Chapter 248

When they heard Robin confirm Sanji's identity, the Straw Hat Pirates were left in complete shock.

Sanji, the flirtatious cook who spent his days wooing every woman in sight, claiming he was their prince charming, had been hiding a secret far greater than any of them could have imagined. They had always thought his romantic overtures were just part of his comedic charm.

After all this time, it turned out they were the ones playing the fool.

"Sanji-kun, your family must be very rich, right?" Chopper asked, hugging Sanji's leg with a wide, innocent smile.

Brook, ever the gentleman, spun on his heel and bowed deeply. "Yohohoho~~~, respected Prince Sanji, I would be honored to serve as your most loyal guard!"

Usopp quickly followed suit, bowing before Sanji. "I'm sorry for all the loud things I said before! Please don't take it personally!"

Sanji's face was a mask of bitterness.

He wasn't someone who secretly reveled in the idea of being a hidden prince. Quite the opposite—he despised the name "Vinsmoke" and everything it stood for. His connection to his family was something he had long since left behind.

"What do you mean?" Sanji said coldly, glaring at Tamago and Pekoms. "I have nothing to do with that name anymore!"

"Boy, you can lie all you want," Tamago said with a smirk. "But your eyebrows don't lie. Here, take a look at these."

Tamago reached into his egg-shaped pants and pulled out a set of photographs, waving them in front of the crew.

Before Tamago could react, Luffy's arm stretched out and snatched the photos from his hand. The entire crew crowded around him as Luffy held the photos up for everyone to see.

"Shishishishi!!! This is Sanji when he was a kid! So funny!!!" Luffy laughed, pointing at the picture of a young Sanji with his familiar curly eyebrows.

"Hey, hey, hey! The other kids in the picture have the same curly eyebrows as Sanji!" Usopp exclaimed. "They really are his brothers!"

"Yeah, it's clear now," Nami said, shaking her head in disbelief. "Sanji really is part of the Vinsmoke family."

"Eyebrows don't lie~~~ Shishishi!" Luffy added, still laughing.

While the crew found amusement in the photos, Logan remained silent. He knew the truth behind Sanji's past. For the rest of them, this was just some amusing family secret. But for Sanji, this was a painful history he had long since buried.

Logan walked over to Sanji, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "No matter how painful the past is, it's over now."

Sanji dug his nails into his palms, his face twisted with anger and sorrow. He hated his family—hated them for the way they treated him, hated them for letting his mother die, hated them for trying to drag him back into their twisted world.

And now, his crewmates, his friends, knew about the one part of his life he had desperately tried to leave behind.

"Sanji," Logan said softly, "a real warrior is someone who can face the pain of the past without flinching. The people who loved you, the ones who are gone now, wouldn't want to see you crushed by this."

Logan's words struck a chord within Sanji.

In that moment, images of his mother flashed through his mind—her gentle smile, the way she always praised his cooking, even though it was terrible back then. She had been his one source of love and comfort, and she was gone because of them.

"Sanji," Logan continued, "You hate your family this much, And you managed to escape them. Think about the person who helped you. Would she want you to give up?"

Sanji's heart stirred. Memories of his sister, Reiju, resurfaced. She had been the one to help him escape, the one who made sure he could live a life free of their father's control.

Her last words to him still echoed in his mind: "The sea is vast. One day, you'll find people who are kind and gentle. You'll meet people who really care about you."

I already have, Sanji thought, his mind clearing. I've already met them.

Logan's words echoed once more in his mind. "Don't forget, Sanji. You're strong now. And with your friends by your side, you're not powerless. You can say no to this."

Sanji nodded to himself, his heart growing steadier. He had experienced the Battle of Marineford. They had gone up against admirals and survived. They weren't the same crew they once were, and he wasn't that helpless kid anymore. The Four Emperors were strong, yes—but he wasn't about to cower in fear.

He would stand his ground.

With newfound resolve, Sanji relaxed his clenched fists. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it with a flick of his lighter. After a deep inhale, he exhaled a cloud of smoke, staring Tamago and Pekoms down.

"Go back and tell them that I have no relationship with that family anymore," Sanji said calmly, his eyes narrowing. "And I won't be part of some ridiculous arranged marriage."

Tamago and Pekoms exchanged looks before Tamago let out a teasing laugh.

"Boy, I think you misunderstand the situation," Tamago said, his mustache twitching slightly. "This marriage was arranged between your father, Vinsmoke Judge, and our captain, Big Mom. You think you can refuse an order from Mama?"

Sanji raised an eyebrow, not backing down. "Is that supposed to scare me?"

Tamago smirked, but his expression darkened. "In this sea, no one defies Big Mom and lives to tell the tale."

Sanji took a slow drag from his cigarette, his voice calm and cool. "Well, I'll be the first."

Tamago and Pekoms' expressions changed instantly. The threat of defying Big Mom wasn't something to be taken lightly. As fighters of the Big Mom Pirates, it was their duty to ensure that no one disrespected her in their presence.

"What an arrogant brat," Pekoms growled, his temper flaring.

"Haha, rookies in the New World never know their place," Tamago chuckled, clearly amused by the situation. "Go ahead, Pekoms. Let's teach them what it means to face the New World."

"You want to fight?" Luffy grinned, rolling up his sleeves, ready for action.

"Someone wants to die?" Zoro said, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Kuina's spirit began to glow faintly on Zoro's shoulder, as if preparing for a fight of her own.

"We're the only ones who can mess with our friends," Robin said coldly, crossing her arms as the power of her Flower-Flower Fruit manifested.

But before anyone could make a move, Logan raised his hand, stopping them. "Hold on."

The crew turned to Logan in confusion.

Tamago chuckled again. "At least one of you knows how to recognize the gravity of the situation."

Logan smiled slightly. "Don't get me wrong. I just don't want us to waste time on two minions."

Tamago's smug expression vanished in an instant, replaced by a flash of rage. Logan's words had cut deeper than any blade.

"Pekoms!!" Tamago shouted, his patience snapping.

Pekoms growled and charged at Sanji, his fist coated in Armament Haki, aiming straight for Sanji's head. "You rookies need to learn your place!"

Sanji raised his leg to block, his expression calm as Pekoms' Haki-coated fist collided with his foot.

One second passed.

Then two.

Three.

There was no sound of breaking bones. No scream of pain.

Pekoms' face twisted in confusion as he turned to see Sanji still standing firm, his leg unmoved, blocking the blow with ease.

Sanji took a drag of his cigarette, exhaling slowly. "The power of the New World? Is that all?"

Without another word, Sanji retracted his leg and kicked out, fast as lightning.

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