Coby leaned on the railing, getting the sea winds breeze onto his face. He held a hand to his hair to stop them from getting into his eyes, a wide smile into his face. 'Was this what sencho meant by being free? I never felt such joy when I was on Alvida's ship!', he thought glancing back to Usopp who was suggesting to create their Jolly Roger.
Coby chuckled the way Luffy's eyes shined, a snort erupting from Nami too. Zoro shook his with a smile as Usopp chided Luffy was his artistic catastrophe of a Jolly Roger.
"Luffy that skull looks like its more dead than possible!", Usopp chided as he took the piece of cloth and drew the same thing as Luffy but much more neatly. Zoro was craned his neck to see what their Jolly Roger would look. He smirked when Usopp finished his coloring, the skull with crossbones and a straw hat adorning its head. A nod of approval was passed through all of the ship's crew, including Nami.
"I knew you were amazing Usopp!", Luffy exclaimed as he wrapped a hug around his long-nosed sniper. The said teen puffed his chest out at the praise muttering about being a Captain of a grand fleet once. Zoro let a snort out at Usopp outlandish lies. A few minutes later he helped Coby, Luffy and Usopp change the sails after they painted the Jolly Roger on the spare sail of the Going Merry.
Coby had been astonished to know that the gift from Kaya was actually a ship, one which had been made by her servant Merry and for her. And Coby had to admit, the ship was giving more feeling of a home than Alvida's ship ever had. 'No, it was essentially a prison and not a home', Coby had thought to himself as he had boarded the Going Merry and set sail with the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Usopp and Luffy looked proudly as the sail tightened against the mast beams, giving the ship a constant push towards its destination. Coby nodded, feeling that the Jolly Roger was in its right place. He had himself changed the flag on top of the ship before changing the sails. He looked back at Luffy who had turned to Usopp with a small grin, before it changed to a bunch of expressions which Coby couldn't exactly place.
"Hey Usopp, can you draw on this bandana too?", Luffy asked quietly as he patted the cloth around his neck. Usopp furrowed his brows not understanding why had suddenly asked such a question in a small voice. He shrugged.
"Sure", Usopp responded turning around to get his paint box. He didn't watch as Luffy slowly loosened his bandana, and he didn't the silent gasps from the rest of the crew. But, he did freeze in his place after turning back and spotting the long scar on his Captain's neck. 'If the scar itself is this big, how large was the original injury?!', Usopp asked himself in horror.
Zoro clenched his hand tightly, seeing the scar. 'What have you been through Luffy? The scars on your back are nothing compared to this!', Zoro thought, and silently promised a hundred times pain to the person responsible.
Nami's and Coby's eyes widened in shock, unable to form any coherent thoughts. Luffy tried to himself as small as possible at the attention on his neck, the action sitting entirely wrong with Nami. This was the exuberant, endless source of energy, and him trying to make him small just wasn't right!
"Um...uh... It's fine guys. This happened a long time ago! You don't have to worry!", Luffy said with fake cheeriness, knowing that it wasn't help him lie. Luffy did see the spark of anger in Zoro's eyes, and the pure murderous intent in Coby's (He hadn't expected that!). Zoro closed his eye sand let out a sigh.
"Your past is your own tale to tell. But if I ever find the bastard who hurt you, I am going to gut him", Zoro announced as he turned around and grabbed Coby by the back of his collar. The teen gave an indignant squawk. "We are starting with your sword training. And you will help me chop the guy who did this".
'Sorry Zoro, but you can't do that. That would be declaring war against the World Government, not that we already have by becoming pirates, but still...', Luffy thought as he turned to Usopp. The teen nodded quickly and took his eyes off the scar and got to work, while Nami hastily went to the helm, to check if the ship was still on course. 'And thank you Zoro!'.
A few minutes later, Luffy tied his bandana back on his neck, giving Usopp a grateful nod. He glanced around as Nami was watching the clouds while Zoro was instructing Coby on sword stances.
Somewhere in the New World
The flagship of the Whitebeard Pirates, Moby Dick
Namur was instantly at his feet when Ace shifted in his sleep. With his Observation Haki he could tell that everybody who knew about Ace's current situation, had sensed the man shifting. His lips twitched up a bit when Marco came in barreling, Izou not following him long after. Thatch soon join in the party the same way, his girlfriend not far behind.
Marco watched on edge as Ace slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes. They knew their objective. If Ace ever went delirious again, knock him out. Pops orders. He could feel Jozu just outside the cabin, waiting calmly for the situation to playout. A small yawn, before Ace registered the five people in his room.
"What's going on?", Ace mumbled, sleepiness not entirely gone. "Where Teach?!", he asked suddenly, snapping his head around in alarm.
