Yo, I'm back baby!!!
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GOD DAMN IT!!! THIS HEAT!!!
The temperature and humidity are off the charts that the Government officials have to message the public to not go outside because of the Heat Wave.
I can't even charge my phone properly without the risk of overheating it.
I am sleeping full on in my birthday suit and still sweating buckets.
Fucking my AC is also not cooling properly.
I am getting roasted alive right here.
The Sun is showing us some special love.
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Anyways, I did a little bit foreshadowing in this one.
If you can find it, then comment on that part about what you understand from it.
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Thought of the Day:
My mom says I'm special, so Fuck you.
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Attendance Please:
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BARATIE — Inside the Kitchen
"Give me a break, old man. I'll only work for one week," said Luffy, poking Zeff in the chest.
The head chef didn't move. He simply stood there with his arms crossed, tapping his peg leg on the floor as a warning.
Zeff huffed. "Don't insult me, boy. You tried to cheat my restaurant with that fake treasure bill of yours!" He poked Luffy in return, missing his nose by an inch. "One week of work won't cut it."
He grabbed more dishes from the counter and tossed them into the sink. The pile grew into a small mountain, wobbling precariously.
"You'll work for me for a whole year!" Zeff's voice boomed through the kitchen. "Got it? Now clean these! I want to see my god damn face in them!"
Luffy puffed out his chest so much that he nearly fell backward. "I won't do it! I was just trying to help my friends, and this is what I get for my hospital?!"
A chef near the spice rack raised his hand cautiously. "It's hospitality."
The kitchen fell silent.
Zeff slowly turned his head toward the chef.
The chef immediately regretted his entire life. He hid behind a pot.
"Yeah, whatever it is!" Luffy kept going, not noticing the silent death stare nearby. "The thing is, I've already waited ten years to become a pirate! I won't wait another year doing stupid cleaning when I could be chasing my dream!" He put his hands on his hips. "So, here's my final offer: let me work it off in one week! How's that?"
Luffy grinned and extended his hand toward Zeff.
Zeff looked at the hand, then at Luffy's foolish grin. His eye twitched.
"YOU DON'T GET TO DECIDE, EGGPLANT HEAD!! CHEF'S SPECIAL—PEG LEG KICK!!"
His leg shot up and struck Luffy's rubbery neck with a loud THWACK.
Every chef in the kitchen winced. They clutched their own necks, vividly recalling Zeff's infamous kicks.
"I'M THE ONE WHO DECIDES!!!" Zeff roared as Luffy crumpled to the floor, his neck stretching and wobbling like a broken spring.
"Man, did you really have to do that?" Luffy grabbed his head and snapped it back into place with a pop.
"SHUT UP!!"
Zeff took a deep breath, held it for a moment, and then exhaled.
He looked at Luffy and nodded.
"You know what, kid?" His voice lowered. "Since your time is so precious… I'll give you a quick way out."
Luffy's eyes lit up. "Oh, really? Now you're talking—"
Zeff reached behind him and slowly pulled out a meat cleaver. The blade gleamed in the light.
"Give me one of your legs." He tapped his peg leg with the flat of his blade. Clink. Clink. "I kind of miss my real leg…" He grinned wider. "…so, I'll take yours instead! Hope you don't mind!"
Luffy stared at the cleaver, then at Zeff's grin, and back at the cleaver again.
"I—I think cleaning is fine…!" The words came out fast and high-pitched.
"WHAT YOU WANT DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE, BOYYY!!!"
Zeff shouted and charged toward Luffy.
"KYAAAAHHHHH!!!"
Luffy screamed like a child.
"TAKE THIS… CHEF DROP!!"
The entire kitchen descended into chaos.
And through it all, Sanji stood by the counter.
One hand in his pocket, one eyebrow raised.
His cigarette burned at the corner of his mouth, the ash growing longer as he watched the grown man in a tall hat chase the rubber boy around the kitchen like a frantic chicken.
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Why am I even working here? This is so childish!"
A flying ladle nearly hit him in the head.
He didn't even blink.
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7:00 P.M. — With Yuji, Zoro, Nami, and Usopp.
The sea had turned a deep purple by the time they settled in.
The outdoor bar underneath the large fish-head structure extended over the water like a wooden dock, its surface worn smooth by years of use. Lanterns swayed overhead, casting a warm glow on the tables. Gentle waves lapped against the restaurant below.
