Three days had passed since their desperate escape from the island, yet the small boat carrying Luffy, Zoro, and Yosaku drifted aimlessly, no land in sight. Exhausted and sprawled across the deck, they looked every bit like shipwrecked castaways. The tiny vessel, barely equipped for such a journey, carried scant supplies. With no time to restock before fleeing, and the Merry gone, their provisions were pitifully meager.
They'd eaten only once in three days. Luffy's voracious appetite had devoured their rations in a single meal on the first day.
Since then, they'd been adrift, stomachs growling, with no clear destination. The vast sea should've led them somewhere, but their miraculous knack for getting lost—Zoro's directionless instincts and Luffy's carefree navigation—kept them from any island. Defeated by hunger and aimlessness, they lounged listlessly, spirits drained.
Luffy, Zoro, and Yosaku lay limp on the boat, too weak to even steer or keep watch. Physically, they endured; mentally, they were spent.
"Ugh, I'm starving…" Luffy groaned.
"Your fault for eating everything," Zoro muttered. "We had enough for three days."
"Zoro-aniki, you didn't help picking a direction without a clue," Yosaku added. "I was dumb to follow you."
Their voices lacked energy, words drifting as they stared at the blue sky. The sun blazed overhead, its light mocking their misery. Normally, such weather might lift their moods, but hunger and disorientation weighed too heavily.
Never had they missed their crew more. Kiri would've rationed Luffy's food, Silk would've whipped up a snack with a wry smile, Nami would've navigated them true, and Usopp would've rallied their spirits. Without them, Luffy and Zoro—strong as they were—couldn't cook or navigate. Yosaku, mindful of their authority, held back from speaking too boldly.
Their journey was doomed without the others, a grim specter of starvation looming.
"Where'd everyone go?" Luffy mumbled. "No clue where we are, and I'm hungry."
"Whining won't help," Zoro said. "We need to hit an island, gather info."
"But we can't find one! Your fault for getting us lost," Luffy shot back.
"My fault?" Zoro growled.
"You said 'this way'!" Luffy accused.
"You were pointing randomly too!" Zoro retorted.
"My bad," Yosaku sighed. "I shouldn't have left it to you guys…"
His attempt at mediation—or complaint—faded into a collective sigh. They had no plan, no action beyond drifting. Yesterday was the same, and real danger loomed if they didn't act. Yet, too weary to move, they lay still.
"So hungry…" Luffy moaned.
"Pathetic to be shipwrecked like this," Zoro said.
"We're already shipwrecked," Yosaku corrected.
They closed their eyes, faces twisted in quiet agony, drifting between sleep and despair. The serene sea offered no comfort.
Then, a voice broke through. "Hey, what're you guys doing out here?"
"Huh?" Luffy stirred.
Raising only their heads, they saw a small boat nearby. A blond man in a black suit, one eye hidden by his hair, stood smoking a cigarette, his curled eyebrow and curious gaze striking. Too weak to sit up, Luffy answered from his sprawl.
"Hey, got any food? We're shipwrecked."
"Shipwrecked guys don't talk so cocky," the man said.
"I'm hungry, and we can't find a town," Luffy whined.
"Doesn't sound like trouble, just laziness," the man replied, exhaling smoke and sitting on his boat's edge, eyeing them.
"How long since you ate?" he asked.
"Two days ago, maybe," Luffy said.
"This idiot ate too much," Zoro added. "Three days' worth, gone in one meal."
"Bad self-control. Your own fault, but… wait here," the man said, disappearing into his boat's cabin.
Perplexed but hopeful, they collapsed again, silently awaiting rescue. Soon, a savory aroma wafted over, teasing their starving senses. Luffy sat up, grinning. "Smells good!"
"He's giving us food?" Zoro asked.
"Smells amazing! That guy's great!" Yosaku cheered.
Eagerly watching, they saw the man—Sanji—return, balancing plates on his hands and head. Luffy and Yosaku shouted in excitement.
"Food!" Luffy yelled.
"Looks tasty!" Yosaku added.
"Eat up," Sanji said, docking his boat. "Leave a crumb, and you're dead, bastards."
