Chapter Text
Luckily, the first island the Straw Hats reached after entering the New World wasn’t anything too interesting. There were a few towns and no marine base, probably because so few pirates made it past Fishman Island. It seemed pretty ideal for their first stop. They also agreed that it’d be nice to relax a bit together after the back to back messes of Sabaody and Fishman Island. It was also a great opportunity to stock up on any supplies they didn’t get from King Triton.
That’s exactly what Sanji and Zoro had been doing when the local bandits had thought it was a perfect time to attack. The issue was that the bandits had underestimated them. They were distracted with shopping and already were balancing a tedious amount of groceries. Not to mention that their bounty posters were two years out of date. The battle was quick and clean.
Well, it should’ve been.
After moving through the first wave of idiots easily, bags still in hand, it became clear who the victor would be. That’s when a man toward the back of the bandit’s group shouted “Mix Mix Swinging Blade”. The next thing the swordsman and the cook knew a sword with a chain attached to the hilt was flying where their heads had just been. The other end of the chain was being held by a man who was frankly a tacky mess. His clothes were a mess of scattered patterns and colors like he was wearing the most unthought-out quilt. Green hair fell silky straight over his left eye while purple and yellow ringlets brushed where an eyebrow would’ve been over his right. The back of his head was a polka dot afro, very reminiscent of a clown. Even his shoes were mismatched, one a sturdy black boot while the other was a pink flipflop with sparkly straps.
“What the fuck?” Sanji whispered as he looked at the fashion disaster before him.
“You two are stronger than we expected, I’ll give you that,” the Mess crowed, “but you’re no match for me, Alloy! You see I ate the Mix Mix fruit and I can mix anything with anything else just by touching it! Observe!”
The swinging blade in Alloy’s hand turned into bubbles after he spoke. He placed his now free hand on a piece of rope one of the other bandits presented to him while he placed his other hand on a sword held by a different bandit. Zoro and Sanji seemed to both be curious about where this was headed as neither moved to stop him despite the fact that killing him would’ve been as easy as breathing to either of them.
“Mix Mix Whip Blade!” Alloy shouted.
After the words left his mouth bubbles began to form on the backs of his hands. They grew bigger before popping off his skin and floating before his face. The bubbles stuck together in a small cloud, formless and nonthreating. Then there was a large popping sound and the cloud was replaced by a long blade which seemed as flexible as a whip. It floated in the air for a moment before falling into Alloy’s waiting hand. He grinned like he’d backed the Straw Hat’s into a corner.
He hadn’t.
Sanji and Zoro moved quickly as Alloy began to whip the weapon around. It was a threatening sight and wielded with precision. Two years ago, the swordsman and the cook might’ve had a bit of trouble fighting it. Thankfully, it wasn’t two years ago. A lot had changed since then. The tide of the battle stayed in their favor.
Just a moment later it became clear that Alloy knew he was going to lose the fight. Perhaps in an act of desperation he darted forward. His blade was still whipping around dangerously as other bandits attacked, leaving Sanji and Zoro distracted. That was the only reason he managed to lay a hand on each of them. They had just registered the pressure of Alloy’s hands when a bubble cloud was forming between them. The swordsman and the cook turned around just in time for Alloy to dart away as the cloud popped into a small and unassuming shape. Sanji registered it as a baby just in time to catch it before it fell from its suspended position in the air. He looked down at its serene sleeping face before looking up at Zoro.
“Mosshead,” he said, tone harsh with no room for disagreement, “end it.”
Zoro only nodded before turning back to the battle. He began cutting down bandits with frightening efficiency. A few seconds later there were only a few stranglers left. That was when Alloy decided to rush Sanji. The cook, not falling for the same trick twice, shot his leg out, dropping it on the bandit’s head. He fell immediately as weapons all across the street turned battlefield disappeared in a burst of bubbles. The baby remained asleep in Sanji’s arms.
With the danger gone the cook took an opportunity to observe the infant. It was small, so small in fact it couldn't have been very old. It had popped into existence naked so Sanji knew he was a boy. He was probably cold. Sanji held him close to his chest, trying to block him from the wind.
“Why didn’t he turn into bubbles?” Zoro’s voice rumbled over Sanji’s shoulder.
“I don’t know,” the cook answered, not looking up, “but I intend to find out. Tie him up and bring him with us.”
“What about the supplies?”
“You can handle it.”
Zoro just grunted before walking off.
~~~
Sanji had not put the baby down other than to wrap him in a warm, thick towel once they’d returned to the ship. Robin had been on watch when they arrived, so it was a short while before the whole crew was gathered in the galley with a rudimentary explanation. Upon arriving, Chopper had immediately pushed Sanji into a chair so he could check the health of the baby. The room was oddly silent as he worked. Sanji held his breath as Chopper turned his attention back to the crew.
“He seems fine to me so far,” he began much to Sanji’s relief, “Based on his size and functions I’d say he can’t be more than a few hours old. It’s like he was born from that mix mix guy’s bubbles.”