Zoro had taken the chair with the best view of the horizon. He sat with his legs stretched out and arms crossed, gazing at the dark sky filled with stars and a half-moon.
A waiter appeared and placed two glasses of juice on the table. Then, carefully, he set down a bottle of fine sake. The label was old and handwritten, with the paper yellowed at the edges.
Zoro grabbed the bottle before it had completely stopped moving.
Pop.
The cork came out with a soft sigh. He poured slowly, watching the liquid catch the light—clear as spring water. He raised the small cup, held it for a moment, then drank it down.
Gulp.
A pause.
Then: "Aaaaahhh~~~"
His shoulders dropped, and his jaw relaxed. For the first time all day, Roronoa Zoro looked almost peaceful.
"This is good sake," he said, turning the bottle in his hands. "It reminds me of my old dojo."
Nami sipped her juice silently, her eyes fixed on him.
Usopp held his own drink—a chilled apple soda.
Zoro poured again but didn't drink immediately. He simply held the cup, watching the liquid settle.
"Before I left the dojo, my teacher asked to see me one last time." He took a small sip. "We have a little ceremony. When a student is ready to leave and face the world, they share their first drink with their master."
The lantern's flame flickered gently.
"My teacher, Koushirou," Zoro's voice softened. "He's a very calm and refined man. The way he teaches swordsmanship... is gentle."
Yuji leaned forward. Nami set down her glass, and Usopp didn't look away.
They were all listening attentively.
Zoro swirled the sake in his cup thoughtfully.
"He once told me, 'The best swordsmanship isn't about destroying everything. It's about having the control to cut only what you intend to.'" He paused. "Or, in simpler terms… the power to cut nothing."
Usopp frowned. "Cut… nothing? How does that work—"
"I didn't get it either at first," Zoro smiled a little. "But now, as I chase my dream to become the world's greatest swordsman, I realize something."
He set the cup down.
He looked at his hands, calloused, scarred and steady.
"To truly be called a swordsman, I must become one with my blades. I have to see them as part of my own body." His voice dropped. "Then… and only then… can I call myself worthy."
He poured another cup and drank it in one gulp.
No sigh this time, just quiet satisfaction.
Usopp took a sip of his soda. "He sounds like a wise man."
"He is... he is," said Zoro, looking up at the stars.
A peaceful silence settled between them.
Then Yuji tilted his head. "Is something else on your mind, Zoro?"
Zoro's eyes flickered, but then he shook his head. "Nah. Sometimes... it's better to leave some things unsaid."
He turned to Yuji and studied him for a moment.
"What about you, Yuji? Do you have something to share?"
Nami's gaze shifted, and so did Usopp's.
Yuji leaned back in his chair, the wood creaking beneath him. He gazed up at the stars, though his eyes seemed to look beyond them.
"Hmm," he hummed. "Well, the only memories I have are of my grandpa. Other than that, just the local people I grew up around."
"What about your parents?" Nami asked softly.
Yuji shrugged. "I never knew them. My grandpa has raised me since I was a toddler." He tapped his finger on the chair. "So it doesn't matter to me whether my parents are dead, alive somewhere with another kid, or whatever."
"That's… really sad," Usopp murmured.
Yuji looked at him intently.
"Hah. Don't be," he smiled. "Because I never was."
Usopp nodded quietly. He wanted to say more, but the words wouldn't come. So, he simply nodded again and took another sip of his soda.
Yuji stood up.
"You know, I think I really need a drink after all this emotional talk."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said you didn't drink."
"Dude, I said I don't get drunk," Yuji said, stretching his arms above his head. "That doesn't mean I don't like the taste."
Zoro's other eyebrow raised. "You drink… for the taste?"
"Not all drinks taste like cheap, fermented products. Some contain sweeteners."
Zoro shuddered. "No thanks. I don't want my alcohol to taste like sugary syrup."
Yuji shrugged. "Everyone has their own taste." He nodded toward the bar counter—a long stretch of polished wood at the far end. "I'll be at the bar. If you need me, just call."
He walked away.
Zoro watched him leave.
"You know…" Zoro's voice was low. "Sometimes, I think he's hiding something—something we're not ready for."
Nami followed his gaze and watched Yuji's back disappear into the warm light of the bar.
"Everyone has secrets, Zoro," she said, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "Maybe he does too."
Zoro hummed thoughtfully, then looked at her.
