being a pirate!"
"Well, I partly get it." Poseidon commented. "I mean, why be a criminal?"
Luffy looked long and hard at the god of the sea, who began to get uncomfortable with the mortal, until ...
"Are you an idiot?"
Although they already saw that Luffy was not afraid of Zeus, they continued to be frightened by the pirate's form when speaking to the gods. Poseidon started to get angry, even as his wife tried to control his anger.
"I will never be like the butt! What I want is to be the freest of the seas!"
His statement caught everyone by surprise, even Poseidon forgot his anger, when Percy asked Luffy:
"What do you mean, Luffy?"
"The King of the Pirates is the freest man on the seas and he's the one with the most adventures!"
The gods looked at each other, unable to understandthe rubber boy, and then Clarisse sat down next to him.
"I see ... So what you like about being a pirate is that he has adventures every day, right?"
"Something like that."
"Hahahaha, no wonder my father likes you! Well, so do I!"
"Right, you are interesting." Annabeth sits on the other side. "You know, we have had many adventures."
"Really ?! That's great!"
"Well, not as much as you think, but at least we don't get bored."
"Shishishi! And you too, Prissy?"
Thalia snorted, Annabeth chuckled; and Clarisse and Groover started laughing uncontrollably, while Percy sighed in defeat.
"Great, now I have to put up with that ridiculous nickname again. But yeah, we had a lot of adventures. Of life and death."
"Wow ... I hope you tell me all of them someday!"
"Believe me boy, our life is VERY long, I don't think in your whole life you could hear them all." Athena spoke, with a slight enthusiasm.
"I do not mind!"
At that moment, Themis smiled once more. Needless to say, she was enchanted by Luffy. Thanks to him, the Olympics were much more relaxed.
It was now daylight as Olympus followed the Going Merry. Luffy was on the deck with Zoro and Usopp, trying to fire a cannon at a rock in the water.
"What is he doing with that cannon?" Aphrodite asked.
"... Uh-oh ..." Junior muttered gracefully. "I remember this part."
"What?" Tyson asked. "What happened here?"
"Yes Junior, what happened?" Hestia asked.
"Just keep looking," Junior replied. "This is going to be fine."
"What are you doing now, Luffy ?!" Zoro asked, annoyed that his nap had been interrupted.
"Cannon practice," Luffy replied. "I'm trying to hit that stone, but I can't get the cannon to fire enough."
"You must be kidding," Usopp said as he gently pushed Luffy aside. "Here, let me try."
"Okay," Luffy replied as he pointed to the rock. "See that stone? See if you can shoot it."
"Just watch and learn," Usopp boasted as he adjusted the barrel. "Okay ... just a hair to the right and ... perfect!" Then he lit the fuse. "FIRE ~!"
KABOOM! The cannon fired and destroyed the rock with a single shot.
"WOOF!" Luffy exclaimed. "You hit him on your first shot!"
"I-I ?!" Usopp questioned. "Err ... I mean, yeah! Of course I do! What can I say? I'm an ace when it comes to shooting! So how about you go ahead and call me 'Captain', now?"
"Hmm ... nah," Luffy replied. "I think 'sniper' works better!"
Usopp scratched the back of his neck.
"Not bad, I give it an 8.5!" Junior holds up the sign, much to Themis's resignation.
"He has a huge ego problem, huh?" asked the goddess of wisdom.
"Quite a bit," Ares said with a shrug.
"Yes," Aphrodite agreed. "Like you."
"... Wow," Athena said. "You don't sugarcoat anything, do you? ... Who do you say has an ego problem, you foul-mouthed harpy !?"
"You," replied the goddess of love.
After a while, the quartet was now in the kitchen, sitting around the table. Nami was writing in the crew diary and Zoro was leaning against the wall while Luffy and Usopp sat next to each other.
"Good," Usopp said. "You can be the captain for now, but if you ever feel like you can't cut the mustard, then I'll have to take over, understood?"
"Sure," Luffy shrugged.
"What a selfish man." Hades said disdainfully. "You need a lesson in humility."
"And so much. So do we, but not MUCH! ... right?" Hermes asked the teenagers, who did not know what to answer.
"Hey, I've been thinking!" Luffy exclaimed. "There is still one more position we need before we head to the Grand Line!"