"He is nowhere near the Moby Dick, Ace. And Pops will bury him if he comes near us ever again", Marco responded with a shrug as Thatch nodded in assurance.
"Then how are we back on Moby Dick? What happened?", the Second Division Commander asked perplexed.
"You don't remember?", Cressida asked as Ace furrowed his brows at the woman before shaking his head.
"I remember Marco sending Teach flying away, meeting up with Rayleigh, and then...", he trailed off as he slowly remembered the conversation. He slumped back in his bed, tears running down his cheeks. "He really went through all of that, didn't he?", Ace asked in a whispered. "I-", he was cut off when Marco walked over and hugged him tightly.
"I don't know what you are feeling right now, nor I know what exactly happened. I know I would be angry if that happened to any of us. It's okay to cry, Ace. Nobody's gonna blame you", Marco said softly as he felt tears soak his shirt.
"He was there five years, Marco. He thought I was just some imposter when he return", Ace cried. "It hurt when he begged that he would anything if I didn't send him back", Marco felt tears build up at that. "It hurt to see that little ball of energy barely alive when I met him again! H-He thought I-I would punish badly him i-if he m-messed up! He thought I would hurt him if he ate and drank more, Marco! All while I was living happily!", Ace cried, the others feeling the anger directed at himself.
"There was nothing you could have done Ace! You were a small kid!", Marco said quietly. He mentally calculated what would be Ace's brother's age when this happened. And he didn't like it a bit.
"Nobody's going to ever hurt him again", Izo spoke up as he hugged his two brothers. 'I know how you feel Ace! My sister is back in Wano, and possibly dead or living a horrible life for being Oden-sama's retainer'.
Namur smirked. "Your brother is our brother too, Ace".
"We will show why we are the Whitebeard Pirates", Jozu remarked from the door way with a wide grin.
Coby nodded to himself, as he added a few herbs to the soup. 'But how in the world did they get shipwrecked in open sea?', Coby thought as he stirred the soup in the pot. He shifted his attention to the prone man in the room, and the other male fretting over him. They had picked the pair at sea when Luffy had sensed them with his Kenbunshoku(Observation) Haki. (Coby was rather glad that Luffy knew how to use Kenbunshoku Haki, else Usopp may may killed the pair).
Johnny and Yosaku were their names, and they knew Zoro. Coby had barely suppressed sniggers when Zoro had had announced to the duo that he was a pirate now. Coby cleared his throat to garner the attention of the only conscious person in the room. "He is going to be fine, Johnny-san. I have made this soup with herbs which have more Vitamin C", Coby remarked.
Johnny nodded at the teen's words, before pointing a shaking finger to the door way. "What does your Captain eat?!", he asked quietly making Coby chuckle.
Coby thought back to when Johnny, a pirate hunter and former partner of Zoro, had attacked the Going Merry after spotting the Jolly Roger. He had found himself humbled a seconds later when Ayamori rested in the crook of his neck. "Captain doesn't like when someone attacks us", Coby responded. Coby turned off the stove, the green color of the soup indicating that it was done. "The soup is done. If he drinks this for tonight too he will back to normal by tomorrow morning!".
Johnny muttered a thank you, before feeding his sick partner. Halfway through the bowl, and curiosity taking Johnny couldn't keep it to himself. "Coby, why did Zoro turn a pirate?", he asked perplexed. A small smile lifted Coby's lips.
"Zoro-sensei was about to be executed by Axe-Hand Morgan and his son in Shells Town. Luffy rescued him and asked him join his crew", Coby replied. Johnny nodded at the story. Johnny would never admit that Zoro was a bit whimsical, but the Captain had to have some quality to change Zoro from a bounty hunter to a pirate.
"So where are you heading to right now?", the bounty hunter asked as he set the empty bowl down.
"Well, Luffy wanted to get you guys healed quickly so he has changed course to Baratie", Coby answered. The man across him said nothing as he looked at his unconscious partner.
Johnny really didn't know what to think of the Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. He was about to be killed by the same man who is now hurrying to heal his partner. (But he knows one(two) thing(s). He will never forget the Straw Hat Captain's kindness.(He will do anything that makes him Straw Hat's enemies))
When they reach the sights of the famed Baratie restaurant two days later, Coby's gut knows things are about to go south. The pit in his stomach deepens when a ship with a freaking Marine sails and Navy flag starts moving towards them. He doesn't move from his position at the mast, while Luffy just blinks at the ship for a moment before going back to enjoying the breeze at Merry's figurehead.
"Aren't we going to do anything, Luffy-sencho?", Coby asks perplexed knowing that the Navy wouldn't just stand while a pirate ship passes by them. From the figurehead, Luffy shook his head.
