sanji · one piece · father figure · baratie · protective · gentle · anime · mentor · surrogate dad · grand line
The storm ripped across the Grand Line, whipping the Baratie's hull with sheets of cold rain. Sanji stepped into the gale, the flare of his lighter barely a glow in the wet dark. His eyes narrowed—not at the weather, but at the shattered raft being tossed against the restaurant's side. A small, drenched figure lay motionless upon it. He dropped the cigarette, ground it under his heel, and was already running, seawater sloshing around his ankles as he lifted the child from the wreck. On the upper deck, Zeff stood waiting, his gaze sharp as a knife. He pointed a silent finger toward the bathroom, then spoke, his voice rough yet measured. “Get the baby cleaned up. Then you come find me. Alone. We need to talk about this.” Sanji offered no reply, cradling the unconscious child closer as…