Chapter. 10: A test of loyalty. The best swordsman in the world, Hawk Eye!
"Sanji, you were so kind to that man," Hestia smiled.
"Yeah, he's a bit stifling, but he's got principles," Hera added, pleased. "I still can't believe you fed that guy...even though he might end up being your enemy."
"Sanji knows very well what it's like to starve", Junior began, with his arms crossed and smiling as always, "he just couldn't let him starve, and in the open sea, starvation is a true death sentence ."
"Of course. Sailors never really prepared for voyages on the high seas. That's why there were even outbreaks of cannibalism. Over the centuries they've learned, but it's still worrying." I speak Posidon quite seriously.
"When I make the seas calm is when it is most dangerous. Let this serve as a warning to you when you have to sail, young people. Stock up well before you sail." spoke his wife, calmly but firmly.
"Aimed," Percy said.
"Anyway," Clarisse began, "it takes a real man to do those things. If it were up to me, I'd beat him up mercilessly."
"That's terrifying," Groover said, with a drop on his head. "After all, he has risked losing his place on the ship to a defaulter."
"And that's why Luffy wants him on his ship. The truth is that he knows who to hang out with," said Artemis, with a sweet smile.
"Of course!" Apollo agreed as Hephaestus rolled his eyes, not pissed off.
"You're lucky he brought you some food!" Luffy called out to Gin as Sanji looked at him. "You were almost lost, you know?"
"That's putting it mildly," Sanji said sarcastically.
"Hey, you!" Luffy told Sanji. "Why don't you join my crew?"
"...Forgiveness?" Sanji asked in bewilderment.
"What did he say?" Guinevere asked.
After a moment, Luffy soon explained.
"So let me clear this up," Sanji said. "Are you a pirate?! Then why did you go and shoot us?!"
"Oh that was an accident," said Luffy. "It was a stray cannonball fired in self-defense."
"That makes absolutely no sense," Sanji said.
"Well, considering what we saw, the boy didn't have much of a choice. It was either them and the ship or the restaurant. I'm surprised the old cook survived though," Ares mused, causing the demigods to chuckle lightly and the gods to look amused.
"Listen," Sanji began, "if I were you, I'd watch my back around here. Chef Zeff used to be the cook for a pirate crew."
"Actually?" Luffy asked. "Was the old man a pirate too?"
"That explains everything."
"The Baratie is the old man's treasure," Sanji continued, "and the cooks who work here used to be a bunch of hot-blooded thugs. If you ask me, for a pirate hangout, they're just perfect "for the job."
"Seems very fitting to me," Hades smiled. "They are criminals, but they know what they are doing."
"Yeah, this place is a bit crazy, isn't it?" Luffy asked.
"Hey," Sanji shrugged. "You get used to it after a while."
"Just like we all get used to the boy's antics," Dioniso said.
"Though some of us got excited right away!" Thalia added.
"Some people just came here to watch the pirates and the cooks fight," Sanji continued, "but the waiters chickened out and jumped ship."
"Oh, I get it!" Luffy exclaimed. "So that's why the old man wants me to work for him for a year!"
"You could say that, yes," Sanji agreed.
"Well anyway," Luffy started, "you should come and sail with me!"
"Forget it," Sanji replied. "I have a good reason to stay here."
"No way!" Luffy yelled as he got closer to the blonde's face. "I refuse!"
"Hope for?!" Sanji questioned in surprise.
"It's very simple," Luffy began, "I refuse to accept your refusal! You are a very good cook and I want you to join my crew!"
"...Can you do that?" Annabeth asked, cocking her head in puzzlement.
"He can," Junior answered.
"Yes, it is his rule apparently," said Demeter, with some annoyance. "No matter what happens, he just won't take no for an answer. I know someone like that."
He pointed at Hades, who simply snorted, possibly at how persistent he was with Persephone.
"Now just wait for a second!" Sanji exclaimed. "Just listen to me! There's a reason I can't join you!"
"Okay, what is it?" Luffy asked.
"...It's none of your business, that's what happens," Sanji replied.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Luffy questioned. "YOU JUST SAID TO LISTEN TO YOU!"
"Psh!" Zeus mocked Poseidon. "Speaking of stupid. Just like your tantrums, brother."
Poseidon swung his trident at the King of the Gods and another fight soon began, while Themis sighed and shook her head.
"Always the same…" she muttered.
"Look, all I ask is that you respect my wishes!" Sanji yelled. "Now get out of here before I fillet you and that filthy straw hat of yours!"
"Hey, you!" Luffy yelled as he head-butted the cook. "No one insults my straw hat unless they're looking for a beating!"
"Those two almost fought like Lord Zeus right now and Lord Poseidon now," Clarisse said.
"I noticed that, young lady," said Hermes, while those two had been separated by Themis.
"Uh...excuse me," Gin said.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" Sanji and Luffy yelled.
"...My name is Gin," Gin introduced himself. "I'm one of the Krieg pirates. You, the boy in the straw hat...if you're a pirate, what exactly are you looking for?"
Luffy smiled and replied, "Isn't it obvious? I'm after One Piece, so I'll go to the Grand Line to find it!"
"Yes!" Artemis and Tyson cheered, while Gin was eerily quiet after that statement.
"And we will be witnesses," I add the former goddess of justice.
"...If you don't have a cook," he began, "then I guess you don't have much of a crew yet, either."
