Living as Straw Hats pirate wasn't what he expected.

That's the least Sanji could say as the crew didn't do anything predicable (like how the captain took down Big Mom's top fighters while still being rookie in the New World). So, out with all those plans you could pull.

Trafalgar Law could attested it.

He only agreed to the alliance in the hope that taking down Caesar Clown would put a strain in the collaboration between the warlord Donquixote Doflamingo and the emperor Kaido, not to use the crazy scientist as hostage to exchange with their imprisoned crewmate by Big Mom, almost ruining their original plan by giving advantage to another emperor. And especially not participating in the rescue of said crewmate by breaking into the female emperor's territory. 

Worse, the whole of Straw hats already took him as one of them, despite his cries.

Sanji had to admit that the man wasn't fooling anyone by his brooding persona and had some remaining of child behavior, especially when asked what he can't eat. Bread and pickled plum. Not that Sanji would mock him and as a proud chef, he could totally manage with those demands. He's also from North Blue, so they did strike some conversation while tavelling to Dressrosa, and also not a bad person as he liked to be seen.

"Ehh? So Tora-o saved all the children?" Little Chopper looked amazingly at his fellow doctor.

Trafalgar Law only harrumphed, whether it's because of the nickname or that a fellow doctor would doubt him doing his actual job was anyone's guess.

"Yup!" Luffy beamed proudly as if we were talking about his feats. "He created that weird dome and could move eveything inside and no one get hurt! He even cut out a swordman with weird haircut and helped find his son! Tora-o's great!"

"Yeah, well, he's also the one that worked on a bunch of lowly pirates by making them chimera."

"Ope ope no mi sure is handy."

Nami and Robin's comments got drowned by Chopper's impressed shouts and Usopp's tale who was more detailing than the captain.

"Listen to me, Chopper! As you know after our tragic separation and Jinbei's promise, we had to take refuge in the nearest Island who happened to be Punk Hazard by total hazard! Unfortunately, the marines followed us but we kept fighting back and even managed to distance them thanks to my great shooting skills! Anyway, the island was a at first lifeless and separated by lava and ice due to the battle of admirals Akainu and Aokiji two years ago, the winner doesn't matter, what does is that the Island was the location of one of Vegapunk's lab! But the crazy Caesar Clown has taken a hold of the place to experiment on children for gigantification and create artificial devil fruits!"

Sanji and Chopper had to force themselves to not beat down Caesar for his evildoing because they were curious to know more about the story and because they already gave him his beatings. Nami didn't hesitate though.

"Of course, having heard of that, I, the great captain Usopp, demanded to the chimera crocodile brownbeard for who those experiments were due. The chimera said Big Mom requiered the gigantification and Kaido the artificial devil fruits called Smile and since we've been attacked by Big Mom's fleet, we just had to take Caesar as hostage and that's how we met Tora-o here! Not that we didn't trust you Jinbei, we do, but we thought that we could just back you up since that was an Emperor we were against! So, Tora-o was also infiltrating the place for a year now and was about going to strike too, so it was only logical that we had an alliance! We took down all the obstacle as I commanded, Luffy taking care of Caesar, Zoro the harpy, me and my brave comrades Robin and Franky those yeti brothers while Brook and Nami subdued Caesar's subordinates to help Tora-o save the children that were detained against their will and who were almost at the end of their life because the clown's test were dud!"

This time, Sanji did kick the crap out of the man with haki imbued attack even though he was already too beaten from Nami's hit to fend for himself by turning into gaz. Franky only told him to stop because his kicks were damaging the Sunny and not because he pitied the trash. After all, the ship was the carpenter's treasure, its full name was Thousand Sunny and the figurehead was a lion, not a flower nor a sun as the name suggested.

"All was well with my orating skill to persuade Tora-o to reunite the father and his son until the marines show up! And with a traitor among them! He was some higher up from the Donquixotte pirates and was attacking his own men who trusted him just because Doflamingo, that arse, asked him to infiltrate the marines and eradicate everyone endangering his scientist. But Tora-o get rid of him with the help of Smoker who listened to my fabulous plan and the nice right hand man Tashigi promised to take the children to safety after Tora-o removed most of the poison of the children's system!"

Chopper was back at looking the allied captain with shining eyes.

"Then, we left Punk hazard by making Caesar our prisoner and while the marines were too busy taking care of the children and the father Kin'emon that finally found his son Momonosuke! You know the rest, we went to Totto land by making Caesar call Big Mom to exchange him for you like a ransom, perfectly rescued you and now we're going to Dressrosa!" 

And despite all his complain, Trafalgar made sure that everyone got to get out from Totto Land safe and sound with the hostage by torturing his heart, but Caesar's kind of irredeemable so no biggie, as he could still be useful for the rest of their plan.

Of course, Sanji also got to know all of his soulmates during the few days before landing. 

With the girls, he learmed to ease their days, making them snacks and cooking the best meal with the best parts of the foods, also helping taking care of dear Nami's tangerines and discussing histories with sweet Robin. He also got to know their way of fighting to suitably assist them in emergency time. As sweet Robin was a devil fruit user, he had to make sure she won't fall in the ocean or retrieve her immediately to put her to safety. For dear Nami, he was glad to know that she was well trained during those two years of separation and could control the weather being the fabulous navigator she was and that children were her weaknesses as she was the one that insist to save the ones from Punk Hazard. Also she got a nice bonus after their stop at Totto land.

"Zeus?? Did you betrayed mama to serve Nami-san?"

Not that Sanji would blame him, Nami was certainly a better view and personality than Charlotte Linlin. And though Sanji never considered himself as part of them, he was kind of forced to refer to her as such as he was also taken care by one of her daughter, Pudding, while being their prisoner.

"I didn't do it on purpose!"

"We firts intended to make him fight in our side by bending his will with my soul power, but he was made from Big Mom-san's own soul, which is as strong as you expect. However Nami-san managed to charm him by giving thunder as he likes it and he finally attacked his master and had no other choice to join us or be consumed back into Big Mom."

"Yeah, it certainly wouldn't be good," Sanji easily agreed while watching the cloud soul returning into the clima-tact that was Nami's weapon.

With the boys, he already had Luffy and Chopper's good words and learned that the latter was bad with compliments, or rather didn't know to accept them without being rude, which he could relate, while the former wasn't that prone to share about his life unless pried. And it would be kind of evasive even then. Both were devil fruits users, so he had to be careful whenever they ended up at the bottom of the ocean.

Weirdly enough, he easily got along with the more mature of the crew, Jinbei and Brook, having a tacite understanding of a life full of experience. Brook even being an undead man after eating the yomi yomi devil fruit, so another member to be careful around the water. Franky was another matter, as his bottomless appearance was a disturbing point that he feared would bother ladies' sight, although Nami and Robin were already used to it. And Sanji would never admit to his face, but him being a cyborg was impressing and didn't remind him of bad memories as his invention were nothing like Germa 66.

And with the last category, Usopp and Zoro were kind of grating on his nerves. The former was all talk and no action, with a knack of handycrafts and storytelling. Sanji managed to charm him by humoring him when he's in the mood of boasting and cooking him his favorites meals though would put a limit with being too picky especially not eating mushroom. The latter was a gruffy man that Sanji quickly nicknamed mosshead because of his hair color that cared about his swords more than anything.

While he was really glad to know more about his crew, he did have some questions about their way of navigating and more or less their goals.

"Forgive me for asking if it was already decided on, but why do we take a detour to Dressrosa instead of heading directly to Wano? I thought that our intent by having Caesar Clown as hostage was to strike two birds with one stone by letting Donquixotte deal with Kaido?"

Were they only showing up at Dressrosa with the affiliated scientist to taunt its king? Sanji could almost see it, they did show up at Totto land to retrieve Chopper but they also get out unscathered. If the press had a word of it, the Straw Hats wouldn't even be allowed to land easily anywhere.

"Don't apologize for asking a rational question, Sanji-kun," Nami reassured him easily "I'm actually glad to know you could use your braincell unlike that captain of ours. Luffy said he want to stop there because he was intrigued by its notorious kingdom of living toys. He wanted to see it with his own eyes because how cool it is to live with those."

The captain only laughed when Sanji looked at him for confirmation.

"Looks like handful to have this man as captain."

Nami, Usopp and Chopper sighed in one breath. "Yeah."

"Yes," Zoro, Robin and Franky replied at once with an enabler smile.

Brook only laughed, wanting or resigning himself to be in both group.

Sanji exchanged a look with Jinbei, who was as new as him with the crew dynamics, before setting up with a resigned smile.

"Also, there is that event that will take place by the time we arrive. The Corrida Colloseum is a famous competition the king of Dressrosa would held to determinate strongs warriors and be rewarded of amazing prize. This time, it's a devil fruit, the mera mera no mi to be precise."

Robin's explanation was very well welcomed but Sanji easily picked up the cold atmosphere by the look most of the crew got at the mention of the devil fruit. Some like Franky and Brook didn't look as deep as the others, but they stayed silent with a serious look. Jinbei eventually sighed and kept on with the explanations.

"It was Portgas D. Ace's devil fruit, two years ago," Jinbei added on with a serious look. "He was Luffy's brother and Luffy takes it personal to make sure the fruit won't be in the wrong hands. Or stomach."

Sanji suddenly understood.

