Chapter 264

"I see…!"

Vinsmoke Judge, the old and calculating man, had quickly assessed the situation. His eyes narrowed as he realized what was happening with Reiju. Without hesitation, he took control of the moment.

"Electromagnetic Hand!!————"

A sudden surge of electromagnetic energy burst from Judge's hand, drawing Reiju towards him. His grip was unrelenting, and the pulse rendered her technological enhancements useless. Judge had been prepared for this eventuality—he had built failsafe measures into his children's suits, ensuring they could never fully oppose him.

"Ah~~!" Reiju gasped, struggling in vain. Her body was powerless under the influence of the electromagnetic field, and she could feel her strength waning. Judge's plan had worked perfectly, disabling her abilities.

Sanji's furious shout echoed throughout the hall. "Stop! What are you doing!?"

Judge laughed maniacally. "Hahaha! I knew you cared too much about your sister, Sanji. You see? Emotions make you weak! They make you a failure as a warrior!" His voice dripped with contempt as he taunted his son.

Sanji gritted his teeth. "What do you want!?"

Judge's expression darkened. "Although you're flawed, Sanji, your potential is remarkable—likely the strongest of all my children. my genetic enhancements at work. If you return to me and undergo a minor operation, I'll spare Reiju. In fact, I'll make her stronger by replacing her with mechanical parts."

Sanji's eyes blazed with fury. "Damn it! Don't push me!"

Judge's voice grew colder. "I'm not forcing you, Sanji. But if you refuse, I'll cut off her arm right now, and replace it with something better."

Without hesitation, Judge raised a blade engulfed in flames, preparing to strike at Reiju.

"NO!" Sanji's scream filled the room. He was ready to rush forward, to stop his father from harming his sister, but he was too slow. The blade came down—but not on Reiju.

Boom!

A loud crash reverberated through the Whole Cake Chateau. Judge was sent flying like a ragdoll, crashing through wall after wall, his flaming sword flung from his hand. Reiju, moments from collapse, was caught by a strong arm.

She blinked in shock, her eyes landing on the man who had saved her: Logan, the vice-captain of the Straw Hat Pirates.

"Hello, Sanji's sister," Logan said with a charming grin as he helped her stand. "Thank you for helping Sanji escape that hellhole. We're lucky to have him."

Reiju, though shaken, gave a small smile. "You're… quite humorous," she murmured, though the awkwardness in her voice betrayed her surprise. Logan's words had caught her off guard, and she wasn't sure how to respond.

Logan's eyes softened as he turned to Sanji. "You've got a great crew now, Reiju. Sanji's not alone anymore."

Sanji, watching the scene, was overcome with emotion. "Sister…" His voice trembled, and the simple word struck a chord in Reiju's heart.

In the Vinsmoke family, being called "sister" held a weight it didn't in other families. It was a luxury, a bond that was denied to her in the cold, mechanical world she had grown up in. Hearing it now, from Sanji, made her chest tighten with emotions she had long since buried.

Logan's voice interrupted the moment. "Sanji, your sister just defied your father. If she stays in Germa 66, Judge will force her into surgery, remove her emotions, and turn her into a heartless machine."

Sanji clenched his fists. He knew exactly what Logan meant. "Sister! Come with us! Join the Straw Hat Pirates and leave Germa 66 behind."

Luffy, ever enthusiastic, raised his arms in excitement. "Yeah! That'd be awesome!!"

"I have no objections," Logan added, backing Sanji up. The crew's decision was clear: they would welcome Reiju into their family without hesitation.

Reiju looked at the faces of the Straw Hat Pirates—so full of life, emotion, and genuine care for one another. She smiled, but it was tinged with sadness. "No, I can't leave Germa 66.."

Sanji's frustration boiled over. "But if you stay, Judge will turn you into a zombie! He'll take away everything that makes you human!"

Reiju was caught in her conflicting emotions. Could she abandon the kingdom, knowing what would happen if she left? But at the same time, could she face the reality of losing her emotions, her humanity?

Logan, however, wasn't having any more of the debate. "Enough of this! Sanji has made it clear, and as the vice-captain, I agree. You're coming with us."

Without waiting for her consent, Logan scooped Reiju up into his arms. Reiju's face flushed with surprise, but she didn't resist. It was as if a weight had been lifted from her heart. For the first time, she felt… free.

Logan glanced at the crew. "Alright, let's retreat!"

"Right!!" The Straw Hat Pirates responded in unison, their voices filled with resolve.

As they rushed out of the Whole Cake Chateau, Reiju cast one last glance back at the world she was leaving behind. Germa 66, her father, her cold, emotionless brothers…