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Chapter Text

Sanji died while protecting Chopper from getting shot at with a Kairoseki bullets, and the Reindeer wont accept the fact.
Chopper kept operating on him, removing the bullets from his chest.

It's no use, Nami told everyone. Let him be, Luffy retort.

He's been at the operating table for hours, was it almost a day tho? He kept crying, Sanji isnt losing anymore blood, he said,
I've stitched his chest back together, he continue with tears in his eyes, of course, his heart should have stopped beating the moment he got hit anyway no wonder he's not moving, some will say. But Chopper didnt care.

Everyone else grieved on their own ways

Luffy is sat on top of the Sunny's head, overlooking the horizon, wondering why isn't he strong enough to protect his nakama, was all those two years not enough?
Nami is crying under her Mikan tree, she doesn't want to be seen, anyone who tried to approach her will be hit with her Clima-tact.
Usopp is openly crying, he's weak, he can't do anything, he though. He's blaming his self for it.
Robin just sat on her usual desk in the library, books stacked beside her, "Is necromancy possible?", "Devil Fruits that can Revive the Deaths", "The Morality of Immortality", and so on. She's trying.
Franky keep repairing the ships, no tears falling from his eyes. He wonder why he, who is a sensitive person doesn't cry when those close to him just died mere hours ago, he hates himself for it so he keep repairing the same things over and over again.
Brook didn't even pick up his violin, he only stares at the aquarium, remenincing old memories.
And Zoro? Well, let just say he just accidentally broke his weights, and a speck of wood from the broken floor got into his eyes.
Chopper is still trying, but he's staring to lose hope. Most people would have told him to lost it the moment the cook was shoot. But he didnt want to.

===

Vinsmoke Sanji died on his hospital bed. His weak heart finally gave up. He was just a normal High school student, trying to live his live to the fullest with his weak body. His Doctor is trying to restart his heart.
'He's just a kid, he still has so much to live for', his doctor thought as he tried his best. 'You cant give up now, what of your dreams?' The Nurses are silent around him. 'It's time to pronounce his time of death', He thinks he heard one of them said.

Reiju can't be seen anywhere, she doesn't want to be seen with her make up ruined she told herself, but really, who is she fooling?
Ichiji knows that the Doctors attempt to resuscitate his brother has 0.1% to none chance.
Niji is screaming at the nurses, his stupid brother can't die like this, who will he tease now? Who will talk him into asking Cosette out now?
Yonji is silent, which is unusual for the youngest Vinsmoke. He's looking at his Dad, begging him to do something.
Vinsmoke Judge doesn't know what to do, one of his precious son is dying and he can do nothing about it. What use is his research and wealth if he can't help his own family?
Vinsmoke Sora is the only one that can be seen Crying, but deep down she knows her whole family is crushed by Sanji's state.

===

A heartbeat.

And Vinsmoke No! I am Black Leg Sanji open his eyes.

Chapter Text

Vismoke Blackleg! Sanji opened his eyes to the image of his mom crying.

Wait, Mom?! Is he... dead? But why is he still hurting if he's dead? He sat up suddenly, regretting his decision when his head pounded so hard he feels like someone just split it open. Everyone in the room is surprised. What the hell? Did Sanji just sat up??!

"Sanji!" he can hear someone (more than one?) shouted, he can't make up who because there's constant beeping around him.

He feels someone holding his hands, slowly he traced the owner of it with his eyes, and still not believe what he sees. "Mo..ther?" he rasped.

"Sanji, welcome back" she cried.

===

When Sanji suddenly sat up Chopper screamed so hard Zoro dropped his dumbbell, making another hole on the Crow nest's floor.

Chopper cried hugging the delirious Sanji. Saying how sorry he is, how he tried his best and is happy that Sanji is now fine, well, not fine, but you get the memo. The noises made Nami and Luffy shows up at the Infirmary, and when they see Sanji holding Chopper with his right hand, and his chest with his left, his eyes unfocused, they cried and joined the Reindeer. The commotion brings more people to the Infirmary. One by one they greeted Sanji. Chopper finally registering what had just happened told everyone to give Sanji some room. Chopper is confused, he's still happy that Sanji is alive and well, but still he's confused. Sanji's been brain dead for more than just a few hours, this should not be possible. His organs should have stopped working by now!

Zoro, who's finally getting curious enough when the noises suddenly stopped, decided to go to the Galley to grab some Sake. When he got there he noticed everyone standing around near
the infirmary door. Curious, he decided to join them when he hears it.