"This guy will do five," Luffy said as he pointed at Sanji, who growled at him.
"Leave me out of this!" he barked at him.
"You don't seem like such a bad guy," Gin began, "so I'll give you a warning: whatever you do... stay away from the Grand Line."
'Ugh? I don't understand why that sea is so dangerous! I keep hearing warnings that "it's a terrible place", "you're just going there to die..." Zeus exploded. "We gods have fought the titans and won! Fight Typhon and DEFEAT him! WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY PETULANT FOOLS!"
The tension was palpable in the atmosphere, while storm clouds formed and these were the ones that devastated entire islands.
"I-I agree with my husband, so far we haven't seen proof of what they say." Hera began, in a desperate attempt to calm Zeus.
"Right! The only one who knows things about that place is you." Ares pointed to Junior who says nothing. "And it's not like you told us much."
"I guess after a while," Hades continued, bored by his brother's outbursts, "one would start to get annoyed by all those warnings."
"People have warned him who knows how many times," Annabeth said suddenly, "but we all know that wouldn't stop Luffy from doing what he wanted to do. Besides, just because he didn't see that place doesn't mean it's a lie.".
"I guess you won't tell us much, right?" Percy asked, causing everyone to look at the young pirate. However, what he said left them wondering:
"Today you will have the opportunity to check the rumors."
"Don't run straight to your death," Gin said. "You are still very young. The seas are vast and the Grand Line is only a narrow route. There are many waters you could sail on."
"There are?" Luffy asked, intrigued. "You sure know a lot about the Grand Line, huh?"
"...Not much," Gin admitted, his face beginning to sweat profusely. "In fact... I hardly know anything about it... but enough to scare me!"
"For a guy who's one of the Krieg Pirates," Sanji began, "you're a bit of a wuss, aren't you?"
"Er... To all this... Who is Krieg?" Hestia asked calmly.
"Well, if you want to know, your Divinity, 'Don Krieg' is the strongest and most evil pirate in this part of the ocean. He is the boss of a pirate fleet that controls the captains of 50 pirate ships, and he is no less than miserable. Their fleet constitutes a force of more than 5,000 pirates." Junior explained.
"5,000 men and 50 ships!?" Groover, Thalia, and Clarisse yelled in amazement.
"Wow... So, he'll be a fearsome commander. It'll be interesting." Ares said amused.
"And with good strategies, I must understand." I second the goddess of wisdom.
"In that of the strategies, you are right, Athena," Junior said simply, to the delight of the goddess.
Luffy and Sanji stood at the railing of the restaurant while Gin was on a boat, preparing to set sail.
"I just thought I'd warn you about the Grand Line and all," Gin said.
"Thanks, but I'm going to the Grand Line anyway," Luffy replied.
"Hehehe..." Gin chuckled. "Well, I guess I can't stop you. Do what you want, I guess. How you want to die is none of my business, is it?"
"It will be miserable, my future husband will not die!" Artemis exclaimed.
"What trusts," replied Aphrodite. "Even though I'm with you, that kid is too stubborn for Thanatos to go after him yet."
"Sanji," Gin said to Sanji. "...Thank you... for saving my life. The food was great." Then he smiled. "Maybe I can come and eat again?"
"Sure," Sanji smiled. "Anytime."
Zeus and Hestia smiled warmly at the scene.
"Those two act like they're best friends," Groover said.
"Funny how a plate of food can bring people together, huh?"
"The many wonders of a good meal," Hestia mused happily.
"Homework boy! There you are!"
Luffy yelled as he turned to see Zeff standing on the upper deck.
"Chief Zeff!" he yelled.
"Uh-oh…" Thalia muttered. "I wonder if he saw everything?"
"Sure," Percy began, "but that old man just didn't say much."
Gin froze in mild surprise before sighing remorsefully, putting a hand to his forehead in embarrassment.
"Forgive me," he said. "Now you'll probably be yelled at or fired because you fed me."
"Hmm…" Sanji hummed as he looked at the empty plate and glass, then picked them up and tossed them into the sea.
"What are you doing?" Luffy asked.
"Heh," Sanji smiled. "Now there is no evidence, so there is no reason for them to yell at me."
Gin gasped in disbelief as Luffy smiled, just like the rest of the gods and the teens had mischievous smiles. Gin then dropped to his knees and bowed his head in gratitude as she rode with the current.
"Stay out of trouble Gin, you hear?" Sanji called.
In the kitchen, Luffy announced himself as the housework boy, though no one reacted at all. Honestly, while the other chefs were working, Luffy was sitting on his chair, picking his nose until the chefs got mad at him for not doing anything.
"Oh, dear. This boy… If it wasn't for his friends…" Themis spoke up in exasperation.
As Luffy (badly) washes the dishes, he overhears the others talking about Sanji, finding it annoying that he is the sous chef and yet unprofessional with his flirtation, but it can't be helped since he's been here longer.
Some theorized that he might still be here for the Chef title since Luffy kept breaking dishes, so of course, he got a reprimand. Since he can't wash dishes, they told him to sweep, and when Luffy was about to leave, he grabbed a piece of food from a customer. Once again, they yelled at him. It doesn't help that Luffy also grabbed a hot wok, burning his hand and causing several more plates to break.
Hera said, "By the muses, it's probably for the best that Luffy wanted to be a pirate because I can't imagine him as anything else."