"Well this kitchen has all the equipment," Nami said. "I'd love to help ... for a price, of course."
"Good idea," Zoro said. "That skill is essential for a long journey."
"Then it's decided!" Luffy exclaimed. "What we need is ... a musician!"
"WHAT?!" the others asked while the visitors from another world burst into laughter, especially the god of wine.
"Just when I thought you'd say something smart for once!" Nami screamed.
"This is piracy, not a pleasure cruise, you idiot!" Zoro barked.
"Well, pirates like to party, don't they?" Luffy asked.
"I think Luffy spent too much time with Shanks," Themis smiled.
"Really, who doesn't like to party?"
"Yohohoho!" Dionysus laughed. "I mean, I never thought Luffy would want a musician with such enthusiasm! Honestly, I feel a bit honored!"
"I think my future husband has earned your support, oh, great god of wine!" Artemis laughed.
"HEY YOU BASTARDS!" yelled a voice. "GET OUT HERE AND FIGHT ME! I'LL CUT THEM ALL INTO RIBBONS!"
"What the hell was that?!" Luffy questioned when a ruckus soon started outside.
It was then that Luffy came out and saw a young man in sunglasses and a dark blue jacket.
"Who is that freak?" Hera asked.
"... One of Roronoa's old bounty hunter friends, Johnny." Junior said. "He is passionate, just like his friend and his partner Yosaku."
"Oi!" Luffy yelled. "Who the hell are you ?!"
"What do you care who I am?" Johnny asked as he swung his sword at Luffy, who dodged the attack and landed easily behind him.
"... I have claimed the rewards of the world's most infamous pirates," Johnny frowned. "How dare anyone ... TRY AND KILL MY PARTNER!"
"What partner ?!" Luffy asked before jumping on Johnny again and grabbing him by the head. "I'm sorry, friend ... but I can't let you destroy our new ship!" At that, he threw the bounty hunter over his head and slammed him against the wall.
"YUCK!" Johnny cried out in pain as blood spurted from his mouth and nose before hitting the ground. "M ... damn it ...!"
"Ugh ..." Luffy sighed as he took his hat in his hand after he flew through the air. "What the heck was that all about anyway?"
"What's going on, Luffy?" Zoro asked as he walked out. "Do you need help here?" He then he looked at the defeated Johnny. "What ...? Johnny ?! Tell me it's not you!"
"Hey?!" Johnny asked in surprise before standing up, as if Luffy's beating had never happened. "Zoro! Big brother Zoro, it's you!"
"What are you doing here?" Zoro asked. "And where the hell is Yosaku?"
"Big brother, he is terrible!" yelled Johnny. "Yosaku ... he's ... he's dying!"
"What?!" Zoro questioned. "Where the hell is he ?!"
Soon, Johnny brought another young man on board: a man in a long green coat and with one of those helmets that boxers wear on their faces. His skin was very pale and blood was coming out of his mouth. Almost instantly, Hestia gasped in horror upon seeing the poor man.
"Scurvy." Amphitrite said.
"Scurvy?" Thalia repeated. "What's that?"
"It is a common disease that sailors can get if they don't have enough vitamin C." Percy said.
"What's wrong with him ?!" Luffy asked.
"He was fine until a few days ago," Johnny started, "then all of a sudden he turned pale and randomly passed out. I don't know what happened! His teeth are falling out and he's bleeding from old scars that shouldn't even hurt him anymore. ! "Then she put a hand to her forehead, trying to hold back the tears. "I didn't know what I could do for him, so I took him to rest on a rock in the middle of the sea ... and then, out of nowhere, someone shot us!"
Luffy and Usopp gasped in horror before looking at each other with concern, then bowed their heads.
"We sorry!" They cried.
"Don't worry about it," Johnny said through tears. "I know it was an accident, now ... but what can apologies do? Yosaku and I have been building our reputations for a long time, now ...! He is my trusted partner ... no, he is like my brother! We've hunted pirates together for years now! If Yosaku dies ... why do I have to live ?! "
"... Man ..." Hades said. "This almost made me cry."
"Killjoy."
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH ~!" Apollo sobbed again. "WHAT A GREAT GUY, CARING SO ABOUT HIS PARTNER from him!"
"Stop being so stupid!" Nami screamed.
"What did you say?!" Zoro questioned angrily.
