Chapter 46

Next time

Sanji examined the egg he was about to grab from his worktop. He didn't know why but it seemed of lower quality and he observed it for a minute without noticing the slightest difference. In the end, he pushed it aside to take another. He broke it before beating the yolk in a bowl and then brushing the upper puff pastry of his cake. Satisfied, he protected it with a cling film and placed it in the fridge.

The cook continued to practice basic preparations and he had plenty of ideas. He had planned lasagna for lunch and making pasta had been good practice. In the same way, pastry cakes were an excellent way to go back to his normal routine thanks to the making of puff pastry. Yet he had planned to keep them for snack time. After all, he had learned from his mistakes and didn't want to fall back into an obsession with food. He needed to regain his reflexes but above all, a balance.

The oven alarm sounded and Sanji instinctively glanced at the clock. His gaze then moved to the galley door before checking that the table was set and that he had thought of everything he would need. It was time and Luffy was going to show up any second.

As expected, the straw hat boy had stormed in approximately three seconds after the blond had taken his dish out of the oven and Sanji had raised his voice to get him to sit down and wait for the rest of the crew. Fortunately, it hadn't taken long, the good smell of hot lasagna spreading throughout the ship. After serving Nami and Robin, the blond walked towards the cyborg while the captain beat time on the table with his cutlery.

"Franky, I made lasagna with cola sauce for you…"

The cook gave a huge plate of steaming pasta to the cyborg who raised a tired thumb in thanks. Sanji then hurried to serve the rest of his friends for whom he had prepared more classic lasagna with meat, tomatoes and cheese.

The blond returned to his worktop and when he came back, he offered a large bottle of cola to the shipwright while providing a nice crunchy green salad for the table. The cyborg took the cola with a smile and Sanji nodded back. Franky's dark circles were eating up half of his face in the three days he had been working tirelessly on getting the Sunny back into shape and the cook couldn't help but feel a little guilty about it. Certainly, most of the damage was the result of the surprise attack they had suffered, but the blond had completely ripped open the deck single-handedly to get rid of his last enemy…

Franky himself had been injured and when he had discovered the state of his ship on leaving the infirmary, his despair hadn't failed to move his companions. The crew was used to his angry outbursts as well as his spontaneous crying fits, but this time the situation was different: the Sunny had never been so damaged.

After the Gaon Cannon had pulverized the enemy ship, the Sunny had remained on site, tossed by the waves without being able to be steered. There was no longer enough cola for Coup de Burst and only the sails were still functional. It had been necessary to make a precise inventory of the damage and the result was terrible. From the pierced hull which leaked water into the hold to the torn-off railings to the defaced deck, including the rudder in pieces and the completely destroyed staircase, the Sunny was disfigured.

With a heavy heart, the cyborg had made choices regarding repairs and priority had been given to navigation. The hull had been repaired and the rudder recreated as best as possible. Unfortunately, despite his talents as a shipwright, Franky couldn't restore it to its former splendor while they were on the open sea and the crew would have to find a quiet port to completely put their ship back on its feet. There was indeed the crucial question of materials. The Sunny had been made from Adam's wood for its power and quality, but this wood was illegal and Franky's supply had been gone in no time.

Their traveling companion was injured and as for any of them, the crew was affected. The captain's cries of joy resonated a little less enthusiastically among his friends and the atmosphere was calmer. Usopp had immediately offered to help with temporary repairs and with Chopper, they had followed the shipwright's recommendations to fill the holes and repair the staircase as best as possible. At the front, Jinbei carefully handled the helm but the weather in the New World was unpredictable, not to mention the attacks they could still suffer. Brook kept the captain company and the rest of the crew discreetly went about their business, Zoro in the crow's nest, Sanji in the galley and Robin in the library.

For her part, Nami had decided to use the Den-Den Mushi randomly to sound out upcoming destinations. She had learned that one of the directions of the Tri-Log Pose pointed to an island that could be profitable for them but at the same time, she had also collected less friendly information. In light of these details, the redhead would have preferred to avoid the island and she had hesitated for a second to tell her crewmates. She had quickly recovered though: she couldn't deprive the crew of essential data and it was together that they needed to make this decision.

"One of the Tri-Log Pose destinations is promising," she quickly informed her friends then. "I've looked everywhere and I think this is our best chance."

"Awesome!" The captain got enthused, tomato sauce all over his mouth.

"Is there Adam's wood over there?" Usopp asked hopefully. "That'd be a relief!" He added as Franky nodded.

"It's an island with a fairly small surface area and specialized in high technologies," Nami explained.

"What does this have to do with the wood we're looking for?" Jinbei asked, curious.

"The development of their technology required a lot of cash flows and Adam's wood trade was commonplace until some time ago," the young woman replied.

"Is that no longer the case?" Robin asked.

"I suppose there are still some because their activities haven't completely disappeared but their production is almost at a standstill," the navigator admitted. "Any means was good to get money and now they need it to survive. This island is in decline."

"What happened?" Zoro wanted to know.

