Hey everyone,
It was fun reading the comments after the last chapter's cliffhanger. Unfortunately, things are going to get worse.
While I believe that it is still within the realm of cannon-typical violence, I would like to preface this chapter with a warning for violence and death.
4/30/2022
Chapter 7: The Invitation
Reiju goes quietly.
She doesn't fight back and follows after her father, just like she's done hundreds of thousands of times as she did as a dutiful child.
She doesn't answer when the cooks shouted after her, demanding to know what was going on.
She doesn't look back as the Baratie gets small in the distance as Germa sails away.
She doesn't resist as she's taken to the throne room.
She makes it a point not to raise her eyes, keeping them trained on Judge's feet.
She says nothing when her father orders the guards to give them privacy.
Father and daughter were alone for the first since she said her last goodbye to him. Judge sat on his throne and gazed down at her. Though his face was expressionless, she could sense him oppressively exuding his haki.
"How did you find me?" Reiju asked.
"Though our kingdom isn't recognized by the World Government, I have contacts who are kind enough to pass off pertinent information." Judge said, holding up the bounties of her four brothers. "When I first saw these, I couldn't be sure. The drawings are absolutely garbage and statistically a person has on average seven lookalikes and when I called in a favor to investigate, the search led to a gang leader. I dismissed this lead but then a particular report from CP-9 fell into my lap. One of the Masked Quartet was described to shoot red light from his eyes. Though the agent chalked it up to Cat Burglar's mirage effect, I recognized my research. It wasn't hard to discover they originated from the East Blue, the last ocean my children visited."
"You've known for years then." Reiju realized.
"Yes." He confirmed.
"And you never came after them?"
"I saw no reason to. Though the reports suggest Ichiji, Niji and Yonji manifested superhuman abilities, they're pale in comparison from the original projected outcome. Just like Sanji, they're defective. All because of Sora's selfishness."
"Selfishness? Kaa-san didn't want them to be heartless killers."
"Soldiers must be trained to kill," Judge said. "They become desensitized because, in war, it is either them or the enemy. A moment of empathy for the enemy will result in death. My research would have created the perfect soldiers. My sons would not hesitate in following an order to kill… At least they would have, if it wasn't for your mother drank the drug to counter my research. Because of her foolish plan, all my sacrifice and hard work was wasted."
Reiju gripped her fists tightly but said nothing.
"I have no use for soldiers who cry. Not like you, Reiju. For years you were a loyal soldier and, thanks to the modifications, a powerful warrior in your own right. But your pity for Sora led you to stray from my side."
Finally, Reiju raised her gaze to meet her fathers. "You never had my loyalty." Judge's haki pulsed in a fit of anger and she pushed back with her own. "You may have thought of me as your weapon to command and I have done terrible things to innocent people but every atrocity I committed in your name was so that my brothers would never become like me. I did pity my mother. I pitied that she remained caged until she died. And I loved her. Kaa-san wished for her sons to be free from this horrible place. She was too weak to achieve her dream but I had the strength. I was but the wings that carried them far away from your grasp."
"As foolish as your mother!" Judge roared.
"And I'm proud to be!" Reiju stated.
Their haki swirled around the hall like hurricanes, shaking the foundations of the castle. Neither of them backed down.
"Fraternizing with the common folk has left you with poor manners. But we'll fix that." Judge glanced at her missing arm. "You are damaged but I still have uses for you."
"What are you planning?" she questioned warily.
"After I thought I lost all of my children to a terrible tragedy, I continued my research on the Lineage Factor. I've had a breakthrough that will bring Germa to its former glory, no, even greater. To do so, I'll be entering an alliance with Big Mom." Judge said. "Whenever Big Mom enters an alliance, it is sealed by marriage."
"Congratulations on your engagement."
Judge scoffed at her impertinence. "You're mistaken. You'll marry Big Mom's son."
"Why should I?" she challenged.
