Awwwhh… I was sooo happy that some are still following the story. One day after the last chapter released, I got reviews and I was bouncing with smile the whole day. Wanna shout out my appreciation for: Kadek8785 and aisha12894, thank you a bunch and here a flower for you guys -
Apologize for the delay. It was hell hot in here, so I seriously had no motivation to do anything at all. And today, I can't stand it anymore, so I switch on the AC and uuu yeaaahh… the motivation is revived! LOL
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Eiichiro Oda- sensei still own One Piece, Hail Oda...~~ \(^o^\)
CURSED or BLESSED [33] : Monster of the South Blue Region
"Yes…." Was his answer.
[Let me sacrifice this unworthy existence.]
Zoro didn't give him any respond except tightening his hug around him.
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"That's so rare of you day-dreaming-ing?"
The man didn't turn his gaze away, instead he sighed. His usual noble aura replaced with loneliness and desperation. He wasn't one to be fit into gloomy sunset, yet this time he blended perfectly well. His aura was.
It was silence for a good 3 minutes.
"What is the usual me?" the man broke the ice in the end. His tone was defeated. It seemed he was searching for an answer for something.
"I don't know. Meditating, sleeping, well you keep your silence but not like this, gazing into… only you know what."
"Well.. I-"
"The you I know isn't like this. I know you since what? You were still a young pup who was begging to be saved! And not even a minute you did this," a pause. The talking man was once again observed the youth in front of him. A man full of pride and determination, but this time, he couldn't feel any of that aura at all. "pitiful state of you now." He finished it in the end,
"What are you suggesting, Jiji?"
"Go! Do what you have to do! I have no idea you, a free spirit had to bother with how the others thinking about you? Did he take your spirit with him?"
"What the-"
"Zoro! Love isn't weakness. Don't deny your feeling. He is what you want. Go fight for what you want. Isn't that what you believe in? For all this time?"
"What is it about this love things and so on? For the hundred times! I don't love him!"
"For God's sake, everybody knows except you and him! I didn't raise you to be a stupid idiot! DEAD BRAIN!"
"What is this about?!"
"Your own feelings, you fuckin idiot! Should I kick your head to fix that broken brain of yours?"
"Wha-"
"Stubborn shit! Fine! Bring him back! OR you won't have any place to go back!"
"What the hell?! How could you kick me out for something like this?"
"I do what I want! This is my place! Now GO!"
"tch! Finee…! You'll pay for this!" Zoro chided, though his feature was showing something else. Something like determination and satisfaction and a smile, a very satisfied one.
"Bastards…" Zeff huffed but he was kind of satisfied.
Zoro now had a reason to bring that stupid irrational Nesatios back for good. So that idiot Cook won't have any other argument, "Oh you see, Zeff orders…" and he would be able to bring that blond ass back to where he belongs. He smiled haughtily.
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Zoro had no idea that missing one person could make him felt like hell. His usual calm and compose self were unable to bear the heaviness inside his hollow heart. He felt empty. He was mostly staring into nothingness instead of sleeping, training like he planned to break himself, and sighing again and again. Even Luffy started to worry about him. The energy ball was trying his best to cheer him up but nothing worked. Sabo who had more rational thinking, was trying to be there for him whenever he needed distraction. Law and Ace were already marched to Annen Verden and searching for the blond but still got no news. Usopp and Brook on the other hand were trying to search Sanji's trail in Meneste Verden so they could find anything to get to the blond's. But nobody got anything that could lead to his place.
Nearly everybody…
Except,
"So where are we going now?" asked Luffy confused.
"Here." A short answered from the green head while running as fast as wind, jumping from branch to branch. Luffy who was on his back, took the small paper the werewolf handed to him.
"Alabasta?" Luffy frowned.
"Alabasta?! It's not this way!" Usopp shouted, flapping his wings to stop, while Brook on his back was securing his own hat which would fly if he didn't.
"What?" Zoro spat.
"Trust Zoro to search for an address… that's why I told you to tell me where are going!" Usopp rolled his eye, exasperated.
"Yohohoohoho! You are hopeless Zoro-san."
"SHUT UPPP!" Zoro growled with his face reddening three shades darker, while Luffy was already laughing his ass off on his back, slapping Zoro's broad back.
"That's hurt dammit!"
"Warui, warui*1 Zoro.. but that was so funny! Ahaha-haha -ahahahahaha!" said Luffy who was still banging his back.
