Chapter 327: Purple Eyes Reflect National Sorrow, Sanji's Knightly Promise!Time rewinds back to one hour ago.Dressrosa, Lover's Avenue!The air was filled with the sweet scent of pastries, the richness of coffee, and the ambiguous whispers of lovers.At an exquisitely decorated open-air cafe on a street corner, under a white parasol, Sanji was experiencing one of the best moments of his life (or so he thought).Opposite him sat a mature beauty enough to make any man's heart stop.Her long, wavy, brownish-black hair cascaded over her shoulders like the finest silk. Her refined, three-dimensional features, especially those expressive purple eyes tinged with a faint melancholy, perfectly matched Sanji's fantasies of "mature and charming."She wore a well-tailored long purple dress that complemented her snow-white skin and elegant temperament.Violet, a dancer from Dressrosa.At this moment, Sanji had completely entered a superposition of "Gentleman Mode" and "Love Brain Mode."Pink hearts twinkled in his eyes as he spun around Violet like a top.He pulled out her chair, handed her the gold-embossed menu, and introduced every dessert and coffee in his gentlest tone. The expensive Blue Mountain coffee in front of him had long gone cold, yet he hadn't taken a single sip."Ah~ Miss Violet! You must try the 'Maiden's Sigh' mousse from this shop! It's said to have a texture as light and wonderful as a first love. Only a lady with your beauty can truly appreciate its essence!"Sanji held his hands over his heart, his voice so sweet it could drip honey."And this 'Moonlight Coral' coffee, made from a special bean variety from the New World, fermented under the Moonlight with a faint oceanic scent and floral-fruity notes—just as mysterious and captivating as your eyes~""Though the decor of this shop is a bit tacky, only here can the sunlight favor your profile so perfectly..."He talked incessantly, a constant stream of clever words (or so he thought).Violet, however, seemed somewhat distracted.She elegantly picked up her coffee cup and took small sips, maintaining a polite smile. But deep within those beautiful purple eyes lay a heavy worry and struggle that wouldn't dissipate.She responded to Sanji occasionally, but her gaze involuntarily drifted toward the end of the street, where the silhouette of the Kings Plateau was faintly visible.'He... does seem very passionate and a gentleman. But... he's too flighty. Full of sweet talk, unable to walk when he sees a beauty... Can such a man really be entrusted with such a heavy secret and request?'Violet was having an internal struggle.'But... I'm out of time. The Colosseum has already started, and Doffy's plan is moving forward. If I don't act now, the last hope of the King Riku family, the true dawn of Dressrosa... might never have a chance again.''He's a member of the Straw Hat crew and has a bounty, so he should have some skill... What should I do?'Her hesitation was keenly noticed by Sanji.Although most of his attention was on admiring her beauty, his observational skills as a chef and a warrior hadn't completely gone offline.He noticed the forced nature of Violet's smile, her unconscious habit of stirring her coffee several times, and the unhideable sorrow deep in her eyes.'This beautiful lady seems to have a lot on her mind...'The hearts in Sanji's eyes receded slightly as the knightly part of his personality began to wake up.'Is something troubling her? Could she be... in trouble?'Just then, a commotion came from the cafe entrance.Several pirates, looking like they'd had quite a bit to drink and with faces full of rough features, stumbled in. They shouted loudly and rudely pushed aside the waiter trying to guide them.Their eyes quickly locked onto Sanji's table in the open-air seating... more accurately, they locked onto Violet."Yo! Look who it is? Isn't this the star dancer of the 'Rainbow Pub,' Violet?"A fat pirate wearing a Captain's hat and missing a front tooth grinned, his breath reeking of alcohol."What's the matter? Not dancing today? Come here to have coffee with this pretty boy?""Exactly! What's the point of hanging out with a weak-looking pretty boy like this? Come, have a few drinks with us brothers! Guaranteed to be more kick than coffee!"Another tall, thin pirate reached out, trying to grab Violet's wrist.Violet's face turned pale, a flash of disgust in her eyes as she shrank back.The smile on Sanji's face vanished instantly.In its place was a heart-pounding calm.He didn't erupt immediately; he didn't even look at the pirates.He just gently placed his coffee cup on the table with a soft "clack."Then, he stood up and straightened his suit jacket, which had become slightly wrinkled from his previous eager movements."Gentlemen,"Sanji's voice was calm, even somewhat polite."Interrupting a lady's afternoon tea time is very rude behavior. Could I ask you to leave?""Hah?! Pretty boy, who do you think you are? Daring to mind our business?"The toothless fat pirate widened his eyes and reached out to push Sanji.At the very moment that greasy palm was about to touch Sanji's chest—Sanji moved.No, in the eyes of Violet and those pirates, it seemed as if he hadn't moved at all.There was only a faint, blurry shadow of a leg that flickered extremely slightly.Then—Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!Four dull thuds followed, almost merging into one.Those four burly, menacing pirates were sent flying back faster than they had come, as if hit head-on by an invisible high-speed train!They didn't even have time to scream before crashing through the cafe's wooden fence and rolling onto the street outside. They piled on top of each other, eyes rolled back, foaming at the mouth, completely unconscious.The whole process was like a flash of lightning. Aside from the sound of the fence breaking and the thuds of the pirates landing, there was almost no other noise.Inside and outside the cafe, there was total silence.The other customers and waiters were stunned.Sanji acted as if he had just brushed off some dust. He sat back down slowly, the gentle smile returning to his face as he spoke to the shaken Violet:"Forgive me, Miss Violet, for letting some noise disturb your enjoyment. Shall we continue?"Violet stared blankly at Sanji, then at the unconscious pirates on the street, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.'What... just happened? I couldn't even see what he did...'In her purple eyes, the shock slowly faded, replaced by a rekindled, faint hope.'With this kind of strength... maybe... he