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Several years since Luffy became the Pirate King, the journey of adventure continues.
Only that the original members might not always sail together. They have all fulfilled their dreams, and are still working hard in their own new life chapter. That is why Sanji was thrilled when Luffy told him he was able to gather everybody tonight, and they would throw a big party at ALL BLUE later. A reunion with all old Strawhats present is much rarer these days. Right now, Sanji is staying in the kitchen and gleefully preparing dishes by himself.
However, there is another reason behind this experienced chef’s slightly trembling fingers.
Tonight, he is going to confess his love to the combatant of Straw Hat Pirates, the strongest swordsman around the world, Roronoa Zoro the Mosshead. Not only does he want to be Zoro’s loyal friend, he would also like to become his romantic partner. To simply say he is excited or nervous is an understatement.
That’s right. The current Sanji can finally confront his own true feelings. He will no longer use heat stroke as a poor excuse for his nosebleed, instead he candidly admits it is from watching Zoro exercising with his shirt off, plump pecs bouncing while handling heavy weights. He gives Zoro all sorts of silly nicknames and finds it cute when his face turns red from being exasperated. He basks in Zoro’s undivided attention, savoring the moment when he is the only person seen by that steel gray eye.
Ah, what naive days. Nowadays Zoro still bickers with him from time to time. Whenever he is not roaming the sea, Zoro shows up at his restaurant, loitering, drinking all the good stuff without paying a single coin. A well fed Zoro looks like a big docile cat, pink tongue licking his mouth, eyes narrowed with satisfaction. How adorable. Sanji never really tells any person how he wants to put his arms around that broad shoulder, and kiss Zoro’s forehead like a real lover does.
He wants to stay by Zoro’s side for the rest of his life.
According to Sanji’s plan, after tonight’s banquet, he would lure Zoro to the back of his restaurant, where there is a quite lovely garden, with some fine sake. A table with two seats, a candlelit scene underneath the starry sky. Sanji would gently hold that pair of calloused man hands of Zoro in his palms, staring soulfully into his gray eye, and reveal to him his undying love.
Simple. Elegant. Sanji does believe Zoro would also genuinely enjoy how classic and romantic this is.
Just as he is indulging in the love fantasy, where even the air around him is starting to turn pink and ooze heart shaped bubbles, the back door of his kitchen is suddenly busted open and almost shattered —
“Sanji! I’m hungry! —”
Bubbles burst. Sanji sighs, deeply.
Here comes Monkey D. Luffy, the reigning Pirate King. Even with such a renowned title and a worldwide reputation, his childishness certainly has not changed much.
“Feel free to have that barbecue meat all to yourself, just do not touch any other stuff, okay?” Sanji has, of course, prepared ahead of time. Luffy cheers, and grabs the food with his two bare hands, shoveling down meat without a single worry in the world.
“Yummy! Delicious!”
Sanji cannot help but smile. A lady’s appreciation of his cuisine is certainly pleasant, but such praise from his captain will forever bring his heart an irreplaceable warmth. Luffy showed up at ALL BLUE a while ago, and drew down their stock of ingredients to almost zero in just one day. Sanji did not know whether to laugh or cry. He appears to be mad, yet willingly arranges more trips of resupply, travels back and forth with his staff, and provides food for the black hole that is Luffy’s tummy without any further complaints.
“By the way, I want to celebrate something at tonight's party!” Luffy says while chewing on a big chunk of meat. He sounds especially excited.
“Oh?” Sanji is intrigued. He finishes fileting some fresh fish and washes his hands before asking, “celebrate what?”
“I’m going to propose to Zoro.”
Sanji blinks. “Sorry what?”
“I’m going to propose to Zoro! You know, we’re going to get married, be husband and husband, soulmates, yeah like that. I even got a ring.” Luffy explains patiently, with a look that says, what’s so confusing, I thought Sanji was like the Master of Romance or something.
“I know what ‘propose’ means!” Sanji’s temple twitches. “Why all of a sudden? You guys are not even in a relationship yet!”
Luffy tilts his head to one side and looks at Sanji with his big honest eyes. “Well, I’m going to tell Zoro I love him tonight then.”
