Author's Notes: Just a quick note, please pay attention to the warnings/tags/ratings etc for this story. As this first chapter should make obvious, it's quite a bit darker than my previous One Piece story, Ambience. That story I tried to keep in One Piece's general guidelines. This one, not quite so much.

Chapter 1

Fleet Admiral Sakazuki worked his way down the cold grimy stairs into the lower depths of the new Marine headquarters. Well below the usual boiler rooms and basements, this section of the sublevels had a particular purpose the previous base at Marineford had lacked: a dungeon. Sakazuki, formerly known as Akainu, preferred having the new space. Why keep prisoners at Impel Down only to move them to headquarters later for execution or questioning? Particularly when such a move risked those prisoners escaping or being rescued? Yes, definitely an improvement, in Sakazuki's mind.

He finally reached the sublevel with the cells and walked to the only occupied one. Two Marines stood guard before it, both with harsh, unforgiving faces. Sakazuki had selected all the guards for this duty himself: merciless men with absolutely no pity or love for pirates or criminals. Both men came to sharp attention when the fleet admiral reached them. Sakazuki nodded at the door.

"Open it," he ordered.

One of the Marines wasted no time following the command, producing a set of keys from his pocket and admitting the admiral access to the dark cell. Smiling, Sakazuki walked in and closed the door behind him.

Sakazuki gave the cell's lone prisoner a once over. The young man's wrists were manacled to the wall with chains. Even larger and longer manacles encircled the man's legs, going from just below his knees to the top of his ankles, with both legs firmly and tightly chained to the ground. The positioning of the chains and manacles around his limbs forced the prisoner into a spread eagle position. They weren't made of sea stone, by Sakazuki's request, but they were a strong material that would hold the young man in place.

The prisoner himself was not in especially great condition. He was filthy from being in the cell for weeks, his blond hair matted and disheveled, the remnants of his suit torn, dirty, and burned in several places. The young man was barefoot, his feet in constant contact with the cold and grimy floor. Sakazuki had done his research on his prisoner and food had been scarcely provided; enough to keep the man alive for questioning and no more. As a result, the prisoner's frame was thin and his cheeks were beginning to look sunken in and hollow. As an extra annoyance, the young man, an avid chain smoker, had been denied cigarettes and was going through the later stages of withdrawal.

The young man didn't respond to Sakazuki's entrance, his blond head flopped forward, most likely unconscious or asleep, even in his bonds. After what he had endured the past few weeks, the man's body and mind were exhausted and in pain. He was the very picture of weakness.

Sakazuki smiled. Perfect.

The Fleet Admiral grabbed the blond's chin with rough fingers and forced his head up. With the other hand, he held up and heated a single finger, just enough to provide some light in the darkened cell.

"Wake up, Black Leg," Sakazuki commanded, giving the prisoner's head a slight shake. The blond began to groggily wake up, his visible eye cloudy with exhaustion as it sought out Sakazuki's face and focused.

And then opened wide with absolute terror. Excellent.

The blond flinched, trying to back away, trying to get his chin out of the admiral's grip.

"Ah, ah, ah!" Sakazuki admonished, wagging the burning finger. Black Leg stopped struggling with the admiral's grip, his chin still bearing the burn marks from when he had tried to get free of the admiral's hold during a previous visit. Instead he trembled, the pirate's breath coming in short panicked gasps. Sakazuki smiled and watched as the boy's eye filled with dread.

A few weeks ago, Black Leg would have been defiant, cursing and shouting at the fleet admiral no matter what. It had taken time, but eventually the young man had learned a horrible, simple truth from his time as a prisoner of the Marines.

Every time Sakazuki came to his cell, the user of the Magma Magma Fruit was going to hurt him. A lot. And there was nothing he could do about it.

Black Leg's body was already littered with dozens of burn wounds, treated just enough to stave off infection and keep the pirate alive. The injuries leaked and oozed and chafed on what was left of Black Leg's tattered clothing. And all of them were painful. Sakazuki had made certain of that.

