An Opportunity (Sanji x Nami)

Chapter 1: Departure

The final battle had ended, they had managed to defeat the World Government, and Monkey D. Luffy had been crowned the Pirate King. The Straw Hats were severely injured after the fight, but after a week of recovery—not to mention a huge party—they were ready to set sail and cross the Red Line towards Twin Capes, where Laboon had been waiting for Brook for over fifty years.It was a touching reunion, after which Luffy decided to separate the crew for two years so each could return to their homes and recharge for new adventures.

Jimbei returned to Fish-Man Island, Brook decided to stay with Laboon and Crocus at Twin Capes, Franky went back to Water 7 with the Sunny, Robin headed to some ruins in North Blue, Chopper went to Drum Island, Sanji to Baratie, Usopp to Syrup Village, Nami to Cocoyashi Village, Zoro to his hometown—with much effort and help—and lastly, Luffy returned to Foosha Village.

In the first four months, Sanji resumed his usual work, and his new and delicious recipes quickly filled the restaurant with diners as well as ladies attracted by the chef's fame. However, despite a few months having passed, his thoughts constantly drifted towards his female nakamas, especially "his beloved redhead." Every day he wondered if she was eating well, if she was healthy, if she needed help, and even if she missed him as much as he missed her.

As expected, his thoughts began to affect his behavior. He was constantly distracted, spent hours smoking while staring at the sea from the deck, lost his appetite, and even ignored several women who flirted with him. Zeff and the other chefs noticed his deteriorating behavior as the months passed. They even thought it might be some strange illness tormenting him. Except Zeff. He had noticed an additional "symptom": multiple sighs throughout the day (especially when he got lost staring at the sea), so he decided to confirm the hypothesis that had been swirling in his mind.

-Sanji - Zeff said as he approached Kuroashi, who was looking out at the horizon, holding a cigarette in his right hand, and leaning both elbows on the ship's railing.

- Yes? - he responded, sounding tired and distracted.

- Do I know her? - he asked calmly, which surprised Sanji and made him drop his cigarette.

- Who? - he replied automatically, covering his face with his bangs and extinguishing the cigarette with the sole of his right shoe.

- You can't fool me, brat. I raised you and have known you since you were a child. This is the first time I've seen you act this way, - he stated confidently.

- I don't understand what you mean, - he declared with a tone of resignation after letting out yet another sigh for the day.

- Your eyes don't lie to me, - he said calmly. - I've seen that look many times in my life, even in myself. The look of someone in love, - he affirmed as he stepped forward. - Don't think that, because of my age, I don't know what love is.

- It's... impossible, - he replied slowly.

- Is it unrequited? - he asked while leaning his arms on the railing to the right of his son, looking at the vast ocean.

- I don't know. But it's most likely not, - he said melancholically as he tried to light the cigarette he had just taken out of the small pack that had been in his right pants pocket.

- You didn't tell her. How will you know if you don't tell her? - he responded, looking at his face.

- It's not allowed; we're nakamas. It's most likely she doesn't have those kinds of feelings for me, - he replied after taking a drag from his smoking cigarette.

- You'll never be certain if you don't confess to her, - he said, turning his gaze forward.

- I've told and shown her many times, but she doesn't seem to take my words seriously, or maybe she doesn't want to; after all, we're nakamas, - he said, exhaling some smoke with a hint of frustration.

- Is it the redhead from that occasion? - more a statement than a question. Sanji simply nodded quietly, it was clear that Zeff knew him very well. 

- It's possible you lacked seriousness. Your attitude towards women may have lessened the weight of your words, - he mentioned calmly.

- I was born to love women! - he asserted fervently, standing upright with determination in his eyes.

- Then you won't have a chance, - he said bluntly, surprising Kuroashi. 

- You should love only one woman; otherwise, you can't consider yourself a real man, - he concluded seriously, observing his son's wavering, who lost his composure and let his cigarette fall on the deck.

- I love her, but I can't ignore if a woman needs me, - he said honestly.

- Foolish brat, you can be kind without romantic interest. Above all, women want a man who provides security and, most importantly, exclusivity. That's why she doesn't take your words seriously, - he said, looking directly into the surprised eyes of the chef, who finally understood the constant cause of his failure.

- Even so... will she believe me? Will she realize I'm telling the truth? That she's unique and special? - he asked nervously, confused, and even a bit desperate.

- You won't know until you tell her, - he responded immediately.

- I'm not sure, - he replied sadly. - We've known each other for so long that it might be awkward for her, maybe she doesn't have those feelings for me, maybe she just wants me as a nak...

- I didn't raise any cowardly brat! - he interrupted angrily.- You'll go and confess your feelings. If you're reciprocated, fine. If not, also fine, since you won't constantly wonder: 'What would have happened if I had told her I loved her?' while watching her beside another man. - That reflected total anguish on his face. 

Could another man be beside his redhead? He simply couldn't imagine it; it would hurt too much if she could shower affection and caresses on someone other than him. He definitely couldn't give up before fighting! His expression changed to one of determination. He would go find her.

- Thank you, - he whispered with a smile, looking into his father's eyes. - I'll tell her, - he concluded, causing a small smile on the old chef's face.

That very afternoon, Sanji Vinsmoke, the Pirate King's chef, departed from the floating restaurant, Baratie, heading towards Cocoyashi Village, where his beloved resided, not without hearing a final phrase from his father.

- Don't forget to invite us to the wedding.

To be continued...

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Thank you very much for reading this story. It is the translation of the same in Spanish. I hope you like it.

It'll have every Friday actualization :3

Bye :3