Shirogai Yamikuro, this guy… his cooking skills are actually this good?
Sanji gritted his teeth, sprinkling the final seasoning onto the roasted pig, completing his work.
"Huh? Nami Swan doesn't like Shirogai's roasted fish?"
Sanji's face lit up.
He noticed Nami taking a single bite of the fish before quietly setting it down, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
Nami Swan didn't like Shirogai's roasted fish! This is my chance!
It was like someone had injected him with adrenaline.
Sanji eagerly picked up a beautifully arranged platter of roasted meat, spun around, and knelt beside Nami on one knee. With one hand over his heart and the other holding the dish, he spoke with his signature flair:
"The most beautiful Nami Swan in the world, this is a fruit-glazed, tender pig tongue made especially for you. Please, enjoy."
"Sanji…"
Nami's thoughts drifted for a moment, pulled from her memories by Sanji's voice.
She smiled softly, taking the plate. "Thank you, Sanji."
"It's my honor, Nami-swaan."
Sanji beamed, ready to bask in her gratitude, but then his expression froze.
"Nami… are you crying?"
He blinked, stunned, seeing a tear slip from the corner of her eye.
Without thinking, he reached out and gently caught it.
The tear slid across his fingers, shimmering before vanishing into the sand below.
"Tears…?"
Startled, Nami quickly wiped her eyes and sniffled.
"Agh, stupid chili, got in my eye."
She forced a smile to cover the emotions she couldn't hide.
But inside, her heart felt tangled.
Just one bite of Shirogai's roasted fish had pulled her to the memory of Belle-Mère.
No, not Aunt Belle-Mère… Mama Belle-Mère.
Back then, when they struggled to make ends meet, Belle-Mère would sometimes fish with the villagers, selling what she could and saving the tender fish to roast for Nami and Nojiko.
She would let the girls eat first, only taking scraps for herself once they were full.
That roasted fish was simple, but it had tasted better than anything else in the world.
In her memories, the scent of Belle-Mère's roasted fish felt warmer, more comforting than anything Shirogai could make now.
Even so, one bite from Shirogai's cooking had torn down Nami's defenses and brought back those memories.
And Sanji saw it all.
"Nami Swan…"
He felt as though struck by lightning, staring at her as she tried to mask her emotions.
Sanji suddenly recalled something Zeff had once told him:
'Cooking is a weapon that can break down the strongest walls. A heart too cold for words can still be reached by food that brings back cherished memories.'
Nami wasn't sad because Shirogai's roasted fish was bad.
She was grieving because it reminded her of Belle-Mère.
And in that moment, Sanji understood — he had lost.
His dishes might brighten Nami's day, but Shirogai's cooking could bring her home to a moment forever gone.
Is this man's cooking really on that level…?
Nami glanced at Sanji, seeing him frozen in place, and asked, concerned, "Sanji, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Nami Swan. Please, allow me a moment."
Sanji strode straight to Shirogai, who was still cutting roasted fish for the others.
With uncharacteristic seriousness, Sanji said, "Shirogai, let me try your roasted fish."
Shirogai gave a faint smile, handing him a plate.
"Of course, help yourself."
Everyone nearby watched in surprise as Sanji took a bite and closed his eyes.
Bang!
A wooden peg-leg kicked little Sanji square in the face, sending him sprawling.
The familiar, scolding voice echoed in his head.
"Idiot! That fish is awful, you'll ruin the ship's name!"
He looked up, seeing the old, one-legged, burly Zeff standing there, arms crossed, scowling but somehow proud.
"Old man…"
"Hmph. Get back here and watch carefully."
Zeff fished a fresh catch from the sink, expertly seasoning and explaining each step as he demonstrated.
Little Sanji focused, committing every move to memory.
…
Returning to the present, Sanji's eyes felt moist.
"That was… the first time I learned to roast fish."
He took a deep breath, gazing at Shirogai with newfound respect.
"You're better than me."
Shirogai raised a brow. "Hm?"
"In cooking," Sanji clarified. "I can make food that pleases, but you… you make food that touches people's hearts."
A grin tugged at Shirogai's lips.
He grabbed two bottles of wine, tossing one to Sanji.
Sanji caught it, a little stunned.
Shirogai raised his bottle.
"To your master."
The words struck a chord.
Sanji chuckled, lifting his bottle in turn.
"To Chef Zeff."
The crew cheered.
Luffy, already stuffed with roasted fish, raised a pig's leg in celebration.
"Everyone! Today we welcome a new crewmate!"
"Ohhhh!!" The Straw Hats erupted in unison.
"Let's welcome our Sixth Straw Hat nakama— Shirogai Yamikuro!"
"Shirogai! Shirogai! Shirogai!"
Despite having only met that day, Shirogai's strength and skills had already won them over.
Even Usopp, knowing better than to challenge someone who'd outclassed Zoro and Sanji, happily cheered for his new teammate.
With Shirogai aboard, his dream of becoming "Usopp the Brave" felt a little safer.
And Luffy? He couldn't resist a fun, powerful companion.
Whether it was the similarity in their Devil Fruit powers or Shirogai's fearless attitude, Luffy was sold.
He raised his meat high.
"We're starting to look like a real crew! To Shirogai!"
Zoro smirked, raising his cup. "To Shirogai."
Nami laughed, joining them. "To Shirogai!"
Usopp, mouth full of fish, managed a muffled, "To Shirogai!"
Even Sanji grinned. "To Shirogai."
Shirogai rose to his feet, cheeks flushed from wine, and said sincerely:
"Thank you all for the warm welcome.
I know my arrival was sudden, and if anyone's still unsure of my intentions, I can—"
Before he could finish, they cut him off in unison.
"No one doubts you! You're one of us!"
He grinned, lifting his bottle.
"To all of us."
"Cheers!"
…
Two days later, on the Going Merry's deck…
"Damn it, Shirogai won again!"
Usopp threw down his cards, glaring at Luffy.
"Oi, we're supposed to be on the same team! He's a Marine, remember?! Why'd you betray me?!"
Luffy laughed, scratching his head. "Hehe, I forgot!"
"Aaaagh, Luffy, you idiot!"
Usopp tugged his hair in frustration.
Shirogai chuckled, picking up a pastry, then called out to Nami, who was scanning the horizon with a telescope.
"Nami, how far to Loguetown?"
She beamed. "I can already see it! We'll be there soon!"
Luffy leapt up, grinning.
"Where? Where?"
Shirogai tapped into his Observation Haki, easily spotting the small island growing on the horizon. He smirked.
"So this is it… Loguetown. The Town of the Beginning and the End."
The birthplace and execution site of Gol D. Roger.
The place where legends both begin and fall.
---