Night fell.
The sea breeze carried away the lingering scent of gunpowder and blood, replacing it with the savory aroma of food and the boisterous laughter echoing from the Baratie.
Though the restaurant was battered and broken from the battle, a grand victory banquet was underway on the deck to celebrate their survival and express gratitude to Luffy's crew.
"So good!! This meat is incredible!!" Luffy grabbed bone-in chunks with both hands, his cheeks puffed out like a hamster.
Between frantic bites, he turned to Sanji and restarted his broken-record pitch: "Hey! Cook! Your food is amazing! Join my crew!!"
Glug.
Sanji sat on the railing, holding a glass of red wine and staring at the distant sea with a dazed expression.
He exhaled a ring of smoke, and though his eyes wavered, he hardened his heart once more. "Shut up, Straw Hat. I told you, I have a reason I must stay here."
"The old man lost his leg because of me... until I pay back the debt I owe this shop, I'm not leaving. Besides..." Sanji paused, a flicker of longing for his dream crossing his face before quickly darkening.
"Finding the All Blue is just a stupid dream. A miracle sea containing ingredients from all over the world? It doesn't exist. I'm not an idiot like you!"
"It exists, you know."
A leisurely voice cut in. Viktor sat nearby, elegantly blowing the steam off a cup of black tea. "In this world, nothing is absolutely non-existent."
Viktor set his teacup down. His black eyes instantly transformed into the crimson Sharingan, casting a sharp glare at Sanji.
Vroom!
Sanji's vision blurred. The next second, the monotonous dark sea vanished, replaced by a kaleidoscope of vibrant, otherworldly colors.
Transparent flying fish with wings, giant turtles with fruit growing on their shells, deep-sea schools glowing with rainbow light... countless ingredients he had never even heard of teased his senses, appearing close enough to touch.
"This... this is?!" Sanji nearly dropped his wine glass, his breathing hitching as his culinary instincts screamed in desire.
"This is merely a corner of the Grand Line," Viktor said with a snap of his fingers. The illusion shattered, and Sanji was yanked back to reality.
Viktor smiled at the dazed cook, delivering the final blow: "What? Satisfied with that? Spending your whole life in the tiny East Blue, guarding a one-legged old man—is that your 'Way of the Cook'?"
"If you don't go and confirm if that dream is real, it will stay a dream forever."
Sanji gritted his teeth, the cigarette in his hand bending under the pressure. "But..."
"No more buts, Sanji-kun!" Usopp leaned in, his face covered in grease. "Our ship is super fun! Not only do you get me, the brave warrior of the sea, but we also have a world-class beauty for a navigator!"
"A beauty?!" Sanji's ears perked up instantly.
"Exactly!" Usopp gestured wildly, cranking his lying skills to the max. "Nami-san has the face of an angel and the body of a goddess! She's gentle, caring, the ultimate Muse of the sea! If you don't come, it's your loss!"
"Nami-san~~~?" Sanji's eyes turned into hearts, his body twisting like a noodle as his previous solemnity evaporated.
"Tch. Love-struck kappa," Zoro muttered, downing a mug of ale with a look of disdain.
Hearing Usopp's description of Nami, Viktor's lip twitched violently. Gentle and caring? Moreover, hearing another man praise that "Little Thief Cat" so shamelessly sparked a strange, inexplicable flicker of annoyance in his chest.
"Hey, Usopp," Viktor said with a pleasant smile, setting his tea down. "Can't the food stop your mouth? Since you have so much energy, I'll leave the heavy lifting of finding Nami later to you."
"Eh?!" Usopp froze.
Late night.
The noise died down, and the Baratie returned to silence. Inside the kitchen, under a dim light, Sanji was wiping down a stove that was already spotless. His movements were mechanical, his eyes fixed on the dark sea outside the window.
"Still hesitating... that brat." In the shadows of the second floor, Zeff leaned on his wooden leg, watching. His sharp, old eyes held a complex mix of reluctance, pride, and resolve.
