Twisting Fates

Chapter 5: The Challenge

It has been some time since Zoro encountered the rest of the Strawhats and that he would have no choice but to work with them lest he run the risk of being demoted. The green haired vampire hunter is sitting down on a chair at the table inside the kitchen on the Thousand Sunny. The person who was cooking lunch at the moment is Nami who served each person's plate. The food that was on the dishes were some vegetables like lettuce, bread, some fish, and meat. Luffy really enjoys eating meat no matter what kind it is as he was the one to eat first while the others are following along. Nami's cooking is good but she is not really specialized in being a cook but she did learn how to do the basics from her adoptive mother Bellmere who was a former vampire hunter in the Marines until she stepped down. However, Nami's mother was killed back when Nami and her sister Nojiko were still children, Bellmere was killed by a vampire named Arlong.

Before meeting Luffy, Nami was a thief stealing enough money in berry currency to save up to release her island from Arlong and his henchmen's rule. She did not like other people getting close to her since she was having a hard time trusting people. Nojiko did not go into the profession of a vampire hunter unlike her sister because Nojiko thought that all this vampire hunting business was dangerous and was set against Nami becoming one since it was the reason their mother died. The two sisters had an argument about what was right and wrong and their relationship became estranged as a result.

Many years later Nami first met Luffy on a ship she was on and saw him talking with a pink haired boy named Coby who has the desire to become a marine to help protect innocent people from criminals. Luffy was interested in Nami's talents as a navigator so he convinced her to come with him to be on his crew. Over time, the two hunters first met Usopp on his home village who was an inventor of the group and had a girl he loves named Kaya who is sickly and couldn't go outside. Later the three of them found out Kaya's butler named Kuro wants to kill her but they stopped that from happening instead they had him arrested for attempted murder. When Nami left Usopp and Luffy, she went back to her home to give the money to Arlong hoping to free her island from his tyranny but was tricked. Luffy came to rescue Nami from her tormentor and he fought Arlong and then eventually freeing her and it was at this moment she was officially a part of the Strawhats.

Ever since that day, she is grateful she met Luffy who she saw as her saviour and friend. While everyone was eating Zoro was reminded of Sanji who is also a cook so this made Zoro mention him to the crew. "You know a few days ago I met a cook who was touring around Logue Town with his friends and he seemed interested in the restaurants here." This instantly caught Luffy's attention about a cook being here. So the captain demanded to know what this cook's name is and is he still here. "Wait a moment you met a cook on your way here? Please tell me what is his name maybe he could be interested in staying here?

Then Usopp who can clearly see where this is going. "Oh no Luffy we absolutely cannot ask someone to come here on the Sunny not to mention a stranger." However the captain is not having it as Luffy explained his reasons:"But Usopp have you ever felt that as a group we are missing one more person now like with Zoro now joining us it feels incomplete somehow and I can't help but trying to find that last person." Usopp can tell that his friend means well and that sometimes reality does not work that way where someone wishes to have what they want but then they have to earn it. "I understand how you are feeling Luffy about feeling something is missing in our group and I felt it too from the beginning like at the restaurant we first went to a restaurant called the Baratie it felt unusual like as if someone was supposed to join us from there but that person never revealed themselves."

Nami remembering the events at Baratie recalled the eerie feeling that goes with it. "I agree with Usopp here when Luffy, Ussop and I arrived at the restaurant we met the chief cook Zeff who started that business for a long time. Luffy got into trouble as in he had to stay to work there at that one time but then I helped Luffy out. There was a mercenary named Don Grieg that invaded the restaurant threatening to kill the cooks there if they do not give any food to his men. At first, no one moved until Zeff offered food to a man named Gin who was starving. Gin was thankful for the old man's kindness and pleaded with Don Grieg not to kill them."

Usopp also expressed what had happened at the time in his point of view. " I also remember Luffy defending Zeff from being killed by that Mercenary and then something bad happened where Don Grieg unleashed a poison in the air and Luffy was in danger of being poisoned while with Nami and I were told to go to safety not without reaching Luffy first. Gin did something unexpected he put on his only gas mask to Luffy saving him while Gin was poisoned in his place. Later the battle was over as one of the Warlords Mihawk came in an attempt to execute Do Grieg but Luffy convinced Mihawk to leave but Luffy was too injured to go against the strongest swordsmen."

