The towering red wall served as the only safe haven from the stormy sea breaking currents; taming wild waves, and shielding against powerful crosswinds, creating calm waters perfect for apprentices like the heroes.
The navigator noticed the calm conditions and called upon the three most composed students in the class to begin explaining the unpredictable dangers of the Grand Line.
"Momo, Tenya, Shoto... Could you come here for a moment, please?"
The vice president swallowed nervously, already understanding the reason behind the summons, while Iida approached with complete confidence marching like a soldier, accompanied by Todoroki, who simply stepped forward ready to listen to the instructions.
"Nami." Aizawa called out upon noticing the unusual request from the navigator.
"Why are you entrusting this task to my students?"
"Because you can't keep an eye on both your students and the sea at the same time... Besides, you look tired, so I can't leave this responsibility to you."
"Though Hizashi could be useful for giving orders..." She glanced at the blond, who was making a racket with the troublemakers trio.
"But he's too scatterbrained, and this requires a lot of focus."
"Miss Nami?" Shoto interrupted the conversation.
"Ah, there you are, guys. Judging by your expressions, I assume you already know that you'll be in charge of the route."
"Yes!"
The three students answered with different levels of enthusiasm. The serious boy accepted the task without hesitation, the disciplined class rep obeyed with enthusiasm, while the vice president hesitated nervously.
Nami held up the Log Pose on her wrist to explain how some destinations were far more dangerous than others and how to identify them, then proceeded to hand Momo an Eternal Pose.
"Momo-chan, you'll be in charge of navigation. I trust your leadership and deductive skills to guide us on the safest route."
"Tenya, you'll work alongside Momo. Your voice reaches your classmates, and together, you'll be crucial in solving any problems we encounter along the way."
"As for you, Shoto... You'll need to understand how heat and cold affect the environment so you can manipulate humidity and help us face natural disasters. More than anything, we'll rely on your ice abilities in case of a storm."
"Yes, Nami-sensei."
"Hehe~ Sensei," she repeated playfully, amused by the title the serious boy had given her.
"Now, I need someone strong and fast..." Nami tapped her finger against her lips in thought.
"Katsuki!"
"Brocoli too!" Luffy suggested, dragging the green-haired along.
"Luffy-san!" Izuku's eyes lit up, grateful for his trust despite their minimal interaction.
"I'M NOT WORKING WITH THAT NERD!"
"This is all about teamwork! You two will handle the sails. You'll need to raise or lower them as instructed," she explained, pointing to the masts.
"See those ropes? They serve two functions—tying them down and rotating the yardarm. Got it?"
"Jinbei! Can you teach Izuku and Katsuki how to handle the sails? And..."
The navigator scanned the group, searching for the best option for another crucial role.
"Mezou and Rikido." She called out to the two who seemed the most physically capable.
"You'll be in charge of the helm. Jinbei, I'll also need you to explain how it works, including directions and angles."
"Of course, Nami."
"Jinbei... I'll handle these two. You can focus on the sails."
"Oh, thank you Franky."
The three pirates responsible for instruction gathered in the center with the chosen students, making the explanations flow more smoothly as they synchronized their knowledge from different perspectives under a single, cohesive strategy.
The fish-man took advantage of the loosened rigging to demonstrate how a skilled helmsman controlled the sails with sheer strength, rotating them at angles of up to fifty degrees. Meanwhile, Franky adjusted the helm, allowing them to see firsthand how dramatically the Sunny's maneuvers changed—highlighting the importance of teamwork.
"Listen up!" Jinbei's deep voice called out, drawing attention of those selected crew members.
"The Sunny isn't just a ship... It's our home and an important nakama. Steer it not as an object, but as an extension of your own body."
"You must understand it to be able to navigate properly."
"It's as if we're relearning how to walk," Izuku observed.
"Exactly.
"Communication, teamwork, and critical thinking are the three most important factors in sailing. Understood?"
"YES, BOSS JINBEI!" Wveryone answered in unison, except for Bakugo, who swapped his name for "Tuna-head."
"Tsu-chan."