"Even if we are pirates, I don't seek creating chaos everywhere I go", Luffy responded earning raised brows from everybody aboard the ship.
'Is he really different from the other pirates of the Great Pirate Era?', a thought rang through the minds a few people.
Following the Captain orders, they did nothing as the ship approached them. From a distance they had spotted their occupants, a few petty Marine officers and an officer. Coby and Zoro closed their eyes, trying to concentrate and sense if there were more marines below deck. They knew they nowhere near as proficient in Kenbunshoku Haki as their Captain, but lately in their training sessions, they couldn't put a hand on it but if Luffy was swing at them, they were feeling some kind of spark. (They still finished all sessions without dodging a single blow).
Zoro gripped his swords as the Marine ship pulled up beside them, their greeting party being the sole officer on the ship. "What are those lowly bounty hunters doing with a group of pirates?!", he said pointing to the forms of Yosaku and Johnny. Coby on the other rose brows at the fresh bruise on the man's face, wondering how in the world had the man received it in a restaurant at all places. "First that cook attacked me and now these lowly pirates think they can take on a Lieutenant by themselves!".
Luffy paid no mind to the insult, his face brightening up at the fact that a cook there had giving such a bruising. "I can't wait to meet that cook! He must be quite strong to beat a Lieutenant!", Luffy exclaimed, everybody on the Going Merry looking at him in horror.
'Don't rub salt in his wounds, you dumb idiot!'
The said Lieutenant grind his teeth in frustration at the insult. He gripped the railing of his ship, hard enough for a few cracks to appear in the woods. "Sink that damned pirate ship!", he ordered the Marines, his subordinates scurrying to follow the order. "Show them what happens when they anger Lieutenant Fullbody!", he grounded out.
Not even a few moments later, and before Usopp could reach the Going Merry cannons, two cannonballs were shot towards Going Merry. Two sets of eyes narrowed in anger, the sounds of iron cutting through iron reaching the ears of everybody present not a moment later. Explosions went of behind the Going Merry, while everybody else tried to comprehend what was happening.
Coby sighed knowing what exactly had happened. His overzealous Captain and First Mate had cut the cannonballs in two with their swords. And also invited their anger. "You guys show off too much", he mumbled under his breath and shook his head in exasperation. He turned his head to watch Usopp load the cannon and fire it point blank. The Marine ship didn't have the liberty to have a Luffy or Zoro on their ship. Coby covered his eyes as the explosion ripped a hole in the Marine ship's side, creating an opening for sea water to rush in. Coby shook his head hearing the Lieutenant rant about how they were just lucky and he would take them down the next time he met them.
'Why is another moron of a marine turning my new neutral outlook towards the Marine into dislike?!'
Going Merry continued to sail towards Baratie, not showing any more aggressiveness towards the nearly-sunk ship. Johnny and Yosaku were still in shock at the display of casual power Zoro and Luffy had shown. Seeing around, the duo noted that only Usopp shared their expression, while Nami and Coby were going on as if it was extremely normal.
Luffy smiled as the Going Merry docked to the Baratie, the flurry of smells from the kitchen overpowering the smell of sea water. His mouth watered, his stomach growling in agreement. As they ordered a few items to eat themselves, and a few selective items for Yosaku, Coby noted something disturbing. Luffy never ate on Going Merry or their previous boat as much as he was eating now or while they were on land.
Coby rose a brow at the chef who was swooning over Nami as soon as they entered the restaurant. It seemed that even Zoro was perplexed and a bit amused. They continued eating, paying no attention to the blonde chef. And the pair did come to know that Luffy could eat more than what basic human biology suggested.
The moment Coby had been expecting did come when the blonde chef brought their bill. "This is your bill, and the lady's here bill has been deducted~! It's on the house for a beauty like her~!", the chef remarked.
"DON'T GO MAKING DECESIONS LIKE YOU OWN THIS RESTAURANT, SANJI! YOU DAMN BRAT!", a voice rang through the entire Baratie, the waiters cringing at the volume. The blonde chef, Sanji, lowered his cigarette from his mouth releasing a puff of smoke.
"Tch! That damn old geezer!", Sanji murmured, turning his head to the seat-rocking Luffy and raising a brow at the restaurant.
"Join my crew, Sanji! You're an amazing chef!"
Three collective sighs and snorts escaped from the table's occupants. "I was wondering when that was coming!", Nami murmured with a small smile, Zoro and Coby nodding in agreement. Sanji's curly brows shot up in shock.
"No", was the curt answer, earning a whine from Luffy.
"Why?!", Luffy whined earning a sigh from Nami and Coby.
Zoro smirked. "So you're the new crew member?", he asked making Sanji scowl.
"I didn't agree to join the crew, you third-rate swordsman!", the blonde retorted, earning a popped forehead vein from Zoro.
"What the hell did you say?!", Zoro threatened as his hands dropped to the hilt of his swords.
Coby gave a pat to Sanji shoulder in sympathy. "I don't need your sympathy!", Sanji snapped at the pink-haired teen. The said teen chuckled softly.
"You're going to need it, Sanji-san", Coby said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "You don't know how persistent our Captain is! Trust me when I say you're going to leave for Grand Line with us when we leave!"
The next day was uneventful, in Coby's opinion, until afternoon. Too many things happened one after the other in quick succession, much faster than his poor brain could hope to comprehend.
Coby had been playing cards with the Straw Hat crew, along with Nami, Yosaku and Johnny. A sigh escaped his mouth seeing Nami win another round of Blackjack. Luffy on the other hand groaned, not having won a single round till then.
"I am going to eat!", Luffy suddenly announced as he stood up. The sentiment was confirmed after Luffy's stomach growled, with growls following from Zoro and Coby. The other four looked amongst themselves before shrugging. Not a few moments later, the group of seven was making way towards the restaurant form their docked boat.
Coby had spotted a ship making way towards Baratie just before he entered the restaurant. He didn't think much of it, after all Baratie was out in open sea. And so the lunch had gone the same way as the previous, the blonde cook swooning the entire time over Nami. Coby shook his head and continued to eat his food, not paying their temporary navigator any attention. Coby's gut knew that the woman was scheming something. And he intended to put a stop to it before it caused any problems for their Captain or the Straw Hat crew.
Coby jumped when the door opened, and he spotted a man whom Coby didn't really want to see. Why was it that such huge bounty holders were coming into his life one after the other? Lo and behold, Don Krieg! The third Captain he has met since joining the Straw Hats pirates.
Coby was seriously scared when the man beside Krieg answered that they had been to the Grand Line, and all of the fifty ships under Krieg had been wiped out except the one on which they managed to escape. The man, Gin, spoke about how a single man had wiped their entire fleet out.
And Coby's worry grew even more at that. If someone as powerful as Don Krieg couldn't last a week on the Grand Line, how were they going to manage? He turned his head to Luffy, who was eating blissfully unaware of the huge name in the room.
"We know you Krieg! You will just attack us after we give you food!", a chef yelled in anger. Sanji just released some smoke, before turning to the pirate pair.
"Fine, I will give you food for you and your crew. But it won't end good for you if you attack us later", he warned turning to go to the kitchen. He stopped in his tracks when the owner of the restaurant, Zeff, plopped down a huge bag and pointed to Krieg.
"This has food for all your hundred men! Take it and leave! Even if you are a notorious pirate, no one deserves to starve!", Zeff announced as Krieg barely lifted up his head and gave a single nod.
"You're a great person, old man!", Luffy murmured between bites of food earning a raised brow from everyone else. Nobody knew why Luffy had said that. neither they knew how to reply. "Beside if he attacks this place I will just kick his behind!", the teen added ignoring the horrified gasps from everybody present. Gin gave a bewildered stare at the teen, before turning to Sanji and giving him a questioning stare. The blonde cook just shrugged.
Coby watched with growing anticipation as Krieg ate food at an unbelievable rate. He knew how notorious Krieg was. He knew the danger the man posed to everybody present there. (He missed Nami quietly making her escape from the situation).
"Thank for your kindness and the meal", Krieg remarked as he finished his food. Coby gulped as Gin took the bag from Zeff, both turning to return to their ship. That was when the bad series of events really began.
Krieg smashed a table as he suddenly turned around, the table flying towards Sanji and Zeff. The table broke in two when Sanji kicked the table to protect himself and the man behind him.
"I am going to make this ship into one of my pirate ships! Though it was shocking to see the Zeff the Red Leg alive and living his life as a cook. It is said that you entered and left the Grand Line without suffering loses! I am going to take your record book and become the King of Pirates", Krieg laughed madly as he said that. Coby turned to Luffy, who had now stopped eating and was glaring at Krieg.
"I will like to see you try, Krieg", Zeff responded as he turned around to go back to the kitchen.
"How long do you think twelve chefs can stand against my hundred men?!", Krieg challenged as he and Gin exited the restaurant and went to their own ship. Sanji gave a sigh before turning to one of the cooks.
"Open the paddles. The old man will bite our heads off if we fight inside", he remarked. The remaining four occupants of the table exchanged a glance and shrugged.