"I Apologize, but where am I?"

===

"You're in your hospital room," he could hear someone says. He tried to clear his vision and makes idea of who that familiar voice belongs too, but his head hurt too much and he thinks he can feel something poking his Lungs.

"Okay, everyone get out of the Room, we need to do some check up", that voice, that one he recognize immediately, he slowly turned his head and sure enough, there standing beside him is none other
than the Surgeon of Dead himself, wearing a white doctor coat.

"Law, what? I don't-" he started but was shushed by the doctor. His Mom squeezed his hand and then let go, kissing his forehead.

"Listen to your Doctor okay, sweetie? I will be waiting with everyone outside", She replied. Sanji tried to reach for her hand but then she was out, leaving him in this unfamiliar room with Law and some nurses.

"Alright listen, in my entire short life of being a doctor, I've never ever had a patient who return from death after being pronounced for more than 40 minutes. It's possible, but very rare." he heard Law said. 40 Minutes? Surely that can't be. He knows the Heart Pirates Captain wasn't with them at the time he got shoot. How is it possible it's only been 40 minutes. And hey, Hospital?
They were in the middle of the sea! He's pretty sure Nami said the nearest island is a day away before they got attacked!

"Hey Law, you know-"

"I told you to call me Doctor Law, and please, you should rest. You just got revived not too long ago, I'm surprised you can even talk right now, much less sit on your own. So how are you feeling?"
Sanji suddenly noticed how fatigued he is, and remember the pain in his chest.

"Ah, i think my ribs might be fractured and my head feels like shit", he replied. Law looked away and told one of the nurse to write it down,

"One of that might be my fault. Alright, we'll be giving you some painkiller and let you rest for now, after that, more check up."

Sanji nods, it's all so confusing but he can get the answer later. Hopefully Luffy and everyone else isn't too worried about him. And Chopper! God he has to apologize to Chopper, maybe make
him a big cotton candy for scaring the Reindeer with his stupid tendencies to sacrifice himself. He feels a little sleepy after Law and the nurses left, so he close his eyes and fell into a slumber.

===

"Uh, I was... pretty sure that I'm the Hospital, what are you doing here Luffy? Who are these people? What's with that get-up? And why is there a raccoon hugging me?"

Sanji looked around at the odd gang of people. Some of them resemble his friends, a girl that looked exactly like Nami but with long hair, is that Robin? Why do she appears more 'mature'? Oh, Usopp is here too, but why is he ripped? Sanji did not need to see that. And wait, is that? A Robot hand (so cool!)? Why is there a Robot with a skeleton? WHY IS THAT SKELETON MOVING--- And is that Zoro he sees in the back? No one else he knows has a green hair, (except maybe that underclassmen who likes to stalk Luffy) but they just had a fight. No way the idiot will visit him. Oh, Oh God he just remember that the Raccoon was speaking before too! Where in the heavens is he?! They all looked at Sanji who started to freak out.

"Sanji, you're on Sunny! I'm pretty sure you didn't knock your head, but it could be from the shock and your brain tryin to figure things out!" the Raccoon speaks, again. So he wasn't hallucinating about that,

"Haha... I'm dead right? And this is Heaven? Or maybe hell, because i'm pretty sure there should not be a skeleton in heaven"

"Yohohoho Sanji-san! You hurt my heart for saying that! Except I don't have a heart!" 

Sanji fainted again.

When he came to, he was alone with the Raccoon who is currently checking all the machines that's around him. When the raccoon noticed him awake, it (he?) started bawling again,

"Sanji----!!!" the raccoon tried to go for a hug but restrained his self. No, this is not a time for crying. He's done with that. "Sanji," he tried again, "How are you feeling?"

Still not believing himself, Sanji tried to moved his hand to pinch his cheek, but then a sudden pain in his chest stopped him. Oh yeah, he was hospitalized again because of his heart.

"Uhm, I'm sorry, Raccoon, but I didn't catch your name? And where's Doctor Law? Is my heart fine?" the Raccoon (IM A REINDEER!) looked puzzled.

"Sanji, I guess you're still not really back with us. My name is Chopper! I'm your Doctor and shipmate! And I'm a Reindeer, not a Raccoon you bastard!" taken a back with the Racco- Reindeer's sudden change in attitude, and also the information, Sanji quietly whisper "Shipmate?"

