Sky Garden

Sky Garden floats above the North Blue sky, heading towards the New World Whole Cake Island.

Downs Island is like a giant rock, crookedly piled up in a corner of the Sky Garden.

Led by Nami, a large group of Clay Doll moved in and out of Downs Island, constantly carrying gold and silver treasures out of the island and placing them in the Sky Garden's treasure vault.

The treasure that originally belonged to the remnants of the Donquixote Family has now taken the shape of the Storm Pirates.

Although this "small amount" is insignificant to Storm at present.

But Nami still happily accepted the task.

For the Little Thief Cat, nothing in the world is more joyful than "counting money"... probably.

Meanwhile, in the Sky Garden...

In addition to the original members of the Storm Pirates, there is another "newcomer".

The eldest princess of the Germa Kingdom, the eldest daughter of the Vinsmoke Family—

Vinsmoke Reiju.

"Reiju."

Storm gave a faint smile to the purple-haired girl standing in front of him, who was wearing a set of the Germa Kingdom shape memory armor called "Poison Pink".

Welcome to the company.

That's right.

Storm still "accepted" Vinsmoke Reiju.

But it wasn't like Robin said, that he "married" Reiju.

He simply absorbed Reiju into the Storm Pirates.

According to Storm...

In the entire Vinsmoke Family, only one and a half can be considered "normal".

"One" refers to Vinsmoke Sora, who is Gage's wife and his mother who died young.

"Half" refers to Vinsmoke Reiju.

Among the Vinsmoke Family, which is almost entirely built on Lineage Factor Technology, Reiju possesses the strongest sense of humanity.

Of course, the chef with curly eyebrows who wished to remain anonymous could also be considered a normal person.

However, there are still far too many instances where the chef's eyebrow color is abnormal...

Moreover, chefs with curly eyebrows are always in a "heat cycle".

Storm felt that the excessive desires might be a genetic defect inherent in the curly-browed chef...

Cough cough.

All in all.

Aside from Vinsmoke Sora, Reiju, and the curly-browed chef.

The rest of the "Vinsmoke" are all not normal people!

Therefore, Storm only recruited Reiju.

To be honest...

Reiju has mastered the shape memory armor of "Poison Pink," and in addition, she has undergone genetic modification by Gage, giving her abilities such as "exoskeleton" and "venom manipulation."

Even in the New World, where pirates abound, Reiju's strength is quite impressive.

If we take the BIG MOM Pirates as an example...

Reiju's strength is not comparable to that of the Sweet Commander, but she is more than capable of surpassing the other members of the Charlotte Family.

This is also one of the reasons why Storm chose to recruit Reiju.

But compared to Storm's composure.

Reiju, on the other hand, appeared much more apprehensive and serious.

Not everyone can maintain a calm demeanor in front of the Pirate Emperor!

Especially a new Pirate Emperor who just defeated Big Mom!

Even Cyborg are not acceptable.

"Your Majesty the White Dragon Emperor"

Reiju knelt on one knee, bowed her head, and solemnly greeted them.

"I'm happy to serve you."

In a sense.

Reiju watched as Storm grew into the Four Seas Pirate Emperor.

When they first met, White Dragon was just a newly appointed Shichibukai.

But now, the White Dragon has "upgraded" to the "White Dragon Emperor"!

In Reiju's opinion

Her "father" had already had his already fragile spine broken by the White Dragon;

The Vinsmoke Family had long been absorbed into the White Dragon's ranks as his subordinates.

Now, the White Dragon Emperor has taken the initiative to recruit her to join the Storm Pirates...

This is undoubtedly the White Dragon Emperor sending some kind of positive signal!

If it weren't for the fact that the White Dragon Emperor didn't express any other attitude...

Reiju even felt that she could change her surname from "Vinsmoke" to "Vongola" today.

Anyway, it's already taken on the shape of the Vongola Family...

In fact.

Not just Reiju.

Gage thought so too.

Sky Garden floats above the North Blue sky.

Meanwhile, the giant snail of the Germa Kingdom was also swimming rapidly on the surface of the North Blue.

The destination of these giant snails is also the New World Whole Cake Island!

Um...

Storm felt that it was rather impolite of Gage to offer him protection in exchange for "complete submission".

However, he did nothing to this cold-blooded and ruthless mad scientist, merely giving him a warning before allowing the Germa Kingdom to accompany him to the New World.

Gage's wish to cling to someone's coattails was finally fulfilled.

Especially since Reiju was absorbed into Storm Pirates...

Gage was even more satisfied!

If it weren't for the fact that Storm didn't express any other attitude.

Gage wouldn't mind sending Reiju straight to Storm's bed!

However, he has now sent Reiju to Storm's ship...

How could Pirate Emperor not have a few women around him?

Cough cough.

The reason Storm allowed the Germa Kingdom to follow him into the New World was...

On the one hand, it's because Gage really did put in a lot of effort during Bonney's treatment.

On the other hand, it's also because Gage himself is a decent scientist.

Although Gage is far inferior to Vegapunk.

But honestly, which scientist on the ocean dares to say they can compare to Vegapunk?

Gage is already considered one of the best scientists after Vegapunk!

For such "special talents".

As long as the other party's behavior doesn't cross Storm's bottom line, he won't do anything to them.

Didn't he also release Caesar Clown, who was also a scoundrel, at Vegapunk's request?

