He cleared up from breakfast everyone else was still busy with their work, he felt the least he could do was make sure it was on a full stomach. His only disappointment was that Nami and Robin ate at the Inn so he missed the ray of sunshine they brought to his mornings. Okay so he was disappointed that a certain swordsman hadn't returned yet either but dwelling wasn't going to help his mood.
No one else seemed to be worried so he did his best to push it aside, hoping that at some point today the pair would wander out the woods.
He found himself wandering around the village, the villagers seemed used to him now. He was just considering finding where the river was closest to the village when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
'Perfect timing I was just coming to find you' it was the tailor he felt a jolt of excitement wondering what exactly he'd made.
He followed the tailor into the store, this time taking time to look around. He guessed the store must be doing well based on the quantity and quality of the rolls of fabric, some unusual colours and patterns standing out. He stopped at the desk and the tailor pulled a parcel from under it,handing it over with a look of pride.
He opened it, his breath caught slightly as he held it up to admire. It looked amazing. It was bright yellow almost verging on gold its black buttons standing out in stark contrast against it. It was perfect.
'Can you make me more? I don't care the price, you're a genius' his awe was clear in his voice.
The tailor chuckled 'Maybe you should try it on first' he motioned to a changing room in the corner. He slid out of his current shirt before pulling on the new one. The soft material felt amazing and looking in the mirror as he buttoned it up the colour suited him perfectly.
He thanked the tailor profusely and went through prices for more, after promising to return with the money he headed back toward camp. His good mood improved even more when Franky said they had to head to the mayor's office as Nami had got news from Luffy.
He and Franky were the last to arrive, he noticed the raven was resting on Choppers hat; well that explained the news.
'So Luffy and Zoro are on their way back, the bandits were holed up in a cave system so it took a while to get them all.' Nami grinned 'They'll be back tomorrow evening and we'll need to travel back with the prisoners but we should be able to go home in about two days. Has everyone finished their jobs?'
Sanji was done so he excused himself, controlling his excitement, tomorrow he'd have his swordsman back.
He went back to the tailor with his money this time paying what he owed and now arranging to get them delivered to Foosha Castle.
With a spring in his step he went back to camp. He was cooking dinner happily chatting away to the guys when it arrived.
Chopper screeched and hid behind Franky for protection when the sea eagle landed on the log they had been using for seating. He didn't blame the reindeer; it was taller than him by a good 10cm at least and its wingspan was more than two Choppers.
The guys gaped whilst they yelled about why it was so far in land and why was it just sitting there.
Sanji felt his heart sink, he knew why it was here. There was only one reason that the Baratie Island sent these monsters out. He walked slowly towards it, a buzzing in his ears washed out what the others were saying. He held his hand out to it, its keen eyes staring straight through to his soul. It brushed its head against his hand giving him permission to reach for the paper tied to its leg. He opened it slowly but no matter how much he started it read the same.
Call to arms.
Sanji Blackleg you have been called to retake your post in this forthcoming conflict. A ship will be at Shell Town until..
He lowered the paper tomorrow afternoon he had to be on a ship going home. There was no if but or maybe he would have to be on that ship tomorrow. The bird flew off its return would be the confirmation he had received it.
'Sanji-bro?' He felt the larger man's hand on his shoulder before his concerned face filled his vision. Lost for words he just handed the letter over. It wasn't the war part that bothered him, it happened every few years. Some country would have bad crops and would decide that raiding a small country known for their crops would be a good idea. It wasn't, it never was they may be small but the Islands were perfectly defended. The only inlets big enough for war ships had sea gates and cannons; the edges of the islands were heavily defended, able to sink most ships before they got close. At the furthest point on the fortified islands was an old abandoned walled city, with an almost perfect landing beach. You'd think it would be too perfect yet ship after ship landed breaching the abandoned city, they called it their battle deck. Built purely to lure and destroy their enemies, the catch to this was that no one could be allowed to return to tell the tale.
He let himself sink down to the stump next to the cooking fire, how long would he need to be away? He was 8 or 9 days sailing to the Baratie with good weather, if the weather was bad god knows how long. How far was Shell Town? He was sure he'd seens signs for it on his way here. Depending how far the enemy had left to travel and how long it took them to wipe them out he was talking months until he could try and get permission to come back. He heard the dark laugh before he even realised it was his fate was going against him.. He stood up ignoring the protests from the group and went into his tent and began folding his clothes, storing them back in his bag. He left his bed roll, it wouldn't be needed and it would just take up space. He took a few breaths to compose himself burying his feelings down as deep as he could.
'Dinners ready guys' He shot the guys a grin as he left the tent, heading straight for the pot of stew simmering away.
'Sanji' Chopper moved towards him looking worried.
'It's okay I was just surprised is all' it was a lie even Usopp would be proud of 'I'll need directions to Shell Town and a loan of a horse if possible. I'm sure I'll be back in no time'
He dished up the food handing out the bowls round until he noticed Usopp was missing. He was sure he'd been here before.
His confusion was solved mere seconds later.
'Nami-swan what brings you here my love?'
She held out his letter.
'Do you really need to go?' there was concern in her voice.
He nodded 'I'm afraid so my mellorine'
Robin came up behind them 'They can't exactly go to war without their Fleet Admiral now can they'
Nami looked surprised, 'Sanji is that true?'
'Well yes but it's a shared role. Zeff does the day to day running but he can't fight anymore so' he shrugged. He truly hoped Robin would leave it at that he didn't want them to treat him differently.
'So if you that hunter had killed you' Nami paused 'Then the Baratie would have taken it as an act of war?'
'Probably not' he stared at the ground. He could easily see Zeff just accepting him being an idiot and getting himself killed. Maybe. 'It's all ok now I'm going back I'm safe you don't need to worry anymore'
He returned to his tent and grabbed his rucksack, by the door was the last of the breads and meat he shoved that in the top.
'I'll just head now, if I go now I should make it there by morning right?' he could see that Nami was torn. She was angry but she cared for him. Best just to finish this all now. 'Tell Zoro I'm sorry'
He kept his head down as he left he heard, some arguing but Nami squashed it all, she had to work out exactly what kind of risk he was and how to deal with it. He also got the feeling Robin was going to get grilled tonight for all the information she had and he had the feeling she knew everything.
He walked in silence till he hit the sign he had remembered, 15 miles he could do that in a few hours if he kept his pace up. He would sleep on the ship, though he needed to eat now so he unpacked the stash of food and dug in. He wiped away the tears running down his face this wasn't how he'd wanted it to end.