While he was officially under Big Mom's custody after being abandoned once again by Germa, the very next day, the Sun Pirates went into alliance with the Emperor too to garantee Fishmen Island's protection. He later learned that Whitebeard was the former protector and only got removed because he died during the Marineford war to retrieve one of his commander, Ace. The war resulted with a lot of loss on both sides and Luffy got his third bounty before disappearing for two years.

He thought he read that his participation in the summit war was for personal cause, along with Jinbei who was imprisoned in the world government prison Impel Down, and he was out as the world most wanted man, Monkey D. Dragon, the Revolutionary Army's supreme commander's son. He also learned at the same time that Ace was Gold Roger's son, the man known to be the Pirate King. He didn't get a hold of the the information after the war as Big Mom didn't have any interest of the matter so no one in the territory kept the newspaper about it.

"Have you decided what you're gonna do with it, Luffy?" Usopp finally piped up.

"What? You want it, Usopp?" Zoro probed mockingly.

"No, I was just curious what Luffy would want to do with it! I'd rather keep my swimming ability, especially to save the lot of you that tended to fall in the water and not for good reason!"

"Yohohoho, Usopp-san, I'm feeling attacked right now! Your accusing eyes make me sweat of guilt. Even though I no longer have pores to release sweat, skull joke!"

"I don't mind to keep it as treasure if that's what you want, Luffy. In the condition that you don't think about eating it in the case we're out of foods!" Nami warned him.

"Shishishi! How did you know that I ate my devil fruit because I was hungry?"

"Just a feeling."

"Wouldn't it be super if one could eat two devil fruit? That way, Luffy-bro would always have his brother with him!"

"That's a good point, Franky. I never read something like this, though I had to admit I never really searched much about devil fruit. Maybe I should start now."

"Hm, eating Ace's fruit would be cool! Ace was awesome using it! But it would be a pain to learn to fight with this new power when I still has a lot to discover with my gomu gomu no mi! I mean, I just developped two forms of my gear 4!"

"Well, that was if you could eat two fruits or if you intended to eat it," Sanji pointed out.

"Right, do I want to eat it? The taste was horrible and I don't want to spoil my palace after tasting Sanji's great cooking!"

"We said palate, Luffy," Chopper corrected him while Sanji smirked at the compliment.

"Fahaha! Don't torture your mind, Luffy! Just win the fruit back."

"Of course! Count on me, Jinbei!"

And that settled the matter.

Though, Sanji didn't miss the relieved Trafalgar Law who took refuge in the crow's nest, pretending wanting peace. Even if he didn't say anything, Sanji knew that the man was the one wanting to go Dressrosa at any cost.

But for what reason.

As they're approaching the destination, Sanji noticed the other captain was missing meal and that didn't go well with him. Of course, due to Luffy's bottomless stomach, the reserve of food he brought from Cacao Island disappeared quick enough, but the crew managed to fish some sea monsters to sustain them for awhile and Sanji always managed to make sure eveyone would have something to eat thanks to the locked fridge with a code made with his and the ladies' numbers. The guest said it's because he was getting tired of eating the same thing and was only waiting to land, but Sanji knew the signs. Trafalgar was restless and impatient to go ashore to probably eat other cooking, sure and his loss, but he was also stressed the more they're closing to Dressrosa.

So, he went to demand answer. Because he sure wanted to go to Dressrosa and couldn't hide really well his enmity whenever his fellow's warlord name was mentioned. When Sanji accused him of being stupid in his action and considering Doflamingo as the final enemy with the reminder that Kaido was the goal, Trafalgar spit back that he didn't need any lesson coming from a man too coward to show his soulmark among his crew.

And Sanji let him go because he remembered that Trafalgar Law was from North Blue and could read its language.

Like he said, the crew didn't hid their soulmark, though Chopper, Franky, Brook and Jinbei didn't actually have it, either because they're different race or because Franky worked too much on his body or because of the time damaged Brook's body. No one hide it, but no one talked about it either, making the crew kind of indifferent about soulmates. Although, their behavior toward each other did show that they considered themselves as soulmates, it just didn't matter as being family is more important.

Sanji kept his bandages on when first asked and said that he had a wound and refused to let Chopper taking a look saying it was an old wound. It's not he was ashamed, but he felt underserving to show them he was part of them after missing so much of their adventure and for multitude of others reasons. No one ever brought it up again.

He wanted to think that there could be another Sanji in the world, but then it would be rude to whoever else named Sanji because that named was given by a rude and irredeemable fuck like Jajji, so he hoped that no one would be called Sanji for their own sanity.

Anyway, infuriated that Trafalgar got the last word, he made sure to make him the best rice balls he ever eat just to choke those down to his throat. Because, if the man really wanted to fight Doflamingo, he better do it with the stomach full.

First thing docking at Dressrosa, they noticed there were tons of other pirates fleets among other ships lured by the prize of the Corrida Colloseum.

Luffy being one of them, jumped out of the Sunny with a really poor disguise and ran to the main event with his pirate lunch box they all suspected would be finished before he reached his destination. Once only between them, they had to choose who will stay on the ship to guard it and who go ashore.

"Nami-san, may I be allowed to do shopping now that we're docked? I think we all noticed how our stock isn't in a really good shape after feeding our bottomless captain."

"Good point, Sanji-kun. We usually only rely on fishing sea monster but having you on board is a nice change of pace and a garantee to always have something to eat. Though, I will have to tax the sum I'm lending you!"

"Yes, I understand, thank you very much Nami-san!" He replied eagerly to being winked by the gorgeous gingerhead.

It's true he never cared much about money as he witnessed first hand that's not edible when in dire situation but people did need money to buy foods, besides the fact the navigator of the ship being quite greedy to be polite. Which's also part of her charm.

"Well, then I'm going to accompany Sanji, I need to run some medical supplies!"

"And since you could take several forms, you could also carry a lot of bag, don't you?"

"Ehh? Sanji, do you think I'm only here to carry your supplies? Didn't I just say I had to buy things on my end too?!"

Their argument got easily lost by others' decision. For one, Trafalgar Law will go on land, with a better disguise consisting of his hair color mustach and shades, to check and probably destroy the Smile factory, much to Caesar Clown's dismay who demanded to accompany him as his heart was still in his possession. Robin also wanted to visit the Island as it was part of the Twenty Kingdom that founded the World Government so probably some hint about the void century and she tricked Usopp to accompany him by saying there were rumor of fairies that she suspected being dwarves, Brook also chose to take a look at the Island, quite seduced by the flamenco-style music the kingdom is known for and saying that he could blend in being himself a rock star and not yet known as pirate. That reminded the rest of the crew that they shouldn't freely roam into the land as they were wanted and it was another pirates crew territory. So Nami insisted that Zoro stay on the ship to guard it with her while she had to stay to train with Zeus and cheered when Franky and Jinbei assured her they will stay too, both for the sake's of the Sunny.

So, Sanji went on land for the first time after leaving Totto land and enjoyed his freedom while he could.

That was getting time to flirt with the ladies once the shoppings' done and he shooed Chopper to bring these to the ship, despite the reindeer munching his shirt to make him go with him. Sanji only managed to get what he wanted when accosted by a lady who was crying for help.

"Listen, Chopper, you should never doubt a woman's tears."

He must looked serious enough for the little guy to let him go and he lend a hand to the sweet Violet.

He was rewarded by being subdued by the Donquixotte's henchmen because said Violet was part of the crew and was tasked to take down the straw hats.

Sanji wasn't fooled though, he knew there was more than what she was pretending and succeeded in talking sense into her, making her change her mind and loyalty. She then confessed about her devil fruit ability and how all of the people on Dressrosa are already under Doflamingo's curse and showed him her memories thanks to the Giro Giro devil fruit. Shocked about learning the terrible power the warlord had, he started to fret when he heard from her view that Robin and Usopp got abducted on their way to Green Bit, before being promptly reassured that they should be in good hands with the Tonttata, the tribe of dwarves, known as fairies that took every item they came accross. However, that ally of theirs, Trafalgar Law, will soon be in bad spot as he's wandering somewhere far from the Smile Factory he's looking for, especially because Caesar Clown was making a fuss to be noticed by Donquixotte pirates to be saved by their captain.

"He ran into a swordsman? What is the marimo doing on land?"

"Oh, it's not the swordsman of your crew. This one came to Dressrosa only sometime before your arrival on a marine ship with his son, they made a detour to Green Bit where the son is now staying while the father, the swordsman, is on its way to the smile factory to rescue his comrade captured by the Donquixote pirates some times ago."

Something's nagging at Sanji that the description should remind him of something, but as he couldn't recall it, he can only focused on what he can do right now. Namely, asking the whereabouts of the rest of the crew on the sunny. Which changed its location and was heading to Green Bit too, probably made aware of their two members' situation, which put Chopper in bad situation as he didn't get on the ship yet. Thnakfully, he met up with Brook and both were now cheering for their captain focused on the competion of the Corrida Colloseum under the name of Lucy.

"Then, we should just lead Tora-o and this swordsman to their wanted destination! Violet-chan, you do know where the Smile Factory is located, right?"

"I do, it's just under the King's plateau, actually quite close to the Colloseum."

