Chapter 7 Hawkeye: Heard someone wants to challenge the world's number one?That thing called the "Dreadnought" was now like a broken toy, emitting unbearable metallic groans as it slowly and irreversibly sank into the sea.On the sea surface, the grunts of the Don Kriegpirates fell into the water like dumplings, wailing and crying for their parents.The entire restaurant was deathly silent.Everyone stood frozen, as if a pause button had been pressed.Only Usopp's teeth were chattering, making a "clack-clack-clack" sound."What… was that just now?" Ben's voice was fluttering.Zoro didn't answer.His eyes were locked onto the window.Beside the wreckage of the sinking giant ship, there was a small boat.To call it a boat was being generous.It was a coffin floating on the water.Truly, it was a black, Western-style coffin with a cross on it.Two green ghostly flames were lit on the coffin.The atmosphere was rendered quite perfectly.Anyone who didn't know better would think some necromancer had come out to sea for a field trip.Inside the coffin sat a man.He wore a wide-brimmed black hat with large feathers and a gorgeous black and red trench coat, looking like he was about to attend some medieval aristocratic ball.The most conspicuous thing was the giant cross on his back.No, that wasn't a cross.That was a sword.A strange-looking, absurdly large black sword.Ben's brain was running at high speed.An eerie entrance.The styling was peak pretentiousness.A single slash to cut a giant ship in half.This…This damn thing isn't a boss that should appear in a newbie village like the East Blue, right?!Did the big shot walk into the wrong scene?!Just then, the man slowly raised his head.Ben's heart skipped a beat.What a pair of eyes those were!Golden, as sharp as a hawk's, devoid of the slightest emotion.It was as if everything in the world was no different from the dust beneath his feet in his eyes.The moment those eyes swept over him, Ben felt his soul freeze.He subconsciously took a step back, his back hitting the wall with a "thud."Cold sweat instantly soaked his clothes.Danger!Extremely dangerous!This was the first time since he transmigrated that he had felt such pure, suffocating pressure!This person… must absolutely not be provoked!However.Zoro, beside him, made a move that almost made him die on the spot.That Moss-head, not only was he not afraid, but he… smiled?Yes, he smiled.It was a smile mixed with excitement, fanaticism, and a readiness to face death."Hey…" Ben's voice was a bit dry, "What are you smiling at?"Zoro didn't answer him.The Moss-head just slowly stood up, one hand gripping the hilt of the "wado ichimonji" at his waist.His gaze passed through the restaurant window and collided fiercely with the coffin man's line of sight in the air."I've been looking for you." Zoro spoke, his voice not loud, but every word was incredibly clear."The purpose of me setting sail was to have a battle with you!"Ben:!!!Ben felt like his CPU was about to fry.No!Buddy!Are you serious?!Didn't you see the fate of that ship outside?!You're going to find him to fight?What are you going to fight with?Are you going to use your three little knives to scrape his skin?!"Zoro! Are you drunk?!" Usopp screamed.However, Zoro turned a deaf ear.He walked step by step towards the restaurant entrance.Every step was taken with extreme determination."Hey! Moss-head!" Ben lunged forward and grabbed Zoro's arm."Calm the fuck down! That guy is not someone we can deal with!"Zoro stopped and looked back at him.In those eyes, there was no fear, no hesitation, only a clear fighting spirit."This is my own decision.""Fighting the world's number one, and then surpassing him, is what I promised her…"After saying that, he gently shook off Ben's hand and walked out of the restaurant without looking back.Ben held out his hand, frozen in place.It's over.This crazy lunatic, can't be stopped.Outside the restaurant.Zoro stood on the deck, facing the man directly."You must be bored, how about we have a spar."Those golden eyes of his swept over Zoro coldly."A spar?"His voice was calm, but it stung like ice shards."You haven't even seen my sword, and you dare to talk about a spar?"Zoro grinned."It's precisely because I haven't seen it that I need to spar.""Only then will I know how big the gap is between me and the world's number one."Hawkeye was silent for two seconds."Interesting."He slowly stood up.Ben felt the surrounding air solidify the moment he saw the man stand up.That pressure was like a great mountain, making it hard to breathe."Holy shit…"Ben's legs were weak.Is this the man who stands at the pinnacle of the world?Just standing up is this terrifying?Hawkeye did not draw the black sword on his back.Instead, he took off a small cross pendant from his neck.The pendant turned into a small knife in his hand.A small knife only the size of a palm, more decorative than practical.The scene was deathly silent."You…"Zoro's expression changed."Are you insulting me?!"Hawkeye was expressionless."I am not a hunter who uses full force to deal with a rabbit.""The East Blue is the weakest sea.""And you are a swordsman from the East Blue.""Using this knife is enough."Veins bulged on Zoro's temples."You will regret this."He took a deep breath, bit the "wado ichimonji" in his mouth, and drew his other two swords with both hands.Three Sword Style, opening move of the secret technique!"Onigiri!"Zoro turned into a green whirlwind and rushed towards Hawkeye!The speed was shockingly fast!Ben didn't even see how he moved!"So fast!"Usopp's eyes widened.However—"Ding."A soft sound.Zoro's three swords were easily blocked by the small cross knife.Zoro's pupils shrank violently.How is that possible?!He gritted his teeth, exerted force with his arms, trying to push forward.But that small knife didn't budge.It was like an insurmountable wall."Not bad strength."Hawkeye said faintly."But, too weak."His wrist flicked."Hum—"An invisible force erupted from the knife!Zoro was sent flying!"Zoro!"Luffy shouted.Zoro did a few backflips in the air, barely stabilized his figure, and knelt on one knee.He raised his head, staring at Hawkeye."It's not over yet!"He rushed up again!"Tora Gari!""Onigiri!""Tatsumaki!"Move after move, without reservation!However, no matter how he attacked, that small knife could always accurately block every one of his swords!Hawkeye didn't even move his feet once!Ben felt his scalp tingle.This gap…Is it too big?It's a completely one-sided crushing!The more Zoro fought, the more anxious he became, sweat dripping from his forehead."Why?!"He gritted his teeth."How is it possible… Is the gap between me and the world this big?!"Those golden eyes of his looked directly at Zoro for the first time."Why don't you retreat?" Hawkeye finally spoke, his voice tinged with a hint of confusion, "You already understand the gap between us."Zoro panted heavily, sweat and blood mixed together, flowing down his cheeks."I don't know.""But, if I retreat one step here…"He raised his head, his eyes shining astonishingly."All those important vows and promises I made in the past… will all disappear and never come back."Hawkeye was silent.He put away the small cross knife and held the giant black sword on his back— "Yoru" —with his backhand."Kid, state your name.""Roronoa Zoro!""I will remember you, strong one." Hawkeye slowly raised the black sword, "As a tribute to a swordsman, I will send you off with this world's strongest black sword."Ben's brain buzzed.He… he is going to get serious!Ben's breathing stopped.This sword…Just looking at it, I feel it's extremely dangerous!Zoro looked at that sword, and a smile actually appeared on his face."Then thank you very much!"He extended the two swords in his hands forward and rotated them rapidly, biting the "wado ichimonji" in his mouth to take a stance."Since you have drawn your sword, I cannot be rude.""This next move is my strongest move.""Sanzen Sekai!"Zoro rushed towards Hawkeye like a green tornado!Hawkeye raised "Yoru".A gentle swing.No flashy moves.No gorgeous special effects.Just a simple, single slash.The two crossed paths back to back."Clack—"Zoro's two swords broke upon impact.Only "wado ichimonji" barely held up because it was a famous sword.Zoro froze in place.He looked down, staring at the two broken swords in his hands, completely stunned.Zoro was silent for a few seconds.Then, he slowly turned around and spread his arms."What do you mean?"Facing Hawkeye's confused question, Zoro raised his head proudly, his face fearless, even smiling!"Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame!"A flash of admiration crossed Hawkeye's eyes."Remarkable,"The next instant, the giant black sword flashed, and blood splattered across Zoro's chest!In Ben's line of sight, only that black slash tearing through the air remained.Time seemed to be slowed down infinitely at this moment.He saw Luffy screaming heartbreakingly, "Zoro—!"He saw Sanji and the chefs' shocked expressions.He saw himself, like an idiot, standing there, having forgotten to breathe.Ben's brain went completely blank at this moment.An indescribable shock, like an electric current, rushed from his tailbone to the top of his head.He finally understood.This guy… isn't throwing his life away.He is defending something called a "dream" with his own life.Even if this thing is ridiculously stupid in Ben's eyes.But at this moment, it was shining… so brightly that one couldn't look directly at it.A huge wound appeared on Zoro's chest.He fell backward, tumbling helplessly into the seawater behind him."Zoro!"Luffy rushed out.Stretching his arm, Luffy pounced towards the man who was Hawkeye! His clenched fist was full of anger! However, the opponent just calmly sidestepped, causing Luffy's attack to miss, and he crashed into the pile of broken wood on the ship.As Luffy rushed out, Ben jumped into the water and fished Zoro onto a small boat.Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku stepped forward with bandages to dress Zoro's wounds.Zoro lay in a pool of blood, the wound on his chest deep enough to see bone."Are you guys this swordsman's companions?" Hawkeye looked at Luffy."Don't worry, he's still alive.""My name is Dracule Mihawk.""Go and understand yourself next,""Understand the world!!""Become stronger, Roronoa Zoro!""I will wait for you on the throne of the 'World's Strongest Swordsman'! Try to surpass me."After finishing, he turned around stylishly and jumped lightly onto his small raft to sit down.Ben watched this scene in shock, is this the bearing of a strong person—Zoro woke up at this moment, he raised his hand with difficulty, holding the "wado ichimonji", and raised it towards the sky."Luffy…"His voice was weak, but clear."Did I… make you worry?""If I can't become the world's greatest swordsman…""Will you be troubled?"Luffy's eyes turned red."No."Zoro smiled."That's good…""From today on…""Before I defeat that man and become the world's greatest swordsman…""I will never lose again!""Do you have any objections? Pirate King!"His voice resounded across the entire sea."Heeheeheehee,"The cheerful Luffy grinned, "I have no objections."A smile tugged at the corner of Hawkeye's mouth."Kid, what is your dream?"Hawkeye glanced at the boy who had just attacked him,"Pirate King!"Facing Luffy's unhesitating answer, Hawkeyeremembered this little team with interest."This path is even more difficult than surpassing me.""I don't care, I will definitely become the Pirate King!" Luffy said and made a face at Hawkeye."Not a bad team."Hawkeye nodded."This sea is very vast.""I hope that when we meet next time, you can make me draw my true full strength."After finishing, he sat back in the coffin boat and slowly left.Ben squatted beside Zoro, looking at this lunatic who was covered in blood but still smiling, his heart filled with mixed feelings."You crazy lunatic…""You almost died, do you know that?"Zoro grinned."But… I'm still alive.""And, I saw the scenery at the top of the mountain."Ben was silent.He lowered his head and looked at his own hands.Is this the strength of this sea?One slash, and life and death can be decided.And himself, he didn't even have the qualifications to scrape the guy's skin.He clenched his fists."I also want to become stronger, to see the scenery at the pinnacle of this world.""At least…""At least be able to protect myself, and protect my companions."Just then, a commotion came from the sea.The grunts of the Don Krieg pirates were swimming back to the Baratie desperately.Leading them was Don Krieg, who had regained his strength.He was soaked, his face gloomily terrible."Damn Hawkeye…""My ship…""My fleet of fifty ships…""All destroyed by that bastard!"He raised his head, looked at the Baratie, and a crazy light flashed in his eyes."But it doesn't matter…""As long as I seize this restaurant ship, I can make a comeback!""Little ones! Attack for me!"Over a hundred pirates yelled and rushed towards the Baratie.Ben looked at this group of grunts and took a deep breath."Just in time.""I've been holding back a belly full of fire, with nowhere to vent it!"He stretched his wrists, his knuckles making "crack-crack" sounds."Let me see…""How many can I beat with the Eagle Claw Technique I've practiced for the past six months
Chapter 8: Backstabbed by an Insider? Captain: It's fine, it must be my fault.Ben felt like he was playing whack-a-mole.With one swipe of his claw, a pirate grunt went down with a howl.Another swipe, and another one went down.This "Eagle Claw Technique" he'd messed around with in the backyard was absolute overkill against these nameless extras.It felt so good!In the half-year since he'd transmigrated, today was the most satisfying fight he'd ever had!Just as he was immersed in the thrill of crushing noobs in a low-tier game, a flash of something wrong caught the corner of his eye—a splash of white.The going merry.That silly sheep-headed ship was moving?Ben froze, his movements slowing down for a split second.A grunt seized the opportunity, raising his sword to slash at him!"Get lost!"Ben snapped back to reality, backhanding his claw to grab the guy's wrist and twisting it hard."Snap!""Ahhh!"He kicked the screaming grunt into the sea, not even bothering to look, and turned his head to stare fixedly at the going merry.That's right!The ship was moving!The tattered sail with the skull and crossbones was already raised, the bow had turned, and it was sailing away from the Baratie!On the deck, an orange-haired figure was nimbly maneuvering the helm.It was Nami!Ben's brain crashed for three seconds.Wait...What was going on?The battle wasn't even over, and the navigator had already sailed off?Running away with the loot?!"Splash! Splash!" Two sounds of people hitting the water came from the sea, followed immediately by cries for help from Johnny and Yosaku."Help!"Ben was completely stunned.Good grief, not only did she run off, but she'd also casually dumped two "fellow patients" into the sea.This move was just so clean, efficient, and utterly heartless.He turned his head and shouted at the top of his lungs toward Luffy, who was still trading blows with Don Krieg: "Luffy! Stop fighting! Your home's been stolen!"Luffy punched Don Krieg, forcing him to stumble back three steps, then turned around with a giant question mark on his face."Huh?""Nami stole the ship and ran off!" Ben pointed at the going merry, which was already some distance away, feeling like a grade-schooler tattling to a teacher.Luffy looked in the direction he pointed, and for the first time, that silly face of his wore an expression called "seriousness."He didn't speak, just whipped his arm out like an extra-long noodle, accurately grabbing Johnny and Yosaku who were still splashing in the sea, and tossed them both onto the deck of the Baratie."Cough, cough, cough!" The two spat out some seawater, and as soon as they caught their breath, they started wailing."Big Brother Luffy! Sister Nami... she pushed us into the sea and sailed off on her own!""She said she was a thief who specialized in stealing pirates' treasure all along!"Yosaku pulled a similarly soaked wanted poster from his drenched shirt and spread it out on the ground."Before she left, we saw her holding this!"Ben leaned in to take a look.The wanted poster depicted a man with a long nose, shark teeth, and a vicious expression.[Arlong][Bounty: 20,000,000 Berries]Twenty million?!Ben's eyelid twitched.This woman was way too bold, wasn't she? Stealing the ship and running was one thing, but locking onto a twenty-million-Berry pirate as her next target? What kind of high-risk, high-reward career plan was this? Even if she had a death wish, this wasn't how you played it!However... he actually felt a sense of relief.It was better that she left.A woman who would backstab teammates and run off with the loot at any moment was a ticking time bomb on the ship.Now that she'd detonated on her own, it was one less thing to worry about."So, she's just a thief, right?" A weak but firm voice rang out.It was Zoro.He was leaning against the wall, covered in bandages, blood still seeping out, his face as pale as paper."In that case, forget it." Zoro looked at Luffy, his tone calm."If the ship is gone, it's gone. Let her go."Ben nodded frantically in his heart.Yes, yes, yes!Look at that!The only sane person on the ship had finally spoken!Even though this Moss-head was a battle maniac, his head was still clear!"No way!" Usopp jumped up, tears and snot streaming down his face."We can do without Nami, but we have to get the going merry back! That's the ship Kaya gave us!"Ben: "..."Fine, half a sane person.At least he knew the ship was more important than the person.Luffy had been silent the whole time.He kept his head down, the shadow of his Straw Hat obscuring his face, so no one could see his expression.The restaurant was deathly silent.The battle on Don Krieg's side had paused, and everyone was watching this Straw Hat.Ben thought the matter was quite clear.Option A: Give up on a female con artist and a ship to continue fighting the boss in front of them.Option B: Give up on the boss in front of them to chase a female con artist and a ship that had already sailed away.Even with his toes, he knew to pick A!However, Luffy lifted his head.On his face, there was no anger, no sadness, only a calmness and stubbornness that Ben couldn't understand at all."Zoro, Usopp." He spoke."You two go and bring Nami back."Ben:?Zoro: "Huh?"Usopp: "Eh?""I don't care what kind of thief she is," Luffy's voice wasn't loud, but every word felt like a hammer striking Ben's heart, "and I don't care where she's going.""I just want her to be our navigator!"The whole place was deathly silent.Ben felt like his CPU was about to burn out.He stared blankly at Luffy, as if looking at an alien creature.This guy... what exactly was his brain made of?The person had explicitly said she was a thief, had rolled up all his belongings and run off, and he still wanted her?Was this some new type of PUA?No, this was him being PUA'd, for God's sake!"What are you thinking?!" Usopp screamed."She betrayed us!""I just want Nami to be my navigator!" Luffy said righteously.Ben couldn't catch his breath and almost choked.His tone made it sound like betrayal was as common as stepping in dog shit on the way out!Zoro looked at Luffy and was silent for a few seconds.Then, this equally abnormal Moss-head could only helplessly cover his forehead."I got it."He struggled to stand up, his body swaying, nearly falling over."I really can't do anything with you."Zoro limped toward a small restaurant boat nearby.Ben was defeated.He felt his worldview was being rubbed into the ground repeatedly by this bunch of lunatics.Didn't you just say "let her go"?Weren't you the only person on the ship with any sense?How could one word from the Captain make you give up on trying to be sane?!Was the word "Captain" some kind of absolute command engraved in your DNA?Was this a pirate crew or a cult?!"Hey! Zoro!" Ben couldn't help but yell at him."You're injured like that, what the hell are you going to chase?! Do you want to die halfway there?!"Zoro limped toward a small restaurant boat nearby without looking back."I won't die.""Usopp, let's go.""Eh? Me? I have to go too?" Usopp pointed at his own nose, looking terrified."No kidding, look at the state I'm in, how am I supposed to row?" Zoro's tone was unquestionable.Usopp made a mournful face, looking back every three steps, just like a maiden being abducted by a bully, and reluctantly followed along.Johnny and Yosaku exchanged a glance.Johnny immediately followed, while Yosaku stayed behind to act as a navigator for Luffy.Ben stood where he was, watching as this "pursuit squad," arguably the most pathetic in history, set off.A swordsman who was severely injured and felt like he might die the next second.A sniper who couldn't do anything but brag and run away.And a die-hard fan with a combat power of five.They were going to chase a pristine caravel piloted by a professional navigator.Ben covered his face.This wasn't chasing someone, for God's sake.This was throwing their lives away!"Good luck, you're on your own, you brave warriors." Ben silently lit a candle for them in his heart.He turned around, took a deep breath, and forced himself to accept this cruel reality.
