"Alright! This is the last stop!"
"After we finish here, I'll take you to see your room and get you settled in. Then my task will finally be complete!"
Usopp walked ahead with a relaxed grin, glancing over his shoulder as he spoke to Sanji.
The two stepped into the recreation deck, passing through rows of entertainment machines without stopping to play.
Karaoke booths, arcade games, claw machines, dance simulators, every form of amusement imaginable.
Finally, after weaving through the dazzling corridor of lights and sounds, they arrived at the heart of the entire zone,
Starry Sky Amusement Park!
It was a massive area, built at incredible expense under Luffy's direction. The air was filled with light music and the scent of the sea breeze. Every kind of facility could be found here, smooth paths, clean benches, bright attractions, and even automatic drink and ice cream dispensers.
In short, this was a true amusement park.
If there was one difference from a normal one, it was this,
There was no need to line up, and no need to pay a single coin. Everything was free to enjoy!
It was the perfect sanctuary for relaxation and stress relief.
========
At the very center stood one of the park's signature attractions: the Carousel of Sea Kings.
Right now, Luffy was riding atop a huge, strange-looking Sea King-shaped creature, going up and down with Robin and Nami on either side.
Laughter filled the air around them, two cheerful female voices mingling with Luffy's exasperated sighs.
He honestly couldn't understand how they could still enjoy it after nearly thirty rides since the Going Merry had been completed.
They're still having that much fun?
"Sanji…"
"Sanji…"
"Sanji!!!"
BANG!
Usopp's fist came crashing down on Sanji's head, bending him over instantly.
The impact finally knocked the pink hearts from Sanji's eyes. He crouched on the floor, clutching his head and trembling from the pain.
Usopp wasn't the strongest, but compared to Sanji right now, his strength still had a clear edge.
It took Sanji a good twenty seconds before he finally managed to stand up straight again.
Without giving him a chance to complain, Usopp immediately continued:
"Alright! This place is just for you to get familiar with. Remember the way, so you don't end up like Zoro, can't even find his own bedroom."
"Every time he trains, he has to drag poor Koby along because he keeps getting lost on the way to the training room!"
Usopp paused, glanced at Sanji, and went on:
"Luffy said all the facilities on the ship can make you stronger if you stick with them. But the amusement park… that's the slowest place to grow stronger."
He lowered his voice mysteriously.
"It's mainly good for restoring energy and mental focus. Only those long-haired, narrow-minded girls like that kind of thing."
"Fatigue? Please. A real man doesn't need to relieve pressure!"
"A real man should face his challenges head-on, that's the only way to get stronger!"
========
The two walked on in silence.
Leaving the amusement area behind, Sanji finally reached his personal cabin, a modest thirty-square-meter room prepared just for him.
The furnishings were simple: a bed, a table, and a small bookshelf.
Yet the simplicity gave him a strange feeling…
A bit like home.
Maybe ordinary families really do live in places like this…
========
That evening, the Welcome Party for the New Crew Member began as planned.
Zoro and Koby arrived freshly showered after a full day of training, sitting back to rest while listening to Brook's soothing piano notes.
Before long, Luffy also showed up, satisfied and smiling, flanked by the two beauties Robin and Nami.
In the grand hall, Usopp had brought out a huge round table from storage.
One by one, plates of steaming, aromatic dishes were transported from the kitchen by Koby, who was doing his best to resist temptation.
There was a proper dining room on the Going Merry, connected directly to the kitchen for food delivery, but tonight was special.
Luffy had chosen to host Sanji's welcome party right here in the luxurious main hall, to make the atmosphere more festive.
Soon everything was ready. Everyone gathered around the table, eyes locked on the feast before them.
Even the ever-composed Robin couldn't help swallowing once, captivated by the aroma.
Sanji's already remarkable cooking, enhanced by his Legendary Kitchen Tools and the mysterious Radiant Cuisine effect, was about to show its full power tonight.
Tonight, the title of "Medicine King Sanji" would once again shake the world!
========
Though the celebration was in Sanji's honor, he was the last to arrive.
He entered the hall nervously, aware that everyone had been waiting for him to start eating.
But deep down, he couldn't help smiling. He liked this atmosphere, the Starry Sky Pirates' mix of warmth, mystery, and unspoken camaraderie.
It was magical, hopeful, and strong… yet somehow it still felt like family.
"Alright!"
Once everyone was seated, Luffy lifted a large glass of Sanji's special Medicine King Yogurt and stood up.
Drawing everyone's attention away from the food, he grinned.
"To celebrate Sanji joining our crew!"
"And to thank him for making us this amazing feast!"
"I hereby declare, "
"Let's eat!!!"
BOOM!!!
The moment Luffy's voice dropped, chaos erupted around the table!
Everyone lunged toward the food, eyes gleaming, hands darting between plates and platters.
Forks, spoons, knives, and chopsticks flashed through the air as if the table itself were a battlefield.
Two hands sometimes grabbed the same dish, leading to fierce silent duels of strength.
The Starry Sky Pirates devoured the meal like a hurricane tearing through the ocean.
Even Sanji joined in, after all, even he had never made food this delicious before.
Golden light shimmered from the dishes as they were eaten, a divine radiance of culinary power.
But the crew had long since grown used to it, by the time the glow faded, most dishes were already gone.
Warmth spread through everyone's bodies as the food's energy took effect, and soon the hall was filled with low, blissful groans.
Others tried to hold it in, blushing and lowering their voices.
But Brook, Usopp, and Koby had no such restraint, their faces flushed bright red, their expressions pure ecstasy.
The air was thick with the scent of flavor and satisfaction.
Even Nami, who had disliked Sanji at first, couldn't help but acknowledge his place in the crew after this heavenly meal.
At that moment, Sanji truly lived up to his title, Medicine King, using his miraculous cooking to conquer the hearts (and stomachs) of all.
========
When the joy finally faded, what remained was everyone's eager anticipation for the next feast.
One by one, the crew drifted back to their rooms, happy and full.
Because Luffy had spent the whole afternoon with Robin and Nami at the amusement park, he hadn't yet had time to prepare Sanji's special gift.
It was supposed to be presented tonight, but that would have to wait.
Back in his room, Luffy smiled softly.
Being surrounded by his friends filled him with a deep, wordless happiness.
So this… is why Whitebeard wanted a family crew, he thought.
"System," he whispered in his mind, "open Sanji's stats panel."
A familiar interface appeared before his eyes:
Name: Vinsmoke Sanji
Potential: SS (+)
Stamina: 250
Strength: 130
Agility: 300
Mental: 90
Luffy had seen the numbers before.
Aside from that surprisingly high agility, everything was about what he expected.
The one thing that did surprise him,
Was Sanji's unique talent.
Luffy had thought Sanji wouldn't have one.
But that little "+" next to his potential rating proved otherwise.
It wasn't "Pervert."
It wasn't "Kicking Technique."
Nor was it "Cooking Genius."
Its name was,
[Experiment of D]