"Now, Black Leg," Sakazuki began in a tight, friendly voice, his hand with the burning finger moving towards the chef's face. The pirate flinched as Sakazuki began to stroke his other three non-lit fingers through the pirate's blond hair, his eye shutting tight and his lips trembling in fear. But he didn't try to take his chin out of Sakazuki's grasp again. He knew better. "You know the question I'm going to ask you. Why not just answer it?"

The pirate just barely shook his head, whether in defiance or in silent pleading Sakazuki wasn't sure. Maybe a bit of both. Despite everything the fleet admiral had put him through, so far Black Leg still refused to talk.

"Come now. It's the same question I've been asking you for weeks now. What harm could possibly come from answering it?" Sakazuki continued.

"N-no. You-you'll find a way t-to hurt L-Luffy…with it…I know it…," Black Leg answered weakly, his voice raspy and trembling.

"Will I now?" Sakazuki asked, his fingers still stroking the blonde strands in a mock caress. The admiral allowed his heated finger to get a little closer to the pirate's hair, enough to where he was certain the other man could feel the heat. The chef kept his eye shut tight and bit his lip, preparing for the pain he knew was coming. But he refused to say anything more.

"Black Leg," Sakazuki stated, his tone warning, "You know what I'll do to you if you don't answer me."

The pirate's trembling increased.

"Very well. Let's see, what shall it be today?" Sakazuki took away the hand that had been stroking the chef's hair, the other still holding the captive's chin in a punishing grip. It was always fun to keep the pirate guessing where he was going to be hurt rather than let him feel the heat ahead of time. "Shall I heat the shackles around your legs again? Or maybe I should focus on your face today? You still have an eye, or I can go for an ear? Maybe burn off all your hair? Your eyebrows?" Sakazuki chuckled at that option. "Maybe something new? Haven't done much to your hands or wrists yet. Or maybe something familiar? You screamed so much when I went below your belt last time."

At that the chef whimpered and the chains attached to his leg shackles clinked as he tried to press his legs together.

"Oh? Scared of that, Black Leg?" The admiral continued his mocking. "What will Cat Burglar and the rest of the ladies think of you when they find out you're barely even a man anymore?"

The chef let out a choked sob. Sakazuki put his face right up to the pirate's and then wrapped his free hand around one of the wrist manacles. Black Leg made a surprised gasp then looked over at the trapped wrist before turning his terrified stare back to Sakazuki.

"Or maybe…" Sakazuki continued menacingly, "I should burn off your wrists and hands? Burn them down to little blackened stumps. You'd never cook again, Black Leg. And Straw Hat will have no use for you. None of them will."

Sakazuki watched as tears streamed down the chef's cheek. The admiral stroked one with his thumb as Black Leg continued to cry. Then he leaned in close and whispered into the pirate's ear, "Just like the Vinsmokes." He waited for the soft gasp before leaning back and smirking at the prisoner.

"Oh? Did I hit a nerve with that one?" He let go of the pirate's manacled wrist. "Well, I'll save that threat for another time. Today, I have something new planned, Black Leg." He enjoyed the look that passed over the blond's face at that. A mix of relief, fear, and suspicion. "Now before we begin, I'll give you one more chance to answer my question before I have to force it out of you, pirate."

For a moment, the fire of defiance lit Black Leg's visible eye as he stared the admiral right in the face. His voice, scratchy and hoarse from a lack of water and too much screaming, betrayed his body's weakness even as his spirit compelled him to say the singular word that passed from his lips, "No."

"Have it your way then," Sakazuki replied before turning his head to the cell door. "Bring him in!"

The cell door opened but it was a few moments before the newcomers entered. Sakazuki could hear their voices coming from the corridor outside. Watching the expression on Black Leg's face, the admiral saw what he was looking for. Recognition. Confusion. And finally… fear.

"What the hell is this all about? Some "hero" you are, pushing around an old man who hasn't been a pirate in…" And with that two men entered the cell, Vice Admiral Garp pushing a peg-legged man just ahead of him. The normally jovial vice admiral had a scowl on his face. He was definitely not happy to have to do this, but a direct order from the fleet admiral himself was something not even Garp could ignore.

