13. Vinsmoke Sanji

CHAPTER 13: VINSMOKE SANJI (I)

Goku sat atop the Going Merry's sheep figurehead, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The events of the previous night played over and over in his head, leaving him restless and questioning. He had been in this world for some time now, but the reasons behind his presence here still eluded him. Why was he brought to this world? What was his true purpose?

The night had been long, and Goku had stayed on the figurehead, staring out at the horizon. The sky gradually lightened, and the first rays of the sun peeked above the horizon. The serene beauty of the sunrise brought a small smile to his face, momentarily lifting the weight of his thoughts.

Suddenly, he sensed someone approaching. Turning, he saw Nami standing there, dressed in the same outfit she wore when she betrayed Luffy and the crew—the deep blue top tied at the front, her orange mini-skirt, and a pair of blue sandals. Her orange hair was tied back, and her eyes held a mixture of determination and hesitation.

Seeing Nami brought a sense of calm to Goku. The presence of a friend, someone who understood the perilous nature of their journey, made him feel better about the situation with Ria and the threat she posed. It was clear now that he needed to get serious about conquering the seas.

With renewed determination, Goku stood and looked toward the Baratie. There, he saw Sanji, the pervy cook with blonde hair, having a smoke outside. As Nami watched him sitting on the figurehead, she thought this was her chance to ask for his help against Arlong. She called out, "Goku, can I talk to you?"

But in that instant, Goku vanished, jumping across to the Baratie and landing next to Sanji. "Sanji," he said, "we need to talk."

Sanji, dressed in his usual black suit with a blue shirt and tie, turned to Goku, a cigarette dangling from his lips. "What's up?" he asked, curious.

"Join my crew," Goku said without preamble. "We need a cook, and you're the best choice."

Sanji raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "And why should I leave this place? The Baratie is my home."

"I understand that," Goku replied. "But we're heading to the Grand Line. We need someone with your skills."

"I have my own dreams," Sanji revealed. "To find the All Blue."

"The sea filled with fish and herbs and spices from all seas?" Goku recalled. "I remember reading something about that."

Sanji's eyes lit up at the mention of the All Blue, the legendary sea where all the fish from every ocean could be found. "Yeah, that's my dream," he admitted. "But I owe everything to Zeff. I can't just leave."

Before the conversation could continue, a worn-out and hungry pirate climbed aboard the Baratie. He was gaunt, with tattered clothes and a look of desperation. His identity was revealed as Gin, first mate of the Krieg Pirates.

Sanji's face softened with concern. "Come inside," he said, leading Gin into the kitchen. Goku followed, curious about the pirate's story.

As they sat at a table, Gin recounted his harrowing journey. "We tried to conquer the Grand Line," he said, his voice trembling. "But it proved to be our undoing. The seas are dangerous, filled with creatures and forces beyond imagination."

Sanji returned with a plate of rice, greens, and prawns. Gin ate with tears streaming down his face, overwhelmed with gratitude and relief. "Thank you," he said, his voice breaking. "I thought I was going to die out there."

Goku listened intently. "What happened to your crew?" he asked.

Gin's eyes darkened with horror. "Most of them didn't make it. The Grand Line is a pirate graveyard. We were torn apart by the challenges it threw at us."

The warning hung heavily in the air, but it did not deter Goku. "We're going to the Grand Line," he said firmly. "We're going to find One Piece and become the Pirate King."

Gin looked at him, a mixture of admiration and pity in his eyes. "Good luck," he said. "You'll need it."

As Gin finished his meal and headed back to his small boat, he offered his thanks to Sanji once more and turned to Goku. "The Grand Line is treacherous. Be careful."

Sanji watched the pirate leave, then turned to Goku. "I can't accept your offer, Goku," he said, "my heart belongs to the Baratie. Zeff raised me, taught me everything I know. And I still have my own goals. One day, I want to sail the seas and find the All Blue."

"No," Goku said, his voice firm. "As a matter of fact, I refuse to accept your refusal. You have to join my crew!"

Sanji's eyes widened in surprise. "What the..." He trailed off, not knowing how to respond to Goku's audacity. Before he could gather his thoughts, the sound of heavy footsteps approached them.

"Sanji!" A gruff voice called out. It was Zeff, the head chef of the Baratie, and Sanji's mentor. His tall frame and distinctive red nose made him an imposing figure. He wore his usual chef's outfit, complete with the tall hat and the large wooden peg leg that replaced his lost limb.

Zeff interrupted their conversation, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Sanji, what's going on here?"

Sanji turned to Zeff, frustration evident on his face. "Goku here thinks he can just waltz in and take me away from the Baratie."

Zeff looked at Goku, then back at Sanji, his expression unreadable. "Sanji, you need to follow your dreams," he said, his tone gentle but firm.