"What about you? Do you have a secret?"
Nami's hand came to a stop.
She looked down at her juice.
"...Maybe."
The words hung heavily in the air between them.
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At the Bar Counter—
Yuji tapped the counter twice.
Knock. Knock.
The bartender glided over smoothly.
"Yes, sir. What can I get you?" he smiled automatically.
Yuji leaned on the counter. "Tell me, mate, what do you have?"
The bartender's smile widened; he loved this question.
"Well, we have plenty of drinks. Non-alcoholic options include Virgin Wine Spritzer, Roy Rogers, Ginger and Juice, Simple Syrup and Soda, Fizzy Fruit Juice, Shirley Temple, Kombucha, Virgin Margarita, and Gin-Free Tom Collins," he said, pointing to the bottles as he named them. "And we also offer alcoholic cocktails like Aperol Spritz, Bellini, Martini, Piña Colada, Whiskey Sour, and Daiquiri—from all around the Four Blues."
He paused for effect.
"We even have some vintage wine from the Grand Line itself."
Yuji raised his eyebrows.
The bartender bent down and pulled out a bottle that seemed to glow in the lantern light—dark glass, a wax seal, and a fancy label.
"This is premium, top-quality wine, imported directly from Figarland Square, Loguetown," he said, holding it up. "The family is renowned for producing fine aged wines and strong spirits." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Unfortunately, we have only this one bottle. It alone is worth over two hundred million berries."
Yuji let out a low whistle. "That's expensive. I thought a top bottle of wine cost ten or twenty million, maybe fifty at most."
"Well, yeah, that's how it is for other brands," the bartender said, setting the bottle down carefully. "But this company is run by a noble family." He leaned closer. "You won't believe this, but their most expensive wine once sold at auction for almost a billion berries."
"Damn."
"Right?!" the bartender exclaimed, throwing his hands up. "I can't believe people spend billions on just one bottle of wine!"
Yuji chuckled. "Well, what can I say? They're rich. They can spend their money however they want. We common folks have nothing to do with them."
"Yeah," the bartender nodded, then straightened up. "Yeah, you're right." His professional smile returned. "So, have you decided what you'd like to drink?"
Yuji hummed softly as his eyes scanned the shelves.
"Hmm… it's hard to choose among all these fine drinks."
The bartender waited.
Then Yuji snapped his fingers.
"You know what? I know exactly what I want."
The bartender's smile broadened as his hand hovered over a crystal decanter.
"Please give me a glass of strawberry milkshake."
The smile froze in place.
"...What?"
Yuji's grin was innocent, bright, and sincere. "Strawberry milkshake."
The bartender blinked, his mouth opening and closing in surprise.
"B-but… don't you want any drinks?"
"Yeah, of course I want a drink," Yuji said, tilting his head. "That's why I'm asking for a strawberry milkshake."
"But—"
"Strawberry," Yuji said, enunciating each syllable clearly. "Milkshake."
The bartender's eye twitched.
Suddenly, a sweet laugh came from beside Yuji.
Yuji turned around.
A woman sat on the barstool right next to him. Black hair cascaded over her shoulders. She wore a revealing cowgirl outfit—a purple corset, a matching mini skirt adorned with white dangling ornaments, a white fur-lined coat, and a white cowboy hat tilted on her head. Her white high-heeled boots tapped against the rail.
She was grinning.
"Fufufufu~~~" Her laughter softened into something warmer. "Sorry if this is rude, but… the way you asked for a strawberry milkshake after hearing all those drink options… I can't help but laugh."
Yuji's grin didn't fade. "Oh, don't apologize," he said, waving a hand. "I was just testing whether my man here could handle an unpredictable customer like me."
"Unpredictable, huh?" The woman propped her elbow on the counter and rested her cheek in her hand. Her eyes studied him closely. "You know, I like unpredictable people. There's something exciting about them, not knowing what they'll do next."
Yuji slid onto the stool next to her. The wood was still warm from her touch.
"Well then," he said, "I hope you won't get bored with my unpredictability."
The woman's smile became playful as she leaned slightly toward him.
"I'll be the judge of that."
The bartender looked between them, confused.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat. "Sir, should I bring your strawberry milkshake?"
The woman didn't look away from Yuji. "I don't think you'll need to." Her smile sharpened. "He's just messing with you."
The bartender blinked. "Wh-what?"
