Ultimately, as far as Drake could confirm, Cipher Pol seemed to have been completely wiped out. Seeing it as an opportunity, Bonney decided to leave the island quickly before Sanji even had a chance to hit on her. Leaving only a parting, "Thanks for the help. See ya," made Drake sigh heavily, wondering if she planned to freeload again.
Sanji seemed quite disappointed to be left with just Drake, but that was neither here nor there.
"You're heading back to your crew, right?" Drake asked.
"Yeah, but… what about you?" Sanji replied.
"I report back and wait for further instructions. Company man, you know."
"Sounds rough."
It was past noon. Sanji looked up at the sky, figuring Luffy and the others must be hungry since he hadn't cooked since the previous night. Well, he assumed they had probably eaten out or something, but he still felt bad for causing them trouble. He had been fired up to help Robin, but in the end, nothing much had happened, and they had disbanded, leaving him feeling a bit deflated.
"…Guess I'll head back."
Parting ways with Drake, Sanji walked briskly back towards the ship. He wasn't overly concerned about Robin being targeted or Drake's various dealings, but the matter of Germa lingered persistently in his mind. The incredible physical strength of his siblings, bordering on superhuman… and Kaie's ability to subdue them in an instant… it was more than enough to make him realize that people like that existed in the seas ahead.
"......"
Knowing such beings existed raised a question for Sanji. Ichiji, Niji, Yonji, and Reiju. All his siblings were born with the same durable bodies and extraordinary strength. Except for Reiju, even their emotions were manipulated. He had never thought about how they acquired such powers as a child. They already possessed them from birth. But Niji's words from the other day kept bothering him.
—We brothers were originally born superhuman.
Judge, who had once conducted research alongside Dr. Vegapunk, had designed his children—Sanji and his siblings—that way. If that was the case, he had to confirm something. As this thought took hold, his feet naturally turned away from the ship. Towards the residential castle of the Germa Kingdom.
***
That day, Judge was in a foul mood. The agreement with Kanata had gone well, and he had even attacked Cipher Pol agents to demonstrate his resolve to stand against the World Government if necessary. Yet, the result was that Ichiji and the other two had gotten into a dispute with Kaie.
The fact that Ichiji's group couldn't defeat Kaie was irrelevant in itself… Judge spat out the words, but it undoubtedly worsened his already sour mood. When Sanji appeared amidst this, Judge looked extremely displeased.
"Hmph. What do you want now? I should have severed ties with you as my son that day."
"Yeah, and I have no intention of rekindling that parent-child bond now. I came here because there's something I want to ask."
"Something you want to ask? Are you in any position to ask questions, you failure!"
Normally, a king of a nation and a small-time pirate wouldn't even meet. The mere fact they were meeting now was exceptional treatment—Judge's veins throbbed with irritation. Sanji, ignoring Judge's glare, got straight to the point.
"Among us siblings, everyone except me has inhuman toughness and strength. Did you intend for all of us to be like that?"
"Is that all…"
"Answer me!"
"Such insolence towards your parent. Just a pirate brat, I suppose… What if I said yes?"
Judge had always aimed for the "Revival of Germa." He would do anything to achieve it. He had manipulated the lineage factors of Sanji and his siblings, ensuring they were born with robust bodies but lacking emotions, and manipulated them to possess unique, ability-like powers. Only Sanji had none of it. What obvious questions, Judge snorted dismissively.
"That's why you're a failure. You possess neither the exoskeleton that grants a sturdy body, nor any unique powers. You don't even show a lack of emotion."
Among Judge's masterpieces, the only failure. That was Sanji.
"If you understand, then get lost. I am busy."
"…Is it," Sanji began.
"What, still something—"
"Is it something you can definitively say will never manifest later if it wasn't present at birth?"
Judge, who had turned to leave, stopped dead in his tracks at Sanji's words. It was something he had considered when Sanji was born, but the opportunity to verify it had never arisen. Born from the same womb, sharing the same blood, raised the same way… even though their paths diverged later, the fact that Sanji shared the same blood as Ichiji and the others was undeniable.
"I have no intention of relying on the technology you created. But if, because of that, I cease to be myself—then I'll have no choice but to cut my own throat or gut myself."
If he mastered the technique called Haki that Komurasaki and Kaie used, Sanji could still become stronger. He had no intention of relying on Judge's technology from the start. Still, he felt he had to confirm this because if Judge's implanted power did manifest, there was no guarantee Sanji would remain himself. If he developed a cold heart like Ichiji and the others along with the exoskeleton, Sanji wouldn't be able to forgive himself. It would mean rendering Zeff's upbringing entirely meaningless. The spirit and beliefs inherited from his father figure, Zeff, were things he absolutely could not abandon.
"…Hmm."
