Hey everyone,

I meant to have this out last month but I got caught up in work, so I wanted to post it in early August at the least. Thank you for your patience!

Let's see what lengths Reiju will go to in order to keep her promise to her mother.

This chapter does cover topics of war and injury. I believe it is to a slightly greater extent compared to typical cannon violence so I wanted to mention it.

8/3/2021

Chapter 2: The Escape

Several months past and Reiju couldn't help but be proud at her brothers for not overtly telling there was a difference in their dynamic. But even though her brothers were smart, they weren't trained in acting. Ichiji, Niji, Yonji didn't want to be mean to Sanji but they didn't know how to treat him differently without looking suspicious. They tended to ignore him during the day, but during Reiju's nightly walks through the castle she could hear hushed whispers behind the boys' bedroom doors.

It did worry Reiju when she watched them train because it was obvious the boys were going easy on Sanji. The lack of trips to the medical ward spoke volumes. It was true that less trip made it appear as though Sanji was developing, but Judge often expressed disappoint in his test results. Though Judge hid it well, Reiju picked up that he was concerned of how Sanji's lack of strength effected the family legacy. Judge obviously didn't put too much faith in the reports that Reiju would secretly alter. He would personally duel Sanji and see his son's lack of capabilities for himself. Reiju has seen her father strike a defective clone down in one merciless blow. Sanji is family but she fears what Judge will do to protect the Vinsmoke name.

Fortunately, Judge had little time to give his attention to the boys in recent days. He was conducting operations outside the North Blue to spread the kingdom's influence. Judge currently had his sights on a kingdom in the East Blue but there was a rising military in the North Blue that could challenge Germa if Judge left them alone for too long.

This was Reiju's best chance to escape Germa with her brothers while Judge was focused on the conflicts in the North Blue. She just had to be strategic. With her mother gone, her next surgery would trap her in Germa forever. If that happened, she could never protect her brothers.

As Reiju expected, Judge invited her to a war council to discuss current matters. Reiju sat on a velvet chair to the right side of her father where she was expected to be. She quietly listened to the strategies to address the opponent in the North Blue while fulfilling the contract in the East Blue. It was decided that the main force would stay in the North Blue to annihilate the opposing military and utterly crush them. A smaller force would break off from the kingdom and go to the East Blue. The meeting finally came to the point of who to send where.

"I will lead the main army against those fools who dare think they can invade my territory. Squad 8 through 9 will be enough to handle the assault in the East Blue but every great army needs a great leader to execute the attack." Judge glanced at Reiju. "Ideally, you would be my first pick to lead the attack." he said. "But there is another matter you should attend to first."

"Is this my next modification surgery?" Reiju guessed.

"Yes,"

"I should go with the East Blue assault."

"Oh? Are you disagreeing to the surgery?" Judge asked. His tone was low and dangerous.

Reiju needed to choose her words carefully, she couldn't appear to be disobedient. "My modifications take one or two surgeries to be fully integrated into my body. After my surgery I need to recover and allow the modifications to set. Until my brothers have fully grown, I am Germa's greatest solider. I am ready for the next phase of my modifications but I do not wish to be out of commissions at such a crucial time for our kingdom. I humbly ask you to allow me to serve my kingdom."

Judge laughed heartedly at this. "You make me proud, my daughter. Your devotion to Germa is respectable. I give you my blessing to lead the convoy to the East Blue."

"I will not fail you Tou-san," Reiju said. "In addition, I wanted to suggest something."

"What is it?"

"My darling brothers have been excelling in the training and I believe we could further unlock their potentially if they were allowed to apply their abilities without restraint. The East Blue will be a small operation, a perfect training exercise for them to unleash their power. This could be the break through that Sanji needs to develop."

Judge scoffed. "Sanji has continuously lagged behind Ichiji, Niji and Yonji. I wouldn't be surprised if a stray cannonball killed him."

