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Buggy's wails of panic and heartbreak echoed from the deck of the ship.
Among the mountain of treasure stolen was the fortune he had painstakingly saved over the years of pirating. It was his entire life's savings!
Snot-nosed and tear-streaked, Buggy sprinted over in a frenzy and collapsed on the deck with a dramatic thud, gasping for air like his heart had just been torn in half.
"Your Majesty! Miss Qing You! Hurry, she took our treasure!"
But all he got in return was Qing You's cold, expressionless face… and Qin Yi's calm, indifferent gaze.
"It's just material wealth. Why so anxious?" Qin Yi's detached tone stunned Buggy, and then crushed him with despair.
That's a fortune! He thought bitterly. If sold, it would fetch at least 50 to 60 million Berries!
Lifting his head, Buggy was just about to beg them to go after Nami. Without Qin Yi's command, he didn't dare act on his own. But at that moment, he noticed something strange, Qin Yi's expression had shifted, complicated and unreadable. For a long while, he said nothing.
"She's a brave little girl…" Qin Yi finally spoke with a sigh.
Yes, Nami was brave. At only fifteen or sixteen years old, she had wandered the seas alone for years. Her goal had always been simple: money, to buy back her freedom.
The deal she made with that villain years ago had etched itself deep into her heart.
Qin Yi understood the girl… more than she likely realized. That's exactly why he didn't know what to say now.
From yesterday until today, he had seen the hesitation on Nami's face, the words she didn't say when she looked at him.
He knew, she was torn. She had reached a crossroads.
After watching Qing You so easily defeat Buggy, hope had definitely sparked in her heart. But should she rely on her newly found Oji San for help, or stay the course of her old plan, bearing the burden herself?
She barely knew Qin Yi. And yet, she had begun to trust him.
Qin Yi had watched her emotional shift over the course of a single day, from doubt, to hope, to painful determination.
Her departure wasn't a surprise to him. He had seen it coming. But he chose not to interfere.
Everyone deserves the freedom to choose their path. All he had to do, was be there when she truly needed him.
"Trying to carry it all alone?"
"But how can I just let you face that pain by yourself?"
Qin Yi muttered, his eyes sharpening with resolve.
Back in the world of Hokage, the era he arrived in had too few familiar characters, so he hadn't felt the weight of the story like this. But here, in the One Piece world, surrounded by people of flesh and blood, driven by dreams, emotions, and beliefs, the narrative hit differently.
This girl, barely sixteen, already carried a mountain on her shoulders.
She loved money, but only because of the crushing weight of that mountain. When survival depends on wealth, love for gold becomes a reflex, embedded deep in the soul.
"Follow her, Qing You. Don't let her notice you."
Qin Yi's voice was low and somber.
Buggy fell silent the moment he heard those words.
He realized now… the emperor wasn't chasing treasure. He was chasing something far more important.
Far from the Royal Ship, across the open sea, a tiny boat no more than two or three meters long drifted along. Onboard, a girl with orange hair laughed loudly.
"With this treasure… we're saved!"
"We're finally free! I can chase my dreams again!"
"It's all going to be okay now!"
"Let's just… go back to how things were…"
"That idiot… calling himself my Oji San. What Oji San? What nonsense! Haha…"
But halfway through her laughter, the girl broke down.
Her laughter twisted into sobs, loud, raw, and full of pain. Her tears soaked through her blouse as she collapsed, weeping uncontrollably.
She had always loved gold and treasure. But now, staring at the massive pile of loot beside her, she couldn't feel even the slightest joy.
After so many years of scraping and saving, the treasure, the money, was finally enough.
But still…
"I'm sorry, Oji San!"
Her voice echoed faintly in the sea breeze, and somewhere in the distance, the sound of a girl's broken sobs could still be heard.
Three days later, the Royal Ship slowly drifted alongside a large vessel.
"This is the famous Sea Restaurant in the East Blue," Buggy said, gesturing excitedly. "The food here, wow, just thinking about it makes my mouth water!"
As he spoke, he actually started drooling.
"Then we'd better try it," Qin Yi nodded with a slight smile.
At the same time, a flicker of recognition passed through his eyes. If he remembered correctly, this restaurant was home to a key character from the story…
The three of them entered the floating restaurant and were met with a bustling crowd. The place was packed, and chaotic. Merchants, government officials, Marines, pirates… all sat under one roof. Yet somehow, there was a strange, unspoken truce, everyone acted like they didn't notice the others.
Finding a table by the window, Qin Yi took a menu, casually checked a few dishes, and handed it to the waiter.
Then he asked casually:
"By the way, do you have a chef here named Sanji?"
The waiter paused, surprised.
"Yes, Sanji's in the kitchen."
"Great," Qin Yi smiled. "Could you ask him to prepare our meal personally? I've heard of him for years, and I've been craving his cooking for a long time."
The waiter blinked in confusion. Sanji's only been a cook for a few years. What does he mean, 'heard of him for years'?
"We're willing to pay extra," Qing You added flatly.
Whatever doubts the waiter had immediately vanished with that line.
"Of course! I'm sure Sanji will be more than happy to cook for you."
Two minutes later, the waiter tore off his apron and strode into the busy kitchen. He tossed the menu onto a counter in front of a blonde-haired teenager.
"Hey, Sanji! A guest requested you personally for these dishes."
"Make it quick, and make it good."
Sanji frowned, irritation flashing in his eyes.
"Are you kidding me? Can't you see I'm busy? Where the hell am I supposed to find the time to, "
BAM!
Before he could finish, a one-legged, braid-wearing old man smacked him hard on the head.
"The customer is always right, you brat! How many years have you been working for me, and you still haven't learned that?!"
"Damn old man! You hit me again!"
Sanji shouted, furious.
"Quit yapping and get cooking!"
The old man was even more pissed than he was.
With a deep scowl, Sanji grabbed the menu and started working, grilling, frying, seasoning, all with practiced speed and precision.
Fifteen minutes later, Sanji stepped out of the kitchen carrying several steaming plates, headed for the table that had made the special request.
"Which bastard specifically asked for me to cook?"
He muttered angrily. The order slip had the words "Prepared by Sanji Only" written in bold red ink, it pissed him off just looking at it.
He found the table, stomped over, and slammed the dishes down.
He opened his mouth to complain, but the young man at the table was already smiling at him.
"Sanji, huh? It's been a long time."
Sanji blinked, stunned.
"You… know me?"
(End of Chapter)