Chapter 2

Sanji's POV

As consciousness slowly returned, I found myself back home in my bedroom, surrounded by Father, Pedro, and our family doctor. Father's concerned voice broke through the haze. "You alright, Sanji?" he asked, his worry palpable. I nodded, but a throbbing headache reminded me of my ordeal.

"You passed out. Did someone slip something into your drink?" Pedro inquired, his brows furrowed with concern. I shook my head, struggling to find the words. "It was Blackbeard," I managed to say.

Father's expression shifted to shock. "Blackbeard? Did he frighten you?" he asked, perplexed.

"No, Father. I've encountered him before. He was the one who assaulted me years ago, back when I was involved with those street gangs."

Father's eyes widened in horror, a mixture of disbelief and regret etched on his face. My childhood after the accident had been a nightmare—I was sent to an orphanage, where I faced constant abuse from both staff and other children. It was a brutal existence, surviving each day on the streets, until Father found me and took me in.

He pulled me into a tight embrace, his apology heavy with emotion. Tears welled in my eyes as I reassured him. "Don't worry about me, Father. Blackbeard will pay for his sins. But for now, I have to go to school."

"Are you sure, Sanji?" Father asked, his concern evident.

I nodded, forcing a grin. "Yes, Father. I need to keep up appearances and break my silence today."

"And speaking of which, Pedro mentioned your fondness for Mihawk's son."

"Oh, Zoro? Yeah, I think he's cool. We've been getting along well." Father nodded, his hand resting comfortingly on my shoulder. "Keep him by your side, son. You'll find him invaluable in due time." I couldn't help but smirk. Whatever plans my old man had up his sleeve, they better be worth it.

Zoro's POV:

Sanji's sudden collapse caught us all off guard. One moment we were chatting, the next he was unconscious. I wondered if those individuals who had made him uneasy had something to do with it.

"You alright, dude?" Luffy asked, breaking the silence as I sipped my soda. I flashed him a reassuring smile. "Yeah, I'm good."

Nami's curiosity piqued as she inquired about the party Zoro attended with his father. "It was okay, not really my scene," I replied.

"Did anything interesting happen?" Nami pressed.

"I saw Sanji there," I revealed, earning surprised looks from the group. Usopp couldn't resist speculating about Sanji's mysterious companion.

"Was his sugar daddy there?" Usopp blurted out before Nami silenced him with a glare.

"He was actually his dad's driver," I explained. "His father called him because he got injured, so Sanji had to attend in his place."

"Figures. He's dripping with wealth," Nami remarked, earning a chuckle from Robin.

The cafeteria fell silent as Sanji strolled in, a departure from his typical rockstar ensemble. Today, he sported a more laid-back look—a rock band tee, ripped black jeans, and trendy trainers, topped off with a stylish coat. Yet, his flair remained unmistakable. What caught me off guard was his direct approach to our table.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," Sanji says, settling into the seat beside me. His smile sends a flutter through my chest. Why does he have to be so incredibly attractive? His casual attire and newfound chattiness surprised us all, and Usopp couldn't contain his astonishment at Sanji's sudden speaking.

"Wait... you can talk?!" Usopp's exclamation fills the air. Sanji chuckles in response. "Of course, I can! I'm just more of an introvert. Dealing with crowds isn't really my style," he explains with a casual shrug.

"Hey, come on! We don't bite at this table!" Luffy's voice rings out. "He's right. Make yourself at home with us," Robin adds with a warm smile. Nami nods in agreement. "I can see now why Zoro has taken a liking to you," Brook teases playfully. My cheeks flush bright red at his words. "Oh, knock it off..." I mumble, embarrassed. The others burst into laughter.

"So, what's the verdict?" I asked, curious about his assessment.

"You're all great folks," Sanji replied with a chuckle, easing the tension.

After lunch, I pulled Sanji aside to check on him. "What happened back there, Curly? You gave us quite a scare," I said, concerned.

He sighed, his demeanor shifting to vulnerability. "Let's just say I saw someone from my past, and it brought back unpleasant memories."

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You'll be alright. No one's going to hurt you, okay?" His soft smile and kiss on my cheek filled me with warmth as he thanked me and headed off to class. Little did I know, our bond was about to deepen in unexpected ways.

As I step through the front door, I take a moment to stretch before entering. Our family holds the title of the wealthiest in town, although I suspect Sanji's family might surpass ours in wealth. It seems like nearly everyone in town has some connection to the Mafia or the dark underworld in one way or another.

My father, Mihawk, was once the Consigliere of the Cross Guild Mafia until his boss, Larry, was murdered during a botched operation. Following Larry's demise, my father assumed the role of the Don.

Becoming the Boss comes with its perks, such as access to unlimited wealth and luxury. However, it also comes with a price, which is why I initially resisted joining the Mafia. But with Sanji entering my life, I began to reconsider. Perhaps embracing a darker side isn't as daunting as it seems.

That's why I decided to accompany my father to that party. I wanted firsthand experience of everything. Although my decision puzzled my father, he accepted it nonetheless. My older sister, Perona, was thrilled at the prospect of having company. She may be sweet at times, but she's undeniably eccentric. Then again, so am I.

"Dad, are you home?" I call out as I enter the house. "I'm in the study," he responds. I make my way down the hall to find my father seated at his desk, engrossed in a magazine.

"Welcome home, kiddo," he greets me. I nod in acknowledgment. "I saw Sanji today."

"Really? I'm surprised he recovered so quickly after that nasty fall last night. But then again, considering his father's status, it's not entirely unexpected."

"His father?"

"Judge Vinsmoke."

My eyes widen in shock. That name carries weight—enough to strike fear into the hearts of many. "Whoa! Sanji's dad is the Judge?!" I exclaim, realizing the gravity of the revelation. "So, he's a Mafia Prince like me!"

Papa Hawk's smirk tells me there's more to it. "Not just any Prince. Sanji's deeply entrenched in their operations. He's playing your role, with a twist."

"What twist?" I ask eagerly.

"He's their top assassin and spy, reserved for handling the most significant threats within the Mafia world." It clicks—Sanji's silence at school was more than just introversion. It was protection from potential enemies who might target him if they knew his true identity.

"Remember your sword training, son? It's time to put it to use," my father says, his tone serious.

"So, I'm supposed to be an assassin too now?" I raise an eyebrow, processing the weight of his words.

He nods. "Exactly."

"Speaking of which, I have a feeling Sanji's gearing up for a mission. You'll be his backup. We need to confirm details with Judge."

A grin spreads across my face. This dangerous game just got even more thrilling. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sanji's POV

"Look, Father, these are the same men who worked with Blackbeard and wronged me years ago," I say, pointing to photos of influential political figures. Father's face twists in disgust. "Unbelievable!"

"Wait, these are the Gorosei!" Pedro exclaims. Carrot, our top agent, leans in, shocked. "Those old men?! They're the ones?! This is huge!"

"This mission will be dangerous, but we can't let them get away with it. It makes sense for Sanji to take them down after what they did to him," Father says. "We'll take them out one by one," I declare.

"As for Blackbeard and his crew, we'll deal with them too, in the most severe way possible," Pedro adds. "First, though, we'll focus on the Gorosei. Starting with Marcus Mars, the youngest-looking one with long white hair."

"Ha! He might be the easiest target," Father says with a smirk. "Well, I'd better get ready," I say, heading to my room to prepare. I switch into assassin mode, donning a practical skintight catsuit that showcases my toned physique and a black domino mask to conceal my eyes. Tonight, things are about to get messy.