Kai's gesture of goodwill was not accepted by Judge with any grace whatsoever.
"Burst Shot Flying Kick!"
Judge roared with desperate fury as he lifted his knee in a devastating flying kick.
The thruster at the back of his boot instantly shot out brilliant blue energy, the explosive power causing his speed to surge dramatically forward.
"Far too slow."
Kai shook his head with obvious disappointment, casually sidestepping as the wind-carrying flying kick brushed harmlessly past him and missed completely.
Not all scientists could be like Queen, capable of excelling at both research and brutal battlefield combat.
Missing with his opening strike, Judge became furious and embarrassed. He spun his electric spear in a flashy flourish, then pivoted to thrust with deadly intent, determined to pierce Kai straight through his heart.
"Electromagnetic Pierce!"
The gleaming spear tip concentrated heart-stopping high-voltage current, aiming directly for Kai's unprotected head.
But the result remained exactly the same.
Still far too slow.
With such pathetically low basic physical attributes, what possible use were flashy techniques and dramatic moves?
Kai simply tilted his head slightly with casual ease, and the crackling spear tip grazed harmlessly past his ear.
But at this crucial moment, Judge's face showed a sinister smile of successful scheming despite his attack missing once again.
"Did you foolishly think my spear only inflicts damage when it makes direct contact with someone?"
"Discharge!"
With Judge's triumphant command, the massive high-voltage current accumulated at the spear tip was released all at once in a devastating burst.
Deadly blue electric arcs spread like an enormous fishing net, instantly enveloping Kai's entire body in crackling energy.
"Success! Fall down obediently now!" Judge laughed with maniacal glee, absolutely full of pride. "The current released by my spear cannot even be withstood by massive Sea Kings!"
The next second produced the sound he least wanted to hear echoing across the battlefield.
"So this level of pathetic current can only electrocute small fish."
A palm covered in pitch-black Haki completely ignored the raging electrical storm and steadily grasped the lightning-wreathed spear shaft with casual confidence.
Then Judge felt tremendous force transmitted through his weapon, trying to seize complete control of his prized spear.
WHOOSH!
Kai effortlessly snatched away the weapon like taking candy from a child.
Judge was pulled by the huge inertia and stumbled forward helplessly, losing complete control of his body and falling to the ground in an utterly sorry state.
He looked up with trembling fear, his eyes completely full of disbelief and growing terror.
The man standing before him was curiously examining the captured spear with obvious interest, completely ignoring Judge's presence without even a trace of wariness, as if his fascination with the weapon far exceeded his interest in Judge himself.
How could any human being possibly be this overwhelmingly strong!
Even using all his advanced methods and technology, he still couldn't force this monster to use his full strength?
Could it be that the Vinsmoke family's proud combat suits were nothing more than amusing toys to truly powerful fighters?
Then what did all these years of intensive research and development amount to in the end?
Judge's face turned absolutely ashen. The crushing loss of his life's ideals hurt him far more severely than any physical blows ever could.
Thinking of this devastating realization, overwhelming sorrow welled up from deep within, and he suddenly began crying loudly like a heartbroken child: "I've completely wasted my entire life! Ancestors of the noble Vinsmoke family, I've utterly failed you all!"
Cry... crying?
Could a kingdom's supposedly mighty king suffer such an emotionally fragile breakdown?
Even Kozuki Hiyori stood stunned with amazement.
Lord Kai didn't even do very much to him, did he?
"What's this nonsense? Turns out he's nothing but a crybaby!" Yamato made a mocking face and spoke with obvious disdain: "It's just losing one fight. Simply win it back next time!"
Look at her example. Yamato had suffered countless defeats throughout her lifetime, and when had she ever experienced such an emotional breakdown?
"Don't you dare harm my father!"
At this tense moment, a pink figure ran forward decisively and stood protectively in front of Judge with a determined expression.
"Re-Reiju?"
The crying Judge was completely stunned. He never expected that Reiju, who should theoretically have been emotionless due to his modifications, would suddenly run over to protect him.
For a long moment, Judge's heart overflowed with mixed emotions he thought impossible.
Kai's appraising gaze swept over Reiju's undeniably sexy and alluring figure: "That's perfectly acceptable, but what exactly will you trade for his safety?"
