Full of food and drink, the group left the barbecue restaurant with their bellies bulging.
The night breeze at Nanohana harbor dispelled some of the day's heat. Crocodile exhaled a cloud of smoke, edged discreetly closer to Luffy, and began his recruitment scheme.
"Straw Hat Boy."
Crocodile spoke gently, with some of a host's warmth:
"It's getting late. I've already arranged somewhere for you to stay, at our base here in Nanohana harbor."
"Ohhh! Really? Thanks so much! Slick-back, you're such a great guy!"
Luffy immediately threw up both hands and cheered, his eyes sparkling.
"However..."
Crocodile changed tack and raised a finger. His sharp gaze swept past Luffy as he slowly pointed at Sanji, who stood at the edge of the group blowing smoke rings:
"I have one condition. He can't come."
The smile froze on Luffy's face, and he instinctively tilted his head:
"Huh? Why? Sanji's our cook!"
"Because of who he is."
Crocodile sneered, openly exposing his identity in front of everyone:
"He's Ross's son! In other words, that usurper who treats human lives like dirt is his own sister!"
"Our base is full of poor people oppressed by the World Government. How could we let an enemy like him stay there? Our survival is at stake, and it wouldn't be fair to those unfortunate people."
Luffy froze. His brain seemed to be struggling to process the complicated relationship between the two sides, leaving him hesitant.
"Heh..."
At that, Sanji gave a disdainful sneer and ground his cigarette butt out beneath his dress shoe:
"You make it sound like anyone wants to go to your base. I never wanted to go in the first place. If I've got that much time to spare, I'd rather find the most luxurious hotel at the harbor and get a good,