"How dare you take this lightly, girl!" Johnny cried, but Nami just sighed and pointed to the kitchen.
"Luffy, Usopp," he said. "There are lemons in the kitchen. Squeeze them and get the juice."
Luffy and Usopp just stared blankly.
"Did I stutter ?!" Nami questioned. "Move!"
"AH! YES MRS." Luffy and the last Usopp cried as they ran to get the files, but in their haste, they accidentally ended up trapped in the doorway.
"AAH! Usopp, move your ass!" Luffy yelled.
"Oh gods ... Can you be more useless?" Themis said, annoyed.
"Move yours!" Usopp barked before they both fell into the kitchen. After a while, they came back with some lemon juice, which they proceeded to pour into Yosaku's mouth as Usopp raised his head. During that time, Nami explained Yosaku's illness to Zoro and Johnny, who were relieved that he was going to live.
"Wow, Nami!" Luffy exclaimed. "It's like you're a doctor or something!"
"I always knew you were very smart," Usopp smirked.
"Are you kidding me?!" Nami questioned. "These are basic things you need to know if you hope to survive at sea, you idiots!"
"They are really stupid, huh?" Hera asked.
"Yes, more or less," Zeus agreed.
It was then that Yosaku stood up, just screaming and yelling.
"YAHOO! I'M CURE!" he cheered, and soon, Luffy, the past Usopp, and Johnny were rejoicing as well.
"... He knows that scurvy is not something that heals immediately, right?" Poseidon asked, with a drop on his head.
"What surprises me is that he can get up immediately." said Athena, incredulous.
"Speaking of bullshit ..." Dionysus muttered.
"Idiots, will they calm down ?!" Nami screamed, and after things had simmered, the two bounty hunters showed up.
The name is Johnny," said Johnny.
"And I am Yosaku!" He added Yosaku, holding a cigarette in his fingers.
"What is he doing?!" Annabeth questioned, scandalous. "He's not supposed to smoke when he's got scurvy!"
"That's Yosaku," Junior said, with a smile. "Stubborn to the end."
"We are Big Bro Zoro's old bounty hunter friends," Yosaku said. "Nice to meet you all. I don't know how I could thank you for your help. I was sure he was finished!"
"He will be lost if he doesn't rest!" Hestia screamed. "I think."
"I still can't believe it," Johnny said. "Big Bro Zoro is a pirate now!"
"Yeah well ... you see ..." Zoro started, but then, out of nowhere, Yosaku ended up coughing up blood.
"YOSAKU!" Johnny cried.
"LIE DOWN AND REST A LITTLE, FOOL!" Zoro barked.
"He's not someone to take it easy, is he?" Hephaestus asked with a bead of sweat.
"That guy is really an idiot," Clarisse muttered.
The memory changed once more, and Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and Usopp were sitting down, having a little discussion about what to do next.
"So what have we learned?" Nami asked.
"A long sea voyage is fraught with all kinds of dangers," Zoro said.
"Yes," Usopp agreed. "Zoro's old friends would be dead if we hadn't shown up."
"Technically, he shot them." Aphrodite noted.
"We still need someone who can really put the food we have in storage to good use," the sniper said. "What we need around here is a cook."
"Usopp is right," Nami agreed. "Having a cook on board a ship is absolutely necessary!"
"Oh yeah, a cook," Luffy realized ... and soon after, his stomach growled long and loud, causing the Olympians to sweat while the demigods laughed.
"I think that settles it," Zoro said.
"It's decided then!" Luffy exclaimed with his tongue sticking out of his mouth. "Let's find a cook for our crew! Besides, what good is a ship if we can't have a decent meal around here?"
"Good reasoning." Artemis said happily.
"Certain." Ares commented.
"Oh! Big brother!" Johnny exclaimed as he raised his hand, like a student waiting to be chosen by his teacher.
"What's up, Johnny?" Zoro asked.
"If you need a cook," Johnny said, "then I know where you can find one! But getting her to join you is easier said than done. There's a seafood restaurant called Baratie. I guarantee that's where you'll find a cook. for your crew! "
"A seafood restaurant ?!" the four Straw Hats asked, though past Zoro sounded skeptical.
