The first half of the Grand Line.
Three full days had passed since that battle of "absolute zero" that nearly froze their souls.
Above, the blazing sun hung like a massive golden disc, pouring endless light over the boundless blue sea.
The sea breeze carried no trace of suffocating cold anymore—only the vitality of spring and the fresh scent unique to the ocean.
Waves shimmered under the sunlight, reflecting dazzling patterns that blurred the eyes.
Amid this picturesque scene, the Golden Merry sailed steadily forward.
On the deck—
"Ha…"
Nami slowly finished her training, exhaling a sharp breath like an arrow.
She stretched lazily, her graceful figure outlined perfectly beneath her fitted dark-purple training outfit.
"What a beautiful day… being alive like this feels amazing."
Sunlight fell across her vibrant face, giving her skin a soft, radiant glow.
The moment her words ended, a blur shot across the deck at a speed almost impossible to follow!
"Nami-saaaan!! This is a special dish I made just for you—a premium meal to perfectly restore your energy—Potato Paille!"
Sanji dropped to one knee, presenting a gleaming white porcelain plate.
After undergoing lightning body tempering, his speed had reached terrifying levels—even the faint crackle of ionized air lingered behind him.
On the plate, golden crispy strands were arranged into an elegant bird's nest shape.
A rich aroma of frying oil and spices filled the air—the essence of sea beast fat blended with rare seasonings.
"Mmm~ delicious!"
Nami picked up a piece and bit into it, the crisp sound echoing pleasantly across the quiet deck.
"Oh! I'm so happy!!"
Sanji leapt to the railing, raising his arms toward the vast sea, his face glowing with almost saint-like bliss.
"You're too loud, curly-brow! Can't a man focus on his sword intent in peace?!"
Zoro, sitting at the stern, had a vein bulge on his forehead.
Wado Ichimonji trembled slightly in his hand, releasing a sharp sword pressure that sliced through the air.
Sanji spun around instantly, his face twisting darkly.
"What did you say, moss-head?! A brute like you who only swings swords wouldn't understand the artistry of Nami-san's praise!"
"Who are you calling moss-head, you curly freak?!"
Zoro stood up abruptly, his aura flaring.
"You wanna fight, bastard?!" Sanji's right leg ignited with blue-violet lightning flames, raising the surrounding temperature instantly.
Just as the two terrifying auras were about to collide—
Ronan, who had been resting beneath the main mast, slowly opened his eyes.
"That's enough, you two."
"If you keep this up and disturb Nami's rest time… you know what happens."
That single sentence instantly extinguished their fury.
Zoro and Sanji froze at the same time, glancing sideways toward Nami.
Sure enough, the "Thunder Goddess" stood there with a dark expression, cracking her knuckles as arcs of electricity flickered ominously at her fingertips.
"Tch."
"Hmph."
They glared at each other before turning away, returning unwillingly to a tense but silent standoff.
"Luffy, stop spacing out."
Nami clapped her hands and looked toward Luffy, who was squatting on the golden sheep figurehead.
"Clean the deck. The scorch marks and sweat from training are still there."
"If you dirty my new training outfit, I'm docking your food budget!"
"Huh?! Why me?! I'm tired too!"
Luffy rubbed his stomach, but his eyes were locked onto the plate in Nami's hand.
"And… what are you eating? It smells so good!"
"Paille. Potato flavor. Sanji made it."
"I'm starving! Sanji! I want meat! I want a hundred servings of Paille!"
Luffy's tongue hung out as he lunged toward Sanji, eyes shining.
Ronan rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"Luffy, how are you hungry again already? You just ate an entire sea beast before training—it hasn't even been two hours!"
"Training is exhausting! My inner energy keeps yelling that it's hungry!"
Sanji sighed, then, at Nami's suggestion to "make more so everyone can share," dashed back into the kitchen.
Before long, piles of golden Paille were served onto the deck like small mountains.
The sea breeze flowed gently as everyone sat together.
Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper sat in a row, legs dangling over the golden railing, stuffing their faces happily.
"Mmm… this has a really nice chew to it."
Chopper spoke with puffed cheeks, glancing curiously at Usopp.
"Hey, Usopp, Sanji said this is called Paille… what exactly is it?"
Usopp froze mid-bite, his expression turning deep and mysterious. He lowered his voice, his tone becoming grand and epic.
"Good question, Chopper. You think this is just food?"
"No! Deep within the vast ocean lives an ancient sea beast over a hundred meters long—its name is 'Paille'!"
"A hundred meters?!" Chopper's eyes widened in shock.
"That's huge!"
"Of course."
Usopp smirked, pointing toward the horizon.
"This morning, during my training break, I sailed alone for three days and nights across raging seas, fighting it to the death before finally slaying it."
"And what you're eating now… is the most tender meat from the tip of its tail!"
"Wow! Usopp, you're amazing!"
Chopper stared at him with pure admiration, completely buying the story.
Ronan, sitting nearby, twitched slightly at the absurd lie—but didn't expose him.
Ding ding ding! Ding ding ding!
Suddenly, a sharp, urgent ringing sound echoed without warning.
Wooo—!! Wooooo!!
Then, a deep roar like a prehistoric beast thundered from the distant horizon.
A massive black silhouette, exuding a heavy industrial presence, sped across the sea at incredible speed!
"Why is there… a train out here?!"
Nami raised her telescope, her pupils shrinking sharply.
"Merry! Turn around—now! That steel monster is going to smash us to pieces!!"
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