So, after this, we have . . . one or two more chapters! Neat.
"This is awesome, Sanji!" Usopp exclaimed while eating the breakfast Sanji had prepared.
The others nodded in agreement.
"Thanks," Sanji said. "I hope that guy doesn't mind that I used his food."
"Hey, Bro Sanji," Franky said after swallowing what he had. "I was wondering . . . are you breathing?"
"No," Sanji said. "Not automatically."
"The hell does that mean?" Zoro muttered.
"It means that I don't breathe on my own," Sanji said. "I can still suck in and blow out air, but it doesn't happen unless I consciously do it."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Luffy asked as if very hurt.
Sanji scowled. "I don't have to tell you everything. Besides, it's not very important."
"I already knew," Chopper said quietly.
"Chopper!" Luffy whined. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"It's up to Sanji!" Chopper exclaimed. "It's his business, right? I mean, it's not something everyone needs to know about."
"Thank you," Sanji said. "I'm getting thirsty again, so if you all want to keep your blood, you'd better shut your mouths—except for you, Nami-swan."
"Didn't you say that you'd only drink from Luffy and Usopp?" Zoro muttered.
"Exceptions can be made," Sanji said with a shrug. "You, for example."
"Hang on . . ." Zoro said thoughtfully. "If you drink from someone, they get extra food later, right?"
"Sanji, drink from me, drink from me!" Luffy exclaimed eagerly.
"Now look what you've done," Sanji snapped to Zoro.
"What did I do!?"
They began bickering, which ended in Sanji commanding Zoro to be silent. The latter glared at the blond man, fuming.
They heard the front door open and a moment later Cabeza and Robin came in; Robin was carrying a book.
"Good morning, everyone," Robin said. "Sanji, may we talk to you alone for a few minutes?"
"Uh, sure," Sanji said, surprised. He glanced at everyone, told them not to take any more food until he returned, and followed the two out the door.
They seated themselves in the living room. "Well?" Sanji said. "Did you find something?"
"We did," Cabeza said. "And it looks like it won't be difficult for me to perform."
Sanji grinned for a moment, pleased, but then his grin faded. "Hang on, what's the catch?"
Cabeza read aloud from the book: "'. . . takes approximately one to two hours to take full effect. Almost immediately after the spell is cast, the vampire will be consumed by an insane bloodlust. He will not be able to control his feeding urges and attack any humans that are in the vicinity. If the vampire is to drink blood while the spell is taking effect, the magic will be broken and the vampire shall never regain his humanity. This insanity lasts for only the first half of the spell; the second involves the vampire purging himself of blood and, finally, becoming alive and human again.'"
Sanji was silent for a moment. Finally, he said "In other words, I'd go insane if we did this spell?"
"I understand if you'd rather find a different one," Robin said calmly. "This doesn't sound like a pleasant experience."
"This was the best one you two could find, right?" Sanji said.
They nodded.
"I'll do it," he said firmly. "Tie me up or whatever you need to do, but I want to be human again."
"Oh, actually . . ." Cabeza explained to him about the panic room.
"That sounds good," Sanji said. "Go ahead and lock me up; I don't want anyone to get hurt."
"Shall we tell the others?" Robin asked. "While Cabeza-san gets the necessary supplies, that is."
Cabeza stood and went to get the supplies from downstairs; Robin and Sanji went to explain the situation to the others.
"Sanji's gonna go crazy!?" Luffy yelled when they were finished explaining.
Chopper and Usopp whimpered.
"I guess it's good to know what we're going to be dealing with," Nami said quietly. "Sanji-kun, are you sure you want to do this?"
Sanji smiled. "Nami-swan, you're so considerate!"
"Actually, I'm more worried that I'll be attacked."
Sanji looked surprised now. "Nami-swan, I would never hurt a lady! And yes, I'm sure; don't worry, dear, I'll be locked up."
Cabeza came upstairs to inform them that everything was prepared. The group stood as one and followed him down.
Instead of turning right off to the room they'd been sleeping in, Cabeza led them to the left. He pushed open the door to reveal a bare gray room with a large and round steel door in one wall. On the floor was a magic circle, with many intricate symbols surrounding it.
"It's already set to be locked from the outside," he explained, pulling it open and showing them the interior, which featured a light on the ceiling and empty shelves.
"I need to restock on canned food," he explained in reference to the shelves. "Mr. Vampire, if you would stand in the middle here . . ."
"How does this work?" Sanji asked, standing in the center. "I just stand here?"
Cabeza nodded. "And, if you could, as soon as the circle stops glowing, run into the room before you go insane. That way everyone will be safe."
"Wouldn't it be better to do it in the room?" Franky asked.
"The floor in there really isn't good for drawing," Cabeza said, pointing to the hardwood floor in the panic room and then the cement floor where they were standing. "Mr. Vampire, please hold still and remember to run."
Sanji nodded. Cabeza lifted the book he was holding, raised a hand, and chanted "Ti si emit ot nruter ot ruoy suoiverp fles; ot ecno niaga leef eht nus no ruoy niks, wonk ruoy nwo fles ni eht rorrim, ees eht thgil fo yad, wonk eht etsat fo doof; ot eb namuh ecno niaga, dna a eripmav on erom; yb eht rewop fo lluksyarg, I evah eht rewop; I DNAMMOC TI OT EB OS!"
The circle's bright glow faded at these words. Sanji nodded to Cabeza in thanks, spun on his heel, and strode into the panic room. As he entered, his steps began to slow, until finally he stopped altogether and put a hand to his mouth. Cabeza hurried forward to close the door, but just before it could shut, Sanji whipped around and lunged, pushing past the open door and back into the bare gray room.