Reiju dug her nails sharply into her palm to quell her anger.

"The princes have shown the most progression when they're pushed to their limits." The head scientist added. "Participating in a war could be beneficial to Prince Sanji."

Judge nodded thoughtfully. Reiju knew he was considering the outcomes of sending his boys into a warzone and she knew it wasn't in any concern to their wellbeing. She suspected that Judge was considering this to be an easy way to erase Sanji existence so he could no longer be a stain on the family's reputation. It made her sick.

"My sons have not developed as much as expected. Perhaps it is the environment that needs to change. Alright then, Ichiji, Niji, Sanji and Yonji will go with you to the East Blue."

"As you wish,"

The rest of meeting was devoted to the logistics to both operations. It was late in the evening when Judge called the boys to the throne room. Reiju stood in line with her brothers, looking up at their father on his grand throne. Reiju carefully watched her brothers' expressions as Judge explained the details of the East Blue mission. Although they were children, they hid their fear of participating in war well. She was quite impressed that Yonji minimized how much he shifted on his feet, Sanji refrained from crying, and Niji managed to avoid looking to the ever steadfast Ichiji for guidance and reassurance.

When they were dismissed, Reiju led them back to her room. The four boys scrambled to claim the softest pillows on her bed. Reiju let out a light cough and instantly got their attention. Now that they were settled, the boys all quieted.

Niji's shoulders shook slightly. "Are we… do we… have to fight?"

"Yeah, I don't want to." Sanji agreed. He sniffled and rubbed at his eyes, obviously trying to not cry.

"Sanji's too squishy for war." Yonji added, causing Sanji's face to burn bright red in embarrassment and anger.

Ichiji seemed concerning apathetic and quiet.

"Don't worry," Reiju assured, "I'll protect all of you. It's important that you don't argue on this matter. Do you all understand?"

"Yes Nee-san." The boys responded despondently. Reiju wished she could explain to the boys how this was their chance at gaining their freedom but couldn't tell them her plan yet. She couldn't risk Judge finding out. Her brothers would just have to trust in her.

Satisfied, Reiju sent her brothers to bed.

"Sanji, are you coming?" Ichiji asked.

Sanji lingered at the door and shook his head.

"Come here, Sanji. Goodnight Ichiji."

"Goodnight Nee-san." Ichiji disappeared down the hall and Sanji reentered his sister's room. Sanji stood in the middle, quietly fussing. He clearly wanted to say something but was too embarrassed to say it. Her brother was so cute.

"Do you need something?" Reiju asked.

"I… um well…" Sanji mumbled shyly.

Reiju smiled and sat on her bed. "Do you want to sleep with me tonight?"

"What!" Sanji shrieked. "No! I'm not a baby!"

Reiju giggled. Extremely cute.

"Come here Sanji. Keep me company."

Sanji kicked out the ground shyly, "Okay, but only because I don't want you to be lonely."

"Why thank you my darling Otouto," Reiju hummed. Sanji ducked under the covers and Reiju watched as the little lump crawled across her bed and stifled a laugh when Sanji's head of yellow hair popped out. Reiju settled down next to him and cuddled him against her chest.

Reaching across to her dresser, Reiju turned off the lamp and plunged the room into darkness. Sanji drew closer to her as the silence fell over them, shivering. Reiju tightened her embrace around him. How scared Sanji must be. He was weak compared to his brothers. If Sanji were to actually fight in a battle, there would be no doubt he would die. Her brother must be aware of that but yet he was trying to put of such a brave face.

Reiju stroke his hair to comfort him. Sanji may be scared now but not for long. He had to endure a little longer and then Sanji and his brothers would be free.

..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..

The convoy consisted of three battleship snails. These snails were different from the largest snails that acted as the main land mass, they were designed for mobility which was ideal for a small tactical assault. Reiju ensured that her brothers were properly prepared to live on the battleships by instructing them what to pack.

