Chapter Text
“We're going to become the enemy of the world again after this, aren't we?!”
“Usopp, less crying, more escaping!”
They had done it. Thanks to a Coup de Burst, they were at last out of the range of the Frontier Dome and upon the open sea. They had successfully secured Vegapunk and protected Bonney-chan, Stussey-chan, Lilith-chan, and that other satellite Edison. Sadly, they had lost Atlas-chan, Sentomaru, and the Seraphim.
But the danger wasn't yet over.
Nami-san gave their orders. Half the crew assisted with sailing, the other half contended with Marine ships to clear the way.
They were so preoccupied with the threat outside they hadn't noticed the one within their midst until it was upon them.
“Charlotte Katakuri.” A deep, calm voice broke through the din of cannon fire and frenzied panic, alarmingly close at hand.
“Wh-Wh-Wh-What?!” cried Usopp, reeling back while throwing out defensive arms in every direction, gaze desperately searching out the invader.
The jangling spurs on his boots preceded his movements. Sanji knew the place he would appear before he stepped out of the shadow of one of the trees on deck. He stood a colossus. Charlotte Katakuri, the strongest of the Sweet Generals of the Big Mom Pirates.
Rather than threatening, Katakuri maintained a composed air, the eye of their storm. “That one-eyed swordsman over there was going to yell 'Who's there?!'. I'm answering.”
Luffy swung down using the main mast to land on the lawn in front of him, facing off. “Are you here for a rematch?!”
“No,” he said simply, “I won't interfere in your escape. That would be inconvenient for me.”
Luffy lowered his arms, frowning in confusion. “Then why are you—“
“An attack is coming at 11 o'clock. I suggest blocking if you don't want to be seriously impeded.”
!! Sanji found himself closest, so he sprung into action. Midair and in advance of the ship, he deflected an oddly elliptical cannonball, as he had all the regular-looking cannonballs before it.
It was not like the others. Within seconds of his kick, it exploded. Sanji prayed his durability would hold out—
A wall of white was before him, shielding him. It part-disintegrated, part-melted in the blast but had served its purpose all the same.
Was that... mochi?
His eyes followed the trail back to the ship, and he was amazed to see the source was the Sweet General himself. This was the same man who tried to assassinate him, right?
Sanji returned to the lower deck. “Uh, thanks. You saved my hide there.”
Katakuri gave a nearly imperceptible nod, saying nothing.
“Why are you helping us?” Chopper asked, in his heavy point form.
“I'm not planning to stick around for long,” came the cryptic response, “I just want information.”
“Information?” Robin-chan echoed, “On what?”
“My younger sister... Some of you know her, it's Pudding. She's been kidnapped by the Blackbeard Pirates.”
“What?!” Sanji exclaimed, at once concerned, “Kidnapped?!”
Katakuri's look darkened. “The scoundrels took their opportunity while Mama and so much of our forces were away from Totto Land. I believe Pudding was targeted because of her lineage. Their aim is most likely to decipher the ponelglyphs, even though it might not be possible for her to achieve the true awakening of her third eye.”
Sanji could hear the unspoken hypotheticals loud and clear. He didn't want to think of what those self-interested bastards would do to force an awakening, not to mention making her their prisoner and slave. If their attempts failed...
“I came this far trailing their ship,” Katakuri went on, “I thought they were headed for Hachinosu, which is their base of operations, but oddly enough they came here instead. I lost them in all the havoc surrounding this place.”
“So to avoid exposing yourself to the Marines, you came to us, hoping we knew something?” Franky surmised.
“You can say as much.”
“All we've seen are the Marines and the employees who work here,” Luffy revealed, frank as always, “No other pirates. There was no time.”
Katakuri had faced around to walk off even before Luffy had finished. Was that and before the advanced version of his Observation haki Sanji had heard about on Whole Cake Island? Already, he found the ability irksome.
“Where are you going?” Chopper chased after him a bit
Katakuri paused in place. “If you know nothing, then I have no further business with you.”
“Well my business isn't done,” Sanji stated loudly. He made sure to exert full confidence when the Sweet General looked his way. “Take me with me you.”
There was a clamor of noise all around from his crew, surprise, protest. But he was resolved.
Katakuri furrowed his brow. “Why would I do that?”
“You may be strong, but you're up against an Emperor's crew alone. Sorry, but I don't feel at ease leaving Pudding-chan's rescue to you.”