But Sakazuki wasn't didn't care about Garp's expression. His focus was on the prisoner, who was staring at the peg-legged man and trembling.

"Sh-shitty geezer?" the captive chef sputtered. The peg-legged man stopped his tirade in mid-sentence and whipped his head around to look at Black Leg. The man's eyes widened and his jaw dropped as he took in the state of his adopted son.

"Sanji!" He took a tentative step forward. "Eggplant, what have they done to you?" He went to take another step, but Garp laid a heavy hand on the man's shoulder.

"Now isn't this a touching reunion?" Sakazuki said. "I was just asking your protégé a question, Red Leg Zeff."

At that, Zeff's jaw clenched and his hands tightened into fists as he suddenly understood the situation. "Oh. I see. A hostage. That's what I'm here for, is it?" He turned an accusing stare back at Garp.

"H-he's j-just an old man," Black Leg rasped, his voice trembling. "He hasn't been a pirate in years!"

"Doesn't matter," Sakazuki stated, "He still has an active bounty and I am well within my rights to execute him on the spot." He met Garp's gaze. "Or have my subordinate do it."

He saw Garp's hand on Zeff's shoulder tighten slightly. While the main purpose of this was to extract information out of Black Leg, Sakazuki had a second reason for this exercise: test if Garp would follow his direct orders. He had seen the man find ways to wiggle out of them under the previous fleet admiral, Sengoku. Particularly during the execution of Portagas D. Ace at Marineford. Sakazuki didn't intend to let the same thing happen under his watch. Garp would face court-martial now if he didn't follow Sakazuki's orders, and both men knew it.

Red Leg Zeff straightened to his full height and crossed his arms. He was significantly shorter than both of the admirals, the rough journey had left his mustaches messy and unkempt, and his normally pristine chef whites were dirty. Even so the former captain of the Cook Pirates managed to have an intimidating air about him.

"Listen carefully, Little Eggplant," the older chef said his piercing stare focused on Black Leg, "I've explored the Grand Line. I've fulfilled my dream of opening a sea restaurant. We've fed thousands of people. I've lived a good life." He pointed at Sakazuki, even while keeping his stare fixed on his adopted son. "Don't give this asshole jack shit!"

Black Leg shook his head slowly, tears streaming from his visible eye. "N-no. I can't—I can't do that! I still haven't found…"

Zeff turned that imposing stare on the fleet admiral. "Damn you. Damn you for putting him through this!" The man's peg leg twitched like he wanted to kick with it. Garp's hand on his shoulder squeezed tighter. Zeff turned his head to the vice admiral. "Relax, Garp. Fat chance I'm going to be able to give a man made of lava a piece of my mind with a wooden leg." The fierce glare turned back to the fleet admiral. "But you had better be prepared for it when my boy's captain finds out about this, Sakazuki."

"Oh, don't worry, Red Leg. I fully intend to tell him myself," Sakazuki stated with an air of complete confidence. With that, he turned back to his prisoner. "Now then, Black Leg, I'm going to ask you that question again: what is the Transponder Snail number to Straw Hat's ship?"


Jinbei was sitting in the dining room of the Thousand Sunny with most of the Straw Hat crew. Brook, their skeleton musician, was manning the helm while Jinbei took a break and ate some of the lunch Usopp had prepared. It wasn't bad, but definitely not as good as their usual chef could make. The others were gathered around the dining room table as well, discussing their cook's disappearance and where they should go next to look for him.

"He's probably fine. We should just forget about him," their green-haired swordsman said, his feet up on the table. Nami punched him in the head.

"He's not fine! It's been weeks! There were female Marines on the island where we lost him! What if they captured him?" the navigator pointed out.

"If that's the case, then he's either in heaven or will be," Zoro retorted, earning him another hit. Jinbei frowned at his crewmate's seemingly careless attitude towards their chef's disappearance. Franky noticed and leaned over.

"Zoro-Bro's actually really worried about Curly-Cook," Franky whispered. "But he'll never admit it. Neither of them ever will."

