A/N: First of all, hi. Second of all, I just really wanted to write something and the plots of this story were just floating around in my head.

Sanji and OC centric. Takes place after Wano. OC fic(fem reader). Rated T for possible graphic descriptions. Also I don't like simp Sanji so I kind of removed him and made him more serious in this fic. Enjoy and check out my other One Piece fanfics.

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or any of its characters besides my own made up in this story.

...

Your POV

The only thing you were wearing that actually had value was your sword. Your (e/c) eyes were pink and weary from many sleepless nights. Your (h/c) hair was a tangled mess. Your clothing had been reduced to tattered rags. Your black boots had barely survived, escaping with a mere scratch. Your sword, however, was untouched and spotless, its hilt gleaming as the rising sun started to shine. Nevertheless, for someone who had survived a Buster Call, you came out pretty clean.

You recalled the moment you heard about the call. You ran straight for the shore and on to a Navy ship. You snuck on at just the right time—seconds before they were set to leave so they didn't get caught in the line of fire. It was too late however. Just moments after setting sail, the ship had been blown to bits. You jumped overboard and stayed underwater for as long as you could. It was the safest place to be at that time. When the water had completely extinguished the fire, you found the biggest piece of debris left over from the explosion. It was a small piece of wood, only large enough to fit three small people. Thankfully, you were only one.

As the raft drifted away, the island slowly faded into the distance.

You realized you were mad. You were angry. Angry that the Marines would kill so many innocent people for the sole purpose of killing you.

Your thoughts drifted away as you came back into the moment. The sun was rising. It was hot. It made you hungry. Regardless, the hot air continued to blow against your face, making your already pink eyes turn red.

Suddenly, you saw something in the distance. It was a ship, and it was headed your way. You decided it was time to do things your old fashioned way—sneak onto the ship. It was how you got to that now-destroyed island in the first place. Sneaking onto ships was how you had ever gotten anywhere. It was time to do it again. You would sneak on, steal some of their food, wait until they arrived at whatever island they were going to and get off there.

You took one last breath, dove into the water, and headed for the back of the ship.

...

Strawhats POV

"Look!" Usopp yelled, looking into his binoculars and pointing. "There's a raft!"

"Let me see! Let me see!" Luffy snatched the binoculars from Usopp's hand. He put them over his eyes and stared into the distance. "Usopp's right! There is a raft!"

"What?! Is there someone on it? Let me see!" Chopper started jumping up and down until he could reach the binoculars in Luffy's hand. "You're right! There is! But I can't tell if someone's on it or not!"

"Let's find out then!" Luffy streched his hand until he could grab the raft. He pulled it close enough for them to see if there was someone on it. They were slightly disappointed to find out that it was abandoned.

"What are they talking about?" Robin giggled.

"No idea." Nami sighed.

...

Sanji POV

Everyone has already eaten breakfast. Sanji was washing the dishes and thinking of what he would make for lunch until he felt an unusual presence. He turned off the water and dried his hands. He walked out of the kitchen and down to where everyone else was.

He was confused to find that everything was completely normal. Nami and Robin were reading their books. Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper were fooling around. Zoro was sleeping. Brook was playing his violin. Franky was working. Jinbei was watching Franky.

Neither Luffy nor Zoro seemed to notice anything wrong, so he thought that maybe his mind was just playing tricks on him. However, he just couldn't get himself to go back to the kitchen. Something was... wrong.

"What is it, Sanji-kun?" Jinbei asked.

"Something's not right," he replied. He continued to stare into the sky, as if waiting for something to appear.

Zoro opened his eye. "Everything's fine, idiot. Luffy hasn't noticed anything. Neither have I."

Usually, this was the kind of remark that started an argument between the two, but Sanji was too focused on finding out what was wrong. "I know. But something is wrong..." His tone quickly changed. "Someone is here."

This got everyone's attention. Brooke stopped playing his violin. Luffy and Usopp stopped what they were doing. Nami and Robin put their books down. Zoro stood and unsheathed a sword. Sanji got ready. Franky and Jinbei put their guard up.

