People's Hearts pt. 2

The table Thirteen put the food down on was finished and he was walking away, when a woman at the table pushed a glass off the table and said in disgust "You can't even put a glass down properly… Why did they let an animal in here?" Thirteen stopped and bent down to pick up the glass.

As he was doing so, a man at the table stepped on his hand and pushed the glass into it, saying "Oh, my foot slipped." The woman at the table giggled and Thirteen ignored him, continuing to pick up the glass and cleaning the blood from the floor before walking away without a word.

He dumped the glass into the trash before putting the tray in the sink and cleaning it. After he was done, he put the tray back and picked up a new one, under Zeff's eyes. Zeff watched as Thirteen was continuously abused by the customers and a look of respect appeared on his face.

He turned his attention to Sanji, who was standing by the door and smoking, staring at the customers with a crooked cigarette and white knuckles. Zeff knocked on the door, gaining Sanji's attention, before shaking his head.

Sanji turned back and snapped his cigarette in half before lighting a new one.

Luffy was also watching with clenched fists that were shaking. Zoro and the rest watched with slightly similar expressions. They listened to the conversations around them and heard "He's in chains, he must be a slave the owner bought." "Must be cheap to buy a half-breed."

Thirteen served a new table when a man stabbed a fork into his hand before he placed the plate. Thirteen looked at the fork and the crew, Sanji, and Zeff froze. Thirteen looked at the man and asked "Would you like a new fork." the man sneered and said "Preferably one without half-breed slave blood on it."

Thirteen put the rest of the food down before pulling the fork out of his hand and walking away. The man, angered by the lack of reaction, threw a plate on the ground, saying "You forgot something, half-breed."

Thirteen stopped and turned around, picking up the plate pieces, when the man shoved his plate of food, smashing it over Thirteen's head and shouting "Can't you be more careful!?"

Thirteen paused for a moment before cleaning, while Zeff grabbed Sanji's collar and the crew held back Luffy from flying across the room and punching that guy.

The other customers all covered their mouths and laughed, while the man shouted "Can I get some more food here?!" Thirteen walked away and Sanji passed him, walking to the table.

Zeff patted Thirteen's shoulder and said "Take a break, kid." Thirteen looked at the tables and back at Zeff, who said seriously "That's not a problem."

Sanji arrived at the table and smiled "I'm sorry. I forgot to inform you, this table's reserved." The man was angered and said "Why whom!?" Sanji put on a serious look and said "Not you." before kicking the man, sending him flying into the wall of the restaurant.

He lit a cigarette and said "Closing time folks." the restaurant was silent before another customer shouted "You're kicking us out?!" Sanji smiled and said "Scumbag special is on Fridays, sorry." another customer stood up and pointed at Thirteen, shouting "You're kicking us out for a half-breed slave!?"

Instantly an arm stretched out and punched that man in the face, sending him flying. Luffy was so angry a vein in his forehead was throbbing, unfortunately for the customers multiple people were already up and yelling.

Luffy punched another guy, who had said "I won't ever come back to a restaurant that hires a half-animal freak!"

Zeff stepped out and shouted over the voices "GET OUT! NOW!" as chefs came out of the kitchen with various food and cooking utensil shaped weapons. The customers quieted down and left one after the other, glaring at Thirteen on their way out, as if it was his fault they were treated this way.

Thirteen sat on a stool and watched them leave, without saying a word. One of them muttered "Disgusting slav-" before getting punched in the back of the head and flying out the door.

The arm snapped back and Luffy stomped over to Thirteen, grabbing his shirt and yelling "Why didn't you stand up for yourself?!" Thirteen said plainly "Not my restaurant. I broke the roof and I have to work to pay it off." Luffy shook him and shouted "But I broke the roof, not you! You let people treat you like that?!"

Thirteen looked him dead in the eyes and said "It's better than living in the White City." as he took Luffy's hands off him and stood up, turning his attention to Zeff as he added "Can I take a break?" Zeff sighed and nodded, letting Thirteen pass him and walk to the side door, leaving the room and sitting on the railing outside.

Sanji turned to Zeff and said angrily "Why didn't you let me kick that guy earlier?!" Zeff smacked his head and replied "Did you see that kid? He was treating those morons like air! Specifically not to cause problems!" Sanji retorted "And that's okay?!" Zeff stayed silent while Sanji snorted and walked to the side door, leaving the room as well.

Luffy looked at the side door before walking out after Sanji.

Zeff looked at the restaurant and sighed, while the chefs behind him chuckled "Hasn't been so lively since Sanji was a kid! Haha!" Zeff shook his head and Usopp said "Um… Can we eat here?" Nami smacked his head but her stomach rumbled, causing her to blush in embarrassment.

Zeff looked at the group and smirked "We recently cleared all our orders. Patty, take their order." before walking back into the kitchen.