"Yes, Nami-chan?"
"Your ability to climb will make it easier for you to reach the crow's nest, and if I remember correctly, your uniform has built-in binoculars... You'll be our lookout. Report any irregularities you see along the way."
"Understood, kero."
"I've also noticed that you get a little sluggish in cold weather."
"That's right... My body doesn't tolerate low temperatures well."
"I suppose that means you can detect subtle temperature changes."
Froppy blinked, surprised by Nami's keen observation, and nodded.
"Ya-ta! Perfect. You'll be Momo's right hand... Report any temperature shifts, no matter how minor."
The navigator seemed thrilled as she organized the group and assigned roles, then grabbed three thick logbooks from a bench near the main mast.
"Meanwhile, Tenya and Momo, you'll need to read and memorize these."
Both representatives flipped through the extensive notes, growing nervous at the sheer amount of information they had been given.
"These contain my experiences with the Grand Line's weather patterns. If you start seeing similar trends, consider them when planning evasive maneuvers."
"THIS IS WAY TOO MUCH!"
"And there's still more we haven't encountered yet... These waters are extremely dangerous."
Nami continued with her three main selected students, jotting down the most relevant details in her logbooks while Franky provided Shoji and Sato with a more detailed explanation of the levers and dockings in the helm area.
"Alright, omaeraa, pay attention because I won't repeat myself! This is the port system, but you'll only need to use zero. These are paddle wheels. When activated, the Sunny can move forward without wind."
He demonstrated by shifting the port lever to zero, engaging the paddles, and increasing the ship's speed before turning them off a minute later.
"This button activates Chicken Voyage. it's our emergency evasive maneuver."
The shipwright pressed the button, causing the ship to abruptly change course.
"IT CAN MOVE IN REVERSE?"
"That's right! There's nothing the Sunny can't do, MAJAJAJA!" he boasted, pressing the button again to deactivate it.
"And this lever is strictly for emergencies... It activates the Coup de Burst, launching us one kilometer into the air to a safe zone."
"Is that what you used to escape the Calm Belt?" Iida inquired.
"Calm Ring," Nami corrected.
"Previously, the world was divided by two areas around the Grand Line, separating the seas. Now, they're two rings with an inner sea," she explained before walking off in search of more notes, leaving Iida, Todoroki, and Momo uneasy as they pored over their logbooks.
"Calm Rings... We'll have to cross them again to return. It'd be best to save the Coup de Burst to avoid confronting the Sea Kings," Franky added, leading the pair to an area connected to the ship's propulsion system that they rarely visited.
"We only have two tries. Even though we restocked on cola, it's not the same kind we usually use, so there's a chance it won't work the same way. We'll save the remaining shot from our initial journey for emergencies and avoid using the second one."
On deck, the navigator's lecture was so in-depth and draining that the group settled around her, while Momo and Iida remained fully engrossed, like children hanging onto every word of a bedtime tale.
Nami focused on detailing the weather patterns and temperature fluctuations they would need to recognize in case of emergencies.
"You'll be responsible for steering the Sunny for half the day. After five o'clock, the waters become too unstable, so we'll switch shifts."
"Shoto, use your ice when necessary. While it'll be useful, using it at the wrong moment could be dangerous."
"LISTEN UP, U.A.!" she raised her voice to capture both students' and teachers' attention.
"There are terms everyone must learn, and all of you share the responsibility of protecting the Sunny in case of an attack by wild sea creatures."
"Only engage if you're sure you can defeat them. Provoking them will only put us in danger."
"Uh... Nami-san, why does it sound like you're leaving us to fend for ourselves?"
"Because that's exactly what's happening. I need to chart the route for your future journeys, and we won't always be here to help you. That's why it's important you follow your new navigator's instructions to the letter... ANY OBJECTIONS?"
"NO, MA'AM!" the students shouted in unison, saluting like sailors.
"DON'T CALL ME MA'AM!"
"YES, MY GODDESS!" Mineta's voice rang out from the crowd.
"HEY, DAMN GRAPE, ONLY I CAN CALL HER THAT!"
