One Piece: Nobody knows Devil Fruits better than me.

Chapter 264 I've seen this young lady before.
[Has Rayleigh, the Lord of the Underworld, been defeated?]

The battle for the world's greatest swordsman: Hawkeye vs. Sword God

[Black Knife VS Black Knife]

[A rational analysis: Is it truly possible for the Human-Human Fruit, specifically the Ryoma form, to exist?]

When news of what happened on Amazon Lily, along with the navy's retreat, spread throughout the seas, the news in the newspapers was naturally predictable.

To be honest, if the source of the news wasn't the World Economic News Agency, which also included photos and interviews with naval personnel who witnessed the battle...

I doubt anyone in the world would believe that 'Pluto' Rayleigh would be defeated.

But after this news was confirmed.

People are then forced to acknowledge a fact.

That is.
That mysterious 'Sword God' who suddenly appeared has indeed obtained the ticket to becoming the strongest.

The fact that he was able to defeat so many powerful swordsmen and 'Dark Lord' Rayleigh is enough to show that he is no longer a newcomer trying to challenge the 'world's greatest swordsman', but has already established himself at that level.

Therefore, the duel invitation that the 'Sword God' spread through the Navy was accepted.

Swordsmen and busybodies on the high seas naturally paid close attention to it.

And many people are very curious about something right now.

That is—whether 'Hawkeye' Mihawk will respond to the challenge from the God of Blades.

After all, as mentioned before, everyone knows that after losing his status as a Shichibukai, he is being hunted down by a Marine Admiral and his navy—under such circumstances, it would be difficult for him to keep his appointment.

But
"Huh? Of course that guy will go."

At this very moment, inside a restaurant in Alabasta.

A group of people wearing straw hats, a traditional Alabasta outfit, are having dinner at a restaurant.

Zoro, meanwhile, looked at the newspaper in front of him and uttered resolute words.

"Huh? But he's being chased by Admiral Aokiji! I've heard that Admirals are all monsters!"

"He will go."

Zoro interrupted Usopp.

His eyes shone with a sharp, piercing light.

"The teacher said that guy is the strongest swordsman of this era."

"And any swordsman will definitely keep the appointment."

As Zoro spoke, he lost interest in the food and wine laid out before him, focusing instead on flipping through the newspaper, trying to see every detail.

"Einstein Island. What 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 an island called 'Aigherd' in the adjacent sea area."

"It seems to be the research institute of Dr. Vegapunk, the world's greatest scientist."

Nami said this.

"The New World? I've heard Dr. Kureha mention it; it's definitely a very far place."

Chopper, who had just taken a bite of vegetable salad, said this with a hint of longing.

"Huh? What stubborn? Who is that?"

Luffy, who was showing off his food nearby, looked up with some confusion upon hearing this.

Usopp looked over speechlessly after hearing this: "It's the New World—seriously, it's really strange that someone who claims to be the Pirate King doesn't even know this basic common sense!?"

"Huh? Chew. Why would I need to know that person's name? I don't even know him. Is it because he won't let 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 can keep eating."

"Oh."

During this conversation, Zoro carefully read through the newspaper and then made a decision: "It's decided, we'll set off today and try to get to the New World in twenty days, no, fifteen days!"

He said decisively.

Luffy: "Okay, sure."

"What a fart!"

At this point in the conversation between Straw Hat Luffy and the Pirate Hunter, Nami knocked them both down with a single punch each: "You two idiots, you couldn't even fly that far!"

"Huh? As long as I have enough perseverance, I can definitely reach it—that's the battle against the world's greatest swordsman, that's my ambition!"

Zoro was unusually willful.

"What perseverance?! That's practically a superpower—and didn't the World Economic News say they'd be broadcasting the battle live? Just watch the live stream!"

"As for ambition, you're no match for them right now, are you?"

"You can go and observe; maybe you can learn something from it in your swordsmanship!"

"That's why I said, isn't watching it live the same thing?"

"Yohohoho."

Amidst the usual noisy atmosphere, Brooke sat with his arms crossed, his gaze sweeping over the beautiful women nearby.

"What a cheerful atmosphere, what a pleasant environment! It's dazzling! Even though I don't have eyes, yohohoho!"

"Yes."

At this moment, Sanji also did not participate in his companions' conversation. He simply lit a cigarette and looked at the beautiful women nearby with a critical eye.

"Alabasta-style clothing and jewelry, exotic style. Wow—look at that beautiful young lady, I feel like I've seen her somewhere before."

As he exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes had unconsciously transformed into heart shapes.

"Oh, indeed. Even wearing a cloak, you can tell she's quite tall."

Brooke also noticed the beautiful woman who had just entered the restaurant, wearing a cloak that still couldn't hide her figure and tall stature.

What surprised him, however, was...
"Hey! Sanji, we've been spotted! She's looking this way!"

As Brooke was saying this, he noticed that the beautiful woman seemed to be looking over.

then
"Shh!"

The next moment, the other person walked gracefully in front of Sanji.