The two of them made their way to meet the allied pirate on a horse toy and taking care of the mooks of the Donquixote pirates, easily catching the three men running aimlessly. After being informed their goal was near the Colloseum from the start, they needed disguises to get into it easily and the swordsman who happened to be Kin'emon the Straw hats and Trafalgar Law met on Punk Hazard changed their clothes by having a leaf on their head. Violet had to part from them here so the four men head to the underground to reach one the factory and two the toy house that were close to each other being the same place for the underworld trading port.

Unfortunately, Sanji's quickly separated from the others as the walls of the palace started to fall on them and he ended up with the despicable Caesar who clung to him for protection. They ended in the toy house right when a girl faint from fear and all the living toy changed back into human. He's relieved to find sweet Robin and a really bloodied Usopp there but the layout of the place changed entirely and everyone agreed to go to the surface now they were free. Only to find that a hit list appeared, putting bounties on both Robin and Usopp, among Luffy, Law, Kin'emon, three unknown people to Sanji and a boy named Momonosuke, much to Kin'emon's shock now that he's out of the scrap heap and finding back his comrade Kanjuro.

Now, he had to defend his crewmates from greedy scum that wanted to sell their savior off. He coerced Caesar to be useful if he's going to tag along by using his gaz to knock all their chasers. All of them had to learn from Luffy that the mera mera devil fruit was definitely in good hands and that Dressrosa was under some bridcage and they can't contact the outside. Sanji could only hope that the crew on the sunny was okay.

Then, as someone appeared from the walls, an explosion raised up from the Smile Factory and Zoro made his own apparition. 

"So you were on land, you idiot marimo! What are you doing outside of the Sunny?"

"The witch told me to go check on Robin and Usopp after the distress call of them being captured in Green Bit."

"So what are you doing here instead?! You got lost again, didn't you?!" Usopp yelled because he felt his life being at stake here.

"And don't you dare call Nami-san like this!"

"At least he did destroy the factory," Robin commented to calm the fuel between them.

Kin'emon then asked her where was his son as he was sure he left him at Green Bit for safety, yet his face appeared on the hit list, meaning being hunted by lawless and greedy hunters. Before she could answer, the dwarves charged in with a young Asian-type pink dragon looking for a princess named Mansherry.

Sanji didn't get the time to question about it or even follow them and Kin'emon and Kanjuro who went after the dragon calling Momonosuke's name because he had to fend against the Donquixote soldiers still after the wanted men while Luffy headed to the top to give a beatdown to the flamingo and Zoro to take care of the man that could blend into walls. He resolved himself to protect sweet Violet, who's actual name was Viola and happened to be the former princess of Dressrosa kingdom, and Usopp as he lose sight of Robin. With Usopp, they learned that Sugar, the girl he saw fainting earlier, regained consciousness and was going to turn Luffy and Law into toys while at the top of the new king's pleateau, which could not happen as it meant that people would forget them and so reducing their plan to take down Doflamingo to nothing. So Usopp aimed at the girl with his weapon with Viola's sight but where attacked by a dark hair lady that could transform part of her body into blades. Sanji pushed his friend of harm way and blocked the next blow with his haki imbued leg. He refused to fight back and only defended against her attacks, much to the arriving Chopper and Brook's incomprehension, especially when the lady transform entirely to a huge artillery to fire cannonballs at Usopp who was still trying to target her crewmate.

"Whatever the reason and even if it kills me, I can't kick a woman! That's how my old man taught me!"

"Amazing Sanji, you consider that a woman?!" Chopper shout while taking care of the the first cannon.

"While I'm very impressed and very much admire your decision, Sanji-san, it's quite jarring to follow such code in that situation," Brook expressed himself while cutting the others cannonballs fired in their direction.

Sanji took care of his share and kicked them back on their others enemies while gritting his tooth. He was well aware of this fatal flaw and he blamed himself as now he couldn't even protect sweet Viola. But he just can't, not when he's reminded of what Zeff told him if he ever dare hit a woman, especially when the memory overlayed to when he tenderly bid him goodbye back at Baratie. He will never disappoint his father of heart. 

However, as incredible as it was, it did work for them. The lady took her human form back and interpreted his declaration as a love one for her and asked if that meant they needed her. Using the oppotunity, Brook agreed and asked to see her panties, which she was going to agree when Sanji kicked the musicien for daring to use a lady's good will. If Baby 5 changed side to fight for them, to Chopper's cheers, they were now attacked by another Donquixote officer, a masked man who could explose things, like Usopp. The latter being his first victim, a shame as he was developping his observation haki. With the sharp-shooter out of commission, Sanji was tasked by Viola to shoot the projectile close to Sugar's face, without having to harm her while Chopper took down Gladius as Baby 5 called him because he was trash talking about their new ally. Having his mission accomplished, Sanji helped his crewmates kicking the officer down before turning his attention to Viola who's worried about how the birdcage was shrinking. So Sanji started to kick it, hoping it would stop the progression but it barely budge.

In the meantime they're rejoined by the dwarves who rescued their princess who's healing Usopp and the three samourai finally reunited fought alongside them with the exception of the boy who ditched his zoan form but was putting a brave face.

"I can't die here! I'm a samurai! If I have to die, it will be in my homeland while fighting the oppressor who's ruining it!"

"Quite the talk for a pipsquick. Do you know how to do it yet?"

The boy flattened and started sweating without knowing how to answer, but Sanji smiled, feeling compassionated for the boy and his desire to become someone more brave to fight for his country, Wano as their haircut was telling, so he kicked again at the string with more passion.

"You're right, we ain't going to die here as Luffy still have to become the pirate king! For that, he had to defeat Doflamingo, and the Emperors if he had to!"

With fury, his leg started to take fire, he kicked the string, embracing it. It connected to the top and litteraly burn to ashes, liberating Dressrosa. If at first, he thought his new technic was one hell of a kick, he got the actual reason when chancing a look at the top of the plateau and how some house just disappeared into some string to fly there. Doflamingo must be storing energy and had to let go of some of his strings. But his doing beneficiated them as from the sky, a huge cloud formed to unleash thunder and strike somewhere on the island. Jumping inside the country's border was Nami on general Franky's shoulder with her sorcery clima-tact thanks to the fusion with Zeus. Once their eyes met, she congratuled him with a wink. Jinbei also made his entrance by fighting his way to the plateau too with his fish-man karate and was the one who freed Law from his seastone handcuff.

The rest's history, Luffy won but developped yet another form of his gear 4, boundman, that tired him and he fell into unconsciousness.

In the meantime, the crew met Luffy's second brother, Sabo, the current possessor of the mera mera devil fruit and the Revolutionary Army second in command. His companion, a lovely lady named Koala was an acquaintance of Robin who was send to meet them during the two years separation and of Jinbei who rescued her with the Sun pirate while she was a child. The second companion was the fish-man Hack and Jinbei's friend. As everyone was getting to know each other while waiting for Luffy to wake up, one pirate didn't cease to turn aroung them, calling them sempai and selling himself as their devoted fan from back in East Blue because Luffy was so cool to smile was he was on the scaffolding ready to be executed.

Sanji didn't know what to make of that story, and neither did most of the crew that weren't from the East Blue, making him feel a tad better. Anyway, Bartolomeo changed subject and asked all the members of the crew to sign an autograph that he will frame along their new wanted posters that will release in no time as the navy assisted everything, having been task to defend in case the Corrida went havok. Case in point.

By the time Luffy's up, the crew received news of their new bounties and the alliance between the Strawhats and Hearts pirates flew around the word, defecting Law as warlord at the same time his childhood tormentor Donquixote Doflamingo was taken to Impel Down. Luffy's bounty increased to 500 000 000, the same amount for the fellow captain, though it should have been more as he also took down Big Mom top fighter Katakuri, not that the press knew about that.

As everyone's own bounty increased, Jinbei placed second in term of amount, they also cheered for Sanji's first. He didn't know what to think about it, especially knowing that those from Baratie would then be aware of him being a pirate. And though he never consider piracy as vocation, not even when detained at Totto land, it sure was the only way to find All blue. Besides, the picture of his wanted poster did him justice as it was taken when he lit his leg on fire to take down the birdcage with the sum of 177 000 000 berries for a first timer with the epithet of Black-leg.

"Kuro-ashi?" The man known as Chinjao asked him. "Come to talk about it, your fighting style does remind me of some old acquaintance. That old fart was the cook and captain of his own crew but his title wasn't stolen, aka-ashi Zeff was is name."

"Zeff? Yeah, that's my old man! He had since open a floating restaurant in east blue, you know him?"

"Yes, indeed, I heard he quitted Grand Line a decade ago to settle in some blue, wasn't aware that he opened a restaurant and raised a runt. We clashed sometimes, I do think we were equal. That was until that bastard Garp punched and bended my head. But your captain restore it so I'm very thankful to him!"

However, Sanji still found it to be it to be bent. It was later explained that his own grandson Sai did it to defend his obligatory marriage with Baby 5 and though it's striken Sanji to hear that, he was glad to see that sweet Baby 5 seemed to have finaly find happiness and her place in her new family.

While everyone got an update of their picture, Usopp and Brook were the one that made them justice, with Usopp having his real name this time, but the navy totally disrespected Franky by putting the General Franky instead of his actual face.

