"Alright then — it's decided. The Float-Float Fruit goes to Zeff!"
Having made up his mind, Shiro clasped the strange, golden-swirled fruit in his hand and made his way toward the ship's galley.
Even before he reached the door, the kitchen came alive with sound — the sharp clash of metal on metal, the rhythmic thud of a cleaver striking wood, the hiss of oil meeting flame.
Inside, Zeff stood at the stove, wearing an old, faded apron that had clearly seen its share of battles. Though dressed as a cook, his broad shoulders and solid frame made him look more like a seasoned fighter than a chef.
With one hand, he hefted a bucket brimming with freshly caught sea fish, pouring them into the sink with a twist of the wrist that looked more like a martial technique than a kitchen motion.
When he tossed the pan, his arm didn't tremble in the slightest — the heavy iron wok danced in his grip like a feather. Flames roared and crackled as the scent of seafood filled the air, but Zeff's expression didn't change. He worked with perfect precision, strength honed by countless years behind the stove.
This wasn't just cooking — it was a kind of combat.
"Zeff, got a minute?"
Shiro called from the doorway, his eyes briefly falling to the chef's calloused, powerful hands.
He'd seen them in action before — those same hands could floor a drunken pirate with a single punch. Zeff's strength and reflexes were sharper than many who called themselves fighters.
Zeff frowned, still stirring the wok without looking up.
"I'm in the middle of something. Let me finish this seafood risotto first."
He flicked his wrist, and the ingredients soared through the air in a flawless arc before landing back in the pan with a satisfying clang.
Even a simple motion like that carried the grace of a trained martial artist.
So Shiro waited patiently by the door. He knew better than to interrupt Zeff mid-dish — the man's pride in his craft ran deep.
He remembered the last time they'd faced a sea beast attack. Zeff had charged straight at it with nothing but a kitchen knife — dodging and striking with deadly accuracy until the monster fled. That day, Shiro realized the crew's chef was as much a warrior as any of them.
Fifteen minutes later, Zeff pushed a serving cart out into the dining hall, arranging plates of food with practiced care before finally turning to Shiro.
"So, Captain," he said, his voice gruff but steady, "what's this about? Don't tell me someone's complaining about my cooking again."
"Not at all!" Shiro waved his hands quickly. "Your cooking's the best on the Grand Line — better than any restaurant I've ever been to! I actually came to give you something… special to eat."
"Give me something to eat?"
Zeff blinked, gripping his apron with his scarred fingers, clearly confused. What ingredient could possibly be important enough for the captain himself to deliver?
Then Shiro reached into his coat and set the Float-Float Fruit on the counter.
Its golden, spiraling pattern shimmered faintly in the lamplight. Zeff's pupils shrank as he reached out to touch it, fingertips brushing the surface as though afraid it might vanish.
He'd heard of Devil Fruits — every sailor had — but never dreamed he'd see one with his own eyes.
"This belonged to the Golden Lion Shiki," Shiro said. "He's gone now… and this fell into my hands."
"I've thought about it carefully," he added, meeting Zeff's gaze. "You're the one most suited to eat it."
"Wait—what? The Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit?!"
Zeff's voice shot up an octave. His jaw dropped so far you could've fit a fist in his mouth.
"That fruit can control gravity itself — make islands fly! Do you have any idea how valuable it is?!"
Shiro chuckled softly.
"Of course I do. And that's exactly why it should go to someone who can make the most of it."
His tone grew earnest.
"Your body's strong. You've fought off pirates bare-handed. If you awaken this power and use it with your own skill, you'll be a force rivaling even Crocodile."
For a brief moment, he pictured it — Zeff moving weightlessly through the air, striking from every angle, his combat style perfectly merged with his newfound control over gravity. The image brought a grin to Shiro's face.
Zeff stared down at the fruit, his hands trembling slightly.
"Yu'd… give something like this to me? I'm just the cook."
"What's so strange about that?"
Shiro placed a reassuring hand on Zeff's shoulder, feeling the tension in his muscles.
"You're our crewmate. You feed us, you fight for us — you've already proven your worth. You're as important as anyone else on this ship."
Zeff turned his back, silent for a long moment. When he spoke again, his voice was thick with emotion.
He thought of his past — drifting from port to port, kicked out of kitchens for being too obsessed with perfect ingredients, treated like a tool by those who only cared about profit.
Even after joining the Virtue, he'd always seen himself as just a cook.
But now, hearing those words from Shiro, he realized for the first time that he truly belonged.
"Zeff, are you… crying?"
Shiro tilted his head. The man's shoulders trembled slightly.
"I'm not crying!" Zeff barked, wiping at his reddened eyes with the back of his hand. "It's the damn sea breeze! Blew right into my face, that's all!"
Shiro grinned.
"Sure, sure — blame the sea breeze."
Then, lightly:
"Go on. Eat it before it gets cold. The sooner you adapt to the power, the better."
Zeff nodded slowly. Taking a deep breath, he sank his teeth into the fruit — and immediately froze.
His face twisted in agony.
"WHAT IS THIS TASTE?! It's worse than rotten seaweed!"
Shiro burst out laughing.
"That's normal! Just swallow it whole, don't chew!"
Grabbing a large jug of juice, he handed it over.
Zeff grimaced, shoving the rest of the fruit into his mouth and chugging the juice straight after. The bitterness lingered, but at least it dulled.
Moments later, a strange sensation washed over him. His body felt… lighter — as if the pull of gravity had loosened its grip.
A warm current of unfamiliar power began to stir within him, merging with his strength, reshaping it.
"Heh… so this is the Float-Float Fruit, huh?" Zeff murmured, glancing down at his hands, the faint golden shimmer dancing across his skin.
And in that instant, Shiro knew — their ship had just gained another monster.
T/N: If you would like to read up to 20 chapters ahead for all my works, check out my P@treon: patreon.com/GhidorahWriter
Thanks for reading! Be sure to collect and vote for more chapters! A Bonus Chapter will be released once we hit 25 Powerstones!