Chapter 9: The Chef Calls Out Dishes, The CaptainPlays PinballBen turned around, looked at the dense, howling crowd of pirates charging at him, and took a deep breath."Damn it.""I've got a belly full of fire with nowhere to vent it."He cracked his knuckles, a series of "crack" sounds echoing."Just in time.""Men! Charge! Seize their food! Take over this ship!"Don Krieg stood on the wreckage of the flagship, waving his arms like a madman.The pirate lackeys swarmed forward like flies smelling blood."Hey! You bastards!"The fat chef, Patty, took the lead, holding two frying pans bigger than his face."You want to run wild on our turf?!"Behind him, dozens of chefs rushed out, each armed with a kitchen knife, rolling pin, or large soup ladle, full of momentum.Ben was stunned.Holy crap!Is this restaurant a joint venture between New Oriental and Shaolin Temple?How the hell can every single one of them fight?!The chefs and pirates instantly clashed."Clang!"Patty swatted a pirate away with a frying pan."Cling!"Another chef easily parried an opponent's machete with a kitchen knife, then used the back of the blade to bash the guy until he saw stars.The scene was incredibly chaotic, but strangely, the chefs weren't losing ground at all.Ben felt his worldview being refreshed again.On this sea, is "knowing martial arts" a prerequisite for being a chef?!"What are you staring at! Attack!"A pirate saw Ben standing still and, thinking he was an easy target, charged over with a blade.Ben didn't even raise his eyelids.Sidestep, dodge the blade.His right hand formed a claw, fast as lightning, precisely locking onto the opponent's wrist."Eagle Claw · Throat Lock!"He shouted a move name he'd made up on the spot, his five fingers exerting sudden force!"Snap!""Ah—!"The pirate's wrist bent at an unnatural angle, and he let out a pig-like scream.Ben kicked him into the sea, his movements fluid and natural."Next!"He was like a hungry tiger charging into a flock of sheep, fighting on both sides.However, he hadn't enjoyed it for even three minutes."Bang! Bang! Bang!"Several dull thuds echoed.The chefs, who had been so imposing just a moment ago, were sent flying back one by one, groaning in pain on the ground.A man covered in round shields slowly walked out from the pirate crowd.He looked bizarre, tall, covered from head to toe in pearl-colored round shields, and holding two large shields. He looked like a mobile display rack for pots and pans.Ben's movements froze.What... what the hell is this thing?An iron turtle that attained enlightenment?Or did a mascot from a tableware factory escape?"I am the Don Krieg Pirates' 'Iron Wall,' Pearl!"Pearl's voice came from behind the shields, carrying a dull echo."You trash think you can hurt my steel-like defense?"He walked forward step by step, and with every step, the shields on his body made a "clanging" sound."Move!"Sanji appeared beside Ben, cigarette in his mouth, his face looking terrifyingly grim.He lunged forward and delivered a magnificent side kick, slamming it hard into Pearl's face!"Bang!"Pearl's massive body was actually kicked flying by this single blow!Ben's pupils constricted.Such fast legs!Such fierce power!This Curly Brows chef really isn't ordinary!Pearl climbed up from the ground, shook his head, and didn't seem seriously injured.The pirates behind him, however, were enraged and charged at Sanji, howling.Sanji snorted coldly, his figure moving like a ghost, weaving through the crowd.His legs were so fast they left afterimages."Mutton Shot!""Front Meat Kick!""Shank Meat Kick!""Lamb Skewer Kick!"Ben listened to the various dish names he shouted, his mouth twitching wildly.Buddy, are you fighting or reciting a menu?With all these rhymes, are you planning to take a postgraduate entrance exam?In just a few seconds, the charging pirates were all lying on the ground.Sanji shook the dust off his trouser legs, looking disdainful.Just then!"Whoosh—"A dark shadow descended from the sky.It was Luffy!That idiot, having been knocked away by some technique of Don Krieg's, was like a cannonball, hitting Pearl's back of the head precisely!"Thud!"A loud sound.Pearl stumbled forward, almost falling face-first.Ben: "..."Luffy: "..."The whole scene: "..."Ben watched this scene, with only one thought in his heart: Great assist! Although I don't know how you managed that, buddy, I thank you! I'll treat you to some chicken legs later!Pearl slowly, slowly raised his hand.He touched his nose.Then, he saw a smear of bright red on his fingertip.It was a nosebleed.The next second.Pearl's body began to tremble violently, and he let out an inhuman scream."Blood! It's blood!""I see blood! I'm going to die! My invincible defense has been broken!"He went crazy on the spot like a mental patient, and then, a flash of madness crossed his eyes."If that's the case... then let's die together!""Flame Pearl Special!"He slammed the shields on his chest!"Boom!"All the shields on his body instantly ignited with roaring flames!He turned into a giant fireball!The flames spread instantly, surrounding the "fin" platform extending from the restaurant, forming a huge ring of fire!"He's going to burn down the restaurant!" Sanji's expression changed drastically."Bastard!"Without hesitation, he kicked through the flames and jumped directly into the ring of fire!He had to stop Pearl!Ben watched this scene, his heart in his throat.This chef, for the sake of this ship, really didn't care about his life!Just when Sanji and Pearl were struggling in the ring of fire, Don Krieg's sinister laughter rang out."Idiots! Just sink to the bottom of the sea with this broken ship!"He raised a huge iron ball covered in spikes and threw it with all his might toward the "fin" platform where Sanji was!The iron ball whistled through the air; if it hit, the entire platform would be smashed to pieces!Sanji would definitely die!Ben's pupils shrank, wanting to rush over, but it was too late!"It's over!"At this critical moment!"Rubber—Balloon!"Luffy's silly face suddenly appeared in front of the iron ball!He inflated his entire body into a giant human balloon, forcefully blocking that deadly iron ball!"Bang!"The iron ball was bounced back the way it came by the massive elasticity!It drew a perfect parabola in the air!And then...It accurately smashed into the mast of Don Krieg's broken flagship!"Snap—!"The huge mast snapped in response, and with immense force, smashed down directly onto Pearl in the ring of fire!Pearl was still having fun setting fires and didn't notice the danger above his head."Boom!"The mast hit him squarely.Pearl didn't even have time to let out a scream, his eyes rolled back, and he was knocked unconscious on the spot.The flames on his body extinguished accordingly.The whole scene fell into a deathly silence again.Ben opened his mouth, staring blankly at this scene.I don't understand.But I am greatly shocked.What kind of absurd causality weapon is this?!Luffy bounces the iron ball, the iron ball breaks the mast, the mast knocks out the enemy...Is this reasonable?!This is even more unreasonable than my soul-transmigration itself!However, before he could recover from this huge shock, a cold voice broke the silence."Everyone stop."Everyone looked in the direction of the voice."Ghastly Gin" appeared on the second-floor deck at some point.In his hand, he held a gun.And that pitch-black muzzle was pressed firmly against someone's temple.That person was the owner of this restaurant."Red Leg" Zeff.Sanji's movements instantly froze.He looked at Zeff, who was being held at gunpoint, and the color on his face faded bit by bit."Gin... you..."On Gin's face was pain and struggle, but his eyes were exceptionally firm."Mr. Sanji, I'm sorry.""But...""I cannot disobey Captain Don Krieg's orders."He slowly raised his head, looked at all the chefs in the restaurant, his voice hoarse and resolute."If you don't want this old man to die...""Then all of you, stop resisting!"
