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Chapter 28

A dream in blue

Sanji followed the emperor angelfish's undulations along the coral reef with wonder. About thirty centimeters long, he had spotted it thanks to its bright yellow color on its dorsal and caudal fins while he was observing the impressive diversity of coral and fish species in the lagoon a little earlier.

Much to his joy, the blond had discovered that the place provided shelter for an exceptional ecosystem and for two days that he had been roaming it from one end to the other, he hadn't even determined all the species he had seen. Nami had assured him that she had enough details for her map since the day before but that didn't stop the cook from spending all his time in the lagoon. He observed a fish, a habitat, a starfish, a turtle, a crustacean and then another fish again and time was flying by.

Today was the last day and Sanji wanted to enjoy this enchanting break all the way. The rest of his friends had returned to the Sunny by now but even in this late afternoon, he didn't get tired.

The lagoon was beautiful. With an area of a few hundred square meters, the sea was shallow but its small size didn't prevent it from giving rise to treasures of fauna and flora. Within it and as Nami had confirmed, several islets had formed as a result of the accumulation of dead coral fragments pushed by the currents as well as sand from the seabed. A coral reef sparkling with life and intersected in two places by a channel connecting it with the high seas completed its demarcation.

The first day, Sanji had explored a good part of the reef with Usopp and Franky and with the help of Jinbei, they had been able to identify rare or unknown species. Then Luffy had joined them, intrigued by the multitude of multicolored fish under the almost transparent water in which he could wade. He had quickly preferred to play on the tiny sandbanks or directly in the ocean though. Indeed, the blond had been adamant about the essential care and thoroughness that everyone had to show when moving around the lagoon to protect it. This space was fragile and the coral reef in particular couldn't suffer shocks otherwise it would be permanently damaged.

While some had observed the seabed, the others had studied the small spaces of land. Nami had spent several hours drawing the places, examining with Robin, Chopper and Brook both the coral reef and the islets which attracted many species of seabirds coming to nest safely. The navigator had then left with dozens of shells and for his part, Zoro had followed his friends here and there, enjoying the calm of the place to meditate on the farthest islet and rest without being disturbed.

The emperor angelfish suddenly came across a green birdmouth wrasse and the blond turned to follow his new find, fascinated. The small fish had a slender blue-green body, a two-tone head, a very long tube-shaped snout and a forked tail. It was trying to catch small invertebrates along the rock with its tubiform snout and Sanji was careful not to get too close so as not to disturb it.

A few minutes later, the cook finally rose to the surface and took off his snorkel and goggles as he dropped onto the sand of the islet he had reached. He then rolled onto his back to catch his breath. Even if he didn't make an intense effort, breathing in a piece of plastic for hours wasn't the most pleasant but he gladly put up with it considering the treasures he could see in exchange. Against his dripping skin, the sun was still intense despite the arrival of evening and the water around his legs was as nice as a bath.

The blond closed his eyes to enjoy these precious moments. He hadn't felt so peaceful for a long time and he owed it as much to the long hours he spent swimming as to the enchanting landscape around him.

If the sea could be particularly dangerous, Sanji was also convinced that it was one of the doors that led directly to paradise. Its abysmal depths, its immensity and its inhabitants, for the most part still mysterious, attested to this. The cook could stay for hours on end contemplating the blue of the sky reflected in its infinite waves. The rays of the sun or the moon adorned the sea with perpetual variations reflecting its moods and Sanji had often had the feeling that the sea understood him. Wherever he was, it never stopped calling him.

He was floating on a boat night and day, and the blond had the impression that he had forgotten how much he needed contact with the ocean and how much it allowed him to feel like himself. Its waters had offered him escape when he had finally found the strength to flee his family, then they had revealed their treasures so that he could become the cook he had always wanted to be.