Luffy finally woke up and rebounded with his brother, who he was really glad to find back alive and not dead as everyone thought twelve years ago. As they talked, the crew got to know more about their captain's past and that Sabo was a former noble, or precisely to be born from two nobles of Goa kigdom of Dawn Island. With that note, one flashy blond pirate by the name of Cavendish entered in the discussion to talk about how he was also a prince from Bourgeois Kingdom before exile. Sanji found it funny how a lot of former noble ended up being wanted by the law, guess it could include Doflamingo too. Same brother made Luffy's vivre card and shared it to the Straw hats grand fleet that formed without the concerned's consent. Taste of his own medicine, Nami told him. And because Bartolomeo said he was Luffy's one true fan, he promised them to talk about their tale and righten their actual reputation by spreading how the straw hats invade Big Mom's territory, get out unscathered and even took down all of her best fighters.

They left Dressrosa, parting with the rest of the grand fleet and the Revolutionary Army, giving back the Riku their throne and Viola got back her crown princess statue as her niece Rebecca gave it up to live with her reclused father Kyros. As they were leaving, Sanji got to bid a last good bye to Viola, wishing her good luck.

"Thank you, kuro-ashi, I think we'll be needing it to attend at the upcoming Reverie."

 

All that was really heartwarming, but dear Nami had to deal with the Barto club lead by the infamous Bartolomeo with the epithet of "the cannibal" who wished very much to follow them at least to Zou so to obverse their expertise navigation skills in the New World. And she was very scared for their journey as they did not have a navigator on board.

Sanji could only sooth her mood with sweet treats and helping her keep guard of the ship so to help her de-stress, so keeping it low on his own fanboying as Barto and his crew and the three samourais on board were already enough, though it was only so much as he went mad against little Momonosuke as he's lucky to bath and sleep with the ladies. Because, of course, they gave a lift to them. Luffy's decision. Besides, they were heading to the same direction and had the same stop, them needing to find their last comrade at Zou and the Straw Hats helping their ally find back the Hearts crew, Law's family as his soulmarks displayed, thanks to their navigator Bepo's vivre card before going after Kaido as promised.

The crew, at least, was really impressed by the Going Luffy-sempai which's figurehead represented Luffy and the stern being a pink hat that reminded Sanji of Chopper's hat. The deck also had a weird looking head that some of them called Merry before dismissing it sayin his expression being evil. The reason was that was based from the first ship the crew travelled with, back at East Blue, the Going Merry that they had to part upon meeting Franky at Water 7 who gifted them the Thousand Sunny, built with the best shipwrights of Grand Line. Sanji got to listen to the tales of their adventures from Barto's perspective and how they proved that the legendary city of gold that Montblanc Norland's tale was true from Usopp, because the man wasn't a liar as the dwarves said. Though, their words couldn't hold much weight, as they were gullibles.

Thanks to Nami's skills, they will arrive at Zou only the day after leaving Dressrosa, though, they still had to spent the night in the sea before. Sanji was the one on guard, and he thanked the heaven for that as there was one meeting he wasn't reading to let the rest of them know about.

With his haki, he sensed that one presence he dreaded since his childhood and that he'd last seen two years ago. A Germa ship was close to them, only hidden by the twilight mist.

He could not hesitate long, not wanting the crew meeting with those warmongers, but he couldn't just left while on watch. As his eyes laid on Barto's ship, he called on their watcher and asked to keep an eye on the Sunny too while he had to take a walk. Both watchers agreed and almost fight on who get to step on the Sunny before settling with rock paper scissors. Sanji sky walked at high speed to the snail looking ship.

Once he's close enough, he halted and gasped upon seeing the railing being wrecked and the humble tower being in bad shape missing some bricks here and there as if a battle happened. He landed when seeing there was someone waiting for him.

Reiju kept her smile but welcomed him in a somewhat clean-looking state sans raid suit.

So she wasn't harmed herself, though he wouldn't be surprised if her exoskeleton saved her from any wound.

"Goodnight Sanji, fancy seeing you there."

"...What are you doing here? And what's with the poor state of the ship? Coming from a conquest of an Island that you lose?"

His sister didn't mind his harsh tone and kept her smile.

"I'm glad to see you're well. I read the newspaper, it seemed that you became a pirate after all. With quite the phenomenon as crew."

"What's the matter with you? And where were you heading to? Pretty sure that going that way you'll just reach Red Line. Counting on climbing it yet again? For what, attending the Reverie?"

Dread suddenly washed him over, remembering that sweet Viola and her country would be attending and he certainly did not want the Vinsmoke being in any close vicinity of the princess.

"We can't, we lose those privileges after allying ourselves to Big Mom, remember?"

"How could I forget. That was the last time we saw each other and you betrayed me once again."

"How cold, I remember having warn you so to avoid useless conflict. Besides, you'd be happy to learn that the alliance's off now, in fact, we could even say it never happened as Big Mom took her words back and wiped the whole of Germa 66."

"W-what? What do you mean...wipe out? The ship- the Germa, the fleet and the army...it's gone? The Vinsmoke are gone? Wait, what about the staff, then? Did Big Mom also targeted them?"

"Fufu, this is so like you, Sanji, always worrying for the others. Don't worry, she wasn't actually the one that took care of the matter and her officers of whatever she called them didn't have any interest in the royal staff."

That was a relieving news, though Sanji had to expect the officers must be the sweet commanders send to compensate their lose against Luffy. And he didn't know how to feel to know that his captain managed to defeat those who ended the Vinsmoke's career. So he focused back on Reiju's telling. 

"Her crew took all the technology in the lab, and that part of the kingdom when I arrived. They raided the kingdom with the clones the Vinsmoke gifted Big Mom two years ago, made some modification so her army took down ours in a blink of eye, then stole the rest of clones not yet out and all the valuables. The staffs were hiding in that one tower that had secret passage to save their life and managed to survive the raid by the time I discover them. I commanded the ship to sail by its own, they should still be in the sea or docking by now."

At least they didn't ended up like Germa kingdom.

"What about you? Where were you when it happened?"

"Funnily enough, I was sailing on my own to Totto land, wanting to check on you. What a surprise to hear that you're no longer a citizen there and that the territory were raided by a small time crew, the Straw Hats if I recall clearly. The whole archipelago were still dealing with all those species roaming freely on land trying to escape now they were free from the book while Big Mom herself was still longing for sweets. Your friend Pudding was the one who told me that you escaped in the middle of the ruckus without telling me if you sailed with the Straw hats, the fishmen or the Fire tank pirates. Guess I have my answer now."

"So by the time you went back to Germa..."

"Yes, it was ruins only. The clones were scattered all over the place, they took down your brothers with some candy-caoted bullet that could go through our exoskeleton and only let me live because they found what they wanted and there was nothing left."

Sanji found it hard to believe that she's alright but maybe they really didn't try to hit her with those candy-coated bullet as it would be waste of ammunition. His haki told him that she indeed didn't suffer any injuries.

"Where are you heading then? Wandering aimlessly in the New World? Why did you chose to cross the calm belt for Grand Line, wouldn't have been better to stay in North Blue?"

"Sanji, you seem to forget that Germa once conquered North Blue and was in the middle to reconquering it before being disposed by Big Mom. So, North Blue as its whole really don't take our flag and fleet with great affinity and would certainly not welcome their warmongers even if the army has seemingly fallen."

True. Sanji wouldn't either. He's still not willing to ask Luffy for help even now. He wanted to believe Reiju wouldn't do any harm to his crew but he's not willing to risk anything. 

"Is- has the general commander really fallen? Did you see his corpse?"

"Not really. But considering the fact that I do not feel restricted anymore I dare say he's no more. Hopefully, the other three will feel the same to confirm this fact."

"The other three?" 

Sanji was getting tired to see her fake smile. 

"Reiju, don't tell me that you rescued those scum!"

"Rescue would be a big word. I just retrieve their body battered by those candy coated bullets. Last I check they were still breathing but maybe they stopped doing so as we chat." 

"They're inside? And injured? How serious... ?" 

Neither of them missed his hesitation but she did him a favor by ignoring it and lead him inside. As he feared, the interior looked as battered as the outside with rubble or brick here and there. But except those three bodies displayed on the table in the center, there was no other living life. They get close in silence and Sanji thought idly that their unconscious form looked a lot like those clone hanging in those scientific tubes and drowning into some fluid hidden of outer eyes that Yonji showed him to explain him the difference between them and him. Humans could be manufactured and, most of all, modified. Of course, he learned to accept it and its upside with Franky but since his birth, human modification was only clones and those monster that shared the same womb with him.

Upon closer look, his brothers only looked meek and as defenseless as anyone wounded. Although dressed of their colored raid suit.

"What did you mean by you don't feel restricted now that he's dead?"

"...Father always wanted to have the strongest army the world could behold. So he created clones with he lineage factors of the mightiest warriors. But as king, he was meant to have successors, not really to inherit the throne but most certainly to be as strong and undefeatable as his goal. So, upon learning our mother would bear quatuplet, he modified you four right in the womb."

"I know that." 

"Our mother refused to let her unborn babies to be experimented and fight him over the matter. But father got his end of deal by forcing her into surgery. What he didn't expect was that Vinsmoke Sora was way knowing than she let know and drank a drug to counter the modification so her children would remain human like any children. Unfortunately, it drained her life and only worked on one of the quadruplet. You."

Sanji couldn't find his words and let his eyes wander helplessly in the room. It landed on the chest that looked out of place right now before he saw the framed picture laid on top. It was their mother. 