really can do it!'Her hands under the table clenched into tight fists, her nails almost digging into her palms.Long-suppressed fear, despair, and the weight of her country's tragedy and family's hatred surged at this moment like a flood about to burst through a dam, battering her reason.She couldn't hesitate any longer.She took a deep breath, seemingly using all her strength just to keep her voice from trembling too much."Sanji-san..."She spoke, her voice somewhat dry."Yes? Miss Violet, do you need anything else?" Sanji asked with concern."No."Violet shook her head, her purple eyes looking directly at Sanji. They were no longer melancholy or charming, but incredibly solemn, even carrying a hint of desperate resolve."Actually... I didn't ask you out for afternoon tea, or... a date."The smile on Sanji's face paused for a moment, but he didn't interrupt. He just listened quietly and seriously.Those blue eyes, usually filled with hearts and playfulness, now became deep and focused."I have something... no, a truth, a request that I want to tell you and entrust to you."Violet's voice grew steadier, but her eyes were slightly red."This matter concerns the fate of this country, the thousands of enslaved souls, and my... the last dignity of the King Riku family.""King Riku... family?"Sanji's pupils constricted slightly.He had heard of the royal family of this country from ten years ago."Yes."Violet nodded. She raised her hand and pointed to her eyes."Please look into my eyes, Sanji-san. Please... see the truth of this country clearly."The moment her words fell, a strange pink light suddenly flared deep within her beautiful purple pupils!Glare-Glare Fruit ability—Activate!Sanji had no defense as his gaze met Violet's glowing eyes.In an instant, a massive amount of images, sounds, and emotions rushed into his mind like a bursting flood![A pitch-black night, Dressrosa's square.][King Riku held a long sword, his expression terrified and frantic. His body was being manipulated by countless nearly transparent threads, charging toward the unarmed citizens as blood splattered. The cries and screams of the people, and King Riku's desperate tears.][Then, Doflamingo descended from the sky like a savior, "quelling" the riot amidst the cheers of the people.][A dark, damp underground factory.][Countless toy soldiers of various shapes, their eyes hollow, mechanically repeating their labor. Whips struck them, making dull sounds.][In a corner, small members of the Tontatta Tribewere locked in chains, moving heavy raw materials under the shouts of overseers.][A toy accidentally broke a jar and was immediately dragged away by several guards wearing sunglasses, disappearing into the depths of the dark corridor.][Violet herself, wearing a beautiful dance dress, dancing in a brightly lit banquet hall, surrounded by the ugly laughing faces of the Donquixote Family's officers and vassals.][A perfect professional smile was plastered on her face, but those purple eyes were like stagnant water, reflecting no light.][Her gaze swept across the room, and every person's expression, conversation, and small movement were clearly fed back to her—this was the surveillance ability of the Glare-Glare Fruit.]She was using her own way to gather intelligence, while also being tormented by this ability every second, because all she saw was the wounds and darkness of this country.Pain, despair, anger, powerlessness, bone-deep hatred, and a glimmer of hope... countless complex and intense emotions accompanied the images, battering Sanji's soul.The gentle smile on his face had long since disappeared.The cigarette he was holding had unknowingly been bitten out of shape by his teeth.Deep in his blue eyes, it was as if a storm was gathering, brewing.The flood of images finally ended.Sanji took a slow breath.The cigarette had burned from beginning to end, reaching the filter and giving off a burnt smell, but he was completely unaware.He reached out and stubbed the completely burnt-out cigarette into the ashtray.His movements were slow and steady.Then, he looked up and faced Violet again.The pink light in Violet's eyes had vanished, leaving only exhaustion, tension, and a trace of cautious anticipation.She looked at Sanji, at the cold expression on his face, her heart filled with anxiety.'Will he... believe me? Will he agree? Or will he think I'm a lunatic and just turn and leave?'Time, It seemed to freeze for a few seconds..Finally, Sanji spoke. His voice was a bit raspy, yet exceptionally steady—so steady it was heart-pounding."...Ten years?"Violet was stunned for a moment before realizing he was asking about how long this dark rule had lasted.She nodded, her voice choking:"...Ten years."Sanji fell silent again.Then, he picked up a match from the table, relit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.Amidst the swirling smoke, his gaze looked through the glass toward the high-and-mighty Kings Plateau in the distance, toward the fluttering flag of the Donquixote Family."Using strings to manipulate hearts, using toys to bury the truth, using fear to rule a country..."He slowly exhaled a smoke ring, the smoke twisting like the distorted ten years of this country."Turning children into slaves, making fathers unable to embrace their daughters, forcing a princess to put on a brave face..."He turned his head and looked at Violet.In those blue eyes, the storm had subsided, leaving only a light as steady as a rock."This kind of disgusting drama..."He stood up and walked to Violet. Instead of playing the flirt as before, he slightly bowed like a true knight facing a princess and held out his hand.Violet stared blankly at his outstretched hand."Princess Violet,"Sanji's voice was clear and powerful, carrying an unquestionable promise."In the name of Black Leg Sanji, I guarantee you—"He took Violet's somewhat cold hand, passing on a warm touch."That Flamingo bastard's rule..."He looked up, his gaze as sharp as a blade."...ends here."Violet's tears finally rolled down at this moment like a string of broken pearls.Ten years of accumulated grievance, fear, and despair finally found an outlet to vent and lean on.She gripped Sanji's hand tightly, nodding vigorously, sobbing uncontrollably.Sanji gently patted the back of her hand, then let go, his eyes returning to their usual calm."Now, there's no time to cry, Your Highness. The fight has already started at the Colosseum. My idiot Captain and Mosshead teammate have probably already turned the place upside down.""We need to hurry!!!"...