Had the rework this chapter to bring in the merry
Baratie: The Cook and the Forger
The sea was thick with the smell of salt and smoke. The Baratie, the floating restaurant, had been turned into a battlefield.
Don Krieg's iron-armored fleet surrounded the vessel like vultures. His men, driven by hunger and greed, poured across the decks. Against them stood the ragtag crew: Luffy, Usopp, Tessal, and Sanji, each fighting for survival.
The Beetle
As Krieg's forces surged, Tessal stepped forward. His helm unfolded with the hiss of steam and clatter of shifting plates.
"Atlas Frame… Kabuto."
Black-and-silver armor locked into place around him, mandibles snapping shut over his face. His swarm erupted onto the deck: Bullet Hoppers, Crawler, Bulwark, and more. Mecha beetles clashed with flesh-and-blood pirates, iron mandibles against rusted steel.
"Kill them! Take the ship!" Krieg roared.
"Try it," Tessal's voice growled through the helm.
Explosions lit the night. Sanji's kicks crushed ribs, Luffy's fists shattered armor, Zoro—bandaged but relentless—cut through Krieg's men. Tessal's swarm filled the gaps, iron and willpower weaving together until Krieg's forces broke.
By dawn, the Krieg Pirates were scattered, their so-called Armada sunk or captured. The Baratie stood victorious.
---
Farewell to the Baratie
The deck smelled of ash and seawater as the morning light broke. Zeff stood with arms crossed, watching as Sanji wrestled with the hardest decision of his life.
"Old man…" Sanji muttered, cigarette trembling.
"You've got your All Blue to find," Zeff said with a toothy grin. "Get outta here."
Sanji dropped to his knees, tears streaming, forehead pressed to the wood. "Thank you."
Zeff only laughed, his wooden leg thumping against the planks.
---
The Merry's Arrival
As the Straw Hats gathered, ready to depart, a problem arose.
"Uh…" Usopp scratched his head, glancing at the horizon. "Captain, how exactly are we supposed to sail off? The Atlas is gone, remember?"
Sanji frowned. "And it's not like we can just row out of here."
One of the cooks barked, "What, you fought like devils and forgot you don't have a ship!?"
For a moment, silence fell. Then Tessal, still wearing the beetle helm, let out a chuckle. He reached up and pressed a button on the mask.
"I wouldn't worry," his voice echoed metallically. "I always have back-up plans."
On the horizon, a shadow appeared—a small caravel cutting through the waves. Its white sails bore the Straw Hat flag, and on its prow was a smiling goat's figurehead. Mecha soldier beetles marched the rigging, adjusting ropes and sails, guiding the ship toward the restaurant.
"The Going Merry…" Usopp gasped, eyes wide.
Luffy's grin stretched from ear to ear. "That's ours!?"
Sanji lit another cigarette, smirking. "Hah. So you really do think ahead, beetle-boy."
Tessal removed his helm, setting it under his arm. His voice softened.
"Back in Syrup Village, Kaya gifted us that ship. The Atlas has power, but it was always meant to be a fortress. The Merry… she's different. She's a promise. I set a failsafe for when the Atlas was stolen. When the time came, she would deploy—sailed here by the swarm."
Luffy leapt into the air, laughing. "We got two ships now! This is awesome!"
The cooks cheered and jeered, waving them off as the Straw Hats boarded the Merry. With Sanji at their side, and Tessal's failsafe gliding proudly beneath their flag, the crew set their eyes once more on the horizon.