"Well, let's say that their leaders have let the prospect of becoming rich go to their heads. They trusted a paramilitary organization that only had its own profits in mind. When they no longer needed them, they left and everything fell apart."

"Their greed turned against them," Sanji noted.

"What is the money from the sale of Adam's wood for?" Brook asked.

"I think they're trying to revive their economy by investing again in technologies," the redhead replied.

"It's not a healthy base," Chopper said.

"Indeed," the young woman admitted.

"If it allows us to have Adam's wood, I won't let the opportunity waste," Franky chimed in.

"Obviously, and I think we won't get another opportunity like that any time soon. However…"

Nami looked down at her almost full plate and her friends glanced at her, intrigued. The navigator wasn't used to being unsure and she never hesitated when it came to saying everything she wanted frankly. Her reluctance was all the more disturbing then and no one took their eyes off her.

The young woman ended up sighing before raising her head to stare back at them. "There's an important element that we must take into account. This organization of experts in new technologies which took over the island a few years ago are famous in the New World and their methods are known for their cruelty as much as their success. We should expect residents to be suspicious and maybe aggressive, but that's not the real problem."

"What's the problem then?" Usopp pointed out uncomfortably. "I don't like the sound of that…"

"The problem is precisely these people. Even if they are no longer here, they have left their mark and we know them."

"Who are they?" Chopper asked, shivering.

Nami fixed her gaze on that of the blond who was observing her like his crewmates from the other side of the table.

"The Vinsmokes."

A deafening silence greeted the navigator's words then stretched for a good minute until all eyes slowly turned towards the cook. He was still staring at the redhead, stunned.

"It's a real problem," Franky finally sighed as the rest of the crew slowly nodded.

"Maybe we can find Adam's wood a little further away," Usopp tried.

"No!" His companions turned their heads towards Sanji again, surprised by his outburst. "They-They're not here anymore, right? We're not gonna walk away because of them, the Sunny needs repairs!" Their friend pointed out.

"We must consider your health," Nami reminded him gently, glancing at Chopper.

"But I feel good. I'm better!" The blond insisted.

"That's true but we shouldn't rush either," Chopper hesitated.

The cook turned to his captain, who had miraculously stopped eating, proof of the seriousness of the situation. "Please, Luffy. If we don't repair the Sunny because of me, you know it won't help me. It'll be worse!"

The straw hat boy seemed to consider his request for a moment and his crewmates observed him attentively. Whatever the captain's decision, everyone would obey.

After about ten seconds, Luffy nodded. "Okay! We're gonna look for wood on this island and if the Germa stand in our way, we'll kick their asses!"

Sanji took a drag on his cigarette, nervous, his gaze fixed on the waves darkened by the night. Tomorrow, the island his family had raided would be in sight and he shivered. He didn't regret insisting to Luffy to go but the ghosts of his past weren't that far away and his fear of not being good enough even more so. So when his friends had left after dinner, he had known he wouldn't get any sleep anytime soon and he had dutifully updated his inventory before taking a cigarette break to try to relax.

"Cook."

The blond turned his head slightly to see the swordsman walking towards him. Zoro hadn't really talked since Nami's revelation at lunch but that wasn't unusual for him. So, when he stood beside his companion near the railing with his eyes also turned towards the sea, Sanji took another drag on his cigarette, curious as to the reason for his presence. Yet the swordsman remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"Nami said you hit Luffy before refusing to follow them when they found you at Whole Cake."

In shock, the cook's cigarette slipped from his hands and fell into the ocean. He didn't try to catch it. Around him, all the oxygen seemed to have evaporated and he had the hardest time not to suffocate. In an instant, he lost his breath and the cold crept into his entire body, freezing his hands as much as his heart.

Sanji closed his eyes for a second. He had known this day would come eventually. He then forced himself to open his eyes and let his gaze drift back towards the ocean, unable to meet that of his crewmate.

"I thought you didn't know," he whispered.

"I heard Nami when she told the others," the swordsman replied.

"I…" Sanji lowered his head to search for words. There was none that would justify the act he had committed in the eyes of the fencer and he knew it. "I'm sorry," he finally whispered after a long moment of silence. "I have no excuses. I don't deserve his forgiveness or yours."

"I trust Luffy," Zoro interrupted him. "He's no longer the kid who took things lightly when he had an argument with Usopp. I know he did what he had to do to get you back and if he thinks it was worth it, I got no complaints."

Zoro was silent as well, his gaze still studying the ocean. At his side, Sanji hadn't raised his head and the swordsman crossed his arms over his chest.

"What I wanna know is what he did to convince you to come back. Nami hasn't said anything about it."

Sanji smiled sadly, "That's because she wasn't there. No one was there except for Luffy and me."

"I need to know," the swordsman repeated, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

The blond nodded before straightening, wiping his teary eyes with his hand. "He… He hit me."

At these words, an amused smile tugged at Zoro's lips and Sanji nodded gently. "Only one punch and I thought every bone in my body would never stop vibrating. I ended up ten meters into a rock."

