Chapter 68

Along the way

Sanji glanced at his team, who were particularly attentive and silent in the middle of lunch service while he continued cutting the vegetables and monitoring the broth. He didn't know if the new concentration of his two sous-chefs was due to the presence of Malek but since the latter shared their space in the kitchens of the All Blue, it was obvious that Elio and Sam were working harder. Whether it was out of competitive spirit or fear of losing their place, Sanji didn't care. All that mattered was that the food came out faster and better. He hoped that this state of mind would continue.

In fact, Malek had only been there for three days and he exclusively managed the crew's meals without participating in the restaurant's preparations. Serving three meals a day as well as snacks to the Straw Hat crew members was already a full-time job and Sanji was well placed to know. Sharing stocks and the preparation of the dishes made it possible for everyone to save time though.

The new cook was very curious and he didn't hesitate to ask questions and wonder about the choice of one ingredient rather than another. Sometimes, he also took his pencil to write down his own ideas for future menus and the day before, he had suggested a sauce for a side dish that Sanji had approved.

The blond had to admit that the young man seemed to possess impressive dexterity and unfailing composure, which had probably allowed him to survive on the Sunny given the captain's voracity. Despite the mastery and experience he had, he was no less thirsty for knowledge and Sanji particularly approved of this disposition. Indeed, too many cooks became full of themselves when they began to achieve success and they no longer bothered to improve or even to be on the lookout for new flavors.

All these elements combined, Sanji wanted all the more for his sous-chefs to follow his example.

"Four toasts of gingerbread with Parma ham, six carpaccio of halibut with foie gras and truffles and six Jerusalem artichoke creams," Zeff suddenly barked from his post as Amy had just brought him new orders.

"Four toasts, six carpaccio, six creams," Sanji repeated to check that he had heard correctly. "Are we on time?" He then asked his two cooks.

"The monkfish tartares with capers will be ready in seven minutes, chef!" Elio said.

"Okay, you'll do the carpaccio after."

"Yes, chef!"

"Sam, what about you?"

"I… I still have the exotic filet mignon cooking and I also have the mango tiramisu in preparation," the young man finally replied.

Sanji gritted his teeth and checked that the fish was still firm in the pot. They were late with the orders. The bad weather on Vorgo for two days had destabilized the door and the delivery of their ingredients had been delayed. They hadn't been able to anticipate their usual preparations and that's why they were running from one post to another now.

"Can you take care of the toasts?" He still asked, quickly peeling and cutting other vegetables for his soup.

"Uh…"

"I need an answer, Sam," he said impatiently. "Yes or no, that's all I ask!"

"I need someone to help me," Amy chimed in, sticking her head through the doors. "Vorgo's group has finally arrived, there are more than forty."

"Okay, I'll come," the blond decided. "Make them wait with the duck breast and pineapple appetizer spoons and take the orders please."

"I'll take care of it," she assured him, disappearing just as quickly.

"Sam?!" Sanji barked, throwing his vegetables into the huge pot of fish soup that was still simmering.

"I, uh… I'm not sure, chef," he admitted, visibly distraught.

"Okay." Sanji raised his head and caught Zeff's gaze, busy making the sponge cake for their pistachio and strawberry log as well as the caramelized apple chaplains. He nodded and Sanji untied his apron from his hips.

"Zeff is gonna make the fish soup and the salmon and spinach puff pastry. Elio, you take the carpaccio and the toasts. Sam, the Jerusalem artichoke cream. I'll take care of all the extras and special orders. Is that clear?"

The two sous-chefs approved but the blonde didn't miss their tense faces in front of the amount of work that awaited them and he grabbed several plates of carpaccio and toasts to position them on a gigantic tray.

"Don't panic. If everyone stays calm and organized, we'll get through this."

"I can help," Malek suddenly offered, wiping his hands on his own apron. Sanji paused and looked at the other cook who pointed to his workstation in return. "The filet mignon for Luffy took me the longest but I'm almost finished and for the others, I've already started the desserts. If you want, I can give you a hand," he offered.

