'Now, let's see where the prisonners are locked up on this boat...' I thought as I looked around

After searching around I finally spotted a Marine going down some stairs with water

I followed him to a dark cell, 4 marines were guarding it. Inside was the man I was searching

'Man-Demon' Gin

WANTED

DEAD OR ALIVE

2.7 Million Beri

Gin is a relatively thin man of average height with short, scruffy, hair, a scruffy beard, and a slight mustache. He has dark circles under his eyes, like he didn't sleep in weeks

He wears an open white jacket with a red sea-serpent design on each side with a green shirt underneath, gray pants matching with his jacket, a gray headband with blue stripes design, and two spherical earrings on each ear. He was bleeding from an open wound on his arm, his clothes were filthy and he had bruises everywhere.

Poor guy. I can see his shackles weren't attached meaning he was gonna escape alone but I'll still help him. Better get on his good side before I ask him to betray Krieg and join my crew

I waited for the marine to open the cell, "Here drink this. Wouldn't want you to die." The marines chuckled. The moment the door was fully opened I sprang into action

"Shave." I appeared right in front of the marine and kicked him. Hard, an audible crack was heard as he flew and crashed into the wall. I grabbed the falling glass, "You okay there buddy ?" I asked Gin

He looked up at me but said nothing, "look, I can see that you took your shackles off, so you can either help me kicks those guys ass and escape or stay here, your choice." I said as I handed him the water I took from the marine

Meanwhile the marines all took out their sword and pointed them at me

"Who are you ?!" One of them asked

"Really ? You think I'll tell you who I am ? I am obviously helping a pirate escape the marines I don't plan on telling you my name."

While I was talking Gin got up and took the water, he drank it, "finally, my was throat was burning."

"Well, let's kick those guys ass and get out, what do you think about that ?"

"I'm in." He said and a small grin appeared on his face as he rushed the marines

"Not a patient guy huh ?" I raised an eyebrow as I asked, "shave." I appeared right next to the closest guy and punched him in the jaw, sending him on the ground, I quickly grabbed his sword and threw it at Gin, "catch !"

He caught and his grin widened, "thanks." He said as he impaled a marine in the stomach and kicked him away, the sword was stained with blood

We made minced meat out of those guys, one of them escaped at some point. Probably to go tell Fullbody

Gin took his stuff who was locked in a chest he destroyed

"Let's get out of here." He said before he started falling on the ground. I caught him and put his arm over my shoulder

"Don't move so much, you haven't eaten anything in days. The boat is anchored right next to a restaurant I'll help you there."

"Thanks. For helping me escape." He said

"No problem, I hate that Fullbody guy and you look like a nice guy." I smiled at him

"Gin." He simply said

"Naka D. Ruri." I responded.

We got out of the boat and I let him rest at the back entrance of the ship.

"I know someone in here who will cook for you, I'll be back soon."

His stomach growled as he slumped on the ground

~Baratie~

"Lieutenant Fullbody ! The krieg pirate escaped !" A marine said, he was bleeding from his shoulder and his shirt was thorn

"Impossible ! He was on the verge of death and hadn't eaten for weeks when we caught him and we didn't feed him since we caught him 3 days ago !" Fullbody screamed

"A girl helped him escape ! Please for-"

"Get the fuck out of the way." I kicked the marine in the way down to the ground, blood dripped from his mouth and he fell unconscious

Silence issued as I walked towards Sanji

I stopped in front of Sanji and leaned closer to his ear

"There's someone outside who hasn't eaten for days. I'll pay for him just get him something please."

He nodded and walked towards the kitchen, I walked back outside ignoring the stare on me

~Back entrance of the baratie~

"Here. Eat up." Sanji said as he put a plate of food and a glass of water on the ground in front of Gin

Sanji sat down, his back resting on he railing, I stayed up, my back resting against the wall

Gin snatched the plate and ate as if his life depended on it

"It's the best food I've ever eaten in my entire life." Gin said, tear streaming down his face. "I'm so grateful, I thought I was going to die, I thought it was all over for me."

"It's good right ?" Sanji said with a smile

"Hey cook !" Luffy said from above, "join my crew will ya ?! Be the cook for my pirate ship !"

"Eh ?" Was all sanji said. Luffy explained that he is a pirate and that he needs a cook for his crew

"Oh, you're a pirate huh ? So why did you fire that cannonball at this restaurant ?" Sanji ask while smoking

"It was an accident, it was a cannonball that went astray from my self-defence."

"What the heck is that supposed to mean ? In any case you better be careful, the owner was a pirate, quite an infamous one at that, and so were all of the chefs. I wasn't a part of his crew and he's retired now. Today he owns this restaurant, though most people just come here to see cooks fight against pirates. So please don't damage this place much more, because this restaurant is worth more to him than any treasure."

"Hear that Luffy ? No more cannonball for you." I said cheekily

"It was an accident..." he pouted

Gin, who was silent until now spoke, "You guys are recruiting ? Your crew must be quite small..."

"Yeah, we're only 5 including him." He pointed at Sanji who immediately denied joining his crew

"Well I want you to join us!"

"I refuse! I have my reasons staying here!" Sanji argued

"I refuse your refusal!" Of course, Luffy wasn't giving in "You're a great cook, come with us!"

"If I may ask, what is your goal of becoming a pirate?"

"I'm going to be the king of pirates !" Luffy said it like it was a fact.

"Pirate King? You look quite young, I don't see why you need to go to the Grand Line right now. After all it is only one small part of the world's ocean, so there's much less dangerous places to travel to." Gin said with a hint of concern

"Don't worry, we know what we're doing." Luffy answered

"Look kid, my name is Gin and I'm one of the Krieg Pirates. Our crew headed into the Grand Line a few weeks ago, and we were caught completely off guard. It's far too dangerous." Gin shuddered at the memory

"We're prepared." Luffy said.

"Well if you think you're ready, then I won't stop you. Don't say I didn't warn you though" Gin sighed "Well, I should be going now. You already went behind their backs feeding me Sanji, I wouldn't want to get you into any more trouble."

"Don't worry, the miss paid for your food. But just in case." Sanji threw the plate

"Thank you Sanji, Ruri. You both saved my life. Just a question, can I come again ?" Gin asked sincerely.

"Sure, you can come again anytime !"

"And if you ever need to kick some marines ass again come to me okay ?"

He set sail on a small boat "thank you again ! I'll never forget what you guys did for me, ever !" He waved his hand at us

We waved too before we heard zeff voice, " Oi get back to work eggplant ! And you too the new waiter !'

Sanji sighed and walked back into the restaurant, Luffy followed pouting.

4 days before the krieg battle, 4 days to train a bit more