"You can fight this if you want to, you can even run away. I have four other children to offer. They've chosen to associate with riffraff but they have gained enough recognition to be adequate spouse candidates…" Reiju sent him a murderous glare. "But I will allow them to continue to run around with degenerate pirates if you agree to go through the marriage."
"What if I kill you now?" Reiju said, pointing her dagger at him. "Then the wedding would never happen."
"The preparations have already begun." Judge stated. "If you don't go, I'm sure Big Mom will send you at least one of their heads. You think killing me will set you free but there is no escaping fate. Reiju. Accept your role so Germa can soar to greatness or your brothers will pay the ultimate price."
Reiju lessened the intensity of her haki and let her arm fall to her side.
Judge sat back down in his throne. "Good. If I recall, when you left, there was one surgery put on hold."
Hearing this, Reiju backed away but there were large guards blocking the entrance. Her father couldn't possibly mean… the surgery she feared from when she was a child. "No."
"If you will not obey me, then maybe one of my sons will be more receptive."
Reiju tensed and relented. "If I do this, then you must leave my brothers alone! Don't every approach or get involved with them!"
Though she didn't expect anything hint of sympathy from her father, Judge was as cold and calculating as when he would sentence an enemy to be executed as he said. "You have my word."
Each of the guards grabbed one of her forearm and a scientist approached. Using a special needle that could puncture her skin, he injected the serum into her. Her vision faded and her muscles relaxed, becoming a ragdoll in the guards' arms. As the guards hauled Reiju off to the labs, she slept - dreamless.
..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..
Across the world, Yonji sprinted through thick jungle forest, leaping over fallen logs and watching his step on the squishy grey ground. He couldn't lose sight of the monkey moving through the trees. He had to hurry, his crew needed him. They fought through Big Mom pirates and storms to reach Zou. Things were looking up. Thanks to Chopper, Caesar's poison gas had been cleared from the land and the minks were beginning to recover from Jack's invasion, but of course nothing works out for them.
It's been two days since they arrived. Yonji was with Nekomushi when he heard gunshots. Soon after, a monkey mink arrived and frantically told him that a lion mink named Pekoms arrived with an outsider. They had come for Caesar and to deliver a message but then the gangster made a bunch more gangsters and took the Strawhats inside of him. His legs became wheels and he drove away.
Yonji understood very little of the explanation but the monkey saw the direction the gangster took off and Yonji didn't sacrifice two years for his crew to be taken by a weirdo.
Seeing the pinstriped suit of the gangster in the distance, Yonji picked up the pace and grabbed the gangster. Roaring like an animal, Yonji lifted him up into the air and shouted, "GIVE ME BACK MY CREW!"
"Bastard!" The gangster growled and fired his gun. Yonji didn't even wince when the bullet squished into his temple like a marshmallow.
A small voice called out, "Yonji!"
"Nami!?" There was a small door in the man's chest that led to a grand hall in his body. Nami, Brook, and Chopper were by the door in chains. Sanji was sitting at a table farther in. "Why are you guys tiny!?"
"Yonji!" Chopper cried. "Save us!"
"Let them go!" Yonji demanded and shook him violently. Everyone screamed as they were rattled around the gangster's body. With enough shaking, Chopper, Nami, Brook, Caesar fell out and Sanji soon after. Once beyond an invisible perimeter, they returned to their normal size, landing on the elephant's skin and bounced. Yonji tossed the gangster aside and ran to his crew. The chains easily crumbled under his brute strength.
"Are you guys okay?" he asked and Nami nodded but was still clearly shaken from the foiled kidnapping.
Sanji leapt to his feet, "Yonji, you idiot! Why do you always have to rush in?!"
"You were being kidnapped!"
"It's not that simple!" Sanji stated furiously. "He was going to let our friends go if I went with him."
"What?! And you thought that was a smart idea?!"
"They've got Reiju!" Sanji spit back into his face causing Yonji to stutter, having not expected to hear his sister's name. Sanji brushed past him and walked towards the gangster. "I've got to do this."
"Nee-san..." Yonji clenched his jaw and then his fist... before punching Sanji in the back of the head.