Jinbei was about to ask Franky for more clarification when the Transponder Snail rang.

"I'll get it!" Luffy-their ever boisterous captain-yelled, jumping up from his seat and grabbing the receiver. "Hello! This is Straw Hat Luffy! I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"

"Hello, Straw Hat," came a deep voice from the other end of the line.

Jinbei froze. He knew that voice. And based on Luffy's similar reaction, receiver clutched in hand, his captain recognized the speaker as well. Vaguely, he heard Usopp in the kitchen asking who was on the line. The former warlord turned to Franky.

"Franky," he hissed, "I don't care how you do it, but get everyone else out of here. Now!"

The cyborg shipwright looked like he was about to ask a question, thought better of it and instead turned and whispered something to Nico Robin. Suddenly, the shipwright stood up and headed for the kitchen.

"Usopp-Bro! Those dishes can wait! I have a super-secret project I absolutely need to show you right this minute!" Franky declared, wrapping a massive arm around the sharpshooter's shoulders. Usopp, completely confused as to what was going on, was still muttering protests and questions as the cyborg led him out. Soon after, Nico Robin headed out with Chopper, their ship's doctor. The archeologist had said a few words to Nami as well, trying to get the younger woman to leave the room too, but the navigator shook her head and kept her eyes focused on the captain and Transponder Snail.

Once it was quiet, Jinbei glanced around. Only himself, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami remained. Jinbei fixed the swordsman and navigator with a stare.

"Zoro-kun, Nami," the fishman began, talking quietly so as to not be heard over the Transponder Snail, "I don't think you're going to want to hear-"

"If Luffy's staying, I'm staying," the swordsman interrupted quietly, still in his relaxed position. Relaxed, but somehow, more tense, Jinbei noticed. The navigator looked afraid, but the determined look in her eyes told Jinbei that she planned to stay as well. He gave a small sigh, then returned his look to his captain, who'd been silent the whole time.

At last, Luffy raised the receiver to his mouth, "What do you want?"

The question was quiet, but fierce, the tone lacking any of the joy or cheer Luffy's voice usually carried. Jinbei rarely saw the man so serious. But then, Jinbei also rarely saw Luffy have conversations with the man who had killed his brother.

"I believe I have something of yours," Sakazuki, formerly known as Akainu, said over the line. Jinbei stiffened and noticed his other two crewmates did as well. Only Luffy didn't react.

Oh no, Jinbei thought. Please, no.

"Tell me, Straw Hat: are you missing a crewmate?" Sakazuki continued. Jinbei felt his hands tighten into fists at the mocking tone in the man's voice. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nami's eyes widen, her hands covering her mouth. "Because I seem to have found one a few weeks ago. I would have called much sooner, but it's taken me all this time to get him just to tell me your number. Now, say 'hello' to your captain, Black Leg."

There was silence on the line for several moments. Then a pained hiss, followed by Sakazuki murmuring, "Not going to talk to your captain, eh? Fine. Have it your way. Kill the old man!"

"No! No—I'll…I'm here, Luffy." Sanji's voice. It was raspy and weak, but unmistakably their cook's voice. Jinbei saw Nami give a sigh of relief and even Zoro perked up. After worrying for weeks, they had confirmation that their friend and crewmate was at least alive. He felt a pang of sadness for them; their relief was going to be short-lived when they found out who held the cook prisoner.

"Sanji. Sanji, are you okay?" Luffy asked. There was no relief in the rubber man's voice, only concern. Luffy knew exactly whose clutches Sanji was in.

"Y-yeah. Been better, but-"

"Let me make this clear, Straw Hat," Sakazuki interrupted. "Your cook's not fine. I've had him for weeks now and-"

"What do you want, Sakazuki?" Jinbei cut him off, stepping forward sharply. Nami gasped at the name as the fleet admiral chuckled.

"Oh, cutting right to the chase, Jinbei?" Sakazuki asked. "Fine. I'll get to the point. I've got your crewmate. One of our rear admirals has several women in her crew. Wasn't hard to catch him."

Zoro and Nami simultaneously smacked their foreheads.

