Chapter 57: A So-called Farewell is Just 'Don't Catch a Cold'
Shit! Yesterday I forgot to update this one..đ€€
The night was like water, and the sea breeze carried a hint of chill.
Sanji, who had been 'driven' out of the kitchen by the chefs, was now lying spread-eagled on the empty deck of the Baratie.
An unlit cigarette dangled from his mouth as his gaze pierced through the swirling clouds, staring at the brilliant starry sky above.
The surroundings were quiet, with only the sound of waves lapping against the restaurant's base.
In this tranquility, long-buried memories surged into his mind like a tide.
That was ten years ago, on that desolate rocky island.
Despair, hunger, thirst.
And an old man who left all the food to him, but ate his own leg...
Sanji subconsciously reached out to touch his stomach; it was full now, brimming with strength.
"Betting that leg and the entire restaurant on me..."
The words of Tatsuya and Zeff from earlier that day echoed in his ears.
"Is spending your whole life in this tiny East Sea, looking after a one-legged old man, what you call your 'Way of the Chef'?"
"Get out! You're just a burden!"
Sanji slowly closed his eyes, a bitter yet relieved smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Honestly... what a bunch of idiots with terrible acting."
Sanji pulled a lighter from his pocket; his hand trembled slightly, and it took several tries before he finally lit the cigarette in his mouth.
The rising smoke made his eyes sting and grow warm.
He finally understood.
He had always thought that staying here, guarding this restaurant for a lifetime and looking after that old man until his death, was the best atonement for that lost leg.
But he was wrong.
That old geezer had given up everything to save him back then.
Was it really just to raise a watchdog who could only guard this tiny plot of land and cook the same dishes every day?
No.
What Zeff wanted to see was the boy who shared his dream going out to fulfill that unfinished ambition for him.
"Aren't so-called parents just such unreasonable creatures..."
"If I just stay here and rot, that would be the true betrayal of the value of his leg."
Only by going to that legendary sea...
Only by finding the 'All Blue' that all chefs dream of, in that old man's stead...
To witness that world he dreamed of with his own eyes, and then bring back its sights and flavors to tell him about it.
That would be the greatest repayment... for that old geezer!
Having realized this, Sanji stubbed out his cigarette.
"Flap, flapâ"
Just as the atmosphere grew heavy and sentimental, a sudden sound of flapping wings broke the silence.
A black shadow dived from the night sky and landed steadily on Tatsuya's shoulder on the deck.
"Caw, caw! Master! Master! This bird is exhausted!"
Clay called out breathlessly, his little chest heaving violently, clearly exhausted.
Tatsuya, leaning against the railing and enjoying the night breeze, casually pulled out a piece of jerky and stuffed it into its mouth.
"Well? Did you find her?"
"Gulp!"
Clay swallowed the jerky in one gulp, immediately regained his spirit, puffed out his chest, and reported loudly:
"Caw, caw! Found her! That orange-haired woman is sailing northwest!"
"Over there... there's a huge smell of fish! It's Fishman territory! Lots of weirdos with gills!"
"Fishmen?"
Beside him, Luffy pressed down on his Straw Hat, his gaze instantly turning sharp. "Where is that?"
Upon hearing the words "Fishmen" and "northwest," Johnny and Yosaku's faces turned pale instantly, their teeth chattering:
"Northwest... could it be... Arlong Park?!"
"That's the base of the most evil Fishman pirate crew in the East Seaâthe Arlong Pirates! Why would Big Sis Nami go there?"
"Regardless of the reason."
Luffy didn't hesitate for a second and clenched his fist. "Now that we know where she is, we're going to get her back! And my going merry too!"
"But..."
Usopp glanced at the 'Yosaku' nearby, which could only seat two or three people, and looked troubled.
"Our boat is too small; it can't possibly hold all of us, and the going merry has been taken."
"Creakâ"
While everyone was worrying about the boat, the restaurant's door was pushed open.
Zeff walked out with his arms crossed, leaning on his wooden leg, followed by several chefs pushing a strangely shaped boat.
It was the restaurant's spare boat usually used for purchasing ingredientsâthe 'shima shima'.
Though the name was strange, the bow was shaped like a giant Psyduck, looking both comical and practical.
"Hmph, are you pirates still worrying about a ship? Brats."
Zeff gave a cold snort and pointed at the boat:
"This boat is yours. It's not big, but it's enough to sail to the next island."
"If you're going to make it on the sea, you can't go without a decent ship."
As he spoke, his gaze seemingly casually swept over a certain corner of the deck, and his voice rose a notch:
"And while you're at it, take that idiot chef who's been lingering here with you, so I don't have to look at him anymore."
Hearing this, Sanji, who was lying on the ground, trembled slightly.
He slowly stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes.
