Repaying Kindness with Enmity: So-Called Betrayal

"Thank you, thank you so much."

After finishing his meal, Gin, who had finally 'come back to life,' was in tears.

"Hey, cook! What's your name?"

Luffy, who had jumped out the window, stood casually next to the two of them.

"Become our nakama and be the cook on our pirate ship!"

"My name is Sanji, and I'm the vice-captain chef here."

"I won't join your ship."

However, the man with a cigarette in his mouth, blonde hair covering his left eye and only revealing his right eye and eyebrow, with curled eyebrows, dressed as a waiter, refused Luffy's invitation without hesitation.

"Because I have a reason I must work here."

"I refuse your refusal!"

"Hey, hey, hey, listen to me properly…"

"What is that reason?"

"I'm not telling you."

"Didn't you just tell me to listen to you properly?"

"……I'll hit you!"

But no matter what, they were all men of the sea, and before long, the three of them were chatting. They talked about the sea, about adventure, about dreams, and even became animated! An old man watching all this quietly from behind a window on the third floor smiled with nostalgia. Meanwhile, in the restaurant:

"Luffy's gone again, I hope he hasn't caused trouble?"

Facing Nami's worry, Roman took a slice of bread and put it in his mouth.

"No, my Scouting Paper Crane is watching outside, Luffy is trying to recruit a cook."

"That's good,"

Nami seemed to have lost her appetite and forced a smile.

"With Roman here, I believe the Straw Hat Pirates will be able to keep going…"

"What are you talking about?"

Roman frowned, Nami's odd behavior made him feel strange. Could it be that 'time of the month' for girls? He tried to recall the blurry plot from over ten years ago. However, what was clearer was the Marineford War, and later Doflamingo, the New World, and so on. The East Blue plot was too long ago…

Wait! He seemed to remember—

"You guys are eating delicious food here while leaving me behind!"

Luffy, who had returned at some point, plopped down at Roman's table and grabbed a plate, ready to eat.

"I found a good cook, and I'll be able to invite him soon…"

Smack!

However, before Luffy could finish speaking, he was grabbed by the 'merciless iron hand' behind him, along with the displeased voice of the cook named Sanji.

"Aren't you a waiter? What are you doing sitting here?"

"Besides, I'm not going to become a pirate! Because…"

"Isn't this a good opportunity?"

An old voice came from the owner, head chef, and captain of the restaurant: an old man who had lost a leg.

"Go be a pirate,"

He looked at the blonde, curly-browed cook, Sanji.

"This restaurant doesn't need you anymore!"

"What? You old geezer…"

Clang,

"N-no good, it's Commander Krieg's pirate flag!"

At the 'Sea Restaurant,' everyone was in chaos! If the comparison between the Golden Merry and the 'Sea Restaurant' was like a small chick next to a big goose, then the pirate ship that had appeared now was like a hound, huge!

"That's quite exaggerated…"

Looking at the slowly approaching giant ship, Roman had to admit that sailing in this world had indeed brought out a lot of black technology! This kind of creation, which resembled an ocean liner, could actually be made of wood. However:

"Wait, why does it look so tattered?"

"Could it have been hit by a gale…"

"Do I need to say? It doesn't look like it was done by humans at all,"

This giant ship, like a maritime 'aircraft carrier,' was now slowly docking next to the Sea Restaurant like a ghost ship. Just as everyone was in shock and uncertainty:

Bang,

The door swung open, and the man named Gin returned. This time, however, he was supporting a tall man:

"Ahhhhhhh—!!!"

"Commander Krieg?"

"We're all going to die—"

From the bystanders' exclamations, Roman and the others easily identified the newcomers. However:

"It seems Captain Krieg isn't having much luck."

To say he wasn't lucky was an understatement. The massive ship outside was in tatters, and Krieg himself was barely alive.

Roman estimated the man to be about two and a half meters tall, with light purple hair tied up in a bandana. He wore a loose shirt that hinted at weapons and armor underneath, black boots, and a large cloak.

"So scary..."

As the saying goes, 'even a starved camel is bigger than a horse'! Despite his fallen state, the two-and-a-half-meter 'little giant' still had a formidable impact on everyone in the restaurant, such as:

"I... I'm going to the restroom..."

Nami, looking terrified, quietly retreated.

"Excuse me... could you... give us some food and water..."

The tall captain, looking utterly depleted, leaned heavily on Gin for support as he weakly pleaded.

"I have money... I'll pay whatever it takes..."

"Hahahahahaha—"

The burly cook, who had been terrified moments ago, burst into laughter. Seeing the pirate who once dominated the East Blue in such a weakened state, there was nothing left to fear.

"Food and water? Don't even think about it! Call the Marines!"

