Luffy stood in place, looking at the natural spectacle created by that single punch, his mouth opening and closing like a goldfish, wanting to say something but unable to speak.
Soon, the seawater that had been forcibly separated by external force fell back down due to gravity. The waves created by the collision of the two currents even caused the massive ship Baratie to rock.
Whether from shock or exhaustion, Luffy suddenly lost his footing and was about to fall backward.
But a hand supported his back.
"Luffy... is it? That last punch finally had some substance to it."
At this moment, Naruto's gentle voice sounded, his tone completely different from his aggressive manner earlier.
However, this time he didn't call Luffy "kid" but formally addressed him by name.
With a gentle push of his palm, Naruto tossed Luffy toward Zoro—and Usopp, who had somehow awakened from his unconsciousness.
The two carefully caught their captain, their gazes simultaneously turning to Naruto, whose gentle smile had returned.
"It seems Shanks has good judgment after all—"
"I hope someday I can witness you becoming the new Pirate King."
Hearing the familiar name from Naruto's mouth, Luffy immediately looked up, ignoring the aftereffects of using Gear Second for the first time that left his whole body weak, struggling like a puddle of mud to get closer.
"Shanks!? You know Shanks?"
"Ah—of course, we were 'apprentices' who came from the same ship."
"Then, then, then... why did you attack Luffy?"
Unexpectedly, Usopp, standing behind Luffy, suddenly mustered the courage to question Naruto.
Just moments ago, he had prepared himself to die here.
"It was just a test—a small test."
Naruto made a tiny gap between his index finger and thumb, indicating he hadn't really intended to kill.
He slowly walked over. Usopp instinctively wanted to step back, but remembering he was still supporting Luffy's body, he was forced to stand his ground.
Naruto bent down slightly, his azure eyes meeting Luffy's, as if trying to see something in them.
Luffy stared back at Naruto without flinching.
He didn't understand any deeper meaning—he was just being stubborn.
Suddenly, Naruto squinted his eyes and burst into laughter.
"Hahaha... I like you! Luffy!"
As he spoke, he vigorously patted Luffy's shoulder, nearly knocking Usopp behind him to the ground.
Luffy, being patted by Naruto, wasn't annoyed. Although he couldn't pat back, his face showed his signature smile.
"Hehehe, you're not bad either, fox-faced old man."
Hearing Luffy's address for him, Naruto was first stunned, then laughed even louder.
"Haha—in a way, calling me uncle really isn't wrong."
After saying this puzzling statement, he walked back into Baratie.
The diners who had witnessed an epic battle (mainly Naruto) also withdrew their heads from the windows, returning to their original dining appearance before Naruto entered.
"You really are reckless, Naruto."
Seeing Naruto enter, Chef Zeff stroked his mustache and said irritably.
"Haha, sorry, sorry, I didn't hold back for a moment."
Naruto honestly apologized.
After all, if he hadn't been careful, Baratie might have been "erased" along with his punch.
"So—are you going to continue eating?"
As a chef, besides his restaurant, Zeff only cared about whether customers were full.
"Of course! It's rare to taste such delicious food. I want to try every signature dish in your restaurant."
Naruto grinned and returned to his seat.
"Hmph, don't talk big."
After saying this, Zeff strode toward the kitchen, grabbing Sanji's collar as he passed.
"Alright, stop standing there dazed and go help!"
Thus, the restaurant returned to calm.
Zoro and Usopp, carrying Luffy, also returned to their seats, as it seemed Luffy still had something to do.
But before Luffy could speak, Usopp keenly noticed something wrong.
"Hm? Where's Nami? Wasn't she just..."
His words were interrupted by the door opening again.
Two figures entered, one of whom everyone recognized—it was Gin, who had been thrown out by the cooks earlier.
Beside him stood a much taller man.
Let's rewind a bit.
This was shortly after Gin had finished his fried rice and left on a small boat.
He happened to encounter the remnants of Krieg's fleet, who could no longer endure hunger and had emerged from hiding.
After repeatedly promising not to attack Baratie, Gin agreed to his leader's request and led them toward the sea restaurant.
And then... this was the current situation.
A customer looking through the window at the pirate ship outside suddenly cried out.
"Wait, isn't that..."
"It's Krieg's pirate ship!"
So the guy in front of them was the legendary Admiral Krieg?
The most vicious pirate in East Blue, with fifty warships under his command... a terrifying pirate?
Wait, the customers who had cried out suddenly remembered something, their gazes turning to Naruto, who had resumed eating.
Somehow... fifty ships didn't seem like a big deal anymore.
Thus, the surroundings fell into an eerie silence.
Zeff, apparently hearing Krieg's name, once again left the kitchen.
"Sorry, could you give me food?"
"I have money—as much as you want."
Krieg surprisingly spoke weak words, shocking the surrounding customers and chefs.
So this is what the great pirate is really like?
Many people grumbled inwardly, thinking the rumors might be exaggerated.
Of course, some rational people immediately objected.
"We can't give him food! He'll definitely attack us after he's full!"
"So this is the true face of the legendary pirate Krieg. Don't give him food—contact the Navy immediately. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Patty, who looked like Popeye, laughed out loud, excited about capturing the legendary pirate.
Many other cooks echoed him.
"I won't... do anything. After I finish eating, I'll leave quietly."
After weakly saying this, Krieg actually prostrated himself, kneeling down honestly.
This scene even made Naruto raise his eyebrows.
But unlike with Tazuna, he had no intention of intervening.
Such shallow acting. This thick malice is almost overflowing...
He shook his head but didn't intend to expose it, continuing to enjoy his meal.
Almost all customers and chefs opposed giving Krieg food, but Sanji walked out of the kitchen carrying a plate of fried rice and threw the food directly in front of Krieg.
Immediately, a cacophony arose, but Sanji just smoked his cigarette and repeated what he had said to Gin.
"Anyone with an empty stomach is a customer. I can't let someone starve to death in front of me."
However, Krieg was completely unlike the grateful Gin.
On the contrary, after wolfing down the fried rice and recovering some strength, he immediately showed his true colors.
"This restaurant is nice. It's mine now."
Krieg's face showed none of the pitiful appearance from when he was begging for food, looking arrogantly at the chef team.
His fleet had been mostly destroyed by that man. With this big ship, he could recover his losses.
But after Krieg said this, the expected panic and screams didn't occur.
Everyone in the restaurant was looking at Krieg with strange expressions, occasionally glancing at Naruto, who was still eating.
"Captain Krieg, this isn't what we agreed! You promised me you wouldn't attack Baratie!"
Gin looked at Krieg in disbelief, but before he could say another word, Krieg punched him.
Then Krieg turned to the surrounding chefs and customers.
"Hey! Did you hear clearly!? You people get off my ship right now!"
"Also, prepare water and food for a hundred people!"
Pfft—
Someone couldn't hold back and actually laughed out loud.
The laughter quickly spread, with customers and cooks unable to suppress their smiles.
"Hm?"
Noticing the anomaly, Krieg looked puzzledly at the surrounding crowd.
What are these people laughing at? Aren't they afraid of me, Admiral Krieg?
[Chapter Complete]
***
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