"Agreement." They all said monotonously.
"I wonder if Coby is having a hard time, doing chores like this," Luffy muttered as he entered the dining room…only to find Zoro, Nami, and Usopp there, sitting at a table.
"Well, if he's not the homework guy!" Nami exclaimed.
"We heard you have to work here for a year!" Usopp smiled.
"Do you think we can change the ship's flag?" Zoro asked, joking, which made Nami and Usopp laugh.
As Zoro laughed, Luffy picked his nose and let the snot fall into his drink.
"Ew! Yuck! Luffy!" Thalia yelped in disgust as most of those present were disgusted, but there were a couple of giggles and snickers from the more immature.
Usopp and Nami laughed to themselves seeing Luffy's joke. The glass of water gets closer and closer to Zoro's mouth...until he shoves the drink down Luffy's throat.
There was laughter from everyone, and Usopp and Nami as well.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA! That's what is known as 'karma', boy!" Apollo fell laughing uncontrollably with Junior imitating him.
However, the King of the Gods, although calmer now, could not help thinking about everything that was happening, especially the warnings about the Grand Line.
'Why do all the mortals we have seen speak of that place as if it were Tartarus? How powerful are the pirates that live there? If so, why has no one gone to stop them? They are evil and the Marines are supposed to enforce the law and justice. Ever since we got here, every time I think about justice... I feel weird like it's contaminated. As King of Olympus and God of Justice, I cannot allow that to happen. Helping this boy might not be a waste of time after all.'
However, his thoughts were interrupted when the gods and demigods saw Sanji kneel before Nami.
"O sea, how grateful I am for this day of days!" he exclaimed, affectionately, with his heart in his eyes. "Oh love! Smile at me, for I cannot survive this pain! I would stoop to becoming a pirate or even a devil if only I could be with you, my orange-haired beauty! What a tragedy, for the obstacles between us! they're too cool!"
"...Oh no..." Athena muttered with slight trepidation. "He is one of those."
"Well, we already know whose cook the favorite will not be," Dionysus commented, drinking his soda.
"Ahem!"
The group looked up to see Zeff, who was leaning against a chair as he glared disapprovingly at Sanji, who flinched in shock.
"Ah shit, the old man...!" Grover cursed.
"Dude, you're in trouble, sir," Thalia said, a little sorry for Sanji.
"Obstacles, huh, Sanji?" Zeff asked. "In that case…he goes and follows your heart however you want. I don't need you around here anymore."
"...Forgive me?" Sanji questioned.
"Hey?" Luffy muttered.
"Hey, old shit," Sanji cursed. "In case you forgot, I'm the sous-chef, here. What do you mean you don't need me anymore?"
"That's exactly what I mean," Zeff replied. "You fight with customers and waste hours, looking at some woman's ass!"
"Just like a certain god," Hera muttered.
"Silence immediately!" Zeus barked.
"Not to mention you're a lousy cook," Zeff said. "Face it, brat. You're nothing but dead weight. Besides, the other cooks don't like you very much either...so do us all a favor: be a pirate and get lost!"
Luffy simply sat on the ground, blinking as he watched the situation unfold, his eyes glaring at Zeff.
"Don't go overboard, old man!" Sanji barked as he grabbed the chef by the collar of his coat. "You can insult me all you want, but never insult my kitchen, understand? I'll stay here whether you like it or not! You have no say in the matter, do you understand me?"
"Get your hands off me, you undercooked eggplant!" Zeff screamed as he grabbed the blond cook and slammed him into a table, smashing it to pieces.
It was good that Annabeth covered Tyson's eyes.
"Take it already!" Ares said excitedly. "Show him who's boss!"
"Hush, brother," Athena replied.
"Urrrgh...!" Sanji grunted as Zoro, Nami, and Usopp had managed to save their food before the cook crashed into his table.
"Hmph!" Zeff scoffed as he turned and walked away.
"Hey! Don't walk away from me!" Sanji yelled. "You can't just kick me out! I'll cook here for the rest of my life! UNTIL THE DAY YOU DIE, SHIT!"
"Until the day I die, huh?" Zeff asked. "I have at least another hundred years to go, kid."
"...You always have to have the last word, don't you?" Sanji asked.
"Great! You already have permission!" Luffy exclaimed. "So come and be my cook!"
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" Sanji barked.
"What a pair," Hecate commented. "I don't get it. Why do you want Sanji gone? Doesn't he need you?"
"No idea," Hephaestus murmured without interest.
Without missing a beat, Sanji served Nami a fruit salad and a drink, but nothing for the boys besides some tea.
"Ooo... that looks good." Clarisse passed out.
"Don't be fooled by that." Thaila sighed.
Sanji was practically wrapped around Nami's finger as he said that the food was delicious but a bit pricey. Sanji was quick to say that it was free, being rewarded with a hug. Sanji immediately told the boys that his food wasn't.
"Wow. I certainly wouldn't like to see her doing business." Junior said while Hermes looked interesting. "Well, I for one, she's a fantastic thief. I'm even considering her my champion."
"We wouldn't allow it if you were." The big three almost chanted at the same time.
Luffy let out a laugh, enjoying his cup of tea until Sanji kicked him in the head and dragged him away, telling him to bring wet towels to the customers.
