Chapter Text
The crew was assembled and Nami had announced, with the captain's agreement, this was time to set sail. The next island was a week away but they could get there sooner if the wind is good, but the New World is truly a mystery. So during this time everyone was busy in their own way. Zoro, as usual, lifted his weights and trained again and again. Every now and then there were Marine ships attacking them, but today it was pirates who launched the attack.
Of course, it was pretty quick. Luffy went to attack them directly on the boat and confronted their captain. Zoro was there, supporting him like he always do. Nami took the opportunity to pull Usopp with her to see if they could find any treasure and Nami was truly happy, with her berry-shaped eyes, to find a heavy treasure chest that seemed to have a lot of gold inside. Franky carried the chest to the deck of the Thousand Sunny. All the crew were around it, all curious of what they could find. Gold, which was more likely, maps, maybe old books ? Or meat as Luffy oddly hoped.
Nami was the one who opened it with a big smile until thick smoke appeared. Everyone started to cough and put their hand over their mouth. Zoro doesn't know how many seconds had passed but luckily the enemy crew had been defeated and now in the water. This mini gas explosion had knocked them out, but the swordsman did everything to stay on his guard.
“Moshi mooosh. Moshi mooosh."
Zoro jumped slightly. What was that voice ? The voice was both gentle and masculine. He waited for the smoke to clear to regain sight of his one eye. He was still seeing a little blurry but he could make out a dark haired person who was crouched on the Sunny's railing.
“Moshi mooosh."
"Hu…" he growled as he became more and more aware of what was around him. He even began to cough lightly to clear the inhaled smoke.
"Are you doing ok ?"
"Yes," Chopper replied, paying no attention to the voice, "Luckily, it wasn't toxic !"
"I see. More fear than harm." Said the man.
Wait. That smell… The reindeer had never smelled it before. Chopper opened his eyes wide when he realized that a stranger was on the boat. He took a step back to warn the others but barely his cry, Zoro already had his sword close to the intruder's neck who was still smiling, not having flinched an inch at the threat.
"Ara ara, I see that you're all healthy." He turned his gaze to the redhead. “You should be more careful with the treasure chests next time. Some pirates put traps there like this to blind the enemy and attack them during this time. It’s a great prank to rip off people too."
"Um yes. Sure." Nami replied being stunned by this presence. How did this man get here ? Is this someone from the other ship ?
“You. Who are you ?" Luffy asked with his usual great indifference.
“It's a little bit funny actually. I was in charge of taking care of them" he said pointing to the sinking boat, "I also had to ask them for a little something but when I arrived you were in the middle of a fight with them and they were all already sinking or swimming to escape. You fulfilled my mission for me."
"Oh I see ! What a coincidence haha ! Sorry !"
It's not really funny, everyone else thought.
"Everything is fine. On the other hand... Haven't you heard any information from these pirates ?"
“Hm… Oh !" Luffy said, slapping his fist on his hand to show the end of his thought. "The guy with the knives said they'd be there soon, something like that."
“Oi, Luffy ! Don't answer everything !" Usopp shouted, approaching him for his safety. A stranger on the boat usually never brought good things.
"Hm…" whispered the stranger, then laughed very lightly. "I see."
Nothing very worrying then.
"Thank you for the information, it is precious to me."
With a supple movement, the man descended from the balustrade to land on the grass. But what surprised Zoro was that he hadn't heard any sound from his feet. He thought it was probably due to the numbness just now, but when the man walked up to them, he seemed to be floating very lightly in the air. It was quite graceful and fun to watch to be honest, his cape lifted and lowered as he walked.
Once the man was near them, they could all observe him. His hair was definitely very dark and hid the right part of his face. He had a black jumpsuit with a bit of yellow and red to make the outfit less grim. His face was thin, quite handsome. Even very beautiful. He had no hair on his face like a beard or mustache, his skin appeared to be porcelain. Zoro thought he must be young, maybe Luffy's age. But what struck them all was, without a doubt, his twirling eyebrow.
"You still haven't introduced yourself. Who are you? What does that mean, "we fulfilled your mission"? Nami asked without further ado.
It is true. Better to know about this stranger because he looked strong. Zoro felt a force emanating from him, it surely was not to be taken lightly. This man could be a threat.
The man kept his smile. He hasn't stopped doing it since arriving. It was as if he was calm, not at all worried about being on the ship of eight wanted pirates with some pretty good bounties. Especially Luffy's.