"You can bet!" Jhonny replied. "It's only 2 or 3 days of sailing from this exact spot, but I'd see it, if I were you. It's pretty close to the Grand Line and some pretty rude customers hang out." Then he looked at Zoro. "And listen to this, big brother Zoro ... they say that that guy you were looking for, Hawk Eye, sometimes goes there too."
Hearing the name 'Hawk Eye' made Zoro stiffen as Johnny passed him.
"If you want, I can take you all there!" he offered.
"Yes please!" Luffy, Nami, and Usopp exclaimed excitedly.
"Wait ... who is this 'Hawk Eye'?" Hera asked.
At that moment, Junior cleared his throat to get attention.
"I can finally talk about something interesting!" replied the pirate. "Dracule 'Hawk Eye' Mihawk. He is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea ... and is currently the greatest swordsman in the world."
"The greatest swordsman in the world?" Ares and Clarisse repition, interested.
"Seven Warlords of the Sea?" I repeat Poseidon, intrigued.
"Junior ..." Athena started, but Junior already knew that she was going to ask him.
"He is a member of one of the three groups that maintain the balance of the world. The Seven Warlords of the Sea are a group of pirtas" contracted "by the World Government to maintain order in the seas. In exchange for their help, their crimes are "forgiven" and they can do whatever they want. "
"It's stupid. They could use that to do crimes at any time." Percy said, skeptical on this topic.
"Yeah ... If it weren't because they have the Marines."
"Those useless ...?" Zeus asked.
"No ... Real monsters. But we'll leave that for later."
The demigods tensed when he said it. However, the gods including Themis had a different feel: familiar ... and in the worst sense.
"So if what Mr. Johnny said is true about this guy," Tyson began, "does that mean he is trying to fight him here?"
"... Yes," Junior said. "We will see that soon though."
The Olympians soon saw a kind of restaurant boat: the Baratie.
"Wow!" Percy exclaimed. "It's a great fish!"
"And... It smells good." Annabeth started to smell food, with a smile."
"That's the Baratie, people," smiled Junior. "It's where we'll find the fifth member of Luffy's crew."
"Finally!" Aphrodite said. "You mean we'll see the cook? I hope he's cute."
"Well…" Junior replied. "He is a gentleman".
"There are!" Johnny exclaimed. "The Sailor's Restaurant! Older Brother Zoro, Older Brother Luffy, Older Brother Usopp, and Older Sister Nami! Wake Up!"
"Who said you call me 'big sister'?" Nami asked irritably.
"Woof!" Luffy exclaimed when he saw the Baratie. "That's a huge fish!"
"Incredible!" Nami was added.
"He is so good!" Usopp yelled.
"I am like the fishy form of it. It´s so cute." said Poseidon's wife.
However, at that moment, another ship suddenly passed the group, with the Navy ensign on its sail.
"Woof!" Usopp exclaimed. "It's a Navy ship!"
"Where does he come from?" Luffy asked.
"I don't know," Usopp replied nervously. "I just hope they don't shoot us!"
"Why shoot us?!" Johnny asked as he ducked behind the railing with Yosaku. "We are not pirates!"
"Hey look!" Yosaku exclaimed. "Who's that guy in the fancy suit?"
They all looked up to see a man dressed in a pale blue pinstripe suit with lavender hair, and for some reason, it looked like a metal brace had been literally screwed into his knuckles.
"W-who is that?" Thaila asked, a little nervous.
"That's Navy Lieutenant Fullbody," Junior said. "He also called 'Iron-Fist' Fullbody...even though I heard he was demoted to Seaman Recruit after Luffy kicked his ass."
"Damn." Percy cursed. "What happened to his hands?!"
"Yes...!" Themis grimaced. "I swear, some humans are so creepy, the way they modify their bodies...I mean, jaws of steel, axes for hands..."
"Ahh, I don't want to hear any more!" Groover howled as he put his hands over his ears. "La-la-la-la-la, I don't hear anything~!"
"Hmph," Fullbody sneered selflessly. "Some pirates...unknown." He then he raised his fist. "I am Lieutenant Iron Fist FUllbody, Minister of the Navy. Which one of you is the captain? Say your name."
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy," said Luffy. "We just did our pirate flag a couple of days ago."
"Psh...!" Johnny scoffed. "A couple of days ago?!"
"Speaking of amateurs, right, Johnny?" Yosaku laughed, causing Zoro to scoff a bit.
