Chapter 2

Bonds of friendship

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow…" Usopp gritted his teeth as Chopper gently removed the bandage wrapped around his chest and part of his stomach. When he finally got rid of it, the little reindeer threw away the soiled bandage and carefully examined his friend's wound.

"So?" The sniper finally asked, nervous.

"You're healing well, there's no problem," The doctor reassured him, testing the elasticity of his skin, "A few more days and you won't need to keep a compress at all times anymore. On the other hand, the hematomas won't disappear for several weeks…"

"There's that, at least."

Chopper brushed the wound with cream after cleaning it again then grabbed a clean bandage to fasten it carefully. The sniper had been covered in bruises because of his fights, but what had worried the doctor the most was a nasty cut near his intestine. Fortunately, Usopp took his health to heart and never failed to disinfect it or follow the recommendations of the little reindeer.

Finally, his patient put on his t-shirt again and Chopper headed to his sink to wash his hooves. "Can you tell Franky I'm expecting him?" He asked his friend. "I'd like to see him now because I need to see Sanji before lunch."

"No problem." Usopp stood up and shifted slightly to get used to his new bandage. As he did, he noticed that the little reindeer was already looking into his notes about the cyborg. "Chopper, how are you feeling?"

The doctor raised his head in surprise. "I'm fine, my wounds were only superficial compared to those of most of you," He reminded him.

"You look exhausted," The sniper insisted, "You haven't stopped since the end of the fights and even before because of this virus. Shouldn't you rest?"

"It's my role as a doctor to treat you," His friend protested while preparing a new potion. "The crew has to be at its best because we won't be allowed any mistakes in view of the enemies we have made."

Usopp added nothing, aware of the accuracy of his words. The Straw Hat pirates had become more than ever a target for the whole world and this obvious fact was felt in the atmosphere that surrounded them since their departure from Wano a few days earlier. Indeed, even if the atmosphere was relaxed, their crossing wasn't so carefree anymore, as if everyone was aware of the speed of events which were now propelling them at full speed towards their captain's ultimate quest.

At this point, even if they had wanted to turn away from this objective, it would have been impossible. This reality plunged them into a state of excitement as much as feverishness and the palpable tension which resulted was a new element to apprehend between them.

Their cause was now tied to so many parameters and other people that their failure wouldn't only mean their own defeat but also that of an entire era that they had begun to inspire around the world. Indeed, the One Piece wasn't so far anymore and with it, the bubbling of all those who also wanted to find it as well as those who tried to prevent them from reaching it. In front of the obstacles that still awaited them, the crew knew that alliances and betrayals would be unpredictable and apart from themselves, they couldn't count on anyone.

Usopp quickly headed for the door in search of the shipwright. Chopper was right. Despite the fatigue and stress, everyone had a role to play and there was no time to worry about the power of the enemies they would face. Indeed, they were already here.

Sanji wrinkled his nose as he set about putting another layer of cream on his layer cake. He was on the tenth because he had wanted to alternate all of Chopper's favorite flavors but in doing so, his work became extremely difficult to handle since no icing solidified the different layers of sweets between them yet. As he put down the raspberry filling, he sighed in relief. He was so focused his hands were almost shaking. The blond knew this was a critical part: he needed to add a proper ganache to the cake but in order to be ready for his other preparations, even slowing down wasn't possible.

Satisfied with his final filling, the cook grabbed his spoon and skillfully spread the white chocolate icing he had let melt while he was building the layers of the dessert. He then put down his utensils to check the consistency of his ganache with his whisk.

Chopper deserved special attention since these last three days when they had gone back to sea. Indeed, the little reindeer didn't take a minute of rest between the consultations of all the crew members to ensure the recovery of his friends. Some of them even required that their wounds be inspected several times a day and for others, their particular constitution required Chopper to check and study precisely their specificity. Sanji had then understood that their doctor was spending his nights reading about fish-men to treat Jinbei and that he also tried to treat the still human skin of Franky while taking into account the mechanical circuits he was half made.

