The rest of the walk to the execution staging area was mostly a silent affair as grandfather led grandson. The halls of New Marine Headquarters were pristinely cleaned and polished, but dimly lit and chilly. Their footsteps echoed in the silent space.
"Where is everybody?" Luffy finally asked, bored. Somehow he hadn't expected a Marine headquarters to be so quiet and empty.
"Either waiting to watch the execution, on escort duty, or patrolling around the perimeter," Garp answered. He glanced back at Luffy. "You're expected to bring in quite the crowd, Luffy, and not just the invited guests. Sakazuki's been preparing."
Luffy frowned. "Who does he think's showing up?"
"Knowing him, he's probably expecting your crew, your father, your brother, the whole Revolutionary Army, Cross Guild, every pirate you've ever come across, and every citizen you've ever helped. Wouldn't surprise me if he has a contingency for Germa 66 if they suddenly show up."
"Every pirate, huh?" Luffy said, briefly wondering if the Fleet Admiral was including submarines in his plan.
"I don't know if I would count on Red Hair showing up this time, Luffy," Garp said, misunderstanding. "It was quite the stir that he showed up last time. But now that you yourself are considered an Emperor…well, you're not just some kid he gave his hat to anymore. You're a rival."
"Shanks?" Luffy asked, being pulled out of his thoughts. The ideat of seeing Shanks again made him grin, though he just as quickly remembered who he had actually been considering. "I don't know about that. I was thinking about Law."
"The Surgeon of Death?" Garp said. "That would make it a regular Marineford reunion, wouldn't it? Well, I suppose it's possible. Though he's been laying low for months."
"I see," Luffy said, thoughts of his last meeting with his fellow captain playing in his mind. One of his few regrets—despite their positions as rivals, Luffy truly considered Law as one of his closest friends.
"I heard things ended badly between you two…well, I suppose that's hardly the important thing now, is it?" Garp said.
"No, it's one of the most important things," Luffy said.
"Yeah, I read the report. Sounded like two hot-headed foolish young men said a bunch of hot-headed foolish things to each other that they didn't really mean," Garp said, surprisingly gentle. "I'd say that you two will figure it out and go back to being pirate buddies or what have you, but…" The old Marine Vice Admiral gestured at the final pair of doors ahead of them, bright sunlight streaming through the cracks.
"Wonder where Mihawk went off to all of a sudden," Zoro commented, his voice still rough. He continued stirring the fish soup occasionally, not actually taking a bite. A part of Sanji twitched in his mind, ready to tell the Marimo off if he wasted the food, but another part told him to let it go; the swordsman's throat was probably still sore and struggling with swallowing. He would need to see about pulverizing or mushing the man's food to ensure he continued to get proper nutrition while he recovered.
"Maybe he needed to replenish his wine collection. Or maybe he was missing the chance to put in his bid on a new spooky old castle to haunt when he'd not chopping pirate crews to bits with his sword," Usopp said. Zoro gave the sniper a flat look.
"Mihawk doesn't do something without purpose," Zoro rasped.
"Counterpoint: he destroyed an entire pirate fleet in the East Blue because he was bored," Usopp said.
"He doesn't usually do something without purpose," Zoro corrected. Robin hummed in agreement.
"Dracule Mihawk is rather the dark horse in all of this. He was a loner for years. He's aligned himself with Cross Guild for now, but that doesn't mean he won't do things his own way for his own reasons," Robin said.
"Zoro, you lived and trained with the man for two years. Any idea what to expect?" Nami asked.
Zoro shook his head. "None. He was a rather closed off individual."
"At the very least, any idea if he'll be an ally or an enemy?"
"I can't be sure," Zoro said, his brow furrowing as he thought, staring down at his soup as if it would provide him with answers. He gave a small cough to clear his throat, his voice still raspy. He continued to stir the soup, not taking a bite. "But I don't think he'll be an enemy if we run into him, no. Mihawk doesn't have a lot of friends or close acquaintances, but those he does have, he protects fiercely. He's rough around the edges and he'd never admit it, but the man's a big softy at heart."
