One Piece: Getting Stronger by Writing a Diary

Baratie, the Sea Restaurant.

"Hey, hey, hey, no way! Is that blonde chef really planning to cook for Krieg?" Jango adjusted his sunglasses, astonished as he watched Sanji being blocked by the other chefs.

"That guy must be an idiot."

"Krieg is a notoriously vicious pirate, even Captain Kuro wasn't as ruthless as him."

"If he gets full, he definitely won't spare anyone here."

"Luffy, are you seriously planning to invite that blonde idiot to be our cook?" Jango shook his head and looked at Luffy beside him.

"Hehehe, that guy's interesting, isn't he?" Luffy chuckled, turning his gaze towards the entrance of the restaurant.

Soon after, his eyes widened in shock, his expression filled with disbelief.

"What's wrong, Luffy?" Usopp asked curiously, glancing at Luffy before following his line of sight.

Soon, he too wore the same shocked expression as Luffy.

And then, Jango was no different.

"You three, it's just Krieg, after all."

"Look at the three of you, making such a fuss." Zoro shook his head, somewhat exasperated.

However, when he looked in the direction Luffy and the others were staring, his expression instantly became serious.

"That man... what a strong aura of swordsmanship."

"Hmm? That orange-haired woman too?!"

"Wait, isn't this... the Arton mentioned in the newspapers!"

As Zoro recognized Arton after seeing him and the others walk through the door, his hand instinctively moved to his sword hilt.

"Looks like we arrived at just the right moment."

"The Baratie story arc seems to be just beginning."

Arton glanced at the pirate Krieg, who was kneeling on the deck, and then at Sanji, who was being held back by the other chefs, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Then, he turned his gaze toward the source of the intense stare.

"Interesting, we really did run into the Straw Hat Pirates."

"And it turns out there's someone familiar here as well."

Arton's gaze swept over Zoro, Luffy, and Usopp, finally settling on Jango. He then patted Uta and Kaya on the shoulders and led the group around Krieg and Gin, heading toward Luffy and his crew. During this time, neither Krieg nor Gin noticed them.

"Uta, you really are Uta, right?"

Before Arton and the others could get close, Luffy had already rushed over excitedly, completely ignoring Arton's presence.

"Hehe, long time no see, Luffy. You're still the same as always~"

"Even though I knew you were in the East Blue, I didn't expect to run into you so soon."

Uta looked Luffy up and down, her gaze finally resting on the straw hat on his head.

"Shanks' straw hat, huh? You'll grow into a man worthy of that hat."

Uta smiled.

With Arton's journal, Uta knew that Luffy had the potential to become a strong person, so she didn't feel that Luffy was unworthy of Shanks' straw hat.

"Hehe, I think so too."

Luffy first touched his straw hat and then smiled as he asked:

"Uta, where have you been all these years?"

"Didn't Shanks say you weren't going to be a pirate?"

"Why are you out at sea as a pirate now?"

Uta smiled brightly and said:

"A lot has happened."

"Come on, let's sit down and have a good talk."

After speaking, Uta looked at Arton beside her.

Naturally, Arton didn't object and smiled, nodding his head.

It was only at this moment that Luffy seemed to notice Arton.

"Huh? You're the guy from the newspaper who can create that place with infinite swords?"

"It's Unlimited Blade Works, Luffy!"

At that moment, Zoro stepped forward, his eyes fixed intently on Arton.

"Yeah, that's the name!"

"By the way, you're Uta's captain?"

"She became your musician?"

Luffy asked.

"That's right, Uta is indeed my musician."

"Are you feeling jealous, Straw Hat kid?"

Arton replied with a smile.

"Hmm... Uta is the best musician I've ever met."

"Darn it, if I had known you were going to be a pirate again, Uta, I would have asked you to join my crew."

Luffy pouted as he looked at Uta.

"Hehe, even without me, I'm sure you'll find a musician just as good."

"Don't you think so, Captain Arton?"

Uta smiled as she looked at Arton.

Since Arton knew the future, he naturally nodded in agreement. Seeing Arton nod, Uta, who knew that Arton had knowledge of the future, became more convinced that Luffy would indeed have an excellent musician.

"Alright, let's go have our chat elsewhere."

Uta said, then took Luffy by the hand and led him away.

"Arton, right? I'm Roronoa Zoro."

"I challenge you!"

Zoro grinned fiercely, staring menacingly at Arton.

"Hey, hey, are you serious? You're really going to challenge Arton?"

Usopp, who was greeting Kaya, was startled by Zoro's words.

Jango was equally shocked.

"Better not throw your life away, Zoro."

"If you've read the newspaper properly, you should know the gap between you and Arton."

Jango placed a hand on Zoro's shoulder, offering Arton an ingratiating smile.

"Sorry, Arton-san, please don't take Zoro too seriously."

"He's just a pure swordsman!"