If Sanji had not decided to quit smoking, right now his cigarette would have already fallen on the floor together with his jaw. “Why does it have to be now …”
“Before I came here, I visited Kuja to hang out with Hancock. Nami told me it’s time for me to give her some ‘closer’.”
“Closure.”
“Whatever. And then Hancock asked me if I already have someone I’m in love with. I was not sure so I asked her what exactly she meant by that.”
“What a heartless man …”
“She asked, if there is someone that I adore, trust, and respect, that makes me want to stay by their side 24/7, but even when we’re not together, just remembering their smile is enough to cheer me up, like some special condiment that makes everything taste better and every moment more enjoyable in my life. When I hear that, I think of Zoro.”
Luffy recollects, while scratching his chin nonchalantly, not paying any attention to how much emotional damage his words have caused Sanji. He goes on and adds with a slightly flushed face, “Besides, Zoro is handsome and pretty, his body is nice … I don’t want anybody else to lay their hands on him, he’s mine!”
The first part of what Luffy said is quite objectively true. In recent years, all three of them have grown into even more beautiful, gorgeous men. Sanji is starting to grow his hair longer, loosely tying it back with a sleek ribbon, well aware of his charisma and his popularity with all genders. In the meantime, Zoro, still as diligent as ever, never letting the title of the world’s strongest swordsman stop him, keeps on his tedious training every single day. A dashing strong fighter with well maintained muscles (his bosom growing even more ample). Short green hair, clean shaved jawline, all are kept as before. Even though he always gives off a stand-offish vibe at first glance, when he laughs, and his dimples show, how bright and mesmerizing …
Wait a minute! Stop being distracted! Sanji slams on the table, “Luffy! You can’t propose tonight!”
“Huh? Why!”
“You didn’t take Mosshead’s feelings into consideration!”
“I will wait for his reply! He can take as much time as he wants to think!”
Sanji can feel his whole face turning red. Should he carry on this futile reasoning, or just declare his actual intention? “Anyway … I won’t allow it!”
Luffy crosses his arms, examining Sanji with his intense black eyes, “Sanji, you’re plotting something, aren’t you?”
“So what! You, all these years not giving a single thought to anything remotely romantic, suddenly had this awakening moment… Damn it, my plan…”
“Huh? What about you? Sanji used to only like girls!”
“It’s called character development!” Sanji yelled with a red face. “Anyhow, I’ve already decided to confess to Mosshead tonight! Luffy, you are my captain, but I would never give up on my love! You should know when to back down for once!”
“Sanji is my best friend, but Zoro will be my husband!”
“He hasn’t even said Yes yet!”
Sanji is having a major meltdown. Earlier, he has already decided, whether Zoro reciprocates his romantic feeling or not, he would be content with simply letting his love be known and not leaving any regrets. Yet he never thought of the possibility of Zoro choosing Luffy over himself… However, as the Fighter of Love, Sanji will not lose his will when the battle has not even started! Just when he is trying to mentally pump himself up, the back door of his kitchen is once again busted open and almost shattered —
Is there anybody left in the world who knows how to open a door properly?
“SUPER!” Blue-haired Franky strikes his signature pose in front of everyone. “Long time no see, Sanji! Hey, Luffy is also here! This is SUPER happy!”
Reindeer doctor Chopper shows up behind him chirpily, and jumps straight into Luffy’s arms. “I miss you guys!”
Usopp walks behind Sanji and pats his back, mistaking his red face for being enraged by the chaotic situation. “Nothing has changed at all it seems!”
Nonetheless, there are some more foreign faces tagging along as well.
”Heard there’s a party here tonight. Our ship was just cruising nearby so we came to say hi.” Shachi, still wearing his signature orca hat, waves at everyone cheerfully.
“Yeah right! We’re all like old friends now, please don’t mind us gatecrashing.” Penguin, with his penguin hat, smiles, eyes hidden under the brim.
“I am so sorry.” Bepo bows and apologizes.
Luffy laughs and does not seem to mind at all. “So the Heart Pirates are also here! Haven’t seen you guys for a while, let’s all have fun!”