"NEITHER OF YOU CAN!" Nami snapped, baring her teeth in frustration.
Scanning the deck, the navigator noticed the nervous heroes alongside a few of her own crewmates who seemed doubtful of the students' inexperience; being Jinbei, Brook, and Usopp the most obvious. This left Nami deep in thought.
"If I put Jinbei in charge of watching over them, he'll end up helping them too much, and they won't develop their instincts," she considered before stepping away, trying to decide on a suitable overseer.
"That's it."
"What is it, Nami?" Shoto asked, having overheard her.
"If she plans to travel with us, she'll have to support you... Bakanee!" she called out to the white-haired, who peeked out groggily from the fabric hammock slung over the rear mast.
"With all the years you've spent running on your own, you must have some experience in navigation. You'll be in charge of watching over them when I'm unavailable."
"No."
"WHAT?" Nami's expression darkened, a vein twitching on her forehead. "I'M NOT ASKING!"
"I'm tired... This is the only decent nap I'll have in years. Wake me up, and I'll make sure to guide us all straight to our deaths." She hid into the fabric with that remark.
"Hahaha, she must be joking, right, Yagi?" Usopp elbowed the blond, who remained silent for a few moments, recalling what the Heart Pirates had said about refusing to take her with them.
"'Sometimes, she'd deliberately lead us into trouble.'"
"SHE'S NOT JOKING," he stated, a cold sweat forming on his brow.
"Come on, All Might-san, this must be another misunderstanding," Brook added.
"NOT THIS TIME... YOUNG TRAFALGAR'S CREWMATES SAID SHE HAS A HABIT OF CHOOSING THE MOST DANGEROUS ROUTE ON PURPOSE."
"SHE'S INSANE!" nearly everyone on board shouted, as their faces stretched in shock and their arms flailed.
"That would kill you too, you crazy old hag!" Bakugo snapped.
"Shame." came a curt reply from above.
"AH, THAT DAMN WITCH."
"Stop it, Kacchan!"
"Let me go, damn nerd!"
"JUST KEEP PLAYING DEAD!" Mic hollered.
Sighing, Nami gave up and let her have her way.
"Alright... You can keep sleeping... BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY A PRICE FOR IT! YOU'RE NOT TRAVELING FOR FREE!"
"Oi, oi, oi," her crewmates grumbled.
"WELL SAID, NAMI!" the heroes cheered, led by Present Mic.
A quiet sigh escaped the navigator, displeased by the loss of her extra support.
"I had really hoped she could relieve me of overseeing them for added security."
"Jinbei... Let me know if they run into trouble, but don't intervene unless it's an emergency," she whispered, ensuring only the helmsman could hear, before shaking off her worries and standing tall before the class leaders.
"Alright, Momo-chan, it's all up to you now."
"EEEEH? Do you really think I'm ready?"
"You're a smart and observant, just stop doubting yourself." Nami's words made Momo blush.
"Yes!" She responded with her eyes glistening, inspired by Nami's confidence in her.
"If you ever have doubts, seek out Jinbei or me... But try to handle things on your own first, and trust your instincts and your teammates."
"Mhm!"
"And remember, Momo-chan... Our destination is important, but so is our safety. Don't hesitate to take the right path, even if it means deviating a little."
"Yes! I'll do my best on my own, Nami-san!"
"Good... Here, take these. These are additional notes on some common phenomena along the New World's routes. With these, you'll learn how to recognize them."
"THERE'S MORE?!"
"These waters aren't friendly, jejeje~"
"WE'RE GONNA DIE!"
"Don't be so negative, Mineta, kero." Tsuyu reprimanded him, noticing a flicker of insecurity returning to the vice president.
With the waters calm, roles assigned, and instructions given, Nami quietly withdrew with Robin to the library, eager to begin mapping, while the archaeologist remained engrossed in the numerous logbooks connecting the past and present.
"Are you sure about leaving them alone?" The sultry archaeologist asked, watching the nervous vice president scan her surroundings.
"They're not alone. Jinbei is with them... But we can't let them know that, or they'll keep second-guessing everything. That girl, Momo, is brilliant, but she's too unsure of her own abilities."
