Chapter 50: Chaos in the Kitchen and the Hawk's Shadow
Sunny's POV
The Baratie's kitchen was a whirlwind of pandemonium, a symphony of clanging pots, shattering plates, and the guttural shouts of pirates who clearly hadn't learned their lesson from the first wave. I stood amidst it all, taking a slow, measured breath, letting the chaos swirl around me like a warm, salty breeze off the East Blue. The air was thick with the scent of sizzling spices, spilled rum, and the faint metallic tang of impending violence. Sanji was in his element, mid-spin with his feet a blur of black leather and deadly precision, hurling pots and pans like improvised projectiles. Each one connected with a pirate's skull or gut with a satisfying *clang*, sending them reeling.
Lucy, my ever-energetic little companion/captain, was perched precariously on the counter, her tiny fists pumping the air as she clapped and yelled encouragements. "GO, SANJI! HIT 'EM WHERE IT HURTS! MAKE 'EM CRY FOR THEIR MOMMIES!" Her voice was a high-pitched cannonade, cutting through the din like a siren's wail. Usopp, on the other hand, had ducked behind a towering stack of wooden crates, his knees knocking together as he muttered under his breath about "dying horribly in a sea of soup" and "why did I ever leave Syrup Village for this madness?"
Nami was the picture of composed strategy, perched elegantly on the galley railing with her arms crossed over her chest. Her orange hair caught the flickering light from the overhead lanterns, and those sharp eyes of hers darted around the room, calculating every movement like she was plotting a heist rather than surviving a brawl. She looked effortlessly cool in her heels, but I could see the tension in her shoulders—the way she gripped the rail just a tad too tightly. It was endearing, really, how she tried to play it off as if this was just another Tuesday.
And then there were Johnny and Yosaku, the bounty hunter duo who'd tagged along with Zoro after their little run-in back at the islands. Johnny, with his wild hair and that perpetual grin, was swinging a makeshift club fashioned from a broken mop handle, yelling, "Yeah! Take that, you scurvy dogs! We're the unbeatable bounty hunters!" Yosaku, his more level-headed counterpart with the bandana, was right beside him, parrying blows with a rusty cutlass. "Johnny, watch your left! These guys fight dirtier than a fishmonger's apron!" They were enthusiastic, if not exactly graceful, adding their own brand of slapstick to the fray—Johnny tripped over a rolling apple at one point, face-planting into a pirate's boot, only to pop back up with a thumbs-up. "All part of the plan!"
I muttered to myself, settling into a low stance, my muscles coiling like springs. "Time to show them how the masters do it." No Haki this time—no need for the flashy stuff. Just the pure, precise strikes I'd honed under Bang's rigorous training and Jirō's anatomical mastery. Every joint, every pressure point, mapped out in my mind like a blueprint. I moved like water over stones, each step deliberate, each motion flowing seamlessly into the next, a dance of controlled power.
My first strike was a swift side kick to the nearest pirate's midsection—a burly fellow with a scar across his cheek and a club raised high. Not too hard; I didn't want to kill anyone, just teach a lesson for now. My foot connected with a soft *thud*, and he went sliding across the slick floor like he'd been greased. He crashed into a stack of chairs with a cacophony of splintering wood, ending up in a tangled heap. Lucy bounced higher on the counter, her eyes wide with glee. "YEAH! MASTER'S UP! DID YOU SEE THAT? HE FLEW LIKE A BIRD! A FAT, UGLY BIRD!"
Usopp peeked around his crate fortress, his slingshot trembling in his hands. "He… he didn't even touch him that hard… and he's flying?! What kind of monster are you, Sunny?!" His voice cracked on the last word, half awe, half terror.
Zoro, leaning casually against the wall with his arms folded and a smirk playing on his lips, tilted his head slightly. "Looks… effective. Not as flashy as swords, but it'll do." His green hair was disheveled from the earlier skirmishes, and there was a glint of respect in his eye—rare praise from the swordsman.
{ego}: "Pathetic. You think this is just trickery? This is precision. But… I'll admit, they're amusing. Like ants scrambling before a boot."
[system]: "♥ Look at them stumble helplessly. Master, your control is deliciously perfect. It's almost poetic how you toy with them."
I rotated on my heel, ducking under a wild swing from another pirate—a lanky one with a hook for a hand—and swept my leg in a classic Bang-style motion. It caught him just behind the knees, sending him tripping over a puddle of spilled soup. His momentum carried him straight into a pile of crates with a resounding *BANG*, naturally. The crates toppled like dominoes, burying him under a avalanche of flour sacks and rolling potatoes. Johnny burst out laughing, pointing with his mop-club. "Haha! Look at that! He's got more spuds on him than a farmer's market!" Yosaku nodded vigorously. "Yeah, bro! Sunny's got moves smoother than a greased eel!"
