Pirates: How Many Divisions Do the Five Elders Have? Sanji's Decision

In his capacity as president of the Big Bird Consortium, Ma Qiao had a cordial and friendly exchange with Princess Sophia of the North Blue Penguin Principality.

Ultimately, both sides reached a consensus on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation to jointly grow stronger, laying the political foundation for the future establishment of Bird Express Company...

In the morning sun, the penguins tearfully bid farewell to their benefactor Ma Qiao.

They will return to the North Blue to find the rest of their people, and then the whole tribe will migrate to seek refuge with Boss Ma Qiao.

This was not only due to Princess Sophia's personal feelings, but also the opinions of the penguin elders who were captured with her.

In fact, there are many countries or populations of North Blue penguins.

Germa 66, in their quest to unify the human forces in the North Blue, even knew to join the Big Mom Pirates; these penguins, too, possessed a simple understanding.

From their perspective, Ma Qiao is undoubtedly a superstar who has fallen from the sky in the penguin world, the chosen one, and someone they would greatly value by submitting to...

"What a grateful bunch of little ones..."

Vivi, the naive and innocent girl who was almost caught cheating on by her husband without even realizing it, clung to Ma Qiao's arm, watching the penguin flock disappear into the distance with a smile, "In my hometown, there are similar, loyal creatures too..."

"Kung Fu Dugong?" Ma Qiao asked instinctively.

"Huh? How did you know?"

Vivi frowned and said, "Did I say where I'm from?"

Alabasta, huh?

Ma Qiao scoffed, "Wasn't your Pops a utterly despicable scoundrel who gambled away all his money in the Rainbase?"

Vivi paused, then waved her hand and chuckled sheepishly, "Uh... yes... I... I am indeed from Alabasta, but from a very rural place... and my dad is definitely a bastard..."

The matter of meeting Crocodile cannot be delayed.

The Unluckies delivered a formal invitation to Ma Qiao early in the morning.

Holding the invitation, Ma Qiao reluctantly set sail on his old sailboat.

I didn't think this ship was that bad when I was doing missions before, but lately I've gotten used to hitching rides on Marine warships, and this small Pirate Hunter's boat just doesn't feel comfortable.

However, it must be said that Nami's talent for navigation is truly amazing.

In the past, Ma Qiao would always sail with the free trio, and getting lost and encountering danger was commonplace.

With Nami, who has systematically studied the meteorological and hydrological knowledge of the Grand Line, guiding them, the long journey to Alabasta has become unexpectedly smooth.

The only minor incident along the way was that Nami still had a fever.

In the original storyline, Nami developed a fever on her way to Alabasta, which led to Chopper's storyline.

This time, Ma Qiao specifically asked Nami to avoid Little Garden Island during the voyage, but unexpectedly, she still fell victim to the trap.

Ma Qiao wasn't sure if it was because of that mosquito that night.

Nami is experiencing symptoms similar to malaria.

Ma Qiao only needed half a bottle of Restoration Potion to fully restore Nami's health, and then he used a Cleanse to cure her illness.

Vivi was completely stunned by the whole process.

"This move is actually..."

"I know, Ma Family Kung Fu!"

See, after using PUA techniques for so long, even Her Highness can answer questions before you do!

Only...

What's with that resentful look in the little girl's eyes?

Why are you making it sound like I owe you money...?

Ma Qiao suddenly remembered something.

Vivi gritted her teeth and asked, "You old geezer, when will I finally master this 'Flying Thunder God Technique' you mentioned? I haven't sensed anything—not 'qi,' not 'internal force,' and not 'Chakra'!"

"Oh dear, oh dear, it's precisely because you've always had this impatient mentality that you're unable to get started!"

Ma Qiao had just been Heimerdinger for a large sum of research funding by Da Tou, so he had no money left to "invest" in Vivi and could only make up a story.

Fortunately, the quarterly allowance from the G-2 Branch and the payment for the sparkling sweet coffee should arrive in the next couple of days.

The additional military funds requested by the 16th East Blue 16th Branch from Marineford will soon be realized.

So...

Let's make things a little harder for Miss Vivi...

Just as Captain Ma Qiao, navigator Nami, lookout Vivi, and the virtually invisible servant King were setting sail for Alabasta.