“....Is this a ploy of revenge?”
Sanji was offended. “Of course not. I want to rescue Pudding-chan no matter what.”
Katakuri turned to face him fully. “...I don't understand. We plotted your family's extermination.”
“I'm not doing this for you; I doing this for Pudding-chan.”
“But she also...” Katakuri sighed. “Forget it. I work alone.”
So he said but he didn't move from that spot. He probably already knew...
That Sanji would challenge him: “What's more important to you? Your sister or your pride?”
“Can that even be a question?” Katakuri regarded him in silence, and with that mountain of scarf, it was impossible to read his expression. “...If I recall correctly from our intel, the third-born son was adept at camouflage and infiltration. Desirable qualities for recovering a hostage without endangering her.”
Sanji smirked around his cigarette. “If that's your way of proposing an agreement, then I accept.”
“Oi!” That interrupting yell was from the Marimo, at the rear side of the ship. He sounded angry. “Are any of you serious about protecting this ship?!”
Several of the crew ran off to help him defend against the most stubborn of their pursuers. Lilith-chan and Edison were there as well, using one gadget after the next. Nami-san and Jinbe had never left their post as navigator and helmsman. Bonney-chan, poor dear, was watching over Stussey-chan in the infirmary.
Only Luffy, Robin-chan, and Vegapunk remained with him. “I'm going too,” Luffy declared.
Sanji was genuinely surprised. “Why? Shouldn't you be keeping your promise to protect Vegapunk?”
“I did,” said Luffy.
“We're not in the clear yet.”
“Nami and the others will get everyone to Elbaf as planned. It's not them I'm worried about. After the rescue, you and I will rejoin them there.”
Not them he's worried about...? Then he's worried about me?
“I don't understand,” Katakuri repeated, “I was under the impression you all knew about Pudding's true nature.”
“I'm not doing this for Pudding.” Luffy crossed his arms. “I'm doing this for Sanji.”
Did he just...? Nevermind. “Luffy, a rescue mission is better with a small team,” he pointed out, “And non-flashy movements.”
Luffy frowned grumpily. “This again? I know, that's why it'll just be the three of us.”
“Are you worried we'll run into Blackbeard?”
“Yeah, but that's not the only reason. It's because you're leaving us for her again.”
Sanji felt like a fish caught in a net suddenly dangling over the water he needed to breathe with. “I... I'm coming back!”
“That's what you said last time.” Scratch that. He was already on the cutting board, waiting to be gutted.
Sanji hung his head. He knew he had no right to protest any further.
“Fine,” said Katakuri, “We're leaving now. I won't be delayed any longer.”
Wha... he had been far more accepting of Luffy! Sure, so Sanji hadn't been quite at their level on Whole Cake, but he was still worth more than being brushed off!
Luffy bounded over to their former adversary's side, completely at ease. Luffy too...?
Just what went down between them during their battle?
Sanji shook his head to clear his thoughts. This was not the time to be distracted. Pudding-chan needed them. He made to join—
“Wait, Sanji-kun.” Sanji looked back, surprised to be stopped by Dr. Vegapunk. He wore a serious expression. “Don't overdo it. You still need surgery when you get back.”
That was a promise he couldn't afford not to keep. He removed his cigarette. “I'm not planning a full-blown war. We'll be at Elbaf before you know it.”
At those words, unplanned by him, he was yanked back by Luffy— “O-Oi!”— and before he knew it, his surroundings had entirely changed.
Sanji gawked, dropping his cigarette. Was he even in the same world? No, the same universe? Nothing he saw made a lick of sense. Convoluted checkered walls that didn't begin or end. Floating staircases. Mirrors as numerous as the stars.
“Do you understand the situation, Brûlée?”
“Yes, I heard everything through the hand mirror.” A woman's voice, bringing him to the present. Sanji thought he recognized her from the long roster of Charlotte siblings, but he couldn't quite recall. “I don't like it. Not one bit.”
“Oh, Branch!” Luffy cheerfully greeted.
The lady grew understandably irritated. “At least learn my name!”
“We're leaving.” It seemed Katakuri didn't have the patience for their antics.
“Wait, wait, wait,” Sanji called out, “Someone explain to me what's going on. What is this place?”
The siblings ignored his plea, instead starting down one of the many meandering corridors.
“It's the mirror world, remember?” Luffy gave a way-too-brief explanation before dashing off after them.