Chapter 10: I treat you like a brother, and you treat me like a hostage?The whole scene was dead silent.Ben felt his heartbeat skip a beat.He watched helplessly as the "Demon" named Gin held a gun to Zeff's temple.Damn it!A traitor!This is a fucking traitor!One second he was crying his eyes out in gratitude, and the next he turned, taking his savior's benefactor hostage?Where is the professional ethics in your pirate circle?! Did you feed them all to the Sea Kings?!"Gin! You bastard!""Let the Boss go!"The chefs exploded in an instant, filled with righteous indignation, their kitchen knives and spatulas clenching with clicking sounds.Sanji's body stiffened where he stood. He looked at Zeff, who had a gun pointed at his head, and the color drained from his face instantly."Mr. Sanji, I'm sorry."Gin's face was full of pain and struggle, but his hand holding the gun was rock steady."I cannot betray Captain Don Krieg."Ben watched this scene, his mind buzzing.It's over.We are totally screwed now.This Curly Brows guy, Sanji, was clearly a tough nut to crack, but old man Zeff was obviously his weak point.This move, this was being held by the throat.The pirates on Don Krieg's side let out triumphant laughter."Hahaha! Well done! Gin!""As expected of our Demon!"However, at this tense moment, when swords were drawn and bows bent, ready to strike.An inappropriate voice rang out."Hey."Luffy, the idiot who had been trading blows with Don Krieg just a moment ago, had stopped fighting for some reason.He looked at the hijacked Zeff, then at the determined Sanji, and a look appeared on his face that Ben couldn't understand at all.It was a look of… "Ah, what a hassle.""I'm talking to you, Curly Brows."Luffy pointed at Sanji, his tone as flat as if he were asking what was for lunch."Since you want to die for this broken ship so badly…""Then how about I destroy this ship first."Ben: "?"Everyone: "??"Everyone was stunned.Ben dug his ear hard, wondering if he had misheard.Big brother, has your brain short-circuited?People are taking hostages and threatening to kill.Your solution is… to destroy what the hostage might care about first?What kind of strange logic is this?!Kill a thousand enemies, lose twelve hundred yourself?What new type of "besiege Wei to rescue Zhao" is this? No, this is burning the bridge! He's taking the pot away entirely!"You… what did you say?" Sanji was also stunned. He turned back, looking at Luffy in disbelief."Old man Zeff saved you, not so you could die here."Luffy scratched his head, looking matter-of-fact."If you die, that's not repaying the debt.""So, before you die, I'll just sink the ship, won't that work?"Ben: "…"Fine.Fine my ass!How the hell was this logic chain established?!Is your brain directly connected? It doesn't even take a turn in the middle!Even Gin, the one holding the hostage, was stunned, and the gun in his hand shook.Don Krieg was furious: "Kid! You dare!"Gin took a deep breath. He knew that this group of people with abnormal logic really could do anything.He turned to look at Don Krieg."Captain Don Krieg, since Mr. Sanji refuses to back down…"His eyes became sharp."Please allow me to defeat him myself!"Ben was stunned again.What kind of operation is this? Instead of killing the hostage, they're switching to a duel to the death, winner takes all?You pirates have so many rules, is this all about the sense of ritual?"Oh?" Don Krieg narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure?""Yes!"Don Krieg grinned and put away his weapon."Good! Then Sanji is yours! I'll deal with this Straw Hat!"He waved his hand, signaling Gin to proceed.Gin let go of Zeff, stepped down the stairs, and came before Sanji."Mr. Sanji, pardon me.""Come on." Sanji snubbed out his cigarette and took a stance.The two rushed at each other instantly!Gin's weapon was a pair of tonfas connected by iron chains.That thing danced in his hands with a fierce force, carrying a ruthlessness as if he wanted to smash people into meat paste alive."Bang!"Sanji kicked the iron tonfa, and his whole body was shaken back several steps by the huge force.What great strength!Ben watched in horror.Gin's attacks were wide open, every move aimed at vital points, without mercy.It was said that this guy, even if the enemy begged for mercy on their knees, could smash them down with a tonfa without changing his expression, which was why he earned the title of "Demon".Ben looked at his emotionless eyes and believed it.This guy really kills without blinking.Although Sanji's leg technique was flashy and fast, he was at a disadvantage in the face of absolute strength."Bang!"Gin seized an opening and smashed a tonfa hard into Sanji's ribs!"Puff—"Sanji spat out blood and flew out like a kite with a broken string.Ben's heart tightened.Just hearing the sound of that blow, he knew the bones must be broken.However, the moment Sanji fell to the ground, he forcibly twisted his body and kicked Gin hard in the face!Beautiful!Ben almost shouted out.Gin was also kicked back several steps, a clear shoe print left on his face.But he seemed unaffected; instead, he was enraged.He lunged forward, and while Sanji hadn't climbed up yet, he grabbed him by the throat!"It's over."Gin raised the iron tonfa in his other hand, aiming at Sanji's head.Ben's heart jumped to his throat.It's over!However.Gin's iron tonfa didn't come down for a long time.His arm was trembling violently."Why…"His voice carried a sobbing tone.Ben: "?"No… buddy, what's wrong with you again?You're a Demon who kills without blinking, why are you crying again?Isn't your character setting a bit too disjointed?"Why!!"Gin threw away the iron tonfa in his hand, clutched his head, and let out a painful roar."I can't do it… I can't do it!"Bean-sized tears rolled down from his eyes."Why are you so good to me… I'm just a pirate who was about to starve to death…"Ben was completely numb.This… what is the situation?In the middle of a fight, the villain breaks down himself?Just because of a plate of fried rice?Did this fried rice have some chicken soup for the soul added to it?!Don Krieg watched this scene, his face turning green with anger."Trash! Gin, you trash!"He roared and pulled out a strangely shaped cannon from behind his back."Since you can't do it, then let's go to hell together!""MH5!!"He shouted a code name Ben didn't understand.But looking at the terrified expressions of the chefs around, he knew this thing was definitely not good."It's a poison gas bomb!""Put on your gas masks quickly!"The chefs were in chaos, scrambling to find gas masks from the back kitchen and putting them on."Gin!" Don Krieg pointed at him and gave the final order, "Throw your mask into the sea!"Ben's pupils shook.Holy shit!Is this something a human would do?Killing his own people too?Being a boss like this is even more heartless than a sweatshop!What shocked Ben even more was that after hesitating for a few seconds, Gin actually took out a gas mask from his arms, didn't even look at it, and threw it directly into the sea.Ben: "…"He didn't know what expression to use to face all this anymore.What do you call this? Late-stage Stockholm Syndrome?The boss tells you to die and you just die?! Your loyalty is in the wrong place, hey!"Very good."Don Krieg grinned and aimed at the restaurant."Boom!"A yellow cannonball, dragging a long trail of smoke, came whistling!"Get out of the way!"Ben didn't even think, diving directly to the ground."Gum-Gum—"Luffy's voice sounded.Ben looked up and saw Luffy had snatched two gas masks from somewhere, swung his arm, threw one to Sanji, and one to Gin.Then…He stood there stunned.Ben: "…"Idiot!Where the fuck is your own?!Seeing that the poison gas bomb was about to detonate in mid-air and the yellow smoke was about to envelop the entire platform.Just at this critical moment!A gas mask fell with a "plop" at Luffy's feet.Luffy was stunned.Ben was also stunned.He saw Gin, the man who had just thrown his mask into the sea, pick up the one Luffy had thrown to him at some point.He didn't put it on himself.He threw one of them to Luffy.Then, he used all his strength to press the other one tightly onto Sanji's face!"Boom—!"The poison gas bomb exploded.The yellow poison fog instantly swallowed everything.Gin's body twitched violently in the poison fog, and then, he slowly fell down.Ben lay on the ground, watching this scene, his mind blank.That traitor…That "Demon" who killed without blinking…At the last moment, he gave the hope of survival to two people who were just opposing each other.Why?Ben couldn't understand.He only felt that his heart was squeezed hard by something.People on this sea…It seems that not a single one can be simply defined by "good person" or "bad person".The poison fog gradually dissipated.Luffy wore the gas mask, unharmed.He looked at Gin, who was lying in a pool of blood, purple all over, his body trembling uncontrollably.Not because of fear.It was because of anger.An unprecedented, monstrous anger!He slowly, slowly turned around, looking at the culprit, the grinning Don Krieg."Hey."Luffy's voice came through the gas mask, muffled, but with a chilling coldness."You guy…"He tore the mask off his face, revealing that face that no longer had a trace of a smile."Are you ready to be beaten flying by me?"