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They finally managed to reach their destination. A normal looking house, decorated with flowers. Red, yellow, pink, even you could spot blue color flowers around. They were gorgeous and it made the house look like in a spring painting, simply beautiful. In front of the house's door, there stood a redhaired girl, arms crossing, one of her foot was tapping the floor rhythmically. She was a pouting, though.
"What takes you so long?!" cried the red head when she saw the group.
"Oooo! Namiiiii!" Luffy flailed when he saw his friend, jumping off Zoro and tangled himself onto Nami. Nobody had been able to stop him because it was so fast, and the biggest reason was there is no Sanji around.
"Well, you know.. with this guy leaded our way, it wasn't an easy task." Answered Usopp, slapping Zoro's broad back which answered by a deep growl from him, making the tengu shrieked.
"Yohohohoho! Nami-san, ohisashiburi desu ne*2… Will you show me your panty now?"
"How many times do I need to tell you that . . ! Now or even ever!" the girl malicious voice was resounding in the air after beating the hone youkai half dead, Oh! he was dead already, Yohohoho!
"C'mon back to our business. What do you want?" Zoro asked directly to the red hair.
"Hasty aren't we…"
"It's not the time, witch!"
"Okay, okay… Robin wants to talk to you guys. Come, we have been waiting for you." Nami said quickly, knowing fully the impatient Werewolf was ready to do anything to meet his mate.
And the group walked through the door. After they walked pass the corridor, they reach a wide living room. It was so spacey, even with all the furniture decorating the room, Luffy could still run around the place. And what captivated their focus was the bookshelf. It was literally huge, surrounding the room and the books inside were neatly arranged.
"Yohohohohooo! What a magnificent library!" the hone-youkai praised.
"Even after ten years, I bet I won't be able to finish these!" Usopp added.
"Mfufuu~ I'm happy you guys like my collection." Came the sweet womanly voice.
"Kids… So, what kind of urgent thing you said before?" Zoro sighed, seeing his friends were still aweing the – can this be called library anyway? It was crazy huge and the books were… the beast had no idea how many they were.
"Werewolf-san, I know you are searching for the vampire." Robin started, her lady like gesture was still calm, but not her voice. It was trembling in between her line.
"I am… so? You know where the dumb is?"
"NHAHAHAHAH! SUPPPEERR OF COURSEEE!" the panty guys suddenly showed up from between the books.. or rather, there was a door hidden by the book?
"See… they don- YOU DOO?!" the Tengu shouted in disbelief.
"YOHOHOHOHO! THIS IS TERRIFIC YOHOHO! It's so surprising I don't even believe my own ears, I don't have it tho.. Yohohohoho!"
"You should have said it sooner Robin-sensei!" Luffy energetically jumped to hug his sensei, which was quick enough he was grabbed by the blue haired man.
"Oh nooo Nii-san.. I know you meant nothing, but she still is SSSUUUPPPPEEERRR MINEE!"
"Xixixixi… but Robin-sensei is my fave!" grinned the noirette with his usual splitting grin.
"Can you all guys please stop wasting my time and tell me where the fuck he is!" growled the beast losing his composure.
"Oww… somebody is sooo demanding. Sure! why not? But it won't be free boy." The red hair elementalist grinned wickedly.
"Y-you witch!"
"C'mooon Nammiii… he is our friennnd!" Luffy whined while frowning towards her.
"Hey.. I haven't even stating the price!"
"Nfufufu… I like your guts guys. But indeed as Nami said the price won't be cheap..-"
"NOT YOU TOOO!" the others cried in unison."
"HEEYY! LET HER FINISH HER WORDS!" Nami screamed harsher than their united voice, while punching each and everyone of them. Oh, Robin was an exception though
"Ye-yeassh… we're listening…"
"Great! Well, Robin…"
"Why thank you Nami. So, I was saying… the price won't be cheap. It wasn't the price for knowing where he is…" she stopped, eying their reaction. When she was sure they were still giving their full attention without distracted, she continued, "but the price to save him. Even after heard this, will you guys still be saving him?"
"What is this price are you trying to tell us?" The beast gritted his teeth.
"Your treasure, your precious, or it might be your life even." She answered calmly, showing no emotion at all.
And everybody except the Watcher – of course – were getting tense.
"Yo-you say…" the Tengu stuttered.
"You see… Sanji is Vampire as everybody know, but what you don't know is…-"
"What?! Is there something he hid from us?" Luffy frowned rising his voice.
"Luffy! Shut up and let her explain!" Both the Tengu and the skeleton were straining the boy from doing more unwanted scene.
