Capítulo 204: 17. Are You Called Iron Fist?
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Somewhere in the East Blue, a massive, round ship with a fish-head bow floated peacefully on the sea. Docked all around it were countless smaller sailboats, tied up by patrons visiting for a meal.
This was the most famous sea restaurant in the East Blue: Baratie.
And it was exactly where Ikki, Luffy, and their crew were headed.
"That's the Sea Restaurant Baratie!" Johnny exclaimed, pointing at the ship ahead with a broad grin. "The food here is amazing, and if you're looking to hire a chef, this is the best place to do it!"
Hearing Johnny's praise, Luffy's mouth began to water as visions of meat danced in his head.
However, before they could draw closer, a medium-sized Marine warship approached the Going Merry. The tension on the Merry's deck rose immediately as the warship slowed, aligning itself beside them.
On the deck of the warship, a Marine officer stepped forward. He scrutinized the Merry's skull-and-crossbones flag before muttering to himself, "A pirate flag I've never seen before..."
Raising his voice, he bellowed, "I am Captain 'Double Ironfist' Fullbody of the Marines! Pirates ahead—state your names!"
The solemn demand prompted Luffy to step forward eagerly. "My name is Luffy, and I'm going to—"
Before he could finish, Ikki swiftly covered Luffy's mouth, silencing him. Pulling Luffy aside, Ikki produced his private Marine appointment letter. "I am Admiral Ikki of the Private Marines," he stated firmly. "Captain Fullbody, what business do you have with us?"
"Private Marines?" Fullbody sneered. "Do you think I'm blind? Marines don't fly the skull-and-crossbones flag!"
He gestured sharply, and his soldiers immediately aimed their cannons at the Merry.
Ikki, unfazed, pointed to the official seal on his appointment letter. "Look closer," he said. "This is the seal of Marine Headquarters, personally stamped by Vice Admiral Garp himself! If you want to attack us, I suggest you be prepared for the consequences."
Fullbody hesitated, his bravado wavering. Despite his self-given title of "Iron Fist," he lacked both strength and courage. His promotion to Marine Captain stemmed more from ambition and showmanship than actual ability. Weighing the risks, he decided not to press the matter.
"Hmph! Whether you're private Marines or pirates, I don't care!" Fullbody barked. "I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let you go. Consider yourselves lucky!"
He turned with a dramatic flourish, wrapping his arm around a beauty in a red dress who stood beside him. She, clearly smitten by his posturing, leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
Seeing this, Luffy's temper flared. Smoke practically poured out of his nostrils as he clenched his fists. "Ikki, can I punch him?" he growled, turning to his crewmate.
Ikki shared Luffy's disdain. Men like Fullbody, who were all show and no substance, irked him. "Not yet," Ikki replied. "But you'll get your chance soon."
Luffy grinned, cracking his knuckles in anticipation.
As Fullbody began to walk away, Ikki called out after him. "Hey, you call yourself 'Iron Fist.' Does Vice Admiral Garp know you're stealing his title?"
The remark caused murmurs among the Marines on Fullbody's ship. Ikki pressed on, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "There's only one Fist in the entire Marine, and that's the Marine hero—Garp the Fist! You dare to pretend to be him? How cowardly can you get?"
Fullbody kept walking, refusing to turn back, but the murmurs among his crew grew louder. The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unsettled by Ikki's words.
"I think this young man is right! Captain Fullbody is a bit shameless!"
"Yes, I've been wanting to suggest the captain change his nickname for a while now."
"Do you think Vice Admiral Garp knows about this? Could it implicate us?"
"I'm not sure... but I've heard that the officers at Marine Headquarters are terrifying."
The murmurs among his subordinates finally pushed Fullbody to his limit. He spun back toward Ikki, his face red with anger. "A**hole! What does it matter to you what my name is?!"
Ikki crossed his arms, unfazed. "It does matter. My private Marine appointment letter was issued by Vice Admiral Garp himself. Your actions are tarnishing his name and reputation!"
Fullbody's frustration mounted. The truth was that his nickname, "Iron Fist," stemmed from the iron knuckle gloves he wore. While it wasn't the same as Garp's legendary title, the association had been useful for scaring pirates and bolstering his image. Now, he was cornered, his authority undermined. But instead of backing down, he forced a smirk.
"What's the problem?" he said, feigning confidence. "So what if I call myself Iron Fist? Are you going to do something about it? Or run crying to Garp?"
He laughed, assured that a figure as prominent as Vice Admiral Garp wouldn't waste time over a minor captain's nickname. And as for fighting? He had a ship full of Marines at his back.
Ikki chuckled, shaking his head. "I've never seen someone ask for a beating before." Turning to Luffy, he patted him on the shoulder. "It's your turn. Beat him senseless—preferably in the face."
Luffy's eyes lit up with excitement, his fists clenching in anticipation. "Got it!"
