In To Worlds

The Baratie buzzed with lively chatter, the hum of clinking dishes, and the occasional booming laugh from rowdy diners. The Straw Hat crew sat at their table, each lost in their own rhythm of eating, talking, or simply observing the colorful clientele. The tantalizing aroma of sizzling seafood and spiced broths wafted through the air, mingling with the salty tang of the open sea.

Erin sat among them, silently taking it all in. She traced the grooves of the polished wooden table with her fingers, listening as Usopp animatedly recounted an exaggerated tale of his "hundred-man victories." His hands waved dramatically in the air, nearly knocking over the pitcher of water.

"Careful, Usopp," Nami warned, her voice laced with both amusement and exasperation. She leaned back in her chair, taking a sip of juice. "Your stories are getting wilder every time."

"They're not stories; they're feats!" Usopp corrected, puffing out his chest. "I'm the great Captain Usopp, after all."

Zoro snorted, lazily chewing on a piece of bread. "You're the captain of tall tales, maybe."

Erin chuckled softly at their banter. She found their camaraderie both entertaining and oddly comforting. Her steady gaze flicked to Luffy, who was devouring a mountain of food like it might disappear if he slowed down.

"You don't waste any time, do you?" Erin remarked with a faint smile.

Luffy paused mid-bite, grinning at her with a chunk of meat still in his mouth. "Food's too good to wait! You should try this!" He thrust a skewer of grilled shrimp in her direction.

She waved it off with a chuckle. "I'll take your word for it."

A soft breeze swept across the deck, carrying with it the sound of footsteps and the low murmur of nearby conversations. Erin's sharp eyes caught a glimpse of the chefs moving deftly between tables, their movements practiced and precise. The Baratie was more than a restaurant—it was alive, a dance of flavor, chaos, and charm.

As the crew continued their meal, Sanji approached their table, balancing a tray with practiced ease. His golden hair partially obscured one eye, but the sharp gleam in the other was unmistakable. "How's the meal treating you, my lovely guests?" His voice was smooth, directed primarily at Nami, who rolled her eyes but smirked nonetheless.

"It's delicious," she replied. "Thanks."

Sanji's gaze shifted to Erin, his expression softening into one of polite curiosity. "And what about you, miss? Is the meal to your liking?"

Erin looked up, her hazel eyes meeting his effortlessly charming demeanor. "I haven't tried much yet," she said with a small smile, gesturing to the still mostly untouched plate in front of her. "But it looks amazing."

Sanji beamed as though her words were the highest praise he'd ever received. "A woman of refined taste, I see." He placed a small dessert on the table with a flourish. "On the house—for such enchanting company."

Erin raised an eyebrow, her smile turning faintly amused. "Thank you."

Luffy, oblivious to the subtle exchange, reached for the dessert immediately. "Hey, free food! Thanks, Sanji!"

Sanji spun, pointing an accusatory finger at the captain. "That's not for you, you bottomless pit! It's for her!"

As the two exchanged a comical back-and-forth, Nami leaned slightly toward Erin. "Don't mind him. Sanji flirts with every woman he meets."

Erin shrugged, unfazed. "He's harmless," she said simply, her tone neutral but observant.

Zoro, having finished his drink, smirked at Erin. "You've got a knack for staying calm, don't you?"

"Comes in handy," Erin replied lightly, her fingers idly tracing the edge of her plate. "Especially with a crew like this."

Their exchange was cut short as a new sound rippled through the Baratie—a slow, deliberate clapping. The crew's attention shifted to the source, a tall, rugged man with a heavily scarred face and a long coat standing at the entrance. His crew followed close behind, each armed to the teeth and radiating a palpable air of menace.

The Baratie was alive with its usual energy when the tension arrived like a storm. The restaurant had been bustling with laughter and conversation until the heavy, deliberate steps of Don Krieg shattered the atmosphere. The massive warlord stood at the entrance, flanked by his crew, his golden armor gleaming under the soft lantern light. His presence alone was enough to draw every gaze, and the chatter faded into an uneasy silence.

"Ah, the famous Baratie," Krieg announced, his voice a booming mockery. "A fitting place for my crew to celebrate our dominance. Hand over your supplies, or we'll take them by force." His words were sharp and cutting, each syllable laced with the promise of violence.

