"Uh... Boss, what's going on?"
Hearing their conversation, the surrounding cooks handling ingredients all looked over, confused.
"We didn't mishear, right? Sanji is leaving here?"
"What happened? Wait, don't tell me you're actually going to join those guys outside and become a pirate?"
"Mind your own work. Stop being nosy."
Facing their questions, Sanji only said that lightly.
Perhaps he was afraid his determination would waver, or afraid he wouldn't be able to control the emotions buried deep in his heart.
Sanji put on a show of indifference and focused on his own work.
But in Zeff's eyes, his act looked childish. The slightly clumsy movements of his hands already revealed all the confusion in his heart.
"You brat, if you're not ready, then forget it."
Zeff mocked him in an indifferent tone: "As for what you said when you ran into my room earlier, I'll just assume it was a moment of impulse, like a fart."
Hearing that, Sanji clenched the brush in his hand, lowered his head, hiding his expression behind the hair falling over his forehead, and remained silent.
...
The atmosphere in the kitchen suddenly shifted into something subtle.
The cooks' movements froze.
They didn't even dare breathe loudly, watching the two of them as if even their heartbeats slowed down.
The air turned deathly silent.
By now, everyone basically understood that Sanji was leaving the restaurant.
"What does that mean? You bastard, since when are you so eager to kick me out?"
Sanji gritted his teeth with an ugly expression.
Maybe it was because he had suppressed his emotions for too long.
A farewell that should have been sentimental came out awkward and twisted once spoken aloud.
Seeing the father and son expressing the opposite of what they truly felt, the other cooks were at a loss for words. They wanted to speak but were afraid of saying something that would ignite the two men's emotions.
The kitchen was terrifyingly quiet, and seconds felt like minutes.
"Of course I've wanted you gone for a long time."
In the end, Zeff was the first to break the silence. He let out a long sigh and then said, "Going into the Grand Line, hasn't that always been your dream, Sanji?"
"I know what you want, and I know you won't listen to anything I say."
Zeff's expression was complicated. Besides what he said, perhaps he also felt a bit reluctant.
As a father, he would be proud to see Sanji pursue his dream, yet he also wished his son could simply live a safe and peaceful life.
The two emotions conflicted, yet coexisted naturally.
"But Sanji, if I became the chain that holds you back from your dream..."
"As your father, I would feel ashamed of myself!"
Zeff turned toward Sanji, gazing at him with eyes growing more resolute.
"So..."
"Go, Sanji! Whether it's for dreams or for freedom, whatever the reason, just set sail! Don't look back!"
"I've already taught you everything I can! When you reach the end of the sea, I will proudly say you're my disciple!"
"And my son!!"
His voice was steady and powerful, echoing through the sweltering kitchen and into everyone's ears.
Sanji lowered his head and bit his lips tightly; his eyes, hidden beneath his fringe, turned red.
The sadness of parting burst out after being suppressed too long, lighting the fuse of his near-breaking emotions.
He dropped to his knees heavily and pressed his forehead firmly against the floor.
Bang!
"Old man!!"
"For all these years! Thank you for taking care of me!!"
Sanji cried out hoarsely while biting his trembling lower lip, tears and snot pouring uncontrollably down his face.
"Your kindness... I will never forget it!!"
"You brat... What are you doing?!"
Zeff slapped a hand over his face, tears threatening to escape.
"Boss Zeff... Sanji..."
The cooks also covered their faces, struggling to hold back their tears.
"Uwaaaah! I can't take this anymore!"
"Damn you, Sanji!"
"You're making it impossible for us to work!"
"Uwaaaah!!"
As if the emotion were contagious, the whole kitchen suddenly burst into cries.
The pirates outside all looked toward the kitchen, bewildered.
Then they heard emotional voices mixed with sobs: "Brothers, roll up your sleeves and work like hell!"
"Let's give Sanji a proper farewell, our way, a chef's farewell!"
"Feed those noisy idiots outside properly!!"
"Yeahhhh!!"
In an instant, the kitchen became lively and fiery again.
The pirates: "..."
Who exactly are the noisy idiots?!
Before long, accompanied by the passionate clanging of kitchenware, a delicious aroma drifted out of the kitchen.
It filled the spacious dining hall, the air itself becoming fragrant and causing the pirates' mouths to water.
Soon, two cooks came out pushing food trolleys, wine, and appetizers served first.
The moment the pirates saw the alcohol, their eyes lit up.
"Brothers, the feast begins! Give it everything you've got and eat like crazy!"
"Yeahhhh!!"
"Long live the captain!!"
With Alan's shout, the hall exploded in excitement, and a small yet explosive banquet began!
The cooks controlled the pace perfectly, never letting the pirates sit idle for long, always delivering new dishes at just the right moments.
Evening fell early.
Outside the restaurant, fine drizzling rain dropped into the sea, disappearing instantly under the waves, adding to the pirates' festive mood.
Sham and Buchi roamed between tables with bottles in hand, whipping their crewmates into performing entertainment acts.
Tone-deaf singing, ridiculous dancing, and even lousy magic tricks and circus-style acrobatics kept appearing.
Alan burst into laughter multiple times, thinking that with so many people, all sorts of odd talents were bound to show up.
The dark, gloomy sky and intoxicating alcohol gradually blurred the pirates' sense of time.
Some collapsed onto tables, and others dropped straight onto the floor from exhaustion.
...
When the banquet finally reached its end, Alan ordered the still-conscious pirates to drag their companions back to the ship. Then he stepped out of the restaurant and onto Baratie's open deck.
It was already late at night. The long drizzle had stopped. The crescent moon peeked through thin clouds, casting silver light across the quiet sea.
Sanji, wearing a blue striped shirt, was leaning alone against the railing.
Noticing Alan approach, he glanced up briefly before looking away to continue smoking.
Alan walked straight up and said, "What is this? Isn't this a bit cold for how you treat your future captain?"