“But everything else that guy made disappeared the moment he was knocked out,” Zoro cut in, “How come he’s still here?”
Chopper shrugged, “Devil fruits are unpredictable. Maybe because he’s a person and not a thing?”
“We can just ask the guy, right?” Ussop suggested, “Like once he wakes up.”
“That seems the most logical course of action,” Robin agreed.
“He should be up any moment now. Sanji didn’t hit him too hard this time,” Chopper confirmed.
“What do we do about the baby in the meantime?” Nami asked.
“He seems content with our cook, and based on what I remember of childcare, taking infants from someone they feel comfortable with can be quite unpleasant,” Robin supplied.
Sanji looked up to agree before Luffy interjected, “But it’s almost time for dinner!”
The idea of getting between Luffy and his dinner gave everyone pause. They’d need a better solution, as much as Sanji was loath to admit it. He’d come to care for the baby in the sparse hour or so they’d had together. Even the idea of parting caused an immediate rejection in the cook.
“I can help,” Zoro said, pulling everyone’s eyes to him.
Sanji spoke for the first time in a while, “What?”
The swordsman just shrugged like he wasn’t saying something completely insane, “I can watch the kid while you cook.”
The idea sent the galley into another silence broken a moment later by Robin, “That may be our best option.”
Everyone turned their shocked faces from Zoro to Robin. Her statement was almost as ridiculous as Zoro’s had been.
“There are not many people in our lovely crew with childcare knowledge,” she correctly stated while not clarifying anything, “I do, but that was many years ago and I’ve forgotten most of what I knew. Not to mention that I never quite had a knack for it. Chopper may, but I believe it would be best if we have him go out and perhaps find a pediatrician as well as some other necessary supplies. That just leaves Zoro.”
“But Zoro doesn’t have any experience with kids, either,” Nami pointed out, giving voice to the thoughts of everyone else on the crew.
Robin just smiled knowingly at the swordsman who was glaring at her, his skin a surprising shade of pink. The Straw Hats looked between the two for a while, trying to understand. The implication was rather obvious, but so utterly unbelievable that it took the crew some time.
“Zoro, have you babysat before?” Nami asked cautiously.
The mossball got even redder as he continued to glare at Robin, “You promised you wouldn’t tell anyone.”
Immediately, everyone looked at Robin with large begging eyes which seemed to be enough to break her today as she began to speak, “In Water 7 I ran into our swordsman looking after three infants at once. They were strapped to his chest and seemed very content.”
The crew erupted in loud exclamations and laughter. It was difficult to believe what Robin had said, but it had to be true. The architect wasn’t one to lie about things like this. Not to mention how hilarious it was to imagine.
Unfortunately, the noise had startled the baby who’d previously been sleeping in Sanji’s arms. The infant opened his mouth and let out a sharp and lasting cry. The cook immediately leapt to his feet, fretting over him. He wasn’t quite sure what to do, but at least his sudden movement had drawn everyone’s attention to the crying and dulling their loud excitement into silent worry. Zoro dashed over just as Sanji had jumped to his feet. The burly swordsman leaned over to see the baby only for Sanji to turn away. Zoro looked up at him, glare at the ready, but it fell immediately. Whatever emotion was showing on the blonde’s face gave him enough pause that his own expression melted into something almost pleading. It was so sincere that Sanji moved the baby back towards Zoro. The swordsman gently placed his arms under the towel wrapped around the infant where Sanji slowly placed him. Zoro immediately pulled him tight to his chest, rocking him back and forth. He gently tapped the baby’s back and shushed the crying until it stopped. The swordsman’s focus didn’t leave the now sleeping face in his arms.
Sanji turned to the once again quiet group, “Zoro can watch him.”
~~~
The crew quickly handed out new assignments and set out to complete them. Franky threw himself into making a crib. He’d already drawn several different blueprints by the time everyone split up. Which was good, because Sanji and Robin had a few "additions" they had to veto before they were comfortable with him starting. Ussop was sent down to help, which was really just code for “make sure Franky doesn’t add anything crazy that could kill the baby on accident”. Robin and Nami went out to pick up basics of baby care like diapers and clothes and the like. Chopper’s job was to find a pediatrician to take a proper look at the baby. Brook was in charge of watching Luffy as he ran around the town which was deeply grateful to them for taking down those bandits.
Sanji made dinner while Zoro watched the baby in the galley.
It was odd. Zoro wasn’t a stranger to relaxing in the galley. Everyone did it every once in a while, even him. Despite what people tended to think, the swordsman and the cook could co-exist peacefully. All in all the scene in the galley wasn’t too uncommon. However, usually Zoro would be asleep which greatly helped with the peaceful nature of those moments. He couldn’t sleep now, though. There was a baby in his arms.
