As Don Krieg's fleet loomed closer, the Baratie cooks stood ready, armed for battle. Their weapons—long-handled knives, forks, and spoons—were fitting for cooks, yet seemed almost comically inadequate. Determined to protect their restaurant without damaging the ship, they prepared a battlefield.
"Deploy the fins!" a cook shouted.
A lever was pulled, and wooden platforms extended from Baratie's sides, forming wide "fins" to shield the ship from melee damage. However, they had no defense against cannon fire. Though Krieg aimed to seize the ship, not destroy it, the cooks could only guess his tactics, relying on hope and readiness.
Stepping onto the fins, they faced the approaching fleet. Hand-to-hand combat was familiar territory; they brimmed with confidence, their faces set, silent and resolute.
Behind them stood Luffy, Zoro, and Yosaku. Zeff sat at the entrance like a general, arms crossed, with Sanji at his side. The trio devoured Carne's special roast beef, forks moving ceaselessly. Their carefree attitude baffled Sanji, while Zeff smirked.
"Mmm, so good!" Luffy said, chewing.
"Man, these cooks are top-notch. No wonder this place is packed," Yosaku added.
"Free food's a win. Thanks, enemy attack," Zoro quipped.
Their nonchalance amid the chaos drew a sigh from Sanji. "You're paying for that," he said gruffly.
"What?!" Luffy exclaimed.
"We're broke!" Yosaku protested.
"Then wash dishes or something. Thinking you'd eat free was naive," Sanji snapped.
"Fair point," Luffy conceded, mouth full.
Ignoring Yosaku's panic and Zoro's indifference, Luffy fixed his gaze on Sanji. "We'll take down those guys. That square things?"
"If you can, and don't scratch the ship, I'll let it slide," Sanji said.
"And Sanji, join our crew. Be a pirate with us," Luffy pressed.
"Don't toss that in like an afterthought. I'm saying no," Sanji retorted.
The massive roast beef took time to finish, especially with Zoro restraining Luffy from devouring it in one bite. Yosaku, chewing, glanced at his companions, unease creeping in. "This is bad, you two. That's Don Krieg's fleet—fifty ships, never lost, they say."
"Yeah, it's tough without the others. Numbers are a problem," Luffy admitted.
"But it's good they're not here," Zoro said. "Kiri'd do something reckless in a fight like this. That last loss hit her hard."
"True," Luffy nodded.
"You guys are too relaxed…" Yosaku muttered, worried.
As they finished eating, Zoro, somehow producing a bottle of sake, downed it. Sanji spoke again, puzzled. These strangers had no stake in this fight, yet stayed. It wasn't just for free food—they'd chosen to fight. Their calm suggested strength, but what drove them?
"Why didn't you run? You had time," Sanji asked.
"Hmm… 'cause you're not our nakama yet," Luffy said.
"I said I'm not joining," Sanji replied.
"Zoro said that too, but he's my nakama now," Luffy grinned.
"He blackmailed me," Zoro groaned, setting down the bottle. Sanji's gaze met his.
"Blackmail or not, I don't get why anyone'd choose piracy. You're crazy," Sanji said.
"Just aligned interests. Didn't need to be a pirate," Zoro said.
"Interests? That's why you're fighting for us?" Sanji asked.
"Captain's orders, I follow. I'm a pirate, after all," Zoro said.
"You could die," Sanji warned.
"Then that's it. Means I was only that strong," Zoro replied.
Clutching his three swords, Zoro sat, fearless and defiant, unfazed by the coming battle. "I've got ambitions. I'm not there yet, but I won't die till I achieve them. Bring on the challenge—I'll crush it."
"You're as crazy as him, dying for ambition," Sanji said.
"Crazy? That's harsh," Zoro replied.
His words were simple, not seeking understanding, only stating his resolve. "When I vowed to be the greatest swordsman, I gave up my life. Only I get to call myself a fool for that."
"Fine, we'll never see eye to eye," Sanji said.
Zoro noticed a flicker in Sanji's expression but, barely knowing him, let it pass. Luffy and Yosaku finished the roast beef, standing eagerly. Zoro rose too, eyeing the nearing fleet. The gap was closing—cannons could fire any moment. Luffy grinned, itching for a fight.
"Hey, Sanji, if I beat those guys, will you join?" Luffy asked.
"Idiot. That's a separate issue," Sanji said.
"Luffy, let me take the boss. Last fight ended half-assed. I'm itching," Zoro said.
"You're injured, aniki. Don't overdo it," Yosaku cautioned.
The trio joined the cooks on the fins, ready for battle. Then Zoro noticed something odd. While everyone focused on Krieg's fleet, a strange, small boat floated to Baratie's left—a coffin-like vessel with a lone man standing, holding a massive sword.
"What's that?" Zoro asked.
"A coffin? No, a guy," Luffy said.
"Looks like he's facing the fleet," Yosaku murmured.
As Yosaku spoke, the man swung his sword. Instantly, several of Krieg's ships were sliced in half, sinking with a water spout. The cut was clean, unmistakable.
"What?!" the cooks gasped.
Galleons, far larger than Baratie, split vertically, collapsing into the sea. The slash was clear, delivered by the man on the boat. Zoro locked onto him first—a figure in a wide-brimmed black hat and coat, wielding an imposing sword. The overwhelming presence confirmed it.