As his fingers lazed in the middle of the wet sand, the sea suddenly came to surround his hand and Sanji couldn't help but squeeze it back like he would with a friendly hand. The water immediately escaped him and disappeared into the sand, but it wasn't a loss, only the proof of the reassuring and immutable movement of life around him. A few seconds later indeed, another wave reached the islet and the water touched him again, assuring him of its eternal presence.

Sanji didn't smell the sea spray and barely tasted the salt on his lips but that didn't matter. In the ocean, the waves enveloped him and supported him, carried him. He never felt alone in the sea.

A feast of shrimp and langoustines greeted the Straw Hat Pirate's crew for dinner that evening, sparking cheers and admiration from all. Due to the exceptional living conditions that the reef provided, the place was full of seafood, each one more succulent than the last. For almost three days, everyone had been feasting on the finest dishes. Even Luffy didn't ask for his daily portion of meat and he wolfed down seafood like it was the crispiest piece of bacon.

What delighted the crew even more was the dazzling smile of their cook when he placed his dishes before them though. Indeed, the fishing here was not only delicious but it didn't require any particular effort in cooking since it was enough for the blond to select the best shellfish, the most appetizing crustaceans and the plumpest fish before serving them almost as they were. A simple sauce and some accompaniments were enough to sublimate an already tasty dish and Sanji almost felt like he could take care of his friends as usual. The result was an unmistakable sparkle in his eyes which greatly delighted each of his friends. And even if everyone knew that their departure the next day would deprive Sanji of this magical place, they still hoped that the memory of these few days would allow him to face the following ones.

Zoro felt the first light of dawn softly illuminating the large bay windows of the crow's nest before he even opened his eyes. The swordsman took a deep breath to allow his body to regain its sensations and come out of the state of deep meditation he had been immersed in for several hours. The nights had been calm since the crew had anchored near the lagoon, but as a precaution, he stayed on watch, which suited him very well. The fencer actually liked the silent hours of the night because they offered him the opportunity to concentrate for a long time without interruption and to perfect his physical or mental techniques.

As he slowly got up, the swordsman glanced down at the lagoon below. The sun was beginning to illuminate its waters beyond the Sunny's shadow and he suddenly realized that he hadn't noticed the cook's presence on the ship all night. The blond had probably stayed down there at the prospect of their departure but with the sunrise, he would soon have no choice. Their next destination was waiting for them and Nami had already postponed the deadline to allow the blond to enjoy it. Like all his friends, Zoro had noticed the benefits of the place on their cook and just like them, he knew that Sanji needed it.

The swordsman couldn't deny that the blond was making real efforts since their heated and painful conversation on the last island and yet, his crewmate's tension didn't diminish. For his part, Zoro tried to support him but quite often, he wasn't even sure what he was doing either.

That evening, he had agreed on a whim. Sanji had asked him for help and the cook had touched him. Indeed, despite the fury Zoro had felt towards him, at that moment, he had seemed to finally understand his crewmate. Sanji had stripped himself of all pride and false pretense. He had shown himself as he really was, unhappy and terrified. So even if Zoro didn't quite understand what the cook could fear that much, as a man of his words, he had promised himself that he too would do his best.

And what else could Sanji do other than go to his galley to remember who he was? It was so obvious that Zoro hadn't imagined for a second how much this simple act could cost his crewmate. Of course, he understood that Sanji had lost his bearings because of his lack of taste and smell, but when he saw the blond trembling in front of his food, it wasn't just because of frustration or anger. In those moments, the dark side that Sanji carried within him seemed to take over, making him lose all his means. Making him forget that he lived and breathed mostly for the sole purpose of feeding and serving others. Making him forget who he was and why he was on this ship.

But Zoro didn't know any other way to help than to confront him with the one he had always known so he pushed the blond to his limits. Even if it meant making him tense up even more, even if it meant coming close to disaster when Sanji started to panic over a simple recipe. The blond didn't flinch and he always ended up handling it but the swordsman knew that what he was suggesting wasn't enough. Something seemed to escape the cook to allow him to move forward and the fencer was reduced to the same state of incomprehension. Yet Zoro was certain that the answer to his questions lay in the fact that the cook was still a prisoner of himself and his past. Of his family.