"Wait," Nami said, breaking the silence, "where's Chopper?"

"Bravo," said a voice. "You've caught me." (Y/n) walked down the stairs. She had Chopper held upside-down by a leg in one hand and her sword in the other.

"Hey! Put him down!" Luffy yelled.

"Who are you? What do you want with Chopper?" Nami asked.

"I don't want anything from Mr. Tony Tony Chopper here. However, if you don't bring me a plate of food within 5 minutes, the raccoon gets it." She held her sword to Chopper's eye. "Also, I borrowed some of your clothes, Nami-san. I hope you don't mi-"

"Food?" Luffy said. "All you want is food? You could have just asked! Sanji makes the best food."

"Sanji," she said. "Vinsmoke Sanji. This is the first time I've been noticed sneaking onto a ship. It's quite remarkable, your Observation Haki."

He didn't respond.

"Well, you better get going, Cook," she said. "Clock is ticking." She inched the sword closer to Chopper's eye. He shrieked.

Sanji silently walked to the kitchen. (Y/n) followed, with Chopper still held upside-down in her hand.

The meal was finished in 3 minutes. He set the steaming seafood pasta in front of her.

"H-how?" (Y/n) said.

"Experience," Sanji said blatantly. He turned the sink on and went back to washing dishes. (Y/n) was astonished at how careless he was of his friend's life.

"D-do you not care that I'm holding your friend hostage?!" (Y/n) said.

"I don't like to talk down to ladies, but you would have time to even move your sword before I got there."

"So why did you comply, then? Why did you make me food?"

"I'm a cook. I can't watch someone starve and do nothing about it."

"And how do I know that this isn't poisoned?"

"I already told you—I'm a cook. I would never do that. Plus, you saw me make it."

"Fine." She dropped Chopper and sheathed her sword back in its black case. It matched the black pants and gray shirt she had taken from Nami's dresser. Chopper squealed and ran to door. Zoro, Luffy, Nami, and Robin, now carrying Chopper, walked in.

(Y/n) had already completely finished her plate. Sanji had finished the dishes.

"Now that you've eaten, what do you want?" Nami said.

"Take me to the next island."

"No way!" Nami said. "We're not even headed to an island! We're already loaded on supplies."

"Fine. Drop me off at whatever island you stop at next."

"No way! That's even worse." Zoro complained.

"Okay. Throw me off the side of the ship."

Nami hesitated.

"Exactly. There's nothing else you can do with me."

"It's your decision, Luffy," Robin said.

"Okay! You can stay!" Luffy exclaimed happily.

"Luffy!" Nami yelled. "She can't stay!"

"Of course she can!" Luffy said. "Why not?"

Nami sighed, knowing that nothing could change his mind. "Fine," Nami said. "But someone has to keep an eye on her."

No one offered to do it.

"I'll do it," Sanji volunteered, breaking the silence. "We're already in the kitchen."

"Okay!" Luffy said, running out happily.

"Don't go all heart eyes, Cook," Zoro warned before he left. Sanji rolled his eyes. Nami and Robin, with Chopper, walked out after him.

...

Strawhats POV

"Are we really going to trust Sanji in there alone?" Usopp asked.

"I get what you're saying, but... something was different," Nami explained.

"Different?" Jinbei asked. "Different how?"

"I don't know... Sanji just wasn't acting the same."

"I guess we'll find out soon enough! Yohoho!" Brook exclaimed.

...

Your POV

After a few minutes of silence, a drink appeared on the counter in front of you.

"Here. You must be thirsty," Sanji said.

"Thanks," you said. You took a sip of the drink. It was a delicious, freshly-squeezed fruit punch. All the flavor burst into your mouth at once. You didn't want it to stop, but Sanji's voice pulled you back into reality.

"And... I never caught your name?" Sanji said, lighting a cigarette.

You hesitated. "I'm (Y/n)."

