Magikarp and the Chef

In the beginning, the cameras on Zou Island were antiques. The environment of Zou Island meant they couldn't easily replenish supplies, so many things, as long as they could still be used, would be patched up and used continually.

That antique camera was retired only after Setsuna brought back a large number of goods from outside. Now, Tesoro has taken it and uses it as a vintage ornament.

The whole family took a new photo, with Perona and Bewear appearing in the photo as the adopted daughter and her pet.

The birth of two new lives brought much joy, but after a night, except for Zeraora and Setsuna who were still on holiday, everyone's life returned to normal.

The pirates of Onigashima took this opportunity to throw a series of banquets.

The two children happened to be born at the end of Year 1510. After that, Wano Country began its annual New Year festival, and they celebrated for several days straight, taking advantage of the banquet.

Though the birth of the officers' children wasn't directly related to them, it didn't stop the pirates from holding a banquet. This was the tradition of pirates.

Feeling down? Have a banquet to adjust your mood.

Feeling happy? Of course, have a banquet to celebrate.

Many of the pirates who were following Kaido from the beginning have now settled down and started their own families. Solitaire, Speed, and Mizerka are all second-generation pirates, but Zeraora's offspring is the first child of an officer. This has great significance for the Beasts Pirates, as it signifies their future actions.

Speaking of the future, at this time in Sabaody Archipelago, Rayleigh looked at Shanks and reminisced about the past.

"So many years have passed in a flash, and you've grown up, but your arm...What in East Blue could threaten you?"

"I bet it... on the new era."

Shanks was now missing a left arm, and the straw hat was gone as well. Lord of the Coast has already achieved its greatest feat; killing the mountain bandit Higuma.

...

Onigashima, after the New Year celebrations ended, and after a few days of hangovers, most people's lives returned to normal. Onigashima continued to operate as usual, following its established routines.

Shayna brought a new report to Arceus.

"Lord Sacred Beast, this is the plan for the coming year. Tesoro plans to launch the entertainment ship this year and is preparing for Uta's world debut. He has requested to name the ship Gran Tesoro."

Although it was called a ship, its scale was comparable to a city. If the plan went smoothly, this ship would revolutionize the entertainment industry in the New World, or perhaps even the entire world.

"Has everything been settled with his contacts?"

Such a ship would touch many interests, and without the backing of the Celestial Dragons, it might be sunk as soon as it is launched.

"He says there are no problems, just waiting for its completion."

"Then, let him do as he wishes. It's just the name of a ship."

"Understood. I will convey your response. Also, Mandrell mentioned that Tiger wishes to come to Onigashima to... uh...pay his respects to you for your divine favor."

Normally, Mandrell wouldn't use such wording in a work log; he'd usually write more straightforwardly, but this was Tiger's request.

Tiger was increasingly getting curious about what Onigashima was like. That's why he asked Mandrell for help, and reported back using highly religious words.

"If he wants to come, let him. Have Misu prepare for his visit, so this believer isn't disappointed."

"Yes."

As each matter was decided, Shayna went to assign new tasks to others. Meanwhile, on the sea, a new pilgrimage was underway. Magikarps were again on the move, with Nereus among them.

She spent a month mastering her own Mega Evolution and then set off to other sea areas to continue her mission.

Compared to the Grand Line, the Four Seas were much larger, so she had brought her group to the Four Seas to continue searching for plates. Only recently did she prepare to embark on the pilgrimage.

"Search the seabed. After exploring this area, we will return to the holy land."

Nereus roared at the Gyarados behind her and began their final exploration for the time being.

...

Some time later, with nothing to show for their efforts, they again set out for their pilgrimage. It had become an instinctual behavior for them; even without finding anything, they would still undertake the journey.

Nereus's strength ensured she faced no trouble, but some Magikarp weren't as fortunate.

In East Blue, on a uniquely shaped rocky island, a Magikarp was washed onto the rocks by the sea waves. The dry rocks made it uncomfortable, and it began to flop around. Despite several attempts, it couldn't get back to the sea.

Just then, a pair of emaciated hands grabbed it, showing signs of long-term hunger.

"Ol' geezer! There's a fish! I caught a fish!"

The boy seemed to have found hope, but the person he called to only glanced at it without any interest.

They were none other than the stranded Zeff and Sanji. After a year of adventuring in the Grand Line, Zeff realized his weakness and, fortunately, returned to East Blue.

Sanji had left the Vinsmoke family during a battle and then become an apprentice cook on the passenger ship Orbit.

During the Cook Pirates led by Zeff's raid on the Orbit, a storm erupted, and Sanji got swept into the sea.

Zeff, moved by their shared dream of finding the "ALL BLUE," chose to save Sanji, leading to their being stranded on this island.

Even though Zeff had given all the food to Sanji, they ran out of food quickly. The only good news was the island's occasional rain, providing enough fresh water to keep them from dying of thirst.

On the 70th day of being stranded on the deserted island, Sanji discovered the truth: Zeff had given him all the food, and the large sack by Zeff's side was only filled with non-edible treasures. From that moment on, his opinion of Zeff changed.

At this moment, seeing the Magikarp flopping around, Sanji seemed to see a potential lifeline.

"Give it up, little brat. That thing is inedible."

Zeff knew Magikarp well. With enough tools and seasonings, it could be turned into bone broth, but he was missing a foot and was too weak to even break through its scales.

Sanji, unwilling to give up, stabbed the Magikarp with his dagger, but even as the blade dulled, the Magikarp remained unharmed.

"Its scales are as hard as steel. It's useless, don't waste your energy."

The greater the hope, the greater the despair when it was crushed. Sanji soon lay back on the ground, ignoring the flopping Magikarp.

Magikarp's jumps grew weaker, its life force fading. Suddenly, Sanji sat up, picked up the Magikarp, and carried it to the edge of the rock.

"Go on, since we can't eat you, at least you should live."

He used to waste food, but during his time on the deserted island, looking at the moldy food in his hands, he realized the preciousness of food and gained respect for life.

Since they couldn't eat the Magikarp, there was no reason for it to die with them on land.

"Wait!"

Zeff saw what Sanji was doing and tried to stop him, but it was too late. Sanji had already thrown it back into the sea.

"You idiot, now we're in trouble…"

A few years ago, an attempt by his crew to cook a Magikarp had summoned a Gyarados, a memory still vivid in his mind.

Sanji had just used a dagger on this one, and a sense of foreboding filled Zeff, but unbeknownst to him, the Magikarp in the water had a different look in its eyes compared to before.

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