Zoro realized that it was his uncle appeared near the restaurant and that it was lucky that Luffy was spared the way he was as Mihawk was ordered by the government to eliminate Don Grieg and his crew done to the last person but he chose to overlook the survivors. Ussop continued his story in events that Gin was dying at the time taking his boss and remaining crewmates to somewhere but he might be dead now. "It is thanks to Gin that we survived and he is probably long dead by now with the poison in his system and the idea of some vampire or devil fruit user stumbling upon him to save him is unlikely."

Luffy also revealed that Zeff mentioned in the past on how he once saved a child from drowning after a ship called the Orbit lost its balance. "Zeff also told us that in the past before starting Baratie he saved the life of a boy who was about to drown after being thrown off the ship called the Orbit and then the two of them were stuck on an island with little food left but they both survived the ordeal. However Zeff lost his right leg as a result during that time and the boy he did not look like he was dying of starvation but still looked healthy."

"From what happened after they were saved the boy went back to his family who were looking for him, especially his elder sister. We did not know what the boy's name is but Zeff did teach him some important things while he was with him until that boy returned to his family." Explained Nami who finished the story for her captain who was still eating the rest of his lunch.

Zoro was touched by this story of the old man Zeff rescuing a child from drowning which reminds Zoro of a time his sister Perona became a devil fruit user at the age of 12 when she ate the ghost fruit and something happened when she was pushed at a pool at their uncle's place and she was drowning. The green haired swordsman immediately dived down to save his sister from certain death and then Mihawk arrived sensing what is going on told their parents what occurred. Zoro's parents forbid Perona from going to the beach in fear she may die with her no longer being able to swim. That was in the past as Perona was killed alongside his parents and Zoro swore he would avenge his family that were killed by the vampire with silver eyes. When Zoro was still in deep thought, Usopp noticed that Zoro did not say the name of the cook who was visiting so he asked. "What is the name of the cook who is staying here for a bit" This snaps the green haired hunter out of his thoughts as he said:" His name is Sanji, he came here with two others, one of which is his best friend and the other one is an acquaintance, although I have never seen those two yet."

The straw hat leader made a decision that would impact his crew:" Well then maybe you could bring this Sanji to meet us someday and let him get used to the town." A few moments later the Straw Hats finished their lunch and then went into the meeting room to discuss their mission assigned to them. Nami being the second in command after Luffy was the one to discuss the details of the mission given to them by Smoker. "Listen up guys we have a mission involved about a mysterious kidnapping of children ranging 8-12 years old and it was suspected that a level c vampire kidnapped them, It was rumored the vampires base is somewhere in the northern part of this island at a place called the Restricted area. It is restricted because there are some wild animals living there that are endangered and no humans are allowed to go there."

"So it's our job to rescue these kids from the vampire?" Asked Franky who was writing down on paper about strategies on how to complete the mission. Nami answered that this was correct and to arrest the level c vampire named Melvin Jeirn since he was not a level e he could be handed over to the authorities to decide his fate. "The name of this vampire is Melvin Jeirn he was reported to have an unhealthy interest in children. From what we know about blood preferences of vampires they would prefer drinking children's blood over human adults blood and the vampires ranked them in a pyramid style." The orange haired girl then presented a drawing of a pyramid with a list of blood preferences vampires would want. "At the top of the pyramid here it was known that other levels of vampires desire a pureblood's blood most of all because of its special qualities and can extend other vampires lifespan if they drank it, second is the blood of a loved one because even vampires have people they have affection for that they love, third level is children's blood and last but not least adults blood."

Zoro hearing this lecture he already knows made him annoyed at the mention of vampires having loved ones like that is a load of rubbish maybe they have lust for a victim they are obsessed with. Aside from that the number one preference vampires would want is a pureblood vampire's blood like what was the point in going after a Pureblood's blood when the pureblood themselves rarely give out their blood to anyone as they were taught in their society to not lower themselves like that. It was doubtful to find one that is generous to give their blood. The green haired hunter was determined to complete this mission to save the children because Zoro was fond of children and they were innocent that did not deserve the trauma of being attacked by a vampire not like what happened to him back then.

"However we should only kill unless its necessary so refrain from the intent to kill and if any level e's appear then eliminate them only we are instructed to take in Melvin alive. As well as doing our best to rescue the children and to get them back to their families as we can since there were missing children posters posted around the town about these children." Said Nami who has just finished the debriefing of the mission and then said tomorrow night they would head out to the location. With this in mind, the meeting was done and the rest of the Strawhats are going to do some more training with their vampire hunter weapons.

The green haired vampire hunter was glad the meeting was done and they would start tomorrow to start their mission os the Straw Hats are getting ready to bring their weapons just in case to fight any vampires on the way. After leaving the Sunny, Zoro went to the fountain area to see if Sanji could be there only to see that he is there just watching the pigeons on the ground and feeding them some crumbs of bread he bought from a bakery. Sanji seeing that Zoro was here greeted him. "Hey there Marimo nice to see you here today."

Zoro was not exactly feeling the same but he replied:" Nice seeing you here to cook and where is your friends should they be awake at this time?" The blond haired man hesitated for a bit before answering:"Yeah my friend Duval is awake but he chose to stay at the inn doing some paperwork he will go out around noon. As for my other companion he can do whatever he wants and does not want to listen to my suggestions." The vampire hunter thought there was something odd about how Sanji's friend likes going out at night but it might just be his paranoia acting up thinking every night person is a vampire but it is not true and some people he knows has a night shift (Tashigi).

The blond haired cook Sanji then asked Zoro if this town has an aquarium somewhere to visit. Zoro confirmed that yes there was an aquarium just around the corner close to the execution site. So the two men went to the aquarium in Loguetown as it was big with containing different fish species from all of East Blue. Sanji looked close at the fish's swimming here and he really liked fish's. It was an awkward moment between them as they were not the only people there as children with their parents were there sightseeing as well. Zoro broke the silence as he asked Sanji what made him want to be a cook.

"So Sanji what made you want to be a cook of all professions why not anything like a writer or designer?" The other man beside him thought about why he wants to be a cook. Sanji then said:" Well it is because I am interested in how people cook and what styles they use. I have a dream that I want to accomplish someday besides being a good cook is that I want to find the All Blue." The green haired man beside Sanji was confused at this like apparently Sanji wants to find a place that may not even exist. "But All Blue is a myth it can't be real and from what I read in some books it is supposedly the place where all the sea life from East, South, North and West Blue meet together."

Sanji was a bit peeved someone dismissed the idea of All Blue and that Sanji has faith it is real and he wants to find it but then again he has all the time in the world to find it. There is also the problem of his family does not approve of this dream and want him to focus on his duties as one of the Germa 66's commanders in the military. Ichiji would outright dismiss this foolish dream of Sanji saying what a stupid brother he has for believing in a make-believe place.

"Excuse me if All Blue sounds like a myth but most people also believe vam…" Suddenly Sanji's mouth was covered by the green haired hunter as he glanced at the direction of the children who were happily walking together with their parents and exploring the place. This realized that Sanji almost spilled out that vampires are real when children are around. Most humans in the world do not believe vampires are real but are from folklore and them finding out would not be good. The swordsman lectured Sanji for his mistake :" Sanji what were you thinking? Almost spitting out that vampires are real in front of those children would be a dumb move to make we do not want to cause a panic and they do not know vampires exist."

Sanji realized his mistake apologize for almost spilling the beans. The other man calmed down as he said it was alright and that he should not do that again without thinking and Zoro also realized he was unfair to Sanji.

"To tell you the truth I am planning on being the greatest swordsman known in the world but that title is already taken by my uncle Mihawk and in order to have that title I would need to grow strong enough to defeat him." Said Zoro who was determined in his goal to become a strong swordsmen that would impress his uncle as well as Tashigi showing he is not a weak individual. Just by saying this, it stunned Sanji with what he learned as it turns out Zoro is related to one of the famous Warlords Mihawk who is a formidable hunter you do not want to get on his bad side. No wonder Judge has asked Ichiji and Sanji to kill the green haired swordsman in person because Roronoa Zoro is probably on the path to becoming a powerful hunter not to mention has learned armament and observation haki both techniques all living beings have potential in unlocking. Of course Sanji himself has already mastered observation haki being able to feel what people around him are thinking and it is a bonus to being already able to tell the future enhances his tuition of what will happen next in the present.

In order to avoid the hunter of being suspicious of him, Sanji went along with his act of being an ordinary human as he said:" That is really cool I hope someone challenges you to a dual Marimo and I hope you win." Roronoa Zoro was known to be someone that does not back down from challenges.

