Chapter 349: Shadows of the Germa
Sabaody Archipelago · A Hidden Alleyway
Luffy and Nami ducked into the dark alley, their backs pressed against the cold stone wall. Their breathing was still ragged from the adrenaline.
Luffy pumped his fist, the fire of indignation still smoldering in his eyes. "Hmph! Punching that piece of trash was worth it. If you hadn't pulled me away, I would've given him ten more!"
Nami gave a weary, helpless smile. She was about to scold him, but she suddenly froze. Looking down at her palm, she realized she was holding a thin slip of paper that hadn't been there a moment ago.
On the note was a line of scrawled yet powerful handwriting: "Roy owes this old man an IOU for a mission favor~"
Luffy leaned over, tilting his head in confusion. "Who's that from? Someone's been playing ninja..."
Nami narrowed her eyes and let out a soft sigh. "It's Admiral Kizaru..."
"He helped us cover our tracks."
She slowly crumpled the note in her fist, a wave of guilt and gravity washing over her. "It seems we've accidentally caused more trouble for them after all..."
Luffy, however, didn't seem to care. He puckered his lips and grumbled, "Scum like that deserves to get hit. Who cares about the rest!"
Nami reached out and gently patted his shoulder. Her eyes flickered in the moonlight, her voice growing firm.
"Don't be impatient. I have a feeling... it won't be long now..."
Marineford · Marine Dormitories
The night was deep, and the lights in the Marine dorms flickered dimly.
Sanji sat on the edge of his bed, holding a heavy envelope. His fingertips brushed against the paper, trembling slightly. On the front of the envelope, the gold-embossed crest of the Germa shimmered with a cold, piercing light under the lamp.
"Germa..." Sanji murmured to himself. His brow was knit tight as heavy memories began to claw their way out of the depths of his mind.
Usopp, having just finished washing up, leaned over curiously. "Sanji, what's up? Who's the letter from?"
Sanji didn't answer. He stared dead at the envelope for a long silence before finally taking a deep breath and tearing it open.
Rip—
The moment the paper unfolded, Sanji's pupils constricted sharply! The text on the letter was brief and chilling:
—"Germa and Totto Land have decided on a political marriage."
—"Maritime Restaurant Baratie · Zeff."
—"Return immediately."
"Wh... What?!"
Sanji's face went deathly pale. He bolted upright so violently his chair crashed to the floor, the sound echoing through the room!
Usopp jumped in surprise and scrambled to follow up. "What's wrong?! What happened?!"
Sanji's hand gripped the letter so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"Germa... those bastards... they're actually using the Baratie to threaten me?!" His breathing grew shallow, and his eyes flashed with a chaotic mix of emotions.
Fury, hatred, helplessness, worry... everything surged at once. He closed his eyes, and the image of his mother's frail yet gentle smile appeared, followed by the cold, emotionless stares of his "brothers."
"That man... that monster who treated me and my mother as failed experiments..."
"That madman who values the glory of Germa above all else..."
Seeing Sanji in such a state, Usopp reached out and patted his shoulder, his face full of concern. "Sanji... are you okay?"
Sanji slowly opened his eyes. Within them burned a flame of absolute resolve. His voice was low and hoarse. "Usopp... I have to go to the North Blue."
The night remained heavy. Under Usopp's cover, Sanji draped his Marine coat over his shoulders and stepped onto a small boat moored at a hidden pier. He stood side-by-side with Usopp for a long silence.
"Sanji... are you really going alone?" Usopp asked in a low, uneasy voice.
Sanji lit a cigarette, the flame illuminating the conflict and determination in his eyes. "This is a past I have to face myself."
"Usopp... thanks for the help."
The small boat slowly drifted away from the shore, heading toward the North Blue. Usopp watched the silhouette of the boat vanish into the distance, his chest tightening as he clenched his fists.
At that moment, a flash of lightning split the sky, briefly illuminating the dark sea.
The Next Day · Marine Headquarters Training Ground
The morning training session was in full swing, a cacophony of thrown punches, gunfire, and shouted orders.
However, Instructor Zephyr stood with a frown, his gaze sweeping across the ranks. He couldn't find the golden-haired chef who usually reported in on the dot—after first "checking in" at the female officers' training camp, of course.
"That brat Sanji... he actually didn't show up today?"
His gaze then landed on the firing range. Usopp was holding his sniper rifle, but his mind was clearly elsewhere. He missed several targets in a row, with one shot even flying wild and hitting the frame of the range.
Zephyr's face darkened. He marched over and stood behind him, his voice booming. "What happened?"
Usopp jumped, immediately snapping into a stiff, awkward salute. "R-Report, Instructor Zephyr! N-Nothing! Everything's fine!"
However, cold sweat was pouring down his forehead, and his fingers were frantically twisting the hem of his shirt. His shifty eyes made it obvious he was hiding something.
"..."
Zephyr narrowed his eyes, about to press further when three figures walked over together. It was the "Thunder-Fire-Blade" trio: Ace, Law, and Enel.
Enel picked his ear, his tone lazy but meaningful. "Hey, Long-nose—a small boat snuck out of the harbor last night. That was Sanji, wasn't it?"
Ace froze in shock. "Sanji? Why the hell would he sneak out?!"
Usopp gritted his teeth. Under the collective stare of the group, he finally buckled under the pressure. His voice trembled as he revealed the truth. "Sanji... he got a letter."
"It was from the Germa."
"It said the Germa is forming an alliance through marriage with Totto Land. They used Chef Zeff of the Baratie to threaten him, telling him to return at once!"
"He took a small boat to the North Blue last night... alone!"
Ace scratched his head, looking puzzled. "Germa? What's that? Are they tough?"
Enel let out a disdainful snort. "Some trash family from the North Blue? Never heard of 'em."
Law, however, had a grim expression, his voice deep. "The Kingdom of Germa. A military empire in the North Blue, famous for its clone soldiers and advanced war technology."
He paused, adding a crucial detail: "Furthermore—Sanji's full name is Vinsmoke Sanji."
"He is the third son of Judge, the King of Germa."
Ace and Enel's eyes bugged out simultaneously. "What?! Sanji's actually a prince?!!"
Law crossed his arms in thought, his eyes flashing. "An alliance between Germa and the Big Mom Pirates... there's definitely a conspiracy behind this."
"It's too dangerous for Sanji to go back alone."
Ace slammed his fist into his palm, flames igniting in his hand. "Then what are we waiting for?! Let's go to the North Blue and back him up!"
Enel gave a wicked smirk, sparks dancing between his fingers. "I was getting bored anyway. Let's go see what the North Blue has to offer~"
"Enough of that!"
Zephyr suddenly spoke, his voice like a clap of thunder that startled them all.
"You are Marines! Leaving your posts without authorization is a serious crime!"
Usopp suddenly looked up, his gaze steady as he interrupted Zephyr. "Instructor Zephyr! Sanji is our comrade!"
"We can't just stand by and watch him walk into a trap!"
Ace laughed loudly and clapped Usopp on the shoulder. "Well said! Comrades come first!"
Law added calmly, "We can apply for a 'North Blue Patrol Mission.' We can head there legally."
Zephyr remained silent for a long moment, finally letting out a heavy sigh.
"I'll go talk to Sengoku..."
"But remember this—this is a military operation, not a game!"
"YES, SIR!!!"
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