Chapter 40: The Krieg Pirates
Don Krieg stood menacingly on the deck of the Baratie, his eyes scanning the assembled cooks and patrons with a cold, calculating gaze. "Everyone off this ship!" he bellowed, his voice echoing across the floating restaurant. His towering figure and fearsome reputation sent shivers down the spines of those present. Yet, among the chaos, Luffy stood unmoved, staring at Krieg with a blank expression. Nami stood right beside him, close like she'd promised, her hand gripping his arm.
Krieg's lips curled into a sinister smile as he turned his attention to the restaurant itself. "I'm not here to destroy the Baratie," he declared, his voice dripping with malice. "I'm going to take it as my own." His eyes flickered to the cooks, who stood their ground despite the overwhelming threat.
Standing beside Krieg, Gin stepped forward, his voice desperate. "Please, don't harm these people," he begged, his eyes fixed on Krieg. "They saved my life. The blonde boy gave me food when I was starving."
Krieg's response was swift and brutal. He delivered a devastating clothesline to Gin, sending his first mate crashing to the deck. "Know your place, Gin," he snarled, before turning back to the cooks.
"You," Krieg pointed at the head chef, "I have about a hundred men on my ship, hungry, wounded, and thirsty. Prepare meals, water, and medical treatment for them. Now."
Patty, one of the head cooks, stepped forward, his face resolute. "We refuse outright!" he shouted. Around him, the other cooks raised their weapons: guns, rifles, cannons, and even a bazooka. They aimed directly at Krieg.
"Fire!" Patty ordered. The air was filled with the deafening roar of gunfire and explosions. Smoke and chaos erupted as the patrons scurried to safety, terrified of Krieg's wrath. His reputation as a ruthless and vindictive killer on their minds.
As the smoke cleared, an ominous figure stood unharmed amidst the wreckage. Krieg's golden armor gleamed in the dim light, his gold shield reflecting the carnage around him. Bullets and cannonballs lay harmlessly at his feet, unable to penetrate his defenses. In that very moment, the cooks realised why Krieg was such a formidable pirate. Tiers above run of the mill pirates sailing the East Blue.
Krieg mocked the cooks with a cruel laugh. "Is this all you've got?" He spread his arms, revealing an array of hidden weapons beneath his golden armor, pistols aimed at the cooks. "My turn now."
Suddenly, a large sack landed with a thud next to Krieg. The impact drew everyone's attention as Zeff, the head chef, stepped forward, his presence commanding and calm. "That sack has enough food and water for a hundred men," Zeff said, his voice steady.
Krieg's eyes narrowed as recognition dawned. "Zeff... Red Leg Zeff," he muttered, the name sending a ripple of shock through his crew. The cooks protested, urging Zeff not to give in. "The same Zeff that sailed the grandline and returned alive. They said he never used his hands, just his legs. His boots soaked red with the blood of all those that crossed his path."
Zeff remained unfazed. "I'm just a cook now. This is my restaurant. Leave."
Krieg looked down and noticed the peg leg. With a wide smile he looked up at the veteran pirate. "It would appear that you are no longer that same red leg," he mocked.
"What of it?" the old man asked. His face wrinkled with age.
"Your log book, give it to me!" Krieg roared. "I had enough men, enough weapons and ships. What I didn't have was enough information. As all great pirates do. You have a log book of everything that you saw and encountered on the grandline. With that book and this ship. I will be unstoppable!"
"That log book contains the treasured memories of my old crew," Zeff revealed. "In their memory I cannot hand it over to you!"
Krieg's smirk widened. "I've already decided. I'll take your logbook of the Grand Line as well as this ship, after I feed my men." He hefted the gigantic sack of food and began to walk towards his ship. "You need to decide if that log book is worth your life," he added.
The cooks erupted in panic. "This is the only place where we can work," one of them cried. "We have to fight back!"
Gin, still recovering from the blow, warned them. "You can't handle the Krieg Pirates. Surrender the ship and save your lives."
Luffy walked up to Gin, his expression thoughtful. "Your loyalty is admirable," he said. Gin's eyes widened with desperation.
"Please, don't interfere," Gin begged.
Luffy turned to Sanji and nodded. "Get ready to fight," he said. Then, he turned to Zeff. "Thank you for the food and hospitality. I'll handle Krieg. My crew will take care of the rest."
Luffy looked back at Gin. "Your small timer captain is about to die at sea today."
The seriousness and intensity in Luffy's voice left no room for doubt. He walked towards the entrance, only to find Krieg blocking his path. Nami stayed right with him, her hand never leaving his arm.
"Who is going to die at sea again?" Krieg sneered.
Luffy didn't back down an inch, looking up at the massive man before him. "You're going to die today," he said, his fists clenching audibly.
Their tension was suddenly interrupted by the frantic screams of the Krieg Pirates. "He's back!" they shouted in terror. Just then, the massive galleon behind Krieg was sliced clean in two.
Panic and chaos ensued as the Krieg Pirates scrambled to avoid sinking. The cooks and patrons of the Baratie ran out in a frenzy, Luffy and Zeff among them. Outside, they witnessed the pirate ship in pieces, the once fearsome vessel reduced to splinters.
The sight left everyone in stunned silence, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Luffy's eyes scanned the horizon, searching for the source of the destruction. Whatever lay ahead, he knew this battle was far from over.
He stood on the fins of the Baratie, surveying the chaotic scene around him. The once-peaceful floating restaurant was now engulfed in turmoil. Amidst the panicked shouts of the crew and the frantic movements of the customers, Zoro and Usopp came running towards him.
"Luffy!" Zoro called out, his voice strained with urgency. "Is the ship alright?"
Luffy's eyes widened with concern. "What about the ship? What happened?"
Usopp, still catching his breath, added, "Johnny and Yosaku were alone on the ship. We left them behind to come here."
Just then, distant cries for help pierced through the noise. Turning towards the water, they saw Johnny and Yosaku struggling against the waves, desperately swimming towards the fins of the Baratie.
"Help! Someone help us!" Johnny's voice was hoarse from shouting.
"Hang on!" Luffy yelled, leaping into action. He reached out, grasping Johnny's outstretched hand and pulling him onto the fins. Zoro and Usopp quickly followed suit, helping Yosaku to safety.
Johnny, gasping for air, looked at Luffy with wide eyes. "The Krieg Pirates... they attacked the ship. Came out of nowhere. We tried to fight but there were too many. They threw us overboard."
Luffy's jaw tightened. "Nami's with me," he said, his voice steady. "She never left my side."
Johnny and Yosaku looked at Nami, who was standing right behind Luffy, and visible relief washed over their faces.
"She's safe," Yosaku breathed. "Thank the seas."
Nami looked at Luffy with an expression that mixed gratitude and something deeper. He'd kept her close. Just like he promised.
The panic around them intensified as the Krieg Pirates, sensing imminent danger, began to scream louder. "He's coming! He's coming!"
From amidst the debris, smoke, and dust of the destroyed galleon, a lone figure emerged on a small boat. His presence was commanding, his appearance striking. He wore a long, black coat with a high collar, his eyes sharp and piercing. A large, ornate cross hung around his neck, and at his back, he carried a massive, intricately designed sword.
His boat was a stark contrast to the destruction around him, small yet imposing, with a single, dark sail bearing an insignia that struck fear into the hearts of those who recognized it.
Zoro's eyes widened in recognition and awe. He took a step forward, his voice steady as he called out, "The world's greatest swordsman... Dracule Mihawk."