Currently, the Germa Kingdom still holds the status of a member nation of the World Government, having long since transitioned from a mercenary state to an exporter of cutting-edge medical technology.
Thus, strictly speaking, Germa is permitted to dispatch troops to assist the Marines—especially considering the remarkable strength of Germa's military forces.
King Vinsmoke Judge and Fleet Admiral Wright share a close personal relationship, a fact known to some of the Marine high command. After all, even miraculous technological creations like the Lightforged Beacon were first developed by Judge himself.
Given Judge's former collaboration with Dr. Vegapunk, his level of scientific expertise has naturally become something the Marines value greatly.
At this critical juncture—when the Marine Headquarters is preparing for a campaign against the Four Emperors—support from Germa is both reasonable, legal, and welcome.
Besides providing a massive shipment of advanced medical supplies, Germa would also dispatch an elite strike team to infiltrate enemy lines ahead of time, ready to tip the scales at crucial moments.
As for this advance infiltration mission...
In the New World, the Thousand Sunny had dropped anchor beneath a massive warship shaped like a giant Den Den Mushi.
The colossal creature bore the prominent insignia of "66" emblazoned across its mechanical shell, where complex machinery interfaced with its living body to form a vast mechanical platform.
Atop the platform sat something resembling a massive castle!
"Whoa!! That's one huge Den Den Mushi!"
Luffy cried out in excitement. Mist swirled over the sea's surface, and when the gigantic Den Den Mushi approached, it almost collided with them—fortunately, thanks to Merry's warning, the Thousand Sunny had managed to steer clear just in time.
"It looks delicious!"
Luffy's eyes sparkled as he tried to leap toward it, only for Zoro to yank him back by the collar:
"Oi! That's obviously someone else's ship! You planning to eat their ship or something?!"
"Let's deal with whoever's up there first. They look strong."
Zoro's mouth curved into a slight grin, eager for a fight.
"Wait... something's not right."
Robin's expression darkened. Nami, Usopp, and Franky instantly tensed up.
"What is it, Robin? You know this Den Den Mushi?"
"This is... the mobile kingdom of the North Blue—the warship of Germa..."
"A warship?!"
Everyone gasped, only for Robin to smile faintly:
"They share a deep connection with Fleet Admiral Wright."
"Germa!"
Chopper bounced excitedly: "Robin! It's Germa!"
"That's where I studied medicine back then! And where Law-senpai also trained in secret! Their medical technology is suuuuper amazing!"
"Huh? Sanji, what's wrong?"
Chopper noticed Sanji trembling all over, staring at him with wide, horrified eyes—and Chopper instinctively shivered too—because Sanji was a chef, after all.
Natural enemies!
"Chopper... You... You learned medicine on Skypiea from Germa?!"
Sanji asked, his voice trembling—
Back during their time on Skypiea, Robin had interacted with Judge, and Chopper had studied Germa's advanced medical techniques—but neither of them had met any of the royal family members besides Judge himself.
Moreover, Judge always kept his helmet on, and his signature curly eyebrows were hidden.
Chopper and Robin had honored his request to never mention his name to outsiders—after all, Judge was a king. The astute Robin and the innocent Chopper had kept that promise faithfully, which was why...
"You know that old bastard Judge?!"
"Ahahaha, Sanji... After all these years, you greet your old man with 'that bastard'? Good thing he's not here to hear it."
A lazy voice called down from the deck of the giant Den Den Mushi warship, where a green-haired figure appeared.
"Eh?! Another Sanji?!"
The Straw Hats cried out.
The newcomer, Yonji, scowled and shouted back:
"Oi! That idiot's right next to you! Don't go confusing me with him!"
"Sure, we might look alike... but my name's Yonji!"
"Eh~~ You look exactly alike!"
"And as for my relationship with that idiot... well, no need for me to spell it out."
"Duh! You're obviously his little brother!"
"..."
"BAHAHAHA!"