"Yeah! We're Pirates!"

Oh he's so not ready for whatever this is.

===

When Sanji opened his eyes, he once again sees his mom sitting beside him, holding his hand. Please Tell me I'm not dead.

"You're not dead honey," came the reply from his mom. God, he is dead, his mom can hear his thoughts. "No, Silly, you're just speaking out loud." He hears her laugh.

Oh God, he can hear his mom laugh again, his mom is right here beside him, smiling at him again, holding his hand again. Fuck, he has a mixed feelings about this. In one side he's happy, in the other he's confused. What the fuck is happening. He suddenly feels a hand on his cheeks

"Oh dear, oh dear, what's wrong honey? Why are you crying?," she's wiping his tears, and yet it keeps falling even more "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Should i call Doctor Law?" he sees her 
eyes getting worried, tears still streaming down his face,

"No Mom, everything's fine" he smiled. After an embarrassing 5 minutes of crying, he sat himself and turned to look at her. "Mom, can you tell me what happened?" she tightened her grips on his hand

"You.. you had another attack after having an argument with one of your friend, he was the one calling the ambulance and us," an attack over an argument? 

"I'm pretty sure i got shot in the chest," his mom looks at him, confused

"Shot at? No, that's not possible-" before she can continue the door to his room slammed open, and in come his worst nightmare

"Sanji! Are you Okay?" he can hear them said as they ran to his bed. He can feel his heart beats faster, no no this could not be happening. He can hear beeping somewhere, what is that sound how do i stop it? 'It's too loud, It's too loud'
He's trying to block the sounds with his hands, why is his chest hurting? Why are they here? It's too loud, he can't breathe, 'I need air it's too stuffy in here', he feels someone holding his shoulder
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" more noises, is that the door opening again? He can't breathe, it hurts, he can't-

When he opened his eyes for the third time, Law is standing near one of the many machine that's around his bed. Damn, what are all these machine for, he has never been hooked on so many of them before. Ah, whatever, the most important thing right now is asking his friends whereabouts.

"Ah, great timing, Law, can you tell me where the rest of my crew is?"  Law stopped whatever he was doing and raised an eyebrow at Sanji.

"School, where else? It's already the next day, you slept thru the night." the doctor said as he finished writing on his board.

"School?"

"Yes, School, they will probably visit you around 4 pm, or they might ditch class and just come." Law grabbed one of the free chair and set it beside Sanji's bed "Your gang of rag tag can't never be predicted," Law smiled at him. And Sanji could only laugh. "That's true,"

After talking with Law for awhile, Sanji conclude 3 things, 1.) 'He' has a heart condition due to a birth defect, 2.) 'His' Mom is Alive and well, and 3.) He's pretty sure he's not in his 'World' anymore.

As the clock hit 4 pm, the door to his room is slammed open for who knows how many time, he actually feels bad for it. And in come Luffy and Nami. They looked just like the first time Sanji met them at the Baratie 2 years ago,

"Sanji~!" Luffy was about to jump into his bed when Nami stopped him by the collar. Sanji surprisingly doesn't feel the need to praise Nami like he usually did.

"Sanji-kun! We were so worried about you! We would love to just ditch the Class but Smoker-sensei is the one in charge today since Shank-sensei went on a trip!" Nami said, as she sat herself and luffy at one of the many sofa (wow, he's pretty sure this room is expensive), as if it's her own spot. More people started piling in, he can see Robin, walking along with a very human Franky, Usopp with his hand on his ear, holding a rectangular object against it. There are also two people he at first didn't recognize, but that Pink hat and that Afro gave away who they are. "Brook-sensei insist on joining us, by the way, said he needed to talk to your mom" Nami continued, as everyone sat on what he assumed their designated spot.

Seeing the lack of one certain moss plant, Sanji sat on his bed better and turned to Nami, "So where's the Marimo Bastard? I don't see the Fucker anywhere" as the words left his mouth he can see everyone looking at him weirdly,

"Wow, Sanji you must be still angry at Zoro to be speaking like that" Usopp said as he put down whatever on his hand on the table. Huh? But he always talk like this?

"I can't believe our dear Sanji has been tainted!" he could hear Nami said. Ah, he got it, so this 'him' that they know is a goody two shoes huh?

