Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.

Author's Note: The mature subject matter really only counts for the first chapter, but that might change, I'm not sure yet.

Flashback are in italics. Longer note at the bottom.

Thank you for the reads and reviews!


When Sanji came to, he was in his room with a damp cloth on his forehead. The green haired Saul was sitting down on the floor, an almost too familiar position that his father would often be found in, snoring loudly.

Zoro and Robin.

Through the years he had met up with several members of the Straw Hats, even went with them for an odd number of months some seven or eight years ago, but those two were the two he never got a chance to see.

He had heard that Robin was in a small tropical island, and frequently visited Water 7. He had heard from Brook, Chopper and Franky that she was well and happy.

He had heard from Luffy, Nami and Usopp that Zoro was fiercely defending his title, but he was too busy to actually spend time with them, always on the move. He was offered a Shichibukai position, something Sanji found out at the last headline about him, but the decision hasn't been made about it.

Luffy and Nami were the constants on the Thousand Sunny, Usopp and Chopper and Brook were also variants, while he and Franky were sparsely on that ship. Franky loved that ship, but Franky also loved his new life at Water 7, building more and more ships as the co-president of Galley La.

At least they weren't like Robin or Zoro, who, for a little under sixteen long years, has never stepped on that ship again.

When he sailed with them, they wanted to visit Robin, but when they got to the island, the house was empty. They found out from the neighbors that she had long moved. It took them months before they found out that she moved to an island connected via the sea train, but the specific island was still unknown to him.

I never got to see her.

When he sailed with them, they wanted to find Zoro, but he was nowhere to be found.

Finally, he had to return to Baratie because the old man was sick and dying. That was seven years ago.

He cradled his head on his hands, feeling an overwhelming sadness wash over him. He tried keeping in contact with at least Nami-swan. She and Luffy, Kaya and Usopp, Vivi, they would visit his restaurant once in a while. Brook and Chopper once in a while. Franky, with the rest of Galley La, would sometimes come too.

Though their visits were confined to a few hours. He was a businessman after all.

But the marimo and his Robin-chwan never did. All he heard of them were the stories, and the stories never included a son. He knew Zoro wouldn't have known of Saul, but what of Robin?

Six years was the last time he had any news about Robin.


Nami, Usopp and Kaya were seated at the best table, and Sanji was catering to them with all the flourishes. Luffy, on the other hand, was seated with Franky and Chopper, with their table constantly overflowing with food. Brook had been sitting with them, but was now running around the restaurant with his violin, asking a lady once in a while for her panties.

Sanji had Patty follow him around, give him a good whack on that afro skull when he went too far.

"Wow Sanji," Nami said, licking her spoon "Your cooking has only gotten better!"

Sanji smiled, and bowed low. He was still madly in love with woman, although he was a lot tamer. "Anything for my Nami-swan!" He said, twirling. But he was still Sanji.

Kaya smiled approvingly, as did Usopp, while Nami continued to praise the chef.

"I have missed your cooking" she said, smiling at him, "We all have."

"Though that doesn't mean that Merry's not a great cook" Usopp quickly added, looking at his wife. Kaya, the ever gracious lady, just smiled back "Thank you so much for the meal".

Sanji smiled wider "Such honor to be praised from my lovely ladies!" He bowed low "If only my dear Robin-chwan was here!"

Nami stopped eating, her spoon halfway to her mouth. "Robin" she said quietly, but enough for Sanji to hear.

He looked up expectantly, awaiting what news there was for the lovely arecheologist.

"She's doing well." Nami simply said "Buried in her research and all that. We asked her to come sail with us, but apparently she had important matters at hand."

The tone Nami had used to talk about her friend startled Sanji, there was a hint of bitterness in it, so he stopped himself from inquiring further. He figured there would be more time for that later on.

He was wrong.


He looked up to see that Saul was awake already, looking at him with those brown eyes.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I'm fine" Sanji answered, pulling out a cigarette "I didn't know you were awake already."

Saul nodded, standing up from his seat.

He really did move like Zoro.

"Your staff was pretty surprised at your reaction earlier, I didn't know that it would give you a shock. I apologize" Saul said, bowing slightly in gesture.

He sure didn't act like Zoro.

"How's your mother?"

Saul didn't look surprised by the question "She's well. She would sometimes travel to a revolutionary base whenever poneglyphs were involved, but she's happiest when she gets to garden."

Sanji smiled, remembering the small flowerbed she had on the Sunny, how she would tend to it with utmost care, pruning, weeding, fertilizing, cultivating. She had a green thumb, a natural talent for producing beautiful flowers.

"She has most of the true history translated now" Saul continued "There are still some missing pieces, but the world has been quite peaceful for the past years, she has time to work on them."

"Where are your swords?" Sanji asked, realizing that the other thing the boy was missing was a couple of swords at his waist.

"I'm not a swordsman."

Sanji's eyebrow raised in surprise "But your father was. It's in his blood. Your blood."

"I'm an archeologist, a scholar."

Sanji choked on air, trying to stifle his laughter. It amused him to no end that the face of Zoro was actually saying those things.

It really didn't match.

"Zoro would probably die of humiliation if he found out his son isn't even interested in the way of the sword."

