Chapter 540 - 380

Chapter 381: Two Routes, One Promise!The bustle of the strategy meeting had just passed, but in the sunny's kitchen, another, even more chaotic commotion was unfolding.Sanji was like a logistics commander-in-chief on a battlefield who was worrying himself to death, preparing and packing food at a lightning-fast speed.His movements carried a hint of madness within their elegance, and a sense of desperation within their efficiency.In the cold storage, massive chunks of Sea King meat, enough to feed the entire Straw Hat Piratesfor a month, were piled high, all sliced and vacuum-sealed.On the deck, several huge wooden barrels were filled with specially made dehydrated vegetables and pickled goods that could last a long time.Finally, he stopped his work and slammed a thick, hand-drawn booklet that looked like a dictionary in front of Usopp and Franky with a loud "thud."His expression was as solemn as if he were handing over nuclear launch codes."Listen up! This is the specialized feeding Survival Guide for Luffy, Yamato, and Zoro!"Sanji pointed at the manual and began barking orders in a tone that brooked no argument:"Page one: For Luffy and Yamato's meals, you must feed them high-calorie meat every three hours!""If you find Luffy starting to gnaw on the sails or staring at Zoro's Mosshead, it means you're already too late. Immediately activate Emergency Meat Plan No. 1 and knock him out by hitting him directly with the largest piece of meat!"Usopp held the heavy manual, his hands trembling."Page two: Zoro's."Sanji flipped a page and pointed at the diagram."His meals must be accompanied by alcohol. Otherwise, he'll down Franky's cola as if it were booze, and then slash the cola barrels because the taste isn't right!""Remember, you absolutely cannot let him near the kitchen, or you'll have to prepare to repair the ship! Last time he tried to learn how to grill meat, he almost set half the kitchen on fire!"Zoro, who was wiping the wado ichimonji by the gunwale, had a vein pop on his forehead with a "biu" sound, and he growled in annoyance:"Hey, Curly Eyebrows, do you take me for a three-year-old?"Sanji didn't even turn around; he just let out a cold snort and continued packing spices."No, you're much more trouble than a three-year-old. At least a child wouldn't throw themselves into the sea as bait and then fail to find their way back!""What did you say?!""You want to fight, Mosshead!"The two were still bickering, but the usual explosive tension that felt like they wanted to kill each other had faded significantly.That awkward display of concern between men was like strong liquor mixed with the scent of tobacco and sword oil—harsh, yet intoxicating.Just then, Jinbe, who had been watching the massive sunny, asked the most crucial question in a low voice."Brother Sanji, Brother Franky."He crossed his arms, his expression solemn."The sunny is too conspicuous and can't submerge. Sailing it into Totto Land would be like serving ourselves up on a platter. We need a smaller, more stealthy ship."At these words, Franky's motion of pouring cola into his mouth came to a sudden halt.A flash of light reflected off his signature sunglasses. He "boinged" up from the ground, struck his trademark SUPER pose, and shouted excitedly:"Speaking of which, then it's time for her to make her debut!!!"He ran to the Soldier Dock System's control panel and excitedly pressed one of the hidden buttons."Rumble~~~~"A mechanical grinding sound rang out as the Channel 4 entrance of the sunny's dock system clicked open. A small ship profile covered by a large waterproof tarp slowly rose on a platform.Franky grabbed the corner of the tarp and yanked it back with force!"Come forth!! Our eternal companion!!!"The tarp flew off, and a ship both familiar and strange appeared before everyone.The figurehead was still that classic, smiling, adorable sheep head.But on both sides of its compact hull, Franky's steampunk-style giant paddle-wheel drive system had been installed.At the stern, a brass-colored chimney stood ready, indicating its unique power core.This was a miraculous creation that combined nostalgic sentiment with cutting-edge technology.Franky gave it a resounding name: Going Merry II!Upon seeing that sheep head, the expressions on Nami and Usopp's faces froze."Me... Merry..."Usopp's voice was trembling as he reached out with shaking hands. He stepped forward as if touching a priceless treasure, gently, ever so gently stroking the familiar, rounded curve of the sheep head, tears nearly falling. o(╥﹏╥)oFranky watched his friends' reactions and tried to cover his own reddened eyes with his signature loud laugh:"Yosh! At a time like this, she should be the one to carry you to complete this SUPER infiltration mission!""This is a man's romance!"The sky had turned completely dark; the moment of parting had finally arrived.The two ships were docked side-by-side on the silent sea as the members of the Totto Land Infiltration Team moved the last of the supplies onto the Merry II.The sea breeze wailed, fluttering everyone's clothes and stirring that bittersweet feeling of not wanting to part.Luffy watched everything quietly, watching Sanjimove the last food crate onto the ship.Just as Sanji took a deep breath and prepared to step onto the Merry II's gangway, Luffy walked up to him.In a flash, the jokes and playfulness vanished from his face, replaced by a never-before-seen seriousness that belonged solely to a Captain."Sanji."Luffy's voice was low and calm, causing everyone on the deck to stop what they were doing and look at him in unison."I don't care if you're some bullshit prince, and I don't care how beautiful that woman named Pudding is."Luffy took a step forward, his pitch-black eyes staring straight into Sanji's.An invisible Haki belonging to an emperor of the sea erupted with a "boom," the pressure causing the surrounding air to solidify."You are the chef on my ship."His voice wasn't loud, but it seared into everyone's hearts like a branding iron."You are mine."He stared at Sanji, his eyes devoid of any hint of a joke."Don't make me come get you."These few words carried more weight than any threat."If you aren't back before I reach Wano Country..."Luffy's tone suddenly turned icy. Deep within those pitch-black eyes, a red light seemed to flash for a moment, terrifying to behold."Then I will postpone the final battle with Kaido, personally go and wreck that bullshit wedding, eat all of Cake Island, and then tie you up and bring you back to this ship from the ruins!"He glared intensely at Sanji, each word landing like a thunderclap."That is a Captain's order."Sanji was stunned by these words.He could feel the unquestionable dominance in Luffy's words, and beneath that dominance was an absolute trust deeper than the ocean.He turned around abruptly, not letting anyone see his eyes instantly redden. He simply crushed the nearly burnt-out cigarette butt against the cold gunwale, the heat stinging his fingertip.He pulled out another cigarette from his pocket, lit it, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled thick smoke into the dark night sky.The smoke masked his profile and steadied his voice, which was nearly trembling."Got it, my useless Captain,"He said in a tone that was as steady as possible, yet still carried a hint of raspiness."Don't starve to death before I get back."With that, he didn't look back and stepped onto the deck of the Merry II.Under the complex gazes of everyone on the sunny, the steam-powered paddle wheels on both sides of the Merry II began to turn, carving a determined white wake across the sea.The ship turned its bow and plunged into the unknown waters shrouded by the shadow of the Big Mom Pirates.From the stern, Sanji's back was ramrod straight, like a knight about to head into a life-and-death duel.Luffy watched the small ship until its silhouette was completely swallowed by the night.Only then did the seriousness and gravity fade from his face, replaced by that same old brilliant smile full of infinite longing for an unknown adventure.Luffy spun around suddenly, pointing in a completely different direction indicated by the Vivre Card. He raised his arm high and roared at the top of his lungs:"Alright! We're heading out too! Men, full speed ahead! Target: Zou!!!!!!"