Chapter 42

The invitation

The next day, Sanji was about to join Chopper in the galley to talk about the preparations for the upcoming meal when he came across the crew musician. Putting his pack of cigarettes in his pocket, he walked towards him. He had been turning the problem upside down for several days and his crewmate was still in the best position to answer him. At his favorite post at the rear of the Sunny, the skeleton had grabbed his violin to accompany the cheerful conversation of the sniper and the captain who were fishing below.

"Brook, I'd like to ask you a question about the flaw you gave me," the blond began as he stopped next to him. "I thought about it carefully and there's something I don't understand. It seems contradictory to what Jinbei and Usopp think. They told me I'm impulsive and honestly, I agree with them."

"This is not incompatible, my friend," the musician assured him, lowering his violin to turn towards him.

"You need to explain then because I'm supposed to recognize myself in this description but I'm rather lost. Thinking before acting isn't a flaw in my opinion," the cook pointed out again.

"I didn't mention being level-headed or cautious. I mentioned indecision, which is the inability to make a choice. Being impulsive is, conversely, a reaction under the force of an irresistible impulse without deliberate will."

"Sometimes I act without thinking and other times, analysis paralyzes me then?" Sanji

summarized, confused.

"It seems to me that these aspects both relate to a certain relation with emotions," Brook noted. "In one case, sudden action relieves us because it doesn't require thinking and in the other, on the contrary, action is impossible because the issues petrify us."

"Why do I have to be so complicated?" The blond growled and the musician laughed lightly. "You are only human, my friend! Everyone defends themselves as best they can against the trials that life subjects us to!"

"I've been asking myself too many questions since this whole story," the cook admitted with a sigh. "I feel like I'm constantly worrying for fear of making a mistake or not doing the right thing…"

"Your self-esteem has been undermined for many weeks. In these conditions, it makes sense that you're not sure of your choices."

"How can I get rid of this indecision then?" The blond was annoyed, "All these doubts don't help me feel like myself!"

"Worry is probably one of the most effective killers," his companion agreed. "If it doesn't kill physically, it can cause illness to such an extent that it causes our downfall psychologically. Don't we say, 'I'm worried to death'?" He added with amusement.

"It's a vicious circle!" Sanji noted, "If I'm worried, I can't make a decision and if I don't make a decision, I become worried! Anyway, how can I be sure I'm making the right choice?"

"It seems to me that your choice can only turn out to be the right one if you believe in it and work to achieve it. Pursuing a dream is a choice, for example, and it is the right one when we put all our soul into achieving it!"

"Fighting for your convictions paves the way to victory," the blond agreed, remembering the many battles that the crew had fought, at first lost in advance and yet successful thanks to their unwavering will.

"Indeed. And do you remember the first quality I attributed to you?" The musician asked him.

"Oh. Generous?"

Brook nodded. "Your nature tends to ensure the well-being of others before anything else and you don't hesitate to follow through on your principles about them, even if it means putting yourself in danger. However, as soon as it comes to you, fear wins because your goal no longer appears as important to you."

"Because of this low self-esteem again," the cook grumbled darkly, "I'm pathetic…"

"Do you know what other quality characterizes you as much as it defines this confidence that you are looking for?" The skeleton continued in a cheerful tone.

"I don't."

"Kindness. Give yourself a tenth of the kindness you offer us every day and I assure you that your vision of yourself will be completely changed!"

Sanji sighed but nodded gently in return while his companion praised the superb catch from the sniper and their captain. The blond knew he was being too hard on himself but he had always acted like this during his twenty-one years of existence and old habits die hard…

Around the lunch table an hour later, Sanji was just offering a large salad of raw vegetables to his crewmates when Chopper spoke up.

"Franky has made good progress on how the Raid Suit works and for my part, I created the antibiotic!" He told his friends with satisfaction.

"I'm working on the technological support so that the body destroys the artificial bacteria and it's rather delicate," the cyborg agreed. "I can't mess up or it'll release it without the antibiotic being able to act on this part!"

"Talk about pressure," Usopp winced while grabbing some tomatoes.

