A/N: I've had this chapter written for months and months and have no idea why it wasn't posted, but I found it today! And I have at least 2 more chapters to post!

Chapter 19: Scheming Brothers

"Brilliant plan for taking over Fen," Niji complimented Ichiji as they watched their men blow up the protective wall surrounding the castle. "These coves Nami found were perfect for a surprise attack. I bet Fen will fall by the end of the week, and this will be the perfect stronghold for us to conquer Quell, though I suspect that campaign will take longer."

"That was my thought," Ichiji said. "Though I think we should wait a little before making a move against Quell. They'll be up in arms waiting for an attack after we take over Fen. If we wait long enough, their defenses will start to relax and that's when we should strike. We'll also need a much stronger force for conquering Quell."

Niji nodded his agreement. "We really our progressing faster in our conquering thanks to Nami. Bringing her in might be one of the best decisions Father has ever made. I think we'll meet his time line of conquering the rest of North blue within three years."

Ichiji grunted rather than answering and Niji turned to look at his older brother. "Do you disagree? You think you would have thought of this plan without Nami's maps and that Yonji could have conquered Yashta without her help navigating the fleet through Storm Pass?" The answer to both questions was clearly no, which was why Niji was confused. Was Ichiji still holding a grudge over Nami not treating him how a commoner should treat a noble?

"She's useful," Ichiji admitted. "We will conquer North Blue faster with her help, but she's only a navigator. She should be in her proper place as a simple navigator, not made into a princess just because she's useful."

"Just because she's useful?" Niji repeated, raising his eyebrows. "Ichiji, we will accomplish the goal our family has held for centuries because of this woman. The Germa Kingdom being united throughout all of North Blue will be a reality because of her. Our people will revere her. She may not have our enhancements, but with her skills, she's as much super human as we are. Why in the world would we keep her as a simple navigator? We should elevate her above the station of just a navigator as proof of how valued and valuable she is. I certainly want her on our side even after we conquer all of North Blue."

"You're making more of her than she is," Ichiji grumbled.

"Are you jealous that she might contribute more to the cause than you?" Niji joked. "No one is saying you're not a brilliant general or that you're not as needed as she is. Just let go of your anger, Ichiji. If Father found out you disagreed with him on this, there might be trouble."

"I wasn't planning on telling him," Ichiji said dryly. "And it doesn't matter anyway. Father is at least having the least useless brother among us marry the commoner. That's for the best. Who Sanji married was never really going to matter anyway."

Niji kept silent, not bothering to share his thoughts on the matter. Though he thought Ichiji was being ridiculous, he was glad that Ichiji didn't feel the same way as him. It meant less competition for Nami.

~.~

"Hey!" Yonji called out. "Why are you standing outside Father's office? I need to speak with him."

Niji paused, his fist poised to knock on the door. "Obviously, I need to speak with him as well. I was here first, so whatever you need to say can wait."

"No, it can't," Yonji argued. "What I need to speak to him about is more important. It's a conversation we should have had a while ago."

"Oh?" Niji asked, raising his eyebrows. "Why don't you tell me what's so important and I'll decide if I'll let you go first?" While Niji was happy for the wealth Germa 66 had received after the takeover of Yashta, he wasn't pleased that his youngest brother had managed to conquer the country in just two days. It had been in large part thanks to Nami's help, but still. He hoped Yonji wasn't there with another brilliant plan to take over another country in a matter of days.

"I'm here to discuss Germa 66's most valuable asset," Yonji said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why are you here?"

Niji tilted his head as he regarded his youngest brother. "I'm here for the same reason. What is it you could be wanting to discuss about our navigator?"

Yonji stood tall as he said, "She's wasted on the likes of Sanji. I'm sure Father planned for her to marry Sanji because Sanji doesn't matter, but I think she's proved herself worthy of more than that."

"Funny, I'm here to argue the same thing. It might have more of an impact if we go in together."

Yonji eyed Niji warily. "And who do you think Nami should marry? You?"

"As the second born son, I am the second most important, though I imagine you think the proper one for her to marry is you. However, there's no need for us to fight about that right now. The first step is to convince Father that Sanji is not the right one for Nami to marry, then we can fight over who should marry her. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Fine," Yonji said. "Let's work on that first, but I don't plan to hand her over to you."

"Likewise," Niji said before knocking on the door.

Judge called them in. "We have a matter that we feel is of importance to the entire kingdom we'd like to discuss with you," Yonji said He was sure he'd had the idea to marry Nami first and hoped that if he led the discussion on the idea, Judge would consider him a better candidate for marrying Nami than Niji.

"And what is this matter?" Judge asked, gaze moving between his sons as he clasped his hands together on top of his desk.

"The navigator," Niji said before Yonji could speak. "I feel she's proved what a valuable asset she is to the Germa Kingdom. She is a brilliant navigator and she fights with weather science even the Germa Kingdom has never seen before. Clearly, she must be of good blood. I think all of this shows that she's a good candidate for a real Vinsmoke to marry and have children with rather than wasting her on your weakest son."

Judge regarded them silently and Yonji continued. "Surely you've sensed this yourself, Father. I imagine that's part of why you've held off on the marriage between Nami and Sanji. I know you also didn't want to interrupt the schedule you've setup for her mapping, but you haven't even bothered to reschedule the date since you had to cancel the first one."

"I have always intended for you three and your sister to make advantageous marriages," Judge said. "Sanji was always the throwaway. Yes, Nami has proved more useful than anyone else in the Germa Kingdom except for myself and my children, but marrying her won't gain a kingdom."

