Sanji

The sea breeze, carrying the lingering smell of gunpowder, swept across the blood-stained deck.

The fighting had ended, the sea was a scene of devastation, and the silence after the fires had died down was oppressive.

Gin knelt on both knees, his forehead pressed against the cold wooden board, his whole body soaked in sweat and blood.

His knuckles were gripping the ground so tightly that his fingernails were almost embedded in the cracks in the wood.

He knew he had no way out.

Ace stood before him, flames dancing at his fingertips, red light reflecting off his profile, making him appear like a judge from hell.

"And you?"

His tone was indifferent, as if delivering a death sentence, "How do you want to die?"

Gin did not answer immediately. The wind swept across the sea, carrying smoke and flames. He remained kneeling on the deck, his fingertips trembling, blood seeping from his palms, yet he gradually straightened his back.

He slowly raised his head, and his face, which was known as the "Demon Man" in the East Blue, was filled with an unprecedented calm and clarity after struggle.

I don't want to die.

His voice was low and hoarse, yet each word was sharp and clear. "I surrender."

A moment of uproar ensued, and even Zeff and Sanji, who had been standing guard to the side, turned to look at him with astonished expressions.

Ace raised an eyebrow, and the flames flickered slightly.

Gin looked directly at him, his voice steady. "Young man, I want to join the Navy!"

These words fell like a thunderclap amidst the ruins.

Ace turned to look at Roy.

Roy walked slowly from the shattered railing, hands in his pockets, his military uniform Hunting Roar in the wind. His gaze calmly landed on Gin, and he quietly asked, "Why?"

Gin slowly stood up, his eyes revealing a stubborn clarity.

"Don Krieg is dead, and I thought I should go with him."

His tone was low and slow, yet tinged with a certain disconnect, "But I see you..."

"I watched as Don Krieg's fleet was sunk by each of you, one punch each."

"Our once invincible leader was burned alive like a stray dog."

His gaze faltered, and an undisguised pain and devastation appeared on his face. "At that moment, I realized... we are not strong at all."

"We are merely thugs, manipulated by his arrogance and controlled by his lies."

He took a deep breath, and his gaze towards Roy shifted from confusion to determination. "I want to live according to my own will, just this once."

I want to become stronger.

"So strong that they no longer blindly follow others, no longer allow themselves to be manipulated."

In an instant, he was like Beast breaking free from the silent shadows, finally freeing himself from his chains.

Roy stared at him silently, his expression inscrutable, a memory flashing through his mind—

"At this time, the Krieg Pirates had not yet grown to 5,000 members..."

"In the original story, Don Krieg led a fleet of fifty ships into the Grand Line, but after only seven days, he was hunted down and forced to flee back to the East Blue after witnessing Hawk-Eye using the Black Blade Night to row the ship."

"Only a few remnants remained, and after escaping back to the East Blue, they continued to commit evil. Gin, despite being a man of great loyalty and righteousness, ultimately succumbed to his desires."

"But at this moment, Gin might still have a chance."

The wind howled across the sea, and silence weighed down everyone's heartbeat.

A moment later, a cryptic smile slowly crept onto Roy's lips.

"... interesting."

He seemed to be both amused and seriously weighing the options.

Finally, he turned around, his back calm yet sharp, his voice carried on the wind. "Go to the Marine Branch in Loguetown and surrender."

"You were Pirate, you must stand trial, and you will be held accountable for all your crimes."

"After you serve your sentence, if you still remember what you said today—"

He turned around, his back view steady, his footsteps clearly landing on the wooden plank.

Come find me again.

As he finished speaking, the sea breeze lifted the hem of his military robe, carrying away the slightly low tone of his voice.

Gin stood there, stunned.

He didn't cry or shout; he simply kowtowed suddenly.

"Bang!" -- His forehead struck the deck with a dull thud.

Another sound.

"I will!" His voice trembled, yet it was more resolute than ever before.

"I will definitely change my ways!"