Luffy snatched the head plate, passing the others to Zoro and Yosaku. Starving, they dove into steaming fried rice, each grain perfectly cooked, the aroma irresistible. They ate with fervor, unable to hold back.
It was delicious—shockingly so. Hunger amplified the taste, but the skill was undeniable. Even Luffy and Yosaku, usually indifferent to flavor, were stunned. Luffy's eyes sparkled; Yosaku teared up. Sanji, perched on his boat, smirked at their reactions.
"So good! Never tasted anything like this!" Luffy exclaimed.
"It's too good… I'm glad I'm alive!" Yosaku sobbed.
"Pretty damn tasty, right?" Sanji grinned.
Zoro ate silently but just as eagerly. They cleaned their plates, not a grain left, their moods lifted. Luffy beamed at Sanji. "Man, that was amazing! You're a good guy, and your food's insane!"
"I'm a cook. It's expected," Sanji said.
"A cook, huh?" Luffy asked.
"Yeah. Out shopping for supplies," Sanji replied.
"Wait, you from that ocean restaurant?" Luffy guessed.
"Yep. I'm the sous-chef at Baratie," Sanji said, exhaling smoke.
Luffy grinned slyly. "I'm Luffy, the man who'll be Pirate King."
"I'm Sanji, sous-chef at Baratie, like I said," Sanji replied.
"Heading back to the restaurant?" Luffy asked.
"Got my supplies, so yeah. A bit lighter now, but no big deal," Sanji said.
"Why'd you help us? Those were your supplies," Luffy noted.
Sanji met his gaze, shrugging casually, his words striking. "A cook feeds the hungry. Need a reason?"
"Nope!" Luffy laughed.
"Then that's that. Don't starve out here," Sanji said, a faint smile betraying his gruff tone.
Luffy and Yosaku warmed to him instantly, their guard down. Zoro, however, remained wary, his expression hard. Sanji noticed but said nothing.
Luffy spoke up, unguarded. "We wanted to hit the restaurant, but we got lost. Can you take us?"
"You got business there? Fine by me," Sanji said.
"Zoro's a terrible navigator," Luffy teased.
"Don't talk, Mr. Lost," Zoro snapped.
Sanji nodded, agreeing to guide them. With a proper navigator, they'd finally reach a destination. The two boats turned, heading for Baratie.
Two hours later, they approached the restaurant. Luffy and Yosaku gaped at its fish-shaped prow and tail-like rudder, a quirky, unforgettable sight. "Whoa!" Luffy exclaimed.
"Cool!" Yosaku added.
The restaurant bustled, surrounded by guest ships, a lively yet unusual scene. Unlike pirate or Navy vessels, the clustered boats marked Baratie as a unique haven. Luffy leaned forward, voice booming. "That's the ocean restaurant?"
"Baratie," Sanji confirmed. "Run by a cranky old chef and idiot cooks, but it works. Lately, we're packed."
"Everyone cook as good as you?" Luffy asked.
"No one beats me," Sanji scoffed.
"Cool," Luffy chuckled.
They docked at the back entrance. Sanji grabbed his supplies, crossing to Baratie but glancing back with faint concern. "What's your plan? I'm back to work. Can't babysit."
"We'll manage," Luffy said.
"Don't cause trouble," Sanji warned.
"Got it," Luffy replied.
"See ya. Probably never again," Sanji said, walking off.
Luffy turned to Zoro, still seated. "Zoro, he's the one."
"Huh? For what?" Zoro asked.
"Our cook. I want Sanji," Luffy declared.
"That came outta nowhere…" Zoro muttered.
"What do you think?" Luffy asked.
"Barely know him. Why him?" Zoro countered.
"He's a good guy," Luffy said simply.
Zoro sighed, shaking his head. "Once you say it, it's decided. Do what you want."
"He's perfect. I just know it," Luffy grinned.
"Yeah, sure," Zoro said, exasperated.
Luffy leapt onto Baratie, buzzing with intent, scanning the deck. Yosaku frowned, uneasy at Luffy's impulsive energy. Turning to Zoro, he asked, "Is this okay? He looks way too eager."
"Let him be. It's just Luffy," Zoro said, lying back, eyes closing.
