"Farewell!"
With Straw Hat Luffy's disappearance, the battle to subdue the Straw Hat crew came to an end. Except for Black Leg, who was taken away by Germa 66, all other members were sent flying by Kuma.
Rayleigh also seized the opportunity to retreat.
Kizaru stood amidst the ruins of the battlefield, his mood utterly foul.
The failure of this mission would undoubtedly bring trouble from the Celestial Dragons, but what angered him most was Kuma's betrayal!
No matter the reason, Kuma should never have helped the Straw Hat crew escape.
Kizaru's face darkened. "Kuma, return to headquarters and give us an explanation. Your actions are a serious problem!!!"
"..."
Kuma remained silent.
He only had a few days left. Before the war, all his consciousness would be erased. No matter the punishment, he wouldn't feel it.
At last, he could afford to be selfish.
Sabaody Archipelago, temporary Beasts base.
Click!
Sanji was shackled with handcuffs.
"Let me go! Why come for me now?!"
"I'm sorry, Sanji."
Reiju's eyes were filled with remorse.
"This is Father's order!"
Like her brothers, she had been modified by their father through the "Lineage Factor." The difference was that she retained her emotions, but she still couldn't defy their father's commands.
Theoretically, her possession of emotions made her a failed experiment.
"That bastard!"
Sanji's pupils trembled, his hands and feet turning cold.
Vinsmoke Judge!
The man he hated most in his life!
Suppressing his rage, Sanji growled, "What does that bastard want from me now?!"
"I don't know."
Reiju shook her head, hesitating for a moment.
"Probably something like a political marriage."
"Father wants to strengthen ties with Lord Gurd. I've already joined Lord Gurd's forces and command the Science Unit."
"As for you, you'll likely be used as a bargaining chip. Whether it's marriage or something else, I'm not sure."
Reiju's heart ached.
In truth, their father had considered marrying her to Gurd, but Germa 66 only had four successfully modified Super-Powered Warriors, and Father couldn't bear to part with her.
As a compromise, Father had her serve under Gurd, bringing along 1,000 Germa Clone Soldiers to establish the Science Unit, increasing Germa's influence within the Hoenn Government.
"That damn bastard!"
Sanji was furious beyond words.
Even now, that scum still wanted to use him!
Reiju sighed helplessly. "Don't even think about resisting Father. We've already investigated your background. Everyone connected to you—Baratie in the East Blue—will suffer if you do!"
"..."
Sanji felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him.
A soldier arrived outside the door, reporting respectfully.
"Lady Reiju, the Supreme Commander has returned!"
"Understood."
Reiju turned to Sanji.
"Come with me to meet Lord Gurd. Listen, Sanji—if there's anyone in this world who can help you, it's Lord Gurd. Even Father must obey his commands!"
"..."
Sanji lit a cigarette in silence.
All he wanted was to return to his crew.
Base Hall.
As evening approached, the Marines' arrest operation finally concluded, and Sabaody regained its peace. The officers returned one after another.
Gurd sat at the head of the hall, observing his wounded division commanders. He didn't even know what to say.
Well, he hadn't expected much to begin with.
"Dismissed."
"Yes, sir!"
The division commanders' faces flushed with shame.
Having been out all day, they had no idea how many times they had been targeted. It was no small miracle they made it back alive.
Their former arrogance had completely vanished.
For the first time, they realized just how vast the outside world was—the Pirates here were leagues stronger than those in the North Blue.
Reiju arrived with Sanji in tow.
"Lord Gurd."
"Reiju."
Gurd smiled upon seeing her.
Among the many army commanders, this girl was one of the best—obedient, never complaining, always carrying out orders without question.
"Hmm?"
Gurd's gaze shifted to the man behind Reiju, and the longer he looked, the more familiar the face seemed.
No, not just familiar—very familiar!
"Chikara, the wanted poster for Black Leg!"
"Right away."
Gurd picked up Sanji's wanted poster and compared it to the man before him.
"Hmm, identical!"
"Damn it, how is this identical?!"
Sanji exploded in rage.
Gurd flipped the poster around to show him.
"Isn't this you?"
"Of course not!"
"Then who are you?"
"Black Leg Sanji!"
"So this is you, isn't it?"
"..."
Sanji dropped to his knees, on the verge of tears.
"The wanted poster is me, but the photo isn't!"
"You're really something else."
Gurd rubbed his smooth forehead.
Why did men care so much about appearances? True charm lay in inner strength.
Turning back to Reiju, Gurd looked surprised.
"How did you manage to drag this kid here?"
"It was Father's order."
Reiju explained, "Black Leg Sanji is a Prince of the Vinsmoke family—my younger brother. Father instructed me to bring him back."
"I see."
Gurd suddenly understood.
Unwilling to part with the children by his side, Judge had decided to reclaim the discarded one. Was he planning to play the marriage alliance game?
The problem was, neither the Beasts nor Hoenn had suitable candidates for such an alliance. Even if he really wanted to arrange a marriage, shouldn't he have sent Reiju instead?
What a petty man!
If not for marriage, then...
Could it be hostage diplomacy?!
That actually made sense.
After all, it was just a castaway—no real loss to Judge.
Still, this was quite the gift.
"Chikara, prepare the kitchenware and ingredients."
"Right away, sir."
Soon, a food cart was wheeled in.
Gurd grinned. "I'm hungry—make me dinner."
"..."
Sanji's face darkened, but he didn't refuse.
Had it been any other request, he would have flatly rejected it. But when it came to hunger, no matter who the person was, he would do his best to fill their stomach.
Before long, a plate of seafood fried rice was ready.
Without ceremony, Gurd dug in, devouring it in moments and scraping the plate clean.
"Delicious! Another serving!"
"Coming right up."
Sanji didn't refuse, rolling up his sleeves.
"Another one!"
"Almost done!"
"One more—no, make it ten!"
"Just how much can you eat?!"
Time passed, and stacks of plates piled up on the table. Not just Gurd, but others too began feasting heartily.
Dish after dish kept arriving.
Amid the relentless work, Sanji gradually let his guard down, pouring his heart into cooking—each dish more delicious than the last.
Two full hours of eating later...
Gurd patted his stomach in satisfaction.
"I'm stuffed. Thanks for the meal."
"You're welcome!"
Sanji's hands trembled as he tried to light a cigarette, barely able to hold the lighter.
Already severely injured, then working nonstop for over two hours—his body had long reached its limit.
Click!
Gurd snapped his fingers, and a flame flickered to life on Sanji's cigarette.
"Haaah—"
Sanji exhaled a plume of smoke, his trembling body finally stilling.
"Can you let me go now?"
"Sure."
Gurd chuckled lightly.
"The question is—where can you go now?"
"..."
Sanji's curly eyebrow twitched.
Where to go... That was the problem!
"Reiju, remove Sanji's shackles."
Gurd gave the order with a casual wave of his hand.
"Leave if you want, but I should warn you—there are swarms of Marines outside. The moment you step through that door, they'll drag you straight to the Undersea Great Prison!"
"Given the crimes you've committed, you'll never see daylight again. You'll rot there until the day you die."
"Oh, and by the way—the rest of the Straw Hat crew were all sent flying by Kuma. They say those struck by Kuma soar through the sky for three days and nights. Only Kuma knows where they'll land. And guess what? Kuma's currently at Marine Headquarters."
"Do you even know where your friends are?"
Sanji's cigarette fell from his lips, his mind reeling.
There was absolutely no way out!
(End of Chapter)