They had one more stop to make before heading back to Cocoyashi.

"So, where are we going?"

"A restaurant. You wanted to recruit a cook, right?"

"Woo! Food!"

"Also, if, for some reason, a marine fires a cannon our way, don't deflect it, okay? I'll catch it, so don't worry about it."

"I don't really get it, but okay!"

Brynlee did, in fact, catch the cannonball Marine Lieutenant Fullbody fired at them on a whim – and he did not appreciate when she fired it right back with her bare hands. But hey, there wasn't much he could do to pursue them when his ship started sinking, so no one really paid him any mind as they continued toward the Baratie.

"Sanji!"

"Brynlee! Nami! Welcome back!"

Brynlee eagerly accepted Sanji's hug, appreciating the warm welcome. While she visited as often as she could manage, she'd been kept rather busy with helping out Arlong and the Revolutionary Army, so her visits usually occurred once every five months or so. They also couldn't train together as often anymore, since the Baratie gained in popularity, and they could no longer afford to go ashore every two weeks. But they'd made do, and Nami also dropped by whenever she went out on her own to practice her mapping, so their friendship had been steadily nurtured throughout the last six years.

(Thanks to their close relationship, and probably also the fact that Zeff was a woman, Sanji's womanly antics from Before were much less intense, if present at all – something Brynlee was very grateful for.)

"Luffy, Zoro, Usopp – this is Sanji, a very good friend and also the best cook in the East Blue," she introduced. "Sanji, this is our crew."

"Ah, I figured it'd be about time," he mused. "Sabo dropped by two weeks ago – he seemed rather pissed at having missed his little brother's departure."

"Oh, you know Sabo?" grinned Luffy.

"I'm guessing you're the little brother, then. And yes, we've met a couple of times. Now come on, make yourselves comfortable – dinner's on the house."

"Woo-hoo!"

"Wow, your friend seems nice," mused Usopp. "Didn't think we'd get free food here."

"Oh, we're not," assured Nami. "We're just gonna make a run for it once we've racked up a good enough bill."

"Shi-shi-shi! I used to dine'n'dash a lot! It's fun!" laughed Luffy.

Brynlee hung back a bit with Zoro upon noticing the look on his face. "Don't worry. We'll be staying long enough for you to meet Mihawk."

She'd forgotten about them, but they'd met the bounty hunters Johnny and Yosaku on the way, and they'd kindly informed them that none other than Dracule Mihawk had been sighted in East Blue – so of course, Zoro was eager to clash blades.

Brynlee would be lying if she said she wasn't a bit worried. While she knew Zoro would impress Mihawk enough not to die, he'd still end up in a precarious state, and while she was a gambler at heart, she didn't particularly enjoyed gambling with her friends' lives.

What if things go wrong? What if things change from Before, just like with Kaya and Klahadore? What if what I know no longer comes to pass? What if what if what if—

But such was life – not knowing for certain, that is. And, in the end, wasn't that exactly what she'd asked for?

Well, no point in lingering on it. I'll just need to be ready for anything.

As it turned out, Fullbody and his crew managed to patch the hole in their ship before they could fully sink, so they eventually made it to the Baratie. When he tried to stir trouble, no one really batted an eye – but when he pointed his pistol at Brynlee, Sanji promptly kicked him to the curb.

"Disgraceful swine," he huffed. "Don't point a gun at a lady. And most importantly—" He slammed his foot down on Fullbody's arm, effectively snapping it in two. "Don't point a gun at my friend."

Needless to say, Fullbody's men were quick to carry him out before they could get beaten up, too. As soon as they were gone, Sanji gave a small bow, then returned to the kitchens.

"Shi-shi-shi! Your friend is really cool, Bryn!" beamed Luffy. "He makes great food and he's also super strong, so I've decided: he's gonna be our cook!"

"Don't go deciding that on your own," replied Nami, rolling her eyes a bit.

"Go ask him properly," agreed Brynlee. "He's got a pretty great dream but, right now, he's still very attached to this restaurant. You'll have to be super convincing, okay?"

Luffy's grin only widened, if possible. "Got it! Oi, Sanji!"

Their Captain promptly took off to the kitchens, and Zoro, Nami, and Usopp shot Brynlee a flat look. She simply sipped her smoothie, unbothered. So what if she'd sicked her infinitely adorable and way-too-stubborn Captain on her friend? Even with her Silver Tongue Feat almost maxed out, she doubted she'd be able to convince him to join them – might as well leave it up to the one person who could.

If it wasn't obvious, I don't care much for either the bounty hunters or Fullbody, hence why they didn't get much limelight. I apologize if this particular Arc feels a little rushed - I swear the other story Arcs will start getting proper attention once we get to Loguetown!