To be fair...

Storm has now taken over Whole Cake Island and become the Pirate Emperor.

In addition, there's the soon-to-be-established New Marines.

Storm is still a great demand for "scientists" as a special talent.

Vegapunk was aloof and remarkable, pursuing something as metaphysical as "eternal energy"...

So Storm could only let Vinsmoke Gage do the more mundane tasks.

This doesn't mean that Storm wanted Gage to develop some incredibly powerful war weapons for him.

What "weapons of war" on the high seas are more powerful than the Three Ancient Weapons?

If Storm really wants to pursue some high-powered weapon.

Why doesn't he go and search for Ancient Weapon?

As for the other, slightly inferior weapons...

That thing isn't as good as Storm's [Clay Fruit] and [Soul-Soul Fruit]!

Therefore, Storm didn't intend for Gage to create any "clone army".

He also did not allow Vegapunk to create any "Pacifista army".

What "clone army" or "Pacifista force"? Can they be as effective as Storm's clay army?

Storm's only expectation of Gage in terms of science and technology is that this evil commander of Germa 66 provide his Whole Cake Island, as well as the New Marines, with regular updates to their weaponry!

Nowadays, most pirates on the high seas use flintlock muskets, cannons, and wooden sailing ships.

From the perspective of the overall development level of the era, the world of One Piece is basically in a stage similar to the "Middle Ages".

But what exactly did Vegapunk, Gage, and others research?

Eternal energy, mechanical soldiers, clone army...

The art style is like it's from centuries ago!

Without a doubt.

A huge gap has emerged between cutting-edge marine technology and "civilian technology".

Storm didn't intend to quickly put those cutting-edge technologies into practical use...

However, thanks to Gage's research capabilities, the New Marines's basic weaponry has achieved a leapfrog development, allowing them to directly exploit the "version difference" when facing other pirates...

Is that too much to ask?

Just imagine it.

While other pirates were still fighting with cold weapons and flintlock pistols.

The New Marines's sailors are already using machine guns, electromagnetic cannons, laser cannons...

How beautiful that scene must be!

Considering the various scientific and technological advancements Vinsmoke Gage incorporated into his combat suit.

Storm's vision was not just a pipe dream.

There's still a very high probability that it will happen!

But that's only in the future.

Now, facing Reiju kneeling on one knee, Storm used his [Clay Fruit] to assimilate the surrounding earth and "help" her up.

"Reiju, the Storm Pirates aren't the traditional kind of pirate crew, and there's no need to follow any traditional or feudal rules here."

Storm waved to the new crew member.

"How you interacted with everyone when we lived in Vinsmoke Castle should be how you interact with them now."

"Yes, Your Majesty the White Dragon Emperor."

Reiju's face displayed a flawless smile, as if she were a robot.

Reiju wasn't entirely convinced by Storm's words.

But the opponent is the Pirate Emperor.

If the White Dragon Emperor is willing to say so, then Reiju will just have to listen to him!

Anyway, Reiju didn't have much of a choice.

"Generally speaking, when I recruit members, I will offer... you can probably think of it as 'newcomer benefits'."

Storm sized up Reiju; her "Poison Pink" battle suit was indeed quite eye-catching.

"But you don't seem to have any pressing problems to solve, or any dreams that absolutely must be realized..."

"Then, I'll give you a piece of intelligence for free!"

Reiju maintained that perfect smile, like a cold, emotionless doll.

But Storm's next sentence shattered the cold-blooded facade of this "robot princess."

"Your brother, I'm not talking about Niji and those three Cyborg, I'm talking about your 'third brother,' Vinsmoke Sanji."

Storm calmly uttered the name of the curly-browed chef.

"Sanji is doing very well now. He has even found a 'boss' who treats him like his own son."

"Or rather... godfather?"

Storm felt it was a bit impolite when he said those words.

He frowned, pondered for a moment, and then corrected his previous statement.

"Sorry, not 'godfather,' a more accurate term would be 'master,' someone who is both teacher and father."

"Your third brother, who has always dreamed of becoming a chef, has now found the perfect mentor for him at the Baratie in the East Blue."

Reiju had almost forgotten how many years it had been since she had heard any news about Sanji.

Living in the Germa Kingdom, she was like a canary imprisoned in a cage, finding it extremely difficult to actively obtain any intelligence or information.

Even though it was Reiju who personally released her younger brother Sanji from prison back then.

But so many years have passed.

Reiju has not received any information or intelligence about Sanji.

She sincerely hopes that Sanji can find someone who truly loves him on the free seas.

But occasionally, there are times when...

Reiju also feels worry and fear that her young brother might lose his life on the turbulent sea...

Perhaps it was a shipwreck.

Perhaps it was a famine.

Only today did Reiju finally obtain information about Sanji.

Sanji has lived a healthy life to this day...

Sanji found the perfect life for him in the East Blue...

Sanji also met a master in the East Blue who treated him like family...

That's wonderful!

Reiju couldn't help but reach out and cover her face, as well as her eyes, which had instantly turned red.

A voice, barely audible yet slightly choked with emotion, escaped from between the fingers of Vinsmoke Sanji's older sister.

"Thank you... Lord Storm, thank you..."

Good heavens...

It's almost 11 o'clock...

There will be a second update, but it will be later.