Chapter - 36
East Blue – Baratie
The next day arrives, and Luffy and his crew are seen at the dock loading the Merry with supplies. Despite Kaya’s repeated warnings and requests for him to rest, Zoro was up and helping to carry the supplies to the ship.
As the st supply barrel is loaded, everyone hears a voice coming from outside the ship, more specifically from the dock next to them.
“I heard you guys need a cook. Is that offer still on the table?”, Sanji asks, carrying a rge bag over his shoulder.
Rushing to the port side of the Merry, Luffy spots Sanji and, realizing that he is joining the crew, raises his arms in celebration while shouting, “Yes, we have a cook! Come aboard, Sanji!”
As Sanji passes by Zoro, who was sitting against the main mast as he boarded the Merry, Zoro gnces at him and murmurs as he walks by, “Great, the waiter joined the crew.”
=Scene Break=
“Are you sure you won’t need help fighting Arlong? That pirate is dangerous”, Johnny says with Yosaku by his side.
“We’re fine, we’re strong. And you two? Will you be okay on your own?”, Zoro asks, there to bid them farewell.
“We might not be as strong as you, big brother Zoro, but we know how to take care of ourselves, so don’t worry”, Yosaku says, giving Zoro a thumbs up.
“Alright then, just be careful, eat well, and take care of yourselves”, Zoro says, making sure they won’t do anything stupid.
““Okay, mom””, they both say in unison.
“Ha ha, very funny. Now get out of here, you idiots”, Zoro says, rolling his eyes.
After a bit more conversation, Johnny and Yosaku bid Zoro farewell, having already said goodbye to the others, and then departed.
A little ter, Luffy and his crew also set sail, and as they move a few meters away from the docks, Sanji, standing at the stern of the Merry and looking at the restaurant where he had spent much of his life, spots Zeff and the other cooks standing at the port watching him leave.
“Sanji”, Zeff says with a sad look on his face.
“Go to hell, old man”, Sanji says before turning his back and walking away.
“Just don’t catch a cold”, Zeff says, his eyes welling up.
Stopping midway, Sanji turns around and, with a trembling voice and a lump in his throat, says, “You know... all these years living under your shitty roof, cooking in your trashy restaurant... I... I owe you my life. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, old man. You’re... you’re the only father I have. I’ll never forget you, Chef Zeff. I swear I’ll find the All Blue for both of us.”
Sanji, with tear-filled eyes, trying his hardest not to cry, watches the restaurant grow smaller in the distance until it disappears over the horizon.
Zeff, in the same state, holding back tears after hearing what Sanji said and watching him leave, says, “I’ll miss you, son.”
“The pervert will be fine, Chef Zeff. He’s strong, and he’s surrounded by reliable people”, Patty says, patting Zeff on the back.
“Yeah, I know”, Zeff says, wiping the tears threatening to fall from his eyes. “Now, what are you sckers doing standing around instead of working? Come on, come on, the house will be packed today! And Patty, have you tested our new hires?”
=Scene Break=
“So, where are we headed now? Are we going straight to the Grand Line?”, Usopp asks, with everyone gathered in the Merry’s kitchen.
“No, first we’re going to catch some big fish”, Luffy says before looking at Nami, waiting to see if she wanted to share what was going on.
Nami then tells them her story, feeling a little embarrassed now that everyone knows her secret.
As she finishes telling it, Kaya, crying, throws herself at Nami, hugging her tightly, though it seemed more like Nami was consoling Kaya than the other way around.
“ARGHHHHHH, woof woof woof woof woof woof woof”, Chouchou barks, wanting to beat someone up.
“Chouchou says he wants to smash Arlong and his crew into the ground”, Luffy says, transting what Chouchou barked.
“Urghhh, I’m going to fry those guys for what they did to Miss Nami. How can someone be so heartless to do that to such a beautiful woman?”, Sanji says, clenching his fists, eyes burning with rage.
“Calm down, you ass-hair eyebrow, you’re not the only one who wants to beat these guys to death”, Zoro says with a calmness he’s never had before.
“What did you just call me, puke-hair?”, Sanji says, getting irritated with Zoro.
“Going deaf now, smoke-stack?”, Zoro says, also getting irritated.
“You wanna get smacked, drunkard? Just because you got your ass kicked by that guy with the big sword doesn’t mean I’m going easy on your dirty ass”, Sanji says, a vein popping on his forehead.
“What are you talking about, you blowjob strap hair? Even if I'm hurt, I’ll beat you up”, Zoro says, advancing on Sanji with a vein popping out on his forehead.
Just as the two were about to start fighting, they’re interrupted by Kaya, who punches each of them on the head. “Stop fighting, boys! Don’t you see this isn’t the time?”
“Hmph”, Zoro grumbles, stepping back.