On the day the convoy would split from Germa's main forces, Judge graced them with his presence. He stood at the edge of the snail, gazing down at his sons as they moved about the decks of the lead battlesnail. Sanji yelped when he tripped over his duffle bag's dangling straps, hitting his face on the deck. Ichiji saw his brother trip and how his father looked at Sanji disapprovingly. Ichiji warily but assertively approached, roughly hauled Sanji to his feet and dragged him inside.

"This battle will not be enough to unlock Sanji's potential," Judge said looking down at Reiju who was there to oversee the last of the military squads board the battlesnails.

"Have faith in your work, Tou-san." Reiju assured.

"There a line of having faith in my work and ignoring a weak chainlink." Judge stated, looking down as the four boys joined the ranks. "In the end, this excursion will reveal his worth."

"Princess!" A soldier called up. "We are ready to depart!"

"I'll be off," Reiju said, hopping up onto the stone wall.

"Display the power of the Germa Kingdom and make me proud," Judge said.

Pausing on the wall, Reiju glanced over her shoulder "Goodbye, Tou-san." As Reiju dropped through the air she wondered if her father could detect the finality in her tone, not that it mattered. The last phase of Reiju's plan began with the convoy's departure. It was her father error for letting her take her brothers away.

"Reiju!" Sanji called when she landed on deck. Reiju giggled when all of her brother swarmed around her.

Yonji was practically vibrating with excitement. "This is awesome! We're setting sail!"

"We live on giant snails that sail around the ocean so we really didn't set sail 'cause we are already sailing," remarked Niji.

Yonki stuck out his tongue. "Snails don't sail they swim!"

"That's stupid but I don't expect anything less from a dummy like you."

"What was that nerd!?"

Ichiji pushed his way in between his brothers. "Cut it out guys. We're soldiers, act like it."

"Not for long." Reiju smiled, putting her hands on her hips. "Remember to behave yourselves and let the men do their duties. We'll be at the Redline in two days."

"We won't get into trouble." Ichiji promised.

No trouble her brothers promise, but Yonji nearly falls off the battlesnail as it ascends the grand mountains of the Redline.

..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..

The excitement her brother's had when they entered the new ocean quickly dwindled as the battlesnail approached their destination. It weighed heavy in their minds. Training and tests could not be compared to actual battle. A day before arrival Sanji lost his appetite at dinner. He just sat between his brothers in the mess hall, tracing the rivets in the metal bench. Reiju wished she could ease his worries, but she suspected her men wouldn't know what to make of their commander providing comforting words before battle. Regardless if it was her little brother, comforting didn't match the vicious and cold-hearted reputation she had fostered over her years serving.

Seeing his brother not touch his food, Yonji's sticky fingers reached out to accost the pudding from Sanji's tray. He was thwarted when Ichiji grabbed his wrist. "Hey!"

"Keep your hands to yourself,"

"Buzz off," Yonji snapped trying to get himself out of the lock Ichiji had twisted him into. "I finished my dinner."

"That doesn't mean you can have Sanji's dessert." Ichiji stated.

"Shouldn't have eaten your dessert first," Niji laughed, enjoying his own pudding.

Yonji freed his hand and crossed his arms in a huff.

Ichiji turned to Sanji, "You need to eat or you aren't going to have any strength for battle tomorrow."

Sanji frowned. "I don't want to fight."

Ichiji punched Sanji. Sanji's hands went to protect his head as he hissed in pain. "OW!"

"Don't be such a baby. Eat." Ichiji ordered.

The others didn't even snicker at Sanji's dilemma, thoughts wholly focused on their first battle. Sanji managed to eat enough of his meal to satisfy Reiju.

As harsh as Ichiji was, he was right. All of her brothers would need their strength for their final trial tomorrow. Even Reiju would need to put her concentration, power and intelligence to see this through.

..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..

