C26:-OnePiece_FanFic_Ace

26. The Beginning of Sanji’s Hell.

│3rd Person POV│

[Grand Line, Paradise, Momoiro Island, Kamabakka Island…]

“So, Luffy has another brother besides you, huh?” Sanji remarked suddenly, the first to speak as the group sat down for dinner.

Robin nodded and said, “This was surprising news to hear.”

The group—comprising Ace, Bonney, Izou, Law, and his crew, Ivankov, Sanji, and Robin—was seated comfortably around the dining table. Okama maids flitted about, skillfully serving an array of dishes that filled the room with mouth-watering aromas.

Before Ace could respond, Bonney chimed in, “And that brother just happens to be the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army. Seriously, what is it with Straw Hat’s family?

“His grandfather is the Marine Hero, his father leads the Revolutionary Army, one sworn brother is the son of the Pirate King and also the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, the other sworn brother holds the second-highest rank in the Revolutionary Army, and he’s somehow connected to Emperor Shanks as well.”

She shook her head and added in an exasperated tone, “And to top it all off, he’s now training under the Dark King Silvers Rayleigh, the Pirate King’s first mate.”

Ace chuckled softly at Bonney’s rant, his expression softening as he leaned back in his chair. “You know,” he began, his voice tinged with nostalgia, “as kids, the three of us exchanged cups of sake and became brothers. At that time, we used to drive Gramps absolutely nuts with all our talk about becoming pirates.”

He paused, his gaze distant as memories of their childhood surfaced. “But then, one day, an incident took Sabo away from us. For years, we all thought he was gone forever. It was like a part of us had been ripped away.”

“However, during my search for Blackbeard, I heard about the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army by chance. That’s when I learned the truth—that Sabo was alive. I couldn’t believe it at first. It was the most shocking news I’d ever received, but it also brought me immense joy.”

This was, of course, untrue. Ace knew about Sabo being alive because of his past life’s knowledge. However, he couldn’t exactly tell this to others. So, he thought of a believable story to explain how he had learned the information.

“When I told Luffy, he was just as shocked as I was, but more than anything, he was thrilled. I know he’s been eagerly waiting for the day I can bring Sabo to reunite with him.”

Ace leaned forward slightly, his smile growing warmer. “Now, I just need to deliver Luffy’s message to the rest of his crew and wait for Sabo to wake up so I can fulfill my promise to Luffy.”

“Ugh… Don’t remind me about that!” Sanji groaned, his face twisting into a disgruntled expression.

According to Luffy’s message, he was supposed to spend two years on this island full of Okamas to refine his skills and prepare himself for the challenges of the New World. However, Sanji found the idea unbearable.

He couldn’t see how staying on this island would help him improve, either as a chef or as a fighter. In his opinion, Kuma surely sent him to this island surely to torment him.

Sanji had already resolved to leave Momoiro Island. He’d decided to accompany Robin to Baltigo, where he believed training with the strong Revolutionary Army members would better prepare him for the New World.

Not to mention, the idea of spending two years alongside Robin and the numerous other beautiful female members of the Revolutionary Army was far more appealing than remaining on this island filled with Okamas.

Ace, seated across from him, chuckled at the cook’s complaint but refrained from trying to persuade him otherwise.

He’d already had a private conversation with Sanji and Robin after his battle with Sabo, during which he delivered Luffy’s message to them.

As expected, when asked about their opinion, Robin had chosen to remain with the Revolutionary Army to train, while Sanji had declared that he wouldn’t spend another day on Momoiro Island and intended to leave with Robin.

However, there was one thing Ace had learned during their conversation—Sanji hadn’t yet tried the Kamabakka Kingdom’s special “Cuisine of Dominance.” And judging by the aromas of the dishes being served now, Ace was almost certain this was the legendary cuisine in question.

As the final dishes were set on the table and everyone prepared to dig in, Ace couldn’t help but smile to himself. ‘Once he tastes it, maybe he’ll change his mind.’

“Hee-Haw!!!” Ivankov’s voice boomed across the room, breaking through the lively chatter. With a grand flourish, he gestured toward the array of dishes on the table. “Everyone, dig in before the food gets cold! A feast this grand deserves to be savored vhile it’s hot!”

The flamboyant declaration earned a few chuckles from the group as the enticing aroma of the dishes filled the air, making their stomachs growl in anticipation.

The next moment, everyone began to taste the food, with Bonney naturally being the first one to do so. It was already a small miracle that she held herself back before Ivankov gave the go signal.

As soon as the first bite was taken, Bonney’s eyes lit up. “Mmm! This is incredible!” she exclaimed, already reaching for the second bite with great enthusiasm.

As the meal continued, voices of praise filled the air, with everyone expressing their admiration for the dishes. Ivankov, clearly pleased with their reactions, chuckled and remarked, “My, my… it seems you all have quite the refined taste.”