"So, you're saying?" Zoro asked impatiently.
"He is a Royal Vampire. His family is a Royal blood which, known as Vinsmoke."
"V-VINSMOKE?!" Both Usopp and Brook shouted in disbelief, jaws were hanging.
"You guys know them?" Nami frowned. Well, this was a surprised, what was their connection to each other?
"OF course! Not that they know us thought… They are famous! Literally the whole Annen Verden know them!" Usopp explained panicking.
"Why? Are they that strong?" Zoro asked, raising one of his eyebrows, crossing his muscular arms in front of his chest.
"Are they strong? Pfft! What kind of question is that? THEY ARE UNBEATABLE!" the Tengu continued.
"Yohohohoh! Usopp-san is right. They are one of the Five Noble Vampires! To be truth, I can't believe we're having this kind discussion either. Planning to save one of the noble members." Brook added.
"I wonder will they will be as strong as Ace… or Torao!" the young noirette excited.
"Luffy though you might one who are easily to be challenge, sometimes you have to know your limit." Nami said, rolling her eyes tiredly. This conversation was getting absurd.
"Heeeyy! I won't ever back down from a challenge! Also.. it's not like we go and challenge them not for a reason… We have to get Sanji's back!"
"Hhnh! Whether he likes it or not, It's that kuso Jiji's order." The werewolf continued, trying to sound not interested, but his pompous smile was failing him miserably.
Now that he knew where to go and what to do, their conviction became stronger than anything, especially the one exact green head. He will take that sucker back, whether he liked it or not.
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"So are you prepared, Otouto yo…" asked the red hair. But he got no answer.
"Ohhh… somebody is having a wedding blue." tease the green head with his annoying grin was showing on his face.
"Heeh! You should be happy your soon-to-be-wife is a beauty, Sanji." Added the blue head.
But the blond didn't give any respond. He was staring on to the floor, sit still, irritated. He really wanted to beat them for good, run from here, go back to the Baratie, where his true family – or which you could consider them as friend at the least. Not these annoying blood suckers. Related by blood but not family. He even felt disgusted knowing that they had the same blood, came from the same blood. No… Not that he was ashamed of his mother but, this! These trio bullies and their king, the head of the Vinsmoke! All his life, he was chased away by these bastards, yet…
Yet here he was, being requested back by one of the Royal family of Nesatios, known by Germa 66. They had a long long history for being a Royal member of the Nesatios Kingdom, and never ever their position had been unstable. Monster of the South blue region, The Royal Vinsmoke of the South.
Yes, Sanji was once a Vinsmoke – Vinsmoke Sanji – who had been expelled from his own family and kin, because he was an Avare. A failed child of a Vampire and Razlet cross race wedding.
Being an unwanted cursed little boy, he was mistreated and abused. He was an unwanted being, he was an object to be bullied.
But as harsh as it could be, he managed to make it through. He got abundance of love from their mother, shy secret attention from his sister. Still, his curse was a bitch. It didn't like to see him being happy despite everything. It made his brothers stronger than before, his father acted like his existence didn't even there, and finally, it took his mother far far away from him. It crumbled his world.
In the end, he was expelled by his kin, not to be back forever into their den.
So why was he even here now?
"Boys! We can't make the other party wait longer, can we?" said the voice, stern and heavy. The door opened and there he was, the head of Vinsmoke family, Vinsmoke Judge. His majestic cape dangling from his broad shoulder down to the floor. Golden long hair though somehow it didn't match his black moustache. For someone who despised his own blood, sharing the same hair color with his loathed son, was such a dull joke.
All the heads, except Sanji's turned around to give their attention to their father.
"Father.." called the children of Vinsmoke in unison.
But, the Avare kept his silence, didn't bother to give any respond nor acknowledge.
"Oh, I see that Sanji has finished his preparation. Shall we? We already made them wait too long. Come children." Ordered Judge.
"As much as we want to follow you to the party, this idiot doesn't seem so interested in it." Niji said, pointing his younger – ex younger brother as they always said.
Suddenly Sanji stood up and walked to the door, where the Vinsmoke head was standing.
"I came just to fulfill your last wish, and here I am being order like I'm still someone in your family? Don't make me puke. I've done with you for hundred years already." Sanji spat coldly.
"We were. But you should be grateful that you now can be somewhat useful for us, the Vinsmoke. Or have you forgotten what we can do to make you stay with us?" Judge said calmly, "I believe you know this oldman." He continued, wiggling a photograph in his hand.
