Sitting on the execution platform, Eli Winters let the breeze wash over him. The gentle wind was oddly comforting, brushing across his face and hair. He leaned back lazily, gazing up at the vast, blue sky.
"What a beautiful sky," he murmured softly. "How could anyone bear to stain it?"
No one knew who he was talking about perhaps even Eli himself didn't know.
"System," he called lazily. "Sign in."
A familiar electronic chime rang in his mind.
Ding! Congratulations, Host. Loguetown sign-in complete. You've obtained 3,200 Prosperity Points, Roger's skill Divine Avoidance Training Manual, one Mysterious Map, and a box of spicy strips. All items have been distributed. Have fun, Host!
Eli blinked. "Wait… did you just sneak in something incredible?"
He chuckled. "Well, can't complain. But hey, System Bro, could you, like, directly upload the skills next time? Save me the hassle."
Host, stop dreaming. Only skills you train yourself will truly be yours. Give up on unrealistic thoughts.
"Alright, alright, you win again." Eli shrugged. Since the day he activated this system, every bit of power he gained had been earned through sweat and effort.
He took out the Divine Avoidance Training Manual, a small booklet with only a few pages. Opening it gently, his eyes scanned the characters and diagrams within. As he read further, the essence of the technique slowly unfolded in his mind.
Divine Avoidance wasn't just a sword technique it was a profound mastery of Haki. It required the user to swing their blade with extreme speed while letting Haki coil around it like a living serpent. The resulting strike would cut through the air, forming a flying slash so fast and sharp it could bypass defenses entirely, as if the attack itself possessed will and intent.
The name wasn't about "avoiding the gods." It meant even gods couldn't avoid it.
It was powerful terrifyingly so but Eli smiled faintly. "Still not for me."
His own combination technique, Ultimate Skyhunter's Judgement, was even more devastating. Divine Avoidance might make gods dodge, but his move made sure even gods couldn't escape.
"Well," he muttered, "Fiona might love this." He tucked the manual away.
Then he took out the Mysterious Map. One glance was enough to make him sigh the marked location wasn't anywhere in the Four Seas. It was somewhere deep within the second half of the Grand Line. And there were no clues about what it led to.
Eli lay back again, feeling the warm wind against his face, and soon drifted off to sleep. After the battle at the port, the Marines hadn't dared to provoke him again.
When Birus reported the incident to his superiors, he was ordered not to engage Eli under any circumstances. In the past, Birus would've complained, but this time he obeyed quietly. Maybe, just maybe, the fight had taught him something.
After all, youth only grows stronger through defeat.
"Big bro! Big bro! What are you doing up there?"
Eli woke up to Big Pan's booming voice. The sky had dimmed he'd clearly slept for quite a while.
"Big Pan," Eli asked, rubbing his eyes. "Where's everyone else?"
"They're back on the ship. We've got all the supplies ready."
"Nice." Eli jumped down from the execution platform and followed Big Pan toward the Silver Dragon.
Halfway there, he remembered something those spicy strips from the system. He hadn't tasted those in ages.
He pulled out two packets, handing one to Big Pan. "Here. Try it."
Big Pan took a bite and his eyes widened. "Whoa, big bro, this is delicious! What is it?"
"Spicy strips," Eli grinned. "You like it? Here, take another."
As the sun set, the world turned orange-red, like the earth itself was bleeding into the sea. The tall man and the giant bear walked side by side, their shadows stretching endlessly into the glowing horizon.
Suddenly, Eli stopped. He turned to Big Pan and asked quietly, "Big Pan… if one day I leave this world and travel to another, would you follow me?"
Big Pan blinked, then smiled his simple, honest smile. "Wherever you go, big bro, I'll go too."
Eli laughed. "That's what I like to hear. Don't worry, I'll find you a wife one day."
They returned to the ship just as night fell. Chiyo and Reiju greeted him, excitedly recounting what had happened during the day. From their story, Eli realized they'd run into Bartolomeo, who, at this point in time, was still a notorious gang leader in the East Blue not yet the fanatical Straw Hat admirer he would become.
Eli didn't hold strong opinions about him. Bartolomeo might be loyal and passionate, but he had plenty of sins under his belt too. Still, he wasn't Eli's concern right now.
He handed the Divine Avoidance Manual to Fiona for her training and grabbed his fishing rod. After a full day's sleep, he was in the mood for some night fishing.
The next morning, Eli appeared bright and refreshed, clearly proud of last night's fishing "victory."
Over breakfast, he asked, "Felina, where to next?"