The pirates tried to regroup, swinging clubs, spears, and even a few improvised weapons like broken bottles. I sidestepped with a fluid hop, my body twisting effortlessly to avoid a thrust. Landing lightly, I delivered an open-handed knock—straight out of Jirō's playbook—to one of their shoulders. It was a pinpoint strike to the nerve cluster, not deadly, just enough to disrupt his balance and send him comically flailing, arms windmilling as he staggered into his comrades. They all went down in a heap, cursing and groaning.
Lucy squealed from her perch, nearly toppling a stack of plates in her excitement. "OOOH! That's my MASTER! Look at him spin! Look at him twist! You're like a whirlwind of awesome!" Her cheeks were flushed, and she clapped so hard her hands must have stung or not she is made up rubber.
Sanji, mid-flip over a broken table, caught my eye and winked, his curly eyebrow quirking up. "Not bad, Sunny… but try doing that with style! Like this—Diable Jambe!" He ignited his leg in a burst of flame, kicking a pirate square in the chest and sending him flying out the door. The scent of charred fabric mingled with the kitchen aromas, and Sanji landed gracefully, blowing smoke from his cigarette. "See? That's how you add flair."
I smirked faintly, feeling a spark of camaraderie. Ducking under another wild swing from Krieg's lieutenant—a beefy guy with a mustache that looked like it could hide a small arsenal—I delivered a precise knock to his elbow. The joint buckled just enough to send him staggering back into the kitchen wall with a *thud*. He slid down, dazed, muttering about "ghost hands" or something equally ridiculous.
Usopp yelped from his hiding spot, popping up just long enough to fire a slingshot pellet that whizzed harmlessly past my ear. "AH! Don't hit—WAIT—oh… okay, you're… oh, that's fine… Note to self: Sunny dodges like a ninja." He ducked back down, but not before Lucy spotted him and giggled hysterically. "He dodged it like a ninja! HE'S A NINJA TOO! Master, teach me that!"
Nami called out from her railing perch, her voice laced with exasperation but a hint of amusement. "Sunny, you're turning this fight into a sideshow! Can't you just knock them out without the theatrics?" But as our eyes met briefly, I caught that faint blush creeping across her cheeks, her lips twitching into a reluctant smile. It was moments like these that made the chaos worthwhile—the way she looked at me, equal parts annoyed and impressed, with that spark of something warmer underneath. I winked back at her. "It's… all tactical. Keeps them off-balance."
Lucy bounced on her heels again, pointing dramatically. "Do the flying kick! DO THE FLYING KICK! Pleeease, Master!" Her enthusiasm was infectious, and even Johnny and Yosaku chimed in. Johnny: "Yeah, Sunny-bro! Show us the flying one!" Yosaku: "Make it epic!"
I obliged, stepping into a swift Bang-style jump, extending my leg in a sweeping arc mid-air. The pirate on the floor—a sneaky one trying to crawl away—got a gentle tap to the chest, enough to send him rolling into a barrel of oranges. The barrel burst open with a loud *splat*, oranges tumbling everywhere and covering the poor guy in sticky pulp. He emerged looking like a human fruit salad, sputtering juice.
"FRUIT PUNCH!" Lucy shouted gleefully, doubling over in laughter. Sanji snorted, trying not to smile. "Okay, that was pretty good." Even Zoro chuckled lowly. "Heh. Not bad for a kick-fighter."
Nami pinched the bridge of her nose, but her shoulders shook with suppressed giggles. "Sunny… stop turning everything into a circus. Though, I have to admit, it's kind of… charming." Her voice softened on the last word, and our gazes lingered a second too long, a quiet moment amidst the bedlam. There was romance in the air, subtle like the hint of vanilla in Sanji's desserts—her blush deepening, my faint smile turning genuine.
Sanji paused his assault, grinning at me with genuine admiration. "Hah! That's the way! Keep it up, master of martial arts! You've got a rhythm to your fights that's almost like cooking—precise, flavorful." He flipped another pirate over his shoulder, landing him in a pot of cooling stew.
Lucy clapped so hard she almost fell off the counter. "I WANT A COMBO! COMBO MASTER! Make 'em dance!"
I chuckled softly, the sound low and warm, ducking yet another wild swing and executing a seamless combo: side kick to the ribs, a spin to build momentum, and then double knocks to the shoulder and knee using Jirō's techniques. It disrupted their joints without permanent harm, sending two pirates crumpling in synchronized groans. Every move was efficient, clean, and yeah, slightly dramatic for effect—because why not? Life on the seas was too short not to enjoy the show.
