....
Early morning, Johnny gestured toward the massive fish-shaped structure floating on the water.
"Check it out, this is the sea restaurant, Baratie!"
The crew stared in awe at the impressive establishment.
"Whoa! That's one huge fish!" Luffy shouted, eyes sparkling.
Just then, Lucas noticed something else a Marine warship slowly approaching their side.
"Hey, don't just stare at the restaurant. We've got company," he said, pointing at the vessel.
The mood shifted instantly. Even though Luffy's crew had no bounties yet, they were pirates, natural enemies of the Marines.
Zoro gripped his swords. "Didn't expect trouble this early."
Usopp gulped, eyeing the warship's cannons. "T-They're not gonna fire at us, right?"
Lucas shrugged. "Hard to say. But they don't look that strong."
Meanwhile, Johnny and Yosaku began sneaking away they really didn't want to be mistaken for pirates.
On the warship's deck stood a pink-haired Marine with a scar across his face, scrutinizing the Going Merry.
"Never seen that Jolly Roger before. Must be a rookie crew," he muttered.
Stepping forward, he called out, "I am Lieutenant Fullbody of Marine Headquarters—Iron Fist Fullbody! Who's your captain?"
Luffy and Usopp both jumped forward at once, declaring in unison:
"I'm Luffy!"
"I'm Usopp!"
Luffy scowled at Usopp's interference. "The flag was my idea!"
Fullbody sweat dropped at their antics. His gaze swept the ship then locked onto Johnny and Yosaku.
"Ah, those two. So the pirate hunters who prey on small-timers finally got caught by real pirates, huh?" His tone dripped with disdain.
Lucas, feeling bolder after defeating Johnny earlier, smirked. "Hey, Fullbody—I heard there's an old Marine named Garp who's also called 'Iron Fist.' Between you two, whose fists are stronger?"
Fullbody's eyes snapped to Lucas—then widened slightly.
"What the? A girl this pretty… but flat as a board?"
Though he'd mumbled it, the Straw Hats sharp ears caught every word. Nami and the others burst out laughing.
Lucas's face did cause misunderstandings.
Ignoring the laughter, Lucas pressed on. "Well? Can you take on ten Garp's at once?"
Fullbody stiffened. A beautiful woman stood beside him, how could he admit weakness in front of her?
But this was Garp they were talking about!
"D-Don't mess around! My fists are the strongest!" he blustered, quickly changing the subject. He glared at Johnny and Yosaku. "You two 'hunters' are nothing but cowards!"
"YOU BASTARD!" The duo trembled with rage, hurling a stack of bounty posters at Fullbody. "Call these pirates 'small-timers'?!"
Posters scattered across the deck, but Fullbody ignored them, turning to leave with the woman.
Lucas cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted:
"Hey, Fullbody! The guy next to me is Garp's grandson! I'll make sure to tell him what you said! Heard Garp's real petty, you know!"
Lucas's voice boomed so loudly that both the Marines and Fullbody on the other ship heard him clearly.
Sweat poured down Fullbody's face. He'd originally planned to destroy their ship, but after hearing Lucas's words, he immediately reconsidered.
'What kind of joke is this? He's Garp's grandson! There's no way we can mess with him.'
Nami hurried over to Lucas, her voice hushed but urgent. "Lucas, who exactly is Garp's grandson?"
Before Lucas could answer, Luffy chimed in casually, "Oh, that's me."
"WHAT?!"
The entire crew aboard the Going Merry froze in shock.
"No way! You're actually Garp's grandson?!" Usopp's jaw practically hit the deck.
Luffy scratched his head, genuinely confused. "Huh? Is Gramps that famous? He's just a weird old man to me."
Nami held up a bounty poster, her expression serious. "Garp is the 'Hero of the Marines'—a living legend. And his grandson became a pirate? This is unbelievable."
While Nami was distracted, Lucas snatched the poster from her hands.
"Hey, is this Arlong's bounty?" Lucas examined the fishman's wanted photo.
Nami's posture stiffened slightly. "Y-yeah, that's him."
"Fishmen are naturally ten times stronger than humans. With a 20 million berry bounty, Arlong's probably the most dangerous pirate in East Blue right now," Lucas remarked.
Nami forced a laugh, though her expression remained tense. "Hah... really? That strong, huh?"
Lucas shook his head. "Honestly? There isn't a single person in East Blue who could take on Luffy, Zoro, and me together in a fair fight right now."
'At least until Hawkeye decides to visit East Blue', he mentally added.
Nami blinked, momentarily stunned by his words, before managing a small smile.
'Never mind... I've already saved up 100 million berries. Maybe I won't need to fight Arlong after all.'
Meanwhile, Luffy's nose twitched violently as he leaned over the railing. "I CAN SMELL THE MEAT! I CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER!"
Before anyone could stop him, he stretched his arms back. "Gum-Gum Rocket!"
With a twang, he launched himself like a human cannonball straight toward the restaurant's roof.
Lucas sighed as he watched his captain disappear into the distance. "Well, there goes any chance of him working as a waiter here."
'The original story didn't have this cannonball moment. Guess it's impossible to keep the plot perfectly unchanged.'
Zoro jerked his thumb toward the restaurant. "Let's head in."
The crew piled into a small rowboat and made their way to the floating restaurant.
By the time Lucas entered, the arrogant Fullbody was already sprawled on the floor, defeated by a blond man with distinctive curly eyebrows.
Usopp gaped at the scene. "I thought this was a restaurant? Why's there a fight breaking out?"
Lucas grinned. "That blond guy looks strong. Maybe we should get Luffy to recruit him as our chef."
Usopp stroked his chin, adopting his usual 'Captain' persona. "As Captain Usopp, I hereby approve this excellent suggestion!"
Suddenly—CRASH!
Two figures came tumbling through the ceiling, landing in a heap of broken wood and plaster.
A one-legged man stormed over, his face red with anger. "DAMN IT! Look what you did to my ceiling! You're paying for this!"
Luffy sat up, brushing plaster dust off his hat. "Huh? But you're the one who broke it, old man."
"OLD MAN?! You'll work here for a YEAR to make up for this!"
Lucas facepalmed. 'If Luffy actually works here for a year, this place will be bankrupt in a month.'
....