One Piece pirates salty life

"Hahahaha! That's just ridiculous!" Paddy laughed loudly, hands on his hips as he looked at the figure before him.

"Is this the famous admiral who terrorized East Blue? The legendary Pirate Creek?" he sneered mockingly.

Just moments ago, Paddy had been intimidated by hearing Creek's name. But after witnessing the weak, broken man in front of him, his fear had evaporated, replaced by scorn. This was no fearsome pirate lord; this was a shadow of his former self.

"No need to waste food on him," Paddy barked, pointing at Creek. "This is the perfect chance to capture him and hand him over to the Marines."

"That's right!" another chef chimed in. "This villain has done so many evil deeds, he deserves to starve!"

"If Creek regains his strength, he'll definitely come after our store," a third added, voice heavy with anger. "Not even a drop of water should be given to him!"

Amid the noisy crowd of chefs surrounding the captured pirate, Sanji quietly slipped into the kitchen. His face was calm, but inside, he was filled with empathy. Having experienced hunger firsthand, Sanji understood how desperate it made a person.

A loud bang echoed as Sanji returned, carrying a plate of fragrant fried rice. Without warning, he kicked Paddy hard in the stomach, sending the rebellious chef crashing to the ground.

"Ajin," Sanji said quietly but firmly, "give this food to him."

The chefs around them gasped in shock. No one expected Sanji—the pride of the Baratie kitchen—to cook for a pirate like Creek. It seemed inconceivable to them.

But Luffy, standing at a distance, felt his eyes light up with hope. To him, Sanji's gesture was a sign that Creek might yet rise again.

Despite the angry protests of the chefs, Ajin carefully handed the plate to Creek, who was seated, gaunt and weak.

Creek devoured the food as if it were his last meal, the hunger evident in his frantic bites.

Suddenly, Creek stood and, without warning, slapped Sanji hard across the face. The force sent Sanji tumbling several meters before he landed on the floor with a painful thud.

Luffy's fists clenched tightly, fury boiling inside him. This ungrateful scoundrel was as despicable as Krabatel, the pirate they had fought before.

"If Leo hadn't held me back, I would have gone straight for him!" Luffy growled through gritted teeth.

Leo, calm and composed, placed a steady hand on Luffy's shoulder.

"I know you want to knock him out, Luffy, but now is not the right time," Leo said quietly.

Luffy frowned but remained silent. He trusted Leo, yet the urge to strike Creek was overwhelming.

"Why did you stop me?" Luffy asked after a moment.

Leo's eyes drifted towards the horizon, where Creek's battered ship floated just offshore.

"Because," Leo began, "Creek and his crew are not just enemies. They're also prey... for someone else."

Behind the looming dreadnought battleship, Sabre, a small, coffin-shaped boat silently approached through the waves.

Nami stepped closer, curiosity written across her face. "What do you mean, Leo?"

"You know a villain like Creek—one who just stole a hundred portions of food without a hint of gratitude—has no honor. But it's not just about him."

"Look closely. The fact they demanded so much food means his crew was starving too. After eating, they will be stronger... and more dangerous."

Zoro, ever practical, frowned as he folded his arms. "So, you're saying Creek's crew will attack us after they recover?"

"That's right," Leo replied. "But that's not the whole story. Do you wonder why Creek and his men fell into such a desperate state in the first place?"

Luffy, Nami, and the others exchanged uncertain glances.

"Patience," Leo said. "You'll understand soon."

---

On Creek's ship...

Creek paced restlessly on the deck, his light purple hair damp with sweat beneath the harsh sun. His golden armor gleamed faintly, a remnant of his once grand status as the fearsome overlord of East Blue.

His men devoured the food greedily, some with little care for their manners. The sight both disgusted and disheartened Creek. If they were to reach the Grand Line and reclaim their glory, they would need more than just a full stomach—they needed strength, discipline, and courage.

But most of all, they needed a leader who could carry them through the storm.

Unfortunately, the man who had brought them to this broken state was now sailing silently towards them aboard a strange, coffin-like vessel.

Dracule Mihawk—the world's greatest swordsman, known far and wide as "Hawkeye"—sat motionless, his piercing eyes fixed on the pirate ship.

Ajin stood nearby, torn between loyalty and doubt. Creek had deceived them many times before, but this time, Mihawk was their unexpected savior.

Time seemed to stretch as the pirates ate, their hunger fading but their fear deepening.

When Creek finally spoke, his voice was harsh and urgent. He ordered his men to prepare for the perilous journey back to the Grand Line.

But the mention of that dreaded sea made even the bravest men shudder.

Ajin's eyes darkened with terror as he recalled the tales of Mihawk's deadly swordsmanship.

Despite having executed several of the cowardly men who had tried to flee, Creek's crew was still gripped by paralyzing fear.

Seeing their hesitation, Creek's expression twisted with frustration. With nowhere else to turn, he fixed his gaze on the Baratie—currently their closest target.

As his men drew their swords and let out a guttural roar, a sudden shadow appeared on the horizon.

Mihawk's coffin-boat had reached the edge of the sea, the water calm but charged with an eerie tension.

In one swift movement, Mihawk unsheathed his black sword, its blade glinting ominously.

With a smooth, practiced motion, he swung the blade, releasing a translucent wave of energy that sliced through the air.

The wave cut cleanly through the hull of Creek's dreadnought battleship Sabre, creating a perfect, smooth incision.

The ship's enormous hull cracked in two with a thunderous noise, the halves drifting apart as if cut by a master craftsman's blade.

The pirates and Creek watched in stunned silence, their bravado shattered by Mihawk's flawless control.

---

Back on the Baratie, Luffy's eyes shone with a mixture of excitement and tension.

"That's Hawkeye Mihawk," Leo whispered, watching the scene intently. "If we don't act carefully, this battle will become much more dangerous."

Nami nodded, her mind racing through possible strategies. "So, Creek's crew has become Mihawk's target?"

"Exactly," Leo said. "They're caught between a rock and a hard place now."

Zoro cracked his knuckles. "Let them come. I'm ready."

Sanji lit a cigarette, his face serious for once. "This won't be easy. Mihawk's reputation isn't just a story."

Luffy tightened his fists. "Then let's show them what we're made of!"

Leo stepped forward, calm and composed. "First, we observe. Understand their moves. Then, when the time is right, we strike."

---

As the two forces faced off under the blazing sun, tension filled the air like electricity.

The once-feared Pirate Creek, now desperate and weakened, was about to find out that the world had changed.

The greatest swordsman watched silently, ready to slice through any who dared to cross his path.

And Leo, along with Luffy and the others, prepared themselves for the storm to come.

---

End of Chapter 35

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