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Zoro naturally had no way of knowing what the future held.
Just as he didn't know that the simple bowl of fried rice Sanji made for Gin would become the very thing that set events into motion—eventually leading Hawkeye to Baratie.
Following Red's suggestion, none of the Straw Hats interfered with Sanji and Gin's interaction.
From that point on, things unfolded much like they did in the original timeline.
After finishing his meal, Gin knelt down in gratitude before taking a small boat and leaving Baratie.
With that, everything returned to calm—as if nothing had ever happened.
Four days later...
A week had passed since Sanji first met the Straw Hats.
And now, after much thought, he was finally ready to make a life-changing decision.
As the morning sun cast its first golden rays through the bay window, illuminating the wooden floor—
Inside the boss's bedroom on the top floor of Baratie, Zeff sat on a wooden chair, legs crossed, a look of disdain on his face as he glared at the young man standing before him.
"So… you're really planning to go to sea with those guys and become a pirate!?"
Sanji, holding a small travel pack in his hand, frowned slightly. Though there was deep reluctance in his eyes, he still forced himself to act casual.
"That's right! I'm going to sea to chase my dream!"
"From now on, Baratie is all yours!"
Despite his words, he couldn't quite shake the attachment he felt toward this place—toward Zeff.
Yet ever since his conversations with Red and the Straw Hats, his mind had been in turmoil.
The painful memories he had long buried deep within himself began resurfacing, haunting his nights in the form of relentless nightmares.
Some people find healing in their childhood.
But others... spend their entire lives trying to heal from it.
"Hmph~"
Zeff exhaled twin streams of white smoke from his nose before scoffing in his usual gruff manner.
"Don't act like you're some big deal."
"Even if you weren't leaving, I was planning to kick you out sooner or later!"
"Honestly, it's about damn time! I've been waiting for this day!!!"
"Oi! Stupid old man! I'm the sous chef of this restaurant, y'know!?"
Sanji snapped, his irritation flaring at Zeff's dismissive attitude.
But Zeff countered immediately.
"Ha! I won't deny your cooking skills—after all, I'm the one who taught you everything you know!"
"But let's be real… You're a damn pervert! Every time a beautiful woman shows up, you turn into a complete fool and disrupt the entire restaurant!"
"Without you, Baratie's business will only improve!"
"You…!"
Sanji clenched his fists in frustration.
But the worst part?
He couldn't argue with Zeff's logic.
"Tch!"
With a huff, Sanji threw his backpack over his shoulder, turned sharply on his heel, and strode toward the door.
"Take care of yourself without me!"
"Don't go dying before I get back!"
"Hah! You should be saying that to yourself, brat! I'll be around for at least another hundred years!"
Creak—
The wooden door swung open.
Sanji stepped forward.
But at that moment—
"Anyway… don't catch a cold, Sanji."
Zeff's voice, softer than before, reached him.
Sanji froze.
A tremor ran through his body.
And then—
Tears fell.
Silently at first, then in heavy drops that slid down his cheeks, gathering at his chin before falling to the wooden floor with a quiet, rhythmic drip… drip…
Then—
With a sudden thud, his pack slipped from his grasp and hit the ground.
Sanji dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead firmly against the floor.
"DAMN IT!!!"
"I'VE BEEN SO FUCKING GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR ME ALL THESE YEARS!!!"
"YOU STUPID OLD MAN——!!!"
"Hmph…"
Zeff's lips curled ever so slightly.
But as he reached up, he gently lowered his chef's hat—hiding the faint glimmer in his eyes.
Outside Baratie...
Sanji finally stepped out of the restaurant.
There, at the entrance, waiting for him—
Luffy, Red, and the others stood with easygoing smiles.
Luffy grinned widely, showing off his big white teeth.
"Hehe~! Welcome aboard, Sanji!"
"Starting today, I finally have a proper cook on my pirate ship!!!"
"Whoo~"
Sanji took a slow drag from his cigarette, then exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Let me make one thing clear—if I find that you guys don't suit me, I'll leave without hesitation."
Ambition is something that, once ignited, is hard to extinguish.
Right now, Sanji hadn't yet seen Zoro's dedication to his dream. His decision to join the Straw Hats wasn't out of deep camaraderie just yet—it was because Luffy had the highest bounty in the East Blue, and Red seemed to possess some mysterious abilities.
This time, he was boarding the ship for his own dream.
"Oh?"
Hearing Sanji's words, Zoro smirked and rested a hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Just a cook, and yet you dare to say such arrogant things."
"How bold."
"Hahaha~ Now that's the kind of attitude that fits our crew!"
Red laughed, clapping his hands.
"Alright then, Sanji has officially joined us!"
"Now, we just need to wait for 'that man' to arrive, and then we can move on to our next target!"
"Zoro, Nami, are you both ready?"
"Of course!"
Zoro's grip tightened around his sword.
"I'm always ready."
Nami's eyes gleamed, a mix of determination and something far more dangerous—like a storm waiting to strike.
Over the past four days, she had been training non-stop.
After clearing Vermillion Gym, Red's daily game time had finally exceeded the 3-hour mark!
In total, they had 12 days of gameplay, and during that time, Red and Nami had advanced significantly.
Their next destination? Route 11.
Along the way, they encountered a Snorlax that wouldn't wake up no matter what.
Since they couldn't progress, they backtracked to Diglett's Cave.
Thanks to Usopp's brilliant craftsmanship, Nami no longer feared ground-type Pokémon—her Clima-Tact had been completely upgraded.
Usopp, knowing that Nami specialized in electric-type attacks, modified the staff with a built-in charge system, allowing her to boost the power of her electrical moves.
Now, she could generate hot and cold air bubbles faster and with greater precision.
Additionally, after hearing Nami's request, Usopp added a special humidifier function.
Now, not only could it spray small jets of water, but it could also create water bubbles, giving her better synergy with electric-type attacks.
With this powerful new weapon, Red and Nami easily cleared Diglett's Cave.
After exiting the cave, they were suddenly stopped by a researcher.
The man introduced himself as Professor Oak's assistant.
He had been waiting there for players, offering to teach the secret move "Light Up."
After a brief discussion, Red had Nami learn the new move.
"Light Up" allowed her to emit a blinding light, disrupting opponents' vision.
Perhaps, when combined with her Clima-Tact's 'Mirage' technique, it could be even more effective.
After learning the secret technique, Red and Nami proceeded to Route 9.
At the end of the route, they faced off against an elite trainer and managed to defeat them.
As a reward, they obtained a new TM—Brick Break!
This fighting-type move had a base power of 75, but more importantly—
It could break through Reflect and Light Screen.
Red had always been fond of moves with special properties, knowing that they could be game-changers in battle.
Eventually, their progress led them to the entrance of Rock Tunnel.
At this point, Nami's level had reached 25, marking a significant breakthrough in her stats.
[Pokémon: Nami]
Level: 25
Skills: Zippy Zap, Thunderbolt, Buzzy Buzz, Pay Day
HP: 92
Attack: 63
Defense: 61
Special Attack: 101
Special Defense: 64
Speed: 66
With the help of stat candies, her total base stats had reached 447!
Thanks to her triple-digit Special Attack, Nami's battle strength was now comparable to a Grand Line pirate.
And if she factored in the enhancements from her Clima-Tact and her powerful electric moves...
Her combat potential might be even higher.