Germa's Shadow

Sabaody Archipelago - Hidden Alleys

Luffy and Nami had just entered the dark alley, their backs against the cold wall, their breathing still rapid.

Luffy brandished his fist, his eyes still burning with lingering anger. "Hmph! It's just beating up a piece of scum~ If you hadn't held me back, I could have punched him ten more times!"

Nami smiled helplessly, about to speak, when she suddenly froze. She looked down and found a thin piece of paper in her palm.

The note bore a line of hastily written but forceful words, "Roy owes me a mission ticket~"

Luffy leaned closer, tilting his head, looking completely bewildered. "Who is it? Appearing and disappearing so mysteriously..."

Nami narrowed her eyes and sighed softly, "It's Admiral Kizaru..."

"He helped us cover up the traces."

She slowly crumpled the note, a wave of guilt and heaviness washing over her. "It seems I've unintentionally caused them trouble again..."

Luffy, however, didn't care at all, and curled his lip. "That kind of scum, just beat him up! Who cares!"

Nami gently patted his shoulder, her eyes gleaming in the night, her tone firm:

"Don't worry, I have a feeling it'll be soon..."

Marineford Naval Quarters

The night was deep, and the lights in the naval barracks flickered.

Sanji was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding a heavy letter in his hand, his fingertips trembling slightly as he kept stroking the envelope.

On the front of the envelope, the gold-embossed "Germa" emblem gleamed with a blinding, cold light under the illumination.

"Germa..." Sanji murmured to himself, his brow furrowed, as if some heavy past was awakening from the depths of his memory.

Usopp, having just finished washing up, leaned over and asked curiously, "Sanji, what's wrong? Who sent the letter?"

Sanji didn't answer, but stared intently at the envelope. After a long silence, he finally took a deep breath and tore open the seal.

"Whoosh--"

The moment the paper was unfolded, Sanji's pupils suddenly contracted!

The handwriting on the letter was brief and cold:

"Germa and Totto Land have decided to form a marriage alliance."

--"Zeff, the Sea Restaurant"

"Return immediately."

"Wh... what?!"

Sanji's face turned deathly pale instantly. He jumped up, knocking his chair over with a loud bang!

Usopp was startled and quickly asked, "What's wrong?! What happened?!"

Sanji gripped the letter tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"Germa... those guys... they actually threatened me with the seaside restaurant?!" His breathing was rapid, and his eyes flashed with complex emotions.

Anger, hatred, helplessness, worry... all surged into my heart in an instant.

He closed his eyes, and the image of his mother's weak yet gentle smile, as well as the cold eyes of his "brothers" who had been transformed, floated into his mind.

"That man... that bastard who treated my mother and me like failures..."

"That madman who values Germa's glory above all else..."

Seeing this, Usopp reached out and patted Sanji on the shoulder, his face full of concern. "Sanji... are you alright?"

Sanji slowly opened his eyes, a resolute flame burning within them, his voice low and hoarse. "Usopp... I'm going to the North Blue."

Night had fallen.

Under Usopp's cover, Sanji, wearing a military jacket, quietly boarded a small boat moored at the dark dock.

He stood side by side with Usopp, remaining silent for a long time.

"Sanji... are you really going alone?" Usopp asked in a low voice, his eyes flickering with unease.

Sanji lit a cigarette, the light reflecting the complex and resolute look in his eyes. "This is the past I must face."

"Usopp, thank you."

The small boat slowly left the shore, heading towards the North Blue. Usopp watched the boat disappear into the distance, his chest tightening, his fingers clenched tightly.

Just then, a flash of lightning Flash across the sky, briefly illuminating the sea.

The following day, at the Marine Headquarters Training Ground

The Training Ground was still bustling with activity in the early morning, filled with the sounds of punches, gunshots, and commands.

However, Zephyr frowned and scanned the ranks, but still couldn't find the Blond Hair cook who always reported on time every day and had to "check in" at the female officers' Training Camp first.

"Sanji... he didn't come today?"

His gaze immediately fell on the Shot range.

Usopp was holding Sniper Rifle, but he was distracted, and several bullets missed the target, with one even flying to the edge of the shooting range.

Zephyr's face darkened. He stepped behind him and said in a deep voice, "What happened?"

Usopp jolted, immediately stiffening to stand at attention and saluting. "Reporting, Professor Zephyr! No, it's nothing!"

However, cold sweat beaded on his forehead, his fingers twisted tightly around the hem of his clothes, and his eyes flickered, clearly indicating that he was hiding something.

"..."

Zephyr narrowed his eyes, about to ask more questions, when three figures walked over side by side.

It was the Thunder-Fire-Sword Trio: Ace, Law, Enel.

Enel picked at his ear, his tone lazy yet meaningful. "Hey, long nose—a small boat sneaked out last night, was that Sanji?"

Ace was taken aback. "Sanji? What was he doing sneaking out?!"

Usopp gritted his teeth, and under the intense gazes of the others, he finally succumbed to the pressure and revealed the truth in a trembling voice. "Sanji... received a letter."

The sender is -- Germa.

"They said Germa was going to form a marriage alliance with the Totto Land, and they even threatened him with Chef Zeff from the sea restaurant, demanding his immediate return!"

"He secretly sent a small boat to North Blue last night!"

Ace scratched his head, puzzled, and asked, "Germa? What's that? Is it powerful?"

Enel scoffed dismissively, "A lowly family from the North Blue, I guess? I've never heard of them."

Luo's expression was solemn, and his voice was low. "The Germa Kingdom, a military empire in the North Blue, is famous for its clone soldiers and war technology."

He paused, then added, "And— Sanji's full name is Vinsmoke Sanji."

He is the third son of King Judge of Germa.

Ace and Enel both widened their eyes in disbelief. "What?! Sanji is actually a prince?!"

Luo crossed his arms and pondered, his eyes gleaming. "The marriage alliance between Germa and the Totto Land... there's definitely a conspiracy behind this."

"It's too dangerous for Sanji to go back alone."

Ace clenched his fist, flames erupting from his palm. "Then what are we waiting for?! Let's go to the North Blue to help him!"

Enel grinned wickedly, lightning dancing on his fingertips. "Just got bored, let's go have some fun in the North Blue ~"

"Nonsense!"

Zephyr suddenly spoke, his voice like thunder, startling everyone.

"You are the Navy! Unauthorized absence from your post is a serious crime!"

Usopp suddenly looked up, his eyes resolute, and interrupted Zephyr: "Zephyr- sensei! Sanji is our comrade!"

"We can't just stand by and watch him get into danger!"

Ace laughed loudly and patted Usopp on the shoulder heavily, "Well said! Your crewmates are the most important!"

Luo calmly added, "We can apply for a 'North Blue patrol mission' and go to the North Blue openly and legitimately."

Zephyr remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a heavy sigh.

"I'll go and apply to Sengoku..."

"But you all need to remember this—this is a military operation, not child's play!"

"Yes!!"