Yuji's grin widened. "Well, you got me." He finally looked at the bartender with an apologetic expression. "Sorry, man. I was just messing around."
"Oh… oh." The bartender let out a nervous laugh. "Really?"
"Yeah," Yuji nodded. "Don't worry about it." He paused. "Now, do you have any strong alcohol? Something sharp?"
Relief washed over the bartender's face. He reached under the counter and pulled out a bottle.
"This here is Spirytus Rektyfikowany," he said, setting it down with a thunk. "Ninety-six percent alcohol—very strong rectified spirit, mostly used for infusions."
Yuji picked it up, turned it over, and read the label.
"Hmm. Rectified spirit," he said, handing it back. "Give me a neat shot."
The bartender froze.
The woman froze.
Yuji looked between them. "What? Is there something on my face?"
"Sir," the bartender said cautiously, "I'm sorry, but I can't recommend drinking that neat. It's very strong and will burn your throat and stomach badly."
Yuji smiled.
"Good."
The word hung in the air like a challenge.
The bartender stammered, looked at the woman, then back at Yuji, and saw that cheerful, steady grin.
'Fuck it,' he thought. 'This guy has been messing with me all night. If he wants to embarrass himself in front of this woman, that's his problem.'
He opened the bottle.
The woman watched Yuji with a strange expression—half worried, half curious. "You know it's really dangerous to drink it straight, right?"
Yuji shrugged. "Meh, it won't work on me anyway."
She blinked. "What?"
"Alcohol and poison don't affect me," he said as if it were no big deal. "I naturally have a very high tolerance."
The woman formed a small *o* shape with her lips.
The bartender poured the shot, the liquid clear as water.
Yuji took it, drank it, and swallowed.
A moment of silence.
"Aaahhh~~" He set the glass down with a click. "Light work." He grinned at the bartender, who was staring at him as if he had just witnessed a man drink fire. "Give me another one."
The woman laughed again, this time warmer and more genuine.
"Fufufufufufu~~~," she shook her head, her black hair swaying. "You really are unpredictable."
She held out her right hand, her long, elegant fingers adorned with a silver ring that gleamed on her middle finger.
"I forgot to introduce myself." Her smile softened. "I'm Olivia."
Yuji took her hand, and her grip was firm.
"Nice to meet you, Olivia." He shook her hand once. "I'm Yuji Itadori."
Their hands remained clasped a moment longer than necessary.
Then, they parted.
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"—and there it was."
Usopp's voice dropped to a low growl. He stood on his chair, one foot on the seat, the other on the armrest, with his arms spread wide.
A crowd had gathered around him—diners, sailors, and a few chefs on break. All leaned in, eyes wide, drinks forgotten.
"The being, with its single eye staring down at us as if we were ants." Usopp's eyes widened for effect. "Horns protruding from its skull. A crown of blood floating above its head."
He paused.
Let the silence linger.
"It was none other than the Red Emperor—a being of pure darkness, evil, and malice."
A woman in the crowd gasped.
Usopp leaned forward. The lantern light shone on his face from below, making him appear older and more defined.
"When it spoke, it sounded like millions of voices screaming all at once." He clenched his fists. "It pointed at our friend Yuji and demanded that we hand him over."
He looked around at the crowd, meeting their eyes one by one.
"But could we just give up on our friend like that?"
He straightened up.
"No."
His voice cracked sharply like a whip.
"We looked into that single eye and said only one word: 'NO.'" His hands curled into fists. "It screamed at us and revealed its true horror by covering the whole world in darkness."
Someone's glass tipped over, but no one noticed.
"It looked like everything was over, like we were all going to die," Usopp's voice softened. "But then… he stepped forward."
He pointed toward the sky.
"Our captain, Monkey D Luffy—the man who brings eternal light, a warrior who laughs in the face of death."
Usopp raised both hands above his head.
"He grabbed the sun from the sky, plucked it right out of heaven, and, with one mighty Gum-Gum Punch, he defeated the Red Emperor once and for all!"
The crowd gasped.
"He protected our friend and started a new era across the world."
Usopp spread his arms wide open.
"So always remember: whenever darkness tries to swallow you, look up at the sky, spread your arms wide, and say these words: 'Praise the Sun.'"
He paused.
"Now, everyone together—"
The crowd roared along with him.
"PRAISE THE SUN!!!"
Arms shot up, fists clenched, as dozens of voices shouted together.