The next morning arrived swiftly and the battlesnails had reached the island. The alarms blared, warning of Germa 66 but the nation's fate was sealed. The boys were dressed in the standard uniform, Yonji particularly displeased with the tight material and Sanji looked sickly. The uniforms would offer some protection for them before Reiju could reach them. Reiju was wearing her Raid suit, a suit specifically designed to further increase her power and speed in addition to containing Germa's advanced technology. If they stayed in Germa, Judge would eventually commission the boys their own Raid suits but Reiju refused for them to grow up under their father's control.

The first obstacle was gathering her brothers. They were separated into different squads for the battle, Ichiji and Yonji would be together in one squad while Sanji and Niji would be in another. Reiju was to pierce through the enemy's defenses with the frontal assault team. Reiju needed the battle to get to a point of chaos where no one would notice them slip away.

The cannons fired, obliterating the nation's coastal defenses. Germa soldiers dropped to the beach and charged into the city. Reiju flew through the air, her purple wings fluttering behind her as she tore through the opposing soldiers. It didn't take long for the city to burn red with fire and for a thick smog of ash to blanket the city.

Reiju concentrated her attacks in piercing through the crowd of enemy soldiers, giving Germa a clear path to the castle. Leaving the men writhing from her poison, her own men were too busy advancing to notice Reiju disappearing into shadows.

She needed to collect her brothers. Sanji and Niji were first, Sanji was too weak, he wouldn't last long in battle. Once she got the other two they could escape this island but they had to be quick. There were evacuation ships leaving and they couldn't miss them.

Surprisingly, Reiju found all four of her brothers together without their squads. They were positioned by a pile of stone rubble and metal, taking cover under an overturn benched. There was a small group of soldiers running up the street towards them. Reiju dispatched the enemies silently before revealing herself to her brothers.

Each of them expressed relief in their tearful eyes when they saw her. Niji, Sanji and Yonji latched on to her middle and her legs, holding on to her tightly.

"Reiju!" Sanji cried.

"This isn't cool! We don't want to stay here." Yonji yelled.

"It's alright. I'm here to take you away."

Niji looked up at her though she doubt he could see much with how foggy his goggles were. "We don't have to fight anymore?"

"No." Reiju stated, recalling her raid suit back into its canister, leaving her in her preferred pink dress. "We're escaping Germa, we're never going back to that horrible place."

All four boys look at her in shock.

"Escape? Like you said before?" Niji asked.

Reiju nodded. "Tou-san will never be able to control you again."

"Will we really be free?" Ichiji asked, still in his kneeling position, looking for any enemies, Germa or others. "If we go missing, Tou-san will search until he finds us."

Reiju gestured for them to follow her and took them inside a mostly intact building. "He will not search if he believes we are dead."

"We're going to die!" Yonji yelled and was smacked by Niji.

"Obviously we're going to fake our deaths, right Nee-san?"

Reiju nodded. "Yes. I need you to listen carefully. Our father will need confirmation that we died. Give me your scarves. We'll imply that we died in an explosion. Bodies completely disintegrated, all that remains are parts of our clothing. I need you boys to go out and find something we can burn these. I have to set the explosives."

"But then what will we do?" Sanji asked as he handed over his yellow scarf. Reiju gave him a yellow shirt in return to put over his uniform.

"Once we do, we'll go for the south harbor. I saw a cruise ship there when I flew over the city. We'll stowaway." With all four scarves, Reiju addressed her brothers with a commanding tone. "Try avoid being seen and do not engage in battle. Stick together and watch each other's back. Do you understand?"

"Yes Nee-san,"

The boys disappeared out the door. Sure that they were gone, Reiju got to work. Fire was obsolete with the battle raging on around them but Reiju needed her brothers away for this next part. Judge wouldn't be satisfied with burned clothing, Reiju needed to make their death far more convincing.

