Chapter 16: Banquet After the Storm – Dreams, Food, and a New Resolve
With Zoro out of danger and Sol heading inside for food, Luffy clenched his fists and charged straight at Krieg. "I'm gonna finish you quick—then it's party time!"
"Arrogant brat! I'll admit that guy earlier was strong—but how tough can you be?!" Krieg sneered at the rushing Luffy.
Krieg grinned wickedly, his golden armor gleaming blindingly in the sunlight. He gripped his massive, over-2,000-pound war spear single-handed, tip aimed at Luffy's chest, voice dripping with contempt:
"Kid, you really think those soft punches can hurt me? The title of East Blue's overlord isn't luck!"
Before the words finished, he lunged forward. The spear tore through the air with a piercing whistle, stabbing straight for Luffy's heart!
"War Spear Thrust—!"
Luffy swayed like the wind, sidestepping effortlessly. The heavy spearhead grazed his shirt and plunged deep into the deck, wood chips flying! Krieg didn't pause—muscles bulging, he swept the spear horizontally in a brutal arc, whipping up a gale!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Three consecutive strikes—each powerful enough to crush ordinary pirates into paste. But Luffy anticipated every one—back-bending, side-flipping, even leaping into the air to dodge with ease.
"Gum-Gum Pistol!"
Luffy's fist rocketed mid-air, slamming into Krieg's golden armor!
Clang—!
A sharp metallic ring echoed. Krieg didn't budge—only a shallow dent marred the armor.
"Feels off, right?" Krieg smirked mockingly. "You're hitting my golden war armor—your attacks do nothing!"
"Got it. Guess I'll just hit harder next time," Luffy said casually, adjusting his straw hat.
"Gum-Gum Whirlwind Bullet!"
Luffy twisted his right arm like rope and unleashed it.
"Pointless bluff—you can't dodge this one," Krieg countered with a horizontal sweep. The spearhead collided with the fist—BOOM!—triggering a massive explosion.
"Hah! Didn't expect that, did you? My war spear explodes on impact—you're dead!" Krieg laughed maniacally.
Smoke cleared. Luffy stood blackened but completely unharmed.
"Damn it! How are you fine?! That's impossible!" Krieg roared, raising the spear again—only for the head to shatter, leaving a useless pole.
Luffy spat out black smoke. "You're sneaky—hiding explosives in the spearhead. But my fist's still stronger." His soot-covered face split into a toothy grin ᐕ)⁾⁾
"Get ready, Krieg!" Luffy dashed in close. His body arrived—but his arms stayed behind.
"Gum-Gum Cannon Barrage!"
Luffy unleashed a point-blank Gatling, shattering Krieg's prized armor piece by piece. Mechanisms popped off one after another. Krieg's expression twisted from arrogance to pure terror.
"Wait—I surrender! I'll leave right now—please spare me!" Krieg begged desperately.
Luffy ignored him. With the armor fully destroyed, he pulled back for the finisher:
"Gum-Gum Rocket!"
BOOM!!
Krieg's massive frame folded like a cooked shrimp. He launched skyward in a ring of explosive air, shrinking to a black dot on the horizon.
Gin watched his captain fly away, eyes flashing with complex emotion. He took a deep breath, bowed solemnly to Sanji, and said, "Thank you for the meal… but I have to save my captain." Without waiting for a reply, he dove into the cold sea, swimming hard toward Krieg's direction.
On the surface, surviving pirates slowly woke, shivering in the freezing water.
They clung to floating debris, gritting teeth, following Gin's back.
"Hurry—catch up to Lord Gin!"
"Don't fall behind! The captain's waiting!"
Those who never woke sank slowly with the waves, vanishing into the dark depths—becoming food for the fish.
With the fight over, Luffy raced back to join the party. "You guys are sneaky—starting without your captain!"
Usopp slurped noodles. "Who said that? We waited for the vice-captain's okay!"
Luffy opened his mouth to argue—but Sol stuffed a chunk of meat in, and he forgot everything.
Zeff brought out a steaming plate of seafood fried rice and waved grandly. "Your meals are on the house for the next few days—as thanks for protecting the Baratie." Luffy grabbed a huge bone-in roast, beaming. "Really?! Then I want ten more plates of meat!"
"As long as you can eat it, I'll make as much as you want," Sanji said confidently around his cigarette, heading back to the kitchen.
Inside, the kitchen was alive with activity. Every chef cooked their specialty for the heroes. Sanji walked up beside Zeff and started peeling potatoes smoothly.
Zeff stirred curry, the rich aroma spreading. "So—what do you think of that crew? They seem like decent partners."
Sanji's knife paused—then resumed. "Why are they so fearless? That green-haired guy facing Hawk-Eyes… that straw-hat facing Krieg… all of them like that."
"Because of conviction—and dreams!" Zeff stopped stirring. "Sanji—if the legendary All Blue appeared right in front of you, what would you do?"
"Go all in without hesitation," Sanji answered instantly.
"Even if it killed you?"
"…Nothing could stop me."
"So that's it. Dreams, huh," Sanji murmured. He finished peeling the potatoes and returned to his station, movements lighter than before.
"Brat—don't forget to chop these for me," Zeff grumbled good-naturedly. His knife flashed—potatoes diced perfectly into the pot. He continued cooking.
In the dining hall, Zoro smelled sake and finally woke. He grabbed the bottle in front of him and chugged. "Ah… nothing heals better than booze." Then he dug into a plate of meat.
Sol ate while studying the dish. "Fried then pan-seared? Nice technique."
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