"In other words, he's not someone we need to worry about. Nor is he a variable we can predict or do anything about," Sanji said. "But, getting back to the plan to save Luffy, there is someone we absolutely need to contact that can help us."
"Oh? Who's that?" Nami asked.
"Law."
The room went uneasily quiet.
"Uh, yeah. Robin brought that up before. Look, Sanji, about Law…" Usopp began.
"I know, I know. Read the report on Vegapunk's ship and Robin-chan and Brook filled me in about the fight with Luffy. But he's rather critical to this plan. And I think I can talk him around," Sanji said.
"The question is if we can get him to take our calls," Nami sighed.
"And if you plan to offer him anything beyond what we originally discussed," Robin said sternly. Sanji started to feel guilt settling in his stomach, but an icy sensation spread from his heart and smothered it. The guilt was still there, but it felt like there was a hard layer encasing it, blocking it away.
You were in the right, Cook, Vinsmoke said. Do not allow her to guilt you out of what must be done to save our captain.
"Alright," Sanji said out loud, answering both statements at the same time. He looked Robin squarely in the eye. "Don't worry, Robin-chan. It'll be just as we talked about. And if anyone has to make any sacrifices, it'll be me."
"…that's one of the things I'm afraid of," Robin said, her expression softening. "The only reason I'm not more concerned is because this is Law and I think for the most part we can trust him."
"I'll go ahead and call him," Sanji said, standing up and walking over to the transponder snail. "Nami-san, the number if you please?"
"Oh, right," Nami said, reciting Law's transponder snail number from memory. Sanji quickly dialed it, waiting while the snail rang with no answer. Frowning, the cook hung up then dialed the number again. And again. And again. And again.
"You know, you're probably just gonna piss him off…" Usopp said.
"That's fine. Out of the two of us, I'm the bigger asshole," Sanji replied, dialing the number again. And again. And again…
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU IDIOTS WANT?!" Law's frustrated voice came out of the snail. "In case I didn't make it perfectly clear before…!"
"Law, it's me," Sanji said without preamble.
There was silence on the line. Then, "Black Leg-ya?"
"Yeah, it's me. Listen, Law, your two dead crewmates, I have information about what actually happened," Sanji said.
"Were you responsible, Black Leg-ya?" Law asked, bluntly.
"No," Sanji answered. Again the guilt started to rise up, that it was him that Vegapunk had followed to the sub, but again, Vinsmoke suppressed the feeling. It wasn't our fault, Vinsmoke reminded him. That is not what Trafalgar Law means when he asks if we are responsible. You know this. Focus.
"One of them was a fellow cook, Law. And you all were doing me and the crew a huge favor. I wouldn't betray your trust like that. Neither would Luffy or the others," Sanji continued. He heard Law take a breath, like he was about to protest, and hurriedly put in before the doctor could speak, "And I know you and the other Heart Pirates didn't betray us either. I know what actually happened. Vegapunk…"
And Sanji explained everything. Vegapunk. The ruins of the raid suit on Wano. Using it to track Sanji. The attack on the submarine. Vinsmoke. Being woken up in the middle of the attack. Being kidnapped by Vegapunk. The scientist's mysterious help. The break out with Robin and Brook. Finding the others.
"And now we're heading to New Marine Headquarters to get Luffy. We need you to use your submarine to get us in the middle of it." Sanji explained. "With Cross Guild and anyone else we can get providing a distraction…"
"No," Law said. Sanji paused, taken aback by the answer.
"No?" Sanji repeated, a little incredulously. "I figured you would want to get some payback of your own…"
"I owe Straw Hat-ya nothing. And I'm not your personal taxi service, Black Leg-ya. Especially for such a flawed plan," Law said.
"Flawed? What do you mean?"
"Using the Polar Tang to just pop up in the middle of New Marine Headquarters? Just like Whitebeard did at Marineford? Are you insane? That's the first thing they'll think of!"