"That's my captain," the swordsman noted, his smile deepening.

Sanji nodded. "It took that much for me to finally tell him what I really wanted," he whispered. "I was so afraid of showing him who I… really was. I thought he'd only see what I was seeing. A weak man and a coward. A guy who had no future and no interest in being saved…"

"But that wasn't the case."

"No," the cook whispered again. "That wasn't the case."

"Of course. That's why he wanted you on his ship. Luffy's never wrong and I always said you were stupid, you needed that."

A strangled laugh escaped Sanji and suddenly, he hid behind his hand to prevent new tears from welling up in his eyes. A few steps away, Zoro finally turned towards him and the blond felt the weight of his observation. He then lowered his hand and met his gaze.

"I owe him so much, Zoro," he admitted, his voice tight with emotion. "Just like Zeff, I owe him so much that I'd never have enough of one lifetime to thank him for what he gave me…"

"You can thank him by accompanying him wherever he wants to go. To become the Pirate King, he decided you had to be there."

"I know. And I'll do my utmost to get him there, believe me. Luffy will become the Pirate King and I'll be here to see it."

"Like in Wano."

"Like in Wano. Whatever happens and whatever it takes."

Zoro nodded. "Good. That's all I needed to hear." The swordsman turned away and he was about to return to the crow's nest when Sanji stopped him.

"I'm not sure I'm ready, Zoro," he admitted suddenly. The man turned to look at him questioningly and the blond swallowed. "I'm not sure I'm ready to face them again," he repeated, his gaze shifting. "They won't be around, but it doesn't matter. It's the way I see myself because of them that I fear. I don't trust myself and I don't know if it won't trigger something else. I'm afraid I'm not strong enough and after all these efforts…"

"We'll be there," the swordsman interrupted him. "And this time, you'll let us help."

"I-I will. It's just… Last time, it only took one awful second and I thought I had lost everything I held dear. I don't want it to happen again…"

"It's not last time that counts, cook. It's next time."

Sanji nodded firmly as if to better convince himself and Zoro gave him time to let his emotion subside. In the end, Sanji turned towards the sea again and the swordsman thought the conversation was over but his companion wasn't done.

"There's something else I'd like to say."

Zoro raised an eyebrow and Sanji reached into his pocket for another cigarette before lighting it. The fencer crossed his arms across his chest when the cook took the time to inhale and then blow the smoke towards the sky. The blond seemed to study the clouds above them for a moment before speaking again.

"I know the importance of saying what I really feel from that day, even if it seems unnecessary or ridiculous. So I'm gonna say it."

Sanji took another shaky breath around his cigarette and behind him, the swordsman was surprised to see his back tense.

"I know it's too late but my fear doesn't change reality. What I felt for you back then hasn't gone away, Zoro. I think… I think I'm in love with you."

The blond seemed to want to add something but he finally shook his head before risking a glance in the direction of his crewmate. Zoro was frozen on the damaged lawn of the Sunny and Sanji quickly looked away. He then took a drag on his cigarette and decided to disappear as quickly as possible.

A few seconds later, he closed the galley door behind him. He was pretty sure Zoro still hadn't moved.

The next morning, breakfast was just finished when the outline of the island appeared on the horizon and the crew went out to look at it. The sun was already shining high in the sky and as everyone watched their next destination in silence, Nami took the opportunity to give instructions.

"Our priority is to find Adam's wood, but we mustn't neglect the rest," she reminded them. "I suggest that we share the tasks as usual and with a little luck, we can leave very quickly."

"I'll take care of finding the wood for the Sunny," the cyborg immediately said.

"I'm coming with you!" The captain approved.

"So am I," the navigator decided. "We'll probably need to be persuasive to get some, not to mention the price. The negotiations are likely to be tough."

"I can search all available information regarding current events and the possible presence of Marines in a short time," Robin offered.

"The supply of medication is high enough, but I can help to stock up on cola," the little reindeer suggested.

"That'd be ideal, Chopper," the redhead thanked him. "Take Jinbei and Zoro with you, you won't be too many to carry everything. We have nothing left."

"For my part, I can stay on the Sunny to keep watch while waiting for your return," Brook said.

"We must take advantage of this island to buy food," Sanji added. "We got enough but we don't know what the future holds for us."

"Perfect. In that case, Usopp will go with you," Nami concluded as the latter nodded. "See you on the Sunny by the end of the day at the latest."

Sanji grimly ripped off the poster from the wall and beside him, Usopp bit his lip. "You know, by now, things have probably changed…" The blond didn't answer and headed down the little alley as the now crumpled paper flew away in the wind behind him.

The sun was still shining in the cloudless sky above their heads and the sniper sighed as he quickly followed his friend. He had known right away that this island would bring them bad luck anyway…

This chapter gave me a hard time when I wrote it. Something was missing and it took me days to put my finger on it. I rewrote the entire scene between Zoro and Sanji to make it more intense. Sanji wasn't supposed to tell Zoro about his feelings so quickly initially.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it!

Trailer parts 13/16