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"Vinsmoke, is that the legendary family from the North Blue?"
At the same time, in the uppermost room of the Baratie, in Boss Zeff's bedroom.
Just after Red revealed Sanji's life experience...
Zeff, who had secretly returned, stood by the window, watching Sanji and the Straw Hats below with a complicated expression.
Especially when he saw Sanji's tears falling, his own eyes couldn't help but become moist.
"I didn't expect you to still be hiding such pain, you brat!"
Zeff murmured softly, a trace of regret flashing deep in his eyes.
He blamed himself not only for not truly understanding Sanji's past, but also felt guilty for not being able to help Sanji overcome the pain in his heart.
After so many years, the relationship between him and Sanji was no longer that of father and son, but something even better.
But it wasn't until today that Zeff discovered there was less and less he could teach Sanji.
...
...
On the second floor deck.
Sanji turned around suddenly and quickly wiped away the tears on his face.
Crying in front of a lovely lady like Nami and showing his weak side didn't align with the chivalrous spirit he had always upheld.
After composing himself, Sanji faced them and asked:
"You... how do you know all this!?"
"Didn't I tell you already?"
"I have eyes that can see the past and the future!"
Red stepped forward, handed over a tissue they had prepared in advance, pressed it into his hand, pointed at their eyes, and smiled confidently.
"I can clearly see your past!"
"Your future is also within my sight."
"Otherwise, why do you think we would suddenly come looking for you!?"
Red continued earnestly:
"Sanji, what I just said wasn't to comfort or manipulate you..."
"In the future I see, the terrifying power hidden within you will eventually awaken!"
"Your glory will become a peak that your father can never reach!"
Having said this, Red suddenly stepped forward and approached Sanji. Their eyes flashed with expectation and trust as they met Sanji's gaze.
"Sanji!"
"Your future is enough to prove to Judge Vinsmoke that his life's efforts have been a failure!"
"And your mother Sora was the greatest scientist in the world!!!"
"Because of her, we have someone as perfect as you!!!"
Snap! Red suddenly clapped their hand on Sanji's shoulder.
The sudden weight made Sanji shudder.
Becoming inexplicably nervous, he slowly reached into his pocket, took out another cigarette, placed it in his mouth and lit it.
After exhaling a breath toward the sea, he turned to look at Red and asked with a complex tone mixing hope and suspicion:
"Can you really see the future?"
"Of course, I'm talking about the future after you join us!"
Red smiled sincerely.
"Judge's ideas have always been wrong!"
"In this world, technology can indeed create endless power!"
"But he doesn't understand... the limitless thing is technology, not scientists!"
"Judge, who manipulates bloodline factors, may be a genius, but that's all he is!"
"People like him will never understand that true strength isn't just physical, but also comes from spirit and willpower!!!"
"Come on! Join us, Sanji!"
"The East Blue is too small, and the world is too vast!"
"If you want to become stronger and prove Sora's greatness to Judge, the Vinsmoke family, and even the world..."
"You need a bigger stage!"
The method to recruit Sanji was actually quite simple.
As long as the plot didn't change too much because of Red's interference, after seeing that Zoro would fight for his dream even if it meant sacrificing his life...
At that point, Sanji would definitely be inspired by his determination and yearn for a broader world.
But in Red's view, Sanji was...
Too gentle.
He was so gentle that he always thought about others first, always giving or sacrificing for others.
Just like what he said when he stopped Zoro from facing Kuma in Thriller Bark:
"What happens to your ambition if you die?"
But...
At that time, Sanji had never considered his own ambitions.
Even after entering the Grand Line, he rarely mentioned ALL·BLUE.
Having lost all ties since childhood, he had found new bonds.
So he worked hard to maintain these connections from beginning to end!
All his fighting was for Luffy, for his crewmates, and to fulfill everyone's dreams!
Gentleness wasn't a bad thing.
But to prevent those terrible events from happening again, Red needed to create the strongest Straw Hat crew in the shortest possible time!
A gentle Sanji wouldn't contribute to the competitive atmosphere Red had cultivated with great effort!
Competition wasn't about comparing with others! Instead, it was about surpassing yourself from the previous moment!
