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The tension at Marineford HQ was palpable. With Kozuki Oden's resurrection and the Red-Haired Pirates rumored to be nearby, the balance of power had shifted dramatically in favor of the Whitebeard Pirates. The Marines were already on edge, but now they faced an even greater challenge—how to handle the chaos that would inevitably erupt during the war.
Meanwhile, in another timeline, aboard the Baratie floating restaurant, a different kind of drama unfolded...
---
*Gol D. Roger:* "Hahaha! Poor old man Zeff. I feel so bad for him."
*Trafalgar Law:* "Look at Luffy's innocent expression. It's hilarious..."
*Eustass Kid:* "Are those hundreds of bowls stacked up beside him real? Is he serious?"
*Capone Bege:* "Honestly, I've never seen anyone eat like this before."
*Jewelry Bonney:* "I thought my appetite was unbeatable, but there's someone who eats more than me!!"
*Chopper:* "Knowing myself, it only took seven days to drive me into a frenzy. How much food does this guy need??"
*Sanji:* "You poor old man... You have no idea what it's like to be terrorized by Luffy's appetite."
*Zeff:* "You could say that. But after dealing with it long enough, you get used to being dominated by hunger."
When Sanji responded, the scene cut back to the Baratie's deck.
---
*Luffy:* "Hey... Didn't you promise that we'd work here as apprentices and get free meals? Why are you going back on your word?"
On the Baratie's rear deck, Luffy looked utterly pitiful.
*Zeff:* "Do you still think you're wronged?"
*Zeff's eyes blazed with fury!!*
He roared, "Damn it, kid! Who told you that feeding you for a month was a joke?!"
Seeing Chef Zeff's murderous expression, even Luffy felt slightly guilty. He laughed awkwardly and suggested, "What if... I pay you an extra 1,000 Beri per meal?"
Chef Zeff's face crinkled like the bark of a hundred-year-old tree...
"1,000 Beri? Are you trying to bribe beggars here??"
First showing disgust, then pulling Luffy aside, Zeff whispered, "Kid, let me ask you something. You're their captain, right? Let's make a deal. If you agree, I'll let you keep eating here for free."
*Luffy:* "Sure, I agree!"
Without hesitation, Luffy nodded immediately.
Being able to eat for free for three months? What deal wouldn't he accept?
*Zeff:* "Aren't you going to ask what the deal is first?"
*Luffy:* "Oh, right. Ask away! Tell me what it is."
Zeff rolled his eyes and said seriously, "Do you know Sanji?"
*Luffy:* "Yeah, the guy who doesn't wear a uniform."
*Zeff:* "That's him. When you leave, take him with you."
*Luffy:* "Huh?"
With a puzzled expression, Luffy scratched his head and asked, "Isn't he your chef? Why do you want to kick him out?"
*Zeff:* "Well... deep down, he's always wanted to set sail and find All Blue—the paradise all chefs dream of. But because he's too sentimental, he won't leave me..."
Zeff pointed to his prosthetic leg and smiled bitterly. "I can't go to sea anymore. But... I don't want that brat to waste his life stuck here because of loyalty."
*Zeff:* "I want him to chase his dreams and carry my dreams with him—to find the legendary Blue Sea!!!"
As Zeff gazed at the distant horizon, he seemed to see the image of his younger self—full of ambition and determination.
*Zeff:* "Sailing forth with sails high, riding the waves and breaking through storms!!"
After pondering for a moment, Luffy replied earnestly, "Old man, your bond with Sanji moves me. I'm willing to help. But... this is something Sanji should decide for himself. I can't just..."
*Zeff interrupted:* "I'll add eighteen chicken legs to each meal!!"
*Luffy:* "Deal!!"
The two exchanged knowing smiles.
Watching this exchange, the audience collectively burst into laughter.
---
*Sanji:* "Aaargh! That bastard Luffy!!! Eighteen chicken legs and you sell me out?! Damn you!!!"
*Killer:* "Hahaha! This is so like Luffy."
*Trafalgar Law:* "Straw Hat Captain... I thought you respected Sanji's choices..."
*Roronoa Zoro:* "That old man is too generous. One chicken leg per meal would've been enough to convince Luffy."
*Usopp:* "Agreed. Two chicken legs max, and he'd cave instantly!"
---
Three months passed quickly.
*Zeff approached Luffy and reminded him,* "Luffy, the three months are up!"
Reluctantly chewing on a chicken bone, Luffy whined, "Why not... wait another three months? Can we stay a little longer?"
At these words, Zeff's eyes darkened. "No way! Not a single day more!"
"What's the big deal?"
"Just three months, and you've already drained a third of my savings! If you stay another three months, forget about whether my bank account can handle it—my heart definitely can't take it anymore!!"
"You damn bottomless pit!"
"Fine..."
Luffy looked outside pitifully and asked, "So... will you pack food for me?"
*Zeff sneered:* "Don't worry, you greedy brat! Five thousand chicken legs, a thousand fish, and various meats—I'm spending everything I've got. Just take Sanji with you, alright?!"
*Luffy:* "Got it. See you later!"
When Luffy arrived at the Baratie's front hall, Zoro, Usopp, and Buggy were already waiting.
Of the four apprentices, Sanji had shown the most culinary talent and managed to earn a basic chef's certificate from Zeff. As for the other three...
Let's not talk about them.
*Sanji bid farewell to the group:* "Though it's hard to part ways, I wish you all the best on your journey!"
During these three months, Sanji had grown close to Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp due to their similar ages. After closing time, he'd often join them on the Merry Go for training sessions.