"It's the best we've got and we don't have time to get our ship coated. Come on, Law! Your two crewmates…!"
"Would not want me sacrificing the living ones in a foolish attempt to avenge them. Besides, the one who killed them was Vegapunk and his group," Law countered.
"What if we gave you a way to find Vegapunk?" Sanji asked, glancing over at Robin and Brook. Robin was still for a moment, before nodding and turning to the skeleton. Brook in turn, opened his skull and removed a small device, handing it over to Robin.
"Oh?" Law asked, trying to keep his voice flat, but Sanji could hear the interest in it.
"A device the good doctor was working on. Allows Navy ships to track each other's positions. I stole one during our escape and used it to make sure we weren't being followed. It'll guide you straight to Vegapunk's ship," Sanji said. "Help us get Luffy and we'll hand it over. Otherwise, it'll likely take you years to hunt Vegapunk down."
There was silence on the line as Law seemed to be contemplating.
"It's still too damn risky. And I still don't owe any of you anything."
"I'll train your next cook. Or at least someone on your crew so you can get by until you find one," Sanji tried. The silence continued. Sanji took a deep breath then let it out slowly. Luffy was running out of time. He needed to play his trump card.
You sure about this? he said quietly to Vinsmoke. It took a lot of concentration to keep the words in his head and not say them out loud. The crew was getting used to his weird new habit, but he didn't need to spook Law and his crew.
It's a relatively minor favor that will assist us in retrieving our captain. Vinsmoke answered. Then he said, in a smug tone, And it is about time someone recognized me for my greatness.
Yeah, yeah, don't let it get to your head, Sanji said back. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a quick drag and letting it out before he gave his next offer to the Captain of the Heart Pirates.
"Law," Sanji said. "If you do this, I'll finally sign that commemorative Stealth Black card you've been hounding me about. In fact, I'll even switch and have the actual Stealth Black do it."
"…You said Vegapunk gave you the raid suit back, correct?"
"Um, yeah?"
"…Will you sign it with the suit on?"
Sanji felt sweat start to form on his brow. "I don't think that's really necessary…"
"With the raid suit on, Black Leg-ya?" Law repeated. Sanji sighed.
"Fine. Yes. With the raid suit on," Sanji said between clenched teeth.
"Deal. My crew and I will provide you and your crew transportation to New Marine Headquarters the day of Straw Hat-ya's execution and help you in your escape. You know how to contact me with the details," Law said. "Though be warned, I'll be taking some precautions to bolster your feeble plan to have the best chance of success."
"Will do and we wouldn't have it any other way. We trust your judgement, Law," Sanji said. "Though, there is one thing…"
"Hmm?"
Sanji took a deep breath, unsure if what he was about to say next was too risky when he had just gotten Law to agree to help them. He decided to go for it. "I know you said you don't owe Luffy anything, Law, and I know you two ended on bad terms. But I think once this is all over…it would be a good idea for you and Luffy to talk. You don't have to be best friends or form an alliance again or anything, but…it would probably be a good idea for you two to at least clear the air."
After an uncomfortably long pause, Law said, "I'll take your words under advisement, Black Leg-ya," Sanji couldn't tell from the doctor's tone if he was serious or not. He decided it was best to just leave it at that. "Trafalgar Law over and out."
The snail clicked. Sanji heard a couple of breaths let out around the room. If he hadn't been the one just talking, he probably would have been one of them.
"Oh, wow, that's the most I've heard Tra-guy say in such a long time!" Chopper said, tears starting to well up in his eyes. Finally, he let out a wail. "I've missed him so much!" Zoro's hand landed on top of Chopper's hat, giving the little guy some comfort.
"We all have," Nami said. "Despite his…weird, creepy, and sometimes obsessive personality…particularly with that silly comic," she glanced over at Sanji as she said this, "he's a strong ally and you can rely on him in a pinch."
"Eh, Nami-san, what's that look for…?"
