Chapter Text
The vibrance of the celebration in the glow of the night is a picture of liberation the land of Wano deserved to rejoice in. They are finally walking atop of their homeland with their hearts filled with freedom. Kaido and Orochi have now been defeated and the Kozuki Family has now regained their rightful place as the rulers of Wano. The strawhat pirates commemorate their alliance together with the country's wave of independence.
The night was long and the heat of the party was just starting to formally cement the boon of their camaraderie. They were all dancing and cheering among themselves with the fire and twilight that surrounds them.
"It is truly a lovely night don't you think?" Hiyori asks Sanji as she stood next to him noticing the growing smile on the man's face.
"It really is my lady. The night is young and you women are all beautiful! I could bask in your glory forever if you'd let me." Sanji says as he twirls with hearts in place getting the attention of everyone in the party.
"Shut it cook, keep those things to yourself would you?" Zoro grunts as he drinks his sake.
"You just have nothing better to say you moss-haired oaf! Go drink somewhere else out of my sight." Sanji responds.
Hiyori forms a small smile on her face and chuckles a little at Sanji's retort. She then tugs at his sleeve and starts to lead Sanji somewhere a little quieter from the hustle and bustle of the celebration. He can tell she had something important to say when they stopped in a small corner a little lesser and away from the crowd.
"Sangoro-san..." She hesitates for a bit. "Does Zoro-dono have anyone he particularly admires, such as someone he feels deeply for?" She starts.
Caught in a surprise, Sanji swallows his breath a little before finally speaking. "Ahh, I'm afraid I have no clue about any of his romantic affiliations Hiyori-chan. He doesn't really talk much with those kind of endeavors however, he is softer than you think. I do believe that even someone like him is worth loving and when the time comes he would do the same for the other." He briefly pauses and smiles at his words. "That I know as much."
"How wonderful Sangoro-san. You seem to talk so dearly about him. I think you know much more than you let on." Hiyori says.
Sanji freezes for a moment.
Oh no.
He couldn't have said much had he? "What ever do you mean my lady?" he asks.
"Before I came to you, you have been enjoying yourself so much as everyone else. However, I noticed that you have been looking towards his direction for a few times while he huffs at you. I thought you would send a few more heated glances at each other but you seemed to be content with your interactions. Smiling ever so slightly on your own. So I decided to start a small conversation with you. I felt like if I wanted to know more about him, you seemed to be the perfect candidate as you paid attention to him closely." Hiyori claims.
Sanji starts to laugh a little nervously, his whole body shifting into a new demeanor hiding behind a smile. "You give me too much credit Hiyori-chan. I believe any of the other strawhats especially Luffy and Nami would be able to tell you a thing or two about him more than I can."
"Is that so? I must have come to a singular conclusion and forgot you have all been travelling across the big seas together. I do apologize for asking only you Sangoro-san. I respect and adore him a lot and wanted to know more if I could. Perhaps I should just ask him directly don't you think?" Hiyori says.
Sanji felt his world stop for a brief moment. Nevertheless, he presses on with a soft but hesitant smile. "Yes. You should my lady. He might be taken aback but I don't think he wouldn't entertain you. After all, you two must have grown quite the sense of familiarity with each other now haven't you?"
He reaches out for Hiyori's hand and kisses her fingertips ever so lightly. "He is a good man. He might seem like a brute who has nothing to offer but strength..." he pauses, "but I know he would be someone who will extend his love and devotion for someone he finally sees fit for him. I don't think you are far from that Hiyori-chan. You might even be the best one yet."
He tells her as he holds something back from his heart.
"I appreciate your kind words Sangoro-san. I feel relieved to know that there is a side of him I have yet to see. He makes me so curious I would be delighted to know even more. I'll find out the rest about him myself." She smiles ever so sweetly Sanji thinks.
"Ahh, we must go back now. Come, let us enjoy the night with everyone for a few more hours." She tells him.
"It's quite alright Hiyori-chan. You should go back, your people must have been missing your heavenly presence. I'll just have myself a little nightly stroll in the woods for a while and simply ravel in a peaceful moment of solitude. Don't worry, I will be back. Wouldn't want to miss the rest of the fun especially Luffy's boisterous energy."
Sanji then waves Hiyori goodbye as he watches her disappear within the crowd but then, something catches his eye, he spots her glowing radiance as she gave her biggest and sweetest smile to Zoro who is now just a few feet apart from her to where he stands.
He smiles to himself and starts to walk away straight to the path he didn't expect to be entertaining tonight. His chest somewhat felt heavy as he drags his feet further away from the party and along the heaps of the forest. He knew the feeling he has been keeping to himself for years is about to burn him into a crisp right there and then.
He picks up his pace and when he finally felt like he was far enough from the life of the party, he suddenly stops in his tracks as he pulls out a den-den mushi from his pocket and dials the only line he knew would understand. While waiting for the other line to pick up, he suddenly couldn't help but let out a small cry. He hangs his head low as his voice strains from his sobs.
Ahh, this hurts. I'm so hopelessly stupid, he thinks.
He has been trying to keep himself composed ever since Hiyori had talked to him and he was certain he was really at his breaking point that this is now happening. The call connects.
"Hey..." he starts.
"What must be the occassion for you to give me a call?" Emporio Ivankov was on the line.