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If anyone had known who Luffy's father really was, Zoro probably wouldn't have followed him.
"Are you and my grandpa on good terms?" Luffy asked Shin with a carefree attitude.
He showed no fear of Shin, but Zoro's eyes narrowed with calculation.
Don't be fooled by Zoro's terrible sense of direction—he wasn't an idiot. He could read the fear in Zeff's eyes when the chef looked at this man. This stranger was dangerous, powerful beyond their understanding. Zoro hoped Luffy wouldn't do anything stupid.
"Your grandpa and I aren't exactly friendly. You know how it is—one's a Marine, the other's a pirate."
"That's right." Luffy nodded simply.
"Owner, this meal is on me," Shin said to Zeff.
Zeff froze for a moment. If Shin wanted them here, he wasn't about to kick them out again. He'd only tried to get rid of them earlier because he was worried these morons might piss Shin off.
True, if they pissed off Shin Uzumaki, it had nothing to do with Zeff directly—but this was his territory. He didn't want to get caught in the crossfire.
But now that Shin had spoken, Zeff had no choice but to comply. Driving them away after Shin's declaration would be a direct insult, and the consequences would be severe.
"Thank you, you're a good person." Luffy instantly labeled Shin as one of the good guys.
"I'm not a good person. Remember this—on these seas, good people don't live long." Shin gave Luffy a meaningful look.
Luffy scratched his head, puzzled by the warning.
Shin didn't elaborate further and returned to his seat.
"You seem interested in that idiot?" Robin asked after he sat down.
"Don't even joke about that. I don't swing that way." Shin said quickly.
Robin rolled her eyes. Obviously that's not what she meant. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩
"Actually, that kid isn't as simple as he looks."
Shin chuckled and continued. Though Luffy was simple-minded, he was far from stupid. And his background was anything but ordinary. If you had to pick who had the most insane connections in the entire One Piece world, it'd hands down be Luffy.
Navy, Revolutionary Army, pirates—he had allies everywhere. Wasn't that incredible? If Luffy was ever in real danger, would his father Dragon really stand by and watch?
On the Navy side, if not for Garp's influence, Luffy would have been captured long ago in the original story. Aokiji had multiple chances to capture him but gave Garp face instead. It was also fortunate that Luffy never encountered Akainu. Call it luck or fate.
On the pirate side, at least Shanks stood as his protector. Shanks had wagered an entire arm on him. Losing that arm had affected his combat power significantly—the impact wasn't small.
Just then, the door of the Baratie restaurant was suddenly knocked open, and then a pirate who looked miserable walked in.
"WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE? QUICKLY BRING ME FOOD."
"You wanna die?" Zeff moved instantly, his leg a blur as he kicked the intruder out with explosive force. What the hell is happening today?
Having a powerhouse like Shin Uzumaki here was enough stress. Why did idiots keep showing up to test fate? If you want to die, at least pick a better time.
Shin glanced at the newcomer—Gin the Man-Demon—commander of the Krieg Pirates. His strength was respectable, at least.
In the original story, he'd come here begging for scraps too. Started off acting tough, then got thrown out by the Baratie cooks. It was Sanji who finally gave him water and fried rice, which left him sobbing with gratitude as he bowed down in thanks.
Since Gin was here, Krieg couldn't be far behind.
Speaking of Krieg, the man's luck was absolutely terrible. Called himself the ruler of the East Blue, but after entering the Grand Line, he met Mihawk within a week and got sent running back with his tail between his legs.
Gin got thrown out. This time, nobody offered him so much as a crumb. Zeff's face stayed stone-cold. When he saw Gin still hanging around outside, he chased him off for good.
If Shin hadn't been there, Zeff might've actually helped the guy. He understood starvation better than anyone—he and Sanji had been through that hell together.
That's exactly why Sanji couldn't stand people who wasted food.
"There might be quite a show coming up." Shin said with a faint smile.
"A show? You mean that pirate who got kicked out?" Hancock asked.
"Yes and no." Shin kept his answer cryptic, maintaining the suspense. His crew was probably used to his mysterious hints by now.
Though internally annoyed, they didn't press further. They knew he wouldn't elaborate even if asked.
Not long after, Gin returned—and this time, Krieg accompanied him.
"Back again? Are you really that eager to die?" Zeff's eyes turned glacial.
"So it's you, Red-Leg Zeff!!" Krieg recognized him. Rumors said he'd also entered the Grand Line once.
"Krieg..." Zeff's recognition was immediate. They were both East Blue legends—how could he not know him?
"I strongly advise you not to cause trouble right now." Zeff said flatly.
If Krieg really wanted to start something now, death was his only outcome. Zeff was confident he could handle the current Krieg. After all, the man was so weakened by hunger he probably couldn't defeat even a regular chef.
"I'm not here for trouble. Just food. Don't worry, I'll pay once I'm full." As Krieg spoke, a cunning glint flashed in his eyes.
Zeff was silent for a moment, then said, "Don't enter the restaurant. Stay outside."
To prevent any incidents that might endanger the Baratie, Zeff refused to let them inside.
A cold light flashed in Krieg's eyes, murderous intent flickering toward Zeff. He'd never endured such humiliation.
However, recognizing his current weakened state, he compromised, nodding to Zeff with a fawning smile.
Zeff said nothing more, ordering the kitchen to prepare food for them to eat outside. They were absolutely forbidden from entering the restaurant.
Soon, like a starving animal, Krieg devoured everything ravenously until he was full, strength returning to his limbs.
"Gin, let's take this place." Krieg's expression turned cold and ruthless.
"Captain, this doesn't feel right." Gin hesitated, torn between duty and conscience. They'd just been shown mercy—how could he repay that kindness with violence?
For all his reputation as a ruthless pirate, Gin had his own code of honor. Right now, he couldn't bring himself to act.
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