17 People's Hearts pt. 3

Thirteen was sitting on the railing outside, staring out to the ships that were leaving. Sanji walked out and leaned on the railing next to him, holding out a cigarette to Thirteen, who took it. Sanji lit it for him and said "Sorry about that."

Thirteen exhaled a mouthful of smoke and replied "It's not an issue. I'm used to it but…" he looked at the ships leaving and added "You should tell Zeff that I escaped." Sanji turned to him and said "What." Thirteen replied "The customers are all leaving. Nobody will come back after seeing me here once, it's better for the restaurant as well as everyone here if I just leave."

Sanji stayed silent, when Luffy's voice suddenly appeared, saying "Where will you go?" Thirteen was silent for a moment before replying "I don't know. Somewhere far away where no one will come and look for me."

Luffy walked to Thirteen's other side and sat on the ground, putting his legs through the railings as he suddenly asked "Do you have a dream?" Thirteen stayed silent and Luffy turned his head to Sanji, asking "You?"

Sanji looked at him before turning his eyes to the sky and smiling "I want to see the All Blue." Thirteen and Luffy looked at him and he continued "A sea with all kinds of fish in it. Fish from the North, West, East, and South blues. Paradise for a cook." The duo watched as Sanji got more animated before pausing and shaking his head as he added "But I work at this restaurant, so I can ONLY dream about it."

Luffy stared at Sanji while Thirteen turned back to the sea, staying silent. Sanji looked at Thirteen and nudged him, saying "Your turn." Thirteen looked at his hands and said "My dream?" Luffy looked at him and added "What do you want to do?"

Thirteen clenched his fists before shaking slightly as he grinded his teeth and growled out "I want to kill all the World Nobles." Sanji and Luffy looked at him before looking at the sea and staying silent for a moment.

Luffy grabbed the railing posts and said "I want to be King of the Pirates." Sanji looked at him with a questioning look and Thirteen put his hands down, asking "What's the King of the Pirates." Luffy's mouth curled into a big smile and he stretched his hands out to the sunset, declaring "The freest man in all the seas!"

Thirteen looked down at Luffy thoughtfully, staring at him as his eyes shined with anticipation and excitement. Thirteen turned back to the sunset and muttered "Freest man in all the seas…" while Sanji turned to the same scenery and exhaled from his nose.

The three sat in silence, staring off into the sea, when the door opened behind them, revealing Zeff. He walked to the three and Thirteen said "I'm leaving." Luffy and Sanji looked at him, while Zeff looked out to the sea and said "I heard."

Thirteen flicked his tail and added "Tell the marines I robbed your place and escaped." Before throwing his finished cigarette into the sea and walking away, Zeff watched him go and sighed. Luffy clenched his fists and muttered "How could they make someone a slave like that."

Zeff shook his head and answered "The world isn't all sunshines and rainbows. He's not the only one either." Sanji watched Thirteen leave and Luffy got up, before chasing after him, adding "Don't leave, cook guy!" Zeff looked at Sanji and scratched his head, sighing "When are YOU going to leave? You've been a pain in my ass for years now." Sanji sneered, "I'm never leaving, old man." Zeff sighed again and walked back into the restaurant, grumbling "Damn freeloader…"

Thirteen passed a man with a headband on his way out and said "Restaurant's closed." the man chuckled and said "Yeah, I heard there was a half-breed inside or something." Thirteen nodded and walked away, the man turned his head and said "You saved me from the marines. Thanks for that."

Thirteen nodded and the man added "Nice tail by the way, see ya." before walking towards the restaurant. Thirteen paused his step before looking back at the man for a moment. He turned back and continued on.

Before he could get very far, Luffy caught up to him and grabbed his shoulder, saying "You can't leave." Thirteen stopped and said "Why not?" Luffy grinned and said "Because I said so!" Thirteen was silent and Luffy continued "Also, I saved you from those bad guys so… You owe me! Plus, you don't have a ship and can't swim."

Thirteen turned around and Luffy gave him a thumbs up, adding "So stick around!" Thirteen looked at him and felt quite strange, is this what a friend was? He didn't quite know what that was but the points Luffy made were valid, so, without a choice, he followed Luffy back into the restaurant.