Meanwhile, Judge pondered Sanji's words. It was certainly a matter of interest. The exoskeleton and unique abilities manifested at birth, but external stimuli might potentially awaken them. They existed within the lineage factors, merely suppressed by Sora's interference. Currently, they were dormant, so to speak. But it was only a possibility.
"It's not zero, I suppose. There's a chance some trigger could cause the exoskeleton to manifest."
"…! Can't it be suppressed?"
"Well… I wouldn't know without investigating."
Judge, who had turned his back, faced Sanji again, his gaze directed towards him. His face remained utterly cold, indifferent.
"Is there any point for me to investigate that?"
"…What did you say?"
"Whether the exoskeleton manifests or not, what happens to you, with whom I've cut ties, is none of my concern."
Sanji was useless. He currently lacked the power of Ichiji and the others, nor did he possess the cold heart needed to execute orders. Despite being born royalty, possessing the spirit of service required to cook was, from Judge's perspective, utterly unacceptable. Had there been an opportunity for marital diplomacy, there might have been a path to reconciliation, but the agreement with Kanata required no such thing. Therefore, leaving Sanji alone posed no problem. Ignoring Sanji's glare, Judge snorted and walked away. As if to refuse any further conversation.
"......"
Sanji stared intently at Judge's retreating back, his expression bitter. Although they were related by blood, that was the extent of their parent-child connection. This outcome was predictable. Sanji also turned his back on Judge and walked away. As if to say they would never involve themselves with each other again.
***
Sanji returned directly to the ship. He was met with words of worry, questions about where he had been. Sanji vaguely deflected them, apologized, tidied himself up, and began preparing a meal as usual. The sun was already beginning to set. The gold exchange had apparently been completed, and Nami, delighted with the vast sum of money, gave him funds for groceries, which he quickly purchased before cooking. Their business on this island was finished. As everyone discussed when to depart for the next island while eating, Sanji seemed somewhat distracted.
"It's not a rush trip. Let's do some more sightseeing." Luffy insisted, and with no particular objections raised, it was decided.
After dinner, everyone began doing their own thing. Sanji finished cleaning up, went outside the ship, stepped onto the pier, and started walking. He needed some time to think, cooled by the night breeze.
"......"
He walked under the moonlight, the sounds of the tide and the distant tavern bustle filling his ears as he lit a cigarette. Midgard had no lighthouse. The outer ring, Long Ring Long Land, had large wall-like structures and might have similar facilities, but the inner island apparently didn't need one. Still, the moonlight and starlight were sufficient to see the dark sea from the wharf.
"…Exoskeleton and an icy heart, huh…"
He knew it was pointless to worry now when it was uncertain if they would even manifest… but he couldn't help thinking about it. Becoming stronger was desirable, but not if it hindered Luffy's dream. If he became like Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji, unable to understand people's hearts, he might even raise a hand against a woman. If that happened, he couldn't face Zeff. If only there was some way to be certain it wouldn't happen—as he thought this, gazing up at the sky, he suddenly realized someone was standing next to him. A tall woman with distinctive purple hair… Kaie.
"Good evening. It seems Drake caused you some trouble."
"…No, he wasn't the one…"
Sanji trailed off, not wanting to speak ill of Bonney, even though she was entirely at fault for mistaking him and attacking. Seeing Sanji scratch his head, as if asserting his refusal to badmouth a woman, Kaie laughed softly.
"Something troubling you? I've lived longer than you, so perhaps I can offer some advice?"
"It's not really a problem…"
Sanji had known Kaie for a long time. When Germa had traded with Twilight several times in the past, Kaie had visited the kingdom, and Sanji had seen her on multiple occasions. Even back then, she had acted as a young executive, and her dignified appearance had caught young Sanji's eye. Sanji, who usually flirted smoothly, was now flustered.
"…Kaie-san, how much do you know about Germa?"
"A fair amount. We've had dealings for a long time, after all. I've heard about the peculiarities of you siblings."
"I see…"
She had even trained Germa soldiers during their trades. While none could defeat Kaie, Ichiji and the others, wearing their Raid Suits, were quite formidable. Kaie respected them enough to agree with Kanata's decision to ally with them.
"Judge is a stubborn man, but he's a capable scientist. Though he often clashes with Sora."
"With Mother, huh."
"I hear there was trouble when you siblings were born too. That Sora deliberately took potent drugs to affect your lineage factors."
"…Lineage factors?"
"Yes."
Come to think of it, the Sora Sanji remembered from his time in Germa had always been in bed. Her current healthy, walking state felt more out of place. If that was due to the potent drugs she took when giving birth to the four siblings, it made sense. It immediately clicked that because of them, her life had been shortened. Recalling the original body he had seen with Sora—her mummified form—Sanji covered his mouth, his face paling. He realized it was all their fault she had suffered so much.
