The Straw Hat Pirates found themselves stranded on an uncharted island after a chaotic run-in with a massive sea serpent that had decided their ship looked like a delicious snack.
Robin and Chopper took on the roles of island explorers and herbal aficionados. The duo ventured into the island's foliage armed with determination and a trowel, hoping to find herbs that could cure anything from a scraped knee to Luffy's questionable decision-making skills.
Speaking of Luffy, he was living up to his reputation as the captain with a stomach-sized black hole. His primary mission? Locate the island's finest dining establishment.
Nami, the savvy navigator with a penchant for shopping and hoarding gold, decided that getting stranded was no excuse to miss a good sale. Armed with her trusty crewmate Franky and a mean poker face, she headed off to haggle with the locals over jewelry.
As for the love-stricken chef and the muscle of the crew who can't navigate his way out of a paper bag (let alone a market). Were tasked with grocery shopping.
Sanji stood in the bustling market, his keen eye and refined taste guiding him through the colorful stalls piled high with fresh produce. He meticulously selected the ripest fruits, the finest cuts of meat, and the most fragrant herbs.
As he moved from stall to stall, gracefully selecting ingredients, a flash of color caught his attention. A young woman with emerald eyes and a cascade of chestnut hair was busy selecting the ripest apples from a cart. The cook couldn't resist the urge to put his culinary mission on hold.
"Bonjour, mademoiselle," Sanji purred. "Might I say, your beauty rivals even the most exquisite of ingredients. Allow me to assist you in your fruit selection."
The young woman looked up, her cheeks flushing slightly at the compliment. "Oh, you don't have to," she replied.
"But it would be my pleasure," Sanji insisted.
However, not too far away, Zoro was leaning against a wooden post, his arms crossed over his chest as he observed the exchange. His brow furrowed as he watched Sanji's flirtatious approach, a low grumble escaping his lips.
As Sanji and the young woman engaged in a light conversation, Zoro pushed himself off the post, his irritation growing. He approached the scene with his usual scowl, his voice sharp as a blade. "Oi, Cook. Are we here to gather supplies or chase skirts?"
Sanji's attention snapped to Zoro, his eyebrow twitching in annoyance, replacing his flirtatious smile. "Oi, Marimo! Can't you see I'm a bit busy here? Can't a man have a conversation without his green-haired shadow looming over him?"
Zoro's gaze narrowed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, my bad. I didn't realize flirting was a crucial task for the ship's cook."
The two men locked eyes, and the tension between them was palpable. The young woman looked between them, sensing the brewing storm, and she excused herself with a polite smile before disappearing into the crowd.
Sanji's simmering annoyance was bordering on volcanic eruption. "Unlike you, Mossy, I actually know how to appreciate the beauty around us. It's called having taste, something you wouldn't understand even if it hit you with all three swords."
Zoro's eye twitched, his grip on his sword's hilt tightening. "Taste, huh? I guess yours is as refined as the swill you pass off as food."
A vein pulsed on Sanji's forehead, his hand balling into a fist as he grabbed Zoro by his t-shirt. "At least my 'swill' doesn't taste like defeat every time you try to cook!"
Zoro leaned in, the tips of their noses almost touching, as he whispered. "You'd think spending so much time in the kitchen, you'd have found your spine by now. Must be hiding beneath that frilly apron."
Sanji's face turned an alarming shade of red, his voice reaching an octave only dogs could hear. "WHY YOU-!"
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As their argument escalated, they marched in opposite directions through the vibrant marketplace, their voices echoing through the aisles. Eventually, Zoro stormed off in a huff, muttering something about getting the groceries himself.
Zoro followed his internal compass, which seemed to point everywhere but the right way. Hours passed, and his surroundings grew increasingly unfamiliar. His lack of directional skills was truly a marvel. Unbeknownst to Zoro, he had stumbled into a makeshift carnival. Neon lights adorned makeshift game booths, and the air was thick with the scent of cotton candy and popcorn.
One particular attraction caught Zoro's eye: a rigged game booth where a shady-looking character named Captain Dice was smirking as he conned eager participants out of their money.
"Step right up, step right up! Test your luck and win a prize!" Captain Dice hollered, his voice dripping with false enthusiasm.
A twisted grin spread across Zoro's face-he loved a challenge. With a determined glint in his eye, he marched up to the booth. "Hey, you! I'll take a shot at your game," Zoro declared, cracking his knuckles.
The dubious Captain Dice raised an eyebrow, sizing up the green-haired swordsman. "Sure thing, tough guy. But I gotta warn ya, nobody's ever won this game."
Zoro merely grunted and took the rigged ball in hand. As he aimed, the onlookers held their breath. In a move that defied all logic and probability, Zoro's throw was impeccable. The ball ricocheted off multiple surfaces, bouncing in a chaotic dance that culminated in a triumphant swish into the seemingly impossible target.
Silence fell over the carnival as everyone stared, jaws dropped. Zoro blinked, just as surprised as the rest of them. The shady character's mustache twitched, and then he forced a laugh. "Well, I'll be! You... you won, fair and square."
Zoro's prize for this unlikely victory was revealed: a bewildered, chubby-cheeked baby, complete with a pacifier and a onesie. The baby looked up at Zoro with an adorable expression that seemed to say, "Seriously, dude, what's happening?"
Zoro held the baby at arm's length, as if it were a bomb about to explode. The baby gurgled and reached for his green bandana, which Zoro swiftly moved out of reach.
Zoro stared back at the squirming bundle in his arms, flabbergasted. "What the hell is this?" It was not a gleaming treasure chest or a legendary sword. It was a baby. A tiny, squishy, giggling baby.
The carnival attendees burst into applause, and someone even shouted, "A new dad is born!"
Zoro's face turned red like a ripe tomato. He glanced around at the amused and intrigued faces of the crowd, feeling like a fish out of water. He tried to offer the baby back, stuttering. "Wait, hold on a minute! I... I can't... I don't..."
But his protests were in vain. The man simply bowed dramatically and disappeared into the carnival crowd, leaving Zoro holding the squirming bundle of joy.
As the applause died down and the carnival-goers returned to their festivities, Zoro was left alone, his face a mixture of flustered embarrassment and utter confusion. The baby cooed and reached out a tiny hand, grabbing at Zoro's green locks.
Resigned to his fate, Zoro let out a long sigh, realizing that he was stuck with the baby for the time being. He awkwardly cradled the baby, muttering under his breath, "Guess I've got a new training partner now."
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[AN]:
Hope you enjoyed this chappie ✧ʕ̢̣̣̣̣̩̩̩̩·͡˔·ོɁ̡̣̣̣̣̩̩̩̩✧