The next day.
Though the banquet had ended, the Conomi Archipelago remained lively.
At that moment.
On a street in Cocoyashi Town.
"Give me one focaccia too!"
"Oh, it's you, kid!" The vendor grinned at the curly-browed boy before him. Though many customers passed through his stall, he remembered the curly-browed boy quite clearly.
After all, this was the same boy who created ruckus at his stall yesterday. How could he forget? Of course.
The vendor wasn't angry. He handed over a ready-made focaccia. "So? My focaccia's not bad, right? Where's the fraud? I run an honest business!"
"It is good, but you're definitely still scamming people." Sanji didn't deny his claims from last night, though his tone softened slightly.
After all, he'd learned a bit about the situation here from those guys yesterday.
The Conomi Archipelago...
This place used to be poor! Due to the previous Marine Captain colluding with local pirates, chaos engulfed the islands, and the people suffered.
To survive, villagers had to pay for their lives every month, 100,000 for adults, 50,000 for children. Those who couldn't pay were killed!
Until the new Marine Captain showed up.
Though he wasn't exactly a bad person, he wasn't a good one either.
Thinking of this, Sanji took the focaccia and bit into it angrily.
He'd investigated thoroughly yesterday.
Some female pirate from the Grand Line, a female pirate from the Arlong Pirates, a female pirate from the Donquixote Family... and some kouhai, female classmate, or whatever.
And that was just what he'd found, who knew what else was hidden!
Sanji took a bite of focaccia and nodded slightly. "Not bad! Reaching this level is already impressive!"
He looked up at the vendor, then at the banner. After some hesitation, he spoke. "That 'Royal Secret Recipe' part up front, you can keep that."
Though it wasn't the Goa Kingdom's royal secret recipe, the Vinsmoke Family... technically counted as royalty.
But the rest of it...
"I won't even mention the Shichibukai, since there actually is one here. But the Hero of the Marines, the Marine Admiral... why would important figures like that come here to eat focaccia? Better not drag them into this!"
With that, he ignored the vendor and continued on his way.
The vendor didn't take offense, grinning as he said, "Where's the fraud? Captain himself told me these important people really ate here!"
As soon as he finished speaking,
"Hey, one focaccia please."
A lazy voice called out.
The vendor looked up at the familiar figure and smiled. "It's you! The usual?"
"The usual! Wait, isn't that the kid from last night who was creating ruckus at your stall? He's buying focaccia today?"
"That kid said I'm a fraud, claimed the Hero of the Marines and Marine Admiral would never eat here. Hmph! The Captain specifically told me they really did eat here, how could it be fake?"
"That's right, they really did eat here!" Kuzan took the focaccia, took a bite, and nodded with a smile. "I can guarantee your boss isn't lying!"
"I knew it!"
--**--**
While the vendor beamed with pride.
On the other side.
Sanji continued down the street.
Whether that boss changed his sign or not... he didn't care anymore.
After all, right before him...
Drum Kingdom Royal Secret Recipe Snow Honey Ice Cream, Tontatta Tribe Secret Recipe BBQ, Alabasta Kingdom Secret Recipe Grilled Squid...
Good grief... the whole street was filled with banners like these! The sight left Sanji speechless.
Especially since, one sniff told him almost all of these so-called 'secret recipes' came from Baratie.
These vendors really had no shame!
Wasn't he worried these royals might actually come settle the score?
Sanji grimaced. He vented his frustration but said nothing more.
Come to think of it, he had planned to go to Romance Dawn today.
The prices were high, but it was a great place! Unfortunately, Zeff caught wind of it and forbade him from going. Even offering to bring the old man along didn't work.
Zeff even threatened to break his legs if he found out he went!
He'd planned to sneak off anyway, but after discovering Zeff was sneaking there himself, he decided to wander around and try again later.
But just as Sanji stood before the grilled squid stall, he looked up in confusion. "Huh? Why are there so many people over there?"
"Oh that? There's a competition going on, anyone can join." The squid vendor smiled at Sanji. "I heard the prizes are really generous, so lots of people are gathering to watch. Even top workers from other islands are joining. I'm planning to check it out myself later."
"Competition? What kind?"
"Something called a Tower Building Competition. You thinking of joining? Just go register."
"Tower building? Sounds boring." Sanji flicked the ash from his cigarette, his face blank. "Not interested."
He was a gentleman chef, why would he do something like that?
If he had time, he'd rather go back and check if Zeff was done soaking. Once the old man finished soaking, it'd be his turn, but if he didn't return in time, someone else might claim the spot.
He was leaving in a few days. Not many chances left to go.
Just as Sanji stood there with his cigarette, frowning and wondering whether to head back,
"I found him! Over there! Curly Brows!"
A happy, familiar voice snapped Sanji back to reality.
Sanji came to his senses and looked at the figure grinning at him from nearby. He flicked his cigarette ash. "Oh, it's you! Straw Hat Kid!"
Met him soaking his feet last night.
Luffy enjoyed it even more than he did, fell asleep right there! Sanji's curly eyebrow lifted. "And... don't call me Curly Brows. My name is San-"
But before he could finish.
"Hey hey hey, what are you doing, kid?" Sanji stared blankly at Luffy who grabbed him, arms stretching and wrapping around him several times. "Let me tell you, I'm not into guys!"
"Into guys? Eh, whatever!" Luffy looked at him in confusion, then brushed it off a second later. He grinned. "Everyone's waiting for us! The competition's about to start, let's go!"
Before Sanji could react, Luffy's arms stretched out.
They flew through the air, soaring toward the bustling crowd, Sanji's bewildered face and all.
"Wait wait wait, what are you trying to do?!" Sanji dropped his cigarette in panic, shouting frantically. "I never said I wanted to join any competition!"
*Bam!* They landed.
Still dazed, Sanji looked at the people before him. But before he could ask what was happening,
A man in a black suit holding an amplified Den Den Mushi stepped forward. "Is this the last teammate you were looking for?"
"Yes!"
"Have you decided to participate?"
"We're participating!"
"Then please tell the audience, what is your team name?"
"Straw-"
"Hold it right there!" Sanji's face went taut as he flicked his cigarette ash, frowning. He cut in with obvious irritation, "Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on here?"
===============
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