The swordsman was facing the same wall as Chopper. He was willing to fight against the whole world to give back to his crewmate the confidence he had lost but he couldn't destroy the image that Sanji had of himself. Zoro could just make sure he was always by his side so that the day the cook decided to face the truth, he wouldn't be alone. That was all he could do and maybe it wasn't that bad.

Either way, the fencer had also found some peace since this event. Sanji may be far from being himself again, but he now had the sincere desire to get through this and his exposure that night proved it. It was all Zoro had ever wanted and now he was ready to fulfill his part. No matter how long it would take, he would be there. The crew would play their protective role to allow Sanji to rest and Luffy would remind him that he had chosen him to be by his side. As for him, Zoro would be who he had always been. His rival and his partner. His alter ego and his equal.

The swordsman slid down the ropes and the dawn hit him instantly when he stepped on the deck of the Sunny to head for the stern. At this hour, the silence was still total and only the sound of the waves breaking softly against the hull was heard.

Zoro liked this suspended time, between the still cold mists of the night and the light which was already warming the atmosphere. The start of a new day was always promising and this morning was no exception.

"Hey."

Sanji jumped as he tore himself off the grainy pillow from the sand beneath his fingers. He glanced around, his eyes full of sleep.

"Mosshead… What are you doing here?"

Zoro had obviously swum to get here judging by his chest and wet hair. He had gotten rid of his haramaki and swords but he had kept his pants on and the garment clung to his body as he stood before him, illuminated by the rising sun.

"I came to get you. You didn't come back yesterday and we'll be leaving soon."

Sanji stood up when he actually noticed the first rays of the sun sparkling on the calm waters of the lagoon around them.

"I followed a turtle on the beach; it broke away from the group to bury itself in the sand and I watched it for a while but I must have fallen asleep." The blond looked around the small island on which he was standing. "It's probably gone now…"

He then noticed his swimsuit and chest covered in sand and moved closer to the water to get rid of it. "Are the girls up yet?"

"Everyone's still asleep."

Sanji nodded and as he rinsed off, his gaze suddenly fixed on the coral reef to their left. "I need to show you something, mosshead."

Zoro raised an eyebrow, following his gaze. "What is it?"

"It's a surprise. Let's go!"

His crewmate dove into the water, giving him no chance to protest, and Zoro had no choice but to follow him.

"What the hell is that?"

Zoro glared at the big translucent green plant clinging to the reef that was flush with the surface and moved gently with the current. At his side, Sanji looked at him toothily and the swordsman frowned even more.

"I'm not a seaweed, fucking stupid eyebrows!"

The blond's smile widened instantly. "For your information, it's not a seaweed but a sea anemone and they're also called sea nettles," he explained as the fencer still glared at him.

"Why did you want to show it to me?"

"Because it made me think of you."

"You motherfu-"

"Oh, mosshead, how couldn't I? It just stays lazily in the sun and as soon as you touch it, it's very stinging, just like you! It also has dozens of tentacles that look like little swords to protect it, not to mention this beautiful green color!"

The swordsman rolled his eyes, determined to move away. "It's time we leave this place; you're even stupider than usual."

"Hold on! Look."

Zoro crossed his arms, annoyed, and saw the cook gently touch the sea anemone with a small piece of wood. Immediately, it contracted and many small orange and black fish escaped to swirl around their legs.

The swordsman raised his eyebrows.

"Sea anemones are refuges for many species which don't fear their stinging power by offering them a place safe from predators. This is the case with clown fish," his crewmate explained.

The blond got up slowly so as not to bother them and invited the swordsman to sit on the edge of the islet they were very close to. In this position, they had water up to their waists and in their wake, the clown fish followed them to try to hide between the folds of the swordsman's pants.

