Chapter Ten: The Choices We Make
Sanji was applying new bandages to his legs when someone knocked on the door.
"Chopper," he sighed. "I already told you. I can do this by myself!" The cook was inside the medical room of the castle. The doctor had previously begged Sanji to check his condition, but Sanji told him no.
The bruises weren't as purple as before, so they were healing, right? Despite the progress, Sanji knew the doctor would find something anyway. He'd also probably get the patient chained to a bed. Sanji smiled sadly. Chopper would only do these things because he cared. Plus, that was his job as the crew's doctor.
But Sanji already had his own mission to complete.
The knocking repeated, much more loudly than before.
"Chopper, I-"
The door swung wide in an arc. Outside stood Paris Ciseaux and King Francoise himself.
"Sanji Pâquerette, the king wishes to speak to you," declared the ex-maid.
The old king eyed at the bandages. "What in the world were you thinking attacking in THAT condition?!" he asked, bewildered.
"I am perfectly fine, grandfather," Sanji insisted. The king scowled.
Sanji couldn't tell if it was because how he addressed him or because of his skepticism.
"Boy, I spent my entire childhood studying human biology to know what injuries you harbour."
"Well, then I'd think you'd have known the consequences of throwing a baby into a river from such a height," the cook muttered.
"I heard that."
Sanji sighed again. "Are you only here to try to persuade me not to fight? I already made my choice."
The king shook his head. "That's not why I'm here, although I do agree with your doctor."
He gazed at his grandson. "Sanji, I am an old man. My days are numbered, and who knows when I'll die? When I depart from this world, I need someone else to take over."
Sanji's eyes widened. He knew where this was going. "I don't understand what you're trying to tell me…" he lied.
"Sanji…I need you to be the heir to my throne."
The cook froze. He studied the king's expression, to see any sign of a joke.
King Francois was deadly serious.
The young man shook his head. "I cannot become this kingdom's next king, grandfather. I am the chef of the Straw Hats, and will remain so. Yesterday I just knocked out cold a World Noble. That makes me an even dangerous criminal, and my bounty shall rise. Do you want that kind of man representing and leading Lvneel?"
Miss Ciseaux stepped forward. "Sanji, I know you and your crew have a tight bound, and you own dreams to fulfill. I've seen it when I met Franky and Robin, along with your interactions today and last night. However, this kingdom will need a future ruler, and I see you being a great ruler." The woman laughed softly. "You'd also make Cosette really proud. Her dream would finally come true, for you and for Lvneel."
King Francois nodded. "For your record as a pirate and crimes, those will take time to sort out. Although you are the first with this history, there are always obstacles and difficulties each king and queen faces. No ascent to the throne is fast and smooth."
"I'm not asking you to decide now, Sanji. All I ask of you now is to think this over. Believe me when I say this; you are the greatest Paquerette out of all of us."
The two elder adults quietly left the room, leaving Sanji and his thoughts alone.
The streets of Lvneel were empty, and the doors and windows were locked shut.
At the shores of the kingdom, the Straw Hats waited for the Marines to arrive, except for Franky and Usopp. They were in the Thousand Sunny readying the cannons. In the distance, the outline of marine ships moved closer.
Beside Luffy stood Sanji, despite the pain still aching in his legs. This was his kingdom, and he was going to protect it with his own body. That was his choice.
The Straw Hat captain outwardly grinned, eager for a chance to fight with this admiral and his powerful crew. However, deep in his heart, he wanted to help Sanji protect this beloved kingdom as a friend. Also, he knew Sanji would take the first shot at the admiral. Everyone did, which was why they stood together. Supporting him, this was their choice.
Unbeknownst to them, King Francois and Paris Ciseaux kept watch from a safe distance. Three brave guards accompanied the two. They were, in their own way, determined to make sure their heir survived this fight with the least amount of injuries. Of course, the lot knew Sanji would protest their presence, and would surely send them away as soon as they were discovered. But this was their choice.
Seven ships in total anchored on the shore. The soldiers diligently marched off the ship, armed. However, they did not attack. Instead, they stood straight, waiting for their orders.
From the biggest one in the centre, a man with a decorated jacket leapt from the ship. The kanji on his back read, "Admiral Namakemono".
"So you lot are the infamous Straw Hat crew, aren't you?" he asked rhetorically. He slicked his hair back calmly.
"That's right," answered Luffy. "And you're the admiral that was sent."
"Indeed. So I'm assuming you know why I'm here, don't you?" He snapped his fingers, and the soldiers aimed their guns, ready to fire.
"One of you assaulted the Celestial Dragon, St. Alphonse. For the criminal or criminals responsible, I will deal with personally. As for the rest of you, as for your crimes as pirates, are arrested. Surrender now or face defeat. The choice is yours."
Sanji stepped forward, staring straight at the Admiral. "I claim responsibility for the greedy pig. However, I refuse to surrender, and neither will they." Luffy and the crew nodded in assent.
For a moment, the chef swore he saw the admiral smirk. Then it vanished, and his dark purple eyes grew serious.
