While Chopper treated Sanji's burns, Luffy and Robin turned to the man who had attacked him. Robin lifted him up and held him against the wall with her power.

"Hey," Luffy said, "wake up."

The man stirred and opened his eyes. He stared at them, and then looked down at the hands holding him against the wall and shrieked.

"We'd like some answers," Robin said coolly. "First, is your name Cabeza?"

He nodded. "Yeah . . ."

"Why did you attack our friend?" Robin asked.

"He's a vampire," Cabeza said angrily. "He wanted to suck me dry!"

"No he didn't," Luffy said. "You're stupid."

"Excuse me!?"

"Hold on, Luffy," Robin admonished. "Cabeza-san, I'm curious; do you always have holy water on hand?"

He looked away and muttered "About six months ago, I got attacked by a vampire on vacation. If someone hadn't discovered us, he would have sucked all of my blood; I had to go to the hospital and get a transfusion. So yeah, ever since then, I've kept holy water on hand in case I get attacked."

"I see," Robin said. "We were sent here because Sanji—the vampire you attacked—is searching for a way to return to being human. He wasn't here to take any of your blood or attack you in any way."

"He . . . he wasn't going to attack me?"

Robin shook her head. She released him and let him fall to the ground.

"So I hurt him for no reason," he mumbled. "Dammit."

Luffy went back to the others. "How's he doing, Chopper?"

"He'll be fine," Chopper said. "The burns are first-degree; they're close to second-degree, but not close enough to call them that."

"I dunno what that means, but if he's fine, then good," Luffy said.

"I . . ." said Cabeza quietly from the floor, "I'm sorry for what I did."

"Tell that to him, not us," Nami said, pointing towards Sanji. "Once he wakes up, that is. Mind if we chat while we're waiting?"

He shook his head. "Of course not." He seemed to regain some composure. "There, ah, there aren't enough seats for all of us; is sitting on the floor okay?"

No one had any problem with that, so they sat in a circle on the floor.

"My name's Cabeza," he said, reintroducing himself. "And, ah, you are?"

They gave their names.

"If you don't mind me asking, who sent you to me?" he asked.

"A guy at the other side of the island," Franky said. "We never got his name."

Cabeza looked confused.

"Red hair, freckles . . ." Zoro prompted.

He still looked confused.

"Kind of an asshole?" Nami said.

His expression cleared up. "Oh, him! Yes, his name's Gamba; we studied magic together when we were young." He frowned. "Say, how did your friend . . . become like that?"

"That was his fault," Zoro said. "Gamba or whatever."

Cabeza sighed. "That moron's so reckless. I haven't seen him in a year, but it seems like he hasn't changed."

"Sanji! Are you okay?"

At this, the crew turned to see Chopper standing over Sanji, who was stirring.

"What a weird dream," he mumbled to himself. "Zombies and a skeleton and shadows . . ." he blinked, sat up slowly, and looked around. "Ugh, I'm still here . . . hey, what's happening?"

"Are you okay, Sanji?" Chopper repeated.

"My face still stings," Sanji said, touching it lightly and wincing, "but it's better than before. You treated me, right? Thanks."

Chopper went into one of his dances. While he told Sanji not to thank him, bastard, Sanji looked over at the others. "So what's—you," he growled, seeing Cabeza sitting with them, "you damn jerk, what was that all about!?"

Cabeza quickly bowed his head. "I-I'm sorry," he whimpered. "It was a mistake. Please forgive me, Mr. Vampire."

"He doesn't seem like a bad guy, Mr. Bitey," Usopp said. "I think it's okay."

Sanji glared at Usopp. "Fine, whatever," he muttered, swinging his legs around and standing. "So, about going back to a human . . ."

"Give me a few minutes," Cabeza said, standing. "I'll check in the books that I have."

"May I come?" Robin asked. "I'd like to see your collection."

"S-Sure," he said nervously. She stood and followed him out of the room.

"You're okay, Sanji?" Luffy asked cheerfully.

"Pretty much," Sanji said with a little shrug. His face was still a bit pink. "Thirsty, but fine."

The others looked away nervously.

"Oh, stop that," he said with a scowl. "I'm not planning to take any blood right now."

"I bet you weren't planning to take my blood that night, but you did it anyway," Usopp mumbled.

Sanji glared at him.

Man, Usopp just won't let it go.