Chapter IX: A Fool's Dream

Everyone watched in fascination as Zoro leapt forward to cross blades once again with a dashing Mihawk. Shockwaves spread through the air as three katana clashed with the larger sword. Not a single blade budged until they broke off and started over again to gain an advantage. It was an amazing fight, most of the audience could tell, but their appreciation was hampered by the fact that for the life of them, they could not even begin to follow the movements of the two. There was only one exception to this, and his eyes constantly flickered from place to place as the battle unfolded at speeds far faster than untrained eyes could perceive.

Luffy could tell that the terrain, or rather the lack of it, hindered both of them. They were having a grounded battle in the middle of the open sea with only a few footholds. Zeff had ordered the chefs to open the restaurant's fins so that there was more room to fight without destroying the restaurant. The swordsmen seemed like they were itching for some more open space regardless, and Luffy would have worried that they were holding back so as to not destroy the Baratie, but that was one of the things he admired about high level swordsmen. They didn't cut something unless they wanted to. They controlled their slashes with a grace that one would not expect, only cutting what they intended to cut, and this didn't even require a conscious effort.

When Mihawk had cut a city-sized iceberg in half at Marineford, Luffy thought he had simply missed him and that the iceberg had been collateral damage. But while training with Rayleigh in the use of Observation Haki, Luffy realized how stupid that assumption had been. Mihawk had been motivating him. He knew Luffy would dodge, just like he knew that Zoro would survive his slash after their fight in that timeline. He wanted to show them just how far they needed to go if they wanted to even stand a chance in the real world. Dracule Mihawk does not simply cut an iceberg in half unintentionally.

Over the years, Luffy had developed a large amount of respect for the man. He hadn't just inadvertently helped them every now and then, but he had directly trained Zoro in the way of the sword once Zoro had swallowed his pride for the sake of his crew, and later, he had stood with Shanks against the Blackbeard Pirates, flipping off the World Government in the process. Luffy knew his appreciation of Mihawk's actions didn't compare to Zoro's respect for him, but he respected him nonetheless. That, coupled with the fact that it was his first mate's dream to surpass him, made this a very interesting fight for Luffy.

But Zoro couldn't win, he thought with a frown. He had lost too much power reverting back to his younger body. His speed, strength, endurance, and stamina were all crippled, and even the proficiency of his Armament Haki was halved. It was the same case with Luffy. The only thing that had been left un-handicapped was their Observation Haki, as the ability was pure mental discipline. Luffy continued to watch eagerly as Zoro's breathing became slightly labored.

"Three Sword Style," Zoro muttered as he leapt towards Mihawk. "Purgatory Demon Slash!" Mihawk intercepted the attack mid-swing, stopping all three blades. Undeterred, Zoro pushed him back with brute force, and Mihawk was forced to leap high into the air, setting him up for Zoro's next assault. "Three Sword Style," he said as he leapt into the air after Mihawk. "Dragon Twister!" The blades were once again forced to a stop by Mihawk, who spun around, creating a small whirlwind with his blade that forcefully separated the two.

Luffy wondered if Zoro should try Lion's Death Song, but dismissed the thought. The attack's movement was predictable and was best used against slow opponents who were extremely durable and difficult to cut. Mihawk was by no means slow, and Zoro wouldn't be able to cut through his Haki-enhanced Meito anyway. He knew instinctively that a move like that would just give Mihawk first blood.

Zoro was panting a little more heavily now and decided to attack from a distance now that he had some space. "Three Sword Style: 1080 Caliber Phoenix!" The projectile was launched at Mihawk, who almost looked surprised. This flying slash was…unconventional. It was more of a wind cannon than a wind blade. Mihawk deflected the technique away, putting his full body into the arc of his weapon. The audience watched with awestruck expressions, as this was the first part of the fight they could actually see, as the wind cannon shot out over the sea, leaving a large ripple trail above the water, and disappeared over the horizon.

"What kind of fight is this?" someone asked. Luffy recognized the voice as Sanji's. Krieg was watching the fight in distress, Johnny and Yosaku were cheering on Zoro, Usopp was trembling in fear as well as excitement (but mostly fear), Zeff was wondering why Pirate Hunter Zoro, if he had this much power to match his ambition, was still in East Blue to begin with, Gin was treasonously wondering if Krieg could really go the distance against opponents like these, and everyone else was just hoping that they didn't get caught up in the fight.