"That she would… do such a thing…"
"You needn't blame yourself. It was Sora's resistance against Judge's attempt to create heartless soldiers."
"…But Mother actually almost died. Because of me—"
"Not because of you. For you."
The two phrases were similar yet entirely different. For Judge, it was trivial resistance, affecting only Sanji. But for Sora, it had been incredibly important. Enough to disregard the shortening of her own life, acting solely out of love for her child. People called that love. Kaie bent down, meeting Sanji's eyes with a gentle smile.
"Be proud. You were wanted when you were born."
For Sora, the exoskeleton and icy heart were unnecessary. She desired a kind ordinary human, not an emotionless superhuman doll. Sanji's eyes widened, but he voiced the question that still bothered him.
"But, if I end up like Ichiji and the others, I…"
"People don't change that easily. Besides, you have your friends, don't you?"
As the saying goes, old habits die hard. And if he had friends who would beat sense into him if necessary, that was enough. Most things could be managed that way. There was no need to worry about something that might not even happen.
"......"
"Feeling a bit better?"
"Yeah… Thank you."
"Fufu, no need for thanks."
Kaie smiled playfully, and Sanji couldn't help but let his own lips curve upwards.
"Feels like I've caused you a lot of trouble…"
"Sora is a good friend. I don't understand a mother's feelings, but sometimes things are hard to discuss with blood relatives."
"Did you not get along with your mother, Kaie-san?"
"Me…? I wonder. I ate a Devil Fruit when I was young, was nearly killed for it, and ran away… That was the last I saw of her. I don't even remember her face anymore."
Devil Fruits, depending on the type, were worth at least 100 million Berries. Even if discovered after consumption, a Mythical Zoan, rarer than Logia types, would easily fetch over 3 billion. A deal worth billions vanishing because a child ate the fruit—Kaie could understand the anger now. Billions were an amount for which heads easily rolled. Things that seemed unreasonable back then were impossible to get angry about once understood.
Seeing Kaie's troubled expression, Sanji looked extremely awkward.
"Well… Ahh, sorry…"
"No, it's alright. My adoptive mother treated me very well."
Besides, many of Twilight's executives were orphans or had lost their parents. Most of the initial members had lost relatives and friends in Buster Calls, and even Kanata, though knowing her parents, grew up as an orphan. Kaie hadn't felt alienated in that environment.
"Being a pirate wasn't so bad either."
"You're tougher than you look…"
"I wouldn't be here now if I weren't."
At any rate, Sanji's worries seemed somewhat alleviated. There was no need to fret over an exoskeleton that might never manifest; he could deal with it if and when it actually happened. Worrying needlessly was just tiring, Sanji shrugged.
"Since we're here, let's talk a bit more. Will you tell me about Robin usually?"
"About Robin-chan… Ah, right, you looked after her."
"Yes, she's like a dear younger sister."
"Robin-chan seems to have a lot of older brother and sister figures… That guy Teach said the same thing."
"Ah, you met him? He's usually flighty and foolish, but he's not stupid, and we share various interests."
Having both studied archaeology, they got along reasonably well. As the night gradually deepened, the two talked late into the night, listening to the sound of the tide.
***
Meanwhile, three figures watched them from the shadows of the wharf rocks. Luffy, Uta, and Hancock. Luffy and Uta had followed Sanji when he went out at night, worried he might disappear again. Hancock had noticed Kaie, who should have been at the castle, going out and had secretly followed her. The three, meeting outside the wharf, hid behind the rocks, eavesdropping on Sanji and Kaie's conversation.
"Hey… Can we go back now?" Luffy whispered.
"How can you say that after hearing all that!?" Hancock hissed back.
Luffy had followed because he thought Sanji might go missing again; he wasn't interested in the content of the conversation itself. Hancock, however, seemed to have been moved by Kaie's past, her fists clenched in anger. She was probably furious at Kaie's parents. Luffy looked annoyed as Hancock managed the feat of yelling in a whisper.
"As long as Sanji keeps traveling with us, I don't care about his circumstances. He'll ask for help if he needs it."
He didn't think bottling things up alone was good, but forcing the issue wouldn't necessarily lead to a positive outcome. Luffy glanced at Uta as he said this. More importantly, interfering in matters a man had decided on felt wrong.
"…Who taught you that stuff?" Uta murmured.
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"Nothing~"
Perhaps because he was focused on Hancock, Luffy didn't catch Uta's quiet comment. Judging that Sanji wouldn't be going anywhere now, Luffy started to sneak away back towards the ship. Hancock still seemed inclined to eavesdrop, but apparently, she had caught Kaie's eye while talking to Luffy and Uta, because she too turned to leave. It seemed even the acting Empress of Kuja couldn't defy Kaie.