{ego}: "Pathetic how easily they're falling for it. But… cute little master show-off. You're entertaining them like puppets on strings."
[system]: "♥ The chaos and fear they feel is intoxicating. Master, let them witness your perfection. And that look from Nami… oh, I want to delete it."
Johnny and Yosaku were in the thick of it now, inspired by my moves. Johnny tried to mimic a spin kick but ended up kicking over a stool, tripping himself. "Whoa—ow! Sunny-bro, how do you make it look so easy?" Yosaku pulled him up, laughing. "Practice, dummy! But yeah, Sunny's a legend!"
Usopp, emboldened, finally emerged from his crates and fired his slingshot at me—wait, no, at a pirate behind me. But in his panic, he aimed wrong. "AH! Don't hit—WAIT—oh… okay, you're… oh, that's fine…" The pellet bounced off a pan and hit the pirate anyway. Lucy giggled hysterically. "He dodged it like a ninja! HE'S A NINJA TOO!"
Sanji laughed uproariously, kicking another pirate into a hanging pot of soup that dumped its contents over the guy's head. "I've never seen anyone fight like this before! It's beautiful! Like a dance of destruction!" The soup-drenched pirate slipped and slid right out the door, adding to the comedy.
I pivoted one last time, executing a precise knock to the back of the knee of the final standing pirate—Krieg's last stubborn lieutenant. He buckled, and I gently guided him toward the exit with a nudge, watching as he tumbled out onto the deck. All pirates were now incapacitated without serious harm. The kitchen was a mess of overturned furniture, spilled food, and groaning bodies, but no blood. No real destruction. Just pure mastery intertwined with comedy.
Lucy bounced to my side, her eyes sparkling like stars. "OOOH! MASTER! That was AWESOME! Can we do it again?! Pleeease? With more fruit punches?" She hugged my leg, her energy boundless.
Sanji clapped me on the shoulder, slightly out of breath but beaming. "You're… incredible. That's martial arts at its finest. Reminds me of the old man's stories about fighters from the Grand Line." His hand lingered a moment, a brotherly gesture that spoke volumes.
Nami shook her head, exasperated, but that faint blush was still there as she hopped down from the railing. "You make it look so easy, Sunny… I can't even explain how you do it without breaking a sweat." She stepped closer, her hand brushing mine accidentally—or was it?—as she straightened a rumpled part of my shirt. The touch was electric, a spark of romance in the aftermath. "Just… don't get too cocky. We need you in one piece." Her voice was soft, her eyes meeting mine with a warmth that made my chest tighten.
I smiled faintly, letting the tension dissipate like smoke. "It's all in the technique. And a little bit of fun." My hand grazed hers in return, a subtle promise of more quiet moments later.
Lucy beamed, grabbing a stray orange like a trophy. "FUN! That's my favorite part! And romance! Did you see Nami blush? Ooooh!"
Usopp peeked out fully now, muttering, "I… survived… barely… But hey, Sunny, that was epic! You're like a one-man army!"
Johnny and Yosaku high-fived each other. Johnny: "We did it, bros! Sunny's the MVP!" Yosaku: "Totally! Let's celebrate with some grog!"
The kitchen slowly calmed, the crew collecting themselves amid the wreckage. I stepped back, surveying the room. Everyone was alive. Everyone was unharmed. And the lesson had been delivered in style: Sunny's martial arts combined with Jirō's knocking techniques were unstoppable, efficient, and hilarious when paired with Lucy's cheers, Sanji's flair, Usopp's panic, Nami's wit, Zoro's stoicism, and now Johnny and Yosaku's bungling enthusiasm.
"Alright," I said, brushing imaginary dust from my sleeve with a casual flick. "I'll take care of the pirates next time. For now… let's eat."
Lucy cheered, munching her orange. Sanji muttered something about cooking celebratory food, already rummaging for ingredients. Nami rolled her eyes, hiding a smile as she leaned against me briefly. "You're impossible." Usopp collapsed into a chair, shaking his head in relief. Johnny and Yosaku started stacking the defeated pirates like sacks of potatoes, arguing over who got more "kills."
{ego}: "Pathetic. They think this is impressive… it was effortless. But the bonds here… intriguing."
[system]: "♥ Master… your charm and skill are undeniable. Let's celebrate this victory in private later. With Nami and me too, perhaps~?"