Mihawk raised his sword as Zoro continued to pant, and brought it down swiftly. Zoro had no choice but to leap out of the way, and Mihawk's enormous wind blade seemed to stretch on for miles as it too went past the horizon before fading back into harmless air. Zoro immediately recovered, but it was clear that his body couldn't keep up with this fight much longer. He wasn't going under without making waves, though. He raised his blades, and Mihawk's eyes slightly widened as his arms, legs, and head seemed to multiply by three, bearing a striking resemblance to a certain deity. All nine swords then blackened to resemble the color of Mihawk's own blade.

"Demon Aura Nine Sword Style: Asura," Zoro said through pants. Mihawk calmly waited for what was coming. Whatever it was, he would observe closely and parry it. Zoro leapt forward one last time, and Mihawk met him halfway in one last dash. "Nine Demon Flashes!" Zoro yelled as nine blades met one. Shockwaves rocked the Baratie and the surrounding sea. Zoro roared in effort, and Mihawk gritted his teeth as a single bead of sweat slid down his face. I'm not going down without even putting a scratch on you, not this time! Zoro thought with unyielding determination. Finally, their swords seemed to pass through each other, and they both slid to a stop, back-to-back, mere meters from one another. A few seconds passed as everyone's breath caught in their throats, except for Luffy, who looked on grimly.

Six of Zoro's blades shattered, and the illusion dissolved before blood flooded out of the wound on his side and he fell to one knee. Mihawk continued to stare in the opposite direction, his back still to Zoro, as if contemplating something. Then they both turned around to meet each other's eyes, and in the process, Mihawk revealed a shallow gash spreading across his cheekbone.

"Well met, Roronoa Zoro."

There was silence as Zoro stood up. They both faced each other as Zoro sheathed his Meito, which had survived the clash. "I've lost," he acknowledged. He then held up his arms on both sides, giving Mihawk an opening. Mihawk was taken aback.

"What?"

"Wounds on the back are a swordsman's shame," Zoro recited as if it was second nature.

"Well said!" Mihawk agreed before slashing at Zoro's exposed torso. Blood splattered from the new wound and Zoro fell back. Luffy had been expecting it, and winced all the same.

"Aniki!" Johnny and Yosaku screamed.

"Zoro!" Usopp yelled out worriedly.

"That fool," Sanji muttered under his breath, which didn't escape Zeff's notice.

Mihawk's sword was now pointed at Zoro, who was on the ground bleeding. He was deep in thought. This man had resolved himself to die. Would it be disrespectful to let him live? Not just disrespectful, he thought. Stupid. He has so much potential for someone just starting his journey. I don't doubt that he may very well take my title and possibly my life one day. Oddly enough, Mihawk felt less inclined to kill this man than he would have been had the man not been a threat at all. Why was that, exactly? He would have to think on it later. He placed his sword back on his back just as Luffy arrived, with Johnny and Yosaku scrambling after him.

Suddenly, Zoro gasped, regaining consciousness momentarily. He looked at Luffy, who silently stared back, and then at Mihawk's sheathed blade. While Luffy and Mihawk could see that it troubled him slightly, he didn't protest. Luffy understood. He was torn between his pride as a swordsman and his loyalty to the crew. But after everything that had happened, he guessed it was an easy decision for him. "Sorry, Captain," he said finally. "I'll get him next time."

Luffy flashed him a confident grin. "I know you will," he replied, as Johnny and Yosaku rushed to tend to his wounds. Mihawk smirked at their camaraderie. "It is too early for you to die, Roronoa Zoro. Train until the day we meet again, and strive to surpass me." Zoro nodded wordlessly, and Mihawk turned to Luffy. "What is your goal, kid?"

"Pirate King," Luffy said without hesitation. Mihawk grinned enthusiastically. "Your crew is truly one full of fools," he said. "The greatest men I've ever met are all fools in their own right. Perhaps it's a common trend no matter what the era."

They were suddenly interrupted by none other than Don Krieg. "If you shitbags are done ignoring me, I have some business with both of you!" He turned towards Mihawk. "I still owe you for destroying my fleet. Payback is going to be painful!" he roared. His subordinates were pleading for him to stop, and even Gin secretly thought he was insane, but he ignored them all and aimed his guns at Mihawk.

"Then again, some fools are just fools," Mihawk stated. He swung his sword in a circular motion, and a whirlwind came to life around him. When it died down, he was gone. Luffy noted that the boat he had come in had disappeared as well. Cool. How did he do that?

Krieg looked stunned, but immediately recovered and rounded on Luffy. "I guess I'll have to settle for you, Straw Ha—"

"Read the mood, asshole!" Luffy yelled as a tic developed over his eye. He sent Krieg flying with a kick, suit of armor and all, and the man landed in the sea with a splash. His subordinates watched in horror before he resurfaced.