"And Zoro," Ikki added, "take care of the Marine grunts. Make sure they don't interfere."
"Understood," Zoro replied with a grin.
The two leapt onto the deck of Fullbody's warship, catching the Marines completely off-guard. Fullbody froze in disbelief. "Are you insane?! You're actually going to fight the Marines?!"
Before he could react further, Luffy's fist smashed into his face, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Ikki, uninterested in Fullbody's defeat, took out his Den Den Mushi and dialed Garp's number. After a few rings, the familiar gruff voice answered. "What's going on, Ikki?"
"Vice Admiral Garp, we've run into someone using your name to scam people," Ikki explained. "And worse, this guy is using your title to pick up girls! Imagine what people would think if word got out—something like, 'The hero Garp, an old man chasing young women!' It would ruin your reputation!"
On the other end of the line, Garp sighed, exasperated. "..."
"And when Luffy saw someone tarnishing his grandfather's name, he couldn't stand it. So, naturally, he punched him. Any issues with that?"
Garp snorted in disbelief. He knew Luffy better than anyone and doubted his grandson even remembered his name half the time, let alone his title. Still, Garp could tell Ikki was laying the groundwork for him to smooth things over.
"All right," Garp said. "Who did you beat up this time?"
"Just a Marine branch captain calling himself Double Ironfist Fullbody," Ikki replied.
There was a long pause before Garp sighed again. "A branch captain? In the East Blue? That's it? Do you really need to call me for something so minor?"
"I just didn't want there to be any misunderstandings," Ikki said nonchalantly. "Also, our private Marine flag has been finalized—a skull with a straw hat. Do you think you could help us get it approved?"
Garp groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine. But listen, Ikki—keep Luffy out of major trouble. I can handle Marines, even officers from headquarters, but you know who I can't touch."
Ikki nodded, understanding immediately. It was non other that the Celestial Dragons.
Garp knows his grandson's character very well. If a World Noble were to offend Luffy, Garp is fully aware that Luffy would not hesitate to punch him.
The implication of what Garp conveyed to Ikki was that causing trouble and even beating up Marines were somewhat acceptable, but provoking a World Noble was a different matter.
If Luffy were to provoke the Celestial Dragons, Garp would struggle to protect him. Although Luffy might avoid execution, he would likely lose his identity or freedom.
"If that's all, I'm hanging up," Garp said, already sounding impatient.
"Wait!" Ikki interjected, glancing at the Baratie in the distance. Patting his empty pockets, he added with a grin, "Since we're already talking, how about helping out with this fake Iron Fist? You could even foot the bill for dinner while we're here!"
T/N: In Chinese fanfics, Garp's title is Iron Fist.
Capítulo 205: 18. Sanji Appears
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Just like that, while casually chatting with Garp, Ikki leapt onto the opposite warship.
At the same time, Fullbody had been beaten so badly that his face was swollen like a pig's head. His Marines, paralyzed with fear, didn't dare to move under Zoro's intimidating presence.
"You... you're openly defying the Marines! I... I'm going to report this to Marine Headquarters! None of you will escape! You'll all be investigated—"
Before Fullbody could finish his tirade, Ikki strolled over and handed him a Den Den Mushi.
"Captain Iron Fist, Vice Admiral Garp the Fist across from me wants to have a word with you," Ikki said with a smirk.
Fullbody froze at Ikki's words, staring at the Den Den Mushi in shock. The familiar voice that crackled through the receiver only deepened his panic.
"Oh? Your nickname is also Ironfist? What a coincidence!" the voice chuckled.
Fullbody recognized it immediately. A year ago, when Vice Admiral Garp had come to inspect their branch on one of his aimless strolls, Fullbody had been lucky—or unlucky—enough to hear the legendary Marine Hero's voice in person. Now, hearing it again sent chills down his spine.
"Are you... Are you Vice Admiral Garp? I... I'm sorry for using your name! I'll change it immediately! From now on, I'll be Cotton Fist Fullbody!" he stammered, his voice trembling.
"Oh! That's not necessary. The name Iron Fist isn't exclusive to me, after all. But," Garp's tone turned casual yet firm, "please let these private Marines go. They're under my protection, after all."
Fullbody , sweating profusely and still clutching his swollen face, dared not refuse.
"Don't worry, Vice Admiral Garp! I was just joking with them earlier. I didn't do anything serious!" Fullbody blurted out, desperately trying to sound composed.
The spectacle made the woman in the red dress, who Fullbody had tried to impress earlier, burst into laughter.
While Fullbody flattered Garp over the Den Den Mushi, Luffy slung an arm around Ikki's shoulders. "Ikki, why'd you contact my grandpa again? Just hearing his voice gives me the creeps! I keep thinking he's gonna show up and drag me back home!"
