Luffy stood frozen in place, staring at the natural wonder created by that single punch. His mouth opened and closed like a goldfish's, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
Soon, the seawater that had been forcibly split by sheer force came crashing back down under gravity. The opposing currents collided, creating waves so massive that even the enormous ship Baratie rocked violently.
Whether it was due to overwhelming shock or exhaustion, Luffy lost his balance and nearly toppled backward… but a hand steadied him from behind.
"Luffy... huh? That punch just now… that was barely passable."
At this time, Naruto's calm voice rang out, and his tone was completely different from the aggressive demeanor he had shown earlier.
This time, he didn't call Luffy 'kid'. Instead, he addressed him by name properly. With a light push, Naruto tossed Luffy toward Zoro… and Usopp, who had somehow woken up from his unconscious state.
The two carefully caught their captain, their eyes simultaneously shifting toward Naruto, whose face had regained its usual gentle smile.
"Seems like Shanks has a decent eye for talent…"
"I hope one day, I can witness you become the next Pirate King."
Hearing the familiar name from Naruto's lips, Luffy immediately perked up. Despite the exhaustion from his first time using Gear Second, he wriggled like a limp noodle, trying to inch closer.
"Shanks!? You know Shanks!?"
"Ah… of course. We were 'apprentices' on the same ship, after all."
"Th-then… then why did you attack Luffy like that?"
Unexpectedly, it was Usopp, who is standing behind Luffy, who mustered the courage to ask Naruto directly.
After all, just moments ago, he had already prepared himself for death.
"Just a test… a little test, that's all."
Naruto pinched his fingers together, leaving only a tiny gap to emphasize how harmless his intentions had been.
He walked forward slowly. Usopp instinctively wanted to retreat, but remembering he was still supporting Luffy, he forced himself to stay put.
Naruto bent down slightly, his deep blue eyes locking onto Luffy's as if searching for something within them.
And Luffy, being Luffy, didn't back down… he just stared back stubbornly.
Suddenly, Naruto burst into laughter, his eyes crinkling shut.
"Hahahaha… I like you, Luffy!"
As he spoke, he vigorously patted Luffy's shoulder, nearly knocking Usopp over in the process.
Luffy didn't mind the rough treatment. Though he couldn't pat back, his signature grin stretched across his face.
"Shishishi, you're not bad either, fox-faced uncle."
After hearing Luffy's address to him, Naruto was stunned at first, and then he laughed even louder.
"Hahaha… in a way, calling me 'uncle' isn't wrong at all."
After saying something that left Luffy utterly confused, Naruto turned and walked back into Baratie.
After witnessing an epic battle (mostly starring Naruto), the diners quickly retracted their heads from the windows. By the time Naruto stepped inside, they had all returned to their meals, pretending nothing had happened.
"You really went overboard, Naruto."
Zeff stroked his beard, glaring at Naruto with a mix of exasperation and relief.
"Haha, sorry, sorry. Got a little carried away."
Naruto scratched his head sheepishly, offering a sincere apology.
After all, if he hadn't controlled his strength properly, Baratie might have been wiped out alongside everything else.
"So… are you still eating?"
As a chef, Zeff only cared about two things: his restaurant and whether his customers left satisfied.
"Of course! It's a rare opportunity to taste such delicious food. I also want to try all the signature dishes in your restaurant."
Naruto grinned as he plopped back into his seat.
"Hmph. Don't bite off more than you can chew."
After saying this, Zeff marched toward the kitchen, grabbing Sanji by the collar as he passed by him.
"Quit standing around, idiot! Get back to work!"
Just like that, the restaurant returned to normal.
Zoro and Usopp, who were still carrying Luffy between them, also returned to their seats. It seemed that Luffy still had something to say.
But before he could speak, Usopp suddenly realized something was off.
"Hey… where's Nami? Wasn't she just-"
Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by the door being pushed open again.