The house was perfect. The ground floor level had two rooms separated by a door and that was all Reiju needed. She quickly set up the explosives in the back room, concentrating them to the wall that separated the rooms and made her way to the front, closing the door as she went. Reiju stood in front of wall and mentally prepared herself for the sacrifice she needed to make.

War was messy. Explosions don't conveniently disintegrate a person. No, explosions tore bodies apart.

Drawing back her fist, Reiju punched her left arm right through the wall. She could feel her elbow brush against an explosive she set against the other side. Reiju took a deep breath and clenched the denotator tightly in her left hand. Just by pushing the button would change her life, setting her back in more ways than one but Reiju was fine with that.

She promised her mother that her sons would be free. They will be like birds, spreading their wings to fly. Yes, they would fly, but that didn't mean Reiju had to. This was for her brothers.

Reiju pressed the button.

..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..

Her entire body was on fire. She writhed around the pain, trying to collect her thoughts before they disappeared with the bellowing smoke. Where were Sanji and the others? Were they safe? Were they hurt? They were safe. She sent them away. She sent them away too…. Ah yes, so she could fake their deaths. She must have lost consciousness. The wall must not have been enough to protect her from the concussive blast of the explosion.

Reiju attempted to push herself up only to topple over, head smacking against the rubble. Black dots obscured her vision but she could feel the heat of flames around her as the building crumbled. She need to leave, this area was too dangerous. Her darling brothers could get hurt when they come back. Where were they? Were they safe? Were they hurt? She could only see red.

But there was something in the distance. While not a light, it was unconsciously eased Reiju heart. Through the smog of death and destruction, Reiju could see a splotch of blue. Blue as the sea and the sky. Freedom.

No matter how far away, she had to reach it. Freedom was so close. She had to reach it….

Was that spice she smelled?

Reiju first became aware of her back aching but she also felt enveloped in softness and warmth. It was unpleasant. Her surroundings had changed. It wasn't possible for her to be in the city. Her chest hurt as she breathed but she couldn't taste the ash in her mouth. The air was clear. She could no longer hear the sound of cannons, steel and rifles in the distance nor screams as blood was split. It was deafeningly quiet. She could only hear the creaking of wood as it strained under some unknown force.

Despite the clarity of her environment, Reiju's head felt heavy and her vision fuzzy. She could feel anything in her limbs. She focused on her surrounding and trying to make sense of the blurry shapes only hurt more. By god she was tired. Sleep sounded nice. She couldn't sleep. Sleep in enemy territory spelled death.

*Hiccup*

She knew that cry, even if he was just a blob of yellow and white, Reiju knew Sanji was with her. Why was he crying? Was he hurt? She would have to scold the others again. She wanted to comfort him, pet his head like mother use to do to her on those late nights when Reiju snuck into her bed. She reached out but she couldn't reach him. Why couldn't she reach him?

Sanji sounded panicked when the darkness took her.

When Reiju was able regain consciousness, the pain had ebbed. With her mind clear, she was able to conclude she was in a bed with a rather stiff mattress and itchy wool blankets. Reiju carefully sat up. The room was dark besides one lantern over by the door. Across the room was a bunkbed with distinct lumps under their covers. Yonji and Sanji were on the top and Niji was snoring away on the bottom.

Reiju's memory was scattered but judging by their current accommodations, they must have snuck onto the cruise ship. Relief washed over her. She finally did it. They were free. Her mother could rest peacefully now.

Reiju looked down at her lap where her single hand rested. It would take some getting used to but giving up her left arm so that her brothers could be free was a small price to pay. The door opened and Reiju was half off the bed, ready to kill.

The light of lantern highlighted the intruder's saggy face which was wrinkled into surprise. The man raised his hands – fingers still hooked on the handle of a large black bag – in an act of surrender.

"It's alright." The man said quietly and assuredly. "You're safe on the Orbit… a cruise liner. I'm a doctor. I'm sorry to disturb your rest, Ichiji said to come by at this time."

"Where is Ichiji?"

