Chapter 70

70

To the outsiders, it felt like a wave of royal-purple and crimson-red was struggling against one another, red lightning flashing in between Luffy and Mihawk. And it only lasted for a moment, before Mihawk and Luffy pulled back their Haki.

This time the strongest swordsman in the world, pulled back his blade and rested it on his shoulder. His sharp eyes met Luffy's small smile on his face. "Not bad for a rookie… so you are the one that Shanks chose huh." He said noticing the hat that was hung behind Luffy's neck. "Figuring out haki, even without fighting through the grandline… truly admirable. I'm eager to see what you can do in the future."

Luffy didn't say anything, and kept his naginata on his side, a wild grin on his own face, though he had some sweat on his forehead. He stood tall as he observed the sword user. 'So that's what feels like to clash blades with the world's strongest… I have a long way to go.'

Mihawk looked around, his eye lingering a bit more on Kuina, Coby, Sanji and Usopp. They were enough to be noticeable to him. "You have gathered a strong crew… Shanks wasn't kidding when he said that you would shake the seas when you start your journey. I will be looking forward to it." He said, walking away, and jumping into his small boat.

Zoro was on the floor, his knee gave out in front of the clashing haki, and he looked at Mihawk's retreating figure.

"And Roranoa Zoro, the next time we meet, be strong. The title of the strongest swordsman isn't something you can reach at your level… so be strong if you want to gain it."

With that he was gone. Then there was silence, as if all of them were waiting for another storm to pass.

"Captain!" Zoro called out, it almost made Luffy jump forward. The swordsman was on the floor panting in a sitting position. "I'm sorry. I've failed you. From this moment on, I will never lose again. Not until I am the strongest. Is that alright, King of the Pirates?!"

Luffy smiled, "then I have one condition." He held up one finger.

"And what's that captain?" Zoro asked, almost coughing blood.

"Always value your life, don't even try to throw it away. I'm a greedy little pirate that doesn't like losing stuff… so live." Luffy said, "Even if I give you a dangerous task, always value your life more. Train so hard that all opponents you face will see you as an unmovable wall… My crewmates are more important to me than anything, you got that." He said holding out his hand.

"Yes, captain!" he said as he took the hand and stood up with Luffy's support, who was now shirking down to his original side.

A wild laugh broke the silence, and it was Zeff. "Eggplant, wake everyone up… today's meal is on me. I have to make food for a future king and his crew." In his years of living, including his time in the grandline and also surviving starvation, this might have been his wildest day.

A clash between Conquer's, in the east blue. That was something you never see happening.

Sanji who stood up dusted his clothes as he lighted up another cigarette. He kicked Patty on the ass, and did same for the other chiefs. "Hey, morons wake up." Sanji was also swayed by those words, he treated his crewmates as family… now wasn't that something.

"Also, eggplant." Zeff stopped as he stood in front of the kitchen door. "You are fired!"

"What!" Sanji barked the cigarette falling out of his mouth. "What do you mean old man?"

"Didn't you want revenge on that stupid family of yours, then why not follow that man? He might be able to fulfill your dream, that and also seeing All Blue."

"Yeah, but… why would I join a crew to fulfill my selfish goal." Sanji said making his way to Zeff. "Will they even have me…" he spoke the words with uncertainty. Zeff and the chiefs were the only one who accepted him for what he was, but…

"Yeah, join my crew," Luffy said suddenly appearing right on his side.

"Uh… stop doing that." Sanji got spooked a bit, "And this is no joking… I have my own goals… I want to see the All Blue. A place where all fish lives and I want to destroy a certain family… my former family. Are you still willing to have me on your crew?"

"Yup." Luffy nodded, he was back to his goofy self, his muscles were less blucked up and his hair and skin color returned to normal. "Everyone in my crew has some selfish goal, Zoro and Kuina want to pursue strength, Usopp wants to be brave, Coby wants to pursue justice and Nami… wants freedom."

The orange-haired girl was wide-eyed. He knows…

"Fine, then I will join your crew." Sanji said, "But remember captain, you have to follow one rule."

"And that is?" Luffy tilted his head.

"Never waste food."

Luffy grinned, "Never planned on doing that either." He said, "but then you also have to follow my one rule."

"And that would be?" Sanji said quirking his brow.

"Don't ever smoke… like ever. It's bad for your health." Luffy said, seriously. The chiefs that woke up gasped at Luffy. They could never get rid of Saji's addiction.

Sanji looked at the fallen cigarette that lay a bit far from him. It was still lit up, asking for someone to take a drag. "Is it too late just get a drag."

"Yup." Luffy grinned, before jabbing his thumb toward Zoro, "I already made him quit alcohol when he wanted to learn stuff from me… you have to know, I'm a greedy captain, and I want every member of my crew to be healthy as humanly possible. Live long lives, and grow old together, so that we become grumpy old men and women annoying the next generation. So none of that smoking shit, you got that? And besides, if you died early, who would cook for me."

Sanji was hit by a wave of emotions. Because all those words Luffy said were genuine. Maybe… this won't be so bad after all.

Sanji clicked his tongue, putting his hands on his pocket. "Fine." He said, walking towards the kitchen, mumbling along the line of shitty captain. And with that he closed the door getting into another argument with Zeff over which food to cook.

Luffy's face curved up to a smile. Well, it seems that this Sanji was more driven towards destroying his family, maybe that's why he was strong.

But before he could think any further, Sanji got out with plates full of food. How the heck do they even come up with that much food in so short time. Well, he wasn't complaining.

"Foods ready,"

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A/N: Personally I hate alcohol and smoking... maybe cause I'm a health freak and don't want to ruin my gains. But nah... I have personally seen people destroy families cause of their addiction... and I won't ever promote em.

Still, villains or other side characters might still smoke in this fic. It's those that play the role of protagonist, won't. 

If any one of you feels personally offended, then... your opinion has been noted and you have been ignored.

Nah, just kidding. But I also my right to voice my opinion.

Also, Zoro's drinking habit it just there for no reason. He literally never got drunk in the series. Same with Sanji, it's the cool factor there. Other than that nothing. Their character is much more than their addictions.

Anyway, serious stuff out of the way, enjoy the story.)