"I think Krieg's fleet was decimated by Mihawk. The description did match his", Zoro remarked before eyeing the three empty seats. He had asked his former bounty hunting partners to keep an eye on Nami. He sure as hell didn't trust the woman. He hoped that the duo would stop Nami from doing something rash. "What are we going to do now?", he asked turning to his Captain.
"We can't let Krieg attack the restaurant", Luffy responded holding up a finger. "And second, Krieg attacked my cook", he added causing a vein to pop in Sanji's head.
"I haven't joined your crew!", Sanji exclaimed in annoyance, the feeling increasing as Luffy ignored him. "Are you listening to me?!"
Usopp whimpered hearing that they were going to fight Krieg. "Luffy is it necessary to actually fight Krieg?", he asked in a small voice earning a confused stare from Luffy and a shrug. he didn't say anything as Luffy and Zoro exited the restaurant, Coby following them.
Usopp watched with fear and anticipation as the ship with Krieg's Jolly Roger closed on the Baratie, its crew ready with weapons. He turned to see Zoro unsheathing his three swords, Luffy's own hand being on the hilt of Amayori. Usopp readied himself pulling out his slingshot, Coby doing the same as he held his two wooden training swords in a Two-Sword Style stance.
Usopp knew he would be the one to start the show. He was a sniper. Loading an explosive shot, he pulled the string back, aiming it at the bow. When he was about to release the projectile, he was stopped by Luffy who had snapped his head to the right, eyeing something in the distance. He turned around to see the Going Merry sailing off in the distance.
"What the hell?", Zoro murmured spotting the same thing. Coby relaxed a bit in confusion, before turning to Luffy. "Who is in the ship?", Coby asked knowing that the Going Merry was still in Luffy's range of Kenbunshoku Haki. His question was answered when a dripping wet Yosaku and Johnny scrambled upon the extended deck of the Baratie.
"We are sorry!", the duo chorused together. "Nami-aneki tricked us and stole the Going Merry". Zoro grinded his teeth, Coby showing the same sentiment narrowing his eyes.
"Zoro, Coby, Usopp, and you two! Follow her", Luffy ordered before giving a wide grin. "Nami is our navigator and our nakama!"
Before Coby could reply, he froze as Luffy drew Amayori and snapped his head in the direction of Krieg's ship. "Wha-?!", Zoro was shocked when Krieg's ship suddenly cut in two, before piecing into four.
"I don't think I could have done that", Luffy mumbled under his breath as a small boat showed up between the wreckage of Krieg's ship. Zoro's eyes widened in shock, spotting the man he aimed to beat. "I know what you're thinking Zoro", Luffy remarked in a low voice. "I won't stop you, but you can't beat him as you are now".
"Are you telling that I am weak?!", Zoro snarled in anger, Johnny and Yosaku giving a glare to the teen. Luffy shook his head.
"No. I am telling you that he is just that strong", Luffy responded before grinning widely. "You aren't allowed to die, Zoro! Now go!"
Zoro grinned ferally as the others followed him to the Baratie dock and get a ship. He acknowledged Sanji's presence who had come and stood beside him.
"Are you sure you alone are enough to deal with Krieg?", the blonde asked eyeing the happy-to-go teen, but was ignored as the said male gripped his sword tighter in anticipation of the oncoming duel.
"Its him again!"
"Did he follow us here from the Grand Line?!"
"What did we do that he is attacking us?!"
At the last comment, Mihawk turned to the man who had just spoken it. "I was bored when you showed up", was the flat reply, earning furious growls from the crew. Luffy sniggered at the words just as he spotted the ship containing his crew go face to face with Mihawk's. "Oh~! Do you also want to have a fight with me?", he asked calmly as Zoro walked forward to the bow of the small boat.
"I challenge you to a sword fight", Zoro announced causing Mihawk to raise his brows in interest. "I want to become the world's strongest swordsman by defeating you!", he proclaimed as he stepped out of the boat on a huge plank from Krieg's decimated ship. Mihawk followed the gesture, before patting his pockets as if he was searching something. Zoro narrowed his eyes as the man produced a butter knife from his necklace before pointing it towards Zoro. "What is that?"
Mihawk cocked his head sideways in confusion. "Its the small blade I have on me right now", the man replied with a shrug. Zoro said nothing as Luffy's words echoed in his mind.
'He is just that strong'
Zoro drew his three blades, holding Wado Ichimonji in the mouth taking a stance from Three Swords Style. The sight of Mihawk dropping his knees a bit was all the invitation his needed.
From the Baratie deck, Luffy watched as Mihawk parried Zoro's strongest attacks one after the other, or completely dodged them. 'He has used Oni Giri three times till now and Mihawk hasn't been even hit yet', Luffy thought as he clenched his sword even tighter.
