Sanji's Fear

"Damn it, Luffy! This is clearly everyone's favorite food, why did you eat it all by yourself!" Nami's furious voice suddenly rang out in the quiet room.

"It's all Sanji! If he hadn't made the food so delicious, how could I have lost control of my hands!" Luffy said matter-of-factly.

"You two, keep your voices down! It'll be terrible if you attract the enemy," Usopp whispered fearfully.

"Actually, you don't need to worry too much. There aren't many people here usually," Sanji said with a shake of his head and a smile.

"When I heard Koala say that the defenses here were very weak, I didn't quite believe it. Now it seems that it really is true."

"Hehe, that's good too. It would be the best outcome if Sanji could be taken away without any conflict."

"Take him away..." Sanji murmured for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Everyone, I'm sorry, I can't leave with you yet."

"Why, Sanji? Didn't we just agree on this?"

"You can't imagine the extent of that man's control over this continent. Even without anyone specifically guarding me, my escape would be discovered within half a day at most, and I would be overwhelmed by the enemy's Tidal Wave in less than a quarter of an hour. I don't care what happens to me, but I absolutely do not want you to be..."

"Sanji, you should have faith in us. We're already very strong!"

Even Usopp overcame his fear and nodded repeatedly, saying, "That's right, Sanji, we've all become very strong!"

"It's no use. Although what I've learned in the past two years is just the tip of the Iceberg of that man, I do know one thing: he is far more terrifying than the rumors say. He is powerful enough to make people despair! Besides, no matter how strong you are, you are just a few people, but that man's influence spreads throughout the entire sea. If we really anger him, we will die no matter where we run. You should leave and let me fend for myself..." Sanji shook his head dejectedly.

Bang!

"This cowardly and timid you is not the fearless Sanji I used to know at all! Wake up, you bastard!" Luffy punched Sanji in the face and angrily scolded, "How do you know it won't work if you don't even try!"

Sanji scrambled to his feet and grabbed Luffy by the collar. "The consequence of failure is death! Tell me, why should I trade your lives for my freedom, especially with such a slim hope!"

"Just because we're partners, there's no such thing as worthlessness between partners!" Luffy looked directly into his eyes.

"Idiot, if I'm afraid of being implicated, what kind of comrade am I?" Zoro said casually.

"Yes, Sanji, everyone has been waiting for your return," Nami a sweet smile.

"Besides, it's too early to talk about death now. This city has gathered strong people from all over the world. The situation may have already gotten out of Nightmare's control, and he may not have time to care about us. Now may be the best time to escape!" Usopp comforted him.

"... I'm sorry, I still can't leave with you!" Sanji released Luffy's collar and slumped into a chair.

"It's alright, we have plenty of time to wait for you to change your mind. If it doesn't work in a day, then a week; if it doesn't work in a week, then a month; even if it takes a year, or a lifetime, I will wait!" Luffy said resolutely.

"You bastard..." Sanji rubbed his eyes hoarsely, "Seriously, I didn't expect sand to get into the room."

"Luffy, I have a reason to stay here, because if I choose to leave, I might harm Reiju!"

"Reiju? I think I heard Koala mention her. She's your older sister?" Nami asked curiously.

"Yes, in that cold family, she was the only one who could make me feel the warmth of the blood flowing in my body. In fact, I am still alive today... thanks to her!"

"Alive until now?"

"When I was little, she helped me escape from that cold prison. Two years ago, she saved me from the clutches of God of Death once again. Tell me, how could I possibly implicate her because of my own actions?"

"But I heard that your sister isn't Nightmare..."

"In Nightmare's eyes, she might be a little more important than others, but that's all. For that kind of cold-blooded monster, what isn't a pawn that can be used?" Sanji said sarcastically.

"Now you should know why I've never considered running away in the past two years!"

"How could this happen?" Nami said, distraught.

Luffy's eyes lit up, and he suggested, "In that case, why don't we take your sister with us?"

"Yeah, Sanji's sister must be a really nice person. She must have had a tough time living next to that cold-blooded monster!" Usopp said.

Sanji shook his head with a wry smile upon hearing this, "Reiju... she has always been someone who doesn't know how to resist. Even in the Vinsmoke Family, she always accepted whatever came her way. For her, Nightmare is the one who rescued her from nightmares. She would rather die than betray Nightmare!"

"Someone like Nightmare... would anyone actually be willing to be devoted to him?" Nami asked in disbelief.

"You don't understand. The weak are grateful for his blessings, and the strong yearn for his power. In this crazy country, everyone worships Nightmare like a god. The fanaticism is something outsiders can't even imagine!" Sanji shook his head and sighed.

"Then... is there really no other way?" Usopp asked unwillingly.

"No, there's an even simpler and more direct way!" Luffy suddenly raised his head, his eyes gleaming.

"Wait... wait, Luffy, you don't mean to say you're going to knock Nightmare away, do you?!" Usopp asked, his lips twitching.

"Eh? Usopp, you think so too?" Luffy was overjoyed.

"Idiot, that's a monster that single-handedly destroyed Marine Headquarters, how could we possibly..."

"Since we can't escape Nightmare anyway, why not give it a try?"

"Zoro, how could even you..." Usopp cried out in despair.

"Luffy, this is not the time to fool around!" Sanji warned seriously.

"Sanji, is it true that everything will be over once Nightmare is defeated?" Luffy asked.

"You have no idea how terrifying that man was, what you faced two years ago..."

Luffy interrupted him directly, saying, "Sanji, all you need to answer is yes or no!"

"That's true, but..."

"You see, this is indeed the simplest and most effective method, isn't it!"

Seeing that Luffy had abandoned him and turned to persuade Usopp and the others, Sanji clenched his fists. "Let me finish what I have to say, you bastard!"