Sanji sighs once again. At this point it is basically impossible to change Luffy’s mind, so he might as well get himself together and focus on the matter in hand first. Fortunately because of Luffy, he has procured enough ingredients to feed a small country. Twenty or more guests would not be a problem. Though if they are here, that means —
“Where is your captain?” Sanji looks around but does not find that somber presence.
“So how is everyone?” Shachi sort of ignores him. He takes an interest in the leftover sauce and picks some up with his fingertip to have a taste. “Wow yum, the Straw Hat chef still makes top notch cuisine.”
“Of course! This is a new and unique recipe, you see, I created it for the upcoming menu…”
Meanwhile, Penguin is fawning over Luffy and asking to hear all about his recent adventures. For sure the Heart Pirates apart from their captain is an energetic and friendly bunch, yet this is suspiciously sweet. Not to mention they were avoiding his question earlier. Sanji tenses up, “Hold on, it’s feeling shady.”
“Ouch, your wild accusation broke my heart.” Shachi pretends to be devastated while holding his chest.
“The Straw Hat chef is so defensive around dudes. Our captain should’ve sent Ikkaku…” Penguin mumbled.
“I can hear you loud and clear!” Sanji reminds him, mildly infuriated, and points his finger at the three Heart Pirates one by one. “Now tell me, what is your captain conspiring this time?”
“Oh, Traffy was looking for Zoro earlier.” Chopper chimed in, sitting on a stool and slurping his chocolate milk all innocently.
Okay, but why does he have to be so cryptical, even sending his crew here to distract them… Sanji suddenly has a premonition that something extremely unpleasant is going to happen.
One captain is not enough? A second one is mingling now?
“Luffy!” He grabs his captain, who is still munching on the meat in high spirits, and rushes out of the room regardless of Shachi’s half assed attempt to stop them. “Eat later! Some bastard is trying to steal our swordsman!”
***
Everything is going smoothly according to the plan.
Law strolls along the beach alone. His steady pace well covers his visceral excitement. Years have passed and he ages charmingly, retaining an air of more mature refinement. Yet, his ever frowning face remains almost the same, perpetually looking worried, overthinking.
(Once Penguin was talking about something like “it’s because our captain suffers from ‘chronic lovesick’”, which was overheard by Law. He was decapitated for one hour serving as a fair warning to others.)
Some Straw Hat members are chilling under the sunshade just around the corner, bidding him their warm welcome.
“Yo ho ho ho, nice to see you here, Mr Traffy.” Brook smiles. Sitting aside, Jimbe raises his sunglasses and nods at him gently.
Law greets back without stopping by. “My crew will bring our gifts to the banquet later. See you soon.”
“Mr Traffy is still as cold as ever.” Robin chuckles while holding her head in hand, not exactly sounding like a complaint.
“Oh well, he has his sweetheart right in front, why would he care about us?” Nami shakes her head exaggeratedly.
There is indeed a green figure sprawled out under the tree not far away. Law walks closer and finds the Straw Hat swordsman sound asleep with his shirt wide open, leaving his strong chest exposed and unprotected. He probably didn’t put on any sunscreen and would definitely get sunburned later…
“Zoro-ya.”
He opens his eyes groggily when Law calls his name. “Oh, Traffy, it’s you.”
“Wake up. Catch this.” Law digs into his pocket and takes out a coin. He flips it towards Zoro’s direction.
“ROOM”
“SHAMBLES”
While the coin is still flying through the air, Law activates his devil fruit power. When Zoro reaches out, what falls into his hand has already become a heavy bottle.
“Oh?” Zoro sits up properly and examines the label curiously. “This looks like some really good sake.”
“It is quite an exquisite brewery and does not distribute much to the mainstream market. One such as this with a gold label is even rarer, since they only produce thirty bottles a year…” Before Law could seat himself comfortably and finish his introduction, Zoro already opens the bottle and starts drinking in long gulps happily.
“Nice!” Zoro gives a heartfelt laugh once he drains almost half of the bottle. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand haphazardly before asking. “Thanks, Traffy! Would you like to have a taste?”
Law softly pushes the bottle back to Zoro, “I’m fine, Zoro-ya. I’ve bought all thirty bottles so you can drink as much as you want.”