The mirror world...? It came to him. The magical communications-passage system and talking mirrors his crew had used to their advantage. He had never used it himself. From back then?
Sanji did his best to straggle after them. It wasn't long before their group stopped. Brother and sister turned to face a particular mirror, though it looked just as random and unremarkable as the rest. Paying closer attention... instead of a reflection of themselves, he saw the wooden quarters of an unknown ship. Was it not a mirror but a painting? The lady called Brûlée placed her hand on it, and to Sanji's shock, Katakuri stepped through the glass as though it wasn't there. Luffy quickly joined him. They were in the painting now. No, the portal...?
“Hurry it up!” He was barked at.
Smiling apologetically to her, Sanji copied the others and found the motion not all that dissimilar to stepping through a doorway. Only the slightest resistance, easily ignored. More familiar was the back-and-forth lull of the sea vessel that now encapsulated them.
There was a painful smack and pitiful cry from behind. Sanji turned around just in time to catch Brûlée-chan so she wouldn't face-plant into the plank flooring. It seemed her foot had caught on the dwarf-sized neighboring bunk bed, and she had tripped. Now that he was paying attention, it did seem an odd choice to place a full-length mirror, small and crowded as this room was. Maybe it had been set up haphazardly simply for this purpose.
The lady bashfully pulled away from his hold. “Th-Thanks.”
He smiled at her. “Can't have you getting hurt on my watch.” Satisfied she was okay, he faced around to proceed on his way and found Katakuri— who was hunched under the low roof— staring at him. It could have been a glare for all Sanji knew; his half-concealed expression was forever a mystery. A beat. Then, he silently turned around and headed for the companionway leading to the main deck.
What was that about?
They all followed. As soon as Sanji stepped outside, he did a double-take. They weren't just on any ol' ship, this was a Marine battleship!
“This is camouflage,” Katakuri explained before Sanji could even formulate a question, “ Brûlée's ability as well.”
Brûlée-chan blushed and fidgeted, seeming to take the statement as a compliment. Sanji had to admit, from the little he's seen so far, her devil fruit ability was very versatile.
That's when he noticed the bustling crew keeping the ship on course. Chess Soldiers from the Totto Land Grand Fleet. Those bunks must have been meant for them.
“Is this all of you?” Sanji asked.
“Yes. It may not be enough, but it'll have to do.” Katakuri walked off to speak with the soldier with the blue tunic and yellow cape denoting authority. Shortly, he returned to them. “Since we have no leads, we'll launch an attack on Hachinosu. Someone there ought to have answers for us. Any objections?”
“Nope,” said Luffy, clearly not even considering. Well, it's not like they had much choice.
“Do you have any information on the ones who kidnapped Pudding-chan?” he asked instead.
“We have good reason to believe one of them disguised themselves as Mash, our younger sister, even getting past Cracker without him realizing, probably was able to lure out Pudding as well. Blackbeard has a member on his crew who's capable. I heard she can become perfect clones of people.” Crap, a woman! “There was likely at least one more of them. What ability they used to get past so many guards and officers remains unknown.”
A crew of deceit and underhanded tactics. Not to mention, their captain was the one who... Sanji looked to Luffy, more worried than before.
But Luffy hadn't yet shown any signs of fury. “If they transform into someone I know, I'll see through them immediately.”
“You're the last one who would!” Sanji snapped back at the same time Brûlée-chan did. Luffy stared at them both, seemingly shocked by their outburst.
The current trajectory of their ship was a genius maneuver. All while they talked, it had been chasing after the Thousand Sunny at mid-distance, blending in with the Marine pursuit. It gravitated towards the edge of the pack when the Marine ships started straggling behind, and pulled away completely while all eyes were distracted by a second Coup de Burst. Sanji was relieved, at least, to see the end of his crew fully getting away. And hey, Usopp's long-held dream was about to come true. He wished he could be there to see his expression when it happened.
But at least he could see Luffy's, who was no less excited.
They sailed quietly for the next hour or so, the Straw Hats on one side of the ship and Katakuri on the other. Brûlée-chan had retired below deck. Maybe retired to the Mirror World and went back home, wild thought as that may be, only assisting instead of joining them in their quest. Not that Sanji blamed her in any way. In fact, it was likely for the best.
He was too worried about Pudding-chan to think straight or make small talk. He must have burned through more cigarettes than he thought because Luffy suddenly grabbed the hand reaching to pull another from the pack. Sanji swallowed guiltily. It was his fault Luffy was even tagging along, despite having little interest in the rescue mission.
