"Reiju?"
"Sanji, you know her? She's super strong!" Luffy and the others were shocked when they heard the name.
"She's my sister... Princess of the Germa Kingdom in the North Blue. Vinsmoke Reiju."
Sanji was just as stunned, staring at Reiju in disbelief. He clearly hadn't expected to run into her here.
"What?!" The rest of the Straw Hats gaped, their mouths wide open as they looked back and forth between Sanji and Reiju.
They hadn't expected someone this powerful — and the one who had kidnapped Nami — to be Sanji's sister.
And if Reiju was a princess... then that meant Sanji was a prince?
Usopp and Chopper exchanged looks, their eyes lighting up like stars. To think their usual banter partner turned out to be royalty — their admiration skyrocketed.
Sanji ignored their shocked stares and immediately stepped up to Reiju, demanding, "Why did you kidnap Nami? And what are you doing here? Weren't you in the North Blue?"
Reiju crossed her legs elegantly and smiled sweetly as she sat in a chair by the palace gate.
"I came here with your brother-in-law."
"He took a liking to the two little girls in your crew and decided to take them. That's all there is to it."
"You guys should head back now, or you'll be the ones crying later."
Brother-in-law?
He kidnapped Nami and Robin because he liked them… and you helped him?
Sanji froze, completely overwhelmed by the information. He had no idea when he suddenly gained a brother-in-law, let alone that his sister would assist him in kidnapping women.
This bastard brother-in-law...
Was just way too...
Enviable.
Sanji grit his teeth in frustration. Meanwhile, Conis, Zoro, Usopp, and Chopper were equally stunned.
Helping your husband kidnap other women? That was a new level of crazy.
"Wait a second! You're not one of the god's maids! Who are you?" Conis finally voiced the question that had been bugging her.
"You mean that so-called god, Enel?" Reiju gave her a side glance and smiled. "He's already dead. I killed him myself yesterday."
What?
The infamous, untouchable "God" Enel... dead?
And this woman in front of them killed him?
The oppressive shadow that had loomed over the Skypieans for so long — gone?
Conis was overwhelmed by the mix of shock and joy. Half of that suffocating weight had suddenly lifted.
"Give Nami and Robin back!" Luffy shouted angrily, placing his straw hat firmly on his head.
He didn't care who Reiju was to Sanji. If they didn't hand over Nami and Robin, he was ready to knock everyone into the sky.
Reiju chuckled softly and clapped her hands.
From behind her, Anna stepped forward, expression cold and wielding her spiked club.
Then came a second woman, her face full of hesitation — Makino.
Luffy's jaw dropped.
"Makino? What are you doing here? Weren't you in Windmill Village?"
He was floored. Makino had practically raised him, Ace, and Sabo. She had always been kind and warm to them.
With a bright smile, Luffy asked hopefully, "You became a pirate too? That's awesome!"
Makino frowned slightly.
After seeing the true face of piracy, her childhood admiration for pirates had long vanished.
After a pause, she spoke gently. "Luffy, go back. Stop being a pirate."
Luffy's smile disappeared. He stared at her as though he didn't recognize her anymore.
After a moment of silence, he lowered his hat and replied:
"Makino, thank you for everything you've done for me."
"But I'm sorry. We're enemies now."
Anyone who tried to block his path to becoming Pirate King — he would not hesitate to take down.
"I'm sorry, Luffy." Makino stepped over to stand beside Reiju, her stance firm.
If Luffy and his crew barged in and disrupted Sora's business, they'd face Sora's wrath — and that wasn't something anyone could save them from.
Better to sever old ties now than risk their lives later.
"Enough stalling. You two, come out. It's time we faced this," Reiju said playfully, clapping her hands again.
Kaya and Vivi walked out slowly, both with complex expressions as they faced the Straw Hats.
They had only just learned that Luffy and the others had arrived on Skypiea — and were totally unprepared to meet them like this.
Usopp's eyes bulged when he saw Kaya.
"Kaya?! What are you doing here?"
He was dumbfounded. He never thought he'd run into her here of all places.
With her frail health, she shouldn't be out at sea at all.
"Vivi?! You too?! But... you said you'd stay in Alabasta!" Chopper cried out in shock.
He still vividly remembered their tearful farewell.
And now, just days later, here she was — standing among their enemies.
"Vivi... are you in on Nami's kidnapping too?" Zoro's voice was heavy with suspicion.
"Was it that Sora guy? Did he force you into this?" he demanded when she didn't respond.
Luffy and Sanji both stared at Vivi in disbelief.
Just recently, she was their comrade. How had she ended up on the other side?
Vivi bit her lip.
She had just woken up and learned about what Reiju and Sora had done yesterday — including the fact that Sora had already acted on his desire for Nami.
That guy didn't mess around.
She had also just realized the full extent of the connections between Makino, Kaya, Nojiko, and the Straw Hats.
But now, she couldn't speak. She couldn't explain.
Reiju had made it clear — Sora had spared the Straw Hats yesterday only out of respect for them.
If they wanted to keep Luffy and the others alive, they had to cut all ties.
Otherwise, with Sora's hatred for pirates and terrifying strength, there would be no escape from this island.
As Vivi hesitated, Kaya took a breath and looked at Usopp.
"Usopp... I hate pirates. And I've found someone I love."
"Please. Just go home."