He faded to black until he returned to Baratie on a foggy day. Usopp complained that it has been four days since Luffy has been working here. He asked when they can leave, wondering if Luffy has to work here for a year. Nami doesn't see the problem because she gets the food for free.
She was shown Luffy carrying a comically large amount of garbage until Usopp yelled at her to leave soon, but Luffy just told them to wait, planning to talk to the owner again.
"I'm surprised someone like him hasn't gotten away," Hades said.
Well, he wants Sanji as his chef, Percy reasoned. "And we all know how stubborn he is."
"Like you, Seaweed Brain." His girlfriend replied playfully.
It was then that they saw a gigantic galleon...only it looked like it had seen better days. The figurehead, a roaring tiger, was cracked and splintered on the left side, the sails were broken, and the crew onboard looked half dead.
"Is that...?" Artemis asked.
"Krieg's pirate ship," Junior replied with great disgust.
"Wow..." Poseidon muttered. "What happened to that ship? Not even my storms would do such damage."
"...Hawk Eye happened," replied the young pirate.
"Whose?" Hestia asked.
"A hawkeye?" Hera asked in puzzlement. "What are you talking about?"
"Not a hawk's eye," Junior said. "Hawk-Eye. Dracule 'Hawk Eye' Mihawk...the world's greatest swordsman, and one of the Shichibukai."
Everyone's jaws dropped, while Ares perked up. Such a feat was only possible for demigod warriors. Athena, for her part, begins to analyze the marks on the galleon; they were all clean cuts and prices, too perfect for a mere mortal. Honestly, she even began to think that he was just a man, she assumed that he had been a man with some ability, but most of the damage was caused by an animal or a temporary worthy of Poseidon.
"Wow!" Luffy exclaimed. "That ship is huge! Hey, maybe Gin came back to say thanks!"
"I doubt it," Sanji said, "but...something seems to be wrong."
"Out, how?" Luffy asked.
"I don't know...let's hurry up and go downstairs," Sanji said as he and Luffy headed to the dining room. It was then that they got a closer look at the wrecked galleon.
"Yeah," Sanji grimaced. "A big galleon like that, devastated to that extent? That was no man's doing...it looks like they sailed into a typhoon or something!"
"The truth is that I'm with the cook. I don't know anyone capable of doing something like that. Not even Achilles could do something like that." I speak Zeus.
"Heh...they wished," Junior muttered. "They were lucky to have escaped with their lives. Every time Hawk Eye cuts down a ship...he barely lives to tell about it."
"Okay Junior, that's enough," Hera said impatiently. "You're being a bit heavy-handed about super mortals."
At that moment, someone else entered the restaurant, causing customers to gasp in fear as they rose from their chairs. It was Gin…along with a tall, burly man who wore a fur coat and had bandages wrapped around his forehead. He had quite expensive-looking clothes and jewelry, so he looked like he was quite rich. If one didn't know better, he almost looked dead on his feet.
"Guh…" he groaned. "Please…can I have some food and water? I…have money…I can pay…!"
"Is that... Don Krieg?" Amphetite asked, a little insecurely.
"Sure it is," Themis replied. "...However, he is acting. I sincerely hope he died in the Grand Line."
"Lady Themis!" scandalized cry the queen of the gods.
"Hey?" murmured one of the Baratie's cooks, Patty.
"Who the hell is that?" Patty asked. "He looks too ragged to be a king."
"That guy seems pretty hungry, doesn't he?" Luffy asked.
"What the hell is going on?" Sanji asked, just as Don Krieg collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
"D-Don Krieg!" Gin cried out in alarm.
"Enemy or not," Hestia began, "he is on the brink of death. He's like... he hasn't eaten for almost a whole week!"
"Hears!" Gin yelled. "Don't anyone just stand there! Get him some food and water, please! If he doesn't help him, he'll die!"
A pause... before Patty burst out laughing.
"You got to be kidding!" the Scream. "This half-dead idiot is the dreaded Don Krieg?! Don't make me laugh!"
"Go!" Gina yelled. "Seriously, you have to help! This time, we have the money to pay for it! We're customers, here!"
"Hello, Meat!" Patty called. "Call in the Marines! They'll seize the opportunity to finally catch Don Krieg! Nobody feeds a single crumb, got it?"
Soon, the patrons of the restaurant began clamoring in agreement.
"Yes! If he eats and regains strength from him, he will kill us all!"
"He is a pirate, after all! Starving is too good for him!"
"That monster deserves to die, so I say leave it alone!"
Even the staff members murmured among themselves.
"There's no way we can feed this guy."
"He's right. Don't give them anything! Not even a glass of water!"
"You know... I really can't say they're wrong," said Demeter, "but... it's kind of hard to see this, isn't it?"
"And yet I can't help but think something is wrong," Annabeth replied.
"Urrgh...!" Don Krieg groaned as he bowed his head to Patty. "Please... I won't hurt anyone, I promise! Just feed me... and I'll leave you alone! I beg you... please help me!"
"Don Krieg, what are you doing?!" Gin questioned. "Don't crawl! He's under you!"
"Please!" Don Krieg pleaded. "I beg you! Even if it's leftover rice, I'll eat it!"
"...Don Krieg...!" Gin sobbed with tears in her eyes.
"...Gin cares about his boss, doesn't he?" the goddess of agriculture asked, her arms crossed.
"Yes," replied Hermes, "although…I wonder if that loyalty might have been misplaced."