"It'd be great," the blond admitted. "If you can help Elio and Sam before they pass out," he suggested while stacking baskets of bread on his already overloaded tray. "Zeff and I will take care of the rest."

"Sure," the dark-haired man assured him with a smile.

Malek walked towards the two sous-chefs who were delighted by his appearance and a second later, Sanji pushed open the doors of the room after checking his outfit. The service was far from over.

Two hours later, the last customers pushed the door of the All Blue towards the way back and in the kitchen, the team could finally breathe. Elio and Sam plopped down on a chair, exhausted, and Sanji allowed them a few minutes of break before getting down to cleaning. For his part, Zeff immediately started the dishes that Amy had just finished clearing and Sanji followed Malek outside to light a cigarette.

Once in the open air, the two men leaned against the wall with a sigh. The dark-haired man let out a small laugh then. "What a day…"

"It was only lunch," Sanji reminded him, flicking the flame from his lighter, amused.

"True! It was so intense that it felt like a whole day!"

"Without the possibility of anticipating our preparations, it's rather sporty," the blond admitted, offering him a cigarette which Malek declined.

"What you're doing is a miracle," the other cook continued. "The quality, the pace, the service. I've never seen a restaurant like that… How many seats do you serve? Eighty?"

"A hundred when it runs well," Sanji replied. "This service was special because our orders were late. It's also to avoid this type of inconvenience that we try to develop All Blue," he added after exhaling his smoke.

"It'd avoid some unforeseen events," Malek agreed.

"Exactly. By the way, we probably wouldn't have gotten through this without you, so thanks. It was nice to support them; I thought Sam was gonna faint…"

Malek nodded while enjoying the few rays of sunlight through the clouds, a smile on his lips. "You need to work together in a kitchen and then, it was great. It reminded me of my old life… Besides, I realized that your techniques are very different from those I learned in the South Blue…"

"Every chef has his own methods," Sanji pointed out, taking a drag on his cigarette again.

"Yeah, I guess…"

"By the way, how was the crew lunch?"

"With an excessive appetite, as usual!" Malek replied, laughing. "The fish soup was very successful. Oh, and the girls really enjoyed the desserts too! Your idea of serving orange blossom tea with the apple chaplains was obviously a hit!"

"Nami-san and Robin-chan have delicate palates, they know how to appreciate the most subtle associations." The blond smiled as he released his smoke towards the sky.

"Luffy ate my share, I'll never know!" The other cook told him, laughing.

"Geez… There might be some left, you have to ask the old man…"

Sanji took another drag on his cigarette butt before taking a few steps to stretch. His gaze then fell on the large box that Liam had left on the terrace for the crew doctor after guiding Vorgo's group to the restaurant.

"They went back to the Sunny?"

"The boys went there. Nami and Robin left with Lily to walk around the island and see the new plantations."

"I'll drop this off to Chopper as soon as everything is in order then," he decided, stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray provided for this purpose. "I'm sure he'll be happy…"

The little reindeer was indeed delighted to open the box that the scientist had brought him from a neighboring island at his request. After knocking on the door of the infirmary where the doctor stored his equipment, Sanji was invited to examine his purchases with him and the blond did so with pleasure. Enjoying a few casual moments in the company of his crew members was now a privilege that he didn't want to miss.

"My reserves were really low; it turned out to be very difficult to stock up in the New World because of the vagaries of the climate and the enemies." The reindeer showed him his almost empty shelves.

"What is this?" Sanji asked, handing him a bag of dried flowers that he had just grabbed.

"It's a traditional blend of poppy, mallow, violet and mullein flowers. It's very effective against Nami's allergies!"

"This one is really big," the blond noted as he took a large bag out of the box.

"It's for Usopp to help soothe his nervous system!" The doctor replied in a professional tone. "It's composed of a large mixture of fruits and plants which have an action on both the digestive sphere and the mind!"

"You must have needed it, indeed," the blond laughed.