That made the Avare tense in somewhat rage and fear.
"You-!" he chided maliciously.
"It's not only him, right? You also know this lady, I suppose."
"Fuckers…" hissed the blond couldn't hide his anger any longer. He hated them once, but now… that word wasn't even enough anymore. What he felt inside him was pure fury, he wanted to curse them. He didn't even care that they are his family – or were.
"AHAHAHAHAHHAA! See! How pity is he?!" the youngest laugh hysterically, watching his ex-brother respond.
"I wonder is he still a Vinsmoke? This is too absurd!" Niji continued.
"Well, do we have any choice? Do any of you want to be their underlings?" The red head added.
"You do know the consequence, don't you?" Judge said, making sure that this particular Avare knew his place in this family.
"You'll pay for this." Sanji said maliciously. His voice trembling, trying to endure the raging fire inside him. He knew he was stronger than before, but it didn't mean he could win against all of them at once. He might win against Yonji and Niji at once, but not with Ichiji and Judge all together. Dammit! He couldn't do anything, except accepting what he had been told.
Just like before.
When he was still alone.
Because this was how his cursed work.
Ripping his hope ruthlessly when he was in the highest point of his life.
He was cursed.
To be alone.
"Come! Don't waste any more time! We need to welcome them. Your soon to be bride." Judge ordered just like he was in charge.
"Yeah, brother. You should be happy. You are going to marry a very beautiful princess you know." The blue head laugh.
"I actually envy that you can marry her, you know. But well, Kahahahah! I don't want to be their family." Yonji said without hiding his mockery tone.
"…." Sanji stayed shut the whole time. He was suppressing himself, trying not to rip their heart out of their undead body.
"You are going to marry one of the that noble family, Lady Pudding." Reiju at last opened her mouth, explaining the situation to his only mentally normal brother.
"Pudding?" the blond repeated the name.
"Yes. Charlotte Pudding."
".. Th-that Charlotte?!"
"Yes. That Charlotte. One of the Yonkou family." Reiju explained, making his younger brother cringe.
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"Are you sure this will work?" Usopp asked, furrowing his eyebrows, unsure of what he had heard.
"Do we have any other option?" Sabo sighed.
"If you have one Usopp, I don't mind hearing it." Nami deadpanned, which getting an eye contact from him and shrugged of shoulders.
"Well, Gotta do the work fast. Can't waste any more second, can we?" Luffy beamed with excitement.
"Yeah. But aren't we suppose to wait your friend, Luffy-san?" asked the afro youkai.
"He will be here any mi-"
"I am here." Said the cold voice.
"TORAOOOO!" And the noirette jumped onto his guardian demon slashed boyfriend slashed the key to go to Annen Verden.
Agilely the demon caught his love while spatting some curse words, but as harsh as it sounds, nobody believe that was what he really meant, because the rosy blush on his pale face was betraying him brutally.
"SAAAABOOOOOOO!" The other voice resounding through the air, then continued with a chocking sound.
The dusty blond was being hugged slash chocked by the fire demon, whom came together with Law.
"K… Kur.-Kuruusshii*3….-" Sabo chocked painfully.
"I miised you sooooo mmmuuuccchhh! Law was so mean! He wouldn't let me come here to meet yooouuuu…" The fire demon said while rubbing their cheeks together.
"C'mon! You're killing him." Usopp said in the end, plucking his friend from Law, before he hugged him death.
"Geeezz… Of course I won't! Why do I want to kill him?" Luffy pouted misunderstood his friend's sarcasm.
"Re-… rele-se… meee….." Sabo was still gapping, trying to free himself from the deathly loving hug.
"These idiots…" Nami sighed and with all her strength, she kicked the fire demon away from the dying blond.
"Anybody else want to make joke around?!" the red head continued with dark aura surrounding herself. She might be capable to massacre all of them. While Robin's elegant laugh resounding in the air, and Franky was posing sooooo randomly while shouting 'SUPER', 'SUPER', Nami commanded the gate opener to connect the two worlds.
Law, without knowing what the plan would be, had no choice beside to do as he told, or he might die… uh… she might be able to kill a demon… maybe.
