Looking at Zyep, who was earnestly reminding them, Kouta put away his smile and said to him.
"Well, don't worry, Mr. Zyep."
"I! I've waited over ten years to set sail, how could I not be prepared!"
Then, a terrifying aura emanated from him, and he said solemnly to Zyep.
"I set sail specifically to obtain the strongest title, and to witness the magnificent scenery of the Grand Line!"
Ah Hua and the other two also nodded along.
Even though they were just tagging along, it didn't stop them from seeking the spotlight.
"And me, I set sail to become the strongest female swordsman, and to keep pace with Kouta!"
Gu Yina, sitting to Kouta's left, said with a determined gaze.
Sensing Kouta's aura and will, Zyep couldn't help but sigh at the great power of dreams.
Back then, he too had set sail for his dream, to find the legendary "All Blue."
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but think of Sanji, who shared the same dream.
This guy had been unwilling to set sail to pursue his own dream for his sake.
Just as he thought of Sanji, the guy himself appeared.
A dark silhouette suddenly rushed out of the kitchen, darted past Kouta, and stood directly beside Gu Yina.
Then, facing Gu Yina, the guy knelt on one knee, covered his chest with his left hand, raised a red rose in his right, and loudly declared to Gu Yina.
"Ah—! Oh, sea!"
"Thank you for granting me this encounter today."
Looking at this guy in front of him, dressed in a black suit, with golden blonde hair, and rather unique curly eyebrows.
Gu Yina was startled, then watched his performance with a blank expression.
Seeing Gu Yina's increasingly cold face, Sanji became even more excited, covering his face and shouting loudly.
"Ah—! Love!"
"Mock this me who cannot bear this pain! As long as I can be with you, I am now ready to become a pirate or a devil."
Kouta and the Ah Hua trio's mouths twitched.
Kouta was surprised and speechless by Sanji's sudden appearance and the guy's exaggerated actions and words.
As for the Ah Hua trio, they simply mourned for the guy.
"He's really asking for death."
As expected, their guess was soon confirmed.
Gu Yina felt goosebumps prickle all over her skin. She abruptly stood up, raised her leg, and swung a kick at the guy's head.
Bang—!
Sanji's head tilted, and he shot towards the ground.
Thump—!
His head heavily crashed onto the ground.
Even after being kicked and lying on the ground, the guy still tilted his head to stare at Gu Yina, with hearts popping out of his eyes.
"Ah! My goddess! Even kicking is so beautiful."
Gu Yina was truly disgusted by this guy. She quickly ran behind Kouta and hugged him, pouting.
"Kouta, this guy is too disgusting!"
Kouta stared at Sanji with a dark expression. This guy really lived up to his reputation; he was truly audacious and lecherous!
"Hey! Who are you! Stay away from my goddess."
Sanji saw Gu Yina leaning on Kouta's back and finally noticed Kouta.
Upon seeing Kouta's appearance, his alarm bells rang.
He considered himself quite handsome, but compared to Kouta, he was nothing.
Sanji wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stood up as if nothing had happened.
He stared intently at Kouta, his eyes wide, waiting for his answer.
"Me? I'm your goddess's fiancé. Who do you think I am!"
Kouta replied indifferently.
No matter who it was, when their fiancée was being harassed by a pervert, their mood wouldn't be great.
Even if you knew the pervert didn't have malicious intentions, that he was simply lustful.
However, this did not prevent Kouta from feeling a trace of dislike towards him upon their first meeting.
"Oh...! So you're the fiancé!"
His reaction was a bit slow.
Then he reacted and stared at Kouta in surprise, asking.
"What did you say?"
"I said I'm your goddess's fiancé, isn't that clear enough?"
Kouta looked at Sanji speechlessly.
Sanji froze for a moment, his face quickly darkened, and he mumbled with his head down.
"Alas! Love!"
"You came so suddenly and left so hastily, ending before it even began."
Then, the guy calmly took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a puff.
He was lustful, but not vulgar, and would not pursue someone else's fiancée.
