"Huh?!" Nami raised an eyebrow, amused. "So you actually know these two guys, Zoro? Want to save your friends? Just sign here, and they're all yours."
She waved the servitude contract enticingly, eyes gleaming mischievously.
"Conniving woman," Zoro muttered, sweat forming on his brow. He stood trapped between loyalty to his old comrades and the dreaded contract.
"I'll sign it," Usopp suddenly declared, stepping forward decisively. "As long as one of us stays unsigned, we can claim everything belongs to him, right?"
Usopp winked confidently at Zoro, swiftly signing his name.
"Perfect!" Nami cheerfully collected the document, signaling Natsu to release Johnny and Yosaku.
"Thank you, Big Bro Zoro! Thank you, Big Bro Usopp! Thank you, Big Bro Luffy!" Johnny and Yosaku enthusiastically bowed, ecstatic at their newfound freedom.
"Feels good being called Big Bro," Usopp mused, a proud smile creeping onto his face, momentarily forgetting his freshly signed servitude.
The joyous atmosphere abruptly shattered as Baratie's doors slammed open once more.
"Is it Erza?" Fullbody perked up expectantly, turning toward the entrance. But his excitement quickly faded upon spotting a bedraggled pirate stumbling inside.
"Isn't that one of Krieg's men?!" murmurs swept through the restaurant.
Fullbody instantly stood, his metal-knuckled fist connecting brutally with the pirate's jaw, knocking him to the floor. "How dare you show your face here, pirate trash!"
The beaten pirate coughed violently, blood smearing his lips.
"Incredible, Captain Fullbody!" whispers praised him.
"Eat," Sanji intervened quietly, placing a plate of leftover fried rice before the pirate. "Then leave and don't come back."
"Thank you," Gin sobbed gratefully, hastily devouring the meal.
"What are you doing?!" Fullbody growled. "He's a filthy pirate!"
Sanji calmly brushed off Fullbody's hand. "All I see is someone starving."
Fullbody stiffened, noticing Eden and Luffy watching intently. He stepped back hesitantly. "You're lucky today. Don't disturb my meal again."
Sanji ignored him, walking back toward the kitchen.
Just then, Baratie's doors swung open dramatically again. Fullbody stood eagerly. "Finally, Erza—"
"Please!" Gin cried desperately, dragging an injured Don Krieg. "Give us food and water!"
Fullbody's heart sank. This wasn't the backup he hoped for. Sweating nervously, he silently prayed for Erza's swift arrival.
The restaurant's atmosphere grew tense, East Blue's most notorious pirates gathered under one roof, ready for the storm brewing ahead.
~# Every 20 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter