Pirates: Usurping a Kingdom Is Surprisingly Easy

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Sanji was covered in cold sweat. "If Kael and the Germa Kingdom are enemies, Kael couldn't possibly know my identity."

"Even you don't know my identity, so how could Kael, this new Emperor of the East Blue, know?" "It must be someone from Germa who found my whereabouts, and then Kael, through some method, stole my information from them."

"In short, Kael absolutely couldn't have gotten my information without going through Germa. There's no other possibility." Sanji's absolute tone made Zeff's eyes fill with solemnity.

That meant if Kael knew about Sanji, the Germa Evil Army must also know Sanji's whereabouts.

"Sanji, since the Frauce Kingdom hired the Germa Evil Army, who are Kael's enemies, why didn't he make a move on you?" Zeff's mind was also in turmoil. How did they get caught in a war between the Goa Empire and the Germa Kingdom?

"He seemed to ask me if I wanted to continue running or pledge allegiance to a powerful nation..." Sanji's eyes lit up. Was Kael warning him?

Now, besides being obediently captured and returned for an arranged marriage, his only option was to pledge allegiance to a powerful nation strong enough to contend with the Germa Kingdom. As for running away, it seemed a bit difficult, unless they all went out to sea as pirates, embarking on a dangerous path pursued by Germa and the Marines.

"Pledge allegiance to a powerful nation?" "Heh, isn't that just recruiting us?" Zeff gave a bitter smile. How did they get back to the original problem?

However, would Kael start a war with the powerful Germa Kingdom for a few cooks like them?

"He's recruiting us?" Sanji's eyes widened. Kael knew the Vinsmoke Family wanted to bring him back for an arranged marriage, yet he still wanted to recruit him. Why was that?

Sanji, only a few months older than Zoro, was just 17 this year and not yet as calm and wise as he would be in the future.

"If we can't run, then it seems we can only go to the Goa Empire to do business." Zeff lit his pipe. He didn't know if Kael was recruiting Sanji to spite the Germa Kingdom, or if he genuinely liked their food and invited them repeatedly.

He didn't believe Kael was offering protection to Sanji out of kindness.

"Old man..." Sanji looked at Zeff, conflicted, feeling like he was truly burdening this old man who was like a father to him.

"Haha, stop acting like a girl. Go out and have a good chat with Emperor Kael." Zeff slapped Sanji on the head and laughed carelessly. "It's just changing places to do business, it's not like we're going to die!"

Zeff led Sanji out, not forgetting to scold Patty and Carne, who were watching the show.

In the dining hall, "Emperor Kael, let's be frank. If we go to the Goa Empire to do business, can you provide us protection?"

Zeff really wanted to know Kael's purpose in doing this. He knew it couldn't be that simple.

"Speaking of which, does anyone among you want to travel the world and find the legendary All Blue? I hear it has all the ingredients in the world." Kael didn't immediately answer Zeff's question; instead, he asked the two of them.

Indeed, upon hearing the name All Blue, both Zeff and Sanji's eyes lit up. Sanji did have a dream, which was to find All Blue and become the world's greatest chef.

"Cough, does Your Majesty intend to travel the world to find the legendary All Blue?" Zeff looked at Kael with a hint of disbelief. Logically, going out to sea to pursue dreams was exclusive to pirates. Would Kael, this Emperor, abandon his entire country to adventure around the world?

"I am indeed preparing to send envoys to the nations of the Four Seas. Are you interested in accompanying the ship as chefs?" Kael satisfactorily ate a piece of tender elephant nose fish, a look of enjoyment on his face. The fish was truly delicious; even the imperial chefs of the Goa Empire couldn't make this taste.

"Travel the world with the ship? Search for All Blue?" Not only did Sanji's eyes flash, but even Patty and Carne, who came out to serve dishes, cried out. Even Zeff was incredibly tempted.

Back then, he formed a Chef Pirate Crew and went to sea to find All Blue, but he only ventured into the Grand Line for a year before retreating to the East Blue. As for the reason, it was probably due to a lack of strength. A Chef Pirate Crew simply wasn't strong enough to go to the New World.

Even sailing in the Grand Line Paradise was incredibly perilous, resulting in heavy losses. To retreat bravely in the face of difficulty was Zeff's choice. However, after that desperate survival on a deserted island with Sanji, he understood the true meaning of food and being a chef—that was to provide food to those who had none, and never to waste food.

Zeff glanced at Sanji. He was old now; he wanted to pass on the dream of finding All Blue to this young fellow.

"Sanji! You go with His Majesty on his envoy mission to the Four Seas. Baratie no longer needs you!" Thinking of the Vinsmoke Family's threat to Sanji, Zeff decisively drove this guy away. He was using Kael's power to protect Sanji, and at the same time, letting Sanji pursue their shared dream of finding All Blue.

He couldn't just let Sanji go out to sea alone as a pirate, escaping Germa's pursuit. Or should the Baratie restaurant form another Chef Pirate Crew and go to sea again?

"You're driving me away?" Sanji looked at Zeff in disbelief, but he quickly understood Zeff's meaning. However, he didn't want to leave Zeff, this 'father' and 'master' who had shown him such profound kindness.

"Yes, I'm driving you away. You're nothing but trouble, don't be an eyesore here." Zeff waved his hand, shooing Sanji away like a fly. "If Kael kicks you off the ship, you can always come back to Baratie as a kitchen hand."

Zeff saw Sanji's gaze and added impatiently.

"Old man..." "I won't be kicked off the ship! I'll definitely find All Blue and become the greatest chef!" Sanji felt Zeff's reluctance, but like Zeff, he was soft-hearted but sharp-tongued, so he retorted directly.

Kael and Nami watched Sanji and Zeff's argument with great interest. Amidst their bickering and arguments, the meal slowly came to an end.

Meanwhile, the Frauce Kingdom army and the Germa 66 mercenaries, allied with the Sasuba Kingdom's local fleet, were majestically heading towards the waters of the Baratie Floating Restaurant.

Van Augur, having finished his meal, had already returned to the top of the Exile Emperor's main mast, observing the surroundings. As several fleets appeared, Van Augur immediately warned Kael and the others.

"They're finally here!" Kael looked at Sanji, who was packing his bags, wondering which of Sanji's brothers from the Germa 66 Kingdom had arrived this time.