It's not like he was going this time to get married. He just wanted Pudding-chan safe, that's all.
“Target sighted ahead!” came the shrill voice of the crow nest's lookout.
That had his attention. Luffy ran straight for the prow of the ship, and he and Katakuri were quick to follow.
Black sails. A three-headed skull for a jolly roger. Gun decks hollowed out of giant logs. He wasn't at all familiar with the Blackbeard Pirate ships, yet he was sure this was one of them.
“Good. Looks like we overtook them on their return trip,” he remarked.
“Even better: we'll run up against them before they get anywhere near their base,” said Katakuri.
At their current speed, they were steadily catching up. Any moment now, they expected to be shot at.
But no cannonballs ever came. Their prey did nothing to maintain distance or retaliate. It was, well, strange.
Luffy seized the rail of the ship as soon as it was in reach and brought them closer. It turned out the logs made excellent gangplanks to board.
Seeing no one on deck, Sanji kicked their anchor overboard, then darted for the left corner of the wheelhouse— a blind spot of any opening doors. While Luffy and Katakuri drew the enemy's attention, he planned to sneak in to look for Pudding-chan.
Sure enough, Luffy immediately made his presence known: “WHERE ARE YOU, PUDDING?!”
Silence met his response.
No... it was faint, but there were rushing footsteps. The wheelhouse door burst open. Sanji couldn't be seen but neither could he see the perpetrator.
“Strawhat-ya, why are you here?!”
It couldn't be...
Forgetting his hiding spot, Sanji quickly made his way over to his captain so he could see. It was. Trafalgar Law stood before them, heavily bandaged.
“Tra-guy?” Luffy mirrored the other captain's astonishment “Why are you on this ship?”
Law shook his head as if to clear his stupefaction. “It's... a long story. I've restrained the crewmembers inside.”
So someone had taken over this ship before them, and Tra-guy at that?
“Is there a young woman among them?” Katakuri was quick to question, “She would be their prisoner, likely tied up.”
Law appeared to notice the giant for the first time and visibly recoiled in shock. “You brought a Big Mom Sweet General with you?!”
“You have that backwards. Now answer the question,” Katakuri pressed.
Law regarded him for many moments before replying: “No. There's only two Titanic Captains and three deckhands.”
“How can that be...” Katakuri wondered aloud, “Was there another ship we missed?
“If you're looking for someone, you're free to question them. I won't stop you. I have their hearts; they can't escape.”
“I'll do that.” Straightaway, Katakuri entered through the still-open door. The Straw Hats, however, were less willing to brush the Heart Pirates captain aside, overly curious by his presence.
Law looked over his shoulder at Katakuri's receding figure before looking back to them. “Does he not know I defeated his mother?”
“We didn't tell him,” said Sanji, having no plans to do so.
“Let's keep it like that while we can.” Law threw an exasperated look Luffy's way. “You got that, Strawhat-ya? Absolutely no mentioning Big Mom.”
“Don't even think about her,” Sanji added.
Luffy pouted. “Why are you tag-teaming me...”
“Because we know you.”
With that flimsy agreement, Sanji headed inside, not wanting to miss any information concerning Pudding-chan's potential whereabouts.
He found Katakuri standing before a woman and man tied to the ship's helm. Unlike Luffy, this was Sanji's first time meeting members of this crew. They were ostentatiously dressed— especially when compared to the pirates he was used to seeing on the harsh open sea. The lady's expression was flippant and cruel, the man's held madness in his smile.
“Ara, so many handsome faces,” the lady remarked in greeting, giving a toothy grin while leering at them. Unexpectedly, her gaze settled on him. “This one's cute. Would you like to join my collection, boy?”
Sanji shivered. Not another collection...
“Not a chance!” Luffy angrily stomped out in front of him.
The lady only laughed at his reaction. “Probably for the best. I prefer my trophies to be female, but who knows, one day I might consider an exception.” She gave a meaningful wink that normally would have Sanji melting in place... if it had come from any other woman. From her, he only saw pain and death.
“Bold of you to assume you'll get out of here alive,” Law threatened, holding out his captured hearts for good measure.
“Of course. You need us for something, that's why we lasted this long.”
There was muttering; belatedly Sanji realized it was from Luffy: “...ryone here is trying to take Sanji away from us...”