"But it's actually kind of refreshing hearing Sanji says that. You need to let go from time to time!" Franky laughed,

They then started to talk between themselves, sometimes including Sanji into Topics Sanji didn't know but feels familiar with. They talk about their classes today, how Cavendish somehow managed to flood their Laboratory with pink liquids after putting the wrong Formula into his beaker. (The entire hall smells like Cotton Candy) (Chopper, you didn't have anything to do with that do you?) (No Brook-Sensei!) But they all tried to shift the conversation whenever Zoro is mentioned. Maybe he could ask Usopp about that later.

It was... surprisingly nice, Sanji finds himself thinking. His Nakama is still the same crazy group, even thought it's being tone down a bit (which he actually kind of appreciate), but he missed his Crew mates. Maybe he could get used to this until he find a solution on how to comes back to his world. And maybe push back the issues about 'them' for the time being.

===

"Okay, Okay, so we're in the Sea?" Chopper nodded enthusiastically, "Franky is this awesome Cyborg, and the talking skeleton is Brook-sensei?" Chopper stopped nodding when he hears how Sanji calls Brook, but then continued nodding. "And you, Chopper, is turned into a talking Reindeer," Chopper nodded again, less enthusiast this time, "And we're a Pirate Crew?" Chopper is back to nodding enthusiastically, Sanji found it to be so cute but he needs to get his mind right. This is not the time for that. "God, this is so confusing, are you sure I'm not dead?" this time he can see Chopper expression turning into a sad one. Oh dear, that's a wrong thing to ask. He can't handle human Chopper crying, less when he's this cute and fluffy and God, Sanji wanted to stroke his fu-

"I... you were dead," this perked Sanji up, so he did die, but somehow got resurrected? "You were dead for 14 hours, 37 minutes, and 12 seconds, Sanji, and it was my fault" Huh? That can't be.

"Chopper that's not possible, my organ should have shut itself if I've been dead for that long!" He reads about this one before while waiting for his doctor at the hospital.

"I know! I know that... But here you're alive and breathing. And that's all I care about Sanji," Chopper sniffled, Sanji being the softy that he is, brings Chopper to a hug.

"And I thank you for that Chopper, but may I see everyone else now?" He might just figures out what happened to him, but he needs to talk to someone about it.

"Your Thank doesn't make me happy you bastard!" the Reindeer replied. Yeah, this is definitely Chopper.  "But um, I don't recommend you leaving the infirmary, so i will just call everyone one by one. Who do you want to meet first?" If these people is the same as his friends. Then he knows the one that's best for this.

"Can i please meet with Robin first?"

Chapter Text

Sanji is pretty sure he’s damned. Or, should he say Fucked? Yes, it’s a little bit excessive for him, but that’s EXACTLY how he feels. Between being shot in the chest, swapping souls with a goodie-two-shoes Sanji , and having a sickly body, he will be stuck with Them. And frankly, it terrifies him.

He’s quite happy to see his mother, don’t blame him. But his Siblings scare him, what if they’re even worse here? His sickly body must have given them an even more excuse to, dare he say, torture him.

The sound of the door opening brought him out of his thoughts, when he lifted his head he saw one of his nurses.

“Oh, Sanji-san, you’re awake! How are you feeling?” she asked while putting a tray of food on the table, Sanji smiled, thanking her.

“I’m fine, thank you for asking, do you know when I can return home?” funny how that didn’t leave a bitter taste in his mouth.

“Ah, I might say in 2 to 4 days, but since your case is quite rare, Doctor Law might need you to stay longer, for your best interest,” she said as she finished changing his IV fluid, a trained smile on her face.

Sanji hummed, that might not be so bad, he can prepare his mind for what’s about to come, he sure can, right? As the nurse left his room after doing some routine check he doesn't exactly care about, he was left alone with his breakfast. He examined them, a full breakfast set consisting of rice, miso soup, grilled salmon, natto, some melon for dessert, and what looked like tea. Well, might as well taste the food in this world while he’s at it.

=====

He did talk with Robin, and nice beautiful Robin is as smart as ever, but whatever this that is happening to him has never been recorded in what Robin has read so far, but they are still hopeful about it, she can still look at the new book when they get to the next Island.

