Whoosh—
Luffy's neck stretched like a piece of high-grade rubber, his head rocketing from the second-floor deck down to the lower balcony. He practically pressed his nose against Sanji's cheek.
"Hey! Cook! Just join us! Be the chef for our pirate crew!"
Sanji, who had been lost in his own deep, philosophical moment, jumped back in shock. His cigarette nearly fell out of his mouth, and the heavy, dramatic atmosphere vanished instantly.
"Whoa! What the hell are you made of?!" Sanji recoiled, looking at Luffy with pure disgust. "I already told you, I have a reason I have to stay here. Whether it's the old man or this shop... just give it up."
Without a second's hesitation, Luffy shouted back:
"I refuse!"
"Huh? Refuse what?" Sanji blinked.
"I refuse your refusal!!" Luffy yelled with total conviction.
"ARE YOU AN IDIOT?!" Sanji's forehead veins throbbed. He realized communication with this person was functionally impossible. "Did you even listen to a word I said? This is my decision!"
"Not listening!"
Luffy's arms stretched out like twin ropes, grabbing the railing, and his body snapped down with a zip. He landed perfectly balanced on the rail, looking down at Sanji.
"So what's the reason? The reason you have to stay?"
"I'm under no obligation to tell you!" Sanji's eyes turned cold. A shimmering kitchen knife appeared in his hand as if by magic, and he pressed the flat of the blade against Luffy's forehead. "Say one more word, and I'll mince you into meat sauce, you persistent rubber brat!"
Facing the sharp edge, Luffy didn't back down. He widened his eyes and stared Sanji down. "What was that?! You dare insult this hat, and I'll kick your ass!"
The two pressed their foreheads together, sparks practically flying as they refused to budge.
"Ah... two idiots. Both of you shut up. You're giving me a headache."
A resigned voice drifted from above. Viktor, supporting himself with one hand on the railing, flipped lightly over the edge and landed gracefully between them, breaking the tension.
The two let out synchronized snorts and turned to look at Viktor. He ignored them, turning instead to Gin, who was struggling to stand.
"You're the Combat Commander of the Krieg Pirates, right?"
Gin clutched his still-aching stomach, eyeing Viktor warily and dropping into a defensive stance. "Yeah... that's right. I appreciate the rice, but if you want a fight, I can give you one. For Don Krieg, I won't back down."
"A fight?" Viktor's lip twitched into his trademark smile. "I have no interest in fighting a small-timer like you. However... if you gave me a chance to put an end to your 'Admiral' Krieg... I might find that acceptable."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Gin roared, his eyes bloodshot. "How dare you insult the Leader! Don Krieg is the Ruler of the East Blue!"
"Krieg? What's that? Is it tasty?" Beside them, Luffy tilted his head, picking his nose with a look of utter confusion.
"..."
Sanji looked at the straw-hatted moron with a dark expression. "How are you even a pirate? He's the Admiral of a Great Fleet of fifty ships!"
Gin glared at Viktor, then took a deep breath to suppress his rage. He turned a complex look toward Luffy. "You're pirates too... what is your goal?"
Luffy immediately broke into a brilliant, determined grin. "Ah! I'm going to find the One Piece and enter the Grand Line!"
"Oh, that." Viktor stood by, nodding solemnly. "Right. I'm Luffy, the man who will be King of the Pirates."
"HEY!!!"
Luffy exploded, his arms stretching out to grab Viktor's collar, shaking him violently. "Bastard Viktor! Stop stealing my lines! I'm the Pirate King! You're the Vice-Captain! The Vice-Captain!!"
"Fine, fine, I get it. Stop shaking, I'm gonna puke," Viktor said, his head bobbing like a lucky cat, remaining perfectly calm.
Gin watched them, but there wasn't a hint of a smile on his face. On the contrary, at the mention of the "Grand Line," a deep, primal fear surfaced, and his body began to tremble.
"Since Sanji-san saved my life... I'll give you a piece of advice." Gin's voice was raspy, as if he were reliving a nightmare. "You'd better stay away from the Grand Line. That place... it isn't meant for humans."
