Chapter 217: Their respective paths.

A slender, fair leg stepped into the doorway of the sea restaurant Baratie, instantly drawing the attention of the nearby male patrons.

In the next moment, a pink-haired girl made her way slowly into the restaurant.

Dressed in a pure white dress that hugged her hips and skin, the girl's figure was graceful, accentuated by her intelligent eyes and pink lips. She had the appearance of a noble from ancient times, exuding both elegance and mystery.

"Welcome!"

Paddy, the restaurant's greeter, flashed a wide and intimidating grin as soon as he spotted the new customer. He moved forward to greet her, his large, dark face beaming with hospitality.

However…

Just as the diners around anticipated the typical shriek from the girl—something they'd witnessed from other female guests under Paddy's rather beastly welcome—the young woman simply smiled with grace, gave a small nod, and asked gently:

"Excuse me, is there someone here named Sanji?"

The elegant girl standing before Paddy was none other than Reiju, who had traveled all the way from the North Blue under orders from her father to find Sanji.

Although the Vinsmoke family's advanced technology allowed her snail ship to reach remarkable speeds, by the time Reiju arrived in the East Blue, the Pokémon League Tournament had already concluded.

Fortunately, Baratie Restaurant was well-known throughout the East Blue, and Reiju managed to arrive on the day following the tournament.

"Sanji!?"

Paddy's eyes widened at the mention of Sanji's name, disbelief washing over his face. He blinked, deep in thought.

His sharp gaze took in the girl's fine shoes and attire, confirming she wasn't someone likely to skip out on the bill. A broad smile spread across his face as he led Reiju to a table.

"Miss, are you looking for our sous chef, Sanji? Please have a seat while I fetch him for you."

"Oh, and one more thing!"

Paddy grinned as he set down a menu. "Here are some of our chef's signature dishes. Feel free to browse while you wait."

"Thank you," Reiju responded with a slight smile and nodded in appreciation.

…

Meanwhile, deeper inside the restaurant, the heated argument between Sanji and Zoro was reaching its peak.

Even though Zoro had recently gained 50 years of life essence, Sanji, powered by his genetic enhancements, was more than holding his own. Neither was willing to back down.

However, their constant bickering didn't bother the group at the nearby table—Alvida, Koby, Johnny, and Yosaku—who continued eating, accustomed to the pair's frequent quarrels. They had seen this scene play out countless times before, especially during the battles in Alabasta.

For reasons none of them fully understood, Zoro, normally calm and collected, transformed into someone entirely different when facing off with the "perverted cook." The two seemed destined to clash.

Just as Zoro was about to draw his sword and Sanji prepared to unleash his fiery power, Paddy came running over.

"Hey, Sanji! There's a beautiful girl at the door asking for you by name. You might want to check it out!"

A beautiful girl!? 

As if someone had pressed the correct button, Sanji's expression—moments earlier intense with Zoro—shifted in an instant.

His eyes turned into heart shapes, and he darted forward, moving like a gust of wind and creating a blur of motion.

"A beauty!? Where? Where!?"

At the mention of "beauty," Sanji abandoned all animosity, flying past Paddy toward the entrance.

"This perverted cook!" Zoro muttered angrily, feeling slighted as Sanji ignored him. He grumbled, but without Sanji there to vent his frustrations, he sat back down with a huff.

"Master Zoro, you should eat before it gets cold," Koby suggested with a knowing smile.

The others at the table echoed the sentiment. By now, they knew the routine—soothing Zoro's mood with a bit of food after one of his endless arguments with Sanji.

After all…

Whether in Alabasta or here at Baratie, the food they ate was always prepared by the "perverted cook" himself.

And without acknowledging the cook's efforts, Zoro would likely feel too embarrassed to enjoy the meal.

With some coaxing from the group, Zoro finally relented and resumed eating.

As the food on the table was almost gone, Koby, feeling full, patted his belly and remembered something. "By the way, Master Zoro, where are we headed next?"

"Are we going back to the Grand Line?"

