Chapter 5

All Blue

Nami looked at the island which was getting closer and closer. It seemed quite large but far from the gigantic lands they had already crossed like that of Alabasta. Through her binoculars, the navigator could distinguish a long strip of sand and a few trees along the beach. A little further up, large expanses of grass were visible, but the uneven terrain didn't allow her to see whether there were buildings or dwellings. In fact, she hadn't seen humans or animals other than those in the ocean.

The weather was calm and the bright sun warmed the crew members scattered on deck.

"How are you, Sanji?" The little reindeer inquired, leaning overboard to observe him.

"No problem, Chopper!"

The cook hadn't wanted to get out of the water and he had clung to the side of the Sunny as she was speeding on the waves. The exercise was quite dangerous and Franky had tied down a rope to make it easier for him to hold on. However, the doctor's concern was that his friend would wear himself out, struggling against the force of the water to cling to the smooth wood of the hull. Yet the blond hadn't wanted to budge.

He had thrown his jacket and shoes to Usopp, unable to consider leaving the hoped-for ocean he had discovered and he had explored the depths for almost an hour before Nami gave the starting signal. Sanji had wanted to be sure. To be as certain as possible that the multitude of fish he bumped into with each movement wasn't due to geographical chance. Obviously, he couldn't swear of nothing until he had external confirmation, but given his knowledge and that of the navigator, there was practically no possible doubt: he was indeed swimming in the middle of the All Blue. The fish had crossed the mist at the same time as them and they were mixed here together despite their normally very different living environments. Also, the Log Pose still didn't work, so the island's magnetism was bound to be different from that which ruled the Grand Line islands.

In reality, the cook had trouble assimilating the information. The facts were spread before him but the enormity of the result destabilized him deeply. Uncontrollable excitement was pulsing through his whole body since he had jumped into the water and he knew he wouldn't have been able to carry on with his usual activities on the Sunny. For the first time in his life, even the prospect of cooking didn't seem strong enough compared to the feeling of euphoria he was feeling in this ocean.

"We're leaving the open sea, the seabeds are getting closer," Franky's voice said above him.

"Slow down the pace, lower the sails!" Nami's ordered.

The blond shifted from the hull of the ship thanks to the rope attached to the rail, feverish. He had always looked for the All Blue as an ocean, he had never wondered if there could be one or more islands. Yet now that he was thinking about it, it made sense for a sea to hold land, especially since he had no idea how big it was.

The Sunny veered slightly and the island suddenly stood out against the horizon. Sanji felt his breathing quicken. The waves were shimmering in the sun and they were crashing slowly on the golden sand of the beach. In the distance, he could make out a row of umbrella pines. The island seemed intact, as if placed in a green calm setting.

Sanji let go of the rope and started swimming. The Sunny had slowed considerably now and he would arrive before his friends on the island. He couldn't wait.

The feeling of the sand sinking under his feet was unreal and Sanji staggered as he took his first steps on the beach, his soaked clothes sticking to his skin. He had to fight against the natural ebb of the sea which had pushed him out before reaching the coast and his exhausted muscles were shaking. However, he didn't take the time to stop before covering the last few meters until the water was only up to his ankles. He then glanced behind him. On his left, the Sunny had come to rest in a small sandbar and he could hear the excited voices of his friends on the deck.

The cook finally looked back in front of him and the reality of the island hit him hard. There he was. He had swum in the All Blue and now he was treading its land.

Suddenly filled with emotion, Sanji dropped to his knees and felt the hot water slowly rise around him. He closed his eyes to force himself to catch his breath and his hands closed on wet grains of sand that escaped him. The sea then came to surround him again and the water dug small circles around his body. Tears welled up in his eyes.

"Hey, Sanji, this place is great!"

The blond turned his head towards Luffy who was rushing to him in beach clothes, two armbands threaded around his arms. He quickly wiped his eyes and stood up, unable to prevent a huge smile from lighting up his face. The joy of seeing his captain by his side at this moment was incomparable. It was thanks to Luffy that he had been able to go to sea and he would always be grateful to him for that.

Behind the straw hat boy, he saw Chopper and Usopp running towards him as well. Even further, he could make out Franky who was finishing docking the Sunny and Brook was following the girls along the beach. At last, Zoro was quietly walking, the brightness of his swords dancing in the sun.

"Is that All Blue, Sanji?"

The blond looked back at his captain's beaming face. "Yes. Yes, I think this is it," He replied, pretty choked up.