"So are you gonna actually do it?!" Usopp asked excitedly, "Wear the raid suit again?!"
Nami glanced over at Usopp, then back to Sanji as if to say "Does that answer your question?"
"Yes, Usopp. It means I'm gonna wear the raid suit one more time," Sanji said, getting out a cigarette with a bit more force than was needed. "If it will get us Luffy back, I'll do whatever it takes."
His mind started turning over the plan in his head again. Cross Guild and any other allies they could scrounge up providing a distraction at the perimeters. Law getting them right up to the execution platform on his submarine, maybe even using his power to get them closer. And if necessary…
Sanji swallowed. He hadn't told the others this part of the plan, but if things started turning sideways, his intention was to launch himself into the air with Sky Walk, keeping his foot lit with Infrit Janbei. He'd be a bright blue beacon with bullet proof skin for every Marine to focus on while the others raced for it and rescued Luffy. If he was very, very lucky, no one would have a bullet that could pierce his skin and he'd be able to be reunited with his captain and full crew again. If he was unlucky…well, it was his fault this entire mess had happened anyway.
You're serious about this, aren't you, Cook? Vinsmoke whispered in his mind. Sanji glanced around the room at his friends, discussing various details of the plan amongst themselves. He would miss them if his plan ended up going sideways. Convincing them to go along with it without them realizing what he truly had in mind would be even harder. But it needed to be done. They needed Luffy. Zoro had already been shot. Brook and Robin had been tortured and experimented on. No one else would suffer if he could help it.
Of course, he replied to Vinsmoke. His other personality was quiet for a moment, as though thinking over this act of self-sacrifice and what it might mean.
Very well, Vinsmoke said. In that case, I will help you come up with a convincing lie to get them to agree to our plan. Whatever it takes to save our captain.
Thank you, Sanji said to him, feeling a little teary-eyed at Vinsmoke's understanding and growth.
Allow me to speak to them? Vinsmoke asked. I'll be able to control the emotional response better.
Alright, Sanji agreed, slipping back and allowing Vinsmoke to come forward and take control, almost seamlessly. Vinsmoke leaned forward, both hands folded together neatly on the dining room table in front of them.
"The Cook intends to sacrifice me and himself to allow the plan to succeed," Vinsmoke said calmly and without preamble.
Everyone sat there shocked for a moment, including Sanji himself. Then the room exploded with voices and yelling.
"I suspected as much," Robin said.
"You liar!" Sanji roared at his other half, forcing himself back to the forefront of the mind and wresting back control of the body. "You shitty, selfish-!"
"You're one to talk, Sanji-kun!" Nami scolded him.
I have no desire to die, Vinsmoke said matter-of-factly.
"I'm in agreement with your evil side!" Usopp shouted. "How could you lie about this?!"
"I didn't lie!"
"No, you just weren't gonna tell us until it was too late!"
"A lie of omission is still a lie, Sanji-san," Brook said, politely but sternly.
"Sanji!" Chopper sobbed. "We just got you back!"
A loud bang on the table silenced the room. Everyone turned to look at Zoro, his fist still on the table. He looked around at everyone.
"Enough," he rasped. "Cook almost did something stupid again. His other half gave us a heads up, so now we have the chance to come up with something better. No use arguing it further. We don't have the time."
"Ah, yes. Speaking of which," Robin said, turning to Sanji. "Thank you, Vinsmoke. You did well to tell us."
"He didn't-!"
The fist banged on the table again. Zoro glared at him. "Drop it, Cook. We know. It's done. We're not doing whatever stupid thing you had in mind."
"You all aren't bullet proof!"
"I said drop it!"
For a tense moment they glared at each other, Zoro and Sanji. Luffy's two wings. His right and left hands. Silence permeated the room, until…
"Forgive me for interrupting, but isn't your raid suit bullet proof as well, Sanji-san?" Brook asked.
"It's also flame resistant. I wouldn't be able to create fire so the Marines would see me," Sanji said.