"Usopp, Johnny, Yosaku," Luffy addressed the three with authority. "Nami has taken the Going Merry to a place called Cocoyasi Village. Do you know where that is?"

The bounty hunter duo both widened their eyes and nodded. "That's Arlong's turf," Yosaku commented.

Luffy nodded. "I want you to follow her there and wait for me. She has something she needs to do there, but I think she's going to need our help." They really wanted to protest going anywhere near Arlong Park, but if Nami was there and needed their help, they could hardly argue. They prepared a ship and, along with Usopp, set sail. Meanwhile, the Krieg Pirates were gathering their wits and finally taking action. Pirates clashed with chefs in a determined struggled, and Patty and Carne seemed to be swaying the outcome until Gin stepped in and knocked out Carne with a blow to the head. Patty stilled. "You!"

"Well look, isn't this just perfect," Gin said smugly. "You really don't hold back against starving men. I wonder how this will go a second time."

"Bastard!" Patty shouted before striking out with both fists. Gin easily dodged and his hand fell around Patty's skull. He tightened his grip as Patty struggled to escape from it, groaning in pain. Finally Gin let go, and Patty slumped to the ground, blood oozing from his skull. A tall man in a strange piece of armor consisting of one plate on each side strolled up to them.

"I see you haven't softened in the time you've been away, Gin," he said. He kicked Patty over onto his back and spotted a cooking knife on his hip. "Oh, nice knife," he said. He tried to take it, but Patty grabbed his hand. He started stomping on Patty's hand but he wouldn't let go, and suddenly a powerful kick met his skull, alarming him.

"A chef's kitchen knives are his pride," Sanji said nonchalantly. "I won't let you defile them with your filthy hands." The man, who his subordinates identified as Pearl, started freaking out at being harmed and screaming danger. Sanji was about kick him again when a large whip like limb smacked Pearl in the head, knocking him out and toppling him over in that order.

"Shut up, already," Luffy said unenthusiastically. The Krieg pirates panicked at the sight of Pearl being defeated so easily, and of Luffy's leg stretching out, before Krieg speculated out loud that he must have eaten a Devil Fruit.

"Why couldn't you just leave, Sanji-san?" Gin said with regret, and all eyes turned to him. "All of this could have been avoided if you just gave up the damn ship!"

"I already told you, that's not gonna happen," Sanji said, lighting a cigarette. His voice hardened. "This restaurant is that shitty old man's pride and joy. I've already taken too much from him. I won't let him lose this, too."

Gin still looked regretful as he stared back at Sanji, but his gaze hardened. "Suit yourself then," he said as he lunged at Sanji, spinning around two tonfa with what looked like cannonballs on the tips. Sanji dodged the first downward swing, which left a large hole in the wood when it impacted. He aimed a kick at Gin's neck, but it was blocked by one of the tonfa. He spun around and threw another one, which was blocked by the second tonfa. Forcing Gin on the defensive, he planted his hand onto the ground and brought his leg up. Gin failed to raise the heavy weapons to that height in time and Sanji's kick impacted with his head.

Without sustaining injuries from Pearl, Sanji was faster and could hit harder. This went on for a while, with Sanji getting in a couple hits as Gin tried to defend. Finally, he spun a tonfa around and allowed one of Sanji's kicks to hit his side without retaliating, and then thrust the tonfa into Sanji's ribs. Both men fell back, coughing up blood, but Sanji recovered faster, sweeping Gin's leg with his foot to hinder his mobility. Gin stumbled, but still lashed out with his tonfa, which Sanji dodged. They then clashed again, Sanji's kick meeting Gin's weapon. Waves of pain ran down Gin's arm, but the stress on Sanji's leg was worse, and Gin recovered first this time, nailing Sanji in the ribs again. Sanji stumbled back and Gin tried to push his advantage, only to be stopped by his injured leg. Sanji noticed and decided to risk it.

"Collier Shoot!" he yelled. The kick made contact with Gin's neck and snapped his collarbone. Gin choked and fell over backwards onto the ground, and Sanji nailed him on the head with his heel, ending the fight. He panted heavily and straightened. The pirates backed away from him in fear, not believing that Gin had been defeated.

Don Krieg grimaced. "That Gin is a disgrace. He's done the one thing he wasn't allowed to do. He's failed me!"

"You speak as if you're going to fare any better," Luffy said mockingly. Krieg growled, and the surrounding pirates started jeering at Luffy.

"You stupid punk! Gin may have lost but Don Krieg is the strongest! The Don Krieg pirates are the best in East Blue!"

Luffy shrugged lazily. "If by that you mean that they have the best numbers, then OK." The pirates fumed at his words, but Krieg kept a calm countenance.