"Hmm...!"
It was at this moment that he noticed Zyep, standing beside Kouta with a grim expression.
He calmly called out.
"Hey! Old man, why are you down here instead of resting upstairs?"
"This is my restaurant, can't I come down?"
"On the contrary, you're being too rude to a customer!"
Saying that, Zyep strode up to Sanji and quickly raised his prosthetic leg, delivering a kick to Sanji's head.
Thump—!
This time, it was the sound of wood hitting a head.
Bang—!
Sanji once again lay on the ground.
Sanji, lying on the ground, touched his head and glared at Zyep, shouting loudly.
"Hey! Old man, I'm the sous chef here! Can't you spare me some dignity?"
Zyep calmly stared at Sanji and said lightly, "You easily get into conflicts with customers, you fawn over any woman you see, and you can't even cook anything delicious..."
He paused, still refraining from saying the rest.
He had originally intended to let Sanji set sail with Kouta and the others.
He could feel the determination of Kouta and the others from their conversation, and Sanji's dream did not conflict with theirs; in fact, it was quite fitting.
However, seeing that Kouta and Gu Yina didn't seem very friendly towards Sanji, and even showed a hint of disgust,
he abandoned the idea of letting Sanji set sail with Kouta and them.
After all, dreams are important, but finding compatible companions to pursue them with is even more important.
Sanji stood up, his brows furrowed, and glared at Zyep, shouting, "Don't push your luck just because I'm not arguing! Old man."
"Setting aside everything else, I absolutely will not allow you to belittle my cooking."
"Oh! Is that so?"
Zyep looked at Sanji, his eyes filled with disdain.
"Then the meal for these customers today will be your responsibility. If you can satisfy them, I will take back my words."
Zyep still wanted to give it a try. What if Kouta and the others acknowledged Sanji's culinary skills, and their slight disgust faded?
After all, he had finally met someone he admired.
"Then you all wait."
Sanji roared at Kouta and the others, then turned and entered the kitchen.
After Sanji entered the kitchen, Zyep turned to Kouta and said, "What do you think? Kid, I'll have Sanji cook for you. If you're not satisfied, I won't charge you."
"I say, old man, you're not hoping this guy will join us at sea, are you?"
Kouta asked Zyep doubtfully.
"Let me tell you, my ship only needs a doctor right now, there are no other positions for cooks."
"Of course, if a musician could join, that would be fine too, as the sea can be a bit boring."
Kouta didn't particularly dislike Sanji, but this guy could only fully utilize his talents within the Straw Hat Pirates.
He hadn't even taken Zoro, so how could he take Sanji?
Although he knew that even if he invited Zoro, that guy wouldn't set sail with him.
Zoro knew that sailing with Kouta was safe, but it was precisely because it was too safe that he wouldn't follow Kouta.
Without the tempering of life and death, even with Zoro's immense talent, he would not become the strongest.
Just look at Ah Hua and the other two now.
They could only handle ordinary pirates for now. Once they reached the Grand Line, if they didn't find Devil Fruits, they would be completely reduced to mediocre individuals and tools.
There were no weaklings there.
Gu Yina's unwavering belief was only due to the promise she made with him since childhood.
Furthermore, with his constant cheating and helping Gu Yina train, she had long since surpassed ordinary swordsmen and was advancing towards becoming a great swordmaster.
In conclusion.
There was truly no place for Sanji on his ship.
Well! It wasn't because of Sanji's lustfulness that made him and Gu Yina a little displeased.
He wouldn't be so petty!
If he really had to choose one from the Straw Hat Pirates, he would only choose Chopper.
This guy, with a bounty of 100 Berries, fighting battles worth 100 million, could be a doctor, a pet, and emergency food if there was no other food.
A perfect companion for home travel.
However, he also knew this was impossible.
In fact, he knew he might not even be able to persuade Sanji.
He didn't have Luffy's charisma. Even if he wanted to, Sanji might not necessarily set sail with him.
In this regard, he was quite self-aware.