Usopp nodded, satisfied. "Thank you all for listening. Have a nice evening."
The crowd slowly dispersed, with some patting Usopp on the shoulder and others whispering among themselves about the Red Emperor and the man who punched the sun.
"That was quite a story you told."
Usopp turned around.
The man stood behind him—tall and lean, wearing a black trench coat over his bare chest, which showcased his strong build. His eyes were yellow and sharp.
Usopp's confidence disappeared.
"Th-thanks, man. I try my best."
The man nodded without looking away. "Say, would you mind if I met this Monkey D Luffy?"
"Ahh… well," Usopp swallowed. "He's busy right now, but you can meet the others in my crew."
"Fine by me."
Usopp led the man toward the table where Zoro and Nami were still seated. His legs felt shaky, and his heart pounded.
"Hey, guys!" he forced cheer into his voice. "Someone wants to meet you!"
Nami looked up at the unfamiliar man cautiously.
Zoro's hand moved to his sword before his mind could even catch up.
"Dracule 'Hawkeye' Mihawk."
The name fell from Zoro's lips like a death sentence.
He stood up slowly and carefully, his eyes never leaving the man's face.
Mihawk looked back at him with calm, piercing yellow eyes.
"Do you know me?"
"Every swordsman in the world knows you," Zoro said steadily, though his hand trembled slightly on his sword. "I've followed your journey since I was a kid."
Mihawk's gaze shifted to Zoro's three swords as he studied them intently.
"I see."
The silence between them was heavy, breathing and waiting.
Then Zoro spoke.
"Dracule Mihawk." He straightened his shoulders and lifted his chin. "I, Roronoa Zoro, challenge you to a duel for your title as the world's greatest swordsman."
Nami's juice glass slipped from her fingers.
It hit the deck and shattered.
Mihawk stared at Zoro for a long, tense moment.
"And why should I accept?" His voice was soft, dismissive. "You're not even a warm-up for me. I could kill you right here, and you couldn't do a thing."
Nami's face turned pale.
Usopp stopped breathing.
But Zoro didn't flinch, blink, or break eye contact.
"I know," his voice was quiet. "But I'm not just challenging you to a fight. I'm challenging you to a proper sword duel. And you, as the master swordsman, have a reputation to uphold."
Mihawk's eyes narrowed sharply.
"You're sharp, Roronoa," Mihawk said, his lips curving slightly. "Fine, then. I accept your challenge. Tomorrow at dawn, we'll have our duel."
He turned and walked away.
Then, he paused.
He looked back over his shoulder. His yellow eyes caught the lantern light and glowed like gold.
"I hope you're ready, Roronoa." His voice was soft, gentle, and terrifying. "And I hope you won't run away, because if you do… I will hunt you down myself."
Zoro's grip tightened on his sword.
"I would never run away."
"Good."
And just like that, Dracule 'Hawkeye' Mihawk vanished, melting into the shadows as if he had never been there at all.
Nami stared at the empty space where he had stood.
Her hands were trembling.
"Z-Zoro…" Her voice cracked. "You really challenged the world's greatest swordsman… just like that?"
Zoro did not answer.
Usopp grabbed his arm. "Zoro, are you sure you want to do this? It's really dangerous, man!"
Zoro looked at Usopp.
Right in the eyes.
With no anger, fear or doubt.
Just the quiet, absolute certainty of a man who had found his moment and would not let it go.
"This is what I've waited for my whole life, Usopp." His voice was soft, almost gentle. "This is my moment, so don't try to stop me."
With that, he walked away.
Usopp stared at Zoro's back. The lantern light caught the three swords hanging at his hip.
Nami started mumbling in panic.
"Idiot. He's going to get himself killed." She grabbed Usopp's sleeve. "Usopp, we need to stop him. Only two people can: Big Bro and Luffy. We need to tell them right now!"
But Usopp just kept staring at Zoro's back, at the way he walked, steady and unafraid, toward a dawn that might be his last.
He shook his head.
"No, Nami."
Nami's mouth fell open. "Wh-what? What are you saying?"
Usopp looked at her.
"This is Zoro's moment," his voice quiet and final. "We can't take it away from him."
Nami stared at him intently.
Then, in the empty space where Zoro had been.
Then back to Usopp.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she made a decision.
She turned around.
And walked toward the bar counter.
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See you in next chapter.....