"Hmph!" Patty scoffed. "Trying to work on my sympathies, huh?"
"Get out of the way, Patty!" Sanji barked as he kicked the loudmouth cook out of his way, holding a bowl of rice and a bottle of grog, then walked over to Gin and Don Krieg. "Here you go, Gin. Give this to your captain."
"S-Sanji...!" Gin whispered before bowing his head. "Thanks!"
"Blessed be, sir!" Don Krieg exclaimed before shoving the food into his mouth.
"Fed him?!" Ares questioned. "Even though he was the enemy?"
"Very foolish, cook," Dionysus said.
"Say what you will," Hestia began, "but come what may, it is a cook's duty to feed the hungry…even if you get stabbed in the back, later. proudest of this attitude. I just hope I can taste their dishes".
Zeus looked at his sister in amazement and smiled proudly.
"Well said"
"Sanji!" Patty yelled. "Have you lost your mind?! Take that food away from him! Don't you know who he is?! That's 'foul play' Don Krieg, the tyrant of the East Blue! Started in prison, then lied on his way to a cargo ship the Navy, where he killed the officers and took over! It's full of all sorts of rotten tricks, like flying a Navy flag when you enter the harbor and then shooting into town, or a white flag to make you think. he's giving up before he goes in for the kill! He's known far and wide for his legendary duplicity! He may say he'll let us go, but there's no way we can trust him! That two-faced bastard is better off dead!"
As if to prove his point... Don Krieg knocked Sanji to the ground with a hay swing.
"SANJI!" Luffy and Gin yelled as Don Krieg smirked.
"Mr. Krieg!" Gin yelled. "How could you?! You said that as long as he brought you here, you wouldn't hurt anyone! This man saved our lives- ACK!" He was soon silenced as Krieg grabbed him by the shoulder and squeezed hard... threatening to crush him.
"That food was pretty good," said Don Krieg. "I can already feel my strength returning."
"Gin!" Luffy yelled while Sanji smiled with a bloody lip.
"So that's how it is, huh?" he asked.
"Not a bad boat," said Don Krieg. "I think I'll take it!"
"Why am I not surprised?" Demeter asked. "I knew there was something wrong with that asshole."
"He fed him, but he still chose to fight you?!" he wanted to know the god of thieves.
"Some guys are ungrateful," Percy said, nonchalantly.
"What an awful thing to do!" Artemis yelled.
However, the one who was taking it the worst was Zeus. While on the outside he was calm, those who knew him knew it was only a matter of time before he exploded. It was not for less; after all, he was the God of Hospitality, and, although he would not openly admit it, he was impressed by the cook's charity, leading to him being kicked out for feeding a criminal. And even Hestia was very pleased with Sanji. However, Junior interrupted his thoughts when he said:
"Oh, chill. This is about to get good. Just watch."
By now, the gods and their children were keeping watch outside the Baratie... but, for some reason, Don Krieg's galleon had been split in half, somehow.
"What happened here?" Groover asked, sweating nervously.
"Well… Zeff and Sanji fed Don Krieg's crew," Junior said.
"What?! Why did you do such a foolish thing?!" Hera demanded.
Junior ignored her. "After that, they were ready to start a fight, again. The cooks were ready to turn on me, but then the old man asked them if they had ever been hungry before...and if they were going to keep complaining about it, so they might as well. Instead, they chose to stay…now that's true loyalty to you."
"...Loyalty, huh?..." Annabeth muttered.
"Hey princess, do me a favor," Clarisse asked. "Stop the fucking sack. It doesn't look good on you. Besides, Prissy will be upset to see you like this."
"...Since when do you care about Seaweed Brain?" Athena's daughter asked.
"For your information, I don't," Clarisse replied sulkily. "I don't want you two to start sounding pathetic. You're not the only ones who abandoned loved ones."
Annabeth knew perfectly well what her friend was referring to; Luke Castellan's betrayal, the war against the titans, and above all, what she and Percy suffered in Tartarus.
"...You're right," Annabeth said. "...I'm sorry."
"Hey, don't worry about it, princess. Just don't you dare say anything to him, or else..." Clarisse replied, tapping her on the shoulder with a smile, encouraging her friend.
At that moment, Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp were standing at the stern of the Baratie, where they saw Johnny and Yosaku swimming towards them... and yet neither Going Merry nor Nami was in sight.
"Johnny! Yosaku!" Zoro cried as he brought them aboard. "What happened?! Are you two okay?!"
"What happened to the Merry?!" Usopp asked. "And where is Nami?!"
"That's the thing!" Johnny answered. "He kicked us off the ship and stole it, along with all the treasure!"
"SHE WHAT?!" Luffy and Zoro questioned.
"SHE STOLE THE MERRY?!" Usopp asked in disbelief.
"She stole her ship?!" Amphetite asked, causing Hermes to look down.
"N-now, wait for a second!" Aphrodite wept. "Surely she had her reasons! I mean, she doesn't seem like the cruel thief type! No offense, Hermes."
"Don't worry... I understand", replied the god of thieves, a little disappointed. "I just thought that, well, she would stay with them, but it seems that greed got the best of her."
"...My son, I thought you would know why," Zeus said, surprising everyone. "I'm sure you didn't mean to. I thought as the God of Thieves, you would know when a mortal steals for pleasure and when he does it out of necessity."
"Father, do you mean that she...?"
