The propaganda of the Air Force did more than excite merchants—it captivated rulers across the globe.
In a lavish and magnificent royal palace, confusion and curiosity reigned.
"Air Force? Where did this organization come from? It seems they intend to seize power from the World Government…"
Below, a grand banquet was spread, and the corpulent ministers stared, astonished, at the images flickering across the screen.
"Sky Island, Air Force? Fascinating, fascinating indeed…"
A massive, rotund king sat on a golden throne, shoveling delicacies into his mouth, his eyes gleaming with greed.
"Can it really triple the Kingdom's territory? Ablu, quickly! Verify everything this Air Force claims and confirm whether it's true!"
A large, spherical minister named Ablu hesitated, then rose and bowed, using his belly to support himself as he spoke cautiously.
"Your Majesty, the leader of this sudden Air Force is a King among pirates… In my estimation, he may very well challenge the World Government. Should we proceed with caution?"
"Idiot, if you hadn't thought of it, do you think the King wouldn't have?"
The corpulent monarch sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.
"Pirates, Air Force, Marines—none of it matters as long as it benefits the King! They are merely greedy fools, easily appeased with the right incentives!"
He rose, dragging his great belly across the floor, each heavy step shaking the palace.
"Triple the Kingdom's territory! Truly, the King's realm could expand threefold!"
He strode to the grand map, eyes alight with avarice, imagining the kingdom's lands swelling in size. He tilted back his head and laughed heartily.
"This is something even my father, who literally stuffed himself to death, could never achieve!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! You will lead the nation to unparalleled glory!"
The ministers, eager to curry favor, bent their sturdy waists as best they could and raised their enormous wine glasses, praising their ruler.
"Indeed, Your Majesty is the wisest ruler in generations, expanding our territory threefold!"
"Hahaha! Drink! Tonight, we will revel until dawn! Fortune smiles upon the King!"
The palace echoed with clinking glasses as fine wine and delicacies continued to arrive, carried in by attentive servants well into the night.
Outside the palace, fertile fields stretched toward the horizon, vibrant and alive.
"Cough… wheeze…"
A group of emaciated laborers toiled under the strict supervision of robust mounted overseers, dragging heavy farming equipment and planting crops.
"…" Miraculously, the seeds took root immediately, sprouting at astonishing speed.
"Faster! Keep moving! No slacking!"
An elderly worker lagging behind was whipped, twitching as he scrambled to catch up.
"A bunch of lazybones! If these fields aren't planted today, no rations for you!"
The overseer, mounted on horseback, lashed indiscriminately at the laborers, treating them like cattle.
This was not an isolated scene. Across the nation, people worked tirelessly under similar conditions.
Blessed with magically fertile land, this country could grow crops in days that elsewhere took months. The World Government hailed it as The Granary of the World, producing nearly half of the world's grain: the Royal Seal Agricultural Nation.
---
As night fell, moonlight glimmered on the heavily guarded seas, where dozens of snail warships floated in precise formation, linked by intricate mechanisms. Flags bearing the emblem "66" fluttered above, signaling the nation's name.
This was the Germa Kingdom, a militarized state revered for its martial prowess, feared across the seas.
On the battleship deck, rhythmic footsteps echoed.
"…" Rows of nearly identical soldiers patrolled diligently, clad in combat helmets and wielding firearms, eyes sharp for any threat.
---
Within the palace aboard the largest snail warship, cutlery clinked against fine china.
A family of five noble figures, each with multi-colored hair, sat at the table by candlelight. Despite the familial setting, silence prevailed; no one spoke.
"…" "…" Each ate with detached precision.
"I didn't expect the Whitebeard Pirates versus Marineford clash, which seemed dull, to produce so many surprises…"
The burly man at the head of the table, long golden hair and black mustache framing his stern face, studied the newspaper intently.
Thud!
"Artificial Sky Islands, Sky Seas, airships capable of flight…"
Vinsmoke Judge, current head of the Vinsmoke family and King of the Germa Kingdom, dropped his utensils and murmured, eyes glued to the urgent World Economic News.
"This Air Force from Sky Island is reckless! They intend to share technologies of absolute strategic value with the entire world."
Rustle!
"If such technologies fell into our hands, the Germa Kingdom could be fully restored, capable of challenging even the World Government itself…"
Judge's eyes scanned the next page, frowning.
The headline read in bold black font:
[The Air Force That Stopped Marineford is a Subordinate Force of the Fifth Emperor!]
"Under Shirogai Yamikuro's powerful Devil Fruit ability, all who died were revived!
The sudden appearance of the colossal Air Force forced the Marines to halt their pursuit of Fire Fist Ace, son of the former Pirate King Roger and commander of Whitebeard's first division!
The Marineford battlefield bore witness to no casualties—a miraculous feat in warfare history!
Most astonishingly, the supreme commander of the Air Force is the Fifth Emperor, Arrogant Emperor Shirogai Yamikuro!"
Judge's expression grew even grimmer.
"A Devil Fruit power capable of reviving people…"
Shirogai, the fifty-billion-Berry-bounty pirate recently famed across the seas, was indeed the supreme leader of this formidable Air Force.
"No wonder a man of an Emperor's level strength has his own organization," Judge muttered.
"What a missed opportunity…"
Judge glanced at the young man in the photograph, floating confidently with countless airships behind him.
He turned his gaze to his daughter, Vinsmoke Reiju, who delicately sampled her delicacies, displeasure creeping across his features.
"I told you long ago, she must have gone to meet him at the Straw Hat Pirates' advance! Such a powerful individual could have elevated the Germa Kingdom to unprecedented heights!"
"Hehe, apologies, Father. I was delayed by a national conquest mission and could not follow your orders," Reiju replied, a gentle smile on her lips, offering no argument.
"You have delayed my plan for the GERMA revival! Had I brought this Four Emperors-level individual under our banner before he rose to fame…"
Judge exhaled sharply, eyes cold and calculating.
"I will contact the Air Force to obtain Sky Island's advanced technology. When I go, you will accompany me! Follow my orders and ensure you manipulate the now truly Fifth Emperor, making him infatuated with you. That is my command!"
Judge's gaze burned with predatory intensity, his daughter's human emotions irrelevant. Obedience and the kingdom's benefit were all that mattered.
"Understood, Father."
Reiju nodded, a practiced, obedient smile on her face.
---