Chapter 247

On the blue sea, the Going Merry sailed leisurely beneath the rising sun, its sails billowing in the soft morning breeze.

"Wow!! The flying sturgeon here is so delicious!!!" Luffy exclaimed through a mouth full of skewered meat. He had already claimed ten skewers for himself, stuffing them down as fast as he could.

"Idiot! Those were for the girls!!" Sanji snarled, rushing over and delivering a swift kick to Luffy's head. His expression softened as he turned toward the ladies' table, flashing a charming smile. "I hope my cooking is to everyone's liking, ladies?"

"Mmm, it's delicious!" Zoro's voice came from behind him as the swordsman sauntered over, snatching another skewer. Kuina, perched on Zoro's shoulder, gave Sanji a thumbs up. "Your cooking is really good!"

Sanji's eyes twinkled as he took a bow, assuming the praise was meant for him alone.

Bang!

Zoro's foot connected with Sanji's back, sending him flying across the deck.

"Everyone, heads up! A pirate ship is approaching!!" Usopp's voice rang out from the watchtower, his tone urgent as he spotted something on the horizon.

The Straw Hat Pirates quickly gathered at the front of the deck, gazing out at the distant ship.

"That pirate flag... it looks familiar," Robin said, squinting at the insignia. Her face changed as recognition dawned on her. "It's the Big Mom Pirates!"

"Big Mom Pirates?!" Usopp shrieked, his eyes wide with terror. "You mean Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors?!"

Logan, standing nearby, nodded calmly. "Yeah, that old lady."

The others followed his gaze and saw the unmistakable skull logo, adorned with a flaming mouth and pink hair—undoubtedly the mark of Big Mom.

"But it's only one ship," Nami observed with concern. "They're not coming for us... are they?"

"If they are, I'll cut them down," Zoro said confidently, gripping the hilt of his Wado Ichimonji. His gaze was steady as he stared at the approaching ship.

Logan chuckled, putting the crew at ease. "Don't worry, they're not here for us. But everyone needs to understand something—while we don't look for trouble, we don't fear it either. The Straw Hat Pirates aren't afraid of the Four Emperors. So when you face one, hold your ground."

Though the Straw Hat Pirates had grown immensely in strength, they were still young and untested in some ways. Zoro's calm resolve was rare, and Logan's experience lent him a sense of ease. However, not everyone felt the same confidence.

The ship soon drew near, and two figures leapt from its deck, landing nimbly aboard the Going Merry.

Logan smirked as he recognized the newcomers. Standing before them were two familiar faces: a lion mink with a pink coat and sunglasses, and a tall man in a pink suit with half an egg for pants.

Pekoms and Tamago.

Zoro tensed, his hand resting on his sword as he stepped forward, ready to strike. "Who are you?"

Tamago chuckled, amused by Zoro's aggression. "What a hot-headed child."

Meanwhile, Pekoms ignored Zoro's hostility, his eyes landing on Chopper with surprise. "Are you... also a mink?"

"Mink?" Chopper blinked, confused. His head tilted, filled with questions.

Logan, standing next to him, smiled and explained. "Chopper's a Zoan Devil Fruit user, not a mink."

Pekoms let out a dismissive laugh. "So, not a mink after all." His face turned serious as he turned toward Sanji, tossing him a letter. "Here. Your wedding is in seven days. Pack your things and come with us to meet Big Mom."

"Sanji's wedding?!" The crew erupted in confusion.

"Sanji! You're getting married, and you didn't tell us?!" Luffy said, his voice filled with mock hurt. "Who's the bride?"

Everyone turned to Sanji, who stood frozen, staring at the invitation in disbelief. "What...?" he muttered. "A wedding? Me?!"

"There's no mistake," Pekoms continued. "You're Sanji of the Vinsmoke family, the third son of Vinsmoke Judge."

Logan nearly spat out his drink in surprise. "Seriously? The timeline's moved up this much?"

According to the original timeline, the Straw Hat Pirates were supposed to encounter Pekoms and Tamago two years later, at Fishman Island. But it had only been a month since the events at Marineford. Everything was happening much faster than he'd expected.

It made sense, though. In the original plot, Big Mom arranged the marriage to seize the technological power of Germa 66. Now, with Sanji's growing fame after the war, his identity must have been exposed earlier. The butterfly effect was in full swing.

Nami's face was puzzled. "Vinsmoke family? What's that?"

Usopp's eyes widened in fear. "Sounds powerful! Is it some big-shot family?"

Chopper bounced with excitement. "Sanji, are you a prince?!"

Robin, well-versed in the world's lore, stepped in to explain. "The Vinsmoke family rules the Germa 66, a notorious war kingdom in the North Blue. Their nation is built on massive ships, and they're known for their military prowess. Many smaller countries have fallen to their power."

She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "Since Sanji's last name is Vinsmoke, that means Vinsmoke Judge, the king of Germa 66, is his father."

The crew stood stunned, their jaws practically hitting the deck.

"Nani?!"

Luffy, Usopp and Chopper were so shocked that they exclaimed: "Nani!!? Sanji, you are a prince!!!"

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