A Marine butcher? I’m just fighting to live with everything I’ve got. Chapter 48 48: You Hopelessly Lost Idiot, Stop Telling Me Wh

"Dane."

"Yes, Brother Hawk!"

"Rember, let Sanji bring Zoro to the 16th Branch."

Hawk spoke with a serious expression. "After that, we regroup at G-3."

"Ah…???"

A giant question mark popped up in Dane's head.

Sanji bringing Zoro back?

Shouldn't it be the other way around?

But he didn't hesitate. "Yes, sir!"

Soon after, a small boat slowly sailed away from the floating restaurant, Baratie.

"Set sail!"

Zoro stood proudly, one hand on his hip and the other gripping the helm, volunteering himself as captain of the ship.

Sanji leaned lazily against the railing, lighting a cigarette. White smoke curled from his lips and scattered into the sea breeze.

His thoughts were still on the old man, Zeff his scolding face, his stern words before they parted.

He wasn't sure if this path of becoming a Marine was the right one.

But first, he had to earn enough bounty money to pay off Zeff's wanted status, so the old man could retire in peace.

After that… then he could think about the All Blue.

"I wonder…" He blew out another smoke ring. "Are there any pretty ladies in the Marines?"

anwhile, back at Baratie

On the restaurant deck, the chefs stared at the small boat shrinking into the horizon, faces full of worry and reluctance.

"Boss, is it really okay for Sanji to join the Marines?"

"Yeah, with that bad temper of his, won't he get locked in the brig on his first day?"

Zeff stood silently at the balcony, saying nothing. He just watched until the small boat beca a black dot.

Only then did he turn to the noisy chefs behind him.

Instead of answering, he asked, "Tell , how long has it been since pirates caused trouble here?"

"…"

The chefs froze.

He was right!

Not long ago, pirates would show up every few days trying to dine and dash, or cause drunken fights.

But in the past few months? Nothing. Not even a glimpse of a pirate.

"Baratie is the most famous restaurant in the East Blue. The prices aren't cheap, it's not a place ordinary folk can usually afford."

Zeff continued, his eyes narrowing. "But think carefully. Recently, among our custors, how many have been ordinary families dressed simply, coming here to splurge just once, maybe for a holiday or a celebration?"

"…"

The chefs were stunned again.

It was true. The atmosphere of the restaurant had changed.

Fewer rowdy pirates. More happy families.

Zeff's lips curved into a rare smile. "You boys still don't see it."

"I don't know what exactly has happened in the East Blue…"

He turned back toward the vast and peaceful ocean, his voice heavy with quiet admiration.

"But this sea… it's already changing."

"That brat Sanji will have a future in the Marines."

…

Out at sea

The small boat rocked gently across the waves. After a while, Sanji's sharp eyes noticed sothing wrong.

Very wrong.

He looked up at the sun, then at the horizon.

This course… was completely opposite of the 16th Branch!

"Hey!"

He snapped at Zoro. "Moss-head, is this really the way to the 16th Branch?"

"Yes," Zoro said with absolute seriousness. "This is the way."

"Yes?! Your head, yes!"

Sanji's eyebrow twitched violently as he glared. "What do you take for, an idiot? We're going the wrong way!"

"Oh…"

Zoro caught the murderous look in Sanji's eyes, then slowly adjusted the helm, muttering, "You're so noisy. You threw off my sense of direction."

"…"

A while later, Sanji realized they had veered off-course again!

It had been correct just a mont ago!

How the hell did this moss-head manage it?

Flicking his cigarette aside, Sanji stomped toward him.

"We're off-course again!"

"No we're not!"

"!!!"

Sanji's eyes bulged at Zoro's stubborn face.

And suddenly, Dane's odd words ca back to him Hawk told you, you bring Zoro back to the 16th Branch.

Now he understood.

That hadn't been a slip of the tongue.

"Ha…"

Sanji drew in a deep breath, staring Zoro down.

"Moss-head… you're a hopelessly lost idiot, aren't you?"

"…Uh…"

Zoro's hand twitched away from the helm as he waved furiously in denial. "I'm not, I never don't talk nonsense!"

"It's just that this sea route is too complicated!"

"Ha! And where else in the world is calr than the East Blue?"

"Out of the way, you super lost idiot!"

Sanji shoved Zoro aside, grabbed the wheel, and corrected the heading with a string of curses.

The boat cut a clean arc across the water and finally surged toward the proper direction.

At last, the silhouette of the 16th Branch base ca into view.

Sanji exhaled long and slow, shoulders relaxing.

Finally.

Spending this much ti with a moss-head was more exhausting than a whole day slaving in the kitchen.

Not only was he hopelessly lost, he was ridiculously confident about it, always insisting on steering.

If Sanji hadn't had a good sense of direction, they'd probably be drifting into the Grand Line by now.

"Hmph."

Zoro opened one eye and stood, glancing at the base in the distance. He nodded with satisfaction.

"See? I told you I had the right course."

Sanji: "…Damn it!"

…

anwhile, at the 16th Branch dock.

A newly arrived Marine colonel saluted Dane.

"Thank you for your hard work, Colonel Dane."

"No, I'm still just a major."

Dane returned the salute calmly.

"Not anymore. Headquarters has already approved your promotion. You simply haven't received the uniform yet."

The new colonel's sharp, hawk-like gaze carried authority, yet toward Dane it was filled with respect.

"Colonel Dane, thank you, and Commander Hawk, for purging the East Blue."

"Now that Captain Smoker has been reassigned, Loguetown will also be taken over by a new colonel."

"Both he and I serve directly under Admiral Sakazuki."

"Rest assured, Headquarters is determined to maintain peace in the East Blue. Your efforts will not be wasted."

He paused, his voice steady and solemn.

"The Grand Line will be entrusted to you. Please give Commander Hawk my respects."

"Understood."

Dane saluted once more before turning to the troops assembled behind him.

"n, board the ships!"

"As soon as Zoro and Sanji arrive, we depart!"

"Yes, sir!"

The soldiers marched in unison, boarding the ships with precision.

Just then, a lookout shouted down from the mast.

"Report! A small vessel spotted, approaching us!"

"There's a blond and a green-haired man aboard."

Dane's lips curved into a faint smile.

"Perfect. The crew is all here."

"Set sail for G-3!"

"Yes, sir!"

…

Sanji.

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