Chopper agreed before putting the bag and a dozen small jars of essential oils on his shelf. For his part, Sanji took out several more mini bottles which he examined with curiosity.

"These are phyto-concentrates," the little reindeer explained. "I use them to activate natural defenses against climate changes and also to detoxify the body. I put them in Luffy and Zoro's food sometimes." As Sanji looked at him questioningly, the doctor shook his head. "Luffy eats anything and Zoro's liver, although never showing any signs of weakness, absorbs far too much alcohol. Better safe than sorry…"

The blond smiled again at this remark and soon, Chopper placed his last bag down, satisfied. He then showed him his new organization with enthusiasm and about twenty minutes later, the two friends came out of the infirmary after the doctor had grabbed a huge book.

They leaned on the railing of the first floor and Sanji took out a cigarette while letting his gaze wander over the deck. Brook, Franky, Luffy and Usopp had gathered on the grass around sheet music that the musician was reading diligently. The blond had a nostalgic smile as he heard them happily commenting on the song.

"Did you continue to practice with the instruments?" He asked the little reindeer who had followed his gaze.

"Not really, we didn't have much time to relax," he regretted.

"You'll be able to now," the cook assured him, lighting his cigarette. "Even if we regularly have intrusions, most remain easily manageable."

The blond then spotted the swordsman sitting cross-legged a few steps away in the shadow of the railing. He had closed his eyes, presumably to meditate, but his tense face revealed his difficulty concentrating.

Sanji puffed on his cigarette, his gaze fixed on the swordsman below. In the four days since the crew had returned, he had had the opportunity to observe the fencer and he had quickly come to a conclusion: something was wrong. At first, he had believed that Zoro's distant attitude was only for him because of their complicated relationship, but he had realized that the entire crew endured it. Zoro didn't talk to anyone and spent his time away from the group. His previously solitary behavior had turned into total isolation, even voluntary ostracism. Even when he carried out his more usual activities of meditation or physical training, his gestures betrayed some impatience and a patent lack of fluidity that the blond didn't remember ever observing. He blew his smoke towards the sky.

"What's wrong with Zoro?"

Beside him, Chopper grimaced. "I don't know," he admitted. "I try to talk to him but as you can see, he doesn't say much…"

The blond continued to watch the swordsman try to focus, his face scrunched up with effort. "Does this have anything to do with his new scar?"

"That's my main hypothesis because his behavior really started to change at that time," the little reindeer agreed.

"A physical problem then?" The cook wondered.

"The consequences of visual field loss can be very significant and are difficult to perceive," the doctor explained. "I know that he has regained his vision of relief and depth but he may very well have neglected to tell me about anything else…"

"Knowing the mosshead, it wouldn't be surprising," the blond agreed, inhaling again on his cigarette thoughtfully.

"I don't think it's a functional problem though," Chopper continued. "Zoro is very resistant to pain but if it was this type of injury, eventually I'd have known. There'd be visible effects."

"What are you thinking about?" Sanji asked while turning to him, intrigued.

"I think of a psychological injury. Something related to his mood, like he's feeling down."

"He's feeling down?"

Chopper nodded firmly, his gaze fixed on their friend. "This Vice-Admiral was very strong and Zoro narrowly survived. I think he's not satisfied with his performance."

"I thought he had won?"

"Somehow. The Vice-Admiral was unconscious when we arrived but knowing Zoro, I think that was far from satisfying. Besides, he was 'only a Vice-Admiral'."

As the cook raised an eyebrow, the doctor shook his head.

"It was really hard in the New World, Sanji. Every day, we needed to be on our guard, the smallest inhabitant of a seemingly harmless island could turn out to be a mortal enemy. It was hard for everyone but for Zoro, I guess it was even worse. Despite our best efforts, he realized that we were no match. I mean… we all knew we had a long way to go but maybe… not that much," he admitted.

The blond looked back at the swordsman who had opened his eyes and was now angrily contemplating the horizon. He then took one last drag on his cigarette before putting it out against his shoe. He perfectly imagined the swordsman on the verge of exhaustion, still getting up because of anger and frustration in front of yet another enemy. Zoro was unable to give up.