"It's great, there are plenty of fish! Say, can we have a barbecue?!"

Without waiting for his answer, Luffy rushed laughing towards the ocean as Usopp and Chopper came up to him.

"Sanji!" The little reindeer burst into tears as he jumped into his friend's arms. "I-I'm so happy for-for you!" He sobbed against his already soaked shirt.

"Ch-Chopper, it's alright," The blond stammered as he was feeling his own eyes fill with tears again.

At his side, Usopp gazed at the blue waters, a smile on his lips. "I always thought you didn't choose the easiest goal when you wanted to find a legendary ocean, so I'm really glad you're the first of us to make your dream come true."

"Thanks, guys…"

The cook rubbed the reindeer's back in his arms as the emotion was ebbing and Chopper finally slid to the ground. "Can we go for a swim, Sanji?" He then asked him, his big innocent eyes staring at him. "We'll be very careful with the All Blue, I promise!"

"O-Of course," The cook answered, moved by the attitude of the little doctor.

"The Great Captain Usopp will finally be introduced to someone as legendary as him!" The sniper boasted, brandishing his landing net. "All Blue, here we come!"

Sanji looked at his two friends dashing towards the sea to join their captain, a smile on his lips. He was still staring at them when Brook stopped beside him. "This place is magnificent," The musician noted with admiration.

"The beauty of legends sometimes comes from the wildest imaginations but other times, reality even surpasses it," Robin added at his side.

"In any case, no wonder it's a true paradise for cooks," Nami approved, putting her beach bag at her feet.

The blond didn't know what to answer, overwhelmed and confused at the same time. To evoke their presence on the All Blue in such a natural way was so amazing that his brain had a hard time making sense of even the slightest sentence. His gaze then fell on the figure of Luffy who was already showing off his first spoils, his eyes shining.

"Oh, you're gonna be delicious! I'm hungry!" He heard him say to the fish.

At these words, reality caught up with the cook. "I-I haven't finished making lunch!"

"Forget it, bro, we'll do with what you've already prepared," The cyborg interrupted him.

"But…"

"He's right, Sanji-kun, don't worry about that," The redhead approved, "We're going to be fine for lunch. Robin and I will take care of it."

"N-Nami-san, I can't…"

"Enjoy, my dear Sanji-san, it is your dream after all!" The skeleton insisted.

"I brought your bathing suit!" Franky showed, throwing it to him with a delighted smile.

"Are you sure…"

"Absolutely," The archaeologist quietly cut him short, using two of her arms to turn him towards the ocean, "This is non-negotiable."

"You'll have plenty of time to whip up something great for us tonight!" The cyborg added excitedly.

"O-Okay…"

As his friends congratulated him again before walking away to spread out their towels, the blond met the gaze of the swordsman who had arrived shortly before. His silence and calm attitude relaxed his companion, whose fingers gradually relaxed around the fabric of his bathing suit. "I-I'll join Luffy and the others then…"

Zoro didn't answer and just smiled when he saw the cook get rid of his shirt before rushing once again towards the sea, leaving it with his bathing suit on the sand.

The swordsman got out of the water and adjusted his huge bag of shells on his back to head towards the Sunny. The temperature had risen by the hour and everyone had put on their beach clothes for a while. Even the cook had finally taken the time to change. Sanji had indeed swum a good part of the afternoon and he had only taken a break to nibble at the dishes the girls had brought back from the galley. At that moment, he was still clearly in shock and only answering his friends in fits and starts, totally distracted. No one had made the slightest remark, tender smiles lighting up the girls' faces and Luffy's laughter bursting out at every opportunity.

It wasn't until the late afternoon that the blond was more himself again. At that moment, when Zoro had seen him come out of the water while he was dozing on the beach, Sanji's gaze was clear and determined. The fencer had then understood that the cook within him was back.

Sanji had picked up the All Blue cookbook he had read when he was little and that Zeff also had a copy of. Zoro knew the cook knew this book by heart for having seen him leaf through it dozens of times. But today, turning the pages of the object that had crystallized his childhood dream obviously had a special flavor. It had increased Sanji's excitement and resolution tenfold.

Sanji wanted his first meal on the All Blue to be memorable. The blond had already told the swordsman about what he intended to prepare the day he would find his ocean but, in the end, he hadn't followed his plan. He had shown his book to his friends who had crowded around him with curiosity. The cook had then settled on simple dishes which would highlight the variety of products available: lobster terrine, poached oysters, fish waterzoï and a sumptuous seafood platter.

