One Piece pirates salty life

Zeff's eyes were glistening with unshed tears as he looked at Sanji standing before him. A rare softness softened his usually stern face. But the moment Sanji met his gaze, Zeff quickly wiped the tears away, not wanting to show any weakness.

After all, his own child was about to set off on a long voyage. How could he, as a father, be the one to hold him back?

With a hoarse voice, Zeff said, "You should have left a long time ago, brat."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked slowly toward the captain's quarters on the second floor. He feared that if he stayed any longer, the flood of emotions would overwhelm him.

Zeff wasn't the only one struggling to hold back tears. The chefs gathered in the kitchen also looked uncharacteristically emotional. Their usual fierce expressions had softened, and a few sniffled quietly, doing their best not to break down in front of Sanji.

Years of quarrels and misunderstandings couldn't be forgotten just like that.

Sanji was their sous chef — a brother who had grown up in their kitchen and stood beside them through thick and thin.

Only Paddy and Kabul expressed their feelings differently — by teasing Sanji, complaining about the years of frustration and making playful threats for revenge.

Yet, when faced with Sanji's impeccable leg techniques, their words dissolved into laughter mixed with reluctant respect, though some grumbled with mock resentment.

"Come on, Mr. Sous Chef! Let's go!"

Luffy and Suchen, having eaten their fill, were the first to spring up. They grabbed Sanji firmly, pulling him towards the Going Merry from both sides, leaving no room for protest.

Meanwhile, Zeff had already packed Sanji's belongings and placed them aboard the ship. The decision to leave was no longer up to Sanji — the farewell had already been said.

Nami and a weakened Zoro followed close behind.

It was worth mentioning that Leo had cast a healing spell on Zoro before the meal. Though Zoro's wounds had mostly healed, he was still noticeably weak.

Zoro, a bounty hunter feared across the seas by pirates, was now reduced to needing support to walk. If anyone who knew him saw him like this, they might despair at his vulnerability.

That was the reality for now.

---

After the incident at Baratie, the floating sea restaurant, the Straw Hat Pirates had finally found a chef — their long-awaited ally.

Under Captain Usopp's leadership, the crew once again set their sights on the Grand Line.

---

"Are you done yet?" Nami groaned, lying back on the sun lounger. She couldn't stand Usopp's endless storytelling anymore and, in frustration, picked up an orange and threw it at him.

"Ha! Nami, don't be mad. I think what I'm saying is pretty interesting!" Usopp laughed, dodging the orange.

Luffy, sitting next to Usopp, caught the flying fruit with a grin. He examined it for a moment before swallowing it whole.

On the bow deck, Leo, who had been quietly observing the subtle changes in his body, finally opened his eyes.

It had been three or four days since they set sail again, and Leo had come to understand the profound changes happening within him.

---

Because of the fierce battle with Mihawk, the magical patterns inside Leo's body had fully connected and merged into a seamless whole. This transformation felt natural, yet it meant he could no longer add new magic patterns.

Instead, the power of the existing magic patterns had more than doubled. Even Leo wasn't sure exactly how strong he had become.

But his instincts told him this much — even without magic, he could now stand toe-to-toe with Mihawk himself.

---

Leo glanced at Nami, who was clearly irritated, and he knew why.

It wasn't Usopp's repetitive stories making her restless — it was the fact that their current course was dangerously close to Kokoyasi Village.

There were only two ways to solve Nami's problem.

The first was to confront Arlong directly and break the oppressive fog that had shrouded Nami's heart for so many years.

The second was to empower Nami — to help her gain enough strength so that she would no longer fear Arlong's shadow.

Leo was inclined to choose the second option.

After all, some things couldn't be avoided forever — this was a matter that had to be dealt with eventually.

---

After Nami had returned alone to Kokoyasi Village, she had been surprised when Arlong was knocked to the ground by a stick as he attempted to intimidate her, the usual terror in his eyes replaced by confusion.

Thinking of that scene, Leo stood and walked over to Nami, smiling gently.

"Nami, it's time to make a decision about your situation."

His calm voice cut through the tension and reached Nami's ears, easing her irritation just a little.

"We are all behind you," Leo added with a reassuring tone.

"So... do you want to try and break free from this haze yourself?"

The sunlight behind Leo made Nami squint, and a subtle moisture gathered in her eyes.

"What do you mean?" she whispered.

---

Luffy, who seemed to sense something was wrong with Nami, leaned forward with concern.

"Leo, what's going on?"

---

After some thought and receiving Nami's silent confirmation, Leo called everyone to gather on the ship's deck.

"Luffy, we've finally found a chef," Leo began, "but before we sail full speed toward the Grand Line, there's something important we need to deal with first."

Luffy, carefree as ever, noticed Nami's uncomfortable silence and asked seriously, "What is it?"

Leo smiled faintly, spreading his hands.

"This is something that must be done."

Instantly, a wanted poster appeared in Leo's palm.

---

Everyone's eyes fell on the poster.

Nami, who had been mentally preparing herself, suddenly trembled involuntarily.

Everyone else sensed the tension in the air and stared at the photo on the poster with varying reactions.

The face on the wanted poster had a sharp, jagged nose and an expression that looked cruel and terrifying.

Johnny and Joseph exchanged glances, their eyes widening as they looked at Nami with surprise.

Luffy and Zoro were puzzled — why would the Murloc Pirates be such a big problem?

Leo wanted to explain, but Nami stopped him.

Taking a deep breath, she began to tell her story herself.

---

"A few years ago, a large group of fishmen led by Arlong forcibly took over my hometown, Kokoyasi Village."

Her voice was low but steady, though tears welled up as she spoke.

"They demanded tribute based on a head tax, and those who couldn't pay... were executed."

"My adoptive mother, Aunt Bell-mère, was one of those who resisted. She was brutally killed."

Nami's voice broke as she continued, "After that, they kidnapped me. They forced me to draw sea charts for them, to maintain their oppressive rule."

"They lied to me, telling me that if I could raise 100 million berries, they would free the village."

"That's why... I've been traveling the East Blue, becoming the thief you all know."

Her words came out in a rush — a long-suppressed grievance finally unleashed with Leo's encouragement.

---

As her sobs grew louder, Nami threw herself into Leo's arms, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Her voice was filled with pain and helplessness — the haze that had clouded her heart for years was finally spoken aloud.

Leo glanced down at his suit, now soaked with her tears and snot, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

This was only the beginning.

---

The sea stretched wide before the Going Merry, the wind gently fluttering the sails as the Straw Hat Pirates prepared for the trials ahead.

They were not just chasing adventure — they were chasing justice, strength, and the chance to break free from the chains of the past.

No matter what it took, they were ready to face it together.

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