"I guess he trained day and night…"

Chopper nodded. "We've all had our share of challenges to face, and we've all improved. Zoro worked hard, but I think it cost him even more than us."

Sanji frowned again. Taking up a challenge and improving was the very heart of the swordsman's personality. Why then would he have had a hard time doing it when it was usually so important to him?

"He not only had to improve but also keep us alive," the doctor said, sensing his trouble. "The difference in level was such that we were practically defenseless at the beginning. Besides, he wasn't at his best and you weren't there…"

The cook unwittingly tensed up at his side and Chopper immediately continued to reassure him. "I don't mean… Well, of course, there was this special relationship between you two but above all, there was one less fighter on the Sunny and in these conditions, we all felt it. Despite all your differences, you and Zoro have always complemented each other on the crew and we had to learn to adapt," he explained kindly.

At these words, Sanji looked down despite himself, unable to not let the guilt devour his insides. "I'm sorry, Chopper…"

"No one blames you for staying on the All Blue, Sanji," the little doctor gently said. "We just missed you so much, whether during battles or in daily life… And at the same time, we were really happy for you!"

The reindeer's sincere smile soothed his friend a little, and Sanji sighed as his gaze was once again drawn to the figure of the swordsman. "So you think he needs a little time to digest his fight, is that it?"

Chopper shrugged, visibly unsure. "I can't guarantee that this is the correct diagnosis as long as he refuses to talk about it. Either way, he went through a long period of isolation after we left and it eventually evolved on its own. I hope it'll be the same today."

Sani nodded silently as his eyes couldn't help but look over and over again at the swordsman sitting on the deck. Despite Chopper's reassuring words, the little reindeer didn't exactly have all the information, which left some doubts hanging. The cook knew that he would have to confront Zoro before he could consider completely ridding himself of his guilt in this regard.

"What are you doing, Chopper?" Usopp asked when he entered the library. The doctor and the cook had parted company half an hour earlier and the little reindeer had settled down to study while the blond had gone back to the All Blue.

"A best man has a lot of tasks to do!" He replied, showing his book, "I'm taking notes!"

"Really?" The sniper approached, curious. After his music lesson with Brook, he had wanted to work on a new invention but for that, he needed information about how propulsion worked for an engine and that's how he had headed to the library and discovered his friend immersed in a thick book. "I thought the main thing was to be there for the ceremony to sign the register," he added, leaning over his shoulder to take a look.

"There are also all the details of the ceremony to check!" Chopper explained, "We need to ensure that everything is on schedule, that guests are well looked after, that the reception area is appropriate; we need to plan decorations, seating chart, and entertainment. We also need to think about photos and speeches!"

Usopp frowned as he took a chair next to him, suddenly worried. "I didn't think that we'd need to organize so many things…"

"Actually, we need to be there for Luffy at all times to make sure he has the best day!" The reindeer summed up, "Everything will depend on us!"

"And with Luffy as the groom, you can expect anything," his friend realized with anguish.

"I think we'll need to have several options just in case," Chopper agreed.

The sniper grabbed one of the doctor's note sheets to look over it. "We better have a time-critical action plan," he grumbled, seeing the little reindeer's list growing even longer. "We should organize work meetings with a reverse schedule as soon as the wedding date has been fixed…"

"Oh, very good idea!" The doctor got enthused, grabbing his pencil. "At this point, the invitations can be sent out and the real organization can begin!"

Usopp put the paper down before sighing deeply. "If you ask me, Chopper, we're gonna need Robin on this one. I don't want Nami to be mad at me for the rest of my life if something goes wrong or worse, I don't want her to set up a system of lifelong debts to punish me…"

"Me neither!" The little reindeer exclaimed. "We need to talk to her as soon as she comes back!"