"The Raid Suit is super special; it was built specifically from the genes of its user!" The shipwright continued.

"That's what you suspected," Jinbei remembered.

"Absolutely and that explains why it adapts so well to Sanji-bro's techniques!"

"That means no one other than our chef can use it," Robin understood while pouring the dressing on her plate.

"That also explains why this outfit had managed to clock the bacteria," Nami added.

"It acted as an almost spontaneous antibody barrier," Chopper agreed. "If it hadn't been made from Sanji's genes, it'd never have been able to do this so quickly!"

"Are you gonna put the antibiotic in the Raid Suit?" Zoro asked the shipwright, puzzled.

"Not exactly, but I'll reproduce how it works so that the medicine diffuses in the same way. By being super adapted to his body, it should eliminate everything smoothly!"

"This is excellent news!" Brook rejoiced.

"Do you think that this functioning based on my genetics could have affected me in another way?" The crew turned to the cook who had paused in front of the table to gaze intently at the cyborg and the latter raised an eyebrow. "What are you thinking about, bro?"

"I mean if the Raid Suit uses my genes to adapt to my particularities, do you think it can also modify them? It could have an influence on my behavior and thoughts, couldn't it?"

Franky took a moment to think. "This is hard to say," he finally admitted. "The Raid Suit influences your body to protect or strengthen it, but can it go so far as to modify your basic constitution in one direction or another… Either way, I haven't observed anything like that for now."

"Could it explain that I no longer feel like myself since I started wearing it though?" The blond continued, his throat dry. "Isn't it really changing me?"

A short silence fell around the table and all eyes turned towards Chopper this time.

"I don't think so, Sanji," the little reindeer replied, "Even if we don't know the extent of the Raid Suit's properties, it doesn't make sense that this suit would make you vulnerable by awakening past anxieties or traumas. On the contrary, it was designed to make you stronger so if it were to modify you, I think it'd increase your physical strength and develop superhuman abilities."

The cook's shoulders slumped at these words before he straightened up almost instantly. He couldn't help but be disappointed by the doctor's conclusion before reality caught up and appeased him. He wasn't becoming a machine and that was a real relief but at the same time, he could no longer blame his problems on the Raid Suit because there was no doubt that he was at the origin of his own difficulties now. All in all, it was probably the best he could have hoped for.

"That's great work, guys!" Luffy got enthused and turned towards his two friends. "Have just a little more patience and you'll be cured, Sanji!" He added for his cook, beaming.

The blond nodded, a sincere smile on his lips. "That's true, it's a huge step forward. Thank you both."

Franky and Chopper smiled back and Sanji brought the rest of the meal, starting with a mountain of corn cobs. Luffy immediately grabbed a handful and stuffed them into his mouth since his salad was long gone.

"Oh, by the way, I didn't tell you! I'm gonna have dinner with Torao, he said so just before we left!" He proudly told his friends.

As they were about to help themselves, they stared at him, stunned.

"He did what now?" Usopp exclaimed. "When was that?!"

"What are you talking about?" Sanji added while bringing the dish of caramelized pork ribs.

"He told me we'd eat together on the next island!" The captain repeated with delight.

"What exactly did he say?" Nami was doubtful as the cook offered her some meat.

"He first told me to shut up, he was quite angry," the straw hat boy replied, remembering the scene. "But then he said we'd eat together the next time we saw each other! Oh, and he said it wasn't an invitation!"

"What does that mean?" The sniper wondered, grabbing the curry sauce to accompany the meat, "It's inconsistent!"

"Maybe he means that Luffy-bro gotta pay his share," Franky suggested while pouring himself a glass of cola.

"Given his excessive appetite, it is a possibility," Brook laughed.

"The Hearts will have to invest their entire budget in repairing their submarine and new stocks," Chopper reminded them, starting to eat with appetite. "They probably don't have enough berries to go to the restaurant."

"Maybe he said it in the sense that if it's not an invitation, it's an order," Sanji said while putting a jug of water down for the girls.

"Why order such a thing?" Jinbei wondered.

