Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

Chains of the Past

On the Baratie, Luffy stirred awake after his battle with Don Krieg. “My hat!?” He shouted, immediately sitting up and patting his head.

“It’s right there, isn't it?” Sanji, leaning casually against the railing, responded coolly, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon.

“Luffy! Are you alright?” A voice called from beside him. Luffy turned to find Ryomen, Nami, and Usopp standing nearby, concern etched on their faces.

“You guys! What are you doing here?” Luffy blinked in confusion, still trying to piece together what was happening.

“Sanji let us in.” Nami replied with a warm smile, her tone light but comforting.

“Hahaha! Anything for you, Miss Nami!” Sanji interjected, his eyes practically turning into hearts as he swooned, prompting Ryomen and Usopp to exchange glances, both silently agreeing that Sanji’s antics were a bit much.

“Hm? Where's Zoro?” Luffy asked, tilting his head, still groggy from sleep.

“He wanted to come too, but we convinced him to stay in bed and recover.” Nami said sweetly, flashing an innocent grin, though Ryomen and Usopp shot her wary looks, well aware of the lengths she must have gone to in order to keep Zoro down.
…

Meanwhile, back on the Going Merry, Zoro thrashed against the restraints that tied him to his bed, his frustration bubbling over.

“Johnny! Yosaku! Get me out of here!” He barked at the two bounty hunters standing guard.

“S-Sorry, Brother Zoro. Sister Nami told us not to help.” Yosaku stammered, clearly terrified, while Johnny nodded, equally apprehensive.
…

Back at Baratie, Luffy’s thoughts finally caught up with him. “Is that so… Aah! What about those guys I beat!?”

“You’re only asking now? They left, thanks to you.” Sanji answered, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“Luffy, we're leaving to check on Zoro and make sure he didn't start destroying the ship already. You coming?” Nami asked, a playful tone in her voice as she turned toward the door.

“No! I still have to make Sanji join my crew!” Luffy declared, his determination flaring up once again.

“I’m not gonna join you! And stop talking like I’m not here!” Sanji shot back, his irritation clear.

“Alright then. Later!” Nami replied, nonchalantly waving as she and the others left.

“Hey, Zoro wouldn’t really destroy Merry, right!? Ryomen, if he did anything to her, you beat him up!” Usopp said, glancing nervously at Ryomen.

“Can’t you do it?” Ryomen asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by Usopp’s passing of responsibility.

“Oh, and Gin said something before leaving.” Sanji mentioned after a moment. “Let's meet again on the Grand Line.”

“Cool! He said that to you?” Luffy asked, his face lighting up.

“To you, dumbass!!” Sanji yelled, exasperated, before Luffy launched back into another pitch for him to join the crew, only to be turned down once again. As they bantered, Zeff stood on the roof, watching Sanji talk about his dream with a proud but silent smile.
…

The next morning, Luffy and Sanji found themselves seated on the floor for breakfast, having been told there were no chairs available for them.

The chefs then threw their soup plates onto the floor shouting that it was disgusting.