Chapter 34: The Sea Restaurant Baratie
Luffy stood at the bow of the Going Merry, the wind tousling his black hair as the ship sailed through the azure waters. The salty breeze was a welcome reminder of the sea's vastness, but Luffy's attention was elsewhere. His companions, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku, were scattered across the deck, chatting excitedly about their upcoming visit to the Baratie, the famous floating restaurant.
As the Going Merry drew closer to their destination, Luffy's sharp eyes caught sight of a marine vessel in the distance. His jaw went slack when he saw her standing on the deck. A woman with striking features, long dark hair, and curves that seemed to defy the simple marine uniform she wore. She was standing next to some marine officer, a tall guy with a stupid look on his face who had his arm wrapped around her waist like he owned her.
Luffy's mouth opened slightly. A thin line of drool started forming at the corner of his lips.
"Hey, guys, look over there!" Luffy shouted, pointing towards the marine ship. His voice was urgent but his eyes never left the woman.
The crew gathered around, curious about the sudden outburst.
"That's a marine ship," Zoro remarked, his hand instinctively moving towards his swords. Then he noticed Luffy's expression. The captain was staring at the marine vessel like it was made of meat. His eyes were practically heart-shaped. Zoro blinked. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Usopp followed Luffy's gaze and saw the woman. A slow grin spread across his face. "Ohhh. Oh, I see. Captain's got a type."
Luffy didn't respond. He was too busy watching the way the wind moved through her hair. The way her dress hugged her hips. The way she shifted her weight and everything shifted with her.
Nami, who had been about to comment on the marine ship, noticed where Luffy was looking. Her eyes narrowed. Her jaw tightened. Her hand clenched into a fist.
"Luffy," she said, her voice dangerously calm.
Nothing.
"Luffy."
Still nothing. He was gone. Lost in some perverted fantasy that was playing out behind his vacant eyes.
Johnny nudged Yosaku and pointed. Both of them started snickering.
"Captain's got it bad," Johnny whispered.
"Worse than bad," Yosaku agreed. "He's gone, man. Total lost cause."
Zoro sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can't believe this is my captain."
Usopp was openly laughing now. "Look at his face! He's not even blinking!"
Nami's eye twitched. She took a step forward, then another. Her fist drew back.
Luffy finally noticed movement in his peripheral vision and turned just in time to see Nami's punch connect with the side of his head.
THWACK.
Luffy went flying across the deck, tumbling head over heels until he crashed into a stack of barrels. He lay there for a moment, stars circling his head, then sat up rubbing his cheek.
"What was that for?" he demanded.
Nami stood over him, arms crossed, foot tapping. "You were drooling."
"I was not."
"You were. It was disgusting." She pointed at the marine ship. "And that woman? She's with a marine. A marine, Luffy. You know, the people who want to capture us?"
Luffy blinked. "So?"
"So stop staring at her like she's a piece of meat!"
Johnny and Yosaku were doubled over, slapping their knees and howling with laughter. Even Zoro had a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Usopp wiped a tear from his eye. "Oh man, that was beautiful. Nami, your form was perfect. The follow-through, the rotation, the way he flew, ten out of ten."
Luffy stood up, still rubbing his cheek. "I don't get what the big deal is. She's pretty. I like pretty women. You know this."
Nami's face went red. "I… that's not… you can't just…"
"Can't just what?"
"Look at other women like that!"
Luffy tilted his head, genuinely confused. "Why not?"
Zoro snorted. "Oh, this is gonna be good."
Nami spluttered, unable to form a coherent sentence. Johnny and Yosaku were crying with laughter now, leaning on each other for support.
Usopp stepped in, ever the helpful crewmate. "What Nami means, Captain, is that when you're in a relationship, you're supposed to…"
"WE'RE NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP!" Nami shrieked.
Everyone went quiet.
Nami's face was now the color of a ripe tomato. She stood there, fists clenched, breathing hard, looking like she wanted to murder someone. Preferably Luffy. Or maybe Usopp. Or all of them.
Luffy stared at her for a long moment. For a moment, there was hurt in his eyes. Then he grinned. "Okay."
"OKAY?! WHAT DOES 'OKAY' MEAN?"
"It means okay." He shrugged. "You said we're not in a relationship. So okay."
Nami opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. Nothing came out.
Johnny whispered to Yosaku, "I think she just got checkmated."
Yosaku nodded sagely. "The captain's playing 4D chess while she's playing checkers."
Zoro chuckled. "This is the most entertaining thing I've seen all week."
Nami spun around and stormed back to her seat at the table, muttering curses under her breath that would have made a sailor blush. Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku were still laughing. Luffy sat down and immediately grabbed a piece of bread from the basket, completely unbothered.
Zoro shook his head and sat down too. "You're impossible, you know that?"
Luffy simply chewed.
Their chatter was abruptly interrupted by Fullbody, who had noticed the Jolly Roger flag of the Going Merry. He pointed towards the ship, his face twisting with contempt.
"Pirates!" he shouted, loud enough for his voice to carry across the water. "Prepare to engage!"
The marines scrambled into action, and within moments, a cannon was fired towards the Going Merry. Luffy's reflexes kicked in, and he caught the cannonball with his bare hands, the force of it pushing him back slightly but leaving him unharmed.