The crew erupted into laughter and chatter, the kitchen alive with energy, food aromas wafting anew, and small playful banter. Even in chaos, even in danger, the Going Merry crew's bond grew stronger, and I was right at the center—calm, amused, and ready for whatever would come next.
But the reprieve was short-lived. The Baratie's kitchen still smelled like blood, sweat, and overcooked soup, the broken chairs and dented pans a testament to our recent victory. Sanji was raging now, his cigarette bouncing between his lips as he shouted at Lucy for eating leftovers off the floor like some starving raccoon. "You little glutton! That's not fit for a lady—or whatever you are! Get off the floor!"
Lucy tried to steal a steak off Sanji's plate, her mouth full. "FOOD IS LOVE! FOOD IS LIFE!" she cried, dodging his swats.
Sanji's foot came down gently on her head in mock punishment. "YOU GLUTTONOUS WITCH, YOU'RE RUINING MY ART!" A vein popped on his forehead, but his eyes twinkled with amusement.
I chuckled, leaning back in a salvaged chair. "Well, you did say you'd feed any lady for free."
"NOT HER!" Sanji barked, though he was already plating more food for everyone.
Johnny and Yosaku were in on the fun, Johnny sneaking bites from Usopp's plate while Yosaku regaled the group with exaggerated tales. "And then I—bam!—took down three pirates with one swing! Right, Johnny?" Johnny nodded, mouth full. "Totally, bro! We're heroes!"
Usopp had climbed onto a table, declaring himself "Hero of the Battle of the Soup Pots," waving his slingshot like a scepter. "I, the great Captain Usopp, led the charge from my strategic bunker!"
Zoro leaned against a wall, polishing his swords as if nothing had happened, but he snorted at Usopp's proclamation. "Strategic bunker? You mean hiding like a scared kitten?"
Nami swatted at a fly, her laughter light. "You boys are all idiots. But… good job, everyone." Her gaze lingered on me again, that blush returning as she sipped from a mug.
The banter went on, a warm glow settling over the group. But beneath it, I felt something shift. The air outside grew tense, heavy, like the pressure before a thunderstorm. My Observation Haki hummed faintly in my bones, a subtle warning that prickled my skin.
## The Sea Turns Still
Through the grimy windows, the ocean looked unnaturally strange—flat and glassy, as if holding its breath. Out there, drifting half-broken, was a massive ship. Or what was left of one. Its sails were torn to ribbons, fluttering like defeated flags; its hull scorched black from fire or worse. Men staggered on the deck like walking corpses, their faces gaunt and eyes hollow with terror.
Krieg's cerw voice bellowed across the water, a mix of desperation and hollow triumph. "WE ESCAPED HIM! HAHAHA! WE ESCAPED THE HAWK! The Grand Line couldn't hold us!"
I narrowed my eyes, my Haki sharpening the details. Escaped? From what?
Then I saw it.
Behind Krieg's cerw ruin of a ship, a tiny boat slid forward across the sea, cutting through the waves with eerie silence. One man sat in it, calm as if he were out for an afternoon sail on a pond. His hat was wide-brimmed, casting shadows over his face; his cloak black as midnight, billowing slightly in the breeze. The long cross-shaped pendant at his neck glinted ominously in the sun, like a harbinger.
His eyes caught me first—cold, golden, sharp enough to cut through stone from across the waves. They held no emotion, just an endless depth of lethality.
The man didn't say a word.
He simply drew his blade—a massive black sword that seemed to absorb the light around it.
## The Black Sword Falls
For a heartbeat, silence enveloped everything—the Baratie, the sea, even the wind seemed to pause.
Then—
*SCHINK!*
With one effortless swing, Krieg's entire ship split apart like fragile paper under a razor. Wood cracked with thunderous snaps, sails shredded into confetti, steel twisted and snapped like brittle glass. The pirates screamed in unison, a chorus of terror as the sea swallowed them whole, their voices cut off abruptly by crashing waves.
No survivors. No second chance.
Just death. Clean, merciless, absolute.
The Baratie went deathly quiet. Every fork clattered to a stop, every plate froze mid-air, every laugh choked in throats. Even Lucy's jaw dropped, her cheeks still stuffed with stolen bread, crumbs tumbling out.
"WOAHHHH!" she shouted suddenly, clapping wildly and breaking the spell. "THAT WAS AWESOME! DO IT AGAIN, MISTER SCARY EYES! Make it go BOOM bigger next time!"
Usopp keeled over dramatically, clutching his chest. "D-D-Did he just cut a SHIP in HALF?! With one swing? We're doomed! Doomed, I tell you!"