"Why don't you give up, weak one?", Mihawk asked as Zoro backed away after being stabbed in the stomach with his knife. Coby restrained Johnny and Yosaku from interfering with the duel.
Zoro gave a weak grin as he raised his blade. "I made a promise to someone that I would surpass you and become the strongest!", Zoro responded. "If I back now, my pledges would have no meaning. I'll rather die than back away!"
Mihawk's lip twitched upwards at the words from the young swordsman. He put the butter knife back into the necklace. "State you name, kid!"
"Roronoa Zoro!"
"I haven't seen someone as strong as you in a while! I will honor this duel by ending it with the world's strongest black sword", Mihawk proclaimed as his drew his oversized sword.
Zoro dropped into the stance of his strongest technique, rotating two swords with his hands in circles. "Santōryū Ogi : Sanzen Sekai!", Zoro called out as Mihawk charged and clashed with him. Luffy narrowed his eyes at how swiftly and easily Mihawk was handling his huge sword. His knuckles turned white under the grip with which he had held onto Amayori. He knew about Mihawk and his moodiness. And he was ready to interfere if Mihawk crossed the line.
Zoro froze as he finished the attack, Mihawk zooming past him. His shock came in full force when two of his blades cracked and crumbled down, only Wado Ichimonji being the survivor of the onslaught. He turned to Mihawk and removed his remaining sword from the mouth, a stream of blood coming from the new wound. Turning around he held his arms wide.
"What are you-?!", Mihawk for the first time looked genuinely confused.
"Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame", Zoro remarked with a grin. Mihawk's eyes widened, before he gave a smile.
"Admirable!", he exclaimed before giving another diagonal slash on Zoro's upper body. Mihawk said in the same stance as his opponent fell into the sea below, worried cries coming from what Mihawk assumed was his crew.
The world's strongest swordsman froze as a vicious force slammed into his psyche, reminding him of a technique which was rare. 'A Conquerer here? In the weakest of the Four Seas?!... Well, Roger was from East Blue', Mihawk thought as he spun around holding his sword in an attacking stance. He smiled as he located the source of the Haki outburst, spotting a very familiar hat on the teen's head. 'Is he the one Red-Hair chose?'
The Krieg Pirates whimpered as they suddenly felt intimidated, a few of them passing out under the unknown pressure. The cooks were a little better off, looking around for the source of the pressure. Sanji stepped back from the teen beside him, an unknown force slamming into his body.
He didn't drop his guard as the teen jumped onto the huge plank and walked forward in his direction. "Are you the young swordsman's crewmate?", he asked as the teen across him gave a single nod. That was when he spotted a familiar sword on the teen. 'That is the Supreme Grade Blade Amayori! Even I couldn't wield her because she kept draining my Haki! Does that mean he can wield Amayori without getting killed by the continuous drain of Haki?! At that rate he has Haki to rival them!", Mihawk thought in shock. He knew things were about to get interesting. Very interesting. "I haven't killed him", he remarked as the teen nodded.
"I know. I am here to get his sword", Luffy replied pointing to the sword behind him. Mihawk glanced behind him, before stepping aside and putting his sword back on his back. He quietly watched as two men dived and brought Zoro to the surface, the teen quickly tossing the sword onto the boat.
"Its still too early for you to die! Learn about yourself! Learn about the world! Get stronger! I will hold the seat of the world's strongest no matter how many years it takes! Surpass me! Roronoa Zoro!", Mihawk proclaimed as he turned to the teen beside him.
"Are you swordsman too?", he asked turning to the teen beside him.
"No", Luffy gave the curt reply. Mihawk rose a brow but said nothing.
"What is your dream then, kid?"
"Shishishi! King of Pirates!", Luffy proclaimed with a grin. "And also defeating a certain someone", Luffy added earning confused stares from his crewmates.
"He is alive! Just unconscious, Luffy-sencho!", Coby called out as he turned away to get the medkit from the boat's cabin.
"L-Luffy!", Zoro called out straining himself. "I am sorry for worrying you! You need no less than the world's strongest swordsman right?! I promise I will never get defeated ever again! I will surpass him and become the world's strongest! Got any problem with that... King of Pirates?!"
"Shishishi! Nope!", Luffy responded. "You go ahead and follow Nami! I will meet up with you after getting Sanji to join us!"
"You are an interesting crew. I will waiting for you in the Grand Line!", Mihawk commented before turning in the direction of his boat.
"Weren't you here to kill me, Dracule Mihawk?", Krieg asked with a glare. Luffy sighed turning to face the infamous Captain, whereas Mihawk just glanced at him from the corner of his eye.
