The Vinsmoke family ancestors had indeed been extraordinarily wealthy and powerful.
The World Economic News had once published a highly popular illustrated story called "Sora, Warrior of the Sea."
The main villains, the ruthless Evil Army, were none other than Germa 66.
The story's dramatic prototype was based directly on Judge's ancestors' legendary experiences.
Everyone took their seats around the ornate table and began formal negotiations.
"We have two specific requirements." Kai got straight to the point with businesslike efficiency, holding up two fingers.
"First." His piercing gaze swept over Judge with obvious authority, "Custom-make advanced combat suits for the Beast Pirates' main officers."
Despite how poorly Ichiji and the others had performed in the recent battle, without their combat suits they would have been even more pathetically helpless.
It could honestly be said that the combat suits greatly raised their combat effectiveness floor.
Receiving Kai's recognition made Judge feel quite proud despite everything.
Although the previous battle where he offered no meaningful resistance had completely shattered his beliefs, he quickly reasoned it out. His failure was due to encountering a monster he should never have faced, not because the technology itself was inadequate.
This was like mastering that one plus one equals two, then being asked to prove why one plus one equals two using advanced mathematics.
The Vinsmoke family's illustrious reputation throughout the Four Blues was the best proof of their technological superiority.
But mass-producing combat suits presented challenges?
Judge looked troubled with obvious concern: "It's not that I'm being deliberately stingy, but I'm severely limited by key materials. Manufacturing combat suits requires precious memory metal, and I don't have much remaining in stock. Moreover, the combat suits aren't the complete final version yet. I still need significant improvements, which will consume valuable materials for extensive testing."
He paused nervously, afraid of provoking Kai's displeasure, and continued carefully: "However, I can grit my teeth and squeeze out enough material for combat suits covering everyone present here."
"I understand the limitations. Let's make four sets first then."
Kai nodded with reasonable understanding, "I'll find a way to solve the special metal problem independently. When that time comes, we might be able to take the combat suits' defensive power to entirely new levels."
"That would be absolutely wonderful."
Judge forced a delighted expression on his weathered face, though inwardly he remained completely dismissive.
In his view, since Kai and the others weren't trained scientists and probably didn't even know basic metal smelting principles, what realistic solutions could they possibly have?
"I know you have deep research expertise into lineage factors. Your modified children are the best living examples."
Kai continued with growing intensity: "So, here's the second requirement."
"I need you to research artificial Devil Fruits extensively."
"Artificial Devil Fruits?"
Judge frowned with obvious confusion: "I know you might have learned from Queen that Vegapunk once researched this exact project, but he made absolutely no meaningful progress."
The implication was crystal clear: if even the legendary Vegapunk couldn't handle the project, don't make impossible things difficult for me.
Though it proved embarrassing to boost others' prestige while deflating his own reputation, compared to preserving his life, mere face wasn't worth very much.
Rashly agreeing but being unable to deliver would mean facing the Beast Pirates' legendary fury, which was absolutely no joke.
"No, you're wrong. He succeeded completely. With the World Government's backing, he successfully replicated the Azure Dragon fruit."
Kai's words were absolutely shocking.
"Hiyori, if you would demonstrate."
Kozuki Hiyori understood perfectly and, under Judge's completely dumbfounded gaze, her body rapidly changed. In an instant, a magnificent pink dragon-person appeared before them.
HISS!
Judge sucked in a sharp, cold breath.
That guy Vegapunk actually accomplished such an impossible thing?
After a long, stunned silence, Judge spoke with obvious difficulty: "I can certainly try. But my previous research has always been based on using lineage factors to modify the human body directly. For artificial Devil Fruits, I'd need to start completely from scratch, so progress might prove unimaginably slow."
"That's perfectly fine, because our target isn't to replicate complex Logia or Paramecia types, or even rare Mythical Zoan or Ancient Zoan types."