The group had initially traveled to the Grand Line for the ranking competition in the battle area. Now that the Pokémon League Tournament had concluded, there didn't seem to be any immediate reason to return.

Zoro paused for a moment, swallowed his food, and shook his head slightly.

"We're not going back to the Grand Line just yet."

"Laurent sought me out yesterday and asked me to visit his kingdom. He said there's something important we need to discuss."

"Laurent, the king?" Alvida suddenly looked up, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she grinned, looking positively star-struck.

"I've heard his kingdom has the largest number of Pokémon in the world, and their fashion industry is thriving too. It would be perfect for a shopping spree!"

Even though Alvida wasn't exactly attractive, she clearly harbored grand aspirations.

It was said that the garments from Coast Kingdom were made from the highest-quality silk threads produced by Pokémon. If she could wear clothes from there, her beauty would surely improve.

"Uh…"

Zoro hesitated, a cold sweat forming on his forehead. After all, he'd spent enough time with Alvida to avoid directly calling her unattractive. Koby, Johnny, and Yosaku, who had all been intimidated by Alvida's strength, would certainly avoid saying it too.

To avoid ruining the mood, Zoro quickly changed the subject.

"Anyway, Alvida, Koby, Johnny, Yosaku—take this time to think about which Pokémon you want."

"Pokémon!?"

Those at the table froze in surprise, eyes suddenly lighting up with excitement.

Our own Pokémon? 

Could it be that Brother Zoro (Boss)(Master) is going to help us get Pokémon!?

Suddenly, the expressions of all four people shifted instantly, their eyes locking onto Zoro like children awaiting a birthday gift from their father.

"Uh..." 

Zoro's previously relaxed tone abruptly halted. 

Because of his participation in the Pokémon League Tournament, almost all the Baileys and supplies the group had accumulated over the year were handed over to Zoro for exchange in points. 

Alvida and Koby, one a former prisoner and the other Zoro's apprentice, were understandable exceptions. But Johnny and Yosaku, who had worked diligently and shown nothing but respect, hadn't reaped any direct benefits from Zoro aside from occasional guidance. 

Without these two, even with Rotom's navigation capabilities, Zoro's rise through the ranks at sea wouldn't have been as swift. 

As Zoro looked at the eager, shining eyes of the four people in front of him, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.

But then, a confident smile spread across his face. 

"That's right! Pokémon!"

Zoro grinned. "If this trip to Coast Kingdom goes well, I may end up partnering with King Laurent to start a mercenary-like security company, offering our services worldwide."

"When that happens, we might have to split up to tackle riskier missions. That means each of you should start thinking about what kind of Pokémon would suit you best."

Yes, Zoro had been aware of what Laurent wanted from him from the very start. 

Back when Laurent was still training on Celestial Island, he had proposed this idea to several trainers. However, at the time, everyone was too focused on the Pokémon League Tournament to take him seriously.

It wasn't until Laurent, either through strategy or luck, reached the top eight in the tournament that some of the trainers who were eliminated early began to reconsider his invitation.

As the saying goes: 

 When you fail, everything becomes an excuse; 

 when you succeed, everything becomes a reason.

Seeing Laurent's success, many trainers were suddenly interested in joining forces with him. However, by then, Laurent had already moved beyond their abilities.

Because now, he had better options.

——

Meanwhile, Sanji, upon hearing that a beautiful woman was looking for him, transformed into a black whirlwind and arrived at the restaurant's entrance in an instant.

"Where's the beauty? Where's the beauty?"

Standing upright, Sanji's eyes darted around like searchlights.

But before he could spot Reiju, she had already seen him.

"Hello, Sanji~"

A gentle, elegant voice came from behind him.

Upon hearing such a sweet tone, Sanji's head erupted with steam like a pressure valve bursting.

"Hel—"

Sanji whipped around.

And then…

The steam engine of his heart came to a sudden halt, as if struck by lightning. He froze, paralyzed.

A piercing scream echoed from Sanji within the restaurant:

"Rei… Rei... Reiju!!!"