"Cocoyasi Village," she replied without hesitation. "I heard the oranges there are famous."
Eli paused. Cocoyasi…? That's Nami's hometown. At this point, she would only be six years old. Arlong hadn't arrived yet, and Bellemere her foster mother was still alive.
"With me around," Eli thought, "Tiger won't die this time. Maybe the tragedies ahead won't happen at all. Guess I really am a good guy."
Thinking of Nami reminded him of another Straw Hat Sanji, Reiju's little brother.
"Reiju," he asked suddenly, "you mentioned you have a younger brother, right? Where is he now?"
Reiju hesitated, then her eyes dimmed. "Yes. My youngest brother, Sanji Vinsmoke. Like me, he retained all his emotions after the modification. But he escaped from Germa Kingdom years ago, back when we were still children. I… haven't heard from him since."
Chiyo gently hugged her shoulders. "Maybe he's somewhere safe in the East Blue. Who knows? You might meet again soon."
Felina nodded. "She's right, Reiju. You're talented and kind I'm sure your brother takes after you. He'll be fine."
Reiju smiled faintly. "I hope so."
Eli grinned. "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure you'll have to wait long."
Her eyes widened. "What do you mean, Captain?"
"I heard in Loguetown that a new floating restaurant opened in the East Blue," Eli said, pretending to recall. "There's a young chef there sounds a lot like your brother."
In truth, Eli hadn't heard any such thing. He simply remembered the storyline right now, Sanji should've just founded the Baratie with Zeff.
"Really?!" Reiju's voice trembled with excitement. "Captain, can we go there first? Please, I need to see him!"
"Of course," Eli said with a smile. "Set course for the Baratie!"
By noon, after hours of sailing, the massive ship finally came into view shaped like two giant fish heads with a round, three-tiered restaurant in the center.
The moment they stepped aboard, a young chef with a messy beard greeted them politely. "Welcome, gentlemen and ladies. Right this way, please."
Reiju's heart raced, but she managed to keep her composure in front of the crew.
Inside, the restaurant wasn't very busy yet. Then, across the room, Reiju spotted a small, slender boy wiping tables with quiet focus. Her voice trembled. "Sanji…"
The boy froze. Slowly, he turned around and when his eyes met hers, time seemed to stop.
"Big sister…" he whispered.
Tears welled up instantly as Reiju rushed forward. "Sanji, you're alive! Thank goodness!"
But before she could embrace him, Sanji's eyes darted past her to Felina, Fiona, and Chiyo. In an instant, his demeanor changed completely. He slipped around Reiju, stopped before the women, bowed gracefully, and said, "Ladies, may I take your orders? What would you like to eat today, my beautiful guests?"
The three women were stunned. You ignore your sister after years apart… to flirt?!
Eli rubbed his forehead. "Yup. Classic Sanji."
Reiju, meanwhile, had already wound up her kick.
"YOU LITTLE BRAT!"
Sanji went flying, crashing into a table with a loud thud. "You ! After all these years, that's the first thing you do?!" she shouted, hands on her hips, face fuming.
Sanji rubbed his head sheepishly. "Come on, sis, they were just so charming. And I'm a chef customers first, right?"
"Excuses!" Reiju snapped, lunging again before Felina and the others intervened, laughing nervously.
"Reiju, calm down! You finally found him don't kill him already!"
"He's always been like this," Reiju huffed. "One sight of a pretty face and he forgets his own name!"
"I'm sorry, sis!" Sanji pleaded. "I really missed you!"
She sighed, her anger fading. "You'd better prove it, little brother."
Over dinner, Sanji shared his story how he escaped Germa, starved at sea, and was saved by Zeff. When Reiju heard that he had almost died, she broke down in tears, hugging him tightly.
Before leaving, she bowed deeply to Zeff. "Thank you… for saving my brother."
When it came time to part, Reiju asked Eli to take Sanji along. But Sanji shook his head. "Not yet. I still owe the old man my life. I need to stay."
Reiju hesitated, but Eli placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let him follow his own path. Some fates can't be rushed."
With tears in her eyes, she nodded.
As the Silver Dragon sailed away, Reiju stood at the deck, crying softly. Sanji, on the Baratie, waved until the ship vanished then immediately turned to flirt with the next group of female customers.
Eli sighed, watching from afar. "Some things never change."
Fiona chuckled. "Want me to make him dance as a farewell gift?"
Eli laughed. "Go ahead."
And as the waves carried them toward their next adventure, laughter echoed across the sea a rare warmth between storms.
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