[Dark King Rayleigh Defeated?]

[The Battle for the World’s Strongest Swordsman, Hawkeye and Sword God]

[Black Blade VS Black Blade]

[Rational Analysis: Is the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Ryuma Truly Possible?]

When the events of Kuja Island spread across the sea along with the news of the Marines’ retreat, the newspaper headlines were naturally predictable.

To be honest, if the source of the news wasn’t the World Economic Journal, and if it wasn’t accompanied by photos and interviews with the marines who witnessed the battle—

Probably no one in the whole world would believe that the ‘Dark King’ Rayleigh had been defeated.

But once this news was confirmed, people had to accept a fact.

That mysterious ‘Sword God’ who appeared out of nowhere had truly obtained a ticket to the strongest.

Being able to defeat so many powerful swordsmen and the ‘Dark King’ Rayleigh was enough to prove that he was no longer a rookie trying to challenge the ‘World’s Strongest Swordsman’, but someone who already stood at that level.

So, regarding the duel invitation the ‘Sword God’ had spread through the Marines, swordsmen and busybodies across the sea naturally paid the utmost attention to it.

And right now, many people were very curious about one thing—

Facing the Sword God’s challenge, would ‘Hawkeye’ Mihawk choose to accept?

After all, just as mentioned before, everyone knew that after losing his Warlord status, he was currently being hunted by the Marines led by an Admiral—under such circumstances, it was clearly very difficult for him to show up for the duel.

But…

“Ha? That guy will definitely go.”

Right now, inside a certain restaurant in Alabasta, the Straw Hat crew, dressed in clothes unique to Alabasta, was eating together.

And Zoro, looking at the newspaper in front of him, spoke with absolute certainty.

“Eh? But he’s being hunted by Admiral ‘Aokiji’. I heard Admirals are all monsters…”

“He will go.”

Zoro interrupted Usopp’s words.

In his eyes, a sharp light shone brilliantly.

“Teacher said that guy is the strongest swordsman of this era.”

“And as long as someone is a swordsman, they will definitely show up for the duel.”

Zoro said so, not even showing interest in the food and fine wine placed in front of him, just continuously flipping through the newspaper, trying to see all the details clearly.

“Instein Island… where is that place? Where is it?”

“It seems to be in the ‘New World’, a very distant sea area—according to the newspaper, there don’t seem to be any other islands nearby, only a neighboring sea area that seems to have an island called ‘Egghead’.”

“Apparently it’s the research institute of that world-renowned scientist, Dr. Vegapunk.”

Nami said so.

“The New World? I heard Dr. Kureha mention it… that really is a very far place.”

Chopper, who had just eaten a mouthful of vegetable salad, said this, looking somewhat yearning.

“Hm? What world? Who is that?”

Luffy, who was frantically inhaling food on the side, raised his head in confusion upon hearing this.

Hearing this, Usopp also looked over speechlessly: “It’s the New World—speaking of which, isn’t it too strange that a guy like you who claims to want to become the Pirate King doesn’t even know this kind of common sense!?”

“Ha? Chomp chomp… Why should I know that person’s name? I don’t know him. Is he the one not letting me become the Pirate King?”

Luffy’s eyes widened.

“It’s not a person’s name, it’s the second half of the Grand Line… never mind, you keep eating.”

“Oh.”

Amidst such a conversation, Zoro read the newspaper carefully and then made a decision: “Decided. We set off today, strive to reach the New World in twenty days… no, fifteen days!”

He said resolutely.

Luffy: “Mm, okay.”

“Okay my ass!”

As the conversation between the Straw Hat boy and the Pirate Hunter reached this point, Nami punched them both directly to the ground: “You couldn’t reach that distance even by flying, you two idiots!”

“Ha? As long as there’s enough perseverance, we can definitely reach it, right—that’s the battle for the World’s Strongest Swordsman… that is my ambition!”

Zoro was rarely this willful.

“What perseverance!? That would completely require a superpower—and didn’t the World Economic Journal say they would broadcast that battle live? Just watch the live broadcast!”

“As for ambition, you completely can’t beat them right now, can you?”

“Then I can at least go and observe! Maybe I can gain some insight into swordsmanship!”

“That’s why I said, isn’t watching the live broadcast the same thing?”

“Yohohoho…”

Amidst the usual noisy atmosphere, Brook sat in his seat with his hands crossed, his gaze wandering over the beauties nearby.

“What a cheerful atmosphere, what a pleasant environment… truly making my eyes busy… oh, although I don’t have eyes at all. Yohohoho!”

“Yeah.”

At this moment, Sanji also didn’t participate in his companions’ conversation, just silently lit a cigarette and looked at the beauties nearby with an appraising gaze.

“Clothes and jewelry characteristic of Alabasta, exotic charm… hoo… oh—look at that beautiful young lady. I’m 100% sure I’ve seen her somewhere.”

Exhaling a puff of smoke, his eyes had unconsciously turned into heart shapes.

“Oh, indeed… even wearing a cloak, you can tell her figure is very tall… uh…”

Brook also noticed the beauty who had just entered the restaurant, wearing a cloak but still unable to hide her figure and height.

Only, what surprised him was…

“Hey hey! Sanji-kun, we’ve been spotted—she’s looking over here!”

As Brook said this, he saw that the beauty seemed to glance their way.

Then…

Swoosh!