Sanji shook his head vehemently. "No, old man. You need me here. The Baratie needs me. I can't just abandon everything."

Zeff sighed, knowing this conversation would be difficult. "We've talked about this, Sanji. You can't stay here forever. You have a dream to find the All Blue, and you can't achieve that by staying in one place."

Sanji clenched his fists. "And what about you? You need me here to help with the restaurant. I owe you everything."

Zeff's eyes softened as he placed a hand on Sanji's shoulder. "Sanji, the Baratie will be fine. We've got plenty of capable hands here. You don't owe me anything. What I want is for you to live your life to the fullest and follow your own path."

Sanji looked away, struggling with his emotions. "But... I can't leave you here alone."

Zeff chuckled, a warm sound that carried years of wisdom. "You think I'm helpless without you? I've run bigger ships before you fell out of your mothers pussy, long before you showed up and I'll continue to do so. Besides, you're not really living here, Sanji. You're just existing. You need to go out there and make your dream a reality."

Sanji's eyes flashed with defiance. "You don't understand. This place is everything to me. I can't just leave."

Zeff's expression turned serious. "No, Sanji. It's you who doesn't understand. You're more than just a cook. You're a dreamer, and dreamers don't belong in one place. They need to spread their wings and fly."

Sanji's frustration boiled over. "I said no! I'm staying here!"

With that, Sanji stormed off, leaving both Zeff and Goku watching him go. Zeff sighed, shaking his head. "Stubborn as always."

Goku turned to Zeff, determination in his eyes. "I don't want to force him. He needs to come willingly. But we need him. The Grand Line is dangerous, and his skills are crucial."

Zeff nodded, understanding Goku's point. "I know. Sanji's one of the best, but he needs to realize it himself. You can't make him go against his will."

Goku frowned, contemplating Zeff's words. "But how do we convince him?"

Zeff stroked his beard, thinking. "Sometimes, it's not about convincing. It's about showing. Sanji needs to see that he's needed out there, that his dream is worth pursuing. Maybe then he'll make the choice himself."

Goku nodded slowly. "I see. We need to show him that the Grand Line isn't just a dream, but a reality we can conquer together."

Zeff smiled slightly. "Exactly. Now, about reaching the Grand Line. You know it's not just about sailing straight. The seas are treacherous, filled with dangers and mysteries."

Goku nodded. "I've heard stories. But we're ready. We'll face whatever comes our way."

Zeff's eyes twinkled with a mixture of hope and concern. "Just be careful. The Grand Line is no ordinary sea. It's a place where only the strongest survive."

Goku met his gaze, his determination unwavering. "We will. We have to. For our dreams, and for those who believe in us."

As the conversation ended, both men were lost in their thoughts. Zeff, hoping that Sanji would find the courage to follow his heart, and Goku, determined to forge a path to the Grand Line and beyond.

Sanji, meanwhile, had retreated to the kitchen, trying to calm his turbulent emotions. He leaned against the counter, his mind racing. He knew Zeff was right, but the thought of leaving the Baratie, the place that had been his home for so long, was almost unbearable.

But as he replayed the conversation in his mind, he couldn't ignore the truth in Zeff's words. His dream of finding the All Blue was calling him, and deep down, he knew he couldn't achieve it by staying at the Baratie.

The tension was palpable as Sanji struggled with his decision. The echoes of his argument with Zeff lingered in the air, but so did the hope of a future filled with adventure and discovery.

Outside, Goku and Zeff continued their conversation. "What will you do if he refuses again?" Zeff asked, his tone curious.

Goku smiled, a determined gleam in his eyes. "Then I'll keep trying. I believe in Sanji, and I believe in our dream. We'll find a way."

Zeff nodded, a sense of pride filling him. "You're a good leader, Goku. Keep that fire burning, and you'll reach the Grand Line."

Goku's smile widened. "Thank you, Zeff. We'll make it there, no matter what."

As they spoke, the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the Baratie. The challenges ahead were immense, but with resolve and determination, Goku and his crew were ready to face them.

Sanji emerged from the kitchen, his expression a mix of determination and resignation. He approached Goku and Zeff, his shoulders squared and his gaze steady. "Alright," he said, his voice firm. "I'll join your crew. But this isn't goodbye. I'll be back."

Zeff smiled, his eyes shining with pride. "Go make your dream a reality, Sanji. And remember, the Baratie will always be here for you."

Goku grinned, extending a hand. "Welcome aboard, Sanji."

Sanji shook Goku's hand, a sense of resolve settling over him. "Let's do this. Let's conquer the Grand Line."

With Sanji's decision made, the Straw Hat Pirates were one step closer to their ultimate goal. The journey ahead would be fraught with peril, but with new allies and unyielding determination, they were ready to face whatever challenges awaited them on the high seas.

[A/N: Read 10 chapters ahead available on my patreon right now. patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]