Chapter 7
The Baratie rocked like a ship caught in celebration, its fish-shaped hull groaning under the weight of chaos. Outside, storm winds howled, but inside, life blazed brighter than any tempest. Chefs danced through the kitchen, pans sizzling, knives flashing like silver lightning. Diners whispered about the Straw Hats' madness, spoons clinking as they spoke of the swordsman who dared to face Mihawk.
On a scarred wooden table, Zoro lay sprawled, chest wrapped in bloodstained bandages. Pale, but his scowl was sharp. That hawk-eyed bastard… I'll surpass him someday.
"Tch, shitty cook," he muttered as Sanji swaggered over, cigarette glowing. The chef balanced a tray of steaming soup, arrogance intact but heavier than usual.
"Shut up, moss-head!" Sanji snapped. "You nearly died like an idiot! What kind of swordsman gets sliced up like cheap sashimi?" His polished shoe tapped, itching to kick.
Zoro smirked through the pain. "Better than being a love-sick waiter chasing skirts all day."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Sanji slammed the tray down, soup splashing. The room went silent. Forks clattered. Glares locked like crossed swords.
---
Silas, leaning against a pillar, crimson hair catching the light, stared in disbelief. Half-dead and they're fighting like kids? His flintlock gleamed at his hip, tattoos itching under his shirt.
"What are you doing?!" he barked, stepping forward. "You just fought the world's strongest swordsman! Rest before you drop dead!"
Both turned on him with looks that could sink a ship.
"Mind your own business, fancy boy!" Zoro growled.
"Yeah, stay out of it, jewelry store!" Sanji puffed smoke.
Silas's eye twitched. Ungrateful bastards. His hand slid to his flintlock, voice dropping to a deadly whisper.
"I wonder… can someone dodge a bullet when they're already wounded?"
The Baratie froze. Diners ducked under tables. Chefs froze mid-chop. Usopp dove behind a barrel.
"STOP! DON'T FIGHT!" Usopp wailed.
Luffy, sprawled on a bench, stuffed bread into his mouth—then burst into laughter that shook the walls.
"Shishishishi! You guys are hilarious! Best crew ever!"
Zoro, Sanji, and Silas locked eyes, all thinking the same thing: I already hate these bastards…
Then, in perfect chaos:
"You're both damn annoying!" Zoro snarled.
"Shut up, you idiots!" Sanji kicked a chair into the wall.
"I'm already regretting joining this crew!" Silas fired a shot into the air.
The restaurant erupted—diners scattering, chefs laughing, Usopp screaming, Luffy pounding the table in delight.
---
Silas holstered his gun. "Enough. We need to find that navigator, right, Straw Hat?"
Luffy's grin blazed. "Yeah! We gotta get Nami back!"
Johnny and Yosaku stepped forward, bandanas gleaming.
"We know where she went, big brothers!" Johnny said.
"Cocoyasi Village!" Yosaku added. "We'll guide you!"
Luffy's eyes lit up. "Yosh! You're in!"
Usopp peeked out, horrified. "MORE people?! This crew's already a nightmare!"
More lunatics, Silas thought. But useful ones.
---
Sanji turned to Zeff, who stood like a weathered cliff. Dropping to one knee, eyes glistening, he roared,
"THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING, YOU SHITTY OLD MAN!"
He spun to the other chefs. "AND YOU BASTARDS TOO! I THANK ALL OF YOU AND HOPE YOU DIE!"
The kitchen exploded in mock fury.
"WE HOPE YOU DIE FIRST!"
"GET OUT, WORTHLESS COOK!"
Utensils flew—ladles, spoons, pans. Some chefs wiped away tears behind their grins.
Sanji relit his cigarette, smirk trembling. "Lady Nami… this gentleman is coming for you!"
Silas raised a brow. "So that's your real motive."
"Love-crazed idiot," Zoro muttered.
"Did he join because of Nami?!" Usopp yelped.
"SHUT UP!" Sanji kicked a crate into splinters.
Luffy laughed. "Cool cook's gonna save Nami! Awesome!"
---
"Let's use my ship," Silas said, leading them to the dock. A modest vessel waited—weathered but sturdy.
The crew stared.
Zoro squinted. "Looks like driftwood."
"Cheap as hell," Sanji smirked. "Did you fish it out of a wreck?"
"Can it even float?" Usopp muttered.
Johnny and Yosaku exchanged looks. "Seen better days…"
Only Luffy beamed. "It's a boat! Boats are awesome!"
Silas's tattoos flared. "SHUT UP, YOU UNGRATEFUL BASTARDS! It works, and that's what matters!"
"Fancy boy's stingy," Zoro grunted.
"Cheap shirt, cheap ship," Sanji added.
"DON'T START AGAIN!" Usopp wailed.
Luffy was already aboard. "This'll be fun!"
"Load the supplies—we're sailing!" Silas barked.
---
They scrambled aboard—Zoro muttering threats, Sanji insulting the galley, Usopp tripping over ropes.
On the Baratie's deck, the chefs lined up. Zeff's peg leg thudded.
"Don't come back, you shitty brat!" Pride shone in his eyes.
"GET LOST!" the chefs roared, some crying, some throwing spoons.
Sanji leaned over the railing. "I HOPE YOUR FOOD POISONS YOU ALL!" A single tear caught the light.
Silas gripped the helm. The ship caught the wind, cutting through waves with unexpected grace. Told you she works.
---
As they sailed, each found their place in the chaos—Zoro grumbling, Sanji cooking, Usopp clinging to the mast, Johnny and Yosaku pointing ahead.
Luffy stood at the prow, voice booming over the sea.
"FULL SPEED TO NAMI!"
The storm ahead seemed to bow before them as Silas's humble ship carried this magnificent crew of lunatics toward their navigator.