His face instantly filled with disbelief. Staggering back a step, he rubbed his eyes furiously.

Once he was certain it wasn't an illusion, his expression grew cautious. His gaze turned serious.

"What are you doing here?"

Reiju, crossing her arms, took her time, stepping gracefully toward him.

"Is that really how a brother talks to his sister after more than ten years apart?"

"Sister?" Sanji's face turned cold as his glare darkened.

"I don't remember having any connection with your Vinsmoke family."

Even when faced with Reiju, who had been the kindest to him, the mere mention of the family name caused his demeanor to harden.

Sanji's icy attitude caused a brief flicker of emotion to cross Reiju's face, but she quickly masked it with a smile.

Knowing everything Sanji had endured, she could understand his feelings. However, this only solidified her resolve to give him the vinsmoke weapon she carried.

Reiju sensed that the world of pirates was changing. 

Although things had remained calm since the revolutionary army's capture of Akainu, she felt this tranquility was merely the calm before the storm.

The "culprit" behind this was none other than the dimensional merchant from the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce—and the Pokémon he had introduced!

After watching the semifinals and finals of the Pokémon League Tournament, Reiju realized something: 

The future belonged to Pokémon.

Their power was reshaping the pirate world, in ways that couldn't be stopped. 

Yet... 

She knew her stubborn father, Judge, would never abandon his lifelong research on bloodline factors. 

This research had become an obsession for him, a demonic force driving his every decision. To prove himself superior to Vegapunk, Judge had begun making increasingly reckless moves.

Recently, Judge even mentioned forging alliances with one of the Four Emperors of the New World. 

Reiju knew this was madness, a dangerous game that might spell doom for the Vinsmoke family. But Judge, blinded by ambition, couldn't see the risks.

As a creation of Judge, Reiju had no choice but to obey. She could never oppose his commands. 

So, she placed her hope in Sanji.

Not because she wanted him to rejoin the family, but because, when the Vinsmokes inevitably fell, she hoped Sanji could still help save them through his power and his battle suit.

And if possible... perhaps they could even gain access to trade with the dimensional merchants through him.

While countless thoughts raced through Reiju's mind, outwardly, she maintained her smile.

"Come on now, Sanji," she said, "I came all this way to the East Blue just for you."

"For me?"

Sanji frowned, lighting a cigarette to steady himself.

"That's right," Reiju said, revealing a black cylindrical canister with the number [3]. "I'm here to deliver the Vinsmoke family's battle suit."

"This is a special suit our father developed for us. It doesn't just grant abilities like a Devil Fruit, but also enhances the power in your blood."

"After seeing your performance in the Pokémon League Tournament, I couldn't help but feel sorry for what you went through."

"If I'd arrived a few days earlier, maybe you could've made it to the semifinals instead of that green-haired swordsman."

But hearing Reiju's words only made Sanji more furious. 

"Are you kidding me!?"

"Do you really think that annoying guy could be defeated with just a broken Canister?"

"It seems we haven't seen each other in so long that even your mind has been poisoned by the Vinsmoke name."

Despite his rivalry with Zoro, Sanji respected his strength. The notion that a mere Canister could overpower Zoro made his blood boil.

"There's no way I'd ever accept something like this!" Sanji shouted, turning his back on her and heading toward the kitchen. "I left the Vinsmoke family behind. I'll never be part of it again!"

But as he walked away, Reiju's voice cut through the air.

"Wait a moment, Sanji."

"Aren't you at least curious about the power contained within this Canister?"

Sanji didn't turn around. He waved dismissively.

"I don't care what kind of power it is. I'll achieve everything I want on my own!" 

"I will never accept anything from the Vinsmoke family!"

"Oh? Is that so?"

Reiju crossed her legs and tapped her lip, giving him a pouty, regretful look.

"Well, that's unfortunate."

"I guess I'll just have to take this invisible black battle suit back to the North Blue with me."

"What a shame…"

"..."

"..."

Suddenly, Sanji stopped dead in his tracks. The atmosphere grew tense and awkward.

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