IRON MASK

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Sanji stares forward with a shocked expression, a cigarette in his mouth. He says, 'WELL, THESE...' and asks, 'YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT THIS ISI' The scene shifts to a massive underground facility where a huge cylindrical structure labeled 'GERMA 66' dominates the room. Soldiers in identical uniforms stand in rows inside transparent pods. A voice exclaims, 'GERMA 66!...ARE THE SOLDIERS OF' and notes 'A SHOCKING VIEW!' In close-ups, three identical stern-faced men float in liquid-filled pods marked 261, 260, and 259. Observers react: 'ARE THESE GUYS EVEN ALIVEI!' 'THEY ALL HAVE IDENTICAL FACES!' 'THAT'S JUST CULTURE FLUID.' '...WHY ARE THEY IMMERSED IN WATERI!'

A man with slicked-back hair, a scar across his face, and large headphones marked "66" leans forward with a confident grin. "HUMANS... CAN BE MANUFACTURED," he declares. "LISTEN CLOSELY, SANJI." Sanji reacts with shock, "!!I" The man continues explaining Germa's history as "the kingdom of science," noting that their father once worked alongside Vegapunk on hi-tech weaponry and research into the origins of life. He reveals that a living organism's "lineage factor" was discovered, allowing them to essentially find the blueprints to life itself. In the present, Sanji stares in disbelief at the revelation about their father and Vegapunk working together.

The man explains that their father escaped the World Government’s witch hunt and continued his research on "germa," experimenting with cloning and gene mutation. When the World Government learned of Vegapunk’s work, they arrested him. Now, in a vast basement facility, rows upon rows of clone soldiers in pods are displayed beneath the Germa 66 logo. The man states these are the "clone pawns," highly capable soldiers created for the project, though the soldiers themselves are unaware of this fact. Sanji and the man stand before the massive cloning apparatus.

The man gestures proudly before a massive crowd of clone soldiers under the Germa 66 flag. "YOU CAN'T BLAME THEM REALLY... STRONG, FEARLESS AND LOYAL... ALL PROGRAMMED TO STARE DEATH IN THE EYE WITHOUT FLINCHING WHILE BEING ETERNALLY FAITHFUL TO US, NO QUESTIONS ASKED!" He adds that nations tremble at Germa’s military might, though their envy is just as great. Sanji, visibly disturbed, retorts that the place could be called a "soldier depot," noting it takes only five years to produce a twenty-year-old clone. The man cuts him off sharply: "ENOUGH! I DON'T NEED TO HEAR ANYMORE!" as sparks fly from the machinery.

Sanji doubles over, sweat pouring down his face. "YOU'RE MAKING ME NAUSEOUS," he mutters as a loud "THUD" echoes. The man continues, recalling when the family learned Sanji had been running around as a pirate. In a flashback, young Ichiji and Niji loom over a beaten Sanji on the ground. "WE ALL THOUGHT, WELL HEY MAYBE THIS IS A GOOD THING... IT'LL HELP THAT LITTLE RUNT GROW AND MATURE A LITTLE BIT!" Ichiji says with a grin. "BUT THAT WAS APPARENTLY WISHFUL THINKING... LOOK AT YOU... AS PATHETIC AS EVER..." Ichiji and Niji stand over the injured Sanji while other clones watch nearby.

Vinsmoke Niji glares with a fierce expression as a shocked voice cries "!I". Niji mutters "HMI" while a young woman with short hair gasps in horror, hands to her cheeks, shouting "NIJI!". Sanji's face twists in rage, yelling "WHAT THE HELL...". The woman points accusingly, "YOU...". Niji's eyes flare with a sharp "GLARE". In a sudden explosion of motion, Sanji lunges forward and delivers a powerful spinning kick that sends Niji crashing violently into the wall, debris flying. Niji shouts furiously, "DID YOU DO TO COSETTEI!" as the impact cracks the surface. Close-ups show Sanji's intense glare, Niji's pained grimace, and the woman's stunned reaction amid the chaos of the brawl.

The brutal exchange continues with massive impact lines and debris as Sanji's kick connects. Niji roars back, "DO NOT FORGET, THAT WE'VE GOT QUICK AND EASY ACCESS TO YOUR EAST BLUE ACHILLES HEEL. I'D TREAD LIGHTLY IF I WERE YOU, SANJI." He follows with a vicious strike, "YOU'VE COMMITTED A GRAVE SIN... AND I'M GONNA DRILL THAT LESSON INTO YOURS!!" with a loud "CRACK!". Sanji counters with a swift "STEALTH..." move, landing a punch that sends Niji reeling. Niji sneers, "WELL THIS IS UNEXPECTED... I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW YOU SWUNG THAT WAY... YOU AND THAT PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A CHEF WOULD MAKE A CUTE COUPLE..." as the fight rages on with speed lines and shock effects.