"Hmph! If you won't take the step yourself... then I'll have to give you a shove."
Zeff turned and beckoned to Patty and Carne, who were waiting in the darkness. "You lot, come here."
"Boss?" they whispered, confused.
Zeff lowered his voice, his tone grim. "Listen carefully. Starting tomorrow, we execute a plan..."
The following afternoon.
Lunch rush was in full swing.
"That old man hasn't had much of an appetite lately..." Sanji carried a delicate tray containing a bowl of steaming, fragrant seafood bisque.
He had spent hours perfecting the seasoning and heat. "Hmph. Drink this and try to complain."
Despite his grumpy words, there was a smile in his eyes. He pushed open the head chef's office door and set the soup in front of Zeff. "Old man, it's time to eat. Today's special bisque."
Zeff sat behind his desk, his expression terrifyingly dark. Without looking at Sanji, he picked up a spoon and took a single sip.
"..."
The next second—Smash!!
Zeff swung his hand, violently slapping the bowl onto the floor. Porcelain shattered, and golden soup splattered everywhere, steam rising from the mess. Sanji froze, staring at the ruin in disbelief. "What... what are you doing, you old geezer?!"
"REVOLTING!!" Zeff roared, veins bulging on his forehead as he pointed at the floor. "Is this what you call cooking?! This is pig slop! It's so disgusting I want to vomit!!"
"Wh-What?!" Sanji's temper flared. To a chef, insulting the dish was a greater sin than insulting the man. "Are you crazy?! I tasted this a dozen times! There's no way it's bad!!"
Sanji knelt down, ignoring the mess, and dipped a finger into the spilled soup. It was rich, mellow, and perfectly balanced. It was flawless!
"Are you looking for a fight, old man?!" Sanji stood up and grabbed Zeff by the collar.
"Looking for a fight? Hmph!" Zeff shoved him back, his gaze cold. "You've gone soft, Sanji! Your mind hasn't been on the kitchen lately! Serving something made with hesitation and doubt is an insult to the customers!"
Just then, Patty and Carne burst in. "Oh boy, I knew it. The kid's skill has been tanking lately," Patty mocked with an exaggerated sneer. "The food is getting worse every day. The customers are complaining!"
"Exactly!" Carne added, his voice loud despite his shifty eyes. "Sanji, stop getting in the way in the kitchen. Just get out already!"
"What did you... say?!" Sanji looked at his comrades—men he had brawled and laughed with for years—now turning on him with venomous words. "Do you want to go, then?!"
"Let's go! Who's afraid of you? You're just a burden who won't leave and can't cook!" Patty shouted, giving Sanji a shove. Carne's lip twitched—Patty's acting was almost too convincing.
"YOU BASTARDS!!" Sanji snapped, and a chaotic brawl broke out in the office.
"Hey! What are you guys doing!!" Luffy happened to be passing by and saw the fight. "Sanji's food is delicious! Why are you picking on him! Old man, you're being too mean!"
Luffy rolled up his sleeves, ready to jump in and defend his cook.
Grip.
A hand reached out and grabbed Luffy by the back of his collar, yanking him back. Simultaneously, a palm clamped over Luffy's shouting mouth.
"Mmph mmph?!" Luffy struggled, looking back.
Viktor was leaning against the doorframe, wearing a look of mild amusement. "Shh—Luffy," Viktor whispered into his ear. "Don't interrupt them. This isn't a bullying."
"It's a mediocre play called 'Fatherly Love.' Let's just watch."
"A play?" Luffy blinked, stopping his struggle, looking completely lost.
Viktor didn't explain further. His eyes, which seemed to pierce through all deceptions, looked past the chaos to the old man standing in the center of the storm.
Zeff was shouting the harshest insults he could muster, but the hands he held behind his back were trembling uncontrollably.
And the chefs who were shoving Sanji... their eyes were already rimmed with red.
"What clumsy acting..." Viktor took a sip of tea, a gentle curve touching his lips. "The 'stupid bird' should be back soon, too..."
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