The Krieg Pirates
Baratie, a restaurant on the sea
The atmosphere inside the restaurant suddenly became tense.
Ace propped himself up, flames already flickered at his fingertips, while Luffy was ready to launch himself.
"I'll fight!"
"No, I'll go first!"
However, just as the two were about to rush out—
Roy simply turned his head slightly, casting a meaningful glance at him.
The two paused, looking confused, but instinctively stopped what they were doing and sat back down.
"Roy?"
Luffy tilted his head, still holding meat in his mouth, and asked doubtfully, "Aren't you going to beat them?"
Roy shook his head slightly, his eyes deep, his tone calm. "No rush, let's take a look first."
Baratie Outer Deck
The sea breeze howled, and more than thirty Pirate ships surrounded the entire floating restaurant. (This was before it had grown to 50 ships.)
The black flag on the mast fluttered in the wind, and rows of cannons turned and locked onto the main gate of Baratie.
At the center of the flagship, a man clad in Golden Armor and wearing a feathered helmet stood at the bow, laughing wildly, "Zeff!! Get out here!!"
"If you know what's good for you, hand over the floating restaurant obediently!"
He raised his metal spear and roared, "Otherwise—I, Don Krieg, will blast this wrecked ship to pieces today!!"
Chaos erupted inside the restaurant. Guests screamed and hid under the tables, while the chefs gripped their knives tightly, yet none dared to step forward.
A sense of oppression permeated the air.
Just then--
"Bang!!"
The restaurant door was kicked open!
Sanji, dressed in a chef's uniform, his blond Blond Hair disheveled, veins throbbing on his forehead, strode out, his face full of rage!
"Damn Pirates... get out of these waters!"
You've startled our guests!
Don Krieg was taken aback, then his face contorted in fury, and he roared, "Where did this brat come from?! How dare he talk to me like that?!"
He abruptly raised his metal spear, pointed it at Sanji, and placed his finger on the trigger.
At the critical moment--
"Whoosh!"
A shadow flashed out from behind him, and a hand was raised to press against the barrel of the gun.
It was the taciturn, murderous-looking captain of the Pirate crew—"Demon Man" Gin.
"Chief," Gin whispered, his tone as sharp as a knife cutting through ice, "Let me teach him a lesson."
Don Krieg scoffed, his gaze icy. "Hmph, don't keep me waiting too long."
Gin nodded, then leaped up and landed on the Baratie deck like an eagle soaring through the sky, his movements so light and silent.
Sanji narrowed his eyes, his expression turning serious.
"... This guy is not simple."
After landing, Gin stood like a statue, slowly assuming a fighting stance, and said in a low voice, "Kid, it's not too late to leave now."
Sanji chuckled, twisted his toes, and lashed out with his right leg!
"Neck Meat!"
The leg strike was as swift as a blade, aimed straight for Gin's head!
--But it was easily blocked by an arm as strong as steel.
"Smack!"
The two collided, causing the air to vibrate!
Sanji's pupils contracted, and he was about to create some distance when Gin preemptively struck with a kick. "Demon Foot - Bone Crusher!"
"Bang--!"
The blow struck Sanji in the abdomen. He groaned and staggered several meters before finally stopping himself by stomping his feet on the deck!
"Such tremendous force! This guy's lower body... is almost flawless!"
Sanji wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and charged forward again!
"Shoulder Meat!"
"Back Meat!"
"Meat under the saddle!"
A series of spinning kicks, changing angles, rained down like a storm, a dense mass of leg shadows!
However, Gin seemed to have anticipated all his moves, and every attack was either dodged or blocked.
The next moment--
"Ghost Foot - Tendon Severing!"
"Snap!"
Gin delivered a powerful spinning kick, slamming it down on Sanji's knee!
"Ugh--!"
Sanji knelt on one knee, cold sweat instantly pouring out, his ankles trembling slightly, making it almost impossible for him to get up.
Gin stood before him, his expression cold. "Admit defeat. You are no match for me."
Inside the restaurant, Ace and Luffy witnessed the entire process through the window.
"That guy with the curly eyebrows... he's going to lose!" Luffy exclaimed, his mouth agape in disbelief.