And they did arrive there, just around 5 to 6 hours after he finished talking with her. Chopper came into the infirmary, about to ask Sanji the whereabouts of his grocery list when he remembered that this Sanji would not know where it was. So he just stood there with the door open with watery eyes, not knowing what to feel. In one way they did save Sanji, but this Sanji isn’t really ‘Their’ Sanji. This Sanji wouldn’t even know where their grocery list is, let alone all their adventures together. This Sanji called him a Raccoon! This Sanji-

“Chopper? What’s wrong?” Sanji asked, worried. Chopper had come in just 3 minutes ago and just stood there looking distressed and about to cry, and a distressed Chopper is one Sanji didn’t want to see, that’s wrong to see.

“No, nothing’s wrong Sanji, i was just about to ask about where you put the shopping list, but i guess you wouldn’t-”

“On the middle left cabinet, it’s in the red notebook” his answer surprised them both, Chopper looked a bit startled.

“Sanji, how did you know?” Chopper looked at him with his big eyes, hopeful, maybe this Sanji is their Sanji, and whatever the hell that was yesterday is just some weird after effect of his “Miracle”.

“I don’t know? I just did, I think? It’s quite confusing but…” Sanji’s head hurts, and he brings his hands to his temple, Chopper walked up to him slowly and ask him if he’s fine, “I’m fine just, my head hurts, somehow”

“Uhm, I think you should rest again, for the time being, we can talk about this later, Sanji” as Chopper silently said his goodbye, slowly closing the door, leaving Sanji alone in the infirmary.

An hour passed by with Sanji staring at the ceiling, too many thoughs running through his head all at once, making him unable get his much needed rest, until finally, he decide to just fuck it and take a look around the ship.

Slowly getting out of the bed, he winced at the pain in his chest, opting to walk slowly while holding the wall, and made his way to the door closest to him which, surprisingly led him to the dining room and a nice kitchen.

Oh-

Now he knows what he could do while waiting for everyone to come back.

He checked the impressive fridge and found a lock, casually inputting the password and opening it he stopped, ‘How did i know the password?’. Ignoring it, he checked inside, there was some pastries, maybe he could make some Tarte Tatin? 

Ichiji loves his Tarte Tatin. He usually eat them hot with some cold whip cream and caramelized strawberry somehow able to keep hidden from them, and Niji would complain about how he prefer Tarte au Chocolat over Tarte Tatin, but still finishing his serving and even complained that it was too small, while Yonji would happily inhale whatever was given to him with Reiju berating Yonji for his table manner while sipping her hibiscus tea.

And now Sanji missed his siblings. He hoped he didn’t give them too much trouble over his last attack, and wished the pirate version of him isn’t going to be too vulgar around them.

He took the pastries off the fridge for thawing, walking slowly to the pantry to take some apples and set everything down on the counter. Everything hurts, but he needs to do something before his mind goes into places he doesn't want it to go.

He opted to sit on the dining table so as to not tire himself too much. Carefully, he rolled the dough, minding his injury, shaped them onto the pan, folding the crust and then put them back into the fridge to chill. He preheated the oven (God lord this thing is so big, what are they making in here?) and moved back to cut the apple, peeling them slowly and putting the peels in a bowl to make some crisps later. 

Lost in thought, he didn't hear the galley door opening until someone touched his shoulder.

To say he was surprised was not an exaggeration, he almost kicked whoever it was if not for his injury. When he turned his head, he was met with one idiot face.

“What the fuck are you doing here you shitty cook? Didn't Chopper tell you to rest?” the green haired bastard shouted, ‘What the fuck is this person problem?’

“I’m fucking bored! What the fuck are YOU doing here, huh?” Oh, this mosshead is a bad influence on his speech.

“Ah, you idiot! I’m not the one who got shot in the chest! If you have a deathwish then do whatever the fuck you want!” Zoro moved to the cupboard while dragging his foot (hah, even this scary looking Zoro is still childish, huh).

Sanji decided to ignore him and continue peeling an apple for himself as Zoro proceed to open the first cabinet, and then the next one, and the next one, until finally letting a loud groan, 

“Curly, where did you put the damn sake?”

Sanji raised his visible eyebrow, “The fuck you mean? You're still underage” Sanji’s answer prompted Zoro to turn at him, a scowl appearing in his stupid face.

“Didn't think getting shot in the chest means you got even dumber than usual”, at his reply Sanji stopped, gears turning in his head.

“You weren’t listening yesterday huh?” Sanji sighed, putting the knife down.

“Hard to listen with everyone bawling their eyes out, so i just left” Zoro shifted his eye, no way will he tell Sanji it was because he was overwhelmed. Nope.

