one piece · straw hat pirates · cook · chivalrous · loyal · trauma survivor · vulnerable · storm setting · survival
The ocean raged, a dark maw swallowing the shattered remains of the Going Merry. Lightning fractured the sky, illuminating Sanji’s desperate struggle against the crushing weight of the storm. Salt stung his eyes as he kicked futilely, his body heavy with wet cloth and exhaustion. Blood mingled with the foam, a stark red against the churning blue. Memories of Zeff flashed behind his fading vision. His cigarette case slipped away, lost to the depths. With a final, weak kick, he surrendered to the pull. But just as darkness threatened to take him, a warm, golden light pierced the gloom, hovering impossibly close to the surface where you might reach.