"You mean that she's died because of me-" 

"No, don't you dare think like that. She was so happy to see that she could save you from Jajji's evil plan. You should have see how glad everytime she told me all your good deeds even after all the hardship you had to face day after day. She was heartbroken to see she couldn't have all of us like normal human and be forced to dismiss the weak but you gave her hope and your kindness is a proof that she didn't did the wrong thing."

Even if she said that, it didn't make thing any better. 

"I am like them, I think. Whenever Jajji encouraged their behavior against you, I could not do a thing because I couldn't disobey him and also, I was scared."

"I don't need your excuses. Not now. Like you said, they looked to be alive and could probably restore themselves seeing how your body work. That's it if we took care of those bullets. For that, we need to get rid of their raid suit."

Reiju did so by taping somewhere from their body and put the canned raid suit on the chest. "...I didn't know that you had medical knowledges."

"I don't but taking off bullet from metal bodies must be the same as pulling off fish bone for a stew."

It wasn't meant to be a joke but he was glad it relieved Reiju of some tension as she chuckled lightly before helping him in his task. 

"That picture on the chest... that picture of mother wasn't seen anywhere when I was in the kingdom, does that mean..." 

"Yes. It's the tower where her belongings remained." 

"Then, what about her grave?" 

When he didn't get an answer, he looked at her and was as sadden as her by her regretting look. He felt like losing her a second time. 

He returned to pulling off the rest of bullets in silence. 

They finished by the time dawn was coming and Sanji sighed as he wasn't expecting to stay there so long. 

"It should be enough. If they didn't make it, then so be it."

"Thank you for your help, Sanji, you didn't have to."

"Well, like you said, mother wouldn't want me to hold grudge against them as I'm not like you." 

Petty. So Reiju's smile would say so. 

"Still, I'd like to thank you by gifting you those."

She pulled out a canister really similar to those of his brothers and a vial that had two compartments.

"Who does that belong to?" He asked stupidly as if anyone in the room couldn't read the big yellow 3 marked on the black canister. 

Reiju humored him. "It's the raid suit Jajji had it made for you before deciding not giving it to you. If you had any knowledge about Germa 66, and I had a fair feeling that you did thanks to one fan boy back at totto land, this one is named Stealth Black so it gave the ability to turn invisible, it can also enhance your strength and speed, make you hover, it's resistant to fire and the cape is bullet proof. Well, except from candy-coated ones."

"Why do you have it with you? Didn't you say Big Mom took all the valuables? "

"It's biometrically locked. Could be only activated by its designated user."

"And I'm one of them?" 

"We do share the same genetics." 

Point. Which was in itself bothersome. 

Sanji refused to take anything that could relate to them or worse, make him like them. But all the abilities she just listed where interesting and quite useful if he and his crew were going against enemy like an emperor. So pride shouldn't cloud his mind. Besides, Yonji told him that Jajji worked with Vegapunk in the past and Franky was sent to Baldimore island that contained his lab and learned everything he could, his crewmate could certainly replicate it for the rest of the crew and give them a boost in the upcoming battle. Though, he had to swallow his disgust and activate it a first time for the carpenter and genius inventor to take a look at it.

"Oh, you're going to make your crewmate imitate it so your whole crew could use the technology? I guess that's a good idea. The suit could even make a devil fruit user float in the water instead of letting them sink without it."

"It can? Wait, how do you know... Do you have a devil fruit?"

Again, that smile. This one more playful.

"Fine. Keep your secret. What's the vial for?" 

"My snack recipient. It could take in poisonous gas for one part and in liquid form on the other. I'm gifting you this so you could bring some interesting souvenir for me while it could also help get rid of those annoying substance."

"I... Wasn't expecting to see you again after that." 

For a second, it looked like she lost her smile.

"It's true that was also my wish. You and I, and mother, knew that your place wasn't with us and that letting you run away from us was the best solution. But now that our tormentor is no more..."

"...I got it. Thanks for the presents. I will make sure to use them thoughtfully. Well, then, see you."

"Wait, Sanji."

"What again? My time is precious. I had to prepare the breakfast now." 

"My, I was going to ask you if you find those people, look like I got my answer."

"If you know just let me go already. Take care." 

Making sure the gifts were securely pocketed, he joined back the Sunny where Barto's watcher was fawning over Zoro who was awake and training. The mosshead taunt him about his duty making them clash briefly before he had to hurry in the kitchen seeing how Brook the only other early riser was also up. The musician was more considerate with his words and expressed how glad he was to see him more relax and played his violin to gift him a song without prying what happened during his walk. Sanji appreciated because while he was going to tall his story to them, he'd like some time before doing so. 

They arrived some time later at Zou, only to see it was a phantom island due its never static stance being on the back of huge elephant. They parted from the Barto club to start musing on how to proceed next. 

"And just how do we climb to the top?"

"And what do we do about the Sunny! Where to dock?!" 

"Well, seeing as the Polar Tang did it, surely you could also tie to one of his leg."

Long legs those were. Jinbei helped Franky chaining the Sunny to one leg of the elephant. 

"And I could sky walk us there. But I take only the ladies as I only had two arms."

"Don't be so heartless Sanji! I can climb to your leg and I don't weight much!"

"Me too, Sanji-San! I'm only bones and can't weight more than 15kg!"

Those were good points, so Sanji allowed Chopper and Brook to cling onto him while opening his arms for dear Nami.

"Shucks, I wish I didn't gain all those muscles so I could have been in your other arm as I'm cuter." 

"Keep dreaming long-nose. I said only the ladies in my arms." 

"I would be declining the offer, cook-san. I'm sure we'll find another solution so all of us could reach the top." 

"Are you sure Robin? Feels like this solution is the best way to maintain all your braincell."

Robin only chuckled politely at that while Sanji ascended to heaven for having beautiful Nami in his arm, only to be whacked back to earth by his other crewmates that need him alive to reach the island. He's also entrusted the boy by his father as both him and the uncle want him to be at the top the earlier.

"Gas, you go too. I don't want you to be in my sight," Trafalgar spoke up while glaring at Caesar Clown since the incident at Dressrosa. 

"And just how do you expect me to go with them?! This one's gonna kick me to smitheren if I only dare approach them."

Damn right, Sanji will. 

"Well, you're a logia, aren't you. Couldn't you just turn into gas and fly yourself there."

"That's right, if Smokey could turn and fly while in smoke form, you could also turn into gas and even take someone with you." 

"No, Luffy, not a good idea to get close to him even though you already beat him." 

Gas was going to argue but Sanji did it first. "Enough of this already. It seems that this painter guy will draw you lot a transportation to bring the rest of you at the summit, so Gas you follow along because you're certainly not gonna stay with Robin-chan! Quit arguing! Law, twist his heart would ya."

Seeing as the surgeon was ready to comply, Gas retreated, shedding a tear to be that mistreated. "Alright, alright, I'll do it. But you'll pay for this!"

So with one babe in his arm, a baby in the other and two clingy crewmates, Sanji reached at the top and they all stood in front of an impressing entrance with centuries long architecture. Though, no one missed how the gates were forced.

"Should we wait for the others or do we explore first?" 

Sanji chanced a look to their back, sensing a presence that's fading way too fast before looking back through the entrance. 

"Let's get in first. Law said his crew was waiting for him there, didn't he? Maybe we should look for them to get answers." 

"Good idea, maybe we could even met the comrade Kin'emon was looking for. Don't you think Momo?"

But the boy looked uneasy, quivering and holding his head in his hands. He suddenly transformed into his dragon form.

"What's wrong, Momo?" Nami got at his height, wanting to comfort him. 

"N-nothing wrong, O-Nami, I'm feeling a little dizzy, like sensing some buzzing in my head."

"Well, if we do run into Tora-o-san's crew, we ought to ask them to house us for Momonosuke-san's sake."

"Brook's right. Let's not waste any more time."

"Oi, Gas, keep up!" Sanji called their hostage all the while ignoring his trembling.

More in excitement than anything. 

It came to a head when they engaged in the wrecked forest as if a huge cannonball went through there. Sanji stopped the group's progression when smelling a strange gas. He get out a handkerchief for dear Nami and the vial his sister gave him. He reached out his hand before him and pushed one way. The air fluttered around them for awhile before the vial stirred in his hand, having consumed all the poisonous gas in the air.

"W-what was that?" 

He was saved from giving explanation about his handy item when people emerged from between the wrecked trees. There was a lady with fur running away from a disgusting shithead mounting some even an uglier animal. Without asking a question, Sanji got rid of the man with one kick that scared off the mount. After came a lady and a troop that looked like to be on the man's side who stopped dead seeing them but didn't try anything as their superior got taken down. They even retreated saying about some samouraï wasn't there.

"Ah, the girl disappeared!" 

"Let's go after her, maybe there are others of those people. Oi, Gas what do you think doing behind that tree!" 

"No way I'm going looking for those people! They were the Hundred best pirates, Kaido's crew!"

"Whaat! What is Kaido's crew doing here?! Did he knew we were coming?!"

"We're not ready to face him yet! We're just out of a wearing battle!"

"Morons! Didn't you heard them? They're looking for a samouraï! Probably the one Momo was looking for!" 

Poor boy was trembling pathetically against Nami. Sanji would have understand and sympathize if he wasn't hiding his face against her chest. 

"Ya runt! Ya lucky I'm sensing some wounded people farther or I would have kick some courage into you!"

