One Piece - Hiring Sanji

It's been four days now since we had anchored in front of the Baratie, a swimming restaurant in the middle of the East Blue, in search for a chef to join our crew. The only thing we had accomplished so far though, was that Luffy had sent a loose cannonball flying through their roof and hurt their boss in the process... resulting in him having to pay for the damage. But as always, we were completely out of money. After a short period of rather noisy discussions they settled on him working until the whole price for the damage was paid off. On the one hand it was nice to lay low for a change but we couldn't delay for too long... especially not for a whole year, as the boss of the Baratie intended! 

When I woke up on the fourth day, the hammock Luffy and I usually shared was already left to me, although the first shy rays of sunshine had just started to seep through the window. I got up with a growl and went in search for a clean shirt and trousers. After getting changed into black shorts and a pastel shirt, I quietly checked on the rest of our crew. Usopp, Johnny and Yosaku were still asleep in their own hammocks. I found Zoro a bit later, snoring away on deck, his swords kept neatly under his arms. Nami would be in her room, since the door was still closed and not wanting to disturb her, I let her be. I made my way over to the railing and climbed up on it. Luckily the gap between the restaurant and our ship wasn' too wide, so I just jumped onto the wooden planks of the terrace of the Baratie and made my way to the entrance. 

As I entered the hall, my bare feet tapping on the wooden boards, I was greeted by a familiar voice: "Good morning my beautiful sunflower, how very nice of you to grace our establishment with your lovely face today!" I looked to my left and saw Sanji waltzing over with a broad smile on his face, completely abandoning the table he was just decorating. We had met the young cook when we arrived here a few days ago: He was very tall, even towering Luffy and Zoro, had a lean figure and a wild mop of sand-blonde hair, accompanied by flashing blue eyes. Upon arriving I couldn't help but notice his high affection towards women - I am almost certain he would have good chances, given his handsome looks, if it weren't for his excessive behaviour. My thoughts were interrupted when he took my hand in his and planted a soft kiss on it. "How can I help you, my dear? Your wish is my command!" Just like before, I tried my best to keep the red colour out of my face, which only worked partially: "G.. good morning, Sanji.That's very nice of you, but I was actually looking for my brother... Have you seen him by any chance?" Sanji scuffed: "Nope, haven't seen him today... but I think Patty mentioned that he went upstairs to talk to Zeff, so I guess he's up in his office." "I see... a good thing too, we should get going...", I replied. "Not that we don't like your restaurant, not at all!", I quickly added, afraid to sound ungreatful or rude. "Where will you go when you leave here?", Sanji asked. "Well, I guess we'd have to get some supplies first but ultimately we want to go to the Grand Line." That took Sanji aback. "The Grand Line? Are you serious?" "Of course... Luffy has dreamed of going there half his life... that's why we can't stay here so long, you see." Sanji seemed to contemplate that information for a moment and his gaze went absent, as his mind traveled somewhere far, far away. As quickly as this change of mind had come it passed again and he looked at me, smiling broadly: "Oh well, be that as it may... Since your brother seems a bit occupied at the moment, am I right to presume that you are free for breakfast?" "I guess so...", I replied. "Great! Come this way, please!" Sanji led me through half of the restaurant and outside on a south-west facing terrace with some tables and chairs. As he pushed back a chair for me to sit on, he said: "This place is the best for having a nice, long breakfast - it's already warm and sunny out here, but the sun won't get into your eyes until Miday. Do you want coffee or tea, my dear?" "Ahm... coffee, please. But don't make an effort on my behalf, Sanji! I can eat with the rest of the guys on the ship later... " "I wouldn't dream of it! Just excuse me for a moment, I'll be right back!" And before I could protest any further he was gone already.

