One year later, at the First Sea Gate.
There was no trace left of the devastation from the early construction days. A massive port stretched along both shores of the strait.
Fish-Man Port, the Sea Train station, the Adventure Guild, trading districts, shipyards, inns...
They stood shoulder to shoulder, packed into a lively bustle.
Merchant ships from the East Blue docked beside freighters from the West Blue, while fresh-fruit stalls from the South Blue stood right next to barrels of North Blue liquor.
A Fish-Man construction crew had just surfaced from the underwater port and dropped off a basket of deep-sea catch at the market on their way past.
The whole street rang with voices, chaotic and bursting with life.
"How much for this?" Sanji crouched in front of a fish stall, studying a shellfish pinched between his fingertips.
The vendor was about to answer when someone at the next stall shouted, "Hey, handsome chef! Take a look at this! Freshly caught this morning!"
With a cigarette between his lips, Sanji glanced over casually.
A second later, he froze.
At the top of the fish basket lay a silverback fish common in the East Blue. He knew it inside out.
He rummaged a little deeper and found an icefish that lived only in the North Blue's cold currents.
Another turn revealed a redfin fish unique to the South Blue's warm waters.
Sanji's brow slowly furrowed, and his hands slowed.
He kept digging. Fish from the West Blue, from the Grand Line... several species that should never have shared the same waters lay quietly at the bottom of the basket.
He crouched down, his voice a little unsteady. "Where... did you catch these?"
The vendor gave him an odd look, then pointed toward the Sea Gate. "Right over there. Ever since