The beginning of the journey under the heroes' command was peaceful; the weather and the sea showed no changes, just as when they first arrived at the Red Line.
Taking their previous arrival as a reference, they decided to relax a little before the dangerous shifts began.
With the pirates having no immediate duties, Toshinori took the opportunity to seek out the musician, who was enjoying the view while tuning his violin near the helm.
"MR BROOK."
"Oh, All Might-san, what can I do for you?"
"Eto... I was wondering if you could continue the sword lessons?" He requested politely, carrying the sword Momo had created for him before their journey to Mu.
The skeleton simply stared at him with his jaw hanging open before putting away his violin and switching to his cane, stepping closer to the tall blond.
"It would be an honor."
From the grassy area, Midoriya watched as the fragile skeleton corrected his mentor's stance, focusing on his lightweight frame to enhance agility while reinforcing the solid movements All Might had already mastered to end battles with a single strike.
The pirate's versatility became evident as he demonstrated his steps and movements—so different from Yagi's reliance on raw strength. Adjusting to this fluid combat style proved difficult for the hero.
"You have experience holding firm stances, but you need to move more freely... Try copying my steps, All Might-san." The musician instructed, adjusting the blond's posture, repositioning his feet, hands, and grip on the weapon.
"YES!"
His idol's determination inspired the green-haired youth, who turned with newfound resolve toward the cook, who was delivering drinks to the girls while the men were left parched.
"Saaaanji, don't be mean, we're thirsty too!"
"There are drinks in the kitchen. If you're that thirsty, serve yourselves."
"Sanji-san." Deku called out.
The cook, having finished distributing drinks, handed the tray to Aoyama, already understanding the young hero's request.
"Alright... I did promise."
"R-really?!" Izuku exclaimed as his eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Yeah. Go get your turbine friend."
The gossip quickly spread throughout the ship, gathering most of the heroes, who cleared the grassy area and sat on the railing, eagerly watching their two classmates stand before the esteemed cook.
Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp simply turned their heads toward the Sunny's deck, all three wearing wide grins as they left their fishing rods on the ground.
"Deku, try not to hurt him too much, or we won't have anyone to cook for us!" Denki exclaimed cheerfully.
"Be careful, Sanji-kun. He might not look like it, but Midoriya is pretty strong, kero," Tsuyu warned.
Luffy said nothing, only watched with keen interest, as he laughed at the heroes' concern for the cook.
The composed pirate remained relaxed before the two students on the cleared deck, now surrounded by an eager audience. He lit a cigarette, taking a slow drag, while both young men stood firm, awaiting instructions.
"So, bush-head... you've just changed your fighting style, and Turbine... running is your thing... Alright, let's see how refined your techniques are. Attack me with everything you've got."
"Both of us? That doesn't seem fair. You don't have a Quirk," Iida said, concerned.
"But, Sanji-san, we might hurt you," Deku added.
"Are you hesitating?"
"YOUNG SANJI, CONTROL YOUR STRENGTH WITH THE STUDENTS!" Toshinori suddenly called out with clear concern, pausing his own training to focus on the fight.
"All Might?!" the spectators exclaimed in surprise.
Toshinori hadn't meant to reveal what he had previously kept to himself. Though they had all seen Sanji and Zoro's brief clashes, he had personally experienced a direct attack from the young cook. He understood firsthand how dangerous Sanji's strength was, and his battle against that divine being in the strange land had only reinforced how formidable the pirate truly was.
The heroes, however, remained unaware of this—Sanji's gentle, albeit selective, demeanor had never given them a sense of danger. But because his opponents were male, Toshinori knew the cook might not hold back.
"Eto... One could say Young Sanji is at the level of a Pro Hero..."
"At the level?!" The fighters were startled, though Sanji looked more irritated than surprised.
"WELL... ACTUALLY... ABOVE THAT LEVEL..."
"WHAT?!"
The girls who had spent time with Sanji turned to him in shock. He had never given them the impression of insecurity or danger, and yet the former Number One Hero had just declared, without hesitation, that this criminal surpassed the power of even a top-tier hero.