And they jumped into the blueish distorted gate, preparing to face the unknown battle. Luffy was grinning, followed by Nami who was trying to stay strong. Robin with her usual elegant face, Franky was shouting super cool and other crazy words. Then there was Brook with his usual Yohoho. Usopp was trashing around because Zoro was grabbing his long nose unamused. You see, the Tengu sickness was relapsing, the kind of 'I will die if I jump back into the Annen Verden' thingy. Sabo who was strangling the fire demon, while cursing him with a train of harsh words, and the fire demon was smiling like an idiot, receiving all of his love. And last, Law who was rolling his eyes followed all of them into the gate.
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"Greetings, Charlote Linlin-sama! We're very sorry for making you wait for too long." Judge greeted their royal guests, giving them a little bow before moving towards them.
"Mmamamamamamm! I don't mind it, because there will be a wedding, I will forgive you, Mamamammm! Of course… as long as you serve the best Wedding Cake I can eat." She said while laughing, though everybody who heard it could hear those eerie tone latch with it.
"Of course! We especially made everything the best for you, Linlin-sama."
"MAamamaamamama! I like what I heard!" She still laughing to her heart contents, without caring for other things. She knew exactly she had the perfect unbeatable army protecting her. Well, she wasn't that powerful, but being living for all these thousand years, she wasn't one to be underestimate.
Judge on the other hand was smiling bitterly. He himself wasn't weak, but he was sure he couldn't beat her on one on one battle. Dammit! Different years of living and blood hunting sure could be a problem.
"So, these are the Vismoke family? Kukukuu.. Indeed, they look powerful." Said the tall lanky man behind Linlin. He was so eccentric with his long tongue dangling out of his mouth.
"Of course they are! They are well known in the South Blue, brother." The other who responded the man's line was a big tall beauty, with a wavy lavender long hair.
"Kukukuu~! Ahh! You are right, you are right my lovely sister. They are known as one."
"But I will never lose to them." A man with red long pants and muscled all over his body said with determination.
"Easy there, little brother. I know you will."
"Yess! Nobody could ever beat you Anii-Ue!" the other who cheered was look like a witch. Big nose, curved back, such an irony of living as a vampire who usually seduce their prey with their look.
On the other side,
"So that's the elite fighters of Charlotte?" Niji asked flatly.
"Don't feel like a big deal for me." Yonji added with his usual arrogant smile.
"Hmph! Never underestimate your enemies. How many times I have to say it?" scolded the biggest brother. "Besides, the superstar of the elites hasn't show himself."
"Indeed, I really wanna see with my own eyes, Charlotte Katakuri." The blue haired agreed.
"Is he that strong?" Yonji frowned, "I did hear his story but…" Being undefeatable up until now, made the youngest feel no fear at all.
"His tale was famous all over us Nosferath*4. He moves faster than sound, his hand could destroy diamond." Niji explained what he had heard.
"What about his fangs? Nobody ever told the story of his fangs? He still is a Nosferath*2, isn't he?"
"Hmnh! Thou said that whoever ever saw his fangs, would live no longer."
"Heheheh…! That sounds like joke to me."
"Laugh all you want, I don't believe the story either, but I would never say that we can win over him if we go by one." Ichiji interrupted their conversation.
"That so rare of you brother."
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"He-heey… are you sure this will work?" The Tengu whispered desperately, with legs shivering uncontrollably.
"Shut up! Or we could get caught!" Nami rebuked with her deadly glare.
"Khieeeeikkkk!"
"C'mooonn… don't waste our time here!" Sabo reminded them, moving slowly towards the big wedding cake.
"UUUUHOOOOHHHHHHhhhh! That's one hell of a cake!" Luffy's eyes beaming in excitement. And all of them just lunged onto Luffy to refrain another stupid deadly shout.
"Do you even realize we are in the enemy's territory?!" Nami's malicious tone was just above a whisper, but deadly.
"Are you going to make us all killed?!" Usopp hissed with all his heart.
"Do you have a death wishhhh?!" Franky was nearly shouting, though he remembered to restrain his own voice.
"Yohoho! Luffy-san that WOOORRRSSSSTTTT!" Brook was still laughing, but everyone knew he was kind of… mad.
"Mnfufufu… I wonder how exciting this would be." Robin commented in her usual elegance way.
"I should have known…." Sabo growled. While Law could only sigh, suddenly feeling tired. Well, that was his furball. One little hell of a disaster.
* HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO – To be Continued –HnO HnO HnO HnO HnO *
*1 sorry
*2 Long time no see.
*3 choked/ can't breath
*4 Vampire calling their own kin
Uhh.. ohh… I'm already counting down the chapter to be finish… Ufufufu~
I hope everything will be fine and see you soon~
Jyaa,
HnO ^o^/