The crew arrives at the famous floating restaurant, Baratie, in search of a cook. Here, they encounter Sanji, a talented chef with a dream of finding the All Blue. However, their arrival coincides with a pirate invasion led by Don Krieg, setting the stage for a battle that will change everything.
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The Going Merry sailed smoothly toward Baratie, the famous floating restaurant known for its incredible food. The place looked impressive even from a distance—a grand structure standing proudly on the ocean, its golden hue catching the sunlight.
Luffy stood at the bow, looking excited. "I can already smell it! The food here must be amazing! Let's get to it!"
Zoro was leaning against the mast, arms crossed. "I'm just hoping they have something other than meat. But I guess that'll depend on who we meet."
Usopp, bouncing on his feet, added eagerly, "Baratie's famous for their cooking! I can't wait to see how good their chef really is!"
Meanwhile, Kuro, the former captain of the Black Cat Pirates, stood at the edge of the ship, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. Since joining the Straw Hat crew, he had shed much of his old demeanor. Still, his eyes carried the quiet intensity of a strategist.
"It's not just the food that matters," Kuro remarked. "Pirates flock to places like this. We should be ready."
Luffy grinned widely. "You're always so serious, Kuro. We'll be fine! Besides, we're here for a cook!"
As the crew neared the dock, they saw the massive floating restaurant, Baratie, up close. The ship was a sight to behold, with its warm, inviting lights shining out onto the water. The crew docked and made their way onto the deck.
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The Crew Meets Sanji
Inside Baratie, the crew was greeted by Sanji, a tall, blond cook in a black suit who was working diligently behind the counter. He was preparing a dish with expert precision—his knife work, the way he handled the fire, everything spoke of years of training.
Luffy's eyes immediately lit up. "Whoa, you're the chef here?!"
Sanji looked up, raising an eyebrow as he wiped his hands on a towel. "That's right. I'm Sanji, the best cook in the East Blue. What do you want?"
Luffy grinned broadly. "I'm Luffy! I've come to recruit you to join my crew! We need a cook, and I heard you're the best."
Sanji blinked, clearly surprised. "A pirate crew? You want me to join you?"
"Yep! We're going to find the All Blue, the greatest sea where all the oceans meet. You can be our cook!" Luffy said, his voice full of excitement.
Zoro stepped up beside Luffy. "He's serious. Luffy doesn't back down once he's made up his mind."
Sanji looked at them for a moment, then shook his head with a sigh. "Well, I appreciate the offer, but… being a pirate isn't my style."
Before anyone could respond, the door to the restaurant suddenly crashed open. The crew turned to see a large group of pirates, led by Don Krieg, one of the most notorious pirates of the East Blue, and his dangerous crew.
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The Invasion of Don Krieg
"You pirates think you can just stroll in here?" Don Krieg boomed, glaring at Luffy and the others. "You're in my territory now."
Sanji's expression hardened. "This is Baratie! You won't take it from me!"
Luffy grinned. "We don't have time for this. We're recruiting a cook, and no one's gonna stop us!"
Zoro unsheathed his swords. "If they want trouble, they'll get it."
Usopp, nervous but ready, gripped his slingshot. "I'll help out too!"
Kuro, standing at the back, observed the pirates with an unreadable expression. "They're not ordinary pirates," he muttered. "Don Krieg is a formidable foe, but if we're careful, we can take them down."
As the Don Krieg Pirates charged forward, Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp took the lead in the battle. But Sanji, having no choice but to defend his restaurant, leaped into action, using his powerful kicks to knock down several pirates.
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Luffy's Haki vs. Don Krieg's Pirates
Unlike the original story, Luffy did not rely on a Devil Fruit. Instead, he focused on mastering his Haki from a young age under Garp's training. His Armament Haki was far stronger than most pirates expected, and his Observation Haki allowed him to predict enemy movements, giving him an advantage.
As Don Krieg's men charged toward him, Luffy activated his Observation Haki, his eyes narrowing as he effortlessly dodged a flurry of attacks.
"Too slow," Luffy taunted, his voice dripping with confidence.
With a flick of his hand, Luffy used Armament Haki to coat his fist, and with a powerful punch, he sent one of Krieg's men flying. The impact sent a shockwave through the room, causing the other pirates to hesitate.
Sanji, noticing Luffy's surprising power, nodded in approval. "He's not bad."
The battle raged on as Zoro took on several of Krieg's top fighters, including Machi, with his Three-Sword Style. Zoro's mastery of his swords and his growing understanding of Armament Haki made him a difficult opponent to beat.
Luffy and Sanji were a deadly combination, their attacks flowing smoothly together. While Luffy used his Haki to power his punches and kicks, Sanji used his acrobatic agility and powerful kicks to take down enemies with precision.
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Don Krieg's Final Stand
Don Krieg, seeing his crew being defeated, roared in anger. "You think you can defeat me? I'll show you the power of the Kraylax Armor!"
Krieg activated his powerful armor, covering himself with thick metal plating. He rushed at Luffy with incredible speed, launching a series of devastating attacks.
Luffy's Observation Haki warned him of each attack in advance, allowing him to dodge Krieg's wild strikes. With a smirk, Luffy activated his Armament Haki once again, coating his arm with a dense black aura.
"You've got a strong defense, but it's not enough," Luffy said, his voice full of determination.
With a powerful punch, Luffy struck Krieg's armor, shattering it with the force of his Haki-infused attack. Don Krieg staggered backward, shock written on his face. Luffy's Haki had pierced his defenses, a clear sign that Luffy was no ordinary pirate.
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Sanji Joins the Crew
After the final clash, Don Krieg was defeated, and the remaining pirates quickly surrendered. The Baratie was saved, and Sanji stood beside Luffy, his eyes filled with newfound respect.
"You really can fight," Sanji said, looking at Luffy. "I didn't expect that from a guy who claims to just want a cook."
Luffy grinned. "I told you, we don't back down from anything. So, what do you say? You're joining us, right?"
Sanji crossed his arms, smiling. "Alright, Luffy. You've convinced me. I'll join your crew. Let's find the All Blue together!"
Kuro, still watching with a calculating gaze, nodded. "This crew is stronger than I expected. We'll need all the strength we can get."
With that, Sanji officially joined the Straw Hat Pirates, adding his incredible cooking skills to the crew and helping them move forward on their journey.
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End of Chapter.
Word Count: ~1,300
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Notes:
Luffy's Haki is now the key to his strength and his haki became better after fight with kuro so don't be surprised by sudden haki power up