"Of course not," replied Poseidon, "but…I don't think she had much of a choice."
The King of the Gods turned to Junior, who had an enigmatic look, while Poseidon and Amphitrite do the same.
"It has to do with that wanted card, right?" Zeus asked. "The one with the blue face and put...".
"...Arlong...Yes, that's right." Junior muttered in defeat, not smiling instead, he had anger in his eyes.
"I see. So this Arlong has business with that mortal... And you said it affected my brother's kingdom?"
"More than you think."
The sea gods feel rage in their hearts, unable to fully understand these feelings. However, they did know that something incredibly terrible had happened between the sea and the mortals. And it was his duty to fix it.
"Expect!" Luffy exclaimed as he pointed to the horizon, where he could make out the waning form of the Going Merry. "There's the Merry! Right there!" He then looked at Johnny and Yosaku. "Hey, where's your ship?"
"It's still anchored, close!" Johnny answered.
"Zoro! Usopp!" Luffy called. "You have to go after Nami!"
"Are you kidding me?" Zoro asked. "Forget it. Why should we go after the traitor?"
"What about the Merry?!" Usopp questioned. "Kaya gave it to us, you know?"
"No way!" Luffy yelled. "I made my decision, a long time ago... Nami is supposed to be MY navigator! I won't settle for anyone else!"
"...You know...I don't think he wants her just because he was her friend," Athena said. "I think she recognized his abilities... she wanted the best sailor there was, and for him, that was Nami."
"Mother...!" Annabeth whispered as tears welled up in her eyes. "I can not believe it...!"
"Well, someone said she was cold and calculating, so…" she said as she looked at Percy, who shook his head, a little flustered.
A pause... but then Zoro sighed.
"Damn it," he cursed. "Well, you win! What an annoying captain..."
"Come on, Usopp!" Zoro called. "Let's move!"
"Right!" Usopp exclaimed before looking at Luffy. "W-wait, Luffy, what about you? Aren't you coming?!"
"I can't," Luffy replied. "The Baratie is in trouble."
"Well…just be careful," Zoro said. "Looks like things are about to go to hell in a handbasket."
"Yeah, I know," Luffy nodded.
"LOOK! IT'S HIM! DON KRIEG, HE'S THE DEMON THAT WAS AND SANK ALL OUR SHIPS!"
All the gods and their children looked up, while Junior smiled again.
"Well, it seems that the star has arrived."
...And they gasped at the sight of a shadowy figure, sailing in what looked like a coffin with candles that had an ominous green flame. The very sight made the blood of the most fearful members of the demigods run cold… even some of the gods. Zoro seemed especially surprised to see the ship, while the god of war looked interested.
He was a man with a short beard and sideburns, he is 198 cm tall. He wears ornate black and red clothing, with a crucifix-shaped pendant, which hides a small dagger, giving him the appearance of a Spanish swordsman. His clothing consists of a wide-brimmed hat adorned with a large feather, and a long, black, open coat with red, flower-patterned sleeves and a necklace. Behind him he carried a large sword (which immediately attracted Hephaestus's attention) it has a curved black blade and is also shaped like a crucifix, with a gold hand guard decorated with blue and green balls and a bandage fist, with a particularly large bead on its extremity. Also, he wears purple pants held up by a decorated belt and tucked into boots that are large compared to his leg size.
As the shadows fled... it was soon revealed that he was none other than Dracule 'Hawk Eye' Mihawk.
"Is... is he...!" Zoro whispered. "Hawk-Eye...!"
"The boy you are looking for?" Luffy asked.
"...He...he's scary...!" Tyson groaned.
"I'll say!" Thalia exclaimed. "He looks like a vampire! Or worse, one of the Furies!"
Percy looked between shocked and terrified when his eyes locked on Hawk Eye's. They were the same as Alecto's when she first attacked him. Instinctively, he pulled Anaklusmos out, fearful. What surprised him was that his friends did the same, even though no one could see or hear them, except for Luffy.
"Anyone else scared of that guy?" Clarisse whispered, pale.
"...So that Dracule Mihawk," Hestia said. "One of the Shichibukai and the best swordsman in the world."
"Well, you have to admit she knows how to make an entrance," Aphrodite began, with a slight feeling of discomfort, but it quickly passed. "And besides, he has style. Look at the look of the ancient Spanish swordsmen!" She closed her eyes, with a smile. "It's not bad at all".
"Do not you see?" Artemis asked. "He is a hunter, looking for a prey worthy of him, something I can respect"
"...You mean...?" Apollo asked.
"...Yes, he is a man not to be underestimated," the goddess agreed.
"Hey, Hawkeye!" yelled one of Krieg's reinvigorated men. "Why the hell do you keep tormenting us?!"
"...To my amusement," Mihawk said casually in a calm voice.
"FUN?!" the Krieg Pirates yelled before one of them tried to shoot him…only for the Shichibukai to deflect the bullets with just a flick of his huge sword.
"I got lost?!" the pirate questioned in shock.
"Unbelievable... What an elegant technique!" Ares commented, impressed. "Not even the best warriors in our world are capable of such a thing!"
"And the precision..." continues Athena. "He knew exactly where the bullets would go. There is no doubt that he knows what he is doing."
No," Zoro said. "Shooting him is just pointless. He just deflected the bullets, that's all."
"Wait, Zoro!" Luffy called. "It was assumed that..."