Sanji presses the assault with a high kick labeled "NEEDLE!" while Niji taunts, "JUST TRY AND FIGHT BACK... I DARE YOU... ALL THE BLOOD SPILLED OVER AT THE EAST BLUE WILL BE ON YOUR HANDS." A small panel shows a wide-eyed "HENRY*". Niji is hurled backward with a massive "GAAAAH!" and impact "BAM". Sanji stands over the fallen Niji, who laughs mockingly, "BAHAHA, GOOD ONE!" while offering, "IF YOU DON'T MIND THE COMPANY OF A CRIPPLE, I'M SURE WE CAN ARRANGE IT SO THAT SHE'S A MEMBER OF YOUR PERSONAL STAFF!" Sanji retorts sharply, "I KNEW SHE MEANT THAT MUCH TO YOU I WOULD'VE BEAT THAT PEASANT BLACK AND BLUE EVERYWHERE BUT HER FACE!" as sparks and debris fill the air.

The scene shifts to the Vinsmoke family hall. Niji, still bruised, growls, "I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO REMIND YOU OF THE HIERARCHY IN THIS HOUSE, ANYTIME YOU WANT!!". Sanji stands with arms raised as Reiju and others watch. A calm voice declares, "WELCOME BACK TO YOUR 'VINSMOKE FAMILY'. I SPEAK FOR ALL OF US WHEN I SAY... WELCOME HOME, SANJI." Vinsmoke Judge looms on a grand throne beneath the massive "66" emblem, proclaiming, "ARE MY GREATEST CREATIONS OF ALL TIME. LISTEN CAREFULLY, YOU ALL...". He continues, "WHEN THE TIME COMES, NOTHING IN THIS WORLD WILL DETER YOU FROM YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL... EACH OF YOU WILL STAND AT THE HEAD OF AND LEAD AN ARMY... THE RESULT OF THE MOST ADVANCED, PROGRESSIVE SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS AND GENETIC ENGINEERING THAT THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN... YOUR SKILLS AND ABILITIES WILL NOT BE BOUND BY HUMAN LIMITATIONS OR BOUNDARIES!" as the siblings stand in formation.

Vinsmoke Judge looms in close-up, iron mask gleaming as he declares, "WITH LIMITLESS POTENTIAL! FOR THAT POTENTIAL TO BE REALIZED, ALL THAT'S LEFT FOR YOU TO DO...IS TRAIN!" A second speech bubble continues, "CONSISTING OF ONLY GERMA 66, WHICH SHALL CONTINUE TO GROW AND EVOLVE THANKS TO THE POWER OF SCIENCE! THE BLOOD THAT COURSES THROUGH YOUR VEINS HAS BEEN BLESSED..." Below, young Sanji tumbles across the stone floor of a vast circular training ground while his siblings watch. Ichiji, Niji, Yonji, and Reiju snap to attention and shout in unison, "YES, FATHER!!" The scene shifts to a wide view of the Germa 66 castle walls as the children charge forward in formation, dust and motion lines trailing behind them. Judge watches from the side, face twisted in fierce approval.

Young Sanji is hurled through the air by an explosion of water and debris. He crashes down near the shoreline where Reiju stands watching silently. Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji glare at him with irritation; SFX reads "IRRITATED" as they cross their arms and emit jagged anger lines. Niji lunges forward and delivers a brutal kick that sends Sanji flying again. Inside a stone hall, the siblings gather around a table covered in food while Sanji lies beaten on the floor. Outside the castle gates, armored Germa soldiers raise weapons and cheer as the children train. Sanji is shown sprawled on the ground, surrounded by the triumphant figures of his brothers.

Reiju watches in shock as Ichiji and Niji brutally beat Sanji with clubs amid flying debris. Yonji joins the assault, kicking Sanji across the courtyard. Vinsmoke Judge stands with a clipboard, sweat dropping as he observes the results. A large panel reveals the towering Germa 66 castle flying multiple 66 flags. Narration and dialogue state, "LORD ICHIJI, LORD NIJI, AND LORD YONJI ARE ALL RIGHT ON TRACK. THE RESULTS HAVE COME IN! SANJI IS CLEARLY INFERIOR TO THE REST... HIS SCORES CONTINUE TO FALL FURTHER AND FURTHER BEHIND. THEIR 'OUTER SKELETONS' HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO FORM, AND THEIR BODIES... HAVE MATURED INTO THE LEVEL OF AN ADULT MEN BOTH IN TERMS OF STRENGTH AND AGILITY."