“Oh, my apologies, Miss Kaya, not in my worst nightmares would I have the intention of stressing out a beautiful dy like you over a drunkard with snot-haired”, Sanji says fawning over Kaya, who just looks at him with a strange face.
“Ainnn, I’m a piece of shit, let me fuck you? That’s how you sound when you talk, you pussy”, Zoro says, doing his best Sanji imitation.
“Shishishishishishishi! It’s exactly like that! Stop it, stop it, it’s so funny it’s hurting my stomach!”, Luffy says, rolling on the floor with ughter.
“Oh, come here, you fucking drunkard, and stop ughing Luffy, this isn't funny, I'm just a gentleman like every man should be”, Sanji shouts irritably, going after Zoro who was leaving the pce.
Right after Sanji says this, Zoro's voice is heard from outside the kitchen "Ainnnn, I consider myself a feminist man, this isn't all just because I want to fuck a pussy, and I definitely wouldn't suck a big dick just for the chance to stick my peanut into a girl."
And this time, Kaya can’t stop them from fighting, though it’s safe to say that, as much as possible, Zoro was going easy on Sanji.
“Well, looks like things are going to get more lively from now on”, Luffy says, taking the moment to train Sanji and teach him what everyone else already knew.
“Yeah, it’s kind of fun”, Nami says with a smile as she adjusts the straw hat on her head.
---
(AN: 1,135 Words)
Chapter - 37
East Blue
Somewhere in the middle of the sea
"Hey Usopp, I finally found you", Luffy says as he walks into the kitchen after searching the entire ship for Usopp.
"Do you need something, Luffy?", Usopp asks, pausing his work on creating ammunition with the same characteristics as the Buggy Balls, but in a tiny size.
"Check this out, it's the Saizu Saizu no Mi. It's a Paramecia-type fruit that lets the user change the size of themselves and objects at will for an indefinite time", Luffy says, showing Usopp an Akuma no Mi in his hand.
"Okay, cool fruit, but what does that have to do with me?", Usopp asks, curious.
"Well, I was thinking you might want to eat it", Luffy suggests.
"Why would I want to eat an Akuma no Mi? Is it really worth it?", Usopp asks, feeling a bit uncertain.
"Just imagine, you could shrink down smaller than an ant or grow as big as, or even bigger than, a giant! Plus, you can resize objects, and their weight will adjust accordingly. You could basically turn into a walking arsenal, carry the Merry in your pocket when we’re on nd, and since the effect on objects is permanent unless you reverse it, you could increase the size of our gold, meaning infinite money! The fruit would also allow our storage to hold more than it currently can. And if you're worried about not being able to swim anymore, you can build up resistance and swim again with training. You just won’t be able to use your powers in water", Luffy expins, trying to convince Usopp.
"I could become a giant?", Usopp asks, now excited.
"Seriously? Out of everything this fruit can do, becoming a giant is the only thing that impressed you?", Luffy asks, frustrated.
"Come on, Luffy, I will be able to turn into a giant, man!", Usopp says, gesturing with his hands.
"Yeah, but I thought the idea of becoming a walking arsenal, having infinite money, and shrinking to the size of an ant would excite you too", Luffy says, looking a bit disappointed.
"No, that's cool too, but... c'mon man, it's a giant!", Usopp says, smiling awkwardly as he tries to expin his point without hurting Luffy's feelings.
"Fine, I'm not upset or anything that I gave a huge sales pitch just for one line to impress you", Luffy says, pouting.
"Look, man, do you want me to eat the fruit or not?", Usopp asks, giving in.
"Here, take it. By the way, instead of shrinking your ammo and risking a loss in power, you could create, say, a Buggy Ball the size of a building, then shrink it down to the size you want. You just need to test if it still packs the expected punch when shrunk", Luffy says, offering a suggestion.
"Good idea, Luffy", Usopp says, taking the fruit from Luffy.
"Ughhh, this tastes awful", Usopp says after the first bite. Fearing it wouldn't take effect, he swallows and forces himself to finish the fruit, bite after bite, despite the urge to vomit.
"Shishishi, they say it tastes like crap", Luffy ughs at Usopp's suffering.
"Screw you, Luffy", Usopp says, holding back his nausea.
At that moment, Nami enters the kitchen, hoping to rex and maybe draw a map or read a navigation book now that she has some free time. But as soon as she opens the door, she’s greeted by the sight of Usopp on the verge of throwing up and Luffy ughing at him.
"What are you two up to now?", she asks, walking over to the kitchen counter to sit down.
"Shishishi, I gave him the Devil Fruit I found when we first met, and now he’s almost puking because it tastes like crap. So, basically, he just ate poop", Luffy replies, grinning.