"Don't lump me in with that flaming bastard!"
Sanji's sudden remark caused Iida and Deku to panic, frantically gesturing for him to be quiet.
"Flaming bastard?" Todoroki repeated to himself.
"Excuse me, Sanji-san... The person you're referring to... Did he, by chance... Have a flaming mustache and beard?"
"Yeah, the current Number One. Do you know him?"
Upon the pirate's confirmation, the young hero's expression twisted in disgust.
"He's my father..."
"Oh..." Sanji muttered, noticing the deep resentment on Todoroki's face. He understood the feeling and chose not to dig any deeper.
"I wouldn't have guessed... You're very different," he added, avoiding eye contact, piquing Todoroki's curiosity.
"You met him?!"
"Briefly... He's a grumpy old man," Luffy said bluntly.
"Luffy! That's his father! Show some respect!" Shoji and Kirishima scolded him.
"So what? Just because they're parents doesn't mean they're not trash."
"Sanji!"
"Shishishishi~"
"That idiot is way too weak to be Number One," Zoro muttered disappointed.
"What?! How can you say that?!" Iida, Shoji, and Ojiro protested, defending their top hero.
"If Zoro-kun says so, then it must be true," Tokoyami declared.
"STOP AGREEING WITH EVERYTHING HE SAYS, YOU DAMN FANBOY!"
"With proper training... you could surpass him without issue," Zoro finally said, sparking excitement in Fumikage and Kirishima, more so than the others.
"Train us, Zoro-senpai!" Kirishima asked eagerly.
"No... You complain about the warm-ups..."
"THAT WAS JUST A WARM-UP?!" Kirishima, Bakugo, and Tokoyami shouted in disbelief, barely able to move after training with the swordsman.
"Yohohoho~ He has high expectations for you," Brook's voice rang from the helm, making the heroes feel honored.
"Alright, bush-head—"
"Midoriya, Sanji-san," Iida corrected.
"That's your last name, right?"
"Yes."
"And your first name?"
"Izuku!" Midoriya responded, standing at attention like a soldier.
"Alright, Izuku... Let's see what you're capable of."
"A-AYE!"
Deku crouched, tensing his body. His muscles and veins glowed pink and small green sparks crackled around his skin.
The grass beneath him rippled from the energy surging in his feet, and his "voice" grew louder...
"Damn it, he's going to damage the Sunny..." Sanji gritted his teeth.
Before the freckled boy could launch his attack, a shadow belonging to the cook's leg struck his cheek, sending him flying off the deck.
"Deku!"
Sanji landed on one leg in a relaxed stance, exhaling cigarette smoke before turning to Iida.
"What are you waiting for? A bell to ring?"
"But you told us to attack, and then you attacked first!"
"Sorry, I didn't know you needed to coordinate before fighting your enemies."
A black whip shot out from Midoriya, wrapping around the railing and redirecting him back toward the deck. He aimed a kick at Sanji's chest, but the cook effortlessly blocked it with the shin of his leg, without even using Haki.
"Is that all?" Sanji asked, tilting his head in disappointment.
The cigarette smoke blurred Deku's vision, and in the next instant, a strike to his ribs sent him soaring toward the prow. He used his Blackwhip again, latching onto the Sunny's figurehead and launched himself back at Sanji with greater force. But with a subtle movement, the cook effortlessly evaded him.
"He must be using Observation Haki," Deku thought, grinning.
"Jinbei-san mentioned he also has Armament Haki... I need to be careful not to get hit by his reinforced kicks."
"Sanji-san is so fast!" the girls cheered, seemingly forming an impromptu fan club for the talented pirate.
"Come on, Deku-kun! You can do it!" Ochako encouraged, arms raised and waving enthusiastically, until she felt Mina's piercing gaze, causing her to blush.
"Go, Sanji-san!" Toru cheered excitedly, her clothes flailing wildly in her invisible enthusiasm.
"Aye aye!" Sanji intertwined his fingers, swaying with a lovestruck expression and eyes heartshaped.