Sanji spun around. "What the hell, you idiot?!"
"You're the idiot!" Yonji yelled, blocking his brother's kick.
"Get out of the way." Sanji demanded.
Nami gave a frustrated groan as the two brothers clashed as Brook shouted frantically, "This isn't a time to fight each other!"
Yonji stood his ground and took every kick until he got the opportunity to grab his leg. Letting out another yell, Yonji dragged him down. He caught Sanji's arms when he lashed out. Sanji pushed against him, "Yonji! Would you quit it?!"
Yonji pushed against him, "Not a chance!"
"Are you even listening!?" Sanji shouted. "Reiju's in trouble!"
"And what can you do by rushing in!?" Yonji shouted back, "We're in the New World! There's always going to be someone bigger, stronger and smarter."
"I don't care if our enemy is a Yonko! Don't you care what happens to her!?" he demanded.
"I DO!" Yonji's grip started to shake as he tried to control himself. Though Sanji was inches away from his brother, he could barely hear him. "I want to crush the skulls of all the bastards who took her. But what good would it be running in without a plan? I'm not smart but I know when we're about to get in over our heads. If we go, we'll just cause more trouble for Reiju." Yonji took a deep breath and calmed down, confidently stating. "Let's regroup and think this through."
"Like you'll get a choice," The gangster said as he rose to his feet and straightened his collar. He aimed his gun at the brothers. "You're coming with me. End of discussion."
"Hold it!" Pekoms called as he caught up, breathing heavily. "Why'd you have to go so fast? Listen here. Mama wanted us to pass of the invitation and bring them if they were all here. I don't see four curly-eyebrowed pirates do you?! BEGE!"
Bege let out a puff from his cigar. "I figured I'd save some time. If they wait for their brothers, they may miss Mama's Tea Party."
Pekoms huffed in annoyance, "Don't get full of yourself, rookie. I'll stay and escort them when the rest arrive. Take Caesar and go report to Mama."
"…I'll be off then."
Caesar gave weak squeal as Bege grabbed him and hauled him off. With Bege and Caesar gone, Brook turned to Pekoms, "So do we thank you or…"
"I'm doing you a favor for saving my home. That's it." Pekoms stated. "Don't think much about it. You're still going to the Tea Party."
"What is the Tea Party? He never got a chance to explain and why were only Sanji and his brothers invited?" Chopper asked. Sanji let out a sigh, it seems like the crew missed most of his argument with Yonji. He thanked whatever gods that existed that his friends were not aware of Big Mom kidnapped their sister.
"Sanji, do you know anything?" Nami asked.
Sanji thought for a moment and looked to his brother, "Don't worry about it. Yonji and I'll get it squared away. You should focus on taking care of the minks."
"Oh! It's time for Inuarashi's treatment," Chopper exclaimed. Nami sent them a curious glance but followed after Chopper.
"You're right." Sanji said to Yonji when they were alone. "We can't rush this."
"You got that right!" Pekoms added.
"Why are you here?!"
"Just 'cause you helped my home, doesn't mean I'm gonna let you two wander out of my sight. When the rest of you arrive, I'm taking you straight to Mama." Pekoms said.
"Fine."
Yonji and his brother followed after Pekoms but kept enough distance to talk privately. "So what do we do?"
"We wait for Ichiji and Niji and then we go save Reiju."
..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..
Two days later and Luffy's group arrived on the island. After mistaken identity between Luffy and the minks, the Strawhats finally reunited. Nami, Chopper and Brook happily leapt into Luffy's arms and tackled him to the ground.
"Hey Yonji!" Niji called out to his brother. "You missed out on a lot of great battles. Franky had the manliest of fights!" He was sure that would get Yonji riled up. After all, his brother was disappointed he had to leave Dressrosa before he got to beat a member of the Doflamingo Family. Yonji barely reacted to the taunt which was an immediate warning sign.