Reiju's breathing hitched with obvious tension. She wasn't some naive princess raised in a sheltered boudoir and naturally understood there was absolutely no free lunch anywhere in this world.
She gathered her courage with visible effort: "As long as you spare my father and brothers, I'm willing to do absolutely anything."
Hm?
Such remarkably familiar words.
Violet glanced over with knowing recognition.
Didn't she say something almost identical herself once?
"Reiju, you shouldn't..."
Before Kai could respond with his terms, Judge's face showed a trace of reluctance, but the words needed to stop Reiju from sacrificing herself lingered in his throat, unable to emerge.
The Vinsmoke family's future survival and one beloved daughter. The scales swayed back and forth between these two precious weights.
"Deal accepted."
Judge heard the answer he had been secretly hoping for in his subconscious mind.
Kai naturally had no reason whatsoever to refuse such an offer. Setting aside Reiju's obvious beauty and useful abilities, there was an even greater treasure hidden behind her.
The Vinsmoke family's true masterpiece: Sanji!
He wouldn't want to miss such a perfect buy-one-get-one-free deal.
Some hearts were happy while others worried.
Violet sidled up to Kozuki Hiyori, watching Kai accept Reiju with obvious interest, her small mouth pouting as she spoke with obvious sourness:
"Hey, Hiyori, do you think that guy Kai has developed some kind of strange princess-collecting fetish?"
"Hm?" Kozuki Hiyori looked genuinely puzzled by this observation.
Violet immediately began counting on her fingers: "Look carefully! I used to be the princess of Dressrosa, you used to be the princess of Wano Country, and Yamato goes without saying. As Kaido's daughter, she counts as Onigashima's princess at the very least."
Thinking about it carefully, the pattern really was unmistakably true.
Kozuki Hiyori couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle softly with amusement.
Violet put her hands on her hips and huffed lightly: "I bet our next sister will definitely be some other country's princess too."
"As long as Lord Kai remains happy."
Kozuki Hiyori gazed at Kai's commanding figure with gentle, doting eyes. Having grown up with Wano Country's traditional education, she was fundamentally a traditional woman.
Hiyori felt this way naturally, and Yamato proved even more indifferent to such concerns. Compared to jealous competition, she vastly preferred fighting and adventure.
As long as Kai stayed by her side, that was perfectly enough.
On the other side of the confrontation, the emotionally reborn Judge received shocking news like a bolt from the blue.
"I never intended to do anything permanently harmful to you in the first place. Didn't I already clearly say? I simply wanted to discipline your arrogant sons properly."
Kai shrugged with casual indifference.
Huh?!
Then what was all that intense emotional turmoil just now?
"Then you came here specifically to...?" Judge asked with growing curiosity.
"Cooperate."
Kai casually uttered two simple words, but they exploded like a massive bomb in Judge's stunned heart.
"Cooperation with the mighty Beast Pirates?" Judge swallowed nervously.
"Of course." Kai nodded in confirmation, looked around the damaged battlefield, and paused thoughtfully: "However, negotiating here isn't really appropriate for..."
"Oh, oh! This way, please, honored guests."
Judge seemed to wake from a dream, scrambling to get back on his feet as his face instantly filled with an almost fawning smile, bowing respectfully as he led Kai's group toward the magnificent central castle.
Reiju didn't follow along with the procession, instead going to care for her seriously injured brothers with obvious concern.
Entering the magnificent castle hall, a huge portrait immediately caught Violet's artistic attention.
In the dramatic painting, Judge wore gleaming battle armor and stood triumphantly with his feet planted on four crowned heads, his bearing dominating the entire world.
Seeing her interest, Judge immediately straightened his back with obvious pride, pointed directly at the portrait, and introduced with a booming voice: "This depicts my Germa Kingdom's legendary founding battle! I defeated the combined allied forces of four North Blue nations and severed their kings' heads, thus establishing Germa Kingdom's fearsome reputation throughout these seas."
He paused dramatically, his tone becoming even more impassioned: "And our glorious ancestors once unified this entire sea area for 66 consecutive days!"
When Judge spoke of his ancestors' legendary glory, he radiated incredible pride, completely forgetting the recent fact of his own crushing defeat.
"No wonder the kingdom displays '66' symbols everywhere." Violet suddenly understood the connection.