“It’s true, you’re right." he responds "Especially when I have a favor to ask you."
"A favor? Which one?"
"Well, you accidentally crashed into my board during the attack, that's why I was on your boat. I have been very lucky. So, it would be nice if you could get me back just close enough to my home that I could manage without ending up drowning."
It's true. There was a completely destroyed boat that was gradually sinking into the water. But his explanation was vague, Nami was about to ask for more until Luffy, Usopp, Franky and Chopper were around him.
“Woooh! This costume is AWESOME!" The strawhat exclaimed in ecstasy.
"Bro, this is supeeeer! Where did you get it!?" asked Franky
Usopp looked on with equal excitement but calmed down when he noticed the headphones with an inscription, 66.
"Sixty six ? What does that mean ? "
At that moment, the stranger's face was slightly darker, more proud and sure of himself. Arrogant.
“It's pronounced double-six actually. "
Zoro noticed that Brook suddenly froze. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at him, but the musician didn't stay there without speaking.
"Double-six like… Germa double-six…?"
The nervousness in Brook's voice made everyone watch him and then look at the stranger who still had his smile so serene in response.
"Effectively." He answered
Luffy turned to his musician crossing his arms, not understanding much "Brook! What is that, double six?"
“It's… I'm pretty surprised I have to say it. I never thought I would hear Germa's name again one day. But then… I have to ask you who are you exactly ?"
“I’m the Germa 66 army commander, Vinsmoke Sanji." He performes a little bow. "Nice to meet you, strawhat pirates."
Now it was Robin's turn to be surprised. She gasped softly as she looked at Sanji. The others didn't really understand what was going on. Who was Germa? 66? What did that mean?
"Who are they?" Chopper asked hurriedly of Robin and Brook.
“The Vinsmokes…,” Brook began, “are a line of very powerful nobles. They have inhabited and ruled the Kingdom of Germa by conquering North Blue for years if not centuries. Their name instilled terror and destruction, I get goosebumps even though I no longer have flesh!"
"Today, it seems to me that it is Vinsmoke Judge who reigns there and is the commander-in-chief of the Germa 66 army", continued the archaeologist looking at her captain, "Germa 66 is an army but not whichever one. It is said to be made up entirely of supermen. And the technologies of Germa 66 are very well known, reputed to be excellent, flawless, which makes them even more dangerous. I thought it was just a story... "
“The Vinsmoke family were not children at heart, Luffy. And I doubt that has changed over time, you have to beware of that.” Robin warned clearly as Nami, Usopp and Chopper shivered in fear.
Zoro put his gaze on this Sanji. He was still as calm as ever so with all of those information. It was all an other reason for them to attack him and throw him overboard. But Zoro already sensed his captain's reckless decision...
"We take him home and afterwards he leaves us alone!" Luffy announced with a smile. Zoro was sure of it.
“L, Luffy…! You don't understand!" Nami yelled, pointing at Sanji. "If this guy is in a super powerful army and he was sent out on his own to take care of this pirate ship, so he's very strong ! And he's probably an, an... "
"AN ASSASSIN !" Brook and Chopper yelled in unison.
“E, Exactly…! Who said his real mission wasn't to murder us!?"
Luffy stared at Sanji. "Do you want to kill us?"
" No. None of my missions concern you at the moment."
"So everything is fine!"
“NOTHING IS FINE!" The fear trio cried together.
“Nami is right. How do we know he's not going to attack us? Whether he receives this order during or even after the trip? If Robin and Brook tell us he's dangerous, you better beware, Luffy." The swordsman wisely advised. "And... I know you feel it too, that this guy is not to be taken carelessly."
Sanji looked at him before chuckling.
“I understand your concern and I have to say I'm proud of it, but I really have nothing against you. To reassure you, let's make a pact. And I never betray my pacts, I give you my word."
The black haired sat down on the ship's bench, crossing his legs and placing both hands on his knee. He stared at the crew in front of him, but especially Luffy.
"What do you protect the most in this world, Mugiwara-san?"
"My companions and the people I love, of course !"
Sanji smiled at him, closing his eyes. He opened them slowly.
“What I protect the most in this world are my brothers and my sister. So let's do like this. I will never attack your crew and the people you love unless you attack my siblings. And you, you won't attack me if I don't touch your crew. Deal?"
"OK! I am for! Sounds good to me!" Luffy extended his hand to Sanji.
Sanji grabbed his hand and squeezed it. So it was the start of a pact between them.