Sanji stepped forward, his calm demeanor belying the tension in his clenched fists. "This isn't the kind of place where bullies are welcomed. If you're hungry, sit down and pay like everyone else. Otherwise, leave."

Krieg's crew erupted into laughter, the sound grating and cruel. "You've got guts, pretty boy," Krieg sneered. "But you don't know who you're dealing with."

Luffy stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the wooden floor. His straw hat cast a shadow over his determined eyes. "I don't care who you are. You're not ruining this place."

Erin, seated quietly, observed the unfolding drama. Her sharp hazel eyes darted between Krieg's crew and the Straw Hats. She could feel the shift in the room—the tension was a coiled spring, ready to snap.

Krieg, unamused by Luffy's defiance, growled. "Then I guess we'll have to make an example of you." He raised a hand, signaling his crew. "Take them down!"

The Baratie was chaos. Don Krieg's laugh echoed ominously as his crew surged forward, weapons glinting and eyes wild. Tables overturned, plates shattered, and patrons scrambled for safety. The lively buzz of the restaurant had transformed into a battlefield.

Zoro was the first to act. Rising from his seat, he unsheathed his three swords in one fluid motion, the metal gleaming under the flickering lantern light. A group of Krieg's swordsmen rushed at him, yelling battle cries. Zoro smirked, his confidence unshaken. "You picked the wrong crew to mess with."

The first swordsman lunged, aiming a wild slash at Zoro's midsection. Zoro sidestepped with ease, parrying with his left-hand blade before countering with a powerful upward slash from his right. The man fell, clutching his chest as Zoro spun to face the next attacker. Another pirate swung from behind, but Zoro twisted, the sword in his mouth deflecting the blow effortlessly.

"You'll have to try harder," he muttered through clenched teeth. With a roar, three more charged him. Zoro shifted his stance, his muscles coiling like a spring. "Onigiri!" he roared, unleashing a devastating three-sword slash that sent the attackers sprawling. He stood tall amidst the fallen, his calm demeanor masking the lethal precision of his strikes.

Meanwhile, Sanji had leapt onto a table, his hands tucked casually in his pockets. His eyes scanned the chaos, settling on a burly pirate wielding a massive club. The man swung with brute force, but Sanji somersaulted over the attack, landing gracefully on the pirate's shoulders. "You should've stuck to your meal," he quipped before delivering a crushing downward kick to the man's head. The pirate collapsed, unconscious before he hit the ground.

Another pirate tried to blindside him, but Sanji's leg shot out in a lightning-fast sidekick, sending the attacker crashing into a pile of broken chairs. "Honestly, you're ruining the ambiance," Sanji muttered, using a table as a springboard to launch himself into the fray. He spun mid-air, his leg striking like a whip. "Concassé!" The spinning kick slammed into a pirate's chest, sending him flying into the wall. Sanji landed with a flourish, dusting off his jacket.

Across the room, Usopp was taking a more strategic approach. Hiding behind the bar, he loaded his slingshot with a small pellet. "This one's for Captain Usopp's legend!" he declared, releasing the shot. The pellet exploded in a cloud of pepper powder, leaving a group of pirates coughing and rubbing their eyes. Usopp grinned and loaded another shot—a sticky resin bomb. He fired, binding two pirates together as they struggled to free themselves.

One of Krieg's lieutenants, a towering man with dual axes, advanced on Usopp. The sharpshooter's bravado faltered, but he quickly lit a firecracker and tossed it at the lieutenant's feet. The loud bang startled the man, giving Usopp enough time to dart away and trip him with a cleverly placed rope. "Gotcha!" he crowed, though the sweat on his brow betrayed his nerves.

Erin, seated at the edge of the chaos, observed with an almost eerie calm. Her hazel eyes tracked every movement, noting the ebb and flow of the fight. When a pirate charged at her with a battle axe, she moved with deliberate precision. Raising her hand, she released a subtle ripple of shimmering energy. The pirate froze mid-stride, his weapon clattering to the floor as he stood trembling, unable to move.

Nami, fighting nearby, noticed the display and shot Erin a questioning glance. Erin met her gaze briefly, offering a faint smile before stepping past the immobilized pirate. Her actions were efficient, almost surgical, as she used her powers sparingly to disable threats without drawing too much attention.