"Enough talking about me, what did your family react to you doing cooking surely they would want you to go for something they chose for you?" This made Sanji froze as he already knew that Reiju was the first one in his family to know about his cooking and at first she was disapproving of his secret activities but suggested he do it in secret and use his special powers from his modification invisibility to sneak past their brothers. However Ichiji found out for some reason and cornered Sanji at a wall inside the castle and took away the small cake he made for Carmen. This made Sanji tried to hit Ichiji only for his eldest brother's hardened skin to not leave a dent on him. All the Vinsmoke children including Sanji were each genetically modified by their father with additional power to add onto an exoskeleton that they developed. Strangely Sanji's exoskeleton only emerged after Yonji's and it was a process that took a bit to manifest after the training session on swordsmanship. Judge was satisfied with the results and was confident his children would make excellent commanders of Germa. Sanji did not like being commander but he had no choice in the matter so he made sure to cook secretly. Each of his siblings has a colour theme to them that match each of their hair colours. However in Sanji's case it was complicated as according to what the head doctor Matsuki said when he was a baby Sanji's hair was described as having streaks of black hair overlapping a portion of the blond hair.

He was the only one out of the Vinsmoke children with two colour themes that he was allowed to have; Stealth Black and Burning Yellow. The black raidsuit is the one suit Sanji prefers to use in his most important missions and was intended to be his permanent raid suit as the Burning Yellow suit was temporarily as long as the blond hair he has left is still there and then when Sanji's hair turns completely black he would take on Stealth Black permanently. On some occasions when Sanji sees his black hair returning he dies it over with blond to make him look normal during his stealth missions infiltrating the human populous looking for his target which is usually bad people such as a mob boss and kill them quickly while leaving little trace.

Just as Sanji was thinking about things in his past he was snapped out of it when Zoro asked if something is wrong. Sanji declined saying nothing was wrong and then proceeded to tell his target that he was in the military once but then decided to leave telling a small lie.

"My father wanted me to go into the military to fight as a soldier for my nation and I did exactly that although I did not like what I had to do. I am no longer in the military." This interested Zoro as it seems Sanji is a fighter after all and that him being a cook is just something to hide that fact. He has a feeling that he will get along with the cook the more they spend time talking.

They were interrupted by a child telling her parents about a bird is at a window. "Look mama there is a bird sitting by the window watching." The parents of the girl told her to leave it alone as it would fly away. The only one that was not dismissive is Sanji as his eyes widened as he recognized the bird. The raven is Ichiji's familiar a creature that acts as the eyes of the Pureblood that it was created from. All Pureblood vampires have familiars of their own something regular vampires did not have except for a few aristocrats. Sanji's siblings have familiars of their own representing them like Reiju's familiar is that of a butterfly, Niji has a hawk, Yonji's familiar is a chameleon and lastly Sanji's own familiar is that of of a black cat with red eyes. Did Ichiji see through the eyes of his familiar that Sanji encountered Zoro already? It seems so which makes the situation even more serious as there is no use denying and he has to head back to speak with his brother and Duval about what he did.

"Zoro I have to go now it seems to be getting late and I promised my friend not to stay out late today." This excuse seems acceptable to the hunter as he said he was welcome to spend time here again.

But Sanji already left the building leaving Zoro alone with the few people there as well with the fishes swimming about in the tanks.

Sanji just got back at the inn when Duval went up to Sanji in a worried way. "Sanji there you are do you realize how I was worried something bad might have happened to you? Don't scare me like that." Sanji apologized to his best friend.

"I am sorry Duval I should of said something to you before going out in broad daylight and as you might know already I met Roronoa Zoro in fact I have seen him ever since the level e attack." Informed Sanji who felt guilty for keeping Duval in the dark like this. Duval's reaction was a bit sad:" So this means that the hunter saved you from the level e and you in turn helped in the death of the level e not that you killed it."

Duval then reminded Sanji that his brother is asking to speak with him upstairs in Ichiji's room. "Sanji your brother wants to speak with you about something and he wants me to go with you." This made the two vampires think about how were they going to get out of this without consequences but they would just deal with it. So they went up to the room and knocked with being told to come in. Ichiji was standing by the window looking at the sunset that is going down to bring in the night.

The younger brother spoke first:" You said you need to speak with me Ichiji, what is it?" The red haired pureblood turned back to look at the two vampires in front of him and contemplated if Duval should be apart of this but decided he could stay.

"I saw what happened through the eyes of my familiar and it was clear that you have already met Roronoa Zoro probably from the point of the level e attack. Did you think you could deceive me like this Sanji? Stated Ichiji who despite not looking angry is actually quite upset about this since as pureblood vampires it is expected for Sanji and Ichiji to conceal their emotions not to let outsiders see. Sanji neutrally said that it is true he was in contact with Zoro but only as a way to get him to drop his guard down.

