The World Economic News had once adapted real-life stories into a serialized comic, modeled after the Marines' heroes.
The story was titled Warriors of the Sea: Sora, depicting the adventures of the hero "Sora," who could walk on water, leading a combined robot and the Marine seagull mascot against the evil army, Germa 66.
This tale had amassed countless fans worldwide.
Yet, almost no one knew that Germa 66 wasn't fictional—it was very real.
It wasn't until Vinsmoke Judge returned and revitalized Germa 66 that the world—especially the nations of the North Blue—realized the "fictional" evil army actually existed.
It all began with the execution of the four kings of the North Blue.
In truth, Germa 66 wasn't an evil army at all—it was a nation, one with a seat among the World Government's affiliated kingdoms.
Its rulers were the Vinsmoke Family.
It was also the only country in the world without fixed territory yet still holding an affiliate seat.
Germa 66's means of maritime transport were massive Transponder Snail Ships.
Each snail ship's deck had a unique structure, and when hundreds of them converged, they formed an enormous warship known as the Saint Germain.
This colossal vessel was the entirety of the Germa Kingdom's territory.
For a nation, having such a small domain might seem pitiful.
But considering that apart from the ruling Vinsmoke Family—led by Vinsmoke Judge—every other citizen was a clone soldier manufactured by Judge himself, the size seemed more than sufficient.
Still, the thought that this entire country was essentially Vinsmoke Judge's personal laboratory sent a shiver down Michael's spine.
Freaking creepy.
But it was precisely in such an environment that a mad scientist like Vinsmoke Judge thrived.
Hovering midair, Michael watched as the Snail Ships assembled before him, the Saint Germain gradually taking shape.
Beside him stood Crocodile, now clad in a borrowed Marine uniform that clung tightly to her figure, accentuating the blue-haired beauty's breathtaking curves.
Frowning, Crocodile remarked, "What a bizarre country. Just drifting across the sea like this?"
"They're a legitimate World Government-affiliated nation, you know," Michael rolled his eyes. "Did you think every country has vast territories like your Alabasta? There are countless nations in this world and most don't even have land areas as large as a single region of Alabasta."
"And whose fault is that?" Crocodile shrugged. "Anyway, all I need to do is enter this country in my Logia form, right? No need for me to stir up any trouble?"
"None at all. Just leave everything to me."
Hearing this, Crocodile nodded and began dissolving into sand to drift downward.
"By the way," she suddenly asked, "aren't you afraid I might just run away? I've already hit rock bottom—I couldn't care less if you expose my identity since barely anyone would believe it anyway."
"You won't run," Michael replied with a knowing smile, shaking his head.
"Whether for Alabasta's sake or your own."
"Tch, you're really confident."
With that, Crocodile completely dissipated, leaving only scattered grains of yellow sand drifting towards the Saint Germain.
Michael had come to understand Crocodile's temperament quite well by now.
The man/woman was practically the definition of a tsundere.
Then Michael remained hovering mid-air, watching as the Saint Germain gradually took shape.
One had to admit—regardless of other aspects, a country existing in this form certainly maximized its military capabilities.
This colossal vessel called the Saint Germain served both as sovereign territory and an impregnable war fortress.
Observing the clone soldiers and heavy artillery weapons, it was no wonder other North Blue nations got bullied by Germa 66.
Even by Grand Line standards, Germa 66 ranked among the most formidable military powers.
Their presence in the North Blue practically amounted to unfair competition.
"Alright, now that the stage is fully set," Michael murmured, "it's time for the protagonist to make an entrance."
With a smile, he threw open his wide cloak to reveal the Marine uniform and Justice cape beneath.
Flapping his wings once, he descended towards the "land" of the Germa Kingdom.
****
Vinsmoke Judge sat brooding on his throne, visibly displeased.
"Damn Revolutionary Army," he grumbled, "now they're extending their reach into the North Blue... and they stole that Devil Fruit I had my eyes on!"
"That was most likely a Logia-type fruit!"
"I might not need it myself, but I could've traded it to that Vegapunk."
"Even Vegapunk rarely gets Logia fruits for experiments. When he was developing artificial Devil Fruits, the reason Logia types proved impossible to recreate through multiple methods ultimately came down to scarcity—both of the fruits themselves and of Logia users willing to participate in trials."
"No raw materials means no research. It's that simple."
As a fellow scientist researching Lineage Factors, Judge fully understood the challenges involved.
That's why he'd risked ambushing that Revolutionary officer to seize the fruit—only to be thwarted by unexpectedly swift reinforcements...
Just then, a voice called from outside the palace doors.
"Your Majesty, I request an audience to deliver urgent news."
Vinsmoke Judge collected his thoughts.
"Enter."
As soon as the words were spoken, a clone soldier pushed the door open and entered.
"Your Majesty, a winged stranger has appeared aboard the Saint Germain."
"Hmm? Someone has invaded the territory of the Germa Kingdom? Then eliminate him."
"Your Majesty, he is wearing a Marine officer's uniform and claims that one of his colleagues has gone missing within the Germa Kingdom. He demands entry to investigate."
Vinsmoke Judge abruptly sat up.
Though Germa 66 was notoriously an evil army, at its core, it was still a member nation of the World Government.
Unless absolutely necessary, they couldn't afford to clash with the Marines.
While the clone army was formidable, compared to the Marine, it was far insignificant.
"Bring this officer to me at once!"
"Yes!"
Without hesitation, the clone soldier turned and left, utterly loyal to Vinsmoke Judge—executing any order without question.
Meanwhile, in a corner nearby, the figure of a little girl flashed past.
"The Marine… it's the Marine!"
"Could the Marine have a way… to save Mother…?"
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