“I’m not Sanji” a pause,

“The fuck you mean”

“I will tell you the ‘fuck’ i mean if you help me bake this tart” the blond pointed at the mess in front of him to Zoro, who’s currently has a surprised look on is face. 

Yeah, Zoro thought, The cook really do fucking lost his mind if he let me help him cook.

=====

Hospital is boring. Not having someone to talk to is boring. Being bedridden is boring. All in all, Sanji just wants to move and maybe punch some bastard in the face (Probably the mosshead, how dare him not show up when apparently it was his fault Sanji is stuck in the Hospital right now). So when the door to his room opened up at around 4 pm again, he half expected it to be the mosshead finally showing up and apologizing (Hah! As if), but it was just Law.

“What do you mean it was just me Sanji, I’m hurt” Law said, while bringing a chair to sit down beside Sanji’s bed.

“I was expecting the moss for brain you know” Law chuckled at that, there was a comfortable silence between them before Sanji breaks it “You’re not doing a check on me?”

“It’s Wednesday, my shift ends at 3, did you forget?” Law hand went for his head and messed his hair ‘ What’ “I’m visiting as a friend you idiot” his hand lingered for a while and then he pulled it back, resting them on the bed. “You sure you’re okay?” 

Sanji honestly doesn't know what to do, this Law is just like the Law in his world but, ‘ Different’, and he couldn’t put his hand on it. So he just smiled and nodded his head. 

They talked, words flowing through his mouth with ease. 

Overall, he finds it nice, this Law isn't as gloomy as the one from his world. Sanji found out Doflamingo, his uncle (The former shichibukai somehow not being a crime lord quite surprised him actually. A kindergarten teacher? Those poor kids), is currently on a mission to match Law with one of his younger colleagues. ("I'm married to my job", "Sure Law")

Law noticed Sanji's eyes dropping every so often and decided to call it a day, with a promise of bringing his favourite food for him tomorrow, he pulled Sanji’s blanket and watched the blond fall into slumber with a sad smile on his face.

‘I should have done more,’ the raven head thought. ‘I should have been better’

As he left the blond’s room, he was met with a certain green head, his mood suddenly went sour. He stopped the guy from entering Sanji’s room.

“He’s sleeping, you should’ve come sooner” Law said bitterly, the green head said nothing, longingly looking at the room behind Law. Law noticed he's still in his crumpled uniform, the stain of chocolate milk from last Law saw him still visible. Has he not come to school since Monday?

After what feels like forever, the 18 years old sighs and decides to walk away, which infuriates the young doctor. Law quickly grabbed the brute’s shoulder, turning the green head to face him. 

“What the fuck is your problem, Zoro?” he hissed, angry. This piece of no brain brute is the reason Sanji almost died. And he just walked out like that? How fucking dare him. 

When the teen just kept looking at the floor as if it’s the most interesting thing he had ever laid his eyes upon, Law snapped. He let go of Zoro and shoved him back, making the green head hit the hall’s wall with a grunt.

“When I said I left Sanji in your care 2 years ago, was I perhaps making the wrong decision?” hearing Law saying that with such hatred made Zoro snap his head.

“You don’t fucking know what happened” the teen growled, “You weren’t there when he said it!” his voice boomed in the empty hallway, he clenched his hands, tight, marking the inside of his hand with half crescent shape from his nails digging hard into it. A few of them started bleeding with the force of it.

“What did he say, Zoro?! What did he said that made you two fucking fight like this?” Law shouted back, “Make me understand what made you go this far”, he’s getting desperate for an answer now, fuck being calm. Fuck being fired, if punching the green head will get him an answer, he'll fucking do it.

The tension in front of the blond’s room is unbearable, a few of the nurses who were looking at them from their station were about to stop them when Zoro pushed Law back, his hand brushing unseen dust off of his shoulder.

“If you were there, you’d be as angry as me” the green head turned, making his way to the stair, leaving the heart surgeon.

“I might be as angry as you, but I'd never show it to him and made him like this” he shouted, much to the annoyance of the nurses still watching them.

The green head keeps on walking, his hand hurt, he thought. But he knows he deserves that, if not more.

Chapter Text

Their arrival at the small atoll island was met with smiles from its locals, as they barely get any visitors, they gladly welcomed the straw hats. 

The odd gangs decided they could spend the short 2 days it took the log pose to reset to release some tension from the recent ‘incident’ with their resident cook.