"Luffy would definitely say yes, he's waiting for that," Zoro agreed while handing the bread to the little reindeer. "That'd be weird."

"We need to take the context into account," Robin pointed out to them. "Trafalgar Law was visibly upset when he raised the idea with our captain."

"True, why was he mad at you?" Nami asked the straw hat boy, her eyebrows furrowed. "Everything had gone very well so far and he was more relaxed than usual since we found Bepo."

"I don't know! We were about to leave and he said he wanted to thank me but I told him there was no point and that's when he got angry! I didn't get it…"

"Idiot."

The redhead hit him across the table and Luffy collapsed into his plate. "Nami," he whined, straightening up, "Why did you do that?!"

"Now it's clear, it's an order." The navigator sighed and ignored him, her glass of water in hand.

"You really don't know how to read the signs," the cyborg said to his captain who was massaging the huge bump on his head.

"I'm surprised he went all the way under these circumstances," Usopp noted while chewing thoughtfully.

"Who would have thought? He's discovering a passion for bravery," Sanji muttered to himself as he returned to his worktop to grab a second plate of deliciously smelling corn cobs.

"Dear captain, your efforts are bearing fruit!" His musician praised him while cutting his meat.

"How's the next island we're gonna see, Nami?" The little reindeer asked enthusiastically.

"No idea, the magnetism suddenly disappeared and I had to change destination," the navigator replied.

"The Hearts were going to another island than ours anyway," Jinbei remembered.

"It'll be a surprise then." Robin chuckled while one of her hands stopped Luffy from stealing her bread, "It is quite exciting."

"I hope it'll be soon!" The captain added forcefully, his mouth full of new corn cobs.

"Let's hope he doesn't change his mind by then," Zoro pointed out.

"I don't think he'll duck out now, he committed himself," the cook replied while giving him some sake. "He did the hardest part."

"He's a man of honor!" Franky agreed.

The swordsman shrugged and grabbed his bottle. He didn't question the words of the former Warlord, but if the man thought about what he had asked the straw hat boy, he had reason to panic. What an idea to want to share a meal with Luffy to develop their relationship when everyone knew his excessive appetite and inability to control himself about it! It was the worst choice the surgeon could have made and the fencer was firmly convinced of it. It was as if he had invited Sanji to talk about their relationship in a strip club or as if Vivi had asked Nami to accompany her to the treasure room of her castle to confess her feelings. It was suicide.

Sanji breathed in deeply, his gaze fixed on the blue line of the sea that stretched endlessly in front of him before slowly stretching out. The majority of the crew had settled at the aquarium to admire the fish that Luffy and Usopp had caught in the morning and for his part, he had decided to take advantage of his free time to put Chopper's new advice into practice.

On the green grass of the Sunny, he breathed in the pleasant mid-afternoon air once again. While making lunch, the little reindeer had suggested that he move on to another part of what the blond now officially referred to as his therapy and this part was based on his body rather than his mind. Reclaiming his identity also meant feeling comfortable enough physically and the cook had immediately approved. The day before on the small tropical island, Zoro had already pointed out that he had been spending too much time hunched over his paper lately and Sanji couldn't deny it. He was so focused on his end goal that he experienced a form of frustration because he thought about the same words over and over in his head. His conversation with Brook this morning was the perfect illustration, so this new suggestion was welcome.

Sanji had changed into a suitable outfit to move and he noticed that it had been an eternity since he had last paid attention to his body. Focused entirely on his mind and morale, he had neglected what was still his main weapon. The cook had always taken care to stay in shape until now and if he didn't spend all his time training like the swordsman could do, he stretched regularly to maintain his flexibility.

The blond started with a few simple exercises. He bent forward, legs straight, before slowly returning to his initial position then swinging his arms in circles. His shoulder blades cracked slightly when he rolled them and the cook shook his head. His vertebrae were so mobile that they tended to move easily and his muscular body served as an essential shield to avoid any injury. Since he hadn't moved in a while though, he felt that his joints had stiffened a bit.

