Chapter 016

"I hit it," Usopp whispered in shock.

"Nice, Usopp! You're definitely our crew's sniper from now on!" Luffy stilled, though, as he sensed two auras at the rock formation. One was frantic and desperate, while the other was extremely faint. A relevant memory suddenly came back into Luffy's mind. "Nami, can you take us over to that rock?" Nami looked confused but did as she was asked. Comprehension quickly dawned on Zoro's face and he started to look worried, no doubt sensing the weak state of the second aura.

As they pulled up next to the rock formation, someone jumped onto their ship. "Damn pirates! First you attack us while we're vulnerable, and now you show up to finish the job! It won't be that easy," he shouted angrily before catching sight of Zoro. "Zoro…aniki?" he said with a confused expression.

Zoro quickly got down to business. "Johnny, what happened to Yosaku?" Johnny's shoulders sagged as he made his account of what had happened. When he got to the part where a cannonball had come and almost killed them, Usopp's jaw dropped and his face took on a blue tint. "I'm very sorry," he said, bowing. Before Johnny could respond, Luffy cut in.

"Bring him onto our ship. We'll see what we can do for him." Johnny quickly obeyed, his mind filling with hope. He brought the sick man onto the Going Merry carefully, and Nami's face took on a focused expression at the sight of him.

"Is he gonna be ok, aniki?" Johnny was on the verge of tears. Zoro turned to Nami.

"Scurvy?" he asked sternly. Nami nodded.

"Usopp, can you go get some limes from the fridge, squeeze the juice out, and bring it here?" she asked.

Usopp followed her instructions hastily. He came back with a cup full of juice, and Nami told him to let the man drink it, which he did.

"He should recover in a few days time," Nami told Johnny, whose eyes widened.

"Really sis!? He's gonna be ok!?" he asked in relief.

"Don't call me sis. And yeah, he'll be fine. Just make sure he gets more vitamin C in the future. Yosaku suddenly got up and looked at his hands in awe.

"I'm…alive," he stated in wonder. Johnny really did start crying now.

"He's better! It's a miracle!" Both men cheered and started dancing around the ship. Luffy and Usopp joined in.

"You don't get better that quickly, dipshits! Lay your ass back down!" Nami screamed in frustration. Yosaku unwillingly did as he was told, passing out in the process. She signed. "Let this be a lesson to all of us. Things like this can happen on the open sea. We have to be prepared for long journeys."

Luffy nodded. "I guess our first goal is to get a chef then," he said matter-of-factly.

"If you're looking for a chef, I know a place around here that sounds promising. Of course, actually getting one to join you is a different story, but you should head to Baratie, the floating sea restaurant."

"A restaurant at sea?" Usopp asked curiously. There certainly were a lot of strange things in the world.

"Sounds like fun! Let's go," Luffy said jovially.

"You should be able to get there in a couple days," Johnny said. But you have to be careful. This place is kind of close to the Grand Line, so there is no shortage of dangerous adversaries." He turned to Zoro. "I heard Hawk-Eye Mihawk was sighted in the area as well." Zoro let a small grin cross his features.

Two days later, the excited voices of Johnny and Yosaku echoed across the ship. "Zoro-aniki! Luffy-aniki! Nami-aniki! Usopp! We've arrived!"

"Why am I aniki?" Nami grumbled.

"Why am I not aniki?" Usopp grumbled.

"So, what do you think?" Johnny asked once they made their way out. He observed their reactions. Zoro kept a blank face. Nami smiled and let out a low whistle. Usopp looked on in awe. Luffy wore a wide grin.

"It's a huge fish! So cool! I'm getting psyched," he said enthusiastically.

"When you guys are done, we've got company," Zoro commented. A Marine ship made pulled up next the Going Merry. Nami, Usopp, and the bounty hunter duo all stiffened as someone walked out onto the deck of the by default enemy ship.

"Hey, you pirates! I've never seen your flag before. I am Marine Lieutenant Ironfist Fullbody. Who's your captain? Identify yourselves."

"I am Straw Hat Luffy!" Luffy shouted as he stepped forward.

"I am Honorable Liar Usopp!" Usopp shouted, stepping up beside him. Luffy shot him an annoyed look, but turned his attention back to Fullbody.

"Our mark was just made a couple days ago!" he shouted.

"I was the one who made the mark!" Usopp added. He was about to shout something else, but Zoro walked forward and bonked him over the head, causing him to bite his tongue. Zoro then proceeded to drag him away, telling him to come make himself useful.

"Well, I'm just here to eat at the restaurant. Consider yourselves lucky. But the next time we meet, consider your lives forfeit," Fullbody shouted. "Come on darling, our food is waiting for us." But as their ship pulled up towards the entrance to the restaurant, Fullbody turned to the Marine on duty and pointed his thumb down. "Their ship is an eyesore. Sink it."

"Hey, the bastards are firing at us!" Yosaku yelled frantically. Luffy was ready for the cannonball that flew towards their ship and batted it away with his fist. It exploded when it hit the water, but their ship was unharmed. "What the hell did you just do!?" Yosaku asked.

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