Chapter 24: The Baratie Incident and Sanji's Recruitment
The Freedom Rider glided through the waters as the Straw Hats approached the Baratie, a floating restaurant known for its renowned chefs and vibrant atmosphere. However, as they neared, an unmistakable sense of danger hung in the air. Unknown to the Straw Hats, Don Krieg's pirate fleet, a vicious and heavily armed group, had targeted the Baratie for its resources, intending to add it to their fleet before heading to the Grand Line.
Inside the Baratie, Sanji, the restaurant's talented cook, was preparing a feast for the customers when he noticed the ominous fleet approaching. Don Krieg, a former Grand Line pirate, had set his sights on the Baratie and its riches. As his crew boarded, they wreaked havoc, trying to seize the restaurant by force. What they didn't know was that the Straw Hat Pirates had just arrived.
Zoro, now a high Rear Admiral-intermediate swordsman, immediately led the charge, cutting through Krieg's crew with ease. His skill was unmatched, and his swords sliced through the enemy like a blade through paper.
Luffy, empowered by his Devil Fruit awakening, was already in motion, using his newfound strength to take down any pirate in his way. His rubbery limbs stretched and stretched, knocking out enemies with powerful blows and dismantling Krieg's fleet with ease. Lucky, ever the strategist, stood back, letting his crew take the spotlight. He knew this battle was theirs to win.
Zane, with the King Kong Fruit, rampaged through Krieg's forces, his massive form sending shockwaves through the enemy ranks. His sheer size and power sent entire pirate ships tumbling into the ocean. Coby, utilizing his Water-Water Fruit, controlled the surrounding water, sending waves crashing over Krieg's fleet and sweeping his enemies off their feet. Nami, using her Wind-Wind Fruit, created violent gusts that disoriented and sent Krieg's crew flying into the distance, making them easy targets for her teammates.
The battle raged on, but it was clear that the Straw Hats were too powerful for Krieg's forces to handle. One by one, the pirates fell. Don Krieg, realizing his forces were being obliterated, decided to take matters into his own hands and face the Straw Hats head-on.
He charged toward Luffy, but before he could land a blow, Zoro intercepted him with a powerful slash, cutting through Krieg's armor. Luffy, seeing an opening, launched a devastating attack that left Don Krieg battered and defeated.
As Krieg lay on the ground, the rest of his crew began to surrender. The Straw Hats, with little effort, had wiped out the entire pirate fleet, and now the surviving pirates were forced to submit.
Lucky, who had been watching the battle unfold, addressed the defeated pirates. "You've lost. If you want to live, you'll join us. The ones who surrender will be taken in. The rest will be left to the sea."
One by one, the remaining crew members dropped their weapons, realizing that fighting the Straw Hats was futile. They bowed their heads and surrendered, agreeing to join the Straw Hat Pirates. Sanji, watching all of this unfold, couldn't help but feel a deep respect for the crew. These were people who fought for their beliefs and protected those who needed help.
Sanji, despite his loyalty to the Baratie, felt it was time to leave. After a brief conversation with Zeff, the head chef and his mentor, Sanji was given the blessing to join the Straw Hats. His dream of exploring the world and finding the All Blue could now be fulfilled, and he knew the crew would help him achieve that goal.
With Sanji officially joining the crew, the Straw Hats made quick work of repairing the Going Merry using the supplies they gathered from the wreckage of Don Krieg's fleet. The ship, battered from the battle, was soon restored to full strength.
The crew gathered together, ready for their next journey. With Sanji now a part of their team, they set sail once again, but their next destination was already clear — Nami's village, where they would finally settle the score with Arlong and his fish-men crew.
As the ship sailed away from the Baratie, the Straw Hats were stronger than ever. They had added a powerful new ally in Sanji and taken in a group of skilled pirates to help with the ship's upkeep. Their reputation was growing, and they were quickly becoming known as one of the most formidable pirate crews on the seas.