"Sanji-kun, don't be rude! He's just a little child!"

"Ehhh? Injured people? Where, Sanji? We have to help them!" 

"Of course, as soon as I kicked some sense into Gas." 

Training a battered weight behind them, they kept on progressing and arrived to the place only to see a massacre on a whole country. There were two crucifixes that stood out the most and both animals were severely harmed that not even lot of medication could save their lost limb. Other inhabitants were starting to get up now that the weird gas wasn't around anymore and looked at them with hard look and fighting stance.

"You still want it? How many time should we tell you? We don't know where and who he is!" 

While most of them were more or less shocked to see talking animals, Sanji's the one to reply, having been used of that after two years of witnessing the soru soru devil fruit in usage and Pekoms. 

"We're not with them! We don't mean any harm!" 

"In fact, we're here to help! Let's just unchained those two-"

"Is that a new tactic? Trying to lower our guard to stab us right back?!" 

A dog like human lunged at Brook who was the last one to talk and would have eaten him if not Chopper's intervention. 

"Quit it, you fool! You've been poisoned by a really lethal gas, you shouldn't strain yourselves anymore! We need to treat you all right in this instant!"

But the animal population were still on guard, ready to strike at any moment notice, without care of their weaken state. Nami finally found those they were looking for. 

"Hey, bear and you all with the hats! Tell them we're not with Kaido! We're the Straw Hats, we've met at Saboady! Your captain Trafalgar Law is in alliance with us!" 

The bloodied white bear in strange overall stood up carefully and finally recognized some of them after a quick examination.

"It's true, they're the Straw hats, and if captain really allied with them, we can trust them." 

Another voice put in for them, the furry lady from earlier who actually looked like a squirrel appeared, breathless. 

"Kaido's crew just get out thanks to them! They're definitely not with them!"

Finally, they were going somewhere.

The animals people were no longer defensives and worked fastly to untie the two bloodied figures that were their leaders. But still weaken by the poisonous gas, it was tough to move everyone especially with Gas trying to take off every then and now. Sanji wished he had taken the heart with him to threaten him more easily but they only managed to get him out the chemicals of the antidote of the gas that he created and work with that.

They worked around tirelessly, Chopper trying to mix the medicaments, the rest tending the people's wound, Momo doing his best as he still felt dizzy and Gas having definitely disappeared after the eruption rain. So when the rest of the crew finally arrived, it was a breath of relief to see they weren't threatened in the entrance and the clown would finally be useful.

"Took you long enough! What took so long?! Yes, garuchu Carrot-Chan!" 

"We had to see off Ryuunosuke! What's happening here? We saw the entrance being forced and the country having taking some hit."

Before being allowed to answer, Nami ran up to them and whispered talked to them. 

"First of all, where's Momo's father and the other?" 

"Kin'emon? They didn't make it. But worry not, they'll come around eventually!" 

"That's not reassuring but it's actually a good thing they're not there yet. Listen carefully, as we're tending everyone's wounds, none of us should even talk about them. They just been attacked by Kaido's crew here looking for someone of their country."

"Whaat? Kaido was there? Why?" 

Nami bunked at Luffy's head and shushed him immediately. "I just told you! It was just his crew that were looking for a samouraï!"

Some minks wandering around there looked warily at them at the mention of samouraï and asked about it. Nami and her group tried to find an excuse and change the subject. Sanji distracted the mink by telling them the foods were, effectively turning their attention and Luffy's.

"Aren't you talking too loud after telling us not to say the word?"

Zoro shut smartly his mouth after Nami's glare.

"Anyway, we need hands to help Chopper mix the medications to counter the poisonous gas that clown made!"

"Right, Law, make him come off of his hiding place by crushing his heart!"

As Trafalgar Law was taking out the heart, Caesar came crashing on the flour panickly.

"I'm here, I'm here! Please don't do it!"

"You monster! What kind of gas did you have to create to ravage a century long country?!" 

While spiting out facts, Usopp had to unfortunaly backed down behind Robin's back after seeing the logia's dirty smile.

"The Koro gas, I manufactured it not too long ago and the result was as expected." 

"Well, you better changed that up right this instant if you don't want to suffer." 

"You seem to have thing under hands! Weren't you the one to neutralize it? How even?!" 

"Don't change the subject! Go help Chopper with the medications, there are still tons of patient to tend to! And the leaders had it worse of all!" 

"I can help with that! As we were living Dressrosa, I managed to squeeze the dwarve's tears that had healing property and double the content so I literally have a healing potion with me!" 

"You made princess Mansherry cry?" Robin accused. 

"You bastard! What did you do Mansherry-chan!" 

"Just made her cry with some gas! But the most important is that I had healing tears to heal those leaders!" 

"Because you gas it the cause of their situation!" 

"Sanji-kun let it go for now! We need him to go to Chopper immediately!" 

Law proposed to bring him as he will give a hand to his fellow doctor and meeting his crew on the way. Robin went after them too as her devil fruit would be more than helpful to fasten the work. 

The rest of them tried to give a hand to Sanji who was prepping a feast to restore the links energy. Luffy wandered everywhere as he couldn't be trusted in the kitchen and Zoro was pulled by Franky to try to buit back the city back in its glory. 

By night, they received the papers saying that the Straw Hats not only help the mink back to health but were actually their saviors too as them defeating Doflamingo made Jack, Kaido's right hand man, out of Zou the day before their arrival. At this hour, the country was ruled by Nekomamushi who was healed from cut wounds all around his body thanks to Mansherry's tears but still missing an arm and the man welcomed them and thanking them profusely for saving them by elongating the feast. 

Luffy, being Luffy, let out sometimes during the feast that was bummer that the samouraï wasn't there as they had friends coming there especially for him before being stuffed of meat to keep him quiet. Some more mature of the crew, namely Jinbei, suggested they kept watch, in case of threat but the crew understood that it was to prevent the two samouraïs arrival.

Which was a good thing but unfortunately, no one accounted for the little monkey that ring the bell first thing in the morning, alarming everyone in the Mokomo Kingdom.

Thankfully for the feud between the two rulers, the mink were delayed in their way to see the reason of the ruckus and the Straw Hats joined Jinbei in stopping the samourai from get inside. But then, Momo troded along and reassured them that it's alright, Inuarashi and Nekomamushie were basically all healed thanks to Mansherry's tears and the Mink were more worried than anything. Which was what bother the Straw hats that didn't want to disturb them more after Jack's raid. Kin'emon pulled out a newspaper that had Jack's obituary, shocking the crew that let the samourai pass. They chased them as fast as they could only to see they reached the mink where the Hearts who were just assisting how the event unfold.

The twist was that Momo and Kin weren't actually related, but merely master and his retainer, and that the boy was the son of a daimyo, someone very high rank in Wano, their homeland, which the title was usurped thanks to Kaido's contribution. That both Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were also retainers and that loyalty extended to the rest of the mink tribe who hide the last retainer, Raizo, that Jack was looking for to the point of destroying a whole country.

Such fealty shocked and moved the outsiders to the cores.

But without further ado, with both rulers in truce, they lead the guests to where Raizo was kept at during those five days of battle, in the whale tree.

"Are we all going? I still have tons of medications to make for the mink."

"Don't worry, Tony-ya, Gas will do it, he has a lot of free time," Trafalgar said while taking out the heart to make a point.

"Fine, you devil!"

He's accompanied by doc Miyagi and nurse Tristan, while the rest of the mink had to return to tending their wounds with Bariete parting from the group as he has to return to the entrance to keep guard. Law told his crew to rest with the others minks while himself chose to follow the group to have a look of the samourai that was actually a ninja, because he still had some child dream, not like Sanji didn't but no one needed to know that. 

If the actual nature of ninja was quite disappointing, knowing more about the road poneglyphes and how to navigate to Laugh tale was more satisfying. Especially knowing they already have half of them thanks to the one Robin saw in Big Mom's room during their raid in her territory, shocking both cat and dog of their feats. Robin proposed to share it to Trafalgar if he wished, as he did go with them to rescue Chopper although without knowing there would be a road poneglyph there.

After Luffy accepted Momo's ask for help to defeat Kaido, with the retainers planning to recruit others reinforcement, Chopper had to remind them that the minks still need time to heal, including the two rulers as they did lose a limb each. And of course, the retainers were in hurry because their beloved country was taken by an emperor for twenty years and no one could take it anymore, but they cared for their force and everyone need to be in their full power for the upcoming battle. So they put a dozen days period before going for Wano, while Nekomamushi chose to go immediately recruit Marco of the Whitebeard pirates.

The crew was of course going to follow Luffy everywhere, being adventurous and wanting to fulfill their dream, but they had to say it was scary to defy head-on an emperor of the sea, since they only responded to Big Mom's attack and being, or trying to be, lowkey about it.

Sanji felt like it was the perfect time to tell them.

"Everyone, if you please hear me out. I'd like to tell you something that could help us prepare the fight we're heading to. I'll make it short so the important thing to know is that I was born into the Vinsmoke family, it is said they're known in the north blue, and the head had been known of working with the best scientist in the Vegapunk. Like Caesar Clown, yes, Vinsmoke Jajji was searching about clones and was successful in cloning perfect soldiers and manufacturing them, but also about human modification and this cannister."

"Wait, don't tell me-"

Sanji didn't let Trafalgar continue. "Basically, it's a device that allow the user to transform."

