A big head and a thick neck; you're either a tycoon or a cook.
Zeff's neck was indeed thick, but his head was normal, just painfully thin.
Gazing at that skeletal profile, Shano carefully observed for a while before barely matching it with the face in his memory.
How tragic... Who knows how long he's been starving... In the original timeline, it seems Zeff and Sanji held out for 85 days before they were rescued; I should have arrived earlier, right?
Shano pondered, bent down, and casually picked up a bunch of food from the ship, walking in Zeff's direction.
He took away over a million in cash from the secret room and, when leaving Asakura Island, splurged by stocking food worth tens of thousands of Belly.
Originally thought it was too much, enough for two people for a month, but didn't expect it to come in handy now.
"Junichi." He didn't forget Sanji either, instructing, "You get some food too, go around and see if there's anyone else; if there is, rescue them."
"Got it, boss!"
...
The wind and rain intensified.
It was only when Shano was almost upon him that Zeff finally dimly sensed the footsteps behind him.
"Hey, kid..."
Zeff still stared into the distance, his eyes under the brow seemingly shrouded in shadow, "What brings you here? Didn't we agree, each keeping watch on one side, call me when a ship comes..."
Bang!
A package of food was tossed out, rolling down the rocky slope to Zeff's feet. The old man glanced at the noise and froze, his eyes fixating without moving.
"Bread?"
His hand instinctively reached out, then suddenly froze, forcibly swallowing, sitting upright and smirking coldly, "What's the matter, think I've given you too little food, and came to ask for more?"
"Didn't I say, I'm an adult, my appetite is several times yours, so naturally I need several times the food! I barely have enough for myself; don't expect me to share more with you!"
Lines of frustration appeared on Shano's forehead.
Damn old man, who are you trying to be proud with? I know the bulging bag beside you is full of treasure, right?
Why don't you stop secretly salivating and turn around to see who the handsome guy coming is?
He suddenly felt like playing a trick, refraining from speaking immediately, and continued tossing the food from his hand.
Bang!
"Cookies?" Zeff was surprised.
Bang!
"Canned luncheon meat?" The old man widened his eyes.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Jerky, chocolate, compressed rice balls... even citrus and bananas; Shano's throwing speed quickened, and before long, a small mountain of food piled up in front of Zeff.
"...This, this..."
Zeff was speechless now; even a fool would realize that someone with so much food couldn't possibly be Sanji.
Gurgle, gurgle~
Zeff's empty stomach coincidentally growled.
Suddenly, he ripped open a bread bag, devouring large mouthfuls frantically, finishing the big bag in no time, and grabbing the next one.
"Cough... cough!"
The swollen dough clumped suddenly, sticking in his throat. Zeff pounded his chest, making a dull thud on his bony ribcage.
"Here, catch."
Shano handed over a water flask, and the old man instantly tipped his head back, gulping down the water, which mixed with the bread sludge and ran down his beard, possibly mingling with tears.
After he finished drinking, Shano handed over a can of luncheon meat.
"It's food, it's food... it's food!!!"
The old man raised the can high, repeatedly examining it, "Real food, such incredible aroma and taste..."
Crack, Zeff's nails punctured the can lid, and he pried it open single-handedly. He didn't even notice the cut on his hand, directly scooping out the dark red chunks and shoving them into his mouth, swallowing eagerly, his squinted eyes showing enjoyment.
"Slow down, don't choke again."
Shano sighed lightly, sitting back on a large rock behind him.
Suddenly, he felt something uncomfortable under his butt, reached around, and found a grimy severed foot, already rotten and festering, emanating a foul odor.
"..."
Shano dry-heaved, nearly tossing it into the sea but then quickly realized something, glanced at Zeff still vigorously eating, and quietly activated the sacrifice.
[Sacrifice: "Redfoot" Zeff's severed leg]
[Quality: Epic]
[Value: 2000 points]
[Appraisal Comment: The severed leg of Great Pirate Redfoot Zeff, renowned for his superb leg skill throughout East Sea, maneuvering through the Grand Line for a year and retiring intact, marooned on the island then giving all the food to Sanji, and cutting off his own leg to eat. Sanji was thus saved, and Zeff knew he no longer deserved to venture the seas, passing the dream of pursuing All Blue to Sanji.]
The part above the ankle was gone, probably eaten clean by Zeff.
The remaining part was spoiled and corrupt, but useful for providing a decent amount of points.
Shano didn't immediately close the system panel but stared at the appraisal comments, silent for a long time.
"This thing..."
He suddenly chuckled, stretching out his empty right hand, letting the rain wash away the dirt on his palm, "Saying this, it sure fooled me for many tears back then."
The iconic scene from distant memories suddenly replayed before him.
The feeling was quite intriguing.
As the rain cleaned his hand, Shano turned his gaze; the pile was now half-empty.
Zeff, unbeknownst to him, had stopped eating; he grasped a half-eaten rice ball with one hand and held his forehead with the other, his back facing him trembling continuously.
Why is he crying now?
"Ashamed, so ashamed..."
Feeling his gaze, Zeff turned around, laughing broadly, but tears flowed uncontrollably, "Benefactor, this is the best meal I've had in my life; I thought I was dead, surely dead..."
Zeff suddenly flipped over, kneeling in the heavy rain, kowtowing hard to Shano.
When rising, his forehead was red and swollen, but the old man seemed oblivious, forcibly knocking again.
"No need, no need."
Shano hurriedly reached out to help the old man up, "Just having you alone do this isn't fair; I haven't thanked you for the free two thousand points either!"
"Benefactor, there's a companion, I still have a companion!"
Yet Zeff remained on his knees, clutching his trouser leg and pleading, "There's a blond kid too, on this reef with me, starved for dozens of days alike; please, benefactor, save him too!"
This old man, how hungry could he be to still have such strength? Shano felt his trousers about to be pulled off, and promptly tugged them back up.
"Relax, I came with a companion too; don't worry, before coming here, I'd already sent him with food to locate other survivors; he should find the kid you mentioned soon."
"That's good, that's good..."
Only then did Zeff feel relieved, sitting back on the ground, giving Shano a thankful glance before burying his head down and continuing to eat.
Shano turned to look towards the stranded site earlier, feeling somewhat bewildered.
Isn't it...
Where's Sanji?
What exactly is Junichi doing? This reef is so tiny; how is it taking so long to find a living person, with no movement for ages?
"Uh, boss?"
Just then, Junichi's somewhat guilty voice emerged, "Can you come over?"
"What's up?"
Shano immediately stood up, approaching, "Have you found him?"
"...Well, it's not convenient to talk here; come with me."
Junichi chuckled dryly, pulling Shano along to the boat's edge.
Under Shano's confused gaze, he swallowed, squatted down with all his might lifting the boat a few inches, revealing the small figure in a chef's outfit beneath.
"Here, found him; it's just a bit flat..."