Deku saw an opening and dashed toward him. His body at 20% power tore part of his pant leg, revealing a defined, glowing limb streaked with green lightning. The energy reflected off Sanji's side just before Midoriya's kick connected.
A violent gust erupted from the kick, suddenly accelerating the Sunny and nearly tossing the crew overboard.
"He landed a hit on Sanji!" his classmates cheered, until they abruptly fell silent. Luffy simply smirked, arms crossed.
"Huh?"
Deku's eyes widened. His strongest kick hadn't even moved Sanji from his spot.
"Even though my body's straining from the effort, it's still not enough to hurt Sanji-san..." His expression shifted from determination to blank shock, as a shiver ran down his spine as he once again sensed the "voices" of the pirate and three others around him.
Deku closed his eyes briefly. In the darkness, he saw four perfectly defined silhouettes—Luffy, Zoro, Jinbei... and his current opponent.
Sanji dusted off his striped shirt and exhaled a plume of smoke, gazing upward.
"Turbine... If your fighting style is the same as Izuku's... Don't waste my time," he said, irritated, without looking at Iida.
"You made Sanji-san mad!" the students cried, hearing the shift in his tone.
"No... Their fighting style is just pathetic," Sanji muttered, flicking away his cigarette.
"Pay attention, kid."
"Sanji, don't overdo it." Chopper and Usopp called out, raising one hand while cupping their mouths with the other as makeshift megaphones.
"Let him walk!" The captain exclaimed.
"Roger..."
Everyone was stunned when, after a single step, the blond had vanished from his position and reappeared in front of Midoriya, who failed to react in time.
"Collier!" His foot struck Deku's neck, lifting him off the ground and sending him flying backward, leaving him suspended in the air for a moment.
Instinctively, the green-haired activated his Blackwhip to keep his body from being left vulnerable and to land safely, but the cook didn't allow him to continue his plan, finishing with a quick combo of kicks.
"Épaule! Côtellete! Selle! Poitrine! Gigot!"
The names of his attacks indicated the areas he was targeting, executing a dynamic and seemingly endless series of kicks aimed at different parts of the body.
One kick landed on Deku's shoulder, nearly smashing him into the deck, only for another to hit his ribs, lifting him back into the air. Sanji then leaped up, striking him with his heel before spinning midair to build speed and force, delivering a powerful vertical kick to his chest, damaging the boy's ribs.
Sanji used his spins and gravity to build momentum, rarely touching the Sunny's deck. His movements were fluid, never remaining static or repeating the same positions, adjusting seamlessly to both his opponent's stance and his own motion.
The heroes were astounded by the pirate's fighting style—he didn't need a Quirk to dominate the battle. His attacks were fast, powerful, and precise, leaving Deku without even a sliver of an opportunity to counterattack.
The Sunny was filled with only three sounds... The impact of kicks against the hero's body, the French names of the attacks, and Aoyama screaming in excitement with noises that verged on moans, which deafened the girls around him and ultimately distracted the pirate.
"AH, STOP MAKING THOSE SOUNDS! THEY'RE JUST DISTURBING!" Sanji snapped, baring his sharp teeth at the flamboyant blond.
"That's just how he is..." His classmates pointed out.
The brief distraction gave Deku a moment to breathe, his body ached all over, reminiscent of when he first started using One For All and would injure himself... He shifted his stance, trying to steady himself to counterattack, seeing the unmoving cook before him.
Among everyone present, Bakugo was the most bewildered and offended... How could a mere Quirkless fighter defeat the successor of All Might's power? His blood boiled at the thought, his heart pounded heavily in his chest.
"GET UP, DEKU! DON'T LET HIM TOY WITH YOU LIKE THAT!" Bakugo's pride was shattered, watching his direct rival being treated like a joke by someone who hadn't even used the techniques they had previously witnessed.
Deku clenched his fists, determined not to give up, but before he could even take a step, he saw the bored expression and arrogant smile on the cook's face.
"Mutton... Shot."