"Of course, she was planning on sending him to prison. But I happened to get a hold of the ship's prisoner manifest, and once I saw that it was a member of your crew, Straw Hat, well I couldn't miss such an opportunity. So I had him transferred to the new Marine Headquarters instead. To me." Sakazuki continued. "I'd say that we've had some fascinating discussions over the past few weeks, but Black Leg is frustratingly stubborn and tight-lipped." Jinbei could picture the smirk on the man's face. "So I had one of my subordinates go to the East Blue and pick up some old restaurant owner. I had to have the geezer dragged all the way here just to get your cook to tell me your Transponder Snail number."

"Why?" Luffy asked.

"Because I wanted to talk to you directly, Straw Hat. To make sure you got the message." The fleet admiral's voice got darker. "I debated for a bit what I was going to do with your crewmate. I was going to make you listen as I executed him on the spot. Let you listen to him scream as I burned him to death."

"Leave Sanji alone!" Luffy shouted into the receiver.

"But then I remembered that whole wedding fiasco in Tottoland, and I came up with a better idea. I'm going to give him to the Big Mom Pirates." Sakazuki continued as if Luffy hadn't said anything. "I'm sure Big Mom will be thrilled to have him as a guest again. You already invaded her territory once before, right? Because you'll do anything to save someone you care about? A member of your crew? Your brother? But this time, it won't be Enies Lobby or Impel Down or Marineford that feels your wrath, Straw Hat. No, this time, it will be one of the Four Emperors to whom you'll have to aim your path of destruction."

Luffy was clutching the receiver so hard he was shaking. Jinbei couldn't blame him. His own fists were clenched at his sides.

"And once your two pirate groups have destroyed each other, the Marines will be ready to swoop in and clean up what's left. How does that sound, Straw Hat?"

"Luffy, no! Don't-!" Sanji cried out before he was muffled.

"Well, Straw Hat?" Sakazuki pressed.

"Sanji," Luffy began, before taking a deep breath. "We're coming for you. No matter where they send you—to a prison or to an emperor, it doesn't matter- we will get you, okay? You're gonna be the cook of the Pirate King. So sit tight. Where ever you are, we'll find you."

"Well, isn't that sweet? You can see the hope in his eye, Straw Hat," Sakazuki said in a mocking tone. "Time to dash it."

"Sakazuki, whatever you're about to do, I swear you'll pay for it," Jinbei snarled.

"I highly doubt that, Jinbei." Sakazuki replied. Then he paused for a moment before saying, "Kill him."


Sanji could only stare at the fleet admiral in complete shock for a moment, his hazy mind struggling to comprehend what the man had just said as Sakazuki stared at Zeff and Garp. Then the words clicked in his mind and he began fighting, pushing his exhausted and spent body against the shackles with all his might.

"No! NO! I told you the damn number! He's just an old man! He's just an old *cough* Just *cough cough* Just leave him alone!" His throat was raw and voice was horse and it was hurt to even talk but he shouted and screamed with all his might anyway.

It wasn't fair! It wasn't fucking fair! After everything he'd been through, he'd finally given them what they wanted. They couldn't kill Zeff. They couldn't! That man over there was Garp! Luffy's grandfather. He wouldn't kill a member of his own grandson's crew, right? He wouldn't. He wouldn't. He wouldn't…

"Red Leg Zeff. Still a pirate. And I have only one answer for pirates," Sakazuki replied. "I said kill him!"

"Don't! Please!" Sanji sobbed. Screw his pride! They couldn't do this! They couldn't…

"Eggplant. Listen to me." Zeff's voice sounded calm and sure. Sanji looked over at the man he considered his father. At the resigned expression on Zeff's face, Sanji felt the blood drain from his own. "When you finally find the All Blue, come to my grave and tell me about it."

Sanji's eye widened. He gasped, "No."