Chapter 11: Captain Takes On the Iron TortoiseLooking at Gin, who lay on the deck, purple all over and unconscious, Ben couldn't understand.That "Man-Demon" who had been pointing a gun at the old man and shouting for blood just a second ago, had given his chance of survival to two enemies at the last moment.Why?Ben couldn't understand.Are workplace relationships in your pirate circles always this twisted?He just felt that the thought processes of people in this world were on a different dimension from his.Good guy? Bad guy?Damn it, it's impossible to define.Luffy's usually grinning face held not a hint of a smile right now, only cold killing intent.He turned around and walked, step by step, toward Don Krieg, who stood on the wreckage of the main ship with a sinister grin."You guy..." Luffy's voice was low, yet it sounded like it had crawled out of hell, carrying a chill that made one's heart hair stand on end."Are you ready to be beaten by me?"Don Krieg was stunned for a moment, then burst into wild laughter: "Hahaha! Kid, who do you think you are? A devil fruit user who can't swim, daring to spout such nonsense in front of me?""Cut the crap!"Luffy didn't bother with any more talk; he kicked off with both legs, his whole body like a cannonball, charging straight at Don Krieg!"You're asking for it!"Don Krieg's face darkened. He suddenly raised his arm, the armor on his shoulders clicked, and countless sharp steel spikes shot out from the muzzle instantly!"Swish, swish, swish—!"The steel spikes were like a rainstorm, covering the sky and earth, shrouding Luffy!"Holy crap! Dodge it!"Ben was so scared his heart almost jumped out.Is this a Gatling gun?! If he gets hit, won't he turn into a hedgehog?!However, Luffy had no intention of dodging at all!He just went straight ahead, charging right into the rain of steel spikes!"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"One steel spike after another mercilessly pierced into his body.Blood instantly stained his red vest.Ben's eyes almost popped out.Wait... buddy, are you serious?!What kind of suicide charge is this? Are you specializing in tanking skills with your face?!Even Don Krieg was dumbfounded.He had seen people who didn't care about their lives, but he had never seen anyone like this!"Is this guy... a lunatic?!"However, Luffy's speed didn't slow down in the slightest!He pushed through with steel spikes all over his body, charging right in front of Don Krieg. On that blood-stained face was an unwavering determination!"Gum-Gum—"He raised his fist high."Pistol!""Bang!"A heavy punch landed solidly on Don Krieg's golden armor!Don Krieg was knocked back repeatedly by this punch, but the armor's defensive power was astonishing, and he didn't suffer any substantial damage."Hmph! Useless!" Don Krieg grinned, "My armor is indestructible!"He shook his body suddenly, and a cape covered in sharp, long spikes instantly unfolded from behind, wrapping him up tightly."Spiked Cape!"Ben looked at Don Krieg, who had wrapped himself into a sea urchin, and felt completely numb.Good grief.If you can't win, you just open the turtle shell, right?Now he's really turned into an iron tortoise.How are you supposed to fight this? Hugging him would get you skewered through and through!"Let's see how you fight this time!" Don Krieglaughed triumphantly.Luffy took a look at that hedgehog-like cape, his face devoid of expression.He just raised his fist again.Ben's pupils constricted sharply.No way? You still want to take him head-on?!Your fists are made of flesh, his are steel!"Gum-Gum—""Gatling!""Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang—!"Luffy's fists turned into countless afterimages, like a violent storm, smashing crazily against that "Spiked Cape"!The crisp sound of metal clashing was as dense as firecrackers going off!Ben's mouth was already open wide enough to fit an egg.What did he see?He saw cracks appearing on that supposedly indestructible "Spiked Cape"!The cracks were becoming more numerous and denser!Finally— "Crack—!" A loud crash!The entire "Spiked Cape", along with Don Krieghimself, was forcefully blasted away by Luffy's punch!Don Krieg, like a broken sack, tumbled in the air several times before crashing heavily into the sea, splashing up a huge spray.The whole scene fell into deathly silence once again.Ben stared blankly at Luffy.Those fists were covered in blood, and one could even see the ghastly white bone.But he seemed not to feel the pain, just breathing heavily, staring fixedly at the spot where Don Krieghad fallen into the water."Is this... is this fucking... human?"Ben felt his worldview being repeatedly crushed and rebuilt.Fists harder than iron? This isn't scientific! Newton's coffin lid really can't be held down anymore!"That Straw Hat..." Old man Zeff looked at Luffy, his voice tinged with emotion, "is the kind of person who, once he decides on a goal, will risk his life to complete it."Sanji struggled to get up from the ground. He looked at Luffy's back, his gaze incredibly complex."Splash—!"Don Krieg emerged from the sea. He spat out a mouthful of seawater, the expression on his face having changed from triumph to shock and rage."You bastard..."He wiped the water from his face and drew a massive weapon from behind his back.It was a long spear; the spearhead was incomparably huge, with eerie patterns carved on the shaft, pitch black all over, exuding an ominous aura."Battle Spear!"Don Krieg raised the spear, pointing it from afar at Luffy."To be able to force me to use this weapon, you should be proud of yourself!"Ben looked at that spear, his eyelids twitching wildly.His intuition told him that this thing was definitely not something good!"Go to hell!"Don Krieg roared and charged over, brandishing the Battle Spear!Because of the forced outburst just now, Luffy's stamina was almost exhausted, and he was even swaying while standing.He could only dodge Don Krieg's attacks in a disheveled manner."Boom!"The spearhead of the Battle Spear grazed past Luffy's body and smashed into the deck!The next second, the deck actually exploded violently!Wood splinters flew, and flames soared into the sky!Ben's pupils shook.Holy shit! RPG?! This weapon is cheating, right?! Where's the referee! Where is the referee?!"Boom! Boom! Boom!"Don Krieg brandished the long spear, and every swing triggered an explosion!Luffy was forced to retreat step by step, adding countless new wounds to his body, and he was covered in dirt and soot from the explosions."Luffy!" Sanji and the chefs all shouted nervously."It's over!"Don Krieg seized an opportunity and slashed fiercely at Luffy with the spear!"Boom—!"A loud crash! Luffy was blasted into the air, tracing a parabola in the sky before crashing heavily onto the ground, motionless."Luffy!" Ben's heart was in his throat.It's over.This time it's really BBQ.Getting hit head-on by something like that, even a man made of iron would shatter, right?!"Hahaha! Did you see that! This is the consequence of angering me!" Don Krieg laughed triumphantly.However, his laughter hadn't even faded.From the ruins, a hand tremblingly reached out.Luffy, that guy who was charred black all over like a piece of charcoal, actually stood up swaying!Ben: "..."He no longer knew what expression to use to face all this.Is this... is this a zombie? Not dying even after being blown up like this? This vitality is more tenacious than a cockroach!The smile on Don Krieg's face also froze."Ho... how is that possible?!"He looked at Luffy, who was like an unkillable cockroach, and for the first time, felt a trace of panic in his heart."I... I am the man who will become the Pirate King..."Luffy's voice was hoarse and weak, but every word was incomparably clear."How could I... die in a place like this..."He raised his head, those eyes shining frighteningly bright!"Bastard! You monster!"Don Krieg felt his heart hair stand on end from that look. He raised the Battle Spear again, using all his strength, and slashed towards Luffy!"Go to hell—!""Boom—!"Another violent explosion. Smoke and dust shrouded everything.Everyone held their breath.This time, that Straw Hat surely must be dead, right?The smoke and dust slowly dissipated.Don Krieg remained in the position of swinging the spear, standing in place.And opposite him.Luffy was still standing.One of his feet was firmly stepping on the shaft of the Battle Spear!Don Krieg's pupils constricted sharply.He wanted to pull the spear back, but discovered that the spear seemed to be welded to the ground, not moving an inch!"You..."Before he could react.Luffy's other foot was raised.Then, fiercely, he stomped down!"Crack—!"A snapping sound so crisp it made everyone's scalp tingle!Don Krieg's pride and joy, the "Battle Spear" claimed to be his strongest weapon... was split in two from the middle!The broken spearhead fell to the ground with a crisp "clang".Time seemed to stand still at this moment.Ben opened his mouth, staring blankly at this scene.Bare hands... no, wait, bare feet...Bare feet dismantling a Gundam?!Is this something a carbon-based lifeform can do?!What on earth is the Eagle Claw Technique I've been practicing for half a year?!Don Krieg was also completely dumbfounded.He looked down at the half-spear shaft left in his hand, then looked at the Straw Hat opposite him who was covered in blood but smiling brilliantly, and he fell into great confusion.This guy... what kind of monster is he?