"Cool, I guess... What does the fruit you gave him do again?", Nami asks, curious, as she doesn’t quite remember the details.
After expining to Nami what the fruit allows Usopp to do, Luffy is suddenly grabbed and shaken violently by a furious and indignant Nami.
"Why? Why did you give that fruit to the long-nose and not to me? Uhhhhhh, my infinite money, why? Why?", Nami shakes Luffy while crying rivers of tears.
"Calm down, Nami. I have another Akuma no Mi in mind for you", Luffy says, hugging her and rubbing her back to comfort her.
"Besides, Usopp can increase our gold and other valuables whenever we want", Luffy says, trying to reassure her.
Once she calms down, she turns to Usopp with a smile that, to Usopp, looks like the devil grinning at him. "Usopp, you can do that for me, right?"
‘I'm starting to regret eating this fruit’, Usopp thinks, sweating nervously. With a forced smile, he says, "S-sure, Nami."
=Scene Break=
A week and a half into their journey, they reach the waters near the Conomi Isnds. During this time, everyone continued their training. Sanji, who had joined the group, grew quickly in strength, reaching a level close to Zoro and Chouchou’s, rgely thanks to his constant bickering with Zoro and sparring with Chouchou and Luffy.
Zoro's physical strength increased exponentially, and with Luffy's guidance, he now mastered the use of Conqueror’s Haki at will. His Armament and Observation Haki also grew stronger, nearing their advanced forms. He spent the rest of his time perfecting his Soru, Geppo, and swordsmanship while developing new techniques.
Chouchou also continued growing in physical strength, keeping up with Zoro. His training with Seastone bracelets paid off, and his resistance to seawater weakness now allows him to swim without drowning or sinking. His progress in Armament and Observation Haki reached a level simir to Zoro's. As for his Devil Fruit, he had been training and refining his hybrid Zoan form, since the ship couldn't support his full Zoan form due to his size and weight. He also kept improving his Soru and Geppo, and learned and mastered the basics of Shigan, using his tail, cws, and teeth. Additionally, he mastered the basics of Rankyaku, applying it with his tail and cws.
Nami’s physical strength continued to grow, along with her Armament and Observation Haki. She spent most of her training time perfecting her fighting style with her new retractable bo staff, which she named the "Clima Tact."
Kaya mastered the basics of Armament Haki and Geppo, continuing to improve her Soru and Observation Haki. She spent much of her time studying medicine.
Usopp banced his time between creating and testing new ammunition and weapons, constantly progressing with Rokushiki and Haki techniques, and training with his new fruit powers. Since he couldn't become a giant on the ship without sinking it, he focused on shrinking to the size of an ant and returning to normal during combat, incorporating this strategy simir to that of the MCU's Ant-Man into his fighting style.
And finally, we have Sanji, who mastered and refined Soru and Geppo to a level close to Zoro’s. He learned the basics of Armament and Observation Haki and spent much of his time, when he wasn’t cooking for the crew or training in other areas, he was fighting with Luffy to improve his fighting style.
---
(AN: 1,203 Words)
Chapter - 38
East Blue
A few hours away from the Conomi Isnds
As they were just a few hours from reaching the Conomi Isnds, everyone gathered to have an outdoor meal on the deck of the Merry.
"Sanjii, I'm hungry, hurry up", Luffy yells, banging his fists, holding utensils, on the table they had brought onto the deck.
Sanji then emerges from the kitchen, carrying a tray on each arm with a mountain of ptes stacked on them.
As Sanji pces the ptes on the table, serving the dies first, Luffy drums on the table with his fists, staring at the food with drooling anticipation, shouting, "FOOD, FOOD, FOOD, FOOD, HUNGRY, HUNGRY, HUNGRY, HUNGRY."
"Luffy, shut up, for God's sake, or I won't give you any food", Sanji says, irritated by the noise Luffy was causing.
Luffy immediately goes silent, staring eagerly at the food, then looking at Sanji with tearful eyes.
Seeing Luffy like that, Nami feels sorry for him, so she says, "Sanji, serve Luffy already, or he might burst into tears."
"Your wish is my command, Miss Nami", Sanji replies with a love-struck look.
"Yayyy, I love you, Nami, you're amazing", Luffy says excitedly as a mountain of ptes is pced in front of him.
Hearing Luffy say that he loves her, even though it wasn't in the way she would prefer, makes Nami blush deeply.
As they eat, the sea next to the Merry becomes a little agitated before a Sea King with the appearance of a cow breaks the surface of the water, staring at the Merry, specifically at the food Sanji had made.
"Shit, that's Momoo, the sea cow mascot of Arlong's pirates", Nami shouts in worry as she recognizes the creature.
"It’s looking at our food, seems like it's hungry", Kaya says, noticing that Momoo was staring fixedly at the food.
