After Oda dropped that incredible bombshell upon us, I’m going to add to the substantial arguments in favour of Sanji being a Tenryuubito, this one will be short but sweet.
Sanji’s name has two meanings:
San means Three, Ji can either mean O’clock or Temple. Oda has confirmed that Sanji’s name is 3 O’clock or rather, snack time! Hence he is named as such for being a chef. However, we also know he is the third son of the Vinsmock family.
Clearly, as the third son, his name strongly relates in his order of birth and therefore I believe his other brothers will be named after their order of birth too. We have Ichiji and Niji, Sanji’s older brothers. If their father follows the same naming pattern he will be called Reiji, however I doubt this.
Ichiji is the first born. Niji is the second born.
Now that we’ve delved into the brothers and their names, there are some other underlying and ‘hidden’ clues.
The ‘Temple’ part of their names can be a direct reference to being praised as some sort of religious or political figures, the same way the Tenryuubito view themselves as Gods. They refer to eachother as ‘your holyness’ and separate themselves from normal humans
The religion of Christianity, the most followed faith on the planet, originates from Israel. The Bible speaks of ‘three temples’, like Sanji’s family.
- First is Solomon’s Temple, which was built on Mt Moriah in seven and a half years. (could Moriah be involved in Sanji’s past? Did he encounter Ichiji?) This temple housed the Ark of the Covenant.
This temple supposedly had the Brazen Alter of sacrifice, the Brazen Sea for Priests to wash themselves and the Brazen Layers of washing utensils. This temple was razed and burnt down by Nebuchadnezzar
- The temple of Zerubbabel, this was built in two years. The temple followed a similar plan to that of Solomon’s Temple on a much lesser scale. The temple was sacked and most items stolen and the temple was later used for Idolatrous purpose
- Thirdly is Herod’s temple. Unlike the other temples, this one had a court specifically for female use. This temple existed at the time of Jesus Christ. Both Jesus and Herod have been called the King of Kings on several occasions in the Bible.
So what?
Well, IF the Temples have some relation to the brothers:
- Ichiji has some history with Moriah and is seven and a half years older than Sanji. He too has a background of being a Chef. It’s possible he gave his life to save Sanji and Niji from attackers of unknown faction, he may be dead. His death was caused by fire.
- Niji is two years older than Sanji and shares many similarities with Ichiji. Ichiji was likely imprisoned or kidnapped by the same attackers of unknown persuasion. Niji may have been a massive pervert and had a strong attachment to aesthetic values. However, it’s possible Niji may still be alive.
- Sanji ran away and escaped the threat that took his two brothers away from him. He inherited the wills of both brothers as a Chef and the usage of Fire as well as being extremely perverted like his second brother. The notion King of Kings simply ties the third Temple into Sanji and Luffy, the Pirate King to be.
This is wild speculation of mine, but I think it would make a lot of sense.
What’s more, Sanji’s well known and obvious French theme strongly relates to ‘Vinsmock’.
Vin is French for Wine, seen as ‘the drink of the Gods’ in many cultures including: Greek, Roman, Carthaginian and Persian culture. Stronger relating to the connotations of being Tenryuubito, other Tenryuubito family names also have Godly meanings. The first part of Donquixote is Spanish for ‘Gift’ or sacrifice, common practice in these same cultures.
Extra: A Smock is a type of dress – this may relate to Sanji’s love of women? It’s also a play on the word ‘Smoke’, a reference to cigarettes and cooking.
There are lots of Godly inferences in the new reveal, and also a lot of references to food. So who were Ichiji, Niji and Sanji? Were they trainee cooks for the Tenryuubito? Were they simply regular Tenryuubitos?
Conclusion:
- Sanji’s brothers are Ichiji (7.5 years older) and Niji (2 years older), his dad might be called Reiji
- Ichiji is dead
- Niji is in captivity somewhere, although this is currently an unknown arbiter
- Sanji escaped the threat that took Ichi’s life and captured Niji, he has since inherited their wills
- The Vinsmock family is either a Cook family, subservient to the Tenryuubito or a Tenryuubito family themselves
*Theory by Logia