The sheer confidence in Sanji's voice made Judge feel a wave of shame. Since the Straw Hats first went to sea, they had never shown fear. Before even entering the Grand Line, they had faced Mihawk and defeated powerful foes like Kizaru and the Golden Lion. After entering the Grand Line, they had clashed with Akainu, fought Kaido, and challenged Big Mom. Their presence at the Summit War had cemented their legendary reputation across the world.
In comparison, the Germa Kingdom's supposed dominance over the North Blue seemed small and insignificant. It was no wonder the world no longer took the Vinsmoke name seriously. Judge's expression darkened; he realized a battle was unavoidable. However, since Luffy and Carl remained on the sidelines, he believed he could still teach his son a lesson.
"Thunder Mountain... First Meat!"
Sanji vanished in a blur of speed. A crackle of lightning surrounded Judge as Sanji's black leather shoe aimed directly for his head.
"Electromagnetic Thrust!" Judge roared.
He thrust his spear, which was surging with high-voltage electricity, toward Sanji's side. Using the superior reach of his weapon, Judge attempted to strike Sanji's abdomen. Sanji had already predicted the movement with his Observation Haki and shifted his body into an elemental state to let the spear pass through him harmlessly. His kick continued its trajectory toward Judge's head.
Judge grimaced as the thrusters in his boots fired, shooting him forward to narrowly avoid the strike. But Sanji, moving with the speed of a lightning bolt, appeared above him instantly and delivered a crushing kick toward Judge's neck. Judge barely managed to turn and block with the shaft of his spear.
This time, Sanji did not dodge. He kicked the spear directly, letting the electromagnetic current wash over his leg without effect. Judge's eyes widened in shock; his advanced technology was failing to harm his son. A sense of panic began to settle in his chest.
"Your high-tech toys are only at this level?" Sanji asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "No wonder you're too afraid to enter the Grand Line".
Judge's face twisted in anger, but his fury turned to terror when a loud crack echoed through the air. A fracture appeared on his specially reinforced spear before it exploded under the pressure of Sanji's leg.
"External Haki release? How is this possible!" Judge stammered, refusing to believe what he was seeing.
Sanji landed gracefully and took a slow drag from a cigarette. "Nothing is impossible," he said calmly. "The Straw Hats are a competitive bunch. Even with the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, I wouldn't even be ranked in our crew if I didn't master Armament Haki and its advanced applications".
These words caused Judge to spiral into self-doubt. He finally understood why the Straw Hats were considered a premier pirate group. With Sanji's current power, he could stand among the elite in the New World. Yet, according to Sanji, the rest of the crew were such monsters that even a Logia user with refined Haki felt the pressure to keep up.
Judge realized that while he had spent years feeling complacent about dominating the North Blue through technology, he was merely an arrogant big fish in a small pond. In the face of true world-class power, his gadgets were useless.
"What do you want?" Judge asked, his voice trembling.
"It's simple," Sanji replied. "Cancel the marriage contract and promise never to harm the Baratie. If you touch them, the Germa Kingdom will be destroyed. Finally, I'm going to beat you, and then I'm taking Reiju with me. She is free to live her own life now".
"How can I... agree to that?" Judge muttered. He was willing to drop the marriage, but Reiju was his eldest daughter and vital to Germa's future.
"Do you want to refuse?" Sanji asked, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.
"Fine... do whatever you want," Judge said, collapsing to the deck in total defeat. He knew that if he didn't agree, the combined power of Sanji, Luffy, and Carl would end his kingdom forever.
"Sanji! You bastard, how dare you threaten Father!" Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji screamed in rage.
"Shut up, all of you!" Judge yelled at his sons. "Can't you see? We've already lost!".
Judge chose to surrender because he saw that Sanji only wanted to settle their personal grievances, not commit genocide. He knew the Straw Hats were backing Sanji, and he had to choose between his pride and the survival of his country.
Sanji didn't wait for another word. He delivered a final, massive kick that sent Judge crashing through the walls of the castle.
"From this moment on, Reiju and I have nothing to do with this family!" Sanji declared.
He turned his back on the Vinsmokes and returned to the Thousand Sunny. Judge eventually climbed to the top of his ruined castle, a boot print clearly visible on his face. He looked lonely and broken, realizing too late that his attempt to manipulate Sanji had cost him everything.
Back on the ship, Sanji smoked in silence. The crew watched him with smiles, happy that he had finally closed that chapter of his life.
"Hey, squinty-eyed cook," Zoro said suddenly. "Cry if you want to. We'll only laugh at you a little bit".
"Shut up, moss-head! I'm not crying, I'm happy!" Sanji barked back, his teeth turning into shark-like points.
"It's okay to let it out, Sanji," Usopp and Chopper added, trying to be helpful.
"Are you guys looking for a fight?" Sanji threatened. "Everyone is eating nothing but vegetables tonight!".
"What? No! Sanji, I need meat!" Luffy screamed immediately.
"That's what happens when you provoke the chef," Sanji retorted, returning to his usual bickering with the crew as the ship sailed on
------------------------
For Advance chapters visit : patreon.com/Mythic_Muse