Sanji took a long, steady drag on his cigarette, exhaling smoke like a dragon. "…Tch. Show-off. Bet he can't cook worth a damn."
Johnny and Yosaku stared out the window, jaws slack. Johnny: "Bro… that's some next-level swordplay." Yosaku: "Yeah… makes our bounties look like small fry."
Zoro stood up slowly, his hand already drifting toward his swords. His eyes locked on the man in black like a starving wolf scenting fresh meat, a feral grin splitting his face.
## The Hawk Appears
The small boat drifted closer, its rider standing tall as if the sea itself bowed to his will. He stepped lightly onto a piece of floating wreckage, his coat trailing behind him like dark wings unfolding. The water didn't even ripple under his feet.
Dracule Mihawk.
The strongest swordsman in the world.
My skin prickled at the sheer weight of his presence. He wasn't screaming or flaring his aura like some overconfident pirate brute—no, his silence was heavier than a barrage of cannon fire, a quiet storm that commanded respect.
{ego} purred in the back of my head, a dark thrill lacing its tone.
{ego}: "Finally… someone worth killing. His eyes are sharp. I want to see them dull with defeat."
[system] hummed sweetly, a counterpoint of caution.
[system]: "♥ Master shouldn't! This isn't your fight. Let Zoro play his little dream scene~. But oh, the tension is thrilling~."
I ignored them both, my focus sharpening on Mihawk. His movements were relaxed, unhurried, like a predator that never needs to chase—prey comes to him.
Nami sidled closer to me, her hand slipping into mine for a brief, reassuring squeeze. "Sunny… this guy's on another level. I can feel it in the air." Her voice was a whisper, laced with worry, but her touch was warm, grounding.
"Yeah," I murmured back, squeezing gently. "But Zoro's got this fire in him. Let's see how it burns."
## The Challenge
Zoro stepped forward onto the deck, his swords rattling as he drew them with practiced ease. "Oi. You. Hawk-eyes." His voice was steady, his grin wild and unyielding. "I've been waiting to meet you. Time to see if the title holds up."
Sanji scoffed from the doorway, leaning against the frame. "Great. The marimo's found someone else to embarrass himself against. Hope you packed extra bandages."
Zoro shot back without looking, his focus unbroken. "Shut up, cook. Go fry your eggs or something."
"Oh? Want me to cook your last meal before he guts you like a fish?" Sanji's smirk was sharp, but there was a glint of concern in his eye—he respected Zoro's drive, even if he'd never admit it.
Nami pinched her nose, sighing deeply. "Idiots, both of you…" She glanced at me again, whispering low enough for only me to hear. "Sunny… do you sense it too? He's dangerous. Like, world-ending dangerous." Her hand brushed my arm, a subtle caress that sent a shiver through me.
I met her eyes, letting her see the seriousness in mine, but softening it with a small smile. "Yeah. He's the real deal. But Zoro… he's got heart." I pulled her a bit closer, our shoulders touching—a silent promise of protection.
Lucy, oblivious as ever to the gravity, hopped up beside Zoro, tugging at his pant leg. "DO IT, SWORD-GUY! BEAT THE SCARY HAWK AND WIN FOOD FOR LIFE! I'll cheer extra loud!"
"…I'm not fighting for food," Zoro muttered, but there was a flicker of a smile as he ruffled her hair absentmindedly.
Johnny and Yosaku flanked Zoro like loyal sidekicks. Johnny: "Big bro Zoro! You've got this! We'll back you up!" Yosaku: "Yeah! If he cheats, we'll jump in!"
Zoro waved them off. "Stay out of it. This is mine."
## The Hawk Responds
Mihawk finally spoke, his voice smooth and calm, carrying easily across the water like a whisper on the wind. "A challenge? From a child waving swords? …Very well. Amuse me."
He reached to his chest, and everyone tensed—expecting the massive black blade to swing again, to cleave the air and end it all.
Instead, he drew a tiny knife. No bigger than a dagger, shaped like a delicate cross, gleaming innocently.
He held it between two fingers, casually, as if it were a toothpick. "This will be enough."
The silence after that sentence hit harder than cannon fire, a collective intake of breath from the crew.
Zoro's grin widened, his spirit igniting like a bonfire. "Heh. Underestimate me at your peril." Sanji muttered, "…The swordsman's insane." Usopp wailed from inside, "HE'S GONNA GET CARVED LIKE A THANKSGIVING TURKEY!" Johnny and Yosaku exchanged wide-eyed looks. "That's… insulting. But cool?"
And me? I leaned back against the rail, arms folded, watching history unfold with Nami at my side, her hand in mine now, fingers intertwined.
This was Zoro's fight.