Chapter 263

The Whole Cake Chateau Hall was tense, the air thick with the weight of impending conflict. Big Mom remained unconscious, while the cadres of the Big Mom Pirates stood still, uncertain of what action to take. The guests, who had come to enjoy the banquet, found themselves amidst chaos, unsure of how to proceed. They remained silent, not wanting to risk their lives by intervening in the escalating battle.

Amidst the quiet tension, Vinsmoke Niji's voice broke the silence, filled with contempt.

"Father, I think we should teach that idiot Sanji a lesson."

Vinsmoke Judge, his expression unreadable, remained silent for a moment before giving a nod.

"Go."

Judge had seen the power of the Straw Hat Pirates, but he was curious to see Sanji's true strength, now that so much time had passed. After all, a battle between brothers didn't seem like something the others would interfere with.

Niji grinned with excitement, eager for the confrontation. "Hey, trash! Let me see just how much stronger you've gotten!" he taunted, stepping forward with arrogance.

Brook, ever the one to enjoy a show, stepped in front of Sanji with a flourish. "Yohohoho~~~ It seems there's some family discord here. Sanji, would you like me to teach this ignorant boy a lesson in your place?"

Sanji, calm and composed, shook his head with a slight smile. "No need, Brook. It's time they understood what it means to be a frog in a well."

He stepped forward to face Niji, his hands in his pockets, his demeanor cool and collected. "You were born with genetic enhancements, raised as a superhuman. And I... I was born ordinary, and you treated me like trash because of it. Technology may have given you strength, but in the vastness of this ocean, there are countless powers you have yet to comprehend. You have no idea how powerful I've become."

Sanji's words were steady, but the intensity in his eyes spoke volumes. As he spoke, his physical energy surged, and an invisible power, his chakra, began to flow around him, palpable to everyone present.

"Hah! Trash is still trash, no matter what kind of teammates you've got!" Niji scoffed, raising his hand as electric currents danced between his fingers. "Technology will show you how foolish you really are!"

With a sneer, Niji rushed at Sanji, his fist crackling with electricity aimed directly at Sanji's face.

But as Niji closed in, Sanji's aura shifted. A powerful energy erupted from within him as he activated the Eight Inner Gates technique.

Gate of View: Open!

In an instant, Sanji opened the sixth gate, releasing a torrent of energy. He wasn't underestimating Niji, but he also wasn't about to hold back. After all, Niji had tormented him throughout their childhood, and it was time to show him just how far he had surpassed his brothers.

Sanji grinned to himself—Niji wasn't worthy of seeing the seventh gate.

As Niji's fist neared Sanji, there was a sudden gust of wind. Niji's eyes widened in shock as Sanji's foot connected with his chin in a perfectly timed upward kick.

Tendon du Diable—the Devil's Tendon.

The force of the kick sent Niji rocketing into the air, his body a blur as it crashed through the ceiling. Before Niji could even react, Sanji's shadow appeared above him, having already moved to intercept his fall.

Crochet Aérien du Diable—the Devil's Aerial Hook.

Sanji's kick slammed into Niji with brutal force, sending him hurtling back to the ground even faster than before. The impact of his fall shook the entire chateau, leaving Niji's head embedded deep in the floor, his legs sticking out comically.

The entire hall fell silent, the guests and pirates alike in stunned disbelief.

Vinsmoke Yonji, the younger brother, burst into laughter, his voice loud and mocking. "No way! Niji got beaten by that idiot Sanji?"

Even Ichiji, normally composed, couldn't hide his disdain. "You're worse than trash, Niji."

Judge's expression twisted into fury. "Damn it! The war machine I spent years perfecting... ruined by him!"

Despite his words, none of the brothers seemed to care about Niji's actual injury. Their emotional conditioning had long since stripped them of any real concern for each other. They were more focused on their roles as tools of war.

Sanji landed softly, hands still in his pockets, his gaze piercing through Judge. "I haven't even used my full strength, and yet your so-called perfect weapon is already beaten."

Ichiji's eyes flashed with rage as he activated his own genetic enhancements. "Arrogant fool! You'll have to get through me first!"

In a blink, Ichiji was beside Sanji, his fist glowing with a bright, fiery energy. He threw a punch with all his might, aiming for Sanji's head.

But in less than a second, Ichiji was hurled backward, crashing into the wall, unconscious before he even hit the ground.

Yonji, seeing his brothers defeated so easily, rushed in next. His attack, fueled by the same reckless bravado, was just as ineffective. He, too, followed his brothers, crashing into the opposite wall.

Judge, now seething with anger, struggled to maintain his composure. His eyes flicked to Reiju, the only Vinsmoke sibling who hadn't attacked. "Reiju! Why haven't you done anything yet?"

Reiju's face darkened. Unlike her brothers, she had emotions, real human feelings. She cared for Sanji and had no desire to harm him. But Judge's expectations weighed heavily on her. To disobey him would bring consequences.

Realizing she was being watched, Reiju's heart raced. Should she attack her brother, the only family member she had ever cared for? Or should she defy Judge and face the repercussions?

Torn between her emotions and her role as a Vinsmoke, Reiju's face contorted with uncertainty.

Sanji, noticing her hesitation, took a step forward. "Reiju... you don't have to do this."

Judge's fury grew as he sensed her reluctance. "Reiju! Do your duty!"

Her body tensed, and Reiju found herself caught between her loyalty to the family that had raised her and the love she had for her younger brother—the only real family she had ever known.

Sanji stared at her, his expression softening. "You've always been better than them, Reiju. Don't let them control you."