At the break of dawn, Renzo was already sprawled across the rocks beside the spring.
He didn't bother soaking properly, just dipped his legs into the warm water and lazily swayed them back and forth.
Now and then, his toes brushed against the smooth stones at the bottom before he pulled them back with the same sluggish rhythm.
Potts stood beside him, holding a stack of clean napkins, watching nervously as the yolk of Renzo's half-eaten hot spring egg dangled precariously over his robe. He didn't dare remind him, he knew well by now that his superior found even lifting a hand to wipe himself too troublesome.
"Commodore, Admiral Kizaru's tent is still quiet," Potts whispered, glancing toward the crooked tent not far away.
Yesterday, after Kizaru had finished soaking, he refused to leave, insisting Potts pitch a tent for him, saying, "No need to rush the prisoners. Gotta sleep well to have the strength for hauling them up Impel Down's stairs."
Before curling up with a pillow, he even told Potts, "Wake me up in the morning, don't make me miss breakfast."
Renzo just grunted, tossed his eggshell to Potts, and mumbled, "Let him sleep. He'll move when he wakes up."
No sooner had he said that than the tent zipper rasped open, zip!, and Kizaru stumbled out with a messy nest of hair.
He wore a loose white robe, sunglasses dangling from his collar.
Half his eyes still closed, he looked like a cat dragged unwillingly from bed.
"Yo~ Commodore Renzo, good morning~ Even the steam from this spring smells like a lullaby~"
"Morning," Renzo replied without opening his eyes, tugging his robe collar down to block the morning sun.
"Sanji's cooking porridge. Bread's on the griddle."
Kizaru's eyes lit up immediately, and the sleepiness vanished at once.
He shuffled toward the fire pit in his slippers, nearly tripping as he went. "Hot spring egg porridge? Using the island's eggs, right? That chawanmushi last time was divine!"
Potts sighed at his retreating back.
Apparently, these two big shots only showed enthusiasm when the words "no work" or "food" were involved.
By the stove, Sanji was crouched by the fire, stirring a pot of porridge that was bubbling with thin steam. Now and then, he tossed in bits of chopped moss and shrimp, and the aroma spread across the beach.
Seeing Kizaru rush over, Sanji waved a spoon without turning. "Ten more minutes. Not thick enough yet. Bread's done, grab it yourself, and don't flip the tray."
Kizaru didn't need to be told twice. He grabbed a golden slice of bread and bit in, crumbs scattering across his robe. "Mmm~ Sanji's cooking never disappoints~ Headquarters' bread tastes like cardboard~"
Sanji snorted but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips.
A compliment to a chef always hits the spot, even if it's from a lazy admiral.
Renzo finally dragged himself off the rocks and wandered over just as Sanji was serving two bowls of porridge.
He handed one to Renzo and the other to Kizaru. "Careful, it's hot. There's shrimp and moss, plenty of flavor."
Kizaru took a sip too quickly, burning his tongue, but still unwilling to stop. Sanji held him back. "What's the rush? There's plenty. Burn your tongue and you won't taste the cake later."
"Cake?"
Kizaru's eyes gleamed again, but before he could ask, a metallic clang came from the shade nearby.
It was Garon rattling his armor to get attention.
"Hey! How long are you gonna keep us tied up?!" he shouted angrily. "We've been bound here all night, can't even breathe properly!"
He and Lia were still tied to the coconut trees. Potts had brought them bread and water, but they couldn't move an inch and had to watch the marines eating leisurely all morning.
Lia, however, stayed calm, eyes closed, either meditating or simply too lazy to care.
Kizaru lazily stirred his porridge with a spoon and said, "What's the hurry~ Impel Down's not going anywhere~ We'll head out after lunch and a good soak~"
"You-!"
Garon trembled with rage, his armor plates rattling, but the sea-stone bindings still suppressed his energy. Even lifting an arm was exhausting. All he could do was glare helplessly as Kizaru went back for seconds.
After breakfast, Kizaru dragged Renzo back to the hot spring, picking a corner near the waterfall.
That part was warmer, and the sound of rushing water made for perfect napping.
He leaned back against the rocks with a long sigh. "Honestly, if only HQ had a spring like this… Every time I get in the bath, someone comes knocking, 'Admiral, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's calling a meeting!', it's exhausting~"
"Can't move it," Renzo said flatly, dipping his legs in again.