"It's just one part of the world's oceans. If you just want to be pirates, the sea is huge—go anywhere else. Don't go there to die..."
Luffy stopped shaking Viktor and looked thoughtful. "I see... so, what do you know about the Grand Line?"
"Don't ask!!" Gin suddenly clutched his head and crouched down. "No, I know nothing... I don't understand anything... it's hell... it's hell..."
Viktor watched the breakdown and smiled thin, saying nothing.
They had only been in the Grand Line for a few days before running into "Hawk-Eye" Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, who was apparently bored enough to hunt "rabbits."
Fifty ships reduced to one wreck in an instant. It was like a group of Bronze-tier players accidentally matching against the world's top-ranked professional.
Was the Krieg fleet lucky to survive, or the unluckiest people on earth for meeting him?
A short while later.
Gin, being a seasoned commander, managed to pull himself together. With Sanji's help, he boarded a small Baratie supply boat.
"Goodbye, everyone," Gin said, untying the lines.
Luffy stood on the railing, laughing loudly. "Yeah, see ya! But I'm still going to the Grand Line! Like this cook said, it's dangerous, but I have a reason I have to go! Shishishi!"
Sanji leaned against the rail, watching Luffy's fearless conviction. His eyes softened for a moment. He took a long drag and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.
Cough, cough...
Viktor, whose face was currently being washed by the smoke, frowned and waved it away, glaring at the cook. "Hey, Curly. If you have to smoke, go do it in the ocean. You're polluting the air."
Viktor seriously suspected the guy was doing it on purpose.
"Huh?!" Sanji looked over provocatively. "How do you smoke in the ocean? Is there water in your brain? And who are you calling Curly! You want to go, red-eyed jerk?"
Viktor's smile widened. "Sure. Don't worry, you'll get to experience smoking underwater very soon."
"Hah?" Sanji looked confused. Did that mean he was going to be thrown into the sea?
"Hahahaha!" Luffy watched them, and instead of stopping the fight, he slapped the railing and roared with laughter. "Man, you guys are idiots! You get along so well!"
"YOU'RE THE IDIOT!!" Viktor and Sanji barked in perfect unison, turning their heads to glare at Luffy.
"Oh? Is that so?" Luffy scratched his head, looking innocent.
"Heh..." Gin, who had rowed a short distance away, watched this lively scene and felt a long-forgotten smile touch his lips.
"HEY—!!" Gin interrupted their bickering, standing up and bowing deeply to Sanji. "Sanji-san, truly, thank you. You're my savior. That fried rice... was the most delicious thing I've eaten in my life."
He looked up, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "If I have a chance in the future... can I come and eat it again?"
Sanji froze for a second, then a smirk touched his lips. He waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, anytime. As long as you're hungry."
"Thank you!!" Gin turned and began rowing into the distance.
Viktor stood by the railing, glancing at Sanji before fixing his gaze on Gin's retreating back. He hesitated. Right now, a single kunai could end Gin and prevent the massive trouble coming their way.
But... he looked at Sanji, who seemed a bit lonely watching his "guest" leave. If he killed Gin now, he would be negating the very path Sanji had chosen—and he'd lose the trust of his future comrade.
Snap.
Viktor put the kunai back into its pouch, closing his palm. Fine. Let him bring Krieg. I'll just deal with them both then. It's just more work, and it's a good chance to farm some Shinobi Points anyway.
Sanji, you have your convictions, and I have mine. When it's time to swing the blade, I won't hesitate, Viktor thought silently. He turned and smiled at the restaurant.
"Hey, Curly. We're your 'Gods' right now, aren't we?"
"I'm hungry. Another plate of fried rice."
"Ah!" Luffy looked annoyed. "I just saw him eating it and it looked so good! Thanks for the reminder, Viktor! Sanji! I want a plate too!"
"Go drink seawater, you two bastards," Sanji muttered, crushing his cigarette and heading for the kitchen.
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