The whole crew had offered to find the necessary ingredients and the fencer had searched for clams and other shells. Franky and Chopper had promised to build a beautiful campfire to host dinner, the girls had gone to get oysters and Usopp, Luffy and Brook had a list of specific fish to catch.

Arriving at his destination, Zoro quickly climbed onto the deck of the Sunny before pushing open the galley door. He then saw that Usopp was receiving his last instructions. "I still need a sole and a nice turbot," The cook was informing him while taking out some parsley and basil from his reserve.

"Turbot and sole, let's go!" The sniper got enthused as he was rushing towards the door.

The swordsman let him pass before entering the room. He was about to put his shells down on the table when his companion's deep voice stopped him. "Put them directly in the sink, they need to be washed."

Zoro couldn't suppress an annoyed growl but nevertheless grabbed his bag without flinching. Scraping rocks half underwater for hours had tired him.

"I know, I'll take care of it. Have a drink, your bottle is in the cupboard."

The fencer raised an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised, before grabbing his bottle. He then took a seat in silence and observed the blond who was now fidgeting above his preparations.

Sanji was completely immersed in his art. He had his back to him but his mastery was such that he was giving the impression of being aware of every detail and possible parameter in his galley. His hands were flowing from ingredient to ingredient without him even looking at them. He was cutting, chopping, chiseling in a few precise gestures. He was opening a cupboard, grabbing an object and closing it while watching the cooking of his terrine. He was using each of his utensils on his food with measured power, his expertise ensuring precise and efficient gestures.

Zoro's eyes followed his focused figure. After the burst of energy that had kept the cook on pins and needles since he had dived into the water, it was pleasant and almost hypnotic to see him move gracefully in his lair. He was definitely back in his element.

The swordsman raised his glass to his lips and downed its contents in a single gulp. The gleam he had seen in the blond's eyes when he arrived on the beach this morning still troubled him. It was a piece of raw happiness, a burst of original fire that he had seen at that moment. A spark of life which was now driving Sanji's whole being with a little extra soul.

Sanji had found the All Blue and the ocean was now shining within him like the sun was reflecting on its clear waters. He was radiant.

"Aren't you going to sit down for a minute?" Nami asked him, amused.

"No way, Nami-san, I want your evening to be absolutely perfect!"

The blond whirled around to bring her a glass of white wine at the perfect temperature and the young woman took it with a smile. She then dipped her lips in it before sighing with relief. "It's simply divine…"

"Your person deserves nothing but excellence!"

The crew had taken their places not far from a large fire which crackled happily on the beach for dinner. Franky had built a table and small chairs out of fallen pine wood and Chopper had decorated them with cushions found on the Sunny. Despite the nightfall, the air was still pleasant and the sound of the ocean a few meters away made the atmosphere both cheerful and cozy. Discussions were therefore flowing while plates were filled and emptied by the minute and laughter regularly punctuated the conversations when Usopp and Luffy were imitating one or the other.

For his part, Sanji was still making preparations and serving his friends without stopping. After the stupor that had left him speechless for a moment, it seemed that his brain didn't have enough room to contain the bubbling he was feeling now.

"I've never eaten such good prawns!" Usopp enjoyed, helping himself a third time.

"The oysters are incredibly fine!" Franky exclaimed in turn.

"The clams melt in your mouth," Robin appreciated.

"All Blue has unparalleled sea resources!" The cook nodded, clearing away the empty dishes. "All species can cross paths here."

"Do you think they all come through this kind of haze?" Chopper asked him.

"Maybe but there must be several of them. At least one for each ocean."

"Sanji, more!" The captain brutally begged.

The cook grabbed his empty plate and served terrine and waterzoï up again to him. Given the event, the blond hadn't planned to restrict him and the straw hat boy had received the message loud and clear. With his tongue hanging out, Luffy greedily retrieved his plate and devoured his food in a flash.

"Anyway, we're not on the Grand Line anymore," Nami continued.

"How come?" The swordsman wondered, biting into a piece of bread.

"The Log-Pose doesn't work, but ordinary compasses do," The navigator replied.

"How mysterious!" Brook got enthused.

"We gotta visit the island tomorrow!" Luffy spluttered excitedly.

"I'll go get the dessert!" Sanji twirled away towards the Sunny.

"There's more?!" Usopp was amazed.

"He made desserts on the theme of the sea," Zoro answered as the cook had already left.

"Really?!" Chopper was delighted.

