"This way?"
Sanji glanced around, following a fresh crack and gully through the forest.
Before long, his eyes landed on a man seated cross-legged atop a stone, eyes closed in meditation.
Is this guy actually meditating out here?
Is that how he's so strong… training anytime, anywhere?
Sanji halted, taking a deep drag from his half-finished cigarette, exhaling a slow plume of smoke.
"Is that Sanji?"
Thanks to his Observation Haki, Shirogai Yamikuro had already sensed the approaching figure.
Without opening his eyes, still immersed in a mental combat simulation with imagined foes, Shirogai continued refining his mastery of his exoskeleton abilities and Black Leg-style kicking techniques.
"Oh, it's me."
Sanji answered flatly, flicking the ash from his cigarette.
"As the Straw Hat crew's cook, it's my job to know if you have any dietary restrictions. Anything you really like or can't stand?"
"Dietary restrictions?" Shirogai smiled slightly, eyes still closed.
"I can't stand lettuce. Love all desserts. I hate bitter stuff."
Sanji raised a brow, a mischievous grin forming.
"Oh, so you hate that stuff, huh?"
Rubbing his hands together with a sinister glint, Sanji snickered.
"Alright then. The moment you step on our ship, I'll whip up a special lettuce salad for you every day. Maybe even some nice, bitter desserts too. Heh. Don't worry — as the only cook aboard, I'll make sure you're well taken care of."
The corner of Shirogai's mouth twitched.
Guess I was wrong about him being the considerate type.
In his mind, Shirogai's simulated battles came to a close, his comprehension of the exoskeleton and advanced Black Leg techniques deepening. His understanding was on the cusp of perfection.
Slowly, Shirogai opened his eyes and met Sanji's gaze.
In that instant, a cold, inhuman gleam stunned Sanji.
Those eyes… so cold…
Sanji stiffened, instinctively looking away.
For a brief moment, Shirogai's gaze reminded him of his brothers back in Germa 66 — those same heartless, soulless eyes.
Is this guy… another modified human?
Sanji clenched his jaw, forcing himself to meet Shirogai's gaze again.
But this time, the other man's eyes softened into a calm smile, the earlier coldness seemingly an illusion.
Was it just my imagination…?
Regardless, Sanji understood one thing — this man was dangerous.
Taking a steady breath, Sanji spoke:
"Listen. Whatever you're here for, don't lay a hand on Nami-san. Or I'll chase you to the ends of the Grand Line."
Shirogai sighed, stretching as he rose from the stone.
"You guys are way too suspicious of me."
With a lazy smirk, he added:
"What? You looking to spar too?"
"Tch. I'm not like that simple-minded swordsman. I don't throw hands without a reason — unless it's for a lady."
Sanji's gaze was dismissive.
Shirogai chuckled.
"So you came all this way just to mess with me?"
Sanji grinned coldly, walking away.
"Exactly. Remember, offending a cook at sea is a good way to starve."
"Sanji, by the way…" Shirogai called out, a teasing tone in his voice.
"I can cook too."
Sanji froze, turning back in surprise.
"You cook? Wait, is it that so-called Talent Devil Fruit ability Luffy was talking about?"
"Talent Devil Fruit?" Shirogai blinked, then recalled his earlier joke with Luffy.
"I'm a 'Talent Man' who ate the Talent Fruit. If I see an ability once, I can learn it."
Technically, he wasn't lying. Thanks to his God-level Comprehension System, it was true — just not because of a Devil Fruit.
For the sake of blending in, a harmless white lie.
Sanji eyed him skeptically.
"A Devil Fruit like that… sounds way too good to be real."
"Don't believe me?" Shirogai smirked.
"How about this — at tonight's banquet, we both cook. Let's see whose dish Nami-swan likes better."
Sanji's fighting spirit ignited. He pointed at Shirogai.
"Shirogai Yamikuro! Nami-swan's favorite dish will be mine, got it? You'll eat your words tonight."
"Looking forward to it."
Sanji spun on his heel, storming off to hunt for fresh ingredients.
Shirogai watched him leave, chuckling.
The Straw Hats really are a fun crew.
Crossing his legs, he resumed meditating.
There was still time before sunset — plenty of room to push his skills even further.
---
Later, deep within the island…
"Fresh wild boar meat! Don't you run!"
Sanji dashed after a fleeing wild boar.
Just as he was closing in, a familiar moss-green head wandered into his peripheral vision.
Sanji scowled.
This idiot. I told him which way led back to the ship, so why's he heading deeper into the island? Does he not realize the ship's by the sea?
While distracted, the wild boar veered sharply, disappearing into a tree hollow.
Sanji dropped to his knees, yelling into the hollow.
"Don't you hide in there, I know you're home!"
Nearby, Zoro stood with a blade of grass in his mouth, watching with amusement.
"Oi, cook. Can't even catch your own dinner? Some cook you are."
Drawing his Wado Ichimonji, Zoro casually made two swift slashes.
A moment later, the thick tree split clean in half, exposing the cowering wild boar.
The poor creature looked up pitifully at the two drooling pirates grinning down at it.
---
That evening, at the beach…
The rich scent of roasted meat wafted across the shoreline.
Tables, chairs, and torches had been set up, and the Straw Hats gathered around two enormous spits: one with a roasted boar, the other a giant fish.
Sanji manned the wild boar, carefully turning it as the skin crackled golden.
Ordinarily, the crew would have been fighting over it already, Sanji nervously keeping Luffy in check.
But tonight, everyone had gathered around the fish instead.
At the other spit, Shirogai calmly applied a shimmering glaze of honey and herbs to the roasting fish.
The moment it hit the flesh, the already mouthwatering aroma grew tenfold.
Luffy's mouth hung open.
"It smells amazing!"
Usopp gulped audibly, sneaking glances at Luffy's gaping maw as though worried it might devour him.
"I can't wait anymore!" Luffy groaned, eyes glued to the fish.
"Shirogai! Hurry up!"
Usopp whispered, trying to be sly.
"Hey, Luffy — maybe let me try it first, you know, just to make sure it's not poisoned or anything. Once I'm full, you can dig in."
Nami smacked Usopp square on the head.
"Quit badmouthing Shirogai San!"
Rubbing his head, Usopp protested.
"C'mon, Nami! I'm your crewmate, he's the newbie!"
Zoro took a swig of sake, chuckling.
"Looks like the idiot cook already lost."
As the crew bickered, Shirogai sprinkled a final dash of spice.
"All done! Dig in!"
"Yahoo! Food!"
Luffy stretched his arms and snatched a huge chunk of fish, stuffing it into his mouth.
His eyes sparkled.
"Whoa! So good!"
Usopp carved a slice for himself — but before he could eat it, Luffy snatched it too.
"Luffy! That's it! Take this — Sure-Kill: Chili Star!"
Firing his slingshot, Usopp shot a Chili Star straight into Luffy's open mouth along with the fish.
Moments later, Luffy's eyes bulged.
"Ahhh! So spicy!! Water!"
Face flushed and mouth smoking, Luffy flailed wildly.
"That's what you get for stealing my food, Usopp-sama!"
Usopp victoriously dove back into the fish, and the moment he tasted it, his eyes rolled back in delight.
"This is incredible! Even better than Sanji's cooking!"
Sanji gritted his teeth nearby, feeling a wave of irritation.
Damn it… this guy just won everyone over with one roasted fish…
A sense of competition burned in Sanji's chest.
Not bad, Shirogai Yamikuro. But don't think this means I'll lose next time.