Naruto leaned against the doorframe, the burnt smell drifting from the kitchen still caught in his throat.
Naruto rubbed his nose.
"Just stay put."
"Don't go running around."
"As long as you don't move, you really won't have anything to worry about."
The little girl's face was clouded with fear.
Her voice grew quieter and quieter.
She wrung her hands together, her gaze darting away.
She looked as if she'd done something wrong.
She felt that putting them in this position was terribly unfair.
She looked like someone being forced to taste-test poison.
"I was worried you'd try to help!"
"I just didn't want you to go hungry."
Luffy patted his stomach.
He licked his lips.
His stomach gave a loud growl.
His eyes lit up.
"I'm starving."
"Let's eat already."
The group walked into the dining hall.
Someone stopped short.
The moment they entered, everyone saw a plate waiting at their place.
No one dared sit down first.
The plates were arranged neatly around the tables.
Each held a blackened lump.
It was so thoroughly black that no one could tell what kind of food it was.
Its surface even glistened with oil.
Calling it soot from the bottom of a pot would have been generous.
The room fell silent for two seconds.
Nami wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
The corner of her mouth twitched.
Her hand froze in midair.
"Did you make this?"
"It certainly looks... distinctive."
"It looks pretty tasty, too?"
The little girl nodded at once.
Her eyes filled with hurt.
"I made it myself."
"Don't look at me like that."
"I just wanted to thank everyone."
"You've all been so good to me. I know that."
"You've been cooking like crazy for me, and you saved me."
"It meant so much to me."