"Like a superhero?!" Luffy piped excitedly.

"Well, I guess you could see it like that. Only, I'm the only one that can activate it because of my genetics. Once activated, one is dressed with what we call a raid suit that enhance the user's strength and speed, make them hover  in the air thanks to the things under the boots, it's resistant to fire and the cape is bullet proof. As far as I know, there are six models and each have its own special ability."

"Like what?"

"This one can turn the user invisible."

"Show it."

Disturbed to see Trafalger the one asking it, Sanji looked at his crew, wanting to know their opinion. Luffy, Usopp, Chopper and Franky were eager, the others just really focused. So, he did it and didn't know what to feel when he was finally donned of the raid suit that made him part of Germa, of his brothers so they wouldn't bully him, of the Vinsmoke as the family of assassin.

"Did you strip?" Zoro sounded gruffy.

Of course, that caveman had to break the moment.

"Sanji, that's so cool! You're like a hero!"

"Hover like you said it would! And the invisibility! You said resistant to fire, does that also mean it has a lot of durability??"

"Do it, Sanji! Do it!"

He indulged them, because they will also come to use it so showing could be like teaching, so he fly without having to use sky walk, tunr invisible to the eyes and even let Kin'emon tried to slay him with peculiar blade that could set aflame. Needless to say, they were all amazed, with the samourai calling it ninjutsu. Or witchcraft.

"I knew it! It's Germa 66 Stealth Black! Why is that you have this suit, kuro-ashi-ya!"

Since knowing his epithet, the man kept calling him that, probably to cover the fact that he could read his name on some of Straw Hats' crew's arm, keeping this fact between them.

"I just told you, I was born into the Vinsmoke and yes, as you suspected, they're the real-life inspiration of the Germa army from this comic..."

"Sora, the warrior of the sea! Everyone in north blue knows it!"

Well, not just north blue, Sanji mused. If he recalled correctly, Vito of the Fire Tank pirates from the West Blue knew about it too. And looking at both Robin and Brook, from the West blue, they looked like to have seen a ghost too. He wondered if they knew about the name because it was related to underground affairs, which would be understandable, they were mercenaries.

"Vinsmoke, that was a name that I didn't get to hear for awhile, I didn't know it was your legacy, Sanji-san."

"This name did came around for sometimes in the underworld."

"Indeed, but you don't to worry anymore, I defected since long ago. Besides, Big Mom destroyed it some days ago, so it is no more."

"Wait, you said something about the clones, so what we saw at totto land..."

"Yes, Germa army made an alliance with the Big Mom pirates, they give them their clones while the pirates would let them use their flag to conquer the north blue as they once did. But following your guys victory escape from her lands and easily evincing the clones, she must have taken it to the alliance and stole all their technology. I know, my sister who escaped the destruction told me."

"Is that why you were there? They also put you into the clause for the alliance?"

Sanji nodded. Giving only clones wouldn't be enough for Big Mom, she was a pirate after all, so the Vinsmoke had to let go of their useless member, who failed from expectations and was estranged in east blue. Sanji stayed only to assure Zeff's safety and after two years of silence with outsiders wrecking havocs plus Big Mom taking Germa down, Sanji dared to think he was free to do whatever he wanted. That was to be with his family, his mates.

"So, anyway, since Franky trained his engineering in Vegapunk's homeland, I thought that you could replicate the suit so everyone in the crew could be donned one and give us a great boost in the fight. Of course, not everyone had to wear it to fight with but you all saw that it had durability and it allow devil fruit user to not drown in the water."

That was the argument that sold it.

"So we can swim with that?"

"Well, not actually, swimming should be each one's ability. But it would help you stay afloat if you happen to fall in the sea."

Though, he never tried, so he couldn't be sure. He insisted that Franky took a look at the suit and clearly because he won't be reveting it again once he took it off, it's about pride and trauma.

"Could we have a differant model? Not that the design is ugly but those buttons are so tacky."

Well, Niji would appreciate, because Sanji's suit looked a lot like his.

"Do we have to be equipped of the headphone too? Is it useful or just some decoration?"

Sanji didn't know, he liked to think it's more a helmet against headbutt.

"It's a device to connect all the Germa. It's like a transponder but only between the commanders, including Stealth Black."

"Can you modify it so we don't have to strip if we activate it?"

"That's it, you're done for, marimo!"

They started to spar while the rest continue on asking about what could be changed.

"Could we have the mugiwara on the cape so it represents our crew!"

"Don't be stupid, Luffy! It would give us away if it was stealth mission!"

"Nami, don't you understand? We're pirates, not spy!"

"But Luffy, if you want to infiltrate into an emperor's base, you better do it discreetly if you ever want the chance to get close to him."

"Listen to Jinbei, Luffy! He's talking from experience. We could brand it 56, for gomu, like Luffy's devil fruit."

"That means you have to sew those numbers on each suit."

"If we're talking about design I'm willing to do so."

Usopp sketching all the disign to make everyone happy and Franky listing all the materials he'll need before asking Sanji to stand still needing to look into the materials.

"Please, put a tracker on Zoro's suit."

"I want a tank with mine! So I can move quickly even in this form!"

"Do Brook really need a suit? His body doesn't sustain any damage, does it?"

"Zoro-san, that's really mean to exclude me! The suit isn't only for protection! Didn't you hear Sanji-san? It also allowed the devil fruit users to be in water without sinking! It's also the proof of us belonging!"

"Alright, alright! I get it!"

"Make it so we can fly high! I'm sure Jinbei would appreciate to be able to roam on all the surface!"

"That I do."

"What will the actual suit become?" Law piped up among all the cacophonies of the crew's suggestions and demands.

"I'll destroy it, of course."

"That would be such a shame! Can't Robo-ya do something like modify the biometric genetics so other people could wear it?"

Law's demand was so obvious. But franky humored him, actually sold by his idea to conserve such technology. "If we're talking about genetics, we have to ask Chopper-bro, I'm only the engineer."

"Maybe I could make Caesar into work too? I hope he won't damage it if he hear that was the work of his former associate."

"Now that we're speaking about him, does he still have the healing tears? Maybe we could include some in the suit too, if we happen to be injured."

"Yeah, I could ask. I mean, the man's despicable, but he does have a big brain. he also showed me how to make more efficient rumble ball."

The two leaders of the mink tribe showed interest in that invention and asked more about it to the little doctor.

"Well, if we're talking about handy item, what about the vial Sanji-kun used to take care of the koro gas? What was that about?"

"Oh, this..." He pulled out said bottle from his suit, surprised to found it there, because despite what the stupid mosshead said, he didn't actually strip. "It's just something included in my sister's suit. It can contain poison, whether in gas or liquid form. I keep it so I could give her back once both compartments are filled."

"Do you hate her that much? This gas was highly toxic from what Chopper said."

"No, no, Robin-chan, you got it wrong! My sister can ingest poison like it's some snack, she loves it and thrive for it, she was the one asking this request from me!"

"You're talking about Poison Pink? She's your sister?"

"Yes, yes, she is! I thought we went over that!"

"So, are Sparkling Red, Electric Blue and Wrench Green your brothers?!"

"Well, we share the same genetics. And don't get your hopes up, since they were attacked by Big Mom, it's not said they made it."

Sensing his dark mood, no one insisted on it.

Which was a good thing because he knew that if he let him question him more about Germa it will come to the last member, the one Law knew as Garuda and that Sanji hoped really hard was dead. He had to, so all of them could finally be free.

So, that's how the following days passed, Franky and Usopp working on the suits, with Chopper and Caesar Clown giving their share while still tending to the minks. And with Law waiting impatiently that they modify Stealth Black's suit so other people, no name given, could use it too. Which was so obvious that even Luffy got it and called him a nerd. Trafalgar Law wouldn't have any of that, especially from his airhead ally.

Sanji only had to wear the loathed suit and display it around the minks, who used the fact he's masked thanks to the suit to still garchu him, for a whole day as the two inventors needed to explore the kingdom in search of materials for the suits. Franky also had to make transponder snails as they realized that the mink did not have any way to contact outside world and by that time Nekomamushi was already gone. The rest of the crew helped the minks build back their kingdom at its glory as it did have centuries long history as Robin liked to tell.

By the tenth day out of the twelve, Zunesha got attacked and they discovered from Momo and Luffy that it was sentient and needed permission to defend himself. As only Momo could talk to it, he demanded it to take care of the enemy, slashing Jack's fleet into oblivion. This event made them realize that they need to start moving, and since the suits were almost done, the Hearts pirates sailed to Wano that very evening, taking Caesar Clown and the samouraïs with them sans Momo who asked to stay so he could understand Zunesha better. The Straw Hats sailed the day after, once sure to treat Zunesha's leg that got hurt, and thankfully it wasn't the one the ships docked so none was touched.

The straw hats bidded goodbye to Momo and Inuarashi and sailed happily to their doom but at least without the pain in the ass Gas because their ally needed him for something. Not that they cared, they're finally just between us. Then, it was literally the case.

What the Hearts needed Gas for happened to take them sometime to do and the crew caught up on their ship who was sailing afloat instead of under water as submarine should do, you know. There were four people on the deck, the bear who happened to be the navigator, the ninja who was dressed into some overall much like the crew's uniform to better blend, their captive Gas who was crying like usual and the captain who was as grumpy as ever. Luffy called them on, of course, and was going to enabler his ally into some race because it'll be fun, you know. But Trafalgar didn't find it funny and even less when he was being booed by the rest of the crew, so he activated his power, wraped the Sunny into his room and did some shamble with the only word. Soul.