"Hey, buddy."

She said it softly, her voice carrying a distinct gentleness and allure.

The intoxicating fragrance was like a poison, rushing straight into Sanji's nostrils.

"Yes Yes!"

At this moment, Sanji seemed to have started the drum of liberation, his heartbeat as loud as a roaring engine.

"Smoking is bad for your health~" The beauty raised her hand, and the hand wearing a pink dress under her cloak stubbed out the cigarette in Sanji's hand.

Thank you for your concern!

"May I ask your name, beautiful lady?"

At that moment, Sanji felt dizzy, as if he had already fallen in love.

only.
Although the fragrance smells wonderful, why does it feel strangely familiar from my memories?
But before Sanji could react, he found that the young lady had already hugged him tightly.

"Huh!?" *N
The Straw Hat crew members' eyes widened instantly, their jaws nearly dislocating.

But at that moment, Sanji clearly heard a gentle voice in his ear.

"Sanji, don't you remember me?"

"Eh!?"

At this moment, Sanji suddenly remembered this scent.

That was the smell of anesthetic poison; he had smelled it more than once when he was a child!
"Leilelei"

He instinctively tried to speak, but found that his tongue and body were no longer under his control.

next moment.
"boom!"

A sudden kick struck Sanji in the stomach, sending him flying backward and crashing onto the table.
"Yama Sanji!?"

Upon seeing this, the other members of the Straw Hat crew also exclaimed in surprise.

Nami, Chopper, and Usopp stood up, watching the woman in front of them warily, ready to launch an attack.

But
"Don't, don't do it!"

At that moment, they heard Sanji clutching his stomach and saying, "She...she's not the enemy."

His face was flushed, like a child caught doing something wrong by his parents.

Not an enemy?

The Straw Hat crew was slightly taken aback.

But the next moment, they saw the woman slowly lift her cloak.

"It seems you still remember me, Sanji."

"But unfortunately, I don't remember my brother, whom I finally managed to let go, being such a womanizer who smokes and drinks!"

She said this with a smile.

Straw Hat Crew: "."

younger brother?

While they were still wondering, they noticed her eyebrows—curled eyebrows just like Sanji's, which was enough to prove her identity.

"Let me introduce myself, I am 'Vinsmoke Reiju'."

"Sanji's sister came here specifically to join you."

At that moment, Reiju's smiling words fell.

then
"Hey hey hey hey!" *N
The Straw Hat crew's exclamations echoed throughout the restaurant.

So not long after.

The crowd, who had been kicked out of the restaurant for being too noisy, looked at the elegant Reiju in front of them and began to whisper among themselves.

"Reiju?"

"Oh right, I remember it was mentioned in the Little Garden, it was from the Germa Kingdom."

"That Monkey of the Twelve Zodiacs said she wasn't dead, and it turns out she was."

The Straw Hat crew muttered to themselves.

At this moment, Sanji also managed to extricate himself from the awkwardness of 'teasing his sister' and looked at Reiju with complicated eyes.

"Reiju, can you tell me what happened?"

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

"As you know."

Reiju didn't hide anything, but briefly recounted her past experiences—including Germa being destroyed by Inaraga, and her subsequent cooperation with the Zodiac.

"They didn't ask me to do too many complicated experiments. Apart from drawing a few vials of blood from me at the beginning, they didn't do any more experiments after that. I asked them, and it seems that they have made great progress in another type of experiment."

"They informed me not long ago that I could leave, and gave me a ride to Alabasta on their way."

At this point, Reiju's words were also complicated.

Clearly, she hadn't expected the twelve constellations to release her so easily.

"As you can see, I've come here to join your pirate crew."

Reiju's words caused Sanji to frown: "Hey, Reiju, being a pirate isn't child's play—you finally escaped that hell, you should be living a good life."

"Okay, sure!"

"Hey! Luffy—why did you agree to this guy's request?"

"Huh? But isn't she your sister?"

"That's precisely why I can't agree—how am I supposed to go on dates with other pretty girls with her around? You idiot!"

But before he could finish speaking, Luffy nodded in agreement to Reiju's request, which enraged Sanji.

However, Reiju, who was standing to the side, smiled and pursed her lips after hearing this, ignoring her younger brother as well: "Then please take care of me from now on, Captain."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Straw Hat Pirates gained another member.

However, at this moment, Brook looked at Reiju with some curiosity: "Speaking of which, Miss Reiju, can I see your underwear... cough cough, no, I mean..."

He had clearly caught some key words from Reiju's words.

"You just said that the twelve constellations 'happened along the way' to bring you here?"

he asked thoughtfully.

"Hmm, you must be Mr. Brooke, Chenlong's friend? I've heard Yinhu mention you before."

Reiju seemed to know about Brook's past relationship with the Zodiac, so she didn't hide anything at this moment: "Just as you guessed."

"I see."

Brooke nodded.

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

Although I don’t know the reason.

But one of the twelve constellations is currently in Alabasta.

(End of this chapter)