The soft and almost casual voice didn't sound dangerous, yet in one swift movement, Sanji concentrated all his strength into a single leg, extending it at a perfect 90-degree angle. His elegant black shoe slammed into Deku's chest, sending him soaring off the ship.
"UOOOOOH, HE FLEW SO FAR!" Luffy cheered, shielding his eyes from the sun to see how the boy kept getting smaller in the distance.
"GRAB HIM, CAPTAIN!" The group of girls pleaded in perfect synchronization, raising one hand.
"Ah, so he's not coming back this time?" Luffy tilted his head as the other students pointed insistently toward the direction of the flying green bush.
"YOSH!"
Luffy stretched his arm, grabbing Izuku mid-air and bringing him back onto the deck, breathless and with a few broken ribs from the final attack.
"YOUNG SANJI, WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT NOT OVERDOING IT?!"
"Shut it! I still have something to settle with you!" Sanji cut off the old man, making him nervous.
"I used the same fighting style and tried to match the strength I had at his age... If he couldn't handle it, it just means he still needs more training." Sanji's revelation made everyone swallow hard.
"That was his potential at that age?" Nemuri asked, touching her cheek with a finger.
"He must be lying." The students murmured among themselves, doubting the blond's experience.
"So... He is even stronger..." Aizawa pondered, noting how Yagi had looked concerned from the very start of the fight.
"Deku!"
"Izuku-san!"
"Midoriya!"
The spectators rushed to assist their classmate, whose numb body barely responded as he struggled to sit up.
Chopper stepped forward, analyzing the boy and running his hooves over his body, noticing how Deku winced when he touched his chest.
"Sanji! You broke his ribs!"
"That stupid nerd's used to breaking everything." Katsuki grumbled, annoyed.
"Heal him." Sanji dismissed the issue and walked away from his injured opponent.
"You say that so easily!"
"You really should've held back more!"
"I knew he could handle it..."
"It was supposed to be a lesson, not leave him quadriplegic!" Mineta protested, lifting Deku up by one arm.
"Sanji, you're so cruel!"
The girls' accusations made the cook drop to his knees in shame, pounding the grass with his fist with tears streaming down his face.
"Iida, you're forbidden from training with him." Aizawa ordered, pulling away the dazed class representative, who ultimately never got his chance to join the training.
"Are you okay, Midoriya?" Shota asked as the boy finally managed to sit up.
"I understand what he was trying to teach me."
"Huh?"
"Iida-san... We don't need to refine our technique... We need to execute it completely differently."
"Have you lost your mind?"
"The concussions are making him delusional." Denki joked.
"No... Sanji-san... Why did you attack first?" Izuku turned his attention to the blond, who was regaining his composure after the girls' reprimands.
"You focused all your power on the initial burst. If I hadn't stopped you, you would've damaged the Sunny... You don't need a huge wind-up for an effective attack."
"Just as I thought..." Deku muttered, scanning the undamaged surroundings before murmuring rapidly to himself.
"During the fight, most of his attacks were done while he wasn't touching the ground, just to avoid damaging the deck... Normally, that kind of movement is considered a disadvantage because you will be vulnerable in midair, but Sanji-san's fluid and constant motions allowed him to keep up his series of kicks without stopping... Unlike mine, which require me to push off a surface or stay firm to strike."
"You're very observant!" The cook smiled.
"HE UNDERSTOOD ALL THAT?!"
"Your technique is useless because you don't have the fluidity or creativity to keep attacking without a foothold... Don't focus on strength—focus on movement and flexibility." Sanji demonstrated, stretching his leg into a perfect 180-degree kick that sent the Sunny's sails fluttering.
"Incredible... Thank you, Sanji-sa—aaah.~" His excitement was cut short as his injured ribs protested.
"Don't overexert yourself, Izuku." The reindeer advised.
"Great... Now we're down one of the guys in charge of raising the sails..." Sero complained.
"Kirishima! You're taking his place." The class rep ordered.
"Tenya!" Sanji called out to the perfectionist, catching his attention.
"Was that clear, or do you need a physical demonstration as well?"
"It's clear... We're too rigid."
