On the waters of the Sabaody Archipelago, near Grove 25, a ship bearing the flag of the Big Mom Pirates floated quietly.
"It's… it's the Big Mom Pirates!"
"Why is one of the Four Emperors' crews here?!"
"No idea…"
"Everyone, run! Don't provoke them—you'll die!"
The crowd on shore stared at the pirate ship in terror, turning and fleeing without hesitation, afraid of attracting the attention of such a monstrous force.
Though the Four Emperors' crews usually didn't bother with small fry like them… what if they did?
Who would dare take that gamble?
Watching the chaos on shore, the people aboard the ship showed no surprise.
As a Yonko crew, it would be stranger if their presence didn't cause panic.
Soon, the ship docked, and figures began stepping onto land.
"Ka… Katakuri?!"
The moment they saw who it was, the crowd scattered even faster.
No one had expected that the person leading the group to Sabaody this time would be the second-in-command of the Big Mom Pirates!
Looking at the distant commotion, Charlotte Galette let out a sigh.
"Brother Katakuri, you really didn't need to come with me this time."
She knew all too well what kind of reaction her brother's presence would trigger in a place like this.
As the second strongest in their crew, Katakuri could practically represent the entire Big Mom Pirates.
His sudden appearance here might even provoke a response from the Marines.
"I'm not comfortable letting my little sister come to a place like this alone," Charlotte Katakuri said calmly.
This place was dangerously close to Mary Geoise. Who knew if those lunatics might suddenly stir up trouble?
And with all kinds of dangerous individuals gathering here from across the world, who could guarantee that no one would be reckless enough to ignore the name of a Yonko?
If conflict broke out, his sister might be captured.
That was something he absolutely could not tolerate—and exactly why he insisted on coming.
Seeing Galette hesitate as if she had more to say, Katakuri added, "Enough. Focus on what you came here to do. The Marines won't act rashly against us."
With him here, even an Admiral would have to think twice before making a move.
"…Alright. I understand."
Galette nodded, no longer dwelling on it.
After all… she knew her brother had only come because he was worried about her.
"You all—go gather information on the Straw Hat Pirates," Galette ordered. "Try not to cause a disturbance. Understood?"
So many days had passed—by now, the Straw Hat Pirates should have arrived here. That was precisely why she had come to the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Yes, ma'am!"
The subordinates responded loudly before immediately scattering in different directions.
After everyone left, Galette suddenly spoke again.
"Brother Katakuri…"
"What is it?"
"When we find Jin… can you let me talk to him properly?" Galette looked up at her brother. "I want to persuade him in my own way."
Katakuri paused, then frowned.
…She doesn't want to threaten him.
He understood his sister's intentions. She clearly didn't want to follow their mother's usual approach—forcing compliance if the other party refused.
While their family didn't always rely on intimidation for political marriages…
This time, however, their mother had made her stance very clear.
If she found out…
"Is that… not allowed?" Galette asked with a bitter smile.
After a moment of silence, Katakuri spoke.
"You understand what that means, don't you?"
Within the Big Mom Pirates, their mother's orders were absolute. Even her children were not allowed to defy them.
"I know…" Galette lowered her head. "But I want a husband I can truly connect with—not a tool filled with resentment…"
Her thoughts were different from their mother's.
She didn't want his bloodline.
She wanted him as a person.
Only if she earned his genuine feelings would he willingly return to Totto Land with her—and stand by her side wholeheartedly.
Having finally been given a chance to choose, she wanted her life to feel complete.
Looking at his sister, Katakuri sighed.
He simply couldn't be harsh with her.
"Do what you want," he said.
As for their mother… they would deal with that after the boy actually refused.
"Thank you, Brother Katakuri!"
Seeing her brighten, Katakuri nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing in his eyes beneath his scarf.
As her brother, he only wanted her to be happy.
Of course… if that boy dared to mistreat his sister—
He would personally show him what it meant to face the wrath of an elder brother-in-law.
"Let's go. Since we're here, we might as well look around."
"Huh?!"
"But brother, shouldn't we wait—"
"Our men will report back once they find him," Katakuri said.
Something like finding a person was naturally left to subordinates.
Otherwise, what was the point of bringing them?
Seeing Galette still hesitate, Katakuri added, "Didn't you say last year that you wanted to come here?"
He remembered that conversation clearly—she had mentioned it casually, but never got the chance due to their busy schedules.
Now that they were here, they might as well enjoy it.
"…So you remembered."
"Of course," Katakuri replied. "Let's go."
"Yes, Brother Katakuri!"
…
"Ah~!"
"Hatchan, your takoyaki is amazing!"
Luffy devoured the food in front of him with astonishing speed.