"He's safe. He's sleeping in the bunk above you." The doctor explained. Keeping an eye on the intruder, Reiju quickly peered up. Ichiji was sitting upright in his bunk, leaning against the wall the bed was pressed against, but his posture was completely relaxed and he was snoring softly.

"You're brothers are good little boys. I admire their perseverance even after the horrors they've experienced. They've definitely earned this rest, as do you." The man paused, realizing Reiju was watching him with distrustful eyes. "You're safe now. I'm not here to hurt you."

Realizing that this man was trying to comfort her, Reiju eased back into her bed. The end of her left elbow tingled achingly.

"May I come over and change your bandages?" the intruder, doctor, asked.

Receiving her consent, the doctor got to work.

"I'm Dr. Johnson. I've been caring for your injuries since you and your brothers stowed away." Reiju jerked her arm away so Johnson quickly added. "You're not in trouble. The captain has been understanding of you situation. Who wouldn't be?"

"That's… kind of the captain..."

"Yes. Well, you little brothers definitely made quite the argument. I heard it was the sous chef that found you in the pantry. He thought you were dead with the amount of blood on all of you. Sanji….. yes that's his name, pleaded with the cooks to let him work in the kitchen for you to have safe passage. All of them have been working hard as chore boys while taking care of you."

Reiju glanced over at the three brothers she could see and realized how exhausted they looked. Sanji tossed restlessly, flipping off his blanket and revealing he was wearing different clothing from the ones she gave him. It was a white uniform a few sizes too large for him. Reiju only hand gripped the sheets tightly. She left them to fend for themselves in unfamiliar territory just because she couldn't stay conscious. "How long was I out?"

"You've been in and out of conscious for four days now. I'm honestly surprised you're up after the trauma you've experienced." Dr. Johnson explained.

"I'm strong."

"I don't doubt it."

"… What about…. The island?"

"Your home?" The doctor paused in rewrapping the bandages to look her in the eye. "I'm sorry, but I don't think there will be anything left. The Orbit set sail not long after the invasion began and by then the enemy had already made it to the center."

Reiju sighed. That was to be expected. The East Blue was weak, that nation stood no chance against Germa 66. But those were still countless lives lost to her father's cruelty. It really was a shame.

"I am sorry for your loss. I spoke with the captain not long ago. As long as you work, you'll have a place on the Orbit." Johnson offered, likely trying to ease the worry he probably thought she was in.

Reiju easily gave him a convincingly shy but warm smile, "Thank you doctor. I'm gratefully for all that you've done."

The doctor laughed awkwardly, but clearly appreciated the praise, fumbling to his feet. "Just doing my job! Your arm is well on its way to recovering. I'll let you get some rest."

Reiju giggled when he tripped over the stool. The noise awoke Niji, "Nee-san? Nee-san! She's awake!"

Sanji sat up as Niji leapt out of bed and ran to her side. Sanji smiled brightly, "Nee-san!"

He kicked Yonji awake before jumping out of bed. Ichiji quietly slide down the side of their bunk and joined his brothers. The doctor smiled as the boys chatted animatedly with their sister and slipped out the door.

"So what the doc say?" Yonji asked, half sprawled over her legs.

"My arm is healing well." Reiju happily informed.

"Sorry, I was supposed to be awake." Ichiji apologized.

"Yes, but I've heard from the doctor how hard you all have been working. You deserve some rest."

Sanji sighed. "I'm glad you're okay."

Reijy looked sheepish, "It pains me that I let my guard down, but even I can only do so much against Germa's cannons."

"He got worried when we saw the house explode. He cried." Yonji piped up.

Sanji glared at him. "So did you!"

Yonji flushed. "I'm not the crybaby!"

"And I'm not either."

"Calm down you two." Reiju ordered. "Tell me what you've been up to."