Dark circles were now eating up his adorable face and everyone had noticed, prompting his crewmates to try to make his life easier each in their own way. For example, they all complied without difficulty to their daily visit and thanked him profusely while singing his praises. It made the little reindeer waddle and gave him back a little of his cheerfulness on this occasion.

For his part, Sanji had from the start tried to cheer him up by regularly giving him lollipops but his stock was reaching its limits since he had happily distributed them to the children of Wano. A magnificent layer cake topped with a huge chocolate ganache was therefore on the agenda and never mind if the amount of work was such that the blond had gotten up before dawn today. For once, he could make an exception.

The cook took out the rest of the ganache which was resting in the fridge in a fluted tip in order to move on to the final stage: the presentation. He had planned to alternate flowers in white, milk and dark chocolate after placing a selection of small animals made of sugar frolicking in a meadow.

Sanji exhaled slowly as he placed his characters on top of his cake. The objective was to not unbalance it because he couldn't save the decoration if its base slipped under its weight…

"You are shaking."

Sanji jumped violently and nearly damaged the flower he had just formed in the middle of his bucolic chocolate scene. Hands actually shaking in shock, he turned to glare at his interlocutor.

"Fucking hell, mosshead, you can't come in like that while I'm focused on something like this! I almost ruined Chopper's cake, dammit!"

Zoro raised a surprised eyebrow. "I thought you heard me."

"You can see that I didn't." The blond was annoyed, checking the perfection of his creation. "For fuck's sake, that was a close one…"

"I'm hungry."

"I kept your share on the table, you were busy when I came by."

Zoro glanced at a plate protected by a cover and he approached while the cook slightly moved a meringue in the shape of a mushroom before setting his fluted tip down with a relieved sigh. The swordsman had indeed spent a good part of his morning locked in the crow's nest, careful to strengthen his bonds with his new sword, and he hadn't wanted to take a break when Sanji had brought his snacks. He then lifted the cover to discover the light meal he hadn't had and an appetizing vision greeted him.

"Oh. Wait."

The swordsman raised his head, ready to devour the carefully prepared bowl of rice and raw fish. The blond headed for the fridge where he took out a small airtight box and when he came back, he had opened it to place nice slices of ginger on his fish.

"The sake isn't fresh enough, better wait until lunchtime. I have lemon water if you want."

Zoro shrugged and Sanji handed him a glass along with the jug before turning away to continue his dessert. All the blond had to do was decorate the sides of the cake with tiny sticks covered in cotton candy and his work would be complete.

As he was selecting small parasols for his friends' aperitif cocktails, he didn't hear the swordsman come out of the galley after leaving his empty plate and glass on the table.

"I got a little surprise for you, Chopper. Close your eyes."

"A surprise?!"

The little reindeer's face lit up and the rest of the crew also turned to their cook with curiosity. Chopper then complied, biting his lip in excitement, and Sanji hurried to his storeroom to return with his majestic cake.

At its sight, Luffy's eyes popped out of their sockets. "Sanji! I wanna e-"

"Shut your mouth, it's a surprise!" Nami snapped, barely silencing him.

"What is it? What is it?!"

The ship's doctor couldn't sit still in his chair, caught by his captain's enthusiasm, and the blond put the gigantic dessert on the table just in front of him.

"Careful… It's okay, you can open your eyes. Surprise!"

The little reindeer's jaw literally dropped when noticing the sumptuousness of the cake and stars shone in his eyes. "This-This is for me?!"

"To thank our excellent doctor who takes such good care of us," The cook explained.

"You deserve it, you haven't stopped even since our victory," Usopp approved proudly.

"Your knowledge has saved many lives," Robin added, an affectionate smile in her voice.

"Oh, it's… You didn't have to!"

"Sanji-kun had an excellent idea," Nami corrected him, "The last weeks have been difficult and we shouldn't miss any opportunity to enjoy our moments of respite together."

"This cake looks absolutely fabulous!" Brook marveled.

"I count no less than ten layers," Jinbei noted, impressed.

"There are even small animals at the top, that's super sweet!" Franky, who had risen to examine it, got enthused.

"The cook was so into it he almost had a heart attack when he put them on it," Zoro remembered.

"Chopper, I wanna taste your cake! It looks so good!" Luffy begged, his eyes wild.

