“Impossible!”
“Absolutely impossible!”
“If Wang Shi and Germa Kingdom are enemies, Wang Shi couldn't possibly know my identity.”
“Even you don't know my identity, so how could Wang Shi, this new Emperor of East Blue, know?”
“It must be someone from Germa who found my whereabouts.”
“And then Wang Shi, through some method, stole my information from Germa.”
“In short, Wang Shi absolutely couldn't have gotten my information without going through Germa.”
Sanji was covered in cold sweat at this moment. Back then, after he didn't show the strong physique of a Cyborg, Judge locked him up and even announced his death to the outside world.
There were very few people in this world who knew of his existence.
The only way Wang Shi could have gotten his information was if Germa exposed it; there was no other possibility.
“You mean, it must be Germa who found your information first, and then Wang Shi could have gotten it?”
“Yes!”
Zeff's eyes filled with solemnity upon hearing Sanji's absolute tone.
That meant if Wang Shi knew about Sanji, then the Jerma Evil Corps must also know Sanji's whereabouts.
“Sanji, since Flaus Kingdom hired the Jerma Evil Corps, who are Wang Shi's enemies, why didn't he make a move on you?”
Zeff's mind was also in turmoil. How did they get caught in the war between East Blue's Goa Empire and North Blue's Germa Kingdom?
“He seemed to ask me if I wanted to continue running or pledge allegiance to a powerful nation...”
Sanji's eyes lit up. Was Wang Shi warning him?
Now, besides being obediently captured and returned for an arranged marriage, his only option was to pledge allegiance to a powerful nation strong enough to contend with Germa Kingdom.
As for running away, it seemed a bit difficult.
Unless they all went out to sea as pirates, embarking on a dangerous path pursued by Germa and the Marine.
“Pledge allegiance to a powerful nation?”
“Heh, isn't that just recruiting us?”
Zeff gave a bitter smile. How did they get back to the original problem?
However, would Wang Shi start a war with the powerful Germa Kingdom for a few cooks like them?
“He's recruiting us?”
Sanji's eyes widened. Wang Shi knew the Vinsmoke Family wanted to bring him back for an arranged marriage, yet he still wanted to recruit him.
Why was that?
Sanji, only a few months older than Zoro, was just 17 this year and not yet as calm and wise as he would be in the future.
“If we can't run, then it seems we can only go to Goa Empire to do business.”
Zeff lit his pipe. He didn't know if Wang Shi was recruiting Sanji to spite Germa Kingdom, or if he genuinely liked their food and invited them repeatedly.
He didn't believe Wang Shi was offering protection to Sanji out of kindness.
“Old man...”
Sanji looked at Zeff, conflicted, feeling like he was truly burdening this old man who was like a father to him.
“Haha, stop acting like a girl. Go out and have a good chat with King Wang Shi.”
“It's just changing places to do business, it's not like we're going to die!”
Zeff slapped Sanji on the head and laughed carelessly.
“What are you all standing around for? Keep cooking and serving King Wang Shi!”
Zeff led Sanji out, not forgetting to scold Patty and Carne, who were watching the show.
...
In the dining hall.
“King Wang Shi, let's be frank. If we go to Goa Empire to do business, can you provide us protection?”
Zeff really wanted to know Wang Shi's purpose in doing this. He knew it couldn't be that simple.
“Speaking of which, does anyone among you want to travel the world and find the legendary All Blue? I hear it has all the ingredients in the world.”
Wang Shi didn't immediately answer Zeff's question; instead, he asked the two of them.
Indeed, upon hearing the name All Blue, both Zeff and Sanji's eyes lit up.
Sanji did have a dream, which was to find All Blue and become the world's greatest chef.
“Cough, does Your Majesty intend to travel the world to find the legendary All Blue?”
Zeff looked at Wang Shi with a hint of disbelief. Logically, going out to sea to pursue dreams was exclusive to pirates.
Would Wang Shi, this Emperor, abandon his entire country to adventure around the world?
“I am indeed preparing to send envoys to the nations of the Four Seas. Are you interested in accompanying the ship as chefs?”
Wang Shi satisfactorily ate a piece of tender elephant nose fish, a look of enjoyment on his face.
The fish was truly delicious; even the imperial chefs of Goa Empire couldn't make this taste.
“Travel the world with the ship? Search for All Blue?”
Not only did Sanji's eyes flash, but even Patty and Carne, who came out to serve dishes, cried out.
Even Zeff was incredibly tempted.
Back then, he formed a Chef Pirate Crew and went to sea to find All Blue, but he only ventured into the Grand Line for a year before retreating to East Blue.
As for the reason, it was probably due to a lack of strength.
A Chef Pirate Crew simply wasn't strong enough to go to the New World.
Even sailing in the Grand Line Paradise was incredibly perilous, resulting in heavy losses.
To retreat bravely in the face of difficulty was Zeff's choice.
However, after that desperate survival on a deserted island with Sanji, he understood the true meaning of food and being a chef.
That was to provide food to those who had none, and never to waste food.
Zeff glanced at Sanji. He was old now; he wanted to pass on the dream of finding All Blue to this young fellow.
“Sanji! You go with His Majesty on his envoy mission to the Four Seas. Baratie no longer needs you!”
Thinking of the Vinsmoke Family's threat to Sanji, Zeff decisively drove this guy away.
He was using Wang Shi's power to protect Sanji, and at the same time, letting Sanji pursue their shared dream of finding All Blue.
He couldn't just let Sanji go out to sea alone as a pirate, escaping Germa's pursuit.
Or should the Baratie restaurant form another Chef Pirate Crew and go to sea again?
“You're driving me away?”
Sanji looked at Zeff in disbelief, but he quickly understood Zeff's meaning.
However, he didn't want to leave Zeff, this 'father' and 'master' who had shown him such profound kindness.
“Yes, I'm driving you away. You're nothing but trouble, don't be an eyesore here.”
Zeff waved his hand, shooing Sanji away like a fly.
“If Wang Shi kicks you off the ship, you can always come back to Baratie as a kitchen hand.”
Zeff saw Sanji's gaze and added impatiently.
“Old man...”
“I won't be kicked off the ship! I'll definitely find All Blue and become the greatest chef!”
Sanji felt Zeff's reluctance, but like Zeff, he was soft-hearted but sharp-tongued, so he retorted directly.
Wang Shi and Nami watched Sanji and Zeff's argument with great interest.
Amidst their bickering and arguments, the meal slowly came to an end.
Meanwhile, the Flaus Kingdom army and the Germa 66 mercenaries, allied with the Sasuba Kingdom's local fleet, were majestically heading towards the waters of the Baratie Floating Restaurant.
Van Auger, having finished his meal, had already returned to the top of the Exile Emperor's main mast, observing the surroundings.
As several fleets appeared, Van Auger immediately warned Wang Shi and the others.
“They're finally here!”
Wang Shi looked at Sanji, who was packing his bags, wondering which of Sanji's brothers from the Germa 66 Kingdom had arrived this time.
...