"I have had a lot of fun. I am going to return home and take some rest", Mihawk responded as he continued walking forward. Krieg gave a snarl before whipping out multiple gun from his body armor and firing them at the man. Luffy's eyes widened as Mihawk raised his blade, and jumped away from the plank knowing what was going to come next.
He stumbled beside Sanji, who was looking at the destruction created by a single swing in shock. He gulped before turning to the straw-hat wearing teen beside him. "What is wrong with you and your crew?!", he asked bewildered.
Luffy tilted his head sideways before grinning. "Shishishi! Defeating Mihawk is Zoro's dream! And if I die while on my path to become the King of Pirates, I have got no problems with that!", the teen replied. "By the way, we need to leave as soon as this fight get's over. Nami has left, and I have a worrying suspicion about what she wants".
"If the beautiful lady has left, I have a much lesser reason to join you!", Sanji retorted with a huff, before pausing. "Are you sure you are going to be fine? Krieg is possibly the strongest in the East Blue", he commented as the pirates placed themselves on the available planks and got ready to attack.
Sanji froze as a dark looked passed in Luffy's eyes. "I am sure I have battled more stronger opponents than him and taught by someone even stronger", Luffy responded. "I wouldn't be able to face Tou-chan if I get defeated by someone like Krieg!".
"You know he is known as 'Foul Play' Krieg for his underhanded methods", the blonde commented but was ignored by the teen. Sanji looked at Zeff with a hapless stare. The old man smirked in return, before turning to the battle which was about to start. Without a word, Luffy jumped down on the largest plank available after Mihawk's attack.
"Weren't you the one who was going to defeat me?", Krieg mocked the teen across him only to be greeted by silence. Luffy cracked his knuckles in response after a moment. Krieg's eyes narrowed in anger. "I don't have time to deal with a weakling like you. Pearl! Teach this boy a lesson!"
On cue, a man with shields covering his body came beside Krieg, and gave a wicked grin to Luffy. Sanji gulped as the shield wearing man charged at the teen, placing a shield infront of him to give Luffy a blunt force attack. Luffy on the hand smirked ferally as his opponent charged towards him. Coating his left hand with Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), he punched in the middle of the shield with all his strength. He watched with satisfaction when opponent's face changed from smug, to shock and finally horrified as the punch broke through two shield, as well broke his hand and ribs.
Sanji's cigarette feel as the shieldman launched backwards, all the shield breaking from a single punch. He could hear a pin drop silence, only the sound of the waves crashing were reaching his ears. Krieg took a step back in shock, not expecting his third-strongest man to be defeated in a single blow. He gulped with a look of horror seeing the feral grin on the teen across him.
His grin returned when Gin jumped on the plank and stood across the teen. "I hadn't expected Pearl to be defeated in a single a punch", Gin commented before taking out his tonfa. 'I know I can't defeat this guy! But he needs to go through me if he needs to harm Don', he thought with a emotionless face before charging into the fight.
As he had expected the teen parried his attacks with equal force, often knocking him back with sheer strength. At this rate he could only hope to wear down the teen and make it easy for Don to defeat him. Being thrown back what he assumed was the tenth time, Gin breathed huge amounts air to counter the tiredness he was feeling from exertion.
Gin missed the horrified gasps which came from his crewmates. He finally registered that he was flying upwards with something akin to a rope tied around his waist. Luffy narrowed his eyes at the green smoke which filled the lower area.
"He used the MH-5!"
"Gin-san would have been killed!"
"Where is Gin-san?!"
Luffy jumped down when the smoke cleared his face turning into a snarl. "You disgust me! You just tried to kill your own nakama!", Luffy shouted in anger as he set a shocked Gin down. The chefs released a sigh of relief, seeing the teen unharmed. Only Sanji seemed to catch the expression on Luffy's face which even he didn't know what it meant.
"You managed to dodged my chemical weapon! But you can't save yourself from this!", Krieg shouted as he produced a spear and swung it towards Luffy. Acting quickly, Luffy kicked Gin away, before rolling in the opposite direction. He temper rose as a large explosion occurred where the spear struck. He gave the man a look which promised pain.
Krieg's glee rose at the murderous expression on the teen's face, before swinging his spear in his opponents direction, only for the teen to dodge again. He swung again with greater force, hoping to create an explosion which would kill the teen.
Everybody's face soon morphed into shock as the sound of metal grinding against metal came from the fight, the top of Krieg's spear breaking away from a swing of Luffy's sword. The pirates watched with shocked eyes as the top of the spear detonated in the water, sending a spray of sea water all over. Luffy swung his sword again, this time on his left to create a wind gust and blow away the sea water, the actions earning confused stares from everybody. Comprehension finally dawned over Zeff.