"Both in combat and in personality." Sanji remarked, watching the uptight student bowing and giving perfectly structured, almost robotic words of gratitude—only to have Franky mimic him, adding "Robo" at the end of every sentence. The sight made veins bulge on Iida's forehead.
"Stop imitating me, Mr. Franky!" He scolded, raising his arm in a precise, square motion.
"Stop imitating me-Robo."
Sanji walked over to the young hero being tended to by his crewmate, crouching down to his level and catching Midoriya's attention.
"Oi, Izuku..."
"Yes, Mr. Sanji?"
"The way you increase your strength isn't natural... And honestly, your presence feels the same as the old man's..."
"Sanji-saaaan, that's a secret!" Midoriya hushed nervously, glancing around to make sure none of his closer companions had overheard.
"Are you related?"
Izuku shook his head so violently that it seemed like it might fly off.
"Aaaaaah! Stop that! You're going to hurt your neck!" Chopper scolded hysterically.
The sharp-witted pirate seemed to grasp what the young hero was hiding. He stood up, pulling out another cigarette from his pack.
"You need to train your own strength and not rely solely on your power. Your body doesn't seem to withstand your Quirk."
"Once you've recovered and we're on solid ground, I'll teach you some of my techniques... If you can maintain the strength you were trying to use, you'll be able to refine them on your own... Hope you're ready for real training." Sanji challenged, lighting his cigarette.
The pain in Deku's chest prevented him from answering verbally, so he repeatedly nodded his head up and down—only to be suddenly struck by the reindeer's antler, knocking him out cold.
"AH! DOCTOR CHOPPER!" The class rep called out in alarm after hearing the hollow thud, only to see his unconscious classmate.
"What are you doing?" Mineta and Denki asked, wide-eyed.
"Anesthesia." Chopper replied matter-of-factly.
"Good technique." Bakugo smirked.
"Straw Hat... Is your whole crew this insane?" Eraserhead asked, a sweatdrop trailing down his messy hair.
"Shishishi."
Luffy's proud laughter at the comment only made the pro hero more uneasy about their bizarre techniques and behavior.
"Oi, you bag of bones!"
Sanji's irritated voice made Yagi take a step back, watching as the pirate climbed the stairs toward him, unclear on what had triggered this sudden aggression.
"Don't think I've forgotten."
"I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT."
"The reason you're all skin and bones!... You don't have a stomach."
"Young Sanji, no one else is supposed to know that!" Yagi leaned in slightly, gesturing for him to lower his voice.
"Don't keep such crucial details from a cook, you fool," Sanji snarled, launching a kick that Yagi narrowly evaded.
"You keep training, but as long as you don't have a way to digest nutrients, you won't be able to nourish your body or build muscle mass... You can't fight like this."
"Eto... " The hero sweated nervously, embarrassed by the pirate's scolding.
"I'll make sure you get a special diet that allows your body to absorb nutrients without needing digestion."
"IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!" Yagi's eyes widened in shock.
"We've seen what you're capable of... If you're going to continue down the path of teaching and protecting others, you'd better be at full strength... And as a cook, it's my duty to make sure you get the right nutrition for that."
The pirate's unexpectedly caring attitude momentarily distracted Yagi—until he suddenly saw the shadow of Sanji's leg looming over his head. The cook rested his shoe's heel on his forehead.
"Do you understand, you stupid skeleton?" Sanji demanded, tapping his heel repeatedly against Yagi's head.
"Yes... I'm sorry."
"DESPITE MY DIFFERENCES WITH YOUNG SANJI, HE CONTINUES TO DISPLAY HIS COMPASSIONATE AND SELFLESS NATURE." Yagi thought while enduring the rapid thunk thunk thunk against his skull.
"AAAAAH, SANJI, YOU'RE GONNA BREAK HIM!"
"Shaggy, you idiot! You're supposed to dodge!" Luffy pouted, scolding him.
A silhouette appeared in the ship's garden, observing the chaos.
Nami watched with a smile as the two groups interacted, noticing the vice president still focused on her task.
"Don't relax just yet!"