Apparently she missed a lot. The boys were eager to tell her about the people they've met, what they'd seen, and the work they've done. She was proud her brothers had the sense to hide their monstrous strength and happy for that the cooks accepted Sanji in the kitchen.

"I've been washing dishes but just you wait, I'll be the best cook in the entire ocean." Sanji explained excitedly.

Reiju laughed. "I don't doubt it."

"What do we do now?" Niji asked.

"Whatever we want," replied Reiju.

..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..

To appease her doctor, Reiju stayed in bed to continue to recover from her injuries. Her brothers would occasionally drop by during the day to see how was she doing and take breaks. When she was finally cleared, Reiju met with the captain on the deck. They discussed the Vinsmoke's position on the Orbit. Like the doctor, the captain was under the impression that they were from the island Germa 66 attacked, escaped the battle, and took refuge on the ship. He was generous enough to give them jobs so that they could earn enough to live comfortably.

Reiju adjusted to living with one hand. She had to relearn many aspects of her life without it, from getting dressed to writing. Her adorable little brothers tried to help her whenever they could. When her hair was growing too long to be manageable, she let Ichiji cut it. They were quickly interrupted by Niji fighting Yonji and Reiju ended up with a unique pixie cut for a while.

Sanji stayed in the kitchens but the others found their own places on the Orbit. Niji quickly wormed his way into assisting the single engineer on the cruise liner. No matter how he tried to hide it, Yonji became known as the swirly eyebrowed sibling you go to if heavy lifting needed to be done. Ichiji was the only one who didn't find his niche, he completed the work he was given.

The doctor warned Reiju against doing physical work even though her single good arm was stronger than the crew on the Orbit put together. She settled for being a waitress. The guest would look at her with pity but she does get some nice tips.

The time passed and the quadruplets were celebrating their first birthday outside the Germa Kingdom. Reiju put aside beris for this day, it was their special day after all. The captain allowed for all five siblings to get off work early for them to have the night to themselves. Reiju got Sanji a children's story book that contained tales from all the Blues. She thought it would be a nice book for Sanji to read and relax after his long days in the kitchen. Sanji would stay up late reading by candlelight, completely engrossed. Reiju thought she made the right choice but never in her life did she suspect that a seemingly harmless gift would give her brother fanciful ideas.

Sanji loved one story above all others about an adventurer sailing across the oceans. The adventurer sailed so far she went right off the map and found a sea where all the aquatic creatures could be found. Sanji happily told the chefs the next day about the story and they quickly realized that he was talking about the All-Blue.

"They say it's a cook's paradise." Sanji explained to Reiju and his brothers. They were all in the dining hall to eat lunch together. Sanji was still working but he had come out briefly to give them their food. Reiju knew it was just an excuse to tell them about the All-Blue.

"Any fish?" Yonji asked.

"Yeah,"

"Even Elephant Fish?" Yonji drooled.

"Elephant fish, Spotted Angular, Eastern Shark, Ridgeback Eel, Red Pollinator Squid and Spangled Anchovy. Any fish you can imagine." Sanji rambled. "Imagine all the dishes I could make."

"But it's a fairy tale." Niji said. "It doesn't exist."

"You don't know that!"

"Sanji," Reiju injected. "The other cooks are right. It's a legendary sea, it's not real." Sanji tried to hide how put down he was hearing this. Reiju, Niji, and Yonji finished with their meals and went back to work, leaving Ichiji and Sanji at the table.

"Do you think it's real?" Sanji asked, a little afraid to look at him.

Ichiji didn't falter gathering his dishes and asking, "Why does matter if I believe your or not? It's like the One Piece. Who knows if it's actually real but that doesn't stop people from trying to find it. What matters is what you want. Is that the point of us living free?"

Sanji dared to glance up at his brother retreating figure and pressed his lips together to stop himself from smiling.

Reiju has managed to free her brothers from Germa, their future is theirs to pursue but what dangers are still ahead of them?

-DigitalGuardian