The arrival of the Straw Hat Pirates in the North Blue terrified everyone in the region. Pirates, Marines, and those in the underground world grew quiet, fearing that any small mistake might anger an Emperor of the Sea and bring a disaster upon them. The Straw Hats spent their time intercepting merchant ships, but they did not rob them. Instead, they asked for the location of the Germa Kingdom.
Knowing the Straw Hats only wanted Germa 66, many people who knew the fleet's location spoke up willingly. Germa 66 ruled the North Blue, but compared to an Emperor's crew, they were not a threat. Most people would much rather offend the Vinsmoke family than face the wrath of Monkey D. Luffy.
While they were still in the Calm Belt, Law had explained what he knew about the kingdom. He described it as a unique country with no fixed land that appeared only as a massive fleet. It was ruled by the Vinsmoke family, a famous group of killers and scientists whose high-end technology was wanted by many powerful forces. Their army, Germa 66, was said to be made of cloned soldiers that even the World Government feared. Law also mentioned they used special equipment to gain great power, though he did not know the details. Since Sanji had left the family when he was very young, he did not have many answers either
Carl stepped in to provide more information. "The current leader of the Vinsmoke family is Judge, Sanji's biological father," Carl explained. "He used to work with the world's greatest scientist, Vegapunk. He has mastered things like lineage factors, human modification, and cloning. The family also uses special Raid Suits that give them unique abilities."
Carl went on to list their powers. "Judge uses electromagnetic force. The eldest daughter, Reiju, controls poison. The eldest son, Ichiji, uses fire, while the second son, Niji, uses lightning. The fourth son, Yonji, has incredible physical strength. Their Raid Suits are also resistant to fire and water".
"A battle suit? That sounds so cool!" Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper cried out, their eyes sparkling.
"He worked with Vegapunk? Sanji's father is actually amazing," Franky added with a look of respect. The rest of the crew was equally surprised that Germa 66 possessed such power. Law was particularly shocked by how much Carl knew. As someone from the North Blue, Law knew very little, yet Carl, who was from the East Blue, seemed to know everything.
Carl looked at Sanji with a teasing smile. "Sanji, you actually have a Raid Suit too, though it hasn't been given to you yet."
Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper immediately looked at Sanji with envy. "Sanji has one too? We want one!"
Sanji's face darkened with anger. "I left that family a long time ago! I will never wear one of their suits! Even if I'm killed or thrown off this ship, I won't touch that garbage!"
"Are you sure?" Carl asked. "Your suit has a very special ability."
"I don't care!" Sanji shouted. "I have the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit now. I'm a Logia user! I am strong enough without some suit!".
Carl leaned in closer. "The suit makes you invisible".
Sanji's eyes went wide, and the cigarette fell from his mouth and hit the deck. That specific ability was the only thing in the world that could make him change his mind. He struggled with himself for a moment before stuttering out a response. "Well... even though I hate them, if it helps me protect the crew, it might be okay to take it. Of course, I wouldn't use it to sneak into the women's bath or spy on Nami and Tashigi...".
"Pervert!" Nami and Tashigi shouted at the same time.
Before the strongest Logia user in the world could defend himself, he was knocked to the deck by the two women. When Sanji finally managed to sit up, he saw Carl's smug smile and realized he had been led into a trap.
"Carl, you b*****d! Don't think I won't kick you just because you're a teacher!" Sanji yelled.
"Don't blame me, Sanji," Carl laughed. "You're the one who started talking before I could finish. Besides, you said it yourself—you have a Devil Fruit, so why would you need a suit?".
"But it's invisibility!" Sanji cried, hitting the deck in frustration. His childhood dream was to eat the Clear-Clear Fruit, but that fruit was already taken. He thought he would never have that power, only to find out his father had built a suit that could do the same thing. He was devastated that Carl had tricked him into acting like a fool in front of the girls.
"Isn't your dream to find the All Blue?" Carl asked innocently.
Sanji chose to stay silent, knowing that if he spoke, he might actually start crying. However, he did not give up. He decided that once they fought Germa, he would steal the suit for himself and just use it in secret.
Nami punched him again for good measure. "Sanji, we all know what you're thinking! Even if you're invisible, we'll still know it's you!"
Sanji froze, realizing she was right, and began to sob. Carl chuckled quietly to himself, not bothering to mention that the suit's invisibility could actually bypass the Observation Haki of weaker opponents.
Suddenly, Brook's voice rang out from the observation deck. "Everyone! There is a strange ship coming toward us! It's being pulled by a giant snail and flying the Germa 66 flag!"
The crew immediately shifted into battle mode. They knew Germa 66 had come to find them.
"Get ready!" Luffy commanded, throwing on his captain's cloak. The crew stood together at the railing, striking poses to show off their strength and intimidation. As the enemy ship drew closer, Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper gasped in awe. The Germa ship was massive, and the snail pulling it was larger than any they had ever seen.
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