"(Y/n)... that's a nice na..." his voice trailed off, relalizing. "You're that one on the wanted poster. 970 million berries. So you're a pirate?"

"No... not exactly. I just like being free. Apparently thats against the Government's rules, so I've been running around for a while. Then, I guess I got too curious and found out some stuff about the Marines that I shouldn't have. Now, I just can't walk away from it without feeling guilty for not doing something about it."

"You're right about that. I can't say I haven't been in the same situation," Sanji replied, recalling the moment he had to make the decision to save his family, or deal with the guilt of letting them die for the rest of his life. "But, 'stuff'. What stuff did you find out?"

"Well, for one, their Fleet Admiral is a piece of crap."

"I already know that."

You laughed and finished the rest of your drink.

"Anyways, are you still hungry? I can make you something else."

"I'm full, actually. The food was deli-"

The ship shook. You were thrown to the ground. Sanji was still on his feet.

"Come on!" He helped you up. You both ran out the door and met with the others.

Your eyes widened when you saw who it was.

"(Y/n)! It's just Marines!" Sanji said.

"Th-they're the ones."

"The ones who what?" Nami asked, worried.

"The ones who called the Buster Call."

"B-buster Call?" Robin said.

"I-" you started. Another cannon ball was coming straight for you. You couldn't move. This was it. Suddenly, Sanji jumped in front of you, his leg on fire and cigarette still in his mouth. He kicked the cannon ball so hard it shattered into a million pieces and fell into the water.

Another one came toward the ship, but Zoro sliced it in half before it could reach.

"Franky!" Luffy shouted, destroying another cannon ball. "Coup de Burst! Now!"

"I need to fill up on cola!" Franky said.

"Then do it fast!" Zoro yelled.

"(Y/n)-san. How did they find you?" Brook asked gently.

You were slightly freaked out talking to a skeleton, but you replied. "I... I don't know. Unless..."

"Unless what?" Robin asked. Behind her, Zoro cut another cannon ball.

"Unless thy put a tracker on me... but that's impossible." You immediately felt the urge, to touch the back of your neck, so you did. Something was there—a slight feeling of electricity. "There's something in my neck. They must have put it on me when I was asleep."

"I'm afraid you have a lot of explaining to do, (Y/n)-san," Robin said. "But that can wait until later."

"Coup de Burst is a go!" Franky yelled.

Seconds before the ship launched away, a purple gas filled the ship. "Poison." That was the last word you got out before you were knocked out from behind with another chemical.

...

Strawhats POV

"(Y/n). They took her," Robin said.

"Good. We're better off without her," Zoro said.

"This chemical," Chopper said, sniffing the gas. "What is it?"

Robin studied it as it started to fade away. It was strong. Even using Coup de Burst didn't diminish it. "This is... poison."

"Poison? It can't be. No one was affected by it," Usopp said.

"I read about this once. It's a poison that targets the lungs."

"Lungs..." Chopper said. His eyes widened. "Sanji! Where's Sanji?"

They couldn't find him. "Why would they take him?" Nami asked, worried.

"I don't know," Robin said.

...

Sanji POV

"Why did you bring him? I told you just to get the girl," a voice said.

"He knows too much," said the other.

"I told you we would take care of him later. If we kill him, it would be too suspicious. Someone would find out that he was involved and no one would trust the Marines. This is why you follow orders. Now we have nothing to do with him."

Marines, Sanji thought. He had been eavesdropping for the past few minutes. All he had to do was act like he was asleep.

Marine #2 waited for an order.

"Just leave him in the cell for now. Inform me when he wakes up," Marine #1 said.

"And the girl?" asked Marine #2.

"Leave the girl to me. Inform me when she wakes up as well."

They both walked away.

Finally, Sanji opened his eyes. The room was dimly lit. He was in a cell. He was sitting on the floor, in the corner, with his back leaning against the wall. His hands were tied behind his back with chains. His ankles were tied as well.