"Isn't that Lieutenant whatever-his-name-is nearby? This is his chance to get promoted and rich, he definitely won't miss it."

"Wait,"

Gin, supporting Krieg, called out anxiously.

"We are guests! This time we have money, ten times, a hundred times, whatever you want!"

"Hmph, and then after you recover, you'll go back to burning, killing, and looting?"

The burly cook sneered and pulled out a cleaver, a fearsome weapon a meter and a half long!

"People like you will definitely attack our restaurant after eating. You won't get a drop of water—"

Slam, The tall pirate leader dropped to his knees, bowing so low his head hit the floor! His humble plea echoed through the restaurant.

"...Please... even just some leftovers..."

"We'll leave quietly after we eat, please..."

"Captain!"

"Don't do this, you don't have to!"

Seeing his captain grovel so abjectly, Gin beside him was moved to tears.

—A true beast.

Roman watched the scene unfold without a word. As these 'characters' appeared before him, his distant memories began to resurface, the images in his mind slowly aligning with the people in reality.

Krieg, a pirate who had long held the position of overlord in the East Blue.

Arrogant, ungrateful, and ruthless, he didn't even care about the lives of his own subordinates. He was a detestable person from beginning to end. He considered himself invincible, embodying conceit, heartlessness, and baseness. However:

Roman didn't dislike him.

At least, as a 'pirate,' he truly embodied what a 'pirate' should be!

Scheming, ruthless, subservient, and unyielding...

It wasn't just anyone who, upon entering the Grand Line, would encounter the world's top fighter, 'Hawk Eyes,' be casually slaughtered by him, with over fifty warships and nearly ten thousand subordinates annihilated! Yet still have the courage to continue challenging the Grand Line.

Whether he was a frog in a well or just ridiculously arrogant, Roman at least admired that perseverance.

However—

Bang!

"Get out of the way."

Kicking the burly cook who was blocking the way aside, the man named Sanji placed the food and water in front of Gin.

"Give it to your captain."

"Thank you... thank you..."

Watching the man named Krieg devour the food, the other cooks were furious!

"Sanji, are you crazy!"

"For this man named Krieg, betrayal is as normal as drinking water..."

"He won't leave obediently after eating, he definitely will—"

Bang!!

In fact, they didn't have to wait long.

Krieg, having just swallowed the last bite of food, suddenly stood up and punched his 'savior,' Sanji, sending him flying!

"Phew, I'm alive."

Roman had long since given up on trying to understand the 'digestive systems' of the strong individuals in this world. But:

"Nice restaurant. I'm taking this ship!"

Wasn't this betrayal a little too fast?

Meanwhile, on the Merry.

"Yo, Big Brother Nami, you're back?"

Joseph and Johnny, who were left to guard the ship, asked in confusion as Nami jumped onto the deck.

"Where are the other Big Brothers? — And is that the Krieg Pirates next to us? Should we make a quick getaway..."

"They're watching from over there. They sent me to raise the anchor and get the ship moving!"

Nami directed the two third-rate pirate hunters to raise the anchor and turn the ship, while also nimbly searching the deck, collecting all the inconspicuous paper cranes. These were all Roman's creations; normally, they were just ordinary paper cranes, but if needed, they could instantly become Roman's 'eyes.'

Puff,

A match struck, and the leaping flame fell onto the paper cranes, engulfing the small objects in a fierce blaze!

"Big Brother Nami, next..."

"You two stand at the bow. I need to change clothes."

Facing Nami, who was pulling up her clothes, Joseph and Johnny couldn't understand why their 'Big Brother' was changing clothes now. But they instinctively turned around, and then—

Push!

Plop, plop,

"Goodbye."

The Golden Merry, having already raised anchor and set sail, made a swift turn and glided away from the water, speeding off towards the side!

"This... this...?"

"Quick, go inform the other Big Brothers!"

"While they're watching the show, I can easily get away."

"Hahaha, what a great haul~~"

On the departing Golden Merry, the girl named Nami turned the ship's wheel. She knew this sea area like the back of her hand.

"I didn't expect Roman's ship to have so much money~~"

"Over thirty million Belly, I've hit the jackpot!"

"The one hundred million goal has been achieved," the girl said, tilting her head up with a smile.

"You should be happier, Nami." As she smiled, tears began to stream down her face.

"I'm sorry..."

"I'm sorry, Roman, Luffy, Zoro..."

And Usopp, who just joined, you're not a liar, I am!

The girl lowered her head, biting her lip tightly, letting the dripping tears fall onto the deck.

"The next time we meet, will you still consider me... who stole your ship, stole your money, and betrayed your trust... as a nakama?"

PS: Well, well, commemorating the first monthly ticket: thrown by reader Turbo Quantum. Also, the first reward: 100 from Uncle Yao. An extra chapter.