Yonji was like an ape. He had very simple needs: food, sleep and fighting. If he wasn't getting excited about fighting, something else had to be taking up his mind. Sanji looked just as unhappy as Yonji.
"You guys look tired. What's wrong?" Ichiji asked.
"It's about Reiju," Sanji said solemnly and held up the invitation. Ichiji and Niji read it. They took a moment to process what they had learned and a silent understanding was communicated. The four brothers went to sneak away but Nami stopped them.
"Hold it right there!" She ordered. "Luffy! Before you got here, Big Mom Pirates tried to kidnap us and then they invited Sanji and his brothers to a Tea Party."
"No fair, why do you guys get to go to a party?" Luffy demanded childishly.
Yonji laughed. "Don't worry captain! It's a family gathering so it'll be boring as dirt."
"Then why did you and Sanji fight!?" Nami questioned, not buying their lie.
"She has a point." Brook chimed in. "You both got really upset. It sounded like there was some trouble."
"Our sister's getting married." Ichiji replied. "We're all a little protective of her but we have been away for two years, Sanji was just shocked to hear the news."
"… Oh that pink haired chick, right?" Zoro asked. "She had the look of a killer."
"Show a little respect! Reiju is a lady!" Sanji declared, a bit defensively.
"Oh yeah, I remember her. She worked at the Baratie with you guys." Usopp recalled. "She's marrying into a Yonko's family!?"
"Do you want to go? Big Mom's Pirates tried to take us by force." Chopper pointed out.
Niji quickly thought of an excuse. "It was um- forward but pirates are used to taking what they want. Not sure what Reiju sees in her husband-to-be, but she must have seen something real special."
Ichiji stepped forward. "We would like to request to attend our sister's wedding. I know we're preparing to fight Kaidou but we'll be back shortly."
"Mmm, no." Luffy replied.
Ichiji frowned. "No?"
"I wanna come too. Then you have my permission."
"You can't!" Sanji exclaimed.
"Why not?"
"It's a family matter," Niji explained.
"But we're nakama."
The brothers let out frustrated groans.
"Can't you leave it alone?" Sanji asked. "Why do you have to be so difficult?"
Luffy just stared at them expectantly.
"We're going." Ichiji said. "If you won't allow us then I'll quit the crew."
Every Strawhat stared at Ichiji. Cool, calm, collected. That was Ichiji. He never did anything outlandish and rarely reacted out of emotions. He constantly tried to reign in the chaos Luffy naturally accrued. And Ichiji was cool, calm, and collected as he said the most outlandish thing they have ever heard him say.
"Hey! Let's not go to any extremes!" Usopp said quickly. "Let's talk this out."
Ichiji's brothers had been equally astounded by his declaration but, one by one, the rest of them stood by Ichiji, acknowledging they would be willing to leave as well. The Strawhats were in various states of surprise and shock, each attempting to process how this sudden divide between the crew and the brothers came about.
Yonji scratched his neck awkwardly, "It's not like we want to do this. But you're not giving us a choice. Reiju raised us. We'd do anything for her."
Luffy tipped his head down, the brim of his hat obscuring his face. His tone was curt when he asked, "Anything?"
"Yeah."
"I don't believe it."
Sanji clenched his fists in anger. "We'll protect our sister with our lives! There's nothing we wouldn't do!"
"If family's so important, then why won't you ask for help!?" Luffy demanded, jumping to his feet.
In the heat of the moment, Sanji refuted, "Then you'll be in danger too!" he instantly regretted saying it because his comrades' faces changed as that one statement confirmed what they were already suspecting. "Shit. Look, this is our problem. It's nothing to do with the crew."
"Don't you trust us!?" Luffy demanded to know.
They bowed their heads in shame, unable to answer. Ichiji spoke, "We do but... this is our problem."
"Aren't we nakama!? Rely on us!" Luffy said.
Yonji took a deep breath and stepped forward, "Aye, captain."
His brothers were surprised. "Yonji!"
"We… have a past. One we thought we left behind…" he opened the invitation. "But this proves the past has come back and I think… we know Reiju is in trouble."