Sanji could see (Y/n)'s silhouette in the opposite corner. Neither her hands nor her ankles were tied, but she didn't have her sword. She was still asleep.

"(Y/n)," Sanji said quietly. She didn't wake up. "(Y/n)."

The second call woke her up. "Sanji?" she whispered. "Why did they take you?"

"I was eavesdropping on them. They said that I know too much. I'm not sure what that means, though. Or how they knew what you told me."

"The tracker in my neck. It must have had a microphone," she said. "Anyways, are you okay?"

"Yeah. Are you?"

"Yea-"

Suddenly, Sanji went into an uncontrollable fit of coughing.

"Sanji!" (Y/n) scooted over to him. He didn't stop coughing for another 2 minutes. "What's wrong?..." Something caught her eye. There were faded purple lines running up his neck. She traced them back down to his chest. As she unzipped his brown jacket and unbuttoned his white shirt, she could see that the purple lines became darker.

Normally, Sanji would be flattered, but for some reason, he didn't feel that way right now. Maybe it was the burning sensation he felt when she traced her finger down the purple lines on his chest. He winced.

"You were poisoned before they took us."

"Poisoned?" his now hoarse voice said.

"Yes. The chemical they used—I've seen it before. It targets the lungs, then spreads throughout the rest of the body and slowly weakens you. Once it completely coats your heart, you're dead."

"And how long do I have?"

"About 72 hours. We need to get out of here."

"Great. So I'm dead in 3 days," Sanji said.

"Two, actually. I assume we've been here for at least one day."

"So I'm dead in 2 days. Even better."

"Don't worry," (Y/n) said. "We can find our way around this base, but I need you to kick down the door."

"Base? I thought we were on a ship."

"Not anymore. I think took us to their base. I don't feel any rocking, like I would on a ship, so I think we're on an island now. Anyways, the door?"

"I don't know if you noticed, but my hands and legs are tied."

"Then just break out of those, too."

"You made it sound easy." Sanji grunted as he sat straight up. He took one long breath and pulled his legs apart to break the chains around his ankles. It worked. His hands were harder to do, but he broke them successfully as well.

"Great," (Y/n) said. "Now the door."

Sanji stood up slowly. He felt weak. A wave of fatigue made him want to pass out, but (Y/n) caught his arm as he steadied himself.

"Alright," he said. He took a few steps back, then ran up and kicked the door. It didn't budge.

...

Your POV

Sanji kicked the door a few more times. The most he'd gotten out of it was a creak. The worst he'd gotten out of it was alerting the Marines.

Soon, his fatigue overcame him and he laid back down. At least his hands and ankles weren't tied anymore. You walked over to check on him again. You sat next to him.

"This poison. Is there a cure for it?" Sanji asked

You hesitated to answer. "Not that I know of."

He sighed and closed his eyes. "Chopper could find one if he were here."

"We'll get back in time. You're not going to die."

"How can you be so sure?" he asked.

"Because I can see how far you've come."

"And what about you?" Sanji said. "How far have you come?"

"Is that another way of asking me why the Marines are trying to capture me?" You giggled.

"Yes."

"Well, I've already told you that I've found out a bit more about the World Government than any Marine would like to admit. I suppose that's why."

"Hm," he said. "But is it really that bad they had to take such measures just to kill you?"

"I didn't think so either."

"Something isn't adding up." Sanji said, sitting up.

"Yeah... And how did they know that you smoke? The Marines aren't that perceptive. And why did they take you specifically? I said something about the Buster Call to the others too. You're right. Something is off."

They thought in silence for a while until Sanji winced.

"What is it?" you asked.

When he didn't respond, you unbuttoned his shirt again.

You traced your finger down purple lines running up his chest. They were much darker this time.

"You managed to break out of the chains, huh?" said a voice. You turned around. A muscular man with an ugly hairstyle was standing outside the cell. "Welcome back, Sanji."

You turned to see an annoyed expression on Sanji's face. There was no fear in his eyes. Just hatred and irritation. Finally, Sanji replied.

"Niji."

...