"I see. So it's a fight you want?" He tossed his cloak aside, showing off his timely suit attire.
Sanji's legs glowed.
"I won't lose."
"Neither will I." The Admiral attacked first.
And the battle begun.
"For someone injured, it's surprising he could keep up this pace," thought Oliver.
The Admiral wasn't fighting at his strongest, but he took note of his friend's son's abilities. "I wonder how much of a kick he gives at his best."
Sanji kept his cool with each painful kick he delivered. He could tell that his opponent wasn't fighting at his hardest, and that made him feel insulted. Instead, the Admiral seemed to be observing him.
"Would you like to give up, you're not going to go anywhere with this type of fighting," Namakemono asked once again.
Sanji mustered a harder kick, which took him by surprise.
"Once again, my answer is no."
Moving faster, Sanji delivered more blows, yet none seemed to slow the Admiral down.
The cook couldn't take it anymore. "I know you're not fighting at your full strength, so stop mocking me and show me what you've got!"
Oliver grabbed his leg.
Sanji winced in pain, the cry nearly escaping his lips.
"Tsk tsk. That's hypocritical of you to say. Aren't you injured here?"
He gripped harder.
"You're not fighting at your best either."
He let go.
Sanji stumbled, nearly tripping on the beach sand.
"Sanji!" Luffy cried in concern. The soldiers were stronger than they thought, but they were able to hold them back.
Regaining his footing, Sanji aimed again at the dark haired man.
"ADMIRAL OLIVER ODAYAKANA, IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU, LET GO OF MY HEIR!"
Both fighters paused, looking at the direction of the voice.
Both responded at once.
"Old geezer! I thought I told you to stay in the castle!" yelled the chef.
"We meet again, your majesty. Did you finally muster enough courage to walk among us?" the Admiral asked sarcastically.
The king turned red at their words. "You two imbeciles shut up! We'll arrange a compromise in the palace."
"That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard!" Sanji shouted.
Oliver smirked. "Agreed. I don't want to have anything to do with you, your majesty."
Suddenly, the air shifted, and the air around the Admiral radiated a purple light.
"Alright Sanji, since I see you've inherited your mother's stubbornness, I suppose I will utilize my devil fruit powers. However, I don't wish to harm you further. I prefer not to have your father's ghost murder me for paralyzing your legs…for eternity."
Both Pâquerette's eyes widened in surprise.
"You knew…my father?"
"You knew his father?!"
Admiral Namakemono's hands glowed. "Yes, he was my closest friend. In fact, he's the reason why you survived that royal baby toss-out ordered by that hellish king over there."
Sanji scowled. He didn't know if it was the fatigue, but emotion started to control him.
"Why couldn't he save my mother too then? Why didn't he raise me then? Why don't I remember him?"
The Admiral continued to dodge his attacks, and remained silent.
This only infuriated the chef even more.
"Admiral, please answer me, WHO WAS MY FATHER?"
His left leg was grabbed.
"He was my Commander."
Sanji's felt a hand grip his other leg.
"He and your mother fell in love, but his sense of duty took over, so he had to leave her."
The cook felt himself being hurled in the air. His crew-mates' voices seem to be so far away.
"He regrets not being able to save her too."
The blond man felt the impact hitting the ground. He couldn't move.
"Because of not his duties as a soldier, a brother, and a hero, he chose to take away your memories of him, and his memories of you. It was because he was your father."
The shadow of the Admiral loomed over the chef's body.
"But now, it's time you learned about your father."
Two hands touched his head.
"Because now, I am going to give them back to you."
"Languentes Memorias Consurge!"
The last thing the cook saw was Luffy's fists flying towards the Admiral.
The last thing he felt were approaching footsteps, no doubt was it King Francois.
And Sanji's body slumped into a deep slumber.
The first thing he saw in the nightmare was a family of three chained to wall.
The father and his two sons had tears streaming down their faces.
The mob continued to hurl arrows and projectiles at them.
"Please, don't hurt my boys! They have done no wrong!" begged the father.
The ground beneath the three was lit on fire.
Sanji could do nothing to stop it.
He was stuck in the memories of Donquixote Rosinante.
He was here, to watch the memories of his father.
Surprise, surprise, the story isn't dead! Yay!
It took a lot of courage, rereading, and energy to pick up the story where I left off seven months. A lot of events have happened since then, both in my life and in the manga. Including some spoilers which I shall not disclose here. If you want, we can talk about them privately in a chat.
I admit what's happening in the canon is what stopped me from updating. I also admit that when I finally had a whole summer (and oh my gawd it's less than two weeks before school ahhhh), I was lazy and lacked inspiration.
But here I am.
I can't make any promises of regular updates (because see how that worked out?), but I am determined to finish this fanfic along with the other two. For you faithful readers, I deeply both apologize and thank you for your patience and this long awaited update.
For you new readers, hi, I suck at updating, please forgive meeee.
My writing style might have changed, but I stayed true to my original plot line that I planned in the beginning.
So what memories will Sanji see?
Will Luffy defeat Admiral Namakemono?
What future will Sanji choose?
Until next time,
~Kurama Kaitou