Chapter 12: Physics is Dead! Captain Takes on the Iron Turtle Head-On!Don Krieg's Great Battle Spear had snapped.Just like that, with a single kick, Luffy had snapped it as easily as stepping on a rotten stick.The entire scene fell into a deathly silence.Ben's mouth hung open in an "O" shape; he felt like his jaw had dislocated.Wait... buddy, are you serious?!That thing looked like some high-tech piece of serious hardware, exploding and spewing fire, yet you snapped it with one kick?!Is this reasonable?This is even more ridiculous than me crushing a walnut with a single claw using my Eagle Claw Technique!What was the point of me practicing the Eagle Claw Technique for half a year?! Just to stay fit?!Don Krieg himself was completely stunned.He stared blankly at the broken shaft in his hand, then looked at the blood-covered Straw Hatgrinning "hee-hee" across from him; his brain simply crashed.Who am I? Where am I? How did my strongest weapon just snap?"You... what exactly did you do?!" Don Krieg's voice was trembling.Ben's heart skipped a beat.That's right, Luffy had taken that explosive shell head-on just a moment ago."I just intentionally got close at that moment and quietly punched your spear five times," Luffy said nonchalantly, as if he were just saying, "I just ate five steamed buns."Ben: "..."Don Krieg: "..."Everyone present: "..."No, brother, you call that "quietly"?Those five punches of yours made more noise than the renovations downstairs at my place!Also, your battle plan was... to take an RPG hit head-on first, and then take the opportunity to dismantle his weapon?What kind of bizarre thought process is this?! Is your main strategy to deal 800 damage to the enemy while taking 1000 damage yourself?!"Alright, I'm done playing with you." Luffy's expression suddenly turned serious.He pointed at Don Krieg and issued an ultimatum."I'm going to blast you away now.""Blast me away?" Don Krieg was stunned for a moment, then became furious, "Brat, don't get too arrogant! Even if the spearhead of the Great Battle Spear is gone, the gunpowder inside alone is enough to blow you into pieces!""Is that so?"Luffy grinned, and to Ben, that smile was even more terrifying than a demon's.The next second, Luffy moved!"Gum-Gum—""Gatling!""Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang—!"Luffy's fists instantly turned into countless afterimages invisible to the naked eye, like a human sewing machine firing at full capacity, unleashing a frantic barrage against Don Krieg's golden armor!The dense rain of punches slamming into the armor made a sound louder than sky-rockets set off during the New Year!Ben's eyes could barely keep up with the speed of those fists.He could only see a blur of punches and the sparks constantly bursting on Don Krieg's body.Holy crap! A human Gatling gun!However, Don Krieg just stood there, taking all of Luffy's attacks head-on.When the dust settled, although his armor was covered in punch marks, it looked completely fine."See that, brat!" Don Krieg laughed triumphantly, "My Wootz Steel armor is indestructible! Your weak, pathetic punches aren't even fit to scratch an itch for me!"Ben covered his face.Buddy, don't set up a flag!In the movies back home, people who say things like that have grass growing three feet high on their graves the next second!"Is that so?" Luffy retracted his fists, then violently stretched his arms backward—they stretched absurdly far, almost reaching the other end of the restaurant.An unprecedented sense of pressure emanated from him."Gum-Gum—""Rocket!""Boom—!"Luffy's palms came together like a spring compressed to its limit, and he smashed them out!This strike slammed solidly into Don Krieg's chest!"Crack—!" A crisp sound that made everyone's scalp tingle!Don Krieg's golden armor, which had been called "indestructible," instantly saw spiderweb-like cracks spread out from the center of his chest!The next second, the entire armor shattered with a roar!Golden shards flew everywhere, like a rain of gold.Ben: "..." I knew it.However, just as the armor shattered, Don Krieg, who had been knocked flying, actually revealed a sinister smile on his face!He pulled a black cannonball from his chest and threw it toward the broken ship mast beneath Luffy's feet!"You idiot! Fall into the sea with me!""Boom—!" The violent explosion instantly swallowed Luffy's last foothold!The massive ship wreckage was blown to pieces, and Luffy plummeted straight toward the sea surface!"Luffy!" Sanji and the chefs cried out. It's over!Ben's heart sank to the bottom of the abyss.If a Devil Fruit user falls into the sea, they're just a sitting duck—it's a dead end!However! Just when everyone thought the outcome was decided!Luffy's figure suddenly leaped out from that thick cloud of explosion smoke!In mid-air, his feet violently hooked onto the edge of the restaurant's remaining "fin" platform, and he swung back like a pendulum!Ben's jaw dislocated for the second time. This... this actually works?!Is your family running a circus?! You're way too skilled at this flying trapeze act!"It's not over yet!"Luffy adjusted his posture in mid-air, extended his arms backward again, and aimed directly at Don Krieg, who was also falling!"Gum-Gum—""Rocket!" Another Rocket!This time, without any armor protection, Don Kriegtook the hit solidly!"Pfft—" He spat out a mouthful of blood, his whole body flying like a baseball hit, carving a perfect parabola in the air.But this guy was truly tenacious!Just as he was about to fall into the water, he abruptly pulled a massive net from his body and cast it toward Luffy!"You want to win against me? Not that easy! Let's die together!"The net accurately covered Luffy, and the tremendous pulling force instantly dragged them both toward the deep sea!"Luffy!" Ben's heart jumped into his throat.This is truly game over! Caught in a net, unable to move his hands or feet—even a god couldn't save him now!However, Luffy just grinned.His hands and feet, which had been trapped by the net, suddenly turned like noodles and forcibly squeezed out through the gaps in the netting!Ben: "..." I was wrong. I shouldn't have used normal human logic to fathom this cheater.Luffy crossed his hands and feet that had extended out of the net in mid-air, then slammed them together, like a giant iron hammer!"Gum-Gum—""Giant Hammer!""Thump—!" A dull, extremely heavy sound!Don Krieg's head was solidly smashed by this "Giant Hammer"!He didn't even have time to let out a scream; his eyes rolled back, and he slapped straight onto the only remaining fin platform of the restaurant, passing out on the spot.The battle was over.And Luffy, having exhausted all his strength, could finally hold on no longer and fell into the sea with a "splash."In the restaurant, there was first a deathly silence.A few seconds later, it erupted into thunderous cheers!"He won! That Straw Hat won!""Too strong! He defeated the East Blue overlord, Don Krieg!"Ben looked at the cheering chefs, then at the sea, feeling like he was dreaming.Just like that... he won?A silly-looking Straw Hat, relying solely on a pair of fists, actually took down an "East Blue overlord" who was armed to the teeth?Zeff suddenly spoke, his voice terrifyingly calm."That Straw Hat is a Devil Fruit user, isn't he?"Sanji was stunned for a moment, then his face changed drastically!Without a second thought, he dove headfirst into the sea and swam toward the direction where Luffyhad fallen!Not long after, Luffy, who had been rescued by Sanji, slowly regained consciousness, and the knocked-out Don Krieg also woke up.He roared on the deck like a madman: "I am the strongest! How could I possibly lose!"Ben was just about to quip, "If you can't afford to lose, don't play," when Gin, who was next to him, moved."Bang!" Gin expressionlessly used his tonfa to knock the still-raving Don Krieg unconscious again.The whole place was quiet again.Gin dragged Don Krieg over to Sanji and bowed deeply."Mr. Sanji, thank you."He looked up, and in those "Demon" eyes, a flame was actually burning."Captain Don Krieg's ambition has now become my ambition.""One day, I will meet you again on the Grand Line."Ben listened, completely dumbfounded.Wait... is the corporate culture of your company just staging a coup and then inheriting the boss's will?Isn't this method of succession a bit too hardcore?Sanji looked at Gin, said nothing, and just silently had someone prepare a small boat used for grocery shopping.Gin helped Don Krieg up and took the remaining subordinates onto the small boat.Before leaving, he glanced at Luffy, who was lying on the ground grinning at the sky, and then at Sanji, who was standing nearby, handing him food and water.A complex smile appeared on Gin's face.In that smile, there was gratitude, admiration, and a hint of an indescribable fighting spirit.Sanji also smiled.The two men, separated by the chaotic battlefield, smiled at each other.Ben watched this scene, and suddenly felt a bit conflicted.The people on this great sea, although their brains are all a bit abnormal, seem to... all have guts.The small boat slowly sailed away and disappeared over the horizon.Ben looked at the vast sea, then at this group of strange-looking "companions" beside him.He suddenly felt that this forced voyage of his seemed... not so bad after all?At least, it's much more interesting than working 996 back home.It's just a bit hard on the heart.
