Sanji Kitetsu Chapter 5

"Zoro, wake up! We're in an emergency!" Usopp panics, but the moss head swordsman only snores softly in response.

"The waves are getting higher!"

"Iceberg spotted at 10 o'clock!"

"And now there's fog!"

"What is WRONG with this ocean?!"

Hey shitty moss, shouldn't you get up and help? Sanji finds himself once again gritting his teeth at his master's lack of contribution to the crew. Sure, he has done bits and pieces to help his crew out of the Calm Belt, up Reverse Mountain, and survive the encounter with the giant whale, but so did everyone else. That's certainly no excuse for his current lack of action during their first Grand-Line-level navigational crisis.

They'll handle it just fine. The swordsman yawns and stretches out his legs. Besides, someone has to be rested and ready to move when they're all tired out.

"We just grazed the iceberg!"

"There's water leaking in the lower deck! Hurry up and seal it!"

"The clouds are moving too fast! Raise the sails! The winds are too strong!"

"Oh no! The sail's tearing!"

Maybe if your lazy ass would get up and help, they wouldn't BE all tired out in the first place! Sanji dutifully tries to correct the moss brain's attitude, knowing full well that it's pointless. Sure enough, the swordsman ignores his rambling and changes the topic.

Did you talk to all your previous masters too?

Huh?... Yeah. Most of them didn't have other swords for me to talk to. It gets boring after a while.

And they could all hear you?

There were two or three who couldn't. They couldn't be called swordsmen by any standards. They had no respect for swords or swordsmanship, so naturally my voice couldn't reach them. Why? Sanji asks when he finds the brute staring into the stormy sky deep in thought. He receives no answer.

Let me guess. You unknowingly offended the lady in white, and she never talked to you since. I can't say I'm surprised. Sanji teases.

I've never heard Wado's voice. The man replies quietly, making it sound much like a shameful confession.

Wado? Sanji prompts, and Zoro reaches over to gently tilt the hilt of the white sword.

Ha! You're probably not good enough to be recognized as her master. Sanji snickers. To his surprise, the swordsman lowers his head in silent agreement. That can't be true though. Even from the few short conversations Sanji had with the white sword, he can tell that the white blade adores the moss head. Besides, they were childhood friends.

Maybe she's just not the talkative type. Sanji offers. It's not quite true since she's been having rather normal conversations with the cursed blade himself. But what the moss head is brewing about is definitely not the real reason.

Her previous master's name was Kuina, a friend and a rival to me at the time. Kuina used to tell me how much of a chatterbox Wado was, and yet she's never said a single word to me. She probably still thinks of Kuina as her master after all these years. Of course I wouldn't be able to hear her. It was my fault... I failed to prevent Kuina's death. The swordsman grips the white sheath.

You know that a sword of her grade can easily kill you in battle if she hates you, right? Sanji never dreamed that he'd want to offer words of comfort to this insensitive brute one day, but the depth of misunderstanding between this man and his beloved white sword is starting to grate his nerves.

The only reason Wado still puts up with me is because I'm keeping my promise to Kuina and becoming the strongest swordsman on her behalf.

Before Sanji can think of what to say to that, his master stands, stretches, and manages to piss off the rest of the exhausted crew with his tactlessness in record time. Sanji turns to the white sword, who has kept her peace throughout their conversation.

Pardon me for prying, but care to explain? This Kuina he was talking about-

Yes, it's me. None of it was his fault though. I was the one who decided to end my own life. There was nothing Zoro could've done to prevent it.

Then why won't you talk to him? Ah, I mean I'm just curious. Of course I'm not trying to accuse you in any way. You probably have your reasons. I mean a lady like yourself wouldn't possibly-

You see how much he obsesses over my death. It's been ten years, and he still thinks about it every waking moment. He deserves to move on. The last thing he needs is a constant reminder of the past.

But he-

"Hmm... There's something sinister about your faces... What did you say your names were again?" the swordsman pulls at Sanji's hilt as he leans in to question the guests on board.

"M... Mr. 9..." the creepy guy stutters.

"Miss Wednesday..." the blue-haired beauty says.

"Right... Something about those names have been bugging me ever since I heard'em. I feel like I've heard it before... or not... Well, in any case-" Zoro's warning to the pair is cut short by a smack to his head by the angry (but still stunning) navigator.

Anyway, when you get the chance, please remind him that those two are part of Baroque Works. He would know what it means if you'd just mention the name to him.

With all due respect, my angel, I still think it'd be a better idea if you tell him that yourself. Sanji's plea falls on deaf ears.