Garp grabbed Zeff's shoulder, turned him around…

"No! Don't you dare die, you shitty geezer! Don't you dare!" He pulled on the shackles. His burned legs were getting chaffed and rubbed raw and his wrists hurt so much they felt like they were going to break, but Sanji didn't care. He had to break out of these chains! He had to get to Zeff! He had to…

Garp pulled back his fist, a single finger sticking out, a move Sanji all too well remembered CP9 doing way back on the train to Enies Lobby. The Finger Gun technique.

"Zeff! Please!" Sanji cried. He knew logically there was nothing Zeff could do about it, but he didn't care. Zeff couldn't die. He couldn't die. He couldn't leave. He couldn't die and leave Sanji all alone. He couldn't. He couldn't. He couldn't…

"Make sure you bring good wine," Zeff continued. "Sanji. I love y-!"

And with that, Garp's technique hit the old man square in the chest and knocked him backwards. The old man's body collapsed on the floor, as limp and boneless as a doll.

Sanji's mind went blank.

Then the enormity of what had just happened hit him like a ton of bricks. His rage flared white hot within him, a burning inferno, even as tears clouded his vision and something in his mind snapped. He launched himself at Sakazuki, even as the shackles—those goddamned, cursed, fucking shackles!—held him back.

"I'll kill you! I'll fucking-! Let me out of these! I'll kill you! I'LL KILL YOU!" He was screaming, absolutely screaming, and his over-used vocal cords protested, but that didn't matter. The man before him had killed Zeff. Sanji didn't care if he was made of magma. He'd kill him! He'd break his shackles and launch a leg made of Haki through the man's chest and make a bigger hole than that bastard had put in Ace's and…

"That's quite enough, Black Leg," the cocky admiral said to the hysterical man before him. And suddenly he grabbed Sanji's wrist shackles. Sanji could feel the heat immediately. He glanced at both wrists, seeing the Magma Magma user's hands turn into burning balls of heat even as they held the shackles and turned them both white hot. Before he could stop himself, Sanji was shrieking in agony, the white hot pain piercing through both wrists. Tears streamed down his face, beyond his ability to stop them as he continued to howl and scream. Even as Sakazuki took his hands away, the shackles remained red-hot, the metal searing into Sanji's flesh, hissing and reminding the chef of the smell of cooked meat. Nausea overwhelmed him, and had Sanji had anything in his stomach, he would have thrown up.

"Still conscious, Black Leg?" Sakazuki asked, raising a huge fist in the air. So great was the burning pain in his wrists that Sanji barely felt the impact as it met his skull. Then finally, blissfully, he felt nothing.


Sanji finally stopped screaming.

Jinbei felt rooted to his spot. Nami was pale and shaking, her hands covering her mouth as tears streamed from her eyes. Zoro had gotten up at some point and was standing next to her, a rare supporting hand on her shoulder. Even the normally stoic swordsman looked shaken by what they had just heard.

And Luffy was struggling so hard not to crush the receiver in his hand he was shaking.

"Apologies. I expected him to pass out a lot sooner than that," Sakazuki finally said as casually as if he was discussing the weather. "Finally had to knock him senseless-"

"YOU BASTARD!" Luffy screamed into the receiver.

"I already told you, Straw Hat. I have no pity for you pirates. Your pathetic crewmate's still alive, by the way. I only knocked him unconscious. Gotta have live bait if you want to reel in a big fish, right? You'll find him amongst the Big Mom Pirates. Good luck getting him back a second time," Sakazuki replied. He paused for a moment, then spoke to someone in the background, "Go ahead and dispose of the geezer's corpse. No need to let it stink up the place."

And the Transponder Snail clicked as Sakazuki hung up on his end.

With a shout, Luffy threw the receiver down on the floor. Nami burst out sobbing. Zoro just stood there, his hand still on Nami's shoulder, for once unsure of what to do. His anger still not spent, Luffy reeled back his fist, ready to punch a hole in the dining room wall…

And was stopped by Jinbei.

The fishman stood behind Luffy, as the rubber man turned around and glared at him, his captain's rubber fist locked in the Jinbei's powerful grip.

"Luffy," Jinbei stated with a calm he did not feel. "I know you're angry. But you can't do this."

"He hurt Sanji! And he killed the old man! Right in front of-!"