"And I'm Usopp," Usopp added.
"Hmm…" Fullbody hummed as he noticed Johnny and Yosaku. "You there...you look familiar to me. I think you visit government agencies a lot, right? I think you're Johnny and Yosaku...a couple of small-time bounty hunters wandering around East Blue. So idiots they were in the end." captured, and by some anonymous pirates, no less?
Hearing that made the two bounty hunters look at Fullbody.
"Oh no…" Zoro groaned.
"Hello, Yosaku," said Johnny. "I think this asshole just insulted us."
"Two-bit bounty hunter, huh?" Yosaku asked. "Nobody goes and calls us that. It's like trampling on our honor! Maybe we can make Mr. Fancy Pants change his mind."
"Ha. Big words for two kids."
At that, they brandished their swords and let out loud battle cries.
"Get ready, sea dog!" they yelled as they both lunged at the entire body…and in seconds, they were back on the deck of the Merry, bloodied and bruised.
"...Whoa," Hera muttered. "Those mortals are cowards."
"Yeah, but they're cowards with chances," Ares agreed.
"Wow," Luffy said bluntly. "You guys really are cowards, aren't you?"
"I-it's not that...!" Yosaku denied. "He's...really strong...!"
"What are you idiots doing?" Zoro asked.
Oh, Fullbody~!" a voice called from the room behind the lieutenant. "Quit playing with those sissy-boys and let's go."
"Of course, love," Fullbody grinned before he glared at the past Straw Hats. "It's your lucky day, pirate scumbags. It just so happens it's my day off today and I've come here to dine with my company...but watch yourselves. If I ever see you again, you're all dead, hear me?"
What a jerk," said Hestia.
"Sister!" Hera scolded.
"What?!" Hestia asked, offended. "He is!"
Luffy blinked at Johnny and Yosaku before looking at Nami, who was looking at some wanted posters the duo had dropped. For some reason, she was also trembling and a little sweaty.
"Nami?" Luffy asked. "You are well?"
"Hey?" Nami muttered. "Oh! Uh…yeah…I'm fine."
"...Are you sure?" Luffy asked.
"Yes," Nami replied.
"...Are you absolutely sure-" Luffy began.
"WHAT AM I ON TRIAL HERE?" Nami questioned, causing Luffy to scream as he stumbled backwards.
"... She is lying." Zeus spoke, gaining everyone's attention, as he crossed his arms.
"Right, husband. Something about the wanted poster scared her... but what?" Hera asked turning to Junior.
"... Junior?" Demeter asked. "What was on the wanted poster that scared the navigator so much?"
Junior didn't reply, but instead looked away and bit his beak.
"I'll just say that he has to do with Poseidon's domain, as it greatly affects him."
"WHAT HAVE YOU SAID!" the sea god yelled, furious, as Amphitrite gave him a dangerously serious look, as did Percy.
"Junior, I guess there's an explanation for this, right?"
"... Yes, but I'm afraid you will have to wait. And Poseidon, Amphitrite, I apologize if I offended you, but... You will have to see it especially."
"AAAAAAAAAHH!" Usopp yelled. "BOYS, THEY'RE POINTING A CANNON DIRECTLY AT US!"
They all looked up to see the Marines pointing a cannon at them from the stern, and shortly after Fullbody's order, he fired on the Going Merry.
"OH NO, THEY ARE SHOOTING AT US!" Usopp cried.
"I have this!" Luffy exclaimed as he stood on the railing and took a deep breath.
"Oh no. He won't." said the goddess of wisdom, understanding what she intended to do Luffy.
"Guuuum-Guüuuuuum ... Globe!"
He then puffed out his stomach and caught the cannonball, much to the surprise of Usopp, Johnny, Yosaku, and Fullbody.
"Get this back, because we don't need it!" Luffy yelled as he fired the cannonball backwards...only for it to blast a hole through the Baratie's roof.
"What the Underworld?!" Zeus asked. "He thought it was a good idea to send a cannonball to that restaurant?!"
"Yes, the truth is that I don't know why I miss it," Themis spoke.
"Hahahahahahaha!" Hades laughed. "Speaking of making big entrances!"
"It was an accident, father!" Artemis responded.
"I hope he didn't hurt anyone," Hera said, worried as the image changed, only to see an old man with a very tall chef's hat, a bloody head and a wooden leg. "Oh my Zeus, he's taken a leg off!"