Zoro remained quiet, however. So much so that if Sanji wasn’t hyperaware of the infant he would’ve forgotten the swordsman was in the room at all. Every once in a while the cook would catch a glimpse of the two of them. It was a strangely sweet sight. Zoro was enraptured by the baby, eyes scanning his face endlessly. Despite Sanji speeding through a quick dinner the whole process still took about an hour and Zoro didn’t look up the whole time.
Once everything was ready for the crew, Sanji sat down next to Zoro who moved so they could both stare at the small, sleeping face. Small was the perfect word for it, too. Cute and small and not delicate, but fragile. His eyes were closed as he slept, looking a little puffy, almost like it would be a chore for him to pull them open. His little mouth was slightly open as he breathed, lips shaped almost like a triangle. The rest of him was completely hidden by the white fluffy towel he was wrapped in.
“He’s beautiful,” Sanji whispered.
Zoro just hummed in agreement.
At that moment the baby’s eyes blinked open. It was the first time they’d been open when Sanji was calm enough to really take the sight in. It was almost bizarre. His eyes were so huge compared to the rest of his face, but were just as deep and complex as any other eyes he’d seen before. There was no understanding in them, though. No anger or judgment or joy or confusion. There was only something that looked akin to wonder, like he was taking in the world around him for the very first time. Sanji supposed that was likely because he was. He looked between the two men’s faces for a moment before his lips curled in what almost looked like a smile. Sanji’s breath caught in his chest. Then the baby’s eyes slid shut, falling back asleep, smile still squeezing Sanji’s heart.
The door creaked open, pulling both their eyes to where Robin now stood, smiling with some unknown double meaning. Sanji knows both he and Zoro would’ve jumped apart had they not wanted to disturb the baby. Instead, Zoro stayed where he was as Sanji stood.
“Hello, Robin,” he said in a more subdued version of his usual fawn, “How can I help you?”
“Our doctor has found a pediatrician who’s waiting in the infirmary.”
Zoro just grunted as he stood and headed to the infirmary, Robin trailing after him. Sanji just watched from where he was. Part of him felt compelled to follow, like it was his right to be there. He knew that was ridiculous, however. The only people needed in the room were Chopper and the doctor and maybe Zoro, but only because he was good at keeping the baby calm. It made sense for Robin to be there as well given how smart she was. Between her and Chopper the baby’s needs will be thoroughly met. Sanji would just take up space in an already crowded room. He moved to do some mindless and probably unnecessary task for dinner.
“Are you coming, Mr. Cook?” Robin asked, standing by the open door leading to the infirmary.
Sanji furrowed his brow, “Am I needed?”
She smiled mysteriously, “Of course.”
He didn’t quite understand, but followed her regardless. Far be it from him to question a lady.
The pediatrician Chopper had found was a typical seeming old woman. She was short with worn skin and frizzy gray hair. She introduced herself as Dr. Bo, instructing Zoro to lay the baby on the bed in the infirmary. The baby woke the moment Dr. Bo pulled the towel off of him. Sanji grimaced at the sight of the dark green stain by his bottom.
“Do you have any wipes?” she asked, voice cracking with age.
Chopper passed her a package which she opened to reveal white wet wipes. The doctor picked up the baby, who was still crying in a way that broke Sanji’s heart a little, before removing the ruined towel from the table and placing him back down. She pulled his legs up to lift his butt off the bed as she grabbed a wipe to clean the rest of the poop from his skin. Dr. Bo threw the dirty wipe into the trashcan that Chopper had brought over before taking a diaper from him. She quickly wrapped it around him before instructing Zoro to pick him back up and calm him. The swordsman moved efficiently, clearly as upset by the crying as Sanji was. Soon, the baby was sleeping, albeit fitfully, but it was clear he’d soon be peaceful again.
“So, no parents?”
“None,” Sanji answered.
Dr. Bo nodded, “Alright. Bring the baby here. Let me have a look.”
She began by repeating much of what Chopper had already done, writing notes as she looked over what Chopper had already written. When he explained that he’d never had the chance to actually work with a newborn before Dr. Bo complimented what he’d done. Chopper did a little dance, swearing at the pediatrician, but cut it short to watch what else she would do and ask questions. Sanji had missed it originally, but she’d apparently brought some of her own tools with her. Babies were so small, fragile, and uncooperative that they had their own version of almost all medical equipment apparently. The exam took a little longer as Chopper had her explain everything she was doing as she did it, but it was over relatively quickly with the baby leaving Zoro’s arms for only a moment or two. She even took the time to teach them about dressing him appropriately for the weather, changing diapers, and how to swaddle.
“Your young doctor’s assessment was correct,” Dr. Bo said as she began to pack up her things, “He’s a perfectly healthy baby boy likely born sometime this afternoon. If you have any more questions you know where to reach me. Also, if you’re planning on taking him with you I suggest you spend some time in the clinic with me, Dr. Chopper. That way we can make sure you’re fully equipped for infant care.”
They all saw her off the ship before returning to the galley only to be met with a bit of a surprise.
Alloy sputtered where he was tied up on the ground, “Where am I?”