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"Farewell!" As Straw Hat Luffy disappeared, the battle to subdue the Straw Hat Pirates came to an end. Aside from Black Leg Sanji being taken away by Germa 66, all other members were sent flying by Bartholomew Kuma. Dark King Rayleigh also took the opportunity to withdraw.
Kizaru stood amidst the ruins, his mood quite terrible. With the failure of this mission, the Celestial Dragons would surely cause him trouble, but what angered him most was Kuma's betrayal! Regardless of his stance, Kuma should not have helped the Straw Hat Pirates escape.
Kizaru's face was grim: "Kuma, return to Marineford and give us an explanation. Your actions are a major problem!!!"
Kuma remained silent. He had only a few days left; all his consciousness would be erased before the war, so no matter how many punishments there were, he wouldn't feel them. Finally, he could be willful for once.
Sabaody Archipelago, Beast Pirates' Temporary Stronghold
"Click!" Sanji was handcuffed.
"Let me go! Why are you looking for me!"
"I'm sorry, Sanji." Reiju's eyes were full of apology. "This is Father's order!" Like her brothers, she had been modified by her father through "Lineage Factor," the difference being that she retained her emotions, but still could not disobey her father's orders. Theoretically, with her emotions, she was also a failed product.
"That scumbag!" Sanji's pupils trembled, his hands and feet cold. Vinsmoke Judge! The man he hated most in his life! Sanji suppressed his anger: "Now, what does he want me to do?!"
"I don't know." Reiju shook her head, hesitating. "Probably something like a marriage alliance. Father wants to solidify his relationship with Daichi-sama. I have also joined Daichi-sama's command and lead the scientific unit. As for you, you should be a pawn for an exchange of interests. Whether it's a marriage alliance or some other method, I don't know."
Reiju felt bitter. In fact, Father had considered letting her marry Daichi, but Germa 66 only had four successfully modified super-strength warriors, and Father was reluctant to part with her. As a fallback, Father had her serve Daichi and lead 1,000 Germa clone soldiers to form a scientific unit, increasing Germa's weight in the Hoenn Government.
"That bastard scumbag!" Sanji was furious to the extreme. Even now, that scumbag still wanted to use him!
Reiju helplessly advised: "Don't think about resisting Father. We have already investigated your background. The sea restaurant in the East Blue, everyone connected to you will suffer!"
Sanji felt chills all over, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him.
A soldier came to the door and reported respectfully. "Reiju-sama, the Commander-in-Chief has returned!"
"Understood." Reiju looked at Sanji. "Come with me to see Daichi-sama, Sanji. Listen, if there's anyone in this world who can help you, it's only Daichi-sama. Even Father has to obey his orders!"
Sanji silently lit a cigarette. He just wanted to return to his companions now.
Stronghold Hall
As evening approached, the Marines' capture operation finally ended, and the Sabaody Archipelago returned to peace. The officers returned one after another. Daichi sat in the main seat of the hall, looking at the injured Division Commanders, truly at a loss for words. Forget it, he hadn't expected much anyway.
"You may all leave."
"Yes!" The Division Commanders' faces were flushed. They had been out all day and didn't know how many times they had been targeted. It was already a miracle that they came back alive. Their former arrogance was gone. They realized for the first time how vast the outside world was and how much stronger the pirates here were compared to the North Blue.
Reiju arrived with Sanji.
"Daichi-sama."
"Reiju." Daichi smiled when he saw Reiju. Among the many Division Commanders, this girl was considered top-notch, and very obedient, doing whatever she was told without a single complaint.
"Huh?" Daichi looked at the man behind Reiju, finding him more and more familiar. No, extremely familiar!
"Kikara, the Black Leg's bounty poster!"
"Okay." Daichi picked up Sanji's bounty poster and compared it to the man in front of him. "Hmm, exactly the same!"
"Damn it, how is it the same!" Sanji bristled and roared.
Daichi flipped the bounty poster to Sanji. "Isn't this you?"
"Of course not!"
"Then who are you?"
"Black Leg Sanji!"
"Then isn't this you?"
Sanji knelt on the ground, feeling wronged and wanting to cry. "The bounty poster is me, but the photo on it isn't me!"
"You're quite particular." Daichi rubbed his smooth forehead. Why do men care so much about their appearance? A strong inner self is where the charm lies.
Daichi looked at Reiju, a little surprised. "How did you abduct this kid?"
"It was Father's order." Reiju explained: "Black Leg Sanji is a prince of our Vinsmoke family, and my biological younger brother. Father told me to bring him back."
"I see." Daichi suddenly understood. Unwilling to part with his children, he brought back the abandoned one. Was Judge planning to play the marriage alliance game with him? The problem was, neither the Beast Pirates nor the Hoenn Government had suitable marriage candidates. Even if he truly wanted a marriage alliance, he should have sent Reiju. What a petty man!
If not a marriage alliance... Could it be hostage diplomacy?! It was quite possible. After all, he was just an abandoned child; there was no loss for Judge. However, this gift was indeed quite good.
"Kikara, prepare cooking utensils and ingredients."
"Yes, my lord." Soon, a dining cart was pushed in.
Daichi smiled and said, "I'm hungry, make me some dinner."
Sanji's face was dark, but he didn't refuse. If it were any other request, he would have decisively refused, but if someone was hungry, no matter who they were, he would try his best to feed them.
Soon, a seafood fried rice was completed. Daichi was not polite, picking up the fried rice and wolfing it down, quickly emptying the plate.
"Delicious, another serving!"
"Just a moment." Sanji didn't refuse, rolling up his sleeves.
"Another serving!"
"It'll be ready soon!"
"Another one, no, ten more servings!"
"How much can you eat!"
Time passed little by little. The table was covered with plates. Not only Daichi, but others also began to feast. All kinds of delicious food were continuously served. In the midst of constant busyness, Sanji gradually let down his guard and fully immersed himself in cooking, making the food more and more delicious. They ate for a full two hours.
Daichi patted his stomach contentedly. "I'm full, thank you for the meal."
"You're welcome!" Sanji's hands trembled as he lit a cigarette, but he couldn't even hold the lighter steady. Already severely injured, coupled with two hours of high-intensity work, his body had long reached its limit.
"Snap!" Daichi snapped his fingers, and a flame appeared at the tip of Sanji's cigarette.
"Phew~~" Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke, and his body stopped trembling.
"Can I go now?"
"You can." Daichi chuckled. "The question is, where can you go now?"
Sanji's curly eyebrow twitched. Where to go... That's a problem!
"Reiju, untie Sanji." Daichi ordered, waving his hand indifferently. "Go if you want, but I must warn you, there are a lot of Marines outside. As soon as you step out of this door, the Marines will immediately send you to Impel Down!"
"With the crimes you've committed, you'll never get out in this lifetime. Just serve your sentence until the day you die."
"Oh, and besides you, all the other members of the Straw Hat Pirates were sent flying by Kuma. It's said that those sent flying by Kuma will fly for three days and three nights, and only Kuma knows their landing spot. Oh, Kuma is currently at Marineford."
"Do you know where your companions are?"
The cigarette in Sanji's mouth fell to the ground, and his head buzzed. This means there's no way to leave at all!