At the Baratie restaurant in East Blue, Reiju rested her chin on her hand, gazing across the table at Sephiroth with a hint of reproach in her eyes.
"It's just a simple lunch," she said. "Booking the entire second floor seems a bit excessive. And ordering the entire menu? There's no way the two of us can eat all that."
Sephiroth smiled warmly, gently taking her hand in his. "This is our private date. I don't want anyone disturbing us. As for the food, eat as much as you can—don't force yourself. We're just here to sample the taste. And don't worry, I'm sure someone will be happy to finish the leftovers."
Reiju chuckled softly. "Alright, since you've already arranged everything, I won't argue. But honestly, you're such a smooth talker. You really know how to make women happy. Sometimes, I can't help but want you all to myself. Though I don't dislike our current life either."
She tilted her head, her tone turning playful. "Having you and Hancock around lets me experience double the happiness, after all. Hmm... How about a three-person date next time? I think that would be quite interesting!"
Sephiroth coughed awkwardly, a helpless smile spreading across his face. "Let's, uh, talk about that later."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a young man with black hair, wearing a red vest, blue jeans, and a straw hat. An apron was tied around his waist, and he carried a large plate bearing half a roasted fish, fragrant and seasoned to perfection. After setting the plate down, Luffy mumbled through a mouthful of food, "Here's your dish," and turned to leave.
"Wait a minute," Sephiroth said, his expression darkening. "Care to explain why there's only half a roasted fish on this plate?"
Luffy froze, quickly swallowing the half-eaten fish in his mouth. With a guilty look, he shrugged. "I don't know!"
The next moment, Sephiroth's fist, wrapped in Armament Haki, came down hard on Luffy's head, leaving a sizeable bump. "You little brat! Stealing my food? Believe me, I'll drag your fifty-million-Berry bounty to the Navy Base!"
Luffy stuck out his tongue in defiance. "So stingy! If I can't eat it, I won't eat it."
Sephiroth sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Why are you working here, kid?"
"After eating here, I couldn't pay," Luffy admitted, scratching his head. "The boss made me work for a year to pay off the debt."
"Well, keep at it," Sephiroth said with a grin. "Once you're done, you can continue your adventure at sea."
Luffy's eyes lit up. "Sephiroth, can you lend me seven hundred and fifty thousand Berries? When I find the One Piece, I'll pay you back double!"
Sephiroth's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Hiss~! Look at you, learning to exaggerate already. But let me tell you—there's! No! Way!"
Luffy pouted, turning on his heel and stomping back to the kitchen. Reiju watched him go, then turned to Sephiroth with a curious smile.
"Who is that person? You two seem very close!"
"We've been close for nearly a decade," Sephiroth explained casually, leaning back in his chair. "I've got connections with his father and grandfather too."
Reiju raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Oh? Then why wouldn't you lend him the money to pay off his debt?" she asked. After all, seven hundred and fifty thousand Berries was pocket change for someone like Sephiroth.
"I'm not his father," Sephiroth replied with a shrug. "I'm not obligated to bail him out. The kid's been playing pirate all day—let him deal with the mess he's made."
Just then, a series of dishes wafting tantalizing aromas began to arrive at their table. Whether it was Sephiroth's earlier warning or Luffy's reputation preceding him, Patty had been assigned to serve them instead of the straw-hatted troublemaker.
As the table filled with an array of delicacies, Zeff and Sanji approached, both wearing satisfied smiles. Sanji, ever the charming host, turned to Sephiroth and Reiju.
"How is it, my esteemed guests? Are you satisfied with the dishes I've prepared?"
But the moment his eyes landed on Reiju, seated elegantly in her white short dress with her medium-length pink hair cascading softly, his words caught in his throat. His expression flickered between shock and disbelief.
"You... you..." he stammered, momentarily speechless.
Reiju couldn't help but chuckle, her tone teasing. "Hehe! What's wrong, Sanji? Don't you remember your older sister?"
Sanji quickly regained his composure, though his voice still carried a hint of surprise. "No, I do... I was just caught off guard seeing you here, of all places." He reached into his suit jacket, pulled out a cigarette and lighter, and lit it with practiced ease, taking a slow drag.
"Is there something wrong with me eating at a restaurant?" Reiju countered with a playful smile. "Besides, I get to visit my long-lost brother at the same time. Two birds with one stone, don't you think?"
"Whatever," Sanji muttered, his expression a mix of emotions—part relief, part unease.
The sight of Reiju had stirred memories of his cold, calculating father, Vinsmoke Judge. Sanji's mother, Sora, had consumed a drug that altered lineage factors before his birth, leaving him without the superhuman abilities his brothers possessed. Judge had deemed him a failure, even locking him in a dungeon.
It was Reiju who had opened that dungeon door, allowing him to escape Germa Kingdom and Judge's tyranny. For that, Sanji held a deep gratitude toward her, even if their relationship was complicated.
"Reiju, what do you think of the dishes?" Sephiroth asked, cutting into his steak with precision.
"Honestly, they're quite good," Reiju admitted, her tone thoughtful. "It's surprising, considering how unappetizing Sanji's cooking used to be. But compared to yours, he still has a ways to go. I'll always prefer your dishes."
As she spoke, she reached into her handbag and pulled out a sleek, black can-like object, placing it on the table.
Sanji's eyes widened, his cigarette nearly falling from his lips. "This is..."
"Germa Combat Suit, Stealth Black," Reiju said casually. "Consider it a reunion gift from your older sister. If you don't like it, feel free to toss it."
Sanji's heart raced as he snatched the combat suit from the table, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Stealth Black... Women's bathhouse! Hehehe!... Women's bathhouse!" he chuckled, his imagination clearly running wild.
Reiju simply smiled, her expression serene. (UωU")
.......
The sky was clear, dotted with drifting white clouds. A small boat, shaped like a black coffin, glided across the sea, making its way toward the Baratie's mooring.
A towering figure emerged from the coffin-shaped boat, stepping onto the deck beside the restaurant. His black trench coat billowed slightly in the breeze, the crimson pattern on his shirt catching the light. The massive black sword on his back seemed to radiate menace, and his piercing eagle-like gaze swept the area with silent intensity. A cross hung prominently on his chest, completing the imposing image.
A chef in crisp whites and dark sunglasses hurried over, his beard twitching as he spoke. "Excuse me, sir. Do you have a reservation? If not, I'm afraid you'll need to wait in line like everyone else."
"I'm not here to dine," the swordsman replied, his voice carrying a cutting edge. "I'm looking for someone. Word has it he was spotted here." With deliberate precision, he pulled a folded wanted poster from his coat pocket and unfolded it.
The paper revealed a familiar face: Roronoa Zoro, his glare practically leaping off the page. Below his scowling portrait, the staggering bounty—400 million Berries—was printed in bold. The chef hesitated, his gaze flicking toward the Merry Go anchored nearby.
Hawkeye turned his attention to the ship, his eyes locking onto the green-haired swordsman who was just rising from his nap on deck. Zoro stretched lazily, then paused as if sensing the weight of that gaze. Their eyes met across the distance, sparks practically crackling in the air.
Hawkeye's voice cut through the silence, cold and sharp as a blade. "Are you Roronoa Zoro?"