Luffy then positions himself between the table and Momoo, defending his meal. "Get your eyes off my food, big cow."
"But I'm hungry", Momoo says, eyes watering.
"Then ask Sanji to make some food for you because this is mine", Luffy says, sticking his tongue out at Momoo.
"Did Luffy just have a conversation with a Sea King, or am I imagining things?", Sanji asks, amazed at what he just witnessed.
"Yeah, I’m like Dr. Dolittle", Luffy replies with a grin.
"Not sure who that is, but I take it he can talk to animals, right?", Sanji asks, wanting to confirm his guess.
"That’s right. Also, the big cow here is hungry, so could you make something for it to eat?", Luffy asks Sanji, pointing his thumb at Momoo.
"Sure, just give me a moment", Sanji says, heading back to the kitchen.
"Hey, big cow, Sanji's going to make food for you. In exchange, how about you pull our ship to the Conomi Isnds, sound good?", Luffy asks Momoo, offering a deal.
"Alright, that works for me, that’s where I live anyway", Momoo says, accepting the deal.
After feeding Momoo, they tie the Merry to it with some ropes, and Momoo takes them to the coastal region of one of the isnds in the archipego in just twenty minutes, saving them a few hours of travel.
After untying Momoo and saying their goodbyes, the Straw Hats dock the ship at a port near Gosa Vilge, according to Nami.
After disembarking, Usopp shrinks the Merry to a tiny size and safely stores it inside a small padded metal box, pcing it in his pouch, and then they begin walking through the vilge.
As they walked, silence reigned among the group, all of them boiling with anger as they saw the vilge in ruins, with houses turned upside down.
Suddenly, a boy appears wielding a sword, attacking Usopp while shouting, "I'll kill you Fish-Men for what you did to my father!"
The boy is then stopped by a beautiful young woman with short blue hair, covered in tattoos, who nds a karate chop on his head and says, "Don’t attack the Fish-Men, you brat. Besides, that guy isn’t even a Fish-Man, despite how he looks."
"Hey, I’m human, alright? I just have a slightly prominent nose", Usopp says indignantly, offended that they thought he was a Fish-Man.
"Nojiko? What are you doing here?", Nami asks, realizing it was her sister.
"Nami? It’s been so long since I’ve seen you", Nojiko says, walking over to her younger sister and embracing her tightly.
"I’ve missed you too", Nami whispers, hugging her sister firmly.
While the two shared this moment, Sanji watched the scene, completely melting as he thought, 'Oh my God, Miss Nami’s sister is drop-dead gorgeous.'
"So, what are you doing in this destroyed vilge?", Nami asks her sister after they break from their hug.
"This idiot’s mom was worried he’d end up getting himself killed seeking revenge, so she practically begged me to come to get him", Nojiko says, giving the boy another smack on the head.
"I’ll get my revenge, I’ll kill all the Fish-Men", the boy shouts angrily, rubbing his head from the hit.
"Funny", Luffy says suddenly, catching everyone's attention.
"My revenge is funny to you, huh?", the boy asks angrily, trying to rush at Luffy but being held back by Nojiko, who grabs him by the shirt.
"No, it's funny how things happen. Fishmen suffered at the hands of humans, being ensved and treated horribly for a long time. This caused many of them to develop hatred, contempt, and a desire for revenge against humans, often to an extreme level, like with Arlong. Then, people like him appear and do things like what he did here, creating people like you in the process, full of hatred and seeking revenge, not against the individual, but against the entire species. See what I mean? It's a vicious cycle, like that saying, 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and in the end, the world ends up blind and toothless'", Luffy says, philosophizing.
Everyone who knew Luffy stood there with their mouths open, staring at him in disbelief.
"Why is it that most of the time you act stupid and idiotic, and then suddenly you have these moments where you say something super intelligent?", Nami asks, checking to see if Luffy had a fever or something.
"Hey, I’m not stupid! Quite the opposite, I’m super smart", Luffy says, puffing his cheeks and returning to his usual self.
"Let me get this straight, you want me to give up on my revenge after everything they’ve done?", the boy asks, clenching his fists in anger.
"No, I just want you to understand that one person doesn’t represent an entire people. Besides, your mom is still alive, right?", Luffy asks, turning his gaze to the boy.
"Yes."
"Arlong will be defeated and brought to justice, so instead of living for revenge, live for your mom. Arlong’s not worth wasting your time on", Luffy says, ruffling the boy’s hair as he looks down, lost in thought.
At that moment, they all hear someone shouting at them, "Halt, intruders! We saw you dock at the port nearby. Surrender calmly and come with us."
Looking in the direction of the voice, they see three Fish-Men, armed with swords, approaching them.
---
(AN: 1,201 Words)
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