Chapter 3
The Baratie groaned against the rising storm, waves hammering its fish-shaped hull. Inside, the air was thick—heavier than the sea spray clinging to the windows. Every eye was locked on the standoff: Lieutenant Fullbody, purple-faced and trembling, and the red-haired stranger who'd turned the room into a powder keg.
Silas stood like a shadow given form, crimson hair catching the lamplight, gaze fixed on the Marine with unshakable calm. Fullbody's fist hovered inches from his face, shaking like a loose sail in dying wind.
"BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU!" Fullbody snapped, composure shattering. His fist shot forward—desperate, sloppy.
It never landed. Silas caught it in his open palm. No block. No dodge. Just stopped, as if swatting away a child.
Before the room could breathe, Sanji's polished shoe slammed into Fullbody's chest. The Marine crashed through a table in a spray of plates and cutlery, blood trickling from his nose.
"How dare you attack a customer!" Sanji snarled, hauling him up by the collar. The cigarette between his lips flared. "You spit on the Baratie's food. You spit on me."
Cheers erupted. Mugs slammed against tables. A corrupt Marine humiliated—worth celebrating.
Silas stepped back, watching with detached interest. His move had been instinct, not choice. Something about Luffy's crew kept pulling at him.
"AWESOME!" Luffy vaulted over his table, grinning ear to ear. "Gunblade Guy! Cool Cook! You're both joining my crew right now!"
Nami's eyes flicked between Silas's gear and Sanji's technique. One was a walking fortune, the other pure style.
Zoro nodded.
"Not bad. Either of you."
Usopp peeked from behind his shield.
"Why do we always attract the crazy ones?!"
Silas's gaze lingered on Luffy's grin. That damn smile… it tugged at something buried deep. His mother's voice whispered: "He has the power to make people believe again."
"Don't get any ideas, brat," Silas said, tone dry. "You look barely a year younger than me, and you're still wet behind the ears."
Luffy laughed, loud and unshaken.
"Wet behind the ears?! You're the one joining my crew, Gunblade Guy!"
Silas turned away, hiding the twitch at the corner of his mouth. That laugh clung to him like the tide.
Fullbody staggered up, dragging his date toward the door.
"You'll pay for this, pirate scum!"
The doors slammed behind him. The room eased back into motion.
From the kitchen came a voice like thunder:
"SANJI, YOU DAMN EGGPLANT! Get back to cooking or I'll boot you to the All Blue myself!"
Chef Zeff emerged—massive, grizzled, peg leg thumping. His eyes swept the room, pausing on Silas. Trouble, he thought. The kind that changes things.
---
The doors creaked open again. A gaunt figure stumbled inside—clothes torn, face hollow. He collapsed to his knees, clutching his stomach.
The sight hit Sanji like a blow. Memories surged—starving on a barren rock, the ache of emptiness. His cigarette trembled.
"Please…" the stranger rasped. "Food… anything…"
The kitchen staff jeered.
"Toss him out!"
"No money, no food!"
Sanji didn't move. Those eyes… he'd seen them before—in the mirror, years ago.
Silas watched, noting the stillness in the cook's frame. Then he caught the glint of steel under the man's coat. Not just a beggar.
Ignoring the protests, Sanji returned with a steaming plate of fried rice.
"Eat," he said simply.
The man—Gin—devoured it, tears mixing with the food. The room fell quiet.
Luffy's grin widened.
"That's so cool! You're definitely joining my crew, Cook!"
Sanji exhaled smoke toward the ceiling.
"Dream on, Straw Hat. This place is my life."
A whisper cut through the quiet:
"That guy… he's with Don Krieg's crew."
The name hit like cold water. Don Krieg—Pirate Admiral, fifty ships, terror of the East Blue.
Usopp ducked under the table.
"FIFTY SHIPS?! WE'RE DEAD!"
Nami's face tightened.
"A bounty worth millions… and a death sentence."
Zoro's hand rested on his sword.
"Krieg. Now it's interesting."
Luffy tilted his head, curious.
"Sounds like a fun guy to fight."
Silas's eyes narrowed. Gin flinched at the name. The weapon under his coat seemed heavier. Trouble was here.
The Baratie creaked. Outside, the storm raged. Inside, another was building.
Silas's gaze drifted back to Luffy, still grinning.
That stupid kid…
His mother's voice echoed: "If you meet him, don't doubt. If he smiles without reason, if he brings hope to your heart—that might be him."
For the first time in years, Silas wondered if maybe—just maybe—this kid was the Sun God Nika.