Paddy and the other chefs shouted in anger.
"How despicable!"
Even Usopp couldn't hold back his anger. Given his usual temperament, it was clear how lowly this man was.
"Hahaha! I am the overlord of the East Blue, Don Krieg! This ship is mine now! Listen up, all of you! If you don't want to die, get off the ship right now, or I'll kill you! And you chefs, get out too! But before you go, make me 100 servings of food!" Krieg laughed maniacally, completely disregarding everyone. He barked his orders like the master of the ship, demanding absolute obedience.
"I don't want to kill anyone today, but you better hurry up. Otherwise, I might change my mind at any moment."
"Run!"
"Save yourselves!"
"Damn it, how are we supposed to sail on a tiny boat in the middle of the sea? One big wave and we're done for! This is leaving our lives up to chance!"
"Screw it, better than getting killed right now. Hurry!"
Hearing this, the diners hesitated for a moment before scrambling out in a panic.
Soon, only the chefs and Moonlight's group remained on the ship.
"You want 100 servings of food? Dream on!"
"Yeah, keep dreaming!"
"This is our ship, Krieg. Get the hell out of here!"
The chefs shouted defiantly. Even in the face of Don Krieg, they showed no fear.
"Heh, seems like you're not convinced until you see your own graves," Krieg sneered, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes. He wasn't known for mercy—his rule on the seas was built on sheer brutality.
"You'd better listen to the captain! We really don't mean any harm. We just need food; we'll leave after we eat!" pleaded Gin, one of Krieg's men, who then turned to Krieg. "Captain, you promised me—just food, no killing."
"Haha! Gin, when did you start telling me what to do? I do what I want!" Krieg sneered and kicked Gin aside without hesitation.
"So he really is an ungrateful, vicious scoundrel—Don Krieg!" Sanji, who had managed to stand up, lit a cigarette, took a drag, and stared at Krieg.
"It seems you chefs are determined not to cooperate!" Krieg's face turned cold as he watched the scene unfold.
"Hmph!" The chefs said nothing, but their fists were clenched, and their expressions were fierce. The Baratie had thrived on the high seas, even serving pirates, because its chefs were not to be trifled with.
"Oh, planning to resist, are you? Perfect! I love crushing anyone who dares defy me!" Krieg laughed and suddenly flung off his cloak, revealing a suit of golden armor underneath, equipped with shields, guns, cannons, spears, and swords. He stood there like a war god, gleaming in gold.
Everyone was stunned.
"What is that?"
"Golden armor?"
"Oh my god!"
They were all shocked by Krieg's hidden arsenal, unable to believe that he had been wearing such a thing all along.
"You've been wearing that the whole time? You never take it off?" Usopp gasped, and even Zoro was stunned. This was unlike any opponent they had ever faced.
"That's right! I didn't conquer the East Blue with tricks alone. Those were just tools. My true strength lies in this golden armor. It gives me power—anyone who dares challenge me gets crushed!" Krieg boasted.
"I gave you all a chance, but you threw it away. Now I'll take care of you all in one fell swoop!"
With a laugh, a row of machine guns emerged from Krieg's golden armor, the barrels aimed at the group. A sinister smile spread across his face.
"Damn it!" Everyone braced themselves, knowing that if Krieg fired, they would be doomed.
"We're finished… Is this how it ends?" Usopp was trembling, drenched in sweat.
"Hmph!" Zoro gripped his sword hilts, ready to fight.
"Die!" Krieg sneered, about to unleash his attack. Suddenly—
Bang!
A large sack was thrown onto the deck, landing heavily in front of Krieg. An old man with a wooden leg stepped forward, glaring coldly at Krieg.
"Get lost, Krieg. Here are your 100 servings of food," the old man said in a stern voice.
"It's the captain!"
"Phew…"
"When did the captain make this food?"
The chefs were relieved but surprised to see the 100 servings. When had he prepared it? No one had noticed a thing.
"You're… Red-Leg Zeff?" Krieg's eyes widened as he recognized the old man. Red-Leg Zeff was a name that carried a powerful reputation, one that Krieg knew well.
The Baratie chefs were unfazed, already aware of their captain's identity, but Usopp was shocked to see Krieg show fear.
"Heh, so what if you're Red-Leg Zeff? You're not what you used to be," Krieg quickly regained his composure, especially after noticing Zeff's missing leg. He scoffed in disdain.
"Krieg, didn't you go to the Grand Line? Why are you back here, and what happened to your ship?" Zeff asked, glancing at the ruined pirate ship outside.
"We did make it to the Grand Line and got through the first half, but when we reached the second half, we encountered a man with hawk-like eyes. He single-handedly destroyed our entire fleet of fifty ships!" Gin explained, his voice filled with bitterness. Krieg said nothing, clearly haunted by the shameful memory he wanted to forget.
"What? One man stopped fifty ships?!"
"You've got to be kidding! Does the Grand Line really have people like that?"
"This is insane!"
Gin's words left everyone in shock. They stared in disbelief at Krieg and the wrecked ship outside.
"No way… Is the Grand Line really that terrifying? A single person who can take down fifty ships—what kind of monster is that?" Usopp was trembling, overwhelmed by the revelation.
"So, that's the kind of challenge that awaits in the Grand Line. I can't wait!" Luffy exclaimed as he appeared out of nowhere, dressed in a Baratie waiter's outfit, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Luffy!" Usopp sighed in relief. With Luffy here, they didn't need to fear Krieg anymore.
"A man with hawk-like eyes who cut down fifty ships… Could it be him?" Zoro's expression turned serious, recalling a name that matched the description.
"Dracule Mihawk!" Zeff blurted out the name.
"He's here!" Moonlight's eyes widened, and he glanced outside the ship. A coffin boat drifted closer, adorned with green candles burning at both ends. Standing at the bow was a man with a sword on his back.