Naturally, he was overheard. Law swung on him. “Don't lump me in with the rest! That was all in your head!”
“Liar.”
“Like I said before, I hate Germa—“
The conversation was ridiculous from the start, but that set Sanji off. “Stop confusing me with a fictional character!”
“Fighting amongst yourselves already?” The unnamed man in the top hat spoke for the first time, painted lips thinning wider. “This is what happens when pirates from three separate crews join hands. You will bark at each other until you're blue in the face and unwittingly allow your prey to slip away.”
“I don't speak for idiots.” Katakuri drew ominously closer to the prisoners, completely towering over them. “But if you don't give me answers on where the woman you abducted is, I'll soon have you begging to tell me.”
(“Now look,” Law grumbled, “I was called an idiot because of you.”)
(Luffy stuck a finger up his nose. “Don't blame it on me.”)
“Ah, now I understand why you're together.,” said Top Hat man, looking to each of them in turn, “You're the groom from that wedding, aren't you? You're looking for your wifey, he's looking for his sister, and he's looking for his crew.“
“Not a wifey,” Luffy cut in. Sanji internally groaned. Why was he being like this now of all times?
“...Is this moron acting like a possessive brat really an Emperor now?” Top Hat man muttered to his companion, loud and clear.
“Emperor?” Katakuri repeated.
Law rushed to intervene: “The Five Emperors is old news. Don't change the subject; you're not weaseling out of this.”
The lady chuckled. “Too bad for you, your sister is no longer here. It's a shame because I would have loved to have added her to my collection too. But the Commodore has other plans for her.”
“Then where is she?” Katakuri demanded.
“Where else? With the Commodore. Our sniper whisked her away.”
“Where would I find them?”
“Who knows? Your mummy friend there nursing his bruised ego would have a better idea.”
Law scowled. Katakuri met his eye, but he only returned an unreadable expression. “We'll talk outside.”
You're not going to interrogate us on what we were doing at Egghead?” Top Hat man asked tauntingly, goading them.
“I couldn't care less.”
“What he said.”
“Agreed.”
They left, then, having no more words for the two unsavory figures, and returned to the open deck.
“Let me start off by saying I don't know exactly where Blackbeard is, but I do have a good estimation.”
Katakuri crossed his arms. “And you want something for this information?”
Law pushed down his hat, partially obscuring his eyes. “Let me think. I had a plan, but your presence here changes things...”
Of course he was in the middle of another one of his schemes.
“How do I know your information is reliable? Actually, this whole situation is suspicious.”
“You think I'm in cahoots with these crummy sea rats?”
“You've been together with them for some time before I arrived. I trailed this ship from Totto Land to Egghead to here, and now coincidentally, you're hunting them too? Where is your ship?”
Those were good points. Sanji had to remind himself that this man was their rival again. A cunning one at that.
“Tra-guy wouldn't do that,” Luffy said, convinced, “Not with these guys.”
“Then explain,” Katakuri pressed, dropping the suspicion easily enough. So easy that Sanji was convinced this had been a charade to get more answers and quickly.
Law stared at him, probably seeing through it too. He sighed. “Fine. My crew had a run-in with one of his ships. He was there. So were several of his so-called Titanic Captains.”
“You lost,” Katakuri presumed, “hence the bandages.”
Law glared. “It was an ambush. They were lying in wait, knowing three crews were headed for Lodestar but would be unable to reach it. We were stopped by the incessant tornadic waterspouts that spawn from that thunderous land, just like the many ships before us. They met us at the storm front and pincered us. I did not see your sister, but if she was there at that point, she was probably holed up in their ship.”
“If you came from Lodestar, then that battle of yours was days ago. There is a chance with their teleporter, but it is slim.”
“But if my captives are to be believed, she's with them now.”
“But they're no longer near Lodestar.”
“No...” Here, Law hesitated. “I'm ashamed to say this, but I was saved by my crew. That's why I'm here and they're not. My—“
Before he could finish, Luffy was suddenly in his face, seizing him by his shirt. “What do you think a captain is?!”
“Luffy, stop,” Sanji intervened, “If we were in their position, we would have done the same thing.”
Luffy looked his way, then sullenly let go. Law inclined his head, shadowing his eyes. “It's fine. I'm just as angry at myself. Actually, he's resting, but Bepo, my mink navigator, is here with me. He's worn bare from swimming while bearing me on his back for over 48 hours. It was difficult to get away from their pursuit. Our stratagem was to make them believe we were returning to Wano to seek help when in actuality we changed our direction toward Hachinosu. I was concerned about my crew, so I wanted leverage to negotiate their safety. That's why I overtook this ship returning to their hideout and claimed hostages. Blackbeard's ship should be near the border of Wano now on their way to turning back, if they haven't already.”