"I made a different filling for each layer," Sanji showed him. "Chestnut cream, chocolate, speculoos, honey, pistachio, hazelnut, caramel, coconut, cinnamon and raspberry!"

"Guys…"

The eyes of the little reindeer filled with tears and the crewmembers smiled tenderly at his emotion. It had been too long since they had shared such simple moments but which had helped them forge their friendship since the beginning of their adventures.

"Hey, don't cry and tell me what you think before Luffy devours it all," The cook comforted him gently. He then served him a slice and Chopper thanked him, all choked up as he took his first bite. In front of his blissful look, Sanji then filled the plate of the straw hat boy who was champing at the bit at his side and quickly, everyone savored his dessert with gratitude.

For his part, however, the swordsman just looked at his portion gloomily. He was glad that Chopper was getting some special attention, but the little reindeer's taste in food was the opposite of his own and he knew what he was looking at was dripping with sugar. So he prepared to be satisfied with his sake when the blond silently gave him a piece of lemon pie while offering tea and coffee to the rest of their crewmates. Pleasantly surprised that the cook didn't take the opportunity to put him aside, the fencer let his captain steal his piece of cake and ate his own dessert with appetite among the joyful tumult of his friends.

A few minutes later, the now empty plates clinked when everyone put down their spoon and Nami sighed in satisfaction. "This cake was divine; I wish I could eat it every day…"

"It was really delicious! Thank you, Sanji!" The little reindeer agreed, biting into a new tree-shaped meringue.

Thrilled, the blond whirled around the table to his favorite navigator. "Everyone gave a lot of themselves during our last fight so I thought I could make a dish of their choice for everyone as a comfort!" He suggested her with heart in his eyes.

"That's a great idea! I want meat!" Luffy yelled immediately, smeared with white chocolate.

"It is a delicate attention which allows to praise the qualities of each one by offering them a unique moment," Robin noted.

"A proposal as tempting as the dishes we can taste!" Brook also rejoiced.

"With good food, we heal faster!" Usopp agreed enthusiastically.

"You got enough food, bro?" Franky asked, frowning.

"Depending on your choices, we may need to go for fresh supplies," The blond admitted.

"It's a huge amount of work for you," Jinbei pointed out.

"Cooking for my friends makes me happy, don't worry about that," The man assured him, a huge smile on his lips. "That's what I love the most in the world!"

"Since this has been decided, I'd like to eat this excellent tangerine cheesecake you served us when we came back to Sabaody," Nami chimed in. "Oh, and with that sublime coffee you gave us yesterday and those excellent avocado and marinated salmon toasts you offered the day before!"

"Anything you want, Nami-san!" The blond twirled around her even more.

Beside the young woman, Usopp took the time to think. "There are so many possibilities, it's all about making the right choice," He muttered, reviewing the dishes he liked the most.

"I'd like your super hamburgers and your super fries!" The cyborg let him know.

"You sure?" The cook wondered. He then grabbed a notebook to write down his friends' wishes. "I make some on a regular basis."

"Absolutely sure, bro! These are the best burgers and fries in the world!"

"Whatever you want," The blond said, writing his order.

"Would it be possible to taste this enchanting rice pudding you made when I joined the crew?" The skeleton then asked. "I confess I have never eaten anything so exquisite!"

"Of course, Brook. With white tea?"

"You read my mind, my friend!"

"Sanji, I want meat! Did you write down meat?" His captain repeated, worried.

"I wrote it down, don't worry. I'll make tons of them in all forms."

"Awesome!" The straw hat boy yelled, drunk with joy.

The blond then turned to the archaeologist. "Anything you'd like to eat, Robin-chan?"

"To tell the truth, I'm torn between this delicious spicy shrimp soup you prepared before we left Fish-man Island and these sumptuous cookies you serve us generously during our snacks."

"Oh, I can prepare both, Robin-chan!"

"If that doesn't give you too much work," The young woman thanked him.

"Not at all!" Writing down his beauty's wishes diligently, Sanji glanced at the sniper. "You've made up your mind?"

"Well, I love the pastries you make for breakfast if that's okay with you."

"You want brunch?" The blond offered.

