As dawn broke, painting the sea with light, Luffy and his crew sprang into action. Their destination was set: Cocoyasi Village. With a goal in sight, departure was inevitable. Worry for their scattered crew—Nami and Silk waiting in Cocoyasi, Kiri's condition entrusted to Usopp—gnawed at Luffy. He'd hear the details later. For now, Nami and Silk took priority.
Though eager to sail, even a small boat required preparation. Luffy, ever shameless, begged the cooks for food, demanding far more than needed. A glutton who could devour three days' rations in one meal, his requests were bold. The cooks, exasperated but compliant, handed over supplies. Sanji, watching, shook his head.
"Still grabbing more? It's a one-day trip," Sanji said.
"You never know what'll happen at sea. We almost died starving," Luffy replied.
"That's 'cause you ate too much. That's enough—stop giving him more," Sanji told the cooks.
"Aw, come on!" Luffy whined.
"If we starve saving you, that's nonsense. Food's limited. Think about us, idiot," Sanji said.
Sanji's jabs didn't halt the preparations. Luffy carried a bulging sack of food to the undamaged fin, where Yosaku and Zoro waited on the boat, ready to sail. Remarkably, Zoro was awake. Despite wounds that should've kept him bedridden, his sheer willpower had him up, acting normal, astonishing everyone.
Zoro looked up as Luffy approached, eyeing the overstuffed sack. "What're you doing with all that? This boat's got a limit."
"It's fine. Not that heavy," Luffy said.
"It's clearly heavy. It's not about what you think—it's the boat's limit," Zoro said.
"Nah, it's cool. We'll make it work with grit," Luffy grinned.
"This guy… if we sink, I'm not saving you," Zoro muttered.
"Aniki, I get it, but we'll save him. Luffy can't swim," Yosaku said.
They were their usual selves—Zoro grumbling, Yosaku mediating, Luffy unbothered. The sack was loaded, and Luffy hopped aboard, the boat rocking but steady.
The sun had just risen. Yosaku memorized the route to Cocoyasi. Everything was ready for departure. The cooks gathered at the entrance, smiling at the trio. Sanji stood among them, ready to see them off.
"Watch your food supply when you eat. You won't always get bailed out like this. Starving's a lousy way to go, right?" Sanji said.
"Yeah, don't want that," Luffy agreed.
"Then think before you scarf it down. Got it?" Sanji said.
"If you came with us, we wouldn't worry. Sure you won't join?" Luffy asked.
"Told you, I've got stuff to do here. I can't go," Sanji said.
"…Got it," Luffy said.
Luffy's face briefly fell, but he flashed a grin, dropping the subject. He wanted Sanji as a crewmate but wouldn't force him. It didn't feel right to override his choice.
This was goodbye to Sanji. Yet, after yesterday, they'd made a promise: when Sanji reached the Grand Line and found All Blue, he'd cook for Luffy, the Pirate King, a feast to burst his stomach. Sanji had nodded with a smile. With that vow in his heart, parting wasn't painful. They'd meet again.
"See ya, Sanji. I'm looking forward to that All Blue feast. Let's meet again," Luffy said.
"Yeah. By then, I'll be even better, cooking something to make you scream," Sanji replied.
"Wait," a voice interrupted.
Sanji turned to see Zeff on the third-floor balcony, his face grimmer than usual, spoiling the farewell moment. "Chore boy, hold off on leaving."
"Huh? Why?" Luffy asked.
"You'll see. Sanji, come to my room," Zeff said.
"Huh?" Sanji frowned.
Zeff's sudden call stirred murmurs among the cooks. He retreated to his room, leaving no chance to question him. Sanji glanced at Luffy, apologetic. "Sorry, can you wait?"
"Sure, it'll be quick, right?" Luffy said.
"Who knows what that old man's on about," Sanji said.
"I'll wait. Probably better for me anyway," Luffy said, smiling oddly.
Sanji, puzzled but not dwelling on it, headed inside, climbing to the third floor. The restaurant was empty—everyone was outside. Knocking wasn't his style; he opened Zeff's door. Zeff sat, back turned, arms crossed, his demeanor off.
"What's this about?" Sanji asked, brow furrowing.
"You're fired. Get out. Now," Zeff said.
"What?" Sanji froze.
The cold, unexpected words stunned him. Speechless, he stood rooted, but Zeff's tone held no doubt. He continued, "No food for you here, no kitchen for you to stand in. Leave. This place doesn't need you."
"What're you saying? That makes no sense," Sanji said.
"It makes sense. You don't belong here anymore. That's it," Zeff said.
Sanji stood, dazed, but strangely unshaken. He didn't panic. Why Zeff said this was unclear, yet it felt understandable. Conflicted but composed, he tried to reason, though confusion lingered. Before he could find answers, Zeff spoke again.
"Stop acting like a grown-up, idiot. Did I ever ask you for that?" Zeff said.
"What?" Sanji asked.
"Go wherever. Stop lying to yourself," Zeff said, gruff yet somehow gentle.
Sanji stared at Zeff's back, absorbing every word. "You've got a place to come back to here."
Shock hit, an indescribable emotion swelling. His legs wobbled. Zeff's meaning sank in—maddeningly cryptic, yet clear. Stubbing his cigarette, Sanji fell silent. Joy mixed with regret; his buried desires had been unearthed. Watching Luffy and Zoro risk their lives for their dreams had stirred his own—to sail, to find All Blue. He couldn't ignore it now.
He wanted to go to sea. Hesitating, thinking hard, Sanji looked up, addressing Zeff for one last confirmation. "No place for me here, huh?"