"One moment!" Thalia called. "Let's see, I didn't hear an expert in medicine but, I think she always had that."
"Thalia is right, the wooden leg is old." Annabeth support. "I think it's just the head."
"AAAAAAAH!" Luffy yelled. "I'LL BLOW UP YOUR LEG!"
"STOP SCREAMING, BOY!" the old man barked.
"Well, I will be," Junior said. "Divine ladies and gentlemen and those who don't, this old man is old Zeff, the owner of the Baratie."
After a while, Luffy calmed down after Zeff explained about his peg leg. The two of them were now sitting in the chef's room, which had a large hole in the wall.
"So, you don't have any money, do you?" Zeff asked. "In that case, you will have to work for me to pay off your debt."
"Sure," Luffy replied. "I will do it."
"It's settled then," Zeff said. "You're going to work here for me for a year! Then we'll call it a hand!"
"QUE?!" Luffy questioned. "A WHOLE YEAR?!"
"EEEEEEEEEEEEHH?!" Percy and Groover yelled in shock.
"...God...even I have to admit he's a bit steep," Clarisse muttered.
"That guy surely didn't cut corners, did he?" Ares asked.
"Speaking of being assertive," the wine god added. "I would exchange that punishment for the one I have."
"Give me a break, old man!" Luffy said. "I'll work for you for... a week!"
"Don't try to insult me, boy," Zeff replied. "Your stupid bombing damaged my establishment, not to mention hurt me! A week isn't enough to make up for it! You're going to work for me for a whole year, got it?"
"No way!" Luffy responded defiantly. "I waited 10 years to be a pirate, and I won't wait another year!"
"Tell him Luffy!" Thalia screamed.
"That's my final offer!" Luffy emphasized. "Take it or leave it!"
"You don't decide that, eggplant!" Zeff yelled as he kicked Luffy in the throat with his peg leg, causing him to choke as he hit the wall. "What I will allow is up to me to decide!"
"Ugh..." Luffy coughed. "You must be feeling better."
"Yes, it will take a lot more than a cannonball to kill that veteran," Ares said. "He's a tough guy for an old mortal."
"I think so," Hestia agreed.
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" Zeff yelled at Luffy before giving him an almost sinister smile. "Okay, kid. Since your time seems to be so precious, I'll offer you a quick way out of this…" He then held up a hacksaw. "Give me one of your legs and leave it here with me."
"EEP!" Tyson shrieked in fear.
"That's overdoing it, grandpa!" Annabeth, Thalia, and Clarisse screamed in unison.
"No thanks," Luffy declined. "You're crazy, old man."
By now, Zeff was getting frustrated before leaping into the air.
"What you want DOESN'T MATTER, KID!" he yelled before kneeing Luffy, who howled in pain.
"...You know, there's something I don't understand," said Demeter. "How can he hit and hurt Luffy if he's made of rubber? I mean, he shouldn't feel pain."
"That, goddess of agriculture, is an important question. And one very well formulated."
Suddenly, the floor gave way, and before either Zeff or Luffy knew it, they both ended up falling into the dining room below. There, the Gods and demigods could see Fullbody... only his face was covered in blood, and they also saw someone else: a man with blond hair with fringes that covered the left side of his head and who was wearing an elegant black suit. , and the only type of facial hair he had was a barely visible goatee and for some reason the other Baratie staff members were holding it back.
"Heavens!" Hestia exclaimed. "That man again! And this time he's been beaten up..."
"Heh," Junior smiled. "It was time..."
"Ugh..." Apollo groaned. "What do you mean?"
"Behold."
"Oh hey!...Wait, how come he looks so angry?" Percy said.
"Well… do you see that bowl of soup on the floor?" Themis asked, pointing to a bowl of soup that had spilled. "I have the impression that Fullbody threw to the ground... to annoy him."
"How dare he? Does he even have the slightest idea of the job he has to make the food?!" Demeter attempted to finish Fullbody off, but Themis stopped her.
"Yeah...and Sanji got so mad, beating that fucking Marine."
"Excellent!"
"Chief!" exclaimed one of the employees. "What are you doing?!"
"Urrgh... Damn!" Zeff cursed as he looked up at the hole in the ceiling. "That's another hole I have to fix!" Then he looked at Luffy. "This is all your fault, brat!"