"Isn't that better, though?" Robin said. Everyone turned to her.
"What do you mean, Robin?" Nami asked. The archeologist smiled.
"I mean that maybe what this plan needs is something a bit more…stealthy…"
The sunlight was blinding.
Walking through the darkened, silent corridors had led to Luffy's eyes adjusting and thus he wasn't prepared for the bright light streaming in from the open doors. Nor was he ready for the deafening roar that assaulted his ears as the crowd outside cheered. He flinched, until a shadow covered the sun.
"Almost there, Luffy," Garp said, standing before him like a shield. Luffy knew he had been imprisoned far too long if he needed protecting from the things he normally loved, like sunshine and people. He'd have to ask Brook later how he dealt with things after being trapped in darkness and silence for so long.
Luffy didn't want to be here. He wanted to be free on the Sunny, sailing to their next adventure. He wanted to hear Nami shout orders as the ship was guided by Jinbei's steady hand. He wanted to listen to Usopp's funny jokes and Franky's terrible singing and Robin's creepy stories. But most of all, he wanted to eat Sanji's cooking and then lay down with Zoro and Chopper for a nap on the warm grass deck while Brook played a lullaby. Even now a nap sounded really good…
"Let's go," Garp said, leading the way towards the tall scaffold in the distance.
Having no other choice, Luffy followed.
Sanji shifted uncomfortably in his seat, still not entirely satisfied with the new plan. It was sound, certainly. And they had covered every contingency. But he still didn't like the idea of everyone putting themselves at risk, not just him. Nor did he like the weight of Luffy's rescue resting primarily on his shoulders. At this point, though, he knew any further argument was useless.
"So now that that's settled…" Robin began. She was interrupted by the sound of Zoro snoring from the end of the table.
"Hey, Marimo! Don't interrupt Robin-chan! And you haven't even finished your stew!" Sanji shouted. Chopper turned to him in a panic.
"Shh! Don't wake him up, Sanji!" the little reindeer admonished, turning back to Zoro, who was leaning back in his chair, snoring away. "He's been up a long time. We should let him rest."
"Yes, but…" Sanji indicated the unfinished soup. Chopper glanced at it and then back up at Sanji.
"Could you finish it, Sanji? I really think Zoro needs to rest now," Chopper pleaded, his big eyes a little watery. Sanji sighed at the doctor's antics. Damn unfair little bastard. He pulled the lukewarm bowl of fish stew towards him and began to eat.
"And if I'm not mistaken, he's not the only one who needs to rest," Brook said gently. Sanji sensed eyes on him.
"I'm fine," Sanji said, before taking another bite of soup.
"You've been awake for over seventy-five hours, by Brook's and mine's estimations," Robin said.
"Vinsmoke and I have been switching out," Sanji insisted, between bites of soup. Jeez, it was like the Marimo barely ate any of this. Sanji was going to have words with him when he woke up, invalid or not.
"Just because your personalities are switching out doesn't mean that your brain doesn't need rest, Sanji. Not to mention your body," Chopper insisted.
"I said I'm fine!" Sanji snapped, dropping his spoon inside the bowl. He took a deep breath. "Sorry, Chopper. But I really am fine. And besides, we need to finish working on the plan."
"We can finish the plan, Sanji-kun," Nami said.
"Yeah, all that's really left is preparing the supplies and contacting a few more allies and seeing if we can convince Kid and his gang to help us," Usopp said. "We can make those calls."
"I'd rather see this through," Sanji said, picking up the spoon and taking another bite. Though now that everyone mentioned it, his eyes were starting to feel a little heavy. He rubbed at one.
"We really can manage everything while you rest, Sanji-san," Brook said.
"And it'll be a few days before we arrive at New Marine Headquarters anyway," Nami said.
"I appreciate the concern," Sanji said, finishing the last of the stew. "But I'd rather be awake to talk to Kid, especially. He's a tricky character, but his strength could be…could be…"
Damn, he was really feeling tired.