"Right? Hatchan's takoyaki is the best in the world!" Camie said with a smile.
Having worked here for a long time, she knew exactly how popular his cooking was.
"It really is good," Sanji said. "The sauce has a very distinct flavor…"
No wonder the guy was so confident—it really was delicious.
"I love this!"
"Me too!"
Chopper and Merry exchanged a glance, then laughed.
"Let's see who can eat more!"
"Yeah!"
"Hahaha!"
Hatchan chuckled.
"As long as you like it!"
"Eat as much as you want today—it's on me!"
Even as he spoke, all six of his arms were moving nonstop, rapidly preparing the next batch of takoyaki.
To keep up with Luffy's eating speed, he had to go all out.
"Yeah!"
"We'll do our best!"
"Hahaha!"
"As an octopus fish-man making takoyaki this good…" Jin looked at the plate, rubbing his chin. "That's kind of a strange feeling."
"Fish-men eat fish," Camie explained.
"Fish-men eat fish?" Jin raised a brow and glanced at her. "What about mermaids?"
"I don't eat fish~" Camie shook her head. "To us mermaids, fish are like companions."
"You said his takoyaki is the best in the world—I thought you'd tried it."
"That's just what everyone says!" Camie laughed.
"Then what do you eat?" Usopp asked curiously.
"If you don't eat fish… what's left? Grass?"
As if imagining something unpleasant, his expression twisted.
"For meat, we eat shellfish," Camie said after thinking for a moment. "As for vegetables—there's plenty."
"Seaweed, fruits, grains… we eat all of that."
Fish-Man Island had areas suitable for growing crops—that was one of their main food sources.
As for shellfish… those had to be gathered from the sea.
Of course, they could also buy them—but most preferred catching them themselves.
It was one of their favorite activities.
"Your lifestyle really is…" Jin made a complicated expression.
So many things they couldn't eat—how did they endure it?
Most mermaids probably never even tasted large chunks of meat in their lives.
"I think it's fine," Camie said while working. "We've always lived like this."
She had long since gotten used to it.
"Here, Jin—this one's with sauce."
"Ah, thanks."
Taking the takoyaki, Jin's expression turned thoughtful.
…So that's just how they live.
At that moment, Hatchan suddenly stopped and looked nervously at Nami, who had been silent the whole time.
"Um… Nami…"
"H-how is it?"
The moment he spoke, the others—who had been stuffing their faces—froze instantly.
Gulp.
Luffy and the others swallowed nervously, not daring to move.
"You don't think I'd forgive you just because of this, do you?"
"No, no, you misunderstand!" Hatchan hurriedly said. "I just wanted to know what you thought of the taste!"
Nami glanced at his tense expression but said nothing.
She calmly picked up a takoyaki and placed it in her mouth.
After a moment, she smiled.
"…Yeah. It's really good."
"Great… that's great!"
Hatchan burst into tears.
In a way, Nami's response already counted as forgiveness.
But because of the past, she would never say it outright.
Hatchan understood that—and never dared to hope for more.
Just not being hated anymore was enough.
"Phew…"
Luffy and the others exchanged looks, all letting out a sigh of relief.
If Nami had decided to leave just now, they wouldn't have been able to keep eating.
"Eat as much as you want today!" Hatchan said. "I'll give it everything I've got!"
"Yeah!"
"Black Leg, if you want to learn, I can teach you the recipe," Hatchan added with a smile.
"Eh?"
Sanji looked at him in surprise.
"You'd give it to me?"
A recipe was a chef's livelihood—yet he was offering it so easily?
"Yes!"
Hatchan nodded without hesitation.
Sanji paused, then smiled.
"Alright. Thanks."
As a chef, he was always willing to learn a new dish.
"That's great!"
"We can eat this on the ship too!"
"What, is my cooking not good enough?!" Sanji snapped.
"No, yours is great too—it's just different!"
"Hahaha!"
"Alright, alright, I'll learn it," Sanji said helplessly.
What else could he say?
A proper cook should satisfy his crew's appetites.
Just then, a shout came from the distance.
"Hey—!"
"Young master, you're here, right?!"
"Hm?"
"Young master?" Usopp looked up in confusion. "Who's he calling?"
Among them… was there even a 'young master'?
Thinking about it, they still didn't know much about Jin's background…
"Is he calling you?" Usopp asked.
"Of course not," Jin said. "And can't you recognize that voice? It's obviously that group from before."
"That group?"
Luffy and the others turned toward the voice, staring hard at the man's face.
"…Who?"
Jin covered his face.
Didn't he already say Sanji had remodeled that guy's face?
"It's Duval," Robin said from the side of the ship.
"This makeover is… quite thorough."
Duval no longer had his old bloated face—Sanji had turned him into a handsome man.
