Chapter 6
The Baratie roared with celebration. The fish-shaped restaurant groaned and creaked, but it felt more like a victory dance than damage. Chefs swung mugs high, bellowing, "Straw Hat crushed Krieg!" Diners buzzed about the mysterious red-haired pirate. Plates clinked, food sizzled, and frothy drinks flowed.
Luffy had claimed a table and was demolishing shrimp like it was a life-or-death mission.
"MEAT! MORE MEAT! THIS IS HEAVEN!" His straw hat sat crooked, that ridiculous grin bright enough to light the whole place.
Silas lounged against a post, crimson hair catching the lamplight. His coffee was cold again—seemed to be a habit. Nakama. The word still echoed in his head. This kid had a fire that could burn down the whole ocean.
Yesterday, he'd been a lone wolf. Now Luffy was calling him "my nakama" like they'd known each other forever. His sword and gun felt heavier—like they meant something more. The tattoos under his shirt tingled with purpose, a promise reborn from old pain.
Usopp was still hiding behind crates, muttering about sea king sashimi before tripping over one. Sanji swaggered through the chaos, cigarette in place, juggling plates and winking at waitresses.
"Don't trash my restaurant, Straw Hat!"
Zoro sprawled in a corner, swords gleaming, grumbling, "Too damn noisy."
---
Then the noise died.
A shadow cut through the storm—a ship shaped like a coffin, black as death, slicing the waves like they weren't there. Candles flickered on its deck, sails stretched tight like a predator's grin.
"That's… Dracule Mihawk! The World's Greatest Swordsman!" someone choked out.
The name hit like a cannonball. Even the storm seemed to hold its breath.
Usopp vanished behind his barrel.
"THE WORLD'S STRONGEST?! WE'RE DEAD!"
Sanji's cigarette nearly fell.
"A Shichibukai… here?"
Luffy just tilted his head, curious.
"Strongest sword guy? That's so cool."
Zoro's eyes lit up, a savage grin spreading as he half-drew his swords. That's my target.
Krieg's beaten crew scrambled.
"Mihawk?! We're finished!"
Silas's stomach dropped. A Warlord? I just joined and we're already dead.
---
Mihawk stepped onto the deck like death itself, black coat flowing. Hawk-like eyes that could cut steel. A massive black sword on his back that looked like it could split mountains.
"I followed your wreckage, Krieg," his voice was ice. "A whim." His gaze shifted to Zoro. "This… interests me."
Silas's tattoos burned. This is beyond Krieg—beyond anything.
He saw Zoro ready to fight and blurted, "Wait, you green-haired maniac! You're fighting THAT guy?! Can you even use Haki?!"
Zoro snorted.
"Obviously not. No one taught me. You got it?"
Silas laughed, half-hysterical.
"I can't either! I just joined and you're gonna die on my first day?!"
Usopp wailed, "NO HAKI?! WE'RE FINISHED!"
Luffy just laughed.
"Zoro's gonna be awesome."
---
Zoro charged, boots pounding the deck.
"Dracule Mihawk! I challenge you!"
Mihawk's lips twitched into the faintest smile.
"Bold. I accept."
Silas's hand went to his gun, instincts screaming to end this before it started. But this was Zoro's fight—his dream. His gun stayed half-drawn, trembling between action and respect.
Luffy stood watching, faith radiating from him. That's what nakama means, Silas realized. Letting them fight their own battles.
---
The duel began—beautiful and brutal.
Mihawk drew a tiny cross-shaped knife, an insult disguised as a weapon. Zoro attacked with everything he had.
"Onigiri!"
Steel flashed, but Mihawk deflected it like swatting a fly.
Gasps rippled through the restaurant.
"He blocked it… with that?!" someone whispered.
"That's the world's greatest swordsman for you," another muttered, awe and fear mixing in their voice.
A young deckhand near the door muttered under his breath, "If that's him holding back… gods help us if he gets serious."
"He's toying with him," Silas hissed.
"Don't mock me!" Zoro roared, unleashing "Tora Gari!"—a whirlwind of steel. Mihawk moved like water, untouchable.
A chef gripped the counter, knuckles white.
"Kid's fast… but that man's on another level."
The restaurant seemed to sway with every clash. Some couldn't watch; others leaned forward, drawn in despite themselves.
"Your name and ambition," Mihawk demanded.
"Roronoa Zoro! I'm gonna be the world's greatest swordsman!"
Mihawk drew Yoru—black as midnight, massive as a building. Zoro answered with "Three Thousand Worlds!"
For a heartbeat, the room held its breath. Then—CRACK! Two of Zoro's swords shattered.
A woman in the crowd gasped, covering her mouth.
"He's… still standing?"
From the back, an old sailor whispered, almost reverently, "That boy's got the heart for it… even if it kills him."
Zoro dropped his guard, chest bared.
"A scar on the back is a swordsman's shame."
Mihawk's strike carved a crimson line across his chest. Zoro collapsed, but his voice rang clear.
"I'll never lose again!"
The silence that followed was heavy—respect, shock, and something close to pride hanging in the air.
---
"ZORO!" Luffy's shout cracked like thunder.
Silas's gun was fully drawn now, every muscle screaming to protect them. But Zoro's oath held him back.
Mihawk sheathed his sword with a nod.
"A warrior's spirit. Surpass me, Roronoa Zoro."
Then he was gone, his coffin ship swallowed by the storm.
---
As they bandaged Zoro, Silas knelt beside him. I swore to be their sword and gun… but their strength burns brighter than mine.
His tattoos pulsed—not just for Luffy, but for this wild, unbreakable family.
---
Zeff stomped forward, peg leg thudding.
"Straw Hat! You saved my restaurant. Now get this worthless fool out of here!" He jabbed a finger at Sanji.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU SHITTY OLD MAN?!"
Zeff's grin was sharp.
"YOU THINK YOU'RE WORTH ANYTHING HERE?! GET LOST! We all know you just pose for the ladies!"
The chefs joined in, hurling ladles, spoons, pans.
"LEAVE! LEAVE! LEAVE!"
Sanji's face went red.
"I HATE ALL OF YOU!" But when he looked at Luffy, something shifted. That grin was a lighthouse in the storm.
He straightened, kicked a ladle aside, and pointed at Luffy.
"Name's Sanji! I'll be your cook!"
Luffy's grin could've powered a city.
"YOSH! Welcome aboard, Cool Cook!"
Usopp gaped.
"HE'S JOINING?! THEY JUST THREW PANS AT HIM!"
Zoro smirked through the pain.
"About time, curly-brow."
Silas understood. This was love in disguise—pushing him out to set him free. It reminded him of his mother.
Zeff leaned in, voice low.
"Go, brat. Chase your dream."
For a moment, warmth passed between them. Then Zeff shoved him.
"I SAID SCRAM!"
Luffy laughed.
"He's ours now!"
The chefs kept throwing things, half-laughing, half-crying. Sanji brushed off his suit, lit a cigarette, smirking.
Silas's chest swelled. This crew… insane, bound by dreams bigger than the sea.
"Zoro's gonna be the strongest swordsman!" Luffy declared. "And you too, Gunblade Guy!"
Silas grinned, red hair falling over one eye.
"Guess I'm one of them now."
The Baratie pulsed with life. Outside, the storm raged. Inside, warmth burned brighter than any sun.