Chapter 13: The Whole Crew Are Drama Queens! I Got Gaslit by the Entire Restaurant for a DreamThe battle was over.The remnants of the Don Krieg Pirates, dragged along by Gin, disappeared over the horizon.The entire Baratie was a mess.The deck was covered in craters, broken masts, charred planks, and... a bunch of starving cooks.Ben leaned against a pillar that was still relatively intact, feeling like he had just run a marathon—the kind where you're being chased and beaten the whole time.He looked at the Straw Hat who had just been fished out of the sea and was already bouncing around after spitting out a few mouthfuls of water, then looked at the Curly Brows cook who was silently starting to clean up the aftermath, and felt his worldview collapsing in an irreversible way.Physics was dead.Newton's coffin lid had been nailed shut by Luffy's fists."Sanji—!"The first thing Luffy did after waking up wasn't to check his own injuries, but to shout at Sanji."I'm hungry!!"Ben: "..."I knew it.Is there anything else in that brain of yours besides eating and fighting?!"There is!" Luffy ran up to Sanji, his face serious. "Be my crewmate! I need a cook on my ship!"Here we go again.Is the Captain's "kidnap whoever catches my eye" skill on zero cooldown?Sanji stopped what he was doing, glanced at the smashed-up restaurant, and then looked at the old man Zeff on the second floor, who was chewing on a cigar with a blank expression."I refuse." He stubbed out his cigarette. "Until that old geezer acknowledges my cooking skills, I'm not going anywhere.""Besides," Sanji's gaze drifted toward the distant sea. In those eyes that usually looked a bit frivolous, there was now a glimmer that Ben couldn't understand. "Sooner or later, I'm going to the Grand Line to find that legendary'Sea of Miracles,' ALL BLUE!""ALL BLUE?!" Luffy's eyes lit up instantly. "What's that? Can you eat it?""It's a legendary sea where fish from all over the world gather!" As soon as Sanji started talking about it, he got all excited and started gesticulating wildly, educating Luffy.Ben listened from the side, completely dumbfounded.So, this cook's dream is just to find a super-sized seafood market?Fine, that's pretty humble.It's a lot more reliable than that idiot Captain who's always talking about becoming the "Pirate King."Lunchtime arrived.Although the restaurant was in ruins, the kitchen was still usable.However, when the fragrant food was brought out, Ben was dumbfounded.All the cooks had seats, even he, an "outsider," had one.Only Luffy and Sanji were isolated.The two could only hold their plates miserably and squat in the corner of the floor to eat.Ben: "?"What kind of workplace bullying is this?After defeating the overlord of the East Blue, they don't even deserve a seat?"Pfft—!"The two had just taken a bite when the fat cook, Patty, suddenly spat out the soup in his mouth."What is this garbage! Sanji! Is this soup meant for humans to drink?!" he roared with a look of disgust."Exactly! It's salty as hell!""This tastes like dishwater!"The other cooks also started complaining one after another, all of them belittling the soup Sanji made as worthless.Ben smelled the rich aroma and swallowed his saliva.Wait... it smells pretty good, doesn't it?Could it be that the taste buds of this group of cooks were all ruined by the poison gas bomb from earlier?Just then, the silent old man Zeff walked over.He picked up a bowl of soup and took a sip with a blank expression.Then."Crash—!"He slammed the plate onto the floor, smashing it to pieces!"Trash!"The old man's voice wasn't loud, but it pierced like an ice pick."What's the difference between this stuff you made and muddy water?!"Ben's pupils dilated instantly.Holy crap!This old man has such a short fuse?!Sanji's face turned pale instantly, and he stood up abruptly: "You old geezer! What nonsense are you spouting?!""Bang!"Zeff delivered a solid punch, landing squarely on Sanji's face.Sanji stumbled from the hit, and blood appeared at the corner of his mouth."Come talk to me about cooking skills after you've tasted food from all over the world!" Zeff's voice was cold as ice.Ben was completely dumbfounded.Wait... just over a bowl of soup?Starting a fight at the drop of a hat?Is the corporate culture of this restaurant centered on "don't talk if you can just fight"?Sanji covered his face, his eyes filled with humiliation and unwillingness. He didn't say a word, turned around, and ran out of the restaurant.Ben watched this scene, his heart filled with mixed emotions.This Curly Brows cook is just too pitiful, right?Being so trampled upon by the person he respects most, in front of everyone.If it were him, he probably would have just packed up and left on the spot.However, just after Sanji ran out, the tense atmosphere in the restaurant suddenly changed.The fat cook, Patty, leaned over to Zeff and asked in a low voice: "Boss, is this... really okay?"Zeff stood with his back to the crowd and slowly exhaled a ring of smoke."That idiot is very stubborn.""If we don't do this, he will never make up his mind to leave here.""Let him go with that Straw Hat," Zeff's voice carried a hint of exhaustion and... relief that Ben couldn't understand, "to find that dream he's had since he was a child."Ben: "..."Ben's brain crashed.He slowly, slowly turned his head to look at the group of cooks who were just complaining frantically about how bad the soup tasted.At this moment, their eyes were all red.So...Everything that just happened...Was all an act?!Holy sh*t!Everyone here is a drama queen!To "force" Sanji onto Luffy's ship, these grown men actually teamed up to put on such a tragic play?!What kind of god-tier move is this?!Finally understood.These people weren't bullying Sanji.They were using the clumsiest, yet most heartfelt way to see him off.This awkward tenderness, this hardcore romance...These sea cooks, they're actually not bad guys!Just then, the restaurant door was pushed open.Sanji walked in.His expression was calm, as if nothing had happened just now.He walked straight up to Luffy."Hey, Luffy.""I accept your invitation.""From today on, I'll take the cook's position on your ship."Luffy was stunned for a moment, then grinned, revealing a smile brighter than the sun."That's great—!"Sanji ignored the cheering Luffy and turned to walk toward Zeff on the second floor."Old geezer, I'm leaving.""Hmph, get lost already, don't be an eyesore here. This restaurant would be ruined by you sooner or later.""I don't care about your crappy restaurant.""Take your rotten cooking skills with you, don't dirty my place."The two went back and forth, every sentence sharp and full of gunpowder.Ben's eyelids twitched as he listened.Wait... isn't your farewell ceremony a bit too hardcore?Can't you say something nice?Like "safe travels" or "come visit often" or something?After saying that, Sanji walked out the door without looking back. He was going to pack his luggage and board the small boat that would take him toward his dream.Ben thought this awkward farewell had ended just like that.However.Just at the moment Sanji's foot was about to step out of the restaurant door.Zeff's voice came from behind him.The voice was no longer cold or sharp; instead, it carried a hint of hoarseness and... tenderness."Sanji.""...""Don't catch a cold."A simple sentence.Yet it was like a blockbuster bomb, exploding in the restaurant.Sanji's body stiffened abruptly.He stopped in his tracks, back to everyone, his shoulders beginning to shake violently and uncontrollably.Ben's heart trembled along with him.The next second.Sanji turned around abruptly, his knees went weak, and with a "thud," he fell heavily to the ground!He buried his head deep, his forehead pressed tightly against the cold deck.Bean-sized tears, like broken beads, gushed uncontrollably from his eyes, hitting the ground and blooming into small ripples of water.He used all his strength to let out a heart-wrenching roar, his voice filled with endless gratitude and reluctance."Boss Zeff—!""For all this time! Thank you so much for taking care of me!""This great kindness... I will never forget it for the rest of my life!""Waaaaah—!"Sanji cried like a child.No.Cried even more miserably than a child.Ben watched this scene, feeling his own nose sting.Damn it.How are these grown men all so good at tugging at heartstrings?However, it wasn't over yet.Sanji's crying was like pressing a switch."Wuuu... Sanji! You bastard!""Safe travels! You must find the ALL BLUE!""Waaaaah! The soup you made really was delicious!"In the restaurant, that group of cooks who were looking fierce just a moment ago were now all crying worse than if their own fathers had died, their faces smeared with tears and snot.The entire sea restaurant turned into an ocean of tears.Ben stood amidst the crying, feeling like an outsider, yet also swept up by this huge torrent of emotion, unable to control himself.He wanted to laugh, thinking how embarrassing these grown men looked crying in a heap.But his own eyes uncontrollably grew hot.Is this... what "crewmates" are?Is this... the romance of men?Ben lowered his head and rubbed his eyes."Damn it, this sea breeze, it's really getting into my eyes."He looked at the blond cook kneeling on the ground, crying like an idiot, and then looked at the one-legged old man standing on the second floor, his eyes also red.He suddenly felt.That this forced sea voyage of his seemed... to be getting more and more interesting."Alright! Let's go!"Luffy waved his hand, breaking the sad and touching atmosphere."We have to hurry and chase Nami and the ship back!""Let's go! Target, Arlong Park!"Ben was stunned.Arlong?That Fishman with a 20 million bounty on the wanted poster?He looked at the Curly Brows cook beside him, who had just been recruited and was still sobbing on the ground, and thought about the three people who went to chase the ship—one seriously injured, one combat-weakling, and one lovable idiot—the "pursuit squad."Ben covered his face.This heaven-sent fortune...When will it ever end?!
