"Where's that knife now?"
I couldn't wait any longer. The sooner I got my hands on it, the sooner I could relax. If something went wrong halfway… it'd be too late to regret anything.
"Heh, you really can't sit still, huh? Alright. Come with me."
Zeff let out a quiet chuckle when he saw how impatient I was. I guess he found it entertaining — this 'little girl' in such a rush.
He led me through the corridors of the Baratie all the way to the back kitchen… and just as luck would have it, we ran into Sanji, who was carrying a plate of fried rice — apparently heading toward Gin.
Zeff didn't say a word. He just watched silently. He knew better than anyone what Sanji had gone through — that hunger, that desperation. He knew how Sanji felt about it… and how stupid and kind he was, helping someone even knowing full well that they were a pirate.
"…"
Sanji noticed Zeff staring at the plate and instinctively hid the fried rice behind his back.
"Go on," Zeff muttered, brushing past him without further comment.
"…Sanji, you're a really good guy," I whispered.
Sanji blushed immediately. "N–no. I'm just an idiot."
"That just makes you a kind idiot. And that's the kind I like."
"…"
His heart thumped like crazy. For the first time, Sanji felt like life was actually beautiful. A little steam even puffed out of his head. Kiana-chan… too cute…
"Hehe, hurry up already. Or that guy really might starve to death."
I couldn't help laughing out loud at his awkward reaction. This guy — hopeless when teased by a girl — was… kinda adorable.
"R-right!" Sanji stammered, then dashed off with the fried rice. Still, he glanced back at me as he ran — Are girls like this real?! he thought. And she's actually… interested in me?!
Little did he know — one of the three greatest illusions in life is: "She likes me."
"…Little girl. You seem pretty interested in Sanji."
I spun around — only to see Zeff holding a kitchen knife.
"Uhh, well—Sanji's… a good guy," I said quickly.
"Is he? Then maybe you ought to give it some thought, huh?" Zeff smirked slyly.
Of course I knew exactly what he meant — and I shook my head vigorously.
"Nope. No way."
"…Guess the kid's still out of luck, then." Zeff sighed. He'd always been like half a father to Sanji. Seeing a pretty girl even slightly interested in him? Naturally, he'd want to play matchmaker. But looks like Sanji's fate… wasn't quite ready yet.
"No matter. Here—this is the knife you wanted."
He handed me the kitchen knife. It felt light in my hand. I examined it carefully — nothing special about it. Just an ordinary chef's knife. I honestly couldn't see why it was considered a quest target.
DING!
A system notification echoed in my head.Mission update: One of the Seven Dragon Ball targets — Zeff's Royal Kitchen Knife — successfully recovered.Experience reward: [—]Crystal reward: [—]A small step has been taken on your journey to becoming a true boy. Keep working hard, Kiana!
Suddenly, the cheerful voice of Ai-chan rang inside my mind.
"…"
What the—?! There were mission rewards too?! Why didn't she tell me earlier?!
I nearly exploded with excitement. That experience — those crystals — and a pull?!
Already, my imagination was running wild — once I give in to my 'drug addiction' later… what would I get? A precision supply draw? Or a standard supply draw? That's a brutal choice!
Weapons? Armor? If I could get both at once… that would be pure bliss…
"Little girl… why are you suddenly giggling to yourself?"
Zeff eyed me suspiciously. I quickly wiped away the drool forming at the corner of my mouth and tried to calm down.
"I-It's nothing. Just remembered something."
"Right…"
"Well then, I'll leave you to your cooking. I'll head out."
I glanced awkwardly at the cooks working nearby — I'd gotten distracted the moment I entered.
"Sure. Take it easy."
The moment I left the kitchen, I reached into my chest and pulled out my phone. No hesitation — I headed somewhere quiet. It was time to get my fix.
I pushed open the door to the rear deck — only to find Sanji smoking on the ground, Gin eating slowly beside him, and Luffy perched on the railing. So this was the back door location.
"Oh! You're that woman with the three swords the Marines were after!"
Luffy pointed at me with sudden recognition.
"Hey, chores boy — don't point your finger at a woman. That's rude."
Sanji glared at him.
"I keep telling you, I'm not staying here as a chore boy. I'm heading to the Grand Line. I'm going to be Pirate King! Also — you're the cook on my ship!"
Luffy said confidently. Sanji turned his head away, annoyed. This guy seriously doesn't understand human language…?
"You're going to the Grand Line?"
Gin asked, pausing between bites.
Luffy nodded. "Yep! Gonna be the Pirate King."
"I advise you not to go…" Gin muttered, his hands trembling slightly. Sweat dripped down his forehead. He had seen it firsthand — that terrifying man with the hawk eyes. A nightmare he would never forget.
"It's pointless telling him that. This guy isn't the type to listen to anyone," I said casually, hopping onto the railing beside Luffy and opening my phone — preparing to roll for supplies.
"…Hey… what's that? Looks kinda fun!"
Luffy's eyes sparkled like stars the moment he saw my phone — something he'd likely never seen in his life. He inched closer… and immediately bumped into the scabbards at my waist.
"Three swords too, huh? You a Three-Sword Style swordsman as well?"
"I'm… a swordsman, yeah. But maybe I'll be Two-Sword Style in the future. Not sure yet."
If I pull a second-sword-type armor later, who knows? …Though the odds are low.
"So that's how it is! Two swords then!" Luffy nodded. "Alright! I've decided! Join my pirate crew! I'll build a team with swordsmen of Two-Sword Style! Three Sword Style! Four! Five! Six! Seven! Eight! Nine!"
"…Three Sword Style is weird enough. What the hell are those five-sword freaks supposed to be…?" Sanji muttered.
"How about it? You gonna join my crew?" Luffy asked directly, ignoring all complaints.
"I'm sorry. I don't plan on being a pirate. I'm… a bounty hunter, actually."
"…That's fine too! One of my crew used to be a bounty hunter!"
Luffy wouldn't back down. Once he decided something — nothing could change it. I felt a sudden chill… would the future Straw Hat crew really end up with some Five-Sword-Style monstrosity…?
"I have something very important to take care of. Once I finish that… if you still want me… I'll be happy to join you."
I closed my phone and spoke seriously.
SPLURT!
Sanji and Gin both sprayed blood from their noses. Only Luffy stayed perfectly normal.
"Oh! Then it's settled. Don't go back on it!"
Luffy grinned widely.
Looks like… I was already halfway in the crew.