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After chatting with Sanji for a bit, Aero picked up the subtle scent wafting from the kitchen rich, savory, and mouth-watering.
His stomach growled in protest.
He wasn't the only one. All around the table, his crew members were catching that same aroma, their eyes darting toward the kitchen with anticipation.
Aero noticed his men sniffing the air like hungry wolves, but he didn't care. Pirates didn't need to worry about looking refined freedom came first.
Moments later, steaming platters began arriving at the table.
And all restraint vanished.
They attacked the food like it was a battlefield forks clashing, sauces splattering, and conversation completely abandoned.
In no time, the table was covered in stacked plates and empty bowls. Their bellies full, the Hurricane Pirates leaned back with satisfied grins.
Aero dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. That meal? Top-tier.
Dylan had been right Baratie's chefs really could turn ingredients into art.
It made the food back on the Dove look like bland leftovers by comparison.
For the first time, Aero considered recruiting a real chef.
Still… a doctor would be more practical. Relying on self-healing alone wasn't a long-term strategy.
His thoughts turned to Zeff, the old sea dog who'd survived a year on the Grand Line. Maybe he'd be willing to share some advice before they ventured there themselves.
Just as Aero was about to summon one of his crewmates—
Chaos erupted outside the restaurant.
Footsteps thundered across the deck. Everyone in the dining room turned toward the windows.
Marines.
Dozens of them. Surrounding the entire building, rifles were raised and aimed at the restaurant.
In the kitchen, Patty stared out the back door, both excited and worried.
On one hand, a pirate vs. marine battle? Awesome.
On the other… this was their restaurant. If the place got wrecked, they were the ones footing the bill.
---
"Pirates inside!" a commanding voice bellowed from outside. "You're surrounded! Come out with your hands up!"
The man shouting was a Marine Major. He hadn't expected much today just came here for a hot meal and maybe to sniff out a low-level bounty.
Instead, he found the Hurricane Pirates.
This wasn't just a catch this was a career-defining opportunity.
He immediately called for backup and ordered his current squad of over a hundred men to seal the restaurant.
This time, they'd capture the entire crew in one go.
---
Inside, Aero looked toward his crew and smiled casually.
They all saw the glint in his eye and responded with the same amused expression.
"Gentlemen," Aero said, rising from his seat and addressing his three top officers, "go take care of the noise outside. I've still got some questions for the old man."
He gestured toward Zeff, who stood quietly at the kitchen door, watching the scene unfold.
Dylan, Eddie, and Gin stood, weapons in hand, and marched toward the exit.
The rest of the crew followed behind them, eager to stretch their limbs. A real fight hadn't come their way in a while.
---
Just then, Sanji stepped out of the kitchen in his black suit and cigarette already lit.
He glanced at the pirates and the Marines facing off.
"Hold on," he called to the Marine major. "If you want a fight, we've got a place for that."
Within moments, two large fighting decks extended from either side of the restaurant, unfolding like wings over the water.
The Major hesitated but ultimately gave the order. His men re-aimed their rifles toward Dylan and the others as they moved onto the deck.
---
Gin grinned as they walked into place.
"Nice. This way we don't have to pay for any damages."
Dylan calmly donned his arm blades. "Avoid killing anyone if possible. The Captain doesn't like unnecessary deaths."
"But if they threaten us…" Eddie said coldly, "Don't hold back. The Captain values our lives more than theirs."
Dylan nodded, then barked the order, "Move in! Fast! We don't want to be here when reinforcements arrive!"
The three of them dashed forward.
The Major froze.
His instincts screamed these pirates weren't normal.
Even his soldiers flinched, rifles trembling.
But they had no choice. They were Marines.
The moment they'd joined, they'd accepted this fate: to stand against pirates, no matter the odds.
"Fire!!" the Major roared.
---
Bang! Bang-bang-bang!
Gunpowder filled the air, smoke rolling over the deck in thick clouds.
But none of the bullets hit their targets.
Dylan, Eddie, and Gin moved like shadows fast, silent, and impossible to hit.
Their agility wasn't natural. It was trained, enhanced through skill, speed, and instinct.
While the three elite officers pressed forward, the rest of the crew evaded gunfire just well enough to survive the first volley.
Once the smoke cleared, they'd have their turn to counterattack.
The Major narrowed his eyes.
He saw it the three bounty-holding officers were closing in fast.
Then, suddenly, a few of his riflemen dropped.
Eddie's work. He moved like a phantom, red hair flashing as he struck. His shots were swift, accurate, and lethal.
The Major's heart sank.
Those men… were down for good.
"CHARGE!" he shouted in desperation.
His riflemen stumbled back. They weren't trained for close combat.
So the sword-wielders behind them surged forward, following their commander into the fray.
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