Robin held out her hand and he gave her the invitation to read aloud. "Big Mom invites Prince Ichiji, Prince Niji, Prince Sanji, and Prince Yonji to her Tea Party and the wedding between Charlotte Cracker, tenth son of the Charlotte Family and Three Sweet Commanders of the Big Mom Pirates, and Princess Reiju, the first daughter of the Vinsmoke Family and General of Germa 66."
"...You have a last name?" Usopp asked.
Sanji rolled his eyes. "That's what you picked up?"
"This is a lot to take in because this makes it sound like you're royalty."
"We were," Ichiji admitted. "The Vinsmoke Family is a royal family from the North Blue who rule over Germa Kingdom. We're warmongers."
Brook's jaw unhinged as it dropped, "How scary!"
"I thought the Head Chef at the Baratie was your old man," Zoro said.
"Reiju took us away when we were just kids and she faked our deaths so that our father wouldn't pursue us. Old man Zeff took us in and let us work for him." Niji explained. "We didn't want to keep secrets from you guys but we couldn't risk getting discovered."
"That's why you were so insistent on the stupid code names and masks." Nami realized.
Franky pouted. "I thought it was super cool."
"We've cut ties with Germa completely. Reiju wouldn't have returned to that place of her own free will." Sanji added.
"You're planning on stopping the wedding and taking your sister. But by doing so you would anger the Yonko, Big Mom. You didn't want us involved because we're already trying to take down Kaidou." Robin surmised.
"That's basically it." Ichiji confirmed.
"Alright! Let's go save your sister!" Luffy declared.
"Have you been listening at all?" Sanji asked. "If you come along, you'll have two yonkos gunning for you."
"Curlybrow's right. We already have Kaidou to fight. If we go after their sister, we'll be angering another yonko." Zoro said.
"We do usually go in guns blazing," Franky remarked.
"Let's send in a smaller team then." Robin offered.
"A stealth mission, oooh," Brook said. "I wanna go."
"Then we'll split up." Nami said. "A team for the wedding and one to go directly to Wano..."
The brothers watch the Strawhats talk and formulate a plan that could work towards both of their goals. While they were worried of putting their crew endanger, they were grateful to have friends they could rely on.
"Hey." Luffy said, turning to them. "We'll save your sister."
Sanji ducked his head and smiled. "Thanks, captain."
..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..
Several weeks later, across the oceans, the Germa Kingdom was stationed near a port city. Standing by the edge of his castle was Judge, observing the quaint city while his coat flapped in the wind. A hunched and old scientist approached with Reiju who looked tired but held her head up proudly. The scientist passed off a file to Judge to read. He scanned over the content before saying. "Looks like everything is in order. Reiju, how do you feel?"
Reiju brushed him off and admired the little snow covered city.
"Reiju." He said again, "Tell me, have you recovered from the surgery?"
"Overall, yes." She said. "I don't feel much different."
Judge nodded, expectantly, "It wasn't to enhance your strength. Now tell me how it makes you feel."
Reiju bit her bottom lip but answered. "It feels wrong. I feel like every part of my body has been desecrated. My skin has been torn off from my muscles and attached to a mannequin."
The scientist shift uncomfortably at the scathing remarks, "That's um-"
"Honest," Judge finished, looking approving at her. "Good. Let's do a field test."
"You have my obedience but you'll never have my heart." Reiju stated.
"That's rich. You've never had your heart as long as you lived." Judge said, "Someone has always owned you."
"Bastard," Reiju retorted.
"You're words are like a caged dog yapping." Judge stated. "I know what you want to say, that you would never take answers from a master like me. But as of this last surgery, you don't have that choice. From this day forth, you will obey my every order. You were once my greatest weapon and soldier. Now you are the key to bring the great Germa Kingdom to a new era!"
Into her hands, Judge placed a familiar object, one that she had forgotten. Her face reflected back at her from the glossy, pink surface. Never would she have thought she would wear her Raid suit after she lost hers to the sea years ago.