"That's right," Zeff said.
"Fine kicking out your sous-chef?" Sanji asked.
"Don't flatter yourself, little eggplant. This place won't collapse without you," Zeff said.
"We'll see. No waiters, just thug cooks—my presence was a blessing. Wonder how you'll fare when I'm gone," Sanji said.
"Won't change a thing. This place will keep going," Zeff said.
Sanji's heart was calm, letting him speak evenly. He felt pushed forward, Zeff seeing through his bravado, urging him to drop it. Repaying Zeff was no lie, but Luffy's words—that Zeff didn't save him for that—had brought relief and regret. Meeting Luffy had made this inevitable.
He decided to stop resisting. Defying Zeff now would dishonor him, something Sanji couldn't bear. Ruffling his hair, exhaling deeply, he made his choice—to sail as a pirate, to leave his home.
"Alright, if you're that set, I'm out. Been wanting to ditch this shitty restaurant anyway. No ladies, just foul-mouthed, thieving cooks. Surprised it hasn't gone under," Sanji said.
"Too bad. It'll keep standing," Zeff said.
"Shame. Hope your sales tank," Sanji said.
"Do what you want," Zeff said.
No need to linger. Decision made, Sanji moved, pausing at the door. Their backs to each other, the moment felt oddly natural. "That belief thing… I might get it now. Talking to that guy helped. Annoying, but I might've been missing it."
Muttering, Sanji turned the knob, a serene smile flickering as he opened the door. "That's yesterday's me, though. No regrets, old man. Too late to stop me."
As the door closed, he thought he heard, "Finally graduated, little eggplant—"
The door shut softly. Sanji stood briefly, then walked on, heart steady. In his room, he packed quickly, resolve unshaken. Five minutes later, he left, heading to the restaurant.
Surveying the empty dining area, memories flooded back. He'd started here as a kid, learning daily, clinging to Zeff's harsh guidance, growing through it all. Strict but joyful times. Sitting, slouching, he looked up, lighting a cigarette. Zeff had sparked that habit—smoking to seem grown-up, tired of being called "little eggplant."
Patty and Carne were the first cooks hired, looking like total thugs. Sanji had doubted them, but Zeff took them in, and they'd worked together since. Fights with pirates were common, as were kicking out rude guests. Sanji never spared those who badmouthed his crew, and Zeff, who should've stopped him, joined in, earning their bad reputation. Yet the place endured.
Exhaling smoke, memories faded. The cigarette burned low. Stubbing it out, Sanji stood, grabbing his small bag, and headed out. No need for sentimentality—this wasn't forever.
Emerging with his bag, the cooks said nothing, likely sensing his departure. Arms crossed, faces stern, they stayed silent. Luffy stood by the boat, waiting, understanding. Sanji walked on, wordless.
Then, two shadows struck—Carne and Patty, weapons raised. "Payback time!" Patty yelled.
"Think you're leaving unscathed?!" Carne shouted.
An ambush. Despite the skill gap, they bet on surprise. Patty swung first, but Sanji ducked without looking, the giant fork missing. His counter kick slammed Patty's face, dropping him. Carne's spoon came next, but Sanji sidestepped, landing a kick to his nose. Carne collapsed.
The ambush failed miserably. The cooks jeered, "No way you'd beat Sanji."
"How many times have you lost?" another said.
"Shut up!" Patty groaned.
"Still alive, huh? No worries then," a cook said.
Ignoring them, Sanji faced Luffy at the boat. "Got fired. Convenient, but I've got nowhere to go. Mind taking me on?"
"Pirates, you know," Luffy said.
"Been surrounded by pirate-like cooks. Not a big deal," Sanji said.
"Shishishi, true," Luffy laughed.
"Finding All Blue's enough. Pirate, marine, your crew—doesn't matter," Sanji said.
"Been waiting. Welcome aboard, Sanji," Luffy said.
Luffy's wide grin drew a soft smile from Sanji. He tossed his bag onto the boat, ready to board, not looking back, no farewells for the cooks.
"Let's go," Sanji said.
"No goodbyes?" Luffy asked.
"Don't need 'em," Sanji said.
As he stepped forward, a voice called, "Oi, Sanji."
Zeff stood on the third-floor balcony, elbow on the railing, speaking casually. "Don't catch a cold."
Simple words, but heavy for Sanji. His shoulders trembled; Luffy smiled gently. Sanji froze, then, unable to hold back, clenched his teeth and shouted, "Owner Zeff!"
He spun, dropping to his knees, forehead to the floor in a deep bow. Overwhelming gratitude poured out, words falling short. Tears streamed, unashamed, as he yelled, voice shaking, "Thanks for everything, you shitty old man! I'll never forget this debt!"
His words reached Zeff, who'd never seen such a display in their years together. Silent tears fell from Zeff's eyes. The cooks, stirred, lost composure. Patty and Carne, despite their feuds with Sanji, sobbed like children. The crew followed, the ship alive with noisy emotion.
"Damn it, Sanji, you bastard! We'll miss you!" Patty cried.
"So lonely!" Carne wailed.
"Damn, it's sad!" another shouted.
Sanji lifted his head, tears mixing with a grin. A messy farewell, but fitting. Zeff wiped his eyes, muttering, "Idiot. Men part quietly."
Savoring the moment, Sanji looked at them through tears, resolve hardening. "See you, you shitty bastards!"
"Set sail!" Luffy called.
With their new crewmate aboard, the small boat pushed off, heading for Cocoyasi Village amid the cooks' raucous send-off.
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