"Whoa, Luffy!" Usopp exclaimed, his slingshot ready in his hand. "That was amazing!"
Zoro had his swords at the ready, his eyes narrowed as he focused on the marine vessel. "Are we doing this?" he asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.
Before the situation could escalate further, the woman spoke up, her voice carrying over the water. "Fullbody, I'm hungry. Can we please go to the Baratie now?"
Fullbody's eyes shifted from Luffy to the woman. Her presence seemed to pacify him, and he reluctantly lowered his arm. "Alright, my dear. We'll go to the Baratie," he said, his tone softening as he looked at her.
Fullbody signaled his crew to stand down and ordered them to dock at the Baratie instead. Luffy watched the woman, a thoughtful expression on his face that had nothing to do with perversion for once. There was something about her. Something familiar in a way he couldn't explain.
Zoro noticed Luffy's expression and frowned. "You okay?"
Luffy shook his head slowly. "Yeah. Just... I don't know. Something about her."
"Besides the obvious?" Usopp joked.
Luffy ignored him.
Nami, still fuming from earlier, watched Luffy watch the woman and felt something twist in her chest. She told herself it was nothing. Just annoyance. Just the usual frustration that came with traveling with a perverted captain.
She almost believed it.
The Going Merry glided smoothly into the docking area of the Baratie, the famous floating restaurant renowned across the East Blue. The vibrant establishment was a stark contrast to the usual drab and utilitarian marine vessels. Its colorful exterior was adorned with ornate decorations, giving it the appearance of a grand floating palace.
The crew stepped off the ship and made their way inside. The restaurant was bustling with activity, filled with diners enjoying what looked like the finest meals in the East Blue. The aroma alone was enough to make Luffy's stomach growl loudly.
The rest of the Straw Hat Pirates, including Johnny and Yosaku, found a large table to accommodate their numbers. The table was near the center of the restaurant, giving them a clear view of the open kitchen where chefs moved with practiced precision.
"Wow, this place is incredible!" Usopp exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder as he took in the luxurious surroundings. "I've never seen anything like it!"
Nami nodded in agreement, her gaze shifting to the chandeliers that sparkled overhead. "The décor is really something. It feels like we're dining in a royal palace."
"Yeah, and the smell of the food is making my mouth water," Johnny added, inhaling deeply. "I can't wait to see what kind of culinary masterpieces they serve here."
Zoro, ever the pragmatist, was more focused on the security of their surroundings. He scanned the room, noting the positions of various patrons and staff members. "Let's just hope the food is as good as the reputation of this place."
Johnny and Yosaku were already reminiscing about their previous visit to the Baratie, sharing stories of the incredible dishes they had tried and the fierce head chef, Zeff, who had once been a legendary pirate.
Their conversation was interrupted by a young man with blonde hair and a black suit approaching their table. He had a cigarette dangling from his lips and a confident, almost flirtatious demeanor.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," he said, bowing slightly. His eyes lingered on Nami for an extra second. "My name is Sanji, and I'll be your waiter tonight. What can I get for you?"
The crew began placing their orders, each choosing a dish that reflected their unique tastes. Usopp ordered a hearty stew. Nami chose a light seafood salad. Zoro opted for a large plate of meat. Johnny and Yosaku ordered dishes they'd been craving since their last visit.
Luffy, still distracted, managed to order a large portion of meat and rice, his usual preference. But his eyes kept drifting across the restaurant to where the woman from the marine ship was seated with Fullbody.
Sanji noticed Luffy's fixed stare and followed his gaze. "Ah, I see you've noticed one of our more attractive guests," he said with a smirk. "She's quite something, isn't she?"
Luffy nodded absently. "Yeah."
Sanji, always the gentleman when it came to women, decided to take a closer look. He approached the woman's table with a suave demeanor, his charming smile in place. "Good evening, madam," he said smoothly. "Is there anything I can get for you?"
The woman looked up, slightly surprised by the sudden attention. "Oh, I'm just fine, thank you," she replied politely. Fullbody, who had been in the middle of a boastful story, glared at Sanji, clearly annoyed by the interruption.
"Who are you?" Fullbody demanded, his tone brusque.
"Just a humble waiter, sir," Sanji replied with a slight bow. "Here to ensure all our guests have a delightful dining experience."
As Sanji returned to the Straw Hats' table, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. There was something off about the woman and her companion.
Back at their table, the Straw Hats continued to discuss their surroundings and the various dishes they had ordered. Usopp was particularly animated, regaling the group with tales of his imagined culinary exploits.
"You know, I once cooked a meal so delicious that it made a giant sea king cry tears of joy!" he boasted, earning a mix of laughter and groans from his crewmates.
Nami chuckled, shaking her head. "Usopp, your stories are always entertaining, but let's see if the Baratie can top that."
As their meals began to arrive, the crew fell into a comfortable rhythm of eating and chatting. The food was every bit as exquisite as they had hoped, with each dish bursting with flavor and expertly presented.
Despite the camaraderie and the exceptional food, Luffy remained distracted. His eyes occasionally flicked back to the woman's table, his instincts telling him that this encounter was far from over. Nami noticed every single glance, her jaw tightening a little more each time.
The evening at the Baratie was only just beginning, and with the presence of the mysterious woman and her marine companion, it was clear that the Straw Hats were in for more than just a meal.