"I had this specially made. I took the liberty to improve on the design. Use it." Judge ordered. "And raze the city to the ground. Leave no one alive."
Reiju's body shuddered.
..oo00oo..Zero..oo0000oo..Reasons..oo00oo..
Snow lightly fell down upon the city as its citizens went about their daily lives. Children chased after each other, pelleting one another with snow balls. Newly engaged admired flowing white dresses and discussed their future. Friends laughed and enjoyed the crisp, cold air. The city was at peace for its final moments as a dark shadow descended.
Glancing up to the sky, the citizens witness an ominous shape of a pink and purple butterfly, a strange sight to see in a winter island. Children and adults alike marveled as it landed on a clock tower, in the middle of the city. Some of the nearby citizens noticed it was a woman with giant wings.
"Is that… the legendary mothman?" a cabbage vendor asked.
"No way. Mothman's not real." Another citizen argued. "Besides that's clearly a woman."
"I'm not one to assume…"
A crowd gathered in the area around the tower to get a look at the peculiar butterfly women. Reiju gazed down at the city from her perch. Touching her fingers to her lips, pink poison generated and took form as she drew it back like a bow and pointed it to the sky. "Pink Hornet!"
Firing out like an arrow, the poison shot into the sky and burst, raining down on the city. People cried out as the arrows pierced their bodies. Those who did not immediately die withered in agony as the poison spread through their veins.
Reiju listened to their cries of fear and pain, and descended to the ground. City guards went in for the attack but she dropped them in a flash. Those who could move ran screaming for their lives. It didn't matter. She had been told to kill ever man, woman and child per the King's orders.
More guards gathered and charged at her to defend their home. It was hopeless. Reiju lamented as she slashed through a guard's throat. They could never escape her, just like she could never escape her fate.
Since the day she was born, it was expected for her to be the upmost loyal to her father and Germa. Her mother tried to fight it to give Reiju a chance but, like those who ran from her, it only delayed the inevitable. She grew up fearing the surgery and strived to perfectly obey her father's commands so that he wouldn't even think of it. It was one of the reasons why Reiju had to plan her escape when her brothers were so young because once it was installed, she would be forever tied to Germa.
The Compliance modification, as the scientists called it. When given an order by the designated person, the modified individual must follow it absolutely. No matter how much they resisted.
Dodging a grenade, she grabbed it and threw it right back at the thrower. It exploded in their face and a nearby house caught on fire which quickly spread to other neighboring houses. Reiju looked to the sky, the smog was covering it completely in a lifeless grey tone. She looked out to the sea, searching for a bit a blue that brought her and her brothers to freedom all those years ago but all she saw was fire and smoke.
A child cried in the distance. She should put it out of its misery. It's experienced enough bloodshed. She's seen plenty and knows death is a kinder end.
Her father wasn't wrong. Her life was never her own. As much as she liked to parade around and act like she was in control, she's merely been a tool for other's agenda. Though she hated it, Germa's success has been directly impacted by her time as a military general. Enemy nations' whole stability would change overnight because of her skill as an assassin.
She happily was a tool for her mother, acting as an extension to her mother's will, protecting her sons. Reiju's life was defined by the promise between her and her mother. All her choices were to ensure a better life for her brothers. That role had been fulfilled and she was a tool without a purpose.
The fires blazed around her and the white snow seeped into red. Reiju stood amongst the carnage. She played the part of a caring sister and now it came to an end. A new master wielded her. She accepted that. By doing so, Reiju would protect her mother's promise. Sanji, Niji, Ichiji and Yonji were somewhere in the world, pursuing their dreams. Zeff and the cooks were alive, meaning her brother's had a home to return to. They're safe. They're happy. They're free. The promise fulfilled. And now...
She had no other reason to live.
It was very cathartic to write this chapter as I have been building up to this moment in Reiju's mental state but having her be in such a bad situation is also an emotional blow. If I'm able to make you as depressed as I am after writing this, I did my job as a writer.
-DigitalGuardian