At the center of the chaos, Luffy faced Don Krieg himself. The warlord sneered, his massive golden armor gleaming ominously. Spikes and hidden weapons extended from every surface as he activated his arsenal. "You're nothing but a rookie pirate. Do you really think you can take me on?" Krieg growled.

Luffy grinned, his straw hat casting a shadow over his determined eyes. "I'm going to protect this place. You're not taking anything from here!"

Krieg unleashed a barrage of explosive projectiles, the blasts shaking the entire Baratie. Luffy darted through the chaos, his elastic body twisting and stretching to avoid the onslaught. He launched himself at Krieg, his fists coiling back. "Gum-Gum Bazooka!" he shouted, slamming both hands into Krieg's chest.

Krieg raised a spiked shield, blocking the attack, but the force sent him sliding backward. He growled in frustration, firing a barrage of hidden explosives from his armor. The blasts shook the restaurant, sending splinters flying, but Luffy dodged with ease, his rubber body twisting in impossible ways.

Sanji, leaping from table to table, joined the fray. "Oi, Luffy! Don't hog the big guy all to yourself!" He delivered a powerful kick to one of Krieg's lieutenants, sending the man sprawling into a pile of debris.

"Stay out of this, waiter!" Krieg snarled, firing a volley of sharp darts in Sanji's direction.

Sanji spun mid-air, deflecting the projectiles with a precise kick. "Waiter? I'm the sous-chef, you tin can!" His leg shot out in a fiery arc. "Diable Jambe—Flambé Shot!" The kick connected with Krieg's side, the heat warping part of his armor.

As Krieg staggered, Zoro joined the fight, his swords glinting under the dim light. "You're not walking out of here," he declared, his stance firm. "Three-Sword Style: Tatsumaki!" A spinning whirlwind of slashes forced Krieg back, his once-impenetrable armor now riddled with gashes.

Erin watched from the sidelines, her hands glowing faintly as she prepared to step in. But Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji fought with such synchronized power that she held back, trusting their abilities.

Krieg, battered and furious, unleashed his ultimate weapon—a massive cannon attached to his armor. "This is the end for you all!" he bellowed, aiming directly at the Straw Hats.

Before Krieg could fire, Erin stepped forward. Her voice, calm but commanding, cut through the chaos. "Enough." She raised her hand, and a wave of golden energy surged forward, enveloping the cannon. The weapon sputtered and crackled before disintegrating, the energy reducing it to harmless particles.

Krieg stared in disbelief. "What... what are you?!"

Erin's hazel eyes met his, unwavering. "Someone you shouldn't have crossed."

Luffy took the opportunity, stretching his arms back. "Gum-Gum Bazooka!" His fists slammed into Krieg's chest with overwhelming force, shattering the remains of his armor and sending him flying out of the Baratie and into the ocean.

The remaining pirates, witnessing their leader's defeat, dropped their weapons and fled. The Baratie fell silent except for the heavy breaths of its defenders. Then, as the realization of their victory sank in, the restaurant erupted into cheers.

The Baratie was a battlefield turned graveyard of splintered wood, shattered glass, and overturned tables. Smoke curled through the air, mingling with the scent of seawater and scorched debris. Yet amidst the wreckage, the Straw Hats stood victorious.

"Victory!" Luffy bellowed, his straw hat askew and his grin impossibly wide. He balanced precariously atop a broken mast, fists clenched triumphantly in the air. "We beat that tin-can guy!"

Nami rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smirk. "That 'tin-can guy' almost destroyed the Baratie," she muttered, brushing bits of debris off her clothes. Her gaze swept over the room before landing on Erin, who stood apart from the group, her posture unshaken, her expression thoughtful.

Erin surveyed the destruction with an air of quiet detachment, her hazel eyes flickering as if analyzing each detail. Her appearance was pristine, untouched by the chaos of the fight. Her calmness was almost eerie compared to the others' exhaustion, but a subtle glimmer of curiosity lit her features.

"This," Erin murmured to herself, "is exactly like the climax of an epic battle arc." She smiled faintly, her fingers brushing against the edge of a broken table as though committing the scene to memory.

Sanji lit a cigarette nearby, the flicker of the lighter catching Erin's attention. His hands were steady, but there was a weight in his gaze as he looked toward Zeff, who stood at the far side of the room with his arms crossed. The old man's face was a mask of neutrality, but his eyes betrayed the depth of his thoughts.