Vinsmoke Judge continues reading from his clipboard, "ON PAPER, ALL FOUR OF THEIR GENES WERE IN FACT SUCCESSFULLY MODIFIED... BUT FOR SOME INEXPLICABLE REASON, HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHOSE ATTRIBUTES AND MEASURABLES HAVE REMAINED ALMOST CONSTANT FROM THE MOMENT OF HIS BIRTH. THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO DESCRIBE HIS DATA OTHER THAN TO CALL HIM A TOTAL 'FAILURE'. AS MUCH AS IT PAINS ME TO SAY THESE WORDS... HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT LORD SANJI IS... WELL... IS SIMPLY A NORMAL, REGULAR HUMAN BEING." An aide asks, "LORD SANJI... WHAT ARE YOU GETTING ATI" In a flashback panel, young Sanji happily offers food to a mouse, saying, "FEEL FREE TO DIG IN! I MADE THAT JUST FOR YOU!" while SFX shows "SNIFF SNIFF" and "SQUEAK SQUEAK!" Judge's face twists in rage, teeth clenched.

In a lavish room lined with bookshelves, young Sanji kneels at a table feeding a small rat. Vinsmoke Judge looms behind him, roaring, "ROYALS MUST NEVER SERVE OTHERS! HOW MANY TIMES MUST I TELL YOU THISI!" and "SANJI!! YOU BETTER NOT BE FEEDING THAT DAMN RAT AGAIN!!" The rat squeaks happily as Sanji smiles, "TASTES GOOD, DOESN'T ITI" Judge's fury erupts; he strikes Sanji, sending him flying. "FOR WHATEVER REASON, YOU WERE NOT GIFTED WITH THE APTITUDE AND TALENTS OF YOUR SIBLINGS!!" Judge continues, "YOUR MOTHER HAS LONG PASSED!! THERE IS NO MERIT TO BE GAINED FROM FOLLOWING THE LEGACY OF THE DEAD!" Young Sanji looks up tearfully, "BUT... I..." Judge slams his fist down, "DON'T YOU DARE EVER PREPARE ANOTHER MEAL AGAIN." He grabs Sanji by the collar and hurls him across the room. "AS SUCH, IT IS YOUR DUTY TO WORK HUNDREDS, NO... THOUSANDS OF TIMES HARDER THAN THE OTHERS!! YOU WILL BE A PART OF... AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE PLANS I HAVE SET FOR THE FUTURE OF GERMA! BEING A DISAPPOINTMENT AND LAGGING BEHIND IS NOT AN OPTION!!" Sanji crashes into the wall with a pained "AH!!"

Young Sanji sits in a dark cell wearing an iron mask, his face bruised. Reiju tends to him gently. "IF I DON'T, I'LL JUST BE BULLIED TOO. I REALLY DON'T WANT THAT," she says. Sanji replies quietly, "LOOK, I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO COMPLY ALONG WITH THEM!" Outside, Germa 66 soldiers laugh and celebrate. Judge stares coldly, declaring, "HE'S AN UTTER WASTE OF SPACE AND AIR. HE HAS NO POTENTIAL!" He adds, "NO IMPROVEMENTS..." and "AT THE WAKE OF A SON FOR WHOM I HAD SUCH HIGH HOPES FOR, THIS IS ME... CARING... BESIDES, HE WAS COMPLETELY USELESS ANYWAY." A soldier asks, "DID HE SERIOUSLY GO AND DIE ON USI" Another panics, "WHY WON'T THIS THING COME OFFI! GUYS! WHAT'S THE BIG IDEAI!" Judge continues, "HE WAS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE 5 PILLARS THAT WERE TO LEAD THE GERMA INTO THE FUTURE... AND YET, HERE I STAND... TO THINK WE'D LOSE HIM IN AN ACCIDENT... THIS IS BEYOND A TRAGEDY!"

Young Sanji grips the bars of his iron mask cell, screaming, "LET ME OUT! I DON'T WANT TO STAY HERE!!" and "HOLD ON A SEC!" A flashback shows him pleading, "HE WISHED TO WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN AND START OVER IN A WORLD... WHERE HE WERE NEVER BORN TO BEGIN WITH." Soldiers block the gate as Sanji cries, "THEY'RE TRYING TO KILL ME!! PLEASE, SPEAK WITH MY FATHER!! FATHER... HELP!! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE... IT'S SO SCARY! I'M GONNA DIE!" In the present, tears stream down his face beneath the mask. "I'M... I'M SO SORRY!! I'M SO SORRY FOR BEING BORN A WEAKLING!!" he wails. "HELP!!! FATHER, SAVE ME!!! FATHER-R-RRRRR!!!" A large panel shows the castle at night with the caption "A TRAGIC, HEART-BREAKING FATE." Sanji's desperate voice echoes, "LET ME OUT... PLEASE, FATHER!!" as Judge walks away, muttering, "...WHYI!"

A vibrant color splash page welcomes the Straw Hat Pirates to a massive, glowing tree city built among enormous branches. Hanging houses shaped like pineapples and barrels light up the night with warm golden light. The Straw Hats and their allies stand in awe at the base. "GARCHU!" echoes repeatedly as friendly mink-like creatures wave and cheer. A large speech bubble declares, "WELCOME, STRAW HATS!" Luffy and the crew react with excitement amid the festive atmosphere, with "GARCHU!" and "UWAAH!" filling the air as they take in the dazzling sight.

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