ONE PIECE: Dawn of a New Era

That dream...He had it again.

Not one that was reoccurring. But a memory from his child hood.

It was strange. So many were flashing through his mind. Could it have been he was Homesick?

He didn't mean to fall asleep again. Honestly he was just trying to wait for the food. But the sandman hand brought him back into his slumber.

*

Years ago

"Hey Shit Head Give it Back!" Screamed a young leroy. Screaming at another child to give him back the sash that had been entrusted with.

The Larger child waved it around almost like a victory trophy.

"SHOT" Leroy slammed his fist through the air, his arm elongating and stretching before impacting straight into the boys face, causing them to bleed from the nose and run away.

Leroy picked the sash back up and wrapped it around his waist. Tying it tight as he let out a huff.

He was reminded of something his mentor and friend Sparrow had told him only a few years prior. Back before he left for the final time.

"You don't always have to get so worked up over things. You gotta learn when to pick you battles! Sometimes idiots say stupid things. And it's nothing to get angry over. But when the times comes to fight for something important. You fight. Got it?" He'd told him that after someone had made fun of him. Calling him skinny and scrawny.

Leroy had tried to break the boys nose. But the appearance of the Pirate had caused the kids to run off defeatedly.

But Leroy was left frustrated. Strange how the mind wanders...Before Leroy awoke.

He remembered yet another memory.

Back to when he first was given the Sash.

It was one of the final times he saw Sparrow.

"I'm gonna become King Of the Pirates! I swear it!" For months, every time Sparrow would leave and come back he had always begged Sparrow to take him with. But this time. He didn't. It was the moment he declared what he was going to do in the world.

"So. You're gonna surpass us then huh!" He said.

"Well! In that case. You might as well have this!" The Pirate would take off the crimson sash and wrap it around the boys waist. As tears began to well in the boys eyes.

"I'll leave it with you."

"It means a great deal to me. Take great care of it yeah? You can give it back to me when you've become a great pirate Leroy. That's our Promise!" Thinking back now. That might've been the last time he saw Sparrow. Yeah. Now that was the last time. To think Sparrow had already done so much for him. Leroy ate that Fruit that he was keeping so near and dear, and then he helped him out and left him with his sash.

*

"Huh!? What?" Spoke Leroy as he jolted up. His eyes laid tired before suddenly becoming fully awake at the smell of food! "Oh!"

With out a second of hesitation before Noir could even walk back to the kitchen. The Young Captain began to scarf down the ratatouille! The Flavors Melted across his tongue. Tomatoe, Garlic, The onions and bell peppers. It was almost creamy, so rich and savory! He couldn't get enough as he practically jumped over the table, took a slice of garlic bread and combined it with the dish.

Sounds of Satisfaction released from the pirate as he closed his eyes.

"Mmmm...~ This is so good. I knew I was right." He said casually before scooping even more into his mouth, chasing it with the sparkling water.

"You've got to Join the Crew! Someone like you would be excellent! I just know it!" Almost in a flash. It seemed like the food was all gone from his plate. Leroy using the bread to wipe the remaining sauce from the plate.

Kirk, on the other hand, was immediately annoyed by Leroy's suddenness. "Slow down! You're gonna make a mess or something! You might choke!" With a scowl, he went back to his food, knowing that Leroy wouldn't listen but still couldn't help but warn him. He couldn't help but wonder if a rubber man could choke, either.

The Fishman didn't fully understand the hype Leroy had over the food until he took his fork, and twirled it around in the pasta, before having his first taste.

"Oh, damn! This is really good! They look really good too!" Fully impressed and very pleased now with how the food tasted, he started to chow down pretty quickly himself, taking small breaks to drink his tea.

"Compliments to the chef! Eahahaha!"

"Mhmhmhmhm! No wonder this is your favorite dish!" Leroy said, finishing off the dish.

After chewing and swallowing the first bite Kále sighed. There was no taste... He stared down at his food wondering why he couldn't taste anything from it. He was hoping that maybe this passionate chef who had made his favorite meal might've been able to do something about his lack of taste but no, alas he was wrong.

Kále started eating after a small pause, he was simply eating for sustenance, not for flavor. He looked over at Leroy who had already scarfed down his entire plate already. Kále was shocked, how could he do that so quickly?! Kále began eating quicker now, worried that Leroy might just take his food while he was at it. He quickly finished the rest of his plate, he didn't take any of the bread since there was no point, it wouldn't have added anything to the dish for him. He then simply put his fork down onto his plate and then sat back in the booth. Going back to his silent, stoic demeanor.

Compared to Leroy and Kále Jeanne ate remarkably slowly, but she spent more of her time savoring the meal. Seeing her captain finish so quickly, and knowing her appetite wasn't as big as his, she grabbed his cleaned plate and put a good portion of her pasta on it along with a bit of the extra garlic bread.

"Here Leroy. Try this. These guys really know what they're doing here!", she would say as she passed the plate over and resumed eating. "Just be careful there are shells in there."

With a snatch, he swallowed it up.

Noir hadn't even begun to leave the table as Leroy just devoured the entire meal.

He was kinda shocked at how fast Leroy had absolutely vacuumed it down. He even stood there for a moment, blinking a few times in surprise.

Despite the hums of pleasure coming from the crew as they ate, sounding like music to his ears, Noir was still completely shocked. At least the swordsmen ate it pretty fast too, the cook thought he may be a tough nut to crack.

Noir only laughed nervously at Leroy's comments about being perfect for the crew. He just assumed it was hyperbole, already knowing the fact well that he was an amazing cook. He would be good for any crew, but excellent? He didn't fit that big of a role in his mind.

"Well, just because I am a cook it doesn't mean that I should be a part of your crew."

"I am only still thinking about leaving here, it is not like I am about to leave Rose Arbor to run off with a crew I barely know!" He spoke playfully and politely, with no negativity in his voice about the crew. He doubted there was a chance he would ever go with Leroy, maybe another crew that was truly impressive. Right now, this 'crew' just seemed to be a group of odd friends.