"You okay, Sanji?" Erin asked, stepping closer. Her voice was soft but carried a steadiness that demanded attention.

Sanji exhaled a cloud of smoke, his usual suave demeanor giving way to something rawer. "The Baratie's everything I've worked for," he said, his tone low. "And now…" He gestured vaguely to the wreckage. "Look at it."

Erin tilted her head, studying him. "The Baratie's still standing," she said simply, her words carrying a quiet conviction. "A ship takes damage in battle, but it doesn't sink unless the crew gives up."

Sanji glanced at her, surprised by the depth in her tone. Before he could respond, Luffy's boisterous voice cut through the room.

"Sanji! Join my crew!" Luffy yelled, as if it were the most obvious solution to every problem.

Sanji flinched, nearly dropping his cigarette. "What?"

"You're an awesome cook, and you're strong!" Luffy declared, grinning ear to ear. "I need a cook on my crew!"

Zeff cleared his throat, his rough voice silencing the room. "Sanji," he began, stepping forward. "The Baratie's my dream, not yours."

Sanji's eyes widened. "Old man, I—"

"Shut up and listen," Zeff interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. "I've watched you bust your ass in this kitchen for years. You've got talent, kid. A talent that belongs out there, not stuck here with a bunch of old cooks."

The weight of Zeff's words settled over the room. Erin folded her arms, her gaze shifting between Sanji and Zeff. The tension was palpable, and even Luffy, for once, stayed quiet.

"You've got a dream, don't you?" Zeff asked, his voice softening. "All Blue. The sea where every fish in the world swims. You'll never find it if you stay here."

Sanji clenched his fists, his shoulders trembling. "But I can't just leave you," he said, his voice breaking slightly.

"You're not leaving me," Zeff said with a small, almost imperceptible smile. "You're chasing your dream. That's what I want for you."

The silence stretched, heavy and meaningful. Erin felt her chest tighten at the sight of Sanji's struggle. She knew what it was like to be torn between duty and ambition, between loyalty and the unknown.

Finally, Sanji exhaled a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair. "Fine," he said, his voice hoarse. "I'll go. But don't think for a second I'm abandoning you, old man."

Zeff chuckled, his gruff exterior cracking just enough to show his pride. "Just don't let that straw hat idiot get you killed."

Luffy burst into laughter, his infectious joy breaking the tension. "Sanji's joining us! We've got a cook!"

The crew erupted into cheers, the mood lifting. Erin stepped forward, her usual calmness tempered with warmth.

As the cheers of the Straw Hat crew echoed through the wrecked dining hall, Erin glanced toward the horizon through the shattered windows of the Baratie. The fading sunlight painted the sea in hues of orange and gold, creating a stark contrast to the devastation around her. It was a moment of beauty amidst the chaos, one that reminded her of how quickly life in this world could change.

Sanji, now standing with a cigarette between his lips, looked around the room as if seeing it for the last time. His gaze lingered on Zeff, the old chef watching him with quiet pride. The unspoken bond between the two was palpable, and Erin couldn't help but admire the depth of their relationship. It wasn't just duty that tied them together—it was family.

"So," Zoro said, breaking the reflective silence as he leaned against a fractured beam. "When do we leave? I'm tired of this floating restaurant. It doesn't even serve booze properly."

"Oi!" Paddy's voice rang out from behind the bar, where he was attempting to clean up. "You're lucky we served you anything after the mess you made!"

"Yeah, yeah," Zoro muttered, smirking.

Luffy, still perched on the mast, pointed at Sanji. "We leave tomorrow! That way, Sanji can have a proper goodbye with his old man. Right, Sanji?"

Sanji sighed, exhaling a puff of smoke. "You've got a knack for simplifying things, don't you?" But there was no venom in his tone, only resignation and, perhaps, a hint of excitement.

The conversation shifted into casual chatter as the crew and the Baratie staff worked to tidy up. Erin found herself oddly still, watching the interactions unfold. A part of her longed to step in, to fully immerse herself in the camaraderie, but she hesitated. Her presence here still felt like a ripple in the natural course of events, and she wondered if that ripple would grow into a wave.

"I'm wandering if the TVA can teleport here" I jokingly said to lighten my heart from any burden about the timeline. As far as I know, this might be canon.