14. Vinsmoke Sanji (II)

CHAPTER 14: VINSMOKE SANJI (II)

The Orbit was a grand passenger ship, its elegant form slicing through the vast expanse of the ocean with grace and power. She was a marvel of maritime engineering, with sleek lines, gleaming white hull, and decks bustling with passengers enjoying their journey across the treacherous waters. The Orbit's kitchens were renowned for their culinary excellence, a floating haven for gourmands and food lovers alike.

But the seas are fickle and capricious. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the skies darkened ominously. The once-calm sea began to churn, whipped into a frenzy by a storm that had materialized seemingly out of nowhere. Lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the dark clouds that rolled and twisted overhead. The waves grew larger, crashing against the sides of the Orbit, sending sprays of saltwater across her decks. Passengers and crew alike were seized with a growing sense of dread.

In the heart of the ship, the kitchen was a hive of activity. Cooks and sous-chefs worked feverishly, preparing elaborate dishes for the passengers. Among them was a young boy, barely twelve, with a mop of blonde hair that fell over one eye. This was Sanji, a determined and passionate young cook whose dream was to find the legendary All Blue, a sea said to contain every fish from all the world's oceans.

Sanji was a diligent worker, moving from station to station with practiced ease. He was small for his age, but his skill and dedication were evident in every dish he prepared. He moved with a confidence and grace that belied his years, his focus intense as he worked alongside the seasoned cooks.

Sanji was tasked with preparing a particularly challenging dish: a delicate fish stew that required precise timing and seasoning. As he worked, he could hear the banter of the other cooks around him.

"Hey, kid! You sure you got that under control?" one of the older cooks called out, his voice gruff but not unkind.

"Of course I do," Sanji replied, not looking up from his work. "I wouldn't be here if I couldn't handle it."

"That's the spirit!" another cook chimed in, a hearty laugh rumbling from his chest. "Just don't let it go to your head. We've all got to pull together, especially in a storm like this."

Nearby, a few cooks were taking advantage of a rare lull in the rush to snack on some leftovers from the passengers' plates. They huddled together, their voices low but audible.

"Look at you guys, eating trash," Sanji mocked, shaking his head in disbelief. "Have some self-respect."

One of the older cooks, a weathered man with a scar across his cheek, looked up and fixed Sanji with a stern gaze. "Listen, boy," he said, his voice rough from years of shouting orders. "The sea is a vast and unpredictable place. Food is never guaranteed. You eat when there's food, because you never know when you'll get your next meal. Never waste food on the open ocean."

Sanji opened his mouth to retort but found himself silenced by the weight of the man's words. The truth in them resonated with him, though he was too stubborn to admit it outright.

Their conversation was abruptly cut short by the sound of screams echoing through the ship. The passengers' terror was palpable, and the cooks exchanged worried glances.

"What's going on?" Sanji asked, his heart racing.

The answer came swiftly as the kitchen doors burst open and chaos erupted. Pirates had boarded the Orbit, their weapons drawn, and their intentions clear. Panic spread like wildfire as passengers and crew scrambled to escape.

Sanji, quick-thinking and brave, ducked under a table, clutching a kitchen knife in his trembling hand. The sounds of battle and fear filled the air, but he remained hidden, waiting for an opportunity.

Minutes felt like hours as Sanji crouched in the shadows. The kitchen door creaked open again, and heavy footsteps echoed on the tiled floor. The boy's breath caught in his throat as he peered out, seeing a pair of blood-soaked red boots enter the room. The man attached to them was tall and imposing, with a mane of wild red hair and a fearsome presence that filled the space.

The pirate strode over to the stove, lifted the lid of a simmering pot, and took a taste. He smacked his lips thoughtfully. "It needs oregano," he muttered, his voice a deep, gravelly rumble.

Sanji's fear turned to fury. He sprang from his hiding place, brandishing the knife. "Stay away from my food!" he shouted, his voice wavering but defiant.

The pirate turned, a bemused smile playing on his lips. "Well, what do we have here? A little chef with some spunk."

Before Sanji could react, the pirate moved with lightning speed, knocking the knife from his hand and lifting him by the collar. The boy struggled, kicking and shouting.