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the clouds, illuminating Gin's thin but straight back.

At this moment, he was no longer one of Don Krieg's "Demon Man".

He was not a man, but a man who truly began to atone for his sins.

Baratie, a restaurant on the sea

Roy and his two companions stepped onto the restaurant deck, while Zeff and Sanji remained standing in the same spot, as if they had not yet recovered from that earth-shattering battle.

Thirty Pirate ships were reduced to ashes in less than ten minutes by these three men.

Zeff stared intently at Roy's retreating figure, muttering to himself, "Are these kids... really human?"

Sanji swallowed hard, about to speak, when a familiar voice approached:

"Hey! Curly Eyebrows!" Luffy grinned, his eyes sparkling as he stared at him. "Join the Navy! Your cooking is so delicious!"

Ace stood to the side, unusually serious, and said sincerely, "You looked really cool when you stood up for everyone."

Sanji paused, his gaze wavering slightly, then he subconsciously looked at Zeff, his eyes filled with hesitation and reluctance.

"Joining the Navy... But what about the old man? Baratie is my home, my Kitchen, the place where I survived."

Zeff didn't respond immediately, but slowly walked to his side, remained silent for a moment, and then reached out and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"You brat," he whispered, "Do you know why I've never scolded you for wasting food all these years?"

Sanji froze, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes.

Zeff gazed at the surging waves in the distance, his voice low yet filled with barely concealed emotion. "Because the way you look at the starving people is exactly the same way we looked at each other back on that Deserted Island."

"It's a kind of despair that comes from being starved to the bone, a despair so intense you'd give your life for someone else."

"You can't forget... and neither can I."

Sanji a lump in his throat and a soreness welled up in his nose.

He recalled his memory of struggling to survive on Deserted Island, and the old man who, despite his limp, left all the food for the man who had chosen to break his own leg.

Just then, Roy's voice suddenly rang out. "Sanji, what is your dream?"

Sanji paused slightly, then instinctively blurted out, "I need to find—ALL BLUE!"

A spark ignited in his eyes, "I must find the legendary sea where ingredients from all four seas converge! So that no one will suffer the pain of hunger!!"

Roy's lips curled slightly, his expression calm. "Then who do you think is the most widespread power on the seas?"

Sanji blurted out instinctively, "That's definitely the Navy."

"That's right." Roy nodded. "Joining the Navy will not only allow you to develop your talents faster, but you can also use the Navy's intelligence system to gather clues about ALL BLUE."

"You can travel the world, visit islands, and have access to the most comprehensive nautical charts and marine resources, obtaining any ingredients you desire."

Sanji became increasingly moved as he listened, his fists clenching unconsciously, his gaze burning with intensity.

But in the end, he turned back to look at Zeff, whose tall but slightly hunched back was the softest support in his heart.

"Old man... what will you do if I really leave?"

Zeff paused for a moment, then gently patted him on the back. "You brat, you should have taken this step."

You don't belong in this little Kitchen.

He smiled, a sense of relief in his eyes, "You're destined to go to farther places and do bigger things."

At this moment, Roy looked at Sanji and added, "You can continue to hone your cooking skills here. Once you've thought it through, go to Loguetown to find Branch Manager Smoker."

We will reserve a table at the Warship's dining area for you.

Sanji hesitated for a few seconds, then finally gritted his teeth and nodded. "I... I'll consider it!"

The wind rustled the military flags as Roy, Ace, and Luffy turned and walked towards the Warship moored not far away.

Just before they boarded the ship—

Suddenly, a voice, audible only to Zeff, rang in his ears. "Sanji... his identity is not simple."

Zeff turned around abruptly, staring in astonishment in the direction Roy had gone, only to see that figure receding into the distance, stepping into the sunlight, shining brightly.

He stood there, his expression complex, his eyes slightly turbulent.

"Identity... could it be...?"

He looked in Sanji's direction and murmured, "You brat... your future is much farther than I imagined."