Kai spoke with casual indifference: "What we need are just ordinary Zoan types. Even having significant flaws doesn't matter at all."
The Beast Pirates only wanted basic combat power enhancement.
In the future, they could even mass-produce clone soldiers and feed them Devil Fruits.
Then the Beast Pirates' basic combat strength would prove unmatched across the seas, even surpassing the World Government itself.
Could the Navy realistically distribute Devil Fruits to ordinary marines?
"If it's just ordinary Zoan types... no problem whatsoever."
Judge twirled his distinctive upturned mustache as the pride of being a top scientist resurfaced with renewed vigor.
With Kai lowering the difficulty requirements this dramatically, if he still refused, how could he possibly bear the prestigious title of MADS Research Institute's second-ranked scientist?
"Very good indeed. Rest assured, the Beast Pirates won't let you work for nothing."
Kai nodded with obvious satisfaction: "Besides providing sufficient research funding, we'll also help you achieve your ultimate dream."
"My dream?" Judge's breathing instantly became heavy with anticipation.
"Yes, you want to unify North Blue completely, don't you?" Kai transformed into a master manipulator, his tone filled with irresistible temptation: "As long as you complete what the Beast Pirates require of you, we can definitely help you accomplish it."
"Really? You mean it?"
Judge's heart raced wildly, never feeling his ancestors' legendary glory so tantalizingly close to him.
"Heh!"
Kai lazily leaned back in his ornate chair, his tone casual yet radiating absolute confidence: "Unifying North Blue isn't actually difficult at all. Even right now, I could help you accomplish it personally."
Though North Blue was stronger than the weakest sea, East Blue, it was only marginally superior.
The highest bounties reached only two to three hundred million at most.
With Kai's current overwhelming strength, making North Blue's countries submit and acknowledge the Germa Kingdom's supreme status wouldn't be taking candy from a baby, but it would prove as easy as turning his hand.
But the greatest obstacle to unifying North Blue was never those weak countries.
It was something far more dangerous.
"The Navy, and even the World Government itself."
Kai stared directly at Judge's eager eyes: "Don't ever forget how your ancestors ultimately failed."
Kai's words struck like a bucket of ice water, directly cooling Judge's newly heated heart.
Right, there were still those powers to consider.
How could Judge, who could recite his ancestors' deeds backwards perfectly, not know clearly how the Germa Kingdom that had successfully unified North Blue was eventually destroyed?
Just as that illustrated story depicted, it was the Navy leading kingdom armies that completely destroyed the original Germa Kingdom.
"The World Government absolutely won't allow any force other than itself to monopolize an entire vast sea area."
Kai hit the nail directly on the head: "Unification is something only the World Government can accomplish. Any other country harboring this idea will only invite their complete destructive retaliation."
He spread his hands with theatrical helplessness: "Unfortunately, the current Beast Pirates don't yet possess the strength to fully contend with the World Government."
Judge seemed to have his spine completely removed, slumping in his chair with a dry, desperate voice: "So you're saying my dream can never be realized?"
"Of course not. Never say never."
Kai snapped his fingers with casual confidence, his tone as relaxed as if toppling building blocks: "Since the World Government is blocking our path, wouldn't it be perfectly fine if we simply overthrew them completely?"
"When that glorious time comes, the entire world itself..."
His finger slowly traced across the table surface, as if carving up an enormous pie: "Won't it be ours to divide exactly as we please?"
Overthrow the World Government?
Violet and Kozuki Hiyori, who had been listening somewhat drowsily, suddenly looked up with sharp attention, their beautiful eyes filled with complete shock.
Is this... your true ambition, Kai?
"That... such an impossible thing..."
Judge's voice trembled with obvious emotion. Reason told him "absolutely impossible," but his burning desire to restore his ancestors' legendary glory overwhelmed the fear in his heart, even overwhelming his basic threat of death.
He stared intently at Kai with laser focus, his eyes burning with near-mad flames: "Can it really be accomplished?"