The dining hall was still buzzing from the clash outside. Guests crowded the doorway, whispering and craning their necks to catch glimpses of the battle between Leo and Dracule Mihawk.
"That… that guy is Mihawk?!" one of the guests gasped, eyes wide as saucers.
The room went silent for a heartbeat. Then a wave of murmurs erupted.
"Isn't Mihawk supposed to be the world's greatest swordsman?!"
"Why does it look like he's getting pushed back?!"
"Wait… is that what a thirty-million-Berry pirate is really worth?!"
They couldn't believe what they were seeing. The man known as "Hawk-Eyes," feared even by Grand Line pirates, was locked in a fierce duel—and somehow, Leo wasn't just surviving, he was holding his own.
Inside the restaurant, Kaya rested her chin on her hands, stars shining in her eyes.
"Leo-nii is so amazing… no matter where we go, he always becomes the center of attention."
"Of course," Makino replied with quiet pride, her lips curling into a soft smile. "Even against the world's greatest swordsman, he doesn't let anyone outshine him."
She wasn't exaggerating. Watching Leo fight like that sent a strange, warm feeling through her chest. She had never regretted leaving Windmill Village, but now she was grateful she did. Following Leo had opened a new world for her—dangerous, yes, but full of wonder.
Nami, however, was less impressed. She leaned back in her chair, one leg crossed over the other, tapping her finger on the table.
"Yeah, yeah. He's strong. But honestly, watching those two swing swords at each other isn't exactly my idea of entertainment."
She suddenly smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Actually… this might be the perfect time to help Leo with something."
The other three girls turned to her, puzzled.
"Help him?" Kaya asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah," Nami said, nodding toward the door with her thumb. "Leo wants that pretty chef to join our crew, right? Well, he's busy fighting. Why don't we… recruit her for him?"
Nojiko blinked, caught off guard.
"Uh, Nami, are you sure about that? Shouldn't we wait for him to—"
"What's wrong with it?" Nami cut her off with a grin. "When Leo sets his sights on someone, we all know how it ends anyway."
Her words made Kaya, Nojiko, and Makino blush slightly, remembering their own "recruitment" moments.
"But… how exactly are we supposed to convince her?" Kaya asked, twisting her fingers nervously.
"Simple." Nami tapped her chin, thinking back on how each of them had joined Leo.
She had been lured in with money.
Makino had been intimidated.
Kaya had wanted to repay a debt.
And Nojiko… well, she'd been half-pushed in by Nami herself.
Nami quickly crossed off the first option—no way was she using her money. The other options didn't quite fit either. That only left…
Her fist smacked into her palm with a loud pop.
"We'll scare her a little!"
Makino looked uneasy.
"Nami… do we really have to do that? She's just a cook. It feels wrong to bully her."
"We're not bullying her," Nami replied firmly. "We're just giving her a little… encouragement. It's not like we're actually going to hurt her."
The three exchanged uncertain glances, but eventually nodded.
"Alright," Nami said, snatching Leo's wanted poster from the table. "Let's go 'encourage' her."
Carmen, like most of the guests, had been completely absorbed in the battle outside.
At first, she had only come to Baratie to see Mihawk—how could she miss the chance to witness the world's greatest swordsman in action? But now her attention was on someone else entirely.
Leo.
The way he fought, the way he moved—it was wild, intense, and strong enough to rival Mihawk himself. Every clash of their swords sent sparks flying, and Carmen couldn't tear her eyes away.
"That's him…" she whispered to herself.
She remembered the moment just minutes ago, when she had nearly stumbled in front of everyone, and Leo had caught her without hesitation. Just thinking about the fact that he had been the one to hold her—someone even stronger than Mihawk—made her face flush bright red.
She wasn't a pirate, but like any fighter, she respected strength. And in this world, power meant everything.
While she was still lost in thought, a hand tapped her shoulder.
She turned and found four women standing behind her.
"The guests from table three?" Carmen asked, blinking. "Do you need something?"
She knew they were Leo's companions—after all, one man traveling with four beautiful women wasn't exactly something you missed.
Nami stepped forward, letting a shadow fall over her face, and pointed dramatically at Carmen.
"Listen up, pretty chef! Our captain has his eye on you, and he wants you to join our crew!"
Carmen blinked, staring at her blankly.
"You'd better agree," Nami continued, trying to sound threatening. "Otherwise… well, you really don't want to find out what happens."
For a moment, Carmen just stood there… and then she nearly burst out laughing.
This adorable little redhead was trying so hard to be scary, but her sweet face and tiny frame made it impossible to take seriously. Still, her words made Carmen's heart skip a beat.
Leo wanted her to join?
Her thoughts from earlier returned, and her blush deepened. She glanced toward the battlefield outside, where Leo was still fighting.
"Oh no," Nojiko whispered nervously. "Nami, I think you scared her too much!"
"I didn't even say anything bad yet!" Nami hissed, suddenly panicking. She quickly hid the wanted poster behind her back.
Kaya stepped forward gently.
"Don't be afraid, Miss Carmen. We're not here to hurt you. Leo is just recruiting new crewmates, and he really does want you to join us."
Carmen blinked at the group, suspicious.
"He actually said that?"
All four women nodded in unison.
Carmen's lips curved into a grin.
"Alright then. I'll join."
"…Huh?"
The four women froze, staring at her as if she had just grown a second head.
"That's it?" Nami asked. "No hesitation? No resistance?"
Carmen shrugged casually, a bold, confident smile lighting up her face.
"Why not? He's strong. Strong enough to fight Mihawk and live. That's the kind of man worth following."
The women exchanged stunned glances. They had been ready for a whole dramatic back-and-forth, maybe even a bit of bribery or coercion—but Carmen had agreed before Nami even got to the scary part.
Makino chuckled softly, shaking her head.
"Well, I guess that solves that."
Outside, the clash between Leo and Mihawk reached its peak, shaking the air with every strike. But the sight of Carmen standing with the rest of the crew brought a small smile to Nami's face.
Maybe Leo didn't need their help after all—everything just had a way of falling into place around him.
When Leo finally returned, battle-worn but grinning, he found Carmen standing with the others.
"She agreed to join," Nami said, crossing her arms, trying to hide her satisfaction.
Leo raised an eyebrow but didn't comment, only giving Carmen an approving nod.
And just like that, the crew had gained a new member.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N :
Access 25 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/GodFic