Ace frowned as well. "That guy... his speed, strength, and reflexes completely overwhelm Sanji."
Roy leaned against the window, his gaze calm yet sharp, a slight smile playing on his lips, "'Demon Man' Gin... many people in my past life had quite a high opinion of him."
Just then--
"Thump--!"
The restaurant door was pushed open again with a loud thud, heavy and forceful.
Zeff, leaning on his cane, walked out slowly, his face cold and his gaze fixed on Gin like a knife. "Enough."
His voice, though not loud, carried an undeniable authority.
Gin turned his head, a flicker of emotion appearing in his eyes.
Zeff walked up to Sanji, glanced down at him, and said in a cold tone, "What kind of skill is it to bully a brat?"
Gin remained silent for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly. He then slowly took two steps back and ceased his attack.
On the distant flagship, Don Krieg, seeing this, laughed wildly, "Zeff! You've finally decided to come out!"
"What? Now you're willing to hand over this restaurant?!"
Zeff, leaning on his cane, remained unfazed and responded with a cold laugh, "Dream on!"
Upon hearing this, Don Krieg's expression changed drastically. In a fit of rage, he suddenly drew his pistol from his waist and pointed it directly at Zeff!
"How dare a mere crippled old man defy me?!"
He grinned maliciously and roared, "You old bastard! You're asking for it!!"
"Bang--!"
Gunfire erupted!
The bullet sliced through the air and struck Zeff in the chest!
"Old man!!"
Sanji the excruciating pain in his knees, Sanji leaped up and tackled Zeff to the ground!
"Whoosh--!"
The bullet grazed the hem of Zeff's clothes, embedded itself in the deck with a "bang," and exploded in a shower of sparks.
Sanji, lying on top of Zeff, was pale but gritted his teeth and looked up, his eyes blazing with fury. "Don Krieg... you bastard!!"
Don Krieg missed his attack and was then glared at angrily by the brat, which made him jump up in anger. "You wretched brat! How dare you glare at me?!"
He suddenly waved his hand and roared, "Fire! Blow this lousy restaurant to smithereens!!"
"Yes, Chief!"
Thirty Pirate ships simultaneously turned their cannons, all aiming their dark barrels at Baratie!
The air seemed to freeze.
"Oh no... With so many cannons firing at once, the restaurant can't withstand it!"
Zeff's expression changed drastically, and Sanji gritted his teeth, cold sweat sliding down his forehead.
At this critical moment—
"Have you made enough of a scene?"
A calm yet oppressive voice came from inside the restaurant.
Don Krieg was startled and looked in the direction of the sound.
The restaurant doors opened again, and three figures walked out side by side.
Ahead stood Roy, his cloak billowing, his eyes indifferent and cold.
Behind him, Ace and Luffy stood on either side, their eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.
Don Krieg narrowed his eyes, then scoffed, "A mere Marine, leading two brats who haven't even grown their beards yet?"
He looked up and laughed arrogantly, "I've killed more navy soldiers than you've ever seen!!"
Roy ignored him, simply turning his head slightly and calmly saying to the two of them, "Go."
"Boom--!"
Ace suddenly transformed into a ball of blazing flame, leaping into the air, his fists ablaze!
"Fire Fist--!"
The enormous fiery fist fell like a meteorite, instantly crashing into Don Krieg's Flagship!
"Boom!!"
The explosion was deafening. The bow of the Flagship was shattered in flames, and a sea of fire engulfed the entire deck. Countless Pirates screamed and jumped into the sea to escape!
Don Krieg was blasted into the air, his eyes wide with horror. "Wh... what?!"
Gin turned around and looked back, his pupils contracting sharply. "A fire attack...?!"
However, before he could react—
"Iron Fist Cannon!!"
Luffy arrived in an instant, roared, gathered his strength in his arms, and unleashed two punches like cannons firing simultaneously!
"Bang!!"
Gin was hit in the chest and was blasted away by the powerful Impact, crashing through the ship's railing and slamming heavily onto the deck, scattering wood chips everywhere!
He lay on the ground coughing up a mouthful of blood, struggling to lift his head, his expression one of horror. "This brat... how can a punch hurt so much?!"