"I knew they'd like you." The cook grinned and Zoro just grunted, watching curiously as the little fish circled around him. "You really are like anemones, anyway," Sanji resumed in a softer voice, "Under all your grumpy looks, you protect the crew like a bear and I've been the first witness of it lately."

At these words, Zoro raised his head towards his crewmate and met his gaze resting on him.

"Thank you for not pushing me away that day, Zoro. Thank you for trying to help me, even though I know it's not always successful…"

"As long as you stay honest, you can count on me."

Sanji nodded and let his gaze wander over the increasingly bright waters of the lagoon. A few minutes passed in a comfortable silence during which the blond observed the sea and the swordsman his new friends.

"Hey, Zoro."

The fencer took his eyes off the myriad of clown fish still twirling between his legs and glanced at the blond at his side whose dreamy gaze was resting on the waves.

"Do you think the waters of All Blue are the same color?"

The swordsman felt his heart beat a little faster in his chest at these words and he couldn't help but devour with his eyes the figure bathed in light of his crewmate. The sun had started its course in the sky and it was reflected now as much in his blond hair as on the waters of the lagoon, giving the impression that the cook belonged to the sea in the same way as the fish or mermaids he cherished so much.

This image, this question, the swordsman had been waiting for them for so long. He had spent hours wondering if he would ever see this companion again. And this morning, he finally had confirmation. He had always believed that Sanji was still here. The cook wasn't dead inside this thinner body and his dream vibrated with the same radiance as the sun on his damp skin.

At this moment, Zoro realized that the sea had this incredible power that he didn't possess and that no one else seemed to have either. That of enveloping Sanji to the point of reminding him who he was and where he belonged. Among his crew, among his friends. Among the family he had chosen.

"Don't know. I'll tell you when I see it."

The blond looked at him questioningly and the fencer stared back.

"What? I can't know until I see it; you're the All Blue specialist."

The cook seemed to examine his hands through the transparent water then and the swordsman observed him out of the corner of his eye.

"I wonder if I'd have recovered my sense of smell and taste by then," he finally whispered. "What will happen if I discover the All Blue and can't even enjoy it…"

Zoro shook his head. "It's All Blue, cook. Of course you'll enjoy it. It ain't just about the smell of salt and taste of fish out there."

"What do you mean?"

The blond looked frankly confused and his companion smiled as he stared back at the blue waters ahead of him.

"All Blue is your dream so it'll inevitably have a particular flavor, but not the one you think it will. It's gonna taste like pride and accomplishment. The bitter taste of the obstacles you'll have faced to achieve it will only be a memory and only the incomparable taste of victory will remain. No one can take that taste away from you, cook, and that's the most important."

Zoro felt the cook freeze at his side and he turned to look at him head-on. Even if Sanji still doubted, he was certain of it now and it was time for the cook to hear it again. His companion ended up looking away though, and the fencer himself turned his attention back to the clown fish, aware of the sudden intensity that floated between them.

Several minutes passed without a word until the blond's strangled voice rose again. The swordsman then noticed with surprise that Sanji's eyes were focused on the ocean but also brimming with tears.

"I'm so sorry, Zoro."

The fencer eyes widened and Sanji bit his lip.

"I'm so sorry I ran off without a word. I'm so sorry I didn't have the courage to answer you and I'm so sorry for not being able to do it yet today. You've done so much for me and… I'm so sorry…"

Two tears rolled down his cheeks and the swordsman gazed at his companion for a moment before finally shaking his head.

"What's done is done, cook. You made a choice and I don't blame you."

"I was scared," the blond whispered.

"It doesn't matter. It's come to this and that's how it is. There's nothing to regret."

The cook's hand suddenly gripped his own underwater and Zoro watched them for several seconds before slowly squeezing it back.

"Just get better, you idiot. That's all I ask of you."

An outline of romantic atmosphere between our two heroes…