"You are a wonderful man, Sanji!" His friend exclaimed, absolutely delighted.

The cook shook his head, amused, before turning to Jinbei. "What will it be for you?"

"You don't need to go to so much trouble," The helmsman politely declined. "The food you serve us every day is already the best I've ever eaten so…"

The fish-man paused when seeing the narrowed eyes of his new crewmate and Brook leaned closer to him. "To refuse our chef to concoct our favorite dishes would be considered an affront," He whispered gently, "This is his way of taking care of us."

"Oh." Jinbei looked up at the blond who was still staring at him and he cleared his throat. "Well… There's a seafood paella recipe on my native island that I've never been able to find anywhere and even if it's not identical, I'd like to eat this dish of which I have fond memories, if that's possible."

Sanji stared at him for another minute as if to better gauge the veracity of his words before nodding and writing in his notebook. "A seafood paella, Fish-man Island version. All right."

Finally, he glanced at the last crewmember who hadn't chosen his menu. "Mosshead, what will it be?" Zoro was about to speak when the cook preceded him. "And make an effort to choose something other than fish or rice. I already serve it to you at least once a day."

The swordsman closed his mouth, annoyed. "I like fish and rice. Franky asked for his burgers and Luffy for meat!"

"Luffy's a hopeless case and I don't make burgers more than once in a month," Sanji pointed out to him. "Don't worry, I'll keep making you fish and rice but there's gotta be something else that you like, right?" He added in front of the swordsman's stubborn face.

After a minute of silence, Zoro finally shrugged before getting up. "If you don't wanna do what I'm asking, you're on your own. Anyway, you can barely cook something edible after all this time so I'll settle for what you haven't burned, it'd be enough."

And with these words, the swordsman walked out the door with a smirk, letting the blond screech in anger. "You fucking bastard, you'll see if I don't know your tastes," He hissed between his teeth, striding off to lock himself in his storeroom and start listing his possibilities.

Enjoying a sip of her jasmine tea, Nami stared blankly at the second door that had just slammed. "I didn't miss their need to show off who has the most testosterone at all," She said.

"Zoro could have made an effort," Usopp grumbled while helping himself another piece of cake. "It's important for Sanji to prepare our dishes."

"It's probably a way for him to regain possession of his position after what happened," Robin approved.

"Don't worry, I'm sure Sanji-bro is gonna find something and it's gonna be so delicious even that stubborn one will have to agree!" Franky affirmed with conviction.

"I'm sure it will, but I don't know if Zoro will tell him," Chopper sighed. "Maybe I should go talk to him. After all, he probably doesn't know what it means for Sanji to be back here," He then suggested, unsure.

Across the table, Brook coughed softly. "It is a very laudable intention but it seems to me that our chef wouldn't want us to plead in his favor. His pride as a man and as a chef wouldn't appreciate this intervention."

"Especially because it's Zoro," The redhead mumbled, "These two only live to prove to each other that they're the best."

"Their relationship seems complicated," Jinbei noted with a frown.

"That's what happens when you put two super strong pirates face to face!" The shipwright got enthused. "It's bubbling all the time but it's super powerful when you bump into an enemy!"

"Their duo has been protecting the crew since day one," Robin explained to him.

"They're just too stupid to recognize each other's worth and it's really a shame because I could have saved a lot of money if I didn't have to pay to repair all their damage since the beginning of our trip," Nami sighed.

"These are two exceptional men," The musician was amused, "I have rarely seen more sparkling vigor than theirs in all my long life!"

"Sanji and Zoro are the best!" Luffy concluded, noisily setting down his glass of grape juice, his cheeks still smeared with chocolate. "Thanks to them, I'm gonna be the Pirate King!"

"Yeah, yeah. In the meantime, if we could have time to heal before meeting our next enemies, that'd be nice," Usopp grumbled. He then massaged his painful stomach because his captain had shoved him to better grab the remains of the dessert. "It's not that I'm pessimistic but I think that even with Zoro and Sanji, we're not gonna take it easy…"

This is part of the foundation that will make sense afterwards, leading to a sensation of quiet pace for now. It'll change though.

See you in ten days!