The sniper nodded gravely then took a blank sheet with a determined look. "All right; my invention can wait! Let's start from the beginning: first, we need to determine the location of the ceremony and the evening. Then, we'll have to give everyone a list of their tasks. And let's not forget to take into account that some guests will come from far away…"

Sanji had returned to the Sunny at the end of his shift and with the late hour, he knew that all his companions would be in bed. Well, almost all of them. Chopper had told him that Zoro usually used the hours of the night to train, surely taking advantage of being out of sight at that moment. And just like the little reindeer had said, the blond soon saw the shadow of the swordsman silently crossing the deck towards the beach. It was the perfect moment.

"Mosshead, tell me something."

Zoro stopped, clearly surprised to come across the darkened figure of the cook leaning against the mast. His cigarette butt was glowing on his lips.

"What?"

"You know that a Vice-Admiral is one of the highest-ranking officers in the Marine, don't you?"

Sanji had decided to approach the subject in the most usual way between them, i.e. by tinging his direct request with some nonchalance which wouldn't fail to exacerbate the provocation for the swordsman. In this way, he hoped that the awkward atmosphere between them would calm down at the same time.

His strategy seemed to bear fruit when he saw Zoro clench his jaw to answer him. "What's with this stupid question? Of course I know!"

"Good. I guess your long face has nothing to do with the fact that you faced defeat then. After all, it's only natural not to be up to them yet…"

"I have not faced defeat!" The fencer immediately roared, taking a step closer and his veins bulging, "Just because I lost an eye doesn't mean I lost the fight!"

Sanji simply nodded, taking the time to quietly blow out his smoke. Now that he had confirmation of what the swordsman was thinking, he needed to know the reason for his condition.

"And yet you behave like a loser," he told him calmly. For a second, Zoro's eyes glowed strangely and the cook frowned. "What is it?" He asked, intrigued.

The swordsman shook his head though, averting his gaze. "Gimme a break. You don't know what you're talking about. The two or three pirates you faced here have nothing to do with the New World."

"I know that, you idiot," the blond growled.

"Go back to your kitchen and leave me alone then. Don't come strutting around here like you know what it is."

With these words, Zoro resolutely resumed his walk towards the other end of the deck and Sanji followed him with his gaze for a moment before taking a drag on his cigarette.

"Why don't you explain it to me then?"

Zoro froze on the lawn. "What'd be the point, cook? You planning to go to the New World now?"

"Maybe sooner than you think," the blond said behind him.

The swordsman's face turned into a rictus grin even though his companion couldn't see him. "You'll need to train with other guys than those on the All Blue if you wanna survive a single day out there," he pointed out.

"Fine. Train me." Zoro finally turned towards him and Sanji came out of the shadow of the mast to join him. "What's the matter?" He insisted when he reached him, "You just told me that you'd beat me soundly from now on."

"That's not what I said," the swordsman corrected him.

"You scared? Afraid of losing to a cook who stayed on the All Blue for two years?"

Zoro looked away again to avoid the piercing blue eye fixed on him. For his part, Sanji inhaled harder on his cigarette butt.

"What was it like, Zoro?" He asked, unrelenting. "Terrifying? Terrible? Inhuman?"

At these words, the swordsman raised his head to look into the cook's gaze and the latter froze, caught off guard by the intensity of what he saw dancing in Zoro's eye. For long seconds, only the blowing of the wind was heard.

Zoro ended up shaking his head though, his attention lost in the ocean beyond the deck of the Sunny.

"It was… amazing."

Sanji took the cigarette out of his mouth to stare at him, stunned. "Amazing?"

Zoro nodded slowly, still looking at the sea. "It was violent, fearsome, unpredictable. And also… Stunning. Suffocating. Gorgeous. A bit like…"

The swordsman glanced quickly at the cook before looking away again and Sanji felt his heart skip a beat. Yet he resolved not to let himself be distracted from his primary objective. Zoro seemed on edge since their return and his disconcerting reactions reinforced his feeling. He was missing something.

"What happened, Zoro?" He whispered.

The swordsman just continued to stare at the horizon for a few more moments before finally turning away to resume his walk towards the beach.

"Nothing. Nothing happened."

Maybe it reminds you of something…