"I know. But destroying Sanji's kitchen won't change that." Jinbei continued. "And he'll probably need it when we get him back."

Jinbei heard the sound of a sword sliding out of its sheath. He turned to Zoro.

"Where's the new Marine headquarters?" the swordsman asked, a wild bloodthirsty look in his eye. Nami gasped as she looked at him. Jinbei half-expected her to protest at first, but then she got a thoughtful look on her face, as though maybe invading Marine headquarters wasn't such a bad idea.

"Listen all of you!" Jinbei snapped, causing all three sets of eyes to look at him. "I know you're upset. I know Sanji's been hurt and badly. I know you want to march right into Marine headquarters and punch Sakazuki in the face. Gods know, I do!" He forced himself to take a deep breath. "But think for a minute. Sakazuki himself is one of the strongest Marines alive, if not the strongest. He's inside a new fortified building. He is surrounded by powerful admirals of all ranks. And most importantly of all, doing that won't help Sanji."

"So what do we do?!" Zoro snarled.

"For now, nothing." Jinbei replied. He looked to his captain, who was staring up at Jinbei with hurt and anger in his eyes. But he was listening. "There's nothing we can do until the Big Mom Pirates contact us."

"C-contact us?" Nami asked, wiping her face.

"Indeed. Big Mom hates us. She'll see this as an opportunity to gloat for sure," Jinbei explained. "We don't know when the Marines plan on transferring Sanji to her. Or where they intend to do the exchange. Or even what ships they'll use for it. So we can't intercept the transport. But Big Mom won't miss the chance to brag and hold this over our heads. Once she does, we'll know Sanji's in her territory for certain. Then we can figure out a way to sneak past her security into Tottoland. It won't be easy, but we'll have a better chance of success against her than trying to break into Marine headquarters. Especially since Sanji may not even be there any more by the time we arrive."

Zoro nodded and Jinbei was glad to see a calmer expression on the swordsman's face, though he still looked ready to tear someone apart with his teeth. "I hate it, but you're right. Sounds reasonable." His eyes turned to Luffy. "Captain, what do you think?"

Luffy took a deep breath and began walking towards the door. As he passed them, he said, "Jinbei's right. For now, we do nothing. And wait for Big Mom to call."

As soon as Luffy reached the door, he slammed it open. Outside, Jinbei could hear Usopp, Chopper, and Brook's excited exclamations as they saw their usually playful and rambunctious captain. But they suddenly got very quiet. Jinbei had no doubt they had seen the harsh look on Luffy's face. Then the rubber captain stretched his arm out and took off across the deck, most likely headed for his special seat on Sunny's figurehead.

"Luffy-!" Nami cried out, about to run after him.

"Wait, Nami," Jinbei said, placing a heavy hand on her shoulder. "He needs to be alone right now."

"He's right, Nami," Zoro agreed, finally sheathing his sword. "Besides, there's something the three of us need to start doing anyway." The swordsman turned to the fishman. "Jinbei, start telling us everything you can about this Tottoland."


Author's Notes: Sanji's my favorite character, I swear! (Readers: We do not want to be your favorite character!)

-Sanji's mind is hazy and not working so great right now, hence why a lot of his thoughts seem to be rambling and repeating themselves.

-Nearly wrote the whole "Zeff's death" scene from Jinbei's point of view. Then realized making it from Sanji's was way better.

-Unlike Ambience, I don't have this story fully written out already, so updates should take quite a bit longer than they did for that one. However, I plan for this story to be a lot shorter; it should only have four chapters total. 'Should' being the key word here.

-And continuing my tradition, here are some more Sanji-centered fanfics:

-Mr. Cellophane by MalkyTop. I then highly recommend reading

-A Human Being is Worth More than Air by flyndragon. It was inspired by the work above and expands upon it. Both are available on AO3.

-All the short stories in Febuwhump 2021 by three_days_late. Available on AO3.

-The Trial of Monkey D. Luffy by funkdoc1112 on AO3. A little bit of light-hearted comedic fare, bordering on a crack-fic.