The droplets that splashed up swerved oddly to avoid his robe, it was his field automatically avoiding trouble. "Too much work to haul stones and build a spring."
"True enough," Kizaru chuckled, swirling the water with his fingers.
"But still~ nice to take a break here once in a while. Next time, we come back together? Just us, no aides, too noisy~"
Renzo didn't answer, only nodded slightly with his eyes closed.
Truthfully, he wouldn't mind. The place was quiet, the food was good, and there was no Sengoku or Akainu breathing down his neck.
But he didn't say that aloud; he knew if he did, Kizaru might really turn this island into his "slacker's retreat," showing up all the time to freeload. That would ruin the peace.
They soaked until nearly noon before coming out.
Sanji had set up lunch, grilled deep-sea fish, moss salad, and a plate of molten chocolate cake.
Kizaru's eyes went wide at the cake. He scooped a big spoonful, the chocolate filling oozing out, and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "Delicious! Way better than the matcha cakes back at HQ!"
"Eat as much as you want," Sanji said while cleaning the stove. "But not too much. We've still got grilled meat later."
Renzo sat beside them, eating slowly, fish, salad, no cake.
The morning porridge and bread were enough; more sweets would only make him sleepy. He planned to nap under a tree once the afternoon cooled.
Later, Kizaru took Renzo on a walk around the island. When they reached the bay, they saw Garon and Lia again, no longer angry, just slumped against the trees like deflated balloons.
Kizaru pointed at the glowing sunset. The orange light painted half the sky, the sea sparkling. "Beautiful, isn't it? Beats the view from HQ's roof."
"Mm," Renzo replied, eyes following a drifting leaf.
Just before it touched his head, it veered away, his field again.
"Think it's time to escort them back?" Kizaru mused, but didn't move.
"What's the rush?" Renzo sat down on a clean rock. "We've got grilled meat tonight. We'll go after that."
Kizaru grinned. "Now that's planning ahead!"
Garon nearly fainted from fury. These two hadn't come to escort prisoners; they were on vacation!
That evening, Sanji grilled a huge deep-sea fish and made a few desserts.
Kizaru and Renzo sat by the spring, Kizaru sipping fruit juice. Potts couldn't find any wine. Renzo chewing on a dry stalk of grass.
Garon and Lia were still tied nearby, stomachs growling, too drained to even complain. Every time they tried to speak, their bodies felt heavier, too lazy to get words out.
"Honestly," Kizaru said between sips, "if the Navy turned this place into an official 'relaxation zone,' it'd be perfect~ Finish a mission, soak in a spring, eat good food, much better than listening to Sengoku nag."
"In your dreams," Renzo muttered, spitting out the grass. "Turn it into a rest zone and it'll be full of recruits, aides, reporters. Way too noisy."
He had no interest in seeing the place turn into another HQ, crowded, loud, and impossible to nap in.
Kizaru chuckled, not arguing.
He knew Renzo too well, quiet and lazy. If this island did become a "vacation base," Renzo would be the first to oppose it.
The next morning, Kizaru finally decided to leave.
He waved lazily at the two bound prisoners. "Alright~ time to go~ The Impel Down guards are waiting for you~"
Neither Garon nor Lia replied; they just trudged toward the ship in silence. After everything, they no longer had the will to resist; they just wanted to leave this cursed "lazy paradise."
Sanji handed Kizaru an insulated box. "Cake and eggs inside. Eat them on the way. If you wait too long, they'll go cold."
Kizaru beamed, squinting. "Thanks, Sanji~ I'll be back for more next time~"
Renzo leaned against the railing, chewing a strawberry mochi, and muttered, "Next time, don't bring your aide. Too noisy."
"Got it, got it~" Kizaru waved. "I'll try not to trouble you too much~"
As the warship slowly left the bay, Kizaru stood on deck watching the warm island shrink into the distance. He couldn't help but sigh.
"What a wonderful place~ Next time I've got time off, I'm definitely coming back for another soak~"
In the cabin, Garon ground his teeth so hard his armor creaked.
To them, this "escort mission" hadn't been duty at all, it was a paid vacation.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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