Two figures walked in from the door. One of them looked very familiar to everyone. It's Gin, the man the chefs had thrown out earlier.
And standing beside him was an even taller, more imposing man.
…
Let's rewind time a little.
Not long after Gin finished his fried rice and left Baratie on his small boat, he encountered the remnants of Krieg's fleet, who are starving, desperate, and no longer able to stay hidden.
After repeatedly promising that they wouldn't attack Baratie, Gin reluctantly agreed to lead his captain and the crew toward the floating restaurant.
And then... the scene unfolded as it did now.
At this time, a guest saw the pirate ship outside through the window and suddenly exclaimed.
"Wait, isn't that-"
"It's the Krieg Pirates' ship!"
'So that guy is the legendary leader 'Admiral', Don Krieg?'
'He was the most vicious pirate in the East Blue, with fifty warships under his command... A terrifying pirate?'
'Wait-'
The exclaiming diners suddenly remembered something and turned their gazes toward Naruto, who had gone back to casually eating as if nothing had happened.
'Somehow… fifty warships didn't seem all that impressive anymore.'
Just like that, an eerie silence fell over the restaurant.
Meanwhile, Zeff, having heard Krieg's name, stormed out of the kitchen… again.
"Please… could you spare some food?"
"I have money. As much as you want."
Krieg's unexpectedly meek words left the surrounding diners and chefs utterly dumbfounded.
'Was this really the same fearsome pirate from the rumors?'
Many of them inwardly scoffed, wondering if the rumors had been exaggerated.
Of course, the more rational ones immediately objected.
"Don't give him anything! Once he's eaten, he'll definitely attack us!"
"So this is the true face of the legendary pirate, Krieg? No need to feed him. Call the Marines immediately. This is a golden opportunity."
Patty, who looked like Popeye, burst into laughter, thrilled at the idea of capturing such a notorious pirate.
Several other chefs quickly agreed.
"I won't… do anything. Once I've eaten, I'll leave peacefully."
After saying this, Krieg actually dropped to his knees in a deep bow, his forehead nearly touching the floor.
Even Naruto couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the display.
But unlike his reaction with Tazuna earlier, he made no move to intervene.
'What shallow acting… The malice radiating off him is practically suffocating.'
Shaking his head, Naruto chose not to expose Krieg and simply continued enjoying the food.
In the end, nearly all the diners and chefs opposed giving Krieg food, but then Sanji walked out of the kitchen, carrying a plate of fried rice, and tossed it right in front of Krieg.
The room erupted in protests, but Sanji just took a drag from his cigarette and repeated the same words he'd told Gin earlier.
"Anyone who's starving is a guest. I can't let a man die of hunger in front of me."
But unlike Gin, Krieg showed no gratitude whatsoever.
On the contrary, after eating the fried rice and regained some strength, he immediately showed his true colors.
"This restaurant isn't bad. From now on, it's mine."
There was no trace of the pitiful look on Krieg's face that he had just shown when begging for food. Instead, he looked at the chefs opposite him with an arrogant look.
Most of his fleet had been decimated by that man, so this massive ship would be perfect for rebuilding his forces.
However, after Krieg said this, the expected panic never came.
Instead, everyone in the restaurant stared at him with strange expressions, occasionally glancing toward Naruto, who was still casually eating.
"Don! This wasn't part of the deal! You promised you wouldn't attack Baratie!"
Gin stared at Krieg in disbelief, but before he could say another word, Krieg silenced him with a brutal punch.
Then, Krieg turned back to the chefs and diners.
"Hey! Did you hear me? Get the hell off my ship!"
"And prepare enough food and water for a hundred men while you're at it!"
'Pfft-'
Someone in the crowd couldn't hold back a snicker.
The laughter quickly spread, and soon, both diners and chefs were struggling to keep straight faces.
"Huh?"
Krieg, noticing something strange situation, looked at the people around him in confusion.
'What's so funny? Aren't they afraid of me, Admiral Krieg?'