"Salted butter caramel tartlets, floating islands and a cake in the shape of a ship with a blue cream, I think," The swordsman recalled, thinking back to what he had observed a little earlier.

"Wow!" The straw hat boy's cry of pure joy suddenly filled the beach and his crew burst out laughing.

Brook's violin was setting the pace and light notes were wrapping around the guests who had followed the beat of the dance.

Franky, Luffy and Usopp were the wildest and their increasingly disorderly movements showed their growing fatigue. Nevertheless, laughter still echoed from the girls' side who had sat down a few steps away to better observe the dancers. Still sitting at the table, Chopper was gorging himself on the last crumbs of cake and Zoro was resolutely starting his fourth bottle on his own. Everyone benefited from the generosity of the cook who was now bringing after-dinner drinks.

Everyone then rushed to him again and the sighs of delight once again accompanied their tasting.

It wasn't until two hours later that Brook chimed out the last notes of his song and the crew warmly applauded him before stretching. The dishes that had been more delicious than each other, the heat of the fire, the alcohol, the music and the emotions of the day were now starting to be felt and everyone prepared to go to bed. Only Sanji seemed to still have vigor and he bustled about gathering the last dishes while putting aside the many empty bottles.

"You still have energy?" Franky wondered as the cook quickly piled up his plates.

The blond nodded while dragging on his cigarette, a smile on his face. "I feel like I'll never be able to sleep again…"

"He's gonna get tired eventually," Usopp grumbled, yawning.

"If I were him, I wouldn't want to rest anytime soon," Brook agreed.

His friends slowly walked away and Sanji followed them with his gaze before finishing clearing away, his cigarette hanging out the corner of his mouth. Arriving in his galley, he washed the huge pile of dishes enthusiastically, then returned to the beach to make sure that the fire had been extinguished. In the end, he could only see that he had nothing more to do and because he still wasn't tired, he sat down once again to face the ocean and light a new cigarette.

His mind was still racing and he stared at the night-obscured waters for several minutes. The starry sky was reflecting on the ocean and only the sound of the waves was filling the serene air. The feeling of absolute fullness that resulted was grandiose and the blond couldn't help but smile a little more before feeling his breathing suddenly racing.

"Fuck…"

The cook forced himself to avert his eyes and turn away, suddenly dazed. He stood up, tossed away his barely-burnt cigarette butt and took deep breaths before looking down at his sweaty palms.

"You're shaking."

Sanji looked up at the figure of the fencer and his swords advancing towards him. He hadn't even heard him approach. "Yeah, I… I feel weird all of a sudden…"

He staggered and the swordsman's hands settled firmly on his arms to hold him back. Sanji didn't try to struggle and let himself be guided by the powerful grip, leaning heavily against his companion's muscles. He closed his eyes and tried to catch his breath. His legs were barely carrying him but his smile never left him. He felt drunk despite having barely had anything to drink. Besides, he hadn't eaten much either.

Seeing his condition, Zoro frowned. "You should sit down."

"It's okay, mosshead, just the emotion. I think the adrenaline is finally coming down…"

The fencer sighed softly and sat down on the sand, dragging the cook with him as he laid his swords at his side. The man immediately settled between his legs to face the sea and behind his back, his companion leaned on his hands to support their two weights.

"I thought you left with the others," The blond pointed out in a slow voice after a moment.

"Chopper told me to keep an eye on you. He knew you'd collapse as soon as you stopped moving."

"He's quite the doctor…"

The cook looked again at the calm waves. The uproar in his brain was finally fading, leaving him exhausted both physically and mentally. However, he didn't want to close his eyes. "Have you ever seen such an amazing sight, Zoro?" He whispered.

The fencer shrugged limply.

"I still can't believe this ocean is the All Blue," Sanji whispered again, "I mean, I knew I'd find it one day but I never imagined I'd stumble upon it, let alone so quickly… I… I'm afraid to fall asleep and wake up to find that all of this is just a dream…"

"I can see it too."

"I know…"

The blond's eyes fluttered and Zoro wrapped a hand around Sanji's belly to pull him a little closer. "Get some sleep, cook. I'm staying here. I'm watching over your ocean…"

The swordsman didn't see his partner's smile when Sanji placed his hand over Zoro's own around his waist. He relaxed to enjoy the warmth of the fencer's body and finally closed his eyes.

I hope you felt and shared Sanji's happiness. I wanted the crew to accompany him thanks to the fraternal bonds they all have for each other. I also wanted Zoro to have a special place, his presence allowing Sanji to have an anchor among all these emotions.