"I won't die," Sanji gasped, "not until I find the All Blue!"

The pirate's eyes widened in surprise. He lowered the boy slightly, bringing him to eye level. "The All Blue, you say? That's quite the dream for a little runt like you."

Sanji glared at him, unyielding. "It's not just a dream. I'll find it, no matter what."

The pirate studied him for a moment longer, then let out a hearty laugh. "You're a stubborn one, aren't you? I like that. The name's Zeff, Red-Leg Zeff. And you've got the same dream as me."

Before more could be said, the ship lurched violently. The storm had worsened, and the Orbit was beginning to capsize. The ship's structure groaned under the strain, and water began to flood the lower decks.

Zeff's expression hardened as he looked around. "This ship's going down," he said grimly. "We need to get out of here."

Despite his pirate nature, something compelled Zeff to save the boy. He grabbed Sanji and made for the deck, navigating the chaos and destruction with practiced ease. The ship tilted further, and with a final, thunderous crack, it began to sink.

Zeff didn't hesitate. He dove into the turbulent waters, holding Sanji tightly. The sea was a maelstrom of debris and chaos, but Zeff was a strong swimmer, his powerful strokes cutting through the water. He fought against the currents, searching for any sign of refuge.

Through the murky water, he spotted a large piece of wreckage and swam towards it, pulling Sanji along. The boy clung to him, terrified but trusting.

By the time dawn broke, the storm had passed, leaving a serene but desolate ocean in its wake. Zeff and Sanji found themselves stranded on a small, barren island. The sky was clear, the sun bright and unforgiving. The island was little more than a rocky outcrop with a few sparse bushes and no sign of life.

Sanji sat up, shivering and exhausted. Zeff was beside him, looking equally worn but determined. "We made it," the pirate said gruffly. "Now we just have to survive."

They sat in silence for a while, gathering their strength. Finally, Zeff broke the silence. "Listen, kid. We have to ration our supplies. This island doesn't look like it has much to offer."

Sanji nodded, still in shock from the night's events. He watched as Zeff retrieved two sacks from the wreckage they had clung to. One was significantly larger than the other.

"This one's yours," Zeff said, handing the smaller sack to Sanji. "And this one's mine."

Sanji took the sack and peered inside. It was filled with food—enough to last a while if he was careful. He looked at Zeff's larger sack and felt a pang of guilt. "Are you sure? You need to eat too."

Zeff's expression softened slightly. "I'll be fine. Just make sure you don't waste any of it."

Sanji took the sack and walked to the other side of the island, determined to make the most of what they had. He sat down and carefully divided the food into portions. There were a few loaves of bread, some dried meat, and a handful of vegetables. It wasn't much, but he knew he could make it last if he was careful.

He arranged the food into neat sections, calculating how long each portion would last. His stomach growled, but he ignored it, focusing on the task at hand.

Days turned into weeks, and the food dwindled. Sanji grew weaker, his once vibrant spirit dimming under the relentless sun and gnawing hunger. He often wondered how Zeff was faring with his own rations.

One day, driven by desperation, Sanji ventured to the other side of the island. What he saw shocked him to his core. Zeff's sack was empty, not a single crumb remaining. The pirate was gaunt, his once-powerful frame reduced to a shadow of its former self. And then Sanji saw the horrifying truth: Zeff had eaten his own leg to survive.

Sanji was stunned, tears welling up in his eyes. "Why did you do it?" he asked, his voice trembling. "Why did you risk everything for me? We don't even know each other."

Zeff looked at the boy, his expression a mixture of sorrow and resolve. "Because, kid," he said softly, "you have the same dream as me. And dreams are worth fighting for."

Sanji was silent, his heart heavy with gratitude and determination. He vowed then and there to honor Zeff's sacrifice, to find the All Blue and make their shared dream a reality.

As the sun set on their desolate island, Sanji and Zeff sat together, bound by a bond forged in the crucible of survival. The sea stretched out before them, vast and mysterious, but filled with hope and possibility. And so, their journey continued, a journey that would shape them both in ways they could never have imagined.

[A/N: Read 10 chapters ahead available on my patreon right now. patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]