"How is it my fault?!" Luffy questioned as he got closer to the head chef's face. "You attacked me!"
"CHIEF!" yelled one of the cooks who was trying to restrain Sanji. "CAN YOU STOP PLAYING AND MAYBE GIVE US A HAND?! SANJI GOT CRAZY, AGAIN!"
"Hey?" Zeff muttered before he finally noticed Sanji. "Sanji!"
Further on, Sanji gasped as he turned to look at his employer.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Zeff questioned. "You're attacking customers again, right?!"
"Yes, and this was one of the Marines, no less!" one of the staff members yelled, causing Sanji to growl as he finally broke free.
"Put a cork in it, old man!" he barked at him.
"Oh, now you're giving me orders!" Zeff argued. "Who the hell do you think you're talking to?! Do you want to sink my restaurant to the bottom of the sea, PUNK?!"
At that, he kicked Sanji in the face with his peg leg.
"Those two certainly don't get along, do they?" Dionysus asked.
"Well...don't believe it." Junior replied. "...I'm sure they actually care a lot about each other..."
"...Hears!" Luffy called out as he pointed at the damn Fullbody, who was laughing at Sanji getting hit. "I know that guy! He's the one who fired his cannon at us!"
Fullbody gasped before looking at Zeff, who scowled at him.
"You too!" yelled the chef. "Get your butt out of my restaurant!"
HIT! He also kicked the lieutenant in the face with his peg leg, much to Fullbody's surprise.
"Gosh... he's not easy on anyone, huh?" Hephaestus asked, while Ares congratulated the old cook.
"No," Themis answered. "Honestly, with everything we've seen (and what we have left), if he were a little nicer, that would scare me."
"Well, I love it! He has them on well, I'll admit it!"
"How can you forget our motto that the customer is king?!" questioned another of the cooks, Patty.
"Only if they're willing to eat the garbage you call 'food,'" Sanji answered as he looked at his co-worker.
"Patty! Sanji!" Zeff ordered. "If you two are going to fight, fight in the kitchen, not out here!"
"L-Lieutenant! Lieutenant Fullbody!"
They all turned to see a Marine soldier...only he was bleeding from his forehead.
"Sir... I'm sorry!" He apologized. "He... he escaped from the brig!"
"Wow..." Luffy whispered. "This is a real madhouse, isn't it?"
"Says the one who sometimes causes madness," said Hera.
"The... the pirate of Don Krieg's crew!" the soldier yelled. "He has escaped! We were trying to interrogate him, but he beat seven of us to death and then he escaped!"
"How is that possible?!" Fullbody questioned, though he coughed a little from the beatings from Sanji and Zeff. "When we captured him a few days ago, he was half starving, and we haven't fed him since!"
Hearing the name 'Don Krieg' caused the entire room to gasp in shock and fear.
"D-Don Krieg?!"
"From the Krieg Pirates?!"
"They are the toughest pirates in the East Blue!"
"Sorry Lieutenant, I-" the soldier started, but then, KABANG! He screamed in pain as a hole appeared in his chest…and not long after, he fell to the ground as blood pooled around his body, and behind him stood a shadowy figure. Instantly, all the customers in the restaurant screamed in terror, preparing to run for their lives if necessary.
"W-Who is that...?" Tyson asked nervously.
"Gin." Junior said, recognizing the man, instantly.
"Well, well," Patty scoffed. "Looks like we have a client."
"You better not try to destroy this place too," Zeff warned.
"A pirate?!" Luffy asked in surprise, while Sanji just blew out a puff of smoke nonchalantly. As for Fullbody, he looked like he was about to get dirty himself as Gin staggered over to a table. Chopper looked at the man with concern, taking a good few seconds to analyze him: the dark circles under his eyes, his pale skin, the thinness of him… he knew that this man was very malnourished and on the verge of death.
"How is it...possible...that he is still alive?" Athena's daughter asked, not looking at anyone in particular.
Gin grunted as he sat down in a chair and propped his feet up on a table.
"...Bring me...some food," she demanded as he looked up. "Come on...this is a restaurant, right?"
"Hello and welcome, you bloody thief!" Patty said with feigned courtesy, to the shock of the other customers.
