One Piece pirates salty life

Sanji was still dazed, the haze of exhaustion and hunger clouding his mind, when a sudden movement behind him stirred him awake. Blinking away the fog, he slowly turned to see Ajin lying motionless on the wooden deck outside the restaurant. The sight of the battered man brought a pang of sympathy, but also a deep familiarity—Sanji knew all too well the cruel grip of hunger, the desperate weakness it imposed, and the humiliating helplessness it bred.

Without a word, Sanji silently rose and made his way back toward the kitchen. His steps were heavy, but his heart carried a quiet resolve. The memory of his own hunger-induced suffering was etched into his very being—a shadow that would never fully fade.

Meanwhile, Ajin lay curled up on the deck, the pain from Paddy's brutal blows still fresh, his body drained of strength. He could barely move, the agony pressing down on him like a heavy, suffocating weight. Every breath was a struggle; every heartbeat a reminder of his dwindling vitality. Despair gnawed at the edges of his consciousness, threatening to pull him under completely.

Just then, a plate of fragrant fried rice was carefully placed in front of Ajin. The aroma was inviting, warm, and comforting—a sharp contrast to the cold misery that had dominated his existence just moments ago.

"Eat," Sanji commanded gently as he sat beside him.

Sanji's hand reached instinctively for his cigarette, the habitual motion automatic. He brought the lighter close, but suddenly hesitated, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. After shaking his head to himself, he lit the cigarette and took a slow drag, as if trying to regain some semblance of calm.

Ajin's eyes locked onto Sanji's face. The sight of the composed, calm chef sparked something deep within him—a flicker of hope. Swallowing hard, Ajin lifted the plate and began to eat. The first few bites were tentative, as if he feared the food might disappear before he could finish.

"Woo… woo… woo! This is the first time in my life I've eaten something this delicious," Ajin muttered, his voice trembling with a mix of exhaustion and gratitude. Tears mingled with the rice as he swallowed in large, desperate gulps.

Sanji chuckled softly, the light returning to his eyes. "Heh, told you it was good, right?" He took another drag of his cigarette, the smoke curling lazily into the air. "You're welcome."

From the second-floor railing, Luffy observed the scene below under the watchful eyes of Leo. The young pirate couldn't help but grin widely, impressed.

"Just like you said, he is a really good chef, hehe!" Luffy said with a nod. Then, without hesitation, he leaped down from the railing, landing nimbly beside Sanji and Ajin.

"Hey, chef!" Luffy called out excitedly. "Come join us! Our pirate crew needs a top-notch cook like you!"

Sanji and Kin were startled by Luffy's sudden appearance. But it was Luffy's next words that truly caught Sanji off guard.

"So, you're a pirate! No wonder your crew just attacked the Marines directly. That was an incredible show of power!" Sanji said, eyes wide in admiration, turning to Leo with newfound respect.

Leo's recent actions—the fierce storm he'd stirred up—had left a lasting impression. Sanji recalled how he had thought the entire restaurant might be torn apart in the chaos. Leo truly was formidable.

"Leo? Yeah, he's really strong. I wonder just how far he'll go," Sanji muttered, half to himself.

"But I'm going to get stronger, too. My dream is to sail the Grand Line and become the King of Pirates!" Luffy said, sitting cross-legged on the railing, eyes gleaming with determination as he looked at Sanji and Ajin.

Ajin, still catching his breath, looked confused and asked, "Wait... I'm curious—why are you looking for a chef? Don't you already have enough crew members?"

Luffy grinned and pointed at Sanji. "We're six now, including him!"

Sanji quickly shot back, "Why me? I refuse! Your crew just said I'm not qualified as a chef!"

Luffy scratched his chin thoughtfully, then laughed. "I don't know why Leo said that, but I think your cooking is great. You even made fried rice for him—he must be a good cook. Come with us!"

Sanji's face darkened. "I said no. Besides, I have responsibilities here at this restaurant."

Luffy and Sanji fell into an uneasy silence. Sensing the tension, Ajin suddenly recalled something and warned, voice trembling, "Let me give you a word of advice—do anything you want, but please, give up on the Grand Line!"

Luffy looked puzzled, narrowing his eyes. "Why? Do you know something about the Grand Line?"

Ajin shook his head, but the fear in his eyes was clear. "No, I don't know much… but that's why it's terrifying."

He closed his eyes tightly, memories of a terrifying figure flashing across his mind. He trembled uncontrollably.

But Luffy just smiled, his voice brimming with confidence. "I don't know what you've faced, but I will go to the Grand Line! I made a promise to Shanks, and ever since, my heart belongs to the sea—the sea of freedom."

Something about Luffy's unshakeable confidence rubbed off on Ajin. Slowly, the fear began to dissipate. He looked at Luffy with a dazed expression, then a soft smile spread across his face.

"Haha… whatever you want to do, I won't stand in your way," Ajin said quietly.

Sanji, still holding his cigarette between his teeth, smiled faintly. "By the way, Sanji! Thanks a lot! You saved me. That meal was absolutely delicious."

"Can I have another serving?" Ajin asked hopefully.

Sanji's lips curved into a gentle smile as he replied, "You're welcome anytime."

Ajin knelt down, bowing deeply in gratitude before climbing onto a small boat waiting nearby. With a faint wave, he drifted off, disappearing into the horizon.

On the second floor, Leo stood silently, watching Ajin's retreating figure. After a moment's contemplation, he lowered the magic he had prepared to cast. If he were to strike now, Hawkeye would never have the chance to meet him, and the critical battle for Zoro might be lost forever.

Besides, Leo wanted to test whether his strength had reached the highest levels of the world.

With a measured step, Leo descended the stairs and approached the deck below, where Sanji stood waiting. Unlike Luffy's reckless leap, Leo moved with the calm dignity of a gentleman.

"Hey, Sous Chef, we meet again," Leo said with a teasing smirk, taking the initiative to greet Sanji.

Sanji returned the greeting politely, though he was visibly annoyed. "Hello, distinguished guest."

Despite his irritation, Sanji couldn't deny that Leo's presence was commanding. After spending some time preparing fried rice for Ajin, Sanji had tasted the abalone Leo left behind—and realized he had walked right into a trap.

The claim that the essential flavors of the ingredients came solely from their natural qualities was nothing more than a trick—a cruel excuse to cover Leo's own tactics. If Sanji hadn't been so angry earlier, he wouldn't have fallen for such a transparent ruse.

A sharp edge crept into Sanji's voice as he muttered, "So you were joking with me all along?"

Leo laughed awkwardly, admitting defeat. "Haha… you caught me. As an apology, I'll give you some truly special ingredients."

He pulled out a pile of strange shellfish—creatures Leo had collected while experimenting with his long-distance displacement magic on Sky Island. Thinking back on his time there and a certain naive girl he had met, a smile involuntarily formed on his lips.

Sanji clenched his teeth as he took the shellfish. Leo's smile was mocking, and Sanji knew it.

But his instincts as a chef told him these rare ingredients were valuable. He had to accept them.

"Dear guest, you're here to cause trouble, aren't you?" Sanji said through gritted teeth. "Don't worry—I'll take care of it. Just wait and see how I swallow your tongue into your stomach!"

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