Then he stopped as a look of remembrance appeared on his face.
Luffy's face paled as he stepped back, letting Zoro walk over to Mihawk.
"...He remembered your vow," Demeter said. "That's why he hasn't stopped you."
"... Believe me, I wish he had," Junior replied.
"H-hey!" yelled one of the Krieg pirates. "Who the hell are you supposed to be?!"
"He's never seen such subtle swordsmanship," Zoro said, ignoring the pirate.
"No niceties," Mihawk said as he sheathed his sword, "then a sword is nothing more than a bar of iron."
"Did you split this entire galleon with just your sword?" Zoro asked.
"Indeed," Mihawk agreed.
"...I see," Zoro smiled. "Then you are the best."
"That's right, he's the best. Although, the damage he did to that ship seems unreal." Ares and Athena thought at the same time.
"Hey wait...!" one of the Krieg Pirates whispered. "He has three swords...could this guy be...the pirate hunter?"
"I went out to sea, just to find you!" Zoro declared.
"And why is that?" Mihawk asked.
"Heh!" Zoro smiled as he tied the scarf around his head. "To become the best. If you are looking for fun... then he fights me."
Hearing that made the Krieg Pirates scream in fear.
"IT'S HIM! IT'S RORONOA ZORO!"
"The pirate hunter?" Don Krieg asked.
"That guy is him?" Sanji asked.
"Zoro, what are you doing?" Usopp questioned. "We have to go after Nami, remember?"
"Big brother..." Yosaku whispered worriedly while Luffy remained silent.
"...He was upset about it," Thalia said, her arms crossed.
"Sorry, Luffy...!" Artemis whispered and moved closer to him, trying to calm him down.
"...What a pathetic wimp," Mihawk said as he rose from his boat and climbed aboard the wreckage of Krieg's galleon. "If you truly are a proficient swordsman, you don't need to cross swords to know that I far surpass your lesser skills. Does your courage to point your sword at me come from the trust? Or perhaps... ignorance?"
"It comes from ambition," Zoro answered last as he put Wado Ichimonji in his mouth, "and a promise to an old friend."
The tension could be cut with a knife... the demigods stood, watching the scene unfold while the gods moved to watch the duel. Zoro looked at Mihawk with his swords brandishing. The Krieg Pirates did not dare to interfere for fear of being cut down by Mihawk's sword, while Luffy, Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku stood on the other side, watching intently.
"We met at last," Zoro began, "earlier than he thought, too."
"...How useless," Mihawk said.
"I do not think so...!" Patty said nervously. "World's greatest swordsman and pirate hunter Zoro, about to duel, here?!"
"This will be a piece of cake!" Johnny exclaimed.
"Yes! No one can beat Big Bro Zoro in a sword duel!" Yosaku agreed while Luffy remained silent.
'...Luffy is really tense,' Artemis thought. 'His face doesn't show it, but he's very nervous about this.'
"...Could it be that the boy felt that Mihawk might have been stronger than Roronoa, all along?" Dionysus asked. "Honestly, I doubt I'll make it... But there's more than meets the eye."
That's when Mihawk pulled... his pocket knife from him.
"A dagger?" Hera asked. "You are kidding, right?"
"Just watch, mother," Ares said.
"What the hell is that for?" Zoro glared at him.
"I'm not the kind of idiot who would go around shooting rabbits out of a cannon," Mihawk said. "You may have a reputation here in the East Blue, but you're still just an annoying vermin."
"What did you say?!" Zoro questioned.
"The Red Line and the Grand Line divide the world's seas into four parts," Mihawk explained. "Of the four, the East Blue is the weakest. I'm sorry to say this, but this is the smallest dagger I have."
Anger stirred within Clarisse and even Thalia, doing her best not to get angry, but to no avail. "Okay, fucking kill him, Zoro! That's just insulting!"
"That's right, finish him off! It doesn't matter if he's the best in the world, he's laughing at you!"
"But there's no way for Zoro to become the world's greatest swordsman right now," Tyson muttered, sweating nervously.
"...If I were you," Zoro began, "I'd watch for that bravery, mate. Otherwise, you'll look really stupid when I kill you."
At that, he charged at Mihawk, preparing to use his signature move.
"Look at you," Mihawk said. "You're just a little frog, croaking in your little puddle. I think it's time you learned how big the sea is!"
"Oni...GIRI!" Zoro yelled further as he tried to deploy his attack… only for Mihawk to stop him with just his dagger. "Wh... what?!"
"Fuck... No way... No way! He can't be able to do that!" Clarisse gaped at the screen, listening to the gasps of surprise from the others. Against her will, her mind reminded him of her first solo mission in search of the Golden Fleece and the disaster she had become. Thalia was also surprised, Milhawk's ability far surpassed Zoro's. She couldn't help but compare him to Odysseus, Achilles, and even Athena.
"Is he really that strong?"
"That should be impossible!"
"He is the strongest in the world for a reason." Annabeth exhaled, impressed with Mihawk's skill.
Zoro tensed up...but didn't back down. He let out a roar of fury as he tried to slash at Mihawk, but the warlord kept slashing at his blades with his tiny knife. No matter how many times he tried, Mihawk kept blocking his attacks.