Ikki shrugged, smirking mischievously. "Oh, you think he hasn't come to arrest you because of luck? It's because I've been using my status as a private Marine to cover for you! If I lost contact with him, he'd show up personally, and then your so-called freedom would be history."
Luffy gulped nervously, quickly abandoning any idea of tossing the Den Den Mushi overboard.
Satisfied with his reaction, Ikki grinned and asked, "By the way, Luffy, one important question: do you have any money?"
"Money? Nope!" Luffy answered without hesitation.
"Exactly! We don't have a single berry, but this Marine does. And thanks to your grandpa, we've got a free pass here," Ikki explained with a sly grin.
Realizing the plan, Luffy clapped his hands together excitedly. "I get it now! Let's go eat!"
At that moment, Fullbody cautiously returned the Den Den Mushi to Ikki. His expression was a mixture of relief and dread.
"Captain Fullbody ! You know how it is—after some intense exercise, we're starving! Baratie is just across the way. Why don't we head there for a meal?" Ikki suggested with a grin.
Fullbody wiped the sweat from his brow, forced a smile, and nodded frantically. "No problem! Whatever the private Marines want to eat today, it's on me!"
After hearing this, Luffy stepped forward, patted Fullbody on the shoulder, and smiled. "You're actually a pretty good guy!"
Zoro sheathed his sword, walked up to Fullbody , and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. "Thanks."
Fullbody : …..
At that moment, Fullbody was on the verge of tears.
Although he had no idea who these so-called private Marines really were, Garp's tone over the Den Den Mushi had made one thing clear: these people were closely connected to the Vice Admiral. That alone was enough to terrify him.
The last thing Fullbody wanted was for Garp to turn his attention to him—a mere branch captain—because of some minor annoyance.
So, he resolved to treat these "uncles" before him with the utmost care and respect.
Glancing at the beauty in the red dress, Moodie, whom he had painstakingly invited for this rare occasion, Fullbody hesitated before gritting his teeth and mustering a smile. "Miss Moodie, would you mind if our dinner for two turned into a meal for several more guests?"
Moodie, amused, chuckled and replied with a graceful smile, "I don't mind at all."
Upon entering Baratie, the person who greeted the group was none other than Sanji. Clad in a black suit, with his signature blond hair and distinctive curled eyebrow, the chef immediately noticed the two beauties, Nami and Moodie.
In an instant, Sanji's demeanor transformed, and he became a whirlwind of enthusiasm. Bowing deeply, he pulled out chairs for both women with exaggerated gentlemanly flair. "Please, my lovely ladies, allow me to serve you with the utmost care!"
Zoro, already nursing a drink, scowled at the display. For reasons he couldn't quite explain, this blond waiter rubbed him the wrong way from the moment they locked eyes.
Once Nami and Moodie were seated, Sanji's expression shifted as he turned to Ikki and the others, his politeness evaporating. His face was completely neutral—bordering on cold.
"Order whatever you want," he said curtly.
"Hey! What's with the difference in attitude?!" Usopp stood up, pointing an accusatory finger at the chef.
Meanwhile, Luffy burst out laughing. "Shishishi! This guy is hilarious!" he exclaimed, clearly entertained by Sanji's behavior.
"Waiter, are you the chef here?" Luffy asked, grinning.
Sanji shot Luffy a quick glance and answered flatly, "Yes."
"Then why are you working as a waiter? Is it because your cooking's no good?"
A vein bulged on Sanji's forehead as he clenched his jaw. "The food I cook is the finest you'll ever taste," he said, straining to remain calm. "Now hurry up and order."
"Oh? In that case," Luffy said, his grin widening, "why don't you come and be the chef on my ship? My crew could really use someone as interesting as you!"
Luffy's sudden invitation was as casual as it was bizarre, leaving Sanji staring in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Fullbody , who had been silently trying to keep a low profile, stiffened at Luffy's words. His unease grew as something clicked in his mind. "Pirates? Aren't they private Marines?"
Ikki quickly stepped in, leaning close to Fullbody and whispering, "As you know, we're private Marines directly under Vice Admiral Garp. But when we're out on missions, we can't just announce that to everyone. That's why we use a pirate cover—to mislead people."
"Oh..." Fullbody blinked, a look of realization spreading across his bruised face. "That makes perfect sense."
Had Luffy, Zoro, Nami, or the others overheard this explanation, they would have rolled their eyes. They knew all too well that Ikki's first move, no matter the situation—whether facing Marines, pirates, or even civilians—was to proudly flaunt his private Marine letter of appointment to prove his identity.
In truth, Ikki didn't want to do this, but he had no choice. He feared that if he didn't constantly reaffirm his private Marine status, the system that granted him this identity would stop recognizing him as a Marine altogether. Without that recognition, the system itself would collapse.
And so, no matter where he went, Ikki always made sure to announce his rank and registration number, even if it seemed ridiculous.
At this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if Ikki ended up forming a genuine private Marine crew someday.
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