"I know." Saul smiled at him "My mother and grandpa tried having me taught by a sensei in town. She thought it was her duty. But I also have her blood in me, and learning things won over brutish force."

Sanji smiled wide at that. He was well versed, he had confidence in his words and action, and he was smart. If he knew his comrades, and he did, he knew that Saul with be strong too. Quite a formidable combination.

"But when you travel, you have to learn how to protect yourself." Sanji said "The times may be peaceful, with the Emperors and the Pirate King working together, but there would still be pirates with bad intentions. Besides, the marines are still a threat."

"I'm not a child, Black Leg-san" Saul said, rubbing the back of his neck likes his father often does "I know about the world. If the world knew what I knew, then I'm pretty sure I'd also have a bounty unrightfully placed upon my head." That mysterious Robin smile "I know how to defend myself."

Sanji knew this quite well.

Robin had always been a strong companion. She can hold her own on a battle. Add to that, the green haired youth was a Logia type, and a powerful one at that.

"How old are you?"

"Fifteen."

Sanji felt another bout of dizziness. Has it really been that long? Why did he only found out about Saul?

"Why did your mother hide you?"

Saul looked at him curiously "Just because you didn't know about me doesn't mean she hid me."

Sanji did not have anything to say to that.

"Uncle Franky, Chopper, Brook and the Pirate King and of course his Queen. And just recently, Usopp-san."

Sanji's jaw dropped "They knew?"

Saul nodded "Uncle Franky knew the longest, he would visit us often. We always enjoyed his company. Others just recently found out."

Furious and aggravated, that was what Sanji was feeling. They knew about Saul. Luffy knew about Saul and never even mentioned him.

They knew about him.

"Don't blame them" Saul said. Sanji was amazed at how much he was like his mother, perceptive and mysterious. "The fact that I can read poneglyphs, and the son of two of the Strawhat's best fighters, my mother decided it best not to announce to the world of my existence."

Sanji remembered the picture of an eight year old in a wanted poster, for 79 million berries. Remembered the fact that the girl in the picture grew up hearing the world government would give such a high price for her head, the world wanted her.

They wanted her dead.

Sanji was still mad at being left in the dark, but somehow, he understood. He was sure if he ended up visiting her, he would have found out about Saul too.

"I better get going Blackleg-san" Saul said, checking his watch. He bowed respectfully "Thank you for the meal." And headed outside.

Sanji followed him, leaning on the wall of the restaurant, watching him check the spokes of his bike.

"Are you looking for your father?"

"No, I don't care about my father."

Sanji looked at him, cocking his eye brow "Are you sure about that?"

Robin's smile graced Zoro's features, it was still unusual to Sanji who knew the swordsman would often smile only in the throes of battle.

"I'm sure" Saul said with a decided tone. "My mother doesn't know that I've found you, I sailed out to find artifacts about ancient civilizations, I figured since I'm already out here, why not seek you out. Why not seek everyone out on the way too."

"Your mother. Is she-"

"Happy, but she's lonely. She misses all of you, even if she refuses to say it. Grandpa knew about it, I know about it. But she thought it was better she stay away."

"Stay away?" Sanji bit his cigarette "She's nakama, she shouldn't want to stay away. We're all nakama. We can protect the two of you."

Saul shrugged "Truth be told I think she's more afraid of meeting my father again. She doesn't know this, but" he looked at Sanji, his clear brown eyes speaking of silent anguish "I heard her talk to my uncle once. She's in love with my father, but he's in love with someone else."

Sanji scoffed "Zoro, in love with someone?"

"Yes. He left before my mother even knew about me."

Sanji placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder, patting it gently, remembering that last night he saw the green haired swordsman.

"Blackleg-san" he said, his head lowered "If you see my father, will you tell him about me?" The last part was said softly, almost daringly.

Sanji smiled and gripped his shoulder "Of course."


It took some convincing, but he was able to coerce Saul into bringing some food with him. Sanji prepared him several pirate lunch boxes, good enough for a couple of days, and he watched as the green haired sword-, archeologist. He watched as the green haired archeologist strap the said bentos on the back of his bike.

After making sure that everything was secure, he got on his bike, and turned to look at Sanji "It was nice meeting you, Blackleg-san." He really did act like Robin "The next time I come here, I'll be sure to bring my mom."

He rode the bicycle down the ramp, and as soon as the wheels hit the water, it froze.

"Oi" Sanji called "Where are you going?"

"Back to Syrup Village" Saul answered, without turning around.

Sanji couldn't help but gain another headache, massaging his temple. He was getting old, but today was particularly hard on his mental state. "It's the other way, Marimo."

The bike stopped, and slowly it turned the other way, and Saul waved back at him "Thank you!"

He really is Zoro's son.


End of Part 3.

To the guest anon, it's okay, there's really nothing to apologize for. I understand where you were coming from, but it was my purpose to show that they had a kind of volatile relationship. It is an angst fic. I was worried I offended you too much. You had your opinion about my story, and even if I wished it was a bit more than cussing, I respect your opinion. So thank you for reading, and for the feedback :) Also, I'm glad you still think my story is nice, regardless of your initial opinion of it.