"I'm only going to say this once," Gin said. "Bring me something to eat".
"Oh man..." Fullbody snorted. "That cook is going to get us killed...!"
"Of course, sir," Patty began, "but if I may ask... how does he plan to pay for his meal?"
A pause... before Gin pointed his gun at Patty's head.
"How about I pay you in lead?" she asked her with a sly grin...and yet, Patty didn't even flinch.
"So what you mean is you don't have any money, right?" Patty asked…before she pummeled Gin with both fists, who screamed in pain and destroyed the chair he was sitting on. Of course, all of the patrons ended up smiling at this as Fullbody gaped in disbelief.
"Wow!" Luffy exclaimed. "He is strong!"
"Hell he is!" Clarisse agreed.
"Speak of a violent place!" Dionysus exclaimed. "Even the bars I went to dressed up as a mortal weren't that bad!"
"Damn Patty!" Zeff cursed. "He broke another chair!"
"If you don't have any money," Patty began, "then don't call yourself a client, okay?"
Soon, the patrons and staff began to cheer loudly… but the demigods could hear the sound of Gin's stomach gurgling from extreme hunger.
"That man is going to die…" Thalia whispered grimly.
"...I don't know it can be helped." Hades said, waiting for the actions of a certain King of the Gods, who was surprisingly paying attention.
"Oh, I can hear your stomach rumbling from here, pirate!" Patty said with mock pity.
"Stupid," Gin said. "That was just a fart...now get me something to eat!"
"Hell no!" Patty screamed as she kicked Gin in his very empty stomach. "I wouldn't give a broke sea lion like you a grain of rice!"
"Hey!" Percy barked. "Don't overdo it, he's about to die!"
"Yeah, no one deserves that!" Thalia and Annabeth added.
During the commotion, Fullbody took the opportunity to escape, but Luffy didn't really seem to care. He kept watching Patty beat up poor hungry Gin without a word.
"Dear customers," Patty said, bowing to the other customers. "Please enjoy the rest of your time here!"
"YEAAAAAAAAH!" the other patrons cheered as Patty went and poured Gin. Luffy blinked, having finished his little analysis before looking up the flight of stairs, then silently hurried to the upper deck. Once there, he looked down and saw Gin, lying on the ground, weak and coughing up blood.
"Damn it...!" he cursed. "How dare you get away with it...!"
"...Hears!" Luffy called. "Are you okay? You sound pretty hungry!"
"S-shut up!" Gin barked. "Mind your own business... I'm not hungry at all..."
His stomach gave another wobbly gurgle.
"His sure stomach of him says otherwise," said Demeter.
At that moment, the door opened and Sanji walked past, holding a bowl of hot rice and a glass of water, which he placed in front of Gin before sitting down himself.
"...Eat," the cook said, causing Gin to gasp silently and swallow the saliva that formed in his mouth...and still, he looked away.
"Forget this!" the Scream. "I take no charity from anyone! Just take it and go!"
"Stop acting," Sanji said. "For me, if someone is hungry, he is a customer."
Demeter smiled at Sanji, as did Zeus and Hermes.
"Well, well... I never thought I'd see a case like Filimon and Baucis."
"Neither have I. It's nice to see that hospitality hasn't died." Hermes joked with a smile."
"And that rice smells really good." finished the goddess of agriculture, delighted.
"I... I can't pay for this," Gin said, embarrassed.
"...The ocean can be a cruel mistress," Past Sanji said as he looked up at the sky. "If you stay there without food or water... it's a death sentence..."
"...I understand hungry people more than anyone else," he said. "I mean…I understand if you want to keep your pride…but don't you think it's better to eat so you can continue to have pride now and in the future?"
Gin gasped quietly before looking at the plate in front of him, and then, without a moment's hesitation, he finally began to eat. As he did so, he soon burst into tears, praising the deliciousness of the food, which made Sanji smile proudly, and sob about how he thought he really was finished.
The Olympians couldn't stop smiling, even the god of wine had a half smile.
All the while, Luffy smiled enthusiastically, and that was when the demigods realized that he had made the decision for him.
"Oh no...I know that look." said the daughter of Zeus, smiling.
"Didn't you expect it?" Groover wouldn't stop smiling either.
"He certainly has a good eye for people." Percy nodded.
"Well, I think I just found my cook!" Luffy stated.