Chopper isn’t exactly thrilled with the island this time, as he can’t exactly restock their medical supplies and worried what they have right now won’t be enough to treat Sanji, he just sulkily followed Robin around who’s currently talking with some of the local elders.

Nami is currently occupied with the local fishermen, trying to suck their pocket dry but were surprised when they gave their catches free of charge for them. An evil smirk is ever present on her face since.

Luffy is… well, Luffy is bored. The atoll is too small for him to explore, he can basically see the entire island from Sunny’s bow, and decided he could just annoy Usopp and maybe look for some clams and fruits they could eat.

Brook and Franky, the odd pair, are surprisingly civil, as they decided to entertain the few kids that are on the island. Them never seeing a cyborg furthermore a talking skeleton are quite wary of them, but the curiosity in their eyes says otherwise.

Inside Sunny's kitchen, the two idiots are arguing as… usual?

“You idiot! What kind of nitwit thinks a ‘sprinkle’ means dumping the whole jar?!” Sanji shouted from his seat, as he watched Zoro put the jar that once contained the salt onto the counter.

“You’re using fancy words! How am I supposed to know?!” Zoro replied, huffing.

“Ugh, why do you never use that brain of yours!” the blonde rose from his seat, slowly walking to the kitchen’s island, as Zoro sneered.

“It’s your fault for asking me to help you!”

“Hah, now this batch of apples is a waste, ugh” as Sanji tried to grab the ‘ruined’ apples, Zoro stopped him.

“What. Are you trying to do?” Zoro asked, as Sanji raised his eyebrow.

“Throw it of course! It will be too salty to eat!” at Sanji’s words, Zoro frowned

“We don’t throw food on this ship” Zoro stated, which Sanji casually brushes off

“Yeah, yeah, commendable, but if it’s not edible you should throw it” when Sanji once again tried to reach for the pan, Zoro blocked him off, putting the salt piled pan behind him as he crossed his arms.

“We don’t throw food on this ship” he stated again, firmly this time, his lone eye looking at the blond’s firmly, daring him to protest again.

The blond huffed, then winced as he felt a tug at his wound, but relented. Defeated, he sat himself back onto the nearest chair.

“Stupid rule, but whatever,” he pouted, his hand reaching the last 4 apple left on the bowl and began peeling them

Yeah, Zoro thinks as he reaches the fridge to store the ‘not edible’ apple. This guy REALLY isn’t Sanji.

========================================================================

Yonji doesn’t know what to do in this kind of situation. As he approached the other green head (‘Your real twin!’ as Niji used to joke to refer the two of them) he was left feeling conflicted. On one hand, he kinda hates the guy for what happened to Sanji 3 days ago. On the other hand, the guy looked like shit. The kendo club’s captain is still wearing the same uniform he used when Yonji last saw him. The same stain of chocolate milk, the same regretful look on his eyes.

Yonji isn’t really someone who holds a grudge against anyone. And to be honest, he held none against the green head, even if some will tell him he should. He knew the guy, who’s even kidding him at this point. The guy has literally been there since they moved to the East Blue District. And that one accident when they were kids is proof enough to him that the guy got his brother’s best interest at heart.

“You’ll truly become a plant and Sanji will water you up everyday when he wakes up if you keep sitting there moping, you know”, Yonji started. A small nod from the other is the only indication given that the other guy heard him. “I thought you hate crybabies” that earned him a chuckle. 

“That was a long time ago and yet you still remember, you gorilla” the banter doesn't bother Yonji, at least the guy is better enough to be joking again.

“He Lives!” Yonji exclaimed. It earned him an elbow to his calf.

“What are you doing here, Yonji?” Finally turning his head, the two looked at each other, a somehow sad yet hidden anger could be seen in the Kendo Captain’s eyes.

“Will you ever tell us why?” The youngest of the quadruplets finally looked up at the playground they were in, his eyes lingering on the swings they used to play before the incident, before their Dad became overly protective of them. The amount of time he used to fall face first onto the ground while trying to copy their favourite Sentai hero brought a fond smile out of him.

Zoro stayed silent, he knows exactly what Yonji is asking, yet he can’t exactly explain it to the other guy, so he opted to turn his head back to the ground.

“Hmm, well. You guys fight all the time, that I know. My brother always comes to me to complain about it, but it’s never, you know, this bad. So excuse me for asking but I’m his brother and you’re his friend and I think I deserve to know.”