East Blue, Baratie Restaurant, Sanji finally managed to say those words to Zeff with great difficulty:

"Pops, I've made up my mind! I'm going no matter what!"

Zeff crossed his arms over his chest, his long, braided mustache trembling slightly.

Because Sanji lost a leg and gave up his identity as a pirate, Zeff had long regarded this child with the same dream as his own son.

He said sternly, "If a man wants to do something... then he should do it. Even if it means associating with those boring people, he shouldn't forget his dreams..."

"A man's dream never ends, AllBlue is real!"

Sanji nodded heavily, stood up, slung his bag over his shoulder, and walked toward the naval recruitment ship in the distance.

"Sanji..."

Zeff suddenly called out to him, his Iceburg, resolute expression melting away. "Don't catch a cold..."

These words completely shattered Sanji's pretense.

His pupils trembled slightly, and his hands clenched tightly.

Thank you so much for taking care of me! I'll come back to visit often!

Sanji turned and knelt down in front of Zeff, his forehead slamming heavily onto the floor, tears and snot already soaking the strong man.

Watching the naval troop transport ship sail away, Zeff sighed.

He knew this day would come sooner or later.

Sanji, who harbors the dream of becoming a Marine or a pirate, cannot stay at the Baratie restaurant indefinitely; he can only remain there if he becomes an All Blue.

However, Zeff had always believed that Sanji would choose to become a freer and more unrestrained pirate, just like himself.

Surprisingly, he actually managed to suppress his restless heart and enlist in the navy.

That's really unexpected!

But it's all for the best; the navy is still the right path after all.

Unlike pirates who live on the edge, the Navy has plenty of vacation time each year, enough for him to come back from the 16th Branch to visit this old man...

In fact, Sanji thought so too.

"Let's just consider it a wonderful trip..."

Unlike other young men who signed up for the military, Sanji didn't gather in small groups to excitedly discuss their future naval careers.

Instead, he leaned quietly against the ship's railing, lit a cigarette, and a sense of loss lingered in his mind.

However, unlike in the original story where he joined the Straw Hat Pirates and embarked on a journey of uncertainty and ignorance, this time Sanji was fully prepared mentally for joining the 16th Branch.

Simply put, he has connections in the Navy!

He took out his Den Den Mushi type of electric scooter), skillfully opened the official website of the 16th Branch of the East Blue Marine Corps, and the first thing that caught his eye was the "Beautiful Marine Girl · I Want You" poster.

Sanji's eyes, which had been filled with sorrow, immediately turned into the shape of hearts.

Opening his QQ contact list, Sanji discovered that [the meat-loving beautiful female naval swordswoman] was still online.

However, Sanji has already given her a cuter nickname: [Meatball].

He has been chatting with this female navy officer for over two months.

It's fair to say I know her very well.

This is a cheerful, straightforward, and humorous young lady.

Most importantly, she raved about her own cooking skills.

This made Sanji feel that his youth was full of sunshine!

After thinking for a moment, Sanji began his unique, gentle approach as a chef:

[Meatball, do you prefer apple juice, grape juice, watermelon juice, or my juice?]

[Meatball, let me introduce you to the different types of ducks: Psyduck, Rubber Duck, Flat-billed Duck, and the "I Miss You" Duck!]

[Meatball, can you smile? Because I forgot to put sugar in my coffee...]

[Meatball, let me give you a little more information about the different types of berries: strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, and the "I Missed You" berry!]

[Oh.]

"She replied to me! She replied to me!"

Is this a declaration of love?

Sanji kissed the Den Den Mushi with bliss, as if he were kissing "Nutty's" lips.

It was so rich, so sweet, so full of texture...

Overwhelmed with happiness, Sanji unconsciously swayed and twisted.

"What a group of energetic and righteous young people!"

Major Morgan, the commander of the troop transport ship, watched Sanji's almost blissfully ecstatic expression and couldn't help but sigh, "I hope they can maintain this optimism even under Vice Admiral Garp's Riot Games, hahaha..."

Thinking of how the first two batches of new recruits had run away in terror within half a day, crying and begging for their parents, Morgan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

And so, Ma Qiao's ship carrying Vivi and Nami sailed to the left, while Sanji's ship headed to the right for Garp's Iron Fist.

Although they are going in opposite directions, they both have bright futures...