Sitting in the warm morning sun and looking over the glittering sea in front of me, a thought hit me. Not even trying to hide the smile on my face I took a piece of paper out of my pocket, unfolded it and started writing. I also wrote down some notes to remember the tune that had just come to my head, but soon I found myself staring more than actually writing. Today seemed perfect for a day off: the waves were slapping against the Baratie in a calm rythm, the sun was warming me just enough to give me goosebumps after the rather chilly night and the last clouds dissappeared to reveal a clear, deep-blue sky. It didn't take long for Sanji to return; my hand was resting on the leather-band around my neck as I heard the clutter of cutlery on metal. When I looked behind me, I saw the blonde cook pushing a cart out onto the terrace, filled with plates, jars and cups. He smiled at me and began unloading the cart, beginning with placing a steaming cup of coffee in front of me. "There we go!", he exclaimed. I thanked him and asked if I could help him with anything, but of course he refused. With an amazing speed he began to set the table and soon it was filled with an extravagant breakfast: Reaching from white bread that was still warm, over ham, cheese, soft-boiled eggs, 4 different types of jam to the most exquisite selection of fruit that I have ever seen. I couldn't contain my wonder and joy, causing Sanji to smile widely. By now the coffee had cooled down enough to drink it comfortable and after adding a bit of cream I took a careful sip. "Sanji, this is the best coffee I ever had! This tastes amazing!" Sanji flashed me a big smile as he lit a cigarette. "I'm glad you like it. I added a bit of vanilla to round up the flavour, I thought you might like that...." "I do! And thank you for... all of this! It looks delicious!" "It is my absolute pleasure!", he replied as he poured himself a cup of coffee as well. "So...", he asked after a few minutes of silent eating. "Did you always wanted to be a Pirate?" I looked up from my plate full of fruits and replied: "No, I didn't. To be honest, I never planned to do this at all. It just... somehow came up." Sanji snickered. "It just came up? Now that's a story I'm curious to hear! How does going to sea and looking for the Grand Line 'just happen'?" "I know it sounds weird.... but I promised Luffy that we would fulfill our dreams together. I told him that I would go wherever he goes.... so the Grand Line it is." "I see... it's still a bit weird..." "I am aware of that.", I giggled. "But didn't you ever had a dream that sounded at least a bit weird?" 

"Funny thing you should say that... Have you ever heard of the All Blue?" Sanji sounded so serious for a moment, that I was afraid I said something wrong. "No, I haven't..." But my fear remained unfounded. Sanjis face lit up, his blue eyes catching fire. "You haven't? It's supposed to be somewhere along the Grand Line - the All Blue is said to contain all the living creatures you can find in the East, South, West and North Blue... a universal ocean!" For the next 15 minutes he continued to tell me all the stories he had heard about the All Blue - naturally for a cook, it would be a paradise! It sounded too good to be true. I couldn't help but smile as I heard Sanji talk so passionately about it. "Sanji... If your dream is to go to find the All Blue, why don't you come with us? I mean, you seem like a decent guy and we are heading to the Grand Line anyway. It's a win-win situation. Luffy actually came here to look for a chef and I know he would be more than happy to have you on board." The blonde cook looked at me with surprise on his face before he answered: "That sounds very tempting... especially if that means spending more time with you and Nami, but.... " A shadow passed over his eyes and he fished another cigarette out of his pockets. "I can't. I am sorry, it's a very nice offer but I just can't." Something about the way he said it seemed so reluctant, so distant and just wrong that I pried a bit further. I leant forward in my chair and asked: "Why not? You said it's your dream to find the All Blue... what keeps you back from following your dream?" "I am still in debt... leaving is not an option." I decided not to press the matter and leave the convincing speech to Luffy. He always had a way to talk people into following their heart - it was his special gift. We soon changed the subject and were chatting away a good part of the morning. I quickly learned that Sanji was a warm-hearted and kind man, with a good sense of humour and an even better sense for food. 

I had just finished my second coffee when I remembered the scene we had walked into when we arrived and asked: "Say, Sanji: What was going on with that Marine captain... what was his name? Fullbody, I think... Why did you pick a fight with him?" When we had entered the Baratie for the first time we came across Sanji beating the same Marine captain, that had before attacked our ship, to a bloody pulp. When the other cooks had managed to keep Sanji from further damaging the Marine, Chef Zeff had come downstairs from his office, thrown a hit at Sanji and kicked out the Marine in a matter of minutes. 

Sanji snickered at the mention of the Fullbody's name. "This jerk was lacking the proper manners to be allowed into a restaurant like ours! Is having lunch with a gorgeous lady and spills all of his soup... I simply reminded him of our first rule: Never waste food on sea!" Before I could respond the door behind us flew open and another cook burst onto the terrace, a look of fear on his face. "Sanji!", he gasped in between breaths, "you should come quickly! That pirate... Ghin... he's back!" The blonde cook went stiff and jumped to his feet, shoving his chair back with such force that if clattered to the ground. "Where?!" "Main hall!" Sanji bolted past him and through the door. The other cook and I exchanged a short look before I jumped to my feet as well and followed him inside.