The Straw hats crew hadn't been the same since.

"Nami and Jinbei just jumped aboard and are taking a swim! Huh? Why does my voice sound weird? And why am I in my human transformation? Wait. I can't turn small?!" Franky frantically questioned and paced panickily on the deck. 

"More than a swim, they look like more amazed that they're actually floating. As if waiting to drown. Hang on. Is Nami asking where it her hat? The strawhat? I'm the one wearing it? And Jinbei, did he just laugh like Brook? Wait, no, why do I have Luffy's hat on me?"

"Maybe because you're Luffy?" 

"No, Chopper, it's me, Usopp!" 

"Well, you're also wrong. I'm Zoro. Which sucks, I can't even train in that body. Where are my swords?" 

"Zoro is in my body? Don't you dare think about training in that state!" 

"Chopper-bro if you are the one in my body, you could now take a swim and don't have to fear of drowning!" 

"Really Usopp? That's so neat!" 

"Still wrong. I'm Franky. And he's not listening, diving head first in the vast ocean," Usopp commented, making Sanji chuckle. 

Next to them, Robin was watching carefully their three crewmates in the water but taking special attention to the Fishman and even telling him to stop shedding that much tears in his body. Chopper hoped onto the railing and raised the white sword that he took from Zoro's side and pointed it to the yellow submarine to curse at the surgeon of death to change them back or had a taste of his blade, quickly agreed by Franky who called up from the sea before going back on the ship thanks to the ladder Usopp pulled out for him. Behind, Sanji smiled to their viewers, almost threateningly. 

On the deck of the Poler Tang, Law lost his smirk at that and activated his power again to wrap only Chopper and Franky before muttering something. 

"Oh, I'm back to myself! Thanks Tora-o!" Chopper squealed excitedly while Franky took back the sword to have them with him. 

Fellow doctor didn't answer and went back inside his ship, all the while ignoring the other's cries. 

"Law, I get that you want to punish them with your warped sense or revenge, and I guess we're probably also guilty being a tight-knit crew, but why do I have to be Marimo of all the members you swap me with?!" A seemingly Zoro screamed at the Heart pirate who commanded his crew to get away quickly.

"I should be the one screaming! I'm all bones and afro, and my good looks will suffer at the hands of Luffy ! Couldn't you have swapped me with Robin?!"

Of course, Brook's cry went to nothing, the Polar Tang already submerged. So Brook changed targets and was screaming at the other two to get back on the deck right this instant. 

"At least, he was kind enough to let the usual devil fruit users had a taste of what it was to be able to swim." 

Or not drown, since neither Nami nor Jinbei looked like to be swimming. Both paddled to the Sunny and climbed on the ladder under Brook's actually terrifying shout.

"And now, Usopp, you would know what we devil fruit user feel even not having to eat one. Seems that fate does want you to take on those fruits, don't you think?" 

"What are you saying San-I mean, Robin! I don't need to do that, I like to swim!" 

"Not in that body, you won't." 

"Well, the suits we create could have also done that! Fine, alright, maybe not let you swim, but it would have help you float on the water!" 

"Don't you want to try how it feel, Robin? You're in the body of one the best swimmer of the crew, after all." 

Only second to Jinbei, who was a fishman. Sanji smiled and Sanji's reminded of his sister's stepford smile. The siblings did bear ressemblance now that he got the chance to look at himself with an outside eye. In singular because damn marimo was one-eyed. 

They tried to salvage what little cohesion they could by making everyone wear a badge with their caricatural head on their forehead but all went to naught when they received news some days later after being more or less used of their new temporary identity.

"Vivi's going to take part of the Reverie?!" 

"Ohh, how is she, it's been awhile last we heard of her!"

"Look at her in that picture, how grow up she is now!"

"You're not that much older than her."

"Her father looks sick in the pic. I wonder how Vivi deal with this."

Sanji and the eldest members of the crew let the original members gush about their friend they made along the start of their journey, talking and smiling between them. Brook, in Jinbei's body, played some tune on the violin while listening to Robin and Usopp, actually Jinbei and Franky, saying how the world was changing to have the royal family of Ryugu Kingdom attending too after 200 years of absence. Sanji exchanged a look with Robin, who hold more story under her smile, and understood from the way she hold his body that princess Vivi was the same Vivi from their soulmark.

Because sweet Robin knew that he was one of her soulmates. During the stay at Zou, Sanji got the chance to have a talk with sweet Robin. He thought it would be about the Vinsmoke but he was taken aback when she told him her story and how she felt when she first joined the crew as she was part of the antagonist group. That she kept her soulmark hidden during the whole of their adventures till Enies Lobby incident but she was strongly considering showing it to the crew when they defended her against former admiral Aokiji on Long Ring Long land right after they saved a stranded man and his mare to reunite with his kins. To thank them for their grand rescue by declaring war to the world government, she showed them her mark, definitely tying them together. Sanji had weeped and congratulated her, truly happy for them and how far she came without saying what he actually think. But Robin, oh sweet and charming Nico Robin, continued and told him how she got a grasp of his soulmark when he changed into the raid suit and told him that whatever his reason, he should take his time and she'll support him fully to his decision as she understand where he's coming from. But not too long either or some incident will put him in tight spot and the crew would learn their bond from someone else. As he thanked her in a choked up voice, he dismissed the inner voice telling him that mosshead was right and he did strip when transforming into Stealth Black. Anyway, not his problem anymore, Law was the current owner of the raid suit and even customized it so to have Sora's sign instead of the double six. And seeing how the man swapped everyone's body, sans Chopper, Sanji got what Robin meant by being out by outsiders. Funnily enough, or maybe was it planned, it was Law's doing and he knew about their bond.

Their silent conversation was cut, and thankfully because it was an unsual sight of Zoro and Sanji being secretive Jinbei-Brook would later say (for Sanji even more so as he was actually smilling to himself), by Chopper's squeal to see his dear doctorine who will attend the reverie with Sakura Kingdom's king, Dalton. Nami guffawed by pointing out that Rebecca looked like to be part of the convoy of Dressrosa before being cut short by Brook who spit on seeing king Wapol of Dark Drum Kingdom. His shrill voice pierced their eardrum when he read the rest of the news. Big Mom had contacted Kaidou and though the news didn't detail the subject of their exchange, the crew had to assume that the two emperors could make an alliance which was way too horrifying as guess.

Because if they did, not only Strawhats and Hearts wouldn't stand a chance, they will also be outnumbered if Big Mom brought Germa clones with her.

And that news was the cue to call on Trafalgar Law to remove his power on them so they could prepare for the incoming danger. Good thing the other captain did without a fuss as they were entering in Wano magnetic field. But to enter in the country, they needed Kin'emon's instruction, to be pulled by carps to climb to the top of the waterfall who can also swim across the whirpool. Just when both ships where about to dock, Kin'emon asked them to not do any disturbance as they had to wait for the minks to be ready before attacking.

Except, he should have say it way earlier as the Strawhats never did anything according to the plans. Sanji included.

 

They finally triumphed against both Kaidou and Big Mom.

When the crew first encountered Charlotte Linlin ashore, sans clones, they were relieved to learn that she lost her memories, meaning that she wasn't in alliance with Kaidou as she had to enter in Wano by the clandestine way. When she did regain memory, she told them that Sanji was her son-in-law and everyone wondered if she came to Wano just to retrieve him, before being prove wrong when she asked for Luffy's head.

This fact shocked everyone, even Sanji who had blurry memory of his marriage with one Big Mom's daughter and he wondered if it was sweet Pudding who was in charge of looking after him. He then wondered if her devil fruit that he knew she had one was about memory manipulation which would explain a lot of thing. Thankfully no one hold it against him, even saying that Nami was married to a disgusting lion-man who had the invisibility devil fruit from Gecko Moria's crew. But since the crew got disbanded, Strawhats had nothing to do with it. Same for Sanji, since Germa was no longer in alliance with Big Mom, which was her own doing, Strawhats had nothing to do with Big Mom, especially when Sanji did consider himself a Vinsmoke.

The war against the hundred beast pirates was long and wearying, but thanks to the suits of Mugiwara 56, the Minks tribe, Marco the Phoenix and Izo replacing the last retainers of Kozuki Oden, Yamato son of Kaido's change of side and the Kids pirates last minute alliance, and even X Drake and Hawkins last minute defection from Kaidou's headliners, they won and freed Wano country from the strongest man's clutches by making Onigashima float again on sea instead in the air.

Because the crew took down some sea monsters on their way to the isolated country, they managed to save some people from starving. But with the fall of the tyrants, all the places restricted for them were now opened and free of use for everyone and famine in Wano was just a memory now. And with Momo being touched by the ripe ripe devil fruit, he now had a 28 years old appearance, taking his role as shogun, promising to give back Wano's former flourishing state.

All was well, Wano now under Strawhats' protection, the Strawhats having new bounties due to CP0's report and Sanji having officially told his crew of their bond as they saw his soulmark after his battle against Queen.

Now, cleaned of all his secrets and having deepened his bonds with his mates, he sailed with them on the Sunny, freer than ever.