Then, without a word, he turned and walked back to his room.
A moment later.
Sanji walked out carrying a small blue knapsack.
He came before Luffy and Tatsuya, pulled a lighter from his pocket, and with a "click," lit the cigarette in his mouth.
The flame illuminated his slightly reddened eyes.
He took a deep breath, exhaled smoke, and tried to use a calm tone to hide the turmoil within:
"It can't be helped... Since there's no room for me here anymore, and I also want to see the outside world."
Sanji looked up at Luffy:
"Hey, Captain. Take me with you to the Grand Line."
"And then... to find my own miracle."
After a brief silence.
"Ohhhhh!!!!"
Luffy raised both hands and shouted excitedly, "Great!! Sanji!! You're finally willing to join us!!"
"Yay! We have a chef! We won't have to go hungry anymore!" Usopp also cheered, hugging Luffy.
Tatsuya watched this scene and also clapped with a smile:
"Ah, finally some human food. My poor stomach is finally saved."
Hearing this, Zoro nearby had a face full of dark lines; he was the one who had cooked the meals before!
What did he mean by that?!
"Shut up! Red-eyed bastard!" Sanji shot him a disgruntled look, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.
...
The moment of departure finally arrived.
The sea breeze howled.
Sanji threw his knapsack onto the 'shima shima' and prepared to board.
The entrance to the restaurant was empty; not a single person came out to see him off.
Patty, Carne, and that old geezer seemed to have vanished in an instant.
"Heh... fine."
Sanji lowered his brows and gave a self-deprecating laugh. "It's cleaner this way."
He jumped onto the boat and untied the mooring rope.
The small boat began to drift slowly away from the Baratie with the waves.
Without turning back, Sanji kept his back to the restaurant but pricked up his ears, as if expecting something, yet also seemingly afraid of something.
Just as the boat was about to drift out of earshot.
"Hey, Sanji."
A familiar, gruff voice drifted down from the second-floor balcony with the wind.
Sanji's body suddenly froze.
He stopped what he was doing, still keeping his back to the restaurant, without turning around.
On the second-floor balcony, Zeff stood with his arms crossed, watching the departing figure.
He didn't give any long-winded instructions or a sentimental farewell.
This old man, who had been stubborn his whole life, simply used his usual tone to call out the simplest words:
"Don't catch a cold."
Boomâ!
Those four simple words were like a heavy hammer, instantly shattering all the defenses Sanji had built in his heart.
Tears burst from his eyes in an instant, gushing out like a flood breaking through a dam.
He could no longer maintain his cool demeanor.
He could no longer suppress his emotions.
"Ugh..."
Sanji spun around abruptly, his knees hitting the deck hard.
Even across the distance, even though tears blurred his vision.
He still bowed deeply, pressing his head to the deck toward the old man who had raised him, saved him, and taught him everything.
"OLD MAN Zeff!!!"
Using all his strength, Sanji cried out the words he had kept hidden in his heart for so long:
"FOR ALL THIS TIME!!! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!"
"I will never forget this kindness... for the rest of my life!!!"
Along with his cries.
"Sanji!!!"
"You bastard! Take good care of yourself!!"
"We're going to miss you!!!"
The restaurant doors were slammed open.
Patty, Carne, and all the chefs rushed out, all of them crying like babies.
Waving their spoons and spatulas, they waved frantically at the departing boat, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Waaaaah! You idiot Sanji!!"
"You better find the All Blue!!"
Standing on the balcony, Zeff watched this scene, and a glimmer of tears finally appeared in the corners of his eyes.
But he still held it back, simply turning his head away and muttering under his breath:
"Idiotic men... stop making such a scene."
...
On the small boat.
Tatsuya quietly watched this deeply moving scene.
"Ah, so this is what they call... a farewell between men of the sea."
He sighed, then pulled a handkerchief from his coat and handed it to Luffy and Usopp, who were crying even harder than Sanji.
"Hey! Why are you two crying so much? Wipe yourselves; your snot is running into your mouths."
"Waaaaah! Tatsuya! Sanji! It's so touching!" Luffy wailed while blowing his nose.
Though Zoro was lying in the cabin covered in bandages, a smirk tugged at his lips when he heard the commotion outside.
"Hmph, so noisy."
The wind was full.
The sails billowed.
The supply boat named 'shima shima,' carrying the full complement of the Straw Hat Pirates, cut through the waves toward the northwest.
Usopp stood at the bow, pointing forward with high spirits.
Just as he was about to give some "Captain's" encouragement, he was knocked to the deck by a punch from an expectant Luffy.
At the bow, Luffy wiped away his tears and pointed ahead with high spirits:
"Men! Everyone, gather up!!"
"TargetâArlong Park!!"
"Bring Nami back!!"
"Ohhhhh!!!!"
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