Alex walked toward Luffy. The whole reason they'd come to the floating restaurant was to find a chef to join their crew — hopefully Luffy hadn't caused any other trouble.

"Oh, it's you guys," Luffy said when he saw Alex and the others. He dusted himself off and stood up.

"Listen, I've got to work here for a week to pay off the debt for breaking the restaurant's roof."

"A whole week?"

Alex turned to Nami. "Take out some of your money and pay them back so we don't waste so much time here."

"Don't be stupid. That's my money. Besides, this mess is Luffy's fault. He should take responsibility himself, right?"

At the end, she turned to Luffy for confirmation.

"That's right. I have to take responsibility for my actions. You guys don't need to interfere," Luffy said firmly, nodding to Alex.

Seeing that Luffy had already decided, Alex let it go. He glanced at Fullbody, still sitting on the floor, and said to Nami, "I got that treasure from his ship. You should at least give me a share, right?"

"Of course. That's why I'm treating you all to a meal here," Nami replied with a smile, her bright eyes locking onto him.

Are you kidding me? That treasure might not be huge, but it's enough to eat here for decades, and you're telling me a single meal makes us even? You've got some nerve.

Alex rolled up his sleeves, ready to argue it out.

"He's an idiot," Usopp whispered to Zoro. "Why pick a fight with Nami over money?"

"That's just his way. He's got a line he won't cross. Maybe it's that stubbornness — that most people can't understand — that lets him keep getting stronger," Zoro said, watching Alex's back as he argued.

Usopp blinked at Zoro's words, falling into thought. Principles and boundaries, huh…

"Wait, weren't you the guy who fired a cannon at us earlier? How come you're covered in blood now?"

Luffy ignored the heated argument between Alex and Nami, instead looking curiously at Fullbody.

"Get out of my sight!"

Zeff, having just kicked a loudly protesting Sanji across the room, heard Luffy's question and realized Fullbody was the one who'd blown a hole in his restaurant. Without hesitation, he booted the marine captain away.

Sanji, having landed near Alex's feet, tried to get up — only to see Nami mid-argument. Hearts immediately filled his eyes.

"Don't forget, we're on the same crew! If someone's short on cash, what's the big deal about lending them some?" Alex snapped.

"You big idiot! If it's really necessary, I'd lend you money — but you heard Luffy, he wants to handle it himself. Besides, your money is mine, and my money is also mine," Nami shot back.

"You stupid woman! What kind of twisted logic is that? If you'd paid them off when Luffy left with the restaurant staff, we wouldn't have to waste a whole week here! Don't you know I'm dying to get to the Grand Line?"

They stood in the middle of the restaurant, arguing loudly enough to spray each other's faces, ignoring the stares of everyone around them.

Usopp thought about stepping in but froze when Nami shot him a deadly glare.

Zoro yawned, bored, just wondering how much longer until he could have a drink.

Luffy, meanwhile, was distracted by the delicious smells in the restaurant. His stomach growled loudly — he couldn't care less about Alex and Nami's squabble.

Suddenly, Sanji shot up from the floor, planting himself between Alex and Nami.

"Oh, great ocean, thank you for bringing me today's fated encounter! Love, mock me if you will, for I cannot endure this pain!"

Standing in front of Nami with his back to Alex, Sanji spoke with deep longing: "For you, I wouldn't mind becoming a pirate or a devil. It's such a tragedy… there are too many obstacles between us."

"Right now, aren't I the obstacle between you two?"

"And who the hell are you? Can't you see we're in the middle of a conversation?" Alex said, feeling queasy at Sanji's over-the-top flirting. "You're really buttering up this woman? Did your brain break?"

"You bastard! How dare you talk so loud to a lady!" Sanji turned, taking a drag from his cigarette. "And you even insulted this beautiful, pure, and kind woman! I have to teach you proper manners toward a lady!"

What?

Is this guy for real? First time meeting Nami and he's calling her pure and kind? And he thinks I need lessons in manners? Alex stared at him, convinced he was an idiot. Didn't he hear Nami just call me a big idiot? I only called her a stupid woman in return — how's that disrespect?

"Where did this nutcase come from? Go play somewhere else. I'm not in the mood for you," Alex said.

Honestly, after just arguing with Nami, he wasn't in the best mood — and now Sanji had to stick his nose in, making it worse.

When Alex first saw Sanji lift Fullbody with one hand, he thought the guy was pretty cool. But after seeing how he acted around Nami… not so much.

The way Sanji looked at her made Alex want to punch him for some reason.

Words quickly turned to blows. Sanji's powerful kick met Alex's arm, making it go slightly numb. Alex frowned and immediately pulled the fishing rod from the brace on his right arm.

"Stop! Please don't fight over me, okay?"

Nami, seeing Alex draw his weapon, knew things were about to get worse. She put on a pleading expression, even blinking cutely at him.

"Who's fighting over you, woman?!" Alex barked.

He was about to go at Sanji again, but the moment Sanji heard Nami speak, his eyes turned to hearts. Completely ignoring Alex's attack, he told her, "Alright, I won't fight."

What the hell?!

Alex pulled his strike at the last second — the stick was this close to cracking Sanji on the head. But the guy had just dropped his guard and stopped fighting, all because Nami said so. The sudden switch left Alex completely dumbfounded…

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