“Why Wano?” asked Katakuri, “That's Kaido's territory.”
“Not anymore,” said Luffy, before anyone could stop him.
Not good...
“I see. That explains a lot.” Katakuri must have sensed the tension in the air, for he continued: “What? Is this why you three became so guarded when you entered the wheelhouse? No, that wouldn't be the only reason. Mama was also defeated wasn't she? Don't answer that; I already know what you will say. I suspected as much when I saw the Straw Hat ship safe and sound and its crew all accounted for.”
“Big Mom may be dead,” said Law, revealing everything.
“Mama never dies.”
They didn't dare argue with that.
“In any event,” Sanji spoke up, wanting to smooth things over, “former enemies, current rivals, or not, we all have the same enemy and goal here. We're all trying to recover someone.”
“So it seems. Are you insisting on teaming up as well?” Katakuri questioned Law.
“It would be a lie to say that wouldn't be favorable for me,” came Law's careful reply, “I have my doubts about whether my hostage tactic would be as effective as it was for Doflamingo. Bringing these two with me could serve as a liability as well. They might be counting on it, even.”
Sanji lit up a new cigarette. “Then we launch an attack?”
“No. Strawhat-ya and Commander-ya will pretend to, creating a diversion. I will move the two of us inside the ship to search for the captives.”
“Makes sense. I'm down.”
“Me too,” said Luffy.
“....Agreed.” Huh? The Sweet Commander was fine with leaving Pudding-chan to him? Not that there would be an issue. He was determined to free her at any cost.
It was decided. With no more business here and a great sense of urgency, Sanji followed Katakuri and Luffy to reboard the former's ship. Law retreated below deck, no doubt to find his polar bear.
He never resurfaced. Instead, captain and mink materialized instantaneously before them, swapping out with a candy lantern.
“Oi,” Katakuri noised.
Law straightened. “I'll compensate you later.”
“I don't care about the lamp. This isn't a passenger ship.”
Sanji snorted. “Forget it. This guy has been in the habit of riding passenger on other people's ships for a while.”
“It's not a habit—!“
“—I was referring to you two too!”
The outbursts from Law and Katakuri were simultaneous. Jeez, it was just a joke.
Law coughed into his fist. “In any case, you need me to locate Blackbeard. I think this is a fair trade-off.”
“And when we get close,” Sanji added, “I can Sky Walk to pinpoint their location from the air.”
Katakuri looked to him. “You can fly?”
“Sky Walk,” he emphasized.
“It's impressive. Out of all of us eighty-five siblings, only the decuplets mastered it.”
“Oh.” He was put off by the unexpected praise, abashed. “Thanks.”
“I was impressed first!” Luffy exclaimed, weirdly making a competition out of it. Sanji patted him on the head to appease him.
“That's one thing I don't get,” said Law, observing them, “Your crews were enemies only recently. Now you're cooperating together, not for personal gain, but to save your sister— the woman who you were forced to marry, which led to this guy leaving in the middle of our alliance to rescue you from. You tried to assassinate each other.”
Katakuri shrugged. “I didn't ask them to come along.”
“Right. I don't really want to know anyway.” Law turned, seeming to be heading back for the other ship, surprisingly. Poor Bepo hadn't moved from his spot on the deck, passed out.
“You're going to kindly return your prized hearts?” Sanji half-joked, curious.
Law paused. “Well, yes. After I do something first.” He held out his hand. “Room.” The signature blue dome encompassed both ships. He drew out his sword and pointed it before him, supporting it with both hands in a thrust. “Injection Shock!”
When the blade connected with the giant log, a blast shot forth, decimating it. The lost of support on that side, plus the aftershock, caused the ship to careen precariously to the side.
Only then did Law haphazardly cast the imprisoned organs on the opposite deck. He faced them again, smirking. “I heard all of Blackbeard's crew are anchors. Sink their ship, and they're a goner. “
Sanji spurted forward. “Wait, at least spare the lady—“
He was stopped by a rubbery arm coiling around his head, blinding him from seeing and simultaneously pulling him back.
They took off in the wake of groaning wood and turbulent water.