Even his Armament Haki had started to show some progress.
Now, saying goodbye to these newfound friends left Sanji feeling deeply sorrowful...
---
*Zeff appeared, holding a thick rope.*
*Sanji frowned:* "Old man, today's supposed to be their send-off. What's with the rope???"
*Zeff chuckled:* "It's useful, trust me."
He handed the rope to Luffy.
*Luffy grinned widely*, revealing his signature toothy smile.
Suddenly, *Conqueror's Haki surged outward*!
Sanji collapsed, unconscious.
*Luffy called out:* "Zoro, Usopp!"
He tossed the rope over.
*Zoro caught it smoothly:* "Got it!"
With practiced ease, Zoro tied up Sanji.
*Usopp hesitated for a moment*: "Hmm... This feels oddly familiar..."
But as he and Zoro worked together to bind Sanji, Usopp realized something surprising...
...This was actually kind of fun!!
Soon, Sanji was trussed up like a log.
---
*Luffy waved:* "Goodbye, old man!"
*Zeff replied:* "Take care of Sanji, alright?!"
---
As the red-framed screen dimmed, the chatroom exploded.
*Sanji:* "Damn green-haired bastard! Are you turning into a kidnapper now? Binding people like this!!"
*Zoro:* "These are skills I honed as a bounty hunter... Practice makes perfect."
*Usopp:* "Looks like I've gone from being tied up to tying others up..."
*Shiki:* "Gradually becoming what you hate, huh? Jajajaja!"
---
Meanwhile, the white-framed screen lit up again.
---
*The Straw Hat crew arrived in Cocoyasi Village.*
By coincidence, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp finally reunited, along with Johnny and Yosaku.
They waited for Nami on her usual path home.
When Nami saw them, she stopped in her tracks, crossing her arms and glaring coldly. "What do you want?"
*Luffy stood up, adjusting his straw hat:* "What do you mean? You're our nakama. We're here to bring you back."
*Nami scoffed:* "Nakama? Don't make me laugh. What alliance are you talking about?"
At this, Luffy's expression froze.
*Sanji waved enthusiastically:* "Hi, Miss Nami! It's me! Remember me? Let's go sailing together!"
*Johnny warned frantically:* "Hey! Didn't I tell you? She's a witch! Part of Arlong's crew!"
*Zoro shushed Sanji, leading to another argument between them.*
*Nami spat coldly:* "You idiots, stop acting like you know anything! The only thing I care about is money. Now, leave this island, find yourselves a navigator, and go chase your One Piece or whatever!"
Her tone dripped with disdain.
But Luffy simply lay down on the ground...
And fell asleep.
---
Later, Nojiko appeared and recounted Nami's tragic past to the Straw Hats—how she had endured eight years of suffering under Arlong to save her village.
While Luffy ignored the story and left, Zoro fell asleep halfway through. Only Sanji and Usopp listened intently.
*Nojiko concluded:* "...So, for eight years, she hasn't shed a single tear or sought help from anyone. She doesn't want to see any more innocent victims like our mother, killed by Arlong..."
"For the sake of this one transaction that could save the village... she joined the very pirates who murdered her own family..."
"Now, she's almost saved enough—100 million Beri—to buy back the village. If Arlong suspects anything because of you, all her efforts over these eight years will be wasted!"
"For her, bearing everything alone has been incredibly painful... But having people like you call her 'nakama' is even more painful for her."
"So please... don't interfere. Don't make her suffer anymore."
---
*Trafalgar Law:* "To think Navigator-san endured such tragedy as a child..."
*Chopper:* "Poor Nami... My heart aches for her..."
*Franky:* "Damn it! Those fishmen bastards!!!"
*Jinbe:* "Arlong... That scoundrel! To think he committed such atrocities... This monster!!!"
When Jinbe joined the Seven Warlords, he negotiated conditions with the Marines, including the release of imprisoned fishmen like Arlong. At the time, he acted out of camaraderie, unaware of the devastation Arlong would cause.
*Jewelry Bonney:* "This is infuriating! Where were the Marines when this happened??"
*Sakazuki:* "Damn it! The Marines aren't omniscient! How could they know about events in such remote places, especially when those fishmen kept everything hidden?!"
*Sengoku:* "If the Marines had known, they wouldn't have stood idly by!"
*Crane:* "The Marines represent justice, and pirates represent evil. Isn't that obvious enough?"
*Rocks D. Gibeck:* "Hahaha! You old fools really don't lack shame, do you?"
*Shiki:* "Jajajaja! So true!"
*Sengoku:* "Hmph! Spreading lies isn't skillful! If you have evidence, bring it forward! Otherwise, shut your mouths!"
---
Just as Nojiko finished telling Sanji and Usopp about Nami, Luffy wandered off into the village.
At that moment, a group of Marines led by Colonel Nezumi appeared.
The sight of Marines sent the chatroom into chaos.
*Smoker:* "What's going on? Why are there Marines here??"
According to Nojiko's story, the surrounding villages had been under Arlong's control for eight years. Logically, the Marines shouldn't have known about this situation—if they did, they wouldn't have allowed Arlong's reign of terror to continue.
Yet here were Marines, led by a colonel, patrolling Cocoyasi Village...
*Smoker's breath quickened.* Could it be...?
The possibility made his blood boil.
*Tashigi:* "Something's not right... This doesn't add up!"
*Gion:* "What's really going on here?"
*Gol D. Roger:* "Hahaha! Sengoku, didn't you demand evidence? Well, here it is..."
*Shiki:* "Jajajaja! Perfect timing!"