Laughter erupted as Ichiji and Niji stepped forward, clapping Yonji hard on the shoulder:
"Trying to be mysterious, huh? With your face and name, who wouldn't guess it?!"
"..."
The Straw Hats were petrified—
More young men with those trademark curly eyebrows had appeared!
"I'm Ichiji, and this is Niji. You can figure it out from there..."
Ichiji said with a slight smile. Together, the three brothers looked at Sanji:
"Sanji, it's been a long time. Looks like you've been doing well."
"Eh~~~ So they're Sanji's oniisan?!"
Everyone screamed. Nami grabbed Chopper by the scruff:
"Chopper! When you were on Skypiea, you never saw these three?!"
"N-no! Only Judge-san was there..."
Chopper's jaw dropped, unable to process what was happening:
"Judge-san told me not to mention his name... Am I dreaming?!"
"EEEHHH—?!"
Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji now turned their eyes to Nami, who was cradling Chopper, and to Robin, who was smiling nearby. Their eyeballs immediately turned into hearts and nearly popped out:
"Gorgeous beauties!! So cute!!!"
Everyone else:
"Yup, no doubt about it. They're definitely Sanji's blood relatives."
"..."
Sanji's face darkened. Suppressing his fury, he glared at the trio standing at the ship's rail:
"What the hell are you guys doing here?!"
"I don't have brothers like you!"
"And Vinsmoke Judge isn't my old man either!"
"My only father... is one man!"
Thinking of Red-Leg Zeff from Baratie back in the East Blue, Sanji spoke in a low, firm voice:
"How did you even know I was here?!"
"Relax... Sanji."
The three brothers fell silent for a moment, as if hesitating.
Just then, a gentle voice drifted across, causing them to fall silent once more.
Hearing that voice, Sanji froze. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead as a pink-haired beauty appeared at the ship's railing.
"It's been so long... Over ten years, hasn't it, Sanji?
"It looks like you've found people who are kind to you. I'm so relieved."
"Reiju..."
"Reiju? Another one with curly eyebrows? Don't tell me—"
Whoosh—
In the blink of an eye, Reiju disappeared from the deck and reappeared on the Thousand Sunny's deck.
The Straw Hats immediately raised their guard—after all, judging by Sanji's reaction, these people were clearly not friendly.
"No need to be alarmed. I only came to thank you all for taking care of my little brother..."
"So it's true! She's Sanji's older sister! And she's gorgeous too!"
"Reiju! You... why are you here?"
Sanji let out a deep breath, lit a cigarette, his emotions in turmoil.
Toward the Vinsmoke brothers, he could unleash all his bitterness—but toward Reiju, the only one among them he truly acknowledged as family—he couldn't bring himself to be cruel.
"You're still as kind as ever... I'm glad."
Reiju smiled gently. "Things aren't how you're imagining.
"We're here to help you."
"Help?"
Sanji frowned: "What's that supposed to mean?
"I don't need the help of a bunch of emotionless war machines!"
"Hehe... May I speak to you alone?"
Reiju turned to Luffy—after all, she knew that he was Sanji's true captain.
"Please don't worry. We have no ill intentions."
Luffy glanced at Sanji, who hesitated for a long moment before finally sighing and nodding silently.
"Alright. If Sanji agrees, then I won't stop you.
"But remember—Sanji is my crewmate. If you hurt him, I'll never forgive you."
Luffy said sternly.
Reiju smiled softly:
"Thank you, Straw Hat Luffy.
"I'll explain everything shortly—please be patient.
"After all, we are royals from a World Government member nation, with the right to participate in the Reverie. We know the rules."
"EEEHHH?!"
As Reiju and Sanji entered the cabin together, it finally clicked for the rest of the crew:
"Wait a second—doesn't that mean Sanji's actually a prince?!"
—————————
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to my Patreon ——— patreon(.)com/JuanPiece [remove the parentheses ( )]
Note: This fanfic has been completely translated and is available on my Patreon.