The next moment, she walked gracefully over to Sanji.

“Hey, little brother.”

She said in a low voice, her tone laced with gentleness and seduction.

That intoxicating fragrance was like poison, flowing straight into Sanji’s nostrils.

“Y-yes!”

At this moment, Sanji seemed to have activated the Drums of Liberation himself, his heartbeat pounding as loud as a roaring engine.

“Smoking is bad for your health~”

The beauty raised her hand, and from under the cloak, a hand clad in a pink dress sleeve crushed the cigarette in Sanji’s hand.

“Th-thank you for your concern!”

“May I ask your beautiful name, lovely lady?”

At this moment, Sanji felt his head spinning, seemingly having already fallen in love.

Only…

Speaking of which, although this fragrance smelled very nice, why was there an inexplicable familiarity stirring in his memory?

But before Sanji could recover, he found that the lady had already pulled him into a hug.

“Eh!?”

The entire Straw Hat crew’s eyes widened instantly, their jaws nearly dislocating.

But right now, Sanji clearly heard a gentle voice in his ear.

“Sanji, don’t you remember me?”

“Eh!?”

And at that moment, Sanji suddenly recognized the fragrance.

It was the scent of an anesthetic poison—one he had encountered more than once as a child!

“Rei-Rei-Rei…”

He instinctively wanted to speak, but found his tongue and body were no longer listening to him.

The next moment…

Bang!

A suddenly raised foot kicked Sanji in the stomach, and he flew backward from the impact, crashing onto the table.

“S-Sanji!?”

Seeing this, the rest of the Straw Hat crew exclaimed in alarm.

Nami, Chopper, and Usopp even stood up, looking vigilantly at the woman before them, preparing to attack.

But…

“D-don’t attack…”

They heard Sanji clutching his stomach and forcing out a sound: “Sh-she’s not an enemy…”

His face was somewhat red, like a child caught misbehaving by a parent.

Not an enemy?

The Straw Hat crew was slightly stunned.

But the next moment, they saw the woman slowly unfasten the cloak from her body.

“It seems you still remember me, Sanji.”

“But unfortunately… I don’t remember the little brother I finally managed to set free being such a smoking, drinking pervert!”

She said with a smile.

The Straw Hat crew: “…”

Little brother?

Amidst their confusion, they had already noticed her eyebrows—those curly eyebrows identical to Sanji’s were enough to prove her identity.

“Let me introduce myself. I am ‘Vinsmoke Reiju’.”

“Sanji’s older sister, here specifically… to join you.”

At this moment, Reiju’s smiling words fell.

And then—

“EHHH!?”

The Straw Hat crew’s exclamation echoed through the restaurant.

Not long after, the group—having been kicked out of the restaurant for being too noisy—looked at the elegant Reiju before them and began muttering amongst themselves.

“Reiju?”

“R-right, I remember it being mentioned back in Little Garden, from the Germa Kingdom…”

“That Saru of The Zodiac said she didn’t die—so she really was alive after all…”

The Straw Hat crew mumbled.

And right now, Sanji had also barely managed to extricate himself from the embarrassment of ‘flirting with his own sister’, looking at Reiju with a complicated gaze.

“Reiju… can you tell me what happened?”

He instinctively wanted to light another cigarette, but after glancing at his sister, ultimately didn’t dare take out the lighter.

“Just as you know…”

Reiju didn’t hide anything, briefly recounting her experiences—including Germa being destroyed by Toratora, and her subsequent cooperation with The Zodiac.

“They didn’t require me to undergo too many complex experiments. Apart from drawing a few tubes of blood from me at the beginning, there were no further experiments… I asked them, and it seems they made great progress in another aspect of their research.”

“Not long ago, they notified me that I could leave, and dropped me off in Alabasta on their way.”

Speaking of this, Reiju’s expression grew complex as well.

Clearly, she also hadn’t expected The Zodiac to release her so smoothly.

“As you can see, I came here hoping to join your pirate crew…”

As Reiju said this, Sanji frowned: “Hey, Reiju, being a pirate is no game—you finally escaped that hell, you should live a good life…”

“Mm, sure!”

“Hey! Luffy—why did you agree!?”

“Eh? But isn’t she your sister?”

“It’s exactly because she’s my sister that I can’t agree—with her around, how am I supposed to date other pretty ladies!? You idiot!”

But before he could finish, Luffy had already nodded and agreed to Reiju’s request, causing Sanji to fly into a rage.

However, Reiju, after hearing this, smiled and pursed her lips, likewise ignoring her younger brother: “Then please take care of me from now on, Mr. Captain.”

As the words fell, the Straw Hat Pirates gained another member.

But at this moment, Brook on the side looked at Reiju somewhat curiously: “By the way, Miss Reiju, could you show me your pan… ahem, no, I mean…”

He had clearly caught some keywords in Reiju’s words just now.

“You just said The Zodiac ‘dropped you off’ here on their way?”

He asked thoughtfully.

“Mm… you are Tatsu’s friend, Mr. Brook, right? I heard Toratora mention you.”

Reiju seemed to know of Brook’s past relationship with The Zodiac, so she didn’t hide anything: “It’s exactly as you guessed.”

“I see.”

Brook nodded.

He and Reiju clearly both understood the meaning behind each other’s words.

Although they didn’t know the reason—

A certain member of The Zodiac was clearly in Alabasta right now.

☆☆☆

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