Meanwhile, Sanji, after eating his first bite, suddenly froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. “What the… This is…” he murmured, almost as if he couldn’t trust his own senses. Without hesitation, he took another, larger bite, needing to confirm that he hadn’t imagined the surge of energy coursing through him.

Now certain about what he had just experienced, Sanji turned to Ivankov, his curiosity piqued. “Hey… who exactly made these dishes? Just one bite, and I can already feel my body being filled with energy.”

Ivankov let out a deep, amused laugh, his expression brimming with pride. “Mmmmmm Fufufufufufu~!!” he cackled. “This is the Cuisine of Dominance! Many skilled chefs on this island are capable of preparing it.”

Gesturing flamboyantly, he continued with a dramatic flourish, “They say if every person in the vorld drank a glass of milk every day, all crimes vould vanish from the vorld! Can you believe it?! One’s diet is their personal environment— it shapes the body, the mind, and the very essence of a person! Cuisine of Dominance is the key to true strength!”

“The food you eat defines who you become?! I’ve never thought of it that way…” Sanji muttered with a thoughtful expression, “So I could actually help to improve the bodies of my crewmates through the food that I make for them every day?”

Thinking of this, Sanji suddenly had a lewd grin on his face as his thoughts strayed in a different direction.

Across the table, Robin immediately shot him a death glare, clearly having guessed his thoughts from his strange expression.

A chill went down Sanji’s spine. Snapping back to reality, he quickly schooled his expression. Adopting a determined expression, Sanji looked at Ivankov and said, “Hey, Iva! You must teach me the ways of this Cuisine of Dominance!”

“I refuse!” Ivankov rejected Sanji’s request outright, “The ninety-nine vital recipes of the Cuisine of Dominance are a fundamental part of the secret Newkama Kenpo Art of Bridal Discipline, passed down through generations in the Kamabakka Kingdom!

“How could I possibly teach such sacred techniques to a man?! Especially to someone like you, who is so desperate to escape this island at the first opportunity! It is impossible! If you truly wish to learn, you must become a maiden! You must commit yourself to the path of Newkama Kenpo!”

“Never!!” Sanji roared, slamming his hands down on the table. His expression was one of sheer defiance as he declared, “I wasn’t born into this world to befriend women—I was born to love them! I am a man, and I will always be a man! You got that?!”

For a brief moment, the entire room fell silent, with everyone pausing mid-meal to watch the heated exchange between Sanji and Ivankov.

Clank–! Clank–!

Ohm–! Nom–!

Well, almost everyone. Bonney, as expected, was the sole exception. Though she had registered bits and pieces of their argument, her primary focus remained on devouring as much food as possible, unfazed by the commotion around her.

“Hee-Haw!! You stand firm to your principles… I like that!” Ivankov finally spoke after taking a good look at Sanji’s determined expression, “Very vell! I vill give you a chance!!”

Everyone, except Ace, was surprised to hear Ivankov’s words. But before they could ponder the reason behind Ivankov’s sudden change of mood, he let out an amused laugh.

”Mmmmmm Fufufufufu~!! I vill leave one of the recipes in the hands of each of the ninety-nine instructors of Newkama Kenpo vho live around the island. If you call yourself a pirate, then prove it by stealing all the ninety-nine recipes.”

Before Sanji could respond to the challenge, Ivankov continued, “However! The entire population of the Kamabakka Kingdom vill spend day and night attempting to put on a sweet dress on you! Vill you still be able to call yourself a man if they succeed?!

“This is a battle between you and the world of Newkama Kenpo! If you lose, vill you be able to remain a man, I vonder? Mmfufufu~~!”

“I’ve got the feeling that once I win this battle, I’ll be many times stronger than now…” Sanji muttered in a low voice while lowering his head as his thoughts went to the day he joined Luffy’s crew.

‘When we meet again, I’ll be ready to provide you with the support of the world’s greatest chef, Luffy! So that you can become the Pirate King. I’ll survive this hell!’

Having made up his mind, Sanji raised his head and locked eyes with Ivankov. He declared, “I accept your CHALLENGE!!!”

…To Be Continued!

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A/N: I made some slight changes to Chapter 24.

Previously, I was going to make it so that Zoro and Sanji would choose to reunite with Luffy so that I could have the Monster Trio together for whatever reason I can't remember anymore.

However, I then remembered that apart from increasing his speed to a ridiculous degree, Sanji also learned the Cuisine of Dominance in the Kamabakka Kingdom.

Not to mention, Zoro spent much of the time skip period fighting the Humandrills, honing his sword skills to a high degree. This couldn't happen if he were to train together with Luffy as there's only Rayleigh there who he could fight to improve his sword skills.

So, I made some slight changes, removing the implications of Zoro and Sanji choosing to reunite with Luffy right away.

Anyway, if you guys see any mistakes, don't hesitate to point them out.

Good Day. See ya guys later.