4 minutes passed without any of them talking. Finally getting fed up, Yonji moved to leave the playground when he heard Zoro said softly

“That’s why i can’t tell you,”

Yonji continued his walk back home.

===============================================================

“Hey Nami!” A shout from Usopp brought the former cat thief out of her greedy trance,

“Pray to tell me, what good reason you have to interrupt me and avoid a nice few billion berri of debt my dear sharpshooter” the smile she gave Usopp is enough to freeze hell, he swallowed down a thick gulp and the glee in Nami face grew even more, the bloodied fresh catch she just received from the locals doesn't help one bit.

“Uh, no, just. It’s Luffy?”

“Not good enough”

“EKK—! I’M SORRY-“

“Speak Usopp”

“It’s, he saw a sunken ship near the island west-“ that perked up the navigator as she turned to Usopp, if she had a tail it would be curling with delight.

"If you're looking for treasure, sadly that ship has none, it was from the island up north of here" the fisherman that was talking with Nami chimed in, (Usopp SWORE he can see the imaginary tail dropped).

"North?" The cat burglar asked, curious because her log posts didn't point north when they tried to reach this island.

"Yes, it doesn't show up on your post because some anomalies"

"Anomalies? What's that!" Luffy's head showing up suddenly beside her is a normal occurrence for them but it made the fisherman throw a large mud crab he was holding, that catches Luffy straight in the face, shouting as it pinches him.

"Yes, it is protected by the goddess" the fisherman continues after his initial shock wears down, "Only the one blessed by her can reached it"

Intrigued, Nami tried to ask for more information, but the fisherman won't tell them more, so the two left with more than 2 weeks worth of seafood and a grumpy Luffy that's currently trying to bite the still moving crab on his hand. As the trio reached Sunny, they can see Robin talking with a frantic short old woman.

"I'm telling you young lady! I can feel someone who has been touched around your ship!"

"Ma'am i assure you none of us has been touched" 

"They must! Or their soul might wander!" the old woman then left hurriedly, leaving the straw hat confused.

"What's with the old granny?" Luffy cheerfully said while throwing his crab at Usopp's full basket.

Chopper, who had been listening, looked at the trio "She said we must go to this sacred place to help someone who has been touched!"

"None of us has been touched, at least not non consensually" Robin flat tone earned a snort from Usopp. 

"Ugh, whatever I'm hungry, maybe Sanji could-.." Nami stopped mid-way thru her rant, oh yeah, something happened to their cook, no way he could cook for them now. "Uh, anyway, I'm hungry, let's set up a bonfire"

A big ruckus from the ship made them turn their head.

"I told you I'm fine! Put me down you stupid ape!" 

Hearing the voice of their cook, Chopper immediately turned to his Heavy Point while running to the direction of their ship, shouting as he went for the two to stop fighting and Put Sanji down you idiot! He’s sick and followed with another shout of why the blond is up and moving.

The sight brings a smile to their faces. ‘ At Least Chopper is not moping around again ’

“AWWW! What’s with the ruckus Sis?” came Franky’s voices from their right, followed with a light laugh from Brook and some kids that are still following them around. Yet the rest of the strawhats can see some seriousness on the skeleton’s face ( Even though he has no face and is already dead! Yohoho! Skull jokes! )

“Ah, Robin-san if I may, maybe what the nice lady means by being touched is about Sanji-san?” what the skeleton said intrigued both Nami and Robin, “As we remembered with what happened just a few days ago, i think she may refers to the Goddess these children are telling me about”

A few of the children perked up at being mentioned, one in particular recite what seems like a lullaby

Goddess Ilka! Goddess Ilka!

She brings closure to everyone she loves! 

Goddess Ilka Shine her Lantern to those who lost!

Goddess Ilka! Goddess Ilka!

She weeps for your saddened soul!

Shine your Lantern for our poor soul!

O’ may your light shine thru all the world!

===============================================================

Ichiji is currently debating whether to enter his brother’s room or not. He has Sanji’s favourite Grape konjac’s jelly drink in his hand. 

The terror he sees in his brother’s eyes the first time he opens his eyes and sees them feels like a stab to his chest. Sanji has never shown that emotion ever, not since what happened when they were a child in that dreadful warehouse.

The door to Sanji’s room opened and out comes Law, which greeted Ichiji as he sat next to the red head.

“Did you notice it?” Law said, a nod from Ichiji is all he needs.

“I’m afraid it is Ilka.”

===============================================================