"You hit me once boy. Consider yourself lucky. It won't happen again." Luffy raised both eyebrows sky high, then leapt towards Krieg. Before he could pull out his spiked cape as he had planned, or even react, Luffy sank his fist into his gut, denting the steel armor considerably. Krieg fell to the ground gasping for breath. The armor had caved in and was crushing his torso, cutting off the air that was trying to flow into his lungs. He tried to suck in air, but to no avail, and only gained a wheezing fit for his efforts. Finally, he groaned out.

"Take it off. Please…" he managed. Luffy was disgusted.

"That's the great Don Krieg for you," he said with a chuckle. "Glorifying himself one moment, and then groveling at someone's feet the next." He waved his leg in a swift Rankyaku, which cut Krieg's armor in two. The man gasped for breath, letting sweet air fill his lungs, and then glared up at Luffy in fury.

"I don't suppose you'll leave in shame knowing that you received help from your enemy?" Luffy asked.

Krieg responded by lunging at Luffy in a reckless rush. Luffy met him with a backhand to the head, feeling the crack of bones in Krieg's face. Krieg fell onto his side, defeated.

Gin had woken up and watched in shock from where he lay. The Don had been defeated. The impossible had just happened. A small part of his mind that was gradually expanding criticized his naïveté and chastised him for ever believing that his captain was unbeatable in the first place. Why had he ever believed that when there was an abundance of evidence to prove otherwise? Because he wanted to believe it? Because he had to believe it?

The Krieg pirates had slumped in defeat from the moment their captain was knocked out as the chefs all roared in victory. Gin groaned as he got up unsteadily, Sanji watching his every move. He walked over to where Krieg lay and stared down at him. "This is our…loss," he said quietly. He picked up Krieg and slung him over his shoulder. "Men, let's get out of here," he said tiredly. "Thanks for everything, Sanji-san."

"Sure," Sanji said with a wave. "Don't ever come back, you shitty asshole." He turned to Patty and Carne, who had both recovered. "Get him a boat," he ordered. They protested loudly before Sanji yelled at them. They then told him not to order them around so much before fetching the boat obediently.

Gin turned to Luffy one last time. "Kid, I'll see you in the Grand Line." Luffy nodded happily.

"I look forward to it!"

After the Krieg Pirates left, Luffy turned back to Sanji. "Well, I'm heading out soon. Feel like coming with me yet?"

"You speak as if I'll change my mind at some point," Sanji pointed out.

Luffy shrugged. "I guess we'll see."

Sanji hesitated a moment, then turned to him with a wide grin on his face. "Hey, have you ever heard of All Blue?" he asked excitedly. Luffy didn't really want to lie and so he responded that he had. Sanji went on to explain the legend of the chef's paradise anyway, and Luffy listened intently, nodding the whole time.

That was when Zeff walked up to him and nodded his thanks to Luffy, who just smiled back. "Actually Sanji, this is perfect. You almost just got my restaurant destroyed. Why don't you go along with Straw Hat here so I never have to see your face again?" Zeff asked in lazily.

"Keep dreaming old man," Sanji said stubbornly. They stared each other down for a full minute before Zeff finally sighed. To hell with this.

"Sanji, your cooking and pride as a chef are renowned by everyone that calls this restaurant their home, including myself. Not a single day has gone by when I have regretted my decision all those years ago. You have made me proud to call you my assistant head chef, and I want to see you fulfill the dream that I never could. Now get lost, you shitty little eggplant."

Sanji had stiffened in shock at the words he was hearing, and even Luffy's eyes widened. As if a dam had broken, tears welled up in Sanji's eyes as he fell to his hands and knees. "Zeff!" he shouted as he cried hysterically. "For all you've done for me over the years, I know I owe you a hell of a lot, and I'm going to spend every day from here on out continuing to make you proud!" This was too much for the other chefs, especially Patty and Carne, who all broke down crying as well.

Sanji stood up, and Luffy burst out laughing. "Man, that was great! I'll never forget that. So, what do you think? Wanna come along now?"

"Shut up, you rubber bastard!" Sanji yelled halfheartedly as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "Let's go already!"

"You and I both have foolish dreams, Sanji. I can't wait to see how this plays out," Luffy said mirthfully. As they got yet another boat ready, the cooks shouted out their goodbyes to Sanji.

"You son of a bitch!" Patty yelled in between hiccups.

"We're gonna miss you!" Carne yelled in between sobs.

"I'll see you around, you shitty bastards!" Sanji shouted. Zeff couldn't help himself, and his eyes teared up as well as their small boat sailed out to sea.