So here, Red wanted to instill ambition in Sanji before he joined the crew, so he could also become part of this driven family! If you don't push yourself, others will do it for you!!!
This was an ambition he couldn't resist! To prove to the world...
He was the most powerful fighter!
And his mother Sora was the greatest scientist in her field!!!
As for Judge Vinsmoke?
He was just worthless!!!
Clearly, Sanji had been swayed by Red's words.
Even if he suspected that Red didn't truly have the ability to see the future, the seed had been planted in his heart and had begun to take root.
"I think... I need to calm down and think carefully..."
After finishing his cigarette, Sanji neither refused nor accepted the Straw Hats' invitation.
But when he decided to think about it, the answer became obvious.
"That's fine, we'll stay here for a while until you make your decision!"
Red smiled slightly and didn't press further. They just patted Sanji's shoulder gently like a friend, then returned to the crew.
Secretly, they made an "OK" gesture to Luffy and the others, instantly receiving happy smiles from their companions.
With business concluded, Red didn't give Luffy any more chances to continue eating.
Although the Baratie's food was indeed delicious, it shouldn't delay their daily training.
After a while.
Red, Luffy, and Zoro returned to the Merry to continue their training.
Nami and Usopp took some money and went to the merchant ship near the Baratie to see if they could buy useful supplies.
After all, Usopp has to make Nami's weather staff.
He needed to see more new things to broaden his horizons.
Apart from having a big meal at the Baratie during dinner to replenish their energy from the day, they worked hard all afternoon preparing for the next adventure!
Meanwhile.
Sanji, who had returned to the kitchen, went back to his quarters to rest because he wasn't feeling well.
Zeff, who had seen everything, said nothing.
He was also waiting for Sanji to make his final decision.
But no matter what choice Sanji ultimately made, Zeff had only one option...
To let Sanji leave this place!
...
...
In the blink of an eye, three days passed slowly with Sanji's hesitation and the Straw Hats' waiting.
The night of the third day.
Darkness fell.
Twinkling stars dotted the night sky like a curtain, highlighting a bright full moon at the center.
As a white light shone, a red figure instantly descended into the Pokémon world.
Only this time, the one who came along was no longer the sweet Nami.
It was Roronoa Zoro with his short green hair!!!
"It's a feeling I haven't experienced in a long time~!"
Arriving in the Pokémon world again, Zoro instantly grinned and quickly looked around.
Through the bright windows, he could see the vast sky and sea outside.
They appeared to be on a huge ship.
In front of them stood an old man with a white beard wearing a sailor uniform.
A look of expectation instantly flashed across Zoro's eyes.
"So... is this the man you mentioned who can teach me the mysterious sword technique?"
"Yes."
Red smiled and nodded, looking forward to what would happen.
"Though I don't know if this technique will help your swordsmanship, having more skills is never a bad thing!"
"Among us, you're the most suitable person to learn this move!"
After speaking, Red stepped forward without hesitation and initiated a conversation with the captain of the S.S. Anne!
The S.S. Anne was a huge cruise ship located south of Vermilion City.
There were many trainers aboard, each with Pokémon around level 20!
During two days of game time, Red and Nami had done nothing but battle the trainers on the cruise ship.
As the levels of Pokémon encountered became higher, Nami's battles became more challenging.
It took them two days of gameplay to successfully navigate the cruise ship and reach the captain who could teach the secret technique "Cut." (T/N: It is named different in Lets go Pikachu/Eevee, but i prefer this)
The high-level opponents naturally brought substantial rewards to Nami.
Even with increased experience requirements at higher levels, she still managed to reach level 22 at a rate of at least one level per day!
With this strength, combined with her Pokémon's moves, Red felt that even if they were to challenge Lt. Surge now, they might not be at a disadvantage.
And today, Red had brought Zoro to the Pokémon world specifically to let him learn the secret technique "Cut."
As Zoro's training gradually intensified, he was just one step away from breaking through to the realm of being able to cut steel.
Red wanted to see...
Could learning this unique secret technique from the Pokémon world help Zoro further advance his swordsmanship?