"Again, we can take care of it, Sanji-kun," Nami said, getting up and moving to take the bowl and spoon from him.
"N-no! I can take care of that, Nami-san! You don't have to-!" Sanji stood hurriedly, and nearly fell over as the room spun. He barely caught himself on the dining room table before he fell over.
We have been drugged, Vinsmoke helpfully informed him.
"I shall deal with Eustace Kid," Robin said, firmly, before Sanji could even completely process what Vinsmoke had just told him.
"And we can handle the rest of the details," Usopp said.
"You really should rest, Sanji-kun," Nami said, reaching for the bowl and spoon again. Sanji glanced down at the dishes, realization sinking in.
"The soup! You all…" Man, it was so hard to make the words form. He just wanted to lie down and close his eyes.
"Come on, Sanji," Chopper said, tottering over and taking Sanji's hand to lead him over to the couch in the dining room. Another piece clicked into place. It had been Zoro's soup, from the infirmary, so Chopper must have…
"Chopper…how could you…why…?"
"I told him to, Cook."
Sanji swirled around—though the movement nearly made him swoon—to see Zoro sitting upright in his seat, wide awake.
"You!" Sanji shouted furiously, exhaustion temporarily forgotten. "You were faking it! You big…faker!"
Gods, he was tired.
"Robin told me about your trip here. How you took every watch. How you never rested. And Chopper insisted even with the switching act you do, your body wouldn't be able to keep up. So I made the call. No one disagreed," Zoro said.
"But…I…"
"Go to sleep, Cook. You wanna help? Get some rest until it's time to save our captain. You have a big role to play in the plan. Save your strength for that," Zoro said. He yawned. "That's what I intend to do anyway."
Sanji tried to come up with another protest, but right now thinking was just so damn hard. A bony hand settled on his shoulder.
"Come along, Sanji-san," Brook said, helping Chopper guide him over to the couch. Multiple hands removed his tie and jacket. Robin, he assumed. A smile from the archeologist, her arms crossed in front of her, confirmed his suspicions.
"Rest now, Sanji. We'll handle the rest," she said.
They got us, Cook, Vinsmoke said.
Usopp came with a pillow and blanket. Chopper and Brook got him to lie down. Across the kitchen, he could hear the water running as Nami washed the dishes. Sounds fluttered in and out of his consciousness after that. He thought he heard the sound of Kid's voice mocking someone and later laughing uproariously before agreeing to 'come help save Straw Hat's pathetic ass.'
Eventually Vinsmoke interrupted his chaotic and anxious thoughts.
Let's go to sleep, Cook. Our crew is capable. They will handle it. Sleep.
With that, Sanji's mind and body finally began to settle, the familiar sounds of his crew's comings and goings happening around him. For the first time in a long time, his mind slept in silence.
Author's Notes:
"And if I'm not mistaken, he's not the only one who needs to rest," Brook said gently. Sanji sensed eyes on him.
It took everything in me not to go "But Brook had no eyes. Yohohoho!"
Ahem, anyways.
Took a short break from this one because
* Sanji Week came up and I had an idea for it I wanted to write out really quick. (It was totally intended to be a one-shot, but now it might have to become a series. If you're curious, go check out "Princess of the Desert, Prince of the Sea.")
* I was having a bit of a block with writing this chapter and how exactly I wanted it to go, what I wanted to include, and where I wanted it to end.
I think the next chapter should be the last one, with maybe an epilogue after that, but I make no promises. Particularly because the way this story's going, I basically have to pull off a Luffy rescue scenario about the size of Marineford. No pressure. None at all.
Thanks for joining me on this crazy journey. It's nuts how far this little tale went. It was just supposed to be a short story, maybe five chapters, exploring Sanji going Full Germa and Zoro keeping his promise. And then the Law scenario happened! And then Vegapunk kidnapped him! And then everyone got caught! We were still in Wano when I started writing this. And now in the actual story…! Well, manga spoilers and all that. But we'll see what happens!