Yosaku noticed Zoro's bandages—makeshift from their escape, not proper treatment. With no medic among them, Zoro's wounds were only staunched. "Luffy-aniki, if you're going in, check for a doctor. Zoro-aniki needs proper care."
"Yeah, good call," Luffy agreed.
"No need. Sleep'll fix me," Zoro grumbled.
"Can't risk it. We need a doctor, Luffy-aniki," Yosaku insisted.
"Got it," Luffy said, striding off.
Even a directionless Luffy couldn't get lost on a ship this size. Spotting the main entrance, he grinned. "This the way in? Gotta find Sanji and a doctor."
He pushed through the door. It was lunchtime, the restaurant packed and lively yet refined. Scanning the crowd, he spotted Sanji, who noticed him too. Excusing himself from a female guest, Sanji approached, no cigarette, no smile, clearly annoyed.
"Welcome, dear customer," Sanji said dryly. "Reservation?"
"Nope, and no money either," Luffy admitted.
"Then get out. We don't allow dine-and-dashers," Sanji said.
"You fed us earlier!" Luffy protested.
"That was for shipwrecked fools, not customers. Scram," Sanji snapped.
"My nakama's hurt. Got a doctor here?" Luffy asked.
"If there is, they're off-duty, eating. You think they'd work their break for you? And who's hurt?" Sanji said.
"Zoro, the green-haired guy," Luffy replied.
"Him…" Sanji recalled Zoro's dour face, contrasting Luffy's energy. He hadn't noticed injuries but reconsidered. Still, his stance didn't soften. "If you must, ask outside. Customers here are eating, not working. Got it?"
"Yeah, I'll ask outside," Luffy nodded.
"Good. Now go," Sanji said.
"One more thing," Luffy added.
"What? Spit it out and leave," Sanji groaned.
"Join my crew," Luffy said.
Sanji's eyes widened, then narrowed, his face twisting in exasperation. Closing his eyes, he seemed to wrestle not with the offer but with Luffy's audacity. Opening them, he stared as if Luffy were incomprehensible. "Join you?"
"I said I'm a pirate," Luffy reminded him.
"I heard, don't believe it yet. Why me?" Sanji asked.
"Our ship needs a cook. Come with us, adventure, sail the Grand Line," Luffy urged.
"No. Find someone else," Sanji said, reaching for a cigarette but stopping, mindful of the restaurant. His tone grew serious. "I get why you're here, but there's plenty of cooks—rough types ready to turn pirate. Pick them. I'm not going."
"Why not?" Luffy pressed.
"I've got reasons to stay. I can't leave," Sanji said.
His conviction was palpable, overwhelming. Luffy persisted, undeterred. "I want you, not someone else."
"Then pick another place. I won't say yes," Sanji insisted.
"What's keeping you here?" Luffy asked.
"It's not 'have to.' I chose to stay. That's why I can't go," Sanji said.
Luffy's smile faded, meeting Sanji's resolve with his own. He sensed a deeper reason Sanji wouldn't share, something profound.
Their talk was cut short. A gruff cook stormed from the kitchen, glaring at Sanji. "Hey, Sanji, stop slacking! Food's getting cold, move it!"
"Shut it, shitty cook. Your garbage food's the same either way," Sanji shot back.
"What?! Oh, sorry, customers, excuse this idiot," the cook apologized, bowing to the guests.
Sanji sighed, turning away. "I'm not leaving this place, no matter what. Find someone else."
"Alright, I've decided," Luffy said.
"Huh?" Sanji paused.
"I'm not leaving till you join. It's settled," Luffy declared.
"You idiot, just go!" Sanji snapped.
"Tell me why you wanna stay a cook," Luffy pressed.
"Don't wanna say," Sanji replied.
"Then I'm not moving," Luffy said.
"Do what you want," Sanji muttered, walking off to resume waitering.
A rowdy cook had scared off the usual waiters, forcing Sanji, the sous-chef, to fill in. Luffy lingered, eyeing the bustling restaurant. It was chaos—cooks aplenty but no waiters, and rowdy staff risked trouble.
Luffy, not one for strategy, pondered briefly before giving up, deciding to act. Without his crew, he relied on himself, unchanged but with a new glint in his smile, hinting at a plan.
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