"Yes, I admit I have met Roronoa Zoro instead of killing him on the spot, my plan is to get his trust to let him lower his guard down and then strike where he least expects it." Ichiji found it amusing that Sanji is becoming more like the rest of their siblings. "I must commend you Sanji you are starting to be more like our siblings and I using cruel tactics to strike at your prey but how do I know you will not get attached?"

Duval had no idea what Sanji is thinking at the moment as his friend appears just as emotionless as his red haired brother at the moment when discussing Zoro. Then Sanji said:" I will not get attached to the human as from what he thinks I am just a human. Roronoa Zoro could not sense I am a pureblood because of my unique abilities so I will be able to take him by surprise." The other pureblood did not seem all that convinced by his younger brother's display so he made a challenge.

"Very well then Sanji you can keep doing your charade but here is a challenge for you. One of us will have to take action soon to kill that meddlesome hunter. Should you succeed in killing him before me you win the challenge and you will be able to ask anything of me and also as a result impress me." Duval interrupted at the worst time thinking that does not sound too bad.

"That does not sound too bad of course Sanji won't fail I believe in him." Then Ichiji glared at Duval and then the pureblood did something that bothered Sanji." Ichiji made a command towards Duval for him to be silent as the purebloods are talking.

"Be silent Duval only the purebloods are talking here so stay out of it." After saying this Duval attempted to talk back but something prevented him from doing it. Sanji recognized what power Ichiji used it was the ability to command the lower ranking vampire to obey the purebloods orders against their will. Sanji didn't like using this ability unless he had no choice in the matter.

"As I was saying, should you ever be exposed as a pureblood to Roronoa Zoro and you did not kill him when that happens you lose. You will offer me your blood and obey anything I tell you to do." Listening to this made Duval horrified at what was said; Ichiji wants Sanji to willingly offer his blood to Ichiji should he lose the challenge. But this was a taboo purebloods should not drink from each other.

As for Sanji he was surprised on the inside just like Duval about the conditions and the mental image of Ichiji sinking his fangs in Sanji's neck is alarming. It would be like what happened back when they were kids will happen for real in the future. Sanji did not see his brother move fast to walk in front of him and leaned down to whisper in Sanji's ear.

"You will have to willingly give in to me Sanji no struggles now or Duval will get it and you wouldn't want that would you?" That jerk is planning on using Duval as a leverage to keep Sanji under control and maybe that was why Ichiji did not oppose the idea of Duval coming with them on the mission right now if it is to use Duval as a hostage to get Sanji to do what Ichiji wants. Ichiji backed away as he said:" Now do we have a deal Sanji once you agree you cannot back out."

This made the blond haired pureblood think over his options like he should of expected Ichiji would do something like this and Duval's life is on the line like if Sanji's did not go through with the mission Duval will get punished in his place and the eldest brother is known for being sadistic towards his victims and who knows what he would subject Duval through. Sanji just hoped Duval won't blame himself for both of them being in this mess. So Sanji made a decision that would seal his fate.

"Alright I will do it."

Note: Here is another chapter of Twisting Fates in the story. This chapter we get to learn that all the Vinsmoke siblings including Sanji are genetically modified in addition to being pureblood vampires. The siblings all have exoskeletons but the differences in this story is that Sanji's brothers Ichiji, Niji and Yonji did not have their empathy, sympathy or compassion taken away from them unlike their manga counterparts did. But in the previous chapter we saw Sanji get injured so how does he have hardened skin? Sanji has the ability to manipulate his exoskeleton in a way that it can make him look normal and the time at the attack Sanji was planning on infiltrating the town acting like a human to find his target. It can only be circumstances in a serious battle or something dangerous that Sanji will activate his hardened skin at all times.

Some of the other things I would like to address is that in chapter 1 there was a mention that Reiju and Yonji were said to appear with blond hair. Yes, Reiju does have pink hair in this story and the reason why both Yonji and her were seen with blond hair is that before the start of the story they were on a recon mission to gather information and they needed to lay low so they dye their hair blond. At this point in the story Reiju and Yonji should revert back to their natural hair colours which are pink and green.

Answer to the reviews:

Romina963: Thank you for your review and that I know at the moment the slow burn shows up but eventually it would get better. Ichiji in the story will show his feelings for Sanji later on and it won't be late but it is a bit before Zoro confesses his feelings for Sanji. In Twisting Fates, Ichiji's behaviour will be described as being unhinged to the point his possessiveness will begin to show and that his initial attitude to the mission goes from indifference to its personal because of Zoro and the hunters interactions with Ichiji's most important sibling (Sanji).

autumncat210: I am glad you think the story was good.