It was undeniably a successful "operation."
Soon, Duval arrived with his subordinates.
"Hahaha! The handsome me has arrived!"
…
Everyone fell silent.
Looking at the idiot admiring himself in a mirror, they were speechless.
"Huh?"
"Were you calling me… handsome?"
"Who called you that?!" Sanji roared.
They hadn't said a word!
"Don't be so cold, young master~"
"Cut the nonsense," Sanji said. "I fixed your face—what more do you want?"
"Now, now, Black Leg—"
Duval grinned.
"You're my benefactor!"
"After your kicks, I've become a universally adored handsome man! Countless girls will fall for me!"
"Ah!"
"This is a rosy life!"
The more he spoke, the more excited he became.
"From now on—we'll be the Rosy Life Riders!"
"Yes, boss!"
"Call me 'handsome!'"
"Yes, handsome!"
"Hahahaha!"
"…What an idiot," Jin muttered.
After Sanji fixed his face, it seemed his brain got worse.
Then again… maybe it was always like that.
"That makes sense."
"So what do you want?" Sanji asked.
"To repay you, of course!"
"If I just went back home and lived a peaceful life, I'd feel uneasy. I must repay this debt!"
"Oh right—this is your first time here, right? If you need anything, don't hesitate!"
He even tried to wink—only for his freshly remodeled face to twist awkwardly.
…
"Stop winking, idiot!" ×6
"Hahaha! If you need anything, just call me, Black Leg!"
With that, Duval left with his men.
"Let's go! Rosy Life Riders—go enjoy life!"
"Yes, handsome!"
"Hahaha!"
"…What a weirdo," Sanji muttered.
Still, he looked at the slip of paper in his hand and tucked it away.
Even if the guy was an idiot… he was still a local boss here.
He might be useful someday.
No harm in keeping the contact.
Soon, under Luffy's relentless appetite, all the takoyaki Hatchan made disappeared into his stomach.
"I'm stuffed!"
"Yeah…"
They lay on the deck, enjoying the calm after the meal.
"I'm… exhausted…"
Hatchan collapsed, drenched in sweat.
How did Sanji manage to feed them every day?
For a moment, he gained a newfound respect for him.
"Let's head to our ship," Luffy said. "You can tell us how to get to Fish-Man Island."
"Ah, alright."
Hatchan and Camie boarded the Thousand Sunny, while their own ship was tied behind it.
"We go this way," Camie said, pointing at a map.
"To reach Fish-Man Island, we need to go here."
"So we have to pass through Sabaody first?" Usopp asked.
"Yes."
"Alright!" Luffy raised his hand. "Merry, change course—we're heading to Sabaody!"
"Got it!"
Nami glanced at the map.
"Straight ahead—ten o'clock direction."
"Understood."
Soon, under Merry's control, the Thousand Sunny began moving.
"Eh?!"
"No one's steering—how is the ship turning on its own?!"
Hatchan stared in shock.
"Wait… that's true!"
Camie and Pappag reacted as well.
They had never seen anyone touch the helm—yet the ship moved every time.
What was going on?
"You're a bit slow to notice…" Usopp said.
"Because I'm a ship spirit~" Merry raised her hand.
"I can control the ship!"
"Eh?!!"
The three of them stared at her in disbelief.
"A ship… spirit?"
"Isn't that just a legend?!"
"This is my first time seeing one…"
"That's incredible…" Hatchan muttered.
Looking at the Straw Hat crew—
A skeleton, a reindeer, a ship spirit…
What kind of crew was this?
"A ship spirit is so cute!"
"Let big sis hug you!"
Camie immediately pulled Merry into an embrace.
"That acceptance speed is insane…" Usopp muttered.
Franky turned to Hatchan.
"So why do we need to go to Sabaody first?"
"We need to coat the ship."
"Coat it?"
"Yes," Hatchan explained.
"Fish-Man Island is 10,000 meters under the sea. We fish-men can dive down directly."
"But humans can't withstand that pressure—and ships can't either."
"So to get there, the ship must be coated."
"That way, it can pass through the undersea route to Fish-Man Island."
"And Sabaody is where coating is done."
"I see…" Franky stroked his chin.
"So that's the method."
"Once coated, we can go through the undersea route," Camie added.
"I can guide you there."
"Camie-chan is coming with us?!"
Sanji twisted excitedly.
"Perverted cook," Zoro muttered.
"What did you say?!"
The two immediately started fighting.
"Don't mind them," Jin said. "They're just digesting their food."
"D-digesting…?"
Hatchan stared blankly.
What kind of digestion was that?
"Jin, you have to visit my shop when you come!" Pappag said excitedly.
"Of course."
"I definitely will."
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