"But Nami's name will go down in history as the one who allowed Germa 66 to finally accomplish their centuries' long goal of reuniting North Blue under their flag," Niji argued. "Her children will be adored because of what she'll accomplish. Do you really want that adoration to rest with Sanji's children? Do you feel he has done anything to be worthy of it? The heroine of our people should be married to a hero of our people."

Judge frowned. Niji had a point, but he'd still planned to gain four kingdoms through marrying off his other sons and Reiju. Though Nami's maps had proven to be of great use in conquering other countries, she still wasn't of royal blood. How could he sully Ichiji's, Niji's, or Yonji's bloodline with the blood of a commoner? Though, as Niji said, a commoner who would be the heroine of the people.

"Some people may even feel she's worthy to be queen for her hand in uniting the kingdom," Yonji said idly. "But having her marry Sanji may make some think less of her and question your judgement in bringing her into the family if she's so unimportant that your throw-away son married her."

Judge narrowed his eyes. A commoner worthy of becoming a queen was ridiculous, but maybe he could start rumors about the navigator actually having royal heritage. That would allow her to marry Niji or Yonji without bringing any shame upon the Vinsmoke name. He rather liked Niji's point that the heroine of Germa 66 should marry a hero of Germa 66. It would make for a better story and for a more dynamite couple. Yonji had already proven what he and Nami could do together. They'd taken over an entire country in a mere two days. Sanji could never have done that.

"Since the two of you are here making this argument, does that mean you have in mind who the navigator should marry?" Judge asked.

Niji and Yonji gave each other wary glances. "I'm sure you would be the best one to decide who the navigator should marry now that you've seen what she's capable of, Father," Niji said. "I'm sure whatever choice you make will be for the best of the kingdom."

~.~

Sanji scowled as he waited for Judge to begin the meeting. He didn't know why their father felt the need to call in all four of his sons, nor did he particularly care at the moment. It was probably just to update them on their conquering schedule since Nami's appearance had changed things so drastically. Not that she cared since she was against their mission. He wondered if Judge knew that and if he would be so pleased with her work if he did.

Sanji hadn't spoken to Nami since their argument, nor did he plan to until the next time he was forced to. He had tried to be a good fiancé to her, but she clearly wasn't interested in marrying him, so why should he want to marry her?

Servants came up bringing a spread for the Vinsmokes to eat while they had their discussion. His eye caught on an intricate design of olives, cheese, and something he couldn't identify. He wondered how it had been made, then wanted to smack himself. He'd spent all that time learning to cook for Nami and it had all been a waste. He should have been studying up on war tactics or training instead. What an idiot he was.

Finally, Judge cleared his throat. "After discussing some things with Niji and Yonji, I have an announcement."

Sanji sat up straighter, wondering what this could be about. What were Niji and Yonji doing behind his and Ichiji's backs? It was normal for Sanji to be left out of whatever they were scheming, but not for Ichiji to be left out. He was somewhat pleased to catch the deep frown on Ichiji's face. Clearly, their oldest brother didn't appreciate being left out of the loop.

"Our navigator has proven to be everything that I had hoped for and more. Once our country is united, she will be a hero to our people." Judge's gaze went to Sanji. "As such, we must reevaluate who she should marry."

"What?" Sanji asked, his mouth gaping. True, he'd just been thinking he didn't want to be with Nami, but…why did one of his brothers get to be? He gritted his teeth when he noticed Yonji smirking at him. Sanji crossed his arms and settled back in his chair. Whatever. He didn't care. He was sure Nami would be no happier with any of his brothers than she would be with him. Let them be miserable together. Now, Sanji would be free to sow his wild oats as he'd wanted to from the beginning. He was sure he could find another woman as beautiful as Nami. Just because she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen didn't mean there wasn't a better looking one out there.

"You're just not good enough to marry someone so important to the future of our kingdom," Niji said condescendingly.

"And what about Arlong?" Sanji asked, wondering what was possessing him to keep arguing. What did he care? "How will he react to you changing the deal?"

"It's not a change, it's an upgrade," Yonji said. "The agreement was that Nami would marry one of the Vinsmoke princes. It doesn't have to be you."

Sanji stayed silent as Judge laid out his reasons for why Nami should marry one of his other sons. Whatever. Sanji had always been just barely good enough to be part of this family. Or, perhaps more accurately, to be tolerated as part of this family. Of course he wouldn't be good enough for their precious navigator either. It was a good thing the two of them didn't get along anyway. If they'd grown closer, this news would be much more upsetting.

Finally, Judge reached the end of his lecture. "Obviously, the navigator cannot marry Ichiji. His bride must be of impeccable lineage worthy to be our next queen. However, I have not yet decided whether Niji or Yonji will marry Nami. That will be decided by whichever one of them works best with her."

~.~

"Sorry for stealing your bride, brother," Yonji said, bumping Sanji's shoulder with his own on their way out of the room. "But don't worry, I'm sure we'll find some minor princess with some use for you to marry."

"Father didn't say it would be you," Sanji shot back. "And I wouldn't get so excited. The navigator is a bit of a shrew when you get closer to her. I'm sure she'll make you or Niji as unhappy as she would have made me. I dodged a bullet with Father changing his mind, so I wouldn't pity me too much if I were you."

Yonji grinned. "I like my woman with a bit of fire in them. And I'm not too concerned over who Father will choose. She and I have already proved how well we work together."