For most of the gods, this almost seemed too much to swallow. Right now, the Zoro they were witnessing was nothing like the Zoro they knew. His movements were clumsy and erratic, not balanced and fluid as they normally were. He was letting frustration and the need to win get the better of him…and it would soon cloud his judgment. And worse yet… they knew Luffy wanted to step in and help, but he forced himself not to.
However, two divinities were completely engrossed in this one-sided fight. Ares was surprised by the skill and strength of the swordsman; you could tell that he had been in a thousand battles and had won them all and, at the same time, he was disappointed in Zoro even though he wasn't surprised. Zoro had greatly underestimated his opponent. Athena, for her part, was annoyed by Milhawk's analytical personality. Her experience had led her to further develop his sense of sight and, somehow, to be able to foresee the exact point where Zoro's swords crossed when he made his move. And there it was: moving his knife so precisely that with just one movement, he deflected Roronoa's attacks. It was amazing, even for a god.
"What drives you?" Mihawk asked. "Why do you try so hard, knowing you can't win? You're a weakling."
"TAKE THAT OFF, FOXEYE!" Yosaku yelled as he and Johnny prepared to jump and attack him.
"BECAUSE OF YOU!" Johnny yelled. "I'LL TEACH YOU NOT TO OUTRIDE BIG BROTHER ZORO!"
"WAIT!" Luffy yelled as he grabbed them by the back of his coats. "STOP HIM! JOHNNY, YOSAKU, STAY AWAY FROM THIS!" He soon pinned them both to the deck of his boat. "I know it's hard, but you have to stay calm!"
Artemis and the demigods felt their hearts sink to see Luffy so distraught.
"Damn, I wish Luffy didn't have to be so honorable for once!" Grover cursed.
"He knows that Zoro is about to be killed, but he can't do anything about it!" Percy yelled. "Luffy, start acting like a pirate, and stop him before he kills him!"
Soon, Zoro slid back as Mihawk pushed him away…but even then, he refused to give up. He soon raised his swords behind his back.
"Tiger... HUNT!" he yelled as he tried to take down Mihawk…only to be stabbed in the chest.
"BIG BROTHER ZORO!" Johnny and Yosaku yelled as Luffy tensed up.
"AAAAAAAH!" Hestia shrieked. "RORONA!"
Guuuh...!" Further on, Zoro choked as blood spilled from the wound.
Screams of horror run through the place, although no one could hear them.
"He is dead!"
"OMG!"
"Holy shit!"
"This can not be happening!"
"He can't die anymore!"
"No no no!"
"Please don't let him die!"
Above the panicked demigods, the divinities stared wide-eyed at the scene until Artemis could notice something.
"Wait, Zoro is alive. Mihawk just stabbed him over his heart."
That only calmed a couple of the teens. Annabeth and Tyson were still crying, trying to dry their tears, trying to calm down.
"He's…he's alive." Clarisse slowly let out deep breaths, pretending she wasn't crying earlier.
"Do you want me to stab your heart?" Mihawk asked. "Why don't you retire?"
"I... I can't...!" Zoro coughed. "If I give up... if I take even one step back... my vote... my ambition... everything that ever mattered to me will be shattered... and my dream will be lost forever."
"...Yes," Mihawk said. "That's defeat, I'm afraid."
"Heh…that means I can't leave," Zoro said, even as blood dripped from his mouth.
"Even if it means death?" Mihawk asked.
"...I'd rather die than be defeated," Zoro said in defiance.
"...Luffy can't take much more of this," Aphrodite said. "And to be honest, I can't either!"
"...Boy," Mihawk said as he pulled his knife out of Zoro's chest, "tell me...what's your name?"
"...Roronoa Zoro!" Zoro said as he held the swords from him, again.
(The very, very, very strongest - One Piece OST)
"I'll remember," Mihawk said as he finally reached for his sword. "It's been quite some time since I met one with such courage. I will honor the swordsman's code... and send you to your death with this black blade of mine... the best in the world."
Seeing that sword caused the Krieg Pirates to flee in terror, knowing that it was the same sword that destroyed their fleet. Beyond Zoro, however, he wasn't afraid…as he began to twirl his swords in his hands. However, Hephaestus was amazed.
"Very long ornate blade with a total length of at least seven feet, jet black, the differential line of the temper and the groove of the blade is double-toothed... There is no doubt that it is a blade worthy of me. Who made this sword, he knew what he was doing."
"DIE, BOY!" Mihawk screamed as he lunged at him.
"Big brother, it's not worth it!" Johnny yelled. "GET OUT OF THERE!"
"Dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge...!" Luffy whispered.
"Three Sword Style, Secret Technique!" Zoro exclaimed from the past. "3,000 WORLDS!"
As the two swordsmen swung their swords…blood gushed from Zoro's wound as Mihawk's sword struck…and shattered the two swords in the green-haired swordsman's hands.
"...My Zeus...!" Hera whispered. "Do not tell me...!"
"...It's over..." Themis whispered with great regret.
"No, this isn't over yet." Junior smiled again.
It was then that Zoro turned to look at Mihawk, who was preparing to finish him off.
"What are you doing?" Mihawk asked.
"...Back wounds," Zoro began, "are a swordsman's greatest shame."
"...Hmph," Mihawk smiled. "Gorgeous."
OBLIQUE BAR! With a single swing of his mighty sword…Mihawk slashed Zoro right in the chest…a geyser of blood immediately gushed forth.
"ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Luffy yelled in horror.
To be continued...