"Sanji... meat…"
Sitting in the figurehead since morning, Luffy has been saying these words repeatedly like a recorder. It was quite a ruining mood to Nami who was sunbathing on the lawn deck. Zoro, on the other hand, looked comfortable in his sleep, seated up on the floor near the helm. Brook, Chopper and Usopp were fishing to kill time.
Then they heard a splash. Zoro immediately woke up and jumped overboard without even checking the figurehead. Usopp saw Zoro dive but found it too long for Zoro to come up.
Usopp called out his name repeatedly but no one answered. This alarmed Nami and made her check the other side. Jinbei, who came out of the galley to get the buzz, helped them search underwater. However, Zoro and Luffy were nowhere to be found. They feared that it might be the marine's doing.
Nami hoped that it was not the case and asked Usopp to check the coast using the binoculars. It was a relief to hear that they entered the forest at their own will but at the same time, frustratingly questioned their decision.
"There is no way that man got lost. If he does, I swear I'll cut off his legs!" Nami told Sanji through the den den mushi.
Surprisingly, Sanji did not notice anyone passed by the forest. With Zoro's poor sense of direction, it is possible they took a different route. Using Luffy's vivre card to trace them, he had to climb a mountain before finding them leisurely walking on the street with stolen clothing to mask their faces.
They stood out too much. Locals were clearly avoiding and giving them the judging eye. Marines will surely come soon and arrest them. Sanji gripped their shoulders and glared as they turned to see him. Luffy immediately recognized him even with the mask on and squealed his name before climbing up to him and clinging like a monkey.
"What were you thinking? Especially you! moss head." Sanji groaned.
"I need booze."
"We have booze. ask Nami for goodness sake."
"Like she would give it to me for free."
"Booze in exchange of unwanted attention?"
"Let them come." Zoro smirked.
Sanji grumbled, tore the horns from his mask, and was about to beat Zoro when Luffy tugged the collar of his coat.
"Sanji, let's eat. Let's eat meat!".
"I'm not a horse!"
Sanji led them to the restaurant he found while shopping. It was a saloon. They swung the doors open and the once noisy dine in became quiet. They settled in one of the empty tables and asked the bartender for service. One by one the diners left in fear.
The bartender went to their table and asked, "What will be their last meal?"
Luffy laughed and told the bartender, "Everything on the menu."
"Better leave the place, kiddo. We don't want blood here."
"It's too late for that. These stubborns will not go until they are satisfied." Sanji told him while lighting a cigarette.
"Meat! Meat! Meat!" Luffy grinned while banging the spoon and fork to the table.
The bartender with some helpers brought out plates, pots and crates of beers.
"That's all we got. You don't need to pay but leave quickly."
Then the bartender and the helpers left the saloon while Luffy and Zoro happily dug in.
Sanji called Nami through Den Den Mushi.
"Nami-san, Zoro and Luffy are here with me but it will take us time to go back."
"Is it because of the Log Pose?"
"The Log Pose has reset. It's good to go. We might encounter the marines though."
"What?!"
"I could feel people fleeing from our place and troops coming in."
"Then get out of there. We don't have time for that."
While Luffy finished the last pot, the trio felt strong presences.
"They're here." Zoro grinned.