Zoro raises his eyebrows in surprise, “For real…”
“In fact, I’ve bought the brewery as well. Zoro-ya, you can drink to your heart’s content. You can also visit there, anytime, let me know and I will bring you there.”
Law turns to look at Zoro’s stunned face. Though he is trying his best to keep his cool, his heart is beating so fast that it might jump out of his chest any second, “Most importantly, Zoro-ya, I have to tell you something today—“
Yes. Law has also chosen today as the day of his love confession. Perhaps great minds do think alike.
Thinking back, it might have started when they first met in Sabaody Archipelago, where Law could not help but keep trying to steal a glance at the green haired swordsman. Later on, they have fought battles together, entrusted their lives to each other; they have also wandered side by side in the deep forest of Zou, playfully chatting, tranquil shadows casted by the ancient trees on their young, tender faces. These years, Zoro would sometimes accept Law’s invitation to either travel together deep in the ocean by his submarine, or dock at a faraway island to try out the local booze. Whenever they drink in public, crowds cannot help but be drawn to them, to Zoro’s enigmatic charm. Every time he sees someone throw their arms around Zoro’s shoulder a bit too enthusiastically, Law grips his drinking glass hard enough to crush it. He cannot stop thinking, Zoro-ya…is mine.
He wants to firmly hold his face and kiss him, claiming him for the whole world to see. He wants to taste him little by little; he wants to devour him until there is nothing left.
He wants to wake up every morning with Zoro by his side.
He wants to know if there could possibly be a small corner left just for him in that vast, green wilderness.
However, the moment Zoro looks back at him, three gold earrings jostled and dangled, Law does not know what kind of face he is making, that always brings a subdued smile on Zoro’s face. He would slap his back and say, “Stop overthinking about whatever that’s in your brain, just enjoy the drinks!”
I’m thinking of you. Law never said it out loud.
But! Today he has made up his mind! In such a lovely sunny afternoon, with some fine sake and a beauty in his arms, there is no better timing than now.
And he would not let those two idiots take their advantage. Law’s instinct tells him, if he misses his chance, there might not be a next time.
He slowly approaches Zoro even closer, right hand lightly touching behind his ear, the nape of his neck, the back of his fuzzy green head. They are so close, that the tips of their nose are almost rubbing together, that he could smell the fragrance of sake from Zoro’s lips. Time seems to stop. Their breathing also seems to stop.
“Traffy…?”
“Zoro-ya, I lo—”
“GUM GUM NO—”
“DIABLE—”
In the distance, the back door of Sanji’s kitchen is once again busted open and now shattered, where there comes the cracking sound of wooden boards, thunderous screams of attack, as well as murderous intentions.
“Huh—?” Zoro turns away in confusion.
Damn it. The end of Law’s voice was drowned by the deafening noises. He frowned impatiently. Why have these two made it here? What happened to Shachi, Penguin and Bepo?
“ROOM”
Zoro is waving at them and shouting something like “come join us—“, though before he can finish calling it out, Law lifts him up by the waist and surrounds them with the light blue sphere.
“What are you doing?! Put me down!”
“I don’t have time to explain, Zoro-ya. Let’s find a place where nobody bothers us and go out on a date … I mean, have a talk. SHAMBLES!”
During that fleeting moment before teleportation, Law haughtily looks back at the frustrated two and smirks. Trafalgar D. Water Law has finally found his treasure, and he would not give up that easily, even if his opponents are Pirate King Luffy and Blackfoot Sanji.
A pirate’s love is also free!
“Traffy get back here right now—”
“You pervert surgeon—!”
Seems like today, the ever peaceful ALL BLUE would not be that peaceful after all.
“Are we actually getting to eat tonight?” Jean Bart sighs while carrying a chest ashore.
“Don’t worry. They will figure it out.” Robin smiles. How nice to see everybody is still as lively as ever.
***
Zoro: Shut up and stop fighting! (Unsheathes his swords) fight me instead! I only go out with men with guts!
Chopper: so it seems humans would also like to choose a strong partner for copulation.
Robin: have this cotton candy and never utter such a word again. Okay, Chopper?