"That boy has eaten a Devil Fruit. I thought it was an illusion when the kid pulled the second in command up and his hand was elongated. Their power weaken after coming in contact with sea water!", Zeff explained to his chefs, Krieg coming to the same conclusion.
Smirking Krieg brought out the guns in suit, and fired them at the teen. He shock grew more with the more rounds he fired, as his opponent dodged all of the bullets. He took a step back in shock when his ammunition finished without as much as even grazing the teen. He froze in his place when the teen walked forward, his eyes covered by the shadow of his hat. He couldn't move to attack when the teen sheathed his sword, and glared at him, the same pressure from sometime ago slamming into his psyche.
"This wasn't the kind of age, Roger wanted to create! He wanted to create an era where everyone is free! He wanted to create an era where crewmates could regard each other as family! And you tried to kill your own crewmates twice!", Luffy snarled in anger, his words sending a wave of shock through everyone present.
Krieg couldn't move when the teen's fist extended back, and turn black. He couldn't move when his armor was destroyed. He couldn't move when a force crushed his heart. He was dead by the he was sent flying into the sea.
Gin watched as his Cap-no, former Captain sank into the sea. He turned his face to the teen who sigh before turning around to face him. A thought of imminent death passed his mind. "You were more of a Captain than Krieg, Gin. You stepped in to save your nakama without being asked to", Luffy remarked as he held a hand to help Gin up. Gin nodded wordless as his crew watched agape, unable to believe that Krieg had died.
Gin turned to his crew, and spoke the only sensible plan. "This battle has been lost. We are going to start anew, and go into the Grand Line again. This time much stronger than our failed novice expedition", Gin announced before turning to Luffy and giving a small smile. 'I can't resent him for some reason. Even after he killed Don, I can't! Was it because of what he said, or is it because of one-sided victory?' "We are going to train for some time now, before entering the Grand Line again. We will meet you there then, Luffy", Gin voiced out before turning to the chefs. "I know it is shameless to ask you of a favor, but can you lend us a boat?", Gin asked as he bowed down.
The chefs protested but were quietened after Zeff walked forward. "You can take a boat, but if you ever come here again to take over the Baratie, you are dealing with me!", Zeff warned as Sanji went to get the said boat, still in shock that Krieg had been defeated by the straw-hat wearing teen so easily.
Later into the night, Luffy frowned as he walked in the dining room and was washed over by a wave of sadness and determination. He didn't miss the unsure glances which the other chefs were shooting Sanji. He kept quiet as he accepted his meal, before sitting down in a corner beside Sanji because of the supposed lack of chairs.
A sudden clatter made Luffy snap his head up, watching with a frown as the chef glared at the soup. "Who the hell made this soup?!", he ordered in anger. Sanji scowled at the words.
"I did. Got any problem with that?!", Sanji growled back.
"It the most tasteless soup which I have ever drank!"
"Yeah! Its tasting gross!"
"What kind of Sous-chef are you?! You can't even make a simple soup!"
Sanji's face dropped into a scowl and was about to retort when Zeff dropped his own bowl on the ground and broke it. "They are right. Its the most nastiest thing I have ever tasted!"
The words seemed to hurt Sanji in the heart as he backpedaled and leaned on the wall behind him, before jumping out of a window and darting away.
"*slurp* Ah~! That was the most amazing soup I have ever tasted!", Luffy announced as he step the container of the soup down. The chefs watch in horror at the empty container, before looking at the own bowls of soup.
"WHY DID YOU DRINK ALL OF THAT BY YOURSELF?!", a chef asked in shock as Luffy craned his head sideways in confusion.
"You said you didn't like the soup. I thought you wouldn't have any problem with me drinking the rest of it", Luffy replied earning a sweatdrop from all the chefs.
"You're right kid. Sanji's cooking is probably the best amongst us. He had a dream to find the All Blue, but he is being held back by his own wish to repay me", Zeff remarked. "Take the brat with you to the Grand Line and help him realize his dream".
Luffy grinned widely. "Shishishi! You can count on me!", Luffy exclaimed.
"I can hear everything, you morons!"
Sanji glanced at the Baratie one last time, his home for the past twelve years before turning to face his boat. He gave a small smile at the exuberant Luffy.
"You sure you don't want to talk to him, Sanji?"
Sanji shook his head and almost took a step into the boat, but froze after hearing a familiar voice from above. "Don't catch a cold", Zeff stated as Sanji eyes teared at the words. He turned around before bowing with his head to the ground.
"Thank you for everything you have done for me for the past twelve years Owner Zeff! I will never forget your kindness!"