Zeff's words snapped Sanji back to reality. How could he let a beautiful lady go hungry? That would be utterly ungentlemanly.
Sanji grabbed his kitchen tools and got to work, his hands moving with practiced ease.
His combat skills might be average on the high seas, but when it came to cooking, Sanji never fell short.
With their seamless teamwork, a lavish lunch was soon complete.
Sanji, forgetting Zeff's earlier words entirely, prepared to personally serve the dishes to the lovely ladies.
But the next moment, Patty and Carne grabbed him tightly, preventing him from stepping out of the kitchen.
Zeff pushed the food cart forward, ignoring Sanji's pleading eyes, and strode out alone.
As Zeff entered the dining hall, an eerie silence greeted him.
Everyone sat quietly, not daring to make a sound. Clearly, they had recognized the identity of the Fifth Emperor, Senju Arima.
After all, that legendary battle years ago had shaken the entire sea.
In the stillness, the sound of Zeff's wooden leg on the floor echoed sharply.
Zeff, unfazed, chose to trust in Arima's character.
Amid the silence, Zeff moved like an actor in a solo play, slowly pushing the cart to Arima's table. With care, he served the exquisite dishes he and Sanji had crafted.
Yuna's eyes lit up at the sight of the delicious food. Perched on Arima's shoulder, she chirped excitedly, "I want the braised trout! And the charcoal-grilled squid strips! Oh, and…"
Arima, indulgent as ever, piled her plate high with her requests.
Her crisp voice rang through the dining hall, sounding to the onlookers like the whisper of a demon. They couldn't believe the Fifth Emperor Arima was so obedient to this little girl.
To them, the child perched on the Fifth Emperor's shoulder, ordering him around, must possess extraordinary power, perhaps she had eaten a Devil Fruit that let her take on this childish form!
After listing her dishes, Yuna realized she might have asked for too much. "Father, can we share a plate? Pretty please?"
Arima lifted her into his arms, chuckling as he pinched her nose gently, letting her have her way.
The crowd watched her ravenous enthusiasm, far too much for a little girl, and thought, 'As expected, she's transformed! Her appetite gives it away!'
But then they heard her call the Fifth Emperor "Father"!
They nodded instinctively, murmuring, "So she's the Fifth Emperor's daughter! No wonder… Wait, daughter?!"
Someone gasped first, and the others couldn't help but turn their eyes to the little girl, then to Tsunade.
Tsunade didn't take kindly to being stared at. Lightning crackled around her, the booming sound startling everyone. They quickly fell silent, not daring to make another move.
The meal went smoothly for Arima and his group. Yuna even declared she wanted to come back often.
Once the group boarded the Konoha Senju and sailed away, the oppressive atmosphere in the hall began to lift. Whispers grew into heated discussions as people vented their lingering fear.
Soon, news of the Fifth Emperor Arima's appearance in the East Blue spread like wildfire.
The World Government fell deathly silent. Arima's return from the dead was a devastating blow.
In the New World, aboard the Red Force, Shanks grinned widely as he read the report.
"Heh, I thought this guy was scared off, but he's back on the seas!
Heading to the East Blue, probably to see Luffy, huh? Wait, his daughter? I haven't met her yet. Should she call me Uncle Shanks?"
Shanks pored over the news with relish.
His Den Den Mushi rang.
"Yo, this is Shanks!"
"Shanks, it's Arima!"
"You finally remembered to call, huh?"
"I've been asleep for nine years, just woke up a few days ago!"
"No wonder you vanished all this time! So, off to see Luffy in the East Blue?"
"Yeah, I want to check on the kid. After that, I'll head back to the Grand Line. Got any Poneglyphs?"
"I've got one! If you want it, it's yours. But I'm not waiting for you to come take it, you'd probably leave me with nothing. Kaido and Big Mom are still scraping by, you know!"
"Just keep rubbing them off for me."
"When are you coming to get it?"
"Hmm… how about tomorrow?"
"Damn, that ability of yours is convenient! Alright, I'll prep some good booze tonight. You better show up tomorrow! Oh, and bring my niece!"
"Niece? You mean Yuna? Sure, she's dying to meet Uncle Shanks…"
"Uncle Shanks, huh? Heehee, that's me, Yuna!"
Yuna, clinging to Arima's back, eagerly listened to their chat. When her name came up, she snatched the receiver.
"Haha, Yuna! Yo, I'm your Uncle Shanks! Come tomorrow, alright? I've got a special gift for you!"
"Really? Thanks, Uncle Shanks!"
"No problem, little Yuna! See you tomorrow!"
"Yep, see you! Mwah!"
After hanging up, Shanks turned to Beckman with a grin. "Hey, Beckman, when are you getting married? I could babysit for you!"
Beckman exhaled a smoke ring. "No thanks, Captain. I'll wait for your big day."
Shanks shrugged. "Guess you're out of luck! Heh, Arima's daughter… she's gonna be something else. Should we set her up with Luffy?"
Beckman gave him a look, as if staring at an idiot.
Shanks ignored him, lost in his own amusing visions of the future.
A moment later, he spoke again. "Beckman, you think Captain Roger had any kids?"
Beckman shook his head.
Shanks mused, "Yeah, when I was an apprentice, I never saw the captain with any ladies. If he had a kid, the first mate would know. Hey, where's Ace now?"
Beckman replied, "Heard he's off challenging Whitebeard."
Shanks laughed. "Luffy's brother is a real character. When he came to me, I thought he was gonna challenge me!
Those two are gonna shake up the seas, no doubt. Something about Ace's face feels familiar, but I can't place it."
Beckman teased, "Maybe he's your nephew."
Shanks burst out laughing, not taking it seriously. Still, he made a mental note to ask the first mate later.
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