💖 If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon. I'm offering advanced chapters there as a thank-you to readers.
--------------------
Check out advanced chapters on : patreon.com/DragonOP
--------------------
The World Economic Journal headline screamed of a brutal shift in power: "Former East Blue Overlord, the Krieg Pirates, Slaughtered by the Kid Pirates! Over 5,000 Perish in a Single Night!". The cover page depicted Eustass Kid holding the defeated Krieg aloft with a cruel, arrogant smile while the pirate's massive fleet groaned and sank into the churning sea behind him.
Far from the carnage, a quieter transition was taking place at the Baratie. Sanji, having packed his few belongings, walked out of the restaurant with a stony expression, heading straight for the Dream Chaser. On the floating platform, Patty, Carne, and the other chefs stood like statues in two cold rows. They watched him pass in silence, seemingly indifferent to the departure of their longtime comrade.
Sanji tossed his bag onto the deck and leaped aboard the ship. "Let's go, Goku," he said, his voice flat.
Goku, already waiting at the railing, looked at Sanji and then back at the silent, expressionless crowd on the platform. "Aren't you guys going to say goodbye?" he asked, scratching his head in confusion.
"No need," Sanji replied with a small, forced smile. "There's no need to be sentimental.". He kept his eyes fixed forward, never once turning back to face the people he had called family for years.
"I really don't understand you guys," Goku muttered as he prepared to hoist the sails.
Just as the ship began to drift, a calm but deeply concerned voice drifted down from the second-floor balcony of the Baratie. "Sanji! The sea winds are strong. Remember not to catch a cold.".
Zeff stood leaning against the railing, his usually stern gaze now incredibly gentle as he watched the young man's back. Sanji's body stiffened. He began to tremble, and before he could stop them, tears welled up and spilled out like a broken string of pearls. The aloof facade he had carefully maintained completely crumbled.
He thought of how Zeff had sacrificed his own leg to save him all those years ago. He thought of the old man's guidance, his gruff care, and the life he had been given. Unable to contain the surge of emotion, Sanji spun around and bowed until his forehead nearly touched the deck, shouting hoarsely:
"Old Man Zeff!! Thank you for taking care of me all these years!!".
"Your great kindness!! I will never forget it!!".
Zeff continued to smile, even as tears of his own began to blur his vision. On the platform, the chefs who had tried to remain cold burst into loud, uncontrollable sobs.
"Waaah!! You little brat!!".
"It's going to be so lonely without you!!".
Sanji looked at the big, tough men he had worked beside for years, now weeping openly for him, and let his own tears fall freely.
"Enough!" Zeff barked, wiping his eyes. "What kind of man cries like this? A farewell should be dashing!".
As the Dream Chaser finally caught the wind and set sail, Goku and Sanji stood together at the stern, waving and shouting until the Baratie was nothing but a speck on the horizon.
The Burden of Arlong Park
Meanwhile, on the shimmering sea, a small boat sped forward toward the Conomi Islands. Nami stood at the bow, her mind a whirlwind of memories. She thought of eight years ago, when the Arlong Pirates had invaded her home and demanded protection fees for every resident. Her adoptive mother, Belle-Mere, had been unable to pay for herself and her children. Rather than deny she had daughters, Belle-Mere had sacrificed her life, murdered in cold blood by Arlong so that Nami and Nojiko might live.
Arlong had seen Nami's genius for navigation and coerced her into his crew, offering her a deal: for 100,000,000 Berries, she could buy back the freedom of her village. For eight years, she had endured the trauma of working for her mother's killer, stealing from pirates and risking her life to reach that impossible sum.
Now, thanks to her time with Goku, she had finally reached her goal. "Goku, thank you so much for everything... truly," she whispered, a genuine smile touching her lips as she pictured the boy's adorable, pure-hearted face. He was one of the most important people in her life now—someone she trusted implicitly and hoped to sail with forever.
But first, she had to face the monster. "Arlong, I've brought the money. You'll keep your promise, right?". She clutched the treasure chest tightly, knowing full well how fickle and vile Arlong could be, but it was the only chance she had to liberate her people.
As she sat lost in her anxiety and longing, the silhouette of the Dream Chaser appeared behind her.
"Hey! Sanji, I see Nami!" Goku shouted from the figurehead, pointing excitedly.
Sanji dashed out of the cabin, his eyes instantly turning into red hearts. "Ah~~ That graceful figure! It's Nami-san indeed!". Having tracked her for over an hour, they had finally caught up.
Together, they cupped their hands and shouted across the water:
"Hey! Nami—!!".
"Nami-san!! I've come for you!!".
Nami froze, thinking she was hallucinating the voices of her friends. When she turned and saw them waving frantically from the larger ship, her mouth moved, but no sound came out.
You... why are you here?.