Chapter 14: Just Recruited a Cook and Already Heading to the Gates of Hell?After saying goodbye to the floating restaurant, Benfelt like he had just finished participating in a massive immersive murder mystery game titled "My Cook Brother," which was all about tear-jerking moments and hot-blooded passion.His mind was still replaying the image of Sanjikneeling on the ground, sobbing his heart out, along with the spectacular scene of all those grown men crying in unison.Damn it.Are all these sea-faring men equipped with built-in faucets or something?The four of them were sitting on a small boat used for grocery shopping that they had "borrowed" from Baratie.Luffy, that idiot Captain who recovered to full health right after fighting a boss, was sitting at the bow, swinging his legs excitedly.Sanji, the newly appointed Curly Brows cook, was leaning against the gunwale, looking up at the sky at a 45-degree angle with a "lovesick" expression, muttering to himself."Miss Nami... I'm coming..."Ben: "..."Buddy, isn't your lovesickness a bit too severe? She already ran off with the money, and you're still here acting out an idol drama?As for Ben, he was squeezed into the stern with the guide, Yosaku.He felt like a kidnapped hostage, with an uncertain future and his life hanging in the balance.He swore that once this was over, he would find a deserted island, train in peace, and never get involved with these lunatics again.Is this what they call companionship?No, this is what they call mental exhaustion."Hey! Yosaku!" Luffy suddenly turned around and asked with an innocent face, "How much further is it to Arlong Park?""Pfft—!"Yosaku had just taken a sip of water and spat it right out.He stood up abruptly, causing the small boat to rock violently."Big Brother Luffy! You... you guys are really going there?!" Yosaku's face turned pale, and his voice was trembling.Ben rolled his eyes.What else? Are we drifting on the sea just to enjoy the scenery?"That's 'Arlong Park'!" Yosaku was completely losing it, pacing back and forth on the small boat and gesturing wildly."You have no idea how terrifying that guy named Arlong is!""Let me tell you!" Yosaku's expression suddenly became incredibly serious, as if he were revealing some earth-shattering secret."In this Grand Line, known as the 'Graveyard of Pirates,' there are three massive powers that maintain a delicate balance!"Ben's ears perked up.Oh? Is this the premium content?"One is the Marineford, which governs this sea!""Another is the 'Four Emperors' who rule the second half of the Grand Line!""And the last one..." Yosaku lowered his voice, his face filled with unshakeable fear, "is the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea'!"Ben's heart skipped a beat.Shichibukai? Why does that name sound familiar?"The Shichibukai are seven great pirates recognized by the World Government!" Yosaku's voice was trembling. "They possess catastrophic destructive power and overwhelming combat ability! Every single one of them is a monster among monsters!""Back at Baratie, that 'Hawkeye' Mihawk who slashed Big Brother Zoro into a critical injury with a single blade... he is one of the Shichibukai!"Boom—!Ben felt like a bomb had gone off in his head.Hawkeye... is a Shichibukai?That pervert who sliced a giant ship in half with one stroke and almost killed Zoro... is one of the seven monsters?!He turned his head to look at Luffy, hoping to see even a hint of shock or fear on his face.The result.Luffy, that idiot, was picking his nose with a curious expression."Oh, is that so? Then what about Arlong?"Ben: "..."I am truly speechless.Is your focus a bit too skewed?!Yosaku took a deep breath and continued in his tone filled with fear, "Arlong is a Fishman pirate, and he was once a companion of the Shichibukai, 'Knight of the Sea' Jinbe!""This guy came from the Grand Line to the East Blueand has already conquered over twenty villages! His power is far beyond that of Don Krieg!"Ben was completely numb.A colleague of a colleague of Hawkeye.A bounty of 20 million.Conquered over twenty villages.Every word was like a sledgehammer, smashing hard against his somewhat fragile nerves.He felt like he was suffocating.Then, he heard the most absurd sentence he had ever heard in his life."Oh, I see." Luffy flicked the booger from his hand, looking relaxed, "Then let's have lunch first!"Ben: "?"Sanji also stubbed out his cigarette, looking agreeable, "You're right, it's just about lunchtime. Miss Nami must be hungry too."Ben: "??"No... you two... are your brains okay?!We are discussing a boss who could wipe us all out! And your reaction is... having lunch?!Isn't this a bit too carefree?!Just when Ben was doubting his life."Moo—!"A huge sound, similar to a cow's moo, came from the sea.Ben turned back abruptly.He saw a massive sea monster that looked like a cow poking its head out of the water.That thing was bigger than their small boat, its two eyes wide like brass bells, and it was snorting air from its nose.Ben's legs went weak on the spot.This... what kind of new monster species is this?!However.Luffy's reaction was: "Wow! That's a lot of meat!!"Sanji's reaction was: "Hmm, looks like it's hungry."Ben: "..."I give up.I never want to understand the thought processes of these people again.Just destroy everything, hurry up.Without a word, Luffy raised his fist and prepared to attack."Gum-Gum—""Wait!" Sanji stopped him.Sanji elegantly unbuttoned his suit jacket, pulled out pots and pans from who knows where, and started stir-frying on the spot.A few minutes later, a steaming, fragrant plate of seafood fried rice was ready.Ben stared, dumbfounded.Buddy, is this the right thing to do?"Eat up." Sanji served the entire plate of fried rice to the sea monster named "Momoo."The sea monster paused, lowered its head to sniff it, and then tentatively stuck out its tongue to lick it.The next second, its eyes lit up instantly!It opened its bloody mouth and swallowed the entire plate of fried rice, plate and all, in one gulp.After eating, it looked at Sanji, still wanting more, its eyes filled with longing."See? As long as they're hungry, there's no one you can't communicate with." Sanji tossed his hair coolly.However, the next second.The sea monster's gaze suddenly turned fierce!It opened its huge mouth again, and this time, the target was Sanji himself!Ben was scared out of his wits."Watch out!""Bang—!"A loud noise!Sanji delivered a lightning-fast roundhouse kick, landing solidly on the sea monster's chin!The sea monster's massive body was sent flying by the kick, somersaulting in the air several times before crashing back into the sea with a "splash.""Hmph." Sanji retracted his leg, straightened his suit, and looked annoyed."Trying to eat the chef too? Too greedy."Ben stood with his mouth open, staring blankly at the scene.Just now... what happened?That monster, which was bigger than the ship, was just... kicked away with one strike?This Curly Brows cook... is his combat power a bit off the charts too?!"Momoo—!"The sea monster, having been kicked away, was furious. It charged out of the sea again, eyes red, like a runaway locomotive, crashing toward the small boat!"It's over!" Ben closed his eyes."Bang!"Another loud noise.Ben opened his eyes.He saw that Sanji, who had jumped onto the sea monster's head at some point, delivered another kick, knocking the big guy unconscious instantly.The sea monster rolled its eyes and floated on the sea surface, motionless.Ben: "..."He slowly turned his head to look at Luffy, then looked at Sanji.He suddenly felt.Going to fight that Fishman named Arlong, it seems... not so hopeless after all?After all, the two on his ship don't seem like normal people either.