Sanji sat on the ground and placed one of his legs bent in front of him while he did the same with the other behind him. He then pushed forward on his hip to stretch it and then reversed the position of his legs while he felt the tension spread pleasantly through his muscles. After a few pelvic stretches, Sanji finally got into a split position before leaning forward. He easily touched the ground, keeping his back straight, but still felt the burning in his thighs and he gained a few more centimeters by swinging gently.

The blond stood up and moved his legs to relax them. He felt a little rusty but the movements came naturally and he grabbed his hands above his head to stretch his entire spine this time, to the right then to the left, and finally back and forth. His back became supple quickly and Sanji smiled when he noticed that his body was responding so well. Soon, he toppled completely backwards to land on his hands before placing his feet on the ground again. Over the next few minutes, he focused on improving the amplitude of his kicks by lifting his legs one after the other higher and higher.

Focused on his exercises, he missed the look of the swordsman who had stopped to observe him as he left the aquarium.

Zoro had often thought that Sanji was more of a dancer or acrobat than a pure fighter when he saw him move or even fight in such elegant and precise fashion. That didn't stop the blond from being extremely efficient and as he watched him increase the intensity of his stretching, he realized that the cook would be really popular with girls on the dance floor if only Sanji managed to remain natural for a moment. His movements were as much a visual performance as a physical one and the fencer had always been impressed by the power of his kicks. Each leap that made him take off towards the sky was a reflection of the strength of his legs alone and when he avoided a blade or a bullet, it was only thanks to his reflexes and perfect control of his body.

From an outside perspective, it was easy to underestimate him and think that his agility hid a physical weakness. Zoro had learned in the same way as the others that such virtuosity required, on the contrary, muscles of steel to perform all these movements to this degree of precision. To twirl on his hands, the blond's balance had to be perfect and to lean to one side or the other in order to distribute his kicks while resting on one leg, his flexibility and abdominal muscles had to be just as perfect.

Suddenly, Sanji did a backflip before landing on the ground, his hands deep in his pockets. The strength and momentum required to start this move was extraordinary and Zoro felt his heart beat a little faster in his chest. The cook was only missing his cigarette at the corner of his lips and with his blond messy hair from the effort, he was the very image of the man he had always known. An irrepressible urge came over the swordsman then and he walked towards his crewmate without being able to stop himself.

"Cook."

Sanji looked up, surprised by the presence of the swordsman he hadn't heard coming. When he met his determined gaze though, he immediately understood his implicit invitation. The blond bit his lip. It had been an eternity and he felt as nervous as he was excited. Finally, he swallowed.

"Whenever you want, mosshead."

Zoro released the Kitetsu from its scabbard and Sanji got into position. The swordsman immediately tried to hit him and the blond dodged the blade without thinking. His feet knew the game and they responded naturally to the fencer whose attacks intensified quickly. Soon, Zoro grabbed his white sword and the blond's breathing quickened. The swordsman was a fierce opponent and he hadn't fought him in months. He was then able to admire his technique, ease and precision during their sharp exchange and when his two blades brushed against him more often than usual.

Yet after a few moments, the swordsman suddenly paused and Sanji stopped his own foot a few inches from his arm, surprised. Zoro put away his blades and the cook shuddered in front of his gaze when the man placed his hand on the hilt of his new sword. Sanji looked into his one good eye. This sword was special in many ways and he felt Zoro's desire grow in anticipation of the next few minutes.

Sanji nodded before stepping back slightly, giving the swordsman permission to use it, and Zoro instantly brandished it. The cook studied it carefully. He knew that Enma required extreme concentration from the fencer and that its appetite for Haki was insatiable. Sanji was recovering and he wasn't as sure of his abilities as he wanted to appear, but at that moment, he decided to forget all his doubts. Because his indecision would continue to haunt him as long as he didn't face his fears and because deep down, he felt the excitement come over him with each passing minute. Because he couldn't refuse an invitation from the swordsman of the Straw Hat crew.

Sanji rushed towards him and sparks flew when his foot collided with the shining blade.

It's simmering, it's warming up and it won't take long to bubble!

Who, Law and Luffy or Sanji and Zoro, will make the first move, I wonder…