Zoro's throat trembled, a mix of fear and joy. He'd found him sooner than expected. Gripping his swords, he couldn't look away. "The ship… sliced?!" a cook shouted.
"That guy did it!" another yelled.
"No one can cut a ship like that!" they cried.
The cooks' bravado vanished, replaced by shock as they stared at the man. Five swings later, all fifty of Krieg's ships sank, none reaching Baratie. The man sheathed his sword, sat, and the cooks fell silent. Luffy and Sanji gaped, but Zoro shouted, "Yosaku, bring the boat! Before he leaves!"
"Aniki, but he—?!" Yosaku stammered.
"Hurry!" Zoro urged.
Pushing past the stunned cooks, Zoro stood at the fin's edge, hand on his sword, visibly shaken. He couldn't restrain himself. Yosaku, hesitating but complying, ran to fetch their boat. Luffy and Sanji watched Zoro, sensing something off.
"Zoro…?" Luffy said.
"That's him. The man I've been chasing," Zoro replied.
Drawing a sword, Zoro locked eyes with the man, who turned, his hawk-like gaze piercing. The intensity overwhelmed, but Zoro grinned fiercely, sweating. He knew this was the real deal—confirmed by the slash and their distant stare.
His body shook, whether from fear or excitement unclear, but he wouldn't flee. "The world's greatest swordsman, Hawk-Eyes Mihawk. I went to sea to beat him."
Luffy stared at the man, Sanji bit through his cigarette, and the cooks froze in awe. Zeff's face hardened. Mihawk, the man's name, approached Baratie—toward Zoro—his gaze sharp as his epithet suggested.
At fifty meters, their eyes met, tension crackling. "Hawk-Eyes, right?" Zoro called.
"Some call me that," Mihawk replied.
"Why're you here? Don't tell me they were your target," Zoro said.
"Boredom. Nothing more, nothing less," Mihawk said.
"Good to know," Zoro replied.
Brandishing his sword, Zoro pointed it at Mihawk, his stance provocative, a clear challenge. Mihawk's expression didn't shift. "Bored, huh? Let's fight."
"What's your goal?" Mihawk asked.
"To be the greatest," Zoro said.
"Foolish," Mihawk replied.
Tying a bandana around his head, Zoro's fighting spirit radiated, felt by the cooks. Like a starving beast, he faced Mihawk, who advanced calmly, still seated. "A decent swordsman would see the gap between us without crossing blades."
"I know I can't beat you. Everyone here knows it," Zoro said.
"Then why rush to die? Wait, and you might surpass me. Why challenge me now?" Mihawk asked.
"For my ambition. And a promise to a friend," Zoro replied.
Mihawk's boat reached Baratie, but he didn't disembark, merely engaging in talk. He hadn't accepted the duel, his arms still crossed. "A wounded beast, knowing defeat, challenges me?"
"Just a scratch. Spit'll fix it," Zoro said.
"I don't understand. To fight knowing you'll lose, seeking victory. I've never met such a man," Mihawk said.
"Yeah, I know I'm an idiot," Zoro admitted.
Beneath his bandana, Zoro's resolve burned. No one could intervene; all could only watch. "Words can't explain it. Want to know? Cross swords with me."
"Bold words to draw me out," Mihawk said.
Finally standing, Mihawk stepped onto the fin. The cooks recoiled, but Zoro saw it as an opportunity. "Mind if I borrow this fin?" he called to the cooks.
To Luffy, he spoke without looking. "As a pirate, you know what to do. Kiri'd tell me to run from him. Follow the captain, avoid risks. But I can't hold back now."
Luffy stared, unmoving, offering no objection. His stillness almost prompted Sanji to intervene. Zoro's fervor was palpable—a pirate, yet a swordsman above all. Mihawk, sensing his resolve, felt a pang of regret.
"Order me, captain. Let me be a fool for a bit. Then I can beat him," Zoro said.
No one could fathom his mindset. He knew he couldn't win, knew dying would hurt his crew, yet faced his foe without hesitation. His emotions were too complex to grasp.
Luffy nodded silently, granting permission. Though Zoro didn't see, his grin deepened, his presence intensifying. Drawing all three swords, he assumed his Three-Sword Style stance. Mihawk drew his weapon—not the massive sword on his back, but a tiny knife from a pendant at his chest.
"Pathetic," Mihawk said.
Zoro didn't protest.
Yosaku returned with the boat, parking it by the fin and joining the onlookers. Instinctively reaching for his sword, he trembled with anxiety. "Aniki…"
"No interference!" Luffy snapped.
Yosaku froze, realizing his hand was on his blade. Meeting Luffy's serious gaze, he saw the same resolve. "This is Zoro's fight. Anyone who interferes, I'll take down," Luffy declared, addressing everyone.
Sanji regained his composure. Challenging a hopeless fight was madness, yet Zoro did it. Why? Ambition alone couldn't explain it. Sanji's thoughts swirled, seeking answers, but found only confusion.
The sea, freed of the fleet, grew calm. Yet a greater threat—Mihawk's presence—stirred a silent, swelling wave.
---------------------------------------------
🚀 Want more?
📖 On Patreon you can read 20+ chapters ahead, plus there will be exclusive stories available only there.
💖 If you'd like to support me, check it out: patreon.com/Greyhounds
🔓 Patreon will always stay ahead of the public release — and some stories won't be published anywhere else.
✨ All support is completely optional — even if you don't join, I'm still grateful to have you here reading!