After skipping the episode's opening and recap, they were greeted with, "Departure! Sea Chef and Luffy Travel Together!"
"Well, finally!" Kirishima smiled proudly.
In a room, Luffy woke up from the sound of an explosion. He panicked when he realized he isn't wearing his straw hat, but Sanji pointed out the hat next to a framed picture. As he put it on, Sanji asked if he's feeling better, but Luffy asked where the other pirates have gone, and Sanji thanked him for driving them away, telling him what Gin have said. Luffy confused that meaning for Sanji instead of himself.
As Sanji looked out to sea, Luffy asked if he's off the hook for his debt since he kicked the Krieg Pirates out, which Sanji blandly congratulated him on. Luffy was going to mention that Sanji can join him now, but the cook was quick to reject the offer, saying he doesn't want to be a pirate, and wants to work here until that old fart acknowledges his cooking skills.
"Oh come on! After what you guys went through?" Mineta complained.
"Besides, we already know you're going to join." Katsuki said with a little shrug.
Surprisingly, Luffy decided to give up on it as well, though his hand certainly isn't, grabbing onto the collar of Sanji's shirt.
Even after that, Sanji believed the chefs to be unreliable here, but he does suggest that he'll go to the Grand Line in the future. With Luffy by his side, Sanji asked Luffy if he knows about the All Blue with a big smile on his face. When Luffy said no, Sanji excitedly told him all about it as Zeff watches them from the higher balcony, recognizing that he looks so happy.
"Huh, he looks like a little kid." Aizawa said, feeling an infectious smile on his face that seemed to spread to the others.
"Wouldn't you too if you have the chance to talk about something you love?" Toshinori grinned.
Izuku subtly nodded along, understanding such a feeling.
A bell was rung, signaling it's lunch time. Chefs were having a feast by the time Sanji and Luffy came in. There wasn't a seat for the two, which Sanji complained that shouldn't be a problem since they're at a restaurant, but they accepted on just sitting on the floor. Luffy commented on how strange they're acting, though Sanji claimed that's what they always do.
"Really? No seats for the guys who literally saved the restaurant while you guys just stood around?" Katsuki complained.
"He is right. It is rather rude to let them sit on the floor." Iida shook his head.
"It's worst that they have to sit away from the other chefs." Mina pouted.
When Patty have some soup, he furiously demanded who made it this morning, which Sanji cheerfully said it was him, saying that it's even more exceptional today. Patty told him that it tasted disgusting.
As Luffy watched, eating his food, Sanji and Patty argued, seconds away from a fight until the other chefs agreed that the soup is disgusting as well, dissolving into complains about Sanji as a whole.
"Geez, you guys seem more rude than before." Toru said, disappointed by their behavior.
"Yeah, they can hate the food all they want, but complaining about who he is as a whole is taking it too far, especially when they know what he've been through." Denki said.
Finally, when he drink every last drop of the soup, Zeff threw the plate on the floor, shocking everyone.
"Zeff, not you too!" Mina shouted in shock.
Sanji grabbed his collar, demanding what's the difference between his recipe and Zeff's. The old man punched him, saying that he's too inexperience compared to him. Zeff is a man who've cooked all over the world. In a fit, Sanji ran away.
The students were shocked at Zeff's behavior or angry at him for being so harsh with Sanji. Though listening to his words, the teachers and Izuku realized what Zeff's trying to do.
Izuku gritted his teeth back, finding it almost unbearable to watch Sanji's dreams crushed in front of him by someone he admires, but... he understood why Zeff have done it. He's trying to push Sanji to join Luffy, to go into the Grand Line, and find the All Blue.
Drinking the soup, Luffy found the food great, and in all honesty, so did everyone else.
Sanji came back, but stopped at the door when he heard the other chefs talk about how he won't listen unless they go this far. Zeff asked Luffy if he could take Sanji with him to the Grand Line since that is his dream. The chefs teased each other about their acting, wanting more soup.
Sanji slide down until he sat down with his back against the door. He tried to flicker his lighter on for his cigarette, but soon gave up. He murmured about how he heard them.
The mood was lightened up as they understood what they were trying to do.
"So you guys do have a soft side." Mina softly smiled.
"It was still hard to watch." Toru's voice sounded like she was pouting, crossing her arms over her chest if her sleeves were anything to go by.
"But... I believe Sanji understood that they do care." Izuku said, looking at the floor for a moment.
After the eyecatches, Luffy's answer to Zeff's request was a no, pretty much to everyone's shock. Even though he wants Sanji to come, Luffy knows Sanji wants to work here.
"Huh, he's a lot more respectful with Sanji than he was with Zoro." Iida said.
"I mean, Zoro was going to be executed, and Sanji's still alive here." Denki shrugged.
Sanji listened to the other chefs say how there's no way he'll leave as he dazed off at the sea, a cigarette hanging from his lips. From the distance, there was something coming his way and smashed its way through the restaurant and him. It was a panda shark (not really like a killer whale) with Yosaku in its mouth.
"...What the fuck?" Katsuki stared at the scene, dumbfounded.
"Wait, he must have news about Nami!" Kirishima exclaimed.
"If the guy's even alive." Jiro blinked in shock.
One chef thought he might be a fishman who came from the Fishman Island to eat their food, but a another recognize him as a human in a panshark.
Luffy asked him what happened to the others. After the panshark was released back into the ocean, Yosaku was able to tell him that they figured out where Nami was going and he needs Luffy's help, so he meeds to come with him. Though he doesn't really get it, Luffy got it. He'll go.
When Luffy was about to pass by Sanji, the cook stopped him and told him that the both of them have foolish dreams. To achieve his dream of the All Blue, he will join him on his journey to become King of the Pirates and be his cook. Of course, Luffy agrees to this as he and Yosaku celebrates this with a dance.
"Yes! Sanji joined!" Kirishima cheered with the rest of the class.
"Of course he was." Katsuki rolled his eyes.
Patty said that he's glad that Sanji's leaving. Then Sanji 'apologized' for making them resort to bad acting, shocking him. Zeff claimed that there wasn't a single day where he didn't regret letting a brat live, and Sanji said that it was fine by him.
Later, they were given a boat by the restaurant and supplies (with a lot of meat). Zeff approached Luffy with his logbook, planning on giving it to him, but Luffy refused it, which made Zeff grin.
"In all honesty... I'm not surprised." Iida shook his head.
"I mean, it wouldn't be exciting if they knew what's going on." Denki smiled.
Sanji was packing up his things, but he can't staring at an old picture of him and Zeff many years ago.
He looked over the empty restaurant til he reached the dining room and sit in one of the chairs, staring up at the ceiling. He remembers his time with Zeff, even all the times Zeff have punished him, and he wasn't the only one reminiscing on the past, as it was shown Zeff laying on his bed. The sky was contrasting his surroundings.
It feels almost... bittersweet in a way. Izuku thought with a slight frown. It doesn't feel like they truly know that they appreciate each other.
Yosaku and Luffy were waiting for Sanji until he appeared. Before he could barely step through the entrance, he was attacked by Patty and Carne, but Sanji easily dodged them with a back flip and attacked them with a rotating kick.
"Make up your mind! Do you want him to stay or not?" Katsuki complained.
"I guess it's their way of saying they'll miss him." Kirishima shrugged.
Sanji continued on his stride to the boat, passing by the chefs. No one said a word, and Sanji didn't expect much until he heard Zeff say, "Sanji! Don't catch a cold."
Right there and then, Sanji broke down in tears, remembering Zeff's heroic acts for him. He bowed on his hands and knees, thanking him for all he has done for him over these years.
Zeff and all the other chefs started to cry too, telling him that he'll be missed. With a big smile on his face, Zeff claimed that men should part without a word.
"I don't care!" Kishisma cried at the heartfelt goodbye, a big smile on his face.
"Don't be afraid to express your emotions, you big softies!" Mina exclaimed.
"Oh please..." Katsuki rolled his eyes at their overreaction.
As they sailed away, Sanji said one last goodbye to the Baratie and the fighting chefs. In Zeff's mind, he knew Sanji will find the All Blue for sure, and soon he ordered his chefs to work.
"That was nice." Izuku let out a relaxed sigh, happy for their goodbye.
There was a shot of a pirate flag; a stylized red sawfish symbol over crossed bones. There was a tall building covered in shadows. Finally, the Going Merry and Nami came into view.
Nami, dressed in a green tank top, frowned at the building.
"To Be Continued."
"Nami, what kind of business are you doing with... pirates?" Iida asked.
Izuku silently gulped, hoping one of his theories isn't true.
AN: Sorry that it's an one episode